Pablo Sandoval took a Major League mound for the first time on Saturday, pitching the ninth inning of the Giants’ 15-6 loss to the Dodgers at AT&T Park. It was the first time a position player came in to pitch for San Francisco since July 4, 1991, when utility player Greg Litton pitched the ninth inning of the Giants’ 15-6 loss to the Astros at Candlestick Park.
The Carolina Hurricanes have vaulted into a position to land one of the top three picks of this year’s NHL draft. The order of the top three selections will be announced later during the second intermission of Game 2 of the second-round playoff series game between the Vegas Golden Knights and San
Here are nine tidbits from the third round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans that gamers can use tomorrow, this weekend or down the road. The TPC Louisiana in Avondale has been the host since 2005 and plays 7,425 yards to a Par-72. PAIN OR GAIN These were the top 10, plus one, picked golfers in the PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done presented by SERVPRO: *Did not make cut. There was plenty of movement on Saturday as the teams played the final round of the best-ball format. Today was the day to make birdies and make up ground with two chances to score on every hole. Tomorrow is going to test the nerves, trust and execution as alternate shot returns. Remember, there were only five rounds in the 60’s during the first go-around. REDEMPTION SONG The partnership of Scott Brown and Kevin Kisner will enter the final round as 54-hole leaders by a shot. The duo posted another beauty in the best-ball format as their 64 saw them post 20-under-par 196. They’re now 38-under in the best-ball format in this event. Kisner carried the weight today as they counted six of his seven birdies AND two bogeys. It’s no secret that Brown entered this week not in his best form. He’ll need to give his red-hot partner even more help tomorrow. Their 70 in the first alternate shot included only one bogey and no others and I’d bet they’d sign for that right now! UTAH MAFIA Speaking of not playing well recently, Daniel Summerhays currently sits No. 212 in the FedExCup standings. His season and career could change dramatically tomorrow as he looks for his first-career win in his 204th event. Tony Finau has gone close twice this season with a solo-second place finish at the Safeway Open and T2 at the Genesis Open. They fired 72 with five birdies and bogeys in their first attempt at alternate shot. NOT FADE AWAY Michael Kim and Andrew Putnam neither have won on TOUR but that hasn’t prevented them from battling the first three rounds. They haven’t squared a bogey on the week but did have to count a double in their first crack at alternate shot. The signed for 69 on Friday to take the 36-hole lead but couldn’t get obnoxiously low on Saturday to maintain or increase it. They are one of only two groups in the top 13 without a win on TOUR (Tyler Duncan/Adam Schenk is the other). They are currently the only group in the top 13 to break 70 in alternate shot this week. They’ll start one shot behind in the penultimate group so that could ease some of the pressure. WOULDA Sitting alone in fourth place two shots out of the lead is Brice Garnett and Chesson Hadley. They circled 11 birdies Saturday to bounce up 15 spots and have a sniff in the final round. They’ll be lamenting the fact that they had to circle a triple-bogey eight on No. 18 in their alternate-shot round on Friday. It stings even more that No. 18 is a Par-5 hole! They only have one other bogey on the week so keep an eye on them! COULDA Saturday Billy Horschel and Scott Piercy also fired 61 to get into the chase as they will start Sunday three shots out of the lead T5. What’s worse than signing for a triple on a Par-5 hole? How about making back-to-back doubles after opening birdie-birdie on Friday? They added two more bogeys that afternoon and added them up for 73 before bouncing back with 11 birdies Saturday. With seven wins between them, including a FedExCup, TOUR Championship and Zurich Classic, this group has PLENTY of pedigree of those within touching distance. SHOULDA If pedigree is to be an angle, the 2012 Zurich Classic and 2013 PGA Champion Jason Dufner brings five wins to the table. His partner Pat Perez has two of his own in the last 18 months. Neither had any form to speak of entering the week but I couldn’t tell today! They fired 61 with 10 birdies and an eagle. Yep, they had to count a bogey and also have a double on their card from Friday. There’s plenty of experience in this group of 40-somethings! MOVING DAY WRONG WAY! Nate Lashley and Rob Oppenheim opened some eyes when their bogey-free 69 on Friday jumped them into the top three. Just to illustrate how easy TPC Louisiana was playing on Saturday, the pair turned in 68 and dropped 11 spots to T14. The rookie-vet combo will need to dial up another low one to claim either’s first top 10 of the season. Round 1 co-leader Lucas Glover and Chez Reavie gave three shots back on Friday with 75 to drop to T12. Their 67 Saturday was almost two shots above average and they fell seven more spots to T19. Imagine if they didn’t make TWO eagles! The biggest drop of the day went to Chad Campbell and Matt Jones who plummeted from T3 to T24. Their 63-70 to open moved them up. Their 70 on Saturday sees them seven shots out of the lead and in need of serious help. STUDY HALL Slappin’ each other around, Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson had more giggle than hit today as their 68 dropped them 17 spots to T24. The second time of best-ball resulted in even lower scores than the first round. Saturday’s 65.222 average was more than half-of-a-shot better than 65.887 on Thursday. Round 2’s average score in alternate shot was 73.863 so there’s the benchmark for Sunday. Last year the formats were switched as the final round was four-ball. Gamers preparing for the Wells Fargo Championship next week at Quail Hollow Club should be reminded that this event was NOT played on this track last year. Eagle Point was the host for Brian Harman’s victory as Quail Hollow Club prepared for the PGA Championship won by Justin Thomas.
Heat assistant Juwan Howard will interview for the Knicks’ head coaching job, sources tell ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
Lots of action again on Saturday with Good Magic, Flameaway, My Boy Jack, Free Drop Billy, Promises Fulfilled, and Bravazo posting timed works at Churchill, Blended Citizen at Keeneland, Bolt d’Oro at Santa Anita, and Firenze Fire at Belmont Park. Check out comments and photos for the Derby and Oaks horses, probable starters for the rest of the Derby weekend stakes, and more.
