The Houston Astros responded to blowing a 5-0 lead in Game 1 with a fast start to set up their 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies to square the World Series on Saturday.
The Astros raced to a 3-0 first-inning lead, scoring two runs from the first four pitches from Phillies starter Zach Wheeler, before Alex Bregman's fifth-inning two-run blast shored up a 5-0 lead at Minute Maid Park.
The Phillies had rallied from that deficit on Friday but could not replicate that, despite plating runs in the seventh and ninth innings. Kyle Schwarber thought he had pulled it back to 5-3 with an eighth-inning two-run blast but that was called a foul after a replay review.
Framber Valdez was heroic, sending down 104 pitches before being retired in the seventh inning with nine strikeouts having allowed only four hits, three walks and one earned run.
Jose Altuve's lead-off double from the first pitch was followed by Jeremy Pena's left-field line drive from the second pitch to score the second baseman. Altuve put aside his postseason struggles with three hits for the game.
Two pitches later Pena scored when Yordan Alvarez's left-field shot sailed over Schwarber's head. Alvarez added the third in the inning from an error by shortstop Edmundo Sosa.
Wheeler corrected his early issues, allowing only two singles from 14 batters until Bregman's fifth-inning blast, his third of the postseason.
Nick Castellanos scored from Jean Segura's seventh-inning sacrifice fly, before Schwarber came close to halving the deficit twice, with his two-run blast overturned, followed by a right-field shot that was caught inches short by Kyle Tucker.
Astros first baseman's Yuli Gurriel error allowed Alec Bohm to score in the ninth but Ryan Pressly closed it out to square the World Series at 1-1.
Louis Oosthuizen beat Bryson DeChambeau 1up in 23 holes to secure a spot for Stinger GC in the LIV Golf Championship in Miami on Sunday after a 2-1 team semi-finals win on Saturday.
Saturday's semi-finals were match play, with Sunday's Championship to be stroke play, but Oosthuizen and DeChambeau offered plenty of drama in their singles match at Trump National Doral.
With Stinger and the Crushers tied at 1-1, the pair could not be split until the fifth extra hole, with Oosthuizen having a long-range putt for victory fall short on the 18th hole.
But the South African swooped when DeChambeau's tee shot on the fifth extra hole found the water, with Oosthuizen finishing the job.
"At the end I think the adrenaline took over in the last few holes," the South African said. "It was a great match.
"I don’t know how many birdies we made, but very relieved now. I thought the boys had it covered so when I saw Branden [Grace] lost and I'm like 'oh boy I've got to do something here', so very chuffed."
Grace was beaten by Paul Casey in their singles match, but Charl Schwartzel and Hennie du Plessis had won 2up in the alternate shot against Charles Howell III and Anirban Lahiri.
Dustin Johnson and his 4Aces GC also advanced to Sunday's decider with a 2-1 win over Cleeks GC.
Pat Perez and Talor Gooch held off Graeme McDowell and Richard Bland in extra holes to clinch the winning point.
Cameron Smith's Punch GC knocked off Sergio Garcia's Firebirds GC 2-1, while Brooks Koepka's Smash GC were too good for Majesticks GC 3-0.
Irishman Seamus Power produced the best round of the third day to move into a share of the lead with Ben Griffin at 18-under overall at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship on Saturday.
The co-leaders' three rounds of 195 is a new tournament record and came in difficult conditions with strong winds at Port Royal Golf Course impacting play.
Power carded a third straight six-under 65, bouncing back from a double bogey on the par-three 13th hole with back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th holes to grab the lead at a windy Port Royal Golf Course.
The 35-year-old Irishman had managed four consecutive birdies from the second to fifth holes, before he sunk a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-three 16th and brilliantly escaped an awkward lie on a slope on the par-five 17th.
Griffin, who walked away from golf nearly two years ago before returning last season, carded a five-under-round of 66 on Saturday, also coming unstuck on the 13th with a bogey before returning into the joint lead with a closing birdie after an exquisite approach.
Kevin Yu and Aaron Baddeley are next best, tied two shots behind at 16-under overall, with Brian Gay carding his third successive round of 66 to be alone at 15-under overall.
Greyson Sigg and Thomas Detry are a stroke back at 14 under, while Brent Grant shot into the lead early after six straight birdies early but three bogeys and a double bogey on his back nine saw him card a two-under 69 and be 11-under overall.
