LEADING OFF

Walking Stick

Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez tossed his bat and trotted to first in San Diego last Friday after being walked in his first plate appearance since returning from a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. Ramirez went 0 for 3, but he was cheered by L.A. fans at sold-out Petco Park. The Dodgers beat the Padres 6--3.

Chariot Of Fire

Kertus Davis scrambled to safety after his car went up in flames during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250 last Friday at Daytona International Speedway. The flash oil fire was set off when Davis's right rear tire blew. He was unharmed. Clint Bowyer won the race.

Bull Flight

Spanish matador José Tomàs was upended by a bull during a corrida in Barcelona on Sunday. Tomàs, 33, widely considered one of the greatest bullfighters of all time, was not seriously injured. He had been gored three times in June 2008.

Cheers And Tears

Fans of the USL's Portland Timbers covered their mouths and eyes when smoke bombs were set off after the Timbers scored on MLS's Seattle Sounders on July 1 during a U.S. Open Cup match at PGE Park in Portland. The Sounders, who had already scored twice, held on to win 2--1, advancing to the tournament's quarterfinals. It was the Timbers' first loss in 14 games.

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Photograph by John W. McDonough

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Photograph by John Harrelson/Getty Images

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Photograph by Carlos Cazalis/Reuters

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Photograph by Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian