MLB-SCHEDULE
Battle for first in NL East
UNDATED (AP) — The Mets go for a series sweep and a share of the NL East lead when they host division-leading Washington tonight to wrap up a 15-game major league schedule. New York has eked out one-run wins in each of the series’ first two games to pull to within a game of the Nationals.
New York gives the ball to rookie Noah Syndergaard, who retired the first 18 he faced in his last start and finished by allowing just three hits. Jordan Zimmerman starts for the Nationals, with an 8-5 record in 22 career starts against the Mets.
Jose Fernandez has been unbeatable at home, literally. The right-hander is 15-0 heading into his start for Miami against San Diego. His 1.17 ERA in 22 career home starts is the lowest through a pitcher’s first 22 home starts since 1920.
Mat Latos (LAY’-tohs) makes his Dodgers debut facing the Angels, following a three-team, 13-player trade that brought him from the Marlins and left-hander Alex Wood from the Braves. He brings a 4-7 mark with a 4.48 ERA into the game, although his ERA over his last three starts is 1.80. The Angels will be trying to snap out of a five-game losing skid that has seen them fall out of first in the AL West and drop three games back of Houston.
The Astros’ Colin McHugh will try to join teammate Dallas Keuchel (KY’-kehl) with an American League-leading 13th win when he starts against Arizona. McHugh has won four in a row to make his record 12-6.
Mike Leake will make his Giants debut against Texas, after being picked up in a trade with Cincinnati. The 27-year-old has allowed only two earned runs winning his last four starts. San Francisco starts the day a game-and-a-half back of the Dodgers for first in the NL West.
PGA-QUICKEN LOANS
Big round gives Merritt part of the lead
GAINESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Troy Merritt and Kevin Chappell head into the final round of today’s Quicken Loans National seeking their first PGA Tour win. Merritt and Chappell are tied for the lead at 14 under par. Rickie Fowler is looking for his third win of the season and starts the day just a shot back.
Tournament host Tiger Woods is on the course and is 3-under through six holes. That leaves him 8-under for the tournament.
GOLF-WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN
Park completes career slam
TURNBERRY, Scotland (AP) — Top-ranked Inbee Park fired a 7-under 65 in the final round to win the Women’s British Open. The victory makes her the seventh golfer to complete the women’s career Grand Slam.
Park had six birdies in a nine-hole stretch, then threw in an eagle for good measure on the 14th hole to help her to get to 12 under par.
The victory is her fourth of the season.
CHAMPIONS TOUR-3M
Perry has comfortable lead
BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Kenny Perry is looking to repeat as the winner of the Champions Tour’s 3M Championship and is in good position to do it. Perry takes a four-shot lead into the final round after a tournament-record-tying 11-under 61 yesterday that included a hole-in-one.
Kevin Sutherland and Scott Dunlap start the day tied for second.
NASCAR-POCONO
Busch sets the pace
LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — Kyle Busch looks to continue his remarkable season when he starts from the pole for today’s Sprint Cup race at Ponoco. Busch has won three straight races and four of five after missing the first 11 races of the season following a crash that left him with a broken right leg and left foot. He’s trying to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2007 to win four straight Sprint Cup races.
Busch is coming off a win in the Truck Series at Pocono yesterday.
Kevin Harvick starts on the outside of the front row.
Jeff Gordon qualified 10th as he continues what to this point has been a winless farewell tour. He’s the Pocono career wins leader with six.
INDY CAR-QUALIFYING
Dixon leads the way
LEXINGTON, Ohio (AP) — Scott Dixon will start from the pole in in today’s Honda Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car course. Dixon has won five times in 10 starts at the course and is the defending champ. He starts the day 48 points behind series-leading Juan Pablo Montoya with three races left.
Montoya starts 10th.
HORSE RACING-AMERICAN PHAROAH
Triple Crown winner races again
OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) — American Pharoah will attempt to do what many Triple Crown champions have done throughout history — win the first race after victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
Racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner takes on six rivals in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. Of the 11 other Triple winners, 10 returned to racing and seven of them won.
The average time between the Belmont and the next race for Triple Crown winners is about five weeks. American Pharoah comes into the Haskell 57 days after the Belmont.
