BASKETBALL
Lakers talk to Scott
The Los Angeles Lakers have started negotiating with Byron Scott to become their next head coach, according to a person familiar with the situation. There has not been a formal contract offer, but the Lakers consider Scott to be their preferred candidate and are hoping to come to an agreement soon. “It could be a few hours or it could happen next week,” said the person, who asked not to be identified. Scott was believed to be vacationing in the Bahamas, meaning a news conference probably wouldn’t be held until after the weekend if the sides struck a deal. Scott has coached three teams, most recently Cleveland in 2012-13, where he was fired and replaced by former Lakers coach Mike Brown. Scott, 53, has a tight relationship with Kobe Bryant and recognition from Lakers fans who remember his smooth stroke on the “Showtime” teams of the 1980s. The Lakers have been without a coach since Mike D’Antoni resigned April 30.
BASEBALL
Pierzynski picks Cards
For A.J. Pierzynski, the opportunity for a fresh start with a perennial contender was too good to pass up. Pierzynski on Saturday signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, choosing them from among several suitors, 10 days after being released by the Boston Red Sox. The veteran catcher didn't divulge what other teams showed interest in him, but said playing for a contender was a priority. Pierzynski, 37, now with his sixth team in 17 seasons, spoke with St. Louis manager Mike Matheny Friday before signing and expressed his desire to continue playing and willingness to accept whatever role was best for the team. "I just wanted to make sure he was a good fit," Matheny said. "Explain to him the lay of the land here, kind of what are expectations are. Also, get kind of a feel of where he is. There are certain guys kind of on that bubble (questioning) 'do I still want to keep doing this?' " The Cardinals have been looking for a steady presence behind the plate since All-Star Yadier Molina went down with a torn ligament in his right thumb on July 9. Molina underwent surgery on July 11 and is expected to miss 8-to-12 weeks. The left-handed hitting Pierzynski played 72 games this year with the Boston Red Sox, hitting .254 with four home runs. He is a career .282 hitter.
• Since 1962, candidates for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame have had 15 years of eligibility, as long as they received at least 5 percent of the vote totals by the Baseball Writers' Association of America each year. But on Saturday, the Hall changed the process, reducing the period of eligibility to 10 years. Jeff Idelson, the president of the Hall of Fame, said, "In a study of Hall of Fame voting over its history, it's become evident, especially over the past 30 years or so, that after 10 years, the likelihood of election after 10 years is incredibly minimal." Still, it happens. In 2011, Bert Blyleven was elected in his 14th year; in 2009, Jim Rice was elected in his 15th. This year, Jack Morris failed in his 15th year of eligibility while Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas were voted into the Hall. Three players are exempt and will receive 15 years of eligibility: Don Mattingly, who will be on his 15th ballot next year; Alan Trammell, who will be on his 14th; and Lee Smith, who will be on his 13th. Starting in 2015, players who fail to be elected in 10 years will have to wait to be considered by the expansion era committee, which meets every three years. The writers' association supported the change in eligibility.
TENNIS
Isner advances
Top-seeded defending champion John Isner advanced to the Atlanta Open final for the fourth time in the tournament's five-year history, beating practice partner Jack Sock 7-5, 6-4 on Saturday. Germany's Ben Becker faced Israel's Dudi Sela in the second semifinal. Isner, ranked No. 12 in the world, improved to 15-3 in the event. Sock is ranked 72nd, but will become the second-highest ranked American when the new rankings come out Monday -- moving ahead of Sam Querrey (61) and Steve Johnson (64). Querrey won a first-round match over Johnson in Atlanta before falling in the second round. Isner won just two points on Sock's first five service games before digging in against his Tampa, Florida, training partner as Sock served at 5-6 to try to force a tiebreaker. In a game that went on for about 14 minutes and reached deuce nine times, Isner won 13 points and took the set when Sock sent a backhand wide. That was Sock's third backhand of the set, and all three resulted in unforced errors. With a service game ranked No. 1 on the ATP Tour (93 percent winning rate), Isner landed a fairly modest 53 percent of his first serves. When they were in, he won 32 of 34 points (94 percent). Serving at 4-5 in the second set, Sock -- who three weeks ago teamed with Canadian Vasek Pospisil to win the doubles title at Wimbledon -- double faulted twice. When Sock sent a forehand into the net, Isner moved through to the final.
BOXING
Golovkin keeps title
Gennady Golovkin was a hit in his first appearance at Madison Square Garden, easily retaining his WBA middleweight championship Saturday night after stopping Daniel Geale at 2:47 of the third round in front of 8,572 fans. Seven weeks after Miguel Cotto stopped Sergio Martinez in the 10th round for the WBC middleweight title, Golovkin was even more impressive. Golovkin improved to 30-0 with his 17th consecutive knockout and 27th overall, giving him a knockout rate of 90 percent — the highest in middleweight history.
Horse Racing
Wicked Strong prevails at Saratoga
Wicked Strong took the lead at the top of the stretch and held off Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist by 2 1/4 lengths Saturday in the Grade 2 $600,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Ridden by Rajiv Maragh, the 3-year-old son of Hard Spun ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.16 on the fast main track and paid $6.40, $3.10 and $2.40. Tonalist, the 4-5 favorite in a field of six, returned $2.50 and $2.10. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to late-running Kid Cruz, who paid $2.50 to show. He was followed by Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve, Ulanbator and Legend. Wicked Strong has two victories in six starts this year, including fourth-place finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont. He earned $360,000 to push his total to $1,244,610. In the co-feature, Coup de Grace won the Grade 2 $200,000 Amsterdam for 3-year-old sprinters by 3 lengths. Ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Coup de Grace ran 6 furlongs in 1:15.32 and paid $5.70, $3.50 and $2.40. C. Zee returned $5.70 and $3, and favored Captain Serious paid $2.40 to show.
• If anybody wants to question why trainer Steve Asmussen would enter filly sensation Untapable in today’s $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, remember this: History is on Asmussen’s side. “We feel this is the right time to take this chance,” Asmussen said. “This is a nice talented filly.” Untapable the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the nine-horse field. Asmussen has experience in the “should a filly run against colts?” debate. He brought Kentucky Oaks and Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra to the Haskell in 2009, and she cruised to a six-length victory on her way to Horse of the Year and champion 3-Year-Old Filly honors. Before that, Serena’s Song, in 1995, was the only filly to win the Haskell. Untapable could be the third. She has won all four of her races, each a graded stakes, this year by a combined 31 lengths. Career-wise, she has six victories and a third in eight starts.
Sports on 07/27/2014