Astros’ Javier, bullpen combine for no-hitter
Cristian Javier, Héctor Neris and Ryan Pressly combined on the first no-hitter against the Yankees in 19 years, shutting down the best team in baseball and pitching the Astros to a 3-0 victory on Saturday.
Javier (5-3), a 25-yearold right-hander without a complete game in 84 professional starts, was clearly tired when manager Dusty Baker brought in a reliever to start the eighth.
Javier set career highs for strikeouts (13) and pitches (115), and he matched his longest start with seven innings.
Pressly, who gave up a tying three-run homer to Aaron Hicks in a 7-6 loss Thursday night, retired three straight batters in the ninth for his 15th save in 18 chances. After Giancarlo Stanton hit into a game-ending groundout, the Astros walked onto the field and gathered near the mound for a brief celebration.
“To do it in New York, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Pressly said.
Golf: In Gee Chun shot a 3-over 75 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Women’s PGA Championship . ... Xander Schauffele shot a 3-under 67 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over good friend and playing partner Patrick Cantlay into the final round of the Travelers Championship. Schauffele had a 17-under 193 total at TPC River Highlands. Cantlay shot 63.
Track and field: Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin bested her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles as the U.S. outdoor track and field championships on Saturday. She crossed the finish line in 51.41 seconds, breaking her own record of 51.46 set last year at the Tokyo Games.
WNBA: Tina Charles’ stint in the desert was a short one. The Mercury announced they agreed to terms on a contract divorce with Charles after 18 games. The WNBA’s leading scorer last season, Charles signed with the Mercury in February.