Yank dope pleads not guilty

After he was arrested Friday, Esteban Loaiza has pleaded not guilty to drug charges, according to NBC San Diego.

The former MLB All-Star, who pitched for the Yankees in 2004, was arrested with 44 pounds of what police believed to be cocaine, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Loaiza was busted during a traffic stop after he left his home, with investigators discovering the white powder stashed away in a “sophisticated” secret compartment.

Authorities then obtained a search warrant for his home, where they reportedly found packages of a white powder officials believed to be cocaine. Deputies say Loaiza leased the home in early February.

Loaiza was charged with possession of over 20 kilograms and two counts of transporting and possessing narcotics with intent to sell, all felonies.

l Terry Francona loves to talk about his dad. Their relationship went way beyond baseball.

One a Cleveland Indians player, the other the team’s adored manager. Father and son.

Tito and the kid who became Tito. John “Tito” Francona, who proudly watched his son Terry follow his footsteps to the major leagues, died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday night in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. He was 84. Francona’s passing cast a pall over Cleveland’s training camp in Goodyear, Arizona, as pitchers and catchers reported Wednesday.

NO. 3 NOVA FALLS TO FRIARS

Kyron Cartwright scored 17 points and host Providence withstood several late surges to stun third-ranked Villanova 76-71.

Rodney Bullock and Alpha Diallo each added 14 points for the Friars (17-9, 8-5 Big East).

ISNER UPSET AT NY OPEN

Third-seeded John Isner was upset by Radu Albot of Moldova 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3 in the second round of the New York Open at Nassau Coliseum.

Isner hit 28 aces to Albot’s one, but the 91st-ranked Albot came up with a third-set break and held on from there to knock off the American in a little more than 2 hours.

Isner, who had a first-round bye, has dropped his openers in all three tournaments he has played this season, including the Australian Open.