FOOTBALL-HALL OF FAME
Eight set to be inducted
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — It’s expected to be an emotional moment when Junior Seau (SAY’-ow) gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame later today.
His election in his first year of eligibility is unquestioned after his career as one of the top linebackers in the game. Yet his induction is also a reminder of a sport’s inherent violence. Seau took his life in 2012 and his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the NFL, claiming his death was due in part to the countless hits he sustained during his career.
Joining Seau in the class of 2015 are receiver Tim Brown, defensive end Charley Haley, running back Jerome Bettis, along with linemen Will Shields and Mick Tingelhoff.
Long time general managers Bill Polian and Ron Wolf round out the class.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Five game card this afternoon
UNDATED (AP) — A check of the baseball schedule shows five games being played this afternoon. In New York the Yankees are facing off again with the Blue Jays. Last night the Jays beat the Yankees 2-1 in 10 innings to cut the New Yorkers lead over the Jays to just 2 ½ games.
Also this afternoon Collin McHugh is gunning for his fifth straight win and 14th overall as he and the Astros face the Athletics in Oakland. Dating to Aug. 1, 2014, McHugh is 20-5 with a 3.47 ERA. The right-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in three of his last four starts.
Two of the top teams in the National League are meeting once again in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are playing host to the Dodgers just hours after they beat the visiting team from Los Angles 5-4 in 10. The Dodgers top the NL West while the Pirates hold down the first wild card berth in the senior circuit.
The remaining two day games showcase the Cubs at home to the Giants and Texas at Seattle.
Among the games tonight Mets rookie star Noah Syndergaard heads back to the mound for a start against Tampa Bay. The right-hander has an impressive 2-0 mark with a 1.29 ERA in his last three starts. But Rays starter Nathan Karns also has some good numbers, including a string of 16 straight starts allowing two or fewer runs.
The Washington Nationals will welcome Stephen Strasburg back to the rotation when they host Colorado. The right-hander has been sidelined since early July with an oblique strain.
SWIMMING-LEDECKY
Another world record for Ledecky
KAZAN, Russia (AP) — American teenager Katie Ledecky (leh-DEK’-ee) has lowered her own world record by 3.61 seconds in winning the 800-meter freestyle at the world swimming championships in Russia. Ledecky completed the 16-lap race in 8 minutes, 7.39 seconds, bettering her time of 8:11.00 set last year at a meet in the United States.
Ledecky completed a sweep of the 200, 400, 800 and 1,500 freestyles in Russia. She swam the anchor leg on the victorious 4×200 free relay, too, giving her five golds with one day remaining in the meet.
NASCAR-WATKINS GLEN
Qualifying at the Glen
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Sprint Cup qualifying is on tap today at Watkins Glen, where NASCAR holds its final road course race of the season tomorrow.
It’s also the final road course race in Jeff Gordon’s illustrious career. He’s NASCAR’s career leader in road course wins with nine, including four at The Glen. Gordon is retiring at the end of the season.
Gordon is currently 10th in the Chase standings and is seeking his first win of the season to clinch his spot in the playoff series of races.
GOLF-BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL
Furyk leads the pack
AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Jim Furyk is in position to erase some bad memories at Firestone Country Club.
He takes a four-shot lead into the third round of the Bridgestone Invitational.
Furyk lost in a seven-hole playoff against Tiger Woods in 2001 and had the lead heading into the final hole three years ago. But a bad swing led to a double bogey and he lost by one.
Among those tied for second are Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson and Shane Lowry. Masters and U.S. Open champ Jordan Spieth (speeth) is six shots off the pace.
GOLF-CHAMPIONS TOUR
Monty tops the board
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Senior PGA Championship winner Colin Montgomerie takes a one-shot lead into the second round of the Shaw Charity Classic. Peter Senior holds down second place in the Champions Tour event.
Corey Pavin heads up a group of six starting the day three back.
GOLF-BARRACUDA CHAMPIONSHIP
Steele, Gonzalez share lead
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Brendan Steele and Andres Gonzalez are co-leaders heading into the third round of the Barracuda Championship. Each has 26 points under the modified Stableford scoring system that awards points for under-par scores on a hole and deducts them for over-par scores.
J.J. Henry and Jonas Blixt start the day two points back.
