NASCAR: Keselowski grabs Cup lead
Brad Keselowski had just enough fuel left to take the checkered flag yesterday at Dover (Del.) International Speedway for his second victory in three weeks.
Keselowski raced to his fifth victory of the season and zipped into the Chase of the Sprint Cup points lead. Chase driver Jeff Gordon finished second. Jimmie Johnson lost his grip on the points lead with a fourth-place finish.
MLB: Baker returns to Reds tonight
Dusty Baker is going to rejoin the Reds in St. Louis tonight after missing 11 games because of a mini-stroke. The NL Central champs won seven of their 11 games under interim manager Chris Speier.
The Rangers will be without reliever Mike Adams (5-3, 3.27 ERA) for the rest of the regular season, and have to wait and see if their primary eighth-inning setup man can pitch in the playoffs. Adams said he has been diagnosed with a case of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. That is when a bone in the upper body presses against a nerve, causing numbness and tingling in the fingers.
ETC.: Little progress at NHL talks
The NHL and the players’ association for the third straight day discussed secondary issues unrelated to the core economics at the root of the lockout. Yesterday, the sides again talked about drug testing, health and safety issues, medical care, along with things in the collective bargaining agreement legal area of player movement. The sides won’t meet today, as the NHL plans to have internal discussions with its clubs. Negotiations could resume again tomorrow.
Tamika Catchings had 25 points and 13 rebounds, Briann January scored 24 points and the Indiana Fever beat the Atlanta Dream 103-88 in Game 2 to even their WNBA Eastern Conference semifinals series. The deciding Game 3 will be tomorrow night in Indianapolis.
Long Island’s Wally Szczerbiak, who played for the Timberwolves and Cavaliers, is joining the MSG Network’s Knicks telecasts, according to a source. Szczerbiak likely will replace the fired Kelly Tripucka in the MSG studio,
— Marc Berman