Fire, Galaxy play to scoreless draw
For the fourth time this season, the Fire played to a scoreless draw on Saturday night.
Neither the Fire nor the LA Galaxy managed a shot on goal in the match before a Soldier Field crowd of 30.282.
Chicago had nine shots total, three more than LA. The Fire (2-4-1, 10 points) earned their fifth shutout and also were shut out for the fifth time.
The Fire returns to action Tuesday at Soldier Field with a U.S. Open Cup Round 3 match vs. Union Omaha.
† Amanda Kowalski scored off a deflected shot by Mallory Pugh as the Red Stars tied Racing Louisville FC 1-1. The Red Stars (2-2-1, 8 points) are in second place in the Central Division and face a win-and-in scenario against Kansas City next week for the Challenge Cup semifinals.
Wolves clinch Central Division title
Stefan Noesen’s short-handed goal midway through the third period snapped the game’s fourth tie and clinched the Central Division title as the Wolves earned a 6-4 win over the Texas Stars in Cedar Park, Texas.
In addition to Noesen’s league-leading 42nd and 43rd goals, Joey Keane, Max Lajoie, Richard Panik and Josh Leivo scored for the Wolves (47-14-5-5) as they claimed the Central Division for the fifth time in six years.
Baez goes on IL with thumb injury
The Tigers placed star shortstop Javier Báez on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Wednesday, with right thumb soreness. Báez has missed four games with the thumb issue despite negative X-rays.
♦ The Astros placed All-Star closer Ryan Pressly on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation in his right knee.
♦ Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said an MRI on star Byron Buxton’s right knee didn’t reveal any structural issues.
♦ Alex Verdugo and Xander Bogaerts each hit two-run home runs, and Tanner Houck pitched shutout ball over five-plus innings as the Red Sox beat the Twins 4-0. Minnesota starter Sonny Gray was pulled in the second inning with right hamstring tightness.
♦ Steven Matz pitched 5⅔ shutout innings as the Cardinals edged the Brewers 2-1.
Avalanche clinch top seed in West
♦ J.T. Compher and Nathan MacKinnon each scored twice, Ben Meyers added a goal in his NHL debut and the Avalanche clinched the top seed in the Western Conference, beating the Hurricanes 7-4 for their ninth consecutive win.
♦ Brayden Schenn scored 56 seconds into overtime and the Blues wrapped up a playoff spot, beating the Wild 6-5 for their season-high eighth consecutive victory.
♦ Jeremy Swayman had 23 saves and the Bruins beat the Penguins 2-1 to clinch a playoff spot and end a season-high three-game losing streak.
Varner leads PGA event by 1 shot
Harold Varner III shot an 8-under 63 to take a one-shot lead in the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in pursuit of his first PGA Tour victory. Varner is at 11-under 202.
♦ Two men have been arrested in a fatal shooting from a vehicle in which Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph was riding, police in Dallas said.