18 hours ago
NEW YORK - Eight pitches in, Ethan Pecko appeared on the edge of calamity. Francisco Lindor crushed a full-count fastball into the second deck at Citi Field. Juan Soto sent a first-pitch curveball over the wall in left-center. Bo Bichette punched a single through the right side of the Houston Astros' infield.
Houston pitching coach Josh Miller hustled to the mound for a visit. AJ Blubaugh began to throw in the visitors' bullpen. Turning there so early might have torpedoed an already tenuous staff. Pecko, still, was making his third major-league start, and a series against the Mets hung in the balance Sunday.
Miller's message?
"To be honest, I don't even know," Pecko said afterward. "I was pretty comfortable with where I was at. Obviously, you don't want to give up two home runs back-to-back. But even the single, like, I knew the stuff was good. And I kind of just knew I could shake it off and keep going."
Instead of an early exit, Pecko engineered a recovery. The 24-year-old right-hander stabilized his outing enough to work five innings that kept the Astros position to stage a comeback, preserved their pitching structure and offered perhaps the most encouraging step yet in his big-league introduction.
#astros
Houston pitching coach Josh Miller hustled to the mound for a visit. AJ Blubaugh began to throw in the visitors' bullpen. Turning there so early might have torpedoed an already tenuous staff. Pecko, still, was making his third major-league start, and a series against the Mets hung in the balance Sunday.
Miller's message?
"To be honest, I don't even know," Pecko said afterward. "I was pretty comfortable with where I was at. Obviously, you don't want to give up two home runs back-to-back. But even the single, like, I knew the stuff was good. And I kind of just knew I could shake it off and keep going."
Instead of an early exit, Pecko engineered a recovery. The 24-year-old right-hander stabilized his outing enough to work five innings that kept the Astros position to stage a comeback, preserved their pitching structure and offered perhaps the most encouraging step yet in his big-league introduction.
#astros
1 day ago
The Basha and Chandler high school football teams both showed why they are nationally ranked during their season-opening game on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Each time Chandler scored, it was answered by Basha with either a big play by receiver Makai Nelson or a defensive statement during the top-ranked Bears' 37-26 win before an overflow crowd at Basha High and a national TV audience on ESPN.
The game was a rematch of last year's Open Division **** le game, won by Basha. Both teams entered the game ranked among the Top 25 nationally, with Basha No. 1 in The Arizona Republic's preseason 6A rankings and Chandler No. 3.
This game was a much more competitive contest than last year's championship, which Basha won 34-7.
"They battled through adversity," Basha coach Chris McDonald said of his team. "They got punched in the mouth, and they punched back."
#basha #game #ranked #punched
Each time Chandler scored, it was answered by Basha with either a big play by receiver Makai Nelson or a defensive statement during the top-ranked Bears' 37-26 win before an overflow crowd at Basha High and a national TV audience on ESPN.
The game was a rematch of last year's Open Division **** le game, won by Basha. Both teams entered the game ranked among the Top 25 nationally, with Basha No. 1 in The Arizona Republic's preseason 6A rankings and Chandler No. 3.
This game was a much more competitive contest than last year's championship, which Basha won 34-7.
"They battled through adversity," Basha coach Chris McDonald said of his team. "They got punched in the mouth, and they punched back."
#basha #game #ranked #punched
2 days ago
Moses Itauma has a lot of changes to make if he's to become a boxing world champion in the future.
Itauma, 21, had the chance Saturday at London's O2 Arena to become the youngest heavyweight world champion since Mike Tyson. All he had to do was beat veteran contender Filip Hrgovic and claim the vacant IBF heavyweight world ******* le.
Despite winning the first round, knocking Hrgovic down in the second, and dominating many of the subsequent rounds with his dazzling offense and fast hands, Itauma nonetheless showed his inexperience, according to his promoter Frank Warren. He fell in love with his power and abandoned his jab, the Queensberry Promotions founder said.
Itauma (14-1, 12 KOs) ultimately punched himself out and lost in the ninth round, when he could barely stand on his own accord. He threw slower, more sluggish shots, and he was there for the taking. Hrgovic, 34, simply needed only to survive in order to claim the win once it was given to him.
"Moses started the fight really well — controlling the fight with his jab, but it didn't work out for him," Warren, Itauma's longtime promoter, said post-fight.
#heavyweight
Itauma, 21, had the chance Saturday at London's O2 Arena to become the youngest heavyweight world champion since Mike Tyson. All he had to do was beat veteran contender Filip Hrgovic and claim the vacant IBF heavyweight world ******* le.
Despite winning the first round, knocking Hrgovic down in the second, and dominating many of the subsequent rounds with his dazzling offense and fast hands, Itauma nonetheless showed his inexperience, according to his promoter Frank Warren. He fell in love with his power and abandoned his jab, the Queensberry Promotions founder said.
Itauma (14-1, 12 KOs) ultimately punched himself out and lost in the ninth round, when he could barely stand on his own accord. He threw slower, more sluggish shots, and he was there for the taking. Hrgovic, 34, simply needed only to survive in order to claim the win once it was given to him.
"Moses started the fight really well — controlling the fight with his jab, but it didn't work out for him," Warren, Itauma's longtime promoter, said post-fight.
#heavyweight
2 days ago
Denise Gomes may have punched her ticket to a UFC women's strawweight ***** le shot earlier this morning (Sat., Aug. 29, 2026) at UFC Shanghai LIVE on Paramount+ from inside the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China, after stifling former UFC ***** le challenger Yan Xiaonan with a powerful first-round knockout (head kick and punches).
This co-main event matchup may not have jumped off the paper for many fight fans, but it always had the potential to deliver fireworks. That's because Yan is one of the most seasoned vets on the 115-pound roster and Gomes is one of the most vicious finishers. It was a recipe for disaster and one strawweight was going to end up on the losing end. Unfortunately for Yan, that was her in front of her own home crowd.
While Yan had her moments in the first round it was all about Gomes and her ability to land hard shots at almost every turn. Yan did well to stay busy and prevent Gomes from really pulling ahead, but that all changed when Gomes unleashed a head kick with 15 seconds left on the clock. It landed flush, cracked Yan, and allowed Gomes to land a few follow-up punches to earn the knockout stoppage.
Check out the video highlights below:
For complete UFC Shanghai results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
#strawweight
This co-main event matchup may not have jumped off the paper for many fight fans, but it always had the potential to deliver fireworks. That's because Yan is one of the most seasoned vets on the 115-pound roster and Gomes is one of the most vicious finishers. It was a recipe for disaster and one strawweight was going to end up on the losing end. Unfortunately for Yan, that was her in front of her own home crowd.
While Yan had her moments in the first round it was all about Gomes and her ability to land hard shots at almost every turn. Yan did well to stay busy and prevent Gomes from really pulling ahead, but that all changed when Gomes unleashed a head kick with 15 seconds left on the clock. It landed flush, cracked Yan, and allowed Gomes to land a few follow-up punches to earn the knockout stoppage.
Check out the video highlights below:
For complete UFC Shanghai results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
#strawweight
3 days ago
On the upside, Najee Harris has a nice start.
A promising drive is cut short by another turnover. Braxton Berrios has the ball punched out while he tries to pick up yards after the catch.
Najee Harris running like a former 1st rounder.
Could Ben Sauls (or Dominic Zvada?) be a Jet come Sunday?
Odell Beckham slips, and a tipped pass bounces off his hands for the interception.
#najee #sauls
A promising drive is cut short by another turnover. Braxton Berrios has the ball punched out while he tries to pick up yards after the catch.
Najee Harris running like a former 1st rounder.
Could Ben Sauls (or Dominic Zvada?) be a Jet come Sunday?
Odell Beckham slips, and a tipped pass bounces off his hands for the interception.
#najee #sauls
4 days ago
"Untouchable" defined the performance of Chris Sale, outdueling Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a battle of aces that lived up to expectations as the Braves won 1-0. Raising their respective games up to the occasion, Yamamoto and Sale made true on the standard **** umption that great pitching beats great hitting, operating as the two best players in the game. An early ambush from leadoff hitter Drake Baldwin proved the difference maker, homering in the bottom of the opening frame on the first pitch Yamamoto threw.
Facing the likes of Sale and Yamamoto, one cannot afford to get behind in the count, and it's with that thought in mind that both teams shared a similar approach early in the game. The Dodgers and Braves came out swinging early and often, trying to avoid any two-strike counts against pitchers with different paths to the same destination: one of utter domination.
In that approach, Atlanta was able to draw first blood when Drake Baldwin guessed right and crushed a not-so-well-located heater in the zone. While on a fundamental level it makes sense to be more willing to swing early as a team, the risks of it are fairly clear, and the Dodgers suffered from it. Aggressive swinging ensures you won't be capable of drawing out long at-bats, and you're a few lousy contacts away from allowing the opposing starter to go deeper into the game than he normally would, maintaining a low pitch count. And Sale did exactly that, with his first complete game shutout since 2019.
One of the rare Dodgers with success against Sale in this game was Mookie Betts, twice taking advantage of down-and-in off-speed pitches that didn't quite break enough. Still, without leaving the yard, Mookie was just a helpless spectator on the basepaths, which included getting stranded at second after a leadoff double in the fourth.
If players ever try to downplay the extra significance of certain moments, point to what we saw from Sale against Shohei Ohtani in the fifth inning as an argument against it. Hitting with one on and two outs, Ohtani was punched out by Sale on a 100 mph fastball up above the zone, Sale's fastest pitch in nearly a decade, giving Ohtani all it had and then some.
#sale #early #Dodgers #drake
Facing the likes of Sale and Yamamoto, one cannot afford to get behind in the count, and it's with that thought in mind that both teams shared a similar approach early in the game. The Dodgers and Braves came out swinging early and often, trying to avoid any two-strike counts against pitchers with different paths to the same destination: one of utter domination.
In that approach, Atlanta was able to draw first blood when Drake Baldwin guessed right and crushed a not-so-well-located heater in the zone. While on a fundamental level it makes sense to be more willing to swing early as a team, the risks of it are fairly clear, and the Dodgers suffered from it. Aggressive swinging ensures you won't be capable of drawing out long at-bats, and you're a few lousy contacts away from allowing the opposing starter to go deeper into the game than he normally would, maintaining a low pitch count. And Sale did exactly that, with his first complete game shutout since 2019.
One of the rare Dodgers with success against Sale in this game was Mookie Betts, twice taking advantage of down-and-in off-speed pitches that didn't quite break enough. Still, without leaving the yard, Mookie was just a helpless spectator on the basepaths, which included getting stranded at second after a leadoff double in the fourth.
If players ever try to downplay the extra significance of certain moments, point to what we saw from Sale against Shohei Ohtani in the fifth inning as an argument against it. Hitting with one on and two outs, Ohtani was punched out by Sale on a 100 mph fastball up above the zone, Sale's fastest pitch in nearly a decade, giving Ohtani all it had and then some.
#sale #early #Dodgers #drake
5 days ago
A.J. Cavotta will cap a standout golf year with an autumn trip to Florida.
A teaching pro at Anders Mattson Golf in Saratoga Springs, Cavotta grabbed Northeastern New York's PGA berth into the 50th **** istant PGA Professional Championship, shooting a 3-under-par 139 over 36 holes Monday at Mohawk to win the section's **** istants Championship.
Cavotta, 24, the 2019 Times Union boys' golf Athlete of the Year from Saratoga Springs, was in a three-way tie with Nolan Crowley, who also works at Mattson's studio, and Nick Frankl of Albany. A bogey-free second round of 5-under 66 gave Cavotta a five-stroke victory over Crowley, the 2018 TU boys' golf Athlete of the Year who also played at Saratoga.
The victory punched Cavotta's ticket to Port St. Lucie, Fla., where the Wanamaker Course at the PGA Golf Club will play host to the national **** istants championship Nov. 12-15, and adds to a 2026 season in which he:
• earned $40,000 by winning the Next Golf Tour Championship, a worldwide circuit played on golf simulators (February)
• finished fourth in the Massachusetts Open, taking home $4,500 (June)
• captured the $2,000 top prize at the Donald Ross Classic at Glens Falls, his first major victory in the NENYPGA (June)
• placed second in the New York Open, losing in a playoff, at Bethpage Black, winning $11,000 (July)
• took sixth in the Canada Cup at Victoriaville, Quebec, worth $4,900 (August)
• was selected as the NENYPGA's **** istant Professional of the Year (August)
Scotia native Laura Diaz, now living in Winston-Salem, N.C., tied for seventh in the U.S. Senior Women's Open in Ann Arbor, Mich., 10 shots behind winner Maria McBride of Sweden. Diaz, 51, hit all 14 fairways in three of her four rounds. She tied for 15th last season in her first year of eligibility. … Samantha Schuffenecker has been named the new women's golf coach at Union.
#cavotta #open #professional
A teaching pro at Anders Mattson Golf in Saratoga Springs, Cavotta grabbed Northeastern New York's PGA berth into the 50th **** istant PGA Professional Championship, shooting a 3-under-par 139 over 36 holes Monday at Mohawk to win the section's **** istants Championship.
Cavotta, 24, the 2019 Times Union boys' golf Athlete of the Year from Saratoga Springs, was in a three-way tie with Nolan Crowley, who also works at Mattson's studio, and Nick Frankl of Albany. A bogey-free second round of 5-under 66 gave Cavotta a five-stroke victory over Crowley, the 2018 TU boys' golf Athlete of the Year who also played at Saratoga.
The victory punched Cavotta's ticket to Port St. Lucie, Fla., where the Wanamaker Course at the PGA Golf Club will play host to the national **** istants championship Nov. 12-15, and adds to a 2026 season in which he:
• earned $40,000 by winning the Next Golf Tour Championship, a worldwide circuit played on golf simulators (February)
• finished fourth in the Massachusetts Open, taking home $4,500 (June)
• captured the $2,000 top prize at the Donald Ross Classic at Glens Falls, his first major victory in the NENYPGA (June)
• placed second in the New York Open, losing in a playoff, at Bethpage Black, winning $11,000 (July)
• took sixth in the Canada Cup at Victoriaville, Quebec, worth $4,900 (August)
• was selected as the NENYPGA's **** istant Professional of the Year (August)
Scotia native Laura Diaz, now living in Winston-Salem, N.C., tied for seventh in the U.S. Senior Women's Open in Ann Arbor, Mich., 10 shots behind winner Maria McBride of Sweden. Diaz, 51, hit all 14 fairways in three of her four rounds. She tied for 15th last season in her first year of eligibility. … Samantha Schuffenecker has been named the new women's golf coach at Union.
#cavotta #open #professional
6 days ago
The Rays had their chance to take control of this one in the fourth inning with the bases loaded and just one out. Jackson Jobe, the Tigers' starter, was floundering having allowed three hits, a walk and a run in the first five batters. Nonetheless, the Rays were able to muster just the one run as Richie Palacios was unable to put the ball in play, instead striking out looking, and Taylor Walls grounded to first to officially end the threat. Jobe escaped allowing just the one run; the first and only run the Rays would score the entire game.
And that is pretty much the storyline for this one. The pitching was fine. Not great, but certainly serviceable. If nothing else, Legumina and Seymour combining for all eight innings gives Kevin Cash a lot of options for the series finale on Wednesday. The bats were quiet. Four of their five hits came in the first four innings and their last hit came in the eighth. They tallied four singles and a double.
Legumina opened this one and tossed 2.1 solid innings of work allowing just one hit while punching out a pair. Seymour followed and threw the final 5.2 innings. He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits. He punched out five and walked none.
After the Rays failed to break this one open in the fourth, the Tigers jumped out to a three-run lead in the fifth and never looked back. Torkelson singled to start the inning and later scored on a two-run shot off the bat of rookie Max Clark. The final run scored on a 2-out error.
Then, in the seventh inning the Tigers tacked on another run to make it a 4-1 lead. After allowing a leadoff triple to Javier Baez, Seymour was a pitch away from escaping the threat, but allowed a 2-out RBI-single to Hao-Yu Lee.
#inning #three #hits
And that is pretty much the storyline for this one. The pitching was fine. Not great, but certainly serviceable. If nothing else, Legumina and Seymour combining for all eight innings gives Kevin Cash a lot of options for the series finale on Wednesday. The bats were quiet. Four of their five hits came in the first four innings and their last hit came in the eighth. They tallied four singles and a double.
Legumina opened this one and tossed 2.1 solid innings of work allowing just one hit while punching out a pair. Seymour followed and threw the final 5.2 innings. He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits. He punched out five and walked none.
After the Rays failed to break this one open in the fourth, the Tigers jumped out to a three-run lead in the fifth and never looked back. Torkelson singled to start the inning and later scored on a two-run shot off the bat of rookie Max Clark. The final run scored on a 2-out error.
Then, in the seventh inning the Tigers tacked on another run to make it a 4-1 lead. After allowing a leadoff triple to Javier Baez, Seymour was a pitch away from escaping the threat, but allowed a 2-out RBI-single to Hao-Yu Lee.
#inning #three #hits
6 days ago
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has called for a severe punishment following Brydon Carse's latest involvement in a nightclub incident, saying the ECB must take action strong enough to deter the entire England cricket setup from similar behaviour.
Carse became the latest England player to attract scrutiny after a video emerged showing the fast bowler handcuffed by police outside a nightclub. He was briefly arrested while out with Durham team-mates Ben Stokes and Matthew Potts, leading the England and Wales Cricket Board to investigate the incident.
Carse had been part of England's squad for two of the three Tests against Pakistan but was released to play for Durham after being left out of the XI for the first Test at Leeds. He contributed 26 runs and returned figures of 2-82 as Durham beat Derbyshire inside three days.
The 30-year-old then went out with his Durham team-mates to celebrate the victory, during which the incident occurred.
The ECB subsequently confirmed that Carse "will no longer be available for selection" for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday. Hampshire right-arm seamer Sonny Baker has been called up as his replacement.
Vaughan believes the latest episode requires a response that sends a clear message across English cricket.
"Someone is going to have to get a punishment that sends a shiver down the whole England cricket team and right down through the programme, so that everyone knows that if you misbehave or bring any kind of bad reputation on to this team, you know what's going to come," former England captain Vaughan said on BBC Radio. "It's the only punishment that will really hurt players."
Carse's case comes amid a series of off-field incidents involving England players over the past year. Last October, white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington, New Zealand, while Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue were also present.
During the Ashes tour of Australia, Ben Duckett was filmed apparently drunk during England's holiday in Noosa.
Then, in June, former Test captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson broke a team curfew and were present when a member of England's security staff was punched by Saracens rugby player in a London nightclub.
Vaughan acknowledged that Carse could feel hard done by if he is punished heavily in light of the wider pattern of incidents.
"I hope Carse is getting good support around him. He is a character who can be a little bit loose and if you give him a bit of rope he'll take a huge amount of it. He needs people around him who are giving him better advice.
"I would feel for Carse if he is the one who takes the rap for what has happened over the past nine months, but somewhere, somehow, something has to be done to set a precedent that they won't stand for that behaviour any more," said Vaughan.
#vaughan #nightclub
Carse became the latest England player to attract scrutiny after a video emerged showing the fast bowler handcuffed by police outside a nightclub. He was briefly arrested while out with Durham team-mates Ben Stokes and Matthew Potts, leading the England and Wales Cricket Board to investigate the incident.
Carse had been part of England's squad for two of the three Tests against Pakistan but was released to play for Durham after being left out of the XI for the first Test at Leeds. He contributed 26 runs and returned figures of 2-82 as Durham beat Derbyshire inside three days.
The 30-year-old then went out with his Durham team-mates to celebrate the victory, during which the incident occurred.
The ECB subsequently confirmed that Carse "will no longer be available for selection" for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday. Hampshire right-arm seamer Sonny Baker has been called up as his replacement.
Vaughan believes the latest episode requires a response that sends a clear message across English cricket.
"Someone is going to have to get a punishment that sends a shiver down the whole England cricket team and right down through the programme, so that everyone knows that if you misbehave or bring any kind of bad reputation on to this team, you know what's going to come," former England captain Vaughan said on BBC Radio. "It's the only punishment that will really hurt players."
Carse's case comes amid a series of off-field incidents involving England players over the past year. Last October, white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer outside a nightclub in Wellington, New Zealand, while Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue were also present.
During the Ashes tour of Australia, Ben Duckett was filmed apparently drunk during England's holiday in Noosa.
Then, in June, former Test captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson broke a team curfew and were present when a member of England's security staff was punched by Saracens rugby player in a London nightclub.
Vaughan acknowledged that Carse could feel hard done by if he is punished heavily in light of the wider pattern of incidents.
"I hope Carse is getting good support around him. He is a character who can be a little bit loose and if you give him a bit of rope he'll take a huge amount of it. He needs people around him who are giving him better advice.
"I would feel for Carse if he is the one who takes the rap for what has happened over the past nine months, but somewhere, somehow, something has to be done to set a precedent that they won't stand for that behaviour any more," said Vaughan.
#vaughan #nightclub
7 days ago
It was one of the riskiest singles Dhruv Jurel would have taken in his Test career. Anxious to complete his second Test century — and first overseas hundred — after being stranded on 99 for 12 ******* and made to wait by rain while on 95, Jurel punched the ball towards mid-off and sprinted for a single that just wasn't on.
The ball travelled quickly to the fielder after bouncing. But luck smiled on the 25-year-old batter. The fielder missed the direct hit and Jurel dived to complete the run and his century, which came off 171 ******* and had the entire Indian dressing room applauding as they shared the tension. Mohammed Siraj celebrated wildly, giving Jurel a bear hug.
Powered by Jurel's composed and flawless unbeaten 115 off 177 ******* , with nine fours and two sixes, and Rishabh Pant's entertaining 63 off 89 ******* , with six fours and two sixes, India declared at 503 for nine. Then, they reduced Sri Lanka to 8/2 on Day Two of the second and final Test in Colombo on Monday.
The hosts were clearly unhappy about being asked to bat in fading light. Yashasvi Jaiswal pulled off a brilliant diving catch at gully to send back Lahiru Udara for one off Prasidh Krishna in the second over.
In the third over, the hosts suffered another blow when nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya was trapped LBW for two by a fast, full delivery from Manav Suthar. Jayasuriya's agitated reaction after being dismissed reflected Sri Lanka's unhappiness at being asked to bat so late in the evening.
Kamil Mishara was batting on five when stumps were drawn at 5:51pm after an extended session. Shubman Gill and Co. deserve credit for their bowlers' early blows, as they did not leave the field even when the covers were being brought on because of the dark, wet conditions a few minutes earlier.
With the hosts trailing by 495 runs, India are now in control of the Test.
Jurel was involved in two vital partnerships, adding 112 for the seventh wicket with Pant, which lifted India from 307 for six, and 39 for the eighth with Manav Suthar. During his stand with Pant, Jurel played the ideal foil, reaching a patient fifty off 97 ******* .
Like Devdutt Padikkal, Jurel has enjoyed a breakout series. Having arrived in Sri Lanka without a fifty in eight innings and under pressure from Sarfaraz Khan for the No. 6 spot, he made a crucial 51 in the first Test and now has 173 runs in two Tests at 86.50.
Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, struck his 21st Test half-century and became India's leading run-scorer in World Test Championship history, surpassing Shubman Gill. Pant now has 2,948 runs in 42 WTC Tests, ahead of Gill's 2,917.
Earlier, India resumed on 300 for five and lost debutant Saransh Jain early for six.
#jurel
The ball travelled quickly to the fielder after bouncing. But luck smiled on the 25-year-old batter. The fielder missed the direct hit and Jurel dived to complete the run and his century, which came off 171 ******* and had the entire Indian dressing room applauding as they shared the tension. Mohammed Siraj celebrated wildly, giving Jurel a bear hug.
Powered by Jurel's composed and flawless unbeaten 115 off 177 ******* , with nine fours and two sixes, and Rishabh Pant's entertaining 63 off 89 ******* , with six fours and two sixes, India declared at 503 for nine. Then, they reduced Sri Lanka to 8/2 on Day Two of the second and final Test in Colombo on Monday.
The hosts were clearly unhappy about being asked to bat in fading light. Yashasvi Jaiswal pulled off a brilliant diving catch at gully to send back Lahiru Udara for one off Prasidh Krishna in the second over.
In the third over, the hosts suffered another blow when nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya was trapped LBW for two by a fast, full delivery from Manav Suthar. Jayasuriya's agitated reaction after being dismissed reflected Sri Lanka's unhappiness at being asked to bat so late in the evening.
Kamil Mishara was batting on five when stumps were drawn at 5:51pm after an extended session. Shubman Gill and Co. deserve credit for their bowlers' early blows, as they did not leave the field even when the covers were being brought on because of the dark, wet conditions a few minutes earlier.
With the hosts trailing by 495 runs, India are now in control of the Test.
Jurel was involved in two vital partnerships, adding 112 for the seventh wicket with Pant, which lifted India from 307 for six, and 39 for the eighth with Manav Suthar. During his stand with Pant, Jurel played the ideal foil, reaching a patient fifty off 97 ******* .
Like Devdutt Padikkal, Jurel has enjoyed a breakout series. Having arrived in Sri Lanka without a fifty in eight innings and under pressure from Sarfaraz Khan for the No. 6 spot, he made a crucial 51 in the first Test and now has 173 runs in two Tests at 86.50.
Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, struck his 21st Test half-century and became India's leading run-scorer in World Test Championship history, surpassing Shubman Gill. Pant now has 2,948 runs in 42 WTC Tests, ahead of Gill's 2,917.
Earlier, India resumed on 300 for five and lost debutant Saransh Jain early for six.
#jurel
7 days ago
Shia LaBeouf confessed he has been drinking daily since being sentenced to two years of probation in connection to a physical altercation inside a New Orleans bar.
A document recounting a probation status hearing that the actor attended sans lawyer on Wednesday (August 19), first spotted by TMZ and reviewed by Complex, shows that LaBeouf stated he has been checking in with his probation officer, and has provided proof showing he will complete anger management training and substance abuse treatment by next month. The doc also revealed that the actor denied mental health treatment and admitted to drinking alcohol daily.
LaBeouf was arrested in February following an incident where the actor allegedly struck a man several times outside of a bar with a closed fist before returning to the establishment and "acting even more aggressive," causing multiple people to step in and hold him down.
When they allowed LaBeouf to get up in the hopes that he would leave, he struck the same man again in the upper body, and punched another man in the nose.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
#actor #drinking #daily
A document recounting a probation status hearing that the actor attended sans lawyer on Wednesday (August 19), first spotted by TMZ and reviewed by Complex, shows that LaBeouf stated he has been checking in with his probation officer, and has provided proof showing he will complete anger management training and substance abuse treatment by next month. The doc also revealed that the actor denied mental health treatment and admitted to drinking alcohol daily.
LaBeouf was arrested in February following an incident where the actor allegedly struck a man several times outside of a bar with a closed fist before returning to the establishment and "acting even more aggressive," causing multiple people to step in and hold him down.
When they allowed LaBeouf to get up in the hopes that he would leave, he struck the same man again in the upper body, and punched another man in the nose.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
#actor #drinking #daily
7 days ago
England fast bowler Brydon Carse is under investigation after an incident at a nightclub in Derby on Saturday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Sunday.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show Carse being led away from a club in handcuffs by four police officers. Carse, who is part of England's squad for the second Test against Pakistan, was seen outside a nightclub in Derby.
Durham and England teammate Matthew Potts was seen speaking to Carse, while former England captain Ben Stokes also appeared in the background.
Carse was briefly detained at the scene but was not arrested, according to The Telegraph. He returned to the team hotel soon afterwards.
"We are aware of an incident which is reported to have taken place in Derby last night, and are currently investigating," the ECB said in a statement.
"We will provide a further update when possible."
Carse and Potts had played for Durham earlier on Saturday as they beat Derbyshire by 338 runs in a second-division County Championship match in Derby.
Carse, 31, has played 14 Tests and was included in England's squad for the first two Tests of the three-match series against Pakistan. He did not feature in the opening Test at Headingley, where England lost by an innings and 103 runs inside three days.
The second Test at Lord's starts on Thursday.
The incident comes amid a series of off-field episodes involving England players over the past year.
The most serious involved Test vice-captain Harry Brook, who was punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington in the early hours of November 1 last year, shortly before he was due to lead England in an ODI against New Zealand.
During the Ashes, a mid-series break in Noosa also drew attention to the players' drinking.
More recently, Stokes and Gus Atkinson stayed out beyond England's new midnight curfew after the first Test against New Zealand this summer. Both were stood down for the following Test at The Oval as part of a disciplinary process.
Stokes retired from Test cricket at the end of that series and was replaced as captain by Joe Root, who had previously led England from 2017 to 2022.
One of Root's first decisions after returning to the role was to remove the curfew and tell his players to "be adults".
#england #derby
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show Carse being led away from a club in handcuffs by four police officers. Carse, who is part of England's squad for the second Test against Pakistan, was seen outside a nightclub in Derby.
Durham and England teammate Matthew Potts was seen speaking to Carse, while former England captain Ben Stokes also appeared in the background.
Carse was briefly detained at the scene but was not arrested, according to The Telegraph. He returned to the team hotel soon afterwards.
"We are aware of an incident which is reported to have taken place in Derby last night, and are currently investigating," the ECB said in a statement.
"We will provide a further update when possible."
Carse and Potts had played for Durham earlier on Saturday as they beat Derbyshire by 338 runs in a second-division County Championship match in Derby.
Carse, 31, has played 14 Tests and was included in England's squad for the first two Tests of the three-match series against Pakistan. He did not feature in the opening Test at Headingley, where England lost by an innings and 103 runs inside three days.
The second Test at Lord's starts on Thursday.
The incident comes amid a series of off-field episodes involving England players over the past year.
The most serious involved Test vice-captain Harry Brook, who was punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington in the early hours of November 1 last year, shortly before he was due to lead England in an ODI against New Zealand.
During the Ashes, a mid-series break in Noosa also drew attention to the players' drinking.
More recently, Stokes and Gus Atkinson stayed out beyond England's new midnight curfew after the first Test against New Zealand this summer. Both were stood down for the following Test at The Oval as part of a disciplinary process.
Stokes retired from Test cricket at the end of that series and was replaced as captain by Joe Root, who had previously led England from 2017 to 2022.
One of Root's first decisions after returning to the role was to remove the curfew and tell his players to "be adults".
#england #derby
8 days ago
The Indiana Fever have punched their ticket to the playoffs but have also lost two straight after winning five in a row.
They finish a five-game road trip at the Chicago Sky on Sunday at Winfield Arena (7 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock).
Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell had her 22nd consecutive game with 20 or more points in a loss to the Liberty on Saturday. She is averaging 24.6 points a game. Caitlin Clark is adding 21.7 points and 8.7 ******* ists and Aliyah Boston 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Chicago has won three straight and is still alive in the postseason race. Kamilla Cardoso is averaging 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds to lead the Sky. Undrafted rookie Sydney Taylor adds 14.5 points a game.
The Fever and Sky have played twice this season. Indiana won both, including a 90-86 victory on Aug. 8.
#fever #Chicago #straight
They finish a five-game road trip at the Chicago Sky on Sunday at Winfield Arena (7 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock).
Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell had her 22nd consecutive game with 20 or more points in a loss to the Liberty on Saturday. She is averaging 24.6 points a game. Caitlin Clark is adding 21.7 points and 8.7 ******* ists and Aliyah Boston 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Chicago has won three straight and is still alive in the postseason race. Kamilla Cardoso is averaging 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds to lead the Sky. Undrafted rookie Sydney Taylor adds 14.5 points a game.
The Fever and Sky have played twice this season. Indiana won both, including a 90-86 victory on Aug. 8.
#fever #Chicago #straight
10 days ago
Friday night was a long time coming for Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks.
Over two years after he was selected in the second round of the 2024 draft, Brooks reached an NFL end zone for the first time in his career. The score came in the opening quarter of Carolina's 34-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the 23-year-old punched in a 1-yard run to give the starting offense their first touchdown of the preseason.
