09132017 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

NFL Action, Page 2

Call for ‘Sea Wolf’ on $100 bill, Durward Knowles Harbour

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WITH the 100 Regatta to honour the 100th birthday of legendary Olympic sailing gold medallist Sir Durward ‘Sea Wolf’ Knowles, committee chairman Danny Strachan is calling for a fitting accolade presented by the Government of the Bahamas.

“Leading up to his 100th birthday, there will be so many things happening,” said Strachan, the commodore of the National Family Island Regatta. “A lot of people will probably be putting on events to honour him. “But I think a more fitting and lasting tribute to what he has done for the

growth and development of the sport in this country is to put his image on the one hundred dollar note and to name that stretch of water east of Montagu, the Durward Knowles Harbor.

I think that’s the least we can do for someone who has done so much for this country.”

Notwithstanding the fact that Knowles, teaming up with the late Cecil Cooke, captured the first Olympic medal for the Bahamas when they won the gold in Tokyo, Japan in 1964, but he has been a philanthropist, giving unselfishly to just about every cause in the country.

Knowles, the oldest living Olympic gold medallist in the world, will turn

SIR DURWARD a centenarian November 2.

However, a joint committee of all of the local sailing bodies has come together to stage the Sir Durward 100 Regatta October 27-29 in Montagu Bay. Strachan, who heads the

body that includes the National Sailing Association and the Bahamas Sailing Club, said they intend to agitate to government on the recommendation of the $100 bill.

“I think if we talk about it and we put more focus on it, I think the message will get out,” Strachan stated.

“I hear paper talking about running a magazine, but I think we need to recommend that Sir Durward get more prominent recognition by putting his name on the one hundred dollar bill.”

As they prepare to honour Knowles, Strachan said the regatta would definitely be the granddaddy of all sailing events to be held in the island nation.

“You’re talking about almost 130 boats sailing in Montagu on October 2829,” he stated. “I think Bahamians from all walks of life should be there to celebrate the life of this great Bahamian.

“He has touched the lives of so many Bahamians that it is just so mind-boggling.

He doesn’t advertise what he’s done for the people.”

Also a bronze medallist with the late Sloane Farrington in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia and a four-time medallist, including champion in the World Championships in the star class in 1947 in Los Angeles, California, Strachan said Knowles has been an icon for Bahamians to emulate.

Jones on the rise

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

PINTARD IN GRAND BAHAMA TO ASSESS IRMA DAMAGE

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

I

t was a bittersweet weekend for Jonquel Jones as she was honoured by the WNBA just hours before her Connecticut Sun was eliminated from the playoffs.

Jones added another postseason accolade when she was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year. The award came less than a week after she recicved the same honour from the Associated Press.

In honour of being named the WNBA Most Improved Player, Jones will receive $5,000 and a specially designed trophy from Tiffany & Co. “Obviously this is an individual award, but without my teammates there is no way I would be able to do this. My teammates have believed in me, they’ve been in my ear challenging me on the court, in practice and I appreciate you all because we are a family, we are a sisterhood,” Jones said as she accepted the award.

“To my coaches who spent endless time trying to make us better, I appreciate you. The good thing about the most improved player is that it factors in two years and I think last year as rookies we all didn’t do what we wanted to do or didn’t get the chance to be on the court as much and I think for us coming into our second year all of us have improved so much and when I get this award I think about our entire class because it does represent us as a whole.”

Jones received 32 of 40 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Los Angeles Sparks guard Chelsea Gray finished second with three votes. San Antonio Stars centre Isabelle Harrison and Chicago Sky guard Alie

“What he has done for our country is just remarkable,” Strachan stressed. “So what I think we as a grateful nation should do is put his image on the one hundred dollar bill.”

For such an event to take place, Strachan said there’s a procedure that will have to take place, but at least the powers that be could start by making that commitment to Knowles as he celebrates his 100th birthday.

“We have to do away with tradition in this country,” he said. “We like to wait until people die and talk all sorts of good things about them. But he should be able to go away knowing that a grateful nation is honouring him in this fashion.”

CONNECTICUT Sun centre Jonquel Jones (35) goes to the floor to get the ball in front of Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner (42) in the WNBA basketball playoffs quarter-final on Sunday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

(Sean D Elliot/The Day via AP) Quigley tied for third with two votes each. Washington Mystics centre Krystal Thomas received

one vote.

Jones averaged 6.8 points and 3.7 rebounds as a rookie last sea-

son. She received one vote in the

SEE PAGE 2

DESPITE the reports of structural damages to buildings and homes that have surfaced in Grand Bahama, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard said it doesn’t appear as if there are any hindrances to the sporting facilities.

