Venus Williams eliminated from first round of Madrid Open Venus Williams was knocked out of the Madrid Open on Tuesday as the 45-year-old went down in straight sets to Kaitlin Quevedo.The 20-year-old Spanish wild card beat the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-4 in just under one hour and 45 minutes on court.Ranked 479th in the world, Williams has now lost all seven matches she has played this season. It was her first match on clay since Roland Garros five years ago.ALSO READ | Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comebackEvery game was closely contested in a first set marked by numerous unforced errors due to the wind blowing across the Estadio Manolo Santana but the world number 140, playing in her first 1000-level event, was the more consistent of the two.Williams got off to a better start in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead, before Quevedo began to fight back and the match was then interrupted by rain while the roof over the centre court was closed.Quevedo won five consecutive games to seal her passage to the second round.Earlier, former world number two Paula Badosa lost 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0 to Julia Grabher as the Spaniard exited her hometown event at the round-of-128 stage.Beatriz Haddad Maia, a 2023 Roland Garros semi-finalist, went out 6-1, 6-1 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.Later, 2025 Roland Garros sensation Lois Boisson makes her return to action when she takes on Peyton Stearns for a spot in the second round, where top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka awaits.Published on Apr 22, 2026 #Venus #Williams #eliminated #Madrid #Open

Venus Williams eliminated from first round of Madrid Open
Venus Williams was knocked out of the Madrid Open on Tuesday as the 45-year-old went down in straight sets to Kaitlin Quevedo.
The 20-year-old Spanish wild card beat the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-4 in just under one hour and 45 minutes on court.
Ranked 479th in the world, Williams has now lost all seven matches she has played this season. It was her first match on clay since Roland Garros five years ago.
ALSO READ | Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comeback
Every game was closely contested in a first set marked by numerous unforced errors due to the wind blowing across the Estadio Manolo Santana but the world number 140, playing in her first 1000-level event, was the more consistent of the two.
Williams got off to a better start in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead, before Quevedo began to fight back and the match was then interrupted by rain while the roof over the centre court was closed.
Quevedo won five consecutive games to seal her passage to the second round.
Earlier, former world number two Paula Badosa lost 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0 to Julia Grabher as the Spaniard exited her hometown event at the round-of-128 stage.
Beatriz Haddad Maia, a 2023 Roland Garros semi-finalist, went out 6-1, 6-1 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Later, 2025 Roland Garros sensation Lois Boisson makes her return to action when she takes on Peyton Stearns for a spot in the second round, where top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka awaits.
Published on Apr 22, 2026
#Venus #Williams #eliminated #Madrid #Open

Venus Williams was knocked out of the Madrid Open on Tuesday as the 45-year-old went down in straight sets to Kaitlin Quevedo.

The 20-year-old Spanish wild card beat the seven-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-4 in just under one hour and 45 minutes on court.

Ranked 479th in the world, Williams has now lost all seven matches she has played this season. It was her first match on clay since Roland Garros five years ago.

ALSO READ | Alcaraz may skip Roland Garros rather than rush injury comeback

Every game was closely contested in a first set marked by numerous unforced errors due to the wind blowing across the Estadio Manolo Santana but the world number 140, playing in her first 1000-level event, was the more consistent of the two.

Williams got off to a better start in the second set, taking a 3-0 lead, before Quevedo began to fight back and the match was then interrupted by rain while the roof over the centre court was closed.

Quevedo won five consecutive games to seal her passage to the second round.

Earlier, former world number two Paula Badosa lost 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0 to Julia Grabher as the Spaniard exited her hometown event at the round-of-128 stage.

Beatriz Haddad Maia, a 2023 Roland Garros semi-finalist, went out 6-1, 6-1 to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Later, 2025 Roland Garros sensation Lois Boisson makes her return to action when she takes on Peyton Stearns for a spot in the second round, where top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka awaits.

