Sports Headlines
Swanson homers as the short-handed Cubs beat the struggling Astros
CHICAGO (AP) â Dansby Swanson hit a three-run homer during Chicago's four-run first inning and the short-handed Cubs beat the Houston Astros 4-3 on Wednesday night. Playing without Cody Bellinger, Chicago used Swanson's big swing and a solid start by Jameson Taillon to earn its second straight win. It will try to sweep the three-game set against the struggling Astros on Thursday. Taillon (2-0) allowed two runs, one earned, and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings on a chilly evening at Wrigley Field. The right-hander struck out four and walked two in his second start since he began the season on the injured list with a back strain. âBefore that back injury, I just really liked where we were at,â ... Read MoreRangers star Corey Seager hit by pitch, leaves game because of shin contusion
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) â Texas shortstop Corey Seager left the Rangersâ game against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night following the seventh inning because of a left shin contusion after being hit by a pitch in the inning. The 2023 World Series MVP was struck on the back leg by an 0-2 pitch from reliever Austin Voth that bounced in the dirt in front of the plate. Seager was attended to by the medical staff after taking first base and remained in the game for the rest of the inning. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said after Texas' 5-1 victory that he won't know Seager's status for Thursday afternoon's game until checking on him in the morning. âIt swelled up pretty ... Read MoreGarcĂa and Carter hit back-to-back homers and Rangers beat Mariners 5-1
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) â Adolis GarcĂa and Evan Carter hit Texasâ first back-to-back home runs this season and the Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners 5-1 on Wednesday night. GarcĂaâs team-high seventh homer in the fourth inning barely cleared the wall in straight-away center field and tipped off the glove of Julio RodrĂguez. GarcĂa stood near first base apparently thinking RodrĂguez made the catch until he saw the center fielder walk toward the infield, turn and look over the fence. âIâve seen Julio do that deke before where he acts like he didnât catch it, so I didnât know what was going on,â said Carter, who watched from the on-deck circle. Mariners manager Scott Servais said he thought RodrĂguez made the ... Read MoreCubs reliever Luke Little forced to change his glove because of white in American flag patch
CHICAGO (AP) â Chicago Cubs reliever Luke Little said he had to change his glove before he entered Wednesday night's 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros because of an American flag patch. Manager Craig Counsell went to insert Little with one out in the seventh inning. But as the 6-foot-8 left-hander went through the usual check by umpires for pitchers coming into the game, he was told he had to swap out his glove. âThe issue was the American flag was on his glove,â Counsell said. âPitchers' gloves, they're pretty strict about not having white on the pitchers' gloves. Apparently the flag had what could be a distraction to the hitter.â As Little went to the mound to warm up ... Read MoreGolden Knights beat Stars 3-1 to take 2-0 series lead home to Vegas
DALLAS (AP) â Jack Eichel and defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas got exactly what they anticipated, and withstood that early hard push in Game 2 by the desperate Dallas Stars. The Golden Knights didnât settle for a split while starting the first-round series on the road. âWe expected them to come out and push hard that first five, 10 minutes and they did,â Eichel said. âWe responded. We were able to come in here after the first period and itâs all tied. ... They gave us all we could handle.â Eichel assisted on the tying goal by Jonathan Marchessault late in the first period before adding an empty-netter late, Noah Hanifin scored the tiebreaker with unassisted goal late in the ... Read MoreReport: Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy among big PGA Tour payouts
ByABC News Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and other PGA Tour stars are about to receive massive bonuses for their loyalty. The Telegraph reported Wednesday that Woods will receive up to $100 million in equity as part of the newly created for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises, with McIlroy getting about half that amount. The payouts, which are set to be disclosed to the players by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan on Wednesday, are a way to thank players for sticking with the PGA Tour instead of jumping to the rival LIV Golf League and huge paydays from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Nearly 200 players will receive a stake, with $750 million of it going to the top 36 players based on ... Read MoreRavens extend receiver Rashod Bateman through 2026
ByJAMISON HENSLEY OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Wide receiver Rashod Bateman is staying in Baltimore, after all. Bateman reached a two-year extension with the Ravens on Wednesday, which keeps the former first round pick in Baltimore through the 2026 season, the team announced. This surprising move was made eight days before the Ravens had to make a decision on whether to exercise Bateman's fifth-year option. There had been speculation that Baltimore might trade Bateman during the draft like the Ravens did with wide receiver Marquise Brown two years ago. Instead, Bateman made team history, becoming the Ravens' first first-round wide receiver to sign a second contract with Baltimore. "Congratulations to 'Bate' and his family," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in ... Read MoreSharks fire coach David Quinn after historic last-place season
ByABC News The San Jose Sharks have fired David Quinn after a season that saw San Jose finish with the second-fewest points in the salary cap era. Quinn's firing after two seasons Wednesday came less than a week after the Sharks (19-54-9) lost three straight games and five of their last six and ended the regular season with the worst record in the NHL. "After going through our end of the season process of internal meetings and evaluating where our team is at and where we want our group to go, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at the head coach position," Sharks general manager Mike Grier said in a statement. "David is a good coach ... Read MoreBears unveil $5B proposal for new domed lakefront stadium
ByABC News CHICAGO -- The Bears unveiled a nearly $5 billion proposal Wednesday for an enclosed stadium next door to their current home at Soldier Field as part of a major project that would transform the city's lakefront, and they are asking for public funding to help make it happen. The plan calls for $3.2 billion for the new stadium plus an additional $1.5 billion in infrastructure. The team and the city said the project would add green and open space while improving access to the city's Museum Campus and also could include a publicly owned hotel. "This is not an easy project, but Chicago doesn't like it easy," Bears president Kevin Warren said. The announcement at Soldier Field comes ... Read MoreLawsuit vs. former Texas Tech guard Pop Isaacs dismissed
ByMYRON MEDCALF A civil lawsuit that accused former Texas Tech basketball player Richard "Pop" Isaacs of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during a team trip to the Bahamas in November has been dismissed, according to attorneys for both Isaacs and the parents of the girl. In addition, Isaacs was found "not responsible" by a panel following a Title IX hearing Wednesday morning, The Field of 68 reported, citing Kimberly Simon, Texas Tech's assistant vice president for compliance and Title IX. "The parties to the lawsuit and Title IX complaint have agreed to dismiss all claims that have, or could have been, alleged as against one another," an attorney for Isaacs said in a statement. "Pop loved his time in Lubbock ... Read MoreLakers try to take positives from Game 2 collapse vs. Nuggets
ByDAVE MCMENAMIN EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers reconvened on Wednesday for the first time since their Game 2 collapse Monday against the Denver Nuggets. As crushing as the Denver's 20-point comeback might have felt in the moment, LeBron James said that Wednesday's film session let the Lakers see some encouraging signs. "We generated some great shots," James said. "We missed a lot of shots at the rim that we've been making throughout the course of this season." James was 4-for-11 at shots at the rim, tied for the most layups and dunks he's missed in a playoff game since joining the Lakers, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. "The film session was very revealing with which ... Read MoreTimberwolves’ Naz Reid wins NBA Sixth Man of the Year award
ByTIM BONTEMPS Minnesota forward Naz Reid was named the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday night, becoming the first Timberwolves player to win the award. Reid, 24, averaged career highs of 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds to help Minnesota finish with the second-best record in franchise history (56-26) and clinch the third seed in the Western Conference. He also became the third undrafted player to win the award, along with John Starks (1997) and Darrell Armstrong (1999). "Blessed to be in this situation," Reid, one of six players to win the award before the age of 25, said in an interview on TNT. "It's special," Reid said of his relationship with the fans in Minnesota, where he ... Read MoreCubs’ Cody Bellinger placed on injured list with fractured ribs
ByABC News Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has two fractured ribs and has been placed on the 10-day injured list, manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday. Bellinger, a two-time All-Star selection, crashed into the center-field wall during Tuesday's game while tracking a fly ball hit by Houston's Yainer Diaz that went for a double and scored Kyle Tucker. He left the game an inning later. Counsell said after Tuesday's game that the X-rays on Bellinger were clean, but a CT scan on Wednesday revealed the injury. A timeframe of his return in unclear, Counsell said. "He woke up feeling good. Unfortunately [the CT scan] just revealed what's there," Counsell said. "... He has to get symptom-free first and then we'll go ... Read MoreBengals’ Trey Hendrickson, seeking long-term deal, requests trade
ByBEN BABY CINCINNATI -- Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson requested a trade Wednesday, his agent, Harold Lewis, confirmed to ESPN. Lewis told ESPN that Hendrickson's request is about a long-term investment from the franchise after the two sides settled on a one-year extension last year. "Our No. 1 goal is to get a long-term commitment from them," Lewis said on the eve of the NFL draft. "If we can't, then we're asking for a trade. And hopefully if he gets traded, that's what we do -- get a long-term commitment with somewhere else." Last year, Hendrickson received a one-year contract extension worth $21 million, which included an $8 million signing bonus, according to Roster Management System. After another season in ... Read MoreAdell, Angels dispute controversial review in loss to Orioles
ByALDEN GONZALEZ ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A sparse afternoon crowd at Angel Stadium gathered enough voices to produce a surprisingly loud "safe" chant as Wednesday's contest neared its conclusion, hoping to prolong a game that still seemed undecided. The news, relayed from home-plate umpire Hunter Barksdale, disappointed them: Replay review of an initial out call on Jo Adell's attempted steal of second base, which would have put the tying run in scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, was not overturned. The Los Angeles Angels' late comeback hopes had fallen just short. They absorbed a 6-5 loss to the visiting Baltimore Orioles, their sixth defeat in seven games. And afterward they lamented what could have been. ... Read MoreHeat torch Celtics with 23 3-pointers to even series in Game 2
ByCHRIS HERRING BOSTON -- The day before his short-handed Heat sought to even the score with the heavily favored Celtics, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra made an intriguing comment about his team's identity. After being deluged by Boston's 3-point shooting in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series, Spoelstra said his team needed to do a better job of letting it fly to keep pace. "I understand the math of it," Spoelstra said, before adding, "We're not going to shoot 50 of them. That's not realistic." Maybe 50 3-point shots wasn't quite realistic, but the upset-minded Heat did just fine with 43 attempts Wednesday night. And by finishing with a playoff franchise-record 23 treys, the Heat beat the Celtics 111-101 ... Read MoreFormer college and NFL star Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy reinstated
Michael Cohen/WireImage/Via Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Former standout college football player and NFL running back Reggie Bush will have his 2005 Heisman Trophy reinstated, according to Bush's attorneys and a statement posted on the Heisman website Wednesday.Bush posted a photo on Instagram with the trophy captioned, "No one can take from you what God has for you."Bush forfeited the trophy in 2010 amid NCAA sanctions against his former school, the University of Southern California."I am grateful to once again be recognized as the recipient of the Heisman Trophy," said Bush in a statement via his attorneys, "This reinstatement is not only a personal victory but also a validation of the tireless efforts of my supporters and advocates who have stood ... Read More
Tauchman homers twice as Cubs win 7-2, drop Astros 10 games under .500 for first time since 2016
CHICAGO (AP) â Mike Tauchman hit his first two homers of the season, and the Chicago Cubs took a five-run first-inning lead in a 7-2 win over Houston on Tuesday night that dropped the Astros 10 games under .500 for the first time since 2016. Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer in the first off J.P. France (0-3) and Tauchman hit a three-run drive. Tauchman added a solo homer in the eighth against Seth Martinez and tied his career high of four RBIs. âI was just fortunate to put a couple of good swings on it,â Tauchman said after a pair of opposite-field drives to left. âWeâre having fun right now and played good ball." Bellinger left after the fifth ... Read MoreRodriguez reunites with an old friend after finally hitting 1st homer of season for Mariners
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) â Julio RodrĂguez tightly hugged the trident that the Seattle Mariners use to celebrate home runs. It was a happy reunion, the first time the young slugger got to hold it after going deep this season. âI loved it. It was a long time, a long time not seeing my good friend,â RodrĂguez said after he hit a 434-foot homer in the Mariners' 4-0 win in Texas on Tuesday night. RodrĂguez, who had 60 homers over his first two big league seasons and last summer put on a record performance in his home park in the Home Run Derby, pulled a ball that landed about five rows deep in the second deck of seats in left field. ... Read MoreTrout homers in return to leadoff spot as Angels end skid
ByABC News ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington was hoping to get a spark by putting Mike Trout in the leadoff spot. It worked. Hitting at the top of the order for the first time since 2020, the three-time American League MVP drove a fastball from Baltimore's Grayson Rodriguez off the auxiliary scoreboard above the wall in right-center field in the first inning to give the Angels an early 1-0 lead Tuesday night. They ended up winning 7-4 to end a five-game losing streak. It was the sixth leadoff homer of Trout's career and first since Sept. 28, 2012. Trout's ninth home run of the season tied for the major league lead. "I'm just trying to shake ... Read MoreTyrese Haliburton: Brother called racial slur by fan in Milwaukee
ByJAMAL COLLIER MILWAUKEE -- Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said his younger brother was called the N-word by a fan while sitting in the stands during Game 1 of Indiana's first-round playoff series with the Bucks in Milwaukee. Haliburton discussed the incident during his postgame news conference that followed the Pacers' 125-108 win in Game 2 on Tuesday night. "My little brother in the stands the other day was called the N-word," Haliburton said. "It was important for us as a family to just address that. And that was important for us to talk about because that just didn't sit right with anybody in our family. It's just been important to have my family here right now. My little brother has ... Read MoreAlexandar Georgiev resets after ‘very rough first game,’ leads Avs win