In Grand Bahama yesterday to personally assist his Marco City constituents in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Pintard said the priority is now on the repairs of residential homes, but they are still looking at the reconfiguration of the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.

“We are going to make significant progress in terms of resuming the further development of facilities here,” he said. “We’ve already had several meetings with the sporting stakeholders in all disciplines in Grand Bahama.

“The last meeting we had with them, we took a look at the master plans for the Grand Bahama Sports Complex. We made some initial recommendations on how to tweak the drawings so that it will be reflective of all of the sporting bodies.”

Subsequently, Pintard said they went back to the original designer with the view of total inclusion of the sporting bodies. Unfortunately, he said one of the principals involved in the original plans for the sports complex has since deceased

SEE PAGE 3

NPSA eager to resume regular season action

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IN the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the New Providence Softball Association is eager to resume its 2017 regular season as they get prepared for the postseason and the race towards the Bahamas Softball Federation’s National Round Robin Tournament.

NPSA president Henry Dean said they would resume play tonight with their regular scheduled games with a ladies’ double header on tap in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

However, he said that they intend to play those games postponed on Thursday and Saturday because of the passing of Hurricane Irma on Wednesday and Friday as they try to com-

plete their season on time.

“We will pick up from where we left off,” Dean said. “We have received word that the field has not been affected, so we will play games on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

“We have to make those games up because we have a men’s game between the Truckers and BTC that was postponed on Thursday that we want to put in before the men’s national team travel on Thursday.

So we will play that on Wednesday.”

Despite the rained out games, Dean said the season has been a relatively close one between the five teams in the ladies’ division and the four in the men.

“The league is a little more balanced from last year, despite the fact that we have two less teams,” he

CURRENT TEAM STANDINGS Teams W Ladies Truckers 11 Platinum Sharks 9 Sunshine Auto Sharks 7 Hitters 4 UB Lady Mingoes 2 Men BTC 12 Hitmen 8 Commando Truckers 7 Mighty Mitts 2 said. “The season has been very competitive and this has given us the opportunity to focus more on the development of the game and what is lacking and allow us to look at implementing some things that will improve the game.”

Once the men’s national team returns from the Dominican Republic at the end of the month, Dean said they will look at imple-

L

Pct. GB

1 4 6 9 13

.916 .692 .583 .307 .133

21/2 41/2 71/2 101/2

2 7 7 13

.857 .533 .500 .133

– 41/2 5 101/2

menting a pitcher’s clinic that will be conducted by national team coach Richard ‘the Lion-Heart’ Johnson.

In a few months, Dean said they will bring in a few pitchers from overseas to assist with a more sustained pitching clinic as they focus their immediate attention on developing a cadre of pitchers to filter into the night league programme.

With the men’s national team travelling, Dean said they would stage a series of double headers over the next two weeks in the ladies’ division.

“Once the national team returns, barring any further inclement weather, we will have one more week before we wind down our regular season,” he said. “We will then have two weeks to play before the Nationals is held at the end of October.

“Our regular season will finish at the end of this month and then we will go right into the playoffs.

Our first round will be the best-of-five and the championships will be the bestof-seven. If we have any further problems, then we will go with a best-of-three in the first round and bestof-five in the finals.”

This week’s schedule of games are as follows:

TONIGHT 7pm - University of the Bahamas vs Platinum Sharks (L) 8:30pm - Lady Truckers vs Lady Hitters (M) Wednesday 7pm - Lady Truckers vs Platinum Pool Sharks (L) 8:30pm - BTC Warriors vs Commando Truckers (M) Thursday 7pm - Lady Hitters vs Sunshine Auto Wildcats (L) 8:30pm - Lady Truckers vs Platinum Pool Sharks (L) Friday 7pm - Sunshine Auto Wildcats vs UB (L) 8:30pm - Platinum Pool Sharks vs Lady Hitters (L) Saturday 7pm - UB vs Lady Truckers (L) 8:30pm - Sunshine Auto Wildcats vs Platinum Pool Sharks (L)

PAGE 2, Tuesday, September 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

BRADFORD, VIKINGS CRUISE PAST SAINTS 29-19 IN OPENER

By DAVE CAMPBELL Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sam Bradford started his second season with Minnesota in style, passing for 346 yards and three touchdowns to help the Vikings beat New Orleans 29-19 last night and spoil Adrian Peterson’s first game with the Saints.

Stefon Diggs had seven receptions for 93 yards, two for scores, and Adam Thielen racked up 157 yards on nine catches as Bradford carved up a Saints defence that looked again like one of the worst in the league despite a major renovation. Rookie Dalvin Cook rushed for 127 yards in the formal takeover from Peterson.

