SUN CITY, South Africa -- The birdie celebrations were muted and the crowd a little quiet all though Friday. Gary Player cried on the tee before an early-morning round under grey skies and Ernie Els remembered the photo he has of himself and Nelson Mandela on his desk back at home in Florida. "It is a very sad day," Els said. "A very sad day for South Africa and the world." A sombre mood hung over the Nedbank Golf Challenge, South Africas first major sporting event since former president and anti-apartheid leader Mandela died late Thursday aged 95. Jamie Donaldson, wearing a black ribbon like all the players, emerged from the emotional day to go to 11 under and hold a three-shot lead over Ryan Moore and Henrik Stenson. The 30-man field spent around nine hours out on the course to make up for lost time when the first round was halted for lightning a day earlier. Donaldson had seven birdies and a bogey in a second-round 66 to go with his opening 67, with the Welshman saying he played "aggressive but not daft." Moore had a round-leading 65 having finished up a 71 in the first round in the morning for a share of second at 8 under with Stenson. The Swede moved back into contention with a 67 at the end of the second day. Thomas Bjorn and defending champion Martin Kaymer were tied for fourth another shot back on 7 under. Sergio Garcia had led after the first round before slipping down to a share of ninth with a 73. Perhaps struggling with the emotions, Els and the rest of the South Africans failed to shine, with Charl Schwartzel the leading home player on 6 under, five off the lead. Els has gone 75, 71 in the first two rounds. In the early morning, the players had stood with their caddies, some with caps removed, for a moments silence for Mandela before the first round restarted. Flags drooped at half-mast around the Gary Player Country Club. A hooter sounded to start the brief moment of reflection on the life of the beloved anti-apartheid leader. One of South Africas first sporting heroes under Mandelas presidency, four-time major winner Els had walked out of the players lounge a little after 6:30 a.m. to talk to reporters and share some of his precious memories of the time he spent with Mandela. Els said that since about 1996 and well into his old age, Mandela used to call the golfer every time he won a tournament. "They were special times and the little time we had together was very special. He was just the most amazing person I have ever met," Els said. Player, South Africas most successful golfer and whose career so often clashed with South Africas dark years of apartheid, said he and three friends had prayed and then cried together over Mandelas passing before playing a casual round first thing in the morning before the field went out. "We all had a tear in our eyes, but its also a day of celebration because hed want us to celebrate," Player said. "And weve got to celebrate for what he actually gave this country." Travis Zajac Jersey . -- Craig Anderson has quite a record against his former team, the Florida Panthers. Sami Vatanen Jersey . LOUIS -- When Braves second baseman Tyler Pastornicky backpedaled into shallow right field to catch the popup and Jason Heyward didnt arrive fast enough to take charge, Kolten Wong got the green light. http://www.devilssale.com/authentic-will-butcher-devils-jersey/ . The Philadelphia left fielder clubbed a tiebreaking, solo home run in the seventh inning, and the Phillies edged the Red Sox, 2-1, in the middle test of a three-game interleague series at Citizens Bank Park. Travis Zajac Devils Jersey . According to USA Today the Finns have tapped forwards Jarkko Immonen and Sakari Salminen to replace injured forwards Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula at the Sochi Games. Damon Severson Jersey . Hughes, 30, is a former Major Leaguer with the Baltimore Orioles, having played in 14 games with the Os in 2010. He played with Class AA Binghamton of the Eastern League in the New York Mets system last season.MILWAUKEE -- Closer Jenrry Mejia extended his arms in front of him and kneeled quickly as he let out a yell with the final out secured in first baseman Lucas Dudas glove. A 2-0 victory Sunday over the Milwaukee Brewers allowed the New York Mets to head home after the All-Star break, happy with a 5-5 record on its grueling 10-game road trip. Duda hit a two-run homer and rookie Jacob deGrom pitched well into the seventh to allow the Mets to split a four-game series with the NL Central-leading Brewers. "Its huge for us," manager Terry Collins said about going .500 on the swing that also took the Mets to San Diego and Seattle. "When you start the second half with a 10-day road trip and you play two teams that are fighting for the playoffs, its a big test and our guys rose and played very well." With the non-waiver trade deadline looming Thursday, the Mets are five games under .500 overall at 50-55 and 6 1/2 games back in the wild card race. Duda sent an 0-2 slider in the sixth from rookie Jimmy Nelson (1-2) into the second deck above right field to break a scoreless pitchers duel. It was Dudas third homer in four days in Milwaukee. Overall, Duda finished with four homers and seven RBIs on the road. "Hes had a tremendous road trip," Collins said. "Lets hope he remains hot." The Brewers mounted a ninth-inning rally against Mejia with two outs after Jean Seguras single put runners on first and second. Mejia got Lyle Overbay to ground out for his 15th save. DeGrom (5-5) held the Brewers to four hits and two walks, exiting with one out in the seventh after allowing two singles. Reliever Vic Black got out of that jam. DeGrom had location and life on a fastball that peaked in the mid-90s, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "We didnt square up many balls today," said the skipper. The closest thing to a rally came in the ninth after Khris Davis reached first on an infield single with one out. The play stood following a replay review. Mejia got Mark Reynolds to strike out before Segura siingled to put the tying run on base.dddddddddddd After Overbay grounded out, Mejia savored the save with his animated celebration. The rookie starters matched scoreless innings early. Nelson allowed four doubles and got into a little trouble in missing high with his sinker, but finished with six strikeouts in seven innings. He was also helped by three double plays. But that one slider he left up to Duda proved to be the difference. At least Nelson got to smile after singling up the middle in the third for his first career hit in 66 at-bats as a professional, dating back to the minor leagues. "I think my thumbs are still in the batters box," Nelson said. "Its been a while since I got one of those, about 10 years." DeGrom won his fourth straight start, each time getting into the seventh. The most worrisome pitch for the righty came when Reynolds hit a towering fly ball to left that appeared to hit the heavy wires that support Miller Parks retractable roof. The ball caromed back into fair territory, and Davis, at first, was racing around third when he was held up after the umpires ruled the play foul. DeGrom then struck out Reynolds looking. The right-hander with curly brown hair flowing out from under his blue cap had hitters swinging through fastballs that peaked in the mid-90s. He finished with four strikeouts and lowered his ERA to 2.81. "Hes been very good. I guess he has to go out each time and prove it," Collins said. "He was very good today." NOTES: The Mets improved to 22-13 in day games. ... 3B Aramis Ramirez, who was 2 for 24 on the seven-game homestand, had a day off before popping out in the seventh as a pinch hitter. ... Manager Ron Roenicke indicated 2B Scooter Gennett could return to action full time when the Brewers open a three-game series Monday in Tampa ... Bartolo Colon (9-8) starts when the Mets return to the Citi Field for the first time since the All-Star break to play the Phillies on Monday. ... Kyle Lohse (11-4) opens the three-game series against the Rays for Milwaukee. ' ' '