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TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | July 2

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While We’re Young (Ideas) on Indy, Star Wars and More

By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – I first met Harrison Ford in 1973. He was 31 and I was only 14. He was on the Silver Screen, portraying Bob Falfa in American Graffiti, an incredible hit motion picture directed by a guy named George Lucas and produced by another familiar name in – oh – Francis Ford Coppola. I was sitting in a theatre chair, watching him, Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howardwhile enjoying the picture and listening to one of the great sound tracks in Hollywood history.

A few years went by, my high school years, and I met-up with Ford again in 1977, except he was going by the name Han Solo in a sci-fi film named, Star Wars. What’a guy!

A few years later, we crossed paths once again. I was graduating from college (‘81) and he had changed his name and was hanging around with Hollywood characters working with Lucas. The new crew were writer Lawrence Kasdan and a new director named Steven Spielberg. They called Ford, “Indy,” as in Indiana Jones, professor of archaeology, and we followed his every move, his every trip in search of “Lost Arks” or to “Temples of Doom” or to battle the Nazi criminals or to India to free enslaved children.

Ford, errr, Indiana Jones, errr, Han Solo (by then, quite a wise-guy) and his new friends would change lives all around the world, teaming up with Mark Hamill (a young adventurer), Carrie Fisher (a princess), and Alec Guinness(wise old man). Add in the fabulous works of composer and conductor of music, John Williams, and it was the perfect formula – a motion picture soundtrack of our lives – some of it always heard in America on the 4th of July. They earned a place in our minds and souls from that Summer of ‘81 until this very day.

Ford had the thrill to go back and forth between the roles of Han Solo and Indiana Jones, and his films grossed some $5.4 billion in North America and $9.3 billion worldwide.

Ole’ Indy, (Ford is now 80 years old), is back for another go round in the summertime release of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” in theaters now and getting very positive reviews.

Ford played other great roles, too. His Jack Ryan in “Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger,” two blockbusters. And, who could forget his role as “Dr. Richard Kimble” in 1993’s “The Fugitive,” or his role as President of the United States in 1997’s “Air Force One?”

This all brings us to the point of this column, usually focused on sports but often on media. TV anchor, reporter and newly crowned host of CNN’s “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace,” a masterful show of one-on-one interviews being aired weekly on the cable news outlet.

In every instance, the talented media personality formed a team within his/her organization. Just like Han teamed-up with Chewy, his trusty sidekick, and bonded with Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and his two friendly and trusty droids – R2D2 and C3PO, and they welcomed the input from the likes of Alec Guinness in the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

You can compare the team of the motion picture director, producer, casting director, cast and crew to a team in a live sports remote broadcast or to a team competing on the field of play. In each case, you place your trust in your co-worker’s hands and he/she does to you. You rely on your coach, the scouts, the athletic trainer and team doctor and everyone in the front office to help sell some tickets.

It’s much the same when preparing for an interview or shooting a movie.

The Wallace and Ford interview aired about a week ago, in large part of promote the release of the most recent piece of the Indiana Jones saga.

Wallace is not the first TV journalist to do a series of interesting interviews. CBS’ Anthony Mason does a great job on both the evening, morning and weekend news but he excels when he’s digging in deeply with a rock n’ roll, country music or any legendary musician, many previewing the annual Kennedy Awards, aired on CBS.

Last week, Mason had the legendary Paul Simon speaking on his new Seven Psalms and a few years ago, one of Mason’s gems was a sit-down with The Boss, Bruce Springsteen (in a MUST WATCH)..

From CNN’s Mike Wallace interviewing Harrison Ford to CBS’ Anthony Mason sitting down with Mr. “Born in the USA,” Bruce Springsteen, a logical next step might be to recognize Dan Rather and his Big Interview TV Serieson AXS-TV.

