SPORTS DIGEST || Scrappers, Ironbirds rained out in NY-PL

Scrappers, Ironbirds rained out in NY-PL

ABERDEEN, MD.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers' series opener against the Aberdeen Ironbirds was rained out on Friday night.

The New York-Penn League teams are set for a doubleheader beginning at 4:30 p.m. today.

James hosts talk show set in barbershop

LOS ANGELES

LeBron James tells a gathering of athletes and entertainers that he regrets naming his oldest son after him in a new HBO show.

Set in a barbershop, "The Shop" debuts Aug. 28 featuring James leading conversation and debate among his guests.

The first episode features rapper Snoop Dogg, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, comedian Jon Stewart and Maverick Carter, James' producing partner.

In the debut, Stewart asks James about the challenge of having his sons play the same sport he does, including LeBron James Jr.

"I still regret giving my 14-year-old my name because of that," James said. "When I was younger I didn't have a dad, so my whole thing was like whenever I have a kid not only is it going to be a junior, I'm going to do everything that this man didn't do. They're going to experience things that I didn' experience. The only thing I can do is give them the blueprint and it's up to them to take their own course."

Dressel wins at U.S. swim nationals

IRVINE, Calif.

Caeleb Dressel won for the first time in three events at the U.S. national championships, taking the 100-meter butterfly to earn a berth on the U.S. team for the Pan Pacific championships.

Dressel, winner of seven golds at last year's world championships, powered to the wall in 50.50 seconds Friday night, fastest in the world this year.

Jack Conger was second in 51.11, followed by 19-year-old Michael Andrew in 51.68.

Dressel finished second in the 50 butterfly on Thursday, but that isn't a qualifying event for next month's Pan Pacs in Tokyo. Earlier, he finished sixth in the 100 free, barely getting into the final. He scratched the 200 free on the first night of the meet.

Isner in Atlanta Open semifinals again

ATLANTA

John Isner advanced to the BB&T Atlanta Open semifinals for the ninth straight year, beating Germany's Mischa Zverev 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 on Friday.

Seeking his fifth victory at Atlantic Station in the last six years, the top-seeded Isner set up a match against fourth-seeded Matthew Ebden. Ebden beat Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-3, 6-2.

Eighth-seeded Ryan Harrison also advanced, beating Chung Hyeon 6-7 (3), 6-2, 7-6 (5).

Harrison will face Cameron Norrie. Norrie led the second-seeded Kyrgios 7-5, 6-3 when the Australian retired.

Jurors acquit ex-Vols players in rape trial

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.

Jurors have acquitted two former University of Tennessee football players, nearly 3 1/2 years after they were indicted on aggravated rape charges.

A jury of seven women and five men deliberated for almost 1 1/2 hours Friday afternoon before finding A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams not guilty on all counts.

Johnson, 26, embraced friends and relatives as soon as the jury departed. The 25-year-old Williams gave a big hug to his lawyer, David Eldridge.

Thomas increases lead in Tour de France

LARUNS, France

Geraint Thomas increased his hold on the yellow jersey in the final mountain stage of the Tour de France on Friday, while Sky teammate and four-time champion Chris Froome lost his spot on the podium.

Slovenian rider Primoz Roglic won the 200.5-kilometer (125-mile) 19th leg through the Pyrenees with an attack on the dangerous descent from the Col d'Aubisque.

Staff/Wire reports