Peterson was an afterthought once the Saints fell behind. Drew Brees was quiet, too, with 291 yards on 27-for-37 passing padded by the late push to catch up.

Coby Fleener caught the only touchdown toss, after the 2-minute warning. Will Lutz made four field goals, three under 25 yards.

Brees and Bradford are both in the final year of their contracts, with the same agent, Tom Condon, who is sure to cash in on both clients. Brees has by

far the better résumé, nine seasons further into his career, but Bradford stole the show on this prime-time stage.

Behind mostly clean pockets created by a remade offensive line, Bradford completed 27 of 32 passes without a turnover.

With three rookies and three free agents in the starting lineup, the Saints tried hard to better a defence that has held Brees and company back since the Super Bowl title eight years ago. The first performance left a lot to be desired, with Diggs and Thielen consistently finding favorable matchups underneath.

There were three unnecessary roughness calls in the first half by the Saints.

Two of the personal fouls aided a drive that ended with one of three field goals

by Kai Forbath, who missed one extra point.

The other 15-yarder was on safety Kenny Vaccaro for head-hunting Diggs during an acrobatic catch in the closing seconds of the first half. Diggs came right back with another highlight-reel grab to give the Vikings a 16-6 lead at the break.

Cameron Jordan and A.J. Klein each had their hands on a tipped pass in the end zone that fluttered

Kamara, too, the all-time Vikings rushing leader was limited to 18 yards on six carries.

The crowd was really fired up for the reunion with another former Vikings great.

Former wide receiver Randy Moss, already on site as an analyst for ESPN, became the 22nd member of the team’s Ring of Honor in a halftime ceremony punctuated by a passionate speech and shout-out to the fans.

NEW Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen during the first half of last night’s game.

(AP Photo/Jim Mone) off Cook’s hands, missing a critical opportunity to thwart that drive and keep the deficit at four points.

DECENT DEBUT Cook became the first Vikings running back to start a season opener since Michael Bennett in 2001. Despite trouble hanging onto

some of the passes thrown his way, he helped salt away the game in the second half.

BACK AGAIN Ten years and two days after Peterson made his NFL debut in purple with 103 yards rushing and a 60yard touchdown reception on this same block of down-

town Minneapolis, albeit in a different stadium, he returned in black, white and gold as a part-time player for the pass-first Saints.

The game has changed, though. Despite Peterson’s age-defying physical condition, so has his role. With essentially equal time for Mark Ingram and Alvin

INJURY UPDATE With Saints stalwart left tackle Terron Armstead still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, rookie Ryan Ramczyk started in his place. Then right tackle Zach Strief went down in the second quarter with a left leg injury, forcing Senio Kelemete into action.

Vikings defensive ends Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter caused a lot of trouble.

UP NEXT The Saints play on Sunday against New England, their only home game in the season’s first five weeks.

The Vikings visit Pittsburgh on Sunday, their only road game over the first four weeks of the schedule.

Jonquel honoured as WNBA’s Most Improved Player FROM PAGE 1 2016 WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year tally to finish in a 5-way tie for fifth place.

After a dominant offseason where she led her Samsung Life Blue Minx to the Korean Basketball League title, many WNBA pundits and the Sun front office felt Jones was primed for a breakout season.

In addition, Jones got the opportunity for increased playing time when incumbent starter

Chiney Ogwumike suffered an Achilles injury and was ruled out for the entire 2017 season.

“I definitely think opportuntity was a big part of it and I definitely think my coaches had been challenging me a lot. They saw a lot in me coming into the season. Coach Curt hit me up when I was in Korea and told me to expect a larger role and more minutes this year so mentally I had to be prepared for it,“ she said.

The second-year pro is the third Sun player to earn the honour since it was first presented

in 2000. She set WNBA singleseason records for rebounding average (11.9) and total rebounds (403), surpassing the marks established by Tina Charles in 2010.

Jones also set a WNBA singleseason standard for total defensive rebounds (280), breaking the record set by Breanna Stewart in 2016.

Jones notched a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds in the Sun’s 88-83 loss to the Phoenix Mercury at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

She produced the second most

rebounds ever in WNBA playoff debut.

Head coach and general manager, Curt Miller, who was also named WNBA Coach and Executive of the Year, said despite the disappointing playoff exit, the building blocks for future success are in place. “It was a great game.

