Shanice Beckford’s fairly successful debut season with West Coast Fever in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League has not only rekindled her passion for the sport but also strengthened her resolve to continue representing Jamaica on the international stage.
Simply put, Beckford has found a new lease on life in her career.
Prior to joining West Coast Fever, where the professional environment, high level of competition, and team camaraderie were just what she needed to lift her spirit, Beckford toyed with the idea of retirement. This, as the wear and tear of the sport in a career spanning over a decade, coupled with personal and professional challenges, had taken its toll.
That, along with the fact that Beckford was convinced she had accomplished all she set out to, was among reasons why she was ready to walk away from the sport she first fell in love with as a teenager.
“I was seriously considering hanging up my shoes because, at that point, I was struggling to find the motivation to play netball at all levels. I felt like I had reached a point where I couldn't give it anymore,” Beckford shared.
“But I am now feeling more motivated than before after experiencing the game at a new level. Every week in the SSN felt like a grand final and that reignited my passion for the game, so sometimes it just takes a change of scenery and a competitive atmosphere to get back in the right frame of mind because it definitely reminded me of why I fell in love with netball in the first place,” she told Sportsmax.TV from her base in Perth, Australia.
While her task on the star-studded Fever cast was to play a supporting role for compatriot and decorated goal-shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Beckford’s agility, sharp shooting, and strategic play were not to be outdone.
In fact, those attributes not only made her a standout player in the league, but the goal-attack quickly became a fan favorite and a key player for the Fever. The Perth-based franchise ended the season in third place as Adelaide Thunderbirds—the team of Jamaicans Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson, and Romelda Aiken-George—retained their crown.
Beckford registered 100 goals from 151 attempts, complemented by four intercepts, nine deflections, four rebounds, and 678 Nissan Net Points in 16 games played for the Dan Ryan-coached franchise.
“I believe that my performances exceeded both my coach's and my own expectations. Personally, being in this high-functioning, high-performance environment has greatly contributed to my development and assisted me in unlocking the next level of my game.
“From a team perspective, I feel that my role as a team player, bringing a unique skillset, has been invaluable to our collective efforts and was great to work with. The level of competitiveness in the team ensured that every game felt like a new opportunity to prove myself, so I am very pleased considering it was my debut season,” Beckford noted.
Still, the 29-year-old, like any athlete who aspires to greatness, knows there is much to improve on.
“I've always known that embarking on this new journey would present significant challenges for me. It's an unfamiliar environment and a step up from what I'm used to. Throughout the season, I found it difficult to maintain consistency and awareness, and that resulted in a bit of a rollercoaster ride,” Beckford explained.
She continued: “Nevertheless, I exerted maximum effort in every possible way to persevere and continue working diligently. This experience has taught me the lesson that during trying times, resilient individuals push through, and so I have to stay focused amidst the chaos.
“So I know that there are always areas for me to constantly improve on, and the biggest one for me would be consistency because for any player, continued improvement is crucial. Although I maintained a positive mindset, I am aware of specific areas I need to enhance in order to remain competitive and consistent throughout the season.”
Whether she will be retained by West Coast Fever is left to be seen, but Beckford is optimistic about staying with the club for the foreseeable future.
“The evaluation process is currently underway where the club determines which players will be re-signed, so I am not sure what the outcome will be, but I would love to continue playing in SSN,” Beckford stated.
“If it doesn’t work out, then I will leave knowing I gave it my all and had a wonderful experience, one that I'm grateful for. The league offers unparalleled exposure and experience, and I am confident that I will be better prepared to handle the upcoming season because I’m playing with a renewed sense of purpose and joy,” she added.
By all indications, Beckford’s positive experience with the Fever will certainly spill over on the international stage, as she has committed to the next four-year cycle with the Sunshine Girls with hopes of adding to her three Commonwealth Games medals, three Fast5 medals, and one Netball World Cup medal.
The soft-spoken player’s first assignment will be a home-and-away series against England in November, where she aims to not only display her improved skills and strategies but also a renewed enthusiasm that is contagious.
“Playing in the Super Netball (SSN) league has significantly influenced how I plan to approach the upcoming international games. It has provided me with valuable experience and insights, shaping my mindset and enhancing my performance. The opportunity to compete at such a high level consistently is a great feeling, and I am confident that this experience will greatly contribute to my level of readiness for the England series, should I be chosen to participate,” Beckford stated.
“So I am really looking forward to it, but my goal is to be selected first and then get stuck back into national training because I am committing to the next four-year cycle to focus on playing some great netball and being courageous. I'm also excited to work with a former teammate [Sasher-Gaye Henry], who is now head coach for the Sunshine Girls,” she ended.
Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache has said the Austrian-based teams RB20 "didn't deliver what was expected" in every area this season.
Red Bull claimed a sixth Constructors' Championship in 2023, with Max Verstappen winning his third World Drivers' Championship in a row, scoring 575 points, which was more than double of second placed team-mate, Sergio Perez.
Despite their dominance, the team wanted to remain at the top of the grid and made significant changes to this year's RB20.
