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Frazier 'surprised' to be sent down by Yankees

Published in Baseball

Sunday, 16 June 2019 17:00

CHICAGO -- Minutes after he was optioned back to Triple-A on Sunday afternoon, New York Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier admitted he was "pretty surprised" to find out he was being sent down.

"It's a tough pill to swallow, yeah," he said. "It's never fun, especially with how much I felt like I've contributed to this team this year."

The 24-year-old Frazier heads back to the minor leagues as Edwin Encarnacion, the one of the majors' more prolific active home run hitters, gets added to the Yankees' 25-man roster following the Saturday trade that brought him to the Bronx Bombers from Seattle.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday's demotion was the product of needing to open a roster spot for Encarnacion, the American League's home run leader with 21.

The timing of the move was particularly surprising to Frazier because of the remaining subtractions that will happen in the coming days with outfielders Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge wrapping up minor league rehab assignments for their injuries. Frazier intimated he figured he'd be sent down once that happened in the coming days, but not quite now.

"Not because of Encarnacion," Frazier said, "but maybe because of Judge or Stanton."

Stanton is expected to be activated Tuesday when the Yankees host division foe Tampa Bay in the second game of an important three-game series. Judge likely will play a few more games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before he becomes an option for the Yankees. Frazier, who was originally called up April 1 in the wake of Stanton's first injury, has had a big impact on the Yankees' offense.

Through 53 games, Frazier hit .283 with 22 extra-base hits. His 11 home runs are tied for fourth on the big league roster. He also has been one of the league's best hitters with runners in scoring position, carrying a .375 batting average into such scenarios entering Sunday's series finale at the Chicago White Sox.

"He's played a big role on a winning team, and that doesn't necessarily stop now, but this is where we're at with the roster situation," Boone said. "So obviously tough news to deliver, but hopefully he can make the most of it and continue to get better at his craft and know that he's going to play a role for us again."

"With a guy like Clint we want him playing all the time," Boone added. "He's got a chance to be a great player in this league, and he's already shown that."

Fellow outfielder Brett Gardner, a 35-year-old veteran and longtime Yankee who could get caught in the pending roster crunch as Stanton and Judge get healthy, had a message of encouragement for Frazier.

"Sometimes when decisions are made, you don't always agree with them, but you've just got to keep your head down and keep moving forward," Gardner said. "He's a guy that has a ton of talent. He's going to play this game for a long time."

There has been a belief that with so many powerful position players now being added to the Yankees' lineup, perhaps Frazier will become an important piece for New York to dangle in trade talks. He had been assured in past years that despite the previous rampant speculation about his role with the organization, he wasn't on the trading block.

But now, with the Yankees in such desperate need of starting pitching, that might not be the case.

"I've been traded once, so who knows?" Frazier said. "I can't control that, I just try to play as good as I can to put myself in a good position."

As strong as his offense has been, Frazier's defense has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. The attention was at its highest two weeks ago, when he committed three errors during a loss to the Boston Red Sox that was aired nationally on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.

Following that poor performance in the field, Frazier declined to speak to reporters in the postgame scrum in the clubhouse. He spoke later that night to ESPN, expressing remorse for the way he played in such an important game.

Frazier's personality also has been on full display this season, as he's spent the past two months capitalizing on his status as a member of the iconic New York franchise. Heightened in large part because of where he was playing and who he was playing for, Frazier's profile rose throughout the spring as he was recognized for the way he took high-end sneakers and added cleats to the bottoms of them. He drawn praise from world-renowned sneaker designers and ire for the way he's gone about playing in the nontraditional cleats.

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Padres, Rockies break 4-game series runs record

Published in Baseball

Sunday, 16 June 2019 18:26

DENVER -- In a historically high-scoring series, the outcome was decided by a pinch-hitting pitcher.

On a bases-loaded walk, no less, off a starter who was making his first major league relief appearance.

That seems appropriate for such a wacky series.

The Padres and Rockies set a modern-era record by combining for 92 runs in a four-game series, with San Diego pitcher Matt Strahm drawing a pinch-hit, bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to rally past Colorado 14-13 Sunday.