Published on Apr 22, 2026

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Deadspin | Patriots coach Mike Vrabel chides own decisions in addressing Russini fallout <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28338550.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28338550.jpg" alt="NFL: Scouting Combine" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images  </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Mike Vrabel admitted “difficult conversations with people I care about” were necessary to address photos were published of the Patriots head coach and a former Athletic reporter.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Vrabel’s comments to reporters Tuesday come approximately two weeks after the New York Post published pictures of Vrabel and journalist Dianna Russini holding hands and hugging at an adults-only hotel in Sedona, Ariz. The league held its annual meetings in Phoenix from March 29-April 1.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are both married. Vrabel initially told the Post that the photos were a “completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Vrabel took a much more serious and accountable tone on Tuesday.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-5"> <p>“I’ve had some difficult conversations with people that I care about, with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive,” Vrabel said. “You know, we believe in order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me, that starts with me. We never want our actions to negatively affect the team. You never want to be the cause of a distraction. And when I — those are comments and questions that I’ve answered for the team, with the team, we’ll keep those private and to ourselves.</p> </section> <section id="section-6"> <p>“I care deeply about this football team, and I’m excited to coach them. I also know that I’m gonna attack each day with humility and focus. And what I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody, our fans most importantly, will get the best version of me going forward. That’s what I know, and I’m excited to do that. But I wanted to go and just address this, and thank you for your patience in dealing with the private and personal matter.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Several follow-up questions by reporters essentially were dismissed by Vrabel, who said he would keep private the conversations he had with the team’s brass.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Russini resigned from the Athletic, where she was lead NFL reporter, last Tuesday amid an internal investigation into the nature of her relationship with Vrabel. </p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Vrabel took over as head coach of the Patriots — the team for which he played — before the 2025 season and led New England to the Super Bowl LX. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Patriots #coach #Mike #Vrabel #chides #decisions #addressing #Russini #fallout

Deadspin | Victor Wembanyama sustains concussion in Spurs’ Game 2 loss Apr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images San Antonio star center Victor Wembanyama was concussed during Game 2 of the Spurs’ first-round playoff series with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, his coach confirmed following the contest. “I just know he has a concussion and he’s in the protocol and we’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “You know, it’s tough. That protocol is the protocol, so we’ll just follow it, as everyone else does, and plan accordingly.” Wembanyama was forced from Game 2 after hitting his face on the floor early in the second quarter. The Spurs later announced that Wembanyama had entered concussion protocol and would not return to the game before it was confirmed after the contest — a 106-103 Blazers win that leveled the series — that a concussion had been sustained. Wembanyama hit his face on the floor at near-full speed after being knocked off his feet during a drive to the basket at the 8:57 mark of the second period, with the contact leaving him dazed enough to struggle standing up before jogging off the floor to the locker room. San Antonio trailed 34-32 at the time, and Wembanyama had amassed five points, four rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in 11:41 of court time when he was injured. The game was tied 57-57 by halftime. The Spurs have had plenty of success without their star this season. Wembanyama missed 18 games this season with various injuries, with San Antonio going 12-6 in those games. However, Wembanyama’s absence for Game 3 and potentially beyond would loom large in a series that suddenly swung to Portland’s advantage after the Blazers wrested away the home-court edge on Tuesday. Wembanyama is scheduled to receive further testing on Wednesday but must remain inactive for a minimum of 24 hours and can’t resume full participation before 48 hours, per NBA concussion guidelines. The teams won’t play again until Friday, when Game 3 will be contested in Portland. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #sustains #concussion #Spurs #Game #loss

#Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #sustains #concussion #Spurs #Game #loss">

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Apr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

San Antonio star center Victor Wembanyama was concussed during Game 2 of the Spurs’ first-round playoff series with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, his coach confirmed following the contest.

“I just know he has a concussion and he’s in the protocol and we’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “You know, it’s tough. That protocol is the protocol, so we’ll just follow it, as everyone else does, and plan accordingly.”

Wembanyama was forced from Game 2 after hitting his face on the floor early in the second quarter. The Spurs later announced that Wembanyama had entered concussion protocol and would not return to the game before it was confirmed after the contest — a 106-103 Blazers win that leveled the series — that a concussion had been sustained.

Wembanyama hit his face on the floor at near-full speed after being knocked off his feet during a drive to the basket at the 8:57 mark of the second period, with the contact leaving him dazed enough to struggle standing up before jogging off the floor to the locker room.

San Antonio trailed 34-32 at the time, and Wembanyama had amassed five points, four rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in 11:41 of court time when he was injured. The game was tied 57-57 by halftime.

The Spurs have had plenty of success without their star this season. Wembanyama missed 18 games this season with various injuries, with San Antonio going 12-6 in those games.

However, Wembanyama’s absence for Game 3 and potentially beyond would loom large in a series that suddenly swung to Portland’s advantage after the Blazers wrested away the home-court edge on Tuesday.

Wembanyama is scheduled to receive further testing on Wednesday but must remain inactive for a minimum of 24 hours and can’t resume full participation before 48 hours, per NBA concussion guidelines.

