In brief: Phelps sets record, passes Spitz’s mark
Swimming: Now that’s more like it. Michael Phelps bounced back from a stunning loss with something more familiar – another world record Wednesday in Rome.
One night after he was soundly beaten by Germany’s Paul Biedermann, Phelps set a world record in the 200-meter butterfly with a time of 1 minute, 51.51 seconds – more than a half-second ahead of his previous mark, 1:52.03.
Phelps whipped around quickly to see his time and held up his right index finger when the “WR” was posted. And just like Beijing, he has taken down another of Mark Spitz’s standards, this time with the 34th world record of his career – one more than Spitz had during his brilliant run in the pool.
Washington State University’s Rugile Mileisyte set a Lithuanian national record in the women’s 50 backstroke with a time of 29.58. She also swam a leg on the 400 free relay that set a national record of 3:54.97.
Seahawks sign second-round pick
The Seattle Seahawks agreed to a four-year contract with offensive lineman Max Unger, their second-round choice in the April draft.
That leaves just one rookie unsigned: No. 4 overall pick Aaron Curry.
The deal will pay Unger a guaranteed $1.95 million and has a total value of more than $3.5 million.
Unger played left guard during the offseason minicamps, a spot where Mike Wahle was the starter when last year began. Wahle missed Seattle’s offseason minicamps after undergoing shoulder surgery, and Unger is expected to compete for playing time at guard or center during camp.
•In other camps: Buffalo signed first-round draft pick Eric Wood, a right guard from Louisville, and second-rounder Jairus Byrd, a safety from Oregon; St. Louis signed second-rounder James Laurinaitis, an All-America linebacker from Ohio State; Cincinnati signed second-rounder Rey Maualuga, a linebacker from Southern California; Minnesota signed second-rounder Phil Loadholt, a right tackle from Oklahoma; Baltimore signed first-rounder Michael Oher, an offensive tackle from Ole Miss; and Tennessee agreed to contract terms with second-rounder Sen’Derrick Marks, a defensive tackle from Auburn.
•New deal for Miller: Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller has agreed to a six-year contract that runs through the 2014 season.
Miller, one of the top blockers among NFL tight ends, had one season remaining on the five-year contract he signed after being Pittsburgh’s first-round draft pick in 2005.
•Niners place Harris on IR: San Francisco 49ers starting cornerback Walt Harris will miss the entire season as he recovers from right knee surgery. Harris was placed on injured reserve.
Everton beats MLS All-Stars
Soccer: Tim Howard made six saves in regulation and stopped three shots on penalty kicks to lead Everton over the Major League Soccer team in the MLS All-Star Game in Sandy, Utah.
Howard, the U.S. national team goalkeeper, was voted Most Valuable Player after stopping Seattle Sounders midfielder Freddie Ljunberg on the final penalty kick.
Louis Saha scored the only regulation goal for Everton, while Brad Davis of the Houston Dynamo scored for the MLS stars.
Mickelson will play PGA Championship
Golf: Phil Mickelson is coming back for the PGA Championship.
Event organizers confirmed that Mickelson will play in the season’s fourth and final major, which starts Aug. 13 at Hazeltine in Chaska, Minn.
Mickelson left the tour two months ago to be with his wife, Amy, who was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Massa moved out of intensive care
Auto racing: Formula One driver Felipe Massa took his first steps since a high-speed crash last weekend left him near death.
Massa’s father said his improving son had moved out of AEK hospital’s intensive care unit in Budapest, Hungary.
•Schumacher will fill in: Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is making a comeback for Ferrari to replace injured driver Felipe Massa.
Ferrari said in a statement that the German had agreed to get back in the cockpit until Massa is fit to return.
Hornets sign free agent Diogu
Miscellany: The New Orleans Hornets have signed forward Ike Diogu to a free-agent contract.
Diogu played in 29 games last season for Portland and Sacramento.
•Trojans lose linebacker: Southern California freshman Frankie Telfort has a heart problem that will prevent him from playing for the Trojans.
Telfort, considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the country, has been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a serious genetic heart condition.
•Reinsdorf’s bid for Coyotes approved: The NHL Board of Governors approved a bid by Jerry Reinsdorf to assume ownership of the financially troubled Phoenix Coyotes, and unanimously rejected an application by Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie to buy the team.
•U.S. women advance to water polo final: Elsie Windes scored five goals, including the tie-breaker with 4:22 left, and the United States advanced to the championship game of women’s water polo with an 8-7 win over Greece in Rome.
•Atomic Rain might miss Haskell: A sore foot could keep Atomic Rain from taking on Rachel Alexandra and Summer Bird in the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday.
A final decision is expected today.