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Jays’ Encarnacion extends streak

TORONTO (AP) – Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion has extended his career-long hitting streak to 24 games with a three-run homer in the first inning against Detroit.

Encarnacion’s streak is the longest in the majors since Colorado’s Nolan Arenado had a 28-game run in 2014.

Encarnacion connected against right-hander Buck Farmer for his 27th homer, giving Toronto a 3-0 lead on Saturday. The designated hitter has reached base safely in each of the past 29 games.

Japan beats Mexico at LLWS

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) – Yugo Aoki singled for Tokyo’s first hit in the seventh inning, and then scored on a fielder’s choice to help Japan beat Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, 1-0 on Saturday for a spot in the championship game of the Little League World Series.

The run came home when Mexico was unable to turn a double play on a bases-loaded ground ball up the middle by Koki Jo. It was the only offense during an impressive pitching performance for Japan’s Kabu Kikuchi and Mexico’s Armando Verdugo.

Julio Jones gets 5-year extension

ATLANTA (AP) – The Atlanta Falcons agreed to a $71.25 million, five-year contract extension with Julio Jones on Saturday that compares favorably with recent deals paid to other top wide receivers.

The deal, announced by the team before Saturday night’s preseason game at Miami, was expected. Owner Arthur Blank recently said an agreement would come soon, and he has consistently said he wants Jones to play his full career with the Falcons.

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Mishra collects second ace

K.I. SAWYER – Kabindra Mishra, 75, of Jackson recorded his second career hole-in-one on a regulation hole at Red Fox Run on Thursday.

He aced the 90-yard par-3 fourth hole using a pitching wedge.

The feat was witnessed by Jeremiah Blaauw.

Miners’ netters down Ishpeming

ISHPEMING – Negaunee’s girls tennis team defeated host Ishpeming on Friday 6-2 to improve to 4-0.

The Miners swept singles, with Angela Ring blanking Jessica Penhale 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1.

Allison Ring at No. 2, Megan Syrjala at No. 3 and Jenna Sager at No. 4 also won for Negaunee.

Ishpeming’s Libbie Doney and Hailly Thompson posted a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win over Lauren Anderson and Nicole Violetta at No. 1 doubles.

Madison Pruett and Kaeleigh Talbacka of the Hematites took a three-set win at No. 3 doubles, which according to their coach, Erl Langness, was a big comeback victory after the Ishpeming netters won the first set 7-6 and Negaunee’s Lexi Taavola and Skyler Taavola took the second 6-1.

“In the super tiebreaker, our No. 3 doubles were down 9-5 and won the last six points to pull out that victory,” Langness said of the third-set 11-9 win by Pruett and Talbacka.

On the Negaunee side, Anja Turecky and Katrina Turecky joined teammates Kalli Mattson and Lauren Judd in recording doubles victories.

“Anja and Katrina are quietly off to a strong start,” NHS head coach Kyle Saari said. “They’re sisters who mesh well together.”

Negaunee MS football to practice

NEGAUNEE – Football practice for Negaunee Middle School students in grades 7-8 will begin Monday.

Participants are to report to the Miners Dry with a completed physical exam card.

Practice will run from 6-7:30 p.m.

Redskins’ RG3 ruled out today

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) – The Washington Redskins say quarterback Robert Griffin III will miss tonight’s exhibition game at the Baltimore Ravens because of a concussion, reversing an earlier decision to let him play.

In a statement released Friday by the Redskins, NFL independent neurologist Robert Kurtzke is quoted as saying that Griffin “should be held from gameplay this weekend and be retested in one (to) two weeks before a firm conclusion to return to gameplay can be made.”

Griffin left last week’s exhibition game against Detroit with what Redskins coach Jay Gruden said afterward was a concussion. The Redskins announced Thursday that Griffin had been cleared to play this weekend.

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Markell takes UPGA lead

MARINETTE, Wis. – Jim Markell of Iron Mountain has moved into the lead of the UPGA Men’s Championship being held at the Little River Country Club in Marinette, Wis.

