MLB-SCHEDULE
Royals look to keep winning
UNDATED (AP) β The Kansas City Royals are the talk of baseball these days. They’ve won 21 of their last 26 games and now have a two-game lead over second-place Detroit in the American League Central division. The Royals open an inter-league series tonight in Denver as they face the Rockies. The Tigers are on the road tonight for a game with Tampa Bay. Motown’s Max Scherzer is looking to become the fourth pitcher in baseball with 15 wins on the season and the first in the American League.
Another team that fans are keeping an eye on is Washington. The Nationals have won seven straight, including three straight walk-off victories. They top the National League East by six games over Atlanta and this evening the Nats are entertaining the Diamondbacks. The Braves, who have won four straight, are in Pittsburgh tonight for a game with the Pirates.
On the other side of the fence is Oakland as the Athletics have lost five straight, and in doing so dropped out of first place in the American League West. The A’s, who entertain the Mets tonight, trail the Angels, who have won six of 10, by a half-game. The Angels are in Boston this evening.
The remaining games tonight feature the Astros in New York playing the Yankees, the Phillies home to the Mariners, Texas at Miami, Chicago’s Cubs entertaining the Giants, Baltimore in Chicago for a game with the White Sox, Cleveland at Minnesota, the Brewers playing host to the Blue Jays, the Reds at St. Louis and the Dodgers at home to the Padres.
NFL-VIKINGS
Deal reached between team and ex-punter
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) β Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe (KLOO’-ee) says he’s reached a settlement with the team to avert a threatened lawsuit over his release. Kluwe had accused the Vikings of cutting him over his activism on gay rights issues. He says the Vikings have agreed to donate to several nonprofits to help raise awareness in professional sports about gay issues.
Kluwe says he’ll get no money in the settlement. Financial details weren’t immediately released.
COLLEGE ATHLETICS
New deal for Mid-American Conference and ESPN
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) β The Mid-American Conference has reached agreement with ESPN on a 13-year media rights agreement. The contract reworks the final three years of the current eight-year deal that the conference has with the network, and adds 10 years. The agreement gives ESPN exclusive rights to all MAC sporting events, and guarantees coverage of all football games on one of the ESPN television networks or its online network, ESPN3.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-OHIO STATE
Concerned Buckeyes to update quarterback’s status
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) β Ohio State says it will update the status of quarterback Braxton Miller, who reportedly reinjured his throwing shoulder during practice. The school had refused to comment on the report in The Columbus Dispatch and canceled today’s scheduled interviews.
The Dispatch said the reigning two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year injured his right shoulder on a simple throw during practice Monday afternoon.
The senior and three-year starter had first hurt the shoulder in the Orange Bowl. He had surgery that prevented him from contact in spring practice and was held out of several practices and scrimmages in August.
DAVIS CUP
Playoff moved because of Ukraine unrest
LONDON (AP) β The unrest in Ukraine has forced the International Tennis Federation to move the Davis Cup playoff between Ukraine and Belgium to a neutral venue in Estonia. The ITF says the best-of-five World Group playoff series will take place Sept. 12-14.
The series had been originally scheduled for Kiev, but Belgium appealed for the venue to be moved.
LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES
Play continues
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) β There are three Little League World Series games being played today.
In the first contest in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Nashville is playing Vancouver in a consolation game.
