Early scoring, lockdown bullpen carry Hawks to Game 3 triumph over BayStars

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks won the first two games of the Japan Series with a blowout and a dramatic late-inning comeback.To get the third, they ...

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South Africa recommended to stage 2023 Rugby World Cup

After failing with three successive bids, South Africa was recommended on Tuesday as the best host for the 2023 Rugby World Cup ahead of France ...

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Ryota Morioka, Kazuki Nagasawa added to national team for upcoming friendlies in Europe

Midfielder Ryota Morioka of Belgian club Waasland-Beveren and Urawa Reds midfielder Kazuki Nagasawa were named to the Japan team for November’s friendlies against Brazil and ...

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BayStars remain positive as series resumes in Yokohama

Despite his team getting off to an 0-2 start in the ongoing Japan Series, Yokohama BayStars outfielder Takayuki Kajitani held his head up high as ...

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Trades of NBA stars all about team harmony

Wonder why so many NBA teams were willing, almost eager, to trade away stars this past offseason?If one is adept at reading between the lines, ...

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Shoma Uno coming on strong in bid for Olympic gold

Shoma Uno began his Grand Prix campaign with a grand performance at Skate Canada last week. The world silver medalist won the competition in Regina, ...

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Sharks spoil Patrick Marleau’s return to San Jose

Rookie defenseman Tim Heed stole the show from Patrick Marleau in his return to San Jose.Heed scored a tiebreaking goal on the power play early ...

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Manager Sean Dyche celebrates fifth anniversary at Burnley

Sean Dyche celebrated his fifth anniversary as Burnley manager with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle that moved the modest northwest England team up to seventh ...

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Veteran outfielder Norichika Aoki becomes a free agent

The New York Mets said Monday they have released outfielder Norichika Aoki after just two months, making him a free agent able to negotiate with ...

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Tiger to make comeback once again in Bahamas

Play it again, Tiger Woods.For the second straight year, Woods will return from back surgery at his holiday tournament in the Bahamas the week after ...

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Phillies hire Gabe Kapler as new manager

The Philadelphia Phillies went outside the organization and perhaps outside the box to get a new manager.Former major league outfielder Gabe Kapler was hired Monday, ...

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Nationals hire Dave Martinez as Dusty Baker’s replacement

Dave Martinez’s first managing job will come with a Washington Nationals team that expects him to produce nothing less than a World Series championship.The Nationals ...

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49ers acquire Garoppolo from Patriots for 2018 second-round pick: report

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly acquired their quarterback of the future by trading for New England backup Jimmy Garoppolo.ESPN reported Monday that the Niners ...

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Decorated runner Mo Farah parts ways with coach Alberto Salazar

Quadruple Olympic champion Mo Farah has split from coach Alberto Salazar.The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is investigating Salazar, who has been accused of skirting anti-doping rules ...

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Defense drives Chiefs to victory over Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs proved Monday night they can play a little defense, too.The same group that struggled to contain the Steelers and Raiders in ...

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Dennis Sarfate feels collapse in 2016 motivated Hawks this season

Dennis Sarfate showed up early to practice on his day off.After recording the save in the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks’ thrilling 4-3 win over the Yokohama ...

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Celtics roll past Spurs for fifth straight victory

The injury to free agent Gordon Hayward devastated the Boston Celtics emotionally and threatened to derail their efforts to improve on last year’s Eastern Conference ...

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BayStars shake off opening losses as Japan Series moves to Yokohama

The Yokohama BayStars’ Joe Wieland doesn’t yet know if he’ll be nervous to start in his first Japan Series game.“Ask me tomorrow,” he said with ...

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Giants ace Tomoyuki Sugano named Sawamura Award winner

Tomoyuki Sugano was the No. 1 pitcher in Japan in 2017.Now he’s got the hardware to prove it. The Yomiuri Giants ace was named the ...

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Hajime Moriyasu targets Olympic soccer medal in 2020

Hajime Moriyasu, who was recently appointed coach of the men’s national soccer team for the 2020 Tokyo Games, said Monday that fans can expect nothing ...

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Yamaguchi, Nishimoto fall in French Open badminton finals

Akane Yamaguchi and Kenta Nishimoto both suffered straight-games defeat Sunday in the women’s and men’s singles finals, respectively, at the French Open Superseries badminton tournament.Fifth-seeded ...

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Blake Wheeler lifts Jets past Penguins

A blowout win over the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions was more important to Blake Wheeler than his own outstanding performance.Wheeler scored three of Winnipeg’s ...

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Wentz throws two TDs as Eagles sink 49ers

LeGarrette Blount sees some Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles.After winning two Super Bowls with the Patriots, ...

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Defending champion Hirano misses out on World Cup podium

Defending champion Miu Hirano was beaten by Liu Shiwen of China 4-0 in the singles semifinal and finished a disappointing fourth at the Women’s World ...

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Astros edge Dodgers in World Series slugfest

Blast off!Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and the Houston Astros kept hammering away in a wild slugfest that no one saw coming, rallying against Clayton Kershaw ...

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Leicester refinds magic touch to beat Everton

Jamie Vardy gave Claude Puel the perfect start to his Leicester City reign on Sunday as the former Premier league champions returned to their counterattacking ...

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Knicks hand Cavs another defeat

After the Cavaliers’ fourth loss in five games, LeBron James is turning to the calendar for comfort.“What month is this for me? October? I’m not ...

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Harumafuji tops rankings for Kyushu Basho

Yokozuna Harumafuji, who won the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in September, will be the top-ranked wrestler at the Kyushu tourney getting under way on Nov. ...

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NFL’s Texans kneel during anthem after Trump-backing billionaire owner’s ‘inmates running the prison’ remark

Most of the National Football League’s Houston Texans team knelt in protest as the national anthem was played for Sunday’s game in Seattle, an apparent ...

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Hawks win Game 2 of Japan Series after contentious call

They waited, and waited, and waited some more.The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks milled around their dugout, while the most of the Yokohama BayStars stood in the ...

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Strong start helps Sunrockers to win over B-Corsairs

Standing next to Sunrockers mascot Sundy, B. League chairman Masaaki Okawa warmly greeted the crowd on a rainy, gloomy Sunday afternoon.The chairman makes the rounds, ...

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Antlers move closer to J. League title

Kento Misao opened his J. League account as leaders Kashima Antlers took a major stride toward a record-extending ninth league championship trophy with a 2-1 ...

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Matsuyama frustrated as Rose wins HSBC Champions

Hideki Matsuyama was left to reflect on his disappointing World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions campaign as he watched England’s Justin Rose romp to the tournament win ...

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Kitasan Black completes Tenno-sho double

Retiring Kitasan Black, ridden by Yutaka Take, completed a Tenno-sho double Sunday as the top favorite came from behind to win the autumn race and ...

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Victory only thing that matters for Hawks star Seiichi Uchikawa

“Winning is everything” is a cliche you often hear from players and coaches in postseason baseball.But Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks star player Seiichi Uchikawa is a ...

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Sho Ishida comes up short in first world title bid

Sho Ishida failed in his first attempt to claim a world title on Saturday when he lost on a unanimous decision to reigning champion Khalid ...

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Tyler Toffoli beats buzzer to lift Kings past Bruins

Call it a walk-off winner, a buzzer-beater, whatever you want. Tyler Toffoli simply had one of the most improbable game-winning goals.Toffoli scored off a faceoff ...

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Cousins leads Pelicans past Cavs

DeMarcus Cousins came to the bench for the final time as the crowd rose to its feet. He exchanged high fives with Pelicans teammates and ...

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Anthony Martial goal keeps United in touch with City after victory over Spurs

Anthony Martial struck late against Tottenham on Saturday to ensure Manchester United still has Manchester City within its sights at the top of the English ...

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Dodgers top Astros to tie up World Series

Cody Bellinger pulled into second base with his first World Series hit and said: “It’s a miracle!”With the Dodgers three innings from falling into a ...

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Shoma Uno claims first win of season at Skate Canada

World silver medalist Shoma Uno won Skate Canada on Saturday, securing his first victory of the season in the ISU Grand Prix Figure Skating series.Uno, ...

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Astros’ Yuli Gurriel denies racist taunt directed at Yu Darvish

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel apologized for making what appeared to be a racist gesture about Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish during Game 3 of ...

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Racist gesture at Yu Darvish brings Yuli Gurriel a five-game suspension

Yuli Gurriel will have to sit out for making a racist gesture toward Yu Darvish — but not during the World Series.Major League Baseball suspended ...

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Evessa make statement with strong offensive performance against Storks

Basketball traditionalists have always recognized that dominating in the paint is a key to controlling a game.Winning goes hand in hand with that tactic, too. ...

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Hawks erupt for seven runs in fifth inning, pound BayStars in Game 1

The day before this Japan Series was scheduled to start, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks closer Dennis Sarfate said his team had the best starting rotation, best ...

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Hawks believe quick-strike offense a big key to Japan Series success

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will try to strike first, scoring runs early, so they can play their own brand of ball in the 2017 Japan ...

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World XV too strong for Brave Blossoms in exhibition

Japan coach Jamie Joseph was left with plenty to think about Saturday as the Brave Blossoms fell 47-27 by Robbie Deans’ World XV at Level ...

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Different styles define Hawks, BayStars

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Yokohama BayStars had two very different paths to Game 1 of the Japan Series.The Hawks rampaged to 94-49 record, won ...

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Dustin Johnson powers into six-shot Shanghai lead

Dustin Johnson charged into a handsome six-shot lead at the $9.75 million WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai on Saturday after an anticipated battle with close friend ...

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Expansion Golden Knights pound Avalanche for fifth straight win

Goalie Oscar Dansk got his third win in his third career game, and the Vegas Knights beat the Colorado Avalanche 7-0 Friday night to extend ...

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Shoma Uno in first place after short program at Skate Canada

Figure skatingWorld silver medalist Shoma Uno took the lead after the short program on Friday at Skate Canada. The 19-year-old Uno earned 103.62 points to ...

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Roger Federer’s poise pays off in Swiss Indoors quarterfinal triumph over Adrian Mannarino

Roger Federer was tested before beating 28th-ranked Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 in the Swiss Indoors quarterfinals on Friday.The top-seeded Swiss saved two break points ...

