There have been 13 combined no-hitters in MLB history, including the Los Angeles Angels' emotional tearjerker on Friday night. On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays nearly threw the first combined perfect game in MLB history.

Ryne Stanek started and retired the first six Baltimore Orioles. Ryan Yarbrough came on and retired the next 18 in a row, and when Joey Wendle made a nice play for the final out of the eighth inning, it felt like the Rays would finish it off. The baseball gods weren't smiling on this day, however, and Hanser Alberto led off the ninth with a routine ground ball to second base -- except the Rays were in a shift with three infielders on the left side of the bag, and Alberto's grounder dribbled into right field to ruin the perfect game. It was just Alberto's second hit against a shift this season that went to the right side of the field.

The Rays settled for a 4-1 victory, and this game served as the exclamation point on how well the Stanek/Yarbrough combination has performed this season. Stanek has served as the Rays' opener 26 times and has excelled in the role: 41 innings pitched, 28 hits, 11 runs, 13 walks and 46 strikeouts, just two home runs allowed, for a 1.98 ERA. The Rays are 17-9 when he starts, and he has put up a zero 19 times. Maybe most impressive is that he's not just a one-inning opener, as he has pitched two innings in 12 of his 26 starts, like he did on Sunday.

Yarbrough has followed Stanek to the mound eight times, and the Rays are 6-2 in those games. Overall, he's 8-3 with a 4.26 ERA between four starts and 11 relief appearances. Batters are hitting .223 against him with a .266 OBP. Among pitchers with at least 60 innings, he has allowed the 11th-lowest OBP in the majors -- and that's after an 8.10 ERA in April that landed him back in Triple-A for four starts.

One reason the Rays' opener strategy has worked is that both players have complete acceptance and understanding of their roles. When I talked to Stanek and Yarbrough in spring training, they both told me that seeing Sergio Romo buy in last season -- he was the first reliever Cash tried as an opener -- was important, as Romo was a longtime veteran who once got the final out of a World Series.

Stanek and Yarbrough, meanwhile, were young guys still trying to find their place in the majors. Stanek had made 21 appearances in 2017, but had a breakout season in 2018 with a 2.98 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 66⅓ innings. Yarbrough, who grew up a Rays fan, is more of a finesse lefty who went 16-6 with a 3.91 ERA as a rookie. He's perfectly suited for the bulk role as a guy who can go through the order two times:

First time or second time: .203 average, .561 OPS, 22% strikeout rate
Third time: .318 average, .979 OPS, 8% strikeout rate

What's interesting is the Rays haven't actually used the opener as much as they might have intended back in spring training. Cash opened the season with three set spots in his rotation with Blake Snell, Charlie Morton and Tyler Glasnow, and even though Glasnow made just eight starts before landing on the injured list, outside of Stanek, the Rays have used Hunter Wood twice and Andrew Kittredge once as openers.

Two things happened: The bullpen was throwing a lot of innings early in the season, and Yonny Chirinos pitched so well that he went from a bulk-innings guy to a regular in the rotation. The addition of Brendan McKay, who has looked impressive in his first three starts, now gives Cash four regular starters to go with Stanek. Glasnow, who dominated before his injury, had a setback as he rehabbed his forearm strain and is expected out until the end of August (putting his season in jeopardy).

The bigger question about the Rays: Is there enough here to catch the Yankees? Or is settling to be the best non-division winner in the American League as good as it will get in 2019? The Rays are six games back of the New York Yankees -- a 4-9 head-to-head mark against the Bombers hasn't helped -- but they begin their biggest series in years on Monday, as they head to Yankee Stadium for four games. They also play the Boston Red Sox six times by Aug. 1, so these next two-plus weeks will tell us a lot about the staying power of the Rays.

Three important factors:

• They need 2018 Cy Young winner Blake Snell to get on a roll like last season. Hard to believe, but he has been the Rays' worst starter with a 4.70 ERA. His peripherals are much better than that, but peripherals don't win ballgames. He has to avoid the blowup starts that mean he has averaged just 5.0 innings on the dot per start. He's better than that. He starts Monday with a chance to set the tone for the series.

• Offensive consistency. The Rays are averaging 4.72 runs per game, ninth in the American League and well below the 5.64 of the Red Sox (going into Sunday night) and 5.63 of the Yankees. They're 4-9 against the Yankees because they've averaged just 3.0 runs per game in those 13 contests. They could use another power bat, as their home run rate is better only than those of the Orioles and three teams at the bottom of the AL Central.

Maybe Nate Lowe will help. The rookie first baseman, back for a second stint in the majors, homered three times over the weekend and had more hits on Sunday. Yes, that came against the Orioles, but he also homered in two of the final three games before the All-Star break against the Yankees.

• Back of the bullpen. The Rays were 19-9 at the end of April, as Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo looked like the best one-two relief combos in the majors, with gifs of Alvarado throwing 100 mph fastballs moving like Wiffle balls sweeping across Twitter. Alvarado spent most of June on the injured list, then dropped to 0-5 with that brutal loss to the Orioles on July 3 in which he gave up six runs in the ninth. He's back on the IL with an oblique strain. Castillo, meanwhile, just returned from the IL. Others, such as Emilio Pagan and Colin Poche, have stepped up, but the Rays' pen needs to rediscover that April mojo.

Even if the Rays just earn an American League wild card, this isn't a team you want to face in October, especially if Snell finds his lights-out stuff again and starts the wild-card game. Morton could win the Cy Young Award with the way he's pitching, so maybe he starts the wild-card game. And then there's the silent weapon of the Ryne/Ryan combo.

Of course, getting there is no sure thing, either, with the A's, Indians, Red Sox and Rangers breathing down their necks. So far, the opener and everything else has worked for the Rays' first 95 games. Will it all continue to work for the full 162?

Roger Federer said letting slip two championship points in his Wimbledon final loss to Novak Djokovic was "such an incredible opportunity missed".

The Swiss, 37, led Djokovic 8-7 40-15 on his serve in the final set but the Serb fought back to win 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 13-12 (7-3) in four hours and 57 minutes.

Victory for Federer would have given him a ninth Wimbledon singles title.

"I don't know what I feel right now... I can't believe it," said Federer.

"You just always try to push yourself to see things on the better side. But it was definitely tough to have those chances."

Federer also held two break points when Djokovic served at 11-11 in the deciding set but could not convert them.

It was the longest singles final in Wimbledon history and the first fifth-set tie-break to be played in a Wimbledon final.

It is the second time Federer has been involved in the longest singles final at Wimbledon - and ended up losing too - after he was beaten by Rafael Nadal in 2008.

Federer has lost his past five meetings with Djokovic in Grand Slams, last beating the Serb at Wimbledon in 2012.

He still holds the all-time men's Grand Slam record of 20 singles titles but Djokovic now has 16 with Nadal on 18.

"It used to be a really, really big deal, I guess when you were close," Federer said of the overall record.

"I guess two behind, then eventually you tie, then eventually you break. That was big.

"It's been different since, naturally because the chase is in a different place.

"I take motivation from different places. Not so much from trying to stay ahead because I broke the record, and if somebody else does, well, that's great for them. You can't protect everything anyway."

Federer, who during Wimbledon set two new landmarks in winning his 100th match at the championships and his 350th match at a Grand Slam, said holding the record was not what motivated him as a player.

"I didn't become a tennis player for that," said Federer.

"It's about trying to win Wimbledon, trying to have good runs here, playing in front of such an amazing crowd in this Centre Court against players like Novak and so forth.

"That's what I play for."

Federer said there were similarities with his loss to Nadal in 2008 but differences too.

"This one is more straightforward maybe in some ways because we didn't have the rain delays, the night coming in and all that stuff," he said.

"But sure, epic ending, so close, so many moments, sure there are similarities.

"I'm the loser both times, that's the only similarity I see."

Analysis

Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker: "All the compliments in the world to Roger Federer, for the performances over the past two weeks, showing he's still one of the top players in the world, and one point away from a record ninth Wimbledon title.

"He's an ambassador for all men, not just sportsmen, he's in great shape.

