Update on the latest sports
APMLB SCHEDULE
Perez hits 2 of Royals’ 5 homers in 6-2 victory over Cubs
UNDATED (AP) — Salvador Perez hit two of Kansas City’s five home runs in the Royals’ 6-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Emmanuel Rivera hit his first career homer, and Andrew Benitendi and Cam Gallagher also connected. The Royals are last in the American League in home runs with 124. Perez broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning with his second homer of the day off Zach Davies. The catcher also connected in the fourth. Royals starter Brad Keller had his second straight strong start after giving up two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings against St. Louis on Saturday.
NHL-LUNDQVIST RETIRES
Star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist retires at 39
WASHINGTON (AP) — Henrik Lundqvist, one of the greatest goaltenders of his generation, announced his retirement Friday, less than nine months after heart surgery.
The 39-year-old Swede starred for years for the New York Rangers, where he piled up 459 wins along with a a 2.43 goals-against average and 64 shutouts in 15 seasons. He is sixth in NHL history in wins, seventh in saves (23,509), eighth in games played (887), ninth in starts (871), ninth in time on ice (51,816:51) and 17th in shutouts, according to the NHL.
Lundqvist signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals last October but never took the ice after announcing he had a heart condition. He had surgery in January but didn’t begin workouts until last month and became an unrestricted free agent July 28.
Lundqvist told a Swedish newspaper that he needs a new heart procedure.
MLB-NEWS
D’Arnaud extends contract, returning to Braves in 2022
UNDATED (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have agreed to an $8 million contract extension with catcher Travis d’Arnaud (dahr-NOH’) that ensures his return in 2023. The deal also includes an $8 million club option with no buyout for 2024.
D’Arnaud recently rejoined the first-place Braves after missing more than three months with a thumb injury. A revolving door of catchers filled in without much success while he was out. The streaking Braves have won 13 of 15 — including six in a row — and hold a four-game lead in the NL East. They are seeking their fourth straight division title.
In other MLB news:
—The Atlanta Braves have agreed to an $8 million contract extension with catcher Travis d’Arnaud that ensures his return in 2023. The deal also includes an $8 million club option with no buyout for 2024. D’Arnaud recently rejoined the first-place Braves after missing more than three months with a thumb injury.
—Major League Baseball returns to the Field of Dreams site next season. The Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs will play a regular-season game in Dyersville, Iowa, on Aug. 11, 2022, at a temporary venue built next to the site where the iconic 1989 movie was filmed. That follows the inaugural game at the site last week. The Chicago White Sox won a 9-8 thriller over the New York Yankees before about 8,000 fans in the first major league game ever played in the state.
—Major League Baseball is ending a 70-year relationship with trading card company Topps after signing a new partnership with a rival company. The loss of the MLB partnership immediately scuttled a deal announced earlier this year that would have made Topps a publicly traded company. ESPN reported on Thursday that it obtained a memo from the Major League Baseball Players Association that a company created by the sports merchandise company Fanatics that has yet to be named will be the exclusive licensee for baseball cards once its current licensing agreements expire at the end of next year.
NFL-NEWS
AP source: Browns’ Phillips tears biceps, could miss most of year
UNDATED (AP) — A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Cleveland Browns linebacker Jacob Phillips tore his biceps and could miss most of this season.
Phillips was hurt Thursday during the first of two joint practices against the New York Giants. The team has not yet disclosed his medical status. The Browns expected Phillips to have a large role in their revamped defense. Cleveland has had injury issues at linebacker during training camp and it’s likely they’ll look outside their roster for help.
In other NFL news:
— Arizona Cardinals 11-time Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald says he currently doesn’t have the desire to play an 18th NFL season, though he left the possibility open that he might resume his career. In an interview on SiriusXM Radio with Jim Gray on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Fitzgerald says he’s focused on being a radio broadcaster. The 37-year-old has put together 17 of the most consistent and productive seasons for a wide receiver in NFL history. He hasn’t been at the Cardinals’ preseason camp in Glendale, Arizona, over the past month.
— The Los Angeles Chargers put safety Nasir Adderly and cornerback Ryan Smith on the COVID-19 list Friday. Adderly missed the first of two joint practices with the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, which first-year coach Brandon Staley attributed to migraines. A second-round draft pick in 2019 from Delaware, Adderly started 14 games for the Chargers last season and had 69 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. Smith signed a one-year contract with the Chargers in March to help bolster their special teams unit.
FBC-AUBURN-HARSIN-COVID19
Auburn coach Bryan Harsin tests positive for COVID-19
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin says he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating at home.
Harsin said in a statement that he tested positive on Thursday but wasn’t experiencing symptoms.The first-year Tigers coach said he will participate remotely in meetings and practices. Assistant head coach Jeff Schmedding, who works with linebackers, will take over as interim coach for in-person duties.
TENNIS-NADAL’S SEASON OVER
Nadal out of US Open, ends season to heal injured foot
MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal pulled out of the U.S. Open on Friday and said he will not play tennis again this year because of a nagging foot injury.
The Spaniard sat out both Wimbledon and the Olympics because of fatigue after losing to Novak Djokovic (JOH’-kuh-vich) in the French Open semifinals.
The 35-year-old Nadal said the pain from a chronic foot problem he has been battling most of his career is too much.
GOLF-WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN
Hall grabs a share of the lead
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland (AP) — Georgia Hall is making a run at another Women’s British Open title. The 2018 champion overcame a double-bogey on the 15th hole to shoot 3-under 69 and take a share of the 36-hole lead with Mina Harigae of the United States at 7 under overall.
No. 4 Sei Young Kim and Lizette Salas are a stroke back. Lexi Thompson is part of a group of seven players at 5 under. Top-ranked Nelly Korda shot a 73, leaving her with five others three off the lead.
DOCTOR-SEXUAL ASSAULT
Judge tells prison to seize Nassar’s money for victims
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A judge has ordered the government to take money from the prison account of a former Michigan sports doctor who owes about $58,000 to victims of his child pornography crimes.
Larry Nassar has received about $13,000 in deposits since 2018, including $2,000 in federal stimulus checks. But Nassar has paid only $300 toward court-ordered financial penalties and nothing to his victims.
Nassar was a doctor at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. He pleaded guilty in federal court to child pornography crimes before pleading guilty in state court to sexually assaulting female gymnasts.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-KENTUCKY PLAYERS ARRESTED
6 Kentucky players plead not guilty to burglary charges
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Six Kentucky football players have pleaded not guilty to first-degree burglary charges stemming from a March 6 incident at a private party. Fayette County District Judge Joseph Bouvier ordered the players to stay away from the alleged victims and the site where the incident took place.
Wildcat players Reuben Adams, Robert McClain, Andru Phillips, Earnest Sanders IV, Devito Tisdale and Joel Williams are charged with burglary. Tisdale also faces a charge of wanton endangerment for allegedly pointing a gun at one of the victims.
