, when the Indians loaded the bases on a pair of two-out singles and walk. But Sche

A letter drafted by U.S. and Canadian anti-doping leaders urging Russias removal from the upcoming Olympics is circulating days before the public release of a report expected to detail a state-sponsored doping system that corrupted the countrys entire sports program.The letter, drafted last week and obtained by The Associated Press, is being prepared to be sent to the International Olympic Committees president and executive board after the Monday release of a report by investigator Richard McLaren.The letter calls for the IOC to act by July 26 to ensure that Russias Olympic Committee and sports federations will not be allowed in Rio de Janeiro, where the Games are set to start Aug. 5. The letter encourages exceptions for Russia-born athletes who can prove they were subject to strong anti-doping systems in other countries.A statement from Pat Hickey, the president of the European Olympic Committee, said the letter undermined the integrity and therefore the credibility of this important report.My concern is that there seems to have been an attempt to agree (on) an outcome before any evidence has been presented, Hickey said.USADA CEO Travis Tygart said the letter, which has backing from anti-doping agencies in a number of countries and athlete groups from around the world, was drafted with no intent for it to become public unless the McLaren report contains evidence of a major state-sponsored doping program.Of course, we want and hope for universal inclusion, but were not blind to the evidence already out there, Tygart said. And if were not preparing for all potential outcomes, then we are not fulfilling our promise to clean athletes.The McLaren report was sparked by a New York Times story that accused the Russian government of helping to manipulate tests at the Sochi Games so cheaters wouldnt get caught.Preliminary findings from the report, released last month, found mandatory state-directed manipulation of laboratory analytical results operating within the Moscow anti-doping lab from at least 2011 through the summer of 2013. Those findings also said Russias Ministry of Sport advised the laboratory which of its adverse findings it could report to WADA, and which it had to cover up.Based in part on that information, the letter to the IOC anticipates that the McLaren report will show the Russian government helped organize a systematic undermining of the drug testing of Russian athletes for many years in a successful effort to cheat to win.The AP also obtained a letter written by Beckie Scott, head of the athlete committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency, urging athletes to sign on to the U.S.-Canada letter. Scott informs athletes that, in addition to support from U.S. and Canadian anti-doping leaders Tygart and Paul Melia, the letter also has backing from anti-doping agencies in Germany, New Zealand, Japan, France, Denmark and Norway.Last week, IOC President Thomas Bach said it was important to strike the right balance between collective responsibility and individual justice in dealing with results from the McLaren report.It is obvious that you cannot sanction or punish a badminton player for infringement of rules or manipulation by an official or lab director in the Winter Games, Bach said.Already, tracks governing body, the IAAF, has suspended Russias track team from the Olympics after a separate investigation turned up evidence of a state-sponsored doping system used to benefit that team. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to rule July 21 on the eligibility of 68 Russian athletes who have appealed to compete in Rio.McLaren was given permission to look into all Russian sports, and the letter being drafted for the IOC is written as if they all have been corrupted.We agree and believe a full suspension is the only available and appropriate result having regard to the findings and conclusions set out in the report, it said.In an interview on Tuesday, Tygart urged a full Russian ban, but said he had not seen the report in its entirety. He did not immediately respond to messages left by the AP on Saturday. Stanley Johnson Raptors Jersey . Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. Marc Gasol Jersey . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. https://www.raptorsrookiesshop.com/Kawhi-Leonard-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. C.J. Miles Raptors Jersey . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. Jeremy Lin Jersey . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. CLEVELAND -- Max Scherzer didnt care that his record stayed spotless. All that mattered to him was that Detroits improved. Scherzer remained unbeaten and Victor Martinez hit a two-run double in the 10th inning as the Tigers extended their lead in the AL Central with a 4-2 win over the second-place Cleveland Indians on Monday night. Martinez doubled off Matt Albers (2-1) as the Tigers won three of four in the series and moved 3 1/2 games ahead in the division. Scherzer, attempting to become the first pitcher since Roger Clemens in 1986 to open a season 14-0, finished with a no-decision. He allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings. The presumed AL starter in next weeks All-Star game will take his unblemished mark into a start on Saturday against Texas. "I dont want to focus much on that (being 13-0)," he said. "This was our best win of the year, and I was proud to be a part of it. The Indians battled so hard tonight and brought their A game, and we did, too. "It was just a great team win, our best of the year." Drew Smyly (4-0) worked out of a jam in the ninth and Joaquin Benoit pitched the 10th for his seventh save, striking out Mike Aviles with runners at first and third to end the game. Matt Tuiasosopo homered for the Tigers, now 9-3 against the Indians. Detroit was able to widen its lead over Cleveland by two games on this visit, but manager Jim Leyland knows champions arent crowned in July. "We came in and had a very good series against a very good team, but Im not really concerned about the standings," Leyland said. "Of course, Id rather leave here up 3 1/2 games than up 1 1/2 games. But trust me, the Indians are not going anywhere, and were not going anywhere, I dont think." Albers got two quick outs in the 10th before walking Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. Martinez followed with a drive over the head of centre fielder Michael Bourn. The ball caromed off the wall, far enough away for two of Detroits slowest runners to score. After Fielder slid across the plate, he popped up from the dirt and swung his arm in celebration. The Indians had been 5-0 in extra-inning games. Cleveland came in with a reputation for beating Cy Young Award winners. The Indians have defeated seven former recipients this season, including Detroits Justin Verlander. Scherzer is clearly the midseason favourite to win the AL honour in 2013, and while the Indians didnt hand him a loss, they did prevent him from beating them for the third time this year. Scherzer wasnt at his best, and he was noticeably agitated on a night when the rain never really stopped. However, the 28-year-old got stronger as the game wore on. He gave up both runs -- on a two-run single in the second by Lonnie Chisenhall -- and five hits in the first three innings, and pitched out of a couplle of jams he created.dddddddddddd "He used to be a thrower and now hes a pitcher," Indians first baseman Nick Swisher said. "Youve got a guy with all those weapons and he starts to figure it out, that doesnt make anybody happy." After getting out of a first-and-third bind in the fifth, Scherzer got in a groove and struck out four of the final five batters he faced. In the seventh, he gave up a single to Bourn, who was caught stealing. Scherzer then struck out Asdrubal Cabrera and blew a 97 mph fastball past All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis to end the inning -- on his 117th pitch. Scherzer screamed and pumped his fist as he headed to the dugout, slapping hands with catcher Brayan Pena before taking a seat to watch the Tigers hit. "You can usually judge your outing on the last 15 pitches, and I thought I finished pretty strong," Scherzer said. Clevelands Scott Kazmir went pitch for pitch with Scherzer, allowing just two runs and four hits in 5 2-3 innings. Kazmir held the top four hitters -- Austin Jackson, Torii Hunter, Cabrera and Fielder -- in one of baseballs most feared lineups without a hit in 11 at-bats. The only one of the four to reach base was Cabrera, who walked with one out in the third. With both the Indians and weather threatening in the second, the game was delayed by rain. Thunder rumbled nearby and lightning flashed above Progressive Field as Scherzer battled Chisenhall with runners at second and third and two outs. The game was halted on a 2-2 count, and when play resumed 20 minutes later, Chisenhall jumped all over Scherzers first pitch, ripping a changeup to right for a two-run single. When he returned to the dugout, Scherzer slammed his glove and cap down in disgust. After the game, he said he was upset that umpire Joe West did not let him finish the at-bat to Chisenhall. He was mad again in the third, when the Indians loaded the bases on a pair of two-out singles and walk. But Scherzer snagged a comebacker by Aviles and carefully underhanded the ball to first for the final out. The Indians had their chances against Scherzer, and stranded 10 runners in all. "Its just kind of one of those games," Swisher said. "We left a small village on the sacks. Weve got to do a little better job there, but thats how baseball goes." NOTES: The Tigers have won 12 of the last 16 against the Indians, outscoring them 100-59 during that stretch. ... Tigers 2B Omar Infante (bruised shin) sat out his fifth straight game, but remains day to day. ... Scherzer had his 19th straight start without a loss, passing Bobo Newsom for the franchise record. ... Detroit went 7-4 on its longest trip this season. The Tigers open a three-game series against the last-place White Sox on Tuesday with Verlander (9-5) facing Jose Quintana (3-2). 00:09ET 09-07-13 ' ' '