Broncos report card: Denver roars to life in the second half, staves off second straight “F” fest

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:12:55 GMT

Broncos report card: Denver roars to life in the second half, staves off second straight “F” fest Offense — BMore of the same for the Broncos against Chicago. In moments, it looks like a unit about to take off. Russell Wilson solved some of the second-half woes from early in the season in throwing touchdowns to Brandon Johnson and Courtland Sutton while erasing a 21-point deficit. Jaleel McLaughlin provided a jolt before and after an injury to Javonte Williams. But then also there’s a veteran offensive line group committing five — yeah, five — false start penalties. There’s the stretch of four straight punts between an opening touchdown drive and a second-half flurry. There’s the Marvin Mims Jr. big play and also the erratic playing time. His 48-yarder to set up a go-ahead field goal proved to be the biggest offensive snap of the game for Denver.Defense — CAfter giving up 70 points to Miami last week, the Broncos should have been able to avoid a performance that allows for, “Which is more embarrassing?” But then Justin Fields (58% completions entering play) completed...

Rookies give glimpse into future as Giants celebrate Brandon Crawford’s past

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:12:55 GMT

Rookies give glimpse into future as Giants celebrate Brandon Crawford’s past SAN FRANCISCO — The crowd at Oracle Park rose to their feet to celebrate Brandon Crawford, the last player standing from the Giants’ bygone championship era. Minutes later, Kyle Harrison and Casey Schmitt made cases to be the Giants’ future.Good vibes couldn’t overcome bad offense and the Giants lost the final game of the season to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon at Oracle Park. Los Angeles took the 7-6 edge in the head-to-head series between the two rivals and the Giants finish the season 79-83.Much like his debut so far, Harrison’s Game 162 start against the Los Angeles Dodgers wasn’t pretty, but showed promise. He hit three Dodgers with pitches, but held the NL West champions — rolling out all their starters — hitless through five innings.A tough Dodgers lineup got Harrison’s pitch count up with extended at-bats. He was at 93 pitches by the end of the fifth inning, but had four strikeouts and induced weak con...

3 stabbed, 1 assaulted in SF's Financial District

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:12:55 GMT

3 stabbed, 1 assaulted in SF's Financial District SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Three people were stabbed in the Financial District on Sunday morning, the San Francisco Police Department said. An additional victim was assaulted -- all four of whom were taken to the hospital. Armed robbery leads to fatal crash near Bayview after SFPD chase The stabbing and assault happened near Market Street and Battery at around 7:45 a.m., according to SFPD. Police arrived at the scene and detained an unidentified man.The suspect was determined to have stabbed the three individuals and assaulted another, SFPD said. He was arrested on "probable cause" in connection to the crime. The condition of the four adult victims is unknown at this time. SFPD did not release a motive for the assault and triple stabbing.Police did not release the identity of the arrested suspect. No other information was immediately available. SFPD says anyone with information is asked to contact the department at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with "SFPD."

Brandon Drury’s 2 homers send Angels past Athletics 7-3 in season finale

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:12:55 GMT

Brandon Drury’s 2 homers send Angels past Athletics 7-3 in season finale ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Brandon Drury homered twice, doubled and drove in three runs, and the Los Angeles Angels wrapped up their eighth consecutive losing season with a 7-3 victory over the major league-worst Oakland Athletics on Sunday.Shohei Ohtani was in the Angels’ dugout again, cheering on his teammates for the final two games of what could be the two-way superstar’s final weekend with the club. Ohtani can become a free agent after the World Series, and the Halos haven’t made the playoffs or finished higher than third in the AL West in his six years in Anaheim.Randal Grichuk also homered for the Halos, and Eduardo Escobar had two hits. After Escobar’s RBI single in the fifth, the Angels saved the ball for the 34-year-old infielder, whose playing future is uncertain.The Angels finished their latest hugely disappointing season at 73-89, matching their 2022 record to close out their ninth straight non-playoff campaign. They’ve got the majors’ longest active...

Las Vegas and New York set for WNBA Finals matchup

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:12:55 GMT

Las Vegas and New York set for WNBA Finals matchup New York and Las Vegas have been on a WNBA Finals collision course all season long as the top two teams in the league. Now they’ll meet for the league title.The best-of-five series begins next Sunday.The Aces have been there before, winning the franchise’s first championship last season. They are looking to become the league’s first repeat champion since the Los Angeles Sparks did it in 2001-02. “We’re happy to put ourselves back in a position to win the ultimate prize, which is a championship,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said after the team swept Dallas in the semifinal series. New York advanced to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2002 and is the lone remaining original franchise that hasn’t won a championship. While Las Vegas swept its two playoff series, New York had a little harder time reaching the title round. The Liberty needed overtime to close out Washington in an opening-round sweep. New York dropped the first game against Connecticut in the se...

