HE'S PLAYING
(AP) — Spurs guard Tony Parker will play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals after his availability was in doubt because of a mild right hamstring strain.
Parker wouldn't address his injury at practice Thursday other than saying he was "ready to go." The All-Star was hurt early in the second half of Game 3, which the Spurs won to take a 2-1 lead over the Miami Heat in the best-of-seven series.
Parker is averaging 13.3 points and 6.3 assists in the Finals.
Spurs guard Gary Neal says it's a "huge brick off our shoulders" that Parker was cleared to play.
(AP) — Thunder, lightning and heavy downpours have settled in over the Merion Golf Club outside Philadelphia, suspending first-round play at the U.S. Open.
U.S. Golf Association officials called a halt to play at 8:36 Eastern, just short of two hours after the opening shot of the tournament was struck.
Thunderstorms with possible severe weather are forecast throughout the day, casting doubt on whether the first round will be completed.
The Merion Golf Club course was drenched by six and a half inches of rain over the weekend and into the early portion of this week.
Among those who got in some play before the skies opened is five-time US Open runner-up Phil Mickelson. He left earlier this week to fly to San Diego, where his daughter Amanda graduated from the eighth grade yesterday. Mickelson then took a late flight back last night and made it in time for his 7:11 tee time. Mickelson is even par through five holes.
The rain short-circuited a blazing start by Ian Poulter, who shot to the top of the leader board by making birdies on his first three holes.
No. 1-ranked Tiger Woods is set to play in a group with second-ranked Rory McIlroy and No. 3 Adam Scott for the first two days. Woods enters the tournament with four wins this year. He's trying to snap a five-year winning drought at major championships.
BRANDON MOSS BELTS TWO HOME RUNS AS THE A'S BEAT THE YANKEES 5-2
AP) — Brandon Moss hit a two-run homer and a solo shot for his third career two-homer game, and the Oakland Athletics beat the New York Yankees 5-2 on Wednesday night.
Moss' power stroke helped Dan Straily (4-2) win his third straight decision.
Moss hit his 10th homer in the second inning and 11th with a solo drive in the eighth. He also connected twice April 29 against the Angels. Of his five hits over 40 at-bats in his last 19 games, all are home runs.
John Jaso added an RBI double and a run-scoring single in Oakland's 10th consecutive home victory. The A's (40-27) won for the 20th time in 25 games and are off to their best start since 1990.
The A's go for the series sweep this afternoon in Oakland.
(AP) — Starling Marte had a career-high four hits and scored four times and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the San Francisco Giants 12-8 on Wednesday night.
Neil Walker and Alex Presley homered for Pittsburgh. Jordy Mercer, Andrew McCutchen and Gaby Sanchez had three hits each as the Pirates set season highs for both runs and hits.
Francisco Liriano (5-2) survived six erratic innings to pick up the win.
Joaquin Arias knocked in three runs for the Giants and Hunter Pence doubled twice but San Francisco continued to struggle on the road. The defending World Series champions have lost 12 of 16 away from home.
Barry Zito (4-5) allowed eight runs and 11 hits in 4 2-3 innings as his ERA on the road ballooned to 11.28.
The Giants try and avert the sweep today as they send Matt Cain to the mound against the Pirates. Game time is at 4:05pm
