Update on the latest sports
APMLB SCHEDULE
Nats take first of doubleheader
UNDATED (AP) — Erick Fedde returned after nearly a month on the COVID-19 injured list and pitched five sharp innings, Kyle Schwarber hit a leadoff homer and the Washington Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 2-0 to open a doubleheader.
The Nationals handed Kevin Gausman his first loss this season after seven wins. He began the day with a 1.27 ERA, but Schwarber quickly put a dent in that impressive number.
Fedde last pitched on May 16 and was placed on the COVID-19 list three days later. He rejoined the rotation by limiting the Giants to four hits while striking out seven and walking none.
MLB NEWS
Mets’ ace Jacob deGrom on track for next scheduled start
NEW YORK (AP) — Two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom is expected to make his next scheduled start for the New York Mets despite having to leave’s Friday game with tendinitis.
DeGrom played catch and threw a bullpen session Saturday afternoon. Manager Luis Rojas said his ace should be ready to face the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. A precautionary MRI showed no problem, Rojas said.
DeGrom’s 0.56 ERA is the lowest ever by a pitcher through 10 starts, just ahead of Juan Marichal’s 0.59 in 1966. He threw six scoreless innings, extending his streak to 22.
In other baseball news:
— Yankees right-hander Luis Severino was removed from a minor league rehab start with what appeared to be a painful injury to his right leg. Severino was making his second rehab start following Tommy John surgery in February of 2020, pitching for High A Hudson Valley against Brooklyn. The 27-year-old began to hobble immediately after throwing a pitch in the second inning. He limped behind the mound, struggling to put weight on his right leg. Coaches and a trainer had to help him off the field. Severino looked sharp in his first rehab appearance, reaching 98 mph with his fastball.
— Reliever Hunter Strickland is switching teams again as the Milwaukee Brewers attempt to see if he can regain his early-season form. The Brewers announced they have acquired Strickland from the Los Angeles Angels for cash. This marks the second time this season that the 32-year-old right-hander has changed teams. The Angels purchased Strickland from the Tampa Bay Rays on May 15 before designating him for assignment Monday. Strickland had a 1.69 ERA in 13 appearances for Tampa Bay but posted a 9.95 ERA in nine games with the Angels. He didn’t have a decision for either team.
OBIT-GRANT
Mudcat Grant, 1st Black 20-game winner in AL, dies at 85
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former major league pitcher Jim “Mudcat” Grant has died at age 85. He was the first Black 20-game winner in the American League.
He was also a key part of Minnesota’s first World Series team in 1965. He won two of three starts in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Twins announced Grant’s death. No cause was given.
The right-hander spent less than four full seasons of his 14-year major league career with the Twins, but they were his best. He led the AL with 21 wins in 1965, while helping the Twins post a 102-60 record.
NBA PLAYOFFS
Clippers look for win on home court
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers find themselves in familiar territory — down 2-0 in their second straight playoff series and seeing one player outplay their two superstars.
While the Clippers proved they could work their way out of a deep hole before, the challenges are steeper as they prepare to face the Utah Jazz on Saturday as the scene shifts to Staples Center for Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series.
The downtown Los Angeles court, which has been the franchise’s home since 1999, has not given them any advantages when it comes to the postseason. They have lost nine of their last 11 home playoff games.
Last Sunday’s 126-111 victory over Dallas in Game 7 snapped a eight-game home playoff losing streak.
NBA NEWS
Nets’ Harden out, Green questionable for Game 4 at Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets again won’t have James Harden but could have forward Jeff Green back for Game 4 of their second-round playoff series with the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
Nets coach Steve Nash says Harden is out and Green is questionable. Nash says both players are “progressing well.”
Harden hasn’t played since leaving Game 1 of the series in the opening minute with tightness in his right hamstring. Green hasn’t played at all in the series due to a plantar fascia strain.
The Nets lead the Bucks 2-1 in the best-of-7 matchup.
FRENCH OPEN
Inspired by Novotna, Krejcikova wins 1st Slam title in Paris
PARIS (AP) — Unseeded Barbora Krejcikova (kreh-jih-KOH’-vah) has won her first Grand Slam title by beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 in the French Open final.
This was only the fifth major tournament in singles for Krejcikova. The 25-year-old from the Czech Republic is the third unseeded women’s champion in the last five years at Roland Garros.
Krejcikova paid tribute to her late coach Jana Novotna in her on-court speech, calling her “an inspiration” and saying felt Novotna was “looking after me.” Novotna, a former Wimbledon champion, died of cancer in 2017.
Krejcikova now will try to become the first woman since 2000 to win the French Open singles and doubles titles in the same year.
The 31st-seeded Pavlyuchenkova was playing in her first Grand Slam final in the 52nd major tournament of her career.
PGA-TOUR CHAMPIONS
Jimenez has 1-stroke lead over Couples in Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis.(AP) — Miguel Angel Jimenez shot a 3-under 69 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Fred Couples into the final round of the PGA Tour Champions’ American Insurance Championship. Jimenez, also the first-round leader after a 65, had a 10-under 134 at University Ridge.
The 57-year-old Spaniard has 10 victories on the 50-and-over tour after winning 21 times on the European Tour.
The 61-year-old Couples followed an opening 68 with a 67. He won the 2017 tournament for the last of his 13 senior titles.
NHL-NEWS
Evans traveling to Vegas with Canadiens for Golden Knights
MONTREAL (AP) — Montreal forward Jake Evans, who has not played since sustaining a concussion on a hit by Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele (SHYF’-lee) on June 2, will accompany the Canadiens to Las Vegas for the Stanley Cup semifinal series against the Golden Knights.
Interim Canadiens coach Dominque Ducharme says Evans, defensemen Jeff Petry, and Jon Merrill are traveling for the start of the Stanley Cup semifinals on Monday. Ducharme had said Friday he wasn’t very confident they would dress for Game 1.
The Canadiens swept the Jets and Vegas beat Colorado in six games.
NFL-NEWS
Browns WR Landry says OBJ looks “amazing” after knee surgery
EASTLAKE, Ohio (AP) — Odell Beckham Jr.’s knee looks fine for football. His softball swing needs work.
The Browns wide receiver, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last season, took part in teammate Jarvis Landy’s charity softball event, which drew 7,000 fans and included Cleveland stars Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield as well as Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.
Beckham struggled in the home-run hitting contest, popping up several pitches and missing a few, but Landry reported that his speedy teammate looked fully recovered when they worked out together this past week in Austin, Texas.
RACING-INDYCAR
Johnson struggling, Rosenqvist injured
DETROIT (AP) — Felix Rosenqvist has been taken to a Detroit hospital following a crash early in the IndyCar race on Belle Isle. The throttle appeared to stick in Rosenqvist’s car as he entered the sixth turn at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park on Saturday.
The Swede slammed into a tire barrier with tremendous force, moving the retaining wall. Rosenqvist’s car was stuck nose-up at a nearly 45-degree angle jammed into the scattered tire barrier.
He seemed to struggle to catch his breath, and IndyCar’s safety team placed Rosenqvist in a neck brace. The race was red-flagged for the wall to be rebuilt
Meanwhile, Jimmie Johnson is struggling at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park, which is just his second career street course and fourth career IndyCar race.
He’s been far off the pace of the leaders headed into the Saturday and Sunday doubleheader races.
But the seven-time NASCAR champion said he’s not the driver who had Will Power so incensed following practice that Power was vowing to fight. Power is annoyed at drivers who are backing up on the track.
Johnson admits he’s the slowest in the field and drivers are having to back up to avoid him.
