National Sports - The Morning Sun

Former Vanderbilt star right-hander Kumar Rocker walks in from the bullpen at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy, N.Y., Saturday, June 4, 2022, prior to his first start for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Class A independent Frontier League. Rucker was the 10th pick in last year’s MLB draft by the New York Mets but did not sign a contract when the Mets had concerns about his pitching arm. Rocker signed a contract with Tri-City that goes until about two weeks before the next MLB draft in July. (AP Photo/John Kekis)

Former Vandy star Kumar Rocker back on the mound in minors

Former Vanderbilt ace right-hander Kumar Rocker returned to the mound with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the independent Class A Frontier League. Drafted 10th overall last year by the New York Mets, the … more

By JOHN KEKIS | 6/4/22

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (40) walks back to the dugout during the change in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, June 4, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Severino combines on 1-hitter as Yanks beat Tigers 3-0

Luis Severino combined with two relievers on a one-hitter to continue New York’s run of outstanding starting pitching performances as the Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers 3-0.. Aaron Judge hit his … more

LARRY FLEISHER | 6/4/22

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer reacts during St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols' at-bat during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 18, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Scherzer's dog bites pitching hand, Mets ace says no worries

Injured Mets ace Max Scherzer has confirmed that his dog bit his pitching hand this week, but he says the wound won’t slow his recovery from an oblique strain. The New York Post reported Saturday … more

6/4/22

Billy Horschel drives from the 15th tee during the third round of the Memorial golf tournament Saturday, June 4, 2022, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Horschel delivers a gem and builds 5-shot lead at Memorial

The Memorial delivered another big lead after 54 holes. This time it belongs to Billy Horschel, and he at least gets a chance to finish the job. Horschel had another bogey-free round at Muirfield … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 6/4/22

Minjee Lee, of Australia, hits off the 16th tee during the third round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C., on Saturday, June 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Minjee Lee shoots 67, opens 3-shot lead in U.S. Women's Open

Minjee Lee appears to be on mission. The 26-year-old Australian shot a 4-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead over American Mina Harigae in the U.S. Women’s Open. At 13-under 200, Lee was within … more

By STEVE REED | 6/4/22

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott hits a three-run home run against Los Angeles Angels pitcher Chase Silseth during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 3, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

MLB batting average rises sharply in May after slow start

The major league batting average rose to .245 in May from .231 in April, leaving the overall figure for the first two months at .240, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. This year’s figure is … more

6/4/22

Spain's Rafael Nadal plays a shot against Germany's Alexander Zverev during their semifinal match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Friday, June 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

13-time champ Nadal meets newcomer Ruud in French Open final

Rafael Nadal will be trying to win his 14th French Open championship and 22nd Grand Slam title overall when he faces Christian Ruud in the men's singles final. Sunday's match will be the first … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 6/4/22

Coco Gauff of the U.S. reacts after missing a shot against Poland's Iga Swiatek during the final match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Coco Gauff looks forward to next time after French Open loss

Coco Gauff is certain there will be more Grand Slam finals in her future after losing her first at age 18 at the French Open. Gauff was beaten by Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-3 on Saturday. Greatness has been … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 6/4/22

El Salvador's Marcelo Arevalo, left, and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands, right, celebrate winning the men's doubles final against Croatia's Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek of the U.S. in three sets, 6-7 (4-7'), 7-6 (7-5) 6-3, at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, June 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

French Open updates | Gauff, 18, to face Swiatek for title

Coco Gauff is getting ready to face Iga Swiatek in the French Open women’s singles final. Gauff is an 18-year-old from Florida who is ranked No. 23 and participating in her first Grand Slam title … more

6/4/22

Kevin Harvick, right, signs autographs as he heads to pit road before the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, May 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Gateway offers some Cup Series playoff outsiders opportunity

NASCAR is bringing its top series to World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis for the first time this weekend. It could come at a good time for Kevin Harvick and six other drivers. They all have … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 6/4/22

Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout speaks during a news conference before a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, June 3, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Angels slugger Trout is 'Mike from Millville' in homecoming

Angels slugger Mike Trout is enjoying a homecoming. Los Angeles is facing the Phillies in Philadelphia for the first time since 2014. Trout was raised in nearby Millville, New Jersey. He is a … more

By DAN GELSTON | 6/4/22

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to a New York Mets batter during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 3, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)

Anderson extends shutout streak, Dodgers defeat Mets 6-1

Tyler Anderson extended his scoreless streak to 26 innings and became the first National League pitcher with seven wins as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 6-1. Cody Bellinger, Zach … more

By JOE REEDY | 6/4/22

New York Yankees' Manny Banuelos pitches during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, June 3, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Manny Bañuelos finally lives out Yankees dream

Manny Bañuelos lived out a dream from his teenage years that famously escaped him, finally pitching in a major league game for the New York Yankees on Friday night. Once a heralded prospect with the … more

By JAKE SEINER | 6/4/22

New York Yankees' Gerrit Cole pitches during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, June 3, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Yanks' Cole loses perfect game night after Taillon's bid

Gerrit Cole pitched perfectly into the seventh inning a night after teammate Jameson Taillon lost his bid in the eighth, Aaron Judge homered and had four hits on his bobblehead night, and the New … more

By JAKE SEINER | 6/3/22

Washington Nationals' Lane Thomas (28) hits a solo home run during the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, June 3, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Thomas hits 3 HRs, Nats go deep 5 times in 8-5 win over Reds

Lane Thomas had a three-homer game for the first time in his career, and Nelson Cruz and Juan Soto also went deep, leading the Washington Nationals to an 8-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Thomas … more

By JEFF WALLNER | 6/3/22

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, June 3, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Padres' Musgrove loses no-hit bid with 2 out in 8th vs Brews

Joe Musgrove of the San Diego Padres has lost his bid for another no-hitter with two outs in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers. Kolten Wong hit a double that short-hopped the wall in … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 6/3/22

Yanks' Cole loses perfecto in 7th night after Taillon's bid

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole lost a perfect game bid with two outs in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers a night after teammate Jameson Taillon lost a try in the eighth. Cole was cruising until … more

6/3/22

Ko surges, 3 shots back of Lee, Harigae at U.S. Women's Open

Jin Young Ko never seems to stress. Nor does she let up. The world’s No. 1 player vaulted into contention for a third major championship Friday, playing the final five holes in 3 under to pull … more

By STEVE REED | 6/3/22

Cameron Smith, of Australia, hits from the ninth fairway during the second round of the Memorial golf tournament Friday, June 3, 2022, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

McCarthy rides his good putting to early lead at Memorial

Rory McIlroy was asked whom he considers the better putters in golf these days and he mentioned Denny McCarthy. And then the Memorial began, and McCarthy showed that McIlroy knows what he's talking … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 6/3/22

Former major league pitcher Jim Kaat poses with a photo of himself at age 19 before a spring training baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Florida Marlins in Jupiter, Fla., March 22, 2004. Minnesota Twins broadcaster Kaat referred to New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes by an offensive nickname during a broadcast Thursday, June 2, 2022, the second offensive remark in the past year by the 83-year-old Hall of Fame pitcher while calling a game. (AP Photo/James A. Finley, File)

Yanks' Cortes says Kaat apologized for offensive nickname

Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes says Minnesota Twins broadcaster Jim Kaat reached out and apologized after referring to New York’s breakout pitching star as “Nestor the Molester” during a … more

6/3/22