"We said before that the longer the match goes on, the better it would be for Djokovic. But Roger was as fit as a fiddle in the fifth set."

Former British number one Tim Henman: "There's no doubt Roger Federer will be massively disappointed.

"In terms of disappointments in his career this will be right up there. To have two match points and against one of his biggest rivals on his favourite court - it will hurt.

"I know he's good at controlling his emotions, but this will sting for a long, long time."

Tennis fans must "wake up to the greatness" of Novak Djokovic after he won his 16th Grand Slam, says his former coach Boris Becker.

Serbia's Djokovic, 32, won his fifth Wimbledon title by beating Centre Court favourite Roger Federer in a classic.

Victory in the longest ever Wimbledon singles final moved him closer to Federer's men's record of 20 major triumphs. Rafael Nadal, with 18, separates the pair.

Djokovic struggled to win over a pro-Federer crowd, who clapped some of his misses and jeered him at one point during a tense final set.

"It triggered him to fight in the fifth set," said Becker, who coached Djokovic between 2013 and 2016.

"He got a bit riled and gave some stares to people in the crowd but that's how he works, that's how he ticks.

"There comes a point when you get frustrated, but I thought he handled himself well and was mentally well prepared."

Swiss second seed Federer, 37, was aiming for a record-extending ninth men's singles title at the All England Club, which would have matched Martina Navratilova's all-time leading tally.

Federer is the darling of the Centre Court crowd and was backed by the majority of the 15,000 fans in what became an increasingly partisan atmosphere.

That was most apparent when Djokovic was booed when he went over to chair umpire Damian Steiner to discuss what he felt was a late Hawk-Eye challenge from Federer.

"Federer is the greatest of all-time here and has the right to get that love, but on the other side you have to respect a four-time champion a little bit more," said Becker, a three-time winner at SW19.

"I hope next year, if they played again, it would be more even.

"He came into the party that was the Roger and Rafa party and he became the party pooper.

"Now, after 16 majors, people have got to wake up to the greatness of Novak Djokovic."

'Djokovic wants to be the greatest'

Djokovic retained his Wimbledon title by fighting off two championship points before beating Federer with a record four hours 57 minutes on the clock.

And Becker believes the world number one will not rest until he has surpassed Federer and Nadal.

"Novak is not quite happy yet," the German said. "He's one of the greatest of all of time but he wants to be the greatest of all time.

"He should be more than proud to have achieved 16 majors. If you told him that 15 years ago he would have said 'I don't believe you' and he would have taken one or two."

Djokovic's triumph means he has now won four of the past five Grand Slam titles and, being almost six years younger than Federer, could add plenty more barring a loss of form or fitness.

His pursuit of Federer and Nadal is made more remarkable by the fact he won his first major in 2008 - when Federer had claimed 13 and Nadal five - and only added a second three years later.

"Honestly I think he can overtake them, but I wouldn't like to say that for sure," said Becker. "The race is on.

"This endless talk of who will be the most successful will continue as long as all three of them are playing.

"I don't see the end of the road for any of the three. I believe all of them will win more Grand Slams.

"Novak's work ethic is 24/7 and he actually admitted at the end that Federer - still reaching Grand Slam finals at the age of 37 - inspired him."

Tim Henman, a former British number one and three-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, also believes Djokovic's hunger will only increase.

"This victory will motivate him to keep putting in the hard work and winning more titles. Federer and Nadal are very much in his sights," he added.

"He's a year younger than Nadal and five younger than Federer - we all know he fancies overtaking those two."

'Sometimes it is lost Djokovic is one of the greatest grass-courters'

Djokovic's fifth Wimbledon win, in addition to triumphs in 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2018, saw him move alongside Swedish great Bjorn Borg in terms of Open era victories.

Only Federer (eight) and Pete Sampras (seven) have won more since the sport became open to professional players in 1968.

"I think because of Federer winning eight, it is sometimes lost that Djokovic is one of the greatest grass-court players in history," Henman said.

"He's up to five and you wouldn't put it past him winning more titles in future."