And although it isn't his first official NFL touchdown, the moment is something that Brooks will probably cherish for the rest of his life.
"I definitely think a lot of excitement. I think a lot of excitement because I followed God's plan," Brooks stated. "Just to see it unfold in front my eyes is pretty amazing. Just to know what faith can do for you, as long as you stay steadfast and you know what happens whenever you keep your head down, work and trust in God and believe in his plan.
"I know it doesn't really count for the books. But for me, it's everything. It's something that me and my father have talked about since I was younger. And just to be able to get the first one, even though it doesn't count, just means a lot."
#excitement
Over two years after he was selected in the second round of the 2024 draft, Brooks reached an NFL end zone for the first time in his career. The score came in the opening quarter of Carolina's 34-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the 23-year-old punched in a 1-yard run to give the starting offense their first touchdown of the preseason.
And although it isn't his first official NFL touchdown, the moment is something that Brooks will probably cherish for the rest of his life.
"I definitely think a lot of excitement. I think a lot of excitement because I followed God's plan," Brooks stated. "Just to see it unfold in front my eyes is pretty amazing. Just to know what faith can do for you, as long as you stay steadfast and you know what happens whenever you keep your head down, work and trust in God and believe in his plan.
"I know it doesn't really count for the books. But for me, it's everything. It's something that me and my father have talked about since I was younger. And just to be able to get the first one, even though it doesn't count, just means a lot."
#excitement
13 days ago
The runs came early and often for the Red Sox in this one as they scored in the five of the first seven frames, including three in the opening inning to set the tone. However, the most impressive baseball of the night came in the bottom of the third.
Right after Ranger Suarez served up a grand slam to erase an early 3-0 Sox lead, Boston counterpunched and posted a pair of runs on their own. Adley Rutschman got things started with this home run.
View Link
That bomb was impressive for two reasons: First, Rutschman's struggled out of the gate in his first week in a Red Sox uniform, going 0 for his last 18 before this series started. So getting him off the schneid is an encouraging sign.
But secondly, when and how a guy breaks out of a slump tells you a little something about how useful they might be in a playoff push, and this shot checked a bunch of boxes. It was a home run, it was crushed, it tied the game, it came right after Arizona scored four runs. Lots to like there!
#first
Right after Ranger Suarez served up a grand slam to erase an early 3-0 Sox lead, Boston counterpunched and posted a pair of runs on their own. Adley Rutschman got things started with this home run.
View Link
That bomb was impressive for two reasons: First, Rutschman's struggled out of the gate in his first week in a Red Sox uniform, going 0 for his last 18 before this series started. So getting him off the schneid is an encouraging sign.
But secondly, when and how a guy breaks out of a slump tells you a little something about how useful they might be in a playoff push, and this shot checked a bunch of boxes. It was a home run, it was crushed, it tied the game, it came right after Arizona scored four runs. Lots to like there!
#first
13 days ago
Redemption!
Former LFA fighter Alik Lorenz more than likely punched his ticket to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) when he smoked Brazil's Mahamed Aly in the first round tonight (Tues., Aug. 18, 2026) during Week 2 of Season 10 of Contender Series inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Both Lorenz and Aly were returning to the show after suffering quick knockout losses during Season 9 of Contender Series.
However, it was Lorenz who returned with a vengeance.
Lorenz came out quickly, charging at Aly while firing overhand rights. He then switched things up with monstrous uppercuts that repeatedly found their target.
#season #fighting #championship
Former LFA fighter Alik Lorenz more than likely punched his ticket to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) when he smoked Brazil's Mahamed Aly in the first round tonight (Tues., Aug. 18, 2026) during Week 2 of Season 10 of Contender Series inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Both Lorenz and Aly were returning to the show after suffering quick knockout losses during Season 9 of Contender Series.
However, it was Lorenz who returned with a vengeance.
Lorenz came out quickly, charging at Aly while firing overhand rights. He then switched things up with monstrous uppercuts that repeatedly found their target.
#season #fighting #championship
13 days ago
Belal Muhammad agrees with Dana White that Ian Machado Garry lacked killer instinct at UFC 330.
Machado Garry (17-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) was criticized by the UFC boss for being too friendly in his ***** le loss to welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (29-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) in Saturday's main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. With one judge having the fight tied at two rounds a piece heading into Round 5, Muhammad expected Machado Garry to go for it more.
"What's with this hugging? You're down in the fifth round. You've got to have the killer instinct," Muhammad said on his YouTube channel. "You've got to for it. His face wasn't beat up. It was an Adesanya vs. Gastelum war where you're like, 'Let's do it.' You were losing. Mindset-wise, he needs to flip the switch. His mindset was we didn't get tapped, we got up from a couple of takedowns, those are wins for him, and he has to change that. Stock-wise, he's going to learn from it. He's going to get better from it, but this game is unforgiving.
"You go against Morales next. You get one-punched and get knocked out. That head kick that Islam landed on you in the second round, if it knocked you out, it changes everything else. You can't waste an opportunity. You can't waste a moment, and I felt like he definitely wasted moments there. The one sequence that I was like Islam has this fight – obviously when it came to the fifth round, and he took the back, I was like, 'Oh, it's over.' When he had the body triangle in, I knew he wasn't going to get out of that situation. For Islam, that was his checkmate moment."
Machado Garry earned his ***** le shot by defeating former welterweight champion Muhammad by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 265.
#muhammad #garry #fight #you 're
Machado Garry (17-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) was criticized by the UFC boss for being too friendly in his ***** le loss to welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (29-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) in Saturday's main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. With one judge having the fight tied at two rounds a piece heading into Round 5, Muhammad expected Machado Garry to go for it more.
"What's with this hugging? You're down in the fifth round. You've got to have the killer instinct," Muhammad said on his YouTube channel. "You've got to for it. His face wasn't beat up. It was an Adesanya vs. Gastelum war where you're like, 'Let's do it.' You were losing. Mindset-wise, he needs to flip the switch. His mindset was we didn't get tapped, we got up from a couple of takedowns, those are wins for him, and he has to change that. Stock-wise, he's going to learn from it. He's going to get better from it, but this game is unforgiving.
"You go against Morales next. You get one-punched and get knocked out. That head kick that Islam landed on you in the second round, if it knocked you out, it changes everything else. You can't waste an opportunity. You can't waste a moment, and I felt like he definitely wasted moments there. The one sequence that I was like Islam has this fight – obviously when it came to the fifth round, and he took the back, I was like, 'Oh, it's over.' When he had the body triangle in, I knew he wasn't going to get out of that situation. For Islam, that was his checkmate moment."
Machado Garry earned his ***** le shot by defeating former welterweight champion Muhammad by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 265.
#muhammad #garry #fight #you 're
14 days ago
After a sweep against the Minnesota Twins where they scored a combined 23 runs over three games, they pull out a solid win as the Marlins try to cling to the wildcard race.
It was all of the makings of a good team win. It started on the first ball in play of the night, Trea Turner made a classic Derek Jeter-like jump throw to nail Esteury Ruiz. Cristopher Sánchez did not have his normal velocity tonight but it didn't matter too much. He still got six strikeouts and made plenty of Marlins hitters look silly on the changeup but there were breaks. The Marlins offense recorded eight hits, including three straight innings with at least one leadoff baserunner.
It was not always pretty but he gutted it out. Sánchez did catch a nice break in the fifth. After back-to-back singles to start the inning, Heriberto Hernández squibbled a a grounder right to Bryson Stott on the third base bag, who fired a rocket to second base for a double play. Xavier Edwards then hit a weak ground ball to Alec Bohm to end the threat.
Meanwhile, the Phillies' offense hit Janson Junk around for five innings but struggled to deliver the final blow. They were able to capitalize in the bottom of the third, with an excuse-me groundball that dribbled down the third base line for a Justin Crawford leadoff double. After a Kyle Schwarber strikeout, Trea Turner slapped a single to put the Phillies on the board.
After a Bryce Harper walk, Luis Arraez then punched a single into right field to double the Phillies lead to two.