ByRYAN CLARK After the Avalanche evened their first-round series with the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night, Colorado's Alexandar Georgiev praised his teammates for the support they've shown him, with coach Jared Bednar also defending his goaltender. Georgiev, who gave up seven goals on 16 shots in the Avs' Game 1 loss on Sunday, responded by stopping 28 of the 30 shots he faced in his team's 5-2 win at Canada Life Centre. "They've shown so much support to me over the last couple days," Georgiev said. "Very rough first game, obviously. I just felt so much trust in the room from everybody. I appreciate it so much. It helped me reset and I know that they got my back. I ... Read MoreClippers’ Kawhi Leonard nets 15 in first game since March 31
ByOHM YOUNGMISUK LOS ANGELES -- Kawhi Leonard spent the previous 22 days trying to rehab the inflammation in his surgically-repaired right knee and get back on the floor. Cleared to play for the first time since March 31, Leonard had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals but was missing his usual rhythm as the Clippers dropped Game 2 of their first-round playoff series with the Dallas Mavericks 96-93 at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. Leonard shot 7-of-17 but missed all five of his 3-point attempts, the most without a make in the two-time Finals MVP's playoff career. But the most important thing for the Clippers was that Leonard reported his knee felt good after logging 35 minutes. "Just keep ... Read MoreLuka Doncic’s defensive effort keys Mavs’ Game 2 win vs. Clips
ByTIM MACMAHON LOS ANGELES -- The Dallas Mavericks' series-tying 96-93 win over the LA Clippers in Tuesday's Game 2 featured a couple of typical Luka Doncic moments down the stretch, displays of his extraordinary skill and intense passion. Doncic swished a pair of critical step-back 3s from the top of the arc in the fourth quarter, punctuating both by looking toward the stands and shouting in exhilaration. The first, which was contested by Kawhi Leonard, gave the Mavericks the lead for good with 7:03 remaining. The second, which was over James Harden, served as a dagger with 1:26 left. Doncic finished with 32 points and 9 assists, numbers near his norms, but he might have been more impactful on the ... Read MoreGreg Norman: LIV open-minded about moving to 72-hole format
ByABC News LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said Wednesday he is open-minded about the idea of moving to a traditional 72-hole format, though he explained that the Saudi-backed circuit would need to evaluate the impact of adding an extra round to its 54-hole, no-cut events. Former Masters and U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm, who announced his decision to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV in December, has said he hoped LIV would move to a 72-hole format, as it would help unite the tours. Norman said at a news conference Wednesday ahead of LIV's event in Adelaide, Australia, that they were open to the idea of changing the format but noted there was an "economic impact about putting television ... Read MoreOvechkin held off score sheet again as Caps fall into 2-0 hole
ByGREG WYSHYNSKI NEW YORK -- Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said his star captain Alex Ovechkin is "struggling" in their opening round playoff series against the New York Rangers. "I thought the first two games he looks a little bit off. He's struggling. It's hard. It's the playoffs, on the road. He's getting a tough matchup," Carbery said after the Capitals' 4-3 loss in Game 2 on Tuesday night to go down 2-0 in the series. Ovechkin, 38, doesn't have a point in the series. He registered his first and only shot on goal in Game 2. But it was his turnover on a power play that led to the Rangers' eventual winning short-handed goal and was Ovechkin's most glaring ... Read MoreLuka Doncic and Kyrie Irving lead Mavs over Clippers 96-93 to tie series
LOS ANGELES (AP) â Led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks bounced back to take away home-court advantage from the Los Angeles Clippers and newly returned and rusty Kawhi Leonard. Doncic scored 32 points, Irving added 23 and the Mavs won 96-93 on Tuesday night to tie their Western Conference first-round playoff series at a game apiece. âObviously it was a must-win and everybody was locked in,â said P.J. Washington Jr., who had a big fourth quarter and finished with 18 points. âThey punched us in the mouth in Game 1 and we just wanted to respond.â Game 3 is Friday in Dallas. Leonard had 15 points and seven rebounds in 35 minutes of his first game ... Read MoreWiley University to bring back softball
MARSHALL, Texas - In a release from the university, Wiley has announced the return of softball as a sponsored sport for the 2024-25 school year. Tehy will begin at club team status and will become a member of the HBCU Athletic Conference (formerly the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) the following year. Kendrick Biggs has been selected as Interim Head coach. Wiley has not fielded a softball team since the early 2000s. ... Read More
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