dCraig Kimbrel got the final three outs for his 23rd save.TRAINER

NEW YORK -- Seven years ago, a 20-year-old from Argentina lit up Arthur Ashe Stadium with an array of sizzling strokes capable of taking your breath away.Juan Martin del Potro brought down Roger Federer, ending a 40-match win streak, in a five-set final that suggested many more major titles.That one, glorious effort remains del Potros only Grand Slam championship. Four wrist surgeries, untold misery and large doses of heroic fortitude later, he was back Thursday night, desperately trying to rejuvenate his career.Technically, based on the bare rankings, del Potro was the underdog against No. 19 seed Steve Johnson, a diligent player who has improved himself every year since turning professional five seasons ago.In truth, the near-capacity crowd seemed torn between rooting for the American -- or the feel-good story of 2016.In the end, the good feelings continued, as del Potro eased away with a 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-2 victory that sent him sailing into the third round.Its amazing, the stadium, amazing the atmosphere, del Potro said in his on-court interview. I am so happy to be playing tennis again after my third surgery on the [left] wrist.Im trying to play as I did in 2009, but its not easy because Im older.Johnson, No. 22 among ATP World Tour players, is only one spot behind highest-ranked American John Isner, something that might surprise casual fans of the game.In the first round, the 26-year-old Californian authored a monumental escape after trailing Evgeny Donskoy 6-4, 6-1, 5-2 -- serving at love-40. He rallied for his second career comeback from a 0-2 deficit, winning the last three sets 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-3. He saved a total of six match points.In Thursdays pivotal first set, Johnson saved four break points in one game. In the tiebreaker, he erased a 5-1 deficit with four straight points of his own. But eventually, the sheer weight of del Potros shot (and some relentless defending) seemed to wear down Johnson.Its tough when you dont play your best tennis against a guy like Juan, Johnson said. I didnt feel nervous at all. I just didnt execute what I needed to execute.Del Potro emerged this year, modestly enough, advancing to the third round at Wimbledon. But at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the No. 141-ranked player was a revelation, scalding No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the first round and taking it all the way to the gold-medal final before losing to Andy Murray.When the USTA announced it was giving the 6-foot-6 del Potro a wild card into the tournament, Johnson said, It may make a lot of American fans upset if he faced an American in the opening round. Turns out, it was an American in the second -- Johnson.This was the first-ever night win at the US Open for del Potro, but his 0-for-3 record came at the hands of Djokovic (twice) and Lleyton Hewitt, both champions here.I lost the three night matches, but I won the most important one, against Roger in the 2009 final, del Potro said. That will be in my heart for the rest of my life.A second title here, considering everything he has gone through, might be even more heart-wrenching. Patriots Jerseys 2019 . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Patriots Jerseys China . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/ . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Fake Patriots Jerseys . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. Custom New England Patriots Jerseys . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Clay Buchholz pitched into the seventh inning, David Ortiz had a run-scoring single and the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Tuesday night to remain tied atop the AL East.Buchholz (5-9) allowed one run, five hits, two walks and struck out nine in 6 1/3 innings. In his last five starts at Tropicana Field, the right-hander has given up two earned runs over 33 1/3 innings.Ortiz extended his hitting streak to 10 games with an RBI single in the third. Ortiz scored to make it 2-0 when right fielder Steven Souza Jr. made an errant throw attempting to get Ortiz at third base after fielding Mookie Betts single.Boston is tied with Toronto, which beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-2.Chris Archer (7-17) gave up two runs, five hits and threw 109 pitches in five innings for the Rays. The last 20-game loser in the majors was Detroits Mike Maroth (21) in 2003.Archer won his first career start against the Red Sox on Sept. 19, 2012 but has dropped 10 straight decisions to them since.The Rays got an RBI double from Kevin Kiermaier in the fifth.Kiermaier was thrown out trying for a triple in the eighth by Betts ffrom right field.ddddddddddddCraig Kimbrel got the final three outs for his 23rd save.TRAINERS ROOMRed Sox: Manager John Farrell said knuckleballer Steven Wright (strained right shoulder) is on tap to start Friday night against Kansas City after an extended bullpen session Tuesday. ... LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (left hamstring) had a three-inning simulated game. The team will evaluate him Wednesday. ... C Ryan Hanigan (left ankle) hit against Rodriguez. ... RHP Koji Uehara (right pectoral strain) threw 33 pitches in his first mound session and will be evaluated in a week.Rays: SS Tim Beckham left after seven innings due to left hamstring tightness.BIG PAPI POINTSOrtiz moved past Bobby Doerr into sixth place on Bostons career list with 2,043 hits. He has 1,739 RBI, which is one away from tying Rafael Palmeiro for the ninth most in AL history.UP NEXTRed Sox RHP Rick Porcello (17-3), 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay this season, faces Rays RHP Matt Andriese (6-5) on Wednesday night. ' ' '