The show all other’s are based upon has to be James Tipton, the executive producer and host of Inside the Actor’s Studio on Bravo. Tipton set the bar so very high, all others strive to meet his professionalism, depth, humor and intensity. Born in 1926, Tipton passed away in March, 2020 with reports noting cause of death as bladder cancer. He was 93 years old and in those many years, from radio to TV soaps to his own show, there was no better episode as his interview with singer, songwriter, composer and Long Islander, Billy Joel.

Why all the fuss this week on some of the best journalists to ever interview actors and icons? It’s a simple reminder of how important the media are in our lives. The toxic B.S. of the political theatre has cast the media in such a negative light. We forget about the media in the arts, in religion, in investigative work (see Spotlight) and in sports. If there’s one take-away, it’s to never cast single broad stroke when you’re thinking of or speaking about “the media.”

There are as many different kinds of media as there are breeds of dogs. Some are better than others. Some breeds are smarter, others meaner, while others might be more trustworthy and show more loyalty.

If you’re casting broad strokes at the media – in general – they owe you one thing. The truth.

The problem with that? People lie to your face and tell you it’s the truth, not caring if it’s taped or live airtime.

When it’s not live, every word has to be checked, double-checked and triple-checked. In many ways, the story has two sides and each point-of-view must be sought out.

In the cases cited here – on music – each journalist has earned his stripes and the respect of his peers and his interview subjects, alike. That is the goal to strive for in any realm of the journalism industry, print, online, TV or radio.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: A new professional hockey league, featuring the world’s best women’s players, will launch in January 2024. … The new league is a venture by business and philanthropic leaders Mark and Kimbra Walter, sports icon Billie Jean King, and Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) Governors Johanna and John Boynton. The league will be supported financially by the Walters and led by board members including King, sports executive Ilana Kloss, and Los Angeles Dodgers President Stan Kasten, one-time head of the Atlanta Hawks and Turner Broadcasting.

The new league acquired assets of the PHF and has spent months negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). These actions will enable the new league to move forward while undertaking a thorough and equitable process to ensure it features the best women’s hockey players in the world.

“I have always believed that professional sports should bring the highest levels of performance and organization, and this new league will have the backing and resources it needs to represent the very best of women’s hockey,” said Mark Walter, who is the controlling owner of the Dodgers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, co-general partner of the ownership group of the Premier League’s Chelsea Football Club and holder of a significant interest in the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity to advance women’s sports,” said King. “I have no doubt that this league can capture the imagination of fans and a new generation of players. I want to thank Mark and Kimbra Walter for their vision and commitment to investing in women’s sports.”

“This is another step forward for the women who play professional hockey and the girls who dream of it every day,” Johanna Boynton said. “The PHF has been a game-changer and catalyst for growth in the women’s professional game. This announcement builds on the established foundation, represents a shared vision for one new league, and reaffirms our belief that collective and collaborative leadership is in the best interest of women’s professional hockey.”

“I celebrate this transformational moment for women’s professional hockey,” said Kasten, who represented the Walters in both transactions. “I thank Jayna Hefford, Kendall Coyne Schofield and the PWHPA player bargaining committee, Johanna and John Boynton and their partners at the PHF, and PHF Commissioner Reagan Carey for their essential roles in this historic accomplishment.”

“This new league will be unlike anything we’ve seen in women’s hockey,” said Hockey Hall of Famer and PWHPA lead, Jayna Hefford. “I am inspired by this generation of players who are redefining the sport. We will create dreams and opportunities for girls and women around the world for decades to come.”

Although the Boston Pride competed in the prior pro hockey league, there’s been no mention on whether they will continue to be a local sports franchise or will fold.

SLAMBALL ART: SlamBall, the fast-paced that combines elements of basketball, football, hockey and trampolines, revealed its eight team names, logos, coaches and seven-man rosters for the league’s upcoming season. The mix of standout athletes with basketball, football and track backgrounds will be led by veteran coaching staffs in SlamBall League: Series 6, opening on ESPN July 21 at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. … Three legacy teams – the Mob, Rumble and Slashers – will be joined by five new clubs, namely the Buzzsaw, Gryphons, Lava, Ozone and Wrath. Each squad is guided by a former SlamBall player or coach, including Ken Carter, the inspiration for the acclaimed film Coach Carter, who is back with the Rumble, the team that he led to a championship in the initial 2002 SlamBall campaign.

