New York — Noting that "progress has been made," NFL owners and players wrapped up a round of intensive talks without a full agreement to end the league's four-month lockout, but determined to keep pushing over the weekend.

NFL Players Association head DeMaurice Smith expects to speak with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the next couple of days, possibly in person, while the two sides' legal and financial teams continue working. After about eight hours of negotiations in New York — tacked onto more than 25 hours across Wednesday and Thursday — the league and players issued a joint statement, saying: "The discussions this week have been constructive and progress has been made on a wide range of issues."

They did not reveal any details, citing a gag order imposed by the court-appointed mediator, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.

BASEBALL

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Embattled Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt asked a judge to reduce the amount of spousal support he's paying to his ex-wife in their divorce battle over ownership of the team.

McCourt has paid more than $5 million to cover the mortgages of six homes and a condominium over the last year as well as $2.7 million in temporary spousal support to Jamie McCourt, according to court documents.

McCourt said the payments should be more in line with the $5 million he receives annually and either Jamie McCourt should be ordered to pay the mortgages herself or the properties should be sold.

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A U.S. bankruptcy trustee objected to the Los Angeles Dodgers' proposed bankruptcy financing, saying the team has not disclosed enough information about its loan arrangement with a hedge fund.

The trustee argued in court papers that a Delaware judge who will hold a hearing Wednesday should deny the club's $150 million bankruptcy financing plan with Highbridge Principal Strategies.

The trustee argues that the plan includes a $4.5 million deferred commitment fee to Highbridge that was not properly disclosed. It also says there is a lack of information about any additional fees and obligations that might be required of the Dodgers or team owner Frank McCourt.

DENVER (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers and newly acquired reliever Francisco Rodriguez have reworked his contract to alter the terms of a $17.5 million option for next year.

The Brewers said the sides agreed to change an option for next season from one that would have vested once Rodriguez finished 55 games to a straight mutual option. If both sides don't agree to exercise the option then Rodriguez will get a $4 million buyout, up from $3.5 million.

Rodriguez was acquired from the New York Mets following Tuesday's All-Star game in exchange for cash and two players to be named.

GOLF

MADISON, Miss. (AP) — Troy Matteson birdied his final three holes of the day after a long weather delay, taking advantage of Annandale's forgiving fairways and greens to share the Viking Classic lead with George McNeill.

Matteson finished his round but McNeill was on No. 18 when the final delay was called at about 6:30 p.m. local time due to lightning in the area. The day featured nearly six hours of delays as soaking thunderstorms rolled through central Mississippi on a steamy summer afternoon.

That didn't stop Matteson. The 31-year-old with two Tour victories was 12 under after firing his second straight 6-under 66.

POKER

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Players hit the money at the World Series of Poker main event, with each of the 693 top finishers getting at least $19,359 each.

Through five hours of play, 299 players had been eliminated. The players will continue toward determining the final table by Tuesday night or early Wednesday, and the last nine players will return to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in November to settle the title, worth $8.71 million.

AUTO RACING

LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — Ryan Newman won his 47th career pole, turning a track-record lap of 135.232 mph at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Tony Stewart was second to give SHR its first front-row sweep.

Stewart was right behind his employee and teammate at 135.064. They were the only drivers to top 135 mph.

Newman won his first pole of the season in the No. 39 Chevrolet, a far cry from the 20 combined poles he earned in 2003-04. Those pole positions early in his career helped boost his total and he's now 10th on the career poles list, including a record five poles at New Hampshire.

It's the sixth pole for Stewart-Haas Racing, but the first time both SHR Chevrolets will start side-by-side at the front of the field.

TENNIS

PALERMO, Italy (AP) — Top-seeded Flavia Pennetta beat Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria 6-2, 6-2 to reach her second semifinal of the season.

The 21st-ranked Italian, who won this event in 2009 and was the runner-up last year, will play Polona Hercog of Slovenia. Hercog earned her first career title in Bastad, Sweden, last week.

Four-time champion Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain, and Petra Cetkovska of the Czech Republic will meet in the other semifinal match.

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Marcel Granollers 6-4, 6-3 in an all-Spanish showdown to reach the semifinals of the clay-court Mercedes Cup.

Ferrero will play Federico del Bonis of Argentina, who advanced to his first career semifinal on the tour by cruising past fellow qualifier Pavol Cervenak of Slovakia 6-1, 6-2.

Pablo Andujar of Spain ended the run of wild card Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, easing past the German 6-2, 6-1 to earn a semifinal match against Lukasz Kubot of Poland. Stebe posted his first two wins on the tour to reach the quarterfinals.