Atlanta Braves clinch 8th playoff berth in 9 years with victory over Astros
HOUSTON (AP) — The Atlanta Braves are back in the playoffs after missing out last season. The first-place Braves beat the Houston Astros 6-2 to punch their ticket to the postseason for the eighth time in nine years. They clinched at least a National League wild card and reduced their magic number to three for winning the NL East. Michael Harris II, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson each hit a two-run homer for the Braves. Atlanta is trying to hold off the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East title and could wrap up the division crown as soon as Sunday. Atlanta’s win Friday night coupled with Philadelphia’s 6-3 loss to the Mets gave the Braves a five-game lead over the Phillies with eight to play.
Mensah sets ACC consecutive-completions marks, defense rises in 4th as No. 5 Miami tops Wake Forest
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Darian Mensah connected on his first 24 passes on the way to setting Atlantic Coast Conference records for consecutive completions, and fifth-ranked Miami’s defense came up with four straight fourth-quarter stops to beat Wake Forest 33-20 on Friday night. Mensah completed 30 of 34 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. He helped the Hurricanes take a 31-7 lead midway through the third quarter. The defense stepped up when the offense slowed, including a late interception. Gio Lopez threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns to lead Wake Forest.
No. 13 Texas Tech stops a late 2 and beats No. 22 Houston 28-26 in Big 12 opener
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — J’Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey ran for second-half touchdowns and defending Big 12 champion No. 13 Texas Tech held on for a 28-26 win when Houston quarterback Conner Weigman came up just short of a 2-point conversion in the final minute. Weigman’s third TD pass, a 10-yarder to Patrick Overmyer with 49 seconds left, gave the 2-1 Cougars a chance to tie in the conference opener for both teams Friday night. On the try for 2, Weigman took off to the left and lunged forward with the ball extended, though his knee came down before the ball broke the plane of the end zone. Will Hammond was 17-of-27 passing for 257 yards and a touchdown for the 3-0 Red Raiders.
Aaron Donald expects to play for Rams on Monday night against Giants
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Donald expects to play for the Los Angeles Rams in their home opener against the New York Giants on Monday night. Donald, a three-time Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Pro defensive lineman, had been out of football for the previous two seasons before ending his retirement in August. He did not travel with the Rams for their season opener in Melbourne, Australia, and instead remained in Southern California to continue preparations.
Fever’s Mitchell surprised by postgame party after setting WNBA scoring record in win at Toronto
TORONTO (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell walked into a postgame celebration without realizing she was the guest of honor. Mitchell scored 33 points to set a WNBA season scoring record in Friday’s 103-85 win over the Toronto Tempo. With a 3-pointer in the third quarter, Mitchell eclipsed the 1,021 points A’ja Wilson scored for Las Vegas in 2024. Mitchell has scored 1,034 points this season. Mitchell also scored at least 20 points for the 25th consecutive game, extending her WNBA record. She shot 12 for 17 and went 7 for 11 from 3-point range.
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge to miss most or all of rest of regular season with a right calf strain
PHOENIX (AP) — Three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge will miss most or all of the rest of the regular season after the New York Yankees announced they are placing him on the 10-day injured list because of a right calf strain. New York said it will make the roster move on Saturday. The placement could be backdated to Thursday, meaning it is possible Judge could return for New York’s regular-season finale on Sept. 27. Judge was removed for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning Wednesday during a game against the Minnesota Twins because of the discomfort in his leg.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter sued over alleged failure to disclose federal probe to policyholders
MIAMI (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and several insurance companies he owns are being sued for allegedly failing to disclose a federal investigation to customers. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Miami, claims Walter directed policyholders’ money into his other companies. Ira Rosner, a Florida man, brought the class-action suit after purchasing a policy from Delaware Life Insurance. He accuses the companies of negligent misrepresentation and breach of contract. Walter has been under investigation since last year by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the SEC.
Security measures at Ole Miss will be heightened for Lane Kiffin’s high-profile return with LSU
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi will assemble the state’s largest law enforcement presence ever for a college football game this weekend. That’s part of heightened security in place around the stadium and off campus for the much-anticipated game on Saturday night against LSU and former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin. Ole Miss students were warned this week that nobody wearing opposing team apparel will be allowed in the student section at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and that anyone spotted by security in opponent gear or colors during the game will be removed. Kiffin took the job at LSU late last year just before Ole Miss entered the College Football Playoff.
College sports bill inches ahead in the Senate even as Congress punts other issues
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has struggled to pass major legislation this year, putting off debates on spending, defense, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. But in its final weeks in session as the midterm elections approach, the Senate can agree on one thing — addressing college sports. The Senate voted twice this week to move forward on legislation to overhaul the rules and financing around the nation’s college sports. It’s an effort to put guardrails around skyrocketing spending, prevent constant legal battles and restore order to what the bill’s supporters say is chaos in athletic programs. More than 70 senators are already backing the bill, and final votes could come as soon as next week.
Rough racing of the NASCAR Chase is primed to continue at Bristol Motor Speedway
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) — There’s been no shortage of drivers challenging the limits during the first two races of the Chase, the 10-race run for the championship that NASCAR resurrected this year after a 12-season absence. Of the 16 drivers eligible for the title, 10 had problems during the Sept. 6 opener at Darlington Raceway, and 14 were involved in incidents in this past Sunday’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis, Missouri. The tension will be turned up another notch Saturday night at Bristol, a 0.533-mile high-banked concrete oval whose claustrophobic environs are famous for stoking tempers.