NFL
Here we go
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The NFL kicks off a new season this evening with the first exhibition game of the season. The game is the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame game and this year’s opponents are the Vikings and Steelers.
NFL-BILLS
New deal for Robey
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have signed cornerback Nickell Robey to a contract extension. The third-year defensive back was entering the final season of his contract. Robey signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Cal in April 2013 and has not missed a game for Buffalo.
In 32 games and eight starts, Robey has four sacks and an interception.
MLB
Yanks and Blue Jays close out their series
UNDATED (AP) — The Yankees and Blue Jays are wrapping up their three-game series in New York today. The visiting Jays have won the first two games to reduce the Yankees’ lead over them in the American League East to just 2 ½ games. Toronto has not swept a series of at least three games from the Yankees since May 2003. Overall the retooled Jays have won their last eight games.
The Mets’ lead over the Nationals in the National League East is now a game and-a-half. This afternoon the Nats have Max Scherzer on the mound at home against the Rockies while the Mets are at Tampa Bay.
In Chicago, the Cubs are looking to complete a four-game sweep of the Giants. Jake Arrieta (ehr-ee-ET’-uh) is pitching for the home team and he has been hot, winning six of his last seven decisions with a 1.37 earned run average in his last nine starts. He is facing Jake Peavy (PEE’-vee). The Cubs have won nine of 10 to open a 2 ½-game lead over the Giants in the race for the second NL wild-card berth.
The game this evening is in Pittsburgh, where the Pirates will once again take on the Dodgers. The Pirates have taken the first two games of the series and are riding a three-game winning streak.
NASCAR-WATKINS GLEN
Final road course race
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — NASCAR’s final road course race of the season is today at Watkins Glen. The winner of the pole yesterday was AJ Allmendinger. It’s his fourth Sprint Cup pole and Allmendinger earned it with a fast lap of 127.839 miles per hour to edge Martin Truex Jr.
This is also the final road course race for the retiring Jeff Gordon. In his Sprint Cup career Gordon is NASCAR’s career leader in road course wins with nine, including four at The Glen. Gordon qualified fifth.
GOLF-BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL
Two-way tie for the lead
AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Jim Furyk and Justin Rose start the day tied for the lead in the Bridgestone Invitational. Each completed play yesterday at 9-under. Rose had the better round of the two with a 7-under 63. Furyk shot a 1-under 69.
Shane Lowry starts the last round two shots off the pace.
Bubba Watson is 5-under while Jordan Spieth (speeth) is at even-par after a 2-over 72.
GOLF-CHAMPIONS TOUR
Tie for the lead in Calgary
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jimenez (AHN’-hehl hee-MEHN’-ehz) begin the third and final round of the Champions Tour Shaw Charity Classic today tied for the lead at 12 under par. Jimenez earned his share of the lead with a 9-under 61 while Montgomerie shot a 66.
Jeff Maggert stands in third at minus-10.
GOLF-BARRACUDA CHAMPIONSHIP
Final round for Stableford scoring event
RENO, Nev. (AP) — J.J. Henry birdied the final hole to take a one-point lead through three rounds of the Barracuda Championship, the PGA Tour’s only modified Stableford event. Henry had a 41-point total in Reno, Nevada, scoring 17 points in the third round with nine birdies and a bogey.
David Toms and Sweden’s Jonas Blixt were tied for second.
