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Deadspin | All hail: Michigan outmuscles UConn, claims second national title Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies in the national championship of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan is a national champion for the first time since 1989, standing as the best in the land even if the Wolverines weren’t at their peak on Monday. Michigan defeated UConn 69-63 to turn back the Huskies’ bid for a third national championship in four seasons. Led by Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau’s 19 points and endless energy, the Wolverines had to go off-script to end their title drought. “We have a lot of banners at (Crisler Center), but we had just one lonely center banner, and we wanted to change that,” said Michigan coach Dusty May, who took over a program that went 8-24 in 2023-24. All-American Yaxel Lendeborg had a quiet 30 minutes after a self-described “awful” and “soft” first half, but Michigan, the first title-winner in college basketball to start five transfers, came well-armed to the fight. Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr., who scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half, made shots and impactful effort plays on both ends. “It means the world to me,” Cadeau said. “I was down on myself last year. It means the world to me to be Most Outstanding Player and win a national championship.” Michigan’s perimeter shooting was virtually non-existent in the first half — the Wolverines were 0-for-8 from 3-point range — but yielded nothing close to a clean look to UConn freshman Braylon Mullins and Alex Karaban. The Wolverines were held to 33 points in the first half, which put them 61 points behind their scoring pace from five prior NCAA Tournament wins. Without their usual outside-inside balance to stir the offense, Michigan finished with 36 points in the paint and knocked down 25 free throws. “All year we’ve just been finding ways to win,” Cadeau said. “We constantly just find ways to win all season.” Lendeborg returned to the court in the semifinals after sustaining left knee and ankle injuries earlier in the contest, and he decided then that he wouldn’t miss the title game. “It took a lot to get on the court. I was having a lot of mental issues. These guys stuck with me. They believed in me, really helped me out,” said Lendeborg, who put up 13 points against UConn. “I just tried to find a way to do something to help the team out. I did the best I could regardless of the outcome, but it feels really, really good to be a national champion.” The Huskies reached Indianapolis on the back of Mullins’ buzzer-beater against Duke in the East regional final, and he kept the hot hand with four 3-pointers against Illinois. However, he shot 4 of 17 from the field on Monday. Karaban made 5 of 14, and they were both 3 of 10 from 3-point range. UConn shot 30.9% from the field, and when the teams switched baskets at halftime, the Huskies came up empty on their first 11 3-point tries. “They just made it so tough on us around the rim,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said after he instructed the Huskies to wait courtside for a handshake line while the Wolverines celebrated for several minutes. “Just an incredibly talented, incredibly imposing team physically. They’re legit. “They definitely deserved to win the national championship. They’re clearly the best team in the country this year. They’re just so hard to score against at the rim. I could talk about the threes that we missed, and I thought we had a lot of good threes that we missed. But they just made it so tough on us around the rim.” The Huskies scrapped to the bitter end. Down nine with less than two minutes remaining after Michigan’s Trey McKenney splashed a stepback 3-pointer, UConn went 4-for-4 on foul shots before Solo Ball banked in a trey, trimming the deficit to 67-63 with 37 seconds left. McKenney hit two free throws with 13.4 seconds left to set off the Michigan celebration. Tarris Reed Jr., a transfer from Michigan, had 14 rebounds and 13 points, though he shot 4-for-12. Karaban had 11 rebounds and led UConn with 17 points. “This guy changed my life,” Hurley said of Karaban. “The joy he’s brought to the university, the fan base. His decision to come to UConn has made us — Florida won the national championship last year. I’ll probably get in trouble for this. Michigan won the national championship this year. But he’s helped to make UConn, I think, right now — we’re probably the premier program in college basketball right now, having been to three out of four national championship games, having won two of them. He’s put UConn in that rarefied place in college basketball.” Hurley, bidding to become the seventh college coach with at least three national title wins, lost a game in the Final Four for the first time (5-1). –Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media #Deadspin #hail #Michigan #outmuscles #UConn #claims #national #title

