ew Page 12 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Blue Jays bid to build momentum in series opener vs. Twins
The Toronto Blue Jays ended two streaks on Wednesday and will try to stop another streak Friday night when they host the Minnesota Twins.,The Blue Jays snapped a six-game losing streak two days ago with a scruffy 4-3 win that also stopped the Los Angeles Dodgers' five-game winning streak.,The Twins ...

'Outclassed' Heat searching for answers entering matchup vs. NBA-worst Wizards
The Miami Heat will play in the postseason but are struggling.,Miami, which will visit the Washington Wizards on Friday night, has lost 10 of its past 13 games. That stretch includes a 128-114 home loss on Thursday night to a Toronto Raptors squad that is 4-0 against the Heat this season.,All that l...

Angels, Reds struggling to score ahead of series opener
The Los Angeles Angels and host Cincinnati Reds will look for a spark to ignite their offenses on Friday night when the teams open a three-game interleague series.,The Angels answered a season-high three-game winning streak by mustering just two runs in each of their past two contests -- both losses...

'Frustrated' Phillies face tall task vs. Michael Soroka, D-backs
The Philadelphia Phillies will pit their cold bats against one of the hottest starting pitchers in the league Friday night when they host Michael Soroka and the Arizona Diamondbacks.,The Phillies have not scored a run in their last 20 innings, and they enter a three-game series on the heels of back-...

Tumbling Tigers seek comforts of home vs. Marlins
The Detroit Tigers have been one of the worst teams in the majors over their first 13 games, but they have played just three times at home.,Detroit will aim to get its season jump-started on Friday night and will look to halt a five-game slide when it opens a three-game home set against the Miami Ma...

Jiri Prochazka braces for 'great striker' Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327
The UFC is back in Miami with a stacked UFC 327 card topped by a light heavyweight division-altering main event between former champion Jiri Prochazka, a Czech, and Carlos Ulberg of New Zealand on Saturday.,Prochazka (32-5-1 MMA) will attempt to become a two-time champion should he win the vacant ti...

Matthew Schaefer, Islanders bombard Maple Leafs to secure crucial win
The New York Islanders secured a sorely needed two points with a 5-3 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs in their first game with Peter DeBoer as head coach.,Matthew Schaefer put the Islanders (43-31-5, 91 points) back in the lead after Toronto came back from 2-0 to tie it in the second period...

Rockies C Hunter Goodman (finger) leaves game after hit by pitch
Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman departed Colorado's Thursday road game against the San Diego Padres in the top of the sixth inning after sustaining a cut on his right middle finger when hit by a pitch.,San Diego starter Randy Vasquez hit Goodman on a 1-2 pitch to start the inning. After Troy Johnston...

Division leaders Dodgers, Rangers open 3-game series in L.A.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who hold the major leagues' best winning percentage, are back home to open a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Friday.,Both teams lead their respective divisions, with the Dodgers atop the National League West and the Rangers in first in the American League West...

Scuffling Mariners hitters hope to turn tide vs. banged-up Astros
The Seattle Mariners hoped a trip to Southern California and Texas might heat up their bats.,It didn't happen.,The Mariners, considered the favorites in the American League West by most preseason prognosticators, return home Friday for a four-game series with the Houston Astros in the division cella...

$1 million athlete: Jackie Young, Aces reportedly agree to historic deal
All-Star guard Jackie Young and the Las Vegas Aces are close to agreeing on a one-year deal, according to a Thursday report from ESPN. The deal is expected to be worth $1.19 million, the maximum amount for players not eligible for the WNBA's max contract of $1.4 million.,That number would make Young...

Final Four MOP Elliot Cadeau plans to stay at Michigan
Point guard Elliot Cadeau, selected the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player after leading Michigan to the national championship, will return to the Wolverines next season.,Cadeau broke the news to ESPN, and the Detroit Free Press confirmed it. The junior and the school came to an agreement, accordi...

Clippers, Trail Blazers duke it out for No. 8 seed
Jockeying for positioning in the Western Conference play-in round hits the home stretch on Friday when the Portland Trail Blazers welcome the Los Angeles Clippers for a crucial showdown.,Los Angeles (41-39) heads into its final two games of the regular season with a one-game lead over Portland (40-4...

Reports: FC Cincinnati pursuing Brazil star Neymar
FC Cincinnati, off to a slow start to the season, are in talks with Brazil star Neymar about a possible move to the MLS club, The Athletic and ESPN reported on Thursday.,The discussions are preliminary at this point, with the team just checking on Neymar's possible interest and availability, accordi...

Penguins use flurry to down Devils, return to playoffs
Tommy Novak and Egor Chinakhov scored nine seconds apart for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who clinched a playoff spot Thursday with a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Newark, N.J.,Bryan Rust, Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson also scored for the Penguins (41-22-16, 98 points). Chinakhov and Sidne...

Islanders bombard Maple Leafs to secure crucial win
The New York Islanders secured a sorely needed two points with a 5-3 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs in their first game with Peter DeBoer as head coach.,Matthew Schaefer put the Islanders (43-31-5, 91 points) back in the lead after Toronto came back from 2-0 to tie it in the second period...

WNBA approves expansion into Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia
The WNBA announced formal approval for expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia on Thursday.,The move certifies those three cities, previously announced, gained authorization to join the league on their own timelines.,Cleveland is set to begin play in 2028, with Detroit following in 20...

Grizzlies offer chance for slumping Jazz to play different tune
The Utah Jazz have shown flashes of potential and competitiveness during its current 10-game losing streak. But the lows have outnumbered the highs heading into a showdown with the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City on Friday night.,Utah hit one of those lows in a 156-137 loss to New Orleans on Tue...

Nuggets take aim at No. 3 seed in the West against Thunder
Oklahoma City wrapped up the No. 1 overall seed with a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, making the final two games inconsequential for the reigning NBA champions.,The Denver Nuggets, on the other hand, have something to play for when they host the Thunder on Friday night.,Denver...

Forward-thinking Red Sox take momentum into series vs. Cardinals
Finally, the Boston Red Sox have a turn in the right direction.,Back-to-back victories over the Milwaukee Brewers have the Red Sox feeling good as they turn their attention to another National League Central opponent, with the opener of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday n...