Zack Greinke pitches Royals to 5-2 win over Yankees in what could be his career finale

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:12:55 GMT

Zack Greinke pitches Royals to 5-2 win over Yankees in what could be his career finale KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Zack Greinke threw four-hit ball into the sixth inning for his 225th win and, backed by a trio of home runs, helped the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 5-2 on Sunday to end their season and quite possibly his own 20-year big league career.Greinke (2-15) had just allowed a leadoff walk when Matt Quatraro walked to the mound. The six-time All-Star tried to give his manager the ball but Quatraro gave it right back, and the 39-year-old Greinke stuck it in his pocket as he walked off the mound to a standing ovation — one that required the famously reserved Greinke to come out for a curtain call.Greinke can become free agent after this season, and while he has yet to announce whether he will retire, the 2009 Cy Young Award winner has had a challenging year. Greinke’s only other win this season game May 3 against the Baltimore Orioles.Michael King (4-8) had a forgettable finale to an otherwise excellent end of the year for New York. He’d all...

South Africa and Australia win at the Rugby World Cup. Waiting game next

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:12:55 GMT

South Africa and Australia win at the Rugby World Cup. Waiting game next MARSEILLE, France (AP) — South Africa secured a bonus-point 49-18 win over Tonga and a successful return to action for flyhalf Handre Pollard at the Rugby World Cup on Sunday in Marseille.The Springboks scored seven tries in their final pool game and Pollard converted the first four for a 100% night with the boot in his first test in more than a year before he left after 50 minutes.Manie Libbok came on for Pollard and kicked three from three conversions to ensure that, apart from the crucial victory, the defending champion also went some way to putting right the goal-kicking problems that were evident in a 13-8 defeat to Ireland in its last outing.First-choice flyhalf Libbok came under pressure for his wayward kicking against the Irish and Pollard’s promising return from injury will give the Springboks options if they progress to the knockouts.That’s not yet guaranteed, though.The result took South Africa to the top of Pool B but only by a point ahead of Ireland’s showdown with Scot...

Adam Wainwright promised his kids a puppy when he retired. Cardinals delivered on final day

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:12:55 GMT

Adam Wainwright promised his kids a puppy when he retired. Cardinals delivered on final day ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright promised his children he would get a family dog when he retired from baseball.He didn’t have to. The St. Louis Cardinals presented the Wainwrights a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy during a 35-minute ceremony before the 42-year-old pitcher’s final game with the team on Sunday. Wainwright’s wife Jenny named the puppy Louie.The Wainwrights have four daughters: Baylie Grace (17), Addison (14), Macy James (11) and Sadee Faith (5) along with 4-year-old son Caleb Adam.Wainwright went 200-128 with a 3.53 ERA in 18 major league seasons, all with the Cardinals. He got his 200th win in in his final pitching appearance against Milwaukee on Sept. 18.Former teammate, friend and longtime catcher Yadier Molina was among a host of players participating in the ceremony. Wainwright and Molina were batterymates in a major league-record 328 games.Wainwright was not expecting Molina and he buried his head in his hands when Molina came onto the field.Albert Pujo...

Marlins lose to Pirates 3-0 in last game before postseason

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:12:55 GMT

Marlins lose to Pirates 3-0 in last game before postseason PITTSBURGH (AP) — Miguel Andujar hit a tiebreaking double in the eighth inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the playoff-bound Miami Marlins 3-0 on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams.The Marlins needed to win to assure themselves of gaining the second National League wild card and the fifth seed in the NL playoffs over Arizona. The Diamondbacks were hosting Houston and loss by Arizona would still give Miami the fifth seed and a matchup at Philadelphia in a best-of-three wild-card series beginning Tuesday.If Miami is seeded sixth, it would play a best-of-three series at NL Central champion Milwaukee starting Tuesday. It did not appear the Marlins would have to travel to New York for the completion of Thursday’s suspended game at the Mets.Connor Joe doubled with one out in the eighth off Bryan Hoeing (2-3). After Jared Triolo walked Andujar, got his go-ahead hit and Jack Suwinski followed with a two-run double.David Bednar pitched a perfect ninth for his 39...

Hurts throws for 319 yards, Elliott’s 54-yarder lifts 4-0 Eagles past Commanders 34-31 in OT

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:12:55 GMT

Hurts throws for 319 yards, Elliott’s 54-yarder lifts 4-0 Eagles past Commanders 34-31 in OT PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and Jake Elliott kicked a 54-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Philadelphia Eagles to a 34-31 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday for their second straight 4-0 start.Elliott also kicked field goals of 41, 47 and 36 yards before booming the winner that sent the crowd into a frenzy.And kept the Eagles unbeaten.Not before a little-late game drama put the Eagles on the brink of being upset at home by the Commanders (2-2) for the second straight season.Hurts hit A.J. Brown for a 28-yard touchdown with 1:28 left in regulation for a 31-24 lead. Instead of killing the clock and trying for a winning field goal, the Eagles left enough time for Sam Howell to lead Washington to the tying score.Brown was flagged for taunting on his TD, giving the Commanders a boost. Washington started on the Eagles 36 and tied it when Howell hit Jahan Dotson for a 10-yard touchdown as time expired.Coach Ron Rivera went for the...