Braves hit 3 homers, including 3-run shot by Harris, and beat Phillies 6-2 to win Wild Card Series
ATLANTA (AP) — Michael Harris II hit a three-run homer in the first inning, Chris Sale came out of the bullpen to get the final four outs and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 in the decisive Game 3 of their National League Wild Card Series. Surprise starter Ray Kerr threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings for Atlanta, and Ozzie Albies launched a two-run homer in the fourth. Matt Olson added a solo shot in the seventh as the Braves advanced to a best-of-five Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Braves took a postseason series for the first time since winning the 2021 World Series and earned their first playoff series win against the NL East rival Phillies. Aaron Nola allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings for Philadelphia.
A'ja Wilson scores 36 points as the Aces send the Fever home again with a 94-83 in Game 3
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A’ja Wilson made sure her basketball spoke for itself Thursday night, the four-time WNBA MVP scoring 36 points to lead the defending champion Las Vegas Aces to a 94-83 victory and eliminate the Indiana Fever in the deciding Game 3 of the first round. The third-seeded Aces move on to play the winner of the Golden State-Dallas series, which will be decided Friday night in San Francisco. This is the second year in a row Las Vegas has ended the season for Caitlin Clark and the Fever, who were seeded sixth.
Watson leads another game-winning drive, Szmyt hits 56-yard FG and Browns beat Steelers 27-24
CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson passed for 268 yards and moved the Browns into position for Andre Szmyt’s career-long 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining that gave Cleveland a 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watson completed 24 of 33 passes with a touchdown and an interception. He was 4 of 5 for 46 yards as he led a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter for the third straight week. The Browns are 3-1 for the first time since 2021. They led 21-7 before Aaron Rodgers rallied the Steelers to tie the game at 24-all.
Igor Shesterkin becomes the 18th NHL goaltender to score a goal and first to do it for the Rangers
NEW YORK (AP) — Igor Shesterkin has become the 18th goaltender in NHL history to score a goal and the first to do it for the New York Rangers. Shesterkin shot the puck from deep in his end into an empty net with 2:34 left in a 5-1 victory against Tampa Bay on Thursday night. The first goal of his career is the 21st by a goalie, counting the playoffs. Shesterkin has been known to try his hand at scoring before. Lightning coach Jon Cooper gave him the opportunity Thursday night by pulling Andrei Vasilevskiy off and on during the third period for an extra attacker.
Pistons, Jalen Duren agree on 5-year, $200M contract, AP source says
Jalen Duren has accepted a five-year, $200 million contract with the Detroit Pistons. A person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed the deal Thursday night. Duren accepted the offer shortly before a deadline on a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer. He made $6.5 million last season and became an All-Star for the first time. Duren averaged a career-high 19.5 points per game last season, along with 10.5 rebounds. He made the All-NBA third team but struggled in the playoffs. Duren has averaged 13.5 points in his first four NBA seasons with Detroit.
After an outfield collision left him paralyzed, every gain in rehab is a big win for A's Ryan Lasko
WEST ORANGE, N.J. (AP) — Ryan Lasko was a promising outfielder in the Athletics organization on a path he hoped would one day make him a major leaguer, having established himself in Double-A ball. Speed and defense were his greatest assets. His plans changed in an instant on June 30, on one hustle play he'd made hundreds of times. Playing center field for the A’s Midland team at Frisco, Texas, Lasko sprinted toward the ball as right fielder Devin Taylor did the same. Their heads crashed when both went diving trying to make the catch. Lasko needed immediate surgery for two broken vertebrae in his neck. He was paralyzed. Now, the goal has changed, he tells The Associated Press: He's working to become independent again.
'Is this the end?' Cristiano Ronaldo's future with Portugal unclear after veteran star leaves team
MADRID (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s abrupt decision to leave Portugal’s training camp after an apparent rift with coach Jorge Jesus has left many wondering what his future in international soccer will be. Is he done with Portugal? Or will he make peace with coach Jorge Jesus and be back in the next international break? And what comes next for the Portuguese soccer federation? There were lots of questions and few answers on Thursday after soccer’s all-time leading scorer in men’s international soccer decided to walk out on Portugal’s training camp. One possible clue: There was already a new owner of Ronaldo’s famous No. 7 jersey, with Rafael Leão set to wear it on Thursday.
MLB won't consider game at Grand Teton National Park, says was only conducting initial due diligence
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has decided not to consider Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming for a game. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred sent a letter to local officials and community leaders, stating that MLB had no formal plans to play there. The idea faced strong opposition from environmental groups and the local community. Manfred emphasized that MLB would not bring a game to a community with concerns about the venue. MLB has hosted games in unique locations before, like the Iowa cornfields from "Field of Dreams." However, the Grand Teton proposal was met with resistance, leading to its dismissal.
Cowboys acquire disgruntled cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from Steelers for 2 draft picks
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have acquired disgruntled cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh will receive two draft picks from Dallas, a sixth-rounder in 2027 and a second-rounder in 2028. Porter has been inactive all three games this season for the Steelers. The fourth-year pro has been dealing with a back issue and had also been in the middle of a contract stalemate with Steelers management over a new deal. It's the second major trade between the Steelers and Cowboys in two years. Dallas acquired receiver George Pickens before the 2025 season.
Dream star forward Angel Reese voted WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Dream star forward Angel Reese was voted WNBA Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday, receiving 46 votes from 72 media members. Golden State’s Gabby Williams finished second with 20 votes and Las Vegas star A’ja Wilson was third. Wilson won the award in 2022 and 2023 and shared the honor with Minnesota’s Alanna Smith last year. Reese is a three-time All-Star who helped the Dream advance to the WNBA playoff semifinals for the first time since 2018 in her first year with the franchise. Atlanta will host Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday against New York.
