Top Red Sox prospect joins Sea Dogs
The Boston Red Sox have promoted infielder Yoan Moncada and right-handed pitcher Ben Taylor to the Portland Sea Dogs from High-A Salem. Left-handed pitcher Jalen Beeks is also expected to be promoted to Portland from Salem following the Carolina League All-Star Break (June 20-22).
Moncada, 21, was signed by the Red Sox as an international free agent on March 12, 2015. In 61 games with High-A Salem this season, Moncada hit .307 with 25 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs, 34 RBI, 57 runs, 36 stolen bases, and 45 walks.
At the time of his promotion, Moncada led the Carolina League in stolen bases and was tied for the league lead in doubles and on-base percentage. He also ranked second in the league in batting average, extra-base hits (34), runs scored (57), and walks.
Dramatic Game 7 sets ratings record
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ dramatic Game 7 victory over the Golden State Warriors is the highest-rated NBA game ever on ABC.
Game 7 had an 18.9 overnight rating, according to Nielsen. The telecast peaked with a 25.5 overnight rating from 10:30-10:45 p.m. ET.
The Cavs’ title win delivered a 46.3 in the Cleveland market, making it the second-highest rated NBA game ever in the market. In San Francisco, the game generated a 39.4 rating, which also ranks second all-time for an NBA game.
About 30.8 million viewers watched Game 7, making it the most-watched NBA game since Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals.
The 18.9 overnight rating is the highest-rated sports telecast on ABC or ESPN in a decade (since 2006).
Alabama’s Robinson, Jones won’t be prosecuted
Alabama star left tackle Cam Robinson has avoided prosecution, for now.
Robinson and reserve defensive back Hootie Jones were arrested in May in Monroe, Louisiana. Robinson was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, a felony, and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound All-American also was charged with the illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of narcotics.
Jones was facing the same two lesser charges as Robinson.
But on Monday, the district attorney in Monroe declined to prosecute, saying there was not sufficient evidence.
But the charges were not dropped completely, however. The case could proceed in the future if new evidence is presented.
Leafs acquire Andersen from Ducks
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired goaltender Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks on Monday for a pair of draft picks.
Anaheim will receive a first-round selection (30th overall) in the 2016 draft and a second-round pick in the 2017 draft for Andersen, who promptly signed a five-year contract with the Maple Leafs.
Andersen posted a 22-9-7 mark with three shutouts, a 2.30 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage with Anaheim last season. He joined John Gibson in earning a share of the William Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the league.
Rangers deal Yandle to Panthers
The New York Rangers on Monday acquired a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional fourth-round pick next year from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Keith Yandle.
Yandle registered 58 points (seven goals, 51 assists) in 103 games with the Rangers over parts of two seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16).
Sharks acquire Letunov
The San Jose Sharks acquired center Maxim Letunov and a 2017 sixth-round draft selection from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for San Jose’s 2016 fourth round and 2017 third round selections.
Letunov led the University of Connecticut men’s hockey team in scoring as a freshman, posting 16 goals and 24 assists for 40 points.
Letunov, a native of Moscow, originally was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft.