TENNIS
Nadal, Djokovic final
After losing in the semifinals of three consecutive clay-court tournaments, Rafael Nadal looked more like his old, dominant self when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday to reach the Italian Open final. Nadal broke Tsitsipas' serve early in both sets. It was a measure of revenge for Nadal after losing to Tsitsipas in three sets at this stage in Madrid last week. This victory should also restore Nadal's confidence as he seeks a record-extending 12th title at the French Open starting next weekend. In today's final, Nadal will resume his rivalry with top-ranked Novak Djokovic, who faced an unusually high number of drop shots from Diego Schwartzman before winning 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3. It will be the 54th career meeting between Djokovic and Nadal, with Djokovic leading the series 28-25. The pair has split the four Italian Open finals they've played. In the women's tournament, Johanna Konta rallied past sixth-seeded Kiki Bertens 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 in nearly three hours to reach the biggest clay-court final of her career. Karolina Pliskova beat Greek qualifier Maria Sakkari in the other semifinal, 6-4, 6-4.
BASEBALL
Braves release Venters
Jonny Venters, the left-hander whose comeback from his third Tommy John surgery helped him win the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award last year, has been released by the Atlanta Braves. Venters, 34, had a 17.36 ERA after giving up 9 earned runs in 42/3 innings covering 9 appearances. The release came Saturday, a day after Venters gave up 4 runs, none earned, on 1 hit and 2 walks while recording 2 outs in the Braves' 12-8 victory over Milwaukee on Friday night. The bullpen gave up eight runs after the Braves led 12-0. Venters was a combined 5-2 with three saves and a 3.67 ERA in 50 games last season for Tampa Bay and Atlanta. An All-Star with the Braves in 2011, he hadn't pitched in the majors since 2012 before returning with the Rays last year.
Kelley has surgery
Texas Rangers reliever Shawn Kelley was ready to start pitching again while waiting for the results of a biopsy on two lumps that were surgically removed from his throat. Kelley said Saturday that doctors took out a couple of "decent-sized" lumps on Thursday after an initial biopsy before the surgery was inconclusive. The 35-year-old right-hander expected to get the results from the latest biopsy early next week. Kelley, who doesn't use any kind of tobacco, said he noticed the issue early this season. He had the lumps checked this month after they got bigger and bothersome while trying to sleep.
Price returns Monday
Red Sox left-hander David Price will return to the rotation for Monday's series opener in Toronto. Manager Alex Cora confirmed the plan Saturday. Price (1-2, 3.75 ERA) has been sidelined with left elbow tendinitis since his last start on May 3. The 33-year-old lefty threw a pair of bullpens this week, and Cora said he was ready to start.
Gregorius on mend
Didi Gregorius is projected to return to the New York Yankees next month, a faster recovery from Tommy John surgery than expected. Gregorius is scheduled to play shortstop on Monday at extended spring training in Tampa, Fla., his first game action since surgery on Oct. 17 to replace a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Gregorius hit .268 with a career-high 27 home runs and 86 RBI last season. He injured the elbow while making a throw from left field after a ball bounced off Fenway Park's Green Monster during Game 2 of the AL Division Series at Boston last Oct. 6.
Greinke on track
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke is on track to make his next scheduled start Tuesday at San Diego after throwing a bullpen session before Saturday's game, Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo said. Greinke felt pain in his side and was diagnosed with abdominal tightness during the eighth inning of his start Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He motioned for a trainer and left the game. An MRI on Friday revealed no damage. Greinke, who would start on five days' rest if he takes the mound next week as expected, is 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 10 starts this season. Opponents are batting .210 against him.
GOLF
Shelton leads Knoxville
Robby Shelton carded six birdies and one bogey for a 5-under 66 on Saturday to take a 2-stroke lead at the Web.com Tour's Knoxville Open at Knoxville, Tenn. Shelton was at 15-under 198 after three rounds. Ben Taylor (64), Mark Hubbard (70) and Billy Kennerly (69) were tied for second place. Tyson Alexander (64), Xinjun Zhang (68) and Tim Wilkinson (68) were another stroke back at 12 under. Patrick Sullivan (Maumelle, UALR) shot a 69 and was tied for 15th at 8 under. Tag Ridings (Arkansas Razorbacks) had a 72 and was 2 under going into today's final round.
