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Darren Stevens to leave Kent but wants to play on

Published in Cricket
Tuesday, 23 July 2019 18:56

Darren Stevens will leave Kent at the end of the current season after 15 years with the club but has no intention of retiring from the professional game.

Stevens, 43, joined Kent from Leicestershire in 2005 and has enjoyed an outstanding career with bat and ball, scoring 11,718 first-class runs and claiming 487 wickets for his second county.

He is currently on loan to Derbyshire for the T20 Blast, but had continued to be impressive with the ball in the County Championship with 28 wickets at 24.21 in eight matches although runs had been harder to come by with an average of 20.36.

"It's been an amazing 15 years," Stevens said. "So many wonderful memories both on and off the pitch and many strong friendships made along the way. This is not retirement for me as I think I still have a lot to offer on the pitch, both as a player and a coach and am excited by the next stage in my career.

"I believe I can still do it at the top level, as my recent form shows, and I am looking forward to the remainder of the T20 season with Derbyshire and finishing the season successfully with Kent. I will look back at my time with Kent with nothing but happiness and pride but must now look forward to the next challenge."

Kent have an eye on the future and want to invest in their younger players while also hoping to bring in an overseas fast bowler next season.

"When you look at his record, it is a travesty that Darren Stevens did not receive the international call-up he so richly deserved whilst in his prime," Paul Downton, Kent's director of cricket, said. "It's now time for a new chapter at Kent with a number of young bowlers, and hopefully an overseas fast bowler next year, all demanding the new ball as the club seeks to keep raising standards and compete for the Division One Championship title."

Cano breaks out of slump with 3 HRs vs. Padres

Published in Breaking News
Tuesday, 23 July 2019 21:49

NEW YORK -- Robinson Cano certainly could hear the whispers around Citi Field. Everyone else could: At 36, stuck in a season-long slump, was this eight-time All-Star all done?

He didn't think so.

"One day it's going to turn around," Cano kept telling himself.

It happened Tuesday night, when Cano hit three home runs in a game for the first time in his 15-year career, powering Jason Vargas and the New York Mets over the San Diego Padres 5-2.

Cano drove in all five runs and went 4-for-4, punctuating his performance with a pair of second-deck shots.

The second baseman began the day batting just .243 with six homers in his first season with the Mets. Yet before the game, manager Mickey Callaway expressed confidence that Cano would produce, putting him in the category of "Hall of Fame hitters."

Cano's performance Tuesday was just the third three-homer game by a Mets player at home. Lucas Duda and Kirk Nieuwenhuis both did it in July 2015.

"You'd like to do it, to see how it feels," Cano said, pausing and smiling before adding, "It feels good."

After singling in the first, Cano hit a solo homer in the fourth. He lined a two-run homer off Chris Paddack (6-5) in the sixth and a two-run shot in the seventh off Logan Allen.

Of Cano's nine homers this year, five have come since the All-Star break. This was his 23rd career multihomer game and first since 2017 with Seattle.

"You don't hit three homers if you're declining," Callaway said.

Acquired with closer Edwin Diaz from the Mariners in the offseason, Cano came with five years and $120 million left on his contract. Despite his struggles, Callaway said the Mets saw good things coming.

"He went through a tough stretch. Robinson Cano probably hasn't been through many," Callaway said. "It stands out a little more when it happens to a player like Robbie."

Yoenis Cespedes was the previous Mets player to hit three homers, doing so in 2017. The feat has been accomplished by 13 Mets players, with Cespedes doing it twice.

Vargas (5-5) pitched one-hit ball for six shutout innings, possibly enhancing his trade value. He put on a pitching clinic, getting the San Diego hitters to consistently flail at his changeup.

The 36-year-old lefty permitted only a single by Eric Hosmer in the fifth, struck out eight and walked three. Rookie Fernando Tatis Jr. struck out three times, and Manny Machado swung at a strike three that bounced in the dirt.

Several scouts were at Citi Field, and no doubt the performance by Vargas piqued their interest as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.

Vargas' hardest fastball was clocked at 84.6 mph. Paddack's slowest changeup came in a tick faster at 84.7.

"I guess throwing really hard isn't as unique as it used to be. I'm on the other end of the spectrum," he said. "I'm the only one who throws it that slow."

The anticipated showdown between rookie stars Pete Alonso and Paddack didn't amount to much. The slugging Alonso walked twice and grounded out against the young fireballer.

