MLB-SCHEDULE
Martinez returns to starting
UNDATED (AP) — There are four day games in the Majors today. In Chicago Jake Arrieta (ehr-ee-ET’-uh) is pitching for the Cubs against the Phillies. The righty, who is 5-1 in his last six games with a 1.57 ERA, is 11-5 on the season.
The Bay Bridge Series continues in San Francisco as the Giants entertain the Athletics. Last night in the opening game of the series the Giants won 9-3.
At the same time the Mariners are entertaining the Blue Jays and the Tigers are at Boston.
A check of the evening portion of the card shows Carlos Martinez returning to his customary role as a starting pitcher when the Cardinals host Atlanta tonight as part of a 15-game major league schedule.
The right-hander was pressed into relief duty and picked up the loss in Sunday’s 18-inning game against the Mets. Still, he sports a 10-4 mark and in his last three starts his ERA is 0.90.
There’s a quality pitching match-up in Pittsburgh where the Pirates host Washington. Gio Gonzalez takes a 7-4 mark to the mound for the NL East-leading Nationals, while 8-3 A.J. Burnett gets the nod for the Pirates. Pittsburgh expects recently acquired infielder Aramis (uh-RAH’-mihs) Ramirez to be available for the game.
Chris Sale will try to shake off a bad start his last time out when he pitches for the White Sox at Cleveland. The All-Star left-hander got tagged for four runs and 11 hits in 6 1-3 innings in a loss to Kansas City. He’s second in the AL in strikeouts with 163, including 137 over his last 13 starts. Carlos Carrasco goes for his 11th win for the Indians.
The Dodgers look to make it three wins in a row over the Mets in the continuation of their series in New York.
NASCAR-BRICKYARD 400
Qualifying set
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Qualifying is taking place today for the NASCAR Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kevin Harvick heads into the weekend with a 69-point lead over Daytona 500 winner Joey Logano in the driver’s standings. Kyle Bush has been making up for lost time while recovering from a broken right leg and left foot. He’s won the last two races and three of the last four.
FORMULA ONE-HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX
Hamilton takes pole
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has clinched the pole position for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix. It’s his ninth pole of the season out of 10 races. In his career the British driver has 47 poles.
Merecedes teammate Nico (NIH’-koh) Rosberg was the second fastest qualifier with four-time world driving champioj Sebastian Vettel third.
GOLF-CANADIAN OPEN
Campbell looks to end drought
OAKVILLE, Ontario (AP) — It’s been eight years since Chad Campbell last won on the PGA Tour. The 41-year-old Texan is in position to end the drought as he takes a two-shot lead into the third round of the Canadian Open today. Brian Harman holds second place.
David Hearn is tied for third, three shots back, as he tries to become the first Canadian to win the tournament since 1954.
GOLF-SENIOR BRITISH OPEN
Weather-delayed second round picks up today
BERKSHIRE, England (AP) — The second round of the rain-delayed Senior British Open was completed this morning with Marco Dawson in front. The American was 8-under after 36 holes while Germany’s Bernhard Langer (LAHN’-gur), the defending champion, was a shot back.
The third round is now in progress in Berkshire, England.
Heavy rain and flooding caused the round on Friday to be shut down.
LPGA-MEIJER CLASSIC
Three tied at the top
BELMONT, Mich. (AP) — Lexi Thompson, tour rookie Alison Lee and Lizette Salas head into today’s third round of the Meijer (MY’-ur) LPGA Classic tied for the lead. Thompson is looking for her first win since capturing the Kraft-Nabisco last year for her first major title. Four golfers are a shot off the pace including Kris Tamulis, whose bogey on the final hole yesterday kept her from a share of the lead.
TOUR DE FRANCE
Froome all but has it won
ALPE D’HUEZ, France (AP) — French racer Thibault Pinot has won the penultimate 20th stage of the Tour de France. Third overall in last year’s Tour, but largely frustrated this time, Pinot earned France its third win in the race.
In a dramatic Alpine finale, Chris Froome all but locked up his second Tour de France victory. The 30-year-old Briton has a lead of 1 minute and 12 seconds over Nairo Quintana.
