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More Zlatan drama in Galaxy loss to NYCFC

Published in Soccer
Saturday, 11 May 2019 19:11

New York City FC extended its unbeaten streak to seven games with a 2-0 victory over the LA Galaxy in a match marred by an incident between Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

Ibrahimovic was held without a goal for the second consecutive game as Los Angeles' losing streak reached three games, and his frustration seemed to rise to the surface in the 87th minute when he grabbed Johnson on the side of the neck after his near goal. The players tumbled to the ground with both earning yellow cards.

Ibrahimovic's incident came a day after he was fined an undisclosed amount for diving in Wednesday's loss to the Columbus Crew. The Swedish striker also made news last week for alleged verbal threats and a post-match confrontation with Real Salt Lake defender Nedum Onuoha.

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Should Zlatan have seen red for this incident?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sean Johnson both received yellow cards after this incident late in the match between LA Galaxy and NYCFC.

Saturday's match was the first time the Galaxy (7-4-1, 22 points) has lost at home this season in seven games.

NYCFC's goals came on when Heber struck first in the 44th minute, for his third on the season. Maximiliano Moralez added a score from the penalty spot six minutes into first-half stoppage time. It is the first time in team history NYCFC (4-1-6, 18 points) has won three consecutive road games.

Midfielder Anton Tinnerholm fired a left-footed shot that was turned away on a diving save by Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingham. Hebert jumped on the rebound and fired his own left-footed shot into the net.

Tinnerholm was at it again a few minutes later, earning a shot from the penalty kick when his cross into the penalty area rebounded off the raised arm of Uriel Antuna for a hand ball. Moralez delivered to the bottom left corner of the goal past a diving Bingham for his second tally of the season.

- Carlisle: Does MLS have a double-standard problem with Zlatan?

The Galaxy had multiple scoring chances in the 86th minute when Ibrahimovic and Chris Pontius both hit the crossbar.

The Galaxy's much-improved defense has been exposed of late. After giving up a combined eight goals in the first nine matches of the season, Los Angeles has allowed eight during its three-game skid.

The Galaxy was without offensive playmaker Jonathan Dos Santos, sidelined with a left hamstring injury that occurred during Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Columbus Crew. Also out for a third consecutive game was right back Julian Araujo (ankle).

Mumbai Indians closed out April with four successive games on the road and then edged Sunrisers Hyderabad in a crazy super-over finish at the Wankhede. As things panned out, they had to win their final league game, also at home, against Kolkata Knight Riders to top the points table. Rohit Sharma's men ticked it off and pressed onto topple Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier at Chepauk. All of this resulted in a welcome four-day break for Mumbai before the final.

Rohit found time to visit the Tirupati temple while the rest of his team-mates and their families got together for a squad dinner in Hyderabad. On the eve of another Mumbai v Super Kings final, Rohit and coach Mahela Jayawardene were in a similar relaxed state of mind and urged their players to shelve emotions, too, and not get ahead of themselves.

"Every now and then we've spoken to the guys about not getting too emotional about the finals or playoff games you play," Rohit said. "We just want to focus on the game at hand and not think too far ahead. That particular thing has helped us as a team moving forward. So, I don't think we need to change anything else, and continue to focus in that direction. If we keep doing that, it'll work for years to come as well."

Not letting emotions cloud their judgement so far has been central to Mumbai's run to the final. Lasith Malinga was the side's bowling mentor last season, but they got him on board again as a player in the IPL 2019 auction after he had worked on his fitness and rediscovered his bowling rhythm. Mayank Markande, who was Mumbai's biggest success story last season, couldn't quite replicate his form this season, and was left out in favour of Rahul Chahar, who has produced crucial breakthroughs in the Powerplay as well as middle overs. Suryakumar Yadav had a patchy start to the tournament, but peaked against Super Kings in the first qualifier to launch Mumbai into the final.

"It's important we trust a group of players," Jayawardene said. "And we identify the guys who are performing and who are in form and once you're transparent about that everyone understands what's the best XI and they pick themselves quite easily. Mayank [Markande] started the season, but we felt Rahul [Chahar] was bowling much better and his rhythm was better. So, we went with that option. Same with Lasith [Malinga].