"A four-game series here, it feels like a month,'' Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "This was a grind.''

It was just another wacky day at Coors Field, especially in this split series in which the Rockies outscored the Padres 48-44 while the teams combined for 131 hits. Colorado's Charlie Blackmon became the first player since at 1900 with 15 hits in a four-game series. Adding to the zaniness: The finale was delayed once to clean up a big puddle in foul territory despite sunny skies, and again later because of weather.

"That's the great thing about baseball -- you see things you've never seen before,'' Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon said. "It didn't bounce our way.''

With the Padres trailing 13-10 in the ninth, Wil Myers had an RBI single and Greg Garcia promptly tied it with a two-out, two-run triple off closer Wade Davis (1-2). The Rockies brought in starter Jon Gray, who intentionally walked two batters to face Strahm. Gray fell behind 3-1 before throwing a strike. Taking all the way, Strahm watched a fastball narrowly miss for ball four.

"The 3-2 was down and I know I can't handle that with his velocity,'' Strahm said.

Rockies manager Bud Black said he went with Gray -- the starter Thursday -- because of his usual ability to throw strikes. Plus, the Rockies had some relievers who weren't available given their workload.

Gerardo Reyes (3-0) earned the win by striking out three in the eighth. Kirby Yates threw a perfect ninth for his 24th save.

Hunter Renfroe homered twice for San Diego, while Fernando Tatis Jr. had three hits, including a double and a triple.

All told, the four games took more than 16 hours to complete.

"I can't really explain some of the things that went on and honestly I'm just happy to get out of here [with] a split, for sure,'' Garcia said.

The Padres raced out to a 3-0 lead before a giant puddle suddenly formed along the right-field line due to an issue with the irrigation line. The grounds crew rolled the water away as the teams waited in the dugout during the 15-minute holdup.

In the bottom of the inning, Colorado responded with six runs. Blackmon led the way with two hits in the inning, including a solo homer to lead off.

The game was again halted in the sixth as weather moved into the area. The delay lasted 48 minutes.

Once the tarp was lifted, the Rockies quickly went to work by scoring three runs to make it 13-8. Ian Desmond, McMahon and Raimel Tapia had three consecutive doubles to start the frame. The trio went a combined 9-for-15 with six RBIs.

Blackmon remained red hot with three more hits. He has reached base safely in all 26 of his home games this season.

"Our whole lineup swung the bat good. Their lineup swung the bat good,'' Blackmon said. "It was the most offensive series I've ever seen.''

WILD WEEKEND

Colorado won the opener 9-6 and the third game 14-8, while San Diego took Friday's game 16-12. The 92 runs were the most in a four-game series since 1900. The all-time record is 112 runs between the Cleveland Blues and St. Louis Browns of the American Association in 1887, per STATS data.

DAVIS' MELTDOWN

Davis had his second blown save of the series.

"Wasn't behind the baseball and making good pitches,'' Davis said. "On a day like today, that's not going to work out. ... Try to wash it as much as you can. It hurts.''

SHORT STARTS

Padres lefty Nick Margevicius surrendered nine runs and 11 hits over 1⅓ innings as his ERA rose from 5.02 to 6.41. He also threw one pitch all the way to the backstop.

Rockies righty Peter Lambert gave up eight runs and nine hits over three innings as his ERA soared from 1.50 to 6.00. He threw two pitches to the backstop. Lambert chipped in on offense with a pair of RBI singles.

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Wimbledon: Stefanos Tsitsipas targets 'big four' stranglehold

Published in Tennis

Sunday, 16 June 2019 12:26

World number six Stefanos Tsitsipas says he and other young players must "take responsibility" to end the older generation's Wimbledon stranglehold.

Since Lleyton Hewitt's win in 2002, the following 16 men's singles titles have been won by the 'big four' of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray.

"I would love to see something different this year. Hopefully it will be me," said 20-year-old Greek Tsitsipas. "It would give it a little bit of variety, something different."

Tsitsipas, who begins his Fever-Tree Championships campaign at Queen's Club against British number one Kyle Edmund on Tuesday, added: "Some don't want to take the responsibility of going out and overcoming all those difficulties and beat those guys.

