Ohtani's pitching leads Dodgers to Game 1 win despite 4 strikeouts at the plate
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has led the Dodgers to a 5-3 win over the Phillies in Game 1 of their NL Division Series. On Saturday night, Ohtani struck out nine over six innings, despite striking out four times at bat. Teoscar Hernández hit a crucial three-run homer to rally the Dodgers. Ohtani and Roki Sasaki made history as the first Japanese-born starter and reliever to earn a win and save in the same postseason game. Ohtani faced intense pressure from Phillies fans but focused on pitching to secure the victory. The Dodgers have a day off before Game 2 on Monday.
Kirk homers twice as Blue Jays end playoff skid by thumping Yankees 10-1 in Game 1 of ALDS
TORONTO (AP) — Alejandro Kirk hit two solo home runs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also connected and the Toronto Blue Jays won a postseason game for the first time since 2016 by thumping the New York Yankees 10-1 in Game 1 of their AL Division Series. Nathan Lukes had two hits, three RBIs and a diving catch, and Andrés Giménez added two hits and drove in a pair as the AL East champion Blue Jays used 14 hits to snap a seven-game playoff losing streak. Toronto’s previous postseason win came in Game 4 of the 2016 American League Championship Series against Cleveland.
NFL analyst Mark Sanchez arrested while he was hospitalized with stab wounds
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former NFL quarterback and current Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez has been arrested after he was apparently stabbed in an overnight altercation in downtown Indianapolis. Sanchez was charged with battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication — all misdemeanors. Indianapolis police said Sanchez was in a hospital and had not been booked into a detention center. He was in stable condition, according to Fox Sports. Police said earlier in the day that they were investigating a confrontation between two men, one of whom was hospitalized with stab wounds. Sanchez was in Indianapolis to call Sunday’s Raiders-Colts game.
AP Top 25 preview: Penn State could drop out of Top 25 after loss to UCLA. Texas teetering, too
Penn State has suffered another tough loss, this time to UCLA, in what so farf is the upset of the year in college football. The Nittany Lions, who were ranked No. 7, may drop out of the AP Top 25 after this 42-37 defeat. Texas, ranked No. 9, lost to Florida and also could be knocked out of the rankings. Alabama and Georgia are expected to move up in the rankings. Illinois and Notre Dame also had strong performances, while South Florida and Cincinnati are making a case to enter the Top 25.
UCLA stuns No. 7 Penn State with Iamaleava's 5 touchdowns, ends 16-game skid against Top-10 teams
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Nico Iamaleava ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more as UCLA upset No. 7 Penn State 42-37 on Saturday. It was UCLA's first win of the season after head coach DeShaun Foster was fired and two coordinators left. The Bruins, who were 25 1/2-point underdogs, scored on their first five possessions at the Rose Bowl. Iamaleava capped his day with a 7-yard run and a 2-point conversion pass in the fourth. Penn State turned the ball over on a fumble to open the third quarter. UCLA extended its lead with a strong running game, ensuring they won't have the program's first winless season.
Lagway improves, Wilson shines in his debut and Florida upsets No. 9 Texas 29-21 in the Swamp
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — DJ Lagway threw for a season-high 289 yards and two touchdowns, both to a true freshman making his college debut, and Florida upset No. 9 Texas 29-21 to end a three-game skid. Arch Manning and the Longhorns had a chance in the final minute thanks partly to a defensive penalty, but he threw incomplete deep and was sacked twice. Florida enjoyed its first victory since beating Long Island in the season opener. Lagway looked better than he had in four previous starts this season, and Dallas Wilson had a lot to do with it. Wilson showed speed, hands and arguably the most physicality of any Florida receiver in years.
Sayin, defense propel top-ranked Ohio State to 42-3 rout of Minnesota
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Julian Sayin passed for 326 yards and three touchdowns as top-ranked Ohio State beats Minnesota 42-3 on Saturday night. Sayin had his third 300-yard game in five starts, completing 23 of 27 passes. Carnell Tate dominated with 183 yards receiving, including a 44-yard touchdown. Jeremiah Smith caught two touchdowns, while CJ Donaldson, Bo Jackson, and Lincoln Kienholz add rushing scores. Minnesota scores a 27-yard field goal early but struggles afterward. Ohio State's defense dominated, holding Minnesota to 35 yards on their next seven series.
Fast start propels Brewers to 9-3 victory over Cubs in NLDS opener
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jackson Chourio went 3 for 3 and drove in three runs in the first two innings before departing with a hamstring injury as the Milwaukee Brewers trounced the Chicago Cubs 9-3 in their NL Division Series opener. Chourio became the first player to have three hits in the first two innings of a playoff game. But his availability for Monday’s Game 2 in the best-of-five series is unclear. Chourio, who missed a month of the regular season with a strained right hamstring, left with tightness in that hamstring after beating out a bases-loaded infield single.
Dodgers might have found a postseason closer in Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers may have found their closer just in time for another World Series run. They turned to Roki Sasaki, a rookie from Japan, to fill the role of shutdown reliever. On Saturday, Sasaki pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of their NL Division Series. Shohei Ohtani and Sasaki became the first Japanese-born starter and reliever to earn a win and a save in the same postseason game. Sasaki, who battled a shoulder injury this season, has made a smooth transition to the bullpen. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been impressed with his performance in the playoffs.
Carson Beck throws 4 TD passes to help No. 3 Miami hold off No. 18 Florida State, 28-22
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Carson Beck threw four touchdown passes — two apiece to Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels — and No. 3 Miami held off No. 18 Florida State 28-22 on Saturday night. Miami’s offensive line mostly kept Beck’s jersey clean, and the senior completed 20 of 27 passes for 241 yards. A true freshman, Toney caught seven passes for 107 yards for the Hurricanes (5-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). They won their first road game of the season and captured a third win over an Associated Press Top 25 team (Notre Dame, South Florida and Florida State). Florida State’s Tommy Castellanos threw two interceptions, both leading to drives where Miami scored touchdowns. The Seminoles (3-2, 0-2) also fumbled, although the turnover didn’t lead to any points.
