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DIGITAL SPORTS DESK The LEDE Mariners Strike Back vs. Red Sox

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Seattle 5, Boston 0
When: 1:35 PM ET, Sunday, May 28, 2017
Where: Fenway Park, Boston
Attendance: 37,174
Special to Digital Sports Desk by The Sports Xchange

BOSTON — It was the Boston Red Sox’s turn to be embarrassed on Sunday.

One day after slugger Nelson Cruz labeled Seattle’s recent offense output “embarrassing,” the Mariners matched a season high with 16 hits in a 5-0 rout at Fenway Park.

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners

Nelson Cruz (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

Cruz drove in a run, Robinson Cano hit a two-run homer, his ninth home run of the season, and Guillermo Heredia added a solo homer, his third, as Seattle bounced back after being outscored 9-0 in the first two games of the series.

“We got some big hits, a lot of hits today,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “I thought our offensive approach, we were much more aggressive on the fastball. Guys showed up ready to play today, so it was a good day.”

Seattle (22-29) had been outscored 52-9 in losing seven of its last eight games coming in to Sunday.

“We’ve been preparing well, but things haven’t been working out,” Heredia said through a translator. “Something like this helps with (my) self-esteem and the team’s self-esteem.”

Mariners starter Christian Bergman (2-2) did his part with seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks with two strikeouts while reaching the seven-inning plateau for just the second time in 60 career outings.

Bergman was shelled for 10 runs and 14 hits in a four-inning loss to the Washington Nationals in his most recent start last Tuesday.

“I couldn’t wait to get back out there after last time,” Bergman said. “Sometimes the best way is to just get back out and kind of simplify everything and just get back to making pitches.”

Dustin Pedroia had two of the Red Sox’s five hits and Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to seven games with his first-inning single.

The loss snapped a major-league-leading six-game winning streak for Boston (27-22), which finished its homestand at 5-1.

“I think any time you go 5-1 on a homestand, it’s a good week of baseball here,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said.

Red Sox starter Rick Porcello (3-6) limited the Mariners to two runs and walked one while striking out six in 6 1/3 innings but surrendered a season-high-tying 11 hits.

“For the most part, I kept them off the board,” Porcello said, “but (I) definitely would like to be a little bit more consistent early in the count and not give up as many hits as I did, allow that many baserunners.”

The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has allowed nine or more hits in four consecutive starts and five overall this season, the highest total in the majors.

It marked the first occurrence of three consecutive shutouts at Fenway Park since Sept. 25-27, 2015, when the Red Sox outscored the Baltimore Orioles 17-0 in a sweep.

Seattle had not scored in 23 consecutive innings before Kyle Seager charged home from third base on a wild pitch from Porcello with one out in the Mariners’ fourth.

Boston grounded into double plays in each of the first four innings, including three inning-ending turns.

“(Bergman) was keeping the ball down, he (had) a little late life, good movement to the ball,” Servais said. “When you stay at the bottom of the strike zone, good things will happen.”

Cruz doubled the lead on his two-out RBI single in the seventh to diving Red Sox shortstop Bogaerts, who snagged the ball but was off target on his throw to first.

Heredia hit a 401-foot blast over the Green Monster in left an inning later.

Cano’s ninth-inning bomb traveled 415 feet and landed on the black tarp in straightaway center.

NOTES: Boston optioned RHP Brandon Workman to Triple-A Pawtucket after Sunday’s game to make room for LHP David Price, who makes his season debut Monday against the Chicago White Sox. … Seattle selected RHP Ryne Harper from Triple-A Tacoma and optioned Saturday starter RHP Rob Whalen to Tacoma before the game. … Boston selected RHP Blaine Boyer from Pawtucket and optioned LHP Brian Johnson, who threw a complete game shutout on Saturday, to Pawtucket. … Red Sox INF Marco Hernandez (left shoulder subluxation), who had season-ending surgery on Friday, was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. … Boston 3B Pablo Sandoval (right knee sprain) will remain on his rehab assignment with Pawtucket and has no timetable to return. … Both teams wore green caps and uniforms in honor of Memorial Day. … Mariners RHP Sam Gaviglio (0-1, 1.38 ERA) counters Colorado Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (4-6, 4.50 ERA) on Monday. Price opposes White Sox LHP David Holmberg (0-0, 0.87 ERA).

PGA TOUR: Kisner Gets Win on Tour

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FORT WORTH – You’d think Kevin Kisner was a professional poker player rather than a PGA Tour golfer after his cold-as-ice, unemotional countenance Sunday upon posting a one-shot victory in the Dean & Deluca Invitational.

Dean & DeLuca Invitational - Final Round

FORT WORTH – MAY 28: Kevin Kisner celebrates after sinking a par putt on the 18th green to win the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational on May 28, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

There wasn’t a smile to be seen when he was told that Webb Simpson, the second- and third-round leader, failed to make a bunker shot on the 18th hole that would have forced a playoff and that he was the tournament’s newest champion.

Instead, Kisner turned and hugged his wife Brittany for a quick moment before being led away to be fitted for the tartan plaid blazer the winner of this event is given each year.

Maybe it was that no-nonsense attitude that made the difference Sunday for Kisner, who outlasted his nerves and the windswept layout at Colonial Country Club by shooting a 4-under-par 66 in the final round to finish at 10-under 270 and capture the 71th edition of this storied event.

Defending champion Jordan Spieth (bogey-free 65), Sean O’Hair (66) and hard-charging Jon Rahm of Spain (66) finished second.

Simpson (71) bogeyed the 18th hole to finish alone in fifth and Danny Lee of New Zealand (70), the second-round co-leader, ended up alone in sixth at 7 under.

The win was the second of Kisner’s PGA Tour career and his 21st top-10 finish (six of them seconds) since 2014. He had six birdies and two bogeys during his round, with his short game being a key since he hit only eight of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens in regulation

Kisner birdied the 10th and 11th holes to tie Simpson for the top spot and took the lead outright with a birdie on the par-4 12th. He then calmly rolled in a birdie on the par-4 15th to push his lead to two strokes.

That lead was halved by a three-putt bogey on the 16th hole, but his up and down for par from behind the 18th green (with, appropriately enough, his putter — also called a Texas wedge) secured the victory.

“It’s never easy for sure on this tour,” Kisner said. “Guys always seem to make birdies. I’ve been in this position a ton, and one thing I always take away is you just got to keep making birdies and basically look up when you can’t make anymore.

“I knew the way I was playing I going to give myself a ton of chances to win. All you ever dream about is having a chance coming down the last five holes. I’ve had that probably three or four times this year. Today I was just having fun with it. I love the golf course and being in that position.”

The warm, humid and overcast conditions in the final round on the banks of the Trinity River were the most conductive all week to low scores. There were 33 under-par scores in the final round from the 72 players. Twenty-eight golfers finished below par, seven more than were at 1 under or below after the third round.

“This is a place you have to learn,” Kisner said about Colonial. “Knowing where to miss it is the big key around here. You get short-sighted at Colonial with the wind blowing, it’s impossible to get it up and down.

“The greatest thing I learned in the years here is knowing what pins to attack and what pins to play on the fat side. The longest putt you’ll have is 25 feet if you’re pin high and you’re on the green.�

Simpson, who began the day at 9 under, could not expand his lead on the front nine, where he had a birdie and a bogey. He drained a clutch putt for par on the 12th hole to stay just a stroke behind Kisner.

“I didn’t play that bad and I hit so many good putts that didn’t go in,” Simpson said. “It’s just one of those days that’s frustrating and it�s frustrating to end the way I did. You know, I gave myself a chance, and that’s what got to try to do every week. I’ve got to take away the good stuff from here and move on.”
Spieth, feeding on the partisan crowd and playing like he had nothing to lose, went out in 32 and was within a shot of Simpson’s lead after a birdie on the par-4 10th hole.

“We were 3 over for the tournament on Friday and outside the cut line on Friday late morning,” Spieth said. “So to go from there to a second-place finish and almost having a chance at a playoff is tremendous fight. I will just try to get off to a little better start maybe the next time.

“I went second, first, second the last three years here and I love this place. Kiz was the deserving winner this year. I’m really happy for him. It was a lot of fun this week. The crowds were fantastic.”

2009 Dean & Deluca Invitational champion Steve Stricker (a tournament-low 63), Brian Harman (65) and second-round co-leader Scott Piercy (68) finished tied for seventh four shots behind Kisner’s lead. Stewart Cink (72) and England’s Paul Casey (73) tied for 10th six shots off the lead.

NOTES: Brian Stuard had the shot of the round when he aced the par-3, 189-yard 16th (his seventh hole of the day) with a 5-iron, the only hole-in-one of the week. … The par-5, 635-yard 11th is the fifth-longest hole played on the PGA Tour. Despite the distance, there were 109 attempts to reach the green in two this week, the most in the tournament’s 71 years. … Steve Stricker, who will serve as the captain of the U.S. Presidents Cup team later this season, entered the final round tied for 32nd, had eight birdies in his first 14 holes but bogeyed the par-4 15th and finish tied for sixth. … 2017 Masters Tournament champion Sergio Garcia of Spain fired a 71 in the final round and finished tied for 12th place. Garcia (2001) is the last player to win the Colonial in his first start. The others: Keith Clearwater (1987), Dave Stockton (1967), Clayton Heafner (1948) and Ben Hogan (1946)

RED SOX: Will Price Be Right?

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CHICAGO — Five-time All-Star David Price is expected to make his season debut Monday for the Boston Red Sox in the opener of their three-game series against the Chicago White Sox.

Seattle Mariners v Boston Red Sox

David Price (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

 

The 31-year-old left-hander hasn’t pitched in the majors since Oct. 2 because of a strained left elbow.

“My thought process is to put up zeros and help us win. That’s what I’m here to do. That’s what I plan on doing on Monday,” Price told reporters Thursday.

Price, the 2012 American League Cy Young winner, allowed nine runs (six earned) and 12 hits, struck out eight and walked two in 5 2/3 innings in two rehab starts for Triple-A Pawtucket. He threw 89 pitches in 3 2/3 innings in his last outing.

“A lot of pitches in a short amount of time,” Price told reporters. “I think that is more of a test to being healthy as opposed to going out there and throwing five or six (innings) in 90 pitches. To do what I did in both of my rehab outings, I don’t think you can do that if you’re not healthy.”

Price is 5-5 with a 3.26 ERA in 13 career starts against the White Sox, including 3-4, 4.30 in seven turns at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“He’s eager to get back to us, and physically he feels great,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said.

Boston has won six of its last seven games while the White Sox took three of four over the weekend against Detroit. Last season, Chicago won four of seven games against the Red Sox.

For the White Sox, left-hander David Holmberg (0-0, 0.87 ERA) will make his first start of the season. He struck out six and walked two in eight relief appearances after the White Sox purchased his contract from Triple-A Charlotte on May 4. He is 3-6 with a 5.47 ERA in 22 career major league appearances, including 12 starts.

At Charlotte, Holmberg was 3-0 with a 1.76 ERA in six appearances, including one start. Holmberg has never faced the Red Sox.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria said Monday could be a bullpen day, but hopes Holmberg can pitch five innings.

“We’re hoping that we can take him out to a five-inning stint, depending on how many pitches he throws and things like that nature,” Renteria said. “He was starting obviously in the minor leagues, so he had been stretched out. Everybody’s going to have to be available, but I’m hopeful that he’s going to give us a good outing.”

The series will reunite the White Sox with Chris Sale, who was a five-time All-Star when he pitched for Chicago from 2010-16. The hard-throwing left-hander was traded to Boston in December in exchange for four prospects, including highly touted infielder Yoan Moncada. Sale is scheduled to start Tuesday.

“He has my respect,” White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu said through a translator. “He was one of the best teammates that I had here in my first three years, and that will be fun. He’s a very good pitcher, and we’ll see what happens.

DIGITAL SPORTS DESK The LEDE STANLEY CUP FINAL: Pittsburgh Penguins Prep for Nashville

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PITTSBURGH — The number that Pittsburgh captain and center Sidney Crosby didn’t have off the top of his head is 38. That’s how many players have dressed for at least one game for the club dating back to the start of the regular season. It’s a number necessitated by a string of injuries at all positions, and the string has continued through three rounds of the playoffs even as the Penguins have advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, which opens Monday against the Nashville Predators at PPG Paints Arena.

“What we’ve gone through to get to this point, with all the injuries, we found ways all year long,” said Crosby, who missed the first six regular-season games and another in the postseason because of concussions. “That’s a credit to everyone in this (locker) room. … If you look at the amount of guys who have played, who are on the roster, over the course of the year, it’s a lot of guys. Everyone’s a part of that.

“The biggest step is ahead, but to get to this point you need a lot of things to go right, and everyone deserves a lot of credit.”

Pittsburgh already knew it would be without top defenseman Kris Letang for the duration of the playoffs after he had disc surgery on his neck. Other defensemen were in and out of the lineup during the first three rounds because of injuries.

The Penguins regrouped. Pairings have been fluid, and the team has spread the responsibility and minutes, with no defenseman averaging as many as 22 minutes a game in the playoffs.

“I think our defense corps is a resilient bunch,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “They get knocked down, and they get up, and they get back in the fight. I think that’s what I love about them.”

It’s been the same at forward, where Pittsburgh has juggled lines and lineups.

It has made things all the more difficult, but the Penguins apparently are down to three injured players — forwards Patric Hornqvist and Tom Kuhnhackl and defenseman Chad Ruhwedel. All three — particularly feisty winger Hornqvist, who will be facing his former team in the Final — seem close to returning.

“Win four more, and after that we can rest,” winger Carl Hagelin said. “We had some injuries throughout the course of the season, so some guys when you’re injured you actually get some rest. We’re getting more and more guys back, and that’s key right now.”

–Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray has played in just four games, including three starts, since returning from what was believed to be a groin injury that kept him out nearly a month.

He said he’s not only OK, but he’s also better than before physically.

“It was definitely a slow process,” he said. “It’s tough when you’re not able to skate and you’re not able to spend the days with your teammates when you’re hurt. So I definitely just tried to focus on my rehab. I think I came back stronger than before.”

His numbers, while a small sampling, bear that out. He is 3-1 with a 1.35 goals-against average, a .946 save percentage and one shutout. He stopped 27 of 29 Ottawa shots Thursday in the Penguins’ 3-2, double-overtime win in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final.

On April 12, the night of the team’s playoff opener against Columbus, Murray consulted briefly with team head trainer Chris Stewart, then limped down the runway toward the locker room about halfway through the pregame warmup.

Former No. 1 goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stepped in and carried the team partway into the Eastern Conference final before Murray was recovered and Fleury faltered in a game.

Even though Murray helped lead Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup last year after Fleury got hurt, he found that jumping into the playoffs midstream this spring required a headlong leap.

“That’s kind of all I could focus on,” Murray said. “I just tried to jump in and not kind of dip your toes in the water because then you’re going to get beat. So I just tried to jump in and be confident and just try and play my game.”

–Pittsburgh might still be a Steelers-first city, but the Penguins have made great inroads the past few decades. Winning Stanley Cups will do that — they are chasing their second in a row, third in nine seasons and fifth overall.

According to NBC Sports Network, which televised Game 7 Thursday, the Pittsburgh market delivered a 29.7 local rating, tops for any Penguins game, including past Cup Finals games.

The share in Pittsburgh was 47.0, which means almost half of the televisions in the market that were on Thursday night were tuned to Game 7.

–Another sign of the deep loyalty among Penguins fans is a strong road showing. At times, Pittsburgh contingents in opponent arenas have produced clearly audible chants and cheers for the visiting Penguins — particularly places within reasonable driving distance from Pittsburgh.

The Predators, apparently well aware of this, are working to try to ensure that Bridgestone Arena does not become home to any sizable Penguins Nation horde.

Ticketmaster, the agent for Finals games in Nashville, posted a notice on its website that buyers for games at Bridgestone Arena will be limited to credit card billing addresses in the Predators’ viewing area — Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. All others who purchase tickets will have their transaction voided.

C’s Thomas Mulls Surgery, Options

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report for Digital Sports Desk by The Sports Xchange) -Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas said surgery is not currently the top option for his injured right hip. Thomas missed the remainder of the playoffs after aggravating a right hip injury during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the Celtics 135-102 on Thursday night to advance to another NBA Finals to meet the Golden State Warriors.

Thomas told reporters Friday that he must wait until the swelling subsides in his hip before determining his rehabilitation plan.

TD Garden in Boston

“(Surgery is) not the number one option right now, but it could be once the swelling goes down,” Thomas said Friday during Boston’s exit interviews. “They want to let (the swelling) die down a little bit then take another MRI once everything is down and it’s back to normal. We’ll go from there. Hopefully I don’t have to have surgery, but I know that is an option.”

Thomas said there is not a timetable until more tests can be run, but he has full confidence knowing Celtics coach Brad Stevens and president of basketball operations Danny Ainge will keep in mind the best path to his long-term health.

“I’ve gotta do what’s best for me in the long run, what’s best for my body,” Thomas said. “As Brad continues to say each and every day, it’s how you’re healthiest for the long run. Even Danny and those guys say that, so that says a lot about who they are as people.

“Most importantly, they care about my health, not just being a basketball player. So the Celtics are definitely behind me in this tough situation, but I mean, nobody’s going to feel sorry for me. I just have to keep going and figure out what I’ve gotta do to come back at the highest level possible.”

Thomas initially injured his hip in the third quarter of a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 15, forcing the All-Star to miss the next two regular-season contests.

The 28-year-old Thomas aggravated his specific injury — officially labeled as a right femoral-acetabular impingement with labral tear — during Game 6 of the second-round series against the Washington Wizards on May 12. The injury means the ball joint in the hip socket is not moving freely around the cup in which it resides.

Thomas, who averaged 28.9 points per game during the regular season and 23.3 during the postseason, scored 19 total points in the first two games against Cleveland. He played just 18 minutes in Game 2 while playing through the lingering pain.

LeBron James, who scored 35 points on Thursday night in Game 5 as the Cavaliers finished off the Celtics, expressed his admiration for Thomas after the two stars embraced on the court.

“Throughout the series, I didn’t get the opportunity to have that moment (with Thomas),” James said Thursday night. “I know I said a few things in the media about the situation he was going through, but I was happy to see him, give him a big hug from myself and my family.

“Just how tough and determined the guy is, to be able to go through the situation he was going through on a day-to-day basis, still being focused and maintaining his focus for the team, you know, family is everything. Basketball comes second after family. To see him perform the way he was performing in the playoffs under the circumstances, it was a treat to watch. A lot more words to say, but that’s the gist of it.”

Turkish Govt Issues Warrant For OKC Center Enes Kanter

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ISTANBUL – (WIRE SERVICE REPORT) – The Turkish government has issued an arrest warrant for Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter, accusing him of being a member of a “terror group”, according to pro-government newspaper Daily Sabah.

A prosecutor in Istanbul opened an investigation into Kanter’s “membership of an armed terrorist organization,” per the Daily Sabah. Kanter, who was born in Switzerland to Turkish parents, previously backed Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen on his Twitter account.

The Turkish government has accused Gulen, who is based in the United States, of organizing a failed coup last July in attempt to oust Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They have referred to the movement as the “Fethullah Terrorist Organisation,”or FETO.

Gulen has denied the government’s accusation.

Kanter was detained in Romania over the weekend after being informed that his Turkish passport was cancelled. Kanter told reporters on Monday that he would seek American citizenship.

Kanter has compared Ergodan to Adolf Hitler.

On Friday afternoon, Kanter tweeted, “Stand For What You Believe!”

The 25-year-old averaged 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in 72 games with the Thunder in the 2016-17 season

NBA Playoffs: C’s Party is Over

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Cleveland 135, Boston 102
When: 8:30 PM ET, Thursday, May 25, 2017
Where: TD Garden, Boston
Attendance: 18,624
Special to Digital Sports Desk by The Sports Xchange
BOSTON — The Cleveland Cavaliers were supposed to get there, and they did. They were supposed to play the Golden State Warriors there, and they will, deciding the league title for a third consecutive year. LeBron James and the defending champion Cavaliers are headed back to the NBA Finals.

 On to The Finals

“We all need to soak this up. This is a great moment, and this is not promised,” James said after scoring 35 points and becoming the NBA’s all-time leading playoff scorer in a 135-102 blowout of the Boston Celtics in Game 5 on Thursday to clinch the Eastern Conference title.

James, who was joined on the podium by teammates, pointed out that it is a special moment for Deron Williams and Kyle Korver, two veterans heading for their first Finals.

James, who also had eight rebounds, eight assists, three steals and a blocked shot, then talked about “the beast of an opponent” that is waiting.

Kyrie Irving had 24 points and seven assists and the Cavaliers, who sat their starters for the entire fourth quarter.

When James takes the court June 1 in Oakland, Calif., he will be appearing in his seventh straight Finals while seeking his fourth title.

The Warriors, who beat Cavs for the 2015 championship before losing the rematch in 2016, are 12-0 in this year’s playoffs.

“They’ve been playing great, but you can’t get too far ahead of yourself,” Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said of the Warriors. “You saw that in Game 3 against Boston. … To be honest, I didn’t do one (bit of) prep for Golden State yet because I really believe that this (Boston) team is a good team.”

James, who shot 13 of 18 from the floor and 4 of 7 from 3-point range, hit a 3-pointer with 2:41 left in the third quarter to pass Michael Jordan and move to the top of all playoff scorers.

James finished the night with 5,995 playoff points, topping Jordan’s mark of 5,987. Jordan appeared in 179 postseason games; James played his 212th.

Before the game, James said, “It’s just a personal goal of mine. It has nothing to do with passing the rings, passing the points, passing MVPs. It’s just my personal goal to keep me motivated — that’s all.”

For the third time in as many TD Garden games in the series, the Cavaliers never trailed. They won the three road games in the series by a combined 90 points, the last two by a total of 77.

Kevin Love had 15 points and 11 rebounds and was a game-high plus-43, and Williams added 14 points in 17 minutes off the bench in the win that made Cleveland 12-1 in the postseason.

Avery Bradley led the Celtics with 23 points, and Gerald Green scored 14.

“We’re definitely disappointed. I felt like if we weren’t, it would be a problem,” Bradley said. “We feel like we should be here, and we feel like we should be a championship-contending team.”

With 2:44 left, the remaining Boston fans began a “Let’s Go Celtics” chant that kept going until the final horn, cheering every basket as if the game were close.

“I leave with a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth not playing as well here, and man you want to play well here,” said an emotional Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who earned his first two playoff series wins this year.

James said he embraced Isaiah Thomas, who sat out the last three games of the series after playing the first two with a hip injury, later paying tribute to Boston’s little big man.

“It was a matchup that we were all looking forward to, and I’m glad that we prevailed,” Irving said. “But they tested us every single minute, and we needed that.”

The Celtics made some noise near the end of the first half, but Irving scored Cleveland’s first 11 points in the opening 3:18 of the second half. Two baskets by James ballooned the lead to 25 with 6:39 left in the third quarter. It soon grew to 32 and then to 35 by the end of the quarter.

James scored 15 and Irving 13 in the period, with James hitting three bombs in the final 2:41.

Irving, who shook off a Game 4 twisted ankle, shot 9 of 15 from the floor and 4 of 8 from 3-point range.

“If we have a great game plan and play inspired basketball, we’re tough to beat,” Love said.

The Cleveland regulars were 16 of 33 from behind the arc through three quarters — after the Cavs went 19 of 39 on treys in a 44-point win in Game 2. They finished 19 of 41 Thursday.

The Celtics were 9-9 during a playoff run that capped a successful season.

“It’s pretty cool to think that in three weeks you’ve got the No. 1 pick in the draft,” Stevens said.

Added Bradley: “Sky’s the limit if we’re able to keep the core guys together.”

NOTES: Cleveland’s 109 points through three quarters marked the most the Celtics have allowed in the shot-clock era. … Like LeBron James, F James Jones is also going to his seventh straight NBA Finals, all with James. Bill Russell holds the record of appearing in 10 consecutive Finals. … All three of Boston’s walking wounded — Fs Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown and Amir Johnson — were able to play. … Acting Golden State coach Mike Brown, asked about Cavs coach Tyronn Lue’s comment that the Celtics are harder to defend than the Warriors, said, “That’s his opinion. It’s cute.” … The Cavaliers’ 43 points in the first quarter made Cleveland the first playoff team since the 1990 Celtics with three 40-point quarters in the same series. … The teams observed a moment of silence for the victims of Monday’s bombing in Manchester, England.

NHL: Penguins Advance to Cup Final

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Pittsburgh 3, Ottawa 2
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, May 25, 2017
Where: PPG PAINTS Arena, Pittsburgh
Attendance: 18,604
Special to Digital Sports Desk by The Sports Xchange
PITTSBURGH — Left winger Chris Kunitz is 37 now and doesn’t play on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ top line all that often anymore after years of serving as one of star center Sidney Crosby’s regular line mates. But there they were, on the ice together Thursday as midnight approached. Crosby found his old buddy for a one-timer, and Kunitz beat Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson for his second goal of the game at 5:09 of the second overtime to give Pittsburgh a 3-2 victory over the Senators in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final.

Chris Kunitz Scores in 2nd Period

The win lifted the Penguins into the Stanley Cup Final for the fourth time in 10 years. That series begins Monday when the Western Conference champion Nashville Predators visit. Pittsburgh will try to become the first repeat titlist since the Detroit Red Wings won back-to-back Cups in 1997 and ’98.

Getting back to this point is special for Kunitz, who is chasing his fourth Cup, his third with Crosby and the Penguins.

“For sure, never knowing if you’re going to get another chance to come this far or if you’re going to get a chance to play on this ice again with this team,” Kunitz said.

That familiar chemistry with Crosby was a big part of the winning goal. The Senators’ focus on Crosby allowed Kunitz to set up unguarded.

“(Winger Conor Sheary) did a really good job of bringing it up the wall and walking the blue (line),” Kunitz said. “I think Sid came right off the bench. When he drives it deep, everyone (on the opposing team) gets scared and you can find that soft area. Obviously, Sid’s got great vision. He put it right there.”

It was just as comfortable for Crosby.

“I’ve definitely seen that one from him before,” Crosby said. “With the way he was holding the stick you could tell he wanted it bad. I just tried to lay it there for him.”

Ottawa fell short of making the Cup final for the first time since 2007 despite forcing a Game 7 with a 2-1 win in Game 6.

“They gave it their all. They put their souls into it,” Senators coach Guy Boucher said of his players.

Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray, playing on his 23rd birthday, stopped 27 of 29 Senators shots.

Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson, who stopped 45 of 46 shots in Game 6, made 39 saves Thursday.

“Shock, I think at the moment,” Anderson said of the emotion after the loss. “It’s surreal. It doesn’t feel like it’s actually happening, but it is.

“We played our hearts out and gave everything we have and we’ve got nothing to be ashamed of and we laid it out there and we put it on the line and guys were dog tired out there and battling and it just wasn’t in the cards for us.”

The game was nearly halfway through regulation before the Penguins scored the first goal off a two-on-one against Ottawa defenseman Erik Karlsson. Kunitz one-timed a pass from Sheary in tight to make it 1-0 at 9:55 of the second period. It was Kunitz’s first goal in his past 22 playoff games.

Just 20 seconds later, Mark Stone tied it for the Senators, taking a short pass ahead from Karlsson, and from the lower part of the right circle, lifting the puck over Murray’s glove.

“Scoring and then them answering right back — for us to get right back to our game, keep plowing away, keep creating in the offensive zone and keep playing good defensively shows how mentally tough this hockey team is,” Pittsburgh defenseman Ian Cole said.

Justin Schultz scored on a wrist shot from the center point at 11:44 of the third on Pittsburgh’s only power play of the game. The goal, through a Kunitz screen, gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead.

At 14:41 of the third, Ryan Dzingel lifted the Senators into a 2-2 tie when he scored on a rebound of a Karlsson shot.

That was it until Crosby and Kunitz found their old magic.

Crosby ranked the win among the best he has been a part of.

“It’s up there,” he said. “I mean, I think it’s a nerve-wracking game. We know that with the way they play, too, it felt like you could feel comfortable with your game, you could generate chances, but they only need one going back the other way to score. Playing against a team like that, you just have to stay with it and stay poised, and I thought we did a great job at that.”

NOTES: Pittsburgh D Justin Schultz (shoulder) returned but RW Patric Hornqvist (upper body) did not. Both took the pregame warmup and were considered game-time decisions. … Penguins LW Conor Sheary was back after being a healthy scratch for two consecutive games, replacing RW Josh Archibald. … Ottawa C Colin White, who made his NHL postseason debut in Game 6, was scratched in favor of C Chris Kelly.

Red Sox: Sox Keep the Offense Rolling

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Boston 6, Texas 2
When: 7:10 PM ET, Thursday, May 25, 2017
Where: Fenway Park, Boston
Attendance: 33,484
Special to Digital Sports Desk by The Sports Xchange
BOSTON — Drew Pomeranz tied a personal best, and his teammates in the bullpen kept it going as the Boston Red Sox pitchers matched a major league record. Pomeranz struck out 11 in just six innings, and four Boston relievers added another nine strikeouts as the Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers 6-2 on Thursday night to complete a three-game series sweep.It marked the sixth time major league history that a team struck out 20 times in a nine-inning game.

“Tonight was an outstanding display of pitching from every guy that took the mound,” Boston manager John Farrell said.

All five Boston pitchers had at least one strikeout, and every Texas batter struck out at least once on a cold, wet night.

The start of the game was delayed 28 minutes by rain, but that didn’t throw off Pomeranz in the slightest as he started with two quick strikeouts in the first, followed by striking out the side in the second.

Pomeranz held Texas to two runs on four hits and walked just one while putting an end to a personal two-game losing streak.

“I felt lost for a couple of starts. I wasn’t satisfied,” he said.

Pomeranz (4-3) was back on track Thursday, and he received some early help from Boston batters. Andrew Benintendi and Mitch Moreland had RBI singles in the first inning for Boston (25-21), and Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer in the third.

Deven Marrero added a two-run homer in the eighth for the Red Sox, who won their fourth straight and tied their longest winning streak of the season.

“Big win. Texas had been hot coming in,” Moreland said. “We knew with the conditions it was going to be tough.”

Elvis Andrus homered for Texas, which continued to stumble following a 10-game winning streak. The Rangers lost for the fifth time in six games, falling back to .500 at 24-24.

“It is surprising, but that’s the beauty of baseball, I guess,” Andrus said. “You cannot take anything for granted. You cannot take any team for granted. Even when you feel you’re playing at your best, stuff like this can happen.”

Boston fanned 20 in a nine-inning game for the third time — the other two solo efforts by Rogers Clemens in 1986 and 1996.

After Pomeranz exited, Heath Hembree struck out both batters he faced, and Robby Scott struck out his lone batter. Matt Barnes fanned two in a perfect eighth inning.

Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel ended up getting four strikeouts in the ninth after Nomar Mazara, leading off, fanned on a wild pitch and was able to reach first. Mazara didn’t get a chance to go anywhere because Kimbrel finished off the game by striking out three more.

Pomeranz surrendered Andrus’ leadoff homer in the fourth. The only walk Texas drew led to the Rangers’ second run. Delino DeShields walked to lead off the sixth, stole second and scored on a one-out single by Mazara to cut Boston’s lead to 4-2.

Pomeranz was able to stop the damage there, getting Jonathan Lucroy to fly out to center and striking out Rougned Odor to end the inning. It was the 11th strikeout for Pomeranz, matching the career high he set on Aug. 25, 2016, at Tampa Bay.

“Big bounce back start for him,” Farrell said. “On a night when the conditions weren’t ideal, he threw the ball exceptional tonight.”

Nick Martinez (1-3) struggled early for the Rangers before settling down and pitching through the fifth. He allowed four runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking two.

Despite all the strikeouts, Texas manager Jeff Banister credited his team for not letting the Red Sox run away with it.

“That’s this club. They continue to battle. They’re going to stay in it and fight all the way to the end,” Banister said. “These guys stay engaged the whole time.”

The Rangers were able to keep within reach of the Red Sox by averting disaster in the sixth. Dario Alvarez started the inning and lasted only two batters, hitting Moreland and walking Jackie Bradley Jr. Tony Barnette came out of the bullpen for the Rangers and got Christian Vazquez to ground into a double play before striking out Marrero.

Marrero struck out his first three trips to the plate, then salvaged the night with a two-run shot to left in the eighth.

NOTES: LHP David Price (strained left elbow) will make his season debut for Boston on Monday when the Red Sox visit the Chicago White Sox. … Boston LHP Drew Pomeranz needed eight strikeouts to reach 500 for his career, and he reached the milestone by getting 1B Mike Napoli swinging to end the fourth. … Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts, who hit 21 home runs last season, hit his first of 2017 in his 42nd game of the season. … Boston’s Josh Rutledge replaced Dustin Pedroia at second base in the top of the sixth. The Red Sox said Pedroia had pain in his left knee and called the move precautionary. … The Red Sox remain at home for the weekend with a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners. Texas plays three games in Toronto beginning Friday.

PGA TOUR: Fathauer, Poston, Kraft Lead

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FORT WORTH – The attempt to tame storied Colonial Country Club is difficult under even benign conditions, so when the wind is howling through and above the narrow pecan tree-lined corridors the work is doubly difficult.

Unheralded Derek Fathauer, J.T Poston and Kelly Kraft enjoyed their stint in the spotlight on Thursday when they fashioned a 5-under-par 65s to tie for the lead after the first round of the Dean & Deluca Invitational, played under warm and windy conditions on the banks of the Trinity River.

Derek Fathauer
The leaders have combined to play 172 events without a win and have garnered only 10 combined top-10 finishes, but each found a way to play through the blustery winds and temper their nerves to find a place atop the leaderboard.
Scott Brown, Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland and Jon Rahm of Spain all shot 66 in the morning wave and were tied for fourth.
Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson, both two-time champions at Colonial, and Paul Casey of England head a group of six golfers in a tie for seventh at 67, while Scott Piercy, Stewart Cink and 2012 U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson highlighted 11 players tied for 13th at 68.
Masters champion Sergio Garcia of Spain is in a tie for 24th at 69, while defending champion and hometown favorite Jordan Spieth struggled with his driver and finished in a tie for 34th at 70.
Fathauer played in the morning wave, started on the back nine and made a birdie on his first hole — the par-4 10th — before giving that stroke back on the par-4 fifth.
Then he birdied the par-4 18th and added four more birdies on the front nine, including one on the daunting par-4 third hole that begins Colonial’s famous “Horrible Horseshoe,” a difficult three-hole stretch.
“I kind of believed I had this kind of round in me, but a look at my last 15 rounds or 16 rounds I wouldn’t have said so,” said Fathauer, who has missed the cut in nine of 17 events this season, including his last three tournaments.
“I just play my own game. You can walk up and down the range and see guys with TrackMan and swing coaches and gadgets and stuff, and that’s not how I learned to play golf. I just hit the ball, go find it, and hit it again.”
Poston, a PGA Tour rookie, racked up six birdies and one bogey, while Kraft, the 2011 U.S. Amateur champion from nearby Denton, Texas, had five birdies and no bogeys, both amazing rounds considering they played in the afternoon wave when the winds were a constant 25 mph, with gusts to 32.
“A lot of times out there hitting it to 30 feet is a good spot,” Poston said. “You’ve just got to realize that, even if it is with a 9-iron.
“I felt like I did a good job staying patient. I was glad to see to pay off. I putted it nice, too. Every time I needed to make a good par putt to keep the round going I did, so it was just a good day.�
Spieth’s round featured six birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey, and a lot of hand-wringing and conversations with his golf ball.
“We knew ahead of time we were going to get the kind of raw end of the deal this week (with the draw) but it happens,” Spieth said. “It evens out over time. It’s a bit of a bummer when it happens.
“Last year, I was on the bad end of the draw this week by two and a half shots, and we won by three. It doesn’t mean you can’t come through. We saw two of our three leaders come out of the afternoon wave today, so if you’re hitting the fairways out here and you’re giving yourself some looks, they’ll pour in.”
Only 33 players in the starting field of 121 golfers broke par on Thursday. The players in the morning wave shot two strokes less than those in the afternoon wave (70.49-72.67).
NOTES: Seung-Yul Noh of South Korea withdrew after an opening round 76. … In his first event after a resounding win at The Players Championship, 21-year-old Si Woo Kim of South Korea, who resides in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton, shot a 72 after recording playing the front-nine (his final nine holes) in 4-over-par. … Steve Stricker, captain of the U.S. Presidents Cup team later this season, also shot 72 on Thursday. Stricker won this event in 2009 and is playing the tournament for the 11th time. … The Colonial Country Club course record is 61, shared by Chad Campbell (2004), Justin Leonard (2003), Kenny Perry (2003), Greg Kraft (1999), Keith Clearwater (1993) and Lee Janzen (1993)

MLB GAME SCOUT Seattle at Sox

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Seattle at Boston
When: 1:35 PM ET, Sunday, May 28, 2017
Where: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
Special Preview to Digital Sports Desk by Gracenote

BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox are riding a league-high six-game winning streak, while the back end of the rotation steps up to support an offense that is beginning to fire on all cylinders. The Red Sox will try to earn a three-game sweep and post a third consecutive shutout when they host the Seattle Mariners in the series finale on Sunday.

