NFL players union files suit to reinstate Packer defensive end

The NFL players union filed a lawsuit Thursday on behalf of Green Bay Packers defensive end Anthony Hargrove and two others in the Saints bounty scandal.

The suit asks that the players’ suspensions be tossed out, and that a neutral arbitrator hear their case.

The legal action came two days after Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the suspensions he imposed on Hargrove and three other present and former New Orleans players.

Hargrove remains suspended for eight games after the NFL said he misled league investigators about the Saints’ pay system for injuring opposing quarterbacks.

The lawsuit accuses the league of conducting a biased investigation and called the arbitration process was a “sham.” The union said it never agreed to let Commissioner Goodell arbitrate this type of player dispute and claims he had no authority to do so.

The union also said Goodell showed his bias by publicly proclaiming the players guilty before issuing his suspensions. It said the commissioner’s follow-up process was “bogus.”

Brewers shut out

The Milwaukee Brewers were shut out for the seventh time this season when they lost to the Miami Marlins 4-0 Thursday at Miller Park. Ryan Braun grounded into three double plays as the Brewers were out-hit 9-7.

Ex-Brewer Carlos Lee went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored in his Marlins debut following his trade from Houston. Logan Morrison drove in two runs with a single and a groundout. Greg Dobbs belted a two-run homer in the ninth off reliever Jose Veras.

Brewers rookie starter Mike Fiers ended his string of 21 and a -third scoreless innings when Morrison’s RBI single scored Lee in the fourth. Fiers gave up two runs in seven and a third-innings. He took the loss to drop to 3-3.

The loss dropped the Brewers to eight games behind first-place Pittsburgh in the National League Central, and six and a half out for a Wild Card spot.

The Brewers will open their final series before the All-Star break Friday night at Houston. Right-hander Yovani Gallardo will start against Astros left-hander J.A. Happ.

U.S. Women’s Open in Wisconsin

Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome and Lizette Salas all share the first round lead at the U.S. Women’s Open in Kohler. All three shot three under par 69s as the mercury hit 98 degrees Thursday at Blackwolf Run.

Lexi Thompson is among four players tied for fourth place at two-under. Only 14 of the 156 golfers broke par.

The average round lasted an unusually long five hours and 45 minutes, as players toweled themselves between shots, dried their wet grips, and rehydrated at the start of every hole.

USGA officials said there were no significant heat-related incidents, and nobody had to be transported to a hospital.

Tiger Woods’ niece Cheyenne said the heat was “brutal.” You would think she’d be used to it since she lives in Phoenix.

Woods shot a three over par 75, putting her in a tie for 55th.

Se Ri Pak, who won the Women’s Open when it was first played at Kohler in 1998, is tied for 15th at even par 72.

Top-ranked women’s golfer Yani Tseng is tied for 38th at two over. Defending champion So Yeon Ryu of Korea is also at plus two, along with Michelle Wie.

Tags: sports, wisconsin, proam