HOCKEY: NHL tabs finalists for GM award
Marc Bergevin of the Canadiens, Bob Murray of the Ducks and Ray Shero of the Penguins were named as first-time finalists to be the NHL’s general manager of the year. The winner will be announced next month during the Stanley Cup Finals.
Ilya Kovalchuk scored a goal as Russia beat Austria 8-4 at the world championships in Helsinki. Canada rallied for a 4-3 overtime win over Slovenia. The U.S., which faces Slovakia today, and Russia top their group with 15 points.
MLB: Harper hits the wall in Nats’ victory
Bryce Harper had to the leave the Nationals’ 6-2 win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles after colliding face-first with the scoreboard wall while tracking a ball hit by A.J. Ellis in the fifth inning. Harper rolled onto his back and eventually got up under his own power. Streaks of blood were evident on his neck as he walked off the field.
Justin Upton snapped a 14-game homerless drought and had four hits to help the Braves rout the Diamondbacks 10-1 in his return to Arizona. … Alfonso Soriano homered in the Cubs’ 9-1 win over the Rockies.
Billy Butler broke out of a severe slump with five hits and five RBIs as the Royals beat the Angels 11-4. … Yoenis Cespedes and Brandon Moss hit consecutive homers in the third inning of the A’s 5-1 win over Texas.
ETC.: Manchester City gives boot to Mancini
Manchester City fired manager Roberto Mancini, exactly one year after he delivered the club’s first English league title in 44 years. The former Italian star had four years remaining on his city contract.
British teenager Laura Robson defeated Venus Williams 6-3, 6-2 at the Italian Open in Rome to set up a second-round match against Serena Williams.
Jimmy Smith, the former Jaguars receiver who played 13 NFL seasons, began serving a six-year prison term in Mississippi for drug possession and weapons charges. His tentative release date is listed as Nov. 8, 2018.