Deadspin | All hail: Michigan outmuscles UConn, claims second national title
Deadspin | All hail: Michigan outmuscles UConn, claims second national title Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies in the national championship of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan is a national champion for the first time since 1989, standing as the best in the land even if the Wolverines weren’t at their peak on Monday. Michigan defeated UConn 69-63 to turn back the Huskies’ bid for a third national championship in four seasons. Led by Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau’s 19 points and endless energy, the Wolverines had to go off-script to end their title drought. “We have a lot of banners at (Crisler Center), but we had just one lonely center banner, and we wanted to change that,” said Michigan coach Dusty May, who took over a program that went 8-24 in 2023-24. All-American Yaxel Lendeborg had a quiet 30 minutes after a self-described “awful” and “soft” first half, but Michigan, the first title-winner in college basketball to start five transfers, came well-armed to the fight. Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr., who scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half, made shots and impactful effort plays on both ends. “It means the world to me,” Cadeau said. “I was down on myself last year. It means the world to me to be Most Outstanding Player and win a national championship.” Michigan’s perimeter shooting was virtually non-existent in the first half — the Wolverines were 0-for-8 from 3-point range — but yielded nothing close to a clean look to UConn freshman Braylon Mullins and Alex Karaban. The Wolverines were held to 33 points in the first half, which put them 61 points behind their scoring pace from five prior NCAA Tournament wins. Without their usual outside-inside balance to stir the offense, Michigan finished with 36 points in the paint and knocked down 25 free throws. “All year we’ve just been finding ways to win,” Cadeau said. “We constantly just find ways to win all season.” Lendeborg returned to the court in the semifinals after sustaining left knee and ankle injuries earlier in the contest, and he decided then that he wouldn’t miss the title game. “It took a lot to get on the court. I was having a lot of mental issues. These guys stuck with me. They believed in me, really helped me out,” said Lendeborg, who put up 13 points against UConn. “I just tried to find a way to do something to help the team out. I did the best I could regardless of the outcome, but it feels really, really good to be a national champion.” The Huskies reached Indianapolis on the back of Mullins’ buzzer-beater against Duke in the East regional final, and he kept the hot hand with four 3-pointers against Illinois. However, he shot 4 of 17 from the field on Monday. Karaban made 5 of 14, and they were both 3 of 10 from 3-point range. UConn shot 30.9% from the field, and when the teams switched baskets at halftime, the Huskies came up empty on their first 11 3-point tries. “They just made it so tough on us around the rim,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said after he instructed the Huskies to wait courtside for a handshake line while the Wolverines celebrated for several minutes. “Just an incredibly talented, incredibly imposing team physically. They’re legit. “They definitely deserved to win the national championship. They’re clearly the best team in the country this year. They’re just so hard to score against at the rim. I could talk about the threes that we missed, and I thought we had a lot of good threes that we missed. But they just made it so tough on us around the rim.” The Huskies scrapped to the bitter end. Down nine with less than two minutes remaining after Michigan’s Trey McKenney splashed a stepback 3-pointer, UConn went 4-for-4 on foul shots before Solo Ball banked in a trey, trimming the deficit to 67-63 with 37 seconds left. McKenney hit two free throws with 13.4 seconds left to set off the Michigan celebration. Tarris Reed Jr., a transfer from Michigan, had 14 rebounds and 13 points, though he shot 4-for-12. Karaban had 11 rebounds and led UConn with 17 points. “This guy changed my life,” Hurley said of Karaban. “The joy he’s brought to the university, the fan base. His decision to come to UConn has made us — Florida won the national championship last year. I’ll probably get in trouble for this. Michigan won the national championship this year. But he’s helped to make UConn, I think, right now — we’re probably the premier program in college basketball right now, having been to three out of four national championship games, having won two of them. He’s put UConn in that rarefied place in college basketball.” Hurley, bidding to become the seventh college coach with at least three national title wins, lost a game in the Final Four for the first time (5-1). –Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media #Deadspin #hail #Michigan #outmuscles #UConn #claims #national #titleApr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies in the national championship of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan is a national champion for the first time since 1989, standing as the best in the land even if the Wolverines weren’t at their peak on Monday.

Michigan defeated UConn 69-63 to turn back the Huskies’ bid for a third national championship in four seasons. Led by Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau’s 19 points and endless energy, the Wolverines had to go off-script to end their title drought.

“We have a lot of banners at (Crisler Center), but we had just one lonely center banner, and we wanted to change that,” said Michigan coach Dusty May, who took over a program that went 8-24 in 2023-24.