Verstappen and Perez would secure three one-two finishes in the first four Grand Prix's of the season, but performances of late have seen the team's around them close in.
Both McLaren and Mercedes have continually improved and have looked competitive since May, with Wache saying the cars' performance this year has fallen below expectations.
"I would say not really. We improved compared to last year, without doubt, but we didn’t deliver what we expected in some areas," Wache told Motorsport.com.
"Especially in the high-speed corners we expected a little bit more than what we have. Without thinking about the competitiveness of the car, so just based on our own references, we expected a little bit more with our tools.
"In medium-speed and low-speed we improved quite a lot compared to last year. We were a little bit weaker in the high-speed corners compared to last year relative to the competition.
"In kerb riding we are clearly weak, but we were already last year. I think we didn’t make the improvement we expected in that aspect."
While Verstappen still holds a comfortable advantage over McLaren's Lando Norris in the Drivers' Championship, the same cannot be said for the Constructors'.
McLaren are now just 42 points behind Red Bull, with Ferrari just 11 points behind the British-based team.
That subsequent dip in results has largely been down to the form of Perez, who is yet to finish on the podium since the Chinese Grand Prix in April.
Verstappen's fourth placed finish at the Belgian Grand Prix last time out was also the first time since 2020 that the Dutchman had failed to win a race in four attempts.
Despite their recent form, it did not come as a surprise to Wache, who said he expected the rival teams to catch up as the season went on.
"We expected the opposition to come earlier, to be honest with you," Wache added. "When we started the 2022 season, we didn’t have the quickest car.
"Ferrari had the quickest car in the beginning of 2022. We expected a massive competition in 2023, but that didn’t happen.
"In 2024 we also expected the competition to be there more or less from the start, because the performance you can find with the car is limited under the same regulations.
"After the first four or five races the others came back, maybe with a bit of delay, but we expected that from the start.
"The limitations you have with these regulations are quite high and what you can find to make more steps is getting more difficult. Then it is almost sure that the opposition will come back at some point."
Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache has said the Austrian-based teams RB20 "didn't deliver what was expected" in every area this season.
Red Bull claimed a sixth Constructors' Championship in 2023, with Max Verstappen winning his third World Drivers' Championship in a row, scoring 575 points, which was more than double of second placed team-mate, Sergio Perez.
Despite their dominance, the team wanted to remain at the top of the grid and made significant changes to this year's RB20.
Verstappen and Perez would secure three one-two finishes in the first four Grand Prix's of the season, but performances of late have seen the team's around them close in.
Both McLaren and Mercedes have continually improved and have looked competitive since May, with Wache saying the cars' performance this year has fallen below expectations.
"I would say not really. We improved compared to last year, without doubt, but we didn’t deliver what we expected in some areas," Wache told Motorsport.com.
"Especially in the high-speed corners we expected a little bit more than what we have. Without thinking about the competitiveness of the car, so just based on our own references, we expected a little bit more with our tools.
"In medium-speed and low-speed we improved quite a lot compared to last year. We were a little bit weaker in the high-speed corners compared to last year relative to the competition.
"In kerb riding we are clearly weak, but we were already last year. I think we didn’t make the improvement we expected in that aspect."
While Verstappen still holds a comfortable advantage over McLaren's Lando Norris in the Drivers' Championship, the same cannot be said for the Constructors'.
McLaren are now just 42 points behind Red Bull, with Ferrari just 11 points behind the British-based team.
That subsequent dip in results has largely been down to the form of Perez, who is yet to finish on the podium since the Chinese Grand Prix in April.
Verstappen's fourth placed finish at the Belgian Grand Prix last time out was also the first time since 2020 that the Dutchman had failed to win a race in four attempts.
Despite their recent form, it did not come as a surprise to Wache, who said he expected the rival teams to catch up as the season went on.
"We expected the opposition to come earlier, to be honest with you," Wache added. "When we started the 2022 season, we didn’t have the quickest car.
"Ferrari had the quickest car in the beginning of 2022. We expected a massive competition in 2023, but that didn’t happen.
"In 2024 we also expected the competition to be there more or less from the start, because the performance you can find with the car is limited under the same regulations.
"After the first four or five races the others came back, maybe with a bit of delay, but we expected that from the start.
"The limitations you have with these regulations are quite high and what you can find to make more steps is getting more difficult. Then it is almost sure that the opposition will come back at some point."
Harrison Butker's contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs makes him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, according to reports.
Butker has penned a new, four-year deal with the Chiefs, who have won back-to-back Super Bowls.
Indeed, the 29-year-old has won three rings while with Kansas City, and converted the crucial field goal in their Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in early 2023.
The Chiefs have now tied Butker down until 2028, with the deal reportedly worth $25.6million, with $17.75m guaranteed, more than any other NFL kicker.
"There's no place I'd rather be than with the Chiefs, excited to finalize a [four] year extension," Butker said in a post on social media. "To the Heights!"
Butker has a field goal percentage of 89.1 across his career, while he has been on the Chiefs' roster since 2017.
The Chicago White Sox tied an American League record with their 21st consecutive loss after being handed a 5-1 defeat by the Oakland Athletics on Monday.
Chicago mustered just one run and three hits through seven innings against A's starter JP Sears to match the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the second-longest losing streak in Major League Baseball since 1900. The 1961 Philadelphia Phillies own the longest skid in the modern era with 23 straight losses.
Max Schuemann snapped a 1-1 tie with a two-run single in the fourth inning to help support Sears (9-8), who retired the final 10 batters he faced after surrendering Andrew Benintendi's run-scoring single in the top of the fourth to improve to 5-1 over his last six starts.
Benintendi's hit brought home Andrew Vaughn, who doubled earlier in the inning, to knot the score at 1-1 before the A's answered with two runs in their half of the fourth.
Oakland loaded the bases when White Sox starter Ky Bush hit Darrell Hernaiz with a pitch after giving up a double to JJ Bleday and walking Zack Gelof. Schuemann then delivered a single to left to drive in two runners and provide Sears with a 3-1 advantage.
Oakland increased its lead on Lawrence Butler's solo homer in the sixth inning, then tacked on another run in the eighth when Gelof scored from third on a pitch that got past White Sox catcher Korey Lee as Schuemann struck out.
Bush, called up from Triple-A Charlotte earlier in the day, allowed just two hits over four innings in his MLB debut, but issued five walks and permitted three runs.
The rookie left-hander walked three batters to load the bases in the first inning, which led to the A's first run when Tyler Nevin plated Daz Cameron with a sacrifice fly.
Ohtani's homer helps Dodgers down Phillies in Freeman's return
Shohei Ohtani hit his National League-leading 34th home run of the season as the Los Angeles Dodgers made Freddie Freeman's return to the lineup a winning one with Monday's 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Teoscar Hernandez added a two-run homer in Freeman's first game since July 25. The All-Star first baseman had been away from the Dodgers for 10 days to attend to his 3-year-old son, who had been hospitalized with an autoimmune condition before being released Sunday.
Ohtani also drove in a pair of runs while finishing 2 for 3 to help Los Angeles win the opener of this marquee three-game series between the NL's top two teams.
The Dodgers also received a solid start from Tyler Glasnow (9-6), who struck out nine over six innings while allowing three runs. Three Los Angeles relievers then finished off the victory, with Daniel Hudson tossing a scoreless ninth to earn his eighth save.
Aaron Nola (11-5) worked six innings for the slumping Phillies but was touched for four runs, all of which came in the third inning as Los Angeles erased an early 2-0 deficit.
Philadelphia has now lost seven of its last eight games and is just a half-game ahead of the Dodgers in the race for the NL's best record.
Nola cruised through the first two innings but quickly ran into trouble in the third, as Jason Heyward and Andy Pages delivered back-to-back doubles to get the Dodgers on the board. After Pages advanced to third on Nick Ahmed's infield single, Ohtani lifted a long sacrifice fly to right field that tied the contest at 2-2.
Hernandez followed with a line drive into the seats in left to put Los Angeles ahead with his 24th homer of the season.
Glasnow kept it a 4-2 lead until the sixth, when Kyle Schwarber singled and reached third on Bryce Harper's one-out double before scoring on a groundout off the bat of Alec Bohm.
Ohtani restored the Dodgers' two-run advantage, however, with a solo homer off Tanner Banks to open the bottom of the eighth.
The Phillies reached Glasnow for two second-inning runs with the help of a misplay by Pages, who couldn't come down with Nick Castellanos' long fly ball to center field that resulted in a two-out triple.
Bryson Stott then plated Castellanos with an infield single, and Austin Hays followed with a base hit to advance Stott to third. Stott would score on a wild pitch uncorked by Glasnow to give the Phillies a 2-0 edge.
Rangers shock Astros on Smith's homer in 10th
Josh Smith came through with a game-winning two-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning, lifting the Texas Rangers to a stunning 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros in the opener of a key three-game series between AL West contenders.
Smith's blast off Caleb Ferguson sent slumping Houston to a third straight loss and prevented the Astros from moving within a half-game of the first-place Seattle Mariners in the division standings.
The defending World Series champion Rangers are now five games behind Seattle after winning for just the third time in 10 games.
After the Astros took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 10th when Texas closer Kirby Yates hit consecutive batters with pitches to force in a run, Ferguson entered the game and struck out the first two men he faced with a designated runner on second base.
Ferguson fell behind in the count to Smith, however, and the utility player sent a 3-1 fastball deep into the right field seats to end the game.
The Rangers opted to intentionally walk Houston slugger Yordan Alvarez in the top of the 10th to put two runners on base, but the strategy backfired when Yates hit Yainer Diaz in the hand and then plunked Jeremy Pena with the bases loaded to put the Astros ahead.
Texas had tied the game on Corey Seager's solo homer off Ryan Pressly in the bottom of the eighth, erasing a 2-1 lead the Astros had taken in the top of the inning when Jose Altuve singled, took second on a wild pitch from Rangers reliever David Robertson and later scored on Pena's infield single.
Alex Bregman gave Houston an early 1-0 advantage with a solo homer in the third inning off Andrew Heaney, the only hit the Rangers' starter allowed in six innings of work.
Texas pulled even in the fifth when Nathaniel Lowe drew a walk against Houston starter Hunter Brown, advanced to third on Adolis Garcia's single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Leody Taveras.
Brown yielded just one run and three hits over six innings.
Jamaica’s Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, the towering goal shooter for West Coast Fever, has once again solidified her status as one of the greatest players in Suncorp Super Netball history by winning the prestigious Stacey Marinkovich Medal for the sixth time.
She has now won the award in six of the seven seasons she has been with the Fever, underscoring her dominance and consistent excellence in the league since her return to the Australian domestic scene in 2018. The Jamaican polled 10 of 14 votes to seal the award.
Fowler-Nembhard has been an unstoppable force since joining West Coast Fever, leading the league in goals scored every season and holding the record for the most goals in a single season. Her scoring prowess was on full display this past season as she topped the scoring charts with 813 goals from 846 attempts, in yet another display of extraordinary accuracy and efficiency. Additionally, she amassed the most Nissan Net Points (1571.5), highlighting her overall impact on the court.
Since her debut in the Suncorp Super Netball League, Fowler-Nembhard has redefined what it means to be a dominant goal shooter. She has been named the league’s Player of the Year for five consecutive years from 2018 to 2022, further testament to her unrivaled talent and consistency. In 2023, she claimed her fifth consecutive Stacey Marinkovich Medal, adding to her already impressive list of accolades.
This season, Fowler-Nembhard reached yet another milestone by scoring her 5000th Suncorp Super Netball goal, an achievement that places her in the upper echelons of the sport's history.
The Jamaican team that represented the island at the 67th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship at the Iberostar Golf Course in Bavaro, Dominican Republic returned to the island Saturday night with runner-up trophies in the ladies category and the country category while the men came third in their category. Dr. Mark Newnham, vice president of the Jamaica Golf Association, welcomed the team on their arrival.
The ladies were runners-up for the second consecutive year and brought back the runner-up George Teale trophy. The four members of the ladies team were Emily Mayne, Mattea Issa and new comers Kierra Williams and Kingston Burke.
Emily Mayne was the team's top performer. She was tied for second with scores of even par 72, one under par 71 and five over par 77 for a three-day total of four over par 220.
Kierra Williams ended in fourth place with scores of 72, 71 and 75 for a total score of 221 or just one shot behind second place Mayne.
Mattea Issa tied for 7th place with a total score of 227 on the back of 73, 73 and 81 on the final day of the championship.
The fourth player, Kingston Burke totaled 248 for 15th place.
The overall ladies winner was Arabella Lopez of Puerto Rico. She topped the leaderboard on all three days with a combined score eight under 208.
Perennial winner Puerto Rico won all three trophies on offer – the George Teale trophy, the Arhtur Ziadie or country trophy and the Hoerman Cup for the men.
Jamaica took home the runner-up country trophy on the back of the whole team's performance.
The men performed creditably to close the championship in third place after placing eighth in 2023. The male members of the team are Rocco Lopez, Zandre Roye, Oshae Haye, Ryan Lue, Jack Stein and Aman Dhiman.
Rocco Lopez was the best placed player after closing the championship tied for fifth place after scoring one under par 215.
Former national champion Haye was further back in 12th place with a combined total of 222.
The youngest male player on tour was Ryan Lue and he occupied the 20th spot with a total score of 228.
Jack Stein and Aman Dhiman were tied for 25th place with a three day total of 232 each.
The sixth and final player, and current national champion Zandre Roye had a rough championship after posting a combined score of 241.
Mayne, Lopez, Issa, Lue and Dr. Newnham who met the team at the airport were pleased with the team’s performance as well as the individual performances while looking forward to more opportunities for improvement in future championships.
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has lashed out at his exclusion from the NFL's Top 100 list for the 2023 season, describing the omission as "bull****".
Johnson enjoyed a career-best campaign in 2023 despite the Bears going 7-10 and finishing bottom of the NFC North, being selected for the second All-Pro team.
However, he did not make the league's annual list of the top 100 players, which is voted for by players and was released last week.
Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill topped the list ahead of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who won his second MVP award after also claiming the prize in 2019.
Johnson was not among those to make the cut, leaving him to question the decision to vote in New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers – who suffered a season-ending injury in Game 1 – at number 92.
"It's bull****. There ain't no way. I don't know how you make Pro Bowl, All-Pro and not [be] a Top 100 guy," Johnson said.
"I could've been 101 I guess, but goddamn, Aaron Rodgers didn't even play in the season and he was voted.
"I mean, hey, everybody makes mistakes, it ain't just the media that do it. Players clearly, if they voted for it, they made some goddamn mistakes.
"But it is what it is. At the end of the day I know the truth and it's all right, I got some more for them."
However, Johnson insists his omission will not serve as his primary motivation for 2024, with Chicago approaching the campaign with renewed hope after taking highly-rated quarterback Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
"It's disrespectful because I go out there, line up and I know receivers go out there and can't say that I'm not one of best players that they play against," Johnson said.
"Whatever it is, it happened. Doing it wouldn't have moved me to where I'm complacent, but just to see it… there ain't no way there are 100 guys who are better.
"Especially guys who didn't play, who were hurt, played half, ain't no f***** way. Excuse my language. Ain't no way."
Paula Badosa is back to feeling like she is an athlete again after claiming victory at the Washington Open.
Badosa, the former world number two, is back in the WTA's top 50 following Sunday's 6-1 4-6 6-4 defeat of Marie Bouzkova.
It marks the Spaniard's fourth Tour-level title but her first since she triumphed in Sydney at the start of the 2022 season.
Last year was a difficult one for Badosa, who sustained a stress fracture in her back and subsequently dropped out of the top 100.
But now she is back to feeling like her old self.
"What I went through the last year, for me being back, winning big titles like a [WTA] 500, [beating] the best players in the world, being competing against them again, for me it means a lot," said Badosa, who downed Emma Raducanu en route to clinching the trophy.
"That's why I had this mix of emotions. I was really, really nervous because I really wanted it really badly.
"One year ago I was on the couch, so it's a big difference now. Now I'm an athlete again.
"Even before the tournament I was feeling good, I was feeling confident.
"I think I needed to win something, a big title for me. Because of my personality, I'm not happy always with finals and semi-finals. I want to win titles.
"I'm [a] perfectionist. Of course, that sometimes brings me down, but also in important moments I think it gives me [something] extra. I felt I needed this moment very much."
Sebastian Korda triumphed at the Washington Open, replicating the success of his father from 1992.
Korda, who comes from a hugely successful sporting family, came from a set down to beat Flavio Cobolli 4-6 6-2 6-0 on Sunday.
In the process, Korda and Petr became the first father-son duo to win the same title in the history of the ATP Tour.
"I've been coming to this tournament since I was a teenager. We [the Korda family] have a lot of history with this tournament," the 24-year-old said.
"One of my biggest goals was one day coming here and hopefully winning the tournament and putting my name up there on the stadium.
"This is probably the most special moment of my career so far."
Korda's victory sees him rise up to world number 18 and marks the second Tour-level title of his career, after he triumphed in Parma in 2021.
The Chicago White Sox are now Major League Baseball's first team in 36 years to lose 20 consecutive games in a season following Sunday's 13-7 defeat to the Minnesota Twins.
Royce Lewis and Willi Castro each drove in three runs and helped the Twins build an early 8-0 lead en route to extending the White Sox's epic losing streak, which is now one game short of tying an American League record. The Baltimore Orioles own that dubious mark after dropping their first 21 games of the 1988 season.
Chicago, which last won on July 10 and owns the worst record in the majors at 27-87, next heads to Oakland for a three-game series beginning Monday. The Athletics have the second-worst record in the AL at 46-67.
Lewis had a three-run homer among his two hits and scored three times in Minnesota's fourth straight win. Castro and Jose Miranda each collected three hits as the Twins remained a half-game ahead of Kansas City for the AL's second wild-card spot. The Royals rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
The Twins quickly jumped ahead with two first-inning runs aided by an error by Chicago second baseman Brooks Baldwin, whose miscue allowed Byron Buxton to score with two out. Both Buxton and Lewis had reached base by drawing walks off White Sox starter Chris Flexen.
Miranda followed with a single that drove in Lewis for a 2-0 lead.
Flexen also walked Austin Martin to begin the bottom of the second, setting the stage for a six-run inning for Minnesota. Castro delivered a run-scoring double two batters later and scored on Trevor Larnach's single for a 4-0 advantage.
After Buxton doubled to send Larnach to third, Lewis launched his 13th homer of the season to pad the margin to 7-0. Miranda later singled and Matt Wallner followed with a triple to cap the big inning.
Flexen (2-11) lasted just 1 2/3 innings and was tagged for eight runs - six earned - on seven hits.
Andrew Vaughn doubled in Baldwin in the third to get the White Sox on the board, then scored on a Lenyn Sosa single for Chicago's second run. The White Sox got a bit closer in the fourth when Baldwin's run-scoring single cut the lead to 8-3.
Chicago trimmed its deficit further on Andrew Benintendi's two-run homer in the top of the seventh, but the Twins responded with a pair of runs in their half of the inning.
After loading the bases on a pair of walks and a single, Minnesota got a run back on a passed ball by White Sox catcher Korey Lee and another on Ryan Jeffers' sacrifice fly.
The White Sox did answer in the top of the eighth, as Luis Robert doubled in a run and crossed the plate on Vaughn's double to pull Chicago within 10-7. However, the Twins scored three times in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach.
