Update on the latest sports
APMLB-SCHEDULE
Astros pad lead
UNDATED (AP) — The Houston Astros have a little more breathing room in the American League West after Kyle Tucker and Zack Greinke (GREHN’-kee) led them to a 4-1 win over the Angels.
Tucker provided Houston’s scoring with his first career grand slam, a fourth-inning drive off Patrick Sandoval. That was enough offense for Greinke, who held Los Angeles to two hits over seven scoreless innings. Greinke fanned seven and retired his 14 final batters.
The win puts the Astros 2 1/2 games ahead of second-place Oakland.
The Athletics had won seven straight before Yohel Pozo hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the sixth inning of his major league debut to carry Texas to an 8-6 victory over the A’s. Pozo was called up Friday from Triple-A Round Rock, where he was second in Triple-A West in RBIs, fourth in batting and fifth in home runs.
Checking out Friday’s other major league action:
— Nelson Cruz homered in his return to Minnesota and the Rays moved a season-high 26 games over .500 with a 10–4 rout of the Twins. Cruz received a loud, extended ovation and tipped his helmet to the crowd before his first at-bat. Yandy Díaz, Mike Zunino and Kevin Kiermaier also homered as Tampa Bay maintained its five-game lead over Boston atop the AL East.
— Kyle Schwarber scored twice in his Red Sox debut, an 8-1 drubbing of the Orioles. Schwarber was in action for the first time since being acquired from the Nationals, a debut delayed by a strained hamstring. Xander Bogaerts (BOH’-gahrts), Bobby Dalbec and Hunter Renfroe homered for Boston.
— Rookie Ernie Clement slammed his first two big league homers in the Indians’ 7-4 win over the Tigers. Yu Chang homered and tripled in support of Zach Plesac (PLEE’-sak), who allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings. Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera went 0-for-4 to stay at 499 career home runs.
— Tyler Mahle (MAL’-ee) tossed three-hit ball while striking out seven over seven shutout innings to lead the Reds to a 6-1 win over the Phillies. Cincinnati’s scoring came on home runs as Joey Votto hit a three-run shot, Eugenio (ay-oo-HEH’-nee-oh) Suarez delivered a two-run blast and Nick Castellanos (kas-tee-AH’-nohs) added a solo homer. The Reds reached Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler for four runs over six innings as the Phillies lost for the third time in four games since an eight-game winning streak.
— The Dodgers wasted a 4-0 lead before Will Smith belted a two-run homer to start the 10th inning and lead a 6-5 win over the Mets. The Mets rallied after Julio Urias (oo-REE’-uhs) held them to two hits over five shutout innings. New York wasted a chance to move into first place in the NL East.
— The NL West-leading Giants still enjoy a five-game lead over the Dodgers after Wilmer Flores unloaded a three-run homer in the first inning of San Francisco’s 5-4 decision over the Rockies. Anthony DeSclafani got the win by holding Colorado to two runs and five hits over five innings. The Giants gave up three runs in the ninth before improving to a major league-best 75-41 with their sixth straight win.
— Nolan Arenado smacked his 23rd home run of the season and Jack Flaherty threw six scoreless innings as the Cardinals beat the Royals, 6-0. It was Flaherty’s first game since going down with a left oblique strain on May 31. Arenado and Tyler O’Neill went back-to-back in the fourth inning and Lars Nootbaar crushed a 441-feet solo homer into the fountains in right field in the ninth.
— The Marlins tied a team record by erupting for 11 runs in the second inning of a 14-10 slugfest over the Cubs. Bryan De La Cruz hit a grand slam and Alex Jackson added a three-run homer during a huge rally that sent Chicago to its ninth consecutive loss. Jesús Aguilar also homered for Miami, a two-run shot that gives him an NL-leading 82 RBIs.
— The Pirates and Brewers were rained out in Pittsburgh, creating a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.
MLB-NEWS
Bauer leave extended
UNDATED (AP) — Major League Baseball has added another week to Trevor Bauer’s administrative leave, keeping him out through August 20 while he continues to be investigated amid allegations of assault.
