NEW YORK (AP) β Alex Rodriguez has hit his 661st career home run to pass Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time list. The solo blast came off Chris Tillman in the third inning and helped the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3. Rodriguez has hit seven homers this season after missing all of last year due to a suspension for violating MLB’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) β Patrick Kane provided a goal and an assist as the Chicago Blackhawks downed the Wild 4-3 in Minnesota to complete a sweep and advance to the NHL’s Western Conference finals. Brent Seabrook put Chicago ahead midway through the first period before Andrew Shaw’s power-play score made it 2-0 early in the second. Minnesota scored twice after Marian Hossa’s (HOH’-sahz) empty-netter made it 4-1 with 3:07 to play.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) β Max Pacioretty (pash-uh-REH’-tee) scored a short-handed goal and had two assists as the Montreal Canadiens ripped the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 to stave off elimination. Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop was lifted after Jeff Petry’s (PEE’-treez) power-play goal put the Habs ahead 4-0 midway through the second period. Bishop had allowed just four goals in helping the Lightning take the first three games of the second-round series.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) β Charley Hoffman carded eight birdies in grabbing a share of the first-round lead in the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. The string of birdies offset a triple-bogey on the first hole and left him at 5-under 67, tied with David Hearn, Kevin Na and Hideki Matsuyama (math-soo-YAH’-mah). Rory McIlroy is just two strokes back after winning the Match Play Championship last weekend.
UNDATED (AP) β The Oakland Raiders have signed receiver Amari Cooper, the fourth player taken in the NFL draft. Cooper is the career receiving leader at Alabama with 228 catches, 3,463 yards receiving and 31 touchdown receptions. The Miami Dolphins also inked their first-round pick, giving former Louisville receiver DeVante Parker a four-year, $10.87 million pact.