A Lewis single and a Miranda double helped load the bases before Chicago reliever Steven Wilson forced in a run with a walk. Castro then knocked in Minnesota's final two runs with a single to center.
Wheeler, Phillies get back on track with shutout of Mariners
Zack Wheeler yielded just two hits over eight dominant innings and the Philadelphia Phillies socked four home runs to pull away for a 6-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners that halted the National League leaders' season-high six-game losing streak.
Kyle Schwarber led off the game with a home run and Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott all went deep during a five-run eighth inning to help Philadelphia avoid being swept in the three-game series.
Wheeler (11-5) recorded nine strikeouts and bounced back strongly from a rough previous start, a loss to the New York Yankees on Monday in which he permitted seven runs in five innings. The All-Star retired the final 15 hitters he faced after issuing a walk to Cal Raleigh to start the bottom of the fourth.
The right-hander's gem helped pin a tough-luck loss on AL All-Star Logan Gilbert (6-8), who surrendered just three hits following Schwarber's early homer and fanned seven over six innings.
Gilbert's effort helped keep Seattle close until the eighth, which Stott opened with a homer off Yimi Garcia to increase the Phillies' lead to 2-0. Garcia retired the next two hitters before walking Trea Turner and giving way to Taylor Saucedo, whom Harper greeted with a homer to right for a 4-0 advantage.
Bohm then sent Saucedo's next pitch into the left field stands to provide Wheeler with some further insurance.
The Mariners were able to keep their slim one-game lead over second-place Houston in the AL West after the Astros were dealt a 1-0 loss by the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
Henderson, Holliday homers help Orioles earn split with Guardians
Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday had home runs to help power a 15-hit attack that carried the Baltimore Orioles to a 9-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians in a clash of AL division leaders.
Henderson and Eloy Jimenez each finished with three hits, while Adley Rutschman went 2 for 4 and drove in three runs as the Orioles earned a split of this key four-game series. The Orioles also remained tied with the New York Yankees, who defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in 10 innings Sunday, for first place in the AL East.
Colton Cowser added two hits and scored three times to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, tied for the longest by a rookie in Orioles history.
Josh Naylor had a three-run homer for the Guardians, but Cleveland starter Gavin Williams was rocked for six runs and eight hits despite registering eight strikeouts in four innings.
Henderson got his day started with a first-inning single before scoring on Ryan O'Hearn's double that gave Baltimore an early 1-0 lead.
The Orioles extended the margin in the third after loading the bases when Williams (1-4) walked Cowser and Henderson in between an Anthony Santander double. Rutschman followed with a sacrifice fly and Jimenez then drove in Santander with a single for a 3-0 advantage.
Cleveland did answer with a pair of runs off Corbin Burnes in their half of the third. Daniel Schneemann singled, stole second and scored on a Steven Kwan single to get the Guardians on the board, and a throwing error by Burnes on Jose Ramirez's infield single later enabled Kwan to cross the plate and trim the Orioles' lead to one.
Holliday's second career homer, a solo shot in the fourth, gave Baltimore some breathing room, and Henderson launched his 29th homer of the season with Cowser aboard later in the inning to put the Orioles up 6-2.
The Guardians again battled back courtesy of Naylor's homer off Burnes in the fifth, which came after both Kwan and Ramirez had reached base on singles.
Burnes (12-4) allowed five runs - four earned - in five innings but was able to obtain his 12th win of the season thanks to the Baltimore bullpen, which held Cleveland scoreless over the final four innings while using five relievers.
The Orioles' offence continued to produce, however, as Cowser and Henderson each singled in the sixth in front of Ryan Mountcastle's run-scoring base hit that stretched the lead to 7-5. Rutschman then brought in Henderson with a double to give Baltimore a three-run cushion.
Rutschman drove in another run in the eighth with a single that plated Santander.
Barbados and Jamaica emerged as the champions in the boys' and girls' divisions, respectively, as the curtains came down on the 2024 CAZOVA U19 Boys and Girls Zonal Championships at the GC Foster College in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on Sunday.
In a thrilling boys' final, Barbados demonstrated remarkable resilience by coming from two sets down to defeat Trinidad and Tobago. The Barbadian boys showcased their fighting spirit and strategic prowess, eventually securing the championship with a 20-25, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 15-12 victory. Barbados earned their place in the final by overcoming the hosts, Jamaica, in straight sets (25-20, 25-21, 25-13) in the semi-finals.
On the girls' side, hosts Jamaica claimed the championship title with an impressive performance against Trinidad and Tobago. The Jamaican girls won the final in four sets, 25-21, 25-23, 24-26, 25-14, showcasing their dominance and skill throughout the tournament.
Jamaica’s boys finished fourth after a hard-fought match against the US Virgin Islands (USVI) in the playoff for third place. In an enthralling encounter, USVI edged out Jamaica 19-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 15-9. However, the USVI girls' team was not as fortunate, as they were defeated by Barbados in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-23) in a keenly contested match.
An emotional Scottie Scheffler says he will remember his gold medal win "for a long time" having come from behind with a record-equalling final round to win at the Olympics.
