Deadspin | After string of 1-run losses, M’s determined to snap slump in clash vs. Rangers Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) rounds the bases after he hits a home run against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Seattle Mariners desperately need a win Wednesday afternoon and are asking starting pitcher Bryan Woo to deliver it. The Mariners will try to salvage the final game of their three-game series against the Texas Rangers, whose 3-2 victory Tuesday clinched their first series victory over Seattle since September 2023. The Mariners enter Wednesday’s game in Arlington, Texas, as losers of four consecutive games — all by one run — and six of their past seven contests. The lack of offense helped the Mariners to sqander a quality start Tuesday from George Kirby, who pitched a complete game and gave up three runs on six hits in eight innings in a 3-2 loss. Seattle pounded out eight hits but went only 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. “As opposed to last night, where we weren’t able to get traffic, tonight we got some traffic out there,” manager Dan Wilson said after the Tuesday game. “We were able to work a couple walks and get a couple base hits, but not able to get the significant runs across tonight.” In the opener of the series on Monday, Seattle had just two hits and lost 2-1. “Sometimes we get a little anxious and sometimes we try to do too much in those situations,” Wilson said. “The guys in there are trying so hard to break it open. That’s what everybody wants in there. Sometimes in those situations, we need to be able to relax a little bit. But that will come. I think it’s coming. The at-bats were better tonight.” Woo (0-0, 1.38 ERA) has made two starts this season, getting two no-decisions. Against the Rangers, the right-hander is 2-2 with a 4.46 ERA in seven career starts. The Rangers will counter with left-hander MacKenzie Gore (1-0, 3.97) who has pitched at least 5 1/3 innings in each of his first two starts and has not given up more than three runs in either. Against Seattle, he has a career record of 1-9 with an 0.69 ERA in two starts. Texas catcher Kyle Higashioka said he is grateful to have won the series already. “It’s hugely important,” he said. “[The Mariners] and the Astros are definitely our biggest rivals. Anytime we can beat these guys, it feels good, because they played us really tough, especially the last couple years. It gets tiring losing to the same team.” The Rangers have not been very productive on offense this season, with nine total runs over their past five games but two wins in that stretch. Each of their past five games has been decided by two or fewer runs, and Texas has won two straight on the heels of a four-game losing streak. “They’re just coming in, trying to execute and trust their process, doing what we talked about in spring training,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker told The Dallas Morning News. “Seattle is a really tough team. They execute all facets of the game. They’re really well-coached and managed, and they pitch as well as anybody, and they have a dangerous lineup.” The Mariners are still looking for their first series win of the season after splitting four games with Cleveland, then losing two of three games each to the Yankees and Angels and two to the Rangers. Seattle needs the offense to ride to the level of the pitching. Slugger Cal Raleigh is batting just .156, and two cogs in their lineup, Josh Naylor and Julio Rodriguez, are off to miserable starts at the plate. Naylor is batting .104 and Rodriguez .152, and neither has an extra base this season. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #string #1run #losses #determined #snap #slump #clash #Rangers

Deadspin | After string of 1-run losses, M’s determined to snap slump in clash vs. Rangers
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) rounds the bases after he hits a home run against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Seattle Mariners desperately need a win Wednesday afternoon and are asking starting pitcher Bryan Woo to deliver it.

The Mariners will try to salvage the final game of their three-game series against the Texas Rangers, whose 3-2 victory Tuesday clinched their first series victory over Seattle since September 2023.

The Mariners enter Wednesday’s game in Arlington, Texas, as losers of four consecutive games — all by one run — and six of their past seven contests.

The lack of offense helped the Mariners to sqander a quality start Tuesday from George Kirby, who pitched a complete game and gave up three runs on six hits in eight innings in a 3-2 loss.

Seattle pounded out eight hits but went only 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

“As opposed to last night, where we weren’t able to get traffic, tonight we got some traffic out there,” manager Dan Wilson said after the Tuesday game. “We were able to work a couple walks and get a couple base hits, but not able to get the significant runs across tonight.”

In the opener of the series on Monday, Seattle had just two hits and lost 2-1.

“Sometimes we get a little anxious and sometimes we try to do too much in those situations,” Wilson said. “The guys in there are trying so hard to break it open. That’s what everybody wants in there. Sometimes in those situations, we need to be able to relax a little bit. But that will come. I think it’s coming. The at-bats were better tonight.”

Woo (0-0, 1.38 ERA) has made two starts this season, getting two no-decisions. Against the Rangers, the right-hander is 2-2 with a 4.46 ERA in seven career starts.

The Rangers will counter with left-hander MacKenzie Gore (1-0, 3.97) who has pitched at least 5 1/3 innings in each of his first two starts and has not given up more than three runs in either. Against Seattle, he has a career record of 1-9 with an 0.69 ERA in two starts.

Texas catcher Kyle Higashioka said he is grateful to have won the series already.

“It’s hugely important,” he said. “[The Mariners] and the Astros are definitely our biggest rivals. Anytime we can beat these guys, it feels good, because they played us really tough, especially the last couple years. It gets tiring losing to the same team.”

The Rangers have not been very productive on offense this season, with nine total runs over their past five games but two wins in that stretch. Each of their past five games has been decided by two or fewer runs, and Texas has won two straight on the heels of a four-game losing streak.

“They’re just coming in, trying to execute and trust their process, doing what we talked about in spring training,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker told The Dallas Morning News. “Seattle is a really tough team. They execute all facets of the game. They’re really well-coached and managed, and they pitch as well as anybody, and they have a dangerous lineup.”

The Mariners are still looking for their first series win of the season after splitting four games with Cleveland, then losing two of three games each to the Yankees and Angels and two to the Rangers.

