MLB: Orioles’ Simon surrenders

Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon surrendered to police yesterday to face an involuntary manslaughter charge in a fatal shooting New Year’s Eve. His lawyer said he was firing celebratory shots in the air. The Dominican pitcher is suspected of killing 25-year-old Michel Castillo Almonte and wounding his 17-year-old brother in the northeast coastal town of Luperon. The dead man is Simon’s cousin, according to the player’s lawyer.

* Carlos Gonzalez and the Rockies agreed to an $80 million, seven-year contract, pending a physical. Gonzalez had a breakout season in 2010, winning the NL batting title with a .336 average, along with 34 homers and 117 RBIs. . . . Miguel Olivo and the Mariners completed their $7 million, two-year contract, bringing the catcher back to the Pacific Northwest. . . . The Padres finalized a $3 million, one-year deal with Brad Hawpe, who will switch from outfield to first base.

* Baseball’s players association has found agent Scott Boras did not violate union rules when his company made loans to Edward Salcedo, a Dominican prospect.

WOMEN: Possible ban for Taurasi

WNBA star Diana Taurasi‘s backup doping sample came back positive and she faces a possible two-year ban, Turkish news reports said yesterday. The Turkish basketball federation did not immediately confirm the reports. The Phoenix Mercury standout and former UConn star tested positive for the banned stimulant modafinil while playing in Turkey’s professional league.

* UConn’s NCAA-record 90-game winning streak ended Thursday night with a loss to Stanford. Their nearly three-year hold on the top ranking ended yesterday when they were overtaken by Baylor and dropped to No. 2 in the Associated Press poll. UConn had been the top team for a record 51 straight weeks, beginning Feb. 18, 2008.

HOCKEY: USA bows to Canada

Canada’s Mark Visentin made 22 saves in a 4-1 win over the U.S. in the semifinals of the World Junior Hockey Championships last night in Buffalo. Also advancing to tomorrow night’s gold-medal game was Russia, a 4-3 winner over Sweden.

HOOPS: LeBron scores 38

LeBron James scored 38 points and Dwyane Wade added 31 as the Heat dominated the Bobcats 96-82 for their 11th straight road win. . . . Hedo Turkoglu had 10 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in Orlando’s 110-90 win over the Warriors. . . . Paul Pierce scored 23 points for the Celtics in a 96-93 win over the Timberwolves. . . . Carmelo Anthony scored 33 points as the Nuggets beat the Rockets, 113-106.

* Ryan Rossiter scored 26 points as host Siena (5-8, 2-1 MAAC) defeated Iona (8-6, 2-1) 73-67. . . . Stefan Perunicic scored 18 points for St. Francis of Brooklyn (7-6) in an 82-74 loss at Hartford (3-10). . . . Charles Jenkins scored 23 points to lead Hofstra (8-5, 2-0 CAA) to a 75-69 victory at Drexel (9-3, 1-1) . . . Justin Robinson had 23 points as Rider topped Manhattan 88-78. . . . Tyler Murray scored 28 points to lead Wagner past Quinnipiac 73-68.