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Tiger pleads guilty to reckless driving

Tiger Woods pleaded guilty Friday to reckless driving in a deal that will keep him out of jail as long as he stays out of ...

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Lara Gut’s comeback ahead of schedule

Swiss skier Lara Gut is set for an early return from a knee injury and plans to compete in Saturday’s World Cup giant slalom.Initially working ...

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Joseph Tsai agrees to buy 49 percent stake in Nets

A person with knowledge of the details said billionaire Joseph Tsai has agreed to purchase a 49 percent stake of the Brooklyn Nets from Mikhail ...

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Knicks rout Nets for first victory

Frank Ntilikina and the New York Knicks both got on the board Friday night.The rookie guard scored his first NBA points, and the Knicks beat ...

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Texans CEO apologizes over ‘inmates’ comment

Bob McNair, the chairman and chief executive of the Houston Texans, apologized Friday after a report said he declared “we can’t have the inmates running ...

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Yu Darvish shelled as Astros take 2-1 lead in World Series

HOUSTONReuters The Houston Astros chased Los Angeles Dodgers starter Yu Darvish in the second inning and rolled to a 5-3 victory on Friday that gave ...

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Crisp offensive execution, tight defense propel Jets past Golden Kings

Sometimes, it’s all about the numbers.Case in point: The Chiba Jets shot the ball nearly 20 percent better than the host Ryukyu Golden Kings on ...

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Hawks’ Seiichi Uchikawa, BayStars’ Yoshitomo Tsutsugo determined to deliver quality Japan Series

While one team is no stranger to the biggest stage, the other squad returned there for the first time in nearly two decades.For both teams, ...

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Successful strategy: Dustin Johnson swaps putters to grab Shanghai lead

Dustin Johnson switched putters at the last moment and then nailed four birdies in his last four holes to seize a one-shot lead at the ...

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BayStars, Hawks vie for supremacy

Yokohama BayStars manager Alex Ramirez had one message for his players on the eve of what will be the first Japan Series appearance for many ...

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Eagles won’t re-sign veteran infielder Kazuo Matsui

Infielder Kazuo Matsui will not be offered a new contract for next season, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles announced Friday.The Eagles had offered Matsui either ...

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Celtics spoil it for Bucks on nostalgic night in Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks wanted to play a game in the aging arena where the team got its start to celebrate the franchise’s half-century in existence.Al ...

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Watt reveals plans for Hurricane Harvey donations

J.J. Watt announced plans on Thursday for how the more than $37 million he raised in the wake of Hurricane Harvey will be distributed.The Houston ...

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Retired star Shane Doan joins NHL operations department

Former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan is joining the NHL’s hockey operations department.The league announced the hiring of Doan on Thursday. Senior executive vice president ...

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Warriors ambassador Al Attles is hospitalized, will miss night honoring him

Former Warriors coach and player Al Attles, a current ambassador for the franchise, is hospitalized and will miss Friday night’s game when the defending champions ...

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Bodyguards to protect Esteban Ocon at Mexican GP after driver says he received death threats

French driver Esteban Ocon claimed Thursday that he has received death threats from fans for his on-track clashes with Mexican teammate Sergio Perez and will ...

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Sara Takanashi labels Carina Vogt top foe for Olympics

Sara Takanashi expects Germany’s Carina Vogt to raise her game once again and be the one to beat in the women’s ski jumping competition at ...

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Venus Williams advances to WTA Finals semifinals

Venus Williams reached the semifinals at the WTA Finals by beating Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday.The 37-year-old Williams advanced from the White ...

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Phil Kessel’s 300th career goal lifts Penguins in OT

Phil Kessel had just one thought on his mind as he raced in on an overtime breakaway against Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck.“Hopefully, I score,” the ...

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Ravens rout Dolphins despite losing Joe Flacco

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was dazed and bleeding as he was helped off the field.Diagnosed with a concussion after absorbing a late hit by ...

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Lindsey Vonn targets Olympic glory after Sochi torment

American star Lindsey Vonn begins her road to Olympic redemption as the Alpine skiing season starts this weekend at the Austrian resort of Soelden.The 33-year-old ...

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Yankees part ways with Joe Girardi after 10 seasons

Joe Girardi was fired as New York Yankees manager Thursday after a decade that produced just one World Series title for a team that expects ...

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Experimental Japan squad to take on Ellis-led World XV

Jamie Joseph’s Japan side faces its first test of the autumn Saturday when it takes on Robbie Deans’ World XV in an uncapped game at ...

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Hideki Matsuyama struggles in opening round of HSBC Champions

Hideki Matsuyama got off to a rough start in his bid to defend the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions title on Thursday, carding a 2-over-par 74 ...

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Fighters land rights to prized slugger Kiyomiya

The most celebrated high school slugger in recent memory will don the colors of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in 2018.Seven teams selected Kotaro Kiyomiya, ...

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Stern expresses support for medical marijuana

Former NBA commissioner David Stern believes medicinal marijuana use should be allowed, but the league says it won’t allow players to use it for recreational ...

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Tony Parker practices with Spurs’ G League squad

Tony Parker is taking another step toward returning to the San Antonio lineup.The Spurs’ point guard, who hasn’t played since rupturing a tendon in his ...

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Marlins’ Stanton awaits talks with new owners

Giancarlo Stanton still hasn’t met with the Miami Marlins’ new leadership, including Derek Jeter, amid speculation the team will unload its most expensive player in ...

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Runner Ilias Fifa arrested in Spanish doping probe

Reigning European 5,000-meter champion Ilias Fifa was arrested in Barcelona on Wednesday as part of a doping probe, sources of the investigation confirmed.Fifa, born in ...

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Stan Wawrinka needs coach after Magnus Norman resigns

Three-time Grand Slam title winner Stan Wawrinka needs a new coach, because Magnus Norman is moving on.Norman announced Wednesday that he was quitting after 4½ ...

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Colin Kaepernick expected to receive invitation to NFL meeting

NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said Wednesday that the league expects Colin Kaepernick to be invited to the next meeting between owners and players to discuss ...

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Leicester City hires Puel as new manager

Leicester City hired Claude Puel its third manager this year on Wednesday as the Premier League team struggles to regain stability after its astonishing title ...

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Steen’s breakout night sends Blues to victory

Alexander Steen did not panic.The St. Louis winger knew that his return to form was right around the corner. Steen, who missed the first six ...

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Unbeaten Spurs trample over Heat

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich was asked at least a half-dozen times Wednesday about the status of injured starters Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker and ...

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Taguchi’s range from downtown boosts Akita

In this era of rapid-fire 3-point shooting, Shigehiro Taguchi stands out as a consummate threat.He’s always looking for a chance to launch his shot from ...

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Astros win homer war with Dodgers to even series 1-1

George Springer screamed with joy as he circled the bases after hitting a two-run homer in the 11th inning.Would it be enough? Was this the ...

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Kobe upsets defending champion Kashima to reach Emperors Cup semifinals

Takuya Iwanami scored the winning spot kick as Vissel Kobe beat holders Kashima Antlers 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 extra-time draw in the quarterfinals ...

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Hideki Matsuyama calls chance to golf with Shinzo Abe, Donald Trump ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity

World No. 4 Hideki Matsuyama said Wednesday he had to think twice but gratefully accepted a surprise request to play golf with Prime Minister Shinzo ...

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Shohei Otani leaves hospital after ankle operation

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters’ two-way star Shohei Otani has left the hospital following successful surgery on his right ankle earlier this month, the Pacific League ...

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Masataka Nashida accepts offer to remain as Rakuten manager

Masataka Nashida’s return next season for a third year at the helm of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles was formalized on Wednesday as the manager ...

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Kubo scores third goal of season for Gent

Yuya Kubo needed only three minutes to score the opener in Gent’s 3-0 home victory over Eupen in the Belgian first division on Tuesday.At Ghelamco ...

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Fight for J1 survival taking toll on strugglers

This year’s J. League title race has become a two-team duel between Kashima Antlers and Kawasaki Frontale, but the picture at the other end of ...

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Sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu dealing with new expectations after breaking 10-second mark

Boosted by a nearly ideal tailwind of 1.8 meters per second, Yoshihide Kiryu sprinted across the finish line and glanced at the time clock, anticipating ...

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BayStars bash Carp, punch ticket to Japan Seris

The Yokohama BayStars hit five home runs, including a pair from cleanup hitter Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, to crush the Hiroshima Carp 9-3 on Tuesday and deny ...

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Pyeongchang Games flame lit in birthplace of ancient Olympics

The flame for the 2018 Pyeongchang Games was lit at the birthplace of the ancient Olympics Tuesday, despite a brief cloudburst that disrupted the sun-reliant ...

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Speedskater Arianna Fontana hosen as Italy’s Olympic flag bearer

Short track speedskater Arianna Fontana has been named as Italy’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony at the Pyeongchang Olympics in February.The 27-year-old Fontana has ...

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Hanyu on track in preparations for Pyeongchang

Yuzuru Hanyu is continuing to build momentum in his run toward a second straight Olympic gold medal.Hanyu began his Grand Prix season with a second-place ...

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TV analyst Ray Knight charged with assault

Former major leaguer and current television analyst Ray Knight has been charged with assault following an incident in his northern Virginia home.Fairfax County Police said ...

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Struggling Everton fires manager Ronald Koeman

Ronald Koeman paid the price for Everton’s poor start to the season, losing his job Monday with the team in the Premier League relegation zone ...

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Maple Leafs stop Kings’ four-game win streak

Frederik Andersen made 36 saves, and the Toronto Maple Leafs handed the Los Angeles Kings their first regulation loss of the season with a 3-2 ...

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Raiders’ Marshawn Lynch appeals one-game suspension

Marshawn Lynch presented his appeal to the NFL on Monday to overturn his one-game suspension for bumping an official and Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del ...

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Iditarod winner Dallas Seavey named as musher in dog doping case

Four-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey denied Monday that he administered banned drugs to his dogs in this year’s race and said he has withdrawn from ...

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Bob Costas, Al Michaels among 2018 Ford Frick Award finalists

Bob Costas, Al Michaels and Joe Buck are among the finalists for the Hall of Fame’s 2018 Ford Frick Award for excellence in baseball broadcasting.Don ...

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Mets plot future with Mickey Callaway as manager

Once the New York Mets talked to Mickey Callaway, there was no need for a second round of interviews.They had found their man. Callaway was ...

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Bart Starr back in Green Bay for 1967 title team event

Wearing a Green Bay Packers sweater while sitting near a podium at his beloved Lambeau Field, Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr looked up and ...

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Real Madrid’s Ronaldo named FIFA’s Player of the Year again

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning last season saw him win the 2017 Best FIFA men’s Player of the Year trophy as Real Madrid dominated a star-studded awards ...

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Ex-Eagles linebacker Chuck Weber dies at 87

Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Charles “Chuck” Weber died on Sunday, the team said. He was 87.A seven-year NFL veteran, Weber spent his final three seasons ...

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Carson Wentz leads Eagles to fifth straight victory

Carson Wentz stood tall in a collapsing pocket and kept making plays with his arm or legs.Wentz tossed four touchdown passes, and the Philadelphia Eagles ...

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Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid carry 76ers past Pistons

Four games into his NBA career, Ben Simmons already has a triple-double to his credit.And with some help from Joel Embiid, he finally led the ...

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BayStars push Carp to brink of elimination

The Yokohama BayStars moved to within one win of their first Japan Series berth in 19 years with a 4-3 win over the Hiroshima Carp ...

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Donald Trump to play golf with Hideki Matsuyama during Japan visit

U.S. President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he was delighted he’d be able to play a round of golf with world No. ...

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World champion Murata satisfied after realizing dream

After getting a full night’s sleep, newly crowned WBA middleweight champion Ryota Murata is finally letting the seventh-round technical knockout victory sink in and speaking ...

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Hawks have look of budding dynasty after latest triumph

In what has almost become a rite of fall, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks paraded around a field with a banner in tow in celebration of ...

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Harry Kane scores brace as Tottenham runs circles around Liverpool

Harry Kane scored twice as Tottenham dismantled a defensively deficient Liverpool to win 4-1 Sunday at Wembley Stadium in front of a record Premier League ...

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Yuki Togashi takes center stage as Jets beat Evessa

Chiba Jets point guard Yuki Togashi had the scorer’s touch in Sunday’s series finale against the Osaka Evessa.Wisely, the Jets kept things simple and cleared ...

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Ryota Murata beats Hassan N’Dam in rematch to claim WBA middleweight world title

Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata has obtained another shining treasure.Five months after he lost in a controversial split decision, the 31-year-old Murata gave a dominant ...

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Eagles manager Nashida to stay; Matsui set to move on

Manager Masataka Nashida will return next season for a third year at the helm of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, team owner Hiroshi Mikitani said ...

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Goya strikes late to claim draw for Gamba at Urawa

Substitute Hiroto Goya snatched a last-gasp equalizer to earn a point for Gamba Osaka in a pulsating 3-3 draw away to Asian Champions League finalists ...

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Nadeshiko Japan beats Switzerland in friendly

Substitutes Emi Nakajima and Mina Tanaka were on target to give former women’s world champion Japan a 2-0 win at home to Switzerland in an ...

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Kiseki takes Kikka-sho for first G1 win

Top favorite Kiseki powered to victory on Sunday to capture the Kikka-sho, the last race of the Japanese triple crown.Ridden by Italian jockey Mirco Demuro, ...

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Darvish to start Game 2 or 3 of Fall Classic

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yu Darvish is expected to start either Game 2 or 3 of the World Series against the Houston Astros, manager Dave ...

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Shinsuke Kashiwagi takes young Diamond Dolphins under wing

While he may not be officially listed as such, veteran point guard Shinsuke Kashiwagi is a de facto player/coach for the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins.Before this ...

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No. 2 Penn State routs No. 19 Michigan

The whiteout at Penn State is one of the most mesmerizing scenes in college football. With more than 100,000 fans dressed in white, Beaver Stadium ...

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Hawks earn spot in Japan Series

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks clinched the Pacific League Climax Series’ Final Stage on Sunday with a 7-0 win over the Tohoku Golden Rakuten Eagles to ...

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Nikola Vucevic leads way as Magic snap losing streak against LeBron, Cavs

The Orlando Magic certainly know how to end a long losing streak.Nikola Vucevic scored 23 points and the Magic snapped a 17-game skid against the ...

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Wallabies coach not getting carried way with win over All Blacks

Australia coach Michael Cheika is determined the Wallabies will not get carried away with their 23-18 victory over New Zealand on Saturday and warned them ...

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Okazaki strikes in Leicester win

Shinji Okazaki scored his fourth league goal of the season to help Leicester City beat Swansea City 2-1 away Saturday, as the Foxes claimed their ...

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Stamkos, Kucherov lead Lightning past Penguins

Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov are making it look easy and the Tampa Bay Lightning are reaping the benefits.The Tampa Bay stars both extended their ...

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Astros get past Yankees to reach World Series

Jose Altuve embraced Justin Verlander as confetti rained down. An improbable thought just a few years ago, the Houston Astros are headed to the World ...

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Dexter Pittman, Naoki Uto give Grouses a big boost in victory over Hannaryz

Dexter Pittman scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and rising star Naoki Uto contributed 28 points and 10 assists as the ...

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Antlers stumble against Marinos, lose grip on title race

Kashima Antlers saw their stranglehold on the J. League title race loosen after a 3-2 defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday night.Antlers went into ...

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Hanyu earns second-place finish at Cup of Russia

Yuzuru Hanyu settled for second place on Saturday at the Cup of Russia.American Nathan Chen, the silver medalist at last year’s Grand Prix Final behind ...

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Nanako Fujita breaks single-season win record for Japan Racing Association female jockeys

Nanako Fujita won her 12th race of the year on Saturday to set the single-season record for most wins by a Japan Racing Association female ...

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Wild Knights hand Sungoliath first league loss in nearly two years

The Panasonic Wild Knights head into the five-week autumn break as the only unbeaten team in the Japan Rugby Top League following a 21-10 win ...

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Nao Kodaira captures eighth national title at 500 meters

Nao Kodaira earned her eighth National Single Distance Championships title in the women’s 500 meters on Saturday, while extending her winning streak at the distance ...

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Judo icon Yoshihiro Uchida wants to return to Tokyo at age 100 for 2020 Olympics

A second-generation Japanese-American man who coaches judo in California is hoping to return to Japan for his second Tokyo Olympics in 2020 when he will ...

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Hawks go up 3-2 on Eagles

Seiichi Uchikawa and Akira Nakamura homered for the second straight day as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks moved within reach of the Japan Series by beating ...

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Raiders’ Marshawn Lynch suspended for shoving game official

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch was suspended for one game without pay by the NFL on Friday for shoving a game official during the ...

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Garbine Muguruza receives top WTA accolade

Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza is the WTA Player of the Year, and U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens has been honored as the Comeback Player of ...

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Durant’s defense sinks Pelicans

Klay Thomspon scored 31 points, Stephen Curry added 28 and the Golden State Warriors easily erased a 15-point first-half deficit en route to a 128-120 ...

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Jenny Boucek joins Kings coaching staff

The Sacramento Kings named former WNBA player and coach Jenny Boucek as an assistant coach for player development on Friday.Boucek joins the San Antonio Spurs’ ...

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Caps edge Red Wings in OT

Alex Ovechkin’s power-play goal at 1:56 of overtime gave the Washington Capitals a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night.T.J. Oshie forced ...

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Nationals cut Baker loose

Dusty Baker is done as manager of the Washington Nationals after two seasons, two NL East titles and zero playoff series victories.Nationals general manager Mike ...

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Astros top Yanks, force Game 7

Justin Verlander stayed perfect with the Houston Astros when they couldn’t afford anything else.The ace right-hander pitched seven shutout innings and Jose Altuve homered and ...

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Hanyu 2nd after short program

Defending Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu made two mistakes in his jumps Friday to finish second behind rival Nathan Chen in the men’s short program at ...

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Nakamura homer carries Hawks past Eagles as playoff series heats up

Akira Nakamura’s two-run homer broke an eighth-inning tie in the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks’ 7-5 win over the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on Friday, evening the ...

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Brave Thunders make pair of key defensive plays in last minute to thwart Sunrockers

The Kawasaki Brave Thunders came up with a pair of steals in the final 42 seconds to seal an 85-83 victory over the Sunrockers Shibuya ...

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Blatter announces he’s going to World Cup at Putin’s invitation

Disgraced ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter has told AFP he will attend next year’s World Cup in Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, despite ...

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Enrique Hernandez blasts three home runs as Dodgers advance to World Series

Enrique “Kike” Hernandez put a Hollywood ending on an LA story three decades in the making.Fueled by a home run trilogy from their emotional utilityman, ...

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Man City’s De Bruyne in a league of his own

To death and taxes as the only certainties in life can, for managers on Planet Football, be added a blunder in the transfer market that ...

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JFA giving Reds ¥80 million bonus for reaching Asian Champions League final

The Japan Football Association will reward Urawa Reds with ¥80 million (around $705,000) for reaching the final of the Asian Champions League, JFA president Kozo ...

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Ryota Murata, Hassan N’Dam ready to rumble in middleweight title rematch

The two fighters used different words and phrases. But their messages were the same: They are ready to box.Ryota Murata, who will challenge champion Hassan ...

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Anthony, George lead Thunder in rout of Knicks

Much has changed about the Thunder. One thing hasn’t — Russell Westbrook still gets triple-doubles.The reigning MVP had 21 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds, ...

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Offense clicks as U.S. women cruise past South Korea

Alex Morgan scored in a fourth straight game, Julie Ertz scored for the fourth time in five games, and the U.S. women’s soccer team beat ...

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Giroud guides Arsenal past Red Star Belgrade

Olivier Giroud scored late in the second half for Arsenal to maintain its perfect Europa League campaign with a 1-0 win over 10-man Red Star ...

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Nets’ Jeremy Lin expected to miss remainder of season

Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin is expected to miss the rest of the season after rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee.Lin was hurt ...

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Gordon Hayward recovering from ankle surgery

Boston Celtics fans lined up to sign a banner urging Gordon Hayward to “come back stronger than ever.” One player wrote his injured teammate’s initials ...

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U.S. pressured IOC to ban Russia from Winter Olympics: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the US had put indirect pressure on the IOC to block Russia from the 2018 Winter Games, adding ...

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Kitasan Black to retire after Arima Kinen

Kitasan Black, a five-time Grade One race winner, will retire after the Arima Kinen in December, the stallion’s trainer Hisashi Shimizu said on Friday.“(Kitasan Black’s) ...

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Raiders slip past rival Chiefs in bizarre ending

The Oakland Raiders scored two apparent game-winning touchdowns that didn’t count. The Kansas City Chiefs forced incompletions on back-to-back plays that ended with 0:00 on ...

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Isles send Rangers to fifth straight loss

John Tavares came through in the shootout and helped the New York Islanders keep up their recent domination of their struggling crosstown rivals.Tavares got the ...

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Leitch to lead Japan in upcoming tests

Toshiba Brave Lupus forward Michael Leitch will lead Japan in its upcoming four matches, head coach Jamie Joseph announced Thursday in naming his 34-man squad ...

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Haruhiro Hamaguchi throws seven strong innings as BayStars bounce back against Carp in Game 2

Rookie southpaw Haruhiro Hamaguchi tossed seven solid innings as the Yokohama BayStars defeated the Hiroshima Carp 6-2 on Thursday to pick up their first win ...

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Daigo Higa, Kenshiro Terachi seek to impress in first title defenses

World champions Daigo Higa and Kenshiro Terachi said that they would not enter the ring to fight for knockouts.Instead, they plan to win in dominant ...

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Ex-Giants manager Tatsunori Hara to oversee baseball clinic in Peru in November

Former Yomiuri Giants skipper Tatsunori Hara will lead a Japanese baseball clinic in Peru in November to commemorate 100 years since the establishment of the ...

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IPC chief has high hopes for 2020 Tokyo Paralympics

New International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said Thursday expectations are “really high” for the 2020 Tokyo Games as he visited Tokyo for a meeting ...

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Impressive start leads Maple Leafs past Red Wings

Curtis McElhinney got all the help he needed in his season debut.McElhinney made 30 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs scored four times in the ...

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Ex-NHL agent Stacey McAlpine charged with fraud

Former NHL agent Stacey McAlpine has been charged with fraud in a case involving former Ottawa Senators players Dany Heatley and Chris Phillips.Winnipeg police said ...

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Reds look to change image in ACL final

Urawa Reds defender Tomoaki Makino hailed his team’s composure and resilience after holding off star-studded Shanghai SIPG to book its place in the Asian Champions ...

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Chelsea, Roma stage entertaining draw

Chelsea and AS Roma served up a rip-roaring 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday as both clubs stayed firmly on course for a place ...

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Louisville trustees fire longtime AD Tom Jurich

Tom Jurich was loyal to the coaches he hired at Louisville almost to a fault, supporting them through good and bad times during 20 years ...

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Swiss lawmakers vow support for 2026 Games

Switzerland’s federal government said Wednesday it is prepared to pay almost 1 billion Swiss francs ($1.02 billion) toward Sion hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics.The Swiss ...

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McKayla Maroney alleges abuse by team doctor in Tokyo

Two-time Olympic medalist McKayla Maroney says she was molested for years by a former USA Gymnastics team doctor, abuse she said started in her early ...

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Joji Takeuchi, Jawad Williams a dynamic duo for Alvark

When a team has a deep bench, a coach has a better set of options to choose from.For the Alvark Tokyo, it’s abundantly clear that ...

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Blazers hand Suns worst season-opening loss in NBA history

If the Phoenix Suns were a Broadway show, they’d close for good after opening night.The Suns weren’t just bad in their 124-76 loss to the ...

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NFL refuses to force protesting players to stand for anthem, calls them activists for justice reform

The National Football League rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls to punish players who kneel for the national anthem to protest racism, but said on ...

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NFL players, owners meet to discuss social issues

NFL players and owners held an unusual meeting Tuesday to discuss social issues, a session both sides termed positive and productive.What was not discussed at ...

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Carp top BayStars in rain-shortened CL final stage opener

Kosuke Tanaka broke the ice with a two-run, tiebreaking single in the fifth inning, as the Hiroshima Carp opened the Central League playoffs’ final stage ...

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Urawa beats Shanghai to reach Asian Champions League final

Urawa Reds advanced to the final of the Asian Champions League for the first time since 2007 with a 2-1 aggregate win over China’s Shanghai ...

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Top League to trim 2018 season to 10 games ahead of World Cup

The Japan Rugby Top League will adopt a shorter season next year to allow players for the national team more time to prepare for Rugby ...

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Japanese men prepare for rigorous qualifying schedule

The format for the men’s FIBA World Cup qualifiers has been changed from a tournament format to a system that will see teams play each ...

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Gamba defender Oh Jae-suk to miss three weeks with hamstring injury

Gamba Osaka defender Oh Jae-suk will be sidelined for three weeks with a hamstring injury, the J. League first-division side announced Wednesday.The South Korean, who ...

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Verblitz flanker Juan Smith to retire

Toyota Verblitz’s former South Africa international flanker Juan Smith will retire because of family health problems, the Top League club said Wednesday.The 36-year-old Smith, who ...

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Hayward injury mars NBA opener

Gordon Hayward’s face was etched in pain and shock.Of all the juicy subplots for this hyped homecoming and a season opener between heated rivals, a ...

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Yu Darvish leads Dodgers to brink of berth in World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a tough lineup, a talented pitching staff and a manager making all the right moves.Yup, it’s beginning to look a ...

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Kihira clinches spot in Junior Grand Prix Final

Rika Kihira’s bronze medal at the Junior Grand Prix in Egna and Bologna, Italy, on Saturday was good enough to qualify her for the JGP ...

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Levanga chief Takehiko Orimo striving to juggle responsibilities

There is probably nobody else in Japan who devotes themselves to basketball as much as Takehiko Orimo, who, at age 47, is still a competitive ...

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Explosive Flyers beat down Panthers

Wayne Simmonds pounded Florida’s enforcer with a series of rights and dropped him with a left. Simmonds waved his arms toward the Flyers crowd and ...

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B. League to stage 2018 All-Star Game in Kumamoto

The B. League on Tuesday announced that the 2018 All-Star Game will be held in Kumamoto.The event will take place on Jan. 14. It will ...

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BayStars rout Tigers, move on to CL Climax Series Final Stage

Joe Wieland allowed a run in seven innings to earn the win as the Yokohama BayStars beat the Hanshin Tigers 6-1 on Tuesday to advance ...

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Trump is a ‘soulless coward,’ says Spurs coach Gregg Popovich

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has called President Donald Trump “a soulless coward who thinks that he can only become large by belittling others” ...

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Riyad Mahrez scores late goal as Leicester City ties West Bromwich

Riyad Mahrez salvaged a point for Leicester with an 80th-minute equalizer in a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Monday.The ...

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Olympic legend Button’s advice for Hanyu: Don’t overtrain

One of the great aspects of being a sportswriter is the people the job puts you in contact with.I have been blessed in my long ...

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Wrestler Eri Tosaka sidelined with knee, ankle injuries

Olympic wrestling gold medalist Eri Tosaka will be out of action for around three months after suffering ligament damage in her left knee and ankle, ...

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Berlin’s Genki Haraguchi receives two-match ban for red card

Japan striker Genki Haraguchi has been suspended from playing two matches for Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga after he was given a red card for ...

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Giants’ Tomoyuki Sugano receives third CL monthly pitching award of season

Yomiuri Giants right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano was named Central League pitcher of the month for the third time this season on Wednesday, when NPB announced its ...

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Bullpen comes up big for underdog Eagles in Climax Series

Many fans, of both the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and Seibu Lions, probably spent much of the third game of the first-round playoff series between ...

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Titans end 11-game skid to Colts

Marcus Mariota shuffled around the pocket, carefully protecting a strained left hamstring that already cost him one game this season.So the quarterback known for his ...

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Lightning win fourth straight

Dynamic forward Nikita Kucherov scored twice Monday night to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.Kucherov barely touched ...

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Yankees rout Astros behind Judge, Sabathia

Back in the Bronx, the big guys delivered.Greeted by an array of “All Rise” signs in a ballpark that fits their style, Aaron Judge hit ...

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Zelous Wheeler blasts Eagles into Pacific League Climax Series Final Stage

Zelous Wheeler hit the ball so hard it might’ve landed somewhere in Fukuoka. Which is convenient, since he’ll be able to stop by and pick ...

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Japan could be in last-ranked pot for World Cup draw

Japan may be placed in Pot 4, the lowest-level lot in the draw for next year’s World Cup finals in Russia, as it dropped four ...

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Tanaka to miss Rostelecom Cup with injury

Figure skater Keiji Tanaka injured a muscle in his right hip-pelvic area and will withdraw from the upcoming Rostelecom Cup in Moscow, the Japan Skating ...

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Former Minnesota athletics chief Joel Maturi says Japan can benefit from college sports overhaul

Joel Maturi, an ex-director of athletics for the University of Minnesota, thinks it is “insane” and “crazy” that some of the major NCAA schools make ...

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Shohei Otani named WBSC player of the year for 2015

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters two-way talent Shohei Otani earned the 2015 baseball player of the year award as the World Baseball Softball Confederation on Sunday ...

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Indonesian goalkeeper dies after collision

Indonesian soccer was in mourning on Monday after celebrated goalkeeper Choirul Huda died following an on-pitch collision with a teammate.Huda, 38, a longtime regular for ...

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Golden Knights debutants shine in victory over Bruins

Alex Tuch and Vadim Shipachyov made the most of their debuts with the Vegas Golden Knights, as they each scored a goal in a 3-1 ...

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Rooney bails out Everton

Wayne Rooney may have saved his manager’s job after a successful last-minute penalty kick secured a point for Everton in a 1-1 draw at Brighton ...

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Turner’s homer gives Dodgers two-game lead

Justin Turner savored every last stride as he followed in Kirk Gibson’s famous footsteps at Dodger Stadium.The red-bearded slugger from Southern California knew all about ...

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Kaepernick files grievance against NFL, citing collusion

Free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, accusing the 32 owners of collusion, his legal team announced on Sunday.Kaepernick has remained unemployed ...

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Steelers end Chiefs’ unbeaten record

Le’Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers spent Sunday beating up on the Kansas City Chiefs.Beating up the goal-post padding, too. The Steelers’ star running back ...

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Pavicevic’s plans come together as Alvark rout B-Corsairs

The Alvark Tokyo are starting to hit their stride. And with six games in the books, new coach Luka Pavicevic’s vision for the team is ...

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Federer downs Nadal to win Shanghai Masters

Roger Federer got one over his old rival Rafael Nadal to win the Shanghai Masters 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday in a showdown between the two ...

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Matsuyama stumbles to fifth in season opener in Kuala Lumpur

Hideki Matsuyama gave himself a damning report card on Sunday as he slumped to a fifth-place finish in the PGA Tour’s season-opening CIMB Classic.Although he ...

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Kishi shines as Eagles beat Lions to force Game 3

It took a home run on the very first pitch of the game, a squeeze play and a lot from Takayuki Kishi, but the Tohoku ...

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Ventforet fail to make stride to safety in draw with Tokyo

Ventforet Kofu missed a chance to move three points clear of the relegation zone after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to 10-man ...

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Uehara left off Cubs’ NLCS roster

Right-hander Koji Uehara did not make the cut as the Chicago Cubs on Saturday announced their 25-man roster ahead of the National League Championship Series ...

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Marinos’ Saito undergoes knee surgery

Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder Manabu Saito has undergone a surgical procedure required after he suffered damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, ...

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Dovizioso beats Marquez in MotoGP thriller at Motegi

Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso stole the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix from Marc Marquez at Honda’s home circuit on Sunday, cutting the Spanish rider’s championship lead to ...

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Flyers rain down goals on outgunned Capitals

Scott Laughton swiped the puck at the blue line, raced to the circle and faced Washington goalie Phillipp Grubauer sprawled on the ice trying to ...

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Maeda earns win in relief as Dodgers take NLCS opener

Right-hander Kenta Maeda pitched one scoreless inning of relief as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs 5-2 in the National League Championships Series ...

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Seven-star City turns on style to thrash Stoke

Manchester City opened up a two-point lead over neighbor Manchester United at the top of the Premier League thanks to another display of scintillating brilliance ...

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Chiba’s defenders clamp down on Tochigi in pivotal fourth quarter

The defending champion Tochigi Brex fell to 2-3 to open the new season, losing 76-70 to the visiting Chiba Jets on Saturday afternoon.Chiba sealed the ...

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Rafael Nadal survives showdown with Marin Cilic to reach Shanghai Masters final

Rafael Nadal survived a roller coaster encounter with fourth seed Marin Cilic to power into Sunday’s final of the Shanghai Masters and a possible showdown ...

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Yu Kobayashi delivers late brace as Frontale shock Vegalta

Yu Kobayashi scored a late double as 10-man Kawasaki Frontale kept their J. League title hopes alive with a stunning 3-2 win over Vegalta Sendai ...

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Finally, Lions’ Yusei Kikuchi living up to potential this season

Yusei Kikuchi had waited for this for far too long to not savor every last second. For seven years, the Seibu Lions left-hander had chased ...

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Kosuke Fukudome, Randy Messenger guide Tigers past BayStars in CL postseason opener

Surprise BayStars starter Shoichi Ino threw five scoreless innings before Kosuke Fukudome belted a two-run, sixth-inning homer, lifting Randy Messenger and the Hanshin Tigers to ...

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Yamaha’s Johann Zarco nabs pole position for MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan

Yamaha rider Johann Zarco secured pole position on Saturday for the MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan.Zarco clocked a time of 1 minute, 53.469 seconds to ...

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New Marines manager Tadahito Iguchi aims to transform club into a winner

Tadahito Iguchi, a member of the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox and a three-time Japan Series winner, on Saturday vowed to revive the ...

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Perez fires 64, stretches lead

Pat Perez turned in an eight-under 64 in the third round of the PGA Tour’s season-opening CIMB Classic on Saturday to open up a four-shot ...

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Gracie Gold decides to skip Grand Prix series

Two-time U.S. women’s figure skating champion and 2014 Olympic team bronze medalist Gracie Gold has withdrawn from the Grand Prix series.Gold announced Friday she was ...

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U.S. coach Bruce Arena steps down

Bruce Arena quickly resigned as U.S. coach after the Americans’ failure to qualify for the World Cup. But U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati is ...

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Del Potro hurts wrist in victory

Juan Martin del Potro headed to a hospital for a scan on his left wrist after a nasty fall while winning his quarterfinal 4-6, 6-1, ...

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Lions devour Eagles in Game 1

The NPB postseason began with the promise of a pitcher’s duel, with a pair of aces on the mound on a chilly Saturday afternoon in ...

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Spurs say Kawhi Leonard won’t be ready to start the season

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard needs more time to get his injured thigh muscle right, meaning he won’t be out ...

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Knights handed first NHL loss

Gustav Nyquist scored twice and the Detroit Red Wings had four goals in the third period to beat the Vegas Golden Knights 6-3 on Friday ...

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49ers release linebacker NaVorro Bowman after eight seasons

The San Francisco 49ers cut ties with one of the few remaining links to their last run of success when they released linebacker NaVorro Bowman ...

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Tanaka gets no run support as Astros take ALCS opener

Another solid postseason outing for Masahiro Tanaka, but still another loss in the AL Championship Series for the New York Yankees.New York was stifled again ...

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Cartier Martin brings NBA skills to B. League

Cartier Martin made a dynamic debut last weekend for the San-en NeoPhoenix.By doing so, he instantly became one of the must-watch names in the B. ...

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Hannaryz stage late rally to edge Storks

The Kyoto Hannaryz rallied past the visiting Nishinomiya Storks in the final 91 seconds of Friday’s series opener.Kyoto scored the final six points of the ...

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Hideki Matsuyama disappointed in lack of second-round progress at season-opening CIMB Classic

Hideki Matsuyama shot a second-round 68 in Friday’s second round and was seven strokes off the pace at the weather-hit CIMB Classic, the first event ...

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Lions’ Yusei Kikuchi brings dominating record against Eagles into opening stage of PL Climax Series

Seibu Lions lefty Yusei Kikuchi could be a key to which team the Pacific League sends to play in the Japan Series.The Lions host the ...

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BayStars begin quest to reach Japan Series on the road against Tigers

The Yokohama BayStars finished third in the Central League for the second straight season, and seek to do better than they fared in last year’s ...

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Japan, Belgium schedule friendly for Nov. 14

The Japan men’s national team’s friendly against Belgium, scheduled for Nov. 14, will take place in Bruges, Belgium, the Japan Football Association announced Friday.Japan, 40th ...

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Giants decline to offer new contract to Shuichi Murata

The Yomiuri Giants will not offer a contract a new contract to third baseman Shuichi Murata, the team announced Friday.The 36-year-old Murata joined the Giants ...

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Memories of war have had profound effect on Meschery

Third in a three-part seriesMemories help define who we are as individuals, and provide common links among communities, cultures and nations. For Tom Meschery, memories ...

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Ai-chan gives birth to baby girl

Ai Fukuhara gave birth to a baby girl Friday, the first-time mom announced on her official website.“I honestly still can’t believe that I’m now a ...

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Jordan insists super teams bad for NBA

Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan said that NBA stars ganging up and playing for super teams will hurt competitive balance.Last year, Kevin Durant left the ...

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Yankees hurler Masahiro Tanaka named starter for Game 1 of ALCS against Astros

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka will start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Friday against the Houston Astros, the New York Yankees announced on ...

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Nadal, Federer cruise into Shanghai quarters

Rafael Nadal won his 14th consecutive match to reach the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals, beating Fabio Fognini of Italy 6-3, 6-1 on Thursday night.Fognini occupied Nadal ...

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Steven Stamkos gets first goal in 11 months as Lightning top Panthers

Steven Stamkos’ 11-month wait for a goal is over.Stamkos scored his first goal since having right knee surgery last November and the Tampa Bay Lightning ...

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Carson Wentz throws three TDs as Eagles down Panthers

Carson Wentz said he saw some things from the Carolina Panthers he hadn’t seen on film leading to three first-half sacks and plenty of pressure.It ...

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Cubs edge Nats, advance to NLCS

The Chicago Cubs win whenever they need to, with whatever it takes, even a seven-out save by Wade Davis to preserve a shrinking lead and ...

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Mao to compete in Honolulu Marathon

Mao Asada will run in the Honolulu Marathon on Dec. 10, the race’s PR department announced on Thursday.It will be the first full marathon for ...

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High-scoring Devils pounce on Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a big shots advantage and even two more skaters on the key play. The New Jersey Devils put up the ...

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Hajime Moriyasu hired to lead Japan U-23 men’s team

The Japan Football Association’s executive committee on Thursday appointed Hajime Moriyasu as coach of the Japan men’s team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.Moriyasu, who won ...

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Fighters’ Shohei Otani to start rehab after ankle surgery

Shohei Otani should be fit to pitch and hit without any restrictions in about three months, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters said Thursday.The Pacific League ...

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Coe calls for track and field revolution after Bolt’s retirement

World athletics chief Sebastian Coe wants a radical review of track and field to ensure it survives as a spectator sport.With the sport’s biggest star ...

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Brazil Olympic Committee chief pens resignation letter from prison

Carlos Nuzman sent his resignation letter as head of the Brazilian Olympic Committee from a prison on Wednesday.He’s been held there since last week amid ...

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Tadahito Iguchi looks forward to managing Marines

The Chiba Lotte Marines on Thursday named Tadahito Iguchi, a member of the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox and a three-time Japan Series ...

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T-Wolves sign Andrew Wiggins to $148 million extension

A five-year contract extension worth nearly $150 million sat in front of Andrew Wiggins for more than two months.Not only did the 22-year-old Wiggins not ...

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Grand Slam board fines volatile Fognini

Fabio Fognini was handed a suspended ban of two Grand Slam tournaments on Wednesday for insulting a chair umpire at the U.S. Open.The Grand Slam ...

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Mike Ditka apologizes for comment on racial oppression

Mike Ditka is apologizing for saying he wasn’t aware of any racial oppression in the U.S. over the last 100 years.The famed former Chicago Bears ...

