A Major League Baseball insider long high on Salt Lake City getting an expansion team took his opinion up a notch during an appearance this week on local sports talk radio.
USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale has called the city a heavy favorite and clear frontrunner as well saying it's in the driver's seat to land a franchise when the league expands. But Monday on KSL Sports Zone's "DJ and PK," he called Salt Lake City a "lock."
"Salt Lake, I think, is a lock. It should be Nashville, but Salt Lake's got the ownership group, Dale Murphy's involved, everything else. I think it's a go for sure in Salt Lake," he said.
Nightengale is among a chorus of national baseball observers who see Salt Lake City in the West and Nashville in the East as the top contenders to join the big leagues.
Former Major League Baseball superstar Dale Murphy talks with a group of young baseball players from the Rose Park area as they join Gov. Spencer ****** and other dignitaries at the groundbreaking of the Rocky Mountain Power District property in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Gail Miller also announced plans to hopefully bring a Major League Baseball team to the area. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

#lake #city

As we gear up for the 2026 football season, Aggies Wire is breaking down nearly every player on the Texas A&M roster. Throughout the preseason, each profile will highlight a player's background, high school recruiting rankings, and projected role under head coach Mike Elko.
Texas A&M entered the offseason with a clear priority in the trenches. By the end of last year, the defensive line depth gap became impossible to ignore, and it showed up at the worst possible time. In a windy playoff matchup against Miami where running the ball was essential to controlling the game, the Aggies held firm early. But once Albert Regis went down with an injury, the interior collapsed, and Miami seized momentum on the ground.
Shoring up the interior defensive line became a top offseason objective, and Illinois transfer Angelo McCullom has quickly emerged as one of the most important additions. Teammates and coaches have praised his strength, physicality, and ability to anchor against downhill run schemes. Starting linebacker and team captain Daymion Sanford singled him out as a player to watch.
McCullom's raw power is undeniable. He's posted a 470‑pound bench press and he already thrives as a rotational piece. He enters the 2026 season with a 70.3 run‑defense grade, giving the Aggies a sturdy interior presence they lacked late last year. With continued development, McCullom could help transform the IDL into one of the program's most reliable units this fall.
Hometown: Pickerington, Ohio

#Miami #season

This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter.
When Kroger introduced Greg Foran as its CEO earlier this year, the supermarket chain drew accolades for its decision to hire a new leader who had distinguished himself by turning around Walmart's U.S. operations.
But beyond his background as a senior executive at the world's largest retailer, Foran brings Kroger another ******* et that could prove pivotal as he strives to work the same magic at Kroger that he did at Walmart: experience working outside the United States.
Ahead of joining Kroger in February, Foran served as CEO of Air New Zealand. And before his promotion to head Walmart's stateside division in July 2014, Foran was president and CEO of Walmart Asia, a role he ******* umed after running Walmart's China unit. Earlier in his career, he held multiple positions at Australia-based retailer Woolworths Group, which runs stores in that country and New Zealand.
The perspective people develop over years working in other countries' retail sectors can give an edge over grocers that have not looked as far afield for leaders, industry ******* ysts said.

#grocery #daily #retailer

By now, you've heard the same advice a thousand times: "Stop purchasing packs. Buy singles!" But what if your nearest "local" card shop is hours away or you're searching for a chase card for sale located across the country? That's where eBay comes in.
From cards to Funko Pops, eBay has been a vital lifeline for collectors for decades. As the worldwide brand continues to adapt to meet the needs of its users, Mantel met with Luci Yang, eBay's GM of U.S. Collectibles, at The National to learn more about how the marketplace's latest changes. Here's what she had to say about her career, the importance of community, and how eBay is putting powerful data into the hands of collectors.
Luci Yang, eBay's GM of U.S. Collectibles
You've got undergrad degrees from Harvard, and both an MBA and a JD from Yale. How did you end up working for eBay?
Everyone's path is a little windier than people expect, and mine was too. I spent a long time earlier in my career in business and management consulting. I joined eBay about five years ago, right as the company was leaning hard into its focus-category strategy—you've probably heard our CEO talk about that.
At the time, I joined the automotive parts and accessories team, since that was one of the focus categories then. Over the last five years, I've worked in parts and accessories, electronics, and heavy equipment, another focus area for eBay. This past January, I moved into collectibles. So I come from more of a corporate background, but I'm excited to tap into the childhood passion of collecting. Right now my role is head of U.S. collectibles, with trading cards a big piece of it, along with comics, toys, coins and more.

#collectibles #luci #yang #heard

UCLA's redshirt junior quarterback Nico Iamaleava was named to the 90th Maxwell Award watch list for his second year with the Bruins, according to the Maxwell Football Club.
The Maxwell Award is given to the Collegiate Player of the Year with the last recipient being former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was picked No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft. In the preseason watchlist, the Big Ten Conference leads all conferences with 17 nominees with the SEC following with 16 and the Big 12 and the ACC with 15 players each.
Iamaleava was named to the preseason award watch list last year and UCLA's young quarterback stood out as one of the most valuable players on the team, as he laid his body on the line, despite the Bruins putting together a less than ideal season.
The Bruins star ended the season with a 64.4 percent completion percentage for 1,928 passing yards and 13 touchdowns with 7 interceptions. He also compiled the most yards on the ground for the team with 505 rushing yards and ran in four more touchdowns.
Iamaleava will have to put together a much better season though as he and new head coach Bob Chesney attempt to bring UCLA back to relevancy with the likes of Big Ten quarterback's Oregon's Dante Moore and Ohio State's Julian Sayin standing in their way.

#season

Germany's third-tier season begins on Friday, 7 August, with former Bundesliga side Waldhof Mannheim taking on 1-time Deutscher Meister Fortuna Düsseldorf at the iconic 25,000-capacity Karl Benz Stadion, an absolute Spitzenspiel, a meeting of two sides which should be among the challengers this coming 3. Liga season.
One of Europe's top two third tiers, the 3. Liga, in the coming season will feature more derbies than ever and a league of Traditionsvereine; in particular, new boys MSV Duisburg and Hansa Rostock have massive fan bases and must-see grounds which should be on any fan's bucket list to visit.
Will 1. FC Saarbrücken go one better and finally win promotion? Will Preußen Münster bounce straight back to winning ways? Or can the league's most popular 1955 Deutsche Meister Rot-Weiss Essen end their long exile and finally return to the second-tier promised land? This season will be fiercely contested; here is the season preview:
In 25/26, attendances in the 3. Liga, for the second season running, surpassed that of the EFL League 1 and now stands at 11,566 on average per game.
This league is popular; there is outstanding football played and in some incredible grounds. The coming season in terms of competitiveness could just be the most attractive third tier in years.

#liga #league #grounds #finally

As most of you know, Cartilage Free Captain, or rather, yours truly was on the ground in person to experience Tottenham Hotspur's preseason tour of Sydney as they took part in the aptly named Sydney Super Cup.
This presented a rare chance for many fans to get up close and personal with the team that they love. Though this is the third time Spurs have made trips to Australia in four years (the most recent being against West Ham United in Perth and Newcastle United in Melbourne), it was the first time in a decade the Lilywhites had made an appearance in Australia's most densely populated city.
Once on the ground, I had the idea to write up a bit of a summary of the trip, but from a slightly different angle. Here at Cartilage Free Captain, we are not journalists; we are fans. But we always try and write from a balanced, factual, and ******* ytical perspective. As such, at times we try and remove the fan angle from our writing in order to deliver you, our readers, the best ******* ysis money can buy. Or rather, the best ******* ysis you can get for free. We like to think we're at least on par with the Metro.
But like I said, we are massive fans – and so I thought: why not let my flag fly a bit? What has this tournament and trip been like from a fan perspective… but also from having access a fan might not usually have? So this piece (and two to three others that will follow in a series this week) are being written from that point of view: part travel blog, part human-interest piece, part fan boy experience. Maybe that's of interest to you; maybe not!
But I plan on talking about the trip; about fans I talked to in Sydney; about my experience as a fan walking into the press box and seeing Spurs play for the first time. Hopefully you enjoy.

#free #experience #captain

Meghan Markle celebrated her 45th birthday on Tuesday by jumping into a swimming pool with birthday balloons and dancing around her kitchen.
In videos shared on her personal Instagram account, the **** ss of Sussex wore a white T-shirt reading "It's giving Mrs" while wearing a tiara as she twirled around her Montecito home.
Meghan's husband, Prince Harry, 41, could be heard laughing in the background as he filmed.
He joked, "Oh dear" as Meghan showed off her moves and sashayed around the room, before filming a breakfast spread of bagels, cream cheese and tomatoes.
Meghan Markle danced around her kitchen for her 45th birthday (Instagram / meghan)

#markle #duchess #sussex #montecito

Ex-Bears' Jonathan Owens' wife Simone Biles spotted in Lima wearing New Balance 9060s originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Simone Biles, wife of former Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, arrived at Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport in Peru on Monday night. She has recently been named a Global Ambassador for the Lima 2027 Pan American Games, and the countdown to the Lima 2027 Pan American and Parapan American Games has already begun. The spectacular event is expected to kick off at 3 PM on Thursday, Aug. 6, with Peruvians set to join in the celebrations.
Biles has shared some updates on her Instagram stories through a few photos, showing the US Olympic gymnast wearing New Balance shoes (model 9060), in a black outfit with matching goggles. From the background of the pictures, it looks like she is at the ancient Incan fortress and agricultural terraces of Ollantaytambo, located in Peru's Sacred Valley.
"Hi, everyone! It's so nice to be in your beautiful country. I can't wait to meet you all!" she said in a video post on X.
"I'm so excited to visit Peru for the first time to celebrate the start of the one-year countdown to the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima," Biles said (h/t Panam Sports). "I can't wait to see you all at Lima's Plaza Mayor on August 6… See you there".

#biles #games #bears

Sydney Sweeney has spoken out over the devastation caused by the wildfires in her hometown of Spokane, Washington.
According to local authorities, the fires have consumed more than 8,000 acres across Spokane County, with three main blazes destroying more than 700 structures. No deaths or injuries have been reported.
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Sydney put a spotlight on the news, emphasising that around 65,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
"Spokane has always been home to me. It's where I grew up, where my family still lives, and where so many of the people and places that shaped me are," she began. "The devastating fires have changed countless lives in ways that are hard to put into words. Thousands of families have lost their homes, their belongings, and places of business, including members of my own family. This devastation is something our community has never experienced on this scale."
The Euphoria actress went on to note that she is supporting organisations including Innovia Foundation, SpokAnimal, Second Harvest, and Watch Duty amid the emergency. She also shared a link to Baby2Baby, a nonprofit that provides essentials for families and children.
"Unlike larger cities that often receive an overwhelming amount of national attention and resources, Spokane doesn't have the same spotlight," the 28-year-old declared. "If you're looking for ways to help, these are four organizations I'm supporting that are on the ground right now helping this community that needs us."

#homes #family #places

For most of the last two decades, the anxiety in power planning was about demand: would consumption grow fast enough to justify new capacity, and how would an aging fleet keep pace? That question has inverted. Demand is no longer the uncertain variable—it is the one thing forecasters are confident about. The uncertainty now sits on the supply side: whether the workforce, the equipment, and the political and economic conditions needed to build and run generation can keep up with a demand curve that is accelerating for the first time in a generation.The International Energy Agency (IEA) put a number on the demand side in its Electricity 2026 report, projecting that global electricity demand will grow by an average of 3.6% per year through 2030, roughly 50% faster than the average over the previous decade, driven by industrial electrification, electric vehicles, air conditioning, and data centers. For the first time in three decades outside of a crisis period, electricity demand has begun to grow faster than the global economy itself. The demand is coming. The open question is deliverability.That framing—supply-side constraints as the binding risk—runs through recent research from Verdantix, a UK-based **** yst firm whose Industrial Dislocation Index scores nine major economies on how far their operating conditions have diverged from their own 30-year norms. For power generation specifically, Verdantix identifies four factors that carry disproportionate weight: politics, geo-economic friction, energy prices, and production inputs.
The clearest signal in the Verdantix data for a power audience is the energy sub-index, which scores each country on how far its energy position has moved from its own historical baseline. The spread is wide. The U.S. sits at the resilient end, with the lowest energy-dislocation score in the study at 1.83, a reflection of its position as a net exporter of natural gas, crude, and coal, with electricity and fuel costs below the global average. At the other end is the UK, at 7.33, the highest in the study—a measure of how sharply its energy position has diverged from what UK industry was historically built around. Germany (5.67) and France (5.50) sit high as well; **** an (4.50), India (3.50), China (3.17), Saudi Arabia (3.00), and Canada (2.67) fall in between.What that gap looks like on the ground varies by market, and Verdantix's country profiles fill it in. The UK's high score traces to underinvestment in nuclear, the grid-modernization costs of shifting to decentralized renewables, and windfall taxes on oil and gas—a combination severe enough that Verdantix notes chemical producers citing UK energy costs as a reason to pull back operations. France is Europe's largest net electricity exporter thanks to its nuclear fleet, but that same concentration is a vulnerability: recent questions about the quality of French reactor maintenance, Verdantix observes, show how quickly a strength can turn into a present-day problem. ****

NEW DELHI: Pakistan moved closer to a rare away Test win after reducing West Indies to 103/6 at stumps on Day 3 of the second and final Test. Despite West Indies holding a lead of 60 runs, the hosts have only four wickets left, giving Pakistan the upper hand heading into the fourth day.

West Indies ended the day on 103/6, leading by 60 runs with only four wickets remaining.

Pakistan will look to dismiss the remaining batters quickly on Day 4 and chase a modest target to secure their first away Test victory since 2023. West Indies, meanwhile, are aiming to complete a 2-0 series sweep after winning the opening Test by 90 runs.

Shafique's 160 helps Pakistan take first-innings lead

Pakistan began the day still behind West Indies' first-innings total of 344, but Abdullah Shafique produced a superb unbeaten 160 to guide his team to 387.

His innings helped Pakistan secure a 43-run first-innings lead before the visitors were bowled out.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican starred for West Indies with six wickets for 112 runs. He cleaned up the Pakistan lower order after already removing key batters earlier in the innings.

Babar Azam's wait for Test hundred continues

Pakistan captain Babar Azam once again missed out on a Test century.

He was run out for 88 after a brilliant direct hit from Brandon King ended his 183-run partnership with Shafique. Pakistan were still trailing by 63 runs when the wicket fell.

Babar attempted a quick single after pushing the ball into the off side, but Shafique changed his mind and sent him back. King collected the ball and hit the stumps with a flat throw, leaving Babar short of his ground despite a desperate dive.

It was Babar's highest Test score in 35 innings, but he is still waiting for his first Test century since scoring one against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022.

King injured after match-changing run-out

Brandon King's brilliant fielding effort came at a cost.

The West Indies batter injured his lower back after landing awkwardly while throwing down the stumps. He had to be taken off the field, and it remains unclear whether he will be able to bat on Day 4.

Warrican leads West Indies bowling attack

Warrican was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies.

He dismissed debutant Awais Zafar for 1 before Shamar Joseph trapped Salman Ali Agha lbw. Warrican then bowled Mohammad Rizwan for 18 with the second new ball and later finished the innings by taking three wickets in four deliveries to complete a six-wicket haul.

Pakistan strikes back with the ball

West Indies made a solid start to their second innings as Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kavem Hodge added 40 runs for the opening wicket.

However, Pakistan's spinners quickly took control.

Sajid Khan removed Chanderpaul and Amir Jangoo before West Indies recovered through a partnership between Shai Hope and captain Roston Chase.

The visitors then lost three wickets in the final five overs of the day. S

Chelsea have explored a move for Bologna centre-half John Lucumi, according to Quotidiano Sportivo.
The Blues are looking to shore up a defence that leaked goals last season and want to bring another centre-back to Stamford Bridge after completing a deal for Maxence Lacroix.
Chelsea are now eyeing Lucumi, who has caught the eye with his performances in Italy.
Last season, the reported Chelsea target won 58 percent of his aerial and 60% of his ground duels, earmarking himself as one of the better defenders in Serie A.
Levi Colwill is a world-class prospect but has struggled for consistency due to constant injury setbacks.

#blues

By Nate Raymond and Jan Wolfe
Aug 4 - U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly campaigned for his second term as a champion of free expression, vowing in his January 2025 inaugural address to stop what he described as years of "government censorship."
Since then, a wave of court rulings has concluded his administration has done the opposite. Reuters identified 75 federal-judge rulings finding Trump's government infringed on First-Amendment rights including freedoms of speech, religion, and the press.
The unprecedented pushback on constitutional grounds has included repeated ‌findings that the administration chilled or squelched the speech of citizens and groups opposing the Republican's agenda.
"The President's palpable misunderstanding that the government simply cannot seek retribution for speech he disdains poses a great threat to Americans' freedom of speech," Boston-based U.S. District Judge ‌William Young wrote.

#government #administration #wolfe

Liverpool are pressing ahead with plans to strengthen their forward line, with interest in Ibrahim Mbaye separate from their ongoing pursuit of Bradley Barcola. According to GFFN, the club want to recruit both Paris Saint-Germain attackers before the summer window closes.
This appears to be part of a wider attacking reshuffle at Anfield following Mohamed Salah's departure. Andoni Iraola has inherited a squad that still carries major quality in the final third, but Liverpool's recruitment team seem determined to add more pace, variety and long-term upside. Mbaye, at 18, would clearly fit the profile of a development signing, while Barcola is viewed as a player ready to make an immediate impact at elite level.
Liverpool remain in discussions with PSG over Barcola, with the French club yet to find common ground on valuation. That detail feels significant. It suggests there is interest on all sides in exploring a deal, while also underlining that Liverpool are not prepared to rush into an inflated agreement. The current stance points towards a patient negotiation, with the Merseyside club willing to wait for the right conditions rather than force the issue.
From Liverpool's perspective, Barcola would add proven top-level quality, direct running and flexibility across the front line. He is at an age where potential and performance are beginning to align, which helps explain why he remains a priority target.
The key point in this update is that Liverpool's interest in Mbaye does not alter their pursuit of Barcola. These are not viewed as competing moves. Instead, they reflect two different layers of squad building, one for the present and one for the future.

#squad

The 10th edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) gets underway on August 4, with eight teams battling for the state T20 ******* le over 32 matches across two venues.
Defending champions iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans begin their ******* le defence against Dindigul Dragons in the tournament opener, while the final will take place on August 28.
The opening match and the Dindigul league leg, till August 15, will be staged at NPR College Ground in Dindigul.
Following a two-day break, the remaining league games, playoffs and the final will be held at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Fans in India can follow every match live on television as well as via online streaming, with afternoon and evening fixtures scheduled throughout the competition.

#league #final #match #premier

PHOENIX (AP) — Manny Machado had three hits and four RBIs, Randy Vásquez threw six scoreless innings and the San Diego Padres jumped out to a big early lead in a 9-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.
The Padres won for the ninth time in 11 games, moving one game behind the D-backs for the third and final National League wild-card playoff spot.
Jackson Merrill had three hits and two RBIs, while Jake Cronenworth also had a three-hit night. Vásquez (7-6) gave up just two hits and walked one while striking out one.
The Padres jumped all over All-Star Eduardo Rodríguez in the first inning with leadoff hitter Fernando Tatis Jr. starting the game with a double to left. Machado followed with an RBI double before Merrill and Xander Bogaerts added run-scoring singles for a 3-0 lead.
San Diego extended its advantage to 6-0 in the second, partly because of Arizona's sloppy defense. Jase Brown reached on a bunt single when there appeared to be confusion on who was covering first base and Ketel Marte's error on a grounder led to a pair of unearned runs.

#diego #merrill #jumped #lead

SEATTLE (AP) — Troy Melton threw seven sharp innings and Colt Keith hit a two-run single as the Detroit Tigers beat the Seattle Mariners 8-0 on Tuesday night to open their post-Tarik Skubal era.
Detroit (55-58) has won four straight and is one of several teams chasing the final AL wild card spot, moving within 1 1/2 games of Cleveland. Seattle (55-59) has lost nine of 13 and dropped 3 1/2 games behind Houston in the AL West.
The Tigers have scored at least eight runs in six straight games, tied for the longest such streak in franchise history.
Melton (7-1) continued his string of dominance since starting the season on the injured list. The right-hander, who has not allowed a run in his last 14 innings, struck out four, walked two and gave up three hits, lowering his ERA to 1.58 in 12 starts. He did not allow a Seattle batter to advance past second base.
The Tigers pulled ahead in the third inning. With two outs, Riley Greene hit a grounder to shortstop Colt Emerson, who made a poor throw to first, allowing a run to score. Keith followed with his single to right that made it 3-0.

#detroit

Someone is collecting signatures that might kill a racetrack by telling people it will save it. That is not a typo. Paid canvassers in Nashville were caught on hidden camera telling residents that signing their petition would protect the Fairgrounds Speedway from being torn down by corporate developers. The petition actually does the exact opposite. It strips racing's legal protections from the city charter and tries to open the land to housing construction. Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat down with Marcus Smith, Jeff Burton, and Matt Weaver to talk about it.
"My question is, if it's true, which there's video evidence of these folks seeking these signatures, stating false information or just incorrect information, how can that not be taken to de-legitimize the 50,000, 60,000 signatures they need?" said Dale Jr. on Wednesday's episode of The Dale Jr. Download.
"They are using actual government letterhead to give this to the residents. That's the moment it becomes a legal matter."
Residents who figured out they were misled are now trying to pull their names off the petition. But the Metro Clerk's office earlier told them they cannot before suggesting that anyone who would like to remove their name can contact Restore Our Fairgrounds. That said, former council members have already filed formal complaints demanding a full investigation.
The petition campaign has been backed by John Ingram, per reports, owner of Nashville SC.

#down #Legal

Sophie Cunningham sparked a debate about trans athletes in women's sports. It's been a hot topic in WNBA discourse for the past week, and now Stephen A. Smith has something to say.
The WNBA has recently become a bit of a battleground for a culture war issue. The Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham caused a stir when she spoke against trans athletes being allowed in women's sports.
This led to a cascading reaction. While many people agreed with Cunningham, many voiced their disagreement. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was prominent among the detractors.
As the controversy has raged on, more big names from around the sport have given their takes. And now Stephen A. Smith has gotten involved, calling Reeve out in the process.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

#sophie #smith #trans #many

George Lombard Jr.'s MLB debut was electric as the Yankees top prospect smashed a home run for his first hit and helped the team to a 2-0 win over the Cardinals on Tuesday night.
But what was more eye-opening was Lombard's defense.
That aspect of the shortstop's game was always considered major league ready, and Lombard showcased it, making every play hit to him and making some difficult plays seem routine.
"A great first night for him. The home run was great, the defense was tremendous," manager Aaron Boone said of Lombard's debut. "That play in the hole that he and Jazz turned was a pretty special turn. You see how fluid he is, how physical he is. Certainly a night to remember for him and his family, too."
The play Boone is referring to happened in the second inning. In a scoreless tie and the Cardinals looking to stack hits together, Blaze Jordan laced a grounder into the hole between short and third base. Lombard ranged to his left, scooped the ball up and fired to Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second in one fell swoop. Chisholm would complete the inning-ending double play.

#jazz #chisholm #home #first

The Royals got on the board first tonight against Joe Ryan. A pair of singles followed by a sac-fly RBI by Salvador Perez got the job done. Then, Michael Massey ripped a double to left-center to make it 2-0, Royals.
The Twins, who struggled against Randy Dobnak the last time they faced him, continued those struggles tonight. They finally got a run in the 4th inning after loading the bases with 1-out, on an Alan Roden sac-fly. Luke Keaschall would ground out to end the threat, however.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Royals, with the help of bad Twins defense, put together a 3-run inning. With 1 out, they got a single and a walk, then Bobby Witt Jr. doubled, scoring two. Witt would move to 3rd as Ryan Kreidler's throw home sailed over Ryan Jeffers' head. Witt then scored on the next at bat, on a grounder to 1st, beating the throw home by Royce Lewis. That gave the Royals a 5-1 lead.
It was a third rough start in a row by Joe Ryan, who exited after getting 1 out in the 6th and walking Isaac Collins. His final line was: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. His stuff just doesn't seem to be getting him enough strikeouts lately. Kody Funderburk did a good job, cleaning up the 6th inning and tossing a clean 7th as well.

#inning

Tarik Skubal had a perfectly fine Dodgers debut with six strikeouts in six strong innings. But the Dodgers couldn't score much at all, while the Cubs offense did just enough off Skubal then teed off on the bullpen in a 5-1 win at Wrigley Field, the season-worst fifth straight loss for the Dodgers.
Skubal allowed a home run to Dansby Swanson in the third inning, his only hit allowed the first time through the order. He struck out six, finishing off two of them with changeups, two more with four-seam fastballs, and one each with his sinker and curveball.
Dodgers defenders made several sharp plays behind Skubal, including two sliding catches in the outfield by Andy Pages and one by Kyle Tucker through the first three innings.
But in the sixth inning, a fly ball to deep right field by Alex Bregman that Tucker appeared to have a beat on simply dropped behind him for a double instead of an out. That put two runners in scoring position with one out. Tommy Edman with the infield in snagged a grounder and threw home to prevent a run from scoring, but a Baltimore chop in the infield into no-man's land behind the mound to second base fell for a Nico Horner single to score the go-ahead run.
Skubal was only at 85 pitches through six innings, but that was it for him, albeit after a stressful sixth inning, even with the bottom of the Cubs order due up in the seventh.

#innings #field #score #allowed

Last week marked Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. During the event, the conference unveiled its 2026 preseason honors list, One of the players to receive honors was USC quarterback Jayden Maiava.
Unlike a typical preseason all-conference team, the list consists of 12 players, with position not being taken into account. Hence, Maiava was one of three Big Ten quarterbacks to receive honors, along with Ohio State's Julian Sayin and Oregon's Dante Moore.
Maiava is entering his second full season as USC's starting quarterback. As a redshirt junior in 2025, he threw for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also adding six scores on the ground. The Trojans finished their 2025 campaign with a record of 9-4.
Maiava and USC will open the 2026 season on August 29 at the Coliseum against San Jose State.
Contact/Follow TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.

#quarterback

Blake Snell took another step toward rejoining the Dodgers starting rotation on Tuesday night, pitching 3 2/3 innings in his fourth and potentially final minor league rehab start, this time for Triple-A Oklahoma City on the road to face the Salt Lake Bees, and Angels affiliate.
This was a labored effort for Snell, who allowed a leadoff home run, one of two longballs he gave up on Tuesday. Snell also walked four. That drove up Snell's pitch count to 73 in 3 2/3 innings in a start the Dodgers hoped to see Snell complete five innings.
Prior to Tuesday, Snell had excellent control on this rehab **** ignment, walking only one of his 29 batters faced in his first three starts, the free pass coming on July 18 for Oklahoma City in Tacoma.
Snell just four pitches into the game, after the leadoff home run by Kyren Paris, had issue with the landing spot for his front foot on the mound. The grounds crew fixed the dirt and he didn't appear to have any problems with his delivery after that, though he did walk the aforementioned four batters after that happened.
A 27-pitch second inning didn't help Snell's effort to pitch deeper into the game. Two of his three strikeouts came in the fourth inning, his final frame.

#city

PHOENIX (AP) — The Trump administration has ordered construction crews on a border wall to stop drilling wells in drought-stricken New Mexico after ranchers said pumping groundwater needed to make concrete could threaten their livestock.
The order comes as crews across the southern border race to complete one of President Donald Trump's highest domestic priorities — barriers that span four states and received over $46 billion in federal funding. Controversies have sprouted up in Texas and California, with border-town residents and environmentalists reporting a wide variety of issues with construction.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which oversees border wall construction, has said water is needed to make concrete for roads, wall construction and dust suppression. Cattle ranchers in the area say the drought has already forced them to reduce their herd size.
"It would put us in an immediate catastrophe and having to do something with our livestock. I mean, it could potentially put some people out of business, us included," said Russell Johnson, a cattle rancher whose property runs along the border.
Johnson raised the issue at a public meeting in July after noticing an industrial well, which drilling crews told him would pump 300 gallons a minute, on land he leases for grazing. Johnson has roughly 12 wells across his ranch, which pump between three and seven gallons a minute.

#wall #cattle

Meghan Markle posted an Instagram Stories video on her birthday, August 4.
Her husband Prince Harry filmed her as she danced in their kitchen.
The ****** ss of Sussex sported a funny T-shirt that read, "It's giving Mrs."
Meghan Markle is having the time of her life as she celebrates her 45th birthday. On August 4, she showed off her dance moves in a video filmed by her husband, Prince Harry.
In a clip posted to her Instagram Stories, the ****** ss of Sussex wore her pajamas while cooking breakfast as music played in the background. Meghan wore flowy white pants and a funny graphic T-shirt read, "It's giving Mrs.," accessorizing with a colorful "Happy Birthday" headband.

#birthday #markle

The UFC and head man Dana White are known for being bold. They make events happen in all sorts of places around the globe and don't back down from huge challenges.
The latest triumph from the global MMA leader was Freedom 250. The octagon was brought to the White House. On this historic card, two ***** les were on the line, and some of the biggest names on the planet competed on the South Lawn.
MORE: UFC Power Rankings following Fight Night 283 in Belgrade
The event was groundbreaking, totaling 34 million viewers worldwide. The fights also produced from an entertainment standpoint, as all seven fights ended in TKOs.
It was truly a spectacle. Freedom 250 was capped off by an American breaking through to win the lightweight championship in Justin Gaethje.

#freedom #dana

Pittsford, N.Y. | Through minicamp and four days of Buffalo Bills training camp, nothing about Kaleb Elarms-Orr indicates he's rookie.
That is… besides the fact he was indeed selected by Brandon Beane in the middle of the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Immediately repping with the first-team unit at the outset of practices at St. John Fisher University, Elarms-Orr has looked like he's done this all before, regularly directing teammates pre-snap, and more importantly, acting as a magnet to the football against the run and in coverage.
And during Tuesday's practice, Elarms-Orr's edgy play sparked a large scuffle when he hit Dalton Kincaid after the tight end made a snag going to the ground during team drills.
The late-ish hit came following a KEO tackle of Ty Johnson on what looked like a perfectly blocked run play until the rookie linebacker emphatically closed the lane with a thudding hit.

#pittsford #buffalo

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Pakistan captain Babar Azam was denied his first test century in four years as West Indies fought back in the second and final cricket test on Tuesday.
Babar, who last scored a test century in December 2022 against New Zealand at Karachi, was run out for 88 by Brandon King's stunning direct throw from short cover before Pakistan's middle order collapsed and reached 333-6 at lunch on Day 3.
Pakistan still trails by 11 runs with Abdullah Shafique holding the fort at 132 not out and tailender Sajid Khan unbeaten on 16.
King picked up a lower back injury and had to be stretchered off after he fell awkwardly as his sharp throw ran out Babar at the striker's end when Shafique refused to go for a tight single and Babar couldn't recover his ground after running halfway to the wicket.
West Indies dried up runs through some disciplined bowling from Jomel Warrican and Jayden Seales after Pakistan resumed at 266-2.

#babar #west #runs