National Sports - The Morning Sun

Kyle Larson, center, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Kyle Larson is not a hardcore fan of Taylor Swift despite a trip to Paris for a concert

Kyle Larson says he is not a Swiftie, despite he and his wife taking their daughter to Paris this week to see Taylor Swift in concert. Larson said Saturday at Darlington Raceway that it was a … more

By PETE IACOBELLI | 5/11/24

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, leaves after loosing his match against Hubert Hurkacz, of Poland, at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Saturday, May 11, 2024.(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Rafael Nadal reconsidering his status for the French Open after a lopsided loss in Rome

Fifteen days before he is scheduled to play in what will likely be his final French Open, Rafael Nadal is so unsatisfied with his level of tennis that he’s still debating whether or not to go to … more

By ANDREW DAMPF | 5/11/24

Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Mystik Dan across the finish line to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is heading to the Preakness after all

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan is heading to the Preakness after all. Trainer Kenny McPeek announced the decision to send the horse to Baltimore for the second leg of the Triple Crown next … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/11/24

Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Manchester City at the Craven Cottage Stadium in London, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Man City stays in control of Premier League title race with 4-0 win at Fulham to take 2-point lead

Manchester City has stayed in control of the Premier League title race by beating Fulham 4-0 with Josko Gvardiol scoring a double to add to his unlikely end-of-season haul of goals. City extended its … more

5/11/24

Atlanta Braves' Charlie Morton pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, May 10, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Charlie Morton just reached 2,000 innings at age 40. How has he lasted when so many pitchers don't?

Charlie Morton just surpassed 2,000 career innings during another win for the Atlanta Braves. Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw are the only other active pitchers to reach that … more

By MIKE FITZPATRICK | 5/11/24

FILE - Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer directs the team during the first half against the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of basketball's NBA Finals on July 14, 2021, in Milwaukee. Budenholzer has agreed to coach the Suns, according to multiple reports, as the franchise turns to the man who beat them in the 2021 NBA Finals. Budenholzer replaces Frank Vogel, who was fired Thursday, May 9, 2024, after one season. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash, File)

Mike Budenholzer agrees to coach Phoenix Suns, AP source says

Mike Budenholzer has agreed to coach the Phoenix Suns, according to a person familiar with the decision, as the franchise turns to the man who beat them in the 2021 NBA Finals. The 54-year-old … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 5/11/24

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, works toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Nuggets bounce back with 117-90 blowout of Timberwolves behind 24 points from energized Murray

Jamal Murray rebounded from a rough start to the Western Conference semifinals with 24 points to lead the Denver Nuggets on a 117-90 romp in Game 3 that made the Minnesota Timberwolves the last team … more

By DAVE CAMPBELL | 5/11/24

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard celebrates after making a three-point basket during the second half of Game 3 against the New York Knicks in an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Pacers won 111-106. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Andrew Nembhard's late 3 gives Pacers 111-106 victory over Knicks. Indiana moves within 2-1

Andrew Nembhard made a 31-foot, tiebreaking 3-pointer with 16 seconds left, Tyrese Haliburton scored 35 points and the Indiana Pacers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the banged-up and … more

By MICHAEL MAROT | 5/10/24

Florida Panthers' Evan Rodrigues (17) celebrates his goal near Anton Lundell (15) and Vladimir Tarasenko (10) as Boston Bruins' Derek Forbort (28) and Brandon Carlo (25) look toward goalie Jeremy Swayman, center, during the first period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Friday, May 10, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Panthers take a 2-1 series lead over the Bruins, scoring 4 power-play goals in a 6-2 victory

Vladimir Tarasenko and Carter Verhaeghe scored on the same Bruins double-minor, Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 14 shots and the Florida Panthers beat Boston 6-2 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in the … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 5/10/24

FILE- San Diego Padres third baseman Sean Burroughs fires a throw to first from his knees but is unable to get Los Angeles Dodgers' D. J. Houlton at first during the third inning of a baseball game June 22, 2005, in San Diego. Burroughs, a two-time Little League World Series champion who won an Olympic gold medal and went on to a major league career that was interrupted by substance abuse, has died. He was 43. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s online records said Burroughs died Thursday, May 9, 2024, with the cause of death deferred. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)

Sean Burroughs, former MLB player, Little League World Series and Olympic champion, dies at 43

