Sports briefs
In the majors
Ryan McMahon hit a two-run homer in the ninth to lift the Colorado Rockies to a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday.
McMahon hit a 1-1 fastball from Jerry Blevins just over the scoreboard in right field for the second game-ending homer of his career. Nolan Arenado started the inning with a walk off Anthony Swarzak (1-2).
Jairo Diaz (5-3) blew the save in the ninth but got the win.
Monday was a makeup from the April 10th game postponed due to inclement weather and forced Atlanta to crisscross the country.
n Sonny Gray pitched into the seventh inning, Freddy Galvis drove in four runs and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Miami Marlins 6-3 on Monday night.
Gray (10-6) walked five, but limited Miami to two runs and four hits. The right-hander improved to 4-0 in August, allowing three runs in five starts.
Galvis had three hits and Eugenio Suárez hit his 36th homer for the Reds, who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Patriots’ Chung focused on football
Having played for the New England Patriots for nine of his 10 NFL seasons, Patrick Chung is well-versed in how his team addresses potential controversies.
It doesn’t.
So it came as no surprise when Chung offered no information about a charge of cocaine possession brought against him in New Hampshire while speaking briefly with reporters Monday inside the Patriots’ Gillette Stadium locker room.
“Honestly, I’ve been just here playing football. We just talk about football. So that’s all I’m going to talk about, talk about the Giants,” the 32-year-old safety said, referring to Thursday night’s preseason finale at home against the New York Giants.
Earlier Monday, Chung waived a court appearance in Laconia, New Hampshire, and a lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Belknap County Attorney Andrew Livernois said police in Meredith, New Hampshire, were called to Chung’s home on June 25 “on a call for service” and obtained evidence leading to the felony drug charge. He was indicted on Aug. 8.
Chung’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 8.
During the open locker room period after Monday’s practice, Chung said he would speak only about football as reporters clustered around him. Asked if it was difficult to focus on the game following his indictment, Chung said: “Just coming to work and I play. I go to the meetings and get into the playbook and I just get back, get over my injuries and get back.”
Howard rejoins Lakers
Dwight Howard rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, six seasons after his acrimonious departure.
The eight-time All-Star center and 15-year NBA veteran is the Lakers’ improbable choice to fill the sudden roster vacancy created by DeMarcus Cousins’ knee injury.
Howard spent one memorable season with the Lakers in 2012-13 after joining the club with Steve Nash in Los Angeles’ high-risk attempt to create an immediate championship contender. While he led the NBA in rebounding and valiantly played through injuries, Howard also clashed with Kobe Bryant and subsequently spurned Los Angeles as a free agent after the Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs.
He bounced to six franchises after his departure, while the Lakers haven’t made the NBA postseason in those ensuing six seasons.
Howard has been aggressively booed at Staples Center ever since he took significantly less money than the Lakers offered him and joined the Houston Rockets instead.
McDavid aims to be ready for camp
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid says he’s “working towards” being ready for the start of training camp.
The 22-year-old star center injured his left knee in April when he crashed into a post during Edmonton’s regular-season finale. X-rays were negative but a subsequent MRI found a small tear in the posterior cruciate ligament.
McDavid appeared Monday at the annual BioSteel camp, a training program for NHL players.
In June, he wore a brace at a charity event. On Monday, he did not skate but appeared to be walking fine. He says he has been skating for a “couple months” and training with former NHL player Gary Roberts.
McDavid was second in league scoring with 116 points last season. The Oilers missed the playoffs for the third time in his four NHL seasons.