#ball
It was all of the makings of a good team win. It started on the first ball in play of the night, Trea Turner made a classic Derek Jeter-like jump throw to nail Esteury Ruiz. Cristopher Sánchez did not have his normal velocity tonight but it didn't matter too much. He still got six strikeouts and made plenty of Marlins hitters look silly on the changeup but there were breaks. The Marlins offense recorded eight hits, including three straight innings with at least one leadoff baserunner.
It was not always pretty but he gutted it out. Sánchez did catch a nice break in the fifth. After back-to-back singles to start the inning, Heriberto Hernández squibbled a a grounder right to Bryson Stott on the third base bag, who fired a rocket to second base for a double play. Xavier Edwards then hit a weak ground ball to Alec Bohm to end the threat.
Meanwhile, the Phillies' offense hit Janson Junk around for five innings but struggled to deliver the final blow. They were able to capitalize in the bottom of the third, with an excuse-me groundball that dribbled down the third base line for a Justin Crawford leadoff double. After a Kyle Schwarber strikeout, Trea Turner slapped a single to put the Phillies on the board.
After a Bryce Harper walk, Luis Arraez then punched a single into right field to double the Phillies lead to two.
#ball
14 days ago
Despite already having Kyren Williams and Blake Corum locked in as their top two backs last year, the Los Angeles Rams still traded up 10 spots to select Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round of the 2025 draft. In his rookie season, Hunter had zero carries and didn't even play a single snap on offense, being a healthy scratch multiple times last year.
It was a disappointing development for the promising running back, and the outlook hasn't gotten much better this year. He's still the No. 4 option behind Williams, Corum and Ronnie Rivers, and he could even be in danger of losing that role.
That's because undrafted rookie Dean Connors showed a lot of promise in the Rams' preseason win over the Chiefs on Saturday. And it's not so much that Connors put up better numbers, but it's the skill set he brings to the table.
Connors was a solid runner in college, but he was also a very good receiver out of the backfield. In the last three years (two at Rice, one at Houston), he caught 139 passes for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns.
And sure enough, the two touchdowns he scored against the Chiefs in his preseason debut on Saturday were through the air. He caught a 9-yard screen pass from Ty Simpson, split two defenders and punched it into the end zone for the game's first touchdown.
#connors #corum #Rams #saturday
It was a disappointing development for the promising running back, and the outlook hasn't gotten much better this year. He's still the No. 4 option behind Williams, Corum and Ronnie Rivers, and he could even be in danger of losing that role.
That's because undrafted rookie Dean Connors showed a lot of promise in the Rams' preseason win over the Chiefs on Saturday. And it's not so much that Connors put up better numbers, but it's the skill set he brings to the table.
Connors was a solid runner in college, but he was also a very good receiver out of the backfield. In the last three years (two at Rice, one at Houston), he caught 139 passes for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns.
And sure enough, the two touchdowns he scored against the Chiefs in his preseason debut on Saturday were through the air. He caught a 9-yard screen pass from Ty Simpson, split two defenders and punched it into the end zone for the game's first touchdown.
#connors #corum #Rams #saturday
14 days ago
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 13: Scottie Scheffler of the United States hits a tee shot on the 16th hole during the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind on August 14, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Scottie Scheffler's 2026 season has been sub-par by his standards, yet most professional golfers would absolutely love to experience a season like Scheffler's to date.
Coming into the St. Jude Championship, the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Scheffler had one just one tournament, the American Express back in January, with no major **** les to his name. Scheffler has been a fixture near the top of the leaderboard, but his struggles of getting over the finish line first have been well-documented.
It might not be a major championship, but Scheffler certainly proved what he's capable of against the Top 70 golfers this year. The St. Jude Championship saw Scheffler dominate the field by way of an eight shot victory. Scheffler posted 68-61-68-66 for a final score of -17 under par. That was eight shots better than Si Woo Kim who finished in solo second place.
The golfers who made it to the next leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the BMW Championship, are the Top 50 golfers in the game. Of course, players like Scheffler and Rory McIlroy have already punched their tickets to the next two rounds of the playoffs, but it will be another week of high drama as the tour season comes to a close.
#jude #playoffs
Scottie Scheffler's 2026 season has been sub-par by his standards, yet most professional golfers would absolutely love to experience a season like Scheffler's to date.
Coming into the St. Jude Championship, the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Scheffler had one just one tournament, the American Express back in January, with no major **** les to his name. Scheffler has been a fixture near the top of the leaderboard, but his struggles of getting over the finish line first have been well-documented.
It might not be a major championship, but Scheffler certainly proved what he's capable of against the Top 70 golfers this year. The St. Jude Championship saw Scheffler dominate the field by way of an eight shot victory. Scheffler posted 68-61-68-66 for a final score of -17 under par. That was eight shots better than Si Woo Kim who finished in solo second place.
The golfers who made it to the next leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the BMW Championship, are the Top 50 golfers in the game. Of course, players like Scheffler and Rory McIlroy have already punched their tickets to the next two rounds of the playoffs, but it will be another week of high drama as the tour season comes to a close.
#jude #playoffs
15 days ago
In a parallel universe, this week is Harry Brook's first as England's new Test captain.
There are numerous reasons why it will be Joe Root, rather than Brook, leading England into a new era against Pakistan at Headingley: the timing of Ben Stokes' retirement, Brook's workload as white-ball captain and Root's surprise willingness to resume the job among them.
Inescapably, there is also what happened during the winter, when Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on the eve of a one-day international against New Zealand.
In June, Brook said it would be an "honour" to be asked to succeed Stokes. Almost two months later, he does not know if the Wellington incident has cost him the top job, at least for now.
"I dunno," he tells BBC Sport. "I honestly don't know. I don't really look at it like that.
#brook #wellington #captain #england
There are numerous reasons why it will be Joe Root, rather than Brook, leading England into a new era against Pakistan at Headingley: the timing of Ben Stokes' retirement, Brook's workload as white-ball captain and Root's surprise willingness to resume the job among them.
Inescapably, there is also what happened during the winter, when Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on the eve of a one-day international against New Zealand.
In June, Brook said it would be an "honour" to be asked to succeed Stokes. Almost two months later, he does not know if the Wellington incident has cost him the top job, at least for now.
"I dunno," he tells BBC Sport. "I honestly don't know. I don't really look at it like that.
#brook #wellington #captain #england
15 days ago
SACRAMENTO — Xavier Becerra is keeping people guessing.
The presumptive next leader of California traced a circuitous path through the state's most chaotic governor race in a generation. He was not the first or second or even third or fourth choice of most Democratic kingmakers, prevailing over a fractured field after better-positioned candidates either passed on running (Kamala Harris, Alex Padilla) or imploded (Eric Swalwell). Becerra effectively punched his ticket to lead America's largest state — a progressive bastion, a Democratic bellwether and a national launching pad — by winning 28 percent of primary voters.
Now, as Sacramento prepares for Becerra's all but inevitable ascension, the elected officials, lobbyists, and corporate and labor leaders who shape policy in one of the nation's most consequential capitals are grappling with a contradiction: Despite Becerra's decades in public service, no one seems to be quite sure what he'll do with the biggest job of his career. And the ambiguity seems to be by design.
"I can make some really big promises. But that doesn't get us anywhere — it may get us elected, but I would prefer not to run on inflated promises that I can't deliver on," Becerra told POLITICO this week, subsequently telling reporters his caution was a product of hard-learned experience, like his time helping to lead the White House's response to the Covid-19 pandemic: "When I was dealing with Covid, I could not say 'I'm going to get you all the ventilators you need,' because I didn't want people to say — 'you promised them, (and) because you didn't bring them, these people died."
He remains something of a cipher, even to some of California's most attentive political observers, despite having served at virtually every level of government. He rose from the state legislature to Congress to statewide office to a cabinet position in President Joe Biden's administration leading the Health and Human Services Agency.
#democratic #covid
The presumptive next leader of California traced a circuitous path through the state's most chaotic governor race in a generation. He was not the first or second or even third or fourth choice of most Democratic kingmakers, prevailing over a fractured field after better-positioned candidates either passed on running (Kamala Harris, Alex Padilla) or imploded (Eric Swalwell). Becerra effectively punched his ticket to lead America's largest state — a progressive bastion, a Democratic bellwether and a national launching pad — by winning 28 percent of primary voters.