Seattle needs the offense to ride to the level of the pitching. Slugger Cal Raleigh is batting just .156, and two cogs in their lineup, Josh Naylor and Julio Rodriguez, are off to miserable starts at the plate.

Naylor is batting .104 and Rodriguez .152, and neither has an extra base this season.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #string #1run #losses #determined #snap #slump #clash #Rangers

Sports news April 8, 2026

Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) rounds the bases after he hits a home run against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Seattle Mariners desperately need a win Wednesday afternoon and are asking starting pitcher Bryan Woo to deliver it.

The Mariners will try to salvage the final game of their three-game series against the Texas Rangers, whose 3-2 victory Tuesday clinched their first series victory over Seattle since September 2023.

The Mariners enter Wednesday’s game in Arlington, Texas, as losers of four consecutive games — all by one run — and six of their past seven contests.

The lack of offense helped the Mariners to sqander a quality start Tuesday from George Kirby, who pitched a complete game and gave up three runs on six hits in eight innings in a 3-2 loss.

Seattle pounded out eight hits but went only 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

“As opposed to last night, where we weren’t able to get traffic, tonight we got some traffic out there,” manager Dan Wilson said after the Tuesday game. “We were able to work a couple walks and get a couple base hits, but not able to get the significant runs across tonight.”

In the opener of the series on Monday, Seattle had just two hits and lost 2-1.

“Sometimes we get a little anxious and sometimes we try to do too much in those situations,” Wilson said. “The guys in there are trying so hard to break it open. That’s what everybody wants in there. Sometimes in those situations, we need to be able to relax a little bit. But that will come. I think it’s coming. The at-bats were better tonight.”

Woo (0-0, 1.38 ERA) has made two starts this season, getting two no-decisions. Against the Rangers, the right-hander is 2-2 with a 4.46 ERA in seven career starts.

The Rangers will counter with left-hander MacKenzie Gore (1-0, 3.97) who has pitched at least 5 1/3 innings in each of his first two starts and has not given up more than three runs in either. Against Seattle, he has a career record of 1-9 with an 0.69 ERA in two starts.

Texas catcher Kyle Higashioka said he is grateful to have won the series already.

“It’s hugely important,” he said. “[The Mariners] and the Astros are definitely our biggest rivals. Anytime we can beat these guys, it feels good, because they played us really tough, especially the last couple years. It gets tiring losing to the same team.”

The Rangers have not been very productive on offense this season, with nine total runs over their past five games but two wins in that stretch. Each of their past five games has been decided by two or fewer runs, and Texas has won two straight on the heels of a four-game losing streak.

“They’re just coming in, trying to execute and trust their process, doing what we talked about in spring training,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker told The Dallas Morning News. “Seattle is a really tough team. They execute all facets of the game. They’re really well-coached and managed, and they pitch as well as anybody, and they have a dangerous lineup.”

The Mariners are still looking for their first series win of the season after splitting four games with Cleveland, then losing two of three games each to the Yankees and Angels and two to the Rangers.

Seattle needs the offense to ride to the level of the pitching. Slugger Cal Raleigh is batting just .156, and two cogs in their lineup, Josh Naylor and Julio Rodriguez, are off to miserable starts at the plate.

Naylor is batting .104 and Rodriguez .152, and neither has an extra base this season.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #string #1run #losses #determined #snap #slump #clash #Rangers

