MLB-SCHEDULE
Giants get the better of the Mets
UNDATED (AP) β The San Francisco Giants have put some heat on the Los Angeles Dodgers as the two teams battle for the National League West title.
The Giants rallied from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 before Pablo Sandoval hit an RBI double with two out in the ninth to give them a 4-3 win over the Mets in New York. Sandoval had three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run double in the third.
Hunter Pence went 2-for-5 and finished the series with two doubles, two triples, two homers and seven RBIs, helping the Giants take three of four at Citi Field.
San Francisco currently trails the NL West by two games over the Dodgers, who take on the Angels later today.
Max Scherzer of the Tigers can become baseball’s first 14-game winner tonight as he faces the Yankees in New York. Scherzer is 13-3 with a 3.27 earned run average. Tonight’s game marks the start of a four-game series and it’s a good bet that at some point in the series former Yankee Joba Chamberlain (JAH’-buh) will get a chance to face his former teammates. Chamberlain has served the Tigers very well as a setup man for closer Joe Nathan. Detroit tops the Royals by five games in the American League Central while the Yankees are 5 back of the first-place Orioles in the AL East.
Baltimore has its hands full tonight as they are on the road for a game in nearby Washington with the National League East leading Nationals. The Orioles lead Toronto by three games in the AL East while the Nationals have built up a 3 Β½ game lead over the idle Atlanta Braves.
In other games tonight, the two Ohio teams are squaring off in Cleveland as the Indians play host to the Cincinnati Reds. The visiting team is in fourth-place in the National League Central, 4 Β½ games back of the leading Milwaukee Brewers. The Indians, who are fresh off a three-game sweep of the Rangers, start the day in third-place in the AL Central, 6 Β½ games behind the Tigers.
The White Sox are home this evening to visiting Texas while Tampa Bay is at Oakland and the two Los Angeles area teams are playing on the Dodgers home turf.
MLB-NATIONALS
Nats place McLouth on DL
WASHINGTON (AP) β The Washington Nationals have placed backup outfielder Nate McLouth (mik-LOWTH’) on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. McLouth is hitting .179 with one homer and seven RBI’s in 79 games, including 33 starts.
Washington filled the roster spot by recalling outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from Triple-A Syracuse. Souza is leading the International League with a .354 average and went 1-for-8 in a previous stint with the Nats this year.
NFL-BENGALS
New deal for Dalton
UNDATED (AP) β The Cincinnati Bengals have made Andy Dalton one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. Dalton has signed a six-year extension after passing for more than 3,000 yards in each of his three NHL seasons. Multiple reports say the contract is worth up to $115 million.
Dalton led the Bengals to an 11-5 record and AFC North title in 2013, setting career highs with 33 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions.
Meanwhile, in the northern end of Ohio, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon returned to training camp and practiced today as his appeal hearing with the NFL took place for a second day in New York. Gordon ended his workout earlier than his teammates so he could participate in the hearing via teleconference with his legal team. They are fighting his potential one-year suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. The 23-year-old was suspended two games last season, but still led the league in yards receiving despite playing in 14 games and with three quarterbacks.
Also in the NFL:
β Brett Favre will be inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and have his number retired next July 18. Favre’s No. 4 will be unveiled on the Lambeau Field north end zone facade at halftime of a yet-to-be-determined game during the 2015 season.
β New York Giants running back David Wilson will be forced to retire after just two NFL seasons because of a back injury. The Giants’ first-round pick in the 2012 draft underwent fusion surgery to repair vertebrae and a herniated disk in his neck in January. Wilson caught a pass in practice last week and ran with his head down into the back of an offensive lineman, a hit that caused numbness in his hands and lower extremities.
β New York Jets coach Rex Ryan has announced that Geno Smith will start over Michael Vick at quarterback in the team’s preseason opener Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts. Smith is looking to retain the starting job in his second season after taking about 80 percent of the snaps with the first-team offense during training camp.
β Prosecutors have agreed to drop charges against Denver Broncos safety T.J. Ward in exchange for community service. Ward previously pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault and disturbing the peace charges for allegedly throwing a glass mug at a female bartender at PT’s All Nude Club in May.
β The Jacksonville Jaguars have activated cornerback Alan Ball from the physically unable to perform list. He missed the first week of training camp with an ankle injury sustained during minicamp in June.
PGA-PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Final major set for this week
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) β The PGA Championship is always the final major of the year in men’s golf and this year’s contest starts this Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky. Following his win Sunday in the Bridgestone Invitational, Rory McIlroy has to be considered the favorite. He has won his last two tournaments, the one in Akron and before that the British Open.
The status of Tiger Woods however is unknown as the former World No. 1 was forced to withdraw from the final round of the Bridgestone with back spasms. Woods was visibly in pain as he limped to his car to leave the course. He underwent back surgery earlier this year to relieve spasms.
RYDER CUP
Watson comments on Woods
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) β U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson says that Tiger Woods’ latest back injury “doesn’t bode well right now” for Woods playing in the Ryder Cup. Watson told SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio he was watching the final round of the Bridgestone Invitational when Woods withdrew after hitting his tee shot on the ninth hole because of another injury to his back.
Watson has said a healthy Woods would be a good addition to the team and that he hopes the former World No. 1 can play in this week’s PGA Championship.
Playing in only his third tournament since returning from back surgery, Woods said he jarred his lower back when he hopped into a deep bunker after playing an awkward shot from the slope of the bunker on the second hole at Firestone.