"Going into it, it was obviously going to be a fun little matchup. We've been wanting this ever since our last 1-v-1, whatever you want to call it," Paddack said.

"It was just kind of frustrating, especially Alonso. You don't want to walk a guy that you're trying to have a little competition with, but at the end of the day, I thought I could have done a better job of executing my game plan."

Diaz relieved with two on in the ninth and got his 22nd save in 26 chances, allowing an RBI double to Tatis before retiring Manuel Margot on a game-ending lineout with two on.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: LHP Adrian Morejon "should be available" to pitch in relief during this three-game series, manager Andy Green said. The 20-year-old Cuban made his major league debut on Sunday at Wrigley Field, allowing one run and three hits in 2 1/3 innings. Green said the Padres will consider using him as an opener over the weekend at home against the Giants.

Mets: Major league batting leader Jeff McNeil was hit in the right elbow by a Paddack pitch in the fifth. McNeil was checked by a trainer and stayed in. ... RHP Zack Wheeler (shoulder impingement) threw batting practice on the field and could be activated Friday to pitch against the Pirates. "I'm 100 percent. Ready to go," he said. Callaway said Wheeler, who last started on July 7, will be on a pitch count of 75-85. Wheeler (6-6, 4.69 ERA) has been the subject of trade rumors leading up to the July 31 deadline. "Last year was the same way," he said.

UP NEXT

Padres: RHP Dinelson Lamet (0-2, 5.14 ERA) makes his fourth start of the season. He won his major league debut in 2017 at Citi Field and went 7-8 overall, then missed last year after Tommy John surgery.

Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard (7-4, 4.36) is 4-0 in his past nine starts.

Floyd and Pacquiao trade words on social media

Published in Breaking News
Tuesday, 23 July 2019 23:03

After watching Manny Pacquiao beat Keith Thurman on Saturday night, Floyd Mayweather Jr. took to social media on Tuesday to criticize his former opponent and Pacquiao clapped back.

"I find it real ironic how every time Pacquiao's name is brought up in the media, my name is always attached to it," Mayweather wrote in a post on Instagram. "This man's entire legacy and career has been built off its association with my name and it's about time you all stop using my brand for clout chasing and clickbait and let that man's name hold weight of its own."

Later on Tuesday, Pacquiao responded via Twitter.

The 40-year-old Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) beat Thurman in Las Vegas by split decision last weekend for the WBA welterweight title, renewing some calls for the 42-year-old Mayweather and Pacquiao to fight again.

Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) earned a unanimous decision win over Pacquiao in their first fight in May 2015. Pacquiao said he was hampered by a right shoulder injury while landing only 81 punches in that bout. The massively hyped fight delivered a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys but was largely panned by most boxing fans.

Last September, Mayweather posted on Instagram that he's "coming back to fight Manny Pacquiao this year another 9 figure pay day on the way" but the bout never materialized.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Nats' Turner hits for another cycle against Rockies

Published in Baseball
Tuesday, 23 July 2019 21:01

WASHINGTON -- The Colorado Rockies bring out the best in Trea Turner.

On Tuesday, the Washington Nationals shortstop hit for the cycle during an 11-1 win over Colorado, marking the second time in Turner's career that he has accomplished the feat against the Rockies. According to Elias Sports Bureau research, he's the third player in MLB history to hit for the cycle multiple times against one team. Fred Clarke of the Pittsburgh Pirates had two cycles against the Cincinnati Reds (1901, 1903), and Christian Yelich did it twice last year, also against Cincinnati.

"It's almost more funny than anything that I got lucky enough to get all the right hits," Turner said. "I think it's kind of a lucky stat, just because you've got to put the ball in the right place at the right time. And I ended up doing that."

Turner led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to center field against Colorado starter Peter Lambert. In the second inning, he hit a grounder off Lambert for a single. Facing Lambert again in the fifth, Turner hit a liner down the right-field line that glanced off Charlie Blackmon's glove and rolled into the corner for a triple. After grounding into an inning-ending double play against lefty reliever Sam Howard in the sixth, Turner came up in the seventh against righty Jairo Diaz and laced an RBI double to the gap in right-center field. In doing so, he became the 26th player in major league history to hit for multiple cycles in his career.

"I think any time you can put your name next to somebody else who has done something pretty substantial in this sport, I think it's a compliment," said Turner, a 26-year-old speedster who is one cycle shy of matching the four players tied for the record of three career cycles: John Reilly, Babe Herman, Bob Meusal and Adrian Beltre. "It's a hard game, and to get four hits in one game is hard to do. To have four different ones is, I think, a little bit of luck. But also, at the same time, a little humbling to be with those guys."

