Ledecky stunned in 400 free at worlds; Sun wins record title

GWANGJU, South Korea (AP) — Katie Ledecky is usually there in the end, her endurance powering her to the wall well ahead of the competition.

Someone else got there first at the world championships on Sunday night.

Ariarne Titmus of Australia chased down Ledecky over the last lap to win the 400-meter freestyle and deny the American star a record fourth straight title. It was Ledecky’s first defeat in the event at a major international meet since 2013.

“This stings a little,” Ledecky said. “It’s not what I’m used to.”

China’s Sun Yang was able to do what Ledecky could not: win his record fourth consecutive title in the men’s 400 free.

As expected, it didn’t come without controversy.

Sun’s rival, Mack Horton of Australia, ignored Sun on the medals podium. They didn’t shake hands and Horton didn’t even step onto the podium; instead he stood behind it when given his silver medal.

Titmus overcame a 0.62-second deficit going into the last lap and won by 1.21 seconds over Ledecky. The 18-year-old Aussie touched in 3 minutes, 58.76 seconds.

“I knew that I probably had that in me,” Titmus said, “but, yeah, it’s pretty surreal at the moment.”

Ledecky finished in 3:59.97 — well off her world record of 3:56.46 set at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

“She ran me right down,” the American said.

American Leah Smith took bronze in 4:01.29.

FULL STORY

The Latest: Harold Baines inducted into Baseball HOF

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Harold Baines has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The soft -spoken Baines never displayed much emotion in his 22-year career, but his voice cracked throughout his speech.

“Somehow I acquired a reputation for not saying much. I’m not sure why,” he deadpanned at the start. “From teachers to coaches who showed me kindness and discipline, I thank you all for what you’ve done for me. If I can leave you with one message, it’s to give back to your community. I stand here very humbled. It has taken time to sink in.”

Baines, the first overall pick in the 1977 draft by the White Sox, played 22 seasons for the White Sox, Rangers, Athletics, Orioles and Indians, was a six-time All-Star, and twice won the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. An eight-time .300 hitter who reached the 20-homer mark in 11 seasons, 

Baines drove in at least 90 runs eight times and ranks 34th on the all-time list with 1,628 RBIs. He retired with 2,866 hits and 1,628 RBIs, one of only 17 players in MLB history to have reached both 2,800 hits and 1,600 RBIs.

Baines saved his last moments to pay tribute to the White Sox and to his family, thanking his mom and dad and wife Marla, who also had to hold back tears.

“You are the true Hall of Famer of our family,” Baines said as he looked out at his wife. “The game has given us a lot of shared moments, memories like today. Your presence here today makes my journey complete.”

FULL STORY

Simone Biles takes gold medal at US Classic gymnastics

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Simone Biles had a lot to feel good about, even with some rare missteps that were quickly forgotten in her latest climb atop another podium.

What mattered most to the world’s top gymnast was keeping things moving forward, which Biles did.

Biles won the U.S. Classic on Saturday night to maintain her six-year winning streak.

The four-time Olympic gold medalist and reigning world champion had an all-around score of 60.000, 2.100 points ahead of runner-up Riley McCusker. Grace McCallum was third at 57.700.

Biles won her 19th consecutive all-around title beginning with the 2013 U.S. Championships. She surged from fifth following the first rotation on the uneven bars into first on the next. She had the highest score in the vault (15.650), though Jade Carey won the event with a two-vault average score of 14.800.

Pinot strikes again in Pyrenees, Alaphilippe stalls

FOIX, France (AP) — When one French rider starts to fade, another comes to the fore. One way or the other, France may still be on course for its first Tour de France winner since 1985.

Dancing over his saddle, his mouth wide open and gasping for air, Thibaut Pinot launched a ferocious attack Sunday and profited from the first signs of weakness in the high mountains from French race leader Julian Alaphilippe to edge closer to the yellow jersey in the overall standings.

