SPORTS, AUGUST 8TH

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Rockies rookie Jeff Rutledge drove in three runs and had three doubles among his career-high four hits, leading Colorado to a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.

Josh Roenicke (4-0) pitched three innings of scoreless relief for the victory. The right-hander took over for Alex White, who threw 80 pitches in four innings and allowed one hit and five walks before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter.

It was the fifth straight game in which a Rockies starter didn’t reach the fifth. In the series opener Monday night, Drew Pomeranz threw 84 pitches over four innings and was lifted with a two-run lead before Adam Ottavino and the bullpen closed out a 2-0 victory.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) – Two University of Colorado wide receivers have been suspended for the team’s first two games of the season after they were accused of being involved in an incident with a pellet gun.

Coach Jon Embree said Tuesday that Jeffrey Thomas and DaVaughn Thornton are suspended from playing against Colorado State and Sacramento State.

Embree also said linebacker Jermane Clark is leaving the program due to a combination of family issues and his involvement in the incident on Saturday.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are treating their visit to Chicago on Thursday night just like any other preseason opener.

Only, it isn’t.

This marks the four-time MVP’s first game of any sort since Jan. 30, 2011, when he went 2-for-5 for 12 yards and an interception in the AFC’s 55-41 loss to the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

Manning missed all of last season with a nerve injury in his neck that weakened his throwing arm and led to his release from Indianapolis, setting off the biggest free agent frenzy in NFL history.

He’s looked like the Manning of old ever since landing in Denver.

Even on Tuesday, when he had several incompletions at practice against an ever-improving defense, Manning’s decision-making was sharp.

BRONCOS-GARLAND’S GIFTS

Broncos present teammate with items lost in fire

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – Several of Ben Garland’s teammates gathered around him after the Denver Broncos’ practice Tuesday morning and gave him two replacement silver sabers he received upon graduating from the Air Force Academy, along with a Falcons football helmet.

The originals were lost in the wildfire that destroyed his grandparents’ home in Colorado Springs this summer.

He was presented with the shiny swords by William “T” Thompson of the Association of Graduates at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Then, linebacker Joe Mays gave him a new college helmet, white with a blue lightning bolt.

Mays said the Broncos (No. 10 in the AP Pro32) wanted to do something for Garland after all he went through.

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