"Last year, Lasith was injured and not in great form. This year we thought he was back in form and would be a good foil for [Jasprit] Bumrah because at the back end lots of teams are leaking runs in that department. So, we want to have experience there. So, it's a collective decision. It's not an easy one, but as long as you're honest and there's a process behind the decision-making, things become easier and that entire group understands that and that's transparent. That has helped us become consistent over the years and that's been a part of the success as well as they come out and play fearless cricket in that environment."

Having beaten Super Kings three times in three games this season and twice in three IPL finals, Mumbai head into this IPL final with a significant advantage. When asked if performing against Super Kings brings the best out of Mumbai, Rohit simply downplayed the rivalry and said that anyone could beat anyone in the IPL, citing the example of Rajasthan Royals defeating Mumbai twice this season, but still suffering a premature exit.

"I wouldn't agree with that [Super Kings bringing the best out of Mumbai?]. The tournament itself is the biggest challenge," Rohit said. "Every team has threats in their team. You have to be good on that particular day to beat any team. Royals for example, have not qualified but they've beaten us twice. MI v CSK - the reason there's a lot of hype around is because they've been so successful in winning the championship. That's probably the reason everybody looks forward to this clash and there's a lot of talk going around these two teams. I see every team as a threat, because if you lose the grip at any stage against any opposition, you might not have the result you're looking for."

Both Rohit and Jayawardene credited collective, not individual, brilliance for Mumbai's sustained success. Five bowlers have claimed 10 or more wickets for Mumbai this season and although Rohit hasn't quite fired like he can, Quinton de Kock, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Suryakumar and Ishan Kishan have all made telling contributions with the bat.

"Finding different match-winners is something we spoke of at the beginning of the season," Jayawardene said. "It takes pressure off key players as well - otherwise, they are going to a game under pressure. Whereas when you have six-seven guys to win a battle for you out there, it gives you opportunities to win matches. That's something we realised you require in such a tournament. And playing home and away as well - different conditions suits different players. Another factor is that opposition also finds it difficult to plan or have an idea how we approach different games because different guys are actually performing.

"I've always believe that teams wins championships, individuals can win you matches, but you need a good group and team to win championships. That's something we've tried doing."

With the World Cup starting on May 30, 18 days after the IPL final, workload management has been a major talking point throughout the season. Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma reckons that the demands of the IPL will help players build towards the showpiece event in England and Wales, rather than lead to burnout.

Rohit cited the example of India winning the Champions Trophy in June 2013, which started about ten days after the end of the IPL that year. Rohit was in top form across both tournaments, following up his 538 runs in 19 innings for Mumbai Indians in their maiden run to the IPL title with 177 runs in five innings in the UK, helping India secure that title as well.

"Once the IPL started, we knew this was the window - March and April or April and May - because of the elections," Rohit said. "In 2013, we played the IPL and went on to play the Champions Trophy and in fact we went on to win the Champions Trophy. I feel the guys who play IPL and go play big tournaments right after that, they're very much in touch with their game."

Rohit also said that Mumbai were open to resting key India players - fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and allrounder Hardik Pandya, who had just recovered from a back injury ahead of the IPL - at various points during the league, but the players opted against it and were instead keen to keep playing.

Bumrah and Hardik are among six players to have featured in all of Mumbai's 15 games so far this season. While Bumrah is their leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate of 6.84, Hardik found form - both with bat and ball - after being sidelined from the India side with multiple injuries and off-field troubles earlier this year.

Hardik had missed India's most recent ODI series against Australia, but hit the ground running this IPL. He has been Mumbai's premier power-hitter, making 386 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 193. And he has smashed 28 sixes - only Kolkata Knight Riders' Andre Russell (52) and Kings XI Punjab's Chris Gayle (34) have hit more sixes this season. He has elevated his batting to an all-new plane, so much so that he can now hit yorkers - or near-yorkers - for sixes by deploying the helicopter shot.

Hardik has also been at it with the ball and in the field, claiming 14 wickets and taking 11 catches.

"We spoke at the start of the tournament that we will assess each one of players, see where they are at and what they feel about their bodies," Rohit said. "It's more an individual thing than [what] we decide for them.

"In the case of Jasprit, he's someone who likes to play games to make sure he's in good rhythm. At the start of the tournament, we spoke that at any given stage if he feels he needs to rest, we were open to that. But our physios and trainers have monitored him quite well and there was constant feedback from Jasprit as well about he's feeling. So far, we haven't had issues with Jasprit and Hardik, so we continued to play them.

