MLB-SCHEDULE
Key series open tonight…Nats win meaningless makeup game
UNDATED (AP) β The big game of the day in baseball is the opener of a big three-game series between the Pirates and Cardinals in Pittsburgh. The Cards lead the Pirates by three games, so the results of this series will go a long way in determining which team wins the division. Each team has already clinched a spot in the playoffs.
On the mound in tonight’s opening game Lance Lynn for the Cards against J.A. Happ for the Pirates.
The Cubs, who have also clinched a playoff spot, still have their eyes set on the NL Central title as they begin play seven games back of St. Louis. Tonight Chicago is home to American League Central champ Kansas City.
Another big series gets under way tonight as the Dodgers visit the Giants. This is the first of four games between the long-time rivals and the Dodgers start play with a six game lead in the National League West over San Francisco. The Giants lead the season series 9-6 and are 6-0 at home against the Dodgers this year. On the mound for L.A. will be Zack Greinke (GREHN’-kee) against Jake Peavy (PEE’-vee).
The closest divisional race remains the AL West as the Rangers lead the Astros by 2 Β½ games. They concluded a weekend series yesterday with the Astros winning two of three. Tonight Houston is playing in Seattle while the Rangers are home to the Tigers.
Toronto’s lead over the Yankees in the AL East is four games and this evening the Blue Jays are visiting Baltimore while the Yankees are home to the Red Sox.
The Cleveland-Minnesota series which starts this evening in Cleveland doesn’t carry the weight that the previously mentioned ones do but to each team it is crucial. The Twins are 1 Β½ games back of the second American League wild card spot while the Indians are four back. The results of this four-game series could determine the immediate future of either one or both of the clubs.
Your other games on the card tonight feature the Angels entertaining the Athletics. The Angels are just a half-game back of Houston for that final AL wild card berth.
There was a meaningless makeup game in the Nation’s Capital where Washington defeated Cincinnati 5-1. Max Scherzer didn’t allow a hit until one out in the eighth in winning his 13th game. Scherzer and Matt Thornton combined on a three-hitter. Scherzer fanned 10 in his eight innings. Matt den Dekker homered and drove in two.
MLB-NATIONALS
Nats suspend relief pitcher
WASHINGTON (AP) β The Washington Nationals have suspended closer Jonathan Papelbon for four games without pay for his dugout fight with Bryce Harper. The decision means Papelbon’s season is over.
General manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement that Papelbon’s actions Sunday in the game against Philadelphia were “not acceptable.”
Papelbon also accepted a three-game suspension from Major League Baseball for throwing at Baltimore’s Manny Machado (muh-CHA’-doh). The league suspension will begin Monday against Cincinnati. The suspension from the Nationals will begin Thursday and last the rest of the season.
Nats’ manager Matt Williams ordered Harper to sit out their 5-1 makeup win over the Reds for his part in the dugout disturbance.
NFL-SCHEDULE
Packers-Chiefs tonight
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) β Tonight’s NFL game is being played at Lambeau (LAM’-boh) Field in Green Bay as the Packers entertain the Chiefs. The home team comes into the game with a 2-0 mark while the Chiefs are 1-1. The game features a pair of quarterbacks that are off the field friends in Aaron Rodgers of the Packers and Alex Smith of the Chiefs. In the 2005 draft Smith was the top pick by San Francisco while the Packers got Rodgers at No. 24.
Besides the Packers, There are six other unbeaten teams left in the NFL — Patriots, Bengals, Broncos, Panthers, Falcons and Cardinals all remain perfect.
And for those old enough to remember, tonight’s game is a rematch of the first Super Bowl, which was won by the Packers in Los Angeles.
NFL-INJURIES
Injury updates from around the league
UNDATED (AP) β The Steelers have announced that Ben Roethlisberger (RAWTH’-lihs-bur-gur) is out indefinitely. Coach Mike Tomlin says Roethlisberger has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee and that there is no timetable for his return. Michael Vick will start Thursday night when the 2-1 Steelers host winless Baltimore.
Roethlisberger left in the third quarter of Sunday’s 12-6 win over St. Louis after his knee bent awkwardly while getting sacked by Rams safety Mark Barron. Vick completed 5 of 6 passes for 38 yards after Roethlisberger’s departure.
In other NFL injury news:
βCarolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera says defensive end Charles Johnson will not play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving the team without its top pass rusher. Johnson re-injured his right hamstring in the fourth quarter of Carolina’s 27-22 win Sunday over the New Orleans Saints.
β Buffalo Bills receiver Sammy Watkins’ status is uncertain for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants because of a calf injury. Coach Rex Ryan provided the update, a day after Watkins left in the first quarter of the Bills’ 41-14 win at Miami. Watkins, a second-year receiver, has seven receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown through the first three games.
β Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Josh McCown injured his right throwing hand in Sunday’s loss to Oakland, but doesn’t expect to miss any time. McCown isn’t exactly sure when he got hurt, but guessed that his hand was stepped on in the third quarter.
NBA-RAPTORS
Bennett goes north of the border
TORONTO (AP) β The third time might be the charm for Anthony Bennett. The former top overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by Cleveland has signed with Toronto. He was traded by Cleveland to Minnesota in the big Kevin Love to the Cavs trade a year ago and so far has had to deal with injuries in both of his pro seasons.
Bennett averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 57 games for the Timberwolves last season.
OLYMPICS
Baseball and softball could be back in the Olympics
TOKYO (AP) β The host city for an Olympics has the right to propose the inclusion of at least one sport in that Olympics. Japan has announced that it would like to include baseball, softball, karate, surfing, skateboarding and climbing. Japan is set to host the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
The recommendations were welcomed by the IOC, which has not said how many sports it would add, if any.
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER DEATH Autopsy shows death from internal bleeding
WASHINGTON, N.J. (AP) β A North Jersey high school star quarterback who collapsed after taking a hit on the playing field died from massive internal bleeding caused by a lacerated spleen, according to autopsy reports made public. The Morris County medical examiner’s office found that the spleen of 17-year-old Evan Murray was “abnormally enlarged,” making it more susceptible to injury.
There was no evidence of head trauma or heart disease. The death has been ruled an accident.