Ascending the last uphill finish in the Pyrenees with a display of power and fluidity that signaled that he’ll also be a major contender to win the Tour, Pinot gained time on all his rivals for the second consecutive day following his triumph at the famed Tourmalet mountain in the previous stage.

Heading to the second and final rest day Monday ahead of what promises to be a climactic final week in the Alps, the race is exquisitely poised. Six riders are all within 2 minutes, 14 seconds of each other at the top of the standings.

The six terrible ascents above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) in the Alps, peppered over three mountain stages, will likely decide who will stand on top of the podium on the Champs-Elysees next Sunday.

GREAT BEND, Kan. – The Senior Legion Hutchinson Colts baseball team traveled to Great Bend Satruday to play in the AAA Zone tournament and were defeated by the Great Bend Chiefs 12-0.  Nickerson lost to Hays in a similar score, 15-5.  Hutch and Nickerson play each other today at 12 noon in Great Bend.

Kansas AAA Zone Tournament Scores from the Great Bend Sports Complex.

Saturday, July 20
Nickerson 3, Beloit 0
Hays 18, Nickerson 5
Great Bend 12, Hutchinson 0
Great Bend 10, Salina 0

Sunday, July 21
Nickerson vs Hutchinson, 12 p.m.
Beloit vs. Salina, 2:30 p.m.
Hays vs. Great Bend, 5 p.m.
Nickerson/Hutch winner vs Beloit/Salina winner, 7:30 p.m.

OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) — Not again. That was the reaction of owner Gary West when the inquiry sign flashed after Maximum Security crossed the finish line first in the $1 million Haskell Invitational Saturday evening at hot and steamy Monmouth Park.

Unlike in the Kentucky Derby, the stewards let the result stand this time, vaulting Maximum Security to top of the 3-year-old thoroughbred division.

“My heart skipped a beat the first time I saw it,” West said of the inquiry sign after Maximum Security crossed the finish line 1 1/4 lengths ahead of trainer Bob Baffert’s Mucho Gusto. “The first time I saw the replay, I thought there was no way they can take this horse down. I’m not a steward but I did not think he did anything that cost. … The other horse was going backward at the time.”

West, who is still fighting the Derby disqualification in federal court in Kentucky, is certain he has the best colt in the land

“If it doesn’t, I don’t know when a division has a clear-cut leader,” he said. “Am I prejudiced, of course I am.”

The Haskell capped a long day that included a 4 1/2-hour delay triggered by intense heat and the safety concerns for the horses and riders. It led to the cancellation of six races and the delay in six stakes, including the Haskell, the biggest race in Monmouth’s meet.

When racing resumed around 6 p.m., the stakes went off without a hitch until the Haskell.

There was no doubt Maximum Security got to the finish line first.

However, the stewards posted the inquiry sign. Videotape replays showed King for a Day had to check when Maximum Security and Mucho Gusto stormed past.

The race was reviewed and the inquiry sign came down quickly, unlike the Derby when there was a 22-minute delay before Country House was elevated to the top spot and Maximum Security was dropped to 17th place. It was the first time a horse that crossed the finish line first in the Derby was disqualified.

This was one of the most bizarre days in the 52-year history of the Haskell. It also was just another weird twist in the 3-year-old picture.

There was the Kentucky Derby disqualification. A riderless horse in the Preakness. Three different winners of the Triple Crown races.

The latest turn came Saturday as the extreme temperature and a heat index value reaching 107— caused track officials to order a delay after the running of the first two races on the 14-race card.

The Haskell went off at 8:11 p.m., 2 hours, 24 minutes after its scheduled start. The field was reduced to six horses when third-place Belmont States finisher Joevia scratched after the delay.

FULL STORY

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — The noise was unlike anything Shane Lowry had ever heard on a golf course, no surprise at the first British Open in these parts in 68 years and an Irishman atop the leaderboard at Royal Portrush.

Lowry didn’t get rattled Saturday. He only got better.

Two straight birdies around the turn to take the lead. Three straight birdies near the end to pull away. An 8-under 63 for his lowest round in a major. A stunning back nine that gave him the 54-hole record in the British Open. A four-shot lead going into the final round.