The Lokesh Sathyanathan story: How the long jumper from Bangalore leapt into history with his maiden NCAA title <div id="content-body-70802992" itemprop="articleBody">Few people had their eye on Lokesh Sathyanathan when he first arrived in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to take part in the men’s long jump competition at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March. The 26-year-old wasn’t expecting them to. The NCAA Indoor Championships are the highest level of competition in the indoor track and field calendar — considered the most prestigious form of collegiate sport in the world.The standard of competition is nothing less than that of a world-level meet. Lokesh, competing for Tarleton State University — a relatively small college that had never won an individual track and field title at this competition — was, to put it mildly, not a favourite.“One day before the competition, the only people who recognised me were the ones who already knew me — probably just my coach and teammates,” he recalls.That’s not the case any longer. On March 13, Lokesh leapt a career-best 8.21m to win gold. The jump set a new Indian indoor national record and moved him to third on the all-time list of Indian long jumpers across all competitions. It also made him only the fourth Indian to win gold at the NCAA Championships — joining triple jumper M.S. Gill, discus thrower Vikas Gowda, and decathlete and high jumper Tejaswin Shankar.Lokesh is unrecognised no more.“The NCAA level is nothing short of the Olympic level. You are competing with Olympic champions, World Record holders, National Record holders of different countries, world medallists. To win gold at this level is special. After the competition, I’ve done multiple interviews, but even regular people want to speak to me. Wherever you walk, people know who you are. They compliment and congratulate you. There are people who follow you on social media. People are watching my jumps. They just want to start a conversation. It’s completely different from the day before your race to the day after,” he says.Every conversation goes the same way. “People want to know where I’m from. They want to know how it feels to be an NCAA champion. They want to know how I motivate and hype myself and how I go for bigger jumps,” he says.Motivation, Lokesh says, is easy. He thinks about the hard work his parents put in to start his journey in collegiate sport in the USA. He can’t help but think about how close a freak injury, a couple of years ago, came to ending that journey, and how hard he had to work just to get another chance to compete at this level. “When I’m jumping, I always think of where I came from. Before every competition, I look back at the challenges I’ve faced in my life and think about how lucky I am to get an opportunity to show my talent once again,” he says.<h4 class="sub_head">Journey begins</h4>The idea of competing in the collegiate system first came to Lokesh about eight years ago. Back in 2018, he was considered one of India’s most promising junior long jumpers, with a personal best of 7.74m that had won him gold at the Junior South Asian Championships in Colombo, Sri Lanka. After competing at the U-20 World Championships in Tampere, Finland, he attracted the attention of several coaches scouting for track and field programmes in the USA.Born and raised in Bengaluru in a sports-mad family — his father John played football for the Bengaluru Police while his sister Monica was a national-level 400-metre runner — Lokesh wasn’t certain whether he wanted to leave familiar surroundings. Any plans to shift base were further pushed back after he suffered a serious road accident while travelling to a training session.The physical and mental toll caused him to pull out of the qualifiers for the 2019 World Championships in Doha. “I would have panic attacks. I would stay by myself in a room, and eventually, my friends didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t even sleep. It was just me and my parents at that time. I had a lot of mental health issues that I was dealing with. I was on a lot of anxiety medication as a result,” he recalls.After he recovered, others nudged him to consider college offers from the USA once again. He was still uncertain. “At that time, I felt if I did go, I’d just be seen as an average athlete who hadn’t accomplished anything. I didn’t think I was good enough,” he says.As time passed, Lokesh’s enthusiasm to train abroad waned, even as he continued to improve. He won gold at the South Asian Games in Kathmandu and recorded a personal best of 7.93m at the selection trials for the World University Games in early 2021.<div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/magazine/ihegd2/article70838060.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/lokesh%202.jpeg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/magazine/ihegd2/article70838060.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/lokesh%202.jpeg" alt="At 35, Bobby Carter (left) is one of the youngest head coaches in Division I — the highest level of the NCAA system. He grew up in a family of high-level athletes, with his cousin Michelle Carter having won Olympic gold in shot put in 2016. In Lokesh (right), he saw something special — not just his build and physicality, but also the mindset." title="At 35, Bobby Carter (left) is one of the youngest head coaches in Division I — the highest level of the NCAA system. He grew up in a family of high-level athletes, with his cousin Michelle Carter having won Olympic gold in shot put in 2016. In Lokesh (right), he saw something special — not just his build and physicality, but also the mindset." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"> At 35, Bobby Carter (left) is one of the youngest head coaches in Division I — the highest level of the NCAA system. He grew up in a family of high-level athletes, with his cousin Michelle Carter having won Olympic gold in shot put in 2016. In Lokesh (right), he saw something special — not just his build and physicality, but also the mindset. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement <img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div> At 35, Bobby Carter (left) is one of the youngest head coaches in Division I — the highest level of the NCAA system. He grew up in a family of high-level athletes, with his cousin Michelle Carter having won Olympic gold in shot put in 2016. In Lokesh (right), he saw something special — not just his build and physicality, but also the mindset. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement </div>It was only rekindled in the most painful of circumstances during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. When Lokesh’s mother fell ill, the family didn’t worry at first — until her condition deteriorated suddenly. With doctors preparing the family for the inevitable, Lokesh was permitted to visit her.“When she was in the last stages of her life, she held my hand, kissed it, and started crying. She just said I had to make the most of whatever opportunity I had. That was the last thing she spoke to me,” he says.Until then, Mary had never tried to influence her son in any way. “In my entire athletic career, she had been nothing but supportive. She was my biggest motivation. If I had a bad day or if I lost, she would tell me she was there for me, and then she would cook my favourite food so that I would feel better. When I lost her, it was as if I lost everything,” he says.The shock sent him into a cycle of despair once again. “I was unable to come out of my room. I wasn’t meeting any of my friends. I was once again taking medication for my mental health issues,” he says.But a conversation with his father changed things. “He told me how, without any warning, my mom was no longer with me. You never know when we won’t have time to fulfil our desires. Whatever time and opportunity we get, we have to grab it and work for what we want. I had to get up, start crawling, run, and move. I can’t be still in one place,” he says.Two months after his mother passed away, Lokesh once again started applying to colleges in the USA. “I was essentially just sending cold emails to whoever I could. I asked coaches and athletes I had met to recommend me to others. I became very serious about it. I’d stay up late so I could reply to emails immediately,” he says.As it turned out, coaches were still interested. Eventually, he was offered a full scholarship by the University of New Mexico.<h4 class="sub_head">Struggles and second chances</h4>At first, the move seemed to work out for him. In May 2023, Lokesh made his first jump over 8m — with a leap of 8.02m at the Mountain West Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Clovis. In his first year in the collegiate circuit, he even made it to the NCAA outdoor track and field finals.Later that year, when his coach moved to the University of Louisville, Lokesh followed. He had built a base for his collegiate career. Now it was time for him to take off.That didn’t happen.Lokesh says he was taking part in an off-season gym session when a teammate dropped a weight on his right toe, fracturing it. “It came at the worst possible time. I was about six months away from the Olympic selection trials in India. I was really confident I would do well, but I ended up having to get surgery instead,” he recalls.Things only got worse. One month after surgery, as he began rehabilitation, Lokesh realised something was very wrong. “One of the screws the doctors had placed inside my bone popped out the other side and started piercing through the flesh and bleeding,” he says.His coaches didn’t take his concern seriously. “They felt it was an infection and I could treat it with antibiotics. Of course, it didn’t work. It only got worse. For 14 days, I couldn’t sleep because of the pain, but all the while people kept telling me these things were normal,” he recalls.Eventually, Lokesh says he could take it no more. He left his college and flew back to India for a second opinion — and got one just in time. “The doctor told me I needed surgery immediately because the infection was about to reach the bone. They had to take out the screw. It was a very critical situation,” he says.As he began rehabilitation in India, Lokesh wondered how he can return to jumping. “I never thought I would give up athletics because of what it meant to my parents and what my mother had told me before she passed away. But I was also uncertain about going back to the USA because of the experience I had there. I reached out to every possible person in India who I thought could help me — the state government, private institutes, even different states. I told them I just needed some support. But all I heard was ‘we can’t help you’. Everyone said they’d help only if I started jumping again,” he recalls.Finally, Lokesh realised he had to give college in the USA another try. “I didn’t have any support in India, and at least in the USA I’d have support to continue my academics and training. In the collegiate system, at least my training would be taken care of by my school. That’s when I reached out to coach Bobby Carter and that’s when things started falling into place,” he says.<div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/magazine/as7lzm/article70838086.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/GettyImages-2219158127.jpg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/magazine/as7lzm/article70838086.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/GettyImages-2219158127.jpg" alt="A 7.92m jump early in the 2025 season qualified Lokesh for his first NCAA indoor championships. Later, he jumped a personal best of 8.14m at the Michael Johnson Invitational, which qualified him for the NCAA outdoor final, where he finished fifth. It was the high point of a solid, if not spectacular, comeback season." title="A 7.92m jump early in the 2025 season qualified Lokesh for his first NCAA indoor championships. Later, he jumped a personal best of 8.14m at the Michael Johnson Invitational, which qualified him for the NCAA outdoor final, where he finished fifth. It was the high point of a solid, if not spectacular, comeback season." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"> A 7.92m jump early in the 2025 season qualified Lokesh for his first NCAA indoor championships. Later, he jumped a personal best of 8.14m at the Michael Johnson Invitational, which qualified him for the NCAA outdoor final, where he finished fifth. It was the high point of a solid, if not spectacular, comeback season. | Photo Credit: Getty Images <img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div> A 7.92m jump early in the 2025 season qualified Lokesh for his first NCAA indoor championships. Later, he jumped a personal best of 8.14m at the Michael Johnson Invitational, which qualified him for the NCAA outdoor final, where he finished fifth. It was the high point of a solid, if not spectacular, comeback season. | Photo Credit: Getty Images </div>Before joining the University of New Mexico, Lokesh had got to know Carter while exploring different schools. The two had stayed in touch, and in 2024 Lokesh reached out again after Carter had taken over the track and field programme at Tarleton University. “I was a little nervous because I hadn’t competed for a year, but coach Carter simply said, ‘I’d love to have you over,’” he says.At 35, Carter is one of the youngest head coaches in Division I — the highest level of the NCAA system. He grew up in a family of high-level athletes, with his cousin Michelle Carter having won Olympic gold in shot put in 2016. In Lokesh, he saw something special — not just his build and physicality, but also the mindset.“I saw in his eyes all the things he had been through. But I also saw someone who didn’t want to give up. You can’t help but want to go out to bat for someone like that. From an athletics standpoint, I could tell he had the qualities of an athlete. But I could also tell this was a kid with a dream who just needed some help along the way. In my first conversation with him, he said, ‘Coach, I want to be the best.’ That’s all I needed. I took that and ran with it,” Carter says.Lokesh is grateful for the support he got. “I consider myself really lucky that I could connect with coach Carter. He’s one of my biggest supporters. He’s my cheerleader, mentor, coach, best friend, and a father figure rolled into one. He never made me feel like a stranger or incapable. He always believed in me and told me I can achieve anything,” he says.Although Tarleton didn’t have a particularly renowned track and field programme unlike the colleges Lokesh had previously trained at, he says the move suited him. “It’s a smaller school, about two hours from Dallas. But that was fine. There are fewer distractions. There’s nothing much to do but train. It has a track, it has a gym. Being smaller meant more focus on me and stronger support systems. It was the perfect place to recover,” he says.Slowly, things fell into place.A 7.92m jump early in the 2025 season qualified him for his first NCAA indoor championships. Later, he jumped a personal best of 8.14m at the Michael Johnson Invitational, which qualified him for the NCAA outdoor final, where he finished fifth. It was the high point of a solid, if not spectacular, comeback season.At the start of 2026, however, Carter sensed that Lokesh was building towards something much more significant. “Early in the season, Lokesh competed in Oklahoma at the JD Martin Invitational. He won with 7.85m, but he also had a foul jump by a very narrow margin that I estimated was at least 8.20m. That gave him confidence that he had a really big jump in him,” says Carter. That would come at the biggest stage possible — at the NCAA Indoor Championships final.Before the competition, Lokesh wasn’t thinking about his competitors. “I just thanked God that I had another opportunity to compete at this level,” he says.In second place after three attempts, everything came together in his fourth jump. Running in hard, he hit the board square. Using the double hitch kick, he cycled his legs twice as he took off before landing near the far edge of the pit. The jump put him into the lead, which he never gave up.When it ended, Lokesh leapt into his coach’s arms. He pointed to the sky in tribute to his mother, whose picture he carries everywhere. When he called his father, who had been following updates from India, both were in tears. “We were both crying but they were happy tears,” he says.Coach Carter admitted he too was crying when he went home that day. “It was just a really emotional moment,” he says.<h4 class="sub_head">Bigger goals</h4>However, despite the magnitude of the win, neither has formally celebrated it. That’s because, as big as becoming NCAA champion feels, both believe Lokesh could have done even more. In his final attempt of the day, Lokesh had made another huge jump of 8.17m. When he came off the sand though he grimaced. “Everything was so good in the take-off that I got overexcited and dropped my hips on landing. It cost me 20–30 cm. It could have been 8.40m,” he says.<div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/magazine/yrolds/article70838097.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/IMG_9800.JPG.jpeg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/magazine/yrolds/article70838097.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/IMG_9800.JPG.jpeg" alt="Lokesh and Carter now aims for the Indian record currently standing at 8.42m (Jeswin Aldrin). But it won’t be easy." title="Lokesh and Carter now aims for the Indian record currently standing at 8.42m (Jeswin Aldrin). But it won’t be easy." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"> Lokesh and Carter now aims for the Indian record currently standing at 8.42m (Jeswin Aldrin). But it won’t be easy. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement <img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div> Lokesh and Carter now aims for the Indian record currently standing at 8.42m (Jeswin Aldrin). But it won’t be easy. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement </div>Carter hopes that the miss acts as a motivation. “Both of us have bigger goals that we want to accomplish. Lokesh’s goal is to jump over 8.50m outdoors,” he says.With the Indian record currently standing at 8.42m (Jeswin Aldrin), that won’t be easy, but Carter is optimistic. “It’s very possible. He has the ability to be one of the best Indian jumpers of all time. Right now, our challenge is to stay consistent with technique. I know he has the technical ability to get to the 8.50m mark. It’s just about the little things — eating right and competing in the right events,” he says. There are also Lokesh’s own ambitions. “I want to compete on the biggest stages and win a major medal for India at the Commonwealth and Asian Games,” he says.This, though, won’t be entirely up to him. To represent India, he will have to take part in selection tournaments in the country. That, in turn, means frequent travel between his base at Tarleton and India — adding up to a significant expense. Indeed, even competing in the USA will be challenging in the months to come. Having already competed in university-level competitions in India, he is no longer eligible for outdoor NCAA events and has only one year of eligibility left for indoor competitions. While he can still take part in them as a representative of Tarleton, it will be as an unattached athlete, meaning he would have to cover his own expenses. “So far, I don’t have a sponsor. If I get one, it would make my journey much easier,” he says.Even so, Lokesh remains undeterred. “I think I’m meant to do something special. I’ve already come such a long way. I’ll keep pushing,” he says.Published on Apr 08, 2026</div> #Lokesh #Sathyanathan #story #long #jumper #Bangalore #leapt #history #maiden #NCAA #title

