SAN DIEGO (AP) — Ryan Zimmerman homered with two outs in the eighth inning to lift the NL East-leading Washington Nationals to a 2-1 victory against the San Diego Padres. Zimmerman homered to right field on 1-1 pitch from Kirby Yates, who struck out the first two batters of the inning. The homer was one of just four hits for Washington and made a winner of Edwin Jackson, who pitched for the Padres for part of last season.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Dexter Fowler’s two-run triple sparked the St. Louis Cardinals to an 11-7 comeback win over the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday night at PNC Park. The Cards were down 5-4 in the seventh inning. The rally prevented a fourth straight loss while Pittsburgh’s losing streak reached five games. The Cardinals remain third in the National League Central, 1 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs.
BOSTON (AP) — If other businesses and the city of Boston agree, the Boston Red Sox want to rename Yawkey Way, the street alongside Fenway Park. Owner John Henry says the name is a haunting reminder of the team’s history of racial intolerance. The street honors Tom Yawkey, an inductee in the baseball Hall of Fame. Yawkey resisted signing black players. The Red Sox were the last team in the major leagues to cross the color barrier. Among black players it refused to sign were Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays.
CHICAGO (AP) — Major League Baseball is having conversations with the players’ association over possible rule changes designed to speed the pace of play. Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday he hopes to reach an agreement instead of implementing any measures unilaterally. The average time of a nine-inning game is a record 3 hours, 5 minutes this season, up from 3 hours last year.
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Matt Every heads the field going into the second round of the Wyndham Championship’s first-round record with a 9-under 61 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead. The tournament, in Greensboro, N.C., is the PGA’s final tour before the postseason. Henrik Stenson opened with a 62. Former Wyndham winner Webb Simpson was at 63 along with Cameron Smith, Vaughn Taylor, Tim Wilkinson, Harold Varner III, Brian Campbell and Sam Saunders.