When we look at top picks like Bryce and Bryan, they represent high level basketball talent and high caliber football talent coming together in SlamBall, where basketball and football cultures collide,” said Mason Gordon, the Co-Founder of SlamBall. “We were incredibly gratified to see that on draft night.”

The SlamBall league and team logos and color schemes were designed by Gameplan Creative, the Chicago-based branding team headed by Tom O’that has been instrumental in creating designs for a host of teams, leagues and organizations, including the WNBA and eight of its teams and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

“The team names and logos are a nod to our history, with the Mob, Rumble and Slashers mirroring the original franchises, and also a reflection of the sport’s exciting future,” added Gordon.

SlamBall recently announced an exclusive, two-year national broadcast partnership with ESPN for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The partnership begins on Opening Night 2023, when SlamBall relaunches on ESPN live from Las Vegas on July 21 from 7-99pm (ET) ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+ will combine to air more than 30 hours of live SlamBall programming across five weekends, culminating August 17-19 with the SlamBall Playoffs and SlamBall Championship Game.

For a full Sunday Note column, Visit “While We’re Young (Ideas) and consider becoming a paying subscriber to help fund Digital Sports Desk.

Devers, Sox Upset Blue Jays

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TORONTO – Boston’s 3B Rafael Devers hit a two-run home run and had three RBIs in a three-hit game as the visiting Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-6. Boston’s Justin Turner added a solo homer and an RBI double for the Red Sox, who have won the first two games of the three-game series. Boston is 6-0 against Toronto this season.

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Matt Chapman had a two-run homer for the Blue Jays while George Springer and Bo Bichette added solo home runs.

The game ended when Bichette was thrown out at home by right fielder Alex Verdugo. Bichette was trying to score the tying run on Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s single, which had already plated Springer.

Toronto left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (7-3) allowed five runs, seven hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings.

Boston right-hander Kutter Crawford (3-4) allowed two runs, three hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings.

Springer led off the home half of the first with his 12th home run of the season.

Boston scored twice in the third. Turner singled with one out and Devers hit a 3-2 fastball to left center for his 20th homer of the season.

Bichette tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third with his 15th homer of the season.

Boston regained the lead in the fifth. Rob Refsnyder led off with a single and scored on Turner’s double. Devers followed with an RBI single and took second on the throw home. Trevor Richards replaced Kikuchi and allowed Masataka Yoshida’s run-scoring single.

Christian Arroyo led off the Boston sixth with a single, took third on Refsnyder’s double and scored on Verdugo’s sacrifice fly. Nate Pearson then replaced Richards.

Josh Winckowski allowed Chapman’s leadoff double in the Toronto seventh before Danny Jansen hit an infield single. With runners at second and third and two outs, Winckowski’s errant pickoff throw to second resulted in a run.

Winckowski walked Guerrero with two outs in the eighth and allowed Chapman’s 11th homer of the season, which pulled the Blue Jays within 6-5.

Turner led off the ninth with his 13th homer of the season. It came against Erik Swanson.

Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen allowed Springer’s single and Bichette’s double ahead of Guerrero’s single that nearly tied the game until Verdugo’s pinpoint throw finished off the Jays.

–Field Level Media

New Pro Hockey League for Women

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LOS ANGELES – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – A new professional hockey league, featuring the world’s best women’s players, will launch in January 2024.

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The new league was announced today by business and philanthropic leaders Mark and Kimbra Walter, sports icon Billie Jean King, and Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) Governors Johanna and John Boynton. The league will be supported financially by the Walters and led by board members including King, sports executive Ilana Kloss, and Los Angeles Dodgers President Stan Kasten.

The new league has acquired assets of the PHF and has spent months negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). These actions will enable the new league to move forward in unprecedented ways. The new league will undertake a thorough and equitable process to ensure that it features the best women’s hockey players in the world.

“I have always believed that professional sports should bring the highest levels of performance and organization, and this new league will have the backing and resources it needs to represent the very best of women’s hockey,” said Mark Walter, who is the controlling owner of the Dodgers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, co-general partner of the ownership group of the Premier League’s Chelsea Football Club and holder of a significant interest in the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity to advance women’s sports,” said King. “I have no doubt that this league can capture the imagination of fans and a new generation of players. I want to thank Mark and Kimbra Walter for their vision and commitment to investing in women’s sports.”

“This is another step forward for the women who play professional hockey and the girls who dream of it every day,” Johanna Boynton said. “The PHF has been a game-changer and catalyst for growth in the women’s professional game. Today’s announcement builds on this foundation, represents a shared vision for one new league, and reaffirms our belief that collective and collaborative leadership is in the best interest of women’s professional hockey.”

“I celebrate this transformational moment for women’s professional hockey,” said Kasten, who represented the Walters in both transactions. “I thank Jayna Hefford, Kendall Coyne Schofield and the PWHPA player bargaining committee, Johanna and John Boynton and their partners at the PHF, and PHF Commissioner Reagan Carey for their essential roles in this historic accomplishment.”

“This new league will be unlike anything we have seen in women’s hockey,” said Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and PWHPA lead, Jayna Hefford. “I am inspired by this generation of players who are redefining the sport. We will create dreams and opportunities for girls and women around the world for decades to come.”

“I am extremely proud of our PWHPA group, which has remained committed to our vision and steadfast in our efforts to change the landscape of women’s professional hockey forever,” said Coyne Schofield. “Over the past four years, we have worked tirelessly to close the gap on what young girls and boys could dream to become in this sport.”

“This effort is the most significant development in our game since women’s ice hockey became an Olympic sport 25 years ago,” said Carey. “Players, fans, past pioneers, and future generations deserve to see the best athletes come together to elevate professional women’s hockey as never before.”

NBA Free Agency Round-Up

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MIAMI – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Once the NBA’s free agency negotiation period began Friday, plenty of reported deals — including Kyrie Irving staying with the Dallas Mavericks and Draymond Green remaining with the Golden State Warriors — made the headlines, but there were several other moves worth noting.

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The contract agreements with free agents become official July 6, per NBA free agency rules.

Here’s a look at several deals that were reportedly agreed to on Friday:

–The Miami Heat re-signed forward Kevin Love and added guard Jason Richardson, according to ESPN. The Athletic also reported that the Heat were set to trade Victor Oladipo to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Love, who will turn 35 before next season, turned his career around with Miami and played a key role in the team’s run to the NBA Finals.

A second-round pick of the Heat in 2015, Richardson, 29, gives his original team depth after Gabe Vincent reportedly joined the Los Angeles Lakers.

Oladipo, 31, spent 2 1/2 seasons in Miami. He previously played for Oklahoma City in 2016-17.

—Joe Ingles landed a deal with the Orlando Magic.

A key contributor off the bench for the Milwaukee Bucks last season, the 35-year-old forward is getting a two-year, $22 million contract with the Orlando Magic, per ESPN.

–Former MVP Derrick Rose is set to join the Memphis Grizzlies. The 34-year-old guard was a bit-part player for the New York Knicks last season.

–Forward Herb Jones is sticking with the Pelicans. Jones, 24, had declined his option on a minimum salary, opting instead to agree on a four-year, $54 million deal to stay with New Orleans, per an ESPN report.

–Veteran guard Dennis Schroeder is joining the Raptors. After losing star guard Fred Van Vleet to the Houston Rockets, Toronto landed Schroeder, 29, with a two-year deal worth a reported $26 million.

–Guard Reggie Jackson, 33, and center DeAndre Jordan, 34, will stay with the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets. Jackson’s deal is reportedly for two years and $10.25 million.