"It's a feat that doesn't happen often," Nats manager Davey Martinez said. "To be able to do it twice -- that, to me, is a testament to how good a player Trea really is."

Turner is the fourth player to complete the cycle this season, joining the Indians' Jake Bauers, the Angels' Shohei Ohtani and the Twins' Jorge Polanco. His previous cycle came on April 25, 2017, at Coors Field. In 18 career games against Colorado, he is batting .386 with 16 extra-base hits.

Of the 10 cycles the Rockies have allowed in their history, Turner's is the first to be accomplished away from Coors Field.

Earlier this season, Turner missed six weeks due to a fractured right index finger that he suffered as the result of a hit-by-pitch. In 60 games with Washington this season, he's hitting .286 with eight home runs and 20 stolen bases.

The gold post box commemorating Andy Murray's Olympic medal win has been fixed, after a car knocked it down.

On Monday, a silver Mercedes rolled down the hill into the post box - reports suggested the car just missed teenagers sitting nearby.

The box had been surrounded by traffic cones and tape overnight before work began on Tuesday morning.

The Dunblane post box was painted gold after the Olympic tennis champion's singles win over Roger Federer in 2012.

The tennis star's mother Judy Murray tweeted a picture of the reinstated post box, captioned: "Arise Sir Andy's postbox" with a hearth emoji.

Police Scotland confirmed they attended the "low-speed collision" on the town's High Street.

A spokeswoman confirmed the female driver of the car had suffered a minor injury but did not need medical treatment.

It was unclear whether the woman was in the car at the time.

Larson Set For Three PA Midget Week Starts

Published in Racing
Tuesday, 23 July 2019 15:42

INDIANAPOLIS – Sixteen-time NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series winner Kyle Larson will compete in the first three events of Pennsylvania Midget Week.

The fifth edition of the five-night Keystone State sojourn begins at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa., on July 30.

Larson will also compete in a midget on July 31 at Action Track USA in Kutztown, Pa., and on Aug. 1 at Path Valley Speedway Park in Spring Run, Pa.

The Elk Grove, Calif., native will compete for Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports in the three races, the same team with whom he’s won all but one of his USAC midget races with.

His most recent USAC midget win came in June at The Dirt Oval at Route 66 in Joliet, Ill.

Larson’s car will have a different look to it compared to normal, as the team honors Ken Brenn, a five-time winning USAC National Midget car owner, five-time ARDC Midget champion car owner (1963-64, 68-69, 71), ARDC president, safety innovator, racing promoter and namesake of the Grandview opener, the Ken Brenn Midget Masters event.

A five-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series winner, Larson has made three NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget starts this year, including his June win at Joliet.

The other two appearances came during Indiana Midget Week. He finished third in his first outing at Gas City I-69 Speedway, then proceeded to set a new one-lap track record the following night at Lincoln Park Speedway.

At Lincoln Park, Larson was contending for the win on the final lap when he flipped over the turn two cushion.

VIDEO: The Ralph Sheheen Show – Gary Scelzi

Published in Racing
Tuesday, 23 July 2019 16:00

The Ralph Sheheen Show Presented by Lucas Oil – Gary Scelzi

Ralph Sheheen chats up one of the most entertaining personalities in all of motorsports, the loud, the funny, and the very successful NHRA drag racing champion…Gary Scelzi. Straight-line racing to supporting his two son’s careers in sprint cars, they talk about it all!

The Ralph Sheheen Show podcast is now available on SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, iHeart Radio and Spotify. Don’t miss an episode!

How do you go about trying to win back-to-back majors in back-to-back weeks?

If you are Jessica Korda, you look for every small advantage you can find with the Evian Championship this week and the AIG Women’s British Open next week.

“Maybe more room service,” Korda said. “And less going out and mingling with players.”

It’s going to be a taxing week of intense concentration for players trying to get into contention in both majors.

“It’s more mentally challenging, I think, than physically,” Korda said.

With LPGA commissioner Mike Whan wanting to remedy the weather challenges Evian has faced since it moved to September in 2013 to become the LPGA’s fifth major, he moved the event back to its July date. The move, temporarily, causes the problem of back-to-back majors. This will mark the first time since 1960 than women’s majors have been played in back-to-back weeks, according to the LPGA. There were, however, back-to-back majors in 2011, with a week off in between. Yani Tseng won the LPGA Championship that year and So Yeon Ryu took home the title at the U.S. Women’s Open.

