AP Sports Summary for October 11th, 2024:
Gerrit Cole tosses playoff gem, shutting down Royals and sending Yankees back to ALCS with 3-1 win
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gerrit Cole held the Kansas City Royals to a single run over seven innings Thursday night, sending the New York Yankees to a 3-1 victory that put them back to the American League Championship Series. The six-time All-Star scattered six hits and struck out four before giving way to the New York bullpen. Clay Holmes breezed through a perfect eighth inning and Luke Weaver handled the ninth, extending the scoreless streak by Yankees relievers to 15 2/3 innings this postseason. Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres and Game 3 hero Giancarlo Stanton drove in runs for the Yankees. Michael Wacha failed to make it through five innings for Kansas City, which managed only five runs over the final three games of the series.
Dodgers will start Yamamoto against San Diego's Darvish in winner-take-all Game 5 of NLDS
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani will get his wish to see Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto face off against San Diego's Yu Darvish in the decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series. The Dodgers announced late Thursday that Yamamoto will be their starter after manager Dave Roberts was cagey about his team's plans earlier in the day. The Dodgers used eight relievers to shut out the Padres 8-0 and set up the dramatic finale between the heated rivals. Ohtani had wanted to see the Yoshinobu vs. Darvish matchup earlier in the series, but the Dodgers switched Yoshinobu to Game 1 and the Padres started Darvish in Game 2.
Brock Purdy throws for 3 TDs and the 49ers beat the Seahawks 36-24 to move atop division
SEATTLE (AP) — Brock Purdy threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns, and the San Francisco 49ers never trailed in a 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Deebo Samuel had a 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown and finished with three catches for 102 yards for the defending NFC champions. San Francisco improved to 3-3 and moved into a tie with Seattle for first place in the NFC West after an uneven start to the season. George Kittle added five receptions for 58 yards and two scores for the 49ers, who beat the Seahawks for a sixth straight time. Seattle's Geno Smith threw for 312 yards but was intercepted twice.
Fry's 2-run homer, squeeze bunt lead Guardians over Tigers 5-4 and force ALDS Game 5
DETROIT (AP) — Pinch-hitter David Fry had a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning, then bunted home an insurance run in the ninth to help the Cleveland Guardians force a decisive Game 5 against the Detroit Tigers in their AL Division Series with a 5-4 victory. Cleveland ended a streak of 11 losses in postseason elimination games dating to Game 6 of 1997 World Series. Game 5 is Saturday in Cleveland, with ace Tarik Skubal set to start for the Tigers. The winner advances to the ALCS against the New York Yankees or Kansas City Royals starting Monday.
Minnesota Lynx stun New York Liberty with 95-93 overtime win in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals
NEW YORK (AP) — Napheesa Collier's turnaround jumper with 8.8 seconds left lifted the Minnesota Lynx to a 95-93 win over the New York Liberty in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. With the game tied in OT, Collier faked in the lane and scored. New York had a chance to tie it but Breanna Stewart's layup at the buzzer was off. Courtney Williams had 23 points, Kayla McBride 22 and Collier 21 for Minnesota. Jonquel Jones led New York with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Sunday in New York. Before the game, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that the league is expanding the Finals to best-of-seven next year.
Rays say it may take 'weeks' to fully assess damage at Tropicana Field, after Milton struck region
The Tampa Bay Rays say it may take weeks to fully assess how much damage was done to Tropicana Field, which saw its roof ripped to shreds by the force of Hurricane Milton as the deadly storm barreled across much of Florida. The team said no one was injured when the St. Petersburg ballpark was struck by the storm on Wednesday night. A handful of "essential personnel" were inside Tropicana Field as the roof panels were blown apart, much of the debris falling on the field and seats below.
OMG, Grimace and a playoff pumpkin: Close-knit Mets ride camaraderie and good-luck charms into NLCS
NEW YORK (AP) — From their playoff pumpkin to the purple Grimace seat and that catchy pop song by infielder Jose Iglesias, the merry New York Mets are riding a wave of good-luck charms and infectious camaraderie to unexpected October success. First baseman Pete Alonso says: "What's the point if you're not having fun? That's a part of the culture here." Up next, the wild-card Mets face the San Diego Padres or Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS beginning Sunday in California.
Rafael Nadal gave his all until he simply couldn't anymore and had to retire: Analysis
Rafael Nadal's tennis career will be remembered because of the numbers, yes — the 14 French Open trophies, the 22 Grand Slam titles overall, the nearly two decades in the top 10, and so on — and, without a doubt, because of his riveting rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Also, indelibly, because of the all-out effort and energy he brought to the court every time. So long, that is, as his body allowed. Perhaps not surprisingly, it was his health that eventually forced Nadal to announce his retirement on Thursday after competing only sparingly the past two seasons.
18-year-old Macklin Celebrini scores a goal in his hyped debut for the Sharks
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Macklin Celebrini didn't take long to make an impact for the San Jose Sharks. The 18-year-old rookie scored San Jose's first goal of the season and added an assist in his first period as a pro against the St. Louis Blues, signifying a brighter future ahead for a franchise that has been in the doldrums the last five years. Celebrini's first career goal came on his third career shift and was a fortunate one. The former Boston University star came in on a rush and did a spin-o-rama near the boards before trying a centering pass that hit defenseman Matt Kessel's skate and went past Joel Hofer.
Jets interim Jeff Ulbrich replaces Nathaniel Hackett with Todd Downing as the offense's play caller
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Nathaniel Hackett is out as the New York Jets' play caller on offense. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich announced Thursday he is replacing Hackett with Todd Downing, who has been the Jets' passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Hackett will remain the offensive coordinator in title. Ulbrich took over as coach Tuesday after owner Woody Johnson fired Robert Saleh with the team off to a 2-3 start and on a two-game losing streak. Ulbrich said the change in offensive play callers is a different take on things and a fresh approach for a struggling offense.
AP-Scorecard
Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:
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AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Final Cleveland 5 Detroit 4
Final N.Y. Yankees 3 Kansas City 1
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON
Final Indiana 129 Cleveland 117
Final Oklahoma City 117 New Zealand 89
Final Utah 107 Dallas 102
Final Charlotte 119 Memphis 94
Final L.A. Lakers 107 Milwaukee 102
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Ottawa 3 Florida 1
Final Toronto 4 New Jersey 2
Final Los Angeles 3 Buffalo 1
Final Boston 6 Montreal 4
Final OT Utah 5 N-Y Islanders 4
Final Minnesota 3 Columbus 2
Final Dallas 4 Nashville 3
Final Pittsburgh 6 Detroit 3
Final OT St. Louis 5 San Jose 4
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NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final San Francisco 36 Seattle 24
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WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Final OT Minnesota 95 New York 93
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TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE
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NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
San Diego at L-A Dodgers 8:08 p.m.
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON
New Orleans at Orlando 7 p.m. (Canceled)
Philadelphia at Minnesota 7 p.m.
Toronto at Washington 7 p.m.
Detroit at Phoenix 10 p.m.
Sacramento at Golden State 10 p.m.
Portland at L.A. Clippers 10:30 p.m.
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Tampa Bay at Carolina 7 p.m.
Chicago at Winnipeg 8 p.m.
Philadelphia at Vancouver 10 p.m.
St. Louis at Vegas 10 p.m.
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TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
(16)Utah at Arizona St. 10:30 p.m.
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