Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

First ruling in Angels case

Washington’s Nyjer Morgan charged the mound and started a brawl Sept. 1 against the Marlins. (Associated Press)

A California judge found a man accused of murder in a drunken-driving crash that killed rookie Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others guilty Friday of driving with a suspended license. The jury, considering the three murder counts and other charges, recessed for the weekend without reaching a verdict.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Richard Toohey found defendant Andrew Gallo guilty of the count involving his license after a short bench trial. Gallo, 23, is accused of drinking for hours with his stepbrother before getting behind the wheel, running a red light and T-boning another car carrying Adenhart, 22, and two others.

Gallo was charged with murder – not manslaughter – because he had a prior DUI conviction, had been warned by a judge and alcohol awareness counselors about the dangers of drinking and driving, and had signed a court waiver in the earlier case indicating he knew he could be charged with murder if he drove while drunk and killed someone.

Nationals’ Morgan returning today

Nationals center fielder Nyjer Morgan is expected to return to the team’s starting lineup today after serving an eight-game suspension.

Morgan’s suspension wrapped up with Friday’s game against Atlanta, and Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said, “I anticipate he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow.”

Morgan first was given a seven-game suspension Aug. 25, when the commissioner’s office said he deliberately threw a baseball into the stands. While that was being appealed, Morgan was given an eight-game suspension Sept. 3, two days after charging the mound, precipitating a brawl with the Marlins.

After an appeal, Major League Baseball banned him for eight games, rather than the original penalties of two bans totaling 15 games.

Clearing the bases

Commissioner Bud Selig wants to explore expanding the postseason this winter. “We have less teams than any other sport,” he said. … Rays All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria will miss a three-game weekend series against the Mariners because of a left quadriceps strain. … The Yankees juggled their starting rotation, pushing back Phil Hughes to Wednesday to limit the right-hander’s innings in his first full season as a major league starter.