The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher was placed on seven days’ paid leave July 2 under the joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy adopted by MLB and the players’ union in 2015. MLB and the union have agreed to several extensions.
Police in Pasadena, California, and MLB are investigating the allegations made against the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner by a Southern California woman. She says the pitcher choked her to the point where she lost consciousness and punched her during two sexual encounters this year.
In other major league news:
— Giants All-Star shortstop Brandon Crawford has accepted a two-year, $32 million contract that runs through 2023. He is in the final season of a $75 million, six-year contract signed in November 2015. Crawford is batting a career-best .296 with 19 home runs, 21 doubles and 69 RBIs this year.
— Mets shortstop Javier Baez has landed on the injured list due to back spasms that prevented him to start the team’s previous three games. Báez was injured in the fifth inning of Sunday’s game in Philadelphia when the Mets said he had left hip soreness. The two-time All-Star is hitting .171 with two homers and three RBIs in 35 at-bats over 10 games since being acquired from the Cubs.
— Marlins manager Don Mattingly is back with the club two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. Mattingly said he felt “something” during Miami’s game against the New York Yankees on July 30. The 60-year-old Mattingly was vaccinated in April and said his symptoms were mild.
NBA-NEWS
Batum stays with Clippers
UNDATED (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers are keeping an important part of their bench.
Free agent Nicholas Batum (bah-TOOM’) has re-signed with the Clippers after reviving his career during last season’s pandemic-shortened schedule.
The 32-year-old forward averaged 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 67 games while shooting 40% from the field last season.
With Batum locked up, the team has retained all of its free agents who helped lead the Clippers to their first Western Conference finals appearance in franchise history.
Also around the NBA:
— Forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (thah-NAH’-sihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh) has re-signed with the Bucks. The older brother of Bucks forward and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has played for Milwaukee each of the last two seasons.
NHL-NEWS
Leafs’ Matthews has surgery
UNDATED (AP) — Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews has undergone wrist surgery and is expected to need a minimum of six weeks to recover.
The Leafs said Matthews experienced discomfort after increasing his on-ice training this week.
The 23-year-old scored 41 goals in 52 games last season despite missing four games beginning in February with a lingering wrist issue.
In other NHL news:
— Joe Thornton’s pursuit of an elusive Stanley Cup is bringing him to the Panthers. The 42-year-old Thornton has signed a one-year deal with the Panthers, his fourth franchise in a now 24-year NHL career. He has more points than any other active NHL player and is 14th all-time on that list.
— The Ducks have signed center Mason McTavish, the No. 3 overall pick in last month’s NHL draft. The 18-year-old center spent last season playing in Switzerland’s second division after scoring 42 points in 57 games for the OHL’s Peterborough Petes in 2019-20.
PGA-WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Hanley in command
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Russell Henley shot a 6-under 64 to open a four-stroke lead halfway through the PGA’s Wyndham Championship.
Henley is at 14-under 126, tying Stewart Cink at the RBC Heritage in April for the lowest 36-hole score this season in a tournament.
Olympic silver medalist Rory Sabbatini was tied for second with past champion Webb Simpson and playoff bubble man Scott Piercy.
LPGA-SCOTTISH OPEN
Jutanugarn takes lead with hot back nine
FIFE, Scotland (AP) — Ariya Jutanugarn had five birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine en route to a 6-under 66 and the second-round lead in the LPGA’s Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open.
Jutanugarn is at 9-under through 36 holes, three strokes ahead of fellow Thai player Atthaya Thitikul, England’s Charley Hull and Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen
Pederson shot a 69 despite six bogeys, thanks to two eagles and five birdies.
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS-SHAW CHARITY CLASSIC
Mayfair leads through 18
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Billy Mayfair fired an 8-under 62 at Canyon Meadows to take a one-stroke lead over Canadian star Mike Weir through the first round of the PGA Tour Champions’ Shaw Charity Classic.
The 55-year-old Mayfair had four straight birdies in the middle of the round and added late birdies on the par-5 fourth and par-4 seventh. He is winless on the 50-and-over tour.