AVONDALE, La. — Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown might hold the lead heading to Sunday at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, but more than ever the lead is far from safe. Looking for redemption after last year’s playoff loss to Cameron Smith and Jonas Blixt, the South Carolina duo sit at 20-under par — one clear of the Tony Finau/Daniel Summerhays and Andrew Putnam/Michael Kim teams. They provided a tidy 8-under 64 in Four-ball play on Saturday. But there are 17 teams within five shots of their lead heading to the always unpredictable and volatile alternate shot format. Anything can happen. We already saw this over the opening two rounds where the scoring average went from 65.888 to an incredible 73.863. The opening round leaders Xinjun Zhang and Zecheng Dou backed up a 60 with an 80 to miss the cut. “There is going to be a lot of big stress out there for some guys on that alternate shot,â€� five-time PGA TOUR winner Jason Dufner said. “You could see it Friday, cut day.â€� But Kisner and Brown almost feel immune as they’ve known each other for decades. “We’ve been doing this for 20 years,” Kisner said. “We know each other pretty well. I think that’s why we gel so well together. “He knows I’m not going to be upset if he’s playing bad, or if I hit a bad shot he’s not going to be upset at me. What did they tell us, your bad shots are the other person’s problem, so have fun.â€� Dufner, who along with Pat Perez are one of the teams chasing the leaders, believes the three shots they have to make up could happen in a flash. They were one of the teams to battle on Friday, shooting even par. Of the top 13 teams on the leaderboard heading to Sunday, only Putnam and Kim broke 70 on Friday. “I’m sure there will be a little pressure, but we’ll be relying on each other, and hopefully have a good time there tomorrow,â€� Kim said. “I think we just got to keep our heads down and keep grinding. We’re both playing pretty good golf, so just shoot the best score we can,â€� Putnam added as they chase a maiden TOUR win. For Finau and Summerhays, the key to this week has been relying on their already great chemistry and not getting in each other’s way. “Last year we were kind of all up in each other’s space. Hey, come read this putt. Let’s read together. What do you think here?â€� Summerhays explained. “This year we’ve just completely backed off everything. I called Tony in to read one putt yesterday and that’s basically it. “It’s the underlying trust, right? He’s trying his darnedest to get me in a good spot. I think that’s the great thing about having a close friend. We’ve played so much golf together. There isn’t any of that judgment. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. I think it’s going to be difficult, but that’s what we do.â€� NOTABLES Jason Dufner and Pat Perez looked dangerous just three shots off the lead. The pair shot 61 on Saturday to rocket into contention. “Everybody is going to have six or seven birdies and probably no bogeys if they’re playing well,” Dufner said. “So just to get those extra couple long ones to drop, I think that was a big key today.” There are a bunch of international teams lurking at 16 under in a tie for eighth looking to keep America off the winners list since moving to a team format. South African Presidents Cup players Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, countrymen Retief Goosen and Tyrone Van Aswegen, Scotsman Martin Laird and Russell Knox plus Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Chris Paisley are all ready to pounce. Olympic Gold and Silver medal winners Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson are an outside chance at 15-under, five shots off the pace. Jason Day and Ryan Ruffels started hot on Saturday and looked like they could make a huge charge. However a double bogey on the ninth hole derailed their run, and they now sit near the back of the pack at 11-under. It was a rough day for Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson as they sat just one under through 13 holes. Three late birdies added some respectability to the score, but at 13-under and seven shots back they’ll need to go super low Sunday. Denny McCarthy and Joel Dahmen were the last partnership entered this week after Martin Pillar withdrew to be at the birth of his first child. The WD sent Dahmen into a duo with McCarthy and the pair shot 62 Saturday to have an outside chance at 15-under. QUOTABLES I was the horse and he was the jockey. When I got tired he decided to kick in the whip, and he kicked in the whip on himself.When you have hair like this you can pull it off.I had to kind of hold my laugh in while they were hitting. SUPERLATIVES Low Round: 11-under 61 – Three teams: Billy Horschel/Scott Piercy; Jason Dufner/Pat Perez; Brice Garnett/Chesson Hadley. Easiest Holes: Par-5 7th played at 4.250 as did the par-5 11th. Each had two eagles and 23 birdies. Hardest Hole: Par-4 15th played exactly to par with five birdies and five bogeys.
The NFC is stacked. Who are Philly’s biggest challengers now? Plus: The rookies you’ll want on your fantasy team and more storylines to watch.
A look at all 32 NFL teams, and how they graded out in the NFL draft: Arizona Cardinals (A) The Cardinals did a good job retooling some areas of need with the retirement of QB Carson Palmer and no one knowing how much longer WR Larry Fitzgerald will continue to play. They got UCLA QB Josh Rosen at No. 10 overall and Texas A&M WR Christian Kirk, good value in the second round. Atlanta Falcons (B-plus) Even though receiver wasn’t a particular need, the Falcons went for Alabama WR Calvin Ridley in the first round. Their second-round pick, Isaiah Oliver from Colorado, was one of the best corners in the draft, and he should help in NFC South play with the likes of Drew Brees and Cam Newton in the
Paul George said all the right things when asked if he’d consider staying with the Oklahoma City Thunder instead of leaving in free agency this summer. ”They honestly check the boxes where I needed those boxes to be checked from what a player wants and needs out of a front office, out of
Odubel Herrera might have made the catch of the season in the top of the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Braves slugger Freddie Freeman crushed a 1-0 fastball from Phillies right-hander Nick Pivetta to deep center field. The ball left his bat at 103.4 mph, according to Statcast™. It had a hit probability of 91 percent.
