THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017 SPORTS

NFL James ready to take over as Steelers’ top tight end

LATROBE: Jesse James has prepared the the Steelers really gave me a chance to my game’s at and what I need to do to be “They must’ve liked what they saw in and create space for All-Pro running back last two offseasons to be the starting come into that role, and now that’s the ready for the season.” those 10 games we didn’t have Ladarius. Le’Veon Bell. tight end for the Steelers even expectation, so that’s what I’m going to Green, who signed a four-year, $20 We have a young group, so they know The plan helped carry the Steelers to as the team explored its options follow- do.” While Green struggled to stay million contract in free agency, was what to expect from us and they know the AFC Championship game. Pittsburgh ing Heath Miller’s unexpected retirement healthy in his only season in Pittsburgh, placed on the physically unable to per- we’re going to grow.” reeled off nine straight wins and aver- in 2015. Pittsburgh splurged in free James flourished. He appeared in all 19 form list in training camp and didn’t James played high school football at aged 144 rushing yards per game, up agency a year ago, signing Ladarius games last season for the AFC North appear in a game until November, the nearby South Allegheny and starred in from an average of 82 yards for the first Green to a four-year deal. It lasted only champions, finishing with 39 receptions 10th week of the regular season against college at Penn State. He grew up watch- 10 games. Expect to see more of the one. When the Steelers released Green in for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Dallas. He played in five games before a ing Miller and the Steelers. James, a fifth- same in 2017 from James and the the spring, James found himself in the Heady territory for a kid who grew up in season-ending concussion in week 14. round draft pick in 2015, spent a year Steelers’ tight ends. “I see Jesse getting spot he believed he could be in all along: suburban Pittsburgh. Yet he hardly thinks The Steelers released Green after he under Miller’s tutelage and now he leads better each year because that’s the type a starter on one of the NFL’s most potent he’s arrived. “I’ll have to step it up and be failed his physical in May. a group that includes evolving pass- of player he is,” Grimble said. offenses. more reliable and more prepared to help The team didn’t draft or sign another Xavier Grimble and veteran “He’s always working hard and he’s “I knew I had a chance to be the guy the team in every situation,” James said. “I tight end, allowing James to take over blocking specialist David Johnson. The really good with the offense, especially last year. Things didn’t work out for feel great and obviously I’m in a better the starting role. “It shows a lot that the Steelers added offensive lineman Chris with another year under his belt. I would Ladarius early in the season, so I had that position than I was last year, mentally coaching staff didn’t go out and get Hubbard to the tight end group last sea- expect nothing less than a breakout sea- opportunity,” James said. “This summer, and physically. I feel better about where somebody in free agency,” James said. son in an effort to boost the run game son from him.” — AP

SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Crawford, bottom, scores past Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras during the fourth inning of a game in San Francisco, Tuesday. — AP

BASEBALL Lamb’s slam gives D-backs 6-3 win over Dodgers

PHOENIX: Jake Lamb hit his second career INDIANS 4, ROCKIES 1 homer of the season and drove in three Drew Robinson on a groundout for his 21st right field in the fifth inning, Herrera reached in the seventh inning and the Yan Gomes hit a three-run homer off runs. Stanton crushed a first-pitch fastball save. Texas’ A.J. Griffin (5-3) allowed four runs down to pull a low pitch from Julio Teheran Arizona Diamondbacks rallied to beat Los Greg Holland with two outs in the ninth from A.J. Cole (1-2) deep into the center- and four hits in five innings. (7-10) into the restaurant behind the right- Angeles 6-3 on Tuesday night, handing the inning, lifting Corey Kluber and Cleveland to field stands in the fifth for a 4-1 lead follow- field wall. hit a first-inning major league-leading Dodgers their eighth the victory. After Austin Jackson tied it with ing singles by Miguel Rojas and Dee PADRES 7, REDS 3 homer off Eflin, who was recalled from loss in the last 52 games. Lamb, who also a two-out bloop RBI single, Gomes connect- Gordon. Derek Dietrich also homered and Jose Pirela had four hits and Yangervis Triple-A Lehigh Valley before the game and connected for a solo homer in the sixth, ed on the first pitch from Holland (2-3), driv- drove in three runs for the Marlins. Gordon’s Solarte had a homer among his three hits, earned his first win of the season. Eflin (1-3) was hitting .143 against left-handers this ing it into the seats in center field to touch RBI double and Dietrich’s two-run single put powering the Padres to the victory. San allowed two runs and seven hits. The Phillies season when he drove Tony Watson’s 1-2 off a wild celebration in Progressive Field. Miami up 7-1 in the seventh. Vance Worley Diego’s Luis Perdomo (6-6) escaped threats have won 10 of 12 against Atlanta this sea- pitch off the right-field foul pole to put Gomes flung his helmet and skipped (2-2) beat the Nationals for the second time by inducing three ground-ball double plays son. Hector Neris pitched a perfect ninth for Arizona up 6-3. Justin Turner homered around the bases as the Indians players in nine days. He allowed one run in six his specialty - while pitching into the sev- his 12th save in 15 chances. twice for the Dodgers, who led 3-2 enter- danced out of their dugout at the improba- innings after holding Washington to two enth. Cincinnati catcher Tucker Barnhart hit ing the bottom of the seventh. Watson (5- ble walk-off win. Kluber (10-3) struck out 11 hits while pitching seven innings in Miami’s a three-run homer off Jose Torres. The Padres ANGELS 3, ORIOLES 2 4) was charged with the loss. David in his second straight complete game. He 7-0 win on July 31. improved to 4-1 against the Reds, who Parker Bridwell, a right-hander the Angels Hernandez (2-0) got one out for the win allowed three hits and walked none. Charlie haven’t won a season series from them since picked up simply for cash in mid-April from and Fernando Rodney worked the ninth for Blackmon homered for the Rockies. CARDINALS 10, ROYALS 3 2012. The Reds have gone 7-18 since the All- the Orioles, came back to haunt his former his 26th save in 31 tries. Yadier Molina, Jedd Gyorko and Randal Star break. San Diego piled up nine hits and team in a victory for Los Angeles over BLUE JAYS 4, YANKEES 2 Grichuk homered, leading St. Louis to its five runs off Sal Romano (2-4), who was in Baltimore. Bridwell (6-1) went seven strong RED SOX 2, RAYS 0 Josh Donaldson hit two two-run homers fourth straight win. Michael Wacha (9-4) trouble in each of his six innings. Austin innings, holding the Orioles to one run and Chris Sale struck out 13 in eight innings, for the Blue Jays, and J.A. Happ won his allowed a three-run double to Cheslor Hedges homered for a 5-0 lead in the sixth. six hits. He struck out four and did not walk a and the Red Sox earned their seventh sixth straight decision against the Yankees. Cuthbert but otherwise kept the Royals in Solarte connected for a two-run shot an batter. The Angels are 10-1 this season in straight victory. Sale (14-4) reached double Donaldson connected twice against CC check, surrendering six hits over six innings inning later. games started by Bridwell. Jeremy Hellickson digits in for the 15th time this Sabathia (9-5), who came in with an AL-best to win for the sixth time in seven decisions. (7-6) was matching Bridwell until running into season. He allowed two hits, and Craig 2.29 ERA in 10 road starts. The 2015 AL MVP Molina connected against Jason Vargas (13- TWINS 11, BREWERS 4 trouble in the seventh. He had retired 10 Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for hit a drive to right-center in the first, and 6) in the fourth and Grichuk and Gyorko con- Brian Dozier hit his first career grand slam straight in the 1-1 game when the Angels his 28th save. The win pushed Boston’s AL hooked one down the left field line in the nected to highlight the six-run fifth, when and Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario each chased him with four consecutive hits. East lead over the to four third. It was Donaldson’s 12th multihomer the crown-shaped videoboard at Kauffman homered twice, powering Minnesota to a games. Dustin Pedroia, who returned to the game and his second this season, both Stadium suddenly went dark. About half of it two-game sweep of Milwaukee. Matt Garza MARINERS 7, ATHLETICS 6 lineup as the designated hitter after a stint coming against the Yankees. Happ (5-8) came back online in the seventh, when the (5-6) turned in his shortest and worst start of Leonys Martin homered in the top of the on the disabled list with left knee inflamma- allowed one run and four hits in 5 2/3 Cardinals were tacking on runs. the season with eight hits and eight runs 10th inning as the Mariners rallied from a tion, scored Boston’s first run on a fielder’s innings, improving to 6-0 in 10 starts allowed in 3 1/3 innings for the Brewers, who four-run deficit to defeat the Athletics. choice in the fourth. A bad throw by Austin against the Yankees since 2014. Roberto WHITE SOX 8, ASTROS 5 fell to 4-11 in their last 15 road games. Twins Martin hit a high arcing shot to right off a 2- Pruitt (6-3) prevented a possible inning- Osuna got three outs for his 29th save in 36 Rookie Kevan Smith homered and drove in starter Adalberto Mejia was pulled with one 1 94 mph fastball from Josh Smith (2-0) with ending double play on Rafael Devers’ chop- chances. four runs, and the last-place White Sox out in the fourth inning with pain in his two outs. His second of the sea- per to the mound. It was the only run stopped a six-game losing streak. Left-hander upper left arm, after allowing seven hits and son pushed the Mariners’ record on their allowed by Pruitt in his fourth major league MARLINS 7, NATIONALS 3 Derek Holland (6-11) earned his first win since three runs. Tyler Duffey (1-3) relieved with nine-game road trip to 5-3. Tony Zynch start. He pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings in a Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton hit his June 13, despite issuing seven walks in 5 2/3 two innings for his first victory of the season, pitched out of a jam in the bottom of the win at Houston last Wednesday. career-high and major league leading 38th innings. He had been 0-5 in eight starts and and Dillon Gee struck out five over four 10th for his second save. Marc Rzepczynski one relief appearance since beating Baltimore. scoreless innings for his first career save. (2-0) pitched a scoreless inning in the bot- Dallas Keuchel (9-2) allowed a season-high tom of the ninth. The A’s had runners at first MLB Results/Standings eight runs and 10 hits in four innings for AL- PIRATES 6, TIGERS 3 and second with one out but Zynch struck leading Houston. He had a 1.67 ERA when he Andrew McCutchen hit his 23rd homer, out Chad Pinder swinging and got Matt San Francisco 6, Chicago Cubs 3; LA Angels 3, Baltimore 2; Seattle 7, Oakland 6 (10 innings); Arizona 6, LA went on the disabled list for the second time leading Pittsburgh to its fifth win in six Chapman to fly out to right. Dodgers 3; St. Louis 10, Kansas City 3; 8, Houston 5; Minnesota 11, Milwaukee 4; Philadelphia with a neck injury, on June 8. The All-Star left- games. Pirates right-hander Chad Kuhl (5-7) 5, Atlanta 2; Boston 2, Tampa Bay 0; Cleveland 4, Colorado 1; San Diego 7, Cincinnati 3; NY Mets 5, Texas 4; hander has a 10.50 ERA in three starts since his allowed three runs and five hits in six innings GIANTS 6, CUBS 3 Toronto 4, NY Yankees 2; Pittsburgh 6, Detroit 3; Miami 7, Washington 3. return. Tyler Clippard pitched the ninth for his in his second straight win. He also picked up Buster Posey hit a three-run homer in the American League National League second save. the first two RBIs of his big league career on first that was upheld after review and later Eastern Division Eastern Division a two-run single in the fourth off Matthew stole a base, Ty Blach won his second straight W L PCT GB Washington 66 45 .595 - METS 5, RANGERS 4 Boyd (5-6). McCutchen took Boyd to the start and the Giants beat the Cubs. Replay Boston 64 49 .566 - Miami 53 58 .477 13 Rookie Chris Flexen got his first big seats in center field leading off the fourth for showed Posey’s drive to left-center had just NY Yankees 59 52 .532 4 Atlanta 51 60 .459 15 Tampa Bay 58 56 .509 6.5 NY Mets 50 60 .455 15.5 league win and hit, and the Mets stopped a his franchise-record 13th interleague home enough to clear the wall and left fielder Jon Baltimore 56 57 .496 8 Philadelphia 41 69 .373 24.5 four-game losing streak. Michael Conforto, run. David Freese added two hits for the Jay’s outstretched glove before being caught Toronto 53 59 .473 10.5 Central Division Yoenis Cespedes and Travis d’Arnaud home- Pirates, and Felipe Rivero worked a perfect by a fan. Blach (8-7) hit an RBI single to help Central Division Chicago Cubs 59 53 .527 - red for New York, which led 4-0 after two ninth for his 10th save. Detroit has dropped his cause and the Giants snapped a four- Cleveland 60 50 .545 - Milwaukee 59 56 .513 1.5 innings. Cespedes went deep at Citi Field for four in a row. game losing streak to the Cubs with just their Kansas City 57 55 .509 4 St. Louis 57 56 .504 2.5 Minnesota 55 56 .495 5.5 just the third time this season, his first since third win in the last 10 against Chicago, Pittsburgh 56 57 .496 3.5 Detroit 51 61 .455 10 June 17. D’Arnaud hit his first at home this PHILLIES 5, BRAVES 2 which rallied to win Game 4 of the NL Chicago White Sox 42 68 .382 18 Cincinnati 46 67 .407 13.5 year after nine on the road. Joey Gallo, Odubel Herrera hit a two-run homer, Division Series and eliminate the Giants last Western Division Western Division Adrian Beltre and Robinson Chirinos home- Zach Eflin pitched seven strong innings fol- October on the way to a World Series title. Houston 71 41 .634 - LA Dodgers 79 33 .705 - Arizona 64 48 .571 15 red for Texas. Flexen (1-1) allowed three runs lowing his recall from the minors, and the Blach also beat the Cubs again after a May 22 Seattle 58 56 .509 14 and four hits in 5 2/3 innings in his third big Phillies continued their season-long mastery win at Wrigley Field, allowing two runs on LA Angels 56 58 .491 16 Colorado 64 49 .566 15.5 Texas 53 59 .473 18 San Diego 50 62 .446 29 league start. A.J. Ramos gave up Chirinos’ of the Braves. After Maikel Franco drove in seven hits in seven innings Tuesday with Oakland 50 63 .442 21.5 San Francisco 45 70 .391 35.5 two-out homer in the ninth, then retired Freddie Galvis with a line-drive single to three strikeouts and a walk. — AP