The teams won’t play again until Friday, when Game 3 will be contested in Portland.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #sustains #concussion #Spurs #Game #loss">Deadspin | Victor Wembanyama sustains concussion in Spurs’ Game 2 loss

Apr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

San Antonio star center Victor Wembanyama was concussed during Game 2 of the Spurs’ first-round playoff series with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, his coach confirmed following the contest.

“I just know he has a concussion and he’s in the protocol and we’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “You know, it’s tough. That protocol is the protocol, so we’ll just follow it, as everyone else does, and plan accordingly.”

Wembanyama was forced from Game 2 after hitting his face on the floor early in the second quarter. The Spurs later announced that Wembanyama had entered concussion protocol and would not return to the game before it was confirmed after the contest — a 106-103 Blazers win that leveled the series — that a concussion had been sustained.

Wembanyama hit his face on the floor at near-full speed after being knocked off his feet during a drive to the basket at the 8:57 mark of the second period, with the contact leaving him dazed enough to struggle standing up before jogging off the floor to the locker room.

San Antonio trailed 34-32 at the time, and Wembanyama had amassed five points, four rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in 11:41 of court time when he was injured. The game was tied 57-57 by halftime.

The Spurs have had plenty of success without their star this season. Wembanyama missed 18 games this season with various injuries, with San Antonio going 12-6 in those games.

However, Wembanyama’s absence for Game 3 and potentially beyond would loom large in a series that suddenly swung to Portland’s advantage after the Blazers wrested away the home-court edge on Tuesday.

Wembanyama is scheduled to receive further testing on Wednesday but must remain inactive for a minimum of 24 hours and can’t resume full participation before 48 hours, per NBA concussion guidelines.

The teams won’t play again until Friday, when Game 3 will be contested in Portland.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #sustains #concussion #Spurs #Game #loss

Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

#FIFA #World #Cup #fans #India #Whats #wrong">

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The FIFA World Cup, nearly a century since its inception, has remained the crown jewel of international men’s football.
Despite India never playing in the tournament, the spectacle has always taken centre stage among football fans. But 2026 carries a different writing on the wall.
The quadrennial carnival does not have a broadcaster. No TV channel, no streaming company has put its foot forward to take it up. Why is that so?
“Football viewership in India has been on the decline for some time now. If you look at the Premier League, its valuation has fallen from $145 million in 2013-14 to $60 million in the latest deal,” an industry expert tells Sportstar.
Sony Sports acquired the commercial rights for the FIFA World Cup 2014, 2018, and Euro 2016 for around $90 million in 2013, which would be almost double the value today, adjusted for inflation.
Eight years later, Reliance picked up the 2022 World Cup rights for $60 million.
FIFA had offered rights for the next two World Cups as a package to the Indian market for $100 million last year. However, a lack of interest saw the global football body reconsider the valuation to $35 million.
Even then, interest did not emerge, exposing the broken economics of World Cup broadcasting in this part of the world.
“In India, the picture appears more nuanced than a simple lack of takers. Broadcasters are likely weighing a combination of structural and commercial considerations,” says Rohit Potphode, Managing Partner – Sports, Gaming, eSports & Live Experiences, Dentsu India.
Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Dentsu is the commercial partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Japan, which was also among the top viewers of the tournament in 2022.
“Japan is significantly different from India in terms of audience appetite, advertisers, and overall media ecosystem.”
“One significant factor is match timing; fixtures scheduled at late-night or early-morning hours for Indian audiences can materially impact viewership peaks, which in turn affects advertising inventory and revenue potential. Even marquee events can struggle to deliver optimal returns when they fall outside prime viewing windows,” he adds.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being played in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, placing most matches outside prime Indian viewing hours.
Of the 104 games in the World Cup this time, only 14 begin before midnight. In comparison, Qatar 2022 had 44 of its 64 matches before midnight, while Russia 2018 had 63.
Profitability the only priority
“The business scenario in sports in India has shifted primarily to profitability,” a source from one of the broadcasters says.
“Subscription is a limited option in this country, despite the appetite being there. In the West, football is mostly behind paywalls. You cannot do that in India.”
Sky Sports charges a subscription fee of about £22 per month to show the Premier League in the UK, while FOX Sports, the World Cup broadcaster in the US, sells its FOX One + ESPN Bundle for $40 per month.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 was streamed on JioCinema and Sports18HD, with the former offering it for free and the latter charging Rs. 12 for the channel.
The result: India saw one of the steepest individual market drops, losing 87 million linear viewers in four years. The audience moved to digital, which was free, not away from football. Meanwhile, JioStar reportedly lost millions with the free-to-air service.
In general, though, football viewership in the country has declined. The Indian Super League, the top flight of men’s football, has seen its broadcast rights valuation fall by 97 per cent in the last year.
World Cup football has followed the same trend: The 2022 edition had every match worth Rs. 6.94 crore. Four years later, that value has fallen to Rs. 1.56 crore per match — a 77.5 per cent drop.
Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
“The lack of advertising opportunities in football is another issue. While commercial partners can have ad slots after every over or dismissal in cricket, or maybe every set in tennis, in football, it’s largely restricted to pre-match, half-time and full-time, with limited additional breaks,” another individual from an Indian broadcaster says.
Potphode adds further insight. “The advertising market remains highly value-conscious, with brands increasingly seeking measurable and consistent returns across both television and digital platforms.
“With a crowded sports calendar and the continued rise of on-demand consumption, rights holders and broadcasters may be taking a more calibrated approach, evaluating not just scale, but the quality and timing of audience engagement.”
Will there be a solution?
FIFA is expected to hold negotiations with leading Indian broadcasters — JioStar, FanCode, Sony Sports and ZEE Entertainment — in search of a last-ditch solution. It is unlikely for DAZN to enter the conversation, while Netflix and YouTube have chosen not to comment.
If all options fail, the World Cup could return to Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster, after 28 years. Under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, sporting events of national importance must be shared with the broadcaster.
Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Library
Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Library
That could offer a lifeline, with marquee matches — likely the knockouts and the final — broadcast on Doordarshan irrespective of the primary rights holder.
Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. A return to public broadcasting could yet make the World Cup viable again in India.
Published on Apr 22, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #fans #India #Whats #wrong">FIFA World Cup 2026 not available to fans in India yet — What’s going wrong?

