SPORTS DIGEST || Six-run third fuels Scrappers victory

Six-run third fuels Scrappers victory

BATAVIA, N.Y.

Nolan Jones hit three doubles as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers shelled the Batavia Muckdogs, 8-2.

Jones knocked home three runs off his three-extra base hits. Will Benson added a two run home run. The Scrappers scored six runs in the third inning while building a 7-0 lead. The Muckdogs got on the scoreboard with two runs in the ninth inning.

Gregori Vasquez struck out four and walked one to pick up a win for the Scrappers.

Nadal, Pliskova win doubleheaders

MASON

Rafael Nadal and Karolina Pliskova got a doubleheader day started with victories at the Western & Southern Open on Friday. The tournament’s top seeds then had only a few hours to eat, rest and prepare for quarterfinals matches.

Nadal spent only an hour and 37 minutes on court while beating fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6 (1), 6-2 in a match that never got started Thursday night because of rain. He was scheduled back on court five hours later to face Nick Kyrgios.

“And now another very, very difficult match,” Nadal said as he left the court.

Nadal took time to mention the attack in Barcelona the previous day that left 13 people dead, which was weighing on his mind during the busy day.

“Everyone is very, very sad,” Nadal said. “I don’t have words to say. ... All my support to Barcelona, and especially to the people that are suffering a lot, for all the families of the victims.”

Kyle Busch wins 19th NASCAR race

BRISTOL, TENN.

Kyle Busch continued his domination at Bristol Motor Speedway with a victory Friday night in the Xfinity Series race. The win was the 19th national series victory at Bristol for Busch, who also won the Truck Series race Wednesday night. And just like that win, Busch had to overcome a speeding penalty on pit road to get to Victory Lane.

Busch won the first stage of the race and was then popped for speeding. He drove from 29th in line to the lead in 58 laps after the penalty, and won the second stage. Busch then drove away to an easy 91st career win in the Xfinity Series.

He had one brief challenge, on a restart with nine laps remaining, but easily got by Daniel Suarez and wasn’t challenged.

Rookie Erik Jones wins first Cup Series pole

BRISTOL, TENN.

Erik Jones has won the first Cup Series pole of his career with a quick run at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jones turned a lap at 128.082 mph around the high-banked bullring to take the top starting spot for Saturday night’s race. Jones, a rookie who drives for Furniture Row Racing, bumped Kyle Larson from the pole.

Larson qualified second at 128.057 to continue his hot streak. He won Sunday at Michigan, where he beat Furniture Row teammates Jones and Martin Truex Jr. on the final restart for his third victory of the year.

Kasey Kahne qualified third and was followed by Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott. Matt Kenseth was fifth, followed by Truex and Denny Hamlin as Toyota drivers took four of the top seven spots.

PSU coach Franklin inks new contract

STATE COLLEGE, PA.

Penn State football coach James Franklin has signed a contract extension that guarantees him $34.7 million through 2022.

According to terms released by Penn State on Friday, the deal is worth an average of $5.78 million annually and contains up to $1 million in incentive bonuses each year. The extension modifies the initial six-year contract Franklin signed when he was hired in 2014. That contract was to pay him $4.6 million this year.

After back-to-back 7-6 seasons in Franklin’s first two years in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions won the Big Ten last year.

Staff/wire report