"We are responsible as the new generation to work hard to come up with something new and our best games to beat them."

German great Boris Becker, citing the fact that Austria's Dominic Thiem is the only active player under the age of 28 to have played in a Grand Slam final, said this month that "mindset and attitude" were holding back younger players.

Tsitsipas also suggested German world number five Alexander Zverev, Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov, Americans Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe and Australian Alex de Minaur as players who could upset the old order.

The match against Tsitsipas, who has beaten Nadal and Federer this season - will be Edmund's first since he limped out of the French Open second round in May.

Edmund, the 24-year-old world number 29, said: "It's obviously tough in terms of he's played a lot, and won a lot, this year, but at the same time it's almost a very ideal situation where there's no pressure on me to do well. Almost everything is on him."

Edmund has won six of 16 Tour-level matches this season and slipped from 14th in the world at the start of the year.

British number two Cameron Norrie takes on 2018 Wimbledon runner-up Kevin Anderson on Monday, while compatriot and qualifier James Ward plays France's Gilles Simon.

Dan Evans, fresh from winning grass-court title in Surbiton and Nottingham, faces three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, and wildcard Jay Clarke is up against France's Lucas Pouille.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray makes his return after five months out and a career-saving hip operation in Wednesday's doubles alongside Spain's Feliciano Lopez.

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Konta aims to transfer French Open form to grass before Wimbledon

Published in Tennis

Sunday, 16 June 2019 09:03

British number one Johanna Konta says her superb clay-court form bodes well for Birmingham and Wimbledon despite limiting her practice on grass.

Konta withdrew from last week's Nottingham event to ease her schedule after making the French Open last four.

"You can only take good things from match fitness, confidence in decision-making and knowing you can come through different situations," she said.

"I haven't spent as much time on grass, but that's a good problem to have."

Konta, 28, will play Estonia's Anett Kontaveit, ranked two placed below her at 20th in the world, in the first round.

Konta had an indifferent start to the year, but turned her season qround after playing a key part in Great Britain's return to the Fed Cup World Group II, beating Kazakhstan's Zarina Diyas and Yulia Putintseva in front of a raucous crowd in London's Copper Box Arena.

Since then, she has reached finals in Rabat and Rome before a run to the semi-finals at Roland Garros.

Ranked 47th in the world before the clay-court swing, she is now up to 18th.

However, Konta has never been beyond the second round in Birmingham, losing to eventual champion Petra Kvitova in the first round last year.

"I've played Nottingham every year so it's a different situation, it's a different dynamic," Konta said of this year's campaign.

"Last year I lost to Petra, the year before Coco Vandeweghe, so I've played some very capable players, especially on this surface.

"There's no reason why this year I can't do better. It might not happen but I'll be working towards hopefully making it happen."

Konta reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2017, but has fallen before the third round in her other six appearances at the All England Club.

World's top three and a five-time SW19 winner

The top three-ranked players in the world are in the draw for the first time in Birmingham with US and Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka joined by world number two Ashleigh Barty, fresh from winning the French Open, and third-ranked Czech Karolina Pliskova.

Barty could overtake Osaka to take top spot for the first time in her career. The Australian would need to make the final at least, however, with her task increasing to lifting the trophy should Osaka win her opening match.

Before entertaining thoughts of world number one status, though, 23-year-old Barty faces a testing opening match against Croatia's Donna Vekic, who reached the final of the Nottingham event.

Osaka faces Greece's Maria Sakkari and Pliskova takes on Romania's Mihaela Buzarnescu, while five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams - making her Birmingham debut at the age of 38 - plays Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

American Williams will also play doubles with Britain's Harriet Dart who, along with compatriot Heather Watson, has been given a wildcard into the singles draw.

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'I was getting no enjoyment' - Murray says surgery revived love of tennis

Published in Tennis

Sunday, 16 June 2019 10:24

Britain's Andy Murray says "life-changing" surgery rekindled his love of tennis as he prepares to make his comeback - five months after he was seemingly set for retirement.

Murray, 32, will play doubles with Spain's Feliciano Lopez at Queen's on Wednesday.

The three-time Grand Slam champion had planned to retire because of hip pain, before having an operation in January.

