Sports

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer TOKYO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani pitched shutout ball into the fifth inning and sparked a four-run third with a bunt single, leading Japan over Italy 9-3 and into its fifth straight World Baseball Classic semifinal. Boston’s Masataka Yoshida homered and drove in the go-ahead run with a grounder, giving

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — All-Pro kick returner Keisean Nixon is staying with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers announced they have re-signed Nixon and reserve tight end Tyler Davis. Terms weren’t disclosed. The 25-year-old Nixon made four starts at cornerback for the Packers last season but made his biggest impact on special teams. He

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Washington Nationals pitching prospect Cade Cavalli needs Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery and will miss the 2023 season. General manager Mike Rizzo gave a medical update on the right-hander on Thursday. Rizzo said an MRI exam showed that Cavalli sprained his ulnar collateral ligament. He exited a spring training

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — The Spanish soccer federation has joined the long list of entities deciding to take legal action against Barcelona in the corruption case. Prosecutors last week formally accused Barcelona of alleged corruption, fraudulent management and falsification of documentation in regard to payments of millions of euros for

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer The Women’s World Cup is getting an increase in prize money of more than 300% for this year’s tournament. The $152 million fund for the first 32-team tournament is a huge boost from the 24-team edition in 2019 and 10 times what it was in 2015. FIFA president Gianni

By DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press The stakes are higher in Ohio this year for March Madness — and not just because it’s a regional host for the first round of the men’s NCAA basketball tournament. For the first time, Ohio sports fans can click on a mobile app or tap into kiosks at bars,

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Two-time defending Formula One champion Max Verstappen’s arrival at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been delayed because of a stomach bug. The Red Bull driver posted on Twitter that illness forced him to miss his initial flight and meant he could not do his scheduled media duties on Thursday.

KANNAPOLIS, North Carolina (AP) — The Haas Formula One team has dismissed a report claiming its parent company broke sanctions by providing machinery to Russia as “simply false.” Haas was responding to a report by American broadcaster PBS on Tuesday alleging that the Haas Automation company had provided machines and parts to Russia. This would

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer After a flurry of moves in the two days ahead of the official start of the NFL free agency period, Aaron Rodgers made the biggest news Wednesday by announcing his intention to play for the New York Jets. Several more players switched teams, others are staying put and

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Umpires will have a new view this season. On Zoom. Major League Baseball struck a deal with Zoom Video Communications  llowing on-field umpires to watch the replay operations center evaluating contested calls. MLB first adopted instant replay in September 2008 for home boundary calls and

SOLDEU, Andorra (AP) — Swiss skier Marco Odermatt won the men’s super-G at the World Cup Finals to close in on the record for most points in a single season. The victory raised Odermatt’s tally to 1,942 points and left him 58 short of the all-time mark set by Austrian great Hermann Maier in the

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been re-elected by acclaim to another four-year term after suggesting the financial results under his leadership would keep an industry CEO in the job for life. Infantino had no opponent in the election and won by acclaim instead of a formal vote by the

KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — The Women’s World Cup is getting 300% increase in prize money for this year’s tournament. The $150 million fund for the first 32-team tournament is a huge boost from the 24-team edition in 2019 and 10 times what it was in 2015. FIFA president Gianni Infantino says some of that prize

By TRISNADI MARJAN Associated Press SURABAYA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian court has acquitted two police officials charged with negligence leading to the deaths of 135 people in October when police fired tear gas inside a soccer stadium, setting off a panicked run for the exits. A panel of three judges at Surabaya District Court

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s president wants India to reconsider its decision to deny Kosovar boxers their national flag and anthem at the women’s world championships in New Delhi. India does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state. President Vjosa Osmani considers India’s decision “a blatant violation of int’l sporting standards.” She adds in a