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PITTSBURGH (AP) - Kyle Gibson pitched into the seventh inning in his Phillies debut and got plenty of support as Philadelphia avoided a series sweep by pounding the Pittsburgh Pirates 15-4 on Sunday.
J.T. Realmuto got five of the Phillies' 20 hits, with two doubles and four RBIs. Bryce Harper hit three of Philadelphia's nine doubles and Jean Segura doubled twice and drove in three runs.
Aliyah Boston had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Zia Cooke scored 18 points and top-seeded South Carolina used its smothering defense to outlast second-seeded Maryland 86-75 to reach its third straight Final Four. The Gamecocks improved to 36-0 on the season with their 42nd straight win dating to last year's NCAA title run. They're now just two victories away from consecutive titles and the 10th undefeated season in the history of the women's game. Maryland used a fast pace to lead in the opening period. But South Carolina turned on its trademark defense to grab control.
Third-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in a match at the Miami Open on Monday, the Greek’s first on-court action after a bye and walkover in the opening rounds. Tsitsipas had 12 aces in his first victory since an opening round win in Rotterdam over Emil Ruusuvuori in mid-February. He ran his record to 3-0 against Garin. In women's action, American Jessica Pegula, the No. 3 seed, dispatched Poland’s Magda Linette 6-1, 7-5. She advanced to face 27th-seeded Anastasia Potapova, a 6-4, 7-6 (7) winner over Qinwen Zheng, in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.
The much-anticipated showdown between MVP front-runners Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic fizzed Monday when the Philadelphia 76ers ruled Embiid out against the Denver Nuggets. Embiid has been dealing with a sore right calf and played against Golden State and Phoenix over the weekend. Embiid's post-All-Star Game surge has led sportsbooks to make him a slight favorite over Jokic in the MVP race. Embiid leads the league in scoring but has sat out 14 games this season. Jokic has won the last two MVP awards with Embiid finishing second. Jokic is nearly averaging a triple-double for the Western Conference-leading Nuggets.
The Los Angeles Rams re-signed defensive lineman Marquise Copeland. The move temporarily halts their wholesale roster exodus after the team’s first losing season in six years. Copeland spent most of his first 2 1/2 NFL seasons on the Rams’ practice squad before the team signed him to the active roster in November 2021. He has played in 25 games with nine starts on the line. Copeland is just the second free agent to re-sign this offseason with the Rams, whose roster has been badly depleted while the club attempts to reset its payroll after years of high-profile acquisitions
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he’s not requiring a first-round pick in a potential trade sending four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets but added he’d want “fair value.” Gutekunst and Jets general manager Joe Douglas both discussed trade talks involving the 39-year-old Rodgers on Monday at the NFL annual meeting. Rodgers said March 15 during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on SiriusXM and YouTube that he intends to play for the Jets in 2023.
Peru players and Spanish police officers have got into an altercation in front of the team’s hotel in Madrid. Peru is in town to play Morocco in a friendly at Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday. Images on social media show Peru players outside watching singing fans when one of the players is pushed back by an officer. The player moved the officer away and a small brawl ensues with other players and Peru staff getting involved with other police officers. The altercation lasts a few moments while the crowd continues chanting. It isn’t immediately clear if anyone is detained.
MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs haven’t finalized their opening-day roster, but Monday’s trade of infielder Zach McKinstry to the Detroit Tigers opened up a spot for infielder Miles Mastrobuoni.
Drue Tranquill just led the Chargers in tackles, finished tied for third in sacks and established himself as a down-in, down-out defensive leader.
Kylian Mbappé was kept quiet and France relied on another brilliant finish from recalled defender Benjamin Pavard to win at Ireland 1-0 in European Championship qualifying. Pavard was making his first appearance since France’s opening match of last year’s World Cup. He intercepted a stray pass just outside Ireland’s area and sent in a shot that glanced off the underside of the crossbar. It was Pavard’s third goal for France. His first was against Argentina in the 2018 World Cup and was voted goal of the tournament. France goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced two sensational late saves to preserve his team's second straight Group B win.