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Tom Brady says he’ll play Sunday despite injury

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady told New England fans not to worry about his left shoulder injury, even though it has kept him out of the ...

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Stanford’s VanDerveer signed through 2019-20

Tara VanDerveer has a new three-year contract extension that takes the Hall of Fame Stanford women’s basketball coach through the 2019-20 season.She discussed her new ...

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Yanks oust Tribe in reversal of fortune

These young Yankees were unshaken, resilient and as tough as the city they represent.The baby Bronx Bombers have grown up fast. Didi Gregorius, following in ...

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Samurai Japan unveils roster for new event

Japan’s new manager is ready to lead the next generation on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.The first stop along the way comes next ...

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Suzuki’s ball distribution making difference for NeoPhoenix

Early in his pro career, Tatsuya Suzuki displayed a flair for making the right pass at the right time.Yes, he records a flashy assist here ...

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Stephen Strasburg, Nationals blank Cubs, force Game 5

Stephen Strasburg gave Washington everything he had, and it was more than enough.So much for all those questions about heart and character. Strasburg shook off ...

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Naomi Osaka beats Venus Williams in straight sets

Naomi Osaka defeated world No. 5 Venus Williams in straight sets in the second round of the Hong Kong Open on Wednesday.It was Osaka’s first ...

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Shohei Otani to have surgery on right ankle Thursday

Hokkaido Nippon Ham’s two-way star Shohei Otani will undergo surgery on his right ankle in Tokyo on Thursday, the Fighters said.Otani, 23, will have keyhole ...

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Hideki Kuriyama to stay on as Nippon Ham manager

Hideki Kuriyama will remain at the helm of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters for a seventh season, the Pacific League club said Wednesday.Kuriyama met with ...

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Golden Knights win emotional Vegas debut

One by one under the spotlights, the Vegas Golden Knights skated up to take their place behind a first responder to the shooting massacre.The arena ...

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Penguins make White House visit

President Donald Trump is honoring the Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins, calling them “true champions and incredible patriots.”Trump welcomed the Penguins into the Oval Office on ...

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Sputtering Cardinals acquire Adrian Peterson from Saints

The Arizona Cardinals, with the worst rushing game in the NFL, have acquired running back Adrian Peterson from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for ...

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Arrieta’s return put on hold as rain washes out Game 4 of Cubs-Nats series

Game 4 of the NL Division Series was washed away by rain on Tuesday, postponing Jake Arrieta’s return for the Chicago Cubs and leading to ...

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Hasebe resumes full training with Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Makoto Hasebe, who has been sidelined with pain in his right knee, made his full return to training, the German first-division club ...

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Marines’ Wakui considering free agency

Chiba Lotte Marines right-hander Hideaki Wakui could make himself available on the free-agent market to pursue a long-held dream of playing in the major leagues, ...

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LeBron makes preseason debut for new-look Cavaliers

The King has returned.LeBron James made his preseason debut Tuesday night after missing Cleveland’s first three games with a sprained left ankle. He scored 17 ...

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Messi hat trick punches Argentina’s World Cup ticket

When it really mattered and when the pressure was most intense, Lionel Messi delivered for Argentina.On the brink of being eliminated from World Cup qualifying ...

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Iguchi set to take over as Marines manager

Tadahito Iguchi, a member of the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox and a three-time Japan Series winner, will manage the Chiba Lotte Marines ...

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Halilhodzic warns Japan to shape up before Brazil, Belgium tests

National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic branded Japan’s 3-3 draw with Haiti on Tuesday “the worst match I have seen” and warned his players to shape ...

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NFL owners mull ban on kneeling during anthem after Trump targets tax breaks they gave up in 2015

NFL team owners will consider requiring players to stand for the U.S. national anthem after President Donald Trump on Tuesday stepped up his criticism of ...

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Albirex find path to victory in overtime against Alvark

The Niigata Albirex BB and Alvark Tokyo provided plenty of drama on Tuesday night in their series finale that went down to the wire.Niigata’s Davante ...

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Shinji Kagawa’s injury-time goal gives Japan draw with Haiti

Shinji Kagawa scored deep into injury time to save Japan from an embarrassing defeat in a 3-3 friendly draw with minnow Haiti on Tuesday night.Japan, ...

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Eagles blank Marines in Pacific League regular-season finale

Takayuki Kishi and three relievers, including left-hander Yudai Mori, combined on a four-hit shutout as the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles blanked the Chiba Lotte Marines ...

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Rino Kasakake earns bronze in debut at Poland JPG

Rino Kasakake kept Japan’s streak of earning at least one medal at every Junior Grand Prix this season alive by claiming the bronze at the ...

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Iceland qualifies for 2018 World Cup

The Icelandic thunderclap is making its way to Russia.Iceland added to its incredible European Championship campaign by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for ...

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Dodgers complete three-game sweep of Diamondbacks

Led by a big Japanese right-hander and a rookie from just down the road, the Los Angeles Dodgers are headed back to the NL Championship ...

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Giants receiver Odell Beckham done for year due to ankle injury

The winless New York Giants are going to be without offensive catalyst Odell Beckham Jr. for the rest of the season.Veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall’s ...

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Twins give manager Paul Molitor a three-year contract

The Minnesota Twins are bringing back Paul Molitor as manager after he led a historic turnaround.The Twins announced Monday that Molitor is getting a new ...

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Dolphins assistant coach Chris Foerster quits after video of drug use emerges

Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase said offensive line coach Chris Foerster seemed so focused on the team that he would often be at work by ...

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Balanced scoring carries Levanga past B-Corsairs

The Levanga Hokkaido completed a two-game sweep of the visiting Yokohama B-Corsairs on Monday night, winning 89-82.Marc Trasolini paced Hokkaido (3-1) with 19 points and ...

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Maple Leafs skate past Blackhawks in OT

Auston Matthews beat Anton Forsberg 3:43 into overtime to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-3 comeback win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday ...

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76ers give injury-prone center Joel Embiid a $148 mil. extension

The 76ers have put their trust in Joel Embiid.Philadelphia bet its future on Embiid, signing one of the more talented, yet injury-prone, players in the ...

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Case Keenum steps in, leads Vikings past Bears

Case Keenum gave the Vikings the lift they needed, and that was just enough to spoil Mitchell Trubisky’s highly anticipated debut.Keenum led three second-half scoring ...

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Rakuten, NBA teaming up in media partnership deal

Rakuten, Inc. is active in expanding its brand on a global scale, partnering with some of the world’s most famous sports teams like soccer powerhouse ...

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Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle passes away at 90

Y.A. Tittle, the Hall of Fame quarterback and 1963 NFL MVP, has died. He was 90.His family confirmed to LSU, where Tittle starred in college, ...

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Star quarterback of 49ers, Giants, ‘Ice Bowl’ fame Y.A. Tittle dead at 90

Y.A. Tittle, a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback who played for the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants, has died ...

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ESPN suspends Jemele Hill after tweet suggesting boycott of foes of NFL player protests

Cable sports network ESPN on Monday suspended broadcaster Jemele Hill for violating its social media guidelines for a second time in the past month after ...

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Shohei Otani keeps quiet about future after Fighters’ season finale

Shohei Otani was quiet on and off the field in what was expected to be his last game in Japan on Monday before being posted ...

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Nippon Ham slugger Nakata hints at hitting free agent market

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters slugger Sho Nakata suggested Monday that he would test the free agent market this offseason.“I haven’t figured it all out yet, ...

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Yuichi Sugita moves to personal-best 36th in tennis world rankings

Yuichi Sugita climbed to a personal-best 36th in the world rankings released Monday, while Kei Nishikori, who is out for the season with a right-wrist ...

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Rugby star Hardaker suspended after failing doping test

England’s Rugby Football League says Zak Hardaker, one of the country’s top players, has been provisionally suspended after failing a doping test.Hardaker will not be ...

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UAE official urges Qatar to give up World Cup to end crisis

A top Emirati security official says the Qatar diplomatic crisis can end if Doha gives up hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first time ...

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Golden Knights prepare for home opener in somber Las Vegas

It was supposed to be a celebration of all the things this city is about, a night many thought would never come.But the carnage is ...

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Rangers skate past Canadiens

Henrik Lundqvist bounced back after getting roughed up the previous night and helped the New York Rangers get their first win of the season.The veteran ...

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Aaron Rodgers leads late drive as Packers edge Cowboys

Aaron Rodgers had more magic in store for the Dallas Cowboys, who can’t seem to find the mojo that carried them a year ago.Rodgers threw ...

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Red Sox beat Astros to avoid elimination

Hanley Ramirez waved a “Believe in Boston” flag during pregame introductions, drawing cheers from a Fenway Park crowd fearful of a second straight postseason sweep.Then ...

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Mai Murakami makes history with gold medal at worlds; Kenzo Shirai wins vault title

Mai Murakami became the first Japanese woman to win the floor exercise at the artistic gymnastics world championships on Sunday, while compatriot Kenzo Shirai captured ...

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Masahiro Tanaka shines as Yankees stay alive in ALDS

Good thing for Masahiro Tanaka and the Yankees that Aaron Judge is 201 centimeters.Judge reached high and prevented a home run to save Tanaka’s seven-inning ...

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Pence exits NFL game after players kneel during anthem

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence walked out of a National Football League game on Sunday in his home state of Indiana after some players knelt ...

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NeoPhoenix roll past lethargic Sunrockers

There wasn’t a way to sugarcoat the facts.The final score — San-en NeoPhoenix 64, Sunrockers Shibuya 54 — spelled out the fact that the hosts ...

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Otani set for likely final NPB appearance

The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters’ slugging ace Shohei Otani will play in what is expected to be his last game in Japan on Monday, despite ...

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Goffin beats Mannarino for Japan Open title

David Goffin atoned for his defeat in the Japan Open final last year by winning it on Sunday, beating Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 7-5.The victory extended ...

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Milestone man Chris Marrero taking things in stride at Orix

Chris Marrero sent a ball over the fence in left field at Chiba’s Zozo Marine Stadium, rounded the bases, and did a small hop to ...