Now, as Sacramento prepares for Becerra's all but inevitable ascension, the elected officials, lobbyists, and corporate and labor leaders who shape policy in one of the nation's most consequential capitals are grappling with a contradiction: Despite Becerra's decades in public service, no one seems to be quite sure what he'll do with the biggest job of his career. And the ambiguity seems to be by design.
"I can make some really big promises. But that doesn't get us anywhere — it may get us elected, but I would prefer not to run on inflated promises that I can't deliver on," Becerra told POLITICO this week, subsequently telling reporters his caution was a product of hard-learned experience, like his time helping to lead the White House's response to the Covid-19 pandemic: "When I was dealing with Covid, I could not say 'I'm going to get you all the ventilators you need,' because I didn't want people to say — 'you promised them, (and) because you didn't bring them, these people died."
He remains something of a cipher, even to some of California's most attentive political observers, despite having served at virtually every level of government. He rose from the state legislature to Congress to statewide office to a cabinet position in President Joe Biden's administration leading the Health and Human Services Agency.
#democratic #covid
16 days ago
There wasn't much offense in Thursday's preseason opener between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. The unit was held to only 13 points, with multiple failed drives and missed field goals.
However, it was a much different outcome on the defensive side of the ball.
Like the Patriots, the Colts didn't play their starters in the game, but they did play former starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, who turned the ball over twice against New England's backups.
One of the turnovers came on an interception by Patriots cornerback Kindle Vildor, and the other was on a play made by veteran linebacker K.J. Britt, who chased Richardson down and punched the ball free for a fumble. The defense forced two more turnovers later in the game, including another fumble recovery and interception by safety John Saunders Jr.
They did a much better job of limiting Richardson and backup quarterback Riley Leonard through the air than they did in slowing down the Colts' ground game. That is obviously something Vrabel is going to look to improve for next week, with another mobile quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller Jalen Hurts, coming to town for joint practices and the Week 2 preseason game.
#much #week #preseason
However, it was a much different outcome on the defensive side of the ball.
Like the Patriots, the Colts didn't play their starters in the game, but they did play former starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, who turned the ball over twice against New England's backups.
One of the turnovers came on an interception by Patriots cornerback Kindle Vildor, and the other was on a play made by veteran linebacker K.J. Britt, who chased Richardson down and punched the ball free for a fumble. The defense forced two more turnovers later in the game, including another fumble recovery and interception by safety John Saunders Jr.
They did a much better job of limiting Richardson and backup quarterback Riley Leonard through the air than they did in slowing down the Colts' ground game. That is obviously something Vrabel is going to look to improve for next week, with another mobile quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller Jalen Hurts, coming to town for joint practices and the Week 2 preseason game.
#much #week #preseason
16 days ago
While Bayonne romped its way to a pair of victories in the Little League Metro Regional this week, the 12-year-old All Stars from Hudson County approached the championship game from a different vantage point.
Trailing 4-0 after the top of the first inning in Bristol, Connecticut, Bayonne rallied three different times to finally tie the game, 6-6, in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Then, with a single by Jett Bridges, Bayonne took its first lead of the night, 7-6. Chase Klimkowski, the starting pitcher for Bayonne, drove in an insurance run next, and Bayonne star Mason Rincon, who also pitched in relief, finished the sixth inning with a strikeout and two groundouts. He fielded the final grounder back to him, then tossed the ball to Leandro Anaya, the first baseman, to record the last out.
The 8-6 final gave Bayonne the regional championship and propelled the team to the Little League World Series for the first time in the peninsula city's history.
"We got punched in the face, but we were able to punch back and stand together as we went through the finish line," said Gabe Garcia Sr., an ******* istant coach, whose son is the shortstop and leadoff hitter. "The kids are super ecstatic. I don't think it's hit them."
#first #little #regional #game
Trailing 4-0 after the top of the first inning in Bristol, Connecticut, Bayonne rallied three different times to finally tie the game, 6-6, in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Then, with a single by Jett Bridges, Bayonne took its first lead of the night, 7-6. Chase Klimkowski, the starting pitcher for Bayonne, drove in an insurance run next, and Bayonne star Mason Rincon, who also pitched in relief, finished the sixth inning with a strikeout and two groundouts. He fielded the final grounder back to him, then tossed the ball to Leandro Anaya, the first baseman, to record the last out.
The 8-6 final gave Bayonne the regional championship and propelled the team to the Little League World Series for the first time in the peninsula city's history.
"We got punched in the face, but we were able to punch back and stand together as we went through the finish line," said Gabe Garcia Sr., an ******* istant coach, whose son is the shortstop and leadoff hitter. "The kids are super ecstatic. I don't think it's hit them."
#first #little #regional #game
17 days ago
LANDOVER, Md. — The Miami Dolphins played their starters in their preseason opener, and the first-team offense found the end zone.
Starting quarterback Malik Willis and running back De'Von Achane combined to orchestrate a 14-play, 93 yard touchdown drive while rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas made a highlight-reel catch during the initial series in the Dolphins' exhibition against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Willis was 4 of 5 for 43 yards against the Washington second-team defense. Achane had seven carries for 39 yards and punched in a 1-yard touchdown behind the starting left side of the Miami offensive line.
Douglas hauled in a 28-yard pass from Willis with one hand as he fought through pass interference from the Commanders' Antonio Hamilton Sr. Willis' lone incompletion went to Douglas, who was open with ***** e in front of the sideline but stuck his left foot out too far and was out of bounds. Willis' other three completions went to third-year slot receiver Malik Washington.
The Dolphins started the series backed up at their own 7-yard line because running back Jaylen Wright ***** ed the opening kickoff and linebacker Tyrel Dodson was called for a hold.
#Commanders
Starting quarterback Malik Willis and running back De'Von Achane combined to orchestrate a 14-play, 93 yard touchdown drive while rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas made a highlight-reel catch during the initial series in the Dolphins' exhibition against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
Willis was 4 of 5 for 43 yards against the Washington second-team defense. Achane had seven carries for 39 yards and punched in a 1-yard touchdown behind the starting left side of the Miami offensive line.
Douglas hauled in a 28-yard pass from Willis with one hand as he fought through pass interference from the Commanders' Antonio Hamilton Sr. Willis' lone incompletion went to Douglas, who was open with ***** e in front of the sideline but stuck his left foot out too far and was out of bounds. Willis' other three completions went to third-year slot receiver Malik Washington.
The Dolphins started the series backed up at their own 7-yard line because running back Jaylen Wright ***** ed the opening kickoff and linebacker Tyrel Dodson was called for a hold.
#Commanders
17 days ago
An Oregon State linebacker, one of Beavers football's top defensive players, was arrested Aug. 11 on suspicion of ****** aulting two men in early April, according to court records.
Aiden Sullivan, 22, was charged with second-degree ****** ault, a felony, and two counts of fourth degree ****** ault, court records show. He pleaded not guilty to all charges Aug. 11.
Sullivan was at the Beavers' morning practice Aug. 14, an OSU Athletics spokesperson said.
Sullivan allegedly punched a man in the face April 5, which may have caused the alleged victim to fall. Sullivan allegedly injured another man but court records did not provide details.
Corvallis Police Department Officers arrested Sullivan Aug. 10 and took him to the Benton County Jail.
#april #degree
Aiden Sullivan, 22, was charged with second-degree ****** ault, a felony, and two counts of fourth degree ****** ault, court records show. He pleaded not guilty to all charges Aug. 11.
Sullivan was at the Beavers' morning practice Aug. 14, an OSU Athletics spokesperson said.
Sullivan allegedly punched a man in the face April 5, which may have caused the alleged victim to fall. Sullivan allegedly injured another man but court records did not provide details.
Corvallis Police Department Officers arrested Sullivan Aug. 10 and took him to the Benton County Jail.
#april #degree
20 days ago
Celebrities always say they love their fans — but fans don't always make it easy.
Scream and Scooby-Doo star Matthew Lillard recently made headlines for a particularly odd encounter at a horror convention, but he's far from the only celebrity to endure a tense, awkward, or downright bizarre interaction with an admirer. Unfortunately, as the boundary between celebrities and their fans becomes increasingly blurred, that affection can sometimes be expressed in confusing ways.