Spain and Scotland will fight for the Group A lead in Glasgow in European Championshi[p qualifying. Both teams opened with home victories. The Scots defeated Cyprus 3-0 and Spain beat Norway by the same score. It will be Spain’s second match under new coach Luis de la Fuente. Norway visits Georgia in the other group match. Turkey hosts Croatia and Wales hosts Latvia in Group D. Israel visits Switzerland, Romania hosts Belarus and Andorra is at Kosovo in Group I.
Tiger Woods and Mike Trout have joined forces in a new golf club. Trout is the three-time American League MVP with the Los Angeles Angels and a 10-time All-Star. He has always wanted to create a private club near his roots in southern New Jersey. It's going to be called Trout National — The Reserve. And he's signed up Woods' architecture firm to build it. TGR Design will create an 18-hole course, short-game area and practice facility. Construction is set to begin this year and it's expected to be open for member play in 2025.
A person with knowledge of the deal says Texas has reached an agreement with Rodney Terry to be the Longhorns’ full-time head basketball coach. The person tells The Associated Press that the university is taking the interim tag off Terry's title after he led the program to the Elite Eight following the midseason firing of Chris Beard. Texas was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament by Miami on Sunday. Terry and Texas officials reached the agreement Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter until it was officially announced.
Kylian Mbappé is captaining France to a comfortable start in qualifying for the European Championship. Though Mbappé was kept quiet by Ireland, defender Benjamin Pavard’s 50th-minute shot earned a 1-0 win in Dublin. Forward Dušan Vlahović struck twice late for Serbia in a 2-0 win at neighboring Montenegro. Poland beat Albania 1-0 with a goal from Major League Soccer player Karol Świderski. Netherlands defender Nathan Ake scored twice in a 3-0 win against over-matched Gibraltar. Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai scored the goal of the night from a free kick in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria.
North Carolina guard Caleb Love says he will enter his name into the transfer portal after three seasons with the Tar Heels. Love announced his decision with a social media post Monday. The 6-foot-4 Love had big moments during an unexpected run to last year’s national championship game though he also wrestled with inconsistency for most of his college career. The highs included a huge game to beat Duke in last year's Final Four in the first NCAA Tournament meeting between the rivals. But his shooting numbers all regressed this season even as he averaged a team-best 16.7 points.
San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher wants players to think defense before offense, and the approach is working. The fifth-seeded Aztecs are in their first Final Four in school history thanks to a physical defense that has stifled opponents. They held NCAA Tournament overall No. 1 seed Alabama to 32% shooting in the Sweet 16 before shutting down sixth-seeded Creighton in the second half of a 57-56 victory in the South Region final. Three of four opponents in the tournament shot just 32% against San Diego State, which ranks 35th in field goal defense.
A hotel employee in Madrid has been arrested for racially insulting members of Morocco’s national team. Authorities told the Spanish news agency EFE the employee published the insults on social media. He was denounced by other hotel employees who saw the posts. Some of the posts carried photos of the Moroccan players along with the insults. Morocco will face Peru in a friendly at Metropolitano Stadium in the Spanish capital on Tuesday. Morocco was the biggest surprise of the World Cup in Qatar last year. It eliminated Spain in the round of 16 and Portugal in the quarterfinals before losing to France in the semifinals.
LeBron James' sudden return on Sunday was offset by the loss of the Lakers' other superstar.
PHOENIX — After the Ravens and Lamar Jackson spent the last two years trying to come to an agreement on a long-term deal, the quarterback has issued a definitive response. Following months of silence from Jackson, he revealed on Monday that he has demanded to be traded.
Wrexham has set up its most high-profile match since being bought by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney: A preseason friendly against Manchester United in San Diego. The July 25 match has been announced by both teams. It will take place at Snapdragon Stadium and will see United field a team of mostly young players against Wrexham. Reynolds and McElhenney completed a $2.5 million takeover of Wrexham in November 2020. They took part in an amusing video involving former United manager Alex Ferguson to publicize the friendly. Wrexham will hope to have been promoted to the fourth tier of English soccer by the time the game is played.
Arizona Snowbowl — Wed 6:56a machine groomed 126 - 126 base 55 of 55 trails 100% open, 8 of 8 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.
LEBANON, N.H. (AP) — Latest skiing conditions, as supplied by SnoCountry Mountain Reports. Conditions are subject to change due to weather, skier/rider traffic and other factors. Be aware of changing conditions. For more information go to www.snocountry.com
Big Powderhorn — Wed 6:49a machine groomed 28 - 28 base 44 of 44 trails 100% open, 7 of 10 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p; Apr 01: Last day.
The Baltimore Orioles have optioned right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to Triple-A Norfolk. The move sends one of the game’s top pitching prospects to the minors as opening day approaches. The Orioles also released utilityman Franchy Cordero and outfielder Nomar Mazara. Rodriguez went 6-1 with a 2.20 ERA at Triple-A last season. He’s ranked as the game’s No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline. However, he posted a 7.04 ERA in five starts this spring. Baltimore also reassigned right-hander Eduard Bazardo, outfielder Daz Cameron, right-hander Reed Garrett, catcher Maverick Handley, infielder Josh Lester, infielder Ryan O’Hearn and infielder Jordan Westburg to Norfolk.
Striker Baghdad Bounedjah’s early goal was enough for Algeria to beat Niger 1-0 in African Cup of Nations qualifying and book its place at the tournament in Ivory Coast next year. Algeria is the second team to qualify after World Cup semifinalist Morocco. Morocco qualified last week without playing after South Africa and Liberia drew 2-2. Nigeria gained revenge for a surprise home loss to Guinea-Bissau on Friday by winning in Guinea-Bissau 1-0. Moses Simon converted a penalty in the 30th minute to put Nigeria back on top of Group A.
Baseball has transformed in the 145 days since Dusty Baker and the Houston Astros sealed the franchise’s second title in six seasons. As New York Mets owner Steve Cohen dominated an offseason that saw billions spent, the sport braced for a new world that includes pitch clocks, bigger bases, limits on defensive shifts and pickoff throws, and an overarching attempt to reverse decades of lengthening games and the Analytics Era domination of the Three True Outcomes — strikeouts, walks and home runs. No player will be watched more closely this season than Shohei Ohtani, a two-way megastar in the final year under contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has avoided a one-game suspension for now after the NBA rescinded his 16th technical foul. The league’s decision cleared Doncic to play at Indiana on Monday as the fading Mavericks try to stay in the Western Conference playoff race. The Mavs entered the game one spot out of the West play-in tournament. Dallas is on a four-game losing streak. It included consecutive losses to lowly Charlotte. Doncic got the technical that was rescinded in the second of those losses Sunday.
Jacksonville’s Kris Armstrong slugged six home runs over eight at-bats against Central Arkansas this past weekend and he’s gone deep eight times in 15 trips to the plate since Thursday. Armstrong calls his recent tear an out-of-body experience. The fifth-year senior is second nationally with 16 homers and leads the country with 46 RBIs. Armstrong transferred from Florida to Jacksonville for his fifth season. He had 12 homers in 308 at-bats over four seasons with the Gators. Armstrong attributes his success this season to some adjustments he made in his approach at the plate.
The San Francisco 49ers have signed offensive lineman Matt Pryor to a one-year deal. The addition of Pryor adds depth at right tackle after starter Mike McGlinchey left in free agency to sign with Denver. San Francisco brought back restricted free agent Colton McKivitz with a two-year deal. Jaylon Moore also could be in the mix after being drafted in the fifth round in 2021. Pryor was drafted by Philadelphia in the sixth round in 2018. He spent his first three seasons with the Eagles and the past two in Indianapolis.
Michigan heavyweight Mason Parris has been named winner of the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation's top college wrestler. WIN magazine announced Parris received 38 of 64 first-place votes from the selection panel. Parris went 33-0 while winning a national championship this month in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Three-time national champion Carter Starocci of Penn State finished second in the voting and four-time champion Yianni Diakomihalis of Cornell was third. Parris is the third straight heavyweight to win the Hodge Trophy. The trophy has been presented since 1995 and is named for the undefeated, three-time NCAA champion for Oklahoma from 1955-57.
