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Sports Brief: 7/5/20

Sports

July 5th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was alert and sent to a hospital after he was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of slugger Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice Saturday. Tanaka’s hat flew off and he immediately collapsed to the ground, cradling his head at Yankee Stadium. Manager Aaron Boone also says that All-Star infielder DJ LeMahieu and right-hander Luis Cessa tested positive for the coronavirus before traveling to New York and are self-isolating at home.

UNDATED (AP) — Dodgers pitcher David Price won’t play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his Los Angeles debut until next year. The five-time All-Star became the latest player to opt out, posting Saturday on Twitter that he wouldn’t participate in the 60-game season that’s scheduled to begin July 23. Price’s announcement came a day after Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout said he wasn’t comfortable with the current climate and might not play. Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Colorado outfielder Ian Desmond and Arizona pitcher Mike Leake are among those who have already said they’re out this year.

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s new pitching addition Madison Bumgarner threw two innings of live batting practice. It was his first outing during the team’s summer camp at Chase Field as the D-backs prepare for a 60-game season. The left-handed Bumgarner signed with the Diamondbacks in the offseason after spending his first 11 seasons with the San Francisco Giants. Bumgarner is trying to get his arm in shape and avoid COVID-19 as he prepares for opening day. Three players on the Diamondbacks’ 40-man roster have tested positive for coronavirus though the team hasn’t revealed any names.

BERTHOUD, Colo. (AP) — Will Zalatoris won the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes on Saturday for his first Korn Ferry Tour victory. Zalatoris closed with a 3-under 69 for a one-stroke victory over Chase Johnson. The former Wake Forest star earned $108,000 and jumped from fourth to first in the points race for 25 PGA Tour cards. Zalatoris finished at 15-under 273 for his fourth straight top-10 finish and sixth in nine starts this season. He birdied the par-3 16th and parred the final two holes to help off Johnson. Johnson finished with a 63.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Scott Dixon retook the lead with 18 laps to go and pulled away from Graham Rahal to earn his first IndyCar Grand Prix victory. The five-time series champion beat Rahal to the checkered flag by 19.9469 seconds. It’s the first time in Dixon’s 20-year career he has opened the season with back-to-back victories. Dixon’s 48 career wins are third all-time behind A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti.