INDY 500-QUALIFYING
Crash prompts change in qualifying schedule
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) β Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials have pushed back qualifying until mid-afternoon and have eliminated the pole shootout following another frightening crash in the morning practice session.
Ed Carpenter flipped his car and the wheels came off the 2.5-mile oval’s asphalt surface. He was not seriously hurt. The two-time pole-sitter was the third driver to flip his car this week.
Each car will be given one qualifying attempt and the top 30 spots will then be locked in. If time and weather permits, a 45-minute qualifying session will determine the final three starting spots in the May 24 race.
NBA-SCHEDULE
Rockets host Clippers in showdown game
HOUSTON (AP) β The Rockets host the Clippers in Game 7 this afternoon with a spot in the NBA Western Conference final on the line.
The last time Houston made it that far in the playoffs was in 1997, while the Clippers have never advanced to the conference title round.
Houston forced the decisive game by overcoming a 19-point deficit in Los Angeles in Game 6 and avoiding elimination for the second straight game.
The winner moves on to face Golden State for a spot in the NBA Finals.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Blackhawks, Ducks play opener
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) β Chicago and the Ducks face off in the opener of the NHL Western Conference final this afternoon in Anaheim.
The Blackhawks are in their fifth conference finals in seven seasons, winning two Stanley Cup titles. They’re led by their core stars Jonathan Toews (TAYVZ) and Patrick Kane.
Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry helped Anaheim win its only Stanley Cup title eight years ago, but the Ducks hadn’t been back to the conference finals since.
The Ducks have played just 11 games over the previous 43 days, thanks to their 8-1 rampage through the first two rounds. The Blackhawks are 8-2 in the playoffs after sweeping Minnesota.
HOCKY-WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Canada, Russia square off
PRAGUE (AP) β Canada takes on Russia for the ice hockey world championship today in a match-up of two of the most decorated countries in the tournament. Russia has won 27 world titles, the Canadians have won 24.
Russia has won the title in three of the last four years. Canada is back in the championship game for the first time in six years and hasn’t won since 2007.
The Sidney Crosby-led Canadians have been dominating the tournament with a perfect 9-0 record and 60 goals. They beat Russia 6-3 earlier in the tournament.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Streaking Cubs try to keep it going
UNDATED (AP) β It’s been a while since the Cubs have had this kind of success. They take a six-game winning streak into the finale of their series with Pittsburgh at Wrigley Field today. It’s their longest run since putting together seven in a row in 2011. The Cubs are also six games over .500 for the first time since October 2009.
The Pirates will go with A.J. Burnett, who is 2-1 with a 1.60 ERA and has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his seven starts this season.
The Cardinals have seen their lead at the top of the NL Central shrink to three games over the Cubs. They’ll try to avoid being swept at home in the finale of a three-game series with AL Central-leading Detroit.
Washington has won 14 of its last 18 heading into the wrap-up of its series in San Diego. Stephen Strasburg tries again to get straightened out for the Nationals. He gave up a career-high eight runs in only 3 1-3 innings the last time out against Arizona and said afterward he was “embarrassed.” He’s 2-3 with a 4.73 ERA.
Marlins opening day starter Henderson Alvarez rejoins the rotation to start against Atlanta. The right-hander has been out since April 12 with right shoulder and elbow inflammation.
Phillies right-hander Sean O’Sullivan will be vying for his first victory in more than four years when he starts at home against Arizona. Since his last win while with Kansas City on May 12, 2011, he is 0-9 with a 7.19 ERA in 18 games, including 13 starts.
PGA-WELLS FARGO
McIlroy has big lead
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) βRory McIlroy is poised to become the first two-time winner of the Wells Fargo Championship and set a tournament record in the process. The world’s No. 1 golfer tees it up for the final round of the tournament with a four-shot lead after a stunning course-record 11-under 61 at Quail Hollow yesterday. That got him to 18 under par. Anthony Kim holds the record for four rounds of 16 under in 2008. Webb Simpson starts the day in second place.
LPGA-KINGSMILL
Delacour looks for first win
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) β France’s Perrine Delacour (peh-REEN’ DEH’-lah-koor) goes after her first LPGA win today, at the LPGA’s Kingsmill Championship.
The 21-year-old takes a one-shot edge over UCLA star Alison Lee into the final round. Lee is also in contention for her inaugural tour win.
CHAMPIONS TOUR-REGIONS TRADITION
Maggert leads by one
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) β Jeff Maggert sets his sights on his second Champions Tour win heading into the final round of the Regions Tradition.
He holds a one-shot lead over Kevin Sutherland, who is looking for his first win on the 50-and-older tour.
TENNIS-ITALIAN OPEN
Djokovic, Sharapova claims titles
ROME (AP) β Top-ranked Novak Djokovic (NOH’-vak JOH’-koh-vihch) has beaten Roger Federer 6-4, 6-3 to claim his fourth Italian Open title. Federer has never won the tournament. Djokovic has won 22 straight matches.
Maria Sharapova rallied to beat 10th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 to win her third Italian Open title.
