Sports
Vlad Guerrero Jr., and the Blue Jays stick it to the Yankees in series opener
Take, for example, Guerrero’s off-season assertions that he likes “to play in New York and kill the Yankees” and that he “would never sign with the Yankees, not even dead.” The Jays’ Gold Glove first baseman re-iterated those remarks to reporters in New York prior to Friday’s game and then became one of the lead characters in their first meeting of the season.
While he shook off the initial blow, the shot didn’t sit well with Guerrero. As he walked slowly to first base, he glared at the Yankees dugout and at first baseman Anthony Rizzo though umpires intervened before more trouble could ignite.
Don’t be surprised if there are some more fireworks as the three-game weekend series unfolds, however, starting with a potentially explosive Saturday afternoon matchup. That’s when Jays starter Alek Manoah’s developing verbal feud with Yankees ace Gerrit Cole moves centre stage, especially since each are getting the start for their respective teams.
Heading into their first of 13 meetings this season — reduced from 19 with the new balanced schedule — the Jays were 24-24 against the Yankees dating back to the start of the 2020 season. That included an 8-11 mark in 2022, 5-5 in the Bronx.
With the win on Friday, the Jays pulled even with the Yankees at 12-8, four games behind the division-leading Rays.
KIKUCHI ROLLS
It was another effective outing from Kikuchi as the Japanese lefty scattered four hits and allowed just one run in six effective innings.
Kikuchi’s control was on point all game as he struck out three, including a big sixth-inning fanning of Yankees star Aaron Judge.
Kikuchi has pitched the Yankees well in his time as a Jays, holding batters to a .197 average in his six appearances last season.
For a season that started with Kikuchi heading to spring training having to earn the fifth starter’s spot, it’s been quite an emergence for the personable southpaw. And when stacked on a stellar outing by Jose Berrios in Houston on Wednesday, suddenly the back end of the rotation is showing some strength.
And how is this for the 2023 version of Kikuchi through four games: He’s 3-0 with a 3.80 ERA (21.1IP, 9ER) and 20 strikeouts and has gone six complete in each of his past two starts.
Guerrero may have zero interest in wearing Yankee pinstripes, but the Jays slugger loves to swing a bat in the Bronx.
His first-inning homer to get the series started was his 11th in 31 games in Yankee Stadium, his most in any big league park not named the Rogers Centre.
Guerrero’s latest was a two-run blast, cashing in a leadoff double from George Springer, who ended an 0-for-20 stretch at the plate.
While it was just the fourth homer of the season for Guerrero, it renewed his powerful performances at Yankee Stadium, including a three-homer effort last April.
His persistent baiting of the Yankees is turning into an amusing sideshow as well, a regular opportunity for Guerrero to show his personality. And when he backs it up at the plate, even better. After Friday’s game, Guerrero’s average on the season is a healthy .346.
IN THIS CORNER …
When it comes to Jays starter Manoah, we’ve never been a proponent of the “shut-up and pitch” crowd that thinks the big righty is too outspoken. Frankly, most in that group love his intensity when he’s out there winning ball games.
That said, what a juicy match-up in the Bronx on Saturday when Manoah looks to snap out of the worst stretch of his pro career while one of his major foils, Cole, gets the ball for the Yankees.
While both pitchers will be locked in — Manoah on returning to form, Cole on resuming one of the best early-season runs by a Yankees starter — expect fans in the Bronx to be fired up.
Manoah made comments to Cole last season, essentially challenging him to a brawl if the Yankees ace was interested in escalating things. The chirping carried into the off-season when Manoah labelled Cole as “one of the biggest cheaters in the game.”
He’s been fighting it so far, however, taking his 6.98 ERA into Saturday’s contest against Cole’s skimpy 0.95.
AROUND THE BASES
Belt struck out for the second time in the fourth inning — his 21st K in 41 trips — and then his form reversed dramatically. In the sixth inning he, uh, ‘belted’ his first home run as a Jay — another two-run blast — and then followed that with a two-run double in the eighth … With the win, the Jays have taken six of their past nine against the Yankees … The Jays improved to 8-6 on the road and 5-2 in series openers.
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TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Sports
Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
___
AP cricket:
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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