"Before the IPL if they weren't in great form, this is the time they can get back to form. Hardik is the best example. Before the IPL, he didn't have a good time, was injured, and missed a few games as well. But he has been tremendous for us - both in batting and bowling. So, yeah it's [IPL's] a big tournament and you can judge yourself where you're at before a big tournament like the World Cup."

AB de Villiers pulls back from BBL interest

Published in Cricket
Sunday, 12 May 2019 02:38

AB de Villiers has backtracked from his earlier interest in taking part in the Big Bash League for 2019-20, in the process casting a major cloud over how Cricket Australia will satisfy its broadcast partners in the search for marquee talent to sell the competition.

Last month, de Villiers' management had indicated to BBL clubs that the former South Africa captain was interested in playing in the competition, albeit for a limited stretch towards its concluding stages in late January and early February, following his commitments in the Bangladesh Premier League.

However, ESPNcricinfo has learned that de Villiers has now flagged to interested clubs his unwillingness to take part in the BBL, having realised the degree to which CA and the BBL were looking towards him as a panacea for the tournament's plateaued television ratings and match-by-match attendances, amid its rapid growth from eight games per team to 14 each - a full home-and-away schedule.

Up to this point, CA, the clubs, and the broadcasters - Fox Sports and Seven - had appeared set to put together a package deal worth as much as A$350,000 to land de Villiers for a segment of the tournament, though there was a level of disquiet about how such a deal could be struck without an equitable system being in place for all clubs to secure big names.

There is some suspicion among clubs that de Villiers may still return to the bargaining table in search of a better offer, given the obvious desire for his presence in Australia next summer. But, for the moment at least, his signature appears likely to remain elusive, in what is a significant setback for the league. As recently as last week, CA's head of events and leagues, Anthony Everard, had expressed hope that players of de Villiers' ilk would add sheen to the summer, particularly in light of the national team's absence for a large chunk of January to tour India.

"Something we've really been focusing on irrespective of the Australian team going to India, we're buoyed by some conversations that some of the clubs are having and it's been reported some of the big names potentially coming out," Everard had said on May 7. "The success of the BBL has always been predicated on a combination of marketable overseas players, some young up and coming stars and the foundation of the Australian domestic players."

Other players, notably Andre Russell, have attracted the interest of BBL clubs and would demand a similar asking price, leaving the ball in CA's court as to whether or not the governing body would offer similar assistance to secure his services.

"Cricket Australia is committed to a competition that meets fan demands. This includes supporting BBL clubs to create a competition that features international stars to complement strong local talent," acting Head of the BBL Abhi Arunachalam said. "The recent rule changes have been implemented so clubs have the best opportunity to recruit overseas players among a cluttered global calendar."

A gaggle of top-tier talent has drained away from the BBL in recent times, including overseas names such as Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo, Eoin Morgan and Russell, while bankable Australian players such as Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson have exited the tournament over the past 12 months, in part due to its increased length and demands.

Both CA and the clubs had been open to the institution of a system whereby each club could nominate one marquee overseas player to be paid outside the present BBL salary cap, but the plan fell afoul of the Australian Cricketers' Association, which has countered that the length of the tournament is a bigger obstacle than overseas player places.

Instead, CA on Saturday announced it would allow clubs to sign up to six overseas players over the course of the BBL, provided only two were part of 18-member squads at any one time, and replacements were approved by the tournament's technical committee.

"At the conclusion of each season we take the time to review what's working well and where we can make positive changes to the game and the fan experience," Everard said. "We've considered feedback from our fans and worked with relevant stakeholders of the game to implement changes that will continue to improve the competition in 2019/20.

"The ACA, BBL clubs and our broadcast partners have been an integral part of that, leading to the introduction of each club being allowed to contract up to six overseas players in BBL|09. The maximum number of overseas players permitted in a club's squad will remain at two, but there is now increased flexibility to contract up to six players throughout the season and rotate them in and out as required.

"It's a fantastic result for the competition, with clubs given a better chance at securing international players on a short-term basis to fit into an increasingly competitive global cricketing calendar."

CA's preference for Australian players to be available for the pointy end of the BBL may provide some salve to the problem of raising the tournament's profile, after the likes of Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch added lustre to its closing stages in 2019. David Warner, who has not played in the BBL since 2013-14, remains a potential signing for one of the clubs.

