AP Saturday Sports Roundup

US notches first gold of the games

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — American shooter Virginia Thrasher has won the first gold medal of the Rio Olympics in the women's 10-meter air rifle.

Thrasher finished a point ahead of two-time gold medalist Li Du of China. China's Siling Yu earned the bronze.

The 19-year-old Thrasher became the first freshman to win both individual NCAA rifle titles and helped West Virginia win the team title. She followed that by winning the U.S. Olympic Trials less than a month later, earning a trip to Rio.

Among the other events on the first full day of action at Rio:

— Top-ranked singles tennis star Novak Djokovic (NOH'-vak JOH'-kuh-vich) takes the court in doubles. The12-time Grand Slam singles champion teams with Nenad Zimonjic for Serbia against Croatia's Marin Cilic (CHIHL'-ihch) and Marin Draganja in the first round Saturday.

— The U.S. women's soccer team puts its 12-match Olympics winning streak on the line in a tough match-up against France. The Americans opened with a 2-0 win over New Zealand.

— The U.S. men's basketball team led by Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving opens play against China.

— Also on the schedule are men's gymnastics qualifying along with swimming qualifying.

Tigers close gap on Indians

UNDATED (AP) — The Detroit Tigers are back within two games of first place in the American League Central.

The Tigers won for the ninth time in 10 games as Justin Verlander outpitched Noah Syndergaard (SIHN'-dur-gahrd) in a 4-3 decision over the New York Mets. Verlander struck out nine while scattering four hits over six innings, including Kelly Johnson's two-run homer in the fourth. Syndergaard promptly blew a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth as Victor Martinez launched a two-run homer and James McCann added an RBI single later in the inning.

J.D. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera and Ian Kinsler each had two hits and scored once for the Tigers.

Meanwhile, the AL Central-leading Indians lost for the fourth time in five games as Starlin Castro hit a grand slam in the New York Yankees' 13-7 blowout win against Cleveland. Aaron Hicks also homered for the Yankees, who received two RBIs apiece from Brett Gardner, rookie Gary Sanchez and Brian McCann.

Losing pitcher Josh Tomlin was reached for seven runs and nine hits in just 4 2/3 innings, dropping him to 11-4.

Elsewhere in the majors:

— Jose Altuve (al-TOO'-vay) delivered a pair of RBI doubles to back Dallas Keuchel (KY'-kul) in Houston's 5-1 win over Texas. Keuchel struck out seven in a three-hitter as the Astros pulled within 5 1/2 games of the AL West-leading Rangers. Carlos Correa hit a two-run single while the Astros put together a four-run third.

— Pedro Alvarez homered twice and Manny Machado was 3-for-5 with a two-run double as the Orioles outscored the White Sox 7-5 in Chicago. Yovani Gallardo (yoh-VAH'-nee gy-AHR'-doh) pitched well in the Birds' fourth win in five games, yielding two runs in six innings. The outcome keeps Baltimore in a first-place tie with the Blue Jays in the AL East.

— Toronto picked up its fourth straight win as Devon Travis hit a pair of solo homers, including the tiebreaking blast in the ninth inning of a 4-3 win at Kansas City. Michael Saunders chipped in two hits and an RBI for the Blue Jays.

— Steven Wright fired a three-hitter with nine strikeouts as Boston ripped the Dodgers 9-0 in Los Angeles. Sandy Leon hit a two-run shot and had four RBIs for the Red Sox, who also got round-trippers from Mookie Betts and Travis Shaw. The Red Sox stayed two games off the AL East lead and kept the Dodgers two games behind the NL West-leading Giants.

— Washington added to San Francisco's recent woes as Gio Gonzalez tossed two-hit ball over seven innings of the Nationals' 5-1 win over the Giants. Trea (tray) Turner and Wilson Ramos (RAH'-mohs) hit solo homers to help the Nats pick up their fourth straight victory. The Giants have surrendered 32 home runs while going 5-14 since the All-Star break.

— Martin Prado (mahr-TEEN' PRAH'-doh) poked a two-run single while Miami rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to beat the Rockies 5-3 at Colorado. The rally keeps Miami tied with St. Louis for the final NL wild-card berth. Rockies rookie David Dahl singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth, but he also committed a throwing error that sparked the Marlins' comeback.

— Jaime Garcia singled home the only run and threw eight dazzling innings to lead St. Louis to a 1-0 shutout against Atlanta. Garcia was reached for just three hits while fanning 11 to help the Cardinals win for just the second time in six games. The Redbirds still trail the NL Central-leading Cubs by 9 ½ games.