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Masahiro Tanaka ready to help keep Yankees’ season alive

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka said Saturday he is ready to lift the New York Yankees over the Cleveland Indians when he starts Game 3 of the ...

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Cerezo, Frontale advance to J. League Cup final

Yasuki Kimoto scored a dramatic injury-time winner as Cerezo Osaka edged local rivals Gamba Osaka 2-1 on Sunday to reach their first J. League Cup ...

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Orix fireballer Yoshihisa Hirano plans move to MLB

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano is eyeing a move to the major leagues as an international free agent, a senior official with the Pacific League ...

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Michigan St upsets No. 7 Michigan

Mark Dantonio has done what seemed improbable a decade ago and in the previous century by figuring out a way to help Michigan State have ...

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Hamilton moves closer to title at Japanese GP

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, taking a major step toward winning his third Formula One title.The Mercedes driver crossed ...

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Maeda picks up win in Game 2

Kenta Maeda earned his first playoff win after getting three outs in relief as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-5 on Saturday ...

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‘King Kazu’ wants to continue reign

Fifty-year-old soccer legend Kazuyoshi Miura insists he has no plans to retire any time soon, even joking that the day he stops will be “the ...

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Ovechkin’s historic feat lifts Caps

Alex Ovechkin had a historic night, and now he could use a travel agent.Anything to keep this roll going. Ovechkin scored four goals to become ...

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Shirai wins third floor exercise gold

Kenzo Shirai won the men’s floor exercise gold medal for the third time at the artistic gymnastics world championships on Saturday.Shirai, the all-around bronze medal ...

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Yuichi Adachi ignites Eagles in rout of Buffaloes

Second-year catcher Yuichi Adachi drove in three runs on two hits to help the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles defeat the Orix Buffaloes 7-0 on Saturday.The ...

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Grouses withstand Storks’ spirited fourth-quarter rally, improve to 2-1

The Toyama Grouses held off the pesky Nishinomiya Storks in the fourth quarter on Saturday night, clinging to a slim lead down the stretch in ...

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Mannarino, Goffin advance to Japan Open men’s final

Unseeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino stunned top seed Marin Cilic 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-0 on Saturday to book his place in the Japan Open final against ...

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Sungoliath clobber Sanix Blues for seventh consecutive victory

The defending Japan Rugby Top League champion Suntory Sungoliath picked up their seventh straight win Saturday as they topped Munakata Sanix Blues 45-0 at Prince ...

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Team Europe ends Japan’s reign as Japan Open champion

Japan missed out on its third consecutive title at the Japan Open team figure skating competition on Saturday, settling for a runner-up finish.The host team, ...

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Shohei Otani just beginning to realize true potential

Shohei Otani hasn’t had a 20-win season. He hasn’t slugged 40 homers in one campaign, either.Those, of course, are benchmarks for iconic superstars. Even so, ...

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Riley Ferguson, Memphis steamroll UConn

Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson found favorite target Anthony Miller early and often on Friday night, setting records in the process.Ferguson threw for 431 yards and ...

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Lewis Hamilton nabs pole for Japanese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton struck a huge psychological blow in the Formula One title race Saturday with a sizzling qualifying drive to take pole position for the ...

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Mai Murakami finishes fourth in women’s all-around final at world championships

Mai Murakami narrowly missed out on a medal at the world championships on Friday, finishing fourth in the women’s all-around final.Murakami, who topped the qualifying ...

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Pulisic leads U.S. in rout of Panama

Christian Pulisic burst up the field, scoring with a brilliant touch to complete an 11-second, breakneck, field-length attack just eight minutes in.Then his cross found ...

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Golden Knights win in debut

James Neal scored twice in the third period Friday night, rallying the Vegas Golden Knights to a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in the ...

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Indians down Yankees in 13th

They’ve won this season in almost every way imaginable: comebacks, walk-offs, blowouts, nail-biters.No. 104 for the Cleveland Indians topped them all. Yan Gomes singled home ...

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Cubs blank Nats in Game 1

Relying on precision rather than power, Kyle Hendricks pitched the Chicago Cubs to another winning start in October.Hendricks outdueled Stephen Strasburg on the mound, and ...

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Yuki Yoshimura hammers solo blast in 12th to carry Hawks past Buffaloes

Pinch hitter Yuki Yoshimura hit a walk-off solo shot in the bottom of the 12th inning as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks rallied to beat the ...

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Shu Kurata’s late header lifts Japan over New Zealand

Shu Kurata opened his international account with a late header to propel Japan past New Zealand 2-1 in a friendly on Friday.With three minutes left ...

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Swallows appoint Shinya Miyamoto as bench coach

Three-time Japan Series champion Shinya Miyamoto was named the Tokyo Yakult Swallows’ new bench coach Friday.Miyamoto will be second in command to Junji Ogawa, who ...

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Germany qualifies for World Cup with easy victory over Northern Ireland

Germany qualified for the World Cup in style on Thursday when superb early strikes from Sebastian Rudy and Sandro Wagner set it on the way ...

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Goffin rallies to eliminate Gasquet in Japan Open quarterfinals

Belgium’s David Goffin battled back from a seemingly impossible first-set position against Frenchman Richard Gasquet on Friday to reach the Japan Open semifinals.In a Franco-Belgian ...

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England uninspiring in victory over Slovenia

Gareth Southgate wanted England to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in style. Harry Kane’s late winner in the 1-0 win over Slovenia on ...

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Tokyo 2020 organizers, IOC affirm commitment to small baseball tournament

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic organizers and the International Olympic Committee have affirmed their intention to hold the baseball competition’s first round in two groups of ...

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Brazilian Olympic Committee chief Carlos Nuzman arrested, called central figure in vote-buying scandal

The president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee was arrested on Thursday amid an investigation into a vote-buying scheme to bring the Olympics to Rio de ...

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F1 championship leader Lewis Hamilton fastest in rain-hit practice for Japanese GP

Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton clocked the fastest lap in a rain-hit second practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday, when only ...

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Blackhawks pulverize Penguins with 10-goal outburst

Brandon Saad was a force on both ends of the ice. Patrick Kane made a couple of dazzling passes. Nick Schmaltz showed off his speed, ...

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New York Yacht Club to challenge for 36th America’s Cup

The New York Yacht Club is returning to the America’s Cup after an absence of a decade and a half, perhaps the ultimate nod to ...

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Mets veteran David Wright undergoes surgery to repair back

New York Mets captain David Wright underwent back surgery, his second operation in a month as he tries to return to the major leagues after ...

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Hornets’ Nicolas Batum tears ligament in right elbow

Charlotte Hornets shooting guard Nicolas Batum will miss at least six to eight weeks after tearing a ligament in his right elbow, the NBA club ...

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Defense helps Patriots hold off Bucs

Tom Brady tied the NFL record for regular season wins with some timely help from a porous New England defense showing signs of improvement.Brady threw ...

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Kenzo Shirai gets bronze in all-around at world championships

Kenzo Shirai claimed the bronze medal in the men’s individual all-around on Thursday at the world championships to continue a Japanese podium streak that dates ...

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Jose Altuve blasts three HRs as Astros soar in Game 1

Jose Altuve had just arrived in the Astros dugout after launching his third home run of the game when George Springer grabbed his right biceps ...

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IOC seeks scaled-down athletes village, related services as part of cost-cutting

The International Olympic Committee has presented a proposal to national Olympic committees on scaling down the athletes village as part of efforts to cut the ...

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Reliever Daichi Takeyasu records first triumph of season as Tigers edge Dragons

Second-year pitcher Daichi Takeyasu picked up the win after tossing a perfect inning of relief in his first game with the Hanshin Tigers, who edged ...

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Fans express mixed feelings as Shohei Otani’s move to majors looms

Since he turned pro in 2013, everybody knew that Shohei Otani would set out for the United States to play at the highest level in ...

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Chinese Table Tennis Super League to exclude Japanese players: source

Japanese players will be barred from competing in the Chinese Table Tennis Super League, possibly until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a source at the Japan ...

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Striker Yoshinori Muto aims to impress Japan boss Vahid Halilhodzic in New Zealand friendly

Mainz striker Yoshinori Muto is hoping to get a chance to impress Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic as competition for places in next year’s World Cup ...

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Justin Thomas voted PGA Tour player of the year

Justin Thomas wrote down a dozen goals at the start of the season, some higher than others, none about winning PGA Tour player of the ...

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Steve Johnson, Richard Gasquet reach Japan Open quarterfinals

Steve Johnson and Richard Gasquet advanced to the Japan Open quarterfinals on Thursday, Johnson with a 6-2, 6-4 win over last week’s Shenzhen finalist Alexandr ...

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Iordache exits worlds due to Achilles injury

Romanian star Larisa Iordache made a tearful exit from the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships on Wednesday after suffering an injury during a warm-up, ending her ...

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Lynx capture fourth WNBA Finals title

Sylvia Fowles had 17 points and broke her own WNBA Finals record by grabbing 20 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Lynx to their fourth championship ...

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Reliever Hisashi Takeda leaving Fighters after 15 seasons

Three-time Pacific League saves leader Hisashi Takeda will part with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in hopes of signing with another team, the club announced ...

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Yankees hurler Masahiro Tanaka named starter for Game 3

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka will start Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians this weekend, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday.While ...

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Parker hits milestone with 10,000th point

Michael Parker has quietly compiled impressive numbers throughout his pro basketball career in Japan.The veteran forward’s success speaks for itself. He won four scoring titles ...

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Pietrangelo lifts Blues to OT win over Penguins to open season

Alex Pietrangelo beat Matt Murray 1:15 into overtime to give the St. Louis Blues a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night in ...

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Colts QB Andrew Luck faces limitations after return

Andrew Luck put on his familiar red No. 12 jersey, trotted onto the practice field and got back into his normal Wednesday routine.A little stretching, ...

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D-Backs outslug Rockies in wild one

Three bags, four times.And you wouldn’t believe who got in on all the fun for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Spirited reliever Archie Bradley hit a stunning ...

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Fighters ace Shohei Otani lives up to expectations in Japan

Shohei Otani has lived up to the hype. Just as Bryce Harper in MLB and LeBron James in the NBA, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters ...