Big Picture

West Indies have already sealed a spot in the tri-series final, while Bangladesh beat them in their previous face-off in the tournament. Ireland, the hosts, have lost two of their three matches, with one washed out, and if Bangladesh beat West Indies on Monday, the home side will be out of the running for a spot in the final. Ireland, therefore, will follow the goings-on in Malahide on Monday with interest, but the competing teams will have more at stake than just tournament standings - there is the World Cup looming, and Bangladesh and West Indies have a few areas they will want to improve on.

West Indies have blown hot and cold in this tri-series. Between beating Ireland convincingly in the first game and in a more closely fought encounter in the fourth, they lost handily to Bangladesh.

In the match against Bangladesh, Shai Hope followed his first-game century with another one. But he might have wanted to accelerate sooner than he did. West Indies also ended up making only 64 runs in the last ten overs, and their bowlers were blunted once Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar got off to a good start for Bangladesh.

However, they put that defeat behind them to complete their highest successful run chase in ODIs after Ireland had put up 327 for 5, with Sunil Ambris smashing 148. West Indies have had four centuries in the tournament so far, though one of the centurions - John Campbell - hasn't been seen in action since his first-match 179, sitting out with a sore back.

Bangladesh have had only one full game, and it resulted in an eight-wicket win with plenty to spare against West Indies. Tamim and Soumya put on 144 for the opening stand then before Shakib Al Hasan took control of the chase.

Bangladesh will also be quietly confident after seeing their bowling improve as the game progressed. Mashrafe Mortaza and Mohammad Saifuddin took crucial wickets, while Shakib and Mehidy Hasan gave them control in the middle overs. Mustafizur Rahman's form was a concern, but there is still enough time before the World Cup to address that problem.

Form guide

West Indies: WLWWL (Last five completed matches, most recent first)

Bangladesh: WLLLW

In the spotlight

Shannon Gabriel, playing his first ODI series in 18 months, has taken six wickets in three matches so far. The Bangladesh batsmen took 58 off his ten overs, but because of how much Gabriel dominated them in the Tests last year, they will certainly be wary of him.

There's always a question-mark hanging over Soumya Sarkar, but having made 73 in the previous West Indies game, the management will have greater confidence while picking him as Tamim's opening partner. Soumya, too, will be glad that the long tour of Ireland and England has started on the right note.

Team news

After a good win against Ireland, there might not be much reason to change the XI, but West Indies could perhaps consider bringing in Raymon Reifer, the 28-year old allrounder from Barbados, especially with Fabian Allen bowling only three overs in the previous game.

West Indies (probable): 1 Sunil Ambris, 2 Shai Hope (wk), 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Roston Chase, 5 Jonathan Carter, 6 Jason Holder (capt), 7 Fabian Allen, 8 Ashley Nurse, 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Shannon Gabriel

Their last game against Ireland was abandoned, and Bangladesh are likely to continue with the same line-up that beat West Indies by eight wickets.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mohammad Mithun, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mohamad Saifuddin, 9 Mehidy Hasan, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Pitch and conditions

The fourth game of the tri-series, on Saturday, showed that the pitch was a batting beauty, with West Indies successfully chasing Ireland's 327 for 5. That promises a run-filled game this time too, although it is likely to be cloudy.

Stats and trivia

  • Bangladesh have won four of their last five ODIs against West Indies.

  • West Indies have had four individual centuries in an ODI series or tournament for the first time since the 2006 Champions Trophy.

  • West Indies' 331 for 5 against Ireland in the previous game was their highest successful chase in an ODI.

Live Report - CSK v Mumbai, IPL 2019, final

Published in Cricket
Sunday, 12 May 2019 05:19

It's time for IPL 2019's title bout. In the yellow corner, Chennai Super Kings. In the blue corner, Mumbai Indians. Who will deliver the knockout punch? Here's ESPNcricinfo's live updates and analysis. (If the blog does not load for you straightaway, please refresh your page)

Andrade dethrones Namajunas with slam KO

Published in Breaking News
Saturday, 11 May 2019 22:38

Saturday's UFC 237 card in Rio de Janeiro did not go well for the country of Brazil -- until the championship main event.

Brazilian strawweight Jessica Andrade (20-6) claimed UFC's 115-pound title with a stunning knockout of Rose Namajunas at 2 minutes, 58 seconds of the second round.

The finish came when Andrade lifted Namajunas (9-4) into the air and slammed her on the back of her head. The bout was quickly waved off. Namajunas recovered and exited the cage unassisted.