The American started four strokes behind co-leaders Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele on Sunday but produced a superb nine-under 62 to pip Great Britain's Tommy Fleetwood to the top of the leaderboard by one stroke as he finished on 19 under at Le Golf National.
It has been a banner year for the world number one, who won his second Masters title in April before claiming a first-ever medal at the Olympics.
Scheffler was emotional on the podium and expressed his pride at being able to add another gold medal to the United States' medal tally at the Paris Games.
"I get emotional in general. Usually, I have a bit more time after a tournament to kind of reflect and compose myself, but with this one, you kind of go from one thing to the next," Scheffler told NBC.
"You don't really reflect until you're standing up there on the podium. That was a pretty special moment I'll remember for a long time: standing up there on the podium with the gold medal around my neck.
"It's been a long week. It's been a challenging week. I played some great golf today, and I'm proud to be going home with a medal."
Despite his impressive score, it did not always look like Scheffler would have a chance of finishing on the podium, with Rahm pulling ahead, only to suffer a collapse on the back nine to slip out of contention.
The 28-year-old made six birdies on the back nine, including four in a row after a slightly slow start on the first half of the course.
"I felt good most of the day," Scheffler added. "I felt like I was doing a lot of good things, and the front nine, I hit a bit of a cold stretch on 4 through 9 where I wasn't able to make any birdies; and I felt like I had what was a lot of good putts and felt like what I felt was good putts and didn't go in.
"[Caddie] Teddy [Scott] did a really good job of helping me stay patient out there, and did a good job of reading the greens, as well, and we were able to get hot there on the back nine and move our way up the leaderboard."
Carlos Alcaraz says the pressure got to him in the Olympic Games final as he lost out on the gold medal to Novak Djokovic.
In a hard-fought battle, Djokovic claimed his first-ever gold medal with a 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) victory at Roland-Garros, avenging his Wimbledon final defeat to the Spaniard last month.
Alcaraz, playing in the Olympics for the first time, was chasing the top prize to add to this year's trophy haul, having already won the French Open and Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old was the second-youngest men's singles finalist at the Olympics in tennis history, after Robert LeRoy in St. Louis in 1904, but missed the chance to become the youngest-ever champion in the competition.
And Alcaraz admitted the pressure of playing for his country weighed on him, causing him to falter at key moments.
"It was a different type of pressure," Alcaraz said. "Everyone in Spain wanted me to win the gold, and I wanted to win the gold as well.
"In those difficult moments I usually raise my level, but I wasn't able to do that today. Probably, I felt the pressure in those situations. You play four grand slams every year, the Olympics is only once every four years.
"Obviously, this week, this tournament has been really special for me. I'm going to take it for the rest of my life, for the rest of my career, for sure. Playing with Rafa [Nadal in the men's doubles], getting my first Olympics medal - hopefully not the last one - it's been a special one."
Rory McIlroy says the Olympic Games show "what's important" about sport after a tightly contested four days in Paris.
The Northern Irishman had played himself into contention after a much-improved performance on the third day of the competition, and he was one shot off the lead going into the 15th hole on Sunday.
However, his chances of taking a medal ended when he found the water on his approach and he eventually finished tied for fifth with Jon Rahm, four strokes behind gold medal winner Scottie Scheffler.
McIlroy, who also narrowly missed out on a medal in Tokyo three years ago, says it is refreshing to play in the Olympics after some turbulent years in the sport due to controversy surrounding the Saudi-backed breakaway LIV circuit.
"I still think that the Ryder Cup is the best tournament that we have in our game, pure competition, and I think this has the potential to be right up there with it," said the four-time major winner.
"I think with how much of a s*** show the game of golf is right now, and you think about the two tournaments that might be the purest form of competition in our sport, we don't play for money in it.
"So, it speaks volumes for what's important in sport and what's important. I think every single player this week has had an amazing experience."
On the final day, some of the biggest names were still in contention for the gold, which Scheffler won after a record-equalling round of 62.
Tommy Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuyama took silver and bronze respectively, with Rahm squandering a four-stroke lead after a poor back nine.
McIlroy enjoyed a streak of five birdies in the back nine on the final day at Le Golf National but lamented the double bogey on the 15th that effectively ended his medal challenge.
"Missed my spot by nearly three or four yards and that ended up costing me a medal," he added.
"I had a wedge in my hand on 15, and you birdie that and get to 18-under and tied for the lead, yeah, absolutely [I was thinking about the gold medal].
"Any medal is possible at that point."
Rafael Nadal urged Carlos Alcaraz to reflect on his success and treasure his Olympic silver medal, despite a gut-wrenching defeat to Novak Djokovic on Sunday.
Djokovic overcame Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) at Roland-Garros, securing the top prize at the Games on the clay courts in Paris.
The 21-year-old, who was denied the Olympic title to go with this year's French Open and Wimbledon crowns, was reduced to tears at the conclusion in the French capital.
Yet Nadal, who Alcaraz partnered in the men's doubles competition at the Olympics this year, says his fellow Spaniard will soon understand the feats of his achievement.
"Carlos, although I know that today is a difficult day, value a medal that is very important for the entire country and you will see, over time, that it is for you too," Nadal wrote on social media platform X.
"Thank you for this incredible week and for the medal that you [gave] to Spanish sport."
Djokovic is only the second player in the Open Era to win all four grand slams, the gold medal at the Olympics and the ATP Tour Finals, along with Andre Agassi.
At 37 years and 74 days, the Serbian is also the oldest player to secure gold in either the men's or women's singles at the Olympics, since the sport returned as an event at the 1988 Games.
This victory also somewhat exacted revenge after losing out to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final last month, while sealing a long-awaited dream of gold at his fifth Games for Serbia.
Tommy Fleetwood put disappointment to one side after achieving an Olympics dream with a silver medal in Paris.
Great Britain's Fleetwood finished 18-under at the Games, one shot short of Scottie Scheffler, who secured the United States' second straight gold in this event.
Fleetwood fell out of the lead with a bogey from the rough on the 17th but got up and down for par on the final hole for a 66 to seal second place, ahead of Japan's bronze medallist Hideki Matsuyama.
"There's part of me that's disappointed, of course, but at the same time I never dreamt I would be an Olympic medallist," Fleetwood said after the conclusion on Sunday.
"I haven't been in the mix that much recently and being back there, playing well and feeling how that felt again, I enjoyed it so much and I'm unbelievably proud to be an Olympic medallist.
"It feels unbelievably special and I know I didn't win gold, a very good golfer did, but standing on that podium with a medal was one of the most amazing moments I've had as a golfer.
"I'll remember those times for the rest of my life."
Jon Rahm had led for large parts, with four shots over Fleetwood when he stepped up to the tee on the 11th, only for the Spaniard to collapse in remarkable fashion.
Scheffler charged to the front with four straight birdies down the stretch, making an 18-foot birdie putt to take the lead for the first time all day with just one hole remaining.
In doing so, victorious world number one Scheffler set an Olympic record for 72 holes with his 19-under 265 at Le Golf National.
Italy's Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani came from behind against Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider to snatch Olympic gold in the women's doubles.
Having lost the doubles final at the French Open in June, Paolini and Errani dug deep to win 2-6 6-1 10-7 on Court Philippe-Chatrier in one hour and 25 minutes to earn Italy's first Games gold medal in tennis.
Russia-born pair Andreeva and Shnaider – competing for the Individual Neutral Athletes – made a perfect start, with a three-game winning run in the first half putting them out of the Italians' reach.
Paolini and Errani successfully defended two break points to make it 4-2 and end that run, but they lost their serve to love in the final game to fall behind.
However, the Italian pair rallied brilliantly in the second set, earning a break in the first game to set the tone.
Andreeva and Shnaider managed to claw a game back to make it 2-1, but their opponents quickly shut down any hopes of a comeback.
The Italians won each of the next four games, holding their nerve at the end to get a third break of the set and force a tie-break.
Paolini and Errani remained in control for the decider, earning two more breaks as they stormed to a historic gold medal.
Data Debrief: Italians get the job done with historic gold
After coming agonisingly close at the French Open two months ago, Paolini and Errani finally got their hands on a big win.
Not only was it the first-ever gold medal for Italy in any of the tennis events at the Olympics, but the first medal of any colour for Italian women.
Errani has also completed the career golden slam in women's doubles, having won all four major titles in the paired grand slam competitions between 2012 and 2014, alongside Roberta Vinci.
Cindy Ngamba etched her name in history after guaranteeing a first medal for the Refugee Olympic Team in Paris.
The Britain-based boxer overcame French hope Davina Michel by a unanimous points decision to reach the 75kg semi-finals on Sunday.
With no third-place bouts at the Games, Ngamba is set for at least a bronze medal even if she loses to Panama's Atheyna Bylon on Thursday.
Having led the Refugee Team as the flagbearer at the opening ceremony just over a week ago, Ngamba secured another piece of history here – though the Cameroon-born fighter is intent on not finishing just yet.
"It means the world to me, to be the first ever refugee to win a medal," Ngamba said.
"I'm just a human, just like any other refugee, athlete and refugee all around the world. But I hope I can change the medal in my next fight.
"I was fighting a very tough opponent today. A lot of people were not cheering for me. But I listened to my team, I listened to my coaches and I listened to myself.
"I stuck to the tactics and I stayed calm and composed. I'm happy that I got the job done. Hopefully, in the next one, I will also get the job done. No, not hopefully. I will get it done."
Ngamba became the first refugee athlete to make the Olympics boxing tournament in May, and the first in any sport to earn a place in the Games by qualification rather than selection.
The 25-year-old was born in Cameroon but moved to England in 2009, though is unable to return to her homeland because she is homosexual, which remains a criminal offence in the country.
Team GB have supported her citizenship application but to no avail, leading Ngamba to represent the International Olympic Committee's refugee team in the French capital.
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