"I didn't expect to be in this position," the Scot said.

"I didn't know how it would feel if I went and had the operation. But it has been brilliant, completely life-changing for me from where I was.

"I'm looking forward to getting back out there, but I don't know what to expect and I'm not putting any kind of expectations on myself.

"Just being out on the tennis court and being pain free is enough."

At the Australian Open in January, an emotional Murray said he planned to retire after Wimbledon because he had been suffering "too much pain for about 20 months".

He also feared the opening Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne, where he lost in the opening round to Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut, would be the last tournament of his illustrious career.

Murray said the pain had made it difficult to play with his two children and do basic everyday tasks like putting on his socks.

But he says he is now pain free after having the hip resurfacing operation - which keeps more of the damaged bone than a hip replacement, smoothing the ball down and covering it with a metal cap - in London on 28 January.

Now the former world number one is back on court alongside 37-year-old Lopez, saying his priority is simply enjoying the sport which has brought him two Wimbledon titles, a US Open crown and two Olympic gold medals.

"There have been a number of times over the past 18 months where I did want to stop. I was getting no enjoyment out of tennis at all, whether that be training, practice, matches," he said.

"I wasn't bothered about winning matches either because it wasn't fun.

"Now I like playing tennis, getting out on the court and hitting balls. I want to keep playing if I can because I enjoy it.

"It would be nice to be winning Wimbledon and other major tournaments but hardly anyone gets the opportunity to do that.

"There are loads of players and it is still about having the love and enjoyment for the sport without being able to win the biggest competitions. I would hope I would be able to deal with that absolutely fine."

Murray also hopes to play in the Wimbledon doubles next month, although he has not said whom he will play with.

Asked if he could win the doubles, he said: "It is possible, but it doesn't matter either way. I'd like to but it doesn't matter if I don't.

"I'd say it is unlikely because I've not played many matches."

Murray has said he will not play alongside older brother Jamie, who has linked up with fellow Briton Neal Skupski.

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Chinese success continues in Taicang

Published in Table Tennis

Sunday, 16 June 2019 07:34

At the final hurdle of the junior boys’ singles event, Quan Kaiyuan accounted for Japan’s Horoto Shinosuka (7-11, 9-11, 13-11, 12-10, 17-15, 11-5), having in the latter stages overcome Japan’s Yuma Tanigaki (11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-2, 11-5) and India’s Manush Utpalbhai Shah (11-4, 12-10, 11-7, 11-4).

Impressive from Quan Kaiyuan, it was equally impressive from Yuan Yuan. At the quarter-final stage she accounted for Japan’s Kaho Akae (12-10, 11-7, 11-13, 11-7, 11-5), before overcoming colleagues Chen Yi (11-8, 11-2, 5-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-8) and Wu Yangchen (11-6, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9) to secure the title.

Disappointment for Chen Yi but not in the cadet girls’ singles event where she emerged successful. She accounted Japan’s Miwa Harimoto in the final, offering no presents on her adversaries 11th birthday; she succeeded in three straight games (11-8, 11-8, 11-7).

A convincing success for Chen Yi, for Chen Yaxuan in the cadet boys’ singles final, life was much more exacting; in opposition to Korea Republic’s Gil Minseok, he required the full five games, securing victory by the minimal two point margin in the deciding game (11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 3-11, 12-10).

Gold for China in the junior and cadet age group categories; in the mini-cadet girls’ singles event it was the same but not in the counterpart mini cadet boys’ singles competition.

Zhang Jinglei won the min-cadet girls’ singles event beating Singapore’s Ser Lin Qian in the final (7-11, 11-5, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9); in the counterpart mini-cadet boys’ singles competition, Korea Republic’s Oh Junsung prevented a Chinese clean sweep, in the final he overcame colleague, Lee Hoyun (8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 15-13).

Proceedings concluded in Taicang, the next tournament on the ITTF World Junior Circuit is the 2019 Hang Seng Hong Kong Junior and Cadet Open; play commences on Wednesday 7th June.