Andrade, 27, scored just the fourth slam knockout in a title fight in UFC history and the first since Matt Hughes' dramatic slam of Carlos Newton at UFC 34.

It was a massive victory for Andrade, who was fighting in her native country. Earlier in the night, the Brazilian crowd watched several of its legends lose, including Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Silva's defeat was particularly demoralizing, as he suffered a knee injury in the opening round.

"I was certain of what I had to do in the second round," Andrade said. "I never did that move before in the UFC, the pile driver. That's what I do. It's my nickname."

Namajunas spoke to reporters at the postfight news conference, and her manager, Brian Butler, said she would not be transported to the hospital.

"She is clear-headed and being very gracious about the loss," he said.

After the loss, Namajunas expressed uncertainty about her future in MMA, saying, "Going into this one, I was like, 'This might be the last time I ever do this.' But we'll see. We'll take it one day at a time."

Asked if she meant she was contemplating retirement, Namajunas said, "I don't know. We'll see. I'm not gonna make no decisions right now. It's just hard to keep having fun with this."

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Bisping: Namajunas was winning until she got slammed

Michael Bisping describes how Jessica Andrade was able to win the women's strawweight title from Rose Namajunas. For more UFC action, sign up for ESPN+ http://plus.espn.com/ufc.

Namajunas, of Denver, fought beautifully early on. She opened a cut near Andrade's left eye with a stiff right hand in the first minute of the bout and rocked her with a knee to the body later in the round. Namajunas' speed and footwork were the story of the first round, and it was obvious that Andrade would need to make adjustments.

A former 135-pound contender, Andrade did exactly that in the following frame. She relentlessly pressed forward on the feet, despite a healthy stream of counter-jabs by Namajunas.

Andrade is known for her power and physical wrestling, and it showed in the finish. She got into Namajunas' hips and lifted her entire body into the air for the slam.

After the bout, Andrade credited her coach, Gilliard Parana, and handed him the belt in the Octagon.

Andrade is now 7-1 since dropping to the strawweight division in 2013. Her only loss in that stretch was a five-round decision to former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who recently fought at 125 pounds but intends to return to 115.

Namajunas suffered her first loss since July 2016.

Asked about the possibility of an immediate rematch with Andrade, Namajunas again spoke in uncertain terms about her future.

"I definitely was whooping her butt. There's no doubt about that," she said. "It's just, I'll see if I'm still interested in this. I know I can beat her, but I don't know."

Malone: Game 6 skirmish just 'playoff basketball'

Published in Basketball
Saturday, 11 May 2019 19:00

DENVER -- Nuggets coach Michael Malone dismissed the notion that a shoving match between Denver's Will Barton and Portland's Seth Curry in Game 6 might carry over into Game 7 on Sunday at Pepsi Center, especially after the Trail Blazers guard called the Nuggets "sassy."

"To me, that's weak," Malone said Saturday, addressing the fourth-quarter incident that led to technical fouls being called on four players. "If that's chippiness, I mean ... I grew up in a much different time in the NBA. If that's chippiness and you want to call it 'sassy,' go ahead. But to me, it's a joke."

Curry said Barton poked him in the eye Thursday as the two were being separated following some back-and-forth shoving. After the game, the Trail Blazers guard said the Nuggets "got a few sassy dudes over there," adding that they are "front-runners".

Curry took exception to Barton standing above Portland's Zach Collins, who had just fallen toward Barton's knees after an offensive foul on Denver's Nikola Jokic. Curry nudged Barton away and Barton shoved Curry. The two were separated before Barton pointed into Curry's face. Collins and Denver's Torrey Craig then got into it, and all four were assessed offsetting technical fouls.

"It's Will Barton protecting himself from a guy falling into his knees," said Malone, whose father was an assistant during the Detroit Pistons' "Bad Boys" days. "It's Seth Curry taking offense to it. They get into a little minor skirmish -- move on. Game 7 will be hard-fought. It will be emotional because of what's at stake. I don't think it's going to be a carry-over from what happened in last game. It's playoff basketball. It should be a hard-fought game. It should be physical. It should be teams protecting each other.

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Curry, Barton get into heated shoving match

Will Barton puts a finger on Seth Curry's face as the Trail Blazers and Nuggets players have to be separated.

"Again, that's a different era when you think about my father when he was with the 'Bad Boys' and all that. That [incident in Game 6] was nothing in my opinion."

Denver forward Paul Millsap does expect emotions to be high in Game 7 with a spot in the Western Conference finals on the line.

