SPORTS DIGEST

BASEBALL

The New York Yankees’ hot streak continued with an eighth successive win. The Yankees continued their fine start to the season with a 7-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox thanks to Matt Holliday’s three-run homer and Aaron Judges’ tworun effort. The Boston Red Sox were triumphant in their clash with the Tampa Bay Rays, winning 4-3. Brad Miller’s fielding error for the Rays in the second inning cost three runs, allowing the Red Sox to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead. Dansby Swanson’s single with two outs in the ninth inning for the Atlanta Braves gave them a 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres after Freddie Freeman had earlier hit two homers and a double. World Series champions the Chicago Cubs were beaten 6-3 by the Milwaukee Bucks, the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 3-1 and the Houston Astros shut out the Los Angeles Angels in a 3-0 success. There were also wins for the St Louis Cardinals, the Seattle Mariners, the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. MLB: Atlanta Braves 5 San Diego Padres 4, Boston Red Sox 4 Tampa Bay Rays 3, Chicago Cubs 3 Milwaukee Brewers 6, Houston Astros 3 LA Angels 0, Los Angeles Dodgers 2 Arizona Diamondbacks 4, Minnesota Twins 1 Cleveland Indians 3, New York Yankees 7 Chicago White Sox 4, Oakland Athletics 0 Texas Rangers 7, Seattle Mariners 6 Miami Marlins 1, St Louis Cardinals 2 Pittsburgh Pirates 1.

BASKETBALL

The Cleveland Cavaliers moved to within two games of a first-round play-off win over the Indiana Pacers with a 117-111 success. Kyrie Irving recorded 37 points, with 27 from Kevin Love, as the Cavs moved 2-0 up in the best-of-seven series. It was a little more nervy than it ought to have been, though, as the Cavs were leading by 18 points in the final quarter before taking their foot off the pedal. They held out to leave the Pacers with it all to do. The San Antonio Spurs also took a 2-0 lead as Kawhi Leonard inspired a 96-82 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Leonard scored 37 points, combined with 11 rebounds, in his best ever play-off display as the Spurs took control. NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAY-OFFS 1st rd: San Antonio Spurs 96 Memphis Grizzlies 82 (San Antonio lead series 2-0). NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAY-OFFS 1st Rd: Cleveland Cavaliers 117 Indiana Pacers 111 (Cleveland lead series 2-0).

ICE HOCKEY

Tyler Bozak’s overtime goal gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals which sees them take a 2-1 lead in their first-round play-off series. Bozak’s effort 1:37 into the additional period capped an impressive comeback, having trailed 3-1, and puts them two wins away from knocking out the Presidents’ Trophy winners. The Ottawa Senators are also leading their best-of-seven clash with the Boston Bruins 2-1 following another 4-3 overtime win. Bobby Ryan was the Senators’ hero, scoring the winning goal during a powerplay after the Bruins had comeback from 3-0 down to force the extra period. The Nashville Predators are one win away from knocking out the Chicago Blackhawks after Kevin Fiala’s overtime goal gave them a 3-0 series lead. The Blackhawks, who were 2015 Stanley Cup champions, were 2-0 up in the contest but now have to win all four remaining games if they are to progress as the Predators came back to win 3-2. Corey Perry’s goal 90 seconds into overtime earned the Anaheim Ducks a 5-4 win over the Calgary Flames which also extends their series lead to 3-0. NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAY-OFF 1st rd: Calgary Flames 4 Anaheim Ducks 5 (OT) (Anaheim lead series 3-0), Nashville Predators 3 Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT) (Nashville lead series 3-0) NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAY-OFF 1st rd: Boston Bruins 3 Ottawa Senators 4 (OT) (Ottawa lead series 2-1), Toronto Maple Leafs 4 Washington Capitals 3 (OT) (Toronto lead series 2-1).

TENNIS

ATP MONTE-CARLO ROLEX MASTERS 1st rd: Gilles Muller (Lux) bt Tommy Robredo (Spa) 6-2 6-2, Robin Haase (Ned) bt Damir Dzumhur (Bih) 6-3 6-2, (11) Lucas Pouille (Fra) bt Ryan Harrison (USA) 6-2 6-4, Jan-lennard Struff (Ger) bt Casper Ruud (Nor) 6-4 6-4, Paolo Lorenzi (Ita) bt Marcel Granollers (Spa) 6-2 6-4, Tommy Haas (Ger) bt Benoit Paire (Fra) 6-2 6-3, Karen Khachanov (Rus) bt Nicolas Mahut (Fra) 6-2 6-4, Jiri Vesely (Cze) bt Mischa Zverev (Ger) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3, Carlos Berlocq (Arg) bt Pierrehugues Herbert (Fra) 3-6 6-2 6-1, Feliciano Lopez (Spa) bt Daniil Medvedev (Rus) 7-6 (8-6) 7-5, Jeremy Chardy (Fra) bt Borna Coric (Cro) 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-3. 2nd rd: Adrian Mannarino (Fra) bt (7) Jo-wilfried Tsonga (Fra) 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 6-3, (2) Novak Djokovic (Ser) bt Gilles Simon (Fra) 6-3 3-6 7-5, (16) Pablo Cuevas (Uru) bt Joao Sousa (Por) 6-3 6-3, (10) David Goffin (Bel) bt Nicolas Almagro (Spa) 7-5 6-1.

SNOOKER

BETFRED WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield) 1st rd: John Higgins (Sco) bt Martin Gould (Eng) 10-6 - Frame Scores (Higgins first): 77-27 (57), 82-40 (50), 66-47 (65), 84-28 (76), 96-19, 57-59 (57 Higgins), 90-0 (90), 11-100 (100), 79-10 (53), 6-109 (108), 8-76, 127-1 (127), 0-86, 76-1 (67) 0-80 (80), 82-34 (82).