Sloot sets mark with 18 assists
BRADENTON, Fla. — Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot set the WNBA record with 18 assists in a game, helping the team to a 100-77 victory against the Fever on Monday.
Vandersloot tied the record, held by Ticha Penicheiro, at 16 on a drive to the basket, drawing two defenders and finding Ruthy Hebard under the hoop for a 89-74 lead with 3:22 left.
“I thought this record was untouchable. Ticha set the bar very, very high,” Vandersloot said. “I don’t think this one will be touched very often. It’s tough to get 16 assists in a game.
“This one is really special. My teammates were knocking down shots. They were as happy as I was, and it makes it that much enjoyable for me.”
Vandersloot had gotten 15 assists three times and looked like she might have to settle for that again as she left the game with a few minutes left.
After a brief rest on the bench, Vandersloot found her wife, Allie Quigley, in the corner for a three-pointer to break the record. Two possessions later, she connected with Quigley again for a three-pointer and a 25-point lead.
“It puts a little cherry on top. I know she was happy for me,” Vandersloot said of her wife hitting the record shot. “She wanted to do that for me. It was initially for Ruthy, but the backup plan was always Allie. You can always count on Allie to knock down some late shots.”
Penicheiro, who reached 16 assists in 1998 and 2002, tweeted a congratulatory note to Vandersloot after the game. Vandersloot finished with 13 points and is averaging 9.3 assists this season, which would break her own mark of 9.1, set last year.
Gabby Williams and Kahleah Copper each scored 21 points for the Sky (11-6). Quigley added 19. Teaira McCowan had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Fever (5-11).
The Sky, who were down to nine players, signed 6-1 forward Alisia Jenkins to a sevenday contract before the game. She originally was signed by the Fever on Aug. 17, but they waived her 11 days later. Last winter, she averaged 22.4 points and 12.3 rebounds in Hungry.
The Padres acquired right-hander Mike Clevinger in a multiplayer deal with the Indians before the trade deadline Monday, bolstering their rotation with another bold move.
The Padres got Clevinger, outfielder Greg Allen and a player to be named from the Indians for a package of young players that included outfielder Josh Naylor, right-hander Cal Quantrill and catcher Austin Hedges.
Led by exciting young shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado, the Padres are eyeing their first playoff appearance since 2006. The acquisition of Clevinger is their fifth trade since Saturday.
Clevinger said the Padres are ‘‘the most exciting team in baseball by far right now. It’s definitely kind of the place to be right now. I’m stoked that they wanted me here.’’
The Indians are in the mix for the American League Central title, but Clevinger might have worn out his welcome with the team when he and fellow right-hander Zach Plesac broke COVID-19 protocols by leaving their hotel room after a road game last month against the White Sox.
In other notable trades at the deadline:
The Blue Jays acquired left-hander Robbie Ray from the Diamondbacks for lefthander Travis Bergen and cash and obtained right-hander Ross Stripling from the Dodgers for two players to be named.
The Marlins acquired outfielder Starling Marte from the Diamondbacks for lefthander Caleb Smith, right-hander Humberto Mejia and a player to be named.
The Athletics acquired left-hander Mike Minor from the Rangers for two players to be named.
The Phillies acquired right-hander David Phelps from the Brewers for three players to be named.
The Rockies acquired outfielder Kevin Pillar from the Red Sox for a player to be named an international-bonus-pool money.
Two A’s-Mariners games postponed
Major League Baseball postponed the first two games of the Athletics-Mariners series Tuesday and Wednesday in Seattle to allow for additional testing and contact tracing after a member of the A’s organization tested positive for the coronavirus.
The positive test already caused the postponement of the A’s-Astros game Sunday in Houston. MLB said it will continue to provide updates as necessary.
On the field
Paul DeJong hit his first career grand slam, Dakota Hudson allowed two runs (one earned) and four hits and struck out seven in seven innings and the visiting Cardinals defeated the Reds 7-5.
Tyler Glasnow didn’t allow a hit until the sixth inning, Ji-Man Choi drove in three runs with a home run and a single and the Rays improved to 7-1 this season against the host Yankees with a 5-3 victory.