Snyder camp says he'll testify voluntary, not subpoenaed
WASHINGTON (AP) — The attorney for Dan Snyder told the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform there is no reason for the owner of the Washington Commanders to testify under subpoena for the congressional investigation into the NFL team’s workplace culture. Snyder attorney Karen Patton Seymour sent a letter to committee chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney confirming her client would participate virtually in the July 28 session from Israel while on a planned family trip. Patton Seymour, however, declined to accept the conditions of the subpoena. She argued in her letter it is not valid since the committee previously invited Snyder to participate voluntarily.
Ohtani wins 6th straight start, triples in Angels' 7-1 win
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his sixth straight start by striking out 12 in six innings and also hit a two-run triple in the Los Angeles Angels’ 7-1 victory over the Houston Astros. Ohtani improved to 9-4 and became the fifth pitcher to have at least 50 strikeouts and allow one or fewer earned runs over a five-game span since earned runs became an official statistic in 1913. The Angels snapped a five-game losing streak. Mike Trout sat out with back spasms. Houston’s Cristian Javier went only 3 2/3 innings and allowed three runs but had 10 strikeouts.
British Open | Poulter off to an entertaining start at Open
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Ian Poulter is delivering his usual dose of drama in the British Open. The flamboyant Englishman began his round by coming within a few yards of going out-of-bounds. Then he closed out the front nine by holing a 50-yard putt from the opposite side of the ninth green for an eagle 2. That puts Poulter at 3 under, tied among early starters with Brandon Wu. As for Justin Rose, he says his back began hurting during practice on Wednesday. Alex Noren was first alternate. But he left St. Andrews earlier in the week to play a PGA Tour event.
10 unvaccinated Royals players skipping trip to Toronto
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals will be without 10 of the 26 players on their active roster for their upcoming trip to Toronto due to Canadian restrictions on travelers who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19. Manager Mike Matheny said Wednesday the club will be without hitters Andrew Benintendi, Hunter Dozier, Cam Gallagher, Kyle Isbel, MJ Melendez, Whit Merrifield and Michael A. Taylor along with pitchers Dylan Coleman, Brad Keller and Brady Singer. The team is set to play four games in Toronto. The 10 players will be placed on the restricted list and forfeit four days of pay and major league service time in accordance with the terms of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement.
Blue Jackets sign top NHL free-agent, "Johnny Hockey"
The Columbus Blue Jackets landed the biggest prize on the opening day of NHL free agency by signing Johnny Gaudreau to a $68.25 million seven-year contract. The signing came a day after Johnny “Hockey” rejected an eight-year contract to stay in Calgary. Gaudreau's signing highlighted a busy day. Claude Giroux is leaving Florida for a homecoming in Ottawa. The Washington Capitals landed Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Darcy Kuemper from Colorado. The New York Rangers signed forward Vincent Trocheck to a seven-year contract. There was also a big trade with 2017 Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Brent Burns going from San Jose to the Carolina Hurricanes. Top free agents Nazem Kadri and John Klingberg were still available.
WNBA's Griner heads back to Russian court after guilty plea
MOSCOW (AP) — American basketball star Brittney Griner is due back in a Russian court to resume a trial that was jolted last week when she abruptly pleaded guilty to drug possession charges. With the U.S. government under pressure at home to do more to secure her freedom, the guilty plea could be an effort to expedite the court proceedings so any negotiations could move forward. A senior Russian diplomat has said no action could be taken by Moscow until the trial was over. Griner was detained at a Moscow airport in February while returning to play basketball in Russia. Police say they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She says it was an unintentional mistake.
Winker homers, Mariners sweep Nats for 10th straight win
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jesse Winker hit his second solo homer of the day and the Seattle Mariners won their 10th straight game, edging the Washington Nationals 2-1 to sweep a doubleheader. The Mariners have 10 consecutive wins for the first time since April 8-17, 2002. Seattle’s only longer winning streak was a 15-game run from May 23-June 8, 2001 — the last year the Mariners made the playoffs. Seattle won the opener 6-4, getting a three-run homer from Eugenio Suárez and six solid innings from Chris Flexen, who won his fourth straight start. Winker also homered in the afternoon game. Juan Soto homered in both games for Washington.
Orioles beat Cubs 7-1, extend winning streak to 10 games
CHICAGO (AP) — Anthony Santander hit a two-run double to spark Baltimore’s three-run first inning, Spenser Watkins and four relievers scattered six hits and the Orioles extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 7-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs. It’s the Orioles’ longest winning streak in a single season since they won 13 in a row from Sept. 7-22, 1999. With the victory, the Orioles (45-44) also went over the .500 mark for the first time since April 8, 2021, when they were 4-3. The Cubs lost their sixth consecutive game, their longest skid since dropping 10 straight games June 4-16.
Dodgers erase late 6-run deficit, rally past Cardinals 7-6
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Hanser Alberto hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers climbed out of a huge hole in a 7-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Los Angeles, which has won eight of nine, charged back from a 6-0 deficit with seven runs over the final three innings. The late rally took unbeaten All-Star Tony Gonsolin off the hook for his first loss of the season after an ineffective start. Mookie Betts had an RBI double in the eighth and Trea Turner’s two-run single cut it to 6-5. Max Muncy tied it in the ninth with a sacrifice fly. Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer for St. Louis, which had won three straight.
Annika Sorenstam back on top of LPGA Tour leaderboard
MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) — Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam was back on top of an LPGA Tour leaderboard Wednesday, teaming with Madelene Sagstrom in the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Sorenstam and Sagstrom shot a 5-under 65 in alternate-shot play at Midland Country Club for a share of the first-round lead with fellow late starters Pauline Roussin and Dewi Weber. Sorenstam and Sagstrom, played alongside Lexi Thompson and Brittany Altomare, with the Americans shooting 71 in the round delayed 2 hours, 40 minutes because of morning rain. The 51-year-old Sorenstam is making her second LPGA Tour start of the season and only her third since retiring after the 2008 season. She missed the cut in the U.S. Women’s Open last month.