Giants’ Lincecum throws no-hitter

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tim Lincecum pitched his second no-hitter against the San Diego Padres in less than a year, allowing only one runner Wednesday in leading the San Francisco Giants to a 4-0 win.

Lincecum shut down the weakest-hitting team in the majors, striking out six and walking one.

Lincecum retired the final 23 batters after walking Chase Headley in the second inning. Though the Padres hit a few balls hard, San Francisco fielders didn’t need to make any exceptional plays to preserve Lincecum’s gem

The 30-year-old Lincecum (6-5) threw 113 pitches for this win, using a big-breaking curve to set up his fastball. Last July 13 at San Diego, he threw 148 pitches while holding the Padres hitless.

Schilling says cancer is in remission

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Curt Schilling, the former Boston Red Sox pitcher turned ESPN television analyst, said his cancer is in remission.

Schilling announced the news on social media and thanked his Boston-based medical team.

He hasn’t indicated the type of cancer or his prognosis, but has posted pictures of himself receiving treatments.

Manny set to begin coaching role

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Cubs said Manny Ramirez will begin his stint as a player/coach for Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate on Thursday in Colorado Springs.

Uruguayans rush to Suarez’s defense

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — As the world was judging Uruguay’s Luis Suarez for biting a player in the World Cup, his teammates, coaches and fans in his soccer-crazy country defended the star, blaming the foreign media, his Italian opponents and uneven treatment.

World Cup organizers scrambled to quickly decide on a punishment before Uruguay plays Colombia on Saturday in the round of 16.

Wilmar Valdez, Uruguay football federation president, told the Associated Press shortly after midnight local time that the disciplinary hearing will continue Thursday morning.

Nigerians rocked by explosion back home

PORTO ALGRE, Brazil (AP) — Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi says he is saddened by the deadly explosion at an Abuja shopping mall shortly before his team played Wednesday at the World Cup, and that his team’s progression to the second round is unlikely to offer any solace to the country as it suffers terrorist attacks.

Last week, a bomb struck a World Cup viewing site in Nigeria, killing 14.

Wednesday’s explosion was blamed on Islamic extremists, but it was unclear if it was timed to coincide with the match.

The NFL agreed to remove a $675 million cap on damages from thousands of concussion-related claims after a federal judge questioned whether there would be enough money to cover as many as 20,000 retired players.

A revised settlement agreement filed in federal court in Philadelphia also eliminated a provision that barred anyone who gets concussion damages from the NFL from suing the NCAA or other amateur football leagues.

In January, U.S. District Judge Anita Brody had denied preliminary approval of the deal because she worried the money could run out sooner than expected. The settlement is designed to last at least 65 years and cover retired players who develop Lou Gehrig’s disease, dementia or other neurological problems believed to be caused by concussions suffered during their pro careers.