I’m so proud of the start our team had, we had not been having great first quarters as of late but they came out focused with tons of energy, but we got the game uptempo like we wanted and it was an incredible first half. You got

to give Phoenix a lot of credit, we wanted to their legs away from them and keep the game up-tempo as much as possible but they were the ones that made big shots in the fourth quarter. They made three threes in one stretch that I thought was the backbreaker and that was something we were trying with our tempo and pace to take away,” he said. “We lost but I feel we won at the same time because we are starting something very special here, this year is only the beginning and we look forward to the future.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 12, 2017, PAGE 3

Did Ezekiel Elliott receive a fair hearing? ‘Dis ga be long’ WE all know this legal manoeuvre was iminent, so when the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday that the NFL filed its appeal of Ezekiel Elliott’s preliminary injunction to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, per court documents, I knew instantly as we say in the Bahamas “Dis ga be long.”

The move was expected after US District Court Judge Amos Mazzant III granted the NFL Players Association’s preliminary injunction request on behalf of Elliott on Friday, putting the six-game suspension of the Dallas Cowboys running back on hold.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: The NFL’s appeal of the injunction seeks to reinstate Elliott’s suspension. It’s the next phase of the legal process.

In his decision on Friday, Mazzant agreed with the union that Elliott didn’t receive a fair appeal hearing from arbitrator Harold Henderson (Goodell’s hatchet man) who was appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The NFL wants Elliott to serve the suspension this year. NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart also says Elliott won’t be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list.

THE MEAT OF THE MATTER: The biggest question now isn’t of Elliott’s guilt or innocence, but one of fair and due process.

In this instance the crux of the matter is this, did Elliott receive a fair hearing?

Judge Mazzant wrote.

“The answer is he did not. The court finds, based

THE

PRESS BOX ZELAYA

BY INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICA

upon the injunction standard, that Elliott was denied a fundamentally fair hearing by Henderson’s refusal to allow [former girlfriend Tiffany] Thompson and Goodell to testify at the arbitration hearing. Their absence ... effectively deprived Elliott of any chance to have a fundamentally fair hearing.”

Of course the NFL ‘strongly’ disagrees with Mazzant’s ruling.

“We strongly believe that the investigation and evidence supported the commissioner’s decision and that the process was meticulous and fair throughout,” NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said in a statement.

“We will review the decision in greater detail and discuss next steps with counsel, both in the district court and federal court of appeals.”

POWER STRUGGLE: If you are wondering why there is so much legal wrangling in the NFL, Gabe Feldman, director of the Tulane Sports Law Program, has some insight that may make it easier for us all to comprehend.

Feldman noted on NFL Network on Friday that the legal manoeuvring is a continuation of the battle between the NFL and NFLPA -- similar to the one that played out in the Tom Brady case.

“This is part of the ongoing fight between the players association and the league over the power of the commissioner,” Feldman said.

“We have seen the NFL go to great lengths in court to affirm and strengthen and maintain they believe in what they collectively bargained for. And we’ve seen the players association fight and say that the commissioner has overreached and they want to protect the rights of the players ... [The NFL] doesn’t want precedent out there that says a court can interfere with the commissioner’s decision or with an arbitrator’s decision. So I think this fight will continue even if it’s irrelevant to Elliott being on the field or not.”

Very interesting, yet another ‘conspiracy theory’ involving the NFL and my Dallas Cowboys, I need to replenish my hurricane snacks and Jack Daniels, “dis ga be extra long jed.”

WAIVER WIRE NUGGETS: If you got off on the wrong foot in Fantasy Football, like I did with two of my teams, here’s three names to keep an eye on when the waiver wire opens.

Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears – If you missed Tarik “The Human Joystick” Cohen’s NFL debut on Sunday, do

WAHOO SMACKDOWN IX ALL SET FOR NOVEMBER BIMINI Big Game Club Resort and Marina, host to some of The Bahamas’ most legendary fishing tournaments, is pleased to announce that Wahoo Smackdown IX is all set for November 9-12.

The ever-popular and authentic Bahamian offshore tournament, led by longtime Bimini Big Game Club dockmaster, Captain Robbie Smith, has drawn thousands of anglers to the island since its inception and has become an annual tradition for many.

With more than 50-record-setting catches from the waters that surround the island, Bimini has earned its title of sport fishing capital of the world and, come winter, is considered

a prime location for wahoo due to its position in the Gulf Stream.

Wahoo Smackdown IX is slated to kickoff November 9 with a Captain’s meeting and conclude on November 12th with an awards gala.

The registration fee is $1,500 per boat (includes four anglers, tournament shirts and entry to social events).

Additional anglers (over four) are $250 each. Extra social tickets are $150 each.

Total payout is $25,000 based on 25 registered boats.

Registration fee is 100 per cent refundable if the tournament is cancelled due to weather.

A $300 instant credit will be issued for entries that

book both hotel and boat slip for a minimum of a four consecutive nights.

The $300 credit can be used in the restaurant or applied to the total resort bill.

Sponsors include American Beverage Marketers www.masterofmixes.com as the Title Sponsor, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage (Sands) www.bahamianbrewery.com, artist David Dunleavy www.dunleavyart.com and Tropic Ocean Airways www.flytropic. com.

To register, please visit www.wahoosmackdown. net.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Beth Watson at BWatson@biggameclubbimini.com or (954) 4623400.

PINTARD IN GRAND BAHAMA TO ASSESS HURRICANE IRMA DAMAGE FROM PAGE 1 and they are in the process of having the firm designate a replacement so that they can complete the drawing of the plans.

“In the meantime, I’ve had discussions with several groups, asking them to come on board to partner with the government and I’ve gotten commitment so far from one group that will provide 50 per cent of the cost for the construction of a 50-metre pool at the complex,” he said.

“Another group has also committed to helping to build six tennis courts within that complex. As you would know, we also started renovations for the BAAA Nationals on the track and field complex and we are using a construction company to continue to do some work there.”

With a new board recent-

ly appointed for the National Sports Authority, headed

by Juan Roberts, Pintard said they have a mandate to reach out to private partners to see how they can accelerate discussions that he and the ministry were involved in.

“So I see a lot of light at the end of the tunnel for us to meet required facilities,” he stated.

As a part of his visit to Grand Bahama to assess the damage, Pintard said he will give an overall view of the sporting facilities, but he didn’t receive any formal reports yet of any major damages.

“We’re looking good as far as our sporting facilities here are concerned,” he said. “The biggest problem that myself and Iram Lewis (MP for Central Grand Bahama), looking at the houses that were damaged by the tornadoes, it’s really bad. “So we have a number of families, who were in one

apartment building, who are now looking to permanently relocate.

“They don’t anticipate the repairs being done anytime soon. They don’t restore power here in Grand Bahama if there is any structural damage so people obviously don’t want to wait around for weeks, possibly months, waiting for repairs as they are without light and water because once the power is off here, depending on where you live, the water is also off.”

To compound the issue, Pintard said there were families who were still recovering from Hurricane Matthew and now they are compounded with repairs that were not completed from the last hurricane.

But he said as they move forward, the construction of the venues at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex won’t have any effect on the residential repairs that will now have to be finished.

COWBOYS running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) carries the ball for extra yardage against the New York Giants on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.

(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins) yourself a favour and watch the highlights on NFL Network.

Cohen took his five carries for 66 yards and caught eight of his team-leading 12 targets for 47 yards and a touchdown.

I wondered in the preseason if Cohen would eat into Jordan Howard’s passing game work, but it appears this could be more of a full-fledged committee after Cohen played on 43 per cent of the plays to Howard’s 56. Cohen needs to be one of the priority adds this week as there’s no way the Bears stop using him after that display.

Kerwynn Williams, RB, Arizona Today was a tough one

for David Johnson fans.

Not only did the superstar back struggle on the ground (11 carries, 23 yards) but he suffered a wrist injury that could keep him out several weeks, if not more.

That puts Kerwynn Williams at the top of the waiver-wire list, especially for those who drafted Johnson.

Williams didn’t get a ton of work in this game because the Cardinals were behind, but he did come in and score a touchdown immediately after Johnson suffered his injury.

He’ll be the starting running back and should receive the most carries from the backfield (career 5.4 yards per carry average), though Andre Ellington

could work in more as a receiver.

We’ll know more about the extent of Johnson’s injury on Wednesday, but for now make sure to have Williams’ name circled when it comes time to put in waiver claims.

Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit If you follow any fantasy analysts on Twitter, you likely saw them throwing fuel into the engine of the Kenny Golladay hype train.

Well, in Week 1 that train hit speeds previously believed to be unreachable after the rookie scored two touchdowns and racked up 69 yards on four catches.

Golladay has the athletic profile and talent to be a true difference maker, and the only thing possibly holding him back will be market share. He saw seven targets in this game, but that could have been partially because Marvin Jones drew Patrick Peterson in coverage for much of the game (37 plays, allowing two targets, one rec, six yards, and a touchdown).

Jones and Golden Tate were on the field for 94 and 87 per cent of the snaps, respectively, while the rookie clocked in with 62.

Golladay needs to be picked up this week, but owners should be mentally prepared in case Jones jumps back ahead of Golladay in the pecking order next week against the Giants.

• Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net

PAGE 4, Tuesday, September 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

19 straight: Blazing Indians blowout Tigers 11-0, extend winning streak

By TOM WITHERS Associated Press CLEVELAND (AP) — Unrelenting and unbeatable at the moment, the Cleveland Indians refuse to lose.

With their latest overpowering win, they extended baseball’s longest winning streak since 2002 to 19 games with an 11-0 blowout of the Detroit Tigers last night to move closer to a record that has stood for 101

years.

Francisco Lindor tripled home three runs off rookie Myles Jaye (0-1) in the second inning, and the Indians, who haven’t lost since August 23, added another blowout to their

growing list of lopsided conquests.

The defending AL champions aren’t just rolling, they’re steamrolling opponents, outscoring them 132-32 during a stretch that includes six shutouts.

Carlos Carrasco (15-6) struck out nine in six innings, Lindor had four RBIs and Jose Ramirez hit a two-run homer as the Indians lowered their magic number to clinch the Central to six.

BRAULT, FOUR RELIEVERS TOSS 3 HITTER IN PIRATES 7-0 WIN

By JOE DIGIOVANNI Associated Press

CLEVELAND Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer delivers to Baltimore Orioles Tim Beckham during the first inning of Sunday night’s game in Cleveland.

(AP Photo/Phil Long)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Steven Brault and four relievers combined on a three-hitter to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.

Milwaukee didn’t get a runner past first base against the Pirates and fell 2½ games behind Chicago in the NL Central after outscoring the Cubs 20-3 in a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field over the weekend.

Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Jordy Mercer homered for Pittsburgh, which staggered into the game with a five-game losing streak.

Brault (1-0), making his second start of the season, only allowed a fourth-inning walk to Ryan Braun and a fifth-inning leadoff single to Jesus Aguilar. He struck out six in six innings for his first major-league win.

Milwaukee rookie Brandon Woodruff (1-2), allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk in five innings.

STREAK ON: INDIANS BEAT ORIOLES FOR 18TH WIN IN A ROW

By STEVE HERRICK Associated Press CLEVELAND (AP) — Francisco Lindor broke two bats, borrowed one from a teammate, and hit a home run.

It’s been like that for the Cleveland Indians of late.

The Indians stretched their franchise-record winning streak to 18 games, beating the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 Sunday night behind homers from Lindor

and Roberto Perez in the sixth inning.

Cleveland’s streak is the longest in the majors since Oakland won 20 straight in 2002. The best run in baseball history belongs to the New York Giants, who had a 26-game streak in 1916, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Giants’ streak included a tie, which doesn’t count as a game in baseball.

Lindor’s home run followed Perez’s leadoff shot that snapped a 1-all tie.

Cleveland’s All-Star shortstop broke two bats while running the count to 3-2 against Jeremy Hellickson, then walked to the dugout looking for help. Teammate Abraham Almonte obliged.

“I had no more bats,” Lindor said. “I ran out of bats.

I prefer to use one that has my handle, so I just saw him and I was like, ‘Hey, let me use yours.’”

There was one problem, however, with the replacement. Lindor thought his chances to get a hit were slim because he uses a lighter and smaller model, but he hit the next pitch into seats in right field for his 29th homer.

Lindor turned to the dugout before leaving the batters’ box and smiled at his teammate.

“I looked at the barrel and I was like ‘No, there’s no chance.’ As soon as I hit it, I just looked at him like, ‘This is a good bat,’” he said.

This latest win came with a drawback: Indians rookie centre fielder Bradley Zimmer broke a bone in his left hand. Zimmer slid into first base trying to beat out a ground ball and got his hand stepped on. Manager Terry Francona said Zimmer will see a hand specialist this week.

The crowd of 21,259 roared in the ninth inning as Cody Allen recorded his 26th save. He struck out the first two hitters and retired Trey Mancini on a line drive to right field to end the

game.

Cleveland hasn’t lost since August 23 and has outscored its opponents 121-32 in the streak. Cleveland has trailed in only four of 162 innings during the stretch.

The Indians are a game ahead of Houston for the league’s best record and reduced their magic number to clinch the AL Central to seven. Cleveland trailed Houston by 14 games on July 22.

The New York Yankees won 19 in a row in 1947, which the Indians can match Monday against Detroit, but Francona doesn’t want his players to change their approach. “Maybe this thing gets more carried away with other people as opposed to us,” he said. “We just play the game.”

Trevor Bauer (16-8) allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings. The right-hander moved into a tie with Boston’s Chris Sale for the league lead in wins and has won nine straight decisions.

Jose Ramirez, back in the lineup after missing three games with a sore wrist, had an RBI groundout in the first. Baltimore tied it in the sixth on Jonathan Schoop’s single.