"I expect it to be an all-out brawl," Millsap said. "They're fighting for their lives. We're fighting for our lives. I expected it to be pretty heated. Emotions will flare here and there. The team that's the most poised and the most calm is going to be the team that's victorious. Hopefully it's us."

NBA coaching hires typically fit into two categories of power profile: strong or weak.

There are also generally two kinds of general managers working in the league: those who make decisions aimed at keeping their jobs and those who are determined to do things their way, even if it comes with the risk of failure.

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made it clear which type of executive he wants to be in hiring head coach Frank Vogel, who made it clear where he falls on the coaching power spectrum.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Pelinka got Vogel to take a three-year deal, and Vogel agreed to take on Jason Kidd as lead assistant coach. In the wake of Magic Johnson's exit from the team, this move establishes Pelinka as a powerful voice in the Lakers' organization. How long he'll keep that spot will perhaps be shaped by this choice. Vogel wanted the Lakers' job more than he wanted the power. Ty Lue, who rejected Pelinka's terms earlier this week, valued control more than he wanted this gig.

This very well could be a sliding doors moment. There are big names, a big job and a legacy franchise involved. This result could go any direction. It could be the basis of a turnaround. It could be a disaster. Lue's passing on the job could end up being prudent. Or it could end up being a mistake.

Let's get four things out of the way here:

  • Anyone who erroneously believed LeBron James was influencing the coach hire can drop that notion.

  • Pelinka's process has put Vogel in a challenging position.

  • Vogel has excelled in a challenging position before.

  • Until we see how the lottery and NBA draft play out -- and then see what the Lakers do with their $35 million in salary-cap space -- it's hard to know how strongly the Lakers will enter next season.

The coaching hire was a huge step for Pelinka. No matter how it might be spun, Vogel was at least the third choice. But retrofitting the roster around James is far and away Pelinka's bigger job this offseason. James can work with various coaches. What he really wants is to have a winning team constructed.

This wasn't the cleanest process, and it didn't exactly inspire confidence. Vogel has allies in the league, but he is not a classic free-agent draw. For Pelinka to give Vogel any chance, he's going to need major lottery luck or a much more executable plan for free agency than he had for the coaching hire.

The history of coaches with powerful assistants succeeding is spotty. For example, this is similar to the position in which the Cleveland Cavaliers put David Blatt in 2014.

The Cavs made Blatt, a coach with success on his résumé but limited power because he didn't have NBA experience, take Lue as his lead assistant. Lue had interviewed for the Cavs' job. The team liked him and wanted to pair the two together. There were some other dynamics also at play, including ownership and the front office disagreeing on the hire.

Blatt didn't walk in with James' respect. James felt more of a connection to the former player who sat next to Blatt. Within weeks, it was clear James preferred to deal with Lue over Blatt, and it set the stage for Lue to eventually replace Blatt.

Vogel has a real track record as a head coach in the NBA, especially his five seasons as head coach of the Indiana Pacers. Nonetheless, James and his Miami Heat team repeatedly beat Indiana in the playoffs. Although Vogel and the Pacers played James and the Heat tough, Miami never really feared them. In Orlando, Vogel had a disappointing and forgettable two years and was fired.

Vogel will come into the season with Kidd, one of the runners-up for the job, on his hip. James has long respected Kidd, and they won a gold medal together at the 2008 Olympics. Kidd was a veteran presence on the "Redeem Team" that year, and that experience largely shaped James as he was learning to be a leader. He won his first Most Valuable Player Award the next season.

Regardless of how James feels about his head coach, there is no way his respect for Vogel will match the level of his respect for Kidd -- at least not right away. How could it? James will naturally be connected to Kidd because of their relationship and Kidd's success in the league playing both against and with James.

But Vogel has been here before. He was in as weak of a position as any coach when he was named a midseason interim in Indiana in 2011. Few believed Vogel was more than a substitute teacher put in place to finish that season.

But he took over for Jim O'Brien and stunned the league with his confidence and leadership. His ability to corral and inspire a headstrong group of players that included David West, Paul George, Roy Hibbert and George Hill was commendable. When the Pacers let him go, he was hired by the Magic within days.

There is no question that Vogel can impress in an interview. He's one of the refugees of the video room, where great coaches such as Erik Spoelstra and Mike Budenholzer started their careers, and that has earned him a reputation for being a good tactician.

