Update on the latest sports
APHORSE RACING-KENTUCKY DERBY
Baffert gets record seventh Derby win with Media Spirit
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Bob Baffert has become the winningest trainer in 147-year history of the Kentucky Derby.
Baffert claimed his seventh victory in the Run For The Roses as Medina Spirit fought off three challengers in the stretch to win by a half-length.
Jockey John Velazquez earned his fourth Derby victory aboard the dark brown colt that was purchased as a yearling for $1,000 and cost current owner Amr Zedan $35,000. Going off at 12-1, Media Spirit paid $26.20, $12 and $7.60 after running the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:01.02.
Mandaloun finished second and returned $23.00 and 13.40. Hot Rod Charlie was another half-length back in third and paid $5.20 to show. Essential Quality finished fourth after going off as the 5-2 favorite.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Red Wings surprise Lightning
UNDATED (AP) — The defending Stanley Cup champs could lose ground in the Central Division title race by the end of the night.
Sam Gagner scored to end an eight-round shootout and give the Red Wings a 1-0 victory over the Lightning.
Thomas Greiss (grys) handled 33 shots in his second shutout of the season and 15th of his career. Greiss appeared to allow a third-period goal by Ondrej Palat (AHN’-dray pah-LAHT’), but the score was negated by goaltender interference.
Detroit was called for two penalties in a 14-second stretch late in the third, giving the Lightning a 5-on-3 power play that never broke the shutout.
Tampa Bay currently is in a two-way tie with Florida for second in the Central, two points behind Carolina. The Hurricanes are hosting Columbus and the Panthers are in Chicago.
Elsewhere on NHL ice
— Craig Smith’s hat trick highlighted the Bruins’ 6-2 win over the Sabres, leaving Boston 7-1-0 against Buffalo this season. Nick Ritchie added a goal and an assist to back rookie goalie Jeremy Swayman, who made 17 saves in his eighth start. David Krejci (KRAY’-chee) had three assists, all on Smith’s goals as the B’s won for the ninth time in 11 games.
NHL-CANUCKS-VIRTANEN
Canucks’ Virtanen on leave amid sexual misconduct inquiry
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The Vancouver Canucks have placed right wing Jake Virtanen (vur-TAN’-ehn) on leave following allegations of sexual misconduct.
The team said in a statement Saturday it “does not accept sexual misconduct of any kind and the claims as reported are being treated very seriously.” The Canucks add there will be an independent investigation.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Yanks stay hot
UNDATED (AP) — The New York Yankees continue to roll since a 7-13 start to the season.
Aaron Judge had three hits and three RBIs as the Yankees downed the sputtering Tigers, 6-4. Gleyber (GLAY’-bur) Torres also drove in three runs as the Yankees won for the sixth time in seven games and improved to 13-14.
James Taillon (TY’-ahn) allowed one run, three hits and struck out eight over five innings for his first victory in exactly two years.
Detroit has the majors’ worst record at 8-20.
In other major league action:
— Tim Anderson launched a grand slam and Leury (lay-OOR’-ee) García drove in three runs from the No. 9 spot in the lineup, sending the White Sox past the Indians, 7-1. Lance Lynn allowed three runs over five innings in his return from the injured list for Chicago, which has won seven of nine.
— Andrew Benintendi (behn-ihn-TEHN’-dee) homered twice and Danny Duffy allowed a run over seven innings as the Royals hammered the Twins, 11-3. Salvador Perez homered and drove in three runs to help Kansas City improve to an AL-best 16-9.
— Matt Harvey won his third straight start and the Orioles took advantage of Oakland’s sloppy play to score six runs in the third inning of an 8-4 win. The Athletics made two errors and threw a pair of wild pitches to help Baltimore break loose before DJ Stewart added a two-run home run in the sixth.
— Jose Urquidy (ur-KEE’-dee) scattered four hits over seven shutout innings of the Astros’ 3-1 victory against the Rays. Houston scored three times in the first inning as Alex Bregman hit an RBI single and Yuli Gurriel had a two-run single in the Astros’ eighth win in 10 games since a 1-9 skid.
— Nick Hoerner poked a go-ahead single in the sixth inning and the Cubs’ bullpen shut down the Reds in a 3-2 win. Hoerner drove in Javier Báez with one of his three hits, a two-out single to center field off reliever Sean Doolittle to complete Chicago’s rally from a 2-0 deficit.
— Patrick Corbin owned a 10.47 ERA before ending his 10-game losing streak that dated to last season, pitching seven solid innings in the Nationals’ 7-2 win over the Marlins. Josh Bell hit a bases-loaded double and drove in four runs, Yan Gomes (yahn gohmz) had a two-run homer and Josh Harrison had three hits as Washington won its third straight.
MLB-NEWS
Baseball keeps swinging and missing
UNDATED (AP) — Major league batters are hitting just .232 overall through April, down from .252 two years ago and under the record low of .237 set in the infamous 1968 season that resulted in a lower pitcher’s mound.
Strikeouts have averaged 9.06 per team per game, on pace to set a record for the 13th consecutive full season
In other baseball news:
— The Dodgers will offer fully vaccinated-only sections for each game during their upcoming nine-game homestand against the Mariners and Diamondbacks starting May 11. Seats will be located on the right field side in the loge and reserve levels, and to encourage area residents to get vaccinated the Dodgers are offering a 20% discount.
NFL-PACKERS-RODGERS
Packers CEO acknowledges meeting Rodgers to discuss concerns
UNDATED (AP) — Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy says he is “very much aware” of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ concerns with the organization and acknowledges team officials have flown out to meet with the reigning MVP on multiple occasions.
Murphy added that the Packers want to keep Rodgers in Green Bay in 2021 and beyond. He discussed the Rodgers situation in a column posted on the Packers’ website on Saturday.
ESPN reported Thursday that Rodgers has indicated he doesn’t want to return to the Packers.
PGA-VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP
Burns, Bradley continue to share lead
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Sam Burns and Keegan Bradley continue to share the PGA’s Valspar Championship lead through three rounds.
Both fired 69s that leave them at 14 under, one shot ahead of Max Homa.
Burns had a three-shot lead with five holes to play but had to make an 8-foot bogey putt on the 18th hole just to keep a share of the lead.
LPGA-SINGAPORE
China’s Lin Xiyu leads LPGA Singapore
SINGAPORE (AP) — China’s Lin Xiyu has a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the LPGA Tour’s HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore. Lin tapped in on the 18th hole, her fourth birdie of the back nine, for a 5-under 67 and a 54-hole total of 14-under 202.
Hannah Green shot her second consecutive 66 to move into a share of second place with world No. 2-ranked Inbee Park.
GOLF-PINE VALLEY-FEMALE MEMBERS
Pine Valley to allow female members by end of the year
PINE VALLEY, N.J. (AP) — More than 100 years after Pine Valley Golf Club opened in southwestern New Jersey, the private club long considered among the best in the world has decided to allow women to join.
The websites of Golf Digest and Golf magazine, which both have employees who are members of Pine Valley, reported on the club’s vote to allow women.
Women previously could play only as guests on Sunday afternoon. There was a time when women were not even allowed on the property.
INDYCAR-TEXAS
Palou on pole for IndyCar at Texas after qualifying canceled
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Alex Palou and Will Power will start on the front row for the IndyCar Series’ first oval race this season. The field for Saturday night’s race at Texas was set by owner points after qualifying was canceled.