'This will sting Federer' - but he can win more Slams

Federer, who turns 38 next month, was bidding to become the oldest Grand Slam men's singles champion in the Open era and missed two opportunities for the title at 8-7 in the decider before going on to lose about 45 minutes later.

"There's no doubt Federer will be massively disappointed," Henman said.

"In terms of disappointments in his career this will be right up there. To have two match points and against one of his biggest rivals on his favourite court - it will hurt.

"I know he's good at controlling his emotions, but this will sting for a long, long time."

Becker does not think Federer has seen his last chance of Wimbledon glory disappear, however.

"I think he can go from strength to strength. I was very impressed with his fitness and his quality of play against Nadal and Federer," he added.

"I don't see him slowing down yet."

Novak Djokovic says his epic Wimbledon final victory over Roger Federer was his most "mentally demanding" match - and he even had to tell himself the partisan crowd was cheering for him.

Djokovic, 32, retained his title with a 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 13-12 (7-3) win over the eight-time champion, 37.

Lasting four hours 57 minutes, it was the longest Wimbledon singles final.

"When the crowd is chanting 'Roger' I hear 'Novak'," said the Serb. "It sounds silly, but it is like that."

Djokovic - now a five-time Wimbledon champion - added: "Mentally this was different level.

"It was probably the most demanding, mentally most demanding, match I was ever part of.

"It was a huge relief in the end. You work for, you live for these kind of matches.

"They give sense and they give value to every minute you spend on the court training and working to get yourself in this position and play the match with one of your greatest rivals of all time."

'I always try to imagine myself as a winner' - blocking out the noise

Djokovic saved two match points on his way to beating Federer in the first 12-12 final-set singles tie-break used at the All England Club.

He credited mental training and visualisation in helping him through the epic that unfolded on Centre Court, adding it was more difficult for him than the physical toll on his body.

"I always try to imagine myself as a winner. I think there is a power to that," he said.

"Also there has to be, next to the willpower, strength that comes not just from your physical self, but from your mental and emotional self.

"For me, at least, it's a constant battle within, more than what happens outside.

"It's really not the situations that you experience that are affecting you, but how you internally experience those situations, how you accept them, how you live through them."

Federer fever was rife throughout the grounds of SW19 and on Centre Court itself, with the majority of the 15,000 in the stands supporting the Swiss.

That is a situation Djokovic has faced on numerous occasions and something he has been known to react negatively to, cupping his ear in response to chants supporting opponent Roberto Bautista Agut in the semi-finals.

In the final, many of the 52 unforced errors and nine double faults Djokovic made were cheered, and he was booed when he questioned a Hawk-Eye decision that had ruled in Federer's favour.

His celebrations after winning the title were somewhat muted.

Asked if he was aware of the favouritism towards Federer, Djokovic said: "It's hard to not be aware.

"You have that kind of electric atmosphere, that kind of noise, especially in some decisive moments where we're quite even. It's one way or another. The crowd gets into it.

"If you have the majority of the crowd on your side, it helps. It gives you motivation, it gives you strength, it gives you energy. When you don't, then you have to find it within."

'I don't have any obligation to play'

With 16 Grand Slam titles to his name, Djokovic closed the gap to Federer (20) and Rafael Nadal (18) on the all-time records list.

Djokovic is five years Federer's junior and one year younger than Nadal, and he says they are "one of the biggest reasons" he continues to compete.

"The fact they made history motivates me. It inspires me to try to do what they have done, what they've achieved, and even more," he said.

"Whether I'm going to be able to do it or not, I don't know. I'm not really looking at age as a restriction of any kind for me at least.

Djokovic refuses to set himself the target of catching - or surpassing - their records, because he has bigger priorities in his life.

"It depends not only on myself, it depends on circumstances in life," he said. "I'm not just a tennis player, I'm a father and a husband.

"I don't have any obligation to play. I really don't have any commitment to play tennis. I play it because I really love it and I have support of the closest people in my life."

How the tennis world reacted

Six-time Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King: An epic men's final. Congratulations to Novak Djokovic on his fifth singles title at Wimbledon. Roger Federer and Novak are two world-class players who left it all on the court.