Deadspin | Mammoth return home with season on line vs. resilient Golden Knights Apr 29, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) skates around Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) during the first overtime period of game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images After their second consecutive 5-4 overtime loss on Wednesday, you might expect the Utah Mammoth to be a little demoralized heading into Game 6 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights. But the mood around the Mammoth was surprisingly upbeat heading back to Salt Lake City for their must-win matchup with the Pacific Division champions. “We’re a confident group,” Utah captain Clayton Keller said. “We believe in one another and in our team, and I think these are the most fun games to be a part of. Down 3-2, we get to go home, play in front of our fans. If you’re not fired up for that, then you’ve got something wrong with you.” The Mammoth lost on a Shea Theodore overtime goal in their last game on home ice on Monday, blowing a 4-3 third-period lead in the process. As painful as that was, Wednesday’s 5-4 double-overtime loss had to be even more of a gut punch. The Golden Knights tied it with a 6-on-5 goal from Pavel Dorofeyev with 52.7 seconds left, then won it on Brett Howden’s short-handed goal 5:28 into the second overtime. “We’re right there,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “We knew it would be a fight. It is what it is. We want to go back to Salt Lake for Game 6 in front of our fans, and we’ll give it our all and we’ll work from there. But I think we’re really confident in what we can achieve out there. “I like the fight in our guys. I like our execution. Now it comes down to one game.” “Go win one at home. I think that’s our focus,” Mammoth forward Lawson Crouse added. “… We have to win. We’ve got to step up and do it on our home ice. We’ve got incredible fans back home, and we’re excited to get going again.” It won’t be easy. Vegas has a strong veteran group that won the 2023 Stanley Cup and has excelled at finding ways to win games when trailing late in contests. The Golden Knights led the NHL in the regular season with 108 goals in the third period, and they’ve rallied in the third period in each of their three wins in the series. “It’s something that we’ve prided ourselves on all season,” center Jack Eichel said. “So much credit to guys in the locker room. There’s a calmness and a confidence within our group.” There have been 29 teams in NHL history that have trailed in the third period of each of the first five games of a playoff series. This year’s Golden Knights are the first such team to lead the series through five games, per Opta. “You need to have that come from within the room,” Vegas coach John Tortorella added. “We’ve seen it through five games. You can tell they never feel like they’re out of it.” History would appear to be on the Golden Knights’ side after Wednesday’s dramatic come-from-behind win. In its nine-year history, Vegas has won all eight of its series where it won Game 5. Game 7, if needed, is scheduled for Sunday in Las Vegas. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mammoth #return #home #season #line #resilient #Golden #Knights

#Deadspin #Mammoth #return #home #season #line #resilient #Golden #Knights">

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Apr 29, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) skates around Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) during the first overtime period of game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

After their second consecutive 5-4 overtime loss on Wednesday, you might expect the Utah Mammoth to be a little demoralized heading into Game 6 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights.

But the mood around the Mammoth was surprisingly upbeat heading back to Salt Lake City for their must-win matchup with the Pacific Division champions.

“We’re a confident group,” Utah captain Clayton Keller said. “We believe in one another and in our team, and I think these are the most fun games to be a part of. Down 3-2, we get to go home, play in front of our fans. If you’re not fired up for that, then you’ve got something wrong with you.”

The Mammoth lost on a Shea Theodore overtime goal in their last game on home ice on Monday, blowing a 4-3 third-period lead in the process.

As painful as that was, Wednesday’s 5-4 double-overtime loss had to be even more of a gut punch. The Golden Knights tied it with a 6-on-5 goal from Pavel Dorofeyev with 52.7 seconds left, then won it on Brett Howden’s short-handed goal 5:28 into the second overtime.

“We’re right there,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “We knew it would be a fight. It is what it is. We want to go back to Salt Lake for Game 6 in front of our fans, and we’ll give it our all and we’ll work from there. But I think we’re really confident in what we can achieve out there.

“I like the fight in our guys. I like our execution. Now it comes down to one game.”

“Go win one at home. I think that’s our focus,” Mammoth forward Lawson Crouse added. “… We have to win. We’ve got to step up and do it on our home ice. We’ve got incredible fans back home, and we’re excited to get going again.”

It won’t be easy. Vegas has a strong veteran group that won the 2023 Stanley Cup and has excelled at finding ways to win games when trailing late in contests.

The Golden Knights led the NHL in the regular season with 108 goals in the third period, and they’ve rallied in the third period in each of their three wins in the series.

“It’s something that we’ve prided ourselves on all season,” center Jack Eichel said. “So much credit to guys in the locker room. There’s a calmness and a confidence within our group.”

There have been 29 teams in NHL history that have trailed in the third period of each of the first five games of a playoff series. This year’s Golden Knights are the first such team to lead the series through five games, per Opta.

“You need to have that come from within the room,” Vegas coach John Tortorella added. “We’ve seen it through five games. You can tell they never feel like they’re out of it.”

History would appear to be on the Golden Knights’ side after Wednesday’s dramatic come-from-behind win. In its nine-year history, Vegas has won all eight of its series where it won Game 5.

Game 7, if needed, is scheduled for Sunday in Las Vegas.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mammoth #return #home #season #line #resilient #Golden #Knights">Deadspin | Mammoth return home with season on line vs. resilient Golden Knights

Apr 29, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) skates around Vegas Golden Knights right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) during the first overtime period of game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

After their second consecutive 5-4 overtime loss on Wednesday, you might expect the Utah Mammoth to be a little demoralized heading into Game 6 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights.

But the mood around the Mammoth was surprisingly upbeat heading back to Salt Lake City for their must-win matchup with the Pacific Division champions.

“We’re a confident group,” Utah captain Clayton Keller said. “We believe in one another and in our team, and I think these are the most fun games to be a part of. Down 3-2, we get to go home, play in front of our fans. If you’re not fired up for that, then you’ve got something wrong with you.”

The Mammoth lost on a Shea Theodore overtime goal in their last game on home ice on Monday, blowing a 4-3 third-period lead in the process.

As painful as that was, Wednesday’s 5-4 double-overtime loss had to be even more of a gut punch. The Golden Knights tied it with a 6-on-5 goal from Pavel Dorofeyev with 52.7 seconds left, then won it on Brett Howden’s short-handed goal 5:28 into the second overtime.

“We’re right there,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “We knew it would be a fight. It is what it is. We want to go back to Salt Lake for Game 6 in front of our fans, and we’ll give it our all and we’ll work from there. But I think we’re really confident in what we can achieve out there.

“I like the fight in our guys. I like our execution. Now it comes down to one game.”

“Go win one at home. I think that’s our focus,” Mammoth forward Lawson Crouse added. “… We have to win. We’ve got to step up and do it on our home ice. We’ve got incredible fans back home, and we’re excited to get going again.”

It won’t be easy. Vegas has a strong veteran group that won the 2023 Stanley Cup and has excelled at finding ways to win games when trailing late in contests.

The Golden Knights led the NHL in the regular season with 108 goals in the third period, and they’ve rallied in the third period in each of their three wins in the series.

“It’s something that we’ve prided ourselves on all season,” center Jack Eichel said. “So much credit to guys in the locker room. There’s a calmness and a confidence within our group.”

There have been 29 teams in NHL history that have trailed in the third period of each of the first five games of a playoff series. This year’s Golden Knights are the first such team to lead the series through five games, per Opta.

“You need to have that come from within the room,” Vegas coach John Tortorella added. “We’ve seen it through five games. You can tell they never feel like they’re out of it.”

History would appear to be on the Golden Knights’ side after Wednesday’s dramatic come-from-behind win. In its nine-year history, Vegas has won all eight of its series where it won Game 5.

Game 7, if needed, is scheduled for Sunday in Las Vegas.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mammoth #return #home #season #line #resilient #Golden #Knights

Arne Slot said Mohamed Salah “deserves a big send-off” as he confirmed he expected the departing superstar to return from injury before the end of the season.

The Egypt forward, who will leave Anfield at the end of the campaign, was forced off in last weekend’s 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace, prompting fears he may have played his final game for the Reds.

Salah applauded the fans and was given a standing ovation as he made his way off the pitch.

Liverpool confirmed on Wednesday that Salah, 33, had suffered a “minor muscle injury” and was expected to be able to return to action before the campaign comes to an end.

The club travels to face Manchester United on Sunday after three straight wins put it firmly on course for a place in next season’s Champions League.

READ: Diego Maradona had bipolar disorder, was a narcissist: Psychologist in his death trial

“We expect him to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday,” Liverpool boss Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“It’s a big relief that his injury is minor, so that he’s able to play for us, that he’s able to play at the World Cup.

“And if there’s ever a player who deserves to get a big send-off, it’s definitely Mo.”

Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since his arrival at Anfield in 2017, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in Liverpool’s list of leading goalscorers.

He had a public spat with Slot in December, declaring he had “no relationship” with the Dutchman after being dropped for three consecutive games.

