SPORTS HEADLINES

Audio By Carbonatix

NCAA fines Michigan millions, adds game suspension for Moore over sign-stealing scandal

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The NCAA has fined Michigan tens of millions of dollars and suspended coach Sherrone Moore for a third game over a sign-stealing scandal. The scandal has affected the program for nearly two years, including its 2023 national championship season. The NCAA found overwhelming evidence of a cover-up by Wolverines staff. They considered a multiyear postseason ban but decided against it to avoid penalizing current athletes. The penalties include financial fines, recruiting restrictions, and show-cause orders for involved staff. Former coach Jim Harbaugh and others face significant consequences for their roles in the scheme.

A special win: How the Brewers tied their franchise record with 13 straight victories

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers have matched their franchise record with 13 consecutive wins. On Friday night, they rallied from a seven-run deficit to beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-8. The Brewers last achieved this streak in 1987. Christian Yelich, who hit two homers and drove in five runs, called it a special win. The Brewers lead MLB with a 77-44 record, six games ahead of Toronto. They’re also nine games ahead in the NL Central. Yelich played with a bat honoring former announcer Bob Uecker, who passed away in January. Manager Pat Murphy believes Uecker is still watching over them.

NL West race heats up as Dodgers tie Padres for lead

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers have found themselves in a tight race in the NL West. The Padres came into Dodger Stadium on Friday night with a one-game lead over the Dodgers. This was the latest the Padres had led the division since September 2010. The Dodgers had been in first place since April 27. The Dodgers won 3-2, snapping a four-game losing streak and tying for first place. The Padres’ five-game winning streak ended. The teams meet five more times over the next nine days. Both managers are focused on playing well and moving past previous tensions.

Commanders activate Terry McLaurin off the PUP list as contract extension talks linger

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Commanders have activated Terry McLaurin off the physically unable to perform list. Lingering contract extension talks have kept the 2024 second-team All-Pro off the practice field for the entirety of training camp. McLaurin is entering the final year of a three-year, $68.2 million contract signed in 2022. Coach Dan Quinn said the PUP activation was about beginning the “return-to-play” process where McLaurin acclimates physically with enough time for a hopeful return to action for the regular season. Quinn said he doubted McLaurin would play in either of Washington’s remaining preseason games.

Top accessory this year at the Little League World Series? A bat that looks like sour gummy worms

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — It’s not an ice-cream cone. It’s not an Italian rainbow cookie. It’s the baseball bat being used at the Little League World Series. Easton’s 2026 Hype Fire USA Bat with the neon green grip and pink-and-neon yellow barrel is hard to miss at the plate. And the players love them. They get the bat when they first arrive at the Little League compound in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania manager Michael Shaw says he left it up to the players which bats they wanted to use. He says, in his words: “You know, a great color for 12-year-old kids – sour gummy worms.”

Akshay Bhatia’s ace on 17th hole at BMW wins a car, boosts hopes of reaching the Tour Championship

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Akshay Bhatia made an ace on the 17th hole of the BMW Championship, winning a car and boosting his chances for the Tour Championship. The top 30 in the FedEx Cup advance, and Bhatia is on the bubble, entering this event in 29th place. His hole-in-one came on a challenging 227-yard, par 3. Bhatia shot a 5-over 75 in the first round Thursday, but a third-round 66 on Saturday moved him to even par. The ace earned him a BMW iX M70 and $125,000 for the Evans Scholars Foundation.

Teddy Bridgewater is hoping to make the best of his NFL return amid high school coaching suspension

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Teddy Bridgewater is back in the NFL, just a little earlier than the well-traveled quarterback would have preferred. Bridgewater’s initial plan this season was to coach Northwestern High School in Miami this fall, then explore his options of returning to the league as he did a year ago when he led the Bulls to a state title and signed as a backup in Detroit. Instead, Bridgewater was suspended from coaching for self-reporting potentially impermissible benefits to Northwestern players. The 32-year-old Bridgewater still keeps in touch with the high school team but is also happy to be in Tampa Bay, where he brings a veteran presence to a quarterback room led by Baker Mayfield.

Transgender runner Evie Parts sues NCAA and Swarthmore College for removal from track team

Long-distance runner Evie Parts has sued the NCAA and Swarthmore College. She claims they illegally removed her from the track team because she is a transgender athlete. Her lawsuit argues the NCAA’s ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports lacks legal grounds. The claim states the NCAA is not a governmental organization and doesn’t have jurisdiction over Pennsylvania state law or Title IX. Parts was removed from the team on Feb. 6, the day the NCAA issued its new policy. Swarthmore reinstated her on April 11. The NCAA and Swarthmore have not commented on the lawsuit.

Orioles’ Brandon Young shrugs off poor last start and nearly makes history vs. Astros

HOUSTON (AP) — Baltimore Orioles rookie right-hander Brandon Young had to move past his last start. In dropping to 0-6, Young saw his ERA increase to 6.70 through the first 10 starts of his major league career after allowing six runs over three innings against the Athletics on Aug. 9. Young bounced back and nearly made history on Friday night. The 26-year old was four outs from throwing the first perfect game in Orioles history before former teammate Ramon Urias’ bouncer to the left of the mound spoiled his bid.

Rookie Jacob Misiorowski struggles in his return as Brewers rallied for 13th straight win

CINCINNATI (AP) — Rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski lasted only 1 1/3 innings in the All-Star’s return to the Milwaukee Brewers after a stint on the injured list. Misiorowski started for the NL Central-leading Brewers in their series opener at Cincinnati on Friday night after missing about 2 1/2 weeks. The Brewers rallied for their 13th straight victory to match the longest winning streak in franchise history. The Brewers won their first 13 games in 1987. The rookie threw 54 pitches giving up five earned runs. He hit a batter and then walked three straight before being pulled in a seven-run inning for the Reds.