AP National Sports

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk returned after leaving Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final and provided more of his trademark playoff heroics. Tkachuk was sidelined early after a big hit from Vegas Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar. Before the absence he set up the

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The game clock will continue to stop for first downs in Division III for at least another year after the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Committee approved a recommendation from the Football Rules Committee. The biggest rule change this season in all other divisions will have the game clock continue to run when

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — DeWanna Bonner, a 13-year veteran, scored a career-high 41 points to set a franchise record and the Connecticut Sun beat the previously unbeaten Las Vegas Aces 94-77 to avenge a series loss two days ago. Bonner topped her previous high of 38, set in 2016, on a 3-pointer with 2:50 remaining

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez homered in his first three at-bats against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night. Ramírez connected for a solo shot in the first, a two-run homer — the 200th of his career — in the third and added another solo

TORONTO (AP) — Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez left against Toronto after one at-bat Thursday night because of a sore right oblique. Alvarez grounded out to first base in the first inning and was replaced at DH by Corey Julks when his turn came up again in the third. Alvarez came in batting .274 with

By GABE STERN Associated Press/Report for America CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — The Nevada Senate adjourned on Thursday without voting on a  a financing bill for a proposed $1.5 billion Las Vegas Strip stadium for the Oakland Athletics, extending the special legislative session into the next week amid negotiations over whether to contribute $380 million in public

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Zack Wheeler’s bid for a no-hitter was broken up when Tyler Nevin singled for the Detroit Tigers with one out in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies right-hander. Jonathan Schoop reached on a throwing error by Phillies third baseman Josh Harrison, and Nevin followed with a clean single to right field

By LARRY FLEISHER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Randy Vásquez pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning for his first major league win, Billy McKinney hit his first home run with the Yankees and New York beat the Chicago White Sox 3-0 for a doubleheader split. Chicago extended its winning streak to a season-high

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA is tweaking how block/charge calls are made in men’s basketball. The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved rule changes that require a defender to be in position to draw a charge at the time the offensive player plants a foot to go airborne for a shot. If the defender arrives

By MICHAEL KELLY Associated Press DENVER (AP) — Brandon Crawford had a pinch-hit RBI double to spark a three-run ninth and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies for the 11th straight time, 6-4 on Thursday. Michael Conforto and Thairo Estrada homered to help San Francisco sweep its seventh straight series from Colorado. Scott

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard will talk about most any topic when asked. Being asked to take a pay cut going into his eighth NFL season by the Tennessee Titans is a much different situation. Byard made clear he understands the NFL is

GREER, S.C. (AP) — Michael Feagles made a 25-foot birdie putt on his final hole to shoot a 12-under 59 on Thursday in the first round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am on the Korn Ferry Tour. It was the ninth sub-60 score in the history of the developmental tour and the second this year. Mac

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer RENTON, Wash. (AP) — After seeing them in person this week during the team’s mandatory minicamp, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said it will continue to be a race for safety Jamal Adams and linebacker Jordyn Brooks to be ready by the start of training camp next month. But to

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has returned to New York for further testing after being hit on his left wrist by a pitch and leaving Wednesday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves. Manager Buck Showalter says Alonso had a CT scan in Atlanta Thursday morning. Alonso

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer MILWAUKEE (AP) — Gunnar Henderson hit a two-run homer off Peter Strzelecki with two outs in the eighth inning to put Baltimore ahead for good as the Orioles rallied from a three-run deficit to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3. The Brewers scored three runs in the first inning and

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — The Boston Red Sox believe they took the proper steps after learning about a homophobic tweet by pitcher Matt Dermody two years ago. Dermody, who was brought up from Triple-A Worcester to make his first major league start in Thursday’s game against the Guardians, made the

CHICAGO (AP) — The rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks have locked in one of their top scorers, agreeing to a two-year, $8.5 million contract with forward Andreas Athanasiou. The 28-year-old Athanasiou tied for the team lead with 20 goals and ranked third with 40 points in his first season with Chicago. He matched career highs with four

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Baseball Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers are off to the best start in franchise history in their first 61 games with three-time World Series champion manager Bruce Bochy. The 40-21 Rangers are outscoring teams by big margins with a deep, impressive offense. They also have one of the

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer MIAMI (AP) — There is some irony in the Denver Nuggets being the last team that Udonis Haslem will ever suit up against. They were the team that almost got him out of Miami. In the summer of 2010 the Nuggets made a serious run at signing Haslem. The

By RONALD BLUM AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — After two decades competing against Real Madrid, Manchester United and Brazil, Lionel Messi will be going against the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA. Major League Soccer is hoping for a breakout boost to its television audience and market share after Messi joins Inter