MLB:
Winning streaks are on the line when Arizona and Colorado, probably the two most surprising teams in baseball this season, begin a three-game series at Coors Field Tuesday night. Rookie right-hander German Marquez (5-3, 4.19 ERA) starts for the Rockies, who have won five straight and own the best record in the National League at 46-26. Zack Greinke (8-3, 3.00) pitches for the Diamondbacks, winners of seven in a row and just a game behind Colorado in the NL West at 44-26. This is Arizona's best 70-game start in team history.
Whit Merrifield drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer and the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 4-2 for their eighth win in nine games. Mike Minor escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth before Kelvin Herrera worked the ninth for his 16th save.
Top Yankees prospect Gleyber Torres has a torn ligament in his non-throwing elbow and will have Tommy John surgery that is expected to sideline him until spring training. The 20-year-old infielder was the top player in the Arizona Fall League last year. He was injured Saturday on a head-first slide into home plate for Triple-A Scranton at Buffalo.
Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger launched two more home runs, setting a major league record with his powerful start, and Clayton Kershaw became the first 10-game winner in the National League despite giving up a career-high four long balls as Los Angeles held on for a 10-6 victory over the New York Mets. Bellinger reached 21 homers in 51 career games _ faster than any other player in big league history.
New York Yankees right-hander Matt Marsh and Minnesota Twins left-hander Cam Booser have each been suspended for 50 games under baseball's minor league drug program following second positive tests for a drug of abuse. There have been 43 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program and two under the big league program.
The Minnesota Twins have sent pitcher Phil Hughes on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester for his right shoulder. The Twins announced yesterday that Hughes would join the Red Wings tomorrow. Hughes had surgery about a year ago to remove a rib, after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome that was causing shoulder pain and fatigue and contributing to decreased velocity.
NFL:
The Supreme Court has struck down part of a law that bans offensive trademarks, in a ruling that is expected to help the Washington Redskins in their legal fight over the team name. The court said the 71-year-old trademark law barring disparaging terms infringes on free speech rights. Redskins owner Dan Snyder says he's "thrilled" with the decision.
Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis says the NFL has taken advantage of its players by not sharing with them all the information it had about the risk of concussions. Bettis viewed an innovation expo in Jerusalem that included a presentation from Israeli neuro-technology company ElMindA that is helping the NFL diagnose concussions. Bettis said he was encouraged by the progress but still wonders how transparent the league has been over the years.
Former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor has pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge in Florida. The Palm Beach Post reports Taylor pleaded guilty yesterdayin Palm Beach County to DUI with injury or property damage. He was sentenced to one year of probation and a nine-month license suspension.
NBA:
The Boston Celtics, who made the NBA's Eastern Conference finals this year before losing to Cleveland, are strengthening their team for next year. They have traded their No. 1 pick in this week's NBA draft to the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston will get the Sixers' pick, No. 3 overall, and another first-rounder in 2018 or 2019. The teams agreed to the deal over the weekend, hours after expected top pick Markelle Fultz worked out for the Sixers. Philadelphia will select first for the second straight year.
The chance to draft Markelle Fultz is now owned by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Boston Celtics have finalized the trade of the No. 1 pick in this week's draft to the 76ers. Boston gets the Sixers' pick, No. 3 overall, and another first-rounder in 2018 or 2019.
David Griffin's run with the Cleveland Cavaliers is over after one championship and three straight trips to the NBA Finals. The general manager and team mutually parted ways on Monday when owner Dan Gilbert said Griffin's contract will not be extended once it expires June 30. Griffin's departure comes on the anniversary of the Cavs' dramatic Game 7 win over Golden State, capping a historic comeback that gave Cleveland its first major professional sports championship since 1964.
Pro Days are now a rage in the NBA. Sports agencies put on workouts with their draft-eligible clients for teams to come all watch at once. The practice hasn't replaced the value of players visiting teams for smaller sessions. The notion is however fast becoming a vital part of the evaluation process.
NCAAF:
A prosecutor says Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield was fined $300 and ordered to pay court costs after accepting a guilty plea to three misdemeanors following his arrest earlier this year in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Fayetteville's city prosecutor says Mayfield accepted a guilty plea last week to public intoxication, fleeing and disorderly conduct. The charges are each punishable by up to 30 days in jail, but Thomas says Mayfield was only fined. A charge of refusing to submit to arrest was dropped.
NCAA:
This year's U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class is headlined by former Boston University coach Jack Parker and long-time NHL coach Ron Wilson. The 2017 inductees also include retired NHL official Kevin Collins, three-time Olympic women's team coach Ben Smith and former NHL player Scott Young, a 17-year veteran.
Former Rhode Island player and assistant coach Antonio Reynolds Dean has joined Clemson's men's basketball staff. Tigers coach Brad Brownell filled a spot left vacant with the departure of Mike Winiecki in April. Reynolds Dean was on Rhode Island's staff this past season when the Rams won 25 games and made the NCAA Tournament.
Daily Fantasy Sports:
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to block the merger of FanDuel and DraftKings, the two largest daily fantasy sports sites. The FTC says it, along with the attorneys general of California and the District of Columbia, will file a complaint to temporarily stop the deal. The CEOs of the onetime rival companies say they're disappointed by the decision and are weighing their options.
PGA:
It's roughly 100 days and counting until the United States takes on the International team in the Presidents Cup. The trucks loaded with materials started pulling into Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey a couple of weeks ago. The flooring is down. The media center is almost finished. Scaffolds for the stands around the first tee are up. The match play event is held in late September.
Soccer:
Christie Pearce's retirement from international play doesn't mean she walked away from soccer entirely. Her main role now is guiding and anchoring the New Jersey Sky Blue's backline. It's a group that includes two top National Women's Soccer League draft picks in Kayla Mills and Mandy Freeman.
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