AP Sports Summary for October 19th.
Altuve and Javier lead Astros to 8-5 win at Rangers as Houston closes to 2-1 in ALCS
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jose Altuve homered, Cristian Javier worked into the sixth inning of another solid postseason start and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 8-5, closing to 2-1 in the AL Championship Series. Texas lost for the first time this postseason after a 7-0 start as three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was gone after four innings in his first outing in more than a month after recovering from a strained shoulder muscle. Javier set a franchise record for the defending champion Astros by extending his postseason scoreless streak to 20 1/3 innings.
Las Vegas Aces become first repeat WNBA champs in 21 years, beating New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4
NEW YORK (AP) — The Las Vegas Aces became the first team in 21 years to win back-to-back WNBA championships, getting 24 points and 16 rebounds from A'ja Wilson and a defensive stop in the closing seconds to beat the New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4 of the Finals. The Aces joined the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02 and the Houston Comets from 1997-2000 as the only teams in league history to win consecutive titles. Las Vegas did it without starters Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes, who were both sidelined with foot injuries suffered in Game 3.
Scherzer roughed up by Astros in return from injury, leaving with Rangers down 5 in loss
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Scherzer was roughed up again by the Houston Astros, this time in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series. The three-time Cy Young Award winner lasted four innings in his first start in more than a month, leaving with a five-run deficit in an 8-5 loss to the Astros that cut the Texas Rangers' series lead to 2-1. Scherzer gave up three runs in the second on a wild pitch and Martín Maldonado's two-run single, then allowed Jose Altuve's leadoff homer in the third. Houston took a 5-0 lead on Mauricio Dubón's RBI single in the fourth.
D-backs rookie Brandon Pfaadt will try to slow the homer-happy Phillies in Game 3
PHOENIX (AP) — The Diamondbacks will turn to rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series to try and slow the homer-happy Phillies offense. Philadelphia has a 2-0 lead in the series after a dominant two games at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies smashed six homers in the two wins, including three by Kyle Schwarber. Pfaadt has a tendency to give up homers in the regular season, but had one of his best games of the season against the Dodgers in the NL Division Series.
NBA's $300 million man, Jaylen Brown ready to step into leadership role for retooled Celtics
BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown wasn't considered to be a surefire NBA superstar when the was drafted in 2016. As he prepares for his eighth season, his play has forced the narrative about him to be rewritten. Last season was a defining year for Brown, who garnered his second All-Star selection and second-team All-NBA nod while helping lead the Celtics to within a game of back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. This summer he cashed in signing a five-year, $304 million extension. The richest contract in NBA history and immediately thrust him onto a tier reserved for only the league's most elite stars. Now he says he's ready to provide the voice and leadership for a retooled Celtics roster with championship aspirations.
James Harden skips 76ers practice, leaving coach Nick Nurse unsure of what comes next
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse said he had no explanation for why James Harden skipped practice Wednesday but planned to proceed as if the disgruntled guard will play in the preseason finale. Harden said last week he could try to play in the Sixers' preseason finale on Friday against Atlanta. But once he skipped practice, the 76ers were left unsure of what comes next. Harden has yet to play in the preseason. He did attend training camp and continued to practice with the Sixers in the wake of his offseason trade demand. Harden said last week his fractured relationship with team president Daryl Morey couldn't be repaired.
Phil Mickelson claims more players want to jump to Saudi-backed LIV Golf
Phil Mickelson is sounding confident as ever that more players are willing to jump over to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League. LIV is wrapping up its second season at Trump Doral outside Miami for its team championship. Mickelson says he knows players want to be part of it without mentioning who. None of the top players have indicated they are willing to leave the PGA Tour or European tour. The business agreement among Saudi Arabia's wealth fund and the tours included a clause to stop poaching players. That was removed in July at the request of the Justice Department.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says league still needs to hire more minority head coaches
NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league still needs to hire more minority head coaches. The latest rule change was aimed at increasing opportunities. Owners voted Tuesday to push in-person head coaching interviews back one more week until after all divisional playoff games have been completed to slow down the hiring process. NFL executive Dasha Smith said the league office and the 32 teams are 50% diverse. There are six minority head coaches, including three who are Black. The goal of pushing the in-person interviews back one week is to create more opportunities for candidates.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson opts for season-ending surgery on injured throwing shoulder
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will have season-ending shoulder surgery. Colts coach Shane Steichen says the long-term health of the former Florida Gators star was the key factor in making the decision. The fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft, Richardson suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder at the end of a short run against Tennessee on Oct. 8. With Richardson out, veteran Gardner Minshew will continue to start.
Messi out for Inter Miami's home finale, says he wants to play Saturday at Charlotte
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi says he will play in Inter Miami's season finale on Saturday, although the club hasn't confirmed that is the actual plan. Messi — who scored two goals for Argentina in its 2-0 World Cup qualifying win at Peru on Tuesday night — wasn't in the lineup for Inter Miami's final home game of its Major League Soccer season against Charlotte on Wednesday night. That was expected. This part was not: Messi told reporters in Peru that he wants to play once more for Inter Miami before his inaugural MLS season ends, which means he's intending to play in Charlotte on Saturday. Inter Miami rallied on Wednesday to tie Charlotte 2-2.
AP-Scorecard
Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:
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AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Final Houston 8 Texas 5
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON
Final Washington 131 New York 106
Final Brooklyn 107 Miami 104
Final San Antonio 117 Houston 103
Final Golden State 116 Sacramento 115
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Ottawa 6 Washington 1
Final Detroit 6 Pittsburgh 3
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WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Final Las Vegas 70 New York 69
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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Final tie Charlotte FC 2 Miami 2
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TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE
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AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Houston at Texas 8:03 p.m.
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NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Philadelphia at Arizona 5:07 p.m.
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON
Boston at Charlotte 7 p.m.
Detroit at Oklahoma City 8 p.m.
Minnesota at Chicago 8 p.m.
Denver at L.A. Clippers 10 p.m.
Phoenix at L.A. Lakers 10 p.m.
Utah at Sacramento 10 p.m.
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Calgary at Buffalo 7 p.m.
Nashville at N-Y Rangers 7 p.m.
Toronto at Florida 7 p.m.
Vancouver at Tampa Bay 7 p.m.
Edmonton at Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Arizona at St. Louis 8 p.m.
Los Angeles at Minnesota 8 p.m.
Vegas at Winnipeg 8 p.m.
Carolina at Seattle 10 p.m.
Dallas at Anaheim 10 p.m.
Boston at San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Chicago at Colorado 10:30 p.m.
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NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Jacksonville at New Orleans 8:15 p.m.
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