Halfway leader Ben Crane shot a two-over 73 to slip six shots off the pace and down the leaderboard at 12-under overall. Crane bogeyed four of five holes from the 13th to the 17th to slide out of contention.
George Russell bemoaned what he described as a "terrible lap" after he qualified second for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver was fastest in Saturday's third practice but could not replicate that in qualifying as Max Verstappen claimed pole position.
World champion Verstappen set a time of one minute and 17.775 seconds, 0.304 seconds ahead of Russell.
Russell's team-mate Lewis Hamilton was third, 0.309 seconds off the pace, though he was more upbeat than a frustrated Russell.
"The team deserved more today," Russell said. "They've produced a really great car this weekend and it's testament for them for the work they've been doing for so long.
"I feel like it was our pole to have but it was just a terrible lap from my side. But it's great to be back on the front row.
"I'll be going for it at the start tomorrow for sure. Let's see what's possible."
Hamilton, seemingly looking at the bigger picture, said of his performance: "The first one [lap], which I think was quick enough for second maybe I don't know, but it wasn't quite good enough.
"The Red Bulls are naturally so fast. I think this is such an amazing showing and I'm really proud of my team.
"This is the best qualifying we've had all year, so it just shows that having perseverance and never giving up is the way forward. A big thanks to everyone here and back in the factory.
"I'm pretty happy with my position [on the grid] to be honest, it's a long way down to turn one."
Red Bull's Verstappen will have support from his team-mate in a prospective battle with Mercedes, Sergio Perez having qualified fourth.
"It's a very long run to Turn One, so we do need a good start. But I think we have a quick car and that's what is most important," said Verstappen.
"It's incredible the passion of all the fans here. Also, in the stadium, it's amazing to drive here. Checo will be there tomorrow - we have a great race car.
"I hope it will be quite a fun race with a lot of action. I think it will be close in the race. Normally [Mercedes] have very good race pace as well."
The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were a disappointing fifth and seventh respectively, sandwiched by Alfa Romeo's Valtteri Bottas.
Australia rounded off their Rugby League World Cup group campaign with another rout, this time crushing Italy 66-6 on Saturday.
The defending world champions have made light work of each of their assignments in Group B and ran in 12 tries against Italy at John Smith's Stadium in Huddersfield.
Six of them came in the first half as Valentine Holmes, James Tedesco, Campbell Graham, Latrell Mitchell and Murray Taulagi all went over, the latter claiming a double in the opening period.
There was no let-up from the Kangaroos after the break as Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Cameron Murray, Jeremiah Nanai and Lindsay Collins crossed, with Graham joining Taulagi in registering a brace.
Ronny Palumbo's try ensured Italy did get on the scoreboard, but they bow out after finishing third in Group B above only Scotland.
Australia progress having scored 192 points and conceded 14. As Group B winners, they will face either Lebanon or Ireland in the last eight, a prospective semi-final with England likely their biggest barrier to a return to the final.
The 11-time winners are on a 15-game victorious streak in the tournament and have reached every final save for the inaugural tournament held in 1954.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz was stunned in the Swiss Indoors Basel semi-finals as Felix Auger-Aliassime set up a final clash with Holger Rune.
Auger-Aliassime saw off the US Open champion in just 82 minutes as he won 6-4 6-3 to take his unbeaten run to 12 matches.
The Canadian was in irresistible form on Saturday, with his shot placement in decisive moments proving far more consistent and lethal than his counterpart, hitting 23 winners to Alcaraz's eight.
Twenty-two-year-old Auger-Aliassime is still fighting to qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time and victory in Sunday's final will move him up to sixth in the rankings having won each of his two previous tournaments in Antwerp and Florence.
"It's amazing," Auger-Aliassime said. "I never expected it, when I was in Florence three weeks ago, or after the US Open. I'm just really happy that all my work is coming together.
"I've always believed that I can play this way, that I can be consistent in that way, but one thing is to believe and the other is to actually do it. It's nice to feel that way, it's nice to come out on the court and win that many matches in a row. So hopefully this is just the beginning of seeing me play this way."
Rune awaits after the Dane beat Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (10-8) despite being 6-2 down in the second-set tie-break. He will move into the top 20 for the first time as a result of that win.
The final of the Vienna Open will be contested by Daniil Medvedev and Denis Shapovalov, who came through their respective semis in straight sets.
Top seed Medvedev was exceptional against Grigor Dimitrov, with the Russian's serve proving especially important in his 6-4 6-2 win.
Medvedev won 87 per cent of points on his first serve to leave Dimitrov frequently struggling for momentum, and the former world number one recognised that impact.
"The serve is probably the most important shot in tennis," he said. "I was lacking it a little bit this season, I was doing too many double faults. Sometimes in important moments my serve could have been a little bit better. I was working a lot with my coach to try and find this rhythm [again], and so far I'm serving good here. I'm really happy about it and that's also why I'm playing so good."
Shapovalov ultimately romped to an impressive win over Borna Coric.
A tight first set was followed by the Croatian getting bageled as Shapovalov won 7-6 (7-4) 6-0 to reach his second final of the year.
Ryan Tannehill will miss the Tennessee Titans' road trip to the Houston Texans through injury, meaning rookie Malik Willis is set to make his first NFL start.
Since becoming the Titans' first-choice quarterback, Tannehill has not missed a game for Tennessee.
However, earlier this week Tannehill was noted as questionable due to an ankle injury sustained against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 and it was later confirmed he was also struggling with illness.
On Saturday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network confirmed Tannehill has been downgraded to out and will not travel with the team to Texas.
Tannehill has completed 95 of 146 passes and thrown for six touchdowns for a Titans side who are 4-2 and top of the AFC South this season.
Willis will instead start under center for the Titans and he has been rep-heavy in practice with Tannehill unable to train.
His only action in the NFL came during Week 2 when the Titans were hammered 41-7 by the Buffalo Bills, with Willis completing one of four passes.
The 23-year-old was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and 86th overall.
Blair Kinghorn missed a decisive late penalty as Scotland suffered a 16-15 defeat to Australia at Murrayfield.
The Wallabies held a 6-5 lead at the interval after Bernard Foley's pair of penalties nudged them in front following Ollie Smith's opening try, which Kinghorn failed to convert.
But Kinghorn seemingly put Scotland in command after the break, pouncing on a handling error by Australia to kick ahead for himself twice and scoop up for Scotland's second try.
He added the extras and then knocked over a penalty to make it 15-6, only for the sin-binning of Glen Young to put Scotland on the ropes.
Australia capitalised when man of the match James Slipper barged his way over. Foley converted and then made no mistake with a three-pointer to give the Wallabies a one-point lead.
Kinghorn, though, had the chance to have the final say after Australia were penalised at the breakdown, but his kick drifted wide of the left-hand post to give the Wallabies a first win in four against Scotland.
Dom Young starred as England secured top spot in their Rugby League World Cup group with a record 94-4 victory over Greece at Bramall Lane on Saturday.
The tournament hosts had already been assured of a place in the quarter-finals after beating Samoa and France in their first two matches.
But coach Shaun Wane wanted to put on a show and his side did so in Sheffield with 17 tries, Young responsible for four of those to climb to the top of the competition scoring chart.
The first of Young's tries arrived shortly after Matty Lees had opened the scoring, but Siteni Taukamo responded for World Cup debutants Greece, who have lost all three games.
England soon pulled away as Young crossed over three more times before half-time, and Ryan Hall, Tom Burgess and captain George Williams also dotted down.
The second half proved even more one-sided, with Marc Sneyd finding the chalk twice in quick succession, before Burgess and Hall doubled their personal counts.
Greece could not stem the tide on their way out of the tournament as Joe Batchelor, Andy Ackers (two), debutant Kai Pearce-Paul and Mike McMeeken rounded off England's biggest win in a Rugby World Cup.
Dexter Lawrence's assessment of his own skill set could be viewed by some as arrogant.
"I go into a game, honestly, knowing that I'm not going to be able to be stopped. I do feel like, right now, I'm unblockable," the New York Giants defensive tackle recently told NorthJersey.com.
"I'm gonna work all my technique. I'm gonna play strong, play fast and just whoop the guy in front of me. That's my mindset. I don't really care what he does. He can change it up mid-game. My whole focus is whooping that guy in front of me, I've always felt that way, but now, it's just showing."
However, confidence that borders on irrational is part of the deal with NFL players, and Lawrence is backing his words up with the finest season of his career so far.
Lawrence has already tied his career-high four sacks, serving as a cornerstone on defense for a Giants team that has stunned the league by surging to a 6-1 record.
