Monday, August 17, 2015
Suspected spider bite KOs Indians’ Johnson
MINNEAPOLIS
Cleveland Indians infielder Chris Johnson missed his second straight game Sunday after he suspects he was bitten by an insect at the team’s hotel.
Johnson said he woke with a small bite, possibly from a spider, on his left hand Saturday morning and was treated at the stadium. By Sunday, Johnson’s hand was swollen, and he went to a Minneapolis hospital for treatment. He had the hand wrapped and started antibiotics but could miss further time as Cleveland heads to Boston for a series starting today.
“I tried to get the swelling and infection out of there because I guess whatever bit me, it got infected,” Johnson said. “Hoping the swelling goes down in a couple days and I can start swinging the bat again.” Acquired in a trade from the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 7, Johnson has hit .429 in six games for the Indians.
Brewers minor leaguer says he’s gay
MILWAUKEE
A Milwaukee Brewers minor leaguer has become the first openly gay player on a team affiliated with Major League Baseball.
David Denson, with the help of former major leaguer Billy Bean, reached out to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to tell his story.
The 20-year-old first baseman plays for the Helena Brewers in the rookie Pioneer League. Bean, MLB’s first Ambassador for Inclusion, disclosed he is gay after his playing career.
On Sunday, the Brewers lauded Denson as a “highly respected member” of their family and “a very courageous young man.”
Murray beats Djokovic in Montreal final
MONTREAL
Andy Murray beat top-ranked Novak Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Sunday in the Rogers Cup for his fourth tournament victory of the year and third title in the Canadian event.
The second-seeded Murray also won the tournament in 2009 and 2010. The Scot ended an eight-match losing streak against Djokovic since the 2013 Wimbledon final.
Djokovic, the champion in 2007, 2011 and 2012, lost for only the fourth time in 56 matches this year. The Serb failed in his bid to tie the ATP Tour record for consecutive Masters 1000 event titles at five.
Djokovic was playing his ninth straight final, a run that included championship victories over Murray this year in the Australian Open and Key Biscayne, Florida.
American Pharoah works out at Del Mar
DEL MAR, Calif.
Triple Crown champion American Pharoah worked a half-mile Sunday at Del Mar under the watchful eye of trainer Bob Baffert and owner Ahmed Zayat.
The 3-year-old colt was timed in 47.60 seconds under Martin Garcia, who rides American Pharoah in the mornings. It was his first official timed workout since winning the Haskell Invitational two weeks ago.
The track was closed for 10 minutes except for American Pharoah and horses set to run in next weekend’s Pacific Classic.
American Pharoah’s next start has not been announced, although Zayat is considering the $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 29.
Zayat is aiming for American Pharoah to close out his racing career in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31.
US women’s soccer routs Costa Rica
PITTSBURGH
Christen Press scored three goals Sunday to power the United States to an 8-0 exhibition romp over Costa Rica in its first game since winning the Women’s World Cup in Canada last month.
The game marked the opening of a victory tour by the Americans and was played before a crowd of 44,028 at Heinz Field — the largest to see a soccer game Pittsburgh.
Meghan Klingenberg grew up in Pittsburgh and rewarded her hometown fans with a goal. Heather O’Reilly added two goals, with the other scores coming from Julie Johnston and Whitney Engen
Vindicator staff/wire reports