Update on the latest sports
APMLB SCHEDULE
Royals whip Cubs
UNDATED (AP) — The Kansas City Royals entered Friday ranked dead last in the American League with 119 home runs. They turned Wrigley Field into their own playground by belting five round-trippers in a 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Salvador Perez broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning with his second homer of the day off Zach Davies. Emmanuel Rivera hit his first career homer, and Andrew Benitendi and Cam Gallagher also connected.
Brad Keller allowed one earned run over six innings for the Royals, who have won four of five as they try to climb out of the AL Central cellar.
Chicago has lost 11 straight home games. The Cubs have dropped 43 of their last 58 games after leading the NL Central in June.
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:
— Major League Baseball will hold another Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, with the Chicago Cubs taking on the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 11. The game will be played at a temporary venue built next to the site where the iconic 1989 baseball movie “Field of Dreams” was filmed. That stadium hosted the Chicago White Sox’s 9-8 win over the New York Yankees last week.
— Milwaukee Bucks forward and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh) has joined the Milwaukee Brewers’ ownership group, calling it a dream come true for a kid from Greece with immigrant parents. Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio actually completed the deal with Antetokounmpo in May, but the two kept it a secret while the Bucks continued their charge to the NBA championship. Antetokounmpo said he started thinking about getting involved in ownership of a pro sports franchise last year while he was in the NBA playoff bubble at Walt Disney World.
— 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 yet-to-be-named company created by the sports merchandise company Fanatics will be the exclusive licensee for baseball cards at the end of next year.
NHL-LUNDQVIST RETIRES
Lundqvist retires at 39
WASHINGTON (AP) — Veteran NHL goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has announced his retirement on Friday, less than nine months after heart surgery.
The 39-year-old Swede starred 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, eighth in games played and ninth in starts.
Lundqvist told a Swedish newspaper that he needs a new heart procedure.
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 Browns expected Phillips to have a large role in their revamped defense.
In other NFL news:
— 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. Fitzgerald told Jim Gray on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio that he’s currently focused on being a radio broadcaster. He said he doesn’t have the urge to play right now, but admitted that could change in the coming months.
— The Chargers have put safety Nasir Adderly and cornerback Ryan Smith on the COVID-19 list. Adderly started 14 games for the Chargers last season and Smith signed a one-year contract with the Chargers in March to help bolster their special teams unit.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-AUBURN-HARSIN
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, 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 has pulled out of the U.S. Open 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.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL-TEXAS A&M
Aggies punished for hoops violations
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — The NCAA has suspended Texas A&M basketball coach Buzz Williams for two games and the team has been placed on two years of probation for multiple rules violations.
The infractions include Williams having impermissible contact in July 2019 with a prospect. Additionally, an unnamed assistant coach observed and held tryouts with a prospect during an unofficial visit.
PGA-NORTHERN TRUST
Rahm 1-up on Finau through 36
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — Jon Rahm has a one-stroke lead over Tony Finau at the midway mark of the PGA’s Northern Trust in New Jersey.
Rahm carded another bogey-free round at Liberty National, this one a 4-under 67 that leaves him 12 under through 36 holes.
Finau had a 64 with a bogey on the final hole as he tries to secure another spot among the 30 who make it to the season-ending Tour Championship.
Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele (SHOW’-flee) tied his personal best on the PGA Tour and the course record at Liberty National with a 62, He’s in a group at 10-under 132 with Justin Thomas and Keith Mitchell.
LPGA-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.
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.
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.
