MLB-SCHEDULE
Rays on the verge of .500
UNDATED (AP) β Surging Tampa Bay needs just one more win to reach the .500 mark for the first time since April.
The Rays can get there with a win over NL Central-leading Milwaukee this afternoon as part of a 15-game major league schedule.
Tampa Bay has made a remarkable climb from the AL East basement with a 29-12 record since June 11, including 11 wins in the last 12 games. That’s moved the Rays to within 4 1-2 games of a wildcard spot.
Major league strikeout leader David Price gets the start for Tampa Bay.
A trio of pitchers goes after their 13th win of the season in today’s play.
Cincinnati’s Alfredo Simon (SY’-muhn) takes a 12-5 record into his afternoon start at home against Arizona. He’s 0-2 since taking part in his first All-Star game.
Max Scherzer takes the mound for Detroit against the White Sox tonight with a 12-3 mark. Scherzer is 3-0 against Chicago this season.
And Zach Greinke (GREHN’-kee) is likely to feel right at home on the Dodgers stadium hill when he goes against Atlanta. Greinke is 6-1 with a 2.73 ERA at home this season.
Mark Buehrle (BUR’-lee) has hit the skids since getting off to a big start for the White Sox. He’s lost six straight heading into his schedule start against Boston tonight. The run has dropped Buehrle to 10-7.
Miami has won six in a row heading into this afternoon’s game against Washington, which is nursing a half-game lead over Atlanta at the top of the NL East.
MLB-RED SOX-LESTER
Lester could be leaving Boston
BOSTON (AP) β Jon Lester may have made his final start for the Boston Red Sox this season.
The left-hander was scheduled to pitch today at home against Toronto but was pulled from the assignment last night.
That’s a sign that the Red Sox are in serious discussions about trading Lester, since the defending World Series champs appear to be going nowhere this season.
Lester’s 10-7 record and 2.52 ERA could be very attractive to a team that is in post-season contention.
COLLEGE SPORTS-UCLA FLOOD DAMAGE
UCLA assessing flood damage
LOS ANGELES (AP) β Damage assessment is on the agenda today at UCLA, where a water main break has flood Pauley Pavilion and other facilities.
More than an inch of water covered the floor at the famous basketball arena yesterday after the rupture gushed some 8 million gallons over the surrounding area.
UCLA completed a $132 million dollar renovation of Pauley, where the legendary John Wooden coached the Bruins to seven consecutive national championships.
School officials say six facilities were damaged. The estimate of the loss is still being calculated.
