Yamamoto is dominant again as Dodgers ride homers from Hernández and Freeman to 3-1 win over Braves
ATLANTA (AP) — Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out 10 in seven brilliant innings, Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 to take a 2-1 lead in their NL Division Series. Yamamoto dominated the much-anticipated matchup with Atlanta ace Chris Sale, who allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings. Yamamoto, the MVP of the 2025 World Series, permitted only four hits with one walk while improving to 8-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 11 postseason outings, including 10 starts. Freddie Freeman also homered against his former team for the Dodgers, who can win the best-of-five series Wednesday night in Atlanta.
Argentina bids Messi farewell in final national team match, ending an era
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina has said an emotional goodbye to soccer great Lionel Messi. The 39-year-old played his final national team match Tuesday, scoring once and setting up two more goals in a win over Benin. Fans packed a Buenos Aires stadium, chanting his name and bowing toward him. His departure ends a 21-year international career that brought Argentina a World Cup title and two South American championships. Once accused of indifference to his country, Messi leaves as a national hero whose triumphs offered Argentines relief from years of political and economic turmoil. He will continue playing for Inter Miami.
Missouri freshman offensive lineman Johnnie 'DJ' Jones is hospitalized, needs a heart transplant
Missouri freshman offensive tackle Johnnie “DJ” Jones needs a heart transplant and is hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed the news about Jones during an emotional news conference on Tuesday. He says Missouri staff initially detected an issue with Jones' heart over the summer during freshman intake testing. Jones later got a second opinion from the Mayo Clinic, where doctors detected a much more serious heart problem. Drinkwitz is urging Mizzou fans to pray for Jones, saying the team wasn't prepared for that kind of news.
Top draft pick Gavin McKenna picks up first NHL goal, assist for Toronto against Predators
TORONTO (AP) — No. 1 draft pick Gavin McKenna scored his first NHL goal with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. McKenna scored on Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros in the second period of his fourth professional game. The 18-year-old took a pass from Auston Matthews, beat Saros with a high shot and then dropped to one knee in celebration at Scotiabank Arena. McKenna also had an assist on Toronto’s first goal by William Nylander for his first NHL point.
Star closer Mason Miller goes on paternity list before Padres face Brewers in Game 3 of NLDS
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Padres closer Mason Miller has been placed on the postseason paternity list with San Diego facing elimination in the NL Division Series. The intimidating All-Star reliever will miss at least one game. The Padres made the announcement about 45 minutes before the first pitch. Wandy Peralta replaced Miller on the 26-man playoff roster. Miller was one of the best closers in the majors this season, but he blew the save in the ninth inning of the Padres’ 4-3 loss to the Brewers in Milwaukee last weekend, putting San Diego in an 0-2 hole in the best-of-five series.
Roberts moves struggling Ohtani to No. 5 spot in Dodgers' lineup in NLDS Game 3 against Braves
ATLANTA (AP) — Manager Dave Roberts has juggled the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup for Game 3 of their NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, moving designated hitter Shohei Ohtani to the No. 5 spot. Roberts says the move is a one-game adjustment to give the Dodgers a different look against Braves left-hander Chris Sale. When Sale shut out the Dodgers 1-0 on Aug. 26, the left-handed-hitting Ohtani was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. For his career, Ohtani is 3 for 15 against Sale. The No. 5 spot is the lowest Ohtani has hit since 2020 with the Angels. Roberts says Ohtani understands the move.
Kiké Hernández continues clutch postseason hitting for Dodgers with a 2-run homer off Chris Sale
ATLANTA (AP) — Kiké Hernández is no stranger to postseason success. The veteran Dodgers utilityman took advantage of his first start in these playoffs and delivered the key blow in Los Angeles’ 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of their NL Division Series. Hernández, playing third base and batting ninth, hit a two-run homer off Braves ace Chris Sale in the fourth inning that opened the scoring and gave the Dodgers a lead they never relinquished. Los Angeles leads the best-of-five series 2-1 and has a chance to advance to the National League Championship Series on Wednesday. Hernández has 17 postseason homers in his career, making him a standout performer when it counts most.
Eagles All-Pro offensive lineman Lane Johnson retires after 14 seasons
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro offensive lineman Lane Johnson has announced his retirement from the NFL after 14 seasons. Johnson had been a late scratch for last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams for personal reasons. He said Tuesday despite wanting to finish the season, his “personal and family priorities in my life have changed.” Johnson missed four days of training camp for personal reasons before saying that this season would probably be his last. The 36-year-old Johnson was a first-round pick in 2013 and was a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and 2022. He earned second-team honors in 2021, 2023 and 2024.
Messi caps Argentina farewell with a penalty and 2 assists in a 3-0 win over Benin
BUENOS AIRES., Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi turns his official farewell to Argentina into a gala performance, scoring a penalty and providing two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin in an international friendly. The match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires marks the end of his 21-year international career. In front of 85,000 fans, the 39-year-old Messi orchestrates the victory with a corner kick leading to the first goal and an assist for the second. He then scores from the penalty spot, adding to his record as Argentina's all-time leading scorer. Despite still playing at a high level, Messi announced in August his plans to end his international career with Argentina.
Merino comes up clutch again for Spain as Kane marks record-setting match with 2 goals for England
Spain has preserved its 2½-year unbeaten streak by rallying to beat Croatia thanks to a clutch second-half double from super-sub Mikel Merino. Harry Kane scored two more goals on another record-setting match for the England captain. The marathon batch of Nations League matches ended with Merino powering home an 88th-minute strike to complete the world champions’ stirring recovery in a 2-1 win in Split. The Arsenal midfielder has been a star off the bench so many times for Spain in recent years. Ivan Perišić's opener marked the first time the Spanish had trailed since June 2024. Kane’s double in England’s 3-0 win over Czechia came on his record-tying 125th appearance for his country.
