Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Saturday. A full Sports Digest will be sent about 3 p.m. All times EDT:
– Shattered cellphones. Fireworks accidents. Failed drug tests. The NFL’s endless aggravation raged through an offseason marked by more crime and punishment, rules violations by owners, and the never-ending ”Deflategate” saga. SENT: 800 words, photos.
– RIO DE JANEIRO – The governing body of world sailing says it will start doing its own independent testing for viruses in Rio’s Olympic waters after an Associated Press investigation showed a serious health risk to athletes competing in venues rife with raw sewage. SENT: 750 words, photos.
– GAINESVILLE, Va. – With Tiger Woods lurking three shots off the lead, Ryo Ishikawa takes a one-shot lead over Ricky Fowler and Kevin Chappell into the third round of the Quicken Loans National. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 7 p.m.
– ARLINGTON, Texas – Cole Hamels, the first player traded midseason following a no-hitter, makes his Texas Rangers’ debut against the World Series champion Giants following his trade from Philadelphia. UPCOMING. 650 words, photos. Starts 8:05 p.m.
– NEW YORK – Slugger Yoenis Cespedes makes his debut with the Mets against the NL East-leading Nationals the night after New York’s Wilmer Flores’ dramatic walk off homer in the 12th inning. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Starts 7:10 p.m.
– CHICAGO – A rooftop look at Wrigley Field, where the views may not be so good, but nobody’s complaining. By Andrew Seligman. SENT: 900 words, photos.
– JOHANNESBURG – The NBA put on a show in its first exhibition game in Africa – starting with a dunk straight from the tip-off by Luc Mbah a Moute. Also taking part were Chris Paul, Luol Deng and Gasol brothers Pau and Marc. By Gerald Imray. SENT: 325 words, photos. UPCOMING: 700 words.
– TURNBERRY, Scotland – Suzann Pettersen of Norway takes a two-shot lead into the third round of the Women’s British Open as she seeks a third major title. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 4 p.m.
– BLAINE, Minn. – Local favorite Tom Lehman takes a 3-stroke lead into the second round of the 3M Championship at the TPC Twin Cities course. UPCOMING: 500 words, by 8 p.m.
– OCEANPORT, N.J. – American Pharoah is set for his first race since becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner, and a record crowd is expected at Monmouth Park to watch one of sport’s most popular athletes take on seven opponents in Sunday’s Haskell Invitational. SENT: 800 words, photos.
– LONG POND, Pa. — Jeff Gordon would like to say goodbye to the mediocre results in his farewell season. UPCOMING. 700 words, photos by 5 p.m.
– NEWTON, Iowa – The NASCAR Xfinity series gets the spotlight to itself. UPCOMING. 500 words, photos. Starts 8 p.m.
– RIO DE JANEIRO – Ronda Rousey says she will be fighting for the late Roddy Piper, the Hall of Fame wrestler who gave her his ”Rowdy” nickname. The unbeaten bantamweight champion fights Brazilian challenger Bethe Correia at UFC 190. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Scheduled start 10 p.m.
– SANTA CLARA, Calif. – As he begins his first training camp in charge of the San Francisco 49ers, coach Jim Tomsula has tweaked the practice schedule with input from his players to afternoon sessions. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 10 p.m.
– GLENDALE, Ariz. – Carson Palmer is back, his surgically-repaired knee is fine. By one account, his arm is stronger. And he looks around him at perhaps the most talented team he’s had. 700 words by 7 p.m.
– KAZAN, Russia – Coming off the worst year of his career, Ryan Lochte has rebuilt his health and his psyche. Lochte, along with fellow world record holders Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky, lead a veteran U.S. team into the swimming portion of the world championships starting Sunday. SENT: 600 words, photos.