Chris Davis hit a solo homer in the seventh for Baltimore, which has lost four straight and is three games out of the wild-card race. Hellickson (3-3) allowed three runs in six innings.

“At this point, we need to win every game,” Davis said. “There’s a lot stacked against us, we know that, but we’re still in the fight.”

TRAINER’S ROOM Orioles: Manager Buck Showalter said OF Craig Gentry (broken right finger) could rejoin the team this week in Toronto.

Indians: Relief ace Andrew Miller (right knee tendinitis) threw a simulated game Monday. He hasn’t pitched since August 21 and

is on the disabled list for the second time this season with the injury.

Second baseman Jason Kipnis (strained right hamstring), on the DL since August 23, hit against Miller. ...

Left fielder Michael Brant-

ley (sprained right ankle) has been doing treadmill work but doesn’t know when he’ll begin running on the field. He’s been on the DL since August 9, but is hitting in the batting cages and throwing.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 12, 2017, PAGE 5

2017 US Open women’s champion Sloane Stephens poses for a picture in Central Park in New York on Sunday. INSET - Garbine Muguruza, of Spain, serves against Petra Kvitova, of the Czech Republic, during the fourth round.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Muguruza joins US Open champion Nadal at No. 1 for Spain

By HOWARD FENDRICH Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Garbine Muguruza made her debut at No. 1 yesterday, joining US Open champion Rafael Nadal in making Spain the first country since the United States 14 years ago to top the WTA and ATP rankings.

Andre Agassi and Serena Williams were both No. 1 in 2003.

Muguruza, the Wimbledon champion in July, rose two spots from No. 3 yesterday after getting to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time.

She is the 24th woman to lead the WTA since it introduced computer rankings in 1975 — and the second Spaniard, after Arantxa

Sanchez Vicario.

Muguruza takes over at No. 1 from Karolina Pliskova, who fell to No. 4 with a quarter-final defeat in New York one year after finishing as the runner-up. Entering the US Open, eight women had a chance to top the rankings by the end of the tournament.

The day she won Wimbledon for her second major championship, Muguruza was asked about what sort of priority she placed on getting to No. 1.

“My motivation is just to be able to be a good tennis player — a good tennis player, and to come to the Grand Slams and be a threat. The ranking is temporary,” she said at the time. “I don’t know what it feels to be No. 1. Hopefully

RAFAEL NADAL, of Spain, poses for photographers with the championship trophy after beating Kevin Anderson, of South Africa, in the singles final of the US Open on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez) one day I can. And then I (will) compare,” Mugu-

ruza said. “But for now, I’d rather be (No.) 10 and win

Grand Slams, than be No. 1.”

The woman who won the year’s last Grand Slam tournament, Sloane Stephens, jumped to No. 17 from No. 83 by beating Madison Keys 6-3, 6-0 in the US Open final on Saturday, continuing her quick rise after having surgery on her left foot in January and going 11 months between tour appearances. Stephens was outside the top 900 at the start of August.

Simona Halep stayed at No. 2 on the WTA list, while Venus Williams’ semi-final run in New York pushed her up four spots to No. 5, her first time in the top five since January 2011.

Angelique Kerber, who made her first appearance at No. 1 after winning the

US Open last year, dropped down to No. 14 from No. 8 after becoming only the second defending women’s champion in the professional era to lose in the first round.

Nadal remained at No. 1 by winning his second Grand Slam trophy of the season and 16th of his career with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Kevin Anderson in the final at Flushing Meadows on Sunday. The man who won the year’s other two major titles, Roger Federer, moved up one place to No. 2.

Anderson went from 32nd to 17th by reaching his first Grand Slam final. He was the lowest-ranked US Open men’s finalist since the ATP computer rankings began 44 years ago.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 12, 2017, PAGE 7

CAS TO HEAR APPEAL IN BOLT OLYMPIC RELAY CASE IN NOVEMBER LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — An appeal case involving the 2008 Olympic title stripped from Usain Bolt and the Jamaican relay team is going to court in November.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said yesterday that sprinter Nesta Carter will challenge his disqualification by the International Olympic Committee on November 15.

A verdict is expected weeks later.

Carter tested positive last year for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine in re-analysis of a urine sample from the 2008 Beijing Games.

He and Bolt were teammates on the 4x100-metre relay team, which won in a world record of 37.10 seconds.

Carter ran the opening leg, and Bolt took the baton third in a team that also included Michael Frater and Asafa Powell.

The IOC’s disqualification of Carter and the relay team came in January, spoiling Bolt’s perfect Olympic record of three gold medals — in the 100, 200 and 4x100 — at three consecutive games from

2008-2016.