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Gamba grab late draw in J. League Cup semifinal first leg against Cerezo

Substitute Haruya Ide scored a crucial late equalizer as Gamba Osaka earned a 2-2 draw away to local rival Cerezo Osaka in the first leg ...

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Otani dazzles in likely last game before heading to majors

The real Shohei Otani made his first appearance of the season on the last day of baseball at Sapporo Dome this year. It may have ...

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Sumo pulls out all the stops at promotional event

Rikishi in Japan are coming up big — literally and figuratively — doing little things to promote the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and, though not ...

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Swallows announce Ogawa’s return as manager

Coming off their franchise’s first 96-loss season, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows announced Wednesday that the team’s senior director, 60-year-old Junji Ogawa, will manage the Central ...

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Goffin opens Japan Open campaign with win over Lopez

Last year’s beaten finalist David Goffin started his campaign to go one better at the Japan Open with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Feliciano Lopez ...

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Rio Olympic judo champ Tachimoto to retire

Haruka Tachimoto, the women’s 70-kg gold medalist at last year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics, on Wednesday revealed she is retiring.The 27-year-old Tachimoto, who cited a ...

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Brave Blossoms to face Tonga in Toulouse

The Japan Rugby Football Union confirmed Wednesday that the Brave Blossoms will play Tonga on Nov. 18 at Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse, France.The union ...

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Hawks’ Wada urges pitchers to master two-seam fastball

After spending four years pursuing his dream of pitching in the major leagues, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks lefty Tsuyoshi Wada believes Japanese baseball needs what he ...

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Matsuyama looking to defend title in Bahamas

Hideki Matsuyama will seek to defend his title at the Hero World Challenge hosted by Tiger Woods, the organizers announced Tuesday.Matsuyama, ranked third in the ...

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Hakuho’s achievement honored with special award

Yokozuna Hakuho received a special award from an advisory body of the Japan Sumo Association on Wednesday, commemorating the record of all-time wins of 1,050 ...

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Bears rookie Mitchell Trubisky ready to take starting role

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky thinks he can handle the pressure of his first NFL start Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings.“You only get nervous ...

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Tech company aiming to fill fans’ downtime with private snapshots at sporting events

Competitions, smartphones and social networks. With those three things combined, arenas and stadiums can become more than just a place to enjoy watching sports.Toronto-based Brizi ...

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Yankees rally to blow past Twins

Minutes into the playoff debut for these young New York Yankees, they trailed Minnesota by three runs. Their starting pitcher lasted just one out. A ...

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Japan-born street sport drifts to a global stage

The first thing you notice at a drifting competition is the noise — a crazed shriek of engines punctuated by the sudden firecracker pop of ...

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Lions lefty Yusei Kikuchi beats Golden Eagles for 11th straight time

Seibu Lions left-hander Yusei Kikuchi won his 11th straight start against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, who fell 10-3 in a crucial loss on Tuesday.The ...

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Fighters’ Brandon Laird returning to U.S. after relative killed in Las Vegas shooting

Third baseman Brandon Laird will return to the United States after learning that a female relative has died in Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas, ...

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Yamashita shows consistency with silver medal

Mako Yamashita continued her fine run in the Junior Grand Prix over the past two seasons with a second-place finish at the Croatia JGP in ...

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Questions abound as MLB postseason starts

Some burning questions (and answers) entering the 2017 MLB postseason.Will Cleveland and Arizona, record-breaking streakers, be able to maintain their regular season momentum? The Indians ...

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Raonic dispatches Troicki in straight sets in return

After returning to the ATP Tour in style with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Viktor Troicki at the Japan Open on Tuesday, Milos Raonic called ...

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Future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr signs with Flames

Jaromir Jagr, the NHL’s oldest player at 45, signed a one-year deal with the Calgary Flames on Monday that will see the Czech star into ...

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Longtime Carp infielder Eishin Soyogi becomes free agent

Veteran infielder Eishin Soyogi will end his 12-year stint with the Hiroshima Carp and be released into free agency, the team announced onTuesday.Hiroshima general manager ...

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Getafe’s Gaku Shibasaki undergoes surgery for broken foot

Japan midfielder Gaku Shibasaki underwent surgery for a fractured left foot and will spend the next two months on the sidelines, Spanish side Getafe said ...

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Raiders QB Derek Carr to miss up to six weeks with back injury

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will miss between two and six weeks after breaking a bone in his back during a loss to the Denver ...

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Braves general manager John Coppolella ousted over rules violations in international player market

John Coppolella was forced to resign as Braves general manager Monday after an investigation by Major League Baseball revealed serious rules violations in the international ...

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Fighters to hold spring training camp at Diamondbacks’ facility in Arizona

The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters will hold their spring training camp ahead of the 2018 season at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, the ...

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Ryo Ishikawa misses chance to secure PGA Tour card

Ryo Ishikawa missed out on a PGA Tour card after failing to finish among the top 25 players in the annual four-event Web.com Tour Finals ...

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Chiefs 4-0 after win over Redskins

After Harrison Butker missed the first field-goal attempt of his NFL career, Chiefs coach Andy Reid walked over to the rookie and prepared to instill ...

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Louisville board approves firing of Rick Pitino

Louisville’s interim president was authorized Monday to fire Rick Pitino because of a federal bribery investigation, a scandal that has shaken the university and brought ...

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Eagles rally past Lions

Takahiro Norimoto allowed a run over six innings and Zelous Wheeler’s home run brought the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles from behind in a crucial 2-1 ...

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Sunwolves bring back Yamada for new season

Wing Akihito Yamada will be back among the Sunwolves next season, Japan’s Super Rugby franchise announced Monday, when it named the first five players to ...

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Soeda makes early exit at Japan Open

Go Soeda exited in the first round at the Japan Open on Monday, losing in straight sets to Adrian Mannarino of France.Soeda, a wild card ...

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Time has come for NPB to address system for makeup games

On Sunday, the MLB season ended with all 30 teams in action, wrapping up the year in a nice and tidy 15-game bow as focus ...

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Hamilton heads to Japan wary of challengers

Lewis Hamilton rode his luck for the second race in a row to extend his world championship lead over Sebastian Vettel but said he fears ...

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Barca plays in empty stadium to protest Catalonia incidents

Barcelona joined the protests against the Spanish government’s attempt to halt Catalonia’s independence vote on Sunday by preventing fans from entering the Nou Camp for ...

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Burnley heaps pressure on Everton’s Koeman

Everton manager Ronald Koeman is under mounting pressure after his team lost 1-0 at home to Burnley on Sunday, while Liverpool drew 1-1 at Newcastle ...

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Mets manager Terry Collins resigns

Shortly after the last out in a lost season for the New York Mets, manager Terry Collins confirmed the news that had spread at Citizens ...

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Yuya Osako scores first goal of season in Cologne loss

Japan forward Yuya Osako opened his Bundesliga season account in Cologne’s 2-1 defeat to RB Leipzig on Sunday.With Cologne down 2-0 in the 82nd minute, ...

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Ichiro, Giancarlo Stanton fall short of marks in Marlins’ final game

Ichiro Suzuki fell one short of the major league record for pinch hits in a season as he flied out during the Miami Marlins’ 8-5 ...

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U.S. cruises to seventh straight Presidents Cup title

President Donald Trump showed up about an hour after the final match was under way Sunday at the Presidents Cup. Had he shown up much ...

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Cam Newton shines as Panthers upset Patriots

The Carolina Panthers have been patiently waiting for the kind of performance from Cam Newton that had elevated him to the elite among NFL quarterbacks.He ...

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NFL trio kneel despite Trump’s fresh call for protests to end, but stand for U.K. anthem

Some National Football League players knelt again on Sunday when the U.S. national anthem was played before a game in London, defying U.S. President Donald ...

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Albirex’s fast start leads to blowout win against Magic

A quick start ignited the Niigata Albirex BB in Sunday’s series finale against the visiting Shimane Susanoo Magic.The Albirex jumped out to a 24-5 lead ...

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Verstappen wins Malaysian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen celebrated his birthday by winning the Malaysian Grand Prix in style on Sunday, while Lewis Hamilton finished second to extend his championship lead ...

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New Zealand beats Argentina in Rugby Championship

Captain Kieran Read scored two tries and earned a yellow card as New Zealand flaunted its depth in a 36-10 Rugby Championship win over Argentina.The ...

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Yomiuri’s Kataoka to retire after season

Four-time stolen base champion Yasuyuki Kataoka of the Yomiuri Giants said Sunday he will draw the curtain on his Nippon Professional Baseball career after this ...

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Hataoka becomes second to repeat at Japan Women’s Open

Nasa Hataoka blasted into the record books on Sunday, when the 18-year-old became only the second golfer to repeat as the Japan Women’s Open champion.Hataoka, ...

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Koroki scores twice as Urawa beats Sendai

Shinzo Koroki scored a brace to help Asian Champions League semifinalists Urawa Reds to a 3-2 win away to Vegalta Sendai in the J. League ...

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BayStars clinch playoff berth for second consecutive year

The Yokohama BayStars clinched a spot in the Central League Climax Series for the second straight season on Sunday with a 13-7 beating of the ...

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Former ekiden star Kashiwabara brings new fans to football

Ryuji Kashiwabara used to be called “God of the Mountain” when he starred in Tokyo-Hakone collegiate ekiden from 2009 to 2012.It was a valuable experience. ...

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U.S. on verge of glory after dominant day

The International team lost just about everything but its sense of humor.A long and demoralizing day at the Presidents Cup ended with Anirban Lahiri making ...

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Kagawa sets scoring mark in victory

Shinji Kagawa became the all-time leading Japanese scorer in Bundesliga history on Saturday after hitting the winner for league-leading Dortmund in a 2-1 victory away ...

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Giants’ Mathieson moved forward by getting back to basics in Japan

Yomiuri Giants reliever Scott Mathieson is no longer the pitcher he was when he turned up on these shores in 2012 as a 28-year-old, he’s ...

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Surging Troy upsets No. 25 LSU

Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers basked in the scene of teammates cupping their hands around their ears to better hear the triumphant howls of several hundred ...

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Romine plays all nine positions for Tigers in win

Andrew Romine played all nine positions and the Detroit Tigers got the win.It didn’t go exactly as planned for manager Brad Ausmus, but it was ...

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