Sexson in Yanks' lineup after finalizing deal

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NEW YORK -- Richie Sexson finalized his contract with the New York Yankees on Friday and was immediately plugged into the starting lineup against Oakland left-hander Greg Smith.

The Yankees signed the big first baseman after he was released by Seattle last week. Sexson slumped badly against right-handed pitching with the Mariners, but hit .344 with five home runs in 71 at-bats against lefties this year.

He came through right away for New York, hitting a two-out RBI single in his first at-bat.

"I think this lineup hasn't touched what it can do yet and I think if I can get in the middle of it, there's going to be a lot of opportunity for me to help out," Sexson said before the game. "It's exciting to come here and have an opportunity to at least push for a playoff spot down the stretch. It's going to be fun."

• COLLEGE FOOTBALL -- Georgia athletic director Damon Evans says he is "anticipating" the return of radio play-by-play announcer Larry Munson for home games this season following Munson's brain surgery.

The 85-year-old Munson has not yet made his return official for his 43rd season as the voice of the Georgia network.

"I'm anticipating that Larry will be there," Evans told the Athens Banner-Herald.

• BOXING -- Junior welterweight contender Edgar "El Chamaco" Santana was among 12 people arrested Friday on charges of taking part in an international cocaine trafficking ring.

Prosecutors said Santana conspired with the other suspects to smuggle cocaine from Puerto Rico into New York. Narcotics detectives arrested the suspects early Friday. They seized several pounds of cocaine and $450,000 in cash as part of the investigation, dubbed "Operation Special Delivery."

• TENNIS -- Top-seeded Serena Williams advanced to the semifinals of the Bank of the West Classic with little trouble, beating Patty Schnyder 6-3, 6-1.

Schnyder had won three of five meetings against Williams, including a match in Zurich last year when Williams retired after losing the first nine games. But Schnyder was unable to find her groove against Williams this time and went down meekly in just 54 minutes.

Williams, playing here for the first time in her career, will take on the winner of a later match between qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak and lucky loser Samantha Stosur in the semifinals today.