NBA

SALT LAKE CITY - C.J. Miles will be around Utah a little while longer.

After the restricted agent Miles signed a four-year, roughly $15.8 million offer sheet with Oklahoma City last week, the Utah Jazz announced Friday that the team matched the offer, keeping Miles in Utah.

The Jazz swingman said he wasn't surprised by Utah's decision to match the offer.

"I was prepared for either way, just in case," he said. "At the end of the day, it's still a decision the team has to make. They've got to do what they think is best for the team. I was just hopeful I was a part of the decision to move on with the team in the future."

Miles (6-foot-6, 220) has appeared in 120 games -- with 26 starts -- in three seasons with the Jazz, averaging 4.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 10.5 minutes per game. Miles appeared in 60 games, starting 13, for the Jazz in 2007-08, posting career highs of 5.0 points and 0.9 assists in 11.5 minutes per game.

Originally selected by the Jazz in the second round (34th pick overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft, the then 18-year-old became the youngest player in Jazz franchise history.

"(Utah's) given me a lot more confidence in my game, and anything I can do to show that I deserve to play and they see it, then I'm just going to keep working to try and prove them right," Miles said. "They should believe in me."

Minor League Baseball

Bees use big innings in victory

The Bees exploded for back-to-back five-run innings to erase a 4-0 deficit as Salt Lake rallied for a 13-6 win over the Oklahoma Redhawks on Friday night.

Oklahoma took the lead with a three-run first and one more run in the second before the Bees batted around in both the second and third innings to grab a 10-4 advantage.

In the second inning, Sean Rodriguez delivered a two run single to tie the game at 4-4 and scored the go-ahead run on a double to center by Matt Brown. Salt Lake then scored five more in the third, highlighted by three doubles and a two run homer by Adam Pavkovich.

Shane Loux (11-6) picked up the win, as he allowed five runs on eight hits in six innings with six strikeouts and one walk.

AFL

Jeff Russell hired as Blaze new GM and defensive coordinator

Utah Blaze head coach Ron James announced Friday the hiring of New Orleans VooDoo defensive coordinator Jeff Russell as Utah's new general manager/defensive coordinator.

"We are pleased to sign one of the up-and-coming coaching stars in the Arena Football League and are eagerly anticipating his defensive style and strategies to significantly improve the turnover margin for the Blaze next season," said James of his first hire since being named head coach July 9.

As general manager, Russell will work in close conjunction with team president Jason Jones and Russell's responsibilities will primarily include player personnel issues, salary cap issues, and other duties as designated by Jones as well as running the defense.

"Jeff is regarded as one of the top young coaches in this league and we believe he will bring tremendous energy and expertise to our team," Jones said. "He has proven he can scout and recruit top talent as well as motivate and maximize the potential of his players."

Russell, who played seven seasons in the AFL, recently completed his second season with the VooDoo. This year his defense ranked first in the league in interceptions (25) and tied for first in take-aways, and was ranked third against the run (14.5), and fifth in points allowed (52.2).

Under Russell, New Orleans' Lin-J Shell led the league in tackles with 118.5, while Calvin Spears was 10th in the league with 84.5 tackles.

• Arena Football commissioner Baker resigns: Arena Football League commissioner David Baker surprisingly resigned Friday, two days before the ArenaBowl championship game.

Baker ended his 12 years on the job by telling the league's board of directors that he was stepping down. The 55-year-old Baker, who received a contract extension last year, simply told the board he felt it was "time."

Under Baker's leadership, the AFL has become a profitable league, including part ownership by ESPN. Its attendance, TV ratings and merchandise sales all have increased this year.

Baker said that Ed Policy, his deputy commissioner, will assume the commissioner's role while a committee seeks his successor.

"I've been thinking about it for a while. I never thought I would do this for the rest of my life," Baker told The Associated Press. "The league has never been stronger ... it gives me the opportunity to look into doing other things."