The FIFA World Cup, nearly a century since its inception, has remained the crown jewel of international men’s football.

Despite India never playing in the tournament, the spectacle has always taken centre stage among football fans. But 2026 carries a different writing on the wall.

The quadrennial carnival does not have a broadcaster. No TV channel, no streaming company has put its foot forward to take it up. Why is that so?

“Football viewership in India has been on the decline for some time now. If you look at the Premier League, its valuation has fallen from $145 million in 2013-14 to $60 million in the latest deal,” an industry expert tells Sportstar.

Sony Sports acquired the commercial rights for the FIFA World Cup 2014, 2018, and Euro 2016 for around $90 million in 2013, which would be almost double the value today, adjusted for inflation.

Eight years later, Reliance picked up the 2022 World Cup rights for $60 million.

FIFA had offered rights for the next two World Cups as a package to the Indian market for $100 million last year. However, a lack of interest saw the global football body reconsider the valuation to $35 million.

Even then, interest did not emerge, exposing the broken economics of World Cup broadcasting in this part of the world.

“In India, the picture appears more nuanced than a simple lack of takers. Broadcasters are likely weighing a combination of structural and commercial considerations,” says Rohit Potphode, Managing Partner – Sports, Gaming, eSports & Live Experiences, Dentsu India.

Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Dentsu is the commercial partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Japan, which was also among the top viewers of the tournament in 2022.

“Japan is significantly different from India in terms of audience appetite, advertisers, and overall media ecosystem.”

“One significant factor is match timing; fixtures scheduled at late-night or early-morning hours for Indian audiences can materially impact viewership peaks, which in turn affects advertising inventory and revenue potential. Even marquee events can struggle to deliver optimal returns when they fall outside prime viewing windows,” he adds.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being played in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, placing most matches outside prime Indian viewing hours.

Of the 104 games in the World Cup this time, only 14 begin before midnight. In comparison, Qatar 2022 had 44 of its 64 matches before midnight, while Russia 2018 had 63.

Profitability the only priority

“The business scenario in sports in India has shifted primarily to profitability,” a source from one of the broadcasters says.

“Subscription is a limited option in this country, despite the appetite being there. In the West, football is mostly behind paywalls. You cannot do that in India.”

Sky Sports charges a subscription fee of about £22 per month to show the Premier League in the UK, while FOX Sports, the World Cup broadcaster in the US, sells its FOX One + ESPN Bundle for $40 per month.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 was streamed on JioCinema and Sports18HD, with the former offering it for free and the latter charging Rs. 12 for the channel.

