Update on the latest sports
APTENNIS-US OPEN
Osaka advances as opponent withdraws
NEW YORK (AP) — Naomi Osaka has advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open after her second-round opponent withdrew for medical reasons. The defending champion was set to play Olga Danilovic of Serbia in the first match of the day in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Two-time Grand Slam champions Simona Halep (HAL’-ehp) and Garbiñe Muguruza (GAHR’-been moo-gah-ROO’-thuh) also reached the third round to end long absences in Flushing Meadows. They were two of the few players to squeeze in victories early on a rainy afternoon. Play started late and then was suspended briefly on the outer courts.
Halep reached the third round for the first time since a quarterfinal appearance in 2016. The ninth-seeded Muguruza got past the second round for the first time since 2017.
On the men’s side, No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev (DAN’-ihl MEHD’-veh-dehv) eased into the third round with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Dominik Koepfer. Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev also advanced. But 15th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov (GREE’-gohr DIH’-mih-trahv), a semifinalist in the 2019 U.S. Open, retired after losing two tiebreakers and trailing 4-0 in the third set against Alexei Popyrin.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Goldschmidt homers twice, Cardinals win opener over Reds
UNDATED (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt homered twice and the St. Louis Cardinals tightened up the NL wild-card race with a 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a doubleheader. The Reds went into the day tied with San Diego for the second NL wild card, 2 1/2 games ahead of St. Louis and Philadelphia.
Reds lefty Wade Miley set season highs, allowing three home runs and 12 hits in four innings for his first loss in 16 starts since May. The opener was the makeup of a game postponed from Tuesday by rain.
Elsewhere around the majors:
— Philadelphia’s game at Washington scheduled for Wednesday night was postponed because of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The game, the NL East rivals’ final meeting this year, will be made up Thursday at 1:05 p.m.
MLB-NEWS
Muñoz is latest Red Sox player to test positive for COVID-19
UNDATED (AP)
Boston infielder Yairo Muñoz has become the latest Red Sox player to test positive for COVID-19 as the virus surge impacting the team remains unrelenting. Eight Boston players and two coaches have either had a positive test or have been identified as close contacts since Friday.
Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts (ZAN’-dur BOH’-gahrtz) was pulled in the second inning of Tuesday night’s 8-5 loss to the Rays because of a positive test.
The Red Sox began Wednesday with a one-game lead over Oakland for the second AL wild card.
In other MLB news:
— The New York Mets say they are “surprised and deeply disappointed” to learn acting general manager Zack Scott was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated. The New York Post reported Wednesday that Scott was found sleeping in his car in White Plains, New York, at 4:17 a.m. Tuesday. Police say the 44-year-old refused to give blood or submit to a breathalyzer but did take a field sobriety test and failed. Scott was hired as the Mets’ assistant general manager last offseason to work under close friend and former colleague Jared Porter. Scott was promoted to acting GM in January after Porter was fired following revelations that he sent sexually explicit text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 while he was working for the Chicago Cubs.
— Jerry Dipoto (dih-POH’-toh) and Scott Servais will get a chance to see whether the Seattle Mariners’ years-long rebuilding will come to fruition. The Mariners promoted Dipoto to president of baseball operations and signed Servais to a multiyear contract extension Wednesday, keeping the pair locked together to oversee the completion of the overhaul that began three years ago. Both deals had been expected and come with the Mariners chasing a playoff spot in the American League. Seattle has the longest postseason drought of any team in the four major North American sports leagues, last reaching the postseason in 2001.
NFL-NEWS
Saints opener vs. Packers moved to Jacksonville after Ida
UNDATED (AP) — The New Orleans Saints will play their season opener in Jacksonville, Florida, after being displaced by Hurricane Ida. Instead of playing in the Superdome for the Sept. 12 opener against the Green Bay Packers, the Saints will host the game at the home of the Jaguars.
The Superdome appears to have been spared significant damage from the powerful Category 4 hurricane. But there are logistical challenges with staffing an NFL game there because of the widespread damage in the New Orleans area.
In other NFL news:
— The Minnesota Vikings are bracing for a season-long absence for on-the-rise tight end Irv Smith Jr., after knee surgery for a torn meniscus. Smith had the procedure done by team physician Dr. Christopher Larson. He was injured last week. Smith was in line for a breakout year, his third in the NFL. He had 365 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games last season. Smith had a full repair of the meniscus. That usually means a minimum four-month recovery. The Vikings acquired tight end Chris Herndon in a trade with the New York Jets to help reinforce the position.
— Josh Andrews, who was the favorite to open the season as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting left guard, has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken hand in practice. Players can return from injured reserve after three weeks this season. Andrews’ injury was a setback to plans for Atlanta’s opening game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Andrews started four games for the New York Jets last season.
— The New York Jets have released cornerback Bless Austin, moving on from a projected starter in their young secondary. The 25-year-old Austin was entering his third season with the Jets and was expected to start opposite Bryce Hall. In other moves, the Jets claimed linebacker Quincy Williams, brother of New York defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, off waivers from Jacksonville and defensive end Tim Ward from Kansas City. The Jets are also signing safety Sheldrick Redwine, a fourth-round pick of Cleveland in 2019.
— Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores has publicly expressed his support for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (TOO’-ah tuhng-ah-vy-LOH’-ah). That may or may not tamp down speculation about the team’s interest in Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson. Flores says Tagovailoa will be the Week 1 starter against the New England Patriots on Sept. 12. The Dolphins have declined to confirm or deny reports they have engaged in trade talks to acquire Watson, who has been accused of sexual assault and harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women. He has denied the allegations.
— The Carolina Panthers have released former Seahawks wide receiver David Moore and claimed guard Michael Jordan from the Cincinnati Bengals off waivers. Moore signed a two-year contract with Carolina in March that included a $1.25 million signing bonus, which will count as dead money under the salary cap. Last week the Panthers traded linebacker Denzel Perryman and a seventh-round draft pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for a sixth-round draft pick just months after giving Perryman a two-year deal that included nearly $3 million in guaranteed money.
— Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt is dealing with a knee injury, leaving his status for the season opener against Buffalo uncertain. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler did not get into specifics about the nature of the injury when asked Wednesday but did confirm it’s one of the reasons why Tuitt did not practice with the team at all during training camp.
NHL-ISLANDERS-MOVES
Islanders sign Sorokin, Beauvillier, Palmieri and Cizikas
UNDATED (AP) — The New York Islanders finalized most of their offseason work in one day by signing four players to multiyear contracts.
Goaltender Ilya Sorokin (sah-ROH’-kihn) got a three-year deal for $12 million, homegrown forward Anthony Beauvillier (boh-VIH’-lee-ay) got three years and $12.45 million, deadline pickup Kyle Palmieri got $20 million over four years and fourth-line mainstay Casey Cizikas (sih-ZEE’-kuhs) got six years for $15 million.
Veteran general manager Lou Lamoriello had been conspicuously quiet for much of the summer aside from signing defenseman Adam Pelech (PEH’-lehk) to a $46 million, eight-year contract in early August.
The NHL season begins Oct. 12. The Islanders will open on a 13-game trip while their new arena is completed.
