August 20, 2024 4:42 am
The NFL’s new dynamic kickoff is achieving its goals in the preseason of raising the rate of return and the threat of big plays after years of increasing touchbacks. Whether that will carry over to the regular season when coaches might be more concerned with avoiding risk than testing out the new rule remains an open question. With the average start after kickoffs nearly reaching the 30, teams might opt to kick it deep and give up touchbacks to the 30 instead of risking giving up a long return. The NFL says it is “not likely” that the touchback will be moved to the 35 this season.
August 20, 2024 4:41 am
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Patrik Laine to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris and a second-round draft pick in 2026. The Blue Jackets were without the 26-year-old Laine for much of the 2023-24 season. He sought help from the NHL’s player assistance program in January and made it known that his issues were mental-health related. Laine was drafted second overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016. He has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $34.8 million contract. In four seasons with the Blue Jackets, Laine had 64 goals and 74 assists.
August 19, 2024 4:31 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — George Kirby worked six solid innings and the Seattle Mariners ended a five-game skid with a 10-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kirby (9-9) pitched five shutout innings and allowed two runs and four hits, striking out five and walking two. The 26-year-old right-hander rebounded after surrendering 11 runs and 12 hits in 3 2/3 innings his last time out, a 15-1 loss at Detroit on Aug. 13. Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer, Josh Rojas and Dominic Canzone added solo shots and Victor Robles added a two-run double. Joey Bart homered for the Pirates, who lost for the 13th time in 16 games.
August 19, 2024 4:33 am
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Hideki Matsuyama has won the FedEx St. Jude Championship just like everyone expected. No one expected a wild finish like Sunday at the TPC Southwind. Matsuyama lost a five-shot lead in a matter of four holes on the back nine. He suddenly was trailing. And then he birdied the last two holes to win by two shots with a 70. Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland tied for second. Nick Dunlap also felt like a winner. He was in contention to win, and then he was in danger of not being among the top 50 who advanced to next week.
August 19, 2024 4:32 am
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell scored 27 points, Caitlin Clark added 23 points and nine assists, and Lexie Hull scored 12 of her career-high 22 points in the fourth quarter Sunday to help the Indiana Fever beat the Seattle Storm 92-75. With 232 assists so far this season, Clark broke the previous WNBA rookie record of 224 by Ticha Penicheiro in 1998. Aliyah Boston grabbed 15 rebounds to go with nine points and a career-high eight assists for Indiana. Jewell Loyd led Seattle with 26 points, Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 15 and Nneka Ogwumike added 14 points, nine rebounds and four steals.
August 18, 2024 7:50 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Russell Wilson slogged through a forgettable preseason debut in Pittsburgh. The veteran quarterback passed for 47 yards and did not lead a scoring drive as the Steelers lost 9-3 to the Buffalo Bills. Wilson was sacked three times and looked rusty in his first action since last December while playing for Denver. Tyler Bass kicked three field goals for the Bills, who held star quarterback Josh Allen out of the lineup as a precaution after a pregame thunderstorm made the field slick. (Photo: AP)
August 18, 2024 7:49 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Isiah Kiner-Falefa had three hits, including a first-inning homer, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the skidding Seattle Mariners 7-2. Rowdy Tellez and Jared Triolo also connected for the Pirates, who have won the first two games of the three-game series following a 10-game losing streak. Joey Bart added a pair of doubles. Pittsburgh left-hander Bailey Falter matched a career high with eight strikeouts while allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings. It was the fifth consecutive loss for Seattle.
August 17, 2024 4:11 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes struck out six and ended a four-start winless streak, and the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped a 10-game skid with a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners. Skenes (7-2), who was 0-2 in his previous starts, allowed three hits and issued a career-high four walks in his first win since July 11. David Bednar weathered a rocky ninth inning for his 21st save. Jorge Polanco homered for Seattle. Logan Gilbert (7-9) took the loss, giving four runs, three earned, and five hits in 6 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and two walks.
August 17, 2024 4:20 am
Jason Kelce was destined for a career in the media long before he partnered with his brother, Travis, to co-host a popular podcast. It was evident early on after Andy Reid selected Kelce in the sixth round of the 2011 draft that his dynamic personality would play well on the other side of the microphone. Kelce became a go-to source for reporters throughout his 13-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s insightful, eloquent and funny. Kelce has the skills to succeed in television and he brings credibility to the studio where he’ll be part of ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” broadcast team.
August 16, 2024 4:32 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Russell Wilson is expected to be in the lineup when the Pittsburgh Steelers host Buffalo in their second preseason game. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says Wilson will run out with the starters as long as he doesn’t have any setbacks from a calf injury that has slowed him during training camp. Tomlin estimates the starters will play about four series against the Bills, though he may shorten that if Wilson and company find early success. The Steelers signed the 35-year-old nine-time Pro Bowler to a one-year deal in March.