Carter also teamed with Bolt on three straight world championship relay-winning teams, from 2011 through 2015. They were also teammates when Jamaica set another 4x100 world record in 2012 at the Olympics, running 36.84.

Bolt said in February he was “not sad” about giving up the medal, though was “waiting to see if Nesta is going to appeal.”

Carter’s legal team could ask Bolt to appear as a witness at the hearing, which is likely to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland — the home city of CAS and the IOC. Dozens of athletes tested positive for banned drugs in an IOC-ordered reanalysis programme using new and more accurate tests on samples stored since the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics.

Most of more than 110 cases involved steroids and athletes from the former Soviet republics. Carter’s case was the only one involving Jamaica.

IN this Saturday, August 23, 2008 file photo, Jamaica’s men’s 4x100 metres relay team, from left, Michael Fraser, Usain Bolt, Nesta Carter and Asafa Powell show their gold medals during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing. An appeal case involving the 2008 Olympic title stripped from Usain Bolt’s Jamaica relay team is going to court in November 2017.

(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 71° F/22° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Clouds and sun with a thunderstorm

A t‑storm around in the evening

Some sun with a t‑storm in spots

Mostly sunny with a thunderstorm

Mostly sunny

Partly sunny with a stray t‑storm

High: 91°

Low: 81°

High: 91° Low: 79°

High: 91° Low: 82°

High: 91° Low: 82°

High: 91° Low: 81°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

116° F

96° F

116°-91° F

112°-94° F

107°-93° F

111°-96° F

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 76° F/24° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

6‑12 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 91° F/33° C Low: 76° F/24° C

4‑8 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

S

E

W

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 77° F/25° C

MIAMI

High: 92° F/33° C Low: 77° F/25° C

6‑12 knots

KEY WEST

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 91° F/33° C Low: 81° F/27° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 82° F/28° C

N

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High Today

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

12:38 a.m.

1:17 p.m.

3.0 3.4

6:52 a.m.

7:44 p.m.

0.4 0.8

Wednesday 1:39 a.m.

2:21 p.m.

2.9 3.4

7:53 a.m.

8:52 p.m.

0.6 0.9

Thursday

2:45 a.m.

3:28 p.m.

2.8 3.4

8:59 a.m. 0.6 10:00 p.m. 0.8

Friday

3:55 a.m.

4:34 p.m.

2.8 3.4

10:07 a.m. 0.6 11:04 p.m. 0.7

Saturday

5:01 a.m.

5:35 p.m.

3.0 3.5

11:13 a.m. 0.5 ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑‑‑

Sunday

6:01 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

3.1 3.6

12:02 a.m. 0.5 12:13 p.m. 0.4

Monday

6:55 a.m.

7:21 p.m.

3.3 3.6

12:54 a.m. 0.4 1:08 p.m. 0.2

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:55 a.m.

7:17 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

none 1:03 p.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Sep. 13

Sep. 20

Sep. 27

Oct. 5

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 82° F/28° C

N

S

E

W

6‑12 knots

S

6‑12 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 90° F/32° C Low .................................................... 80° F/27° C Normal high ....................................... 88° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 75° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 89° F/31° C Last year’s low ................................... 75° F/24° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 25.57” Normal year to date ................................... 26.37”

uV inDex toDay

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 82° F/28° C

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 81° F/27° C

N

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 79° F/26° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 81° F/27° C

6‑12 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 87° F/31° C Low: 81° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 88° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

4‑8 knots

4‑8 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS W at 4‑8 Knots NE at 4‑8 Knots SW at 6‑12 Knots SSW at 3‑6 Knots SW at 6‑12 Knots NW at 4‑8 Knots SW at 4‑8 Knots NW at 4‑8 Knots SW at 6‑12 Knots NNW at 4‑8 Knots WSW at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots SW at 6‑12 Knots WNW at 3‑6 Knots W at 4‑8 Knots NNW at 4‑8 Knots SW at 4‑8 Knots WNW at 4‑8 Knots WSW at 6‑12 Knots NW at 6‑12 Knots SSW at 3‑6 Knots NNE at 3‑6 Knots SW at 4‑8 Knots NW at 4‑8 Knots SW at 6‑12 Knots NW at 3‑6 Knots

WAVES 5‑9 Feet 4‑7 Feet 1‑2 Feet 0‑1 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 0‑1 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 0‑1 Feet 4‑7 Feet 4‑7 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 0‑1 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 6 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 83° F 83° F 86° F 86° F 83° F 82° F 86° F 86° F 82° F 82° F 84° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 83° F 83° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 83° F

PAGE 8, Tuesday, September 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE