AVS PICK FIRST IN DRAFT
Denver—The Colorado Avalanche got the first overall pick in yesterday’s NHL draft. The Avs chose 17 year old forward and scoring phenom Nathan McKinnon. The 6-1, 185 pounder is from the same hometown as Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
ROCKIES LOSE FINALE TO GIANTS
Denver—The Colorado Rockies lost to the San Francisco Giants yesterday at Coors Field 5 to 2. Michael Cuddyer continues his hot hitting. The slugging outfielder had an RBI single in the 8th inning to extend his franchise record hitting streak to 27 games. The Dodgers visit Coors Field tomorrow night.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORTS…
LONDON (AP) -The stunning string of upsets at Wimbledon continues into the second week. Defending champion Serena Williams lost in the fourth round, falling 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 to Sabine Lisicki (lih-SIH’-kee) of Germany. The loss ended Williams’ career-best 34-match winning streak and her attempt to capture a sixth title at the All England Club.
Williams was up a break twice in the third set but Lisicki fought back both times and broke again to go ahead. She converted her second match point with a forehand winner.
In other play on a busy day at the All England Club, former champion Petra Kvitova (kuh-VIHT’-oh-vuh) became the first player to reach the quarterfinals, beating Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 7-6, 6-3. She was joined minutes later by Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium, who reached her first career Grand Slam quarterfinal by ousting Flavia Pennetta of Italy 7-6, 6-3. Li Na routed Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-2, 6-love to reach the quarterfinals for the third time. Fourth-seeded David Ferrer overcame another slow start with a 6-7, 7-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Ivan Dodig of Croatia. All fourth round matches in men’s and women’s play are on the schedule.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Zimmerman goes for 12
UNDATED (AP) – A couple of major league baseball streaks are put on hold today with a limited schedule in the bigs. Pittsburgh gets the day off to savor its nine-game winning streak, while Colorado’s Michael Cuddyer (kuh-DY’-ur) puts his 27-game hitting streak on hold because the Rockies are idle. That clears the spotlight for Washington’s Jordan Zimmerman, who will try to become the National League’s first 12-game winner when the Nationals host Milwaukee. Zimmerman sports and 11-3 mark with a 2.28 ERA in 16 starts. He’s 13-0 when pitching at home dating back to May of last year.
Arizona hope a change of scenery improves their fortunes when the Diamondbacks open a series in New York against the Mets tonight. Arizona was swept in Atlanta over the weekend. The NL West leaders turn to Wade Miley to try to end a dismal streak by the Diamondbacks starters. They have gone 22 straight games without earning a win. Miley was the last to do so on June 5. Jason Marquis (mar-KEE’) tries to get back on track for San Diego when the Padres visit Miami tonight. He had his eight-game winning streak ended in his last start. The 9-3 Marquis has surrendered a major league-leading 53 walks this season. Cincinnati hosts San Francisco in the only other National League game on the schedule. Just three games are slated in the American League with the Tigers and Blue Jays leading things off in Toronto this afternoon to celebrate Canada Day. It’s a chance for the Tigers to put some distance between themselves and surging, but idle, Cleveland. Detroit holds a percentage point-lead over the Indians for first the AL Central heading into today’s play. Tampa Bay’s Matt Moore tries to join the ranks of 11-game winners when he starts at Houston tonight. The Yankees are at Minnesota.
NBA-FREE AGENCY
Rockets meet with Howard as NBA free agency opens
UNDATED (AP) – The Houston Rockets have met with Dwight Howard to begin the NBA’s free agency period.With Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon (ah-KEEM’ ah-LAH’-zhoo-wahn) and Clyde Drexler joining them, the Rockets front office pitched Howard on leaving Los Angeles and joining All-Star James Harden in Houston.
Howard is also being pursued by Dallas and Atlanta. The Lakers have said repeatedly they want to keep him. Free agency opened at midnight EDT. Contracts can’t be signed until July 10.
