SPORTS SHORTS
MLB: Pearce, Porcello lead Bosox by Braves
Steve Pearce had three hits and three RBIs, Rick Porcello allowed two hits in five innings, and the Red Sox beat the Braves 5-1 on Tuesday night in Atlanta for their second straight win in a matchup of division leaders.
Porcello (16-7) gave up one run, struck out five and walked one as the Braves’ lead over second-place Philadelphia in the NL East was cut to three games.
Lorenzo Cain reached base five times, Wade Miley pitched six stingy innings and the Brewers romped past the Cubs 11-1 in Milwaukee to climb within three games of the NL Central leaders.
Alex Bregman hit three doubles, leading Justin Verlander and the Astros over the visiting Twins 5-2 for their fourth straight win.
Former Phillies star Ryan Howard announced his retirement. The former National League MVP spent his entire major league career with the Phillies.
White Sox All-Star first baseman Jose Abreu said doctors performed emergency surgery last month to correct a groin condition. He had testicular surgery Aug. 21 in Chicago.
White Sox GM Rick Hahn said he expects the 31-year-old slugger back in the lineup by mid-September.
ETC.: Mystics, Storm to meet in WNBA Finals
In Atlanta, the Washington Mystics used a late 9-0 run then survived a desperation 3-point attempt to advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history with an 86-81 victory over the Dream in Game 5.
In the league’s other semifinal, Sue Bird scored 14 of her 22 points in the fourth quarter, and the Seattle Storm advanced to the Finals for the third time in franchise history rallying for a 94-84 win over the visiting Phoenix Mercury in Game 5 .
The Pacers signed coach Nate McMillan to a multi-year contract extension. McMillan, 54, has a 90-74 record and helped lead the team to the playoffs the past two seasons.
In an exhibition game in San Jose, Calif., Carli Lloyd entered in the second half and immediately scored on a diving header before scoring again in the 93rd minute for her 102nd career goal, and the U.S. women’s national team ran its unbeaten streak to 21 matches by beating Chile 4-0.