LaBelle, Mallinger share Frys lead with 7-under 63s

The shootout is on in the desert.

Doug LaBelle II and Jeff Mallinger shot 7-under-par 63s Thursday to share the first-round lead in what promises to be a flurry of birdies at the Frys.com Open at Scottsdale, Ariz.

“It’s fun to make a lot of birdies,” said LaBelle, who lives in north Phoenix, a 10-minute drive from the tournament. “We know we’re going to have to make some to have a chance to win.”

Richard Johnson, the 2007 Nationwide Tour earnings leader who has struggled in his first PGA Tour season, was one shot back at 64.

Aaron Oberholser was among six players to shoot 65s under ideal conditions – cloudless and temperatures in the mid-80s, on the 7,125-yard Raptor Course at Grayhawk Golf Club in north Scottsdale.

Football

Titans RB Johnson fined

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson has been fined $10,000 for his celebration after a 66-yard touchdown run against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The NFL said Johnson was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct for banging on some drums in the Chiefs’ pep band during Sunday’s 34-10 victory.

•Ex-kicker Zendejas will stand trial on rape charges: Former NFL place-kicker Tony Zendejas has been ordered to stand trial in Pomona, Calif., on charges that he drugged a woman at his sports bar and raped her.

Zendejas, who retired in 1995 after a 10-year NFL career, faces four felony sex charges.

•Jets’ Coles, Smith deal with concussions: New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles has a concussion and his status for the team’s game against Kansas City was uncertain.

It’s the third time in less than two years that Coles is dealing with a head injury.

Coach Eric Mangini also confirmed that safety Eric Smith suffered his second concussion in three weeks, and his status is also unclear.

Basketball

Blazers waive Jackson

The Portland Trail Blazers waived former Oregon forward Luke Jackson and center Steven Hill, trimming their roster to 15 players.

Jackson appeared in three preseason games, averaging 5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

•NBA will allow expanded use of replay: The NBA’s Board of Governors has approved the expanded use of instant replay for this season.

Referees will be allowed to review video to determine if a field goal was a 2- or 3-point attempt, or to decide if a shooting foul was committed behind the arc and warrants three shots instead of two.

•Maloof-run Palms will take NBA bets: The NBA Board of Governors voted to allow the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas to accept bets on league games even though the Maloof family owns both the casino and the Sacramento Kings, owner George Maloof Jr. said. The casino will not take bets on the Kings.

Hockey

Fans treated for cuts

At Boston, four fans sitting along the boards at the Maple Leafs-Bruins game were treated for cuts when a hit by Boston forward Milan Lucic shattered the glass and sent shards raining down on the seats.

•Hedican, Erskine signed: Veteran defenseman Bret Hedican has signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks and defenseman John Erskine signed a $2.5 million, two-year contract extension with the Washington Capitals.

Horse racing

Zenyatta highlights field

Undefeated 4-year-old filly Zenyatta’s name comes from the title of The Police album “Zenyatta Mondatta.”

Owner Jerry Moss, a co-founder of A&M Records who had the 1980s supergroup on his label, said the moniker doesn’t really mean anything. Maybe, but it appears his superstar has taken a cue from the album’s first track, “Don’t Stand So Close to Me.”

No opponent has been able to this year, the main reason why Zenyatta is a heavy 3-5 favorite in today’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, formerly the Distaff. The race is the highlight of what’s being called “Ladies’ Day” at Santa Anita, five races for fillies and mares to start horse racing’s biggest weekend.