But the Liverpool manager later said he had “no issue to resolve” with the forward returning to the fold.

Liverpool, whose Premier League title defence collapsed dramatically from late September, has four games remaining, starting with its trip to face United.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Mohamed #Salah #deserves #big #sendoff #Liverpool #boss #Arne #Slot">

Mohamed Salah ‘deserves big send-off’, says Liverpool boss Arne Slot Arne Slot said Mohamed Salah “deserves a big send-off” as he confirmed he expected the departing superstar to return from injury before the end of the season.The Egypt forward, who will leave Anfield at the end of the campaign, was forced off in last weekend’s 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace, prompting fears he may have played his final game for the Reds.Salah applauded the fans and was given a standing ovation as he made his way off the pitch.Liverpool confirmed on Wednesday that Salah, 33, had suffered a “minor muscle injury” and was expected to be able to return to action before the campaign comes to an end.The club travels to face Manchester United on Sunday after three straight wins put it firmly on course for a place in next season’s Champions League.READ: Diego Maradona had bipolar disorder, was a narcissist: Psychologist in his death trial“We expect him to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday,” Liverpool boss Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.“It’s a big relief that his injury is minor, so that he’s able to play for us, that he’s able to play at the World Cup.“And if there’s ever a player who deserves to get a big send-off, it’s definitely Mo.”Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since his arrival at Anfield in 2017, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in Liverpool’s list of leading goalscorers.He had a public spat with Slot in December, declaring he had “no relationship” with the Dutchman after being dropped for three consecutive games.But the Liverpool manager later said he had “no issue to resolve” with the forward returning to the fold.Liverpool, whose Premier League title defence collapsed dramatically from late September, has four games remaining, starting with its trip to face United.Published on May 01, 2026 #Mohamed #Salah #deserves #big #sendoff #Liverpool #boss #Arne #Slot

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Arne Slot said Mohamed Salah “deserves a big send-off” as he confirmed he expected the departing superstar to return from injury before the end of the season.
The Egypt forward, who will leave Anfield at the end of the campaign, was forced off in last weekend’s 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace, prompting fears he may have played his final game for the Reds.
Salah applauded the fans and was given a standing ovation as he made his way off the pitch.
Liverpool confirmed on Wednesday that Salah, 33, had suffered a “minor muscle injury” and was expected to be able to return to action before the campaign comes to an end.
The club travels to face Manchester United on Sunday after three straight wins put it firmly on course for a place in next season’s Champions League.
READ: Diego Maradona had bipolar disorder, was a narcissist: Psychologist in his death trial
“We expect him to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday,” Liverpool boss Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“It’s a big relief that his injury is minor, so that he’s able to play for us, that he’s able to play at the World Cup.
“And if there’s ever a player who deserves to get a big send-off, it’s definitely Mo.”
Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since his arrival at Anfield in 2017, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in Liverpool’s list of leading goalscorers.
He had a public spat with Slot in December, declaring he had “no relationship” with the Dutchman after being dropped for three consecutive games.
But the Liverpool manager later said he had “no issue to resolve” with the forward returning to the fold.
Liverpool, whose Premier League title defence collapsed dramatically from late September, has four games remaining, starting with its trip to face United.
Published on May 01, 2026

#Mohamed #Salah #deserves #big #sendoff #Liverpool #boss #Arne #Slot">Mohamed Salah ‘deserves big send-off’, says Liverpool boss Arne Slot

Arne Slot said Mohamed Salah “deserves a big send-off” as he confirmed he expected the departing superstar to return from injury before the end of the season.

Salah applauded the fans and was given a standing ovation as he made his way off the pitch.

Liverpool confirmed on Wednesday that Salah, 33, had suffered a “minor muscle injury” and was expected to be able to return to action before the campaign comes to an end.

The club travels to face Manchester United on Sunday after three straight wins put it firmly on course for a place in next season’s Champions League.

READ: Diego Maradona had bipolar disorder, was a narcissist: Psychologist in his death trial

“We expect him to be back in the final part of the season, but not for Sunday,” Liverpool boss Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“It’s a big relief that his injury is minor, so that he’s able to play for us, that he’s able to play at the World Cup.

“And if there’s ever a player who deserves to get a big send-off, it’s definitely Mo.”

Salah has scored 257 goals in 440 appearances since his arrival at Anfield in 2017, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt in Liverpool’s list of leading goalscorers.

He had a public spat with Slot in December, declaring he had “no relationship” with the Dutchman after being dropped for three consecutive games.

But the Liverpool manager later said he had “no issue to resolve” with the forward returning to the fold.

Liverpool, whose Premier League title defence collapsed dramatically from late September, has four games remaining, starting with its trip to face United.