Four-time Wimbledon singles champion Rod Laver: An incredible finale. Congratulations Novak Djokovic on your fifth Wimbledon title. You and Roger Federer reached the highest level. A thrilling match between two incomparable grasscourt champions. Thank you for the good fight, played fairly and ferociously.

Former Wimbledon champion Martina Hingis: STANDING OVATION for both players in this Wimbledon final! What a joy and privilege to watch.

2018 Wimbledon runner-up Kevin Anderson: I have such huge respect for both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. What a match... wouldn't have minded to see it go on a little longer. Congrats Novak on another Wimbledon.

MONTEREY, Calif. – Chaz Davies led from start to finish to capture his first World Superbike win of the season during Sunday’s conclusion to the GEICO U.S. Round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Davies took command from the moment the lights went out and never gave it up en route to the checkered flag, winning for the factory Ducati team as his teammate – Alvaro Bautista – crashed during the Superpole race earlier in the day.

The Welshman took the advantage at turn one and held it through turn two, while racing into third place behind was Toprak Razgatlioglu, who made a brisk start.

Saturday winner Jonathan Rea tried once to get ahead of Davies on lap two at the entrance to turn five, but ran wide and allowed Davies to take the lead back.

It would stay like that for the entire distance thereafter, with Rea unable to match Davies, who was in a class of his own at the head of the field.

Razgatlioglu ultimately hung on for the final podium spot behind Rea, with Alex Lowes finishing fourth and Tom Sykes completing the top five.

Sixth through 10th were Leon Haslam, Loris Baz, Jordi Torres, Marco Melandri and Michael Ruben Rinaldi.

Bautista, who injured his shoulder in the Superpole crash, saw his luckless weekend come to a premature end when he retired following the second lap of the race.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Michael Hurczyn won Sunday’s abbreviated TC America TCR/TCA race at Portland Int’l Raceway, part of the 59th Annual Rose Cup Races presented by Fastlife.TV.

Bryan Putt won for the second straight day in the TCR Cup division, while Mark Pombo won in TCA.

At the green, polesitter Hurczyn led the pack to the line and led through the first lap over teammate Nate Vincent. In TCR Cup, polesitter Putt grabbed the lead over Stephen Vajda and in TCA, polesitter Nick Wittmer held the lead over Chris Haldeman and Mark Pombo.

By lap three, Hurczyn had a 1.2 second lead over Vincent, while Putt held a 2.5 second lead over Vajda. Haldeman would pass Wittmer on the same lap, and then Pombo also moved past into second on lap four.

While the TCR and TCR Cup leaders held their positions through lap five, Wittmer reclaimed second from Pombo to pursue Haldeman.

Race Control then issued a full-course yellow on lap seven, as Robert Crocker went off into the tire wall between turns two and three. Crocker was not injured, but there was a considerable amount of repair required to the tire wall and a red flag was issued.

After the repairs were completed, the green flag flew for a five-minute shootout to the checkered. Hurczyn once again led the pack to the green ahead of Vincent and Filippi. In TCR Cup, Putt led Vajda and Cole, with Cole moving past Vajda for second.

With the leaders in TCR and TCR Cup slotted, the action focused on a heated scrap among the top four in TCA.

Haldeman led Wittmer, Maxson and Pombo on the restart. Maxson would move past Wittmer into second through turn 10. Then on the white flag lap, Maxson and Haldeman went side by side through turn seven, contacting slightly and slowing Wittmer, allowing Pombo to move up alongside Haldeman down the backstraight into turns eight and nine.

Pombo would carry the momentum through turns 10, 11 and 12 to take the lead on the front straight. At the checkered it was Pombo over Haldeman, Maxson and Wittmer.

Hurczyn, Vincent, Filippi completed the overall top three in TCR, with Putt, Cole and Vajda as the top three in TCR Cup.

“Got out front early, it’s really hard to pass here,” said Hurczyn in victory circle. “I was able to stay in front of Nate (Vincent). Nate had a great battle with Mason (Filippi) behind us. We are both going to need new bumpers after the race! After the restart it was hit your marks, keep it clean and bring it home to the finish … which is what we did.”