Sean Burroughs, a two-time Little League World Series champion who won an Olympic gold medal and played in the major leagues, has died at 43. Burroughs became a child prodigy as a pitcher for the … more

By BETH HARRIS | 5/10/24

Baltimore Orioles owner David Rubenstein (wearing white cap), lower right, sprays the crowd during a baseball game between the Orioles and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Orioles owner takes a turn in the Camden Yards 'Splash Zone' -- and the team quickly scores twice

New Orioles owner David Rubenstein has turned out to be quite a rally starter at Camden Yards. Rubenstein made a guest appearance Friday night in the “Splash Zone” in left field. That's where … more

By NOAH TRISTER | 5/10/24

Xander Schauffele reacts to a putt on the 12th hole during the second round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow on Friday, May 10, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Xander Schauffele shoots 67, leads by 4 over Rory McIlroy, Jason Day at Wells Fargo Championship

Xander Schauffele has consistently been near the top of the leaderboard most of the year. Now he’s hoping to close the door. Schauffele shot a 4-under 67 on Friday after opening with a 64, leaving … more

By STEVE REED | 5/10/24

Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes meets with reporters before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 10, 2024. Skenes will make his Major League debut Saturday against the Cubs. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Paul Skenes is ready to deliver on the hype as prized Pirates rookie prepares for major league debut

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes is ready for his major league debut. The hard-throwing 6-foot-6 right-hander will make his first start with the Pirates when the club faces the Chicago Cubs. … more

By WILL GRAVES | 5/10/24

The Minnesota Twins' home run sausage is pictured in the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Friday, May 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Twins' lucky summer sausage goes international with road trip to Toronto for series vs. Blue Jays

The Minnesota Twins and their lucky sausage have gone international. The bagged summer sausage that the red-hot Twins have been carrying for good luck made it across the border into Canada for … more

5/10/24

Chicago Bears No. 1 draft pick quarterback Caleb Williams listens to reporters during a news conference before the NFL football team's rookie camp at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Ill., Friday, May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Bears coach Matt Eberflus says No. 1 pick Caleb Williams will open season as No. 1 QB

Caleb Williams is the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback. Just in case there was a shred of doubt the No. 1 overall draft pick is the team’s No. 1 QB, coach Matt Eberflus erased it on Friday. He … more

By ANDREW SELIGMAN | 5/10/24

Washington Commanders first round draft pick quarterback Jayden Daniels warms up during an NFL rookie minicamp football practice in Ashburn, Va., Friday, May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Commanders' Daniels and Giants' Nabers call off their $10K bet between ex-LSU teammates

The bet is off between Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers. The former LSU teammates and friends agreed to a $10,000 wager on who would win NFL … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/10/24

New York Rangers defenseman Erik Gustafsson (56), left wing Artemi Panarin, center Vincent Trocheck (16) and left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) celebrate after scoring the winning goal in the overtime period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook skates away at left. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Rangers aim for sweep of Hurricanes in 2nd round of NHL playoffs

The New York Rangers have carried the form that made them the NHL’s best regular-season team straight into the postseason. That has them within a win of becoming the first team into the conference … more

By AARON BEARD | 5/10/24

Tryout kicker Mark Jackson attends the Pittsburgh Steeler's NFL rookie minicamp football practice in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Mark Jackson grew up playing Gaelic football. He's taking a shot at the American kind in Pittsburgh

Placekicker Mark Jackson is hoping to trade one kind of football for another. The Ireland native grew up playing Gaelic football back home. He's now in Pittsburgh hoping to earn a roster spot as a … more

By WILL GRAVES | 5/10/24

PSG's Kylian Mbappe and his teammates react after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Mbappé starts his goodbyes at Paris Saint-Germain as exit looms

Kylian Mbappé has announced again that he is leaving Paris Saint-Germain. It's the second announcement this year by the French superstar who is expected to join Real Madrid. Mbappé says on Friday … more

By JEROME PUGMIRE | 5/10/24

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball to France's Corentin Moutet at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Friday, May 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Djokovic wins his opener at the Italian Open after a month off. Defending champ Rybakina withdraws

Novak Djokovic took a little while to get going in his first match in nearly a month. He cleaned up his game after dropping his first two service games with some sloppy play and completed a 6-3, 6-1 … more

By ANDREW DAMPF | 5/10/24