HOCKEY
U.S. routs Denmark
Alex DeBrincat had two goals and an assist to help the United States rout Denmark 7-1 on Saturday for the Americans' fourth consecutive victory during preliminary play at the world championships in Kosice, Slovakia. Jeff Blashill became the winningest U.S. coach in world championship history in the top division with his 18th career victory in 23 games. Patrick Kane added three assists; Jack Eichel had a goal and an assist; and Frank Vatrano, Clayton Keller, Chris Kreider and Dylan Larkin scored a goal apiece. Goalie Cory Schneider made 21 saves for his third victory this tournament. The U.S. is 3-1-0-1 in Group A and plays Germany today when Minnesota Wild forward Luke Kunin is to join the team. Russia beat Latvia 3-1 in Bratislava and leads Group B with a 5-0-0-0 record.
MOTOR SPORTS
No changes planned
NASCAR will not recommend changes after extensively analyzing how Kyle Larson's car became airborne during a late-lap accident and spin at Talladega Superspeedway last month. Larson was hit by William Byron's No. 24 car on the final lap of the race. As Larson spun, his back wheels lifted off the ground, the car's nose crashed against the interior wall and started about a half-dozen barrel rolls before coming to a stop. Larson was not seriously hurt. NASCAR began a breakdown of the accident to see if any alterations to race cars were necessary, senior vice president for innovation and racing development John Probst said Saturday before the NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Probst said NASCAR determined that damage to Larson's right front tire because of contact led to the lift off.
McLaren may miss 500
Fernando Alonso and McLaren are in serious danger of missing the Indianapolis 500 after a rocky first day of qualifying. Alonso needed four attempts to crack the top 30 that would have locked him into the field for the May 26 race. But Graham Rahal made a final qualifying effort at the buzzer Saturday and knocked Alonso out of the field. Alonso and five other drivers will have one chance today to snag the final three spots in the 33-driver field. IndyCar's new qualifying format this year locked 30 drivers into the field Saturday. The fastest nine are scheduled to qualify again today for the pole, and the slowest six will try for the final three spots.
FOOTBALL
Quarterback gets 6th year
The NCAA has granted Memphis quarterback Brady White a sixth year of eligibility due to several medical issues he dealt with while playing at Arizona State. Memphis announced the extension Friday. White started all 14 games last season for Memphis. But he suffered a foot injury in 2016 after playing in three games that wiped out the rest of that season and all of the 2017 season. White, who sat out 2015 as a redshirt, graduated from Arizona State at the end of the 2017 season and enrolled at Memphis in January 2018. The quarterback helped Memphis win a second consecutive West Division title in the American Athletic Conference by throwing for 3,296 yards and 26 touchdowns with 9 interceptions. His return helps Memphis, which has to replace three starters on the offensive line and a pair of running backs after both Darrell Henderson and Tony Pollard were drafted by the NFL last month. Memphis opens the 2019 season by hosting Mississippi on Aug. 31.
BOXING
Wilder retains title
Deontay Wilder emphatically got back into the win column Saturday night, knocking out Dominic Breazeale with an overpowering right hand in the first round to defend his heavyweight title. Wilder hurt Breazeale with a right to the head early in their fight at Barclays Center in New York, but the challenger recovered from that early onslaught. There was no coming back from the right later in the round that immediately dropped Breazeale, who was trying to get up as referee Harvey Dock counted him out at 2:17 of the round. Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) was coming off his draw against Tyson Fury in December, the first fight of his pro career that wasn't a victory. He wanted a rematch with Fury or a unification match with fellow champion Anthony Joshua, but when those couldn't be made, he settled for a mandatory defense of his WBC title. He ended it quickly, finishing off Breazeale (20-2) after being pushed hard in each of his last two fights.
Sports on 05/19/2019