Walking off the 17th tee, Lowry turned to his caddie and said, “We might never have a day like this on the golf course again, so let’s enjoy this.”

“Honestly, that’s the most incredible day I’ve ever had on the golf course,” Lowry said. “I just can’t believe what it was like.”

It can get a lot better, starting with his name etched on the base of that silver claret jug.

Lowry wasn’t willing to look that far ahead, not with a forecast so dire the R&A moved up the starting times Sunday in an effort to avoid the worst of the heavy rain and 35 mph gusts in the forecast.

FULL STORY

OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) — With extreme heat draining fans and causing concern about the horses, Monmouth Park canceled six races and pushed back until early evening its stakes races, including the $1 million Haskell Invitational headlined by Maximum Security.

The decision came after the start of the first race was delayed and the racing card was re-evaluated after the second race.

The National Weather Service again posted an excessive heat warning advisory Saturday, with near steady temperatures in the lower 90s in Monmouth County. The heat index values reached 107.

Animal rights activists protested outside the New Jersey Shore track before the first race was to run.

Dennis Drazin, chairman and chief executive of Darby Development, operators of Monmouth Park, said a group of track, state and independent veterinarians monitored the heat for days and felt it was safe to race.

“However, given the heightened concern from the public about the heat, and in the interest of the safety of the horses and jockeys, we’ve decided to proceed with an abundance of caution, to cancel the remaining nonstakes races and to delay the six stakes races,” he said.

Drazin said he had been in contact with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who left the decision on whether to race to Drazin. He went with caution, fearing harm to the horses and industry if there were a death.

With racing under pressure because of many horse deaths horses in California, most East coast tracks on Friday canceled their Saturday cards, including Saratoga Race Course and Finger Lakes in New York and Laurel Park in Maryland.

“It would have created additional momentum to the crisis that already exists because of California problems,” Drazin said of a possible death of a horse. “We’re on the cusp of a crisis in the industry.”

FULL STORY

LA MONGIE, France (AP) — When the team of Geraint Thomas was in its pomp at the Tour de France, a time trial followed by a big mountain stage would have been playgrounds for Sky — now in new colors as Ineos — to take cycling’s greatest race by the scruff of the neck and leave everyone else fighting for second place.

Not this year.

Thomas, the defending champion, cracked on Saturday on the Tour’s first encounter with a climb to above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), exposing unprecedented weaknesses in his team that has won six Tours in the past seven years.

The time trial on Friday and the climb up to the legendary Tourmalet pass on Saturday seemed primed for Thomas to reel in Julian Alaphilippe, the yellow jersey-wearer from France who is setting the Tour alight with his punchy riding and determination to keep the race lead, filling French fans’ heads with dreams of a first homegrown winner since 1985.

 

Friday, July 19th MLB Scores courtesy of CBS Sports:

• Cubs 10, Twins 6 (box score)
• Nationals 17, Phillies 7 (box score)
• Yankees 8, Red Sox 1 (box score)
• Angels 7, Orioles 1 (box score)
• Blue Jays 3, Tigers 2 (box score)
• Rays 3, Astros 2 (box score)
• Brewers 8, Reds 2 (box score)
• Marlins 8, Mets 2 (box score)
• Rangers 11, White Sox 3 (box score)
• Braves 1, Cardinals 1 (box score)
• Giants 2, Diamondbacks 1 (box score)
• Athletics 3, Indians 1 (box score)
• Pirates 6, Padres 3 (box score)
• Rockies 3, Dodgers 1 (box score)
• Mariners 4, Royals 1 (box score)

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Premiering exclusively on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ next month, a new 18-part series will give fans a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at Kansas Head Coach Les Miles and Athletic Director Jeff Long as they seek to raise the Kansas football program to national prominence. The series will include four preseason episodes in August, followed by weekly installments during the college football season. Filming began this offseason, before Miles was hired, and will cover the entire 2019 season from start to finish.

• Features new Kansas Head Football Coach Miles and Kansas Athletics Director Jeff Long
• Will provide unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access to the process of building a college football program
• 18-part series will be shown exclusively on Big 12 Now on ESPN+

As Miles and Long work to improve the Kansas football fortunes, the show, produced by JM Associates and Sport & Story, will provide access to every decision and step along the way, from fundraising, contract negotiations, building the coaching staff, preparing the players and more.

“Jayhawks fans have waited far too long for a football team that is on the same level of success as the other athletic programs at the University of Kansas,” said Miles. “I’d like to thank Jeff Long for believing that I am the coach that can turn this team around. Having cameras behind the scenes all season is not something I am used to, but I look forward to sharing our journey on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, and my hope is that people can appreciate all the work that goes into building a contender.”

Before coming to Kansas, Miles spent 11 years as Head Coach at LSU, winning a national championship and compiling an overall record of 112-32.

This spring, the Big 12 Conference and ESPN agreed to significantly expand their existing rights agreement, which runs through 2024-25. This includes hundreds of additional Big 12 sports events presented annually on the new Big 12 Now on ESPN+. The ESPN+ agreement will start for Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State and Oklahoma State beginning this year. Iowa State, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia will join in 2020.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com. They are the industry-leading all-in-one digital sports platform, delivering a rich, personalized experience to tens of millions of fans every month.

British Open marches on without its star attraction

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Royal Portrush had all of Saturday morning to recover from the reality that Rory McIlroy is no longer part of this British Open.

In a second round so packed with emotion that it felt like Sunday, McIlroy nearly recovered from his opening 79 by coming up one birdie short of making it to the weekend. McIlroy, one of three players from Northern Ireland celebrating the return of the Open after a 68-year absence, says he has never felt such support.

And now for the rest of the show.

Shane Lowry of Ireland and J.B. Holmes were tied for the lead at 8-under 134, one shot ahead of Lee Westwood and Tommy Fleetwood. Among those within three shots of the lead were Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth.

Mariners’ Leake lose perfect game try in 9th, blanks Angels

Leake took a perfect game into the ninth inning, losing his bid at baseball immortality when rookie Luis Rengifo hit a leadoff single as the Seattle Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-0 Friday night.

“It was fun,” Leake said. “As you get closer, you get the shakes and you have to calm yourself down. Other than that, it’s just a matter of making pitches.”

There were hugs all around the clubhouse after Leake finished off a one-hitter and stopped Seattle’s six-game losing streak.

Another missed cut for Tiger, who’s not 23 anymore

Full Story

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — So now we know. Tiger Woods isn’t done, no matter what it looked like on his slog through the only two rounds he’ll play in this British Open. He’s also not in danger of being put in traction anytime soon, no matter how many times he is asked about his surgically repaired back.

He’s just not 23 anymore. And that may be the worst part of being a superstar in any sport.

Woods admitted as much Friday, just before catching his jet home to Florida. If there’s an upside to missing the cut at Royal Portrush, he said, it’s that he’ll get a chance to sleep in his own bed once again.

Meet the new Tiger. Not the same as the old Tiger.

“Things are different,” Woods said. “I’m going to have my hot weeks. I’m going to be there in contention with a chance to win, and I will win tournaments. But there are times when I’m just not going to be there. And that wasn’t the case 20-some-odd years ago.”

Coming to grips with age, of course, is something every athlete struggles with. Woods is no exception, though his rabid fans somehow think he’s exempt from the realities that mere mortals face.

And, really, who can blame them. A magical win at this year’s Masters after going 11 years without winning a major not only added to the Woods legend but left his fans wanting even more.

One look at Woods joylessly plodding his way around Royal Portrush on Friday, though, and it’s apparent that he’s not only human after all — but an aging human at that.

He’ll be 44 by the time he returns to Augusta National to defend his green jacket, with the aches and pains of anyone that age exacerbated by the amount of times he has swung golf clubs in his life and the four back surgeries that resulted from it. The shots that used to come easy don’t always come when he commands them now, and the concentration he needs standing over 5-footers isn’t always there either.

He’s not done, and to suggest so would be silly. His play on the back nine on Sunday at the Masters was textbook precision, and winning the green jacket for a fifth time was almost as remarkable as Jack Nicklaus winning at the age of 46 back in 1986.

He will, as he says, likely win again, and it may not be long before that happens. Woods said he’s primed to play in the FedEx Cup playoffs after taking a few weeks off to recharge.

There’s even an outside chance he could catch Nicklaus with 18 majors — he needs just three more — though with each passing poor performance that seems unlikely.

Martinez, Cards score 10 runs in 6th, rally past Reds 12-11

Full Story

CINCINNATI (AP) — Even from the training room, Adam Wainwright could sense something brewing.

“You just had that feeling,” he said. “Every one of those guys said, ‘We’ve got you.’

Jose Martinez homered and singled and Paul DeJong added a two-run double during a 10-run rally in the sixth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a seven-run deficit Friday night for a wild 12-11 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

Down 7-0, the Cardinals put together their biggest inning of the season on the way to their sixth win in seven games.

Wainwright was rocked for nine hits and seven runs in 3 1/3 innings but ran out in shorts and a T-shirt to pass out high fives after the big inning.

“There wouldn’t have been a comeback if I hadn’t pitched terrible,” he added, jokingly.

Jesse Winker hit a two-out, two-run single in the ninth off Cardinals closer Carlos Martinez. But Joey Votto grounded out with runners at the corners to give Martinez his seventh save.

Journeyman catcher Ryan Lavarnway hit two homers, doubled and drove in a career-high six runs for Cincinnati in his first game in the majors this season. Released by the Yankees this week after hitting .213 in a Triple-A backup role, Lavarnway was signed by the Reds after a series of injuries left them thin behind the plate.

The 31-year-old Lavarnway, who had played a total of 12 games in the big leagues in the last four seasons, went 3 for 4 with a walk.

Wainwright’s career ERA against the Reds jumped from 5.01 to 5.31, his worst against major league team.

Michael Wacha (6-4) wound up with the win, allowing three hits in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Jose Martinez had an infield single that loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth against Tyler Mahle. After DeJong’s two-run double off Matt Bowman made it 7-5, a two-out error by Votto at first base let the Cardinals tie it.

Martinez capped the comeback with a three-run homer off Jared Hughes (3-3).

DeJong added a long two-run homer in the seventh, his second in two nights off Robert Stephenson.

“We can get the homers late to bury teams, but passing the baton is huge,” DeJong said. “Getting base hits and infield singles is a way we can score runs.”

Lavarnway hit a three-run homer in the fourth that finished Wainwright for his first home run in the big leagues since Aug. 23, 2015, for Atlanta. Lavarnway added a two-run shot in the eighth for his first multihomer game since hitting two for Boston on Sept. 27, 2011.

“I was just enjoying it,” he said. “I’ve been up and down so many times. You never know when it’s going to be your last one. Earlier in my career, I didn’t let myself enjoy the highs. I tried to be stoic. I tried to be Jason Varitek. I’m like a cat with nine lives right now. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Friday’s MLB scores

• Cubs 10, Twins 6 (box score)
• Nationals 17, Phillies 7 (box score)
• Yankees 8, Red Sox 1 (box score)
• Angels 7, Orioles 1 (box score)
• Blue Jays 3, Tigers 2 (box score)
• Rays 3, Astros 2 (box score)
• Brewers 8, Reds 2 (box score)
• Marlins 8, Mets 2 (box score)
• Rangers 11, White Sox 3 (box score)
• Braves 1, Cardinals 1 (box score)
• Giants 2, Diamondbacks 1 (box score)
• Athletics 3, Indians 1 (box score)
• Pirates 6, Padres 3 (box score)
• Rockies 3, Dodgers 1 (box score)
• Mariners 4, Royals 1 (box score)