All-American Yaxel Lendeborg had a quiet 30 minutes after a self-described “awful” and “soft” first half, but Michigan, the first title-winner in college basketball to start five transfers, came well-armed to the fight.

Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr., who scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half, made shots and impactful effort plays on both ends.

“It means the world to me,” Cadeau said. “I was down on myself last year. It means the world to me to be Most Outstanding Player and win a national championship.”

Michigan’s perimeter shooting was virtually non-existent in the first half — the Wolverines were 0-for-8 from 3-point range — but yielded nothing close to a clean look to UConn freshman Braylon Mullins and Alex Karaban.

The Wolverines were held to 33 points in the first half, which put them 61 points behind their scoring pace from five prior NCAA Tournament wins.

Without their usual outside-inside balance to stir the offense, Michigan finished with 36 points in the paint and knocked down 25 free throws.

“All year we’ve just been finding ways to win,” Cadeau said. “We constantly just find ways to win all season.”


Lendeborg returned to the court in the semifinals after sustaining left knee and ankle injuries earlier in the contest, and he decided then that he wouldn’t miss the title game.

“It took a lot to get on the court. I was having a lot of mental issues. These guys stuck with me. They believed in me, really helped me out,” said Lendeborg, who put up 13 points against UConn. “I just tried to find a way to do something to help the team out. I did the best I could regardless of the outcome, but it feels really, really good to be a national champion.”

The Huskies reached Indianapolis on the back of Mullins’ buzzer-beater against Duke in the East regional final, and he kept the hot hand with four 3-pointers against Illinois. However, he shot 4 of 17 from the field on Monday. Karaban made 5 of 14, and they were both 3 of 10 from 3-point range.

UConn shot 30.9% from the field, and when the teams switched baskets at halftime, the Huskies came up empty on their first 11 3-point tries.

“They just made it so tough on us around the rim,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said after he instructed the Huskies to wait courtside for a handshake line while the Wolverines celebrated for several minutes. “Just an incredibly talented, incredibly imposing team physically. They’re legit.

“They definitely deserved to win the national championship. They’re clearly the best team in the country this year. They’re just so hard to score against at the rim. I could talk about the threes that we missed, and I thought we had a lot of good threes that we missed. But they just made it so tough on us around the rim.”

The Huskies scrapped to the bitter end. Down nine with less than two minutes remaining after Michigan’s Trey McKenney splashed a stepback 3-pointer, UConn went 4-for-4 on foul shots before Solo Ball banked in a trey, trimming the deficit to 67-63 with 37 seconds left.

McKenney hit two free throws with 13.4 seconds left to set off the Michigan celebration.

Tarris Reed Jr., a transfer from Michigan, had 14 rebounds and 13 points, though he shot 4-for-12. Karaban had 11 rebounds and led UConn with 17 points.

“This guy changed my life,” Hurley said of Karaban. “The joy he’s brought to the university, the fan base. His decision to come to UConn has made us — Florida won the national championship last year. I’ll probably get in trouble for this. Michigan won the national championship this year. But he’s helped to make UConn, I think, right now — we’re probably the premier program in college basketball right now, having been to three out of four national championship games, having won two of them. He’s put UConn in that rarefied place in college basketball.”

Hurley, bidding to become the seventh college coach with at least three national title wins, lost a game in the Final Four for the first time (5-1).


–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

#Deadspin #hail #Michigan #outmuscles #UConn #claims #national #title

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Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies in the national championship of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan is a national champion for the first time since 1989, standing as the best in the land even if the Wolverines weren’t at their peak on Monday.

Michigan defeated UConn 69-63 to turn back the Huskies’ bid for a third national championship in four seasons. Led by Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau’s 19 points and endless energy, the Wolverines had to go off-script to end their title drought.

“We have a lot of banners at (Crisler Center), but we had just one lonely center banner, and we wanted to change that,” said Michigan coach Dusty May, who took over a program that went 8-24 in 2023-24.

All-American Yaxel Lendeborg had a quiet 30 minutes after a self-described “awful” and “soft” first half, but Michigan, the first title-winner in college basketball to start five transfers, came well-armed to the fight.

Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr., who scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half, made shots and impactful effort plays on both ends.

“It means the world to me,” Cadeau said. “I was down on myself last year. It means the world to me to be Most Outstanding Player and win a national championship.”