—Seth Curry, 32, is back for a third stint with the Mavericks, landing a two-year contract. The former Nets guard, one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters, Curry played for Dallas in 2016-17 and again in 2019-20.

–The Minnesota Timberwolves are signing guard Shake Milton and forward Troy Brown. Milton, 26, formerly of the Philadelphia 76ers agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal, per an ESPN report. Brown, 23, played for the Lakers last season.

–The San Antonio Spurs retained forward Julian Champagnie with a four-year, $12 million contract. Champagnie, 22, signed with the team in February after he was waived by the Sixers. He averaged 11 points per game for San Antonio last season.

–The Boston Celtics agreed to a deal with forward Oshae Brissett, 25. According to ESPN, Brissett will get a player option for the second year of the contract.

–Field Level Media

Paxton Leads Red Sox, Shuts Down Jays

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TORONTO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston left-hander James Paxton pitched into the eighth inning and was supported by three home runs as the visiting Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-0.

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Jarren Duran hir a two-run home run for the Red Sox and also made a good catch at the center-field wall. Justin Turner and Masataka Yoshida added solo home runs.

In winning the opener of the three-game series, the Red Sox ended a five-game losing streak.

They have defeated the Blue Jays in all five meeting between the teams this season.

The Red Sox swept the Blue Jays in a four-game series at Boston May 1-4.

Paxton (4-1) allowed three hits and two walks in 7 2/3 innings. The native of Ladner, B.C., struck out seven.

Toronto right-hander Jose Berrios (8-6) allowed four runs and five hits while striking out eight in six innings.

Turner led off the fifth with his 12th home run of the season, a drive to left on a 3-2 pitch. Berrios had retired the previous 10 batters in a row after a first-inning single.

Paxton, who retired his first eight batters of the game before allowing a third-inning single, set the Blue Jays down in order in the home fifth. He also allowed a walk in the fourth that was erased on a double play.

Bello Shines But Marlins Sweep Sox

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Despite Boston Red Sox starter Brayan Bello flirting with a no-hitter, the visiting Miami Marlins rallied late and completed a three-game series sweep with Thursday night’s 2-0 win.

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The Marlins ended Bello’s no-hit bid and later took the lead — thanks to Jon Berti’s RBI single to center — during an eighth-inning rally.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. doubled the Miami lead with his second home run in as many games to straightaway center in the ninth. He has nine blasts.

Joey Wendle went 2-for-4 and starter Jesus Luzardo allowed just three hits and struck out nine over 6 1/3 scoreless innings.

Tanner Scott and A.J. Puk pitched two combined innings of one-hit ball following winning reliever Andrew Nardi (6-1). Puk logged his 13th save.

Jean Segura led off the eighth with Miami’s first hit — an single up the middle that diving Red Sox shortstop Enrique Hernandez knocked down behind second base.

After Wendle’s single to right moved Segura to third, Berti knocked an RBI single to center against reliever Chris Martin. A 5-2-3 double play ball and a strikeout of Jorge Soler ended the inning without any further damage.

Bello (5-5) struck out five and was charged with one run on two hits and one walk over seven-plus innings.

Patriots Agree to New Pact with Bentley

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley are in agreement on a two-year contract extension worth $18.75 million, NFL Network reported.

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The deal includes $9 million fully guaranteed, per the report.

Bentley, 26, started all 17 games for the Patriots in 2022, racking up a career-high 125 tackles.

He has 383 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and eight passes defensed in 65 career games (50 starts) in five seasons with the Pats, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2018 draft.

–Field Level Media

Marlins Go for 3-Game Sweep Over Sox

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – After winning the first two games by a combined 16-3 score, the Miami Marlins aim for a road series sweep of the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.

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Miami has won four straight and 10 of its past 13 games, including a 6-2 win on Wednesday to set up the opportunity for the sweep.

“This is my fourth year here and I’m not gonna lie, this is probably the most fun I’ve ever had in the big leagues playing baseball,” Miami center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. said. “I always try to have as much fun as I can, but this is a different level of fun with these guys in there.”

