Category: Sports

Big Ten football season set to begin on Labor Day weekend

Big Ten football season set to begin on Labor Day weekend
By ERIC OLSON AP College Football Writer
The Big Ten released its 10-game conference-only football schedule beginning as early as Labor Day weekend but cautioned there is no certainty games will be played. The Big Ten had announced a month ago it would shorten the season and eliminate nonconference games because of the coronavirus pandemic. Teams will play conference opponents they originally were scheduled to meet and will have one additional cross-division game. The regular season runs through Nov. 21. The 10 games would be played over at least 12 weeks, with each team having two open dates. If necessary, makeup games can be played during bye weeks.

Pirates Lose Sixth Straight After a Drone Delay

Berríos, Twins win 5th in row, top Pirates after drone delay
By MIKE COOK Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — José Berríos pitched six innings, Nelson Cruz had three hits and the Minnesota Twins beat Pittsburgh 7-3 for their fifth straight win. Minnesota improved to 9-2 for the second time in the team’s 60-year history. The other was 2001. The Pirates lost their fifth in a row and have baseball’s worst winning percentage at .182. The game was delayed for nine minutes in the fifth inning and players were pulled off the field when an unauthorized drone flew over center field at Target Field. A few pitchers in the bullpen threw balls at the drone but missed.

Crosby leads Penguins past Canadiens 3-1; Series tied 1-1

Crosby leads Penguins past Canadiens 3-1; Series tied 1-1
TORONTO (AP) — Sidney Crosby, Jason Zucker and Jake Guentzel scored for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, tying the best-of-five qualifying series at one game apiece. Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored for the Canadiens. The Canadiens opened the series with a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday, but were flat from the start in Game 2 and never recovered. Game 3 is Wednesday night.

Bucs Blow Four Run Lead. Lose Fifth Straight Game

Cruz’s walk-off single lifts Twins past Pirates 5-4
By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nelson Cruz’s RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Minnesota Twins a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates for their fourth straight win. Cruz knocked in two runs to raise his season total to 14 RBIs. He drove a pitch from Pirates reliever and former Twins draft pick Nick Burdi over the head of center fielder Cole Tucker with runners at second and third and one out to knock in Jorge Polanco. The Pirates have lost five straight games.

Keselowski lands extension with Penske after 3rd victory

Keselowski lands extension with Penske after 3rd victory
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Brad Keselowski finally got a contract extension from Team Penske. It was announced a day after NASCAR’s 2012 champion won his third race of the season. Keselowski has been open in his desire to remain with the organization where he gave Roger Penske his first NASCAR championship. The 10-week shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic prolonged extension talks. Terms were not released but a person with familiarity of the contract said the extension is for 2021. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not disclose details. Keselowski’s deal was announced as NASCAR prepares to race twice this weekend at Michigan International Speedway, his home track.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson tests positive for COVID-19

Eagles coach Doug Pederson tests positive for COVID-19
By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson has tested positive for COVID-19. The Eagles released a statement Sunday night saying Pederson hasn’t experienced any symptoms, is feeling well and under self-quarantine. The team also said any person who was in close contact with Pederson has been notified and will be tested daily. Per NFL protocols, Pederson must wait at least five days and have consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart during that five-day span before he can return to the team’s practice facility.  arch.

Bucs Get Swept by the Cubs

Báez’s single in 11th gives Cubs 2-1 win over Pirates
By JOHN JACKSON Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) — Javier Báez singled through a drawn-in infield in the bottom of the 11th, scoring David Bote from third base and giving the Chicago Cubs a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bote, who made the last out in the 10th, started the inning on second base as mandated by Major League Baseball’s extra-inning rule for the pandemic-shortened season. He advanced to third on a deep fly to right by Anthony Rizzo and jogged home on Baez’s first career game-ending hit against Cody Ponce. Jeremy Jeffress worked a scoreless 11th for the win. The game was delayed 64 minutes by rain before the bottom of the ninth.

Keselowski wins in New Hampshire for 3d win since shutdown

Keselowski wins in New Hampshire for 3d win since shutdown
By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer
LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — Brad Keselowski won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for his third victory of the NASCAR season and the 33rd win of his career. Keselowski swapped stage wins with Denny Hamlin and took the checkered flag 1.647 seconds ahead of Hamlin on Sunday. After the victory, Keselowski grabbed a U.S. flag and spun his car around in front of a masked and socially distanced crowd of several thousand. Martin Truex Jr. was third after working his way back from the rear of the field because of a penalty for a runaway tire in the pits. Joey Logano was fourth and Kevin Harvick was fifth.

Chatwood fans 11, Cubs hit 3 homers to beat Pirates 4-3

Chatwood fans 11, Cubs hit 3 homers to beat Pirates 4-3
By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) — Tyler Chatwood matched a career high with 11 strikeouts in another terrific performance, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 4-3 victory the Pittsburgh Pirates. Javier Báez, Kyle Schwarber and Ian Happ hit home runs as Chicago won for the fifth time in six games. The Cubs have homered in each of their first eight games for the first time since 1958. Chatwood departed after Pittsburgh loaded the bases with two out in the seventh. Jeremy Jeffress came in and retired Phillip Evans on a grounder to third. Pittsburgh also lost starting pitcher Mitch Keller in the third inning because of left side discomfort.