Michigan’s perimeter shooting was virtually non-existent in the first half — the Wolverines were 0-for-8 from 3-point range — but yielded nothing close to a clean look to UConn freshman Braylon Mullins and Alex Karaban.

The Wolverines were held to 33 points in the first half, which put them 61 points behind their scoring pace from five prior NCAA Tournament wins.

Without their usual outside-inside balance to stir the offense, Michigan finished with 36 points in the paint and knocked down 25 free throws.

“All year we’ve just been finding ways to win,” Cadeau said. “We constantly just find ways to win all season.”

Lendeborg returned to the court in the semifinals after sustaining left knee and ankle injuries earlier in the contest, and he decided then that he wouldn’t miss the title game.

“It took a lot to get on the court. I was having a lot of mental issues. These guys stuck with me. They believed in me, really helped me out,” said Lendeborg, who put up 13 points against UConn. “I just tried to find a way to do something to help the team out. I did the best I could regardless of the outcome, but it feels really, really good to be a national champion.”

The Huskies reached Indianapolis on the back of Mullins’ buzzer-beater against Duke in the East regional final, and he kept the hot hand with four 3-pointers against Illinois. However, he shot 4 of 17 from the field on Monday. Karaban made 5 of 14, and they were both 3 of 10 from 3-point range.

UConn shot 30.9% from the field, and when the teams switched baskets at halftime, the Huskies came up empty on their first 11 3-point tries.

“They just made it so tough on us around the rim,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said after he instructed the Huskies to wait courtside for a handshake line while the Wolverines celebrated for several minutes. “Just an incredibly talented, incredibly imposing team physically. They’re legit.

“They definitely deserved to win the national championship. They’re clearly the best team in the country this year. They’re just so hard to score against at the rim. I could talk about the threes that we missed, and I thought we had a lot of good threes that we missed. But they just made it so tough on us around the rim.”

The Huskies scrapped to the bitter end. Down nine with less than two minutes remaining after Michigan’s Trey McKenney splashed a stepback 3-pointer, UConn went 4-for-4 on foul shots before Solo Ball banked in a trey, trimming the deficit to 67-63 with 37 seconds left.

McKenney hit two free throws with 13.4 seconds left to set off the Michigan celebration.

Tarris Reed Jr., a transfer from Michigan, had 14 rebounds and 13 points, though he shot 4-for-12. Karaban had 11 rebounds and led UConn with 17 points.

“This guy changed my life,” Hurley said of Karaban. “The joy he’s brought to the university, the fan base. His decision to come to UConn has made us — Florida won the national championship last year. I’ll probably get in trouble for this. Michigan won the national championship this year. But he’s helped to make UConn, I think, right now — we’re probably the premier program in college basketball right now, having been to three out of four national championship games, having won two of them. He’s put UConn in that rarefied place in college basketball.”

Hurley, bidding to become the seventh college coach with at least three national title wins, lost a game in the Final Four for the first time (5-1).

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

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Aaron Ramsey, former Arsenal and Wales player, retires <div id="content-body-70833902" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Former Wales star Aaron Ramsey on Tuesday retired from club football.</p><p>“This has not been an easy decision to make. After a lot of consideration, I have decided to retire from football,” Ramsey announced on social media.</p><p>Ramsey, who had made his international debut in 2008, said, “Firstly, I want to start with Wales. It has been my privilege to wear the Welsh shirt and experience so many incredible moments in it. It would not have been possible without the incredible input of all the managers I have played under and all the staff who have helped me in many ways.”</p><p>The 35-year-old midfielder, who last played in Mexico for Pumas UNAM a year ago, also thanked all the clubs he has represented. “… thank you to all the clubs I’ve been lucky enough to play for. Thank you to all the managers and staff that have helped me be able to live my dream and play at the highest level,” he said.</p><p>It is noteworthy that Aaron Ramsey was a pivotal contributor to Arsenal during the 2013–14 season, during which he netted a total of 16 goals across competitions. This included a decisive goal in the 2014 FA Cup final against Hull City. Furthermore, he participated in the 2015 FA Cup final, in which Arsenal emerged victorious, and he scored a second FA Cup-winning goal in 2017.</p><p>Later, he joined Juventus, where he won the league title during his very first season.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 07, 2026</p></div> #Aaron #Ramsey #Arsenal #Wales #player #retires

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Jack Draper announced on Wednesday he had been ruled out of the French Open with a knee injury.

