Mathias drives in 6 as Scrappers win

Mathias drives in 6 as Scrappers win

AUBURN, N.Y.

Mark Mathias tripled and homered to drive in six runs as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers rolled over the Auburn Doubledays, 11-5, in Tuesday’s New York-Penn League action.

Mathias finished with four hits, as did Austin Fisher who drove in two runs. MAthias has 31 RBIS for the SCrappers (31-39).

Scrappers starter Matt Esparza (4-0) picked up the win, scattering four hits and allowing no runs in the five-and-two-third innings he pitched.

Mooney selling football tickets

YOUNGSTOWN

Tickets for Friday’s Cardinal Mooney-Boardman football game are on sale today and Friday at the Cardinals Nest (Room 126) at Mooney High School.

The game will be the first at Boardman High School’s new stadium. Sale hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. today and 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday. Advance prices for the general admission tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students.

American Pharoah may retire soon

NEW YORK

Decision day may be at hand for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

In a Twitter posting Wednesday, owner Ahmed Zayat said he and his family recently had a four-hour meeting with trainer Bob Baffert, saying that they “analyzed every aspect of AP future” and “I learned a lot will get it one more day.”

After American Pharoah was beaten in the Travers Stakes by Keen Ice on Saturday, Zayat said his “gut feeling right now, without being outspoken, is to retire.”

The plan before the race was a final run in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 31 at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, then off to the breeding shed at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud a few miles down the road. The loss after eight straight brilliant victories was a tough one and may have been an indication that the time to retire the horse is sooner than later.

Ohio State QB Jones taken to hospital

COLUMBUS

Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones was taken to the hospital because of a headache, his mother told The Toledo Blade.

Florence Jones told the newspaper her son was taken to an emergency room and that he should be fine.

Jones is competing with J.T. Barrett to be the top-ranked Buckeyes’ starter when they open the season Monday night at Virginia Tech.

Jones took over as Ohio State’s starter last year after J.T. Barrett broke his ankle in the regular-season finale against Michigan. Jones helped the Buckeyes beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game and Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoff to win the national title.

Ohio State had not yet confirmed that Jones was hospitalized.

Cavaliers make Smith signing official

CLEVELAND

The Cavaliers made the re-signing of guard J.R. Smith official.

Smith announced last month that he was returning for a second year with the Cavs, who acquired him last season along with Iman Shumpert in a trade with the New York Knicks. The 11-year veteran made 45 starts for Cleveland, averaging 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

He made four starts in the playoffs and averaged 12.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in helping the Cavs make the NBA Finals.

Smith had some solid postseason games but he wasn’t the factor Cleveland needed in the Finals after Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving sustained injuries.

Smith initially opted out of his $6.4 million contract for next season before signing a two-year deal that includes a player option for 2016-17.

Meanwhile, the Cavs remain in a stalemate with forward Tristan Thompson, a restricted free agent.

Staff/wire report