Sports Briefs: Glendale Community College product stays put
Estrada stays with Toronto, has strong outing
There were rumors that former Glendale Community College and current Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada might be traded ahead of the Major League Baseball deadline Monday.
But that didn’t happen. Toronto left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano was shipped to the Houston Astros, but Estrada, a right-handed starter, was on the hill for the Blue Jays Monday evening in a game against the Chicago White Sox.
Estrada rewarded his club with a fine performance. However, the Blue Jays blew a six-run lead and the hurler was tabbed with a no-decision in a 7-6 loss on the road on Chicago.
In seven innings of work, Estrada, 34, who left with a 6-1 lead, allowed four hits and one run (earned) while striking out five and walking one. He threw 101 pitches, 72 for strikes.
Estrada didn’t allow a hit through the first four innings — striking out three — before surrendering two in the fifth. He gave up two more hits in the seventh and a run when Alen Hanson scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Yolmer Sanchez.
Toronto, which jumped out to a 6-0 lead, squandered Estrada’s fine outing by allowing Chicago four runs in the eighth and two in the bottom of the ninth, as the Blue Jays used three relievers over the final two innings. The winning run was scored on a walk-off bloop single to center by Matt Davidson.
Estrada, who hasn’t won a game since May 27, is 4-7 with a 5.43 earned-run average over 114 1/3 innings, striking out 122 and walking 50.
Lopez continues undefeated ways
Just 21 years old, Glendale’s Adam Lopez is gaining some steam and garnering some notice in boxing’s featherweight ranks.
Lopez won an exciting eight-round majority decision over unbeaten Paul Romero on Sunday night at the Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield in a bout televised live on Fox Sports1 as part of a Premier Boxing Champions card.
Lopez (8-0, three knockouts) won via two 58-56 judges’ scorecards with a very surprising even 57-57 tally causing the majority verdict. The Glendale News-Press scored it 58-56.
Despite his prospect status, Lopez, though he was fighting most likely his toughest opponent to date in Romero (7-1-1, one KO), defeated his fifth consecutive unbeaten opponent.
Lopez pressed forward throughout the majority of the bout and landed an array of power punches against the durable Romero, who was looking to stay on the outside and stick and move.
Lopez, who made his professional debut in May of 2016, fought for the fourth time in 2017, which included a pair of wins a week apart in April.
Sarkissian retires during match
Former Glendale Community College men’s tennis player Alex Sarkissian fell Monday in a qualifying round match of the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis Mifel presentado por Cinemex in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Sarkissian competed against Ante Pavic of Croatia, falling 6-0 in the first set before retiring prior to the start of the second set.
Huh in RBA Canadian Open
John Huh, a Crescenta Valley High graduate, didn’t make the cut at the RBA Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Course in Oakville, Ontario.
Huh, the 2012 PGA Rookie of the Year, began the event Thursday with a three-under-par 69 before carding a 74 on Friday to finish at 143. The cut was 140.
Carew to be honored at Oakmont
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew will be honored at the inaugural Fred Clair Celebrity Golf Classic tournament and dinner to be held at Glendale’s Oakmont Country Club on Aug. 14.
Carew, one of the more popular players in Los Angeles Angels’ history and a multiple-time American League All-Star with the Minnesota Twins and Angels, was named the recipient of the “Celebration of Life Award” due to his efforts fighting and overcoming heart disease.
The seven-time batting champ has championed several causes and recently partnered with the American Heart Assn. in its anti-heart disease campaign, Heart of 29.
Carew is more than an advocate, however, as he survived a massive heart attack while golfing in 2015. Carew made headlines when he received a heart transplant from former football player Konrad Reuland, who suffered a brain aneurysm.
The golf tournament and dinner will benefit the City of Hope. The tournament is set for a shotgun start at 11 a.m. with cocktails following at 4:30 p.m. and dinner starting at 5:30.
Those scheduled to appear include former MLB players Eddie Murray; Shawn Green, Orel Hershiser, Mickey Hatcher, Maury Wills, Reggie Smith, Bill Russell, Steve Yeager, Wes Parker, Ron Fairly, Jimmy and Jim Campanis, Joey Amaliftano, Kurt Bevacqua, former Carew Angels teammates Doug DeCinces and Rick Burleson; Matt Young, Glendon Rusch, Ken Landreaux, Derrel Thomas, Tommy Davis, Al Ferrara, Jay Johnstone, Tim Leary, Greg Dobbs, former Heisman Trophy winner Mike Garrett, former UCLA basketball coach Jim Harrick and Olympic swimmer John Naber.
For more information, check out https://www.cityofhope.org/giving/corporate-and-foundation-giving/volunteer-fundraising-groups/national-insurance-industry-council/national-insurance-industry-council-events/niic-west-coast-golf.