It was a further setback for the 24-year-old British tennis player, a former world number four, following a longstanding arm injury that sidelined him for close to eight months.

Draper has managed just nine matches across five events since returning to competitive action in February and retired during his first-round clash with Tomas Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open earlier this month.

He was subsequently diagnosed with an aggravated knee tendon injury but had hoped to feature in the second Grand Slam of the year next month.

Draper has now decided against risking further injury on the clay at Roland Garros and will now try to regain full fitness ahead of the grass-court season, with Wimbledon starting on June 29.

“My knee is on the mend, and I’ve started back hitting balls, but, unfortunately, I have been advised not to play Roland Garros,” Draper wrote on Instagram. “As gutting as it is to miss another slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five-set tennis on clay.

“Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I’ve been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!”

Under a year ago, Draper was ranked in the world’s top four after winning the title at Indian Wells and finishing runner-up at another Masters 1000 event in Madrid.

But he now joins the injured Carlos Alcaraz in missing the French Open, with Draper likely to be outside the top 100 in the rankings when he does return.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Jack #Draper #ruled #French #Open #due #knee #injury">Jack Draper ruled out of French Open 2026 due to knee injury Jack Draper announced on Wednesday he had been ruled out of the French Open with a knee injury.It was a further setback for the 24-year-old British tennis player, a former world number four, following a longstanding arm injury that sidelined him for close to eight months.Draper has managed just nine matches across five events since returning to competitive action in February and retired during his first-round clash with Tomas Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open earlier this month.He was subsequently diagnosed with an aggravated knee tendon injury but had hoped to feature in the second Grand Slam of the year next month.Draper has now decided against risking further injury on the clay at Roland Garros and will now try to regain full fitness ahead of the grass-court season, with Wimbledon starting on June 29.“My knee is on the mend, and I’ve started back hitting balls, but, unfortunately, I have been advised not to play Roland Garros,” Draper wrote on Instagram. “As gutting as it is to miss another slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five-set tennis on clay.“Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I’ve been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!”Under a year ago, Draper was ranked in the world’s top four after winning the title at Indian Wells and finishing runner-up at another Masters 1000 event in Madrid.But he now joins the injured Carlos Alcaraz in missing the French Open, with Draper likely to be outside the top 100 in the rankings when he does return.Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Jack #Draper #ruled #French #Open #due #knee #injury

Deadspin | Matt Olson’s walk-off homer lifts Braves over Tigers Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Matt Olson delivered a long two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning against closer Kenley Jansen to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday. Ozzie Albies opened the inning with a walk and Olson followed with his ninth homer, a 397-foot shot to right-center field that landed in the Atlanta bullpen. It was the second straight outing in which Jansen (0-2) has allowed a walk-off homer. The win extended Atlanta’s winning streak over Detroit to nine games. The winning pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez (2-1), who worked the final two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits and struck out two. The loss ruined a fine effort from Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, who only allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Skubal gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven. Skubal appeared to tweak something in his left arm after throwing the first pitch to Olson to lead off the seventh. Manager A.J. Hinch rushed to the mound, all while Skubal was saying, “I’m fine.” After a couple of warm-up throws, he was left in the game. Skubal went on to strike out the side, fanning Olson, Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon. The Tigers scored twice in the second to tie the game. Wenceel Perez doubled, Jace Jung walked and Kevin McGonigle had an RBI single to center field, which extended his hitting streak to 13 games and his on-base streak to 25 straight when starting. Jung was able to race home with the tying run when Atlanta starter JR Ritchie threw errantly to first while trying to pick off McGonigle, hitting him in the back. Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on Riley Greene’s solo home run, his fourth, a 417-foot shot to straightaway center field. Ritchie pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks, striking out four. Dylan Lee followed and struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Matt #Olsons #walkoff #homer #lifts #Braves #TigersApr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Matt Olson delivered a long two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning against closer Kenley Jansen to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Ozzie Albies opened the inning with a walk and Olson followed with his ninth homer, a 397-foot shot to right-center field that landed in the Atlanta bullpen.

It was the second straight outing in which Jansen (0-2) has allowed a walk-off homer.

The win extended Atlanta’s winning streak over Detroit to nine games.

The winning pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez (2-1), who worked the final two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits and struck out two.


The loss ruined a fine effort from Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, who only allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Skubal gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven.

Skubal appeared to tweak something in his left arm after throwing the first pitch to Olson to lead off the seventh. Manager A.J. Hinch rushed to the mound, all while Skubal was saying, “I’m fine.” After a couple of warm-up throws, he was left in the game. Skubal went on to strike out the side, fanning Olson, Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon.

The Tigers scored twice in the second to tie the game. Wenceel Perez doubled, Jace Jung walked and Kevin McGonigle had an RBI single to center field, which extended his hitting streak to 13 games and his on-base streak to 25 straight when starting.

Jung was able to race home with the tying run when Atlanta starter JR Ritchie threw errantly to first while trying to pick off McGonigle, hitting him in the back.

Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on Riley Greene’s solo home run, his fourth, a 417-foot shot to straightaway center field.

Ritchie pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks, striking out four. Dylan Lee followed and struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Matt #Olsons #walkoff #homer #lifts #Braves #Tigers">Deadspin | Matt Olson’s walk-off homer lifts Braves over Tigers Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Matt Olson delivered a long two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning against closer Kenley Jansen to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday. Ozzie Albies opened the inning with a walk and Olson followed with his ninth homer, a 397-foot shot to right-center field that landed in the Atlanta bullpen. It was the second straight outing in which Jansen (0-2) has allowed a walk-off homer. The win extended Atlanta’s winning streak over Detroit to nine games. The winning pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez (2-1), who worked the final two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits and struck out two. The loss ruined a fine effort from Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, who only allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Skubal gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven. Skubal appeared to tweak something in his left arm after throwing the first pitch to Olson to lead off the seventh. Manager A.J. Hinch rushed to the mound, all while Skubal was saying, “I’m fine.” After a couple of warm-up throws, he was left in the game. Skubal went on to strike out the side, fanning Olson, Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon. The Tigers scored twice in the second to tie the game. Wenceel Perez doubled, Jace Jung walked and Kevin McGonigle had an RBI single to center field, which extended his hitting streak to 13 games and his on-base streak to 25 straight when starting. Jung was able to race home with the tying run when Atlanta starter JR Ritchie threw errantly to first while trying to pick off McGonigle, hitting him in the back. Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on Riley Greene’s solo home run, his fourth, a 417-foot shot to straightaway center field. Ritchie pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks, striking out four. Dylan Lee followed and struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Matt #Olsons #walkoff #homer #lifts #Braves #Tigers

Deadspin | Alexandre Texier lifts Canadiens to 3-2 series lead over Lightning Apr 29, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) blocks Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) from shooting in the first period during game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Alexandre Texier netted a tiebreaking goal early in the third period, and the visiting Montreal Canadiens took control of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series by holding off the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 5 on Wednesday night. The Canadiens grabbed a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series, and they head home to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday. Just 1:06 into the third, Texier took a long feed from defenseman Lane Hutson, skated into the left circle unobstructed and blasted a shot that deflected off goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy’s glove and in. Montreal fended off 2:33 with Vasilevskiy (21 saves) pulled for the extra skater. Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes wound up with 38 saves on the night. Brendan Gallagher and Kirby Dach also scored for the Canadiens, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21. Dominic James and Jake Guentzel found the net for the Lightning, who dropped to 1-2 on home ice in the series. Tampa Bay managed no shots over a span of 10:03 in the third, but they did test Dobes with 17 shots in the frame overall. After former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden fired up the crowd in the pregame, Montreal stemmed the enthusiasm three minutes in when Alex Newhook stole the puck in the neutral zone and drove the net on Vasilevskiy to create a rebound. The gritty Gallagher, scratched the first four games and inserted for Oliver Kapanen, followed it up for a lead. Following a failed Tampa Bay power play after Hutson went off for a delay of game in the second period, the home side had another man advantage for Arber Xhekaj’s roughing infraction. Vasilevskiy had to immediately stop Jake Evans’ breakaway attempt to start the Lightning’s third power play. James evened it 32 seconds after the power play ended, drilling his first career playoff goal by Dobes on the glove side. However, Dach tallied 11 seconds later when he worked his way around Gage Goncalves, kicked the puck to his stick through the crease and flipped in a shot for a 2-1 edge. Tampa Bay caught Montreal for the second time on a 2-on-1 and scored as Guentzel fired one through the Dobes’ pads at 17:23 of the middle period. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Alexandre #Texier #lifts #Canadiens #series #lead #LightningApr 29, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) blocks Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) from shooting in the first period during game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Alexandre Texier netted a tiebreaking goal early in the third period, and the visiting Montreal Canadiens took control of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series by holding off the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

The Canadiens grabbed a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series, and they head home to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday.