“It’s definitely going to be difficult to focus for these two weeks,” Rolex world No. 1 Sung Hyun Park said.

There’s a lot more that can be won these next two weeks than major championship trophies. An entire season can be defined. There’s a load of Rolex World Rankings points, Rolex Player of the Year points, money and Solheim Cup points to be won this week and next.

The men think their major championship season was condensed this year, with four majors in four months. The LPGA is playing four majors in 10 weeks.

It’s not ideal, especially with back-to-back majors, Park says.

“Players are definitely more physically strained and have to focus double the amount,” she said.

But if somebody gets hot, it could be a beautiful thing for that player. Somebody could virtually lock up the Rolex Player of the Year Award and, perhaps, the money title, these next two weeks.

Back-to-back major championship victories is a big ask in the women’s game these days, with winning two majors in a single season becoming an increasingly tougher challenge. The last 11 majors have been won by 11 different players. Nobody has won two majors in a single year since Inbee Park did so four years ago. Nobody has won back-to-back major championship starts in a single season since Park won three in a row in 2013.

With Evian moved to July, there’s hope improved weather will make the challenge less rigorous. Bad weather has plagued the event since its move to September. Warm weather is forecast this week, but there is a chance of weekend thunderstorms.

The event was shortened to 54 holes because of bad weather its first year as a major and again two years ago, when the finish was played through hail and hard rain.

Korda’s enjoying the warmer weather this week.

“The atmosphere here is amazing,” Korda said. “Moving it to this time year, I think it'll be even better. We won't have to be worried about the weather as much and hopefully play four great rounds out here.”

ARLINGTON, Texas - Former University of Texas at Arlington golf coach Stuart Deane was found responsible for sexual harassment through inappropriate comments to some of his female athletes, according to a Title IX investigation.

Deane resigned as the university's golf director before the investigation was completed in October, according to documents obtained by the school newspaper , The Shorthorn. He was placed on administrative leave last August, a day after a former player emailed the university president detailing some allegations.

Rogge Dunn, Deane's attorney, said he took sworn statements from 14 people refuting the allegations against Deane. Dunn said the investigation was unfair.

''This was a rush to judgment,'' Dunn said. ''The Title IX investigator had an ax to grind. For 14 different people to take the time and swear to something under penalty of perjury I think speaks volumes about his character and innocence.''

One former female athlete said she transferred because she was offended by an inappropriate sexual comment from Deane. The former coach denied making the statement.

''The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to the safety, security and well-being of all UTA students,'' university President Vistasp Karbhari said in the statement to the student paper. ''When presented these serious allegations, the university immediately initiated an investigation and took measures to protect our students.''

The report says Deane admitted to allegations of drinking alcohol and driving on school-sponsored trips. Deane said he didn't drink excessively or drive recklessly.

Deane, an Australian, has 14 career appearances on the PGA Tour. He has made the cut twice.

Indians 'thankful' boy, 3, escaped serious injury

Published in Baseball
Tuesday, 23 July 2019 16:29

TORONTO -- The 3-year-old boy hit by a foul ball in Cleveland last weekend is showing no signs of serious injury, the Indians said Tuesday.

The boy, identified by the team as Henry, was hit by a line drive off the bat of Indians All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor in the sixth inning of a 5-4 win over Kansas City on Sunday. An adult holding the child left the seating area immediately afterward.

The Indians said in a statement the boy was released from a hospital on Sunday evening.

"The Indians organization and Francisco Lindor are very thankful Henry is doing well," the team said Tuesday.

Protective netting at Progressive Field runs to the end of each dugout. Lindor's line drive landed several sections beyond the netting and was about 12 to 15 rows into the stands.

On Monday, the Chicago White Sox became the first team in the major leagues to extend protective netting from foul pole to foul pole for their game against the Miami Marlins.

The Washington Nationals were among other teams to announce this season that they planned to extend their netting. It was in place at Nationals Park on Monday when the game against Colorado was rained out.

Several fans, including a 2-year-old girl in Houston, have been injured by foul balls this season.

Commissioner Rob Manfred recently said extending protective netting down foul lines is a ballpark-to-ballpark decision because of differing configurations. Before the 2018 season, MLB introduced regulations mandating netting extend to the far end of each dugout.

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