Published on May 01, 2026

#Mohamed #Salah #deserves #big #sendoff #Liverpool #boss #Arne #Slot

Deadspin | Brewers RHP Brandon Woodruff goes for MRI after velocity dips Apr 30, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) walks off the mound with an injury in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff went for an MRI after exiting his Thursday start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning due to low velocity on his fastball. Woodruff was throwing in the mid-80s, approximately 7 to 10 mph slower than usual. He faced six batters over 1 1/3 innings before manager Pat Murphy, pitching coach Chris Hook and trainer Brad Epstein came to the mound after he allowed a bloop single to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. The visit was brief and Woodruff left the game. “He doesn’t feel like he’s injured,” Murphy said after Milwaukee’s 13-1 win. “He said, ‘My arm’s dead. Nothing’s coming out.’ I think we just have to be really cautious here.” Murphy added, “We’ve seen it where his velocity is down early and then it climbs. We were waiting to see in the second inning if it would climb. … After the first inning, we said, ‘Hey, man, what do you got?’ He said, ‘Well, let me go back and see if I can get a little bit extra.'” Catcher William Contreras knew pregame that Woodruff wasn’t 100%. “I think I had a feeling there in the bullpen,” Contreras said. “Usually, whenever he says he’s got two more, he’ll let it eat a little bit more. On those two, there was something a little bit down. … “A ton of respect for him going out there and never backing down. I think it’s a great learning lesson for the younger guys in the room to never back down. Just go out there and compete and be ready for the moment.” Asked where Woodruff might stand moving forward, Murphy said, “We think maybe with some rest, he can build back up. People go through stuff like this.” Murphy then literally knocked on a wooden table while saying, “Hopefully he’s solid and there’s no injury there. That would be awful.” Woodruff struck out two and walked one and Gurriel’s hit was the lone one he allowed during the 21-pitch outing. The Brewers figure to be cautious with Woodruff since he underwent shoulder surgery in 2023 and missed the entire 2024 season. The two-time All-Star returned to make 12 starts last season and went 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA. Woodruff, 33, is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in six starts this season. He is 55-29 with a 3.13 ERA in 148 career appearances (133 starts) since reaching the majors with Milwaukee in 2017. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Brewers #RHP #Brandon #Woodruff #MRI #velocity #dips

#Deadspin #Brewers #RHP #Brandon #Woodruff #MRI #velocity #dips">

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Apr 30, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) walks off the mound with an injury in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff went for an MRI after exiting his Thursday start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning due to low velocity on his fastball.

Woodruff was throwing in the mid-80s, approximately 7 to 10 mph slower than usual.

He faced six batters over 1 1/3 innings before manager Pat Murphy, pitching coach Chris Hook and trainer Brad Epstein came to the mound after he allowed a bloop single to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. The visit was brief and Woodruff left the game.

“He doesn’t feel like he’s injured,” Murphy said after Milwaukee’s 13-1 win. “He said, ‘My arm’s dead. Nothing’s coming out.’ I think we just have to be really cautious here.”

Murphy added, “We’ve seen it where his velocity is down early and then it climbs. We were waiting to see in the second inning if it would climb. … After the first inning, we said, ‘Hey, man, what do you got?’ He said, ‘Well, let me go back and see if I can get a little bit extra.'”

Catcher William Contreras knew pregame that Woodruff wasn’t 100%.

“I think I had a feeling there in the bullpen,” Contreras said. “Usually, whenever he says he’s got two more, he’ll let it eat a little bit more. On those two, there was something a little bit down. …

“A ton of respect for him going out there and never backing down. I think it’s a great learning lesson for the younger guys in the room to never back down. Just go out there and compete and be ready for the moment.”

Asked where Woodruff might stand moving forward, Murphy said, “We think maybe with some rest, he can build back up. People go through stuff like this.”

Murphy then literally knocked on a wooden table while saying, “Hopefully he’s solid and there’s no injury there. That would be awful.”

Woodruff struck out two and walked one and Gurriel’s hit was the lone one he allowed during the 21-pitch outing.

The Brewers figure to be cautious with Woodruff since he underwent shoulder surgery in 2023 and missed the entire 2024 season. The two-time All-Star returned to make 12 starts last season and went 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA.

Woodruff, 33, is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in six starts this season. He is 55-29 with a 3.13 ERA in 148 career appearances (133 starts) since reaching the majors with Milwaukee in 2017.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brewers #RHP #Brandon #Woodruff #MRI #velocity #dips">Deadspin | Brewers RHP Brandon Woodruff goes for MRI after velocity dips

Apr 30, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) walks off the mound with an injury in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff went for an MRI after exiting his Thursday start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning due to low velocity on his fastball.

Woodruff was throwing in the mid-80s, approximately 7 to 10 mph slower than usual.

He faced six batters over 1 1/3 innings before manager Pat Murphy, pitching coach Chris Hook and trainer Brad Epstein came to the mound after he allowed a bloop single to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. The visit was brief and Woodruff left the game.

“He doesn’t feel like he’s injured,” Murphy said after Milwaukee’s 13-1 win. “He said, ‘My arm’s dead. Nothing’s coming out.’ I think we just have to be really cautious here.”

Murphy added, “We’ve seen it where his velocity is down early and then it climbs. We were waiting to see in the second inning if it would climb. … After the first inning, we said, ‘Hey, man, what do you got?’ He said, ‘Well, let me go back and see if I can get a little bit extra.'”

Catcher William Contreras knew pregame that Woodruff wasn’t 100%.

“I think I had a feeling there in the bullpen,” Contreras said. “Usually, whenever he says he’s got two more, he’ll let it eat a little bit more. On those two, there was something a little bit down. …

“A ton of respect for him going out there and never backing down. I think it’s a great learning lesson for the younger guys in the room to never back down. Just go out there and compete and be ready for the moment.”

Asked where Woodruff might stand moving forward, Murphy said, “We think maybe with some rest, he can build back up. People go through stuff like this.”

Murphy then literally knocked on a wooden table while saying, “Hopefully he’s solid and there’s no injury there. That would be awful.”

Woodruff struck out two and walked one and Gurriel’s hit was the lone one he allowed during the 21-pitch outing.

The Brewers figure to be cautious with Woodruff since he underwent shoulder surgery in 2023 and missed the entire 2024 season. The two-time All-Star returned to make 12 starts last season and went 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA.

Woodruff, 33, is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in six starts this season. He is 55-29 with a 3.13 ERA in 148 career appearances (133 starts) since reaching the majors with Milwaukee in 2017.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brewers #RHP #Brandon #Woodruff #MRI #velocity #dips

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