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Deadspin | Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto deals in return to Toronto vs. Blue Jays  Apr 7, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN;  Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images   Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched an effective six-plus innings Tuesday night and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1.   Yamamoto (2-1) allowed one run, five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in his first appearance back in the stadium where he was named World Series MVP last year after closing out Game 7.  Edwin Diaz pitched around a single and a walk in the ninth to earn his fourth save.  Alex Freeland had three hits for the Dodgers, who have won five in a row while the Blue Jays have lost six straight.  Los Angeles took a 2-0 lead in the third against Kevin Gausman (0-1), who opposed Yamamoto  in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series.   Hyeseong Kim, starting at shortstop after Miguel Rojas was a late scratch because of a family matter, opened with a double to right center. He took third when Freeland reached first on a sacrifice bunt. Gausman’s throw to first hit Freeland. Shohei Ohtani lined an RBI single high off the right field wall, and Freeland scored from third on Will Smith’s fielder’s choice.  Toronto manager John Schneider was ejected in the fifth for arguing a balk call on Gausman. That moved Kim, who led off the inning with a walk, to second. He scored on Freeland‘s single.   Mason Fluharty replaced Gausman with one out and two on in the sixth.  Gausman allowed three runs, five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.  Yamamoto retired 12 in a row before Andres Gimenez singled to right to lead off the home sixth. George Springer lashed an RBI double to right center with one out.   Freeland led off the seventh with a double, but Fluharty retired the next two hitters before Louis Varland replaced him to get the final out.  Kazuma Okamoto led off the Toronto seventh with a double to center. He took third on Ernie Clement’s bunt single to third. Alex Vesia replaced Yamamoto and walked pinch hitter Davis Schneider to load the bases. Vesia worked out of the jam with two shallow flyouts and a strikeout.  Los Angeles added a run in the ninth against Jeff Hoffman when Freeland reached second on a two-out infield hit and an error by catcher Brandon Valenzuela. Kyle Tucker brought him home with an RBI single.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Dodgers #Yoshinobu #Yamamoto #deals #return #Toronto #Blue #Jays

Deadspin | Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto deals in return to Toronto vs. Blue Jays
Deadspin | Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto deals in return to Toronto vs. Blue Jays  Apr 7, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN;  Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images   Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched an effective six-plus innings Tuesday night and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1.   Yamamoto (2-1) allowed one run, five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in his first appearance back in the stadium where he was named World Series MVP last year after closing out Game 7.  Edwin Diaz pitched around a single and a walk in the ninth to earn his fourth save.  Alex Freeland had three hits for the Dodgers, who have won five in a row while the Blue Jays have lost six straight.  Los Angeles took a 2-0 lead in the third against Kevin Gausman (0-1), who opposed Yamamoto  in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series.   Hyeseong Kim, starting at shortstop after Miguel Rojas was a late scratch because of a family matter, opened with a double to right center. He took third when Freeland reached first on a sacrifice bunt. Gausman’s throw to first hit Freeland. Shohei Ohtani lined an RBI single high off the right field wall, and Freeland scored from third on Will Smith’s fielder’s choice.  Toronto manager John Schneider was ejected in the fifth for arguing a balk call on Gausman. That moved Kim, who led off the inning with a walk, to second. He scored on Freeland‘s single.   Mason Fluharty replaced Gausman with one out and two on in the sixth.  Gausman allowed three runs, five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.  Yamamoto retired 12 in a row before Andres Gimenez singled to right to lead off the home sixth. George Springer lashed an RBI double to right center with one out.   Freeland led off the seventh with a double, but Fluharty retired the next two hitters before Louis Varland replaced him to get the final out.  Kazuma Okamoto led off the Toronto seventh with a double to center. He took third on Ernie Clement’s bunt single to third. Alex Vesia replaced Yamamoto and walked pinch hitter Davis Schneider to load the bases. Vesia worked out of the jam with two shallow flyouts and a strikeout.  Los Angeles added a run in the ninth against Jeff Hoffman when Freeland reached second on a two-out infield hit and an error by catcher Brandon Valenzuela. Kyle Tucker brought him home with an RBI single.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Dodgers #Yoshinobu #Yamamoto #deals #return #Toronto #Blue #JaysApr 7, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched an effective six-plus innings Tuesday night and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1.

Yamamoto (2-1) allowed one run, five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in his first appearance back in the stadium where he was named World Series MVP last year after closing out Game 7.

Edwin Diaz pitched around a single and a walk in the ninth to earn his fourth save.

Alex Freeland had three hits for the Dodgers, who have won five in a row while the Blue Jays have lost six straight.

