Lawyer says Maryland coach should be fired

The attorney for the family of the University of Maryland offensive lineman who died after a strenuous offseason workout is calling for Terrapins football coach DJ Durkin to be fired, citing the abusive culture of the program and the team’s failure to properly react after Jordan McNair fell ill on the practice field.

The 19-year-old McNair was hospitalized May 29 and died June 13. McNair family attorney Billy Murphy Jr. said Sunday he’s seen the preliminary death certificate and has concluded, “This is an obvious heatstroke case.”

Durkin was placed on administrative leave Saturday in the wake of reports that he and his staff verbally abused and humiliated players since his arrival in College Park, Maryland, two years ago.

“Coach Durkin should be fired immediately,” Murphy said.

“His conduct and the conduct of the coaches was reprehensible. They were not prepared ... to deal with a heatstroke incident.”

Murphy also contended the climate of the program was all wrong, and cannot be corrected unless Durkin is no longer part of it.

Durkin “fostered a horrible culture,” Murphy said, that included “physical and verbal” abuse of players.

“And the third reason he ought to be fired is: How are you going to have a viable football program as long as it is possible for him to become the coach again?” Murphy said.

Murphy has not yet filed a lawsuit against the school on behalf of the family, but said that’s only a matter of time. Dr. Rod Walters, a former college athletic trainer, has been hired by Maryland to head an independent investigation, which is expected to be available by Sept. 15.

MLB

SALE STRIKES OUT 12 IN RETURN » Chris Sale celebrated his return from the disabled list by striking out 12 over five dominant innings, and the Boston Red Sox moved 50 games over .500 by completing a sweep of the lowly Baltimore Orioles with a 4-1 victory.

Sale (12-4) was placed on the DL on July 28 with left shoulder inflammation. Judging by his performance, the injury is no longer an issue.

The left-hander allowed just one hit, a clean third-inning single to left field by Renato Nunez, and walked none. Sale struck out the side twice and fanned at least two in his other three innings.

Sale is 7-0 over his last nine starts, a streak he started before making his third consecutive start in the All-Star Game on July 17. He owns a 0.20 ERA over his last seven outings and leads the AL at 1.97 for the year.

Tennis

NADAL WINS IN TORONTO » Rafael Nadal won his 80th ATP World Tour title — and spoiled Stefanos Tsitsipas’ 20th birthday.

The top-ranked Nadal beat the unseeded Greek upstart 6-2, 7-6 (4) for his fourth Rogers Cup crown and fifth victory of the year.