SPORTS SHORTS
MLB: Reliever has anxiety issue
Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna says he is out of sorts mentally, feeling “anxious” and “weird.” And that is why he was unavailable to pitch Friday.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons did not use Osuna when the Royals scored four runs in the ninth off three relievers to win 5-4 at Kansas City. Gibbons says Osuna was “just not feeling well.” He did not elaborate.
Osuna said through an interpreter before Saturday’s game that he feels “great physically” but not “mentally.” He adds that he is “a little bit anxious, a little bit weird. I feel like I’m not myself right now.” He says he has never experienced this sensation during his career.
In Kansas City, Mo., Jason Vargas earned his major league-leading 11th victory, pitching seven efficient innings to lead the surging Royals over the Blue Jays, 3-2, Saturday.
In Chicago, Matt Olson hit his first two major league home runs, Jaycob Brugman and Franklin Barreto also launched their first career shots and the Athletics routed the White Sox, 10-2.
Olson, Brugman and Barreto became the second trio of teammates to hit their first home runs in the same game, the Elias Sports Bureau said. It also happened in 1914 with the Kansas City Packers of the Federal League — the rival circuit lasted a couple of seasons, and included many big leaguers.
In Cleveland, Brian Dozier homered off closer Cody Allen to break an eighth-inning tie and the Twins defeated the Indians 4-2.
In Boston, JC Ramirez rebounded from his shortest career start with six solid innings, Cameron Maybin doubled home a run and scored another and the Angels held off the Red Sox 6-3.
In Washington, Michael Taylor homered twice among his four hits, Trea Turner finished 5-for-5 with a walk and the Nationals beat the Reds, 18-3. Ex-Met Daniel Murphy had four RBIs for the Nationals.
In St. Petersburg, Fla., Dylan Bundy helped Baltimore avoid a dubious pitching record, throwing seven solid innings as the Orioles beat the Rays, 8-3. The Orioles had given up at least five runs in 20 straight games, matching the major league mark set by the 1924 Phillies.
GOLF: Spieth maintains narrow lead
Jordan Spieth closed with a 20-foot birdie putt for a 4-under 66 in the Travelers Championship, giving him a one-stroke lead for the third straight round at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. Boo Weekley was second after a 65. Rory McIlroy switched putters and shot a 70 to remain at even par.
Sergio Garcia carded a 5-under 67 to join Richard Bland in a share of the lead in the third round of the BMW International Open, one stroke ahead of former joint leader Joakim Lagergren in Munich.
In Madison, Wis., Paul Broadhurst shot a 3-under 69 to maintain a two-stroke lead in the PGA Tour Champions’ American Family Insurance Open.
NCAA: LSU, Florida reach CWS final
In Omaha, Neb., Caleb Gilbert held No. 1 national seed Oregon State to two hits in 7 ¹ /3 innings, Michael Papierski homered from both sides of the plate and LSU beat the Beavers 6-1 to reach the College World Series final. They will face Florida, who beat TCU 3-0 to advance.