He shot a 66 Saturday for a two-day score of 136 (70-66), three shots better than opening round leader Matthew Argall of Gladstone (68-71-139).

Mark Ray of Delta County is third with a 141 (72-69), Brian Smith of Sault Ste. Marie fourth at 142 (73-69), and Rob Ryan (73-70) of Manistique and Scott Lauerman (70-73) of Menominee tied for fifth at 143.

Jared Koski of Ishpeming is at 145 (74-71), followed by Joe Quinn (72-74) of Gladstone and Mark Clements (71-75) of Marquette, both at 146.

Packs’ Wolf leads Hall class

CANTON, Ohio (AP) – Ron Wolf, the man who brought Brett Favre to Green Bay, beat the quarterback to Canton.

Wolf led off the eight-man Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2015 on Saturday night.

Wolf spent 23 seasons with the Raiders, helping the organization to a pair of Super Bowl titles.

He took over as general manager in Green Bay in 1991. He hired coach Mike Holmgren to revive the struggling franchise and orchestrated a trade that brought Favre to Green Bay from Atlanta.

The Packers went on to win one Super Bowl and appear in another with Wolf at the helm. Wolf was presented for induction by his son Eliot, who is the director of pro personnel for Green Bay.

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Jimenez cards 61

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) – Miguel Angel Jimenez eagled the par-5 18th hole Saturday to match the course record of 9-under 61 and tie Colin Montgomerie for the second-round lead in the Shaw Charity Classic.

Jimenez matched Fred Couples’ course record set last year.

The 51-year-old Spanish player made seven birdies in a nine-hole stretch in the middle of the round.

Montgomerie, the first-round leader after a 62, birdied the 18th for a 66 to join Jimenez at 12-under 128 at Canyon Meadows.

Jeff Maggert, the Regions Tradition and U.S. Senior Open winner, was 10 under after a 63.

Markell takes UPGA lead

MARINETTE, Wis. – Jim Markell of Iron Mountain has moved into the lead of the UPGA Men’s Championship being held at the Little River Country Club in Marinette, Wis.

He shot a 66 Saturday for a two-day score of 136 (70-66), three shots better than opening round leader Matthew Argall of Gladstone (68-71-139).

Mark Ray of Delta County is third with a 141 (72-69), Brian Smith of Sault Ste. Marie fourth at 142 (73-69), and Rob Ryan (73-70) of Manistique and Scott Lauerman (70-73) of Menominee tied for fifth at 143.

Jared Koski of Ishpeming is at 145 (74-71), followed by Joe Quinn (72-74) of Gladstone and Mark Clements (71-75) of Marquette, both at 146.

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U-M Stadium loses seating

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – The Big House is getting a bit smaller – at least in terms of capacity.

Michigan Stadium will officially hold only 107,601 after seating adjustments announced Friday. That’s down from 109,901 but still leaves the 88-year-old venue as college football’s largest.

The school says the most noticeable changes are related to improving accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Seats had to be eliminated to widen aisles and install hand railings.

Football attendance peaked at Michigan Stadium with a crowd of 115,109 for a win over Notre Dame in 2013, which set a record for a college or NFL game.

There were more empty seats last year as the team struggled, but ticket sales are up again after the hiring of new coach Jim Harbaugh.

Nats send Fister to bullpen

WASHINGTON (AP) – Doug Fister’s season-long quest for consistency will continue in the Washington Nationals’ bullpen, perhaps the last place the right-hander figured to land after winning 16 games a year ago.

Fister was removed from the rotation Thursday after going 4-7 with a 4.60 ERA in 15 starts. The 31-year-old got the news three days after giving up three home runs in a 6-4 loss to Arizona.

Fister has pitched in relief only three times in 170 games over seven years with Seattle, Detroit and Washington.

Fister said Friday, “It’s not something you want to do, but I’m here to help the team win.”

After going 16-6 in his first season with Washington, Fister signed a one-year contract for $11.4 million this past offseason. He’s 1-4 in his last six starts.