But being a success in this job would probably be the greatest accomplishment of his career.

Yanks lose tempers, then game after Voit HBP

Published in Baseball
Saturday, 11 May 2019 20:46

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The New York Yankees were frustrated by their play, and by slugger Luke Voit getting hit yet again.

Willy Adames and Ji-Man Choi had run-scoring infield singles in the sixth after tempers flared during the top of the inning when reliever Yonny Chirinos hit Voit on the left shoulder, and the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees on 7-2 Saturday night.

Yandy Diaz homered twice and drove in four runs for the Rays, who reopened a 1½-game lead over the Yankees.

Voit was hit by Chirinos (5-1) one batter after DJ LeMahieu's tying solo homer.

"It's frustrating," said Voit, who didn't speculate on whether he was thrown at intentionally. "He can hit me anywhere else. This one is up and in. It's a situation that can be career-ending. He's a sinkerballer. and that was pretty straight."

Although there were no on-field incidents after Voit was hit, Yankees starter CC Sabathia went to the top of the Yankees dugout and yelled toward Tampa Bay players.

In his final start last season, Sabathia was ejected at Tropicana Field and given a five-game suspension for hitting Jesus Sucre with a pitch after Rays pitcher Andrew Kittredge threw a pitch behind Austin Romine.

"It's just the same thing, you hit a home run and then they throw up and in," Sabathia said. "It's stupid."

Voit has been hit five times; only Kansas City's Alex Gordon with eight has more among AL players.

Jonathan Holder (2-1) was warming up in the Yankees bullpen during the top of the sixth preparing to come in for Sabathia, who gave up two runs, three hits and four walks in five innings.

Avisail Garcia greeted Holder with a single and advanced to third on a stolen base and a throwing error by Gary Sanchez, whose seven errors are the most among big league catchers. LeMahieu, a Gold Glove infielder, could not get his glove down to receive the throw.

"I should have had Gary's ball," LeMahieu said.

Guillermo Heredia walked, and Garcia scored on Adames' single to LeMahieu, who was shifted and gloved the ball on the shortstop side of second base. LeMahieu made a sliding backhand stop on the outfield grass, but the ball popped into the air as he tried to throw. The left-handed-hitting Choi followed with a bouncer to LeMahieu in short right field and beat the second baseman's one-hop throw. Heredia kept running and scored from second on the hit as the ball bounced away from Voit at first.

Sanchez was hit hard on his catching helmet by Heredia's backswing in the eighth. Sanchez stayed in the game and underwent postgame tests.

"Feel good right now," Sanchez said through an interpreter. "Got to wait and see how I feel tomorrow."

With the Yankees' bullpen short after being used extensively the previous two days, manager Aaron Boone brought in Nestor Cortes Jr. in the seventh, the 36th player and 17th pitcher used by New York this season. The 24-year-old left-hander gave up a three-run homer to Diaz in the eighth.

Cortes was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after the game, an indication right-hander Chad Green could be recalled after three appearances for the International League club to regain his mechanics.

Garcia homered in the second and Diaz added a third-inning shot off Sabathia, who has allowed eight homers over 30⅓ innings in six starts.

Diaz has nine homers. In parts of two previous seasons, he went deep one time.

"I've actually surprised myself," Diaz said through an interpreter. "I've never had those numbers in the past, but I'm swinging hard and I've been getting good results."

Clint Frazier hit an RBI double in the fifth, when Mike Tauchman into an inning-ending double play with runners at the corners.

DOUBLE CATCH

Tommy Pham made two catches on one play in the fourth inning. The Rays left fielder caught Brett Gardner's fly ball and then used his bare hand soon after to grab a contact lens that popped out. Pham, who went 0-for-4, was on the field postgame hitting balls at home plate off a tee.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees: Center fielder Aaron Hicks (back strain), expected back Monday, went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a homer for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. ... Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (strained left calf) is scheduled to resume hitting and defensive drills during the upcoming week. ... Designated hitter/outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (left biceps/shoulder) is doing limited baseball activities. ... Sanchez was hit by Heredia's backswing in the eighth.

Rays: Right-hander Tyler Glasnow (6-1), who left his start Friday night in the sixth inning, is expected to miss four to six weeks with a right forearm strain. Glasnow will not throw for seven to 10 days.

UP NEXT

Yankees RHP: Masahiro Tanaka (2-3) will start Sunday's series finale against Rays LHP Blake Snell (3-3).

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