Chalmers takes lead at Australian Open

Chalmers takes lead at Australian Open

SYDNEY

Two-time former champion Greg Chalmers took a one-stroke lead Friday at the Australian Open after a 5-under 66 while marquee attractions Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott weren’t far behind on a tough day for scoring.

Chalmers had seven birdies in his second round to move to 5-under 137 after 36 holes.

Defending champion McIlroy played in difficult afternoon conditions at The Australian Golf Club and he persevered for an up-and-down 69 to be in a group tied for second.

Scott and American Jordan Spieth played together in calmer morning conditions and Spieth (72) was in a group tied for sixth, two behind. Scott, who moved from potential cut to contention with a 66, was three strokes behind.

Royals trade Crow, give Frasor $1.8M deal

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Former first-round draft pick Aaron Crow has been traded from the Kansas City Royals to the Miami Marlins for left-hander Brian Flynn and right-hander Reid Redman.

In another move Friday, Jason Frasor and the Royals agreed to a one-year contract with a 2016 mutual option that guarantees the reliever $1.8 million.

Crow, a 28-year-old right-hander taken with the 12th overall pick in 2009, was 6-1 with a 4.12 ERA and three saves in 67 relief appearances this year. The Topeka, Kansas, native did not pitch in the postseason.

Flynn, 24, was 8-10 record with a 4.06 ERA ERA in 25 starts at Triple-A New Orleans and also had one start and one relief appearance for the Marlins, a year after making four starts for Miami in his first big league season.

Olympic coins unveiled by Central Bank

RIO DE JANEIRO

Coins to commemorate the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics were presented Friday by the Brazilian Central Bank along with four designs that will enter general circulation.

The commemorative coins feature one gold design and four in silver. The gold coin depicts Rio’s famous Christ the Redeemer statue on one side, and a 100-meter sprint design carrying the Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius (“Faster, Higher, Stronger”).

The silver coins show well-known Rio landmarks where people practice sports. The coins also show natural aspects of the city and Brazil.

The general circulation coins show Olympic and Paralympic sports.

The selling price for the gold coin is 1,180 reals — about $470. The silver coins sell for 195 reals (about $80).

Classic Point wins Go For Wand Handicap

NEW YORK

Classic Point held off Princess Violet by a nose Friday in the $300,000 Go For Wand Handicap at Aqueduct.

Never worse than third at any stage, Classic Point took command in the lane and was all out to prevail over Princess Violet.

It came down to a head bob decided in a photo finish, and winning trainer Jimmy Jerkens initially thought his horse lost.

Angel Arroyo was aboard as the 5-year-old got the biggest win of her career, the seventh in 30 starts.

The time was 1:37.78 for a mile over the track rated good.

Classic Point paid $18.40, $8.50 and $5.80. Princess Violet returned $4.20 and $3, and Moment in Dixie paid $8.30.

Germany says it will play US on June 10

World Cup champion Germany says it will play the United States in an exhibition on June 10 in Cologne.

The Deutscher Fussball Bund, the governing body of German soccer, announced the date and site Friday on its website.

The U.S. Soccer Federation has said it has talked with the DFB, but the USSF does not announce exhibitions until a contract has been signed.

Germany beat the U.S. 1-0 in its final group stage match at the World Cup before going on to win the title in July.

Wire reports