Just 1:06 into the third, Texier took a long feed from defenseman Lane Hutson, skated into the left circle unobstructed and blasted a shot that deflected off goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy’s glove and in.

Montreal fended off 2:33 with Vasilevskiy (21 saves) pulled for the extra skater. Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes wound up with 38 saves on the night.

Brendan Gallagher and Kirby Dach also scored for the Canadiens, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21.


Dominic James and Jake Guentzel found the net for the Lightning, who dropped to 1-2 on home ice in the series. Tampa Bay managed no shots over a span of 10:03 in the third, but they did test Dobes with 17 shots in the frame overall.

After former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden fired up the crowd in the pregame, Montreal stemmed the enthusiasm three minutes in when Alex Newhook stole the puck in the neutral zone and drove the net on Vasilevskiy to create a rebound.

The gritty Gallagher, scratched the first four games and inserted for Oliver Kapanen, followed it up for a lead.

Following a failed Tampa Bay power play after Hutson went off for a delay of game in the second period, the home side had another man advantage for Arber Xhekaj’s roughing infraction. Vasilevskiy had to immediately stop Jake Evans’ breakaway attempt to start the Lightning’s third power play.

James evened it 32 seconds after the power play ended, drilling his first career playoff goal by Dobes on the glove side. However, Dach tallied 11 seconds later when he worked his way around Gage Goncalves, kicked the puck to his stick through the crease and flipped in a shot for a 2-1 edge.

Tampa Bay caught Montreal for the second time on a 2-on-1 and scored as Guentzel fired one through the Dobes’ pads at 17:23 of the middle period.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Alexandre #Texier #lifts #Canadiens #series #lead #Lightning">Deadspin | Alexandre Texier lifts Canadiens to 3-2 series lead over Lightning Apr 29, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) blocks Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) from shooting in the first period during game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Alexandre Texier netted a tiebreaking goal early in the third period, and the visiting Montreal Canadiens took control of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series by holding off the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 5 on Wednesday night. The Canadiens grabbed a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series, and they head home to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday. Just 1:06 into the third, Texier took a long feed from defenseman Lane Hutson, skated into the left circle unobstructed and blasted a shot that deflected off goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy’s glove and in. Montreal fended off 2:33 with Vasilevskiy (21 saves) pulled for the extra skater. Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes wound up with 38 saves on the night. Brendan Gallagher and Kirby Dach also scored for the Canadiens, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21. Dominic James and Jake Guentzel found the net for the Lightning, who dropped to 1-2 on home ice in the series. Tampa Bay managed no shots over a span of 10:03 in the third, but they did test Dobes with 17 shots in the frame overall. After former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden fired up the crowd in the pregame, Montreal stemmed the enthusiasm three minutes in when Alex Newhook stole the puck in the neutral zone and drove the net on Vasilevskiy to create a rebound. The gritty Gallagher, scratched the first four games and inserted for Oliver Kapanen, followed it up for a lead. Following a failed Tampa Bay power play after Hutson went off for a delay of game in the second period, the home side had another man advantage for Arber Xhekaj’s roughing infraction. Vasilevskiy had to immediately stop Jake Evans’ breakaway attempt to start the Lightning’s third power play. James evened it 32 seconds after the power play ended, drilling his first career playoff goal by Dobes on the glove side. However, Dach tallied 11 seconds later when he worked his way around Gage Goncalves, kicked the puck to his stick through the crease and flipped in a shot for a 2-1 edge. Tampa Bay caught Montreal for the second time on a 2-on-1 and scored as Guentzel fired one through the Dobes’ pads at 17:23 of the middle period. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Alexandre #Texier #lifts #Canadiens #series #lead #Lightning

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