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Vincent Picard justifies status, wins junior boys’ singles title

Published in Table Tennis

Sunday, 16 June 2019 13:04

After recording a quarter-final win against Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Alshareif (11-7, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7), followed by success against Nigeria’s Taiwo Matti (7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7), he accounted for Slovakia’s Filip Delincak (11-7, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6) to seal the title.

Disappointment for both Taiwo Mati and Filip Delincak but there was success. Earlier in the day Filip Delincak had partnered Adam Klajber to junior boys’ doubles gold, the pair accounting for Vincent Picard and the Czech Republic’s Matyas Lebeda to seal the title (9-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9). Meanwhile, Taiwo Mati had joined forces with Hungary’s Balazs Lei to claim cadet boys’ doubles gold, prior to securing the cadet boys’ singles title.

In the final of the cadet boys’ doubles event a straight games win was posted against the combination of Saudia Arabia’s Khalid Alshareif and Remi Chambet-Weil of the Netherland (11-2, 11-8, 11-9). Similarly in the cadet boys’ singles final, Taiwo Mati excelled, he accounted for Slovakia’s Jakub Goldir, in four games (13-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8).

Silver for Slovakia, in the mini-cadet boys’ singles competition, it was gold. Kristian Uherik overcame Sweden’s Isak Edwarsson (13-11, 11-1, 11-6) to secure the title.

Success for Kristian Uherik, there was also success for compatriots Ema Labosova, Ema Cincurova and Laura Vinczeova. Ema Labosova won the junior girls’ singles title beating Claire Picard of France in the final (11-3, 11-7, 12-14, 12-10, 11-9), Ema Cincurova and Laura Vinczeova combined to secure junior girls’ doubles gold. In the final they accounted for colleague Eliska Stullerova and Dominika Wiltschova (11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7).

Defeat in the junior girls’ doubles final for Eliska Stullerova and Dominika Wiltschova; in the cadet doubles title decider it was the exact opposite scenario. They beat Ema Cincurova and Laura Vinczeova in straight games (11-5, 12-10, 11-9).

Titles for Europe, in addition to Taiwo Mati there was also success for Africa. Algeria’s Melissa Belache won the cadet girls’ singles event, at the final hurdle she overcame Morocco’s Ines Outolla (9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 13-11, 11-6).

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Brok Harris: Prop re-signs for Dragons

Published in Rugby

Sunday, 16 June 2019 12:40

Prop Brok Harris has signed a new deal to keep him at Dragons.

Harris joined the Newport-based team in 2014 under former coach Lyn Jones and has gone on to make more than 100 appearances for them.

He will be under new boss Dean Ryan at Rodney Parade for next season.

"I believe that we'll be able to turn this ship around and give the Rodney faithful something to cheer about," said the South African, who qualified for Wales on residency in 2017.

He had played for Super Rugby side Stormers and represented Western Province in the Currie Cup before moving to Dragons.

"There is a lot of talent at the Dragons and I'm excited to be part of the squad and to contribute in leading this team on the road to victory," added Harris.

Forwards coach Ceri Jones said of Harris: "He continues to perform at the very highest level and have a huge impact, both on and off the field, with his leadership and vast experience."

Dragons have also re-signed Lewis Evans, Matthew Screech, Lloyd Fairbrother, Tavis Knoyle, Arwel Robson, Adam Warren, Connor Edwards, Jared Rosser and Ashton Hewitt, and recruited fly half Sam Davies and prop Jack Cosgrove for 2019-20.

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Illinois Speedweek Finale Falls To Rain

Published in Racing

Sunday, 16 June 2019 11:47

LINCOLN, Ill. – Saturated grounds from several days of rain have forced the cancellation of the Sunday’s POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League Illinois Speedweek event.

Rains throughout the day on Saturday, in addition to another wave of overnight rain into Sunday proved to be too much for the quarter-mile facility.

Pit parking in addition to the horse track that surrounds the quarter-mile track are overly saturated, forcing the cancellation.

The race at Lincoln was slated to be the finale of Illinois Speedweek. Only one race scheduled as part of Illinois Speedweek took place, with Logan Seavey winning at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Ill., on June 13.

Seavey also won a make-up feature at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway on June 14 before rain washed out the Illinois Speedweek feature the same night.

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