The Marlins are also 11-3 in their past 14 road games, having won six straight outside of Miami, and they sit 13 games over .500 for the first time since 2009.

Reinforcements have helped the team’s recent success in Boston, as Chisholm and third baseman Jean Segura have just returned from injuries.

Chisholm, out since May 14 due to turf toe, went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in Tuesday’s series opener in his first game back, then hit an eighth-inning home run on Wednesday.

Segura, sidelined for nearly two weeks because of a hamstring strain, homered on Tuesday in his return. He added a two-run single on Wednesday.

“They’ve had a lot of time off and probably watching the team doing really well without them and wanting to be part of this thing,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said on Tuesday. “I think the pressure (was) a little bit off of them, too, because they don’t have to come back feeling like they have to be the hero. Just (being) who they are is good enough for us.”

The Marlins will finish the series with a second straight left-hander on the mound. Jesus Luzardo (6-5, 3.77 ERA) is set to oppose Boston for the first time.

Luzardo, 25, leads the Miami staff with 103 strikeouts through 16 starts. He fanned nine batters — his second-highest total of the season — across seven shutout, two-hit innings on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, his eighth quality start.

The Red Sox, who are on a four-game skid and have a 2-12 home record against National League teams this season, will attempt to salvage the series finale.

Alex Verdugo had a 13-game hitting streak snapped on Wednesday.

The emergence of Brayan Bello (5-4, 3.27 ERA) as a consistent starter has been a major bright spot of Boston’s season to this point. The 24-year-old right-hander will attempt to continue his success on Thursday.

Bello has worked at least six innings in each of his past four starts and five of his past six, which includes back-to-back, seven-inning outings against the New York Yankees earlier this month.

In his most recent start, Bello worked 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball to beat the host Chicago White Sox on Friday.

“My goal is always (to) try to go deep into the game so I can help the bullpen, and that has been my mentality since I came up here,” Bello said. “I’m trying to get quick outs. I’m not trying to strike out anybody, and that’s been the key to go deep into the game.”

Prior to Bello, the most recent Red Sox pitchers to post a sub-2.50 ERA in a 10-start span before turning 25 years old were Jon Lester, Aaron Sele, Roger Clemens and Dennis Eckersley.

Bello’s work ethic has been impressive.

“He’s very hungry,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “He understands that he’s good, but obviously there’s a lot of work that we have to do for him to get to where we want to.”

Bello will be making his first career appearance against Miami.

–Field Level Media

PGA Tour: Rocket Mortgage Preview

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DETROIT – A red hot Tony Finau won the 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic, his second victory in as many weeks following his victory at the 2022 3M Open the week prior. In the last 12 months, Finau has won four times on Tour, including wins this season at the Texas Children’s Houston Open and Mexico Open at Vidanta. Finau is one of 11 players in the field that has won on Tour this season.

Keegan Bradley won last week’s Travelers Championship by three strokes over Brian Harman and Zac Blair. Bradley earned his sixth PGA Tour title and second of the season. With the win, Bradley moved to No. 5 in the FedEx Cup standings and No. 18 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Six players in the field finished in the Top 10 at last week’s Travelers Championship:

Finish at 2023 Travelers Championship

  • Keegan Bradley (Won)
  • Zac Blair T-2
  • Brian Harman T-2
  • Chez Reavie T-4
  • Alex Smalley T-9
  • Justin Thomas T-9

Rocket Mortgage Classic | Tournament Facts

COURSE: Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, Michigan

YARDS/PAR: 7,370 yards/Par 72

ARCHITECT: Donald Ross

PRIZE Money – Purse: $8,800,000/$1,584,000

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Tony Finau

PAST RESULTS: (link)

FEDEx CUP Points to Winner: 500

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @RocketClassic

How to Watch: In case of changes, visit: (PGATourCom)

Rocket Mortgage Classic | Basics

The Tee Times at Rocket Mortgage run Thursday from 6:45am (ET) to 2:22pm (ET).

Weather: Thursday’s forecast is for mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the 69-85-degree range. Only a 15% chance of rain. Winds 11 mph.

Tournament Web Site: (link)

FedEx Cup Standings: (link)

Leaderboard: (link)

PGA Tour Brunch will post at 6:30am (ET) Thursday

Rocket Mortgage Classic – Field, Updates and Tee Times:

The Field: (link)

Updates:

Sunday
Chase Johnson in (sponsor exemption)
Nicolai Hojgaard in (sponsor exemption)
Andrew Putnam WD; Aaron Baddeley in

Monday
Patrick Rodgers WD; Nicolai Hojgaard in on his own number
Kyle Stanley in (sponsor exemption)
Hayden Buckley WD; Sean O’Hair in

Tuesday
Harris English WD; Cody Gribble in

Tee Times: (link)

 

Miami: 10 Runs, 19 Hits vs Red Sox

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Following a 10-1, series-opening triumph on Tuesday, the Miami Marlins will look to keep up their winning ways when a three-game series against the Red Sox continues in Boston on Wednesday.

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Miami has won three straight games and nine of 12, and the Marlins remain in a National League playoff position at nearly the halfway mark of the season.

Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara, who got the win on Tuesday in one of his best outings of the season, said, “Everybody’s happy. Everybody’s supporting each other. But what we are doing this year is something that people will know (about), because we surprised a lot of people this year, and we’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing.”

Braxton Garrett (3-2, 3.64 ERA) takes the ball for Miami in the second of three games against Boston. It will be the 25-year-old’s first career start against the Red Sox.

While the Marlins’ rotation also includes reigning Cy Young Award winner Alcantara and star rookie Eury Perez, Garrett is in the midst of an strong run of his own. The left-hander has allowed just two earned runs — one in each of his two most recent starts — over his past 18 1/3 innings.

Despite taking a no-decision on Thursday in his start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Garrett became the first left-hander in Marlins history to record 13 strikeouts without walking a batter. He allowed just two runs, one earned, on three hits across seven innings.

“This guy can really pitch,” Miami manager Skip Schumaker said. “If you have stuff and pitch, you’ll be an All-Star. He might be an All-Star. He’s pitching like one and putting together some really good outings for us.”

Another exciting piece of Miami’s success is Luis Arraez’s chase for .400. The second baseman went 2-for-5 on Tuesday and has a 10-game hit streak while sitting at .399.

The Marlins’ lineup as a whole banged out 19 hits to tie a season high on Tuesday. Joey Wendle went 4-for-4 with two runs.

The Red Sox did not officially name a Wednesday starter following the Tuesday game, though manager Alex Cora named Kaleb Ort (1-1, 5.79 ERA) as the “most likely” option to get that nod.

Only one of Ort’s 17 appearances this season was a start, when he went 2 1/3 innings to help Boston in its June 18 doubleheader sweep of the New York Yankees.

He has since pitched twice in relief, most recently recording the last two outs of the eighth inning on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox.

After finishing 26-50 against American League East opponents last season, the Red Sox have taken their lumps during interleague play this year. Boston is 11-16 against the NL — including 2-11 at home, which is the worst mark in the majors.

All in all, Boston is exactly a .500 team for the first time in more than a week and will look to step it up in the dog days of the summer.

“40-40, yep. No more, no less,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Like I said, we’re not great, we’re not bad. We are where we’re at. Obviously, we’ve got a long way to go. (Wednesday) is the halfway game of the season and we just got to be better, man. That’s the bottom line.”

Cora’s club has been held to a single run in back-to-back games for the third time this season. The Red Sox also had a three-game stretch in May when they managed a total of one run.

On Tuesday, Alex Verdugo had two doubles and Triston Casas went 3-for-4 to lead the Boston offense. It wasn’t nearly enough as Garrett Whitlock allowed 11 hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings.

–Field Level Media