AP National Sports

KENT, Wash. (AP) — Top Fuel leader Brittany Force closed qualifying at Pacific Raceways on Saturday by taking the No. 1 position in the NHRA Northwest Nationals. The event winner last week in Sonoma, California, Force had a 3.753-second run at 327.35 mph for her fifth No. 1 of the season and 37th overall. She

By KEN POWTAK Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Hunter Renfroe belted a two-run homer over the Green Monster, Eric Lauer pitched five innings of one-run ball for his first victory in over a month and the Milwaukee Brewers beat fading Boston 9-4, sending the Red Sox to their 13th loss in 16 games. Omar Narváez

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins placed outfielder Max Kepler and infielder Miguel Sanó on the 10-day injured list, a big setback for a team with playoff hopes. Sanó’s return to the IL with left knee inflammation is particularly tough because he had returned just four days earlier from missing 75 games

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies closer Daniel Bard has signed a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with the team through 2024. Bard, 37, was the subject of trade rumors ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, but the deal announced Saturday will keep the closer where he is. The hard-throwing righty is 3-3 with 21 saves and

BEDMINSTER, N.J. (AP) — Henrik Stenson is on the verge of capping off an emotional 10 days. He lost the Ryder Cup captaincy by signing up with Saudi-backed LIV Golf. And now the Swede has a three-shot lead going into the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational at Bedminster. At stake for Stenson is

By JOHN KEKIS AP Sports Writer SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Epicenter is back where trainer Steve Asmussen thinks he should be — in the winner’s circle. Relegated to second-place finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in May, Epicenter returned to the track Saturday for the a stirring victory in the $600,000 Grade 2

By CHARLES O’BRIEN Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge became the second-fastest player in major league history to reach 200 career home runs, and the New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 8-2. The 6-foot-7 slugger’s 200th homer came in his 671st career game, behind just Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, who achieved the

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — AJ Allmendinger continued his dominance of NASCAR road course racing and set himself up for a sweep at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a Saturday win in the Xfinity Series. Allmendinger has won six of the last 11 road course races and nine in his NASCAR

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins haven’t decided yet if they’ll be sellers or buyers at this year’s trade deadline. Marlins general manager Kim Ng said she’s been making and fielding calls in advance of Tuesday’s deadline, but that no moves are pending, yet. Miami’s scheduled starter on Sunday

By IAN HARRISON Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Teoscar Hernández hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the sixth inning, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scored twice and the Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 5-3, Toronto’s 11th win in 14 games. Guerrero stayed in the game after being hit on the left wrist by a pitch

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer DETROIT (AP) — Tony Finau shot a 7-under 65 on Saturday to match Taylor Pendrith at 21-under 195 with a round left in the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The 3M Open winner last week in Minnesota, Finau is trying to become the first to win consecutive regular-season tournaments in three

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Guardians breakout slugger Josh Naylor was held out of Cleveland’s game Saturday after experiencing numbness in the same right ankle he severely injured in June of 2021. Naylor was scratched from the lineup before a 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, and manager Terry Francona said he will be

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The evidence of Irv Smith Jr.’s rejuvenated outlook jumps out from underneath his chinstrap. The Minnesota Vikings tight end has a tattoo of a butterfly on the left side of his neck that signifies a fresh start. Smith is returning to action after missing

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Former tight end Heath Miller and late broadcaster Myron Cope are the latest members of the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor. Miller and Cope headline the four-man class, which includes former offensive lineman Sam Davis and running back/wide receiver Ray Mathews. Miller is the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions by a

By BRIAN DULIK Associated Press BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson sprinted onto the field to a light round of cheers Saturday at the Cleveland Browns’ first open practice of training camp. The noticeably muted reaction reflected the uncertainty surrounding Cleveland’s controversial new quarterback. Watson was the focal point as the Browns worked out in

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa says he spent this offseason honing his pass-rushing moves. It’s a difference from a year ago, when he was rehabilitating a knee injury. The Niners hope that leads to an even more dominant performance on the

PHOENIX (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired outfielder David Peralta from the Arizona Diamondbacks, adding a veteran left-handed bat for the playoff race. The Rays sent 19-year-old minor league catcher Christian Cerda to the Diamondbacks. The 34-year-old Peralta has played his entire nine-year MLB career with the D-backs, where he won a Silver

IRVINE, Scotland (AP) — Lydia Ko has been joined by Celine Boutier at the top of the leaderboard after day three of the Women’s Scottish Open. France’s Boutier shot a 5-under-par 67 with five birdies on the front nine. She made up four shots on the New Zealander. Ko could manage only a 1-under 71.

DENVER (AP) — Closer Daniel Bard has signed a two-year contract extension with the Colorado Rockies. The 37-year-old had been the subject of trade rumors ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. His deal keeps him with Colorado through 2024. The hard-throwing righty is 3-3 with 21 saves and a 1.91 ERA in 37 games. Bard broke into

UMAG, Croatia (AP) — Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz has overcome a second set scare to defeat qualifier Giulio Zeppieri 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 and advance to his seventh career ATP final at the Croatia Open. The 19-year-old Spaniard is in his tour-leading sixth final of the year. He won his maiden ATP title in Umag last year.