— The Cubs were 7-2 winners at Oakland as Jon Lester struck out eight while limiting the A's to two runs and six hits in seven innings. Dexter Fowler led off the game with a homer and Jorge Soler (soh-LEHR') added a three-run blast later in the first inning. Javier Baez provided a two-run double in Chicago's fifth straight win.

— Sean Rodriguez led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run to give the Pirates a 3-2 victory over the Reds in Pittsburgh. Bucs rookie Jameson Taillon (TY'-ahn) had to settle for a no-decision after holding Cincinnati to a run and six hits over six innings.

— Mike Zunino's three-run homer capped Seattle's six-run first in a 6-4 triumph against the Angels. Felix Hernandez settled down after serving up Mike Trout's three-run homer in the top of the first, allowing just two other hits over eight innings.

— Cameron Rupp fueled Philadelphia's 5-4 win at San Diego by smacking a go-ahead, three-run homer and an RBI double. Jeremy Hellickson gave up three runs over 6 2/3 innings for his ninth win.

— Welington Castillo worked out a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 11th to decide Arizona's 3-2 verdict over Milwaukee. Yasmany Tomas (yahs-MAH'-nee toh-MAHS') homered twice for the Diamondbacks.

— The Twins won for the seventh time in nine games as Eddie Rosario smacked a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning of a 6-2 victory at Tampa Bay. Miguel Sano (sah-NOH') went 3-for-5 with a solo shot, Joe Mauer supplied a two-run double and Ervin Santana struck out eight over 6 1/3 innings.

MLB-SCHEDULE

Tribe continues series in the Bronx

UNDATED (AP) — The AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians start a full day of Saturday baseball with a day game at Yankee Stadium.

The Tribe is sending out 10-game winner Corey Kluber against C.C. Sabathia, who comes in with a 6-8 mark and a 4.15 ERA.

That's one of three day games on the schedule. The Chicago Cubs are in Oakland. The Cubs send out 12-5 Jake Arrieta against Sonny Gray, who's struggling with a 5-10 record and a 5.84 ERA.

The Boston Red Sox visit Chavez Ravine to play the L.A. Dodgers in the final day game.

Under the lights, Minnesota is at Tampa Bay, the NL West-leading Giants are in D.C. to play the NL East-leading Nationals, Pittsburgh hosts Cincinnati, the Chicago White Sox host Baltimore, the New York Mets are in Detroit, Houston hosts the Texas Rangers, Toronto is at Kansas City, St. Louis hosts Atlanta, Miami is at Colorado, Milwaukee visits Arizona, San Diego hosts Philadelphia and the L.A. Angels are in Seattle.

NFL-HALL OF FAME

Favre leads 8 into Hall

CANTON, Ohio (AP) —Brett Favre (FARV), the freewheeling gunslinger quarterback who played 20 seasons and was named NFL MVP three times, leads a class of eight members into the Pro Football Hall of Fame tonight.

Favre, who retired as the NFL's all-time leading passer with 6,300 completions, 10,169 attempts, 71,838 yards and 508 TDs, will be joined by 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo (dee-BAHR'-tuh-loh) Jr., coach Tony Dungy (DUHN'-jee), linebacker Kevin Greene, Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison, tackle Orlando Pace, late Oakland QB Kenny Stabler and late guard Dick Stanfel.

NASCAR-GLEN QUALIFYING

Qualifying at the Glen today

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — There's qualifying today for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race on the 2.45-mile road course at Watkins Glen, New York.

Last year Joey Logano led just one lap, but that was enough to take home first over Kyle Busch.

Last week rookie Chris Buescher won a weather-shortened race in Pocono, his first victory in the series.

Jeff Gordon will drive the No. 88 car for at least two more races as Dale Earnhardt Jr. continues to battle concussion-like symptoms.

PGA-TRAVELERS

4 tied for top spot

CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — South African Tyrone van Aswegan, Marc Leishman (LEESH'-muhn) and Americans Russell Henley and American Daniel Berger are tied at 7-under par entering weekend play at the Travelers Championship. Defending champion Bubba Watson is four shots off the lead after his even-par 70 yesterday.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

Good Day in Minnesota

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Glen Day opens weekend play at the 3M Championship on the Champions Tour with a one-shot lead. Colin Montgomerie, Rod Spittle and Jeff Maggert are one shot back.