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#SportsReport: Whitney Set For Saturday At Saratoga

Patrick Garrett/WAMC

NYRA:

One of the biggest races during the Saratoga meeting takes center stage on Saturday afternoon.  The $1.25 million Grade 1 Whitney Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward drew seven horses bidding for a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic with a victory.

The horse to beat is Gun Runner, currently the third-ranked horse in the world and second in North America behind Arrogate in the NTRA poll. The 4-year-old son of Candy Ride was established as the clear 4-5 favorite by morning line oddsmaker Travis Stone at Tuesday’s draw at Sperry’s Restaurant in downtown Saratoga Springs.

MLB:

The Boston Red Sox were able to add a game to their lead in the American League East, thanks to a little help from the AL Central leaders.

Rafael Devers and Mookie Betts belted two-run homers as the Red Sox won their third in a row, 9-5 over the White Sox. Andrew Benitendi reached base in each of his five plate appearances, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

The run support helped Rick Porcello get his first win since June 23. Porcello improved to 5-14 despite surrendering five runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings, including Nicky Delmonico's three-run homer. It was Delmonico's first big league blast.

Boston now sits two games ahead of the New York Yankees, who were 5-1 losers at Cleveland.

Corey Kluber struck out 11 and went the distance on a three hitter as the Indians kept their 2 ½-game lead over Kansas City. Kluber blanked the Yankees until Gary Sanchez homered in the seventh inning.

Yan Gomes lined a two-run double and Francisco Lindor added a solo homer to help the Indians end a three-game slide.

— Nolan Arenado walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to give the Rockies a 5-4 win over the New York Mets in Denver. Charlie Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu each had three hits and an RBI as the Rockies took the rubber match of the three-game series. Blackmon and Mark Reynolds homered for Colorado, which remains 5 ½ games ahead of the Brewers for the second NL wild-card spot.

The Royals kept pace with the Indians by getting a pair of homers and three RBIs from Brandon Moss in a 6-4 decision over Seattle. Lorenzo Cain and Melky Cabrera each had two hits and an RBI as Kansas City stopped a three-game losing streak.

Trevor Cahill got a no-decision in his Royals debut, allowing two runs over 4 2/3 innings.

Also in the majors:

— Paul Goldschmidt's career-high third homer of the day was a tiebreaking, two-run blast in the ninth inning of the Diamondbacks' 10-8 triumph over the Cubs in Chicago. Goldschmidt tied a career high with six RBIs to help Arizona withstand Willson Contreras' two home runs and six ribbies. Brandon Drury also homered for Arizona, which blew leads of 6-1 and 8-7 before staying a half-game ahead of Colorado for the top NL wild card.

— The Cubs' lead in the NL Central is down to 1 ½ games over Milwaukee after Keon Broxton delivered a tiebreaking, RBI single and robbed Jose Martinez of a home run to help the Brewers beat the Cardinals, 2-1. Matt Garza gave up one earned run on four hits over 5 2/3 innings to give Milwaukee its first home series win over St. Louis since July 2012. Corey Knebel worked the ninth and struck out Greg Garcia with runners on first and second to earn his 20th save in 25 opportunities.

— The Dodgers won for the 21st time in 24 games as Chris Taylor went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and three runs scored in a 7-4 decision over the Braves. Alex Wood improved to 13-1 by holding Atlanta to a run and seven hits over six innings. Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies slammed a three-run homer in the ninth for his first major league hit, two days after being recalled.

— Steven Souza Jr. hit a solo homer and delivered a tiebreaking, two-run double in the seventh inning to complete the Rays' rally from a 3-1 deficit in a 5-3 win over the Astros. Tampa Bay's bullpen threw five shutout innings in helping the team stay 3 ½ games behind the AL East-leading Red Sox. The Rays took the last three games of the four-game series to drop the AL West leaders to 69-39, 15 games ahead of the second-place Mariners.

— Ian Kinsler and Justin Upton hit first-inning homers before the Tigers erupted for five runs in the third to take a 7-0 lead in a 7-5 verdict over Baltimore. Miguel Cabrera laced a two-run double that chased Orioles starter Chris Tillman, who is 1-7 after getting rocked for seven runs - five earned - in just two-plus innings. Manny Machado drove in two runs and Tim Beckham added a solo homer that got Baltimore with 7-5 in the eighth before the Birds ended a five-game winning streak.

— The Pirates were 6-0 winners over the Reds as Chad Kuhl scattered four hits while striking out six over seven innings. David Freese furnished three of Pittsburgh's 13 hits, including a pair of RBI singles. Andrew McCutchen drove in two runs and Starling Marte went 3-for-5 with three runs scored to help the Pirates win for only the third time in 11 games.

— The Angels scratched a couple of runs in the bottom of the eighth to beat the Phillies, 5-4. C.J. Cron tied the game with an RBI grounder and Andrelton Simmons scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. Mike Trout hit a two-run homer for the Angels, who remain three games out of a wild-card spot.

— Joey Gallo's three-run homer was the difference in the Rangers' 4-1 win over Minnesota. A.J. Griffin gave up just one run and two hits over six innings as Texas handed the Twins their eighth loss in 10 games.

— Pitcher Ty Blach launched a three-run homer and held Oakland to two runs and six hits over eight innings of the Giants' 11-2 mauling of the Athletics. Brandon Belt added a two-run shot and Jarrett Parker had two doubles and three RBIs as part of San Francisco's 13-hit attack.

