TENNIS
Djokovic, Stephens advance
Novak Djokovic overcame an upset stomach and a sluggish first set Wednesday, beating Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 before heavy rain halted afternoon matches at the Western & Southern Open at Mason, Ohio. There was one notable upset in the men's bracket before the rain arrived. Robin Haase beat third-seeded Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 for his first victory against a Top 10 opponent since he beat Zverev last November. He's 7-26 overall against Top 10 players. In the women's bracket, defending U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens overcame a thumb injury during a 6-3, 6-2 victory over qualifier Tatjana Maria. A trainer applied a bandage to the third-seeded Stephens' right thumb between the third and fourth games of the second set. The match was Stephens' first since losing on Sunday to Simona Halep in the finals at Montreal. Defending tournament champion Garbine Muguruza had a third-set meltdown and lost to Lesia Tsurenko 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 after a critical double fault. The seventh-seeded Spaniard was up 4-2 and serving in the third set when she double faulted to drop the game, a look of disbelief coming across her face after her final serve went long. Given the reprieve, Tsurenko closed it out.
BASEBALL
Braves, Marlins melee
Ronald Acuna Jr.'s streak of leadoff home runs in three consecutive games for the Atlanta Braves ended Wednesday when Jose Urena of the Miami Marlins hit him with his first pitch, triggering a melee that led to benches and bullpens for the Braves and Marlins emptying twice. Urena and Braves Manager Brian Snitker were ejected. Snitker had angry words for the pitcher as he led the first exodus from Atlanta's dugout toward the mound. Urena's fastball hit Acuna's left elbow, leaving Acuna in obvious pain. Trainer George Poulis hovered over Acuna, who sat on the ground near the batter's box while players swarmed near the mound. Order appeared to be restored until Acuna walked near the mound on his path to first base, took off a protective wrap and tossed it toward the mound. That led to players again spilling out of both dugouts and bullpens. No punches were thrown. Acuna remained in the game to run the bases but left the game in the top of the second, walking off the field after taking his position in left field. There was no immediate word on his possible injury. Eileser Hernandez replaced Urena.
Judge slow to recover
Aaron Judge's recovery from a chip fracture in his right wrist isn't going quite as quickly as he or the New York Yankees thought it would. While Manager Aaron Boone said "it's moving in the right direction," the initial three-week diagnosis the Yankees gave when Judge went to the disabled list July 27 is no longer in play. He is still experiencing discomfort in the wrist. General Manager Brian Cashman, in a radio interview Wednesday afternoon, said Judge underwent a second MRI and CT scan just to make sure there was no additional damage. "Everything was as we expected, which was good, it's just the time frame we undershot. So it's going to take longer and (his return) will be whenever," Cashman said.
Marlins learning Spanish
Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees legend and current part owner of the Miami Marlins, is instituting a program within his organization that will require English-speaking players and coaches to learn Spanish, just as Spanish speaking players and coached have always had to do with English, ESPN reported Wednesday. There will also be an education program in the minor leagues that will offer English lessons to Latin American players. Jeter is said to be learning Spanish as well. Miami has a large Cuban and Latin population.
Aaron Cox dies
Aaron Cox, the 24-year-old brother-in-law of Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout and until recently a pitching prospect in the team's minor league system, died Wednesday morning, the Angels announced. A cause of death was not listed. Cox was the younger brother of Trout's wife, Jessica Tara Cox. Like Trout, Cox starred at Millville (N.J.) High. A 19th-round pick out of Division 2 Gannon (Pa.) University in 2015, Cox went 7-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 68 games over three seasons for rookie-league Orem and Class A Burlington and Inland Empire. But he did not pitch at all in 2017. The right-hander suffered an orbital fracture when he was hit in the eye by a line drive in spring training and was suspended for 50 games in late-July 2017 after testing positive for the banned stimulant methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin. The drug is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Players who test positive without applying for a therapeutic use exemption are subject to a suspension. Cox, 24, returned this season and spent the first two months at Inland Empire, compiling a 4.11 ERA in 11 relief appearances. But he had not pitched since May 29, and last week he was placed on the voluntarily retired list.
FOOTBALL
Source: Benson to leave
A person familiar with the decision says Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson is stepping away from his post when his contract expires at the end of June. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement is not scheduled until this afternoon. Benson has led the conference since 2012 and will be 67 when his contract expires. The Daily Advertiser of Lafayette first reported Benson's decision, which comes at a time of relative stability. The Sun Belt was in flux when he took over during widespread conference realignment. Benson has overseen additions of current members Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Texas State. He also administered the formation of two, five-team divisions for football, and the Sun Belt's inaugural conference title game to be played this year. Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock are members of the Sun Belt Conference.
BASKETBALL
Clemson to represent U.S.
Clemson's men's basketball team will represent the United States at the World University Games in Italy next summer. The school announced the Tigers' selection Wednesday. Clemson will compete against teams from throughout the world from July 3 to July 14 in Naples. Clemson is the just the fourth school picked to play for the U.S., following Northern Iowa in 2007, Kansas in 2015 and Purdue last year. The Tigers were selected by the United States International University Sports Federation, the school said. Tigers Coach Brad Brownell said his team was excited to play for American next year. He said the games will provide "an extremely unique, positive and rewarding experience" for the Tigers. The World University Games are held every two years and draw athletes from up to 170 countries.
Sports on 08/16/2018