But is he unblockable? Stats Perform dived into its advanced numbers around Lawrence's season to attempt to verify such a bold claim.
Aaron Donald-like production
Lawrence has typically been known for his run-stopping abilities from the nose tackle spot, but this season he is creating pressure at a level akin to arguably the finest defensive player of all time.
Indeed, among interior defensive linemen with at least 100 plays this season, Lawrence's pressure rate of 24.3 per cent is behind only that of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald (28.8 per cent) and Quinnen Williams of the New York Jets (25 per cent).
His stunt-adjusted pass rush win rate is second only to Donald. Lawrence is deemed to have won his rush on 72.82 per cent of snaps, with Donald just ahead on a remarkable 74.02 per cent.
It is in the run game where his numbers are not as impressive.
Run defense disappointment?
Lawrence's numbers against the run could be viewed as a disappointment, considering his reputation for strength in that area.
He has a run disruption rate of 20.3 per cent, which is below the average of 23.1 for interior defensive linemen with at least 20 snaps.
Similarly, his run block win rate of 49.15 per cent is only just above the NFL average of 49.03, and it pales in comparison to Donald's incredible 84.21 per cent win rate.
Yet that is partly a symptom of the different jobs Donald and Lawrence are asked to do in run defense.
While Donald is constantly looking to knife through opposing offensive lines to bring down the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage, Lawrence has played 81 of his 123 run defense snaps at nose tackle, lining head up on the center and tasked with holding ground and soaking up double teams at the point of attack to allow team-mates to slip through open lanes to the football.
Even if Lawrence's numbers are not what may be expected of him in the run game, it is a trade-off the Giants will take if he keeps delivering such tremendous highs as a pass rusher.
A consistent game-wrecker
Game-wrecking performances are becoming a norm for Lawrence, who also has three tackles for loss and a forced fumble to his name in 2022.
The Giants' Week 4 win over the Chicago Bears saw him rack up 10 pressures, recording two sacks, while he had six in the victories against the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens.
Against Baltimore, he had a sack, two quarterback hits, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup, making a string of splash plays that ultimately proved key in the Giants producing a comeback versus a Ravens team who look increasingly like one of the best in the AFC.
Lawrence's sack of Lamar Jackson in that game saw him beat former Giant Kevin Zeitler with a rip move before flattening his rush to bring down the Ravens' dual-threat quarterback.
That came on the Ravens' final drive of the first half, which they started with 65 seconds left, and put them back on their five-yard line, taking away any realistic hope of them coming away with points.
On the first Baltimore drive of the second half, Lawrence displayed more of his pass rush weaponry to pressure Jackson again. Lawrence used an arm-over move to beat center Tyler Linderbaum and then ripped past Zeitler to bear down on Jackson inside the five-yard line, only for the quarterback to evade him in the pocket and scramble to the 25-yard line.
Rookie Linderbaum had consistent problems pass protecting against Lawrence. On the Ravens' penultimate drive, Lawrence defeated his block with an outside-inside move. Lined up on Linderbaum's left shoulder, Lawrence initially rushed towards that outside shoulder, before using his quickness and power to work back to the inside and get a clear path to Jackson, who got a short pass away for a four-yard gain on second-and-five.
The Ravens took a penalty on third-and-one and Jackson was then intercepted, setting in motion a dramatic collapse for Baltimore.
Lawrence is not 'unblockable', but the pass-rush numbers and his performances are illustrative of the 2019 first-round pick firmly justifying that selection by developing into an elite interior rusher.
Should he continue in this manner, the Giants will likely face the prospect of handing out a lucrative extension to keep Lawrence around beyond 2023. Though his emergence may complicate things financially for New York, the timing could otherwise hardly be better, with Lawrence breaking out in the same year they landed edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux in the draft. Thibodeaux forced the fumble that sealed the game against Baltimore.
With a top-tier prospect who is gradually having more of an impact on the edge and Lawrence rapidly becoming a pass-rushing force on the interior, the Giants have a combination that can make theirs a fearsome defensive front for years to come. Lawrence may not be unblockable, but his dominance has been critical to one of the most surprising storylines of the 2022 season and will be key to the Giants' hopes of sustaining their turnaround.
New Zealand could contest Brodie Retallick's red card in the win over Japan on Saturday as he faces the prospect of being banned for their tour of Europe.
