Sports Briefs: Glendale’s Darabedyan ‘Ready for War’ against vet Antonio McKee

Darabedyan makes MMA return in Long Beach

Making his return to mixed martial arts, Glendale’s Karen Darabedyan will face one of his most recognizable opponents when he takes on veteran Antonio McKee on Oct. 7 at the Pyramid at Long Beach State for “Ready for War.”

Darabedyan (13-6), a Glendale High product who trains at Main Event Gym in Glendale and Team Hayastan in North Hollywood, will fight for the first time since defeating Sam Liera via rear-naked choke in the second round of the Legacy Fighting Alliance event in Burbank in June. Known for his all-around game, Darabedyan is a natural 155-pound lightweight, but will fight at the 170-pound welterweight class.

McKee (29-6-2) is 47 and 17 years Darabedyan’s senior. An Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran, McKee made his name largely outside of the UFC with his grinding wrestling style and hasn’t fought since November of 2014. Twenty-one of McKee’s wins have gone to decision and 26 of 37 bouts overall.

The event will be headlined by Darabedyan’s longtime training partner and friend Karo “The Heat” Parisyan (24-11), who will face Jose Diaz (6-5). Other notables scheduled to fight on the card are Victor Henry, Everett Cummings and Cleber Luciano.

Sherriff excels in bullpen for Cardinals

Former Glendale Community College pitcher Ryan Sherriff continues to perform well as a reliever with the St. Louis Cardinals. Sherriff, who was called up from triple-A in August, tossed a scoreless inning in his most recent outing Thursday.

The left-hander allowed one hit and struck out one in St. Louis’ 2-1 home defeat against the Chicago Cubs.

Sherriff, 27, is 1-1 with a 3.38 earned-run average in 12 appearances. In 13 1/3 innings, he’s struck out 14 and walked four. He’s allowed five runs, all earned.

St. Louis was 82-77 and in third place in the National League’s Central Division through Thursday, when the Cardinals were eliminated from postseason contention.

Johnson providing impact for Seattle Reign

It’s a been a strong first year from former Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy standout Katie Johnson.

The rookie forward for the Seattle Reign FC women’s soccer team has netted four goals and two assists in 22 matches for her Pacific Northwest squad. Johnson has attempted 13 shots, with eight of them on frame.

Seattle finds itself in the middle of the pack heading into the final weekend of the season. The Reign is fifth in the 10-team National Women’s Soccer League with 31 points.

Seattle needs a lot of help to reach the postseason and there are only two matches remaining and it trails fourth-place Orlando by six points.

The Reign would have to win its last two matches and hope Orlando loses its final two matches for there to be a tie-breaker scenario. Orlando and Seattle tied twice in their two head-to-head matches, meaning the next tie-breaker is greater goal differential.

Seattle concludes the regular season Saturday in Maryland taking on the Washington Spirit.

Elby closes out season Saturday

Though the Boston Breakers women’s soccer team struggled this season, the Flintridge Prep product has continued a high standard.

The defender has played in 12 contests with nine starts and has taken six total shots.

Boston is 4-12-7 this season, which translates to ninth place in the 10-team league. Boston, though, is coming off a 3-0 victory over the Washington Spirit on Saturday.

Boston closes out the season on Saturday against Sky Blue FC.

Mills sees more action with Sky Blue

In her first season as part of the National Women’s Soccer League, Mills and her squad, Sky Blue FC, will finish sixth in the top 10-team league.

Sky Blue is 9-11-3 with 30 points and Mills has seen her time increase as the season winds down.

Mills, a defender, has played in 16 games with 13 starts and has taken two shots this year.

Sky Blue closes out the season Saturday at the Boston Breakers.

Estrada roughed up in final start

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada, a former Glendale Community College player, stuggled in his final start of the 2017 season.

Estrada, a right-hander, gave up eight runs (seven earned) in 2 1/3 innings in a 10-7 road loss against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. Estrada, who recently signed a one-year extension with Toronto, struck out two and walked one.

Estrada, 34, finished 10-9 with a 4.98 earned-run average in 33 appearances. He struck out 176 and walked 71 in 186 innings.

The Blue Jays are 75-85 and in last place in the American League East Division after qualifying for the playoffs the previous two seasons.