Karan Patel’s dominant pitching display and a solo home run from Miguel Ojeda Jr. powered the Mumbai Cobras to a 3–1 victory over the Mid East Falcons in Game 1 of the United Series.
Patel struck out 10 batters across five innings, producing his best performance of the season as the Cobras took the early advantage in the series. He threw 81 pitches, 57 for strikes, allowing just four hits.
Alejandro de Aza, Jake Hjelle, Shuhei Fukuda and Federico Celli were each struck out twice as Patel controlled the game from the mound.
Ojeda Jr. broke the deadlock with a solo home run in the fourth inning, giving Mumbai a lead they would not surrender. Gedionne Marlin added an RBI single in the seventh for the Cobras’ third run.
Mumbai’s bullpen closed out the win, with Chandler Woolridge earning the victory in relief, supported by Brandon Kaminer and Akeel Morris, who combined to keep the Falcons in check.
Brantley Bell scored a run for the Cobras, while Ian Mercado added a hit.
The win leaves the Mumbai Cobras one victory away from claiming the United Series and becoming the first champions in Baseball United history.
Carlos Alcaraz will miss the Madrid Open for the second consecutive year after withdrawing on Friday with a wrist injury, dealing another blow to the world number two's clay court preparations ahead of his French Open title defence.
Novak Djokovic is still working through the injury problems that forced him to miss recent tournaments in Miami and Monte Carlo and said on Friday that he will not feature at next week's Madrid Open, one of the last stops before the French Open.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has defended Jasprit Bumrah after the struggling pace spearhead went a fifth Indian Premier League match without a wicket in Thursday's seven-wicket defeat by Punjab Kings.
Iranian women's football players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for offering a "safe haven" and said they wished to resume their sporting careers after rebuilding their lives.
Ollie Watkins still has hope of making England's World Cup squad despite being dropped for last month's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with the Aston Villa forward saying all he can do in the last few weeks of the season is score goals.
Dubai Police, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Interior, have arrested an Irish fugitive accused of involvement in an organised criminal group linked to international crimes in his home country.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has met with His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to discuss national priorities and the country’s continued development.