Free agent defensive linemen Michael Dogbe and Henry Mondeaux have signed one-year contracts with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The duo should provide depth for a team that lost veteran Arden Key to Tennessee. Dogbe started four of 13 games with Arizona in 2022. He finished with 28 tackles, including one tackle for loss. Mondeaux started four of 11 games with the New York Giants in 2022. He finished with 16 tackles. The Jaguars are still looking to replace Key as well as Dawuane Smoot, who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. They are likely to select at least one defensive lineman in next month’s NFL draft.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson says he has requested trade from Baltimore Ravens.
Ilya Lyubushkin is citing an anti-gay Kremlin law and fears of facing retribution at home in Russia for electing to not participate in the Buffalo Sabres’ pregame warmups on Pride night when players are expected to wear Pride-themed jerseys. The team announced Lyubushkin's decision Monday morning. Lyubushkin is from Moscow, where he has family and visits regularly in the offseason. The defenseman is expected to play Monday night against Montreal despite not taking part in warmups. Other players are set to not only wear the rainbow-colored jerseys but use Pride tape on their sticks.
Dave Scott will retire as chairman of the Philadelphia Flyers’ parent company Comcast Spectacor and be replaced by Dan Hilferty. Hilferty was recently named CEO of Comcast Spectacor. He will succeed Scott as chairman of the company on April 17 and as the team’s governor on July 1. Scott joined Comcast Spectacor in December 2013 and the Flyers have struggled under his reign. They will miss the playoffs for a third straight season and haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1975.
The number of college athletes who are monetizing their social media followings has grown over the past 18 months. The NCAA cleared the way for athletes to cash in on their celebrity in July 2021. Many of those influencers are female athletes. Some say they are aware their growing popularity can draw attention from fans who may overstep their bounds. Sometimes it's in the comments on their social media posts. And sometimes they show up at sporting events just to meet the athletes.
European soccer clubs have sealed a new working agreement with FIFA after securing a 70% increase in their shares of World Cup revenues for the 2026 and 2030 tournaments. The European Club Association says it renewed its working accord with FIFA through 2030. It also could lead to clubs having a say in managing commercial deals for the revamped Club World Cup that is scheduled to start in 2025. The agreement ensures clubs worldwide will share $355 million of FIFA’s income from each of the next two men’s World Cups. It was $209 million for each of the past two editions.
The St. Louis Blues added three players before the trade deadline who could be a big part of getting back into contention next season. The early returns are promising. Jakub Vrana scored six goals in his first 11 games with the Blues, Kasperi Kapanen has 10 points in 14 games and Sammy Blais has 15 points in 22 games. All three players signed only through next season are thriving with more ice time, better opportunity and the chance to prove they deserve it. Coach Craig Berube says the change of scenery has given Vrana, Kapanen and Blais new life with their new team.
Sports on TV for Tuesday, March 28
Today in Sports, March 28 - Wilt Chamberlain plays final NBA game.
The Boston Marathon has agreed to a 10-year sponsorship deal with Bank of America that organizers hope will allow the world’s oldest 26.2-mile road race to grow over the next decade while maintaining its historic character. Financial terms of the deal announced Monday weren't disclosed. But the deal doesn't include the naming rights that typically allow the sponsor to boost its profile and an event to boost its coffers. Bank of America already had a foot in the distance-running world as the sponsor of the Chicago Marathon for the last decade. Insurance giant John Hancock sponsored the Boston Marathon for the last 38 years.
Harry Kane likely knew what was awaiting him after he celebrated becoming England’s all-time leading scorer. Confirmation of Antonio Conte’s departure from Tottenham by “mutual agreement” came within hours of his 55th goal for his national team on Sunday. Conte leaves after failing to end Tottenham's 15-year wait for a trophy and Kane’s own pursuit of silverware. The Italian coach has been a serial winner with Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan but could not maintain that record at Tottenham. Kane was presented with a golden boot ahead of England’s 2-0 win over Ukraine but may wonder if any manager can turn Tottenham into a winning team.