The result: India saw one of the steepest individual market drops, losing 87 million linear viewers in four years. The audience moved to digital, which was free, not away from football. Meanwhile, JioStar reportedly lost millions with the free-to-air service.

In general, though, football viewership in the country has declined. The Indian Super League, the top flight of men’s football, has seen its broadcast rights valuation fall by 97 per cent in the last year.

World Cup football has followed the same trend: The 2022 edition had every match worth Rs. 6.94 crore. Four years later, that value has fallen to Rs. 1.56 crore per match — a 77.5 per cent drop.

Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

“The lack of advertising opportunities in football is another issue. While commercial partners can have ad slots after every over or dismissal in cricket, or maybe every set in tennis, in football, it’s largely restricted to pre-match, half-time and full-time, with limited additional breaks,” another individual from an Indian broadcaster says.

Potphode adds further insight. “The advertising market remains highly value-conscious, with brands increasingly seeking measurable and consistent returns across both television and digital platforms.

“With a crowded sports calendar and the continued rise of on-demand consumption, rights holders and broadcasters may be taking a more calibrated approach, evaluating not just scale, but the quality and timing of audience engagement.”

Will there be a solution?

FIFA is expected to hold negotiations with leading Indian broadcasters — JioStar, FanCode, Sony Sports and ZEE Entertainment — in search of a last-ditch solution. It is unlikely for DAZN to enter the conversation, while Netflix and YouTube have chosen not to comment.

If all options fail, the World Cup could return to Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster, after 28 years. Under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, sporting events of national importance must be shared with the broadcaster.

Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Library

That could offer a lifeline, with marquee matches — likely the knockouts and the final — broadcast on Doordarshan irrespective of the primary rights holder.

Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. A return to public broadcasting could yet make the World Cup viable again in India.

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #fans #India #Whats #wrong

Deadspin | Lenyn Sosa’s late clutch hit lifts Jays over skidding Angels Apr 21, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) beats the tag of Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe (14) to score during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Pinch hitter Lenyn Sosa drilled a tiebreaking two-run double during a three-run eighth inning to propel the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night at Anaheim, Calif. Eloy Jimenez had two RBIs and Vladimir Guerrero scored twice for the Blue Jays, who defeated the Angels for the second straight night and matched their season best of three straight wins. Ernie Clement and Daulton Varsho had two hits apiece for Toronto. Louie Varland entered to induce a game-ending double play with the bases loaded for his first career save. Oswald Peraza had two hits and a run for the Angels, who had just five hits overall. Los Angeles has scored just six runs during a season-worst four-game losing streak. Clement’s one-out double inside the left field line got the decisive uprising going against Drew Pomeranz (0-2) in the eighth. Guerrero was walked intentionally and Sosa came up and ripped a 1-1 fastball off the wall in right to give Toronto a 3-1 lead. Jimenez followed with a ground single through the right side to score Clement. Mason Fluharty (1-0) retired the final two batters of the seventh and Tyler Rogers worked a perfect eighth for Toronto. Struggling closer Jeff Hoffman started the ninth and created a jam. He struck out Zach Neto to start the inning before allowing Mike Trout’s single to left and plunking Jo Adell on the right hand and Jorge Soler on the left elbow to load the bases. Yoan Moncada then pinch-hit for Peraza and hit an RBI single to right to bring the Angels within 4-2 and end Hoffman’s night. Varland entered and got Nolan Schanuel to hit his first pitch on the ground to Toronto second baseman Clement, who began to turn the decisive double play with shortstop Andres Gimenez’s throw to first narrowly beating the diving Schanuel. Toronto starter Patrick Corbin allowed one run and two hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked two. Los Angeles starter Jack Kochanowicz gave up one run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out one. The Angels moved ahead in the fifth when Peraza and Schanuel hit one-out singles and Vaughn Grissom followed with a sacrifice fly to score Peraza. Toronto had a similar frame in the sixth when Guerrero and Jesus Sanchez had consecutive one-out singles and Jimenez plated Guerrero with a sacrifice fly. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lenyn #Sosas #late #clutch #hit #lifts #Jays #skidding #Angels

#Deadspin #Lenyn #Sosas #late #clutch #hit #lifts #Jays #skidding #Angels">

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Apr 21, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) beats the tag of Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe (14) to score during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Pinch hitter Lenyn Sosa drilled a tiebreaking two-run double during a three-run eighth inning to propel the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night at Anaheim, Calif.

