Update on the latest sports
APMLB-SCHEDULE
Duffy’s pinch-hit lifts Cubs over Pirates 3-2
UNDATED (AP) — Pinch-hitter Matt Duffy had a go-ahead single in the seventh inning, reliever Keegan Thompson pitched three scoreless innings for his first major league victory and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 for their fifth straight win. Willson Contreras and Eric Sogard each drove in a run for Chicago, which has won seven of nine to improve to 17-16. Thompson allowed two hits and a walk following starter Trevor Williams, who gave up two runs and five hits in four innings. Andrew Chafin worked a scoreless eighth and Craig Kimbrel got the final three outs for his sixth save.
Elsewhere in the majors:
— Yadier Molina drove in three runs in his return from the injured list, Paul Goldschmidt homered and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Colorado Rockies 9-8. Goldschmidt also had three RBIs and Nolan Arenado hit another double against his former team. The Cardinals have won eight straight and 14 of their last 15 games against Colorado at Busch Stadium. Molina hadn’t played since April 26 because of a strained tendon in his right foot. The All-Star catcher was leading the Cardinals in batting, homers and RBIs when he was hurt.
MLB-RANGERS-DAVIS
Rangers activate Khris Davis for 1st time since Andrus deal
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have slugger Khris Davis on their active roster for the first time since acquiring him in the February trade that sent longtime shortstop Elvis Andrus to Oakland.
Davis was activated from the injured list before Saturday night’s game against Seattle. The outfielder/designated hitter wasn’t in the starting lineup.
Davis started the season on the injured list because of a left quad strain suffered in a spring training game March 23.
The Rangers optioned outfielder Eli White to Triple-A Round Rock. White was hitting .127 with only one hit his last 30 at-bats.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Carter, Lagace help Pens clinch home ice in first round
UNDATED (AP) — Jeff Carter scored and Maxime Lagace stopped 29 shots for his first career shutout as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 1-0. Lagace, making his first start in more than two years, got his seventh career win, and helped Pittsburgh clinch home-ice advantage in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Penguins were without Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith, their top two goaltenders, for the regular season finale. Carter scored his 17th goal as the Penguins finished the regular season with 13 wins and points in 14 of their last 16 games.
Pittsburgh also finished 22-4-2 at home, one of the best marks in the league.
Elsewhere in the NHL:
— Mika Zibanejad scored two of New York’s four third-period goals, and the Rangers ended their season with a 5-4 victory over the Boston Bruins to halt a five-game losing streak. Alexis Lafrenière and Vitali Kravtsov also scored in a wild third when the Rangers turned a 2-1 deficit to a 4-2 edge. K’Andre Miller added a goal for the Rangers, and Keith Kinkaid made 28 saves before leaving with an injury midway into the third. Ignor Shesterkin finished up in net. New York finished fifth in the NHL’s East Division. David Pastrnak scored his 200th career goal, Brad Marchand had his team-leading 28th, and Patrice Bergeron and Nick Ritchie also scored for the Bruins, who were 5-0-1 in their last six games. Tuukka Rask stopped 18 shots.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NHL
NHL relaxes virus protocols for vaccinated playoff teams
UNDATED (AP) — The NHL is relaxing virus protocols during the playoffs for teams that reach a vaccination threshold. The league said Saturday the changes take effect once 85% or more of the traveling party has been fully vaccinated.
The new protocols include loosened restrictions on indoor and outdoor dining, testing frequency and mask-wearing and quarantine requirements.
The NHL is the last of the major four North American pro sports leagues to announce plans to relax virus protocols for teams based on vaccination levels. This move is likely to affect the 12 U.S. playoff teams first because vaccinations have lagged for those in Canada.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-ALABAMA-TO’O TO’O
Tennessee’s top tackler transferring to rival Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The University of Tennessee’s leading tackler is heading to rival Alabama. Junior linebacker Henry To’o To’o has announced on social media that he is transferring to the defending national champions.
He would likely be a candidate to replace starting inside linebacker Dylan Moses.
To’o To’o had 148 tackles over his first two seasons with the Volunteers, leading the team with 76 tackles and 10 stops for a loss as a sophomore.
A new NCAA policy allows players to transfer once and be eligible to play immediately. However, the Southeastern Conference currently requires intraconference transfers to sit out a season.
PGA-WELLS FARGO-DeCHAMBEAU
DeChambeau takes 1,800-mile detour between rounds at Quail
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Keith Mitchell discovered his putter was bent when he shot 82 last Sunday. He got that fixed, and along with his great driving, now has a chance to win the Wells Fargo Championship.
He shot a 66 to build a two-shot lead over Rory McIlroy and Gary Woodland. McIlroy hasn’t won in 18 months and hasn’t played in the last group since Riviera a year ago. He was slowed only by a double bogey on the 12th hole.
Woodland overcame mistakes of his own for a 70. He goes after his first win since the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
Bryson DeChambeau thought he had missed the cut in the Wells Fargo Championship. By the time he realized he was still in the tournament in North Carolina, he was already back home in Dallas.
The former U.S. Open champion took a private flight out early Saturday morning and got back to Quail Hollow with about an hour to spare.
F1-SPANISH GP
Hamilton tops qualifying at Spanish GP for 100th pole
MONTMELÓ, Spain (AP) — Lewis Hamilton has won his 100th career pole position after barely edging Max Verstappen to the fastest time in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Hamilton pushed his Mercedes to a flying lap of 1 minute, 16.74 seconds. Verstappen in his Red Bull was only 0.03 seconds behind.
Hamilton leads leads Verstappen by eight points in the Formula One standings.
Hamilton’s milestone increases the distance between his mark and Michael Schumacher’s 68 poles in second place all-time.
TENNIS-MADRID OPEN
Sabalenka wins Madrid Open; Zverev faces Berrettini in final
MADRID (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka is glad she changed her mind about playing at the Madrid Open. Sabalenka was standing on center court with the winner’s trophy in her hands only two weeks after nearly withdrawing from the tournament because of a muscle injury.
Sabalenka defeated top-ranked Ash Barty 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 for her 10th WTA title.
In the men’s semifinals, Alexander Zverev followed his triumph over Rafael Nadal with a win over Dominic Thiem to reach another Madrid Open final.
The sixth-ranked Zverev will face No. 10 Matteo Berrettini after the Italian player defeated Casper Rudd.
