September 15, 2021 2:53 am
UNDATED (AP) – Ryan Braun has announced his retirement. Braun is the Milwaukee Brewers’ home run leader whose production was slowed by injuries during the second half of his 14-year career. Braun hasn’t played all season and said during spring training that he was leaning toward retirement. The 2011 NL MVP made it official Tuesday in a video the Brewers posted on Twitter. Braun had 352 homers and last played in 2020. He was one of baseball’s best hitters from 2007-12 but was never the same after he was suspended midway through the 2013 season for using performance-enhancing drugs.
September 15, 2021 2:54 am
UNDATED (AP) – Patrick Cantlay is the players’ choice as PGA Tour player of the year. It’s another big step for the 29-year-old from California. Cantlay was the No. 1 amateur in the world who once shot 60 on the PGA Tour while in college. Then he was out for three years with a back injury that nearly ended his career. And now he has the Jack Nicklaus Award after a vote of the players. The PGA Tour does not release vote totals or even say how many players voted. Cantlay presumably won the award in a tight race with Jon Rahm.
September 14, 2021 3:52 am
LAS VEGAS (AP) – The Las Vegas Raiders were winners in their first home game with fans in the stands. Derek Carr fired a 31-yard TD pass to Zay Jones in overtime to give the Raiders a 33-27 triumph over the Ravens in the NFL season opener for both teams. Carr’s second TD pass of the game came after Carl Nassib’s strip sack of Lamar Jackson at the Ravens 27. Carr threw an interception after driving to the Baltimore 1 on the opening possession of overtime. The Raiders later made another blunder with a delay of game before a field goal try, but coach Jon Gruden put his offense back on the field and watched Vegas score the go-ahead touchdown. The Raiders trailed 14-0 early, ending a 98-game, regular-season win streak for the Ravens when leading by at least 14 points dating to 2004. Carr was 34 of 56 for 435 yards. Jackson carried 12 times for 86 yards and completed 19 of his 30 passes for 235 yards and a TD.
September 14, 2021 3:50 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers showed they’re not quite ready to fade into the background by rallying past Buffalo in their season opener. The Steelers rode a dominant defense, just enough offense and a splash of special teams to beat the defending AFC East champions on the road. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt looked fresh despite limited practice time during training camp while earning two sacks. The Steelers host Las Vegas in their home opener at Heinz Field in Week 2.
September 14, 2021 3:54 am
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The Columbus Blue Jackets have replaced assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre for declining to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The Jackets have promoted Steve McCarthy to replace Lefebvre on head coach Brad Larsen’s staff. NHL coaches and other team staff who closely interact with players are required to be fully vaccinated.
September 13, 2021 3:55 am
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ new-look offense overcame a slow start, Ulysees Gilbert returned a blocked punt 9 yards for a touchdown and Pittsburgh rallied to a season-opening 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills. Down 10-0, the Steelers scored on each of their first four possessions of the second half, with Roethlisberger putting Pittsburgh ahead for good by lobbing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson in the left corner of the end zone. Josh Allen and the Bills produced a dud following an offseason in which many pegged the defending AFC East champs as Super Bowl contenders.
September 13, 2021 3:57 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Patrick Corbin working seven strong innings as the Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 to avoid a three-game sweep. Corbin (8-14) allowed two runs on four hits, striking out four with two walks. The veteran left-hander is 3-0 against the Pirates since joining Washington in 2019. Lane Thomas hit a three-run homer in the fourth off Bryse Wilson (2-7) to put the Nationals in front to stay. Luis Garcia and Alex Avila also homered for Washington. Juan Soto doubled and tripled and is hitting .407 (22 of 54) over his last 16 games.
September 13, 2021 4:00 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Rod Laver remains the last male to capture a calendar Grand Slam. Novak Djokovic was thwarted in his bid for a calendar slam, falling in straight sets to Daniil Medvedev, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the U.S. Open final. It’s the first major championship for Medvedev, who reached the 2019 final before falling. Djokovic dropped the opening set for the fifth straight time. Unlike the other four matches, he never got going in his quest for a record 21st Grand Slam title. Medvedev won 20 of his first 23 service points and finished with 16 aces along with 38 winners. Djokovic made 38 unforced errors and converted just one of his six break points. The last man to complete a true Grand Slam by going 4 for 4 at the majors in a single season remains Rod Laver, who did it in 1962 and 1969.
September 12, 2021 1:39 am
GREENVILLE, Pa. – The 13th ranked Washington & Jefferson College football team rolled to a 64-12 victory over the Thiel College Tomcats in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium in Mercer County. The Presidents scored early and often to earn their 15th straight victory in the head-to-head series with the Tomcats. EJ Thompson and Joey Koroly combined to rush the ball 16 times for 112 yards and four touchdowns. Justin Heacock completed 9-of-11 passes for 148 yards in an efficient abbreviated effort. Defensively, Keith Knowell (safety), Justin Johns (interception return) and Elijah Goosby (fumble return) contributed scoring plays with Justin Huss running a free kick (following safety) back 74 yards for a touchdown. Colton Jones connected with Cameron O’Brien on a 9-yard scoring pass. The win moves W&J to 2-0 and drops Thiel to 0-2. W&J hosts Bethany College for its home opener at Cameron Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18.
September 12, 2021 7:45 am
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Kenny Pickett threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score to lead Pittsburgh to a 41-34 victory over Tennessee Saturday. The Panther defense collected five sacks, recovered two fumbles, had an interception and a crucial fourth-quarter goal-line stand to seal their second victory of the season. The Volunteers (1-1) lost the game and a starting quarterback. Joe Milton went down with a lower leg injury after being sacked and losing a fumble early in the second quarter. Hendon Hooker came on to throw for 189 yards, but the mistakes hurt the effort. After three straight three-and-out drives, Pitt came up with five straight scores. The Panthers scored touchdowns on all five trips inside the Tennessee 20-yard line. Tennessee, known for its up-tempo offense, managed 66 plays, compared to 82 for Pitt. The Panthers’ biggest play of all came on defense with a fourth-quarter goal-line stand from the Pitt 3 that could have tied the game. Jaylen Wright was stopped cold by John Petrishen.
