National Sports - The Morning Sun

Pato O'Ward snags Mid-Ohio pole as title contenders struggle

The IndyCar championship race faces a major shakeup at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, where the top title contenders struggled and Pato O’Ward won the pole to match a series mark set in 1961. O’Ward … more

By JENNA FRYER | 7/2/22

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole delivers in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, July 1, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Cole, Yankees wallop Guardians 13-4 in DH first game

Gerrit Cole brushed off giving up back-to-back home runs and worked six strong innings, leading the New York Yankees to a 13-4 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the first game of a split … more

By TOM WITHERS | 7/2/22

Chase Elliott drives during his win in a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Elliott wins pole as he tries to defend Road America title

Chase Elliott won the pole at Road America and will lead the field to green Sunday as he attempts to defend his win on the Wisconsin road course. NASCAR’s most popular driver is coming off a win … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 7/2/22

FILE - Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland (10) reacts to a basket during the first half of the team's NBA play-in basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Cleveland. Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland has agreed to a five-year, $193 million contract extension with Cleveland, his agent Rich Paul said Saturday, July 2, 2022. Garland's deal is the largest in franchise history. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett, File)

Garland, Cavaliers agree to 5-year, $193 million extension

Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland has agreed to a five-year, $193 million contract extension. His agent Rich Paul confirmed the move. Garland’s deal is the largest in franchise history. The … more

By TOM WITHERS | 7/2/22

Italy's Matteo Berrettini, right, and Spain's Rafael Nadal talk to each other during their practice on Center Court ahead of the 2022 Wimbledon Championship at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, in London, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Wimbledon marks, players recall, Centre Court's 100 years

Centre Court at the current Church Road location of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club opened in 1922. That centenary is being celebrated at Wimbledon on Sunday. That there will be … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 7/2/22

FILE - Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. Kevin Durant has requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, according to a person with direct knowledge of the seismic decision that undoubtedly will have teams scrambling to put together enormous offers for the perennial All-Star. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Analysis: NBA teams going all-in, and that's what it takes

The moves in the NBA right now are big and bold. That's what it takes now to win championships. It took Golden State about $340 million to win this past season's championship between payroll and … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 7/2/22

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Spain celebrates after he clocked the fastest time during the qualifying session for the British Formula One Grand Prix at the Silverstone circuit, in Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 2, 2022. The British F1 Grand Prix is held on Sunday July 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Sainz takes 1st career pole position for British Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz was fastest in the rain to take his first career pole position in his 150th start ahead of the British Grand Prix. Sainz set the fastest time of 1 minute 40.983 seconds late in the third … more

7/2/22

France's Harmony Tan returns to Britain's Katie Boulter during their women's third round singles match on day six of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Saturday, July 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

French player who beat Serena reaches 4th round at Wimbledon

Harmony Tan keeps knocking the tournament favorites and the local favorites out of Wimbledon. First was seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams. Then came 32nd-seeded Sara Sorribes Tormo. And … more

By CHRIS LEHOURITES | 7/2/22

Wimbledon updates | Tan wins again, reaches 4th round

The woman who eliminated Serena Williams in the first round at Wimbledon keeps on winning. Harmony Tan beat Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-1 on No. 2 Court to reach the fourth round. It’s the first time in … more

7/2/22

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier reacts after striking out Los Angeles Angels' Jared Walsh to end the top of the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, July 1, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Javier fans career-high 14 to lead Astros over Angels 8-1

Cristian Javier pitched another gem, striking out a career-high 14 while allowing just one hit in seven innings to lead the Houston Astros to an 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. The 25-year-old … more

By KRISTIE RIEKEN | 7/2/22

Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino (9) celebrates his home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Pasquantino hits unusual 1st MLB homer, Royals beat Tigers

Vinnie Pasquantino hit his first major league home run and Hunter Dozier followed with a drive into the bullpen, leading Brad Keller and the Kansas City Royals over the Detroit Tigers 3-1. Keller … more

By DAVE HOGG | 7/1/22

J.T. Poston hits off the second tee during the second round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament, Friday, July 1, 2022, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

JT Poston opens 4-stroke lead in John Deere Classic

J.T. Poston took a four-stroke lead into the weekend in the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, following an opening 9-under 62 with a 65 on Friday at TPC Deere Run. Coming off a second-place tie last … more

7/1/22

Dustin Johnson watches his tee shot on the seventh hole during the second round of the Portland Invitational LIV Golf tournament in North Plains, Ore., Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Dipaola)

Johnson, Ortiz tied for lead in LIV Golf event in Portland

The outcry that marked the start of the Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Golf series’ first American stop quieted a bit on Friday, putting the focus on the play at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. Modest crowds and … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 7/1/22

FILE - UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., right, tries to get by Southern California forward Isaiah Mobley during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on March 5, 2022, in Los Angeles. UCLA and Southern California are planning to leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten Conference in a seismic change that could lead to another major realignment of college sports. A person who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday, June 30, 2022, on condition of anonymity because the schools' talks with the Big Ten have not been made public said the schools have taken steps to request an invitation to join the conference. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Conference realignment makes another seismic shift

Conference realignment in college sports has been going on since 1984, when the Supreme Court invalidated the NCAA’s national television contract for football. The conference juggling has gone … more

By JOHN MARSHALL | 7/1/22

FILE - Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) moves up court during an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, March 28, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. Hornets forward Miles Bridges was arrested Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Los Angeles after a warrant was issued, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The details of the arrest and the charges were not immediately available. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones, File)

LAPD: Hornets' Bridges charged with felony domestic violence

The Los Angeles Police Department says Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges has been charged with felony domestic violence. Bridges was arrested Wednesday for “intimate partner violence with … more

By STEVE REED | 7/1/22

FILE - Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic looks to pass the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ziaire Williams, front, and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game April 7, 2022, in Denver. Jokic and the Nuggets agreed Thursday, June 30, to a $264 supermax extension, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the player nor team announced the agreement. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

AP source: Jokic, Nuggets agree on record $264M extension

Nikola Jokic went from No. 41 draft pick, to two-time MVP, and now the holder of the largest contract in NBA history. Jokic and the Denver Nuggets agreed Thursday to a $264 supermax extension, … more

PAT GRAHAM | 6/30/22

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football practice at FirstEnergy Stadium, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

AP Sources: NFL adamant on indefinite suspension for Watson

Deshaun Watson’s disciplinary hearing concluded Thursday with the NFL adamant about an indefinite suspension of at least one year and the quarterback’s legal team arguing there’s no basis for … more

By ROB MAADDI | 6/30/22

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge tosses his bat after hitting a winning home run against the Houston Astros during the 10th inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Aaron Judge, Ronald Acuña Jr. elected MLB All-Star starters

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. were elected Thursday to start in the July 20 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. The pair were chosen under new rules that … more

6/30/22

FILE -Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, right, and assistant coach Derek Lalonde talk during the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 2, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Detroit Red Wings have hired Lalonde as their new coach after a lengthy search process. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Red Wings hire Lightning assistant Derek Lalonde as coach

The Detroit Red Wings have hired two-time Stanley Cup-winning assistant Derek Lalonde as coach after a lengthy search process. Lalonde was on Jon Cooper's Tampa Bay Lightning staff the past four … more

6/30/22

Cleveland Guardians' Andres Gimenez kisses his bat after hitting a game-winning, two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 30, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Giménez homer in 9th gives Guardians 5-3 win over Twins

Andrés Giménez hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Minnesota Twins 5-3 for their second straight walk-off win against their AL Central rivals. Giménez went … more

By STEVE HERRICK | 6/30/22