Scarborough, South Paris bowlers capture senior titles
FRYEBURG, Maine — Janice Link of the Big 20 Bowling Center in Scarborough and Bob Gould of Hobbs Lucky Lanes in South Paris captured women’s and men’s titles in the recent Senior Candlepin Bowling Finals at Saco Valley Sports Center.
The tourney featured the state’s top 12 women and men for ages 55 and over in a roll-off five-string championship.
Link rolled a 744 (handicap added), edging Carol Goodwin of Big 20 with 728. Ann Howard of Hobbs placed third at 709 and was followed by Ginger Adell of Augusta (707) and Vondell Dunphy of Bangor-Brewer Bowling Lanes (707) to round out the top five.
In the men’s division, Gould recorded a 780 to capture the title and was followed by Paul Deschenes of Saco Valley Sports Center in Fryeburg (770), Don Saucier of Vacationland Lanes of Saco (764), John Ford of Hobbs (760) and Brent Hunt of Newport Entertainment Center (720).
Red Sox have highest ticket prices
The average Major League Baseball ticket increased 3.3 percent to $28.94 for this season, according to the Team Marketing Report Fan Cost Index.
The increase is the steepest in six years. The average is up 4.4 percent since 2013 after remaining flat in 2012.
The average price to take a family of four to a game, increased 2.5 percent to $211.53. The Fan Cost Index total is created by combining four non-premium season tickets, two beers, four soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking and two adult-size hats.
The Boston Red Sox did not raise ticket prices after a last-place season in 2014, but retained the highest average at $52.34. The New York Yankees, who also left their average unchanged, were next at $51.55.
The Chicago Cubs raised their average for the first time since 2010, a 1.5 percent increase to $44.81. The Cubs are coming off a last-place finish and fifth straight losing season. They will be without about 5,000 seats at Wrigley Field until at least May 11, as the reconstruction of the bleachers was delayed. The right field area isn’t scheduled to open until mid-June.
Braves name RHP Grilli as closer
Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Jason Grilli will take over as the closer following the trade of Craig Kimbrel.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez also announced Monday that right-hander Jim Johnson will be used in a setup role and will be the backup closer if Grilli needs a day off.
In a blockbuster trade on the eve of opening day, the San Diego Padres acquired Kimbrel and outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. from the Braves on Sunday. Kimbrel led or tied for the National League lead in saves in each of his four seasons as closer. Last year, he went 47-for-51 on save chances and posted a 1.61 ERA.
Both Grilli and Johnson have closer experience.
Hawks’ Millsap sidelined
Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap suffered a right shoulder sprain and contusion and will miss the next two games, the team announced Monday.
Millsap, who is averaging 16.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in 72 games this season, will miss the team’s games on Tuesday and Wednesday and then be re-evaluated. The Hawks have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
NBA suspends Kings’ Landry
The NBA suspended Sacramento Kings forward Carl Landry for one game without pay for leaving the bench area during an altercation.
Landry will serve his suspension on Tuesday, when the Kings host the Minnesota Timberwolves.