Update on the latest sports
APMLB-SCHEDULE
Dodgers can clinch playoff spot
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers can clinch their ninth consecutive playoff appearance with a win at home over last-place Arizona and losses by two of the following teams: Cincinnati, St. Louis, San Diego. The defending World Series champions are 2 1/2 games behind first-place San Francisco in the NL West.
Among the other games on the schedule:
— The Giants try for their ninth straight win as Anthony DeSclafini faces Jake Arrieta and the struggling Padres. The Giants became the first team to secure a 2021 postseason berth by beating San Diego 9-1 last night.
— Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who was pushed back because of left hamstring tightness, is set to start on six days’ rest at Baltimore. Cole will have a new shortstop behind him, too, after New York moved error-prone Gleyber Torres to second base Monday. Manager Aaron Boone says Torres will spend the rest of the season at second.
— Closing in on the NL Central title, Milwaukee tries to extend its run of dominant pitching when Freddy Peralta starts the opener of a three-game series in Detroit. Eric Lauer held Cleveland hitless into the sixth inning Sunday in an 11-1 victory — a day after Brewers ace Corbin Burnes and closer Josh Hader combined on the record ninth no-hitter in the majors this season.
— Houston Astros right-hander Zack Greinke makes his first start since testing positive for COVID-19 last month. Greinke is scheduled to pitch at Texas, the same team he lost to on the road in his last start 16 days ago. Greinke had also lost his previous start against Kansas City, marking the only time in his 27 starts this season he has dropped consecutive games.
— Cleveland ace Shane Bieber, who’s been out with a strained right shoulder, is slated to throw 40-45 pitches on a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner has been sidelined since June 13.
MLB-BREWERS-BRAUN RETIRES
Slugger Ryan Braun retires after 14-year career with Brewers
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ryan Braun has announced his retirement. Braun is the Milwaukee Brewers’ home run leader whose production was slowed by injuries during the second half of his 14-year career.
Braun hasn’t played all season and said during spring training that he was leaning toward retirement. The 2011 NL MVP made it official Tuesday in a video the Brewers posted on Twitter.
Braun had 352 homers and last played in 2020. He was one of baseball’s best hitters from 2007-12, but was never the same after he was suspended midway through the 2013 season for using performance-enhancing drugs.
MLB-ROYALS-FRONT OFFICE
AP Source: Royals promote Moore to president, Picollo to GM
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are promoting general manager Dayton Moore to club president. A person familiar with the moves tells The Associated Press that the team is also elevating longtime assistant GM J.J. Picollo to GM.
The 54-year-old Moore presided over one of the most remarkable turnarounds in baseball history, leading them to consecutive World Series and the 2015 title. Picollo has long been considered Moore’s heir apparent in Kansas City.
NBA-PACERS-SUMNER INJURED
Pacers lose backup PG Edmond Sumner to torn Achilles tendon
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers point guard Edmond Sumner will be out indefinitely after having surgery to repair a torn left Achilles tendon. Team officials say he suffered the injury during an offseason workout and that he underwent surgery Monday.
Sumner was expected to play a bigger role this season following the trade of Aaron Holiday to Washington. Sumner averaged 7.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.6 steals per game last season, all career highs.
GOLF-PGA TOUR-PLAYER AWARD
Cantlay wins PGA Tour player of the year award over Rahm
UNDATED (AP) — Patrick Cantlay is the players’ choice as PGA Tour player of the year. It’s another big step for the 29-year-old from California.
Cantlay was the No. 1 amateur in the world who once shot 60 on the PGA Tour while in college. Then he was out for three years with a back injury that nearly ended his career. And now he has the Jack Nicklaus Award after a vote of the players.
The PGA Tour does not release vote totals or even say how many players voted. Cantlay presumably won the award in a tight race with Jon Rahm.
