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Yesavage pitches Blue Jays past Dodgers 6-1 for 3-2 lead in World Series

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Trey Yesavage set a World Series rookie record with 12 strikeouts, and the Toronto Blue Jays opened Game 5 with back-to-back homers in a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers that moved them within one win of their first championship since 1993. Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered on Blake Snell’s first and third pitches, the first consecutive homers to start a Series game. Yesavage, a precocious 22-year-old right-hander who started his season last April pitching before 327 fans in Class A, broke the prior rookie record of 11 strikeouts set by Don Newcombe for the Dodgers in 1949.

Blue Jays hit first leadoff back-to-back homers in World Series history — on 3 pitches

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays hit the first back-to-back homers to begin a game in World Series history Wednesday night when Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. connected on the first and third pitches by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Blake Snell. Leadoff hitter Schneider delivered his first career playoff homer on Snell’s very first pitch in Game 5, hammering a high fastball to left. Guerrero then blasted an 0-1 fastball to left for his Blue Jays-record eighth homer of the postseason, hitting it 394 feet. The star slugger also homered in Game 4 of the World Series, connecting off Shohei Ohtani.

How climate change is changing the way athletes train ahead of the Winter Olympics

Climate change is affecting winter sports worldwide, with shorter winters and less snow. With 100 days until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games begin, many athletes say climate change is shaping their training and the future of their sport. Snowboarder Bea Kim is concerned about the future of winter sports as glaciers retreat. Canadian skier Marion Thénault has adjusted her travel to reduce her carbon footprint. American skier Julia Kern trains in slushy conditions due to warmer winters. The inconsistent weather is challenging for athletes preparing for events like the Olympics. Sports such as ski mountaineering, which will make its Olympic debut, may have to hold races at higher elevations in the future.

Rozier and Billups will not receive NBA salaries while on leave in gambling cases, AP sources say

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier will not receive his salary while on leave due to his arrest on federal gambling charges. Nor will Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who has also been placed on leave by the league after his arrest on gambling-related charges last week. That’s according to two people with knowledge of the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because details were not released publicly. Both of their salaries are being withheld while the cases play out. Additionally, Rozier’s attorney says that a federal lien filed with regard to the player’s tax bill in 2021 was satisfied.

What NFL fans think about the league’s efforts to reduce injuries, according to a new poll

Many NFL teams have lost star players to season-ending injuries this season, or played without them for significant stretches — but a new poll finds that most football fans want more games, even if it means more risk. A new Quinnipiac poll found about half of NFL fans say the league is doing enough to protect players from serious injuries. Most fans, 60%, support expanding the season, including many who say the move for players — which would include a salary increase — is worth the increased risk of injury. The NFL is nearing the midpoint of a season marked by high-profile injuries that have knocked several key players out of action the rest of the way. The poll suggests that for the most part, blame isn’t landing on the league.

Better than gold? $100,000 for US athletes who make the Winter Olympics and Paralympics

NEW YORK (AP) — The stakes for all these U.S. skiers, skaters, snowboarders and sliders over the next 100 days could not be more clear. A chance for Olympic glory. A chance to compete for a gold medal. And this year, for the first time, a chance to make $100,000. Thanks to a recent record $100 million donation to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation, athletes who make the U.S. Olympic or Paralympic teams starting next year in Milan-Cortina will be eligible to receive a $100,000 grant when they retire.

Lions sign star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to contract extension through 2030

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have signed star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a contract extension through the 2030 season. Hutchinson was the No. 2 overall pick out of Michigan in 2022. He has 34 1/2 sacks in 46 career games. He also has 78 quarterback hits, 36 tackles for loss, 11 pass defenses, eight forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and four interceptions. Hutchinson made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and had 7 1/2 sacks in five games last year before he broke his leg. He has six sacks in seven games this season for the Lions.

Twins hire former coach and ex-Pirates skipper Derek Shelton as manager, AP source says

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have picked former bench coach Derek Shelton as their new manager, a person with knowledge of the decision confirmed Wednesday night. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the hire. Major League Baseball encourages clubs to avoid spotlighting big moves during the World Series. Shelton served as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates for five-plus years before he was fired just 40 games into this season. The 55-year-old was the bench coach for the Twins in 2018 and 2019 under two different managers, Paul Molitor and Rocco Baldelli.

Emma Sears has a hat trick in a 6-0 USWNT victory over New Zealand

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Emma Sears scored three goals and Catarina Macario added two as the U.S. women’s national team routed New Zealand 6-0. It was the most goals scored by the United States since coach Emma Hayes joined the team last year. Sears, who got her third goal in the 84th minute, had the national team’s first hat trick since Sophia Wilson against Uzbekistan in 2022. It was the team’s third match of the international window.

Shohei Ohtani could make first MLB relief appearance for Dodgers late in World Series

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani could pitch out of the bullpen for the Los Angeles Dodgers when the World Series returns to Toronto this weekend. Ohtani has never pitched in relief during his major league career but did so in Japan as a rookie. He also closed out Japan’s victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, coming out of the bullpen and memorably striking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout of Team USA. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he hasn’t yet spoken to Ohtani about his pitching role for the rest of the series. Game 6 is Friday at Rogers Centre, with Game 7 on Saturday if needed. Ohtani was tagged for four runs in the Dodgers’ 6-2 loss in Game 4