Update on the latest sports
MLB-SCHEDULE
Reds avoid sweep, edge Pirates 1-0
UNDATED (AP) — Tyler Mahle (MAH’-lee) allowed five hits over six innings and the Cincinnati Reds avoided a sweep by edging Pittsburgh 1-0.
Pinch-hitter Asdrúbal Cabrera (ahs-DROO’-buhl kah-BREHR’-uh) provided the game’s only run with a sacrifice fly against Cody Ponce.
The victory gave the Reds a little momentum at the end of a nine-game road trip in which they went 3-6. The Pirates are now 0-14 this season when trying to sweep a series from an opponent.
Elsewhere in the majors:
— Thursday’s Colorado Rockies game at Atlanta was postponed due to a soggy field caused by rain. The start of the game was pushed back almost two hours in hopes the wet field would become playable. A makeup date wasn’t immediately announced. The Braves and Rockies are not scheduled to play again this season and don’t have matching days off. The NL East-leading Braves began the day 3 1/2 games ahead of second-place Philadelphia.
MLB-ANGELS-OHTANI
Ohtani has sore arm, may not pitch again this season
CHICAGO (AP) — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani (SHOH’-hay oh-TAH’-nee) won’t pitch Friday for the Los Angeles Angels because of a sore right arm that could sideline him as a pitcher for the rest of the season.
Ohtani felt soreness while playing catch Wednesday. Manager Joe Maddon raised the possibility of the likely AL MVP being shut down on the mound for the rest of the season. Maddon said there are currently no plans for Ohtani to be examined by a doctor, nor has it been determined when he would try to resume playing catch.
Ohtani hasn’t pitched since Sept. 10, when he was tagged for six runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings in a loss at Houston.
NFL-GIANTS/WASHINGTON
Giants try to extend win streak vs Washington
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The New York Giants visit Washington Thursday night looking to win a sixth meeting in a row between the NFC East rivals.
Quarterback Daniel Jones is 4-0 against Washington and 4-19 against the rest of the NFL. The Giants swept the series in Joe Judge’s first season as coach in 2020 even though Washington went on to win the division. Washington coach Ron Rivera last beat New York in 2018 while with Carolina.
Taylor Heinicke (HY’-nih-kee) is expected to start at quarterback for Washington after Ryan Fitzpatrick injured his right hip in the season opener.
NHL-NEWS
NHL expects 98% of players to be vaccinated before season
UNDATED (AP) — The NHL says it expects 98% of its players to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start of the season. The league says that would mean only 10 to 15 players will not be vaccinated by the time the season begins Oct. 12.
The league and the Players’ Association did not impose a vaccine mandate on players, but coaches and staff must be vaccinated as a condition of employment. Columbus recently replaced assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre because he declined to be vaccinated.
Teams will be able to suspend unvaccinated players without pay if they cannot participate in hockey activities as part of the protocols, which could include games in Canada.
Fully vaccinated players will have any COVID-19 positives treated as hockey injuries and still be paid. Unvaccinated players also will have their movements restricted when on the road. And there will still be regular coronavirus testing for vaccinated players.
In other NHL news:
— The Buffalo Sabres’ cross-border rivalry with the Toronto Maple Leafs is heading outdoors. The NHL says the two teams will meet in the Heritage Classic on March 13 in Hamilton, Ontario, with the Sabres listed as the home team. Buffalo becomes the first U.S.-based team to compete in what will be the sixth Heritage Classic, which is part of the NHL’s outdoor series of games. It’s traditionally set in Canada, featuring matchups of Canadian teams. Hamilton is about midway between Toronto and Buffalo.