TORONTO – French driver Simon Pagenaud of Team Penske showed the NTT IndyCar Series how to celebrate Bastille Day.

Pagenaud capped a near-perfect weekend in Canada by dominating the Honda Indy Toronto, scoring his third victory of the season – and the 14th of his career – on France’s national day.

The pole sitter led 80 of the 85 laps at Exhibition Place and held back five-time series champion Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing in the late stages to score his first victory on the 11-turn, 1.786-mile temporary street circuit.

“I’m very proud to fly the French flag here in a cousin country, which is Canada,” said Pagenaud, the winner of this year’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. “I guess (countryman Julian Alaphilippe) is leading the Tour de France today on the bike. I felt like I had to do the same.”

Pagenaud was only threatened a couple of times, the first being in the opening-lap dash to turn one. Dixon challenged him but couldn’t execute the pass. From there, Pagenaud began building a lead, which became eight seconds before he incurred traffic in the final laps.

“We took off and the car handled really well,” Pagenaud said. “We definitely had an advantage on the tire wear. I knew we had a really good race car. We were able to match the Honda power (of Dixon) pretty well; (it) helped us to perform even better, so thanks to Chevy.”

Added Dixon, “(Pagenaud’s) straight-line speed was ridiculous today, to be honest.”

Dixon’s No. 9 PNC Bank Honda was also hampered by wall contact early in the race. He drove the rest of the way with the steering wheel misaligned.

“I made a mistake, a pretty big mistake, probably around lap 12 or 15 where I hit the inside wall on (turn) 9,” he said. “Bent the suspension pretty bad. I thought I had a (tire) puncture.”

Alexander Rossi of Andretti Autosport finished third, one position ahead of series points leader Josef Newgarden of Team Penske. The first four finishers are the top four drivers in the standings heading to Saturday night’s Iowa 300, a short-oval race at Iowa Speedway.

With Rossi, Dixon and Rossi finishing ahead of Newgarden, the championship race tightened. Rossi drew to four points with six races remaining. Pagenaud, who scored the maximum number of points in this race, is 39 points of the lead with Dixon 86 back.

Ontario native James Hinchcliffe of Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports finished sixth in his home race. He was the driver who advanced the highest number of positions (eight) among the entire field.

Another Toronto-area native – driver Robert Wickens, who finished third at Toronto last year – gave the race an inspirational start by driving a specially prepared Acura NSX.

Wickens, who is rehabilitating the use of his legs following a racing accident 11 months ago at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, used hand controls developed by Arrow Electronics to drive around the track, as well as gave the command to start the race.

Wickens’ fiancé, Karli Woods, rode with him during the two laps around the track.

The results:

1. (1) Simon Pagenaud, Chevrolet, 85, Running
2. (2) Scott Dixon, Honda, 85, Running
3. (4) Alexander Rossi, Honda, 85, Running
4. (5) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 85, Running
5. (3) Felix Rosenqvist, Honda, 85, Running
6. (14) James Hinchcliffe, Honda, 85, Running
7. (16) Colton Herta, Honda, 85, Running
8. (8) Sebastien Bourdais, Honda, 85, Running
9. (12) Graham Rahal, Honda, 85, Running
10. (7) Marco Andretti, Honda, 85, Running
11. (17) Santino Ferrucci, Honda, 85, Running
12. (6) Ed Jones, Chevrolet, 84, Running
13. (18) Zach Veach, Honda, 84, Running
14. (13) Max Chilton, Chevrolet, 84, Running
15. (9) Spencer Pigot, Chevrolet, 84, Running
16. (11) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Honda, 84, Running
17. (22) Tony Kanaan, Chevrolet, 84, Running
18. (15) Will Power, Chevrolet, 83, Contact
19. (19) Matheus Leist, Chevrolet, 83, Running
20. (20) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 81, Running
21. (21) Sage Karam, Chevrolet, 79, Running
22. (10) Takuma Sato, Honda, 67, Mechanical