The towering lock was dismissed for a dangerous clean-out on loose forward Kazuki Himeno in the 65th minute of the All Blacks' 38-31 victory.
New Zealand held on to avoid an upset, but they were far from convincing at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
The Rugby Championship winners will now travel to face Wales, Scotland and England next month, with a Test against Wayne Pivac's side first up at the Principality Stadium next Saturday.
Head coach Ian Foster says the All Blacks will consider whether to lodge an appeal in a bid to prevent Retallick from being ruled out of those encounters.
He said: "We're going to have a good look at it. I certainly didn't see any intention apart from trying to move a body. That's a process we’ll have to go through."
Retallick scored the first of five All Blacks tries, while 13 points came from the boot of Richie Mo'unga.
Foster was content with the way New Zealand dug in to see off the Brave Blossoms.
"I thought it was a day where we could have panicked a little bit," he said.
"But I thought they hung in there well and did what they needed to do at the right time."
Japan will now prepare to do battle with England at Twickenham on November 12 and head coach Jamie Joseph is relishing what he expects to be a bigger challenge.
He said: "The key for us really is to go to England now and replicate that performance against a better side."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has praised the FIA for their "robust" decision to punish Red Ball for breaching the Formula One cost cap.
The constructor have been fined $7million and handed a 10 per cent reduction in permitted aerodynamic allowance for the next year after they were found guilty of breaching the sport's budget cap.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner called the punishments "Draconian", but acknowledged the team would accept them, having protested their innocence over the past few months.
Wolff was satisfied to see the sport's governing body come down on their rival for their offence, though he suggested sanctions could perhaps have been even tougher.
"I think the most important thing for me is there is a robust governance," Wolff told Sky Sports.
"They didn't bat an eyelid, they just followed the process.
"I know how rigorous they were with us, all throughout the year - that was a difficult process. It is good to see that there is a penalty, whether we deem it too low or too high."
Wolff shut down any suggestion that a lenient penalty could tempt Mercedes to commit their own breaches though, stating the whole affair had tarnished Red Bull's brand.
"I think what you see beyond the sporting penalty and financial fine, there is also a reputational damage," he added.
"In a world of transparency and good governance, that is just not on any more.
"Compliance-wise, whatever team you are, you are responsible for representing your brand, your employees, your partners. That's why, for us, it wouldn't be a business case."
J.T. Realmuto was "ecstatic" to seal a remarkable comeback for the Philadelphia Phillies after his extra-innings home run delivered a 6-5 win against the Houston Astros in the World Series opener.
The catcher struck in the 10th to cap a fine individual performance, as the Phillies drew first blood at Minute Maid Park, having trailing by five at the end of the third.
Realmuto had already been a standout for the Phillies, with a two-run double in the fifth to level things up.
But his 346-foot line-drive home run was the sort of moment the 31-year-old had been dreaming of since he was a child.
"[I'm] just ecstatic to put a good swing on that pitch, be able to give our team the lead," he said. "We did such a good job fighting back there.
"I mean, ball games in the backyard, the whole 3-2, bases-loaded, two-out situation - I probably had 7,000 at-bats in that situation growing up."
Realmuto is the first catcher to score an extra-inning home run in the World Series since Carlton Fisk achieved the feat in 1975.
Nick Castellanos says the Astros will not dwell on their first loss of the postseason.
"Let's go to work," he said. "We've been there before. I think that's what this team does so well.
"We know there's no quit, really. We really respect all 27 outs, and we take that seriously, and we take it [pretty] personal."
Kyrie Irving is being met with severe backlash, including from owner of the Brooklyn Nets Joe Tsai, after sharing a link on social media to a movie "full of anti-Semitic disinformation".
On Thursday, Irving tweeted out a link to a movie on Amazon Prime called 'Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America' – his tweet remains up as of Saturday - and he also shared the same image to his Instagram story.
The 2018 movie is based on a 2015 book of the same name, and includes troubling assertions.
In a team statement, the Nets said: "The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech.
"We believe that in these situations, our first action must be open, honest dialogue.
"We thank those, including the ADL [Anti-Defamation League], who have been supportive during this time."
Tsai also released his own statement that he posted on his personal Twitter account.
"I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation," he said.
"I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion."
He then posted a follow-up tweet saying "this is bigger than basketball".
Irving is yet to comment on the situation, which is sure to dominate the lead-up to the Nets' home game against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
With Joel Embiid out of the line-up for the Philadelphia 76ers' trip to take on the Toronto Raptors, it was third-year guard Tyrese Maxey rising to the challenge to set a new career-high points total in the 112-90 win.
Maxey, who prior to Friday had only ever scored more than 33 points once – a 39-point effort against the Denver Nuggets as a rookie – set a new personal-best with 44 points against the Raptors.
He was incredibly efficient, hitting 15-of-20 from the field and nine-of-12 from three-point range, while also leading the 76ers with eight rebounds and chipping in four assists.
Former league MVP James Harden was happy to cede the responsibility to his less-experienced running-mate, finishing with just 11 points, four rebounds and four assists as he assumed a supporting role.
It was also a breakout performance for De'Anthony Melton, who was given his first start in a 76ers uniform after being acquired in the offseason and made his presence felt defensively, snatching five steals to go with his 13 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Speaking to the media after the game, Maxey said his big night was simply the product of the offense running smoothly.
"It was [about] getting good looks," he said. "We got to the paint, sprayed off for threes, got in transition, and once you get stops, the game becomes way easier honestly, for not just myself, but for all of us.
"We were getting to the paint and driving and kicking, creating, generating offense for everybody. That’s why I got open threes, why [Melton] got open threes, Tobias [Harris] got open threes.
"I just know how good we can be, I know how talented we are, but we’ve got to match our talent with the energy that we play with, and defensive tenacity.
"Tonight we knew it was going to be extremely hard without Joel. That made guys step up, that made guys do things they don’t normally do."
Teammate Matisse Thybulle was thrilled to see Maxey shine, but he said it was no surprise.
"Every time he gets an opportunity, he does something big with it," he said. "You could even take it back to the COVID games we were looking at our bench, like who’s gonna be the one to step up?
"Tyrese Maxey did – and it’s like, time after time – Tyrese is the one that steps up, shows up big and he does it, obviously, as an individual, but for the team, and we all benefit from it."
Head coach Doc Rivers also enjoyed the show, and he pointed to it as an indicator of how well the 76ers adjusted without their star center.
"I just think he’s a heck of a basketball player," he said. "We came into the game knowing Joel wasn’t gonna play… we talked to [the rest of the team] this morning about trying to find matchups and then spacing the floor and attacking.
"They are a great help-defensive team and they can’t stop it. Us getting into the paint sucked everybody in, and that’s where we got shots. I thought we were ready for that and I thought we did a good job."
After starting the season with three consecutive losses, the 76ers have now won two of their past three to take a 2-4 record into their road trip against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.
The Philadelphia Phillies needed extra innings to complete a comeback victory in a thrilling opening game of the World Series, defeating the Houston Astros 6-5 after J.T. Realmuto's 10th-inning home run.
Despite the close finish, the Astros looked like they were going to run away with Game 1 early, jumping out to a 5-0 lead after Kyle Tucker hit a solo home run in the second inning, and then followed it with a three-run homer an inning later.
The Phillies had to respond, and they did so quickly, rallying with two outs in the fourth inning to string together three consecutive hits off Astros ace Justin Verlander, with a two-run double from Alec Bohm trimming the margin to 5-3.
With two runners on base in the fifth inning, Realmuto tied things up with a two-run double of his own to left-center, and from that point, the bullpens would take over.
Both starting pitchers had rough outings, and they posted nearly identical stat-lines. Verlander made it through five innings, giving up five runs from six hits and two walks, while Aaron Nola also gave up five runs from six hits and two walks, but could only survive four-and-a-third innings. Both starters also finished with five strikeouts.
Neither team scored in the final four innings of regulation, and after Phillies closer Seranthony Dominguez successfully navigated the ninth inning, Realmuto led off the 10th with a 346-foot line-drive home run.
Realmuto and two-time MVP Bryce Harper were the only two Phillies to register multiple hits, both finishing two-for-four with a walk.
David Robertson was tasked with closing the show for the Phillies, and he after his sharp curveball delivered two quick strikeouts, a double to Alex Bregman was followed by a walk and a wild pitch, putting runners on second and third.
But pinch-hitter Aledmys Diaz was unable to be the hero for the Astros, grounding out to third base after he was denied a free pass to first earlier in the at-bat when the umpire ruled he leaned too far into a pitch that grazed his elbow.