The Tigers have placed right-hander Michael Fulmer on the 10-day disabled list with an elbow injury.

The 2016 AL rookie of the year has had been dealing with elbow discomfort for years before it worsened during his last start. An MRI revealed fluid around the elbow, but manager Brad Ausmus says there's no ligament damage.

Fulmer is 10-9 with a 3.58 ERA in 21 starts..

NFL:

The NFL preseason has begun with the Dallas Cowboys knocking off the Arizona Cardinals, 20-18 in the Hall of Fame game.

Rookie Sam Irwin-Hill hit a pair of field goals, including a go-ahead, 43-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Both teams rested their best players. The Cowboys were without Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Jason Witten and Sean Lee, while the Cardinals gave Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald, David Johnson, Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu the night off.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was held out of passing drills for a third straight day while battling soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder.

Coach Ron Rivera was vague on if this is part of the team's plan for Newton or if he's had a setback.

Newton underwent surgery in March to repair a partially torn rotator cuff. He participated in the first five training camp practices at Wofford College, but was held out of the second half of practice Sunday with shoulder soreness. He's only thrown two warmup passes since then.

In other NFL news:

— Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill left practice after his left knee appeared to buckle on a scramble and he fell without being hit.. Tannehill missed last season's final four games, including a playoff loss at Pittsburgh, after spraining two ligaments in his left knee. He decided against surgery and took part in all offseason drills with a brace.

— Tennessee Pro Bowl running back DeMarco Murray sat out practice with a sore hamstring. Coach Mike Mularkey says Murray is day-to-day and spent practice working inside.

— Titans rookie wide receiver Corey Davis is having an MRI exam on his hamstring after being hurt catching a pass during a 1-on-1 drill. He was the fifth overall pick out of Western Michigan and the first wide receiver drafted. Davis had been working with the first-team offense since signing his contract last weekend.

New York Jets rookie safety Jamal Adams sprained an ankle during practice and the severity of the injury was not immediately known — although it doesn't appear serious. Coach Todd Bowles says the team's first-round draft pick out of LSU was hurt during 7-on-7 drills and held out for the remainder of practice.

NBA:

The NBA's board of governors has formally approved the Detroit Pistons' relocation to downtown Detroit.

The Pistons will begin playing next season at Little Caesars Arena, a new venue that will also house the Detroit Red Wings. The Pistons are moving there after 29 seasons playing their home games in the suburbs at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

NHL:

The Nashville Predators have lost their captain.

Mike Fisher has announced his retirement after scoring 276 goals and 585 points in 1,088 NHL games over 17 seasons. He began his career with the Ottawa Senators before getting traded to Nashville in 2011.

The 37-year-old Fisher had 18 goals and 42 points in 72 games last season before helping the Predators reach the Stanley Cup finals for the first time.

GOLF:

Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth each shot 3-under 67s that leave them two shots behind leader Thomas Pieters through one round of the PGA's Bridgestone Invitational at Akron, Ohio.

McIlroy is playing for the first time since parting with caddie J.P. Fitzgerald and replacing him with Harry Diamond, his best friend.

Pieters birdied his final hole for a 65 and a one-shot lead over Russell Knox.

LPGA:

Michelle Wie was the leader heading into the second round of the Women's British Open at St. Andrews, Scotland.

Wie posted nine birdies and shot a 30 on the back nine for an 8-under 64 that put her one stroke ahead of I.K. Kim. Lindy Duncan was two shots back and one ahead of a group that includes Lexi Thompson.

GOLF:

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry put his golf game on display as he competed in the Web.com Tour's Ellie Mae Classic in California.

Curry struggled early, carding bogeys on three of the first five holes. He birdied the par-5 15th hole and finished with a 4-over 74 that included a bogey on his final hole.

The top 65 and any ties from the 156-player field will make the cut to compete on the weekend. Curry is a sponsor exemption and one of three amateurs in the event.

SOCCER:

Neymar has become the most expensive player in soccer history after completing his blockbuster transfer to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona on Thursday for 222 million euros, or $262 million.

PSG triggered the release clause in the forward's Barcelona contract, which was more than double the previous transfer record set a year ago when Manchester United paid then $116 million for Paul Pogba.

PSG said in a statement that the 25-year-old Neymar had signed a five-year contract, until June 2022.

NASCAR:

Former NASCAR team owner Harry Scott Jr. has died at 51.

Scott owned HScott Motorsports, which ran teams in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup series from 2013 until last season.

Clint Bowyer and Michael Annett had full-time rides with HSM in 2016.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:

In the last Diamond League race of his glittering career, Usain Bolt held on to win the 100 meters at the Herculis track meet on Friday.

The eight-time Olympic champion was under pressure from Isiah Young of the United States in the last 30 meters but used his famed finish to win in 9.95 seconds. Young clocked 9.98. Akani Simbine of South Africa was third in 10.02.

Bolt is retiring after the world championships in London next month.

Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa won the 400 in 43.73, and countrywoman Caster Semenya pulled clear in the last 50 meters to win the 800 in a world-leading time this year of 1 minute, 55.27 seconds.

Hellen Obiri of Kenya also set a world-leading 8:23.14 in the women's 3,000.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Buffalonews.com contributed to this report.

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