Scrappers blanked 5-0 in opener at Batavia

Scrappers blanked 5-0 in opener at Batavia

BATAVIA, N.Y.

Four Batavia pitchers combined on a six-hitter as the Muckdogs shut out the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 5-0 in New York-Penn League play on Sunday at Dwyer Stadium.

Julio Frias (4-2) started and worked five innings, allowing three hits. He was followed to the mound by relievers Jonaiker Villalobos, Geremy Galindez and Joey Steele. Each gave up a single hit and Steele pitched the last 22/3 innings for his first save.

Scrappers starter Liam Jenkins (0-6) took the loss. He allowed three hits, two walks and two runs in six innings, striking out seven.

The Scrappers (25-30) got two singles from Raynel Delgado. Bryan Lavastida added a double. Mahoning Valley made four errors.

J.D. Orr had two hits, scored twice and drove in a for the Muckdogs (33-23). Batavia’s Nic Ready singled, doubled and scored a run.

The teams play again tonight at 7:05.

Vikings acquire kicker Vedvik from Ravens

EAGAN, Minn.

Looking for solutions for their longtime kicking issues, the Minnesota Vikings traded for Kaare Vedvik from the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Vedvik has kicked and punted for Baltimore, which was set at the position with standouts Justin Tucker and Sam Koch.

Vedvik spent the entire 2018 season on the non-football injury list for Baltimore after he was assaulted and suffered injuries. He was 4 for 4 on field goals and converted two extra-point attempts in the Ravens first preseason game, while punting twice for a 55.5-yard average.

Andreescu wins Rogers as Williams retires

TORONTO

Bianca Andreescu became the first Canadian to win the Rogers Cup in 50 years when Serena Williams retired because of an injury.

Andreescu was up 3-1 in the first set when Williams called for a medical timeout.

Less than a minute later, the chair umpire announced that Williams was retiring from the match, handing Andreescu her second WTA Premier title of the season.

The tournament’s final lasted only 16 minutes before Williams withdrew.

Americans protest at Pan Am Games

LIMA, Peru

Two Americans used their medal-winning moments at the Pan American Games to draw attention to social issues back home that they feel are spiraling out of control.

During their medals ceremonies at the multi-sport event in Lima, fencer Race Imboden took a knee and hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist. Both athletes could represent the U.S. less than a year from now at the Tokyo Olympics, where similar protests would be seen by a much wider audience.

Berry raised her fist as America’s national anthem was played to honor her win in the hammer throw. She called out injustice in America “and a president who’s making it worse.”

U.S. volleyball team secures Olympic bid

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands

The U.S. men’s volleyball team secured a bid to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, beating the Dutch host 25-18, 25-20, 17-25, 25-21 to go unbeaten in the round-robin Tokyo Volleyball Qualification Tournament.

Ranked second in the world, coach John Speraw’s squad will look to build on the bronze the Americans won in Rio three years ago. The U.S. men reached the Olympics for the 10th straight time and 12th in all, winning gold in 1984, ’88 and 2008 and also a bronze in 1992.

No. 15 Netherlands, which gave up 31 points on errors, also was 2-0 in Pool B of the tournament before matching up with the U.S. American opposite Matt Anderson had 18 points with 16 kills and two blocks.

The U.S. welcomed back Aaron Russell after he dealt with a knee injury earlier this summer. He contributed 17 points with 14 kills, a block and two aces.

Staff/wire report