SOCCER: Cosmos top Strikers in return
The reincarnated Cosmos topped the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, 2-1, in front of a sellout crowd of 11,929 at Hofstra University last night in their first game in nearly three decades.
Forward Alessandro Noselli scored the game-winner in the 92nd minute to lift the Cosmos to the win in the franchise’s first game since its final match in the old North American Soccer League on Sept. 15, 1984.
Forward Peri Maroševi scored the club’s first goal since that day minutes before halftime.
Clint Dempsey is leaving behind the Premier League to play for the Seattle Sounders.
Dempsey was introduced as the newest designated player for the Sounders last night prior to Seattle’s match against FC Dallas. It concluded a whirlwind 48 hours of rumors and speculation Dempsey was leaving Tottenham Hotspur and returning to MLS.
HORSES: Sears doubles up at Hambo again
Brian Sears turned the Oaks-Hambo double for the second time in his career during Hambletonian Day at Meadowlands Racetrack. Royalty For Life (the 4-5 favorite) gave Sears his second victory in the $1 million Hambletonian while 1-5 favorite Bee A Magician took the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks.
Sears knew the front end was the place to be, putting the George Ducharme-trainee Royalty For Life on the lead and refusing to yield to Smilin Eli (7-2) and driver Tim Tetrick. Royalty For Life paid $3.60 to win.
Earlier, Sears made sure Bee A Magician continued her 3-year-old unbeaten streak easily winning the Oaks in a stakes record 1:51 4/5 by 3 ¹/‚„ lengths over Classic Martine (15-1). To Dream On was third. — Debbie Little
Cross Traffic repelled favored Fort Larned, then held off a late bit by Successful Dan to win the $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap by three-quarters of a length at Saratoga Race Course.
John Velazquez rode the lightly raced 4-year-old, who took the lead in the run to the first turn and responded when challenged near the three-eighths pole by defending champion Fort Larned.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Cross Traffic set an extremely fast pace, remained strong in the stretch at ran 1 ¹/‚ˆ miles in 1:47.64. He paid $9.10, $5.40 and $4.40 and earned $450,000.
MLB: Scherzer becomes first to 16 wins
In Chicago, Max Scherzer became baseball’s first 16-game winner as the Tigers beat the White Sox, 3-0.
In Boston, Jake Peavy allowed four hits in seven-plus innings to lead the Red Sox to a 5-2 victory over the Diamondbacks, winning his first start since coming to Boston at the trade deadline.
In Baltimore, Michael Saunders homered twice and drove in five runs, Erasmo Ramirez retired 18 of the first 20 batters he faced and the Mariners beat the Orioles 8-4 to end a four-game losing streak.
In Philadelphia, the Braves beat the Phillies, 5-4 in 12 innings for their ninth straight win and 11th in 13 games.
ETC.: Kolb’s knee OK after going to the mat
Bills quarterback Kevin Kolb, who is locked in a competition with rookie first-round pick EJ Manuel for the starting job, avoided serious injury to his left knee when he slipped and stumbled awkwardly on a rubber mat yesterday.
Brad Keselowski took control with 35 laps left to win the NASCAR Nationwide race at Iowa Speedway.