Eloy Jimenez had two RBIs and Vladimir Guerrero scored twice for the Blue Jays, who defeated the Angels for the second straight night and matched their season best of three straight wins.

Ernie Clement and Daulton Varsho had two hits apiece for Toronto. Louie Varland entered to induce a game-ending double play with the bases loaded for his first career save.

Oswald Peraza had two hits and a run for the Angels, who had just five hits overall. Los Angeles has scored just six runs during a season-worst four-game losing streak.

Clement’s one-out double inside the left field line got the decisive uprising going against Drew Pomeranz (0-2) in the eighth. Guerrero was walked intentionally and Sosa came up and ripped a 1-1 fastball off the wall in right to give Toronto a 3-1 lead.

Jimenez followed with a ground single through the right side to score Clement.

Mason Fluharty (1-0) retired the final two batters of the seventh and Tyler Rogers worked a perfect eighth for Toronto.

Struggling closer Jeff Hoffman started the ninth and created a jam. He struck out Zach Neto to start the inning before allowing Mike Trout’s single to left and plunking Jo Adell on the right hand and Jorge Soler on the left elbow to load the bases.

Yoan Moncada then pinch-hit for Peraza and hit an RBI single to right to bring the Angels within 4-2 and end Hoffman’s night. Varland entered and got Nolan Schanuel to hit his first pitch on the ground to Toronto second baseman Clement, who began to turn the decisive double play with shortstop Andres Gimenez’s throw to first narrowly beating the diving Schanuel.

Toronto starter Patrick Corbin allowed one run and two hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked two.

Los Angeles starter Jack Kochanowicz gave up one run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out one.

The Angels moved ahead in the fifth when Peraza and Schanuel hit one-out singles and Vaughn Grissom followed with a sacrifice fly to score Peraza.

Toronto had a similar frame in the sixth when Guerrero and Jesus Sanchez had consecutive one-out singles and Jimenez plated Guerrero with a sacrifice fly.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lenyn #Sosas #late #clutch #hit #lifts #Jays #skidding #Angels">Deadspin | Lenyn Sosa’s late clutch hit lifts Jays over skidding Angels

Apr 21, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) beats the tag of Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe (14) to score during the eighth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Pinch hitter Lenyn Sosa drilled a tiebreaking two-run double during a three-run eighth inning to propel the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night at Anaheim, Calif.

Eloy Jimenez had two RBIs and Vladimir Guerrero scored twice for the Blue Jays, who defeated the Angels for the second straight night and matched their season best of three straight wins.

Ernie Clement and Daulton Varsho had two hits apiece for Toronto. Louie Varland entered to induce a game-ending double play with the bases loaded for his first career save.

Oswald Peraza had two hits and a run for the Angels, who had just five hits overall. Los Angeles has scored just six runs during a season-worst four-game losing streak.

Clement’s one-out double inside the left field line got the decisive uprising going against Drew Pomeranz (0-2) in the eighth. Guerrero was walked intentionally and Sosa came up and ripped a 1-1 fastball off the wall in right to give Toronto a 3-1 lead.

Jimenez followed with a ground single through the right side to score Clement.

Mason Fluharty (1-0) retired the final two batters of the seventh and Tyler Rogers worked a perfect eighth for Toronto.

Struggling closer Jeff Hoffman started the ninth and created a jam. He struck out Zach Neto to start the inning before allowing Mike Trout’s single to left and plunking Jo Adell on the right hand and Jorge Soler on the left elbow to load the bases.

Yoan Moncada then pinch-hit for Peraza and hit an RBI single to right to bring the Angels within 4-2 and end Hoffman’s night. Varland entered and got Nolan Schanuel to hit his first pitch on the ground to Toronto second baseman Clement, who began to turn the decisive double play with shortstop Andres Gimenez’s throw to first narrowly beating the diving Schanuel.

Toronto starter Patrick Corbin allowed one run and two hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked two.

Los Angeles starter Jack Kochanowicz gave up one run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out one.

The Angels moved ahead in the fifth when Peraza and Schanuel hit one-out singles and Vaughn Grissom followed with a sacrifice fly to score Peraza.

Toronto had a similar frame in the sixth when Guerrero and Jesus Sanchez had consecutive one-out singles and Jimenez plated Guerrero with a sacrifice fly.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lenyn #Sosas #late #clutch #hit #lifts #Jays #skidding #Angels

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