Quick Hitters
Astros’ Altuve leaves WBC game after hit on hand by a pitch
MIAMI – Jose altuve exited Venezuela’s World Baseball classic quarterfinal against the united States after he was hit on his right hand by a pitch from daniel Bard on Saturday night.
The houston astros second baseman, an eight-time all-star and the 2017 american League MVP, fell to the field after he was struck by the 95.9 mph sinker in the fifth inning. he grimaced as he walked off with an athletic trainer, and altuve was replaced by Luis rengifo.
“The astros will provide an update tomorrow after further evaluation,” the club said in a statement.
Bard relieved Lance Lynn to start the inning and was wild throughout, walking two batters and throwing a pair of wild pitches. Bard, a 37-year-old colorado righthander, allowed all four batters who faced him to reached base as Venezuela overcame a three-run deficit to take a 6-5 lead.
Alcaraz, Medvedev to clash in Indian Wells final
Indian WELLS, calif. – carlos alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner 7-6 (4), 6-3 on Saturday to advance to the BNP Paribas Open final against daniil Medvedev.
Medvedev beat Frances Tiafoe 7-5, 7-6 (4) on his eighth match point for his 19th consecutive match victory of the year.
alcaraz needs to win the title Sunday to regain the no. 1 ranking in the world from novak djokovic. The Serb, a five-time champion in Indian Wells, withdrew before the tournament began after he wasn’t allowed to enter the u.s. because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19.
alcaraz and the 11th-seeded Sinner had split their four previous meetings, with alcaraz winning both matches on hard courts.
Schenk’s late birdie gives him lead over Spieth, Fleetwood
PALM harbor, Fla. – adam Schenk looked as though he and everyone else would get passed by Jordan Spieth on Saturday at the Valspar championship. When a wild and windy round finished, Schenk was still the player everyone was chasing.
Schenk hit his approach to the 18th hole to 5 feet and made the birdie putt for a 1-under 70, giving him a one-shot lead over Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood as he goes after his first victory on the PGA Tour.
“We didn’t have a ton go our way until the very end,” Schenk said.