Sports

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Jon Rahm has made a superb start in his first tournament in his Spanish homeland in two years. He shot an 8-under 63 in the first round of the Spanish Open. Rahm started on the 10th hole and was two shots behind clubhouse leader Ross McGowan.

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer The top official in English cricket quit on Thursday, saying the decision was taken for his wellbeing because the COVID-19 demands of the job have “taken a personal toll on me.” Ian Watmore has stepped down as chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board after serving barely a

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer The top official in English cricket quit on Thursday, saying the decision was taken for his wellbeing because the COVID-19 demands of the job have “taken a personal toll on me.” Ian Watmore has stepped down as chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board after serving barely a

PARIS (AP) — The French league has banned fans from Lille and Marseille from traveling to away games for the rest of the year following violence in recent games. The LFP’s disciplinary committee gave each club a suspended deduction of one point. Lens was also given a suspended one-point deduction and ordered to play two

MONACO (AP) — Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare is facing three charges in a doping case which surfaced in dramatic circumstances when she was barred from running in the Olympic 100-meter semifinals hours before the race. The Athletics Integrity Unit has revealed that Okagbare tested positive for blood booster EPO in Nigeria in June. That’s on

TORONTO (AP) — The NHL is returning to an 82-game regular season with its traditional divisions this season. Last year, the league shortened things to 56 games and changed the divisions. In the U.S., that meant three divisions based largely in different regions. In Canada, the North Division included all seven Canadian teams. Many faced

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jim Furyk recalls the moment celebration turned into compassion at the Ryder Cup. Right when the Americans won, he hugged captain Steve Stricker. And then Furyk looked over at Padraig Harrington. He says the European captain told him Furyk would know how he feels. Furyk

By JILL PAINTER LOPEZ Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — That record winning streak in September meant little for the St. Louis Cardinals in a postseason that ended with one hanging slider. Alex Reyes served up a game-ending home run to Chris Taylor just after entering in the ninth inning, a drive that gave the

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Shelby Rogers beat Anhelina Kalinina 7-6 (2), 6-2 and Sloane Stephens outlasted Heather Watson 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-1 in opening matches at the BNP Paribas Open. Rogers and Stephens were joined by fellow American Madison Keys in advancing. Keys beat Kaia Kanepi, 6-0, 7-5. Men’s main draw play begins Thursday. 

By JILL PAINTER LOPEZ Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — A stunning September meant little for the St. Louis Cardinals in postseason that ended on one hanging slider. Alex Reyes, who lost his closer’s job last month, gave up a game-ending home run to Chris Taylor just after entering the game in the ninth inning,

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chris Taylor hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers over the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 in a scintillating NL wild-card game. The 106-win Dodgers advanced to a best-of-five Division Series against the rival Giants. Game

By RONALD BLUM AP Sports Writer AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna are missing from the U.S. lineup because of injuries but Weston McKennie will start in a World Cup qualifier against Jamaica after missing two games for violating team COVID protocols. The Reggae Boyz are without top forward Michail Antonio, who

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Sports Writer PHOENIX (AP) — Chelsea Gray scored 22 points and the Las Vegas Aces used a massive third quarter run to beat the Phoenix Mercury 93-76, evening the WNBA semifinals at 2-all. The Aces got off to a good start for the first time in three games and ran away

NEW YORK (AP) — Hall of Fame thoroughbred trainer Bob Baffert will have to face a disciplinary hearing with the New York Racing Association to address a suspension after a federal judge denied Baffert’s motion to hold the racing organization in contempt. Brooklyn Judge Carol Bagley Amon of the Eastern District of New York ruled