From requesting to be punched in the face to propositioning stars for ****** to approaching them to buy crack cocaine, there seems to be no shortage of odd things a fan might do to make their celeb encounter memorable — and not in the best way.
Entertainment Weekly takes a look at 12 times fans didn't know how to take a chill pill when meeting a famous star.
01 of 12
#star #scooby #matthew #lillard
Scream and Scooby-Doo star Matthew Lillard recently made headlines for a particularly odd encounter at a horror convention, but he's far from the only celebrity to endure a tense, awkward, or downright bizarre interaction with an admirer. Unfortunately, as the boundary between celebrities and their fans becomes increasingly blurred, that affection can sometimes be expressed in confusing ways.
From requesting to be punched in the face to propositioning stars for ****** to approaching them to buy crack cocaine, there seems to be no shortage of odd things a fan might do to make their celeb encounter memorable — and not in the best way.
Entertainment Weekly takes a look at 12 times fans didn't know how to take a chill pill when meeting a famous star.
01 of 12
#star #scooby #matthew #lillard
20 days ago
Denver Summit co-captain Janine Sonis may have dropped to her knees after converting a game-winning free kick in the dying minutes of the Continental Divide derby with the Utah Royals on Saturday, but her name has only been lifted up since she signed with the NWSL expansion team.
Sonis and the Summit have been a match made in the Rocky Mountains.
While the team's marquee signing was U.S. women's national team midfielder Lindsey Heaps, who has served as club co-captain alongside Sonis since joining the team midseason from OL Lyonnes in France, it is Sonis who is undeniably the heart and soul of the club. She's been with the team since their first game and has shown nothing but consistent, clear-eyed leadership through a slew of highs and lows as the Summit settles into the league.
"To have that kind of performance after a three-game week. We've been punched in the nose a couple of times in the last few games. We've played really good football and it just really hasn't fallen for us," she told broadcast duo JP Dellacamera and Jill Loyden following the 2-1 home thriller. The victory snapped a three-game winless streak.
"You know how this game is. At some point the cover comes off the goal, and thankfully tonight was a night for us. But the league standings are so, so tight, so we know how important these three points are, and I'm really hoping that this just slingshots us into the next couple of weeks."
#since #three #we 've
Sonis and the Summit have been a match made in the Rocky Mountains.
While the team's marquee signing was U.S. women's national team midfielder Lindsey Heaps, who has served as club co-captain alongside Sonis since joining the team midseason from OL Lyonnes in France, it is Sonis who is undeniably the heart and soul of the club. She's been with the team since their first game and has shown nothing but consistent, clear-eyed leadership through a slew of highs and lows as the Summit settles into the league.
"To have that kind of performance after a three-game week. We've been punched in the nose a couple of times in the last few games. We've played really good football and it just really hasn't fallen for us," she told broadcast duo JP Dellacamera and Jill Loyden following the 2-1 home thriller. The victory snapped a three-game winless streak.
"You know how this game is. At some point the cover comes off the goal, and thankfully tonight was a night for us. But the league standings are so, so tight, so we know how important these three points are, and I'm really hoping that this just slingshots us into the next couple of weeks."
#since #three #we 've
21 days ago
Well, I'm not sure what I expected. The Royals stars (Witt, Cags) were showing out both offensively and defensively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the moribund bullpen in a 6-5 loss to the Dodgers that was full of punch-counterpunch.
The 6th inning was the key part. The Royals held a 3-2 lead and Noah Cameron, who had pitched pretty well up to this point, gave up a few hard-hit ****** in a row to put runners on second and third with two outs. John Schreiber came in and promptly blew the game by walking Kyle Tucker and giving up a weak line drive down the right field line just beyond Cags' outstretched glove. All three runners scored to give the Dodgers the lead. Sigh.
The Royals counterpunched with a Kyle Isbel two-run homer in the seventh inning to bring the game back to even-steven at 5-5, but Alex Lange gave up two singles in the bottom of the seventh to relinquish the lead for good. It goes as two runs total charged to Schreiber and Lange, but I don't think Cameron really deserved those runs being charged to him.
It's a shame. Facing Tarik Skubal, the Royals position players put up a good fight.
In the first inning, in his first-ever at-bat against Skubal (really?), Cags fouled off four pitches to hit a grounder that squeaked through the middle to score Witt from second (Cags extended his hitting streak to 9 games with that hit).
#inning #Dodgers #cameron #lange
The 6th inning was the key part. The Royals held a 3-2 lead and Noah Cameron, who had pitched pretty well up to this point, gave up a few hard-hit ****** in a row to put runners on second and third with two outs. John Schreiber came in and promptly blew the game by walking Kyle Tucker and giving up a weak line drive down the right field line just beyond Cags' outstretched glove. All three runners scored to give the Dodgers the lead. Sigh.
The Royals counterpunched with a Kyle Isbel two-run homer in the seventh inning to bring the game back to even-steven at 5-5, but Alex Lange gave up two singles in the bottom of the seventh to relinquish the lead for good. It goes as two runs total charged to Schreiber and Lange, but I don't think Cameron really deserved those runs being charged to him.
It's a shame. Facing Tarik Skubal, the Royals position players put up a good fight.
In the first inning, in his first-ever at-bat against Skubal (really?), Cags fouled off four pitches to hit a grounder that squeaked through the middle to score Witt from second (Cags extended his hitting streak to 9 games with that hit).
#inning #Dodgers #cameron #lange
22 days ago
Baseball feels more organic when Nancy Faust is in a booth with an organ. Her presence in the ballpark this afternoon, which precluded the usual barrage of pop songs, crowd-stimulating noises, and things that my dad would refer to as "canned bullshit," set the tone for what turned out to be an improbably fun day at the ballpark as the White Sox staked themselves a season-high four-game lead in the AL Central with a 5-2 win over the Guardians.
This is a Sox team that has made its hay with youthful energy. But even without the thumping bass that typically blasts from Rate Field's PA system, the action on the field and the feeling in the stands was as vibrant as ever. When it appeared that Cleveland would put a damper on the 30,000 strong crowd's supportive push with three straight hits and two runs against Davis Martin to open the game, the Sox responded with three consecutive hits of their own to start their part of the action.
The Sox only managed to get one run out of their hit parade, though. For a moment, when Guardians starter Joey Cantillo punched out three consecutive hitters to escape the early jam, it seemed as if the building momentum had been stifled.
Then the tarps came out.
One two-hour rain delay later, it felt like it didn't matter. When Tim Herrin took the ball for Cleveland in relief of Cantillo, it was a whole new ballgame. Herrin did his job, but his successor Craig Yoho couldn't. For the second straight day, the Guardians had grabbed themselves a 2-0 lead before falling victim to a big crooked number from the South Siders. After taking an inning to warm up, Miguel Vargas, Randal Grichuk and Braden Montgomery all reached base in succession with two outs before the other Montgomery broke things open with one swing of the bat.
#Guardians #themselves
This is a Sox team that has made its hay with youthful energy. But even without the thumping bass that typically blasts from Rate Field's PA system, the action on the field and the feeling in the stands was as vibrant as ever. When it appeared that Cleveland would put a damper on the 30,000 strong crowd's supportive push with three straight hits and two runs against Davis Martin to open the game, the Sox responded with three consecutive hits of their own to start their part of the action.
The Sox only managed to get one run out of their hit parade, though. For a moment, when Guardians starter Joey Cantillo punched out three consecutive hitters to escape the early jam, it seemed as if the building momentum had been stifled.
Then the tarps came out.
One two-hour rain delay later, it felt like it didn't matter. When Tim Herrin took the ball for Cleveland in relief of Cantillo, it was a whole new ballgame. Herrin did his job, but his successor Craig Yoho couldn't. For the second straight day, the Guardians had grabbed themselves a 2-0 lead before falling victim to a big crooked number from the South Siders. After taking an inning to warm up, Miguel Vargas, Randal Grichuk and Braden Montgomery all reached base in succession with two outs before the other Montgomery broke things open with one swing of the bat.
#Guardians #themselves