Paolo Banchero showed exactly why the Orlando Magic took him with the first overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, nearly posting his first career triple-double as his side defeated the Charlotte Hornets 113-93 on Friday.
With last year's fifth overall pick Jalen Suggs and starting point guard Cole Anthony both missing through injuries, Orlando opted to not start a traditional point guard and instead let their new star run the show.
He looked right at home as the focal point of the Magic's offense, scoring 21 points on eight-of-14 shooting while adding 12 rebounds and seven assists to deliver their first win of the season.
Even more impressive was the fact that almost all of that production came in the first three quarters, as Orlando built an 82-53 lead heading into the fourth and Banchero sat out the final nine minutes.
Through six career games, Banchero is averaging 24 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, and is yet to score less than 20 points in a contest.
Lakers lose again despite James' best efforts
LeBron James' 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals were not enough to bring an end to the Los Angeles Lakers' winless start to the season, falling to 0-5 after a 111-102 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
James shot 10-of-24 from the field and one-of-six from deep, and in his first game off the bench since his rookie season, Russell Westbrook was plagued by similar issues.
Westbrook shot six-of-17 for his 18 points, while also missing half of his 10 free throws and committing five turnovers.
For the Wolves, Anthony Edwards led the scoring with 29 points on 11-of-22 shooting, while Rudy Gobert was seven-of-11 for 22 points and 21 rebounds to lift their record to 4-2.
Antetokounmpo mounts case for third MVP
With two MVP trophies already in his display case, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo made it clear why he is one of the favourites yet again this season with a powerhouse performance in a 119-108 win against the New York Knicks.
Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in made field goals (11), made free throws (seven), points (30), rebounds (14) and assists (nine) in a true virtuoso showing. He was supported well, with six teammates making their way into double figures, including 12 points and 12 rebounds off the bench from Bobby Portis.
With the win, the Bucks are now 4-0, and the only remaining unbeaten team.
LeVert and Mitchell drop 41 each in overtime Cavaliers win
Caris LeVert and Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers went head-to-head with star Boston Celtics duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and emerged 132-123 winners in overtime.
While Brown and Tatum had 32 each at a combined 22-of-41 from the field (54 per cent), the Cavs pairing played even better, scoring 41 each off a combined 27-of-47 (57 per cent).
Second-year phenom Evan Mobley also had a big hand in the win, chipping in 19 points (seven-of-12 shooting) with 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Just two weeks after they exercised his third-year option, the San Antonio Spurs on Friday surprisingly waived second-year shooting guard Joshua Primo.
In a statement from Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO R.C. Buford, he said: "It is our hope that, in the long run, the decision will serve the best interest of both the organization and Joshua."
The 19-year-old Primo was the 12th overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft and averaged 5.8 points in 50 games – mostly off the bench – during his rookie season. He appeared in the Spurs' first four games this season and averaged 7.0 points, 4.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds as his role began to expand.
Primo’s release was particularly curious because the team picked up his third-year option two weeks ago, meaning his contract has been guaranteed for $4.1million this season and $4.3m next season. He can now be claimed on waivers, and if he clears, he can become an unrestricted free agent.
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich was asked about the decision to waive Primo before the team’s game against the Chicago Bulls on Friday, but he declined to answer, stating the organization will not be commenting any further.
Ben Crane shot Friday's round of the day at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, with his nine-under 62 propelling him to the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend at 14 under.
In his second trip around Bermuda's Port Royal Golf Course, Crane collected nine birdies and one eagle with his two bogeys to sit alone atop the leaderboard as the 46-year-old seeks his first PGA Tour win since the 2014 FedEx St Jude Classic.
He is one stroke clear of a five-man group at 13 under, including joint first-round leader Austin Smotherman, as well as rising talent Robby Shelton and Australia's Aaron Baddeley.
A strong international contingent is tied for seventh at 12 under, headlined by Ireland's Seamus Power, and he is joined by Taiwan's Kevin Yu, China's Zecheng Dou and Colombia's Nico Echavarria.
Belgium's Thomas Detry and Argentina's Fabian Gomez are at 11 under, while Harrison Endycott – who was tied with Smotherman for the first-round lead – followed his opening 62 with a disappointing 70 to enter the weekend four strokes off the pace.
Caleb Surratt is the top amateur in the field at seven under after enjoying a strong seven-under 64 in his second round, shaking off the nerves following his 71 on Thursday to sit well inside the projected cut-line.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
