Baseball | Toronto infielder Edwin Encarnacion is burned in face by fireworks

Baseball

Fireworks burn Blue Jays infielder's face: Toronto infielder Edwin Encarnacion was burned in the face by fireworks while celebrating the new year in his native Dominican Republic.

Fiancée Jennifer Pena told The Associated Press that Encarnacion was released from the hospital Saturday and is resting at home. She said his injuries do not require surgery.

Encarnacion received first- and second-degree burns when his brother released a firework that hit him in the right side of the face and exploded near his body, she said. He was celebrating with his family in La Romana.

Doctors at a nearby clinic treated Encarnacion, 26, before he was flown to a hospital in Miami.

Encarnacion hit .225 with 13 home runs and drove in 39 runs in 85 games with Cincinnati and Toronto last season.

Motor sports

Vehicle strikes woman during opening stage: A 28-year-old woman watching the Dakar Rally was killed when a vehicle taking part in the race in Argentina veered off the course and hit her during the opening stage.

Natalia Sonia Gallardo died from injuries suffered in the crash. Race officials said four other people had minor injuries. The 4x4 was driven by Mirco Schultis and partner Ulrich Leardi.

In a release, race officials said the fans were outside of one of the designated "spectator zones."

Former motorbike winner Nani Roma of Spain won the first stage, from Colon to Cordoba, in a BMW. David Casteu of France led the motorcycle riders.

The rally finishes Jan. 16 in Buenos Aires.

Tennis

Nadal wins exhibition tournament: Rafael Nadal of Spain ended a two-match losing streak to Robin Soderling, beating the Swede 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 in the final of the season-opening Capitala exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.

Top-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland defeated David Ferrer of Spain 6-1, 7-5 for third place.

Nadal, ranked No. 2 in the world, said he plans to play in this week's Qatar Open to prepare for the Australian Open, which starts Jan. 17 in Melbourne.

Sharapova beats Venus Williams in exhibition: Maria Sharapova of Russia beat American Venus Williams 6-3, 6-4 in an exhibition match in Hua Hin, Thailand.

"It's good to be back. I'm glad to play against Venus in my first match of the year," Sharapova said.

Williams, also returning from a layoff, said, "Maria played so well. I was slow in my first match of the season. It's good to be here hitting the ball."

Soccer

Liverpool gets draw in FA Cup match: Steven Gerrard scored in the 36th minute, rallying Liverpool to a 1-1 draw with second-tier Reading to keep its hopes alive in England's FA Cup.

The result means the teams will meet in a replay, on Liverpool's home field.

Skiing

Vonn plans to compete despite arm injury: With her arm in a brace and a sluggish course waiting, Lindsey Vonn of Vail, Colo., will try to bolster her lead in the overall standings in a World Cup slalom today in Zagreb, Croatia.

Warm weather and heavy rain Saturday damaged the course. Organizers said they anticipate the race will be held.

Vonn remains in pain after bruising her left arm in a crash during Monday's giant slalom in Lienz, Austria.

Randall prevails at nationals: Kikkan Randall, competing in her hometown, won the freestyle-sprint title at the U.S. Cross Country Championships in Anchorage, Alaska. It was her 11th national title.

Holly Brooks, who grew up in Seattle and graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, placed fourth.

Simeon Hamilton of Aspen, Colo., won the men's event.

Brian Gregg of Winthrop finished eighth and Erik Bjornsen of Winthrop was 10th.

Mixed martial arts

Evans beats Silva: Ex-light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans beat Thiago Silva by unanimous decision at UFC 108 in Las Vegas. All three judges scored the bout 29-28.

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