Last Update on May 18, 2013 18:51 GMT

PREAKNESS

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Preakness, the second leg of the horse racing Triple Crown, is being contested today.

All eyes will be on Orb, the 3-year-old winner of the Kentucky Derby. A victory would set the scene for a Triple Crown run in the Belmont on June 9. The opposition is pretty thin for Orb as just eight other horses are entered in today's race. The colt will start the race on the inside from the No. 1 post position. Orb is the even-money favorite.

The forecast calls a high in the low 70's with a chance of rain.

NBA PLAYOFFS

UNDATED (AP) -- New York forced a sixth game in its best-of-seven NBA Eastern Conference semifinal with Indiana with an 85-75 win Thursday night. That sixth game will be played tonight in Indianapolis as the Pacers look to close the series out. Part of Indiana's problems in that Game 5 loss was the fact they turned the ball over 19 times.

The series winner will advance to the conference final against defending league champion Miami. The first game in that series will be Wednesday in Miami.

NHL PLAYOFFS

UNDATED (AP) -- There are two NHL Western Conference semifinal games today. In the first game this afternoon the Blackhawks are playing host to the Red Wings. This is the second game of that best-of-seven series. On home ice the Blackhawks won the opening contest 4-1. Today's game is being played in Chicago as well. Game 3 will be played Monday in Detroit.

Coming up tonight in San Jose, defending league champion Los Angeles is out to take 3-0 lead over the Sharks. The Kings won the first game 2-0 and the second outing 4-3.

Game 4 will be played in San Jose Tuesday night.

MLB-SCHEDULE

UNDATED (AP) -- Six day games are on the agenda in Major League Baseball today. In the early starts the Yankees are hosting the Blue Jays, Seattle is at Cleveland and the Cubs are home to the Mets. The later starts feature Tampa Bay at Baltimore, the Reds in Philadelphia and the White Sox in Anaheim playing the Angels. L.A.'s Joe Blanton is looking to get his first win of the season against seven losses.

In tonight's action Jordan Zimmerman of the Nationals looks to become baseball's first eight-game winner. He and the Nats are in San Diego to face the Padres and left-hander Eric Stults. Zimmerman starts the day with a record of 7-1 with an earned run average of just 1.69.

Also tonight Lance Lynn of the Cardinals is looking for his seventh win against just one loss. The cards are home to Milwaukee.

INDIANAPOLIS 500-QUALIFYING

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- After a rain delay qualifying has begun for the May 26 Indianapolis 500. On the line are the top 24 positions, as well as the pole. Qualifying will continue tomorrow. The start of the qualifying session was delayed by rain.

The winner of the last IndyCar race was James Hinchcliffe of Andretti Autosports. He took first in the Sao Paulo 300 on May 5 for his second victory of the year.

The winner a year ago was Dario Franchitti (DAH'-ree-oh fran-KEE'-tee)

NASCAR-ALL-STAR RACE

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Carl Edwards will start from the pole for NASCAR's All-Star race tonight at Charlotte Motor Speedway after posting a qualifying speed of 145.556 mph yesterday. Dale Earnhardt was second in qualifying to earn a spot in the front row, just ahead of Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle.

Martin Truex Jr. took the Sprint Showdown pole at 193.424 mph and is joined on the front row by Jamie McMurray. Juan Pablo Montoya and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. make up Row 2.

The showdown covers 40 laps and 60 miles, while the All-Star race is 90 laps or 135 miles. There are four 20-lap segments followed by a 10-lap finale.

The winners of the four 20-lap segments will line up in positions 1-4 entering the mandatory pit stop before the 10-lap final segment. If there is a repeat segment winner, the second-place finisher will get the spot. Only green-flag laps will count in the final segment.

NFL-CHARGERS

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Seven-time Pro Bowler Dwight Freeney has agreed to a two-year contract with San Diego. The deal to bring Freeney to the Chargers came four days after outside linebacker Melvin Ingram tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a padless practice. Freeney is 33 and entering his 12th season. He is the Colts' career sacks leader with 107 1/2.

PGA-BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Keegan Bradley remains on top of the leaderboard during the third round of the PGA's Byron Nelson Championship near Dallas. The midway leader is 10-under after six holes of play. Tom Gillis and Sang-Moon Bae are tied at 9-under after six holes.