Texas Rangers v Boston Red Sox

(Rick Porcello – Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Rookie left-hander Brian Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to make a spot start on Saturday and ended up becoming the first Boston pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 1998 to fire a shutout in his Fenway Park debut when he scattered five hits over nine innings in a 6-0 triumph. That followed another solid start from Eduardo Rodriguez in Friday’s 3-0 series-opening win and an 11-strikeout effort from Drew Pomeranz that capped off a three-game sweep of the Texan Rangers on Thursday. “Their guy threw the ball over the plate. He threw strikes,” Seattle manager Scott Servais told reporters after Saturday’s loss. “I don’t want to take anything away from what he did. But we’re not swinging the bat very well. And the only way to get out of that, you have to fight and get a little ticked off and show up tomorrow with a little chip on your shoulder.” The Mariners, who have lost seven of their last eight games and scored one or no runs in each of those setbacks, will try to get the bats going against reigning Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello while righty Christian Bergman starts for Seattle.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Christian Bergman (1-2, 6.30 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (3-5, 4.35)

Bergman is one of a few pitchers being forced into starting duty due to a slew of injuries to the rotation and is coming off a terrible outing at Washington on Tuesday. The 29-year-old was rocked for 10 runs on 14 hits – four homers – and did not notch a strikeout in four innings. Bergman, who is seeing the Red Sox for the first time in his career, struck out nine in 7 1/3 scoreless innings against Oakland to earn a win on May 17.

Porcello already owns more losses than he recorded during his 2016 Cy Young campaign (four) and has surrendered four earned runs in each of his last two outings. The New Jersey native was reached for five total runs and 11 hits against Texas on Tuesday but worked 6 1/3 innings and got enough run support to earn the win. Porcello suffered one of his four losses last season against Seattle and is 6-4 with a 3.69 ERA in 11 career starts versus the Mariners.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 3B Pablo Sandoval (sprained right knee) could return on Monday.

2. Seattle sluggers Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz are a combined 0-for-16 in the series.

3. Johnson was optioned back to Pawtucket after his gem to make room for Boston LHP David Price (elbow), who is expected to make his season debut on Monday.

Sox, Johnson Blank Mariners

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Boston 6, Seattle 0
When: 4:05 PM ET, Saturday, May 27, 2017
Where: Fenway Park, Boston, Mass
Attendance: 36,985
Wire Service Report for Digital Sports Desk by The Sports Xchange

BOSTON – Young left-hander Brian Johnson was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket after Saturday’s game.But before he left, ending his second brief stay in the major leagues in 2017, he left a mark that could go a long way toward determining his future with the Boston Red Sox.

Johnson pitched a five-hit shutout as the Red Sox won their sixth straight with a 6-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

“That’s the reality of the game,” manager John Farrell said after Johnson, 26, struck out eight and walked none in his second win in as many tries this season — with 85 strikes in 109 pitches. “Brian’s aware of it and we had a chance to congratulate him and yet option him back to Pawtucket, with David Price coming here Monday … (Johnson was) in complete command of this game.

Brian Johnson

“He was outstanding with first-pitch strikes, a great job with overall strike percentage … just really happy for him, as everyone is here, given all that he’s been through and just a game in complete control.”

Johnson, who was placed on the inactive list at Pawtucket last May 21 with anxiety issues, also has had elbow problems as well as being a victim of a carjacking.

Johnson pitched Boston’s first complete game of the season, the team’s first shutout since Steven Wright last Aug. 5 and Boston’s first at Fenway Park since Rich Hill on Sept. 25, 2015.

He became the first Red Sox pitcher to throw a shutout in his Fenway debut since Pedro Martinez on April 11, 1998.

“To even be mentioned with his name is incredible,” Johnson told WEEI after receiving a Gatorade shower after the game.

Only two runners reached scoring position in Johnson’s effort, both in the fifth inning, as the Red Sox posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since notching three in a row from Sept. 25-27, 2015.

“I don’t think it’s really hit yet — like I just told John (Farrell),” he said in the clubhouse. “I don’t think it’s hit. The crazy thing to think about: The last time I walked off the mound here was 2012 (in the SEC tournament) and I made two pitches and today I went nine innings. Today was pretty cool.”

According to STATS, Johnson became the seventh pitcher to throw 85 strikes with 109 pitches or less since such numbers were tracked in 1988.

As far as his return to Triple-A, Johnson said: “It’s part of it. You come up and make the most of your opportunity.”

“This is a great day for Brian Johnson,” said Farrell. “Great day. Glad that his dad was in town and could see it in person and hopefully this is a night they can share as a special moment.”

Johnson, Boston’s No. 7 prospect according to Baseball America, said he found his dad after the game and shared a hug.

The Red Sox have blanked the Mariners in each of the first two games of the series and have outscored their opposition 47-15 during the winning streak that has them two games out of first place.

Johnson received all kinds of help, from his defense. Right fielder Mookie Betts extended his glove over the right field wall to take a home run away from Nelson Cruz. Then, Jackie Bradley Jr. went to the center-field wall to take extra bases away from Robinson Cano before ending the game with two fine catches.

In addition, second baseman Dustin Pedroia, on the verge of committing his first error in 80 games, recovered from his failure to catch a grounder and flipped to second for a force play, with a nifty finish by shortstop Xander Bogaerts.

Bradley hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning that ended the day for Mariners starter Rob Whalen (0-1), who made his debut with Seattle. The right-hander allowed three runs in the first inning, but survived because both Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez were thrown out on the bases — Ramirez at the plate after running a stop sign from third base coach Brian Butterfield. The play wasn’t close and ended the inning, perhaps keeping Whalen in the game.

Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi and Sandy Leon all stroked RBI singles in the first inning while Mitch Moreland added one in the eighth.

The Mariners have lost seven of their last eight games, scoring just nine runs in those games — five in the seven losses.

“Obviously we haven’t scored a run in a couple of games here in Boston. Not good,” said Seattle manager Scott Servais. “It wasn’t a good ballgame and we’re better than that.”

Added Cruz: “We’re proud of what we do, you know? This is embarrassing. I don’t think we should be in this situation. I understand we have injuries and all that but there’s a point where you have to turn everything around.”

NOTES: Some good news for members of the injury battered Seattle pitching staff on the DL: LHP James Paxton (forearm) will start Wednesday at home Wednesday night while RHPs Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iawkuma (both shoulder) threw 25-pitch bullpen sessions Saturday at Fenway Park. While Iwakuma’s was his first, Hernandez reported, “I felt very good,” and hinted he’s close. … Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia returned after missing a game and a half to keep his surgically repaired left knee off wet grounds. … Boston 3B Pablo Sandoval (knee) is finishing his Triple-A rehab and could return as soon as the series that starts in Chicago against the White Sox on Monday, with LHP David Price (elbow) making his 2017 debut in the opener of that series. … The Red Sox had two runners thrown out on the bases and lead the league in that category — led by Pedroia (one of the two Saturday) with five. … RHP Christian Bergman faces the Red Sox for the first time when he goes against RHP Rick Porcello in Sunday’s series finale.

DIGITAL SPORTS DESK The LEDE Red Sox: On A Roll vs Mariners

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Boston 3, Seattle 0
When: 7:10 PM ET, Friday, May 26, 2017
Where: Fenway Park, Boston
Attendance: 35,080
Special to Digital Sports Desk by The Sports Xchange

BOSTON — John Farrell doesn’t see any great mystery behind the sudden success of young left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez.

“It’s just a matter of his abilities coming together,” the Boston manager said after Rodriguez turned in his seventh straight quality start in the Red Sox’s fifth straight win, a 3-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game series on Friday night.

“This has always been an extremely talented young guy,” Farrell said. “We’ve talked about his maturity, we’ve talked about his progression. It’s been on display here for a good number of starts consecutively. He’s in a very good place. Good to see him put it together.”

Rodriguez (4-1) allowed five hits and walked three but battled through six innings and remained unbeaten since his first start of the year. He struck out four and has the third-most strikeouts (257) of any Boston pitcher in the modern era within his first 50 starts.

“I don’t think it’s any one thing you can point to,” Farrell said. “He’s generated a lot of talk because of the run he’s on and doing a very good job. It’s a combination of a lot of things that’s culminated in increased confidence, pitching relaxed with very, very good stuff.”

“I think just the overall consistency is special. I’m not impressed that he can do it, because we know he can do it,” said teammate Jackie Bradley Jr., whose throw from left-center field cut down Danny Valencia trying for a double that would have given the Mariners second and third and nobody out in the second inning. “He’s very talented and it’s very fun playing behind him.”

Three relievers worked an inning apiece, with Craig Kimbrel adding to his early season magic with a perfect ninth for his 13th save of the season and his 27th straight at Fenway Park.

First baseman Mitch Moreland took a hit away from Valencia that would have been the first hit by a right-handed batter off Kimbrel this season. Kimbrel finished the game by getting Taylor Motter to bounce out — making right-handed hitters 0-for-39 against him this season, and he has retired 55 of the last 59 hitters he has faced, including 35 of the last 37.

“Every time he comes in the ninth inning and we’re winning a game and he comes in we know we’re gonna win,” Rodriguez said. “That’s all I’m thinking all the time I see him in the game. He’s something special in there.”

The win moved the Red Sox past the losing Baltimore Orioles and into second place in the American League East, two games behind the losing New York Yankees — the closest Boston has been since April 25 (also two games out).

The last-place Mariners (21-28) lost for the sixth time in seven games and have scored five runs in those six losses. Their best chance to score was in the second inning, but two baserunning blunders kept them off the board.

“Again, offensively, we struggled to put innings together,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “That’s kind of been the story here for the last week or so — we just haven’t gotten the line moving at all, for whatever reason.

“It seems like we’re going to start something going, we don’t get the big hit. Got one yesterday (a three-run homer by Nelson Cruz in Washington), didn’t get one tonight.” Yovani Gallardo, who lasted 5 1/3 innings, fell to 2-5 with the loss. He walked six and wild-pitched a run home.

“Yeah, I definitely had to battle,” he said. “The whole night obviously wasn’t consistent. But I made pitches whenever I had to.”

The Red Sox (26-21) scored a second-inning run on a Bradley double and two groundouts and added two in the sixth, one scoring on the Gallardo wild pitch and the other on a passed ball by Mike Zunino.

In four games during their current homestand — all wins — the Red Sox have been gifted six runs — on four wild pitches, a passed ball and a balk.

Hanley Ramirez and Christian Vazquez had two hits apiece for Boston.

Jean Segura had three of Seattle’s six hits. He has five hits in the last two games and is batting .346 for the season.

Rain, heavy at one point, fell from the fifth inning on, but the game was not stopped on th second straight wet night at Fenway.

NOTES: Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia, removed from Thursday night’s wet conditions because of soreness in his surgically repaired left knee, was rested after another day of rain. … The Mariners lost RHP Chris Heston and INF Mike Freeman to waiver claims, both to the Los Angeles Dodgers. … Boston INF/OF Brock Holt, battling vertigo, has been pulled from any game action for at least time being. He will continue to work out and travel with the team. … RHP Rob Whalen makes his first start with the Mariners on Saturday, facing LH Brian Johnson, who will be recalled for his second start of the season for the Red Sox. … The Red Sox optioned RHP Ben Taylor to Pawtucket after the game to make room for Johnson. … Pregame ceremonies honored the May 29 100th birthday of John F. Kennedy, Boston’s favorite sun.

NBA Draft: Ball Not in Celtics’ Court

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BOSTON – Lonzo Ball does not appear to be interested in being the Boston Celtics’ No. 1 overall pick.The former UCLA star’s representatives informed the Celtics, who hold the top pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, that Ball will not work out for the team, Boston president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said in a radio interview Thursday.

“We tried to get (Ball) in,” Ainge told 98.5 The Sports Hub via ESPN.com.

“We don’t deal with (Ball’s camp) all that much. They didn’t show up at the combine, which is very common — many of the top 10 or 15 players don’t show up for the combine. … We just tried to get him in for a workout and they politely said no.”

Ball’s father previously said his son will only work out for the Los Angeles Lakers, who own the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Boston holds the top pick thanks to a trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

Ball, 19, averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 assists and six rebounds over 36 games in his lone season with the Bruins in 2016-17.

Washington guard Markelle Fultz is the top-ranked prospect in the 2017 draft class according to NBADraft.net and is expected to be the top pick in the draft. Ball is the second-best prospect according to the website.

Copyright 2017

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