SPORTS DIGEST
BASEBALL
James Paxton struck out 16 batters in seven innings to record the most strikeouts by a pitcher in the Major Leagues this season. He is the first Seattle Mariners pitcher with 16 strikeouts in a game since Randy Johnson had 19 on August 8, 1997. Paxton’s previous career best was 10, while Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole have both had 14 strikeouts in games this season for the Houston Astros. The Mariners went on to lose the game 3- 2 against the Oakland Athletics. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Boston Red Sox 6 Kansas City Royals 7, Chicago Cubs 2 Colorado Rockies 11, Cincinnati Reds 1 Milwaukee Brewers 3, Cleveland Indians 12 Texas Rangers 4, Detroit Tigers 3 Tampa Bay Rays 2, LA Angels 10 Baltimore Orioles 7, Miami Marlins 0 Philadelphia Phillies 6, Minnesota Twins 4 Toronto Blue Jays 7, New York Mets 0 Atlanta Braves 7, San Francisco Giants 9 San Diego Padres 4, Seattle Mariners 2 Oakland Athletics 3, St Louis Cardinals 3 Chicago White Sox 2.
BASKETBALL
The Utah Jazz stormed to a 116- 108 victory over the Houston Rockets to tie their NBA play- off series at one game apiece. Joe Ingles scored two career- highs, recording 27 points and making seven three- pointers, while Donovan Mitchell’s 11 assists marked a franchise rookie record in a play- off game. Having led by as many 19 points in the first half, the Jazz found themselves facing a tight scoreline heading into the final quarter. But the Rockets could not keep up the pace, and the Jazz pulled away with just minutes left until the final buzzer. James Harden impressed for the Rockets with 32 points and 11 assists, while Chris Paul added 23 points. NBA PLAY- OFFS Western Conference semi- finals: Houston Rockets 108 Utah Jazz 116.
ICE HOCKEY
Ondrej Palat scored twice to power the Tampa Bay Lightning to a series lead against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup play- offs. The Lightning netted three times in the first period, while Steven Stamkos scored into an empty net with just seconds to go in the third in a 4- 1 triumph. Patrice Bergeron was the only player to score for the Bruins, with Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy making 28 saves. The San Jose Sharks shut out the Vegas Golden Knights 4- 0 to tie the series at two games apiece. Goaltender Martin Jones made 34 saves for the sixth post- season shutout of his career, while Tomas Hertl scored his fifth goal of the play- offs. Marcus Sorensen and Joonas Donskoi put the Sharks on the scoreboard in the first period, while Joe Pavelski netted a power- play goal in the third. NHL PLAY- OFFS Eastern Conference semi- finals: Boston Bruins 1 Tampa Bay Lightning 4 ( Tampa Bay lead series 2- 1). Western Conference semi- finals: San Jose Sharks 4 Vegas Golden Knights 0 ( series tied 2- 2).
TENNIS
Cameron Norrie suffered an agonising defeat to Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round of the Millennium Estoril Open. The British No 3 three was looking to make his first ATP Tour quarter- final and led 5- 2 in the deciding set before holding a match point in the 10th game but Carballes Baena fought back to win 5- 7, 6- 2, 7- 6 ( 7/ 1). His first- round victory over sixth seed Robin Haase might yet be enough to see 22- yearold Norrie break into the top 100 on Monday only a year after turning professional. British No 1 Kyle Edmund plays Portugal’s Joao Sousa in the last eight today.