Los Angeles took a 2-0 lead in the third against Kevin Gausman (0-1), who opposed Yamamoto in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series.

Hyeseong Kim, starting at shortstop after Miguel Rojas was a late scratch because of a family matter, opened with a double to right center. He took third when Freeland reached first on a sacrifice bunt. Gausman’s throw to first hit Freeland. Shohei Ohtani lined an RBI single high off the right field wall, and Freeland scored from third on Will Smith’s fielder’s choice.


Toronto manager John Schneider was ejected in the fifth for arguing a balk call on Gausman. That moved Kim, who led off the inning with a walk, to second. He scored on Freeland‘s single.

Mason Fluharty replaced Gausman with one out and two on in the sixth.

Gausman allowed three runs, five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

Yamamoto retired 12 in a row before Andres Gimenez singled to right to lead off the home sixth. George Springer lashed an RBI double to right center with one out.

Freeland led off the seventh with a double, but Fluharty retired the next two hitters before Louis Varland replaced him to get the final out.

Kazuma Okamoto led off the Toronto seventh with a double to center. He took third on Ernie Clement’s bunt single to third. Alex Vesia replaced Yamamoto and walked pinch hitter Davis Schneider to load the bases. Vesia worked out of the jam with two shallow flyouts and a strikeout.

Los Angeles added a run in the ninth against Jeff Hoffman when Freeland reached second on a two-out infield hit and an error by catcher Brandon Valenzuela. Kyle Tucker brought him home with an RBI single.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Dodgers #Yoshinobu #Yamamoto #deals #return #Toronto #Blue #Jays

Apr 7, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched an effective six-plus innings Tuesday night and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1.

Yamamoto (2-1) allowed one run, five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in his first appearance back in the stadium where he was named World Series MVP last year after closing out Game 7.

Edwin Diaz pitched around a single and a walk in the ninth to earn his fourth save.

Alex Freeland had three hits for the Dodgers, who have won five in a row while the Blue Jays have lost six straight.

Los Angeles took a 2-0 lead in the third against Kevin Gausman (0-1), who opposed Yamamoto in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series.

Hyeseong Kim, starting at shortstop after Miguel Rojas was a late scratch because of a family matter, opened with a double to right center. He took third when Freeland reached first on a sacrifice bunt. Gausman’s throw to first hit Freeland. Shohei Ohtani lined an RBI single high off the right field wall, and Freeland scored from third on Will Smith’s fielder’s choice.

Toronto manager John Schneider was ejected in the fifth for arguing a balk call on Gausman. That moved Kim, who led off the inning with a walk, to second. He scored on Freeland‘s single.

Mason Fluharty replaced Gausman with one out and two on in the sixth.

Gausman allowed three runs, five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

Yamamoto retired 12 in a row before Andres Gimenez singled to right to lead off the home sixth. George Springer lashed an RBI double to right center with one out.

Freeland led off the seventh with a double, but Fluharty retired the next two hitters before Louis Varland replaced him to get the final out.

Kazuma Okamoto led off the Toronto seventh with a double to center. He took third on Ernie Clement’s bunt single to third. Alex Vesia replaced Yamamoto and walked pinch hitter Davis Schneider to load the bases. Vesia worked out of the jam with two shallow flyouts and a strikeout.

Los Angeles added a run in the ninth against Jeff Hoffman when Freeland reached second on a two-out infield hit and an error by catcher Brandon Valenzuela. Kyle Tucker brought him home with an RBI single.

–Field Level Media

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IPL 2026: ‘Difference was four sixes … we couldn’t find that,’ laments MI coach Jayawardene after loss <div id="content-body-70836997" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Mahela Jayawardene conceded that his team’s bowling plans failed, particularly early on, in its Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 defeat to Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.</p><p>Royals’ openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi blazed their way to 80 runs from just five overs in the rain-shortened game. The away team never recovered from the early burst and later slid to a 27-run defeat.</p><p>“We had some plans [for Jaiswal and Suryavanshi], but I don’t think we executed those,” admitted Jayawardene at the post-match press conference on Wednesday.</p><p>“The margins are very small. These guys are practising really well. We knew the danger, especially when it is rain-curtailed, and they have the license to go up front. I think we missed our line and lengths, and they played really well,” said Jayawardene.</p><p>The former Sri Lankan captain also pointed out that his side could have dragged the game closer with a better performance with the bat.</p><p>“We just needed a couple of partnerships. We lost a few early wickets and lost the momentum. If you look at the end, the difference was four sixes. It was four hits for us, [but] we just couldn’t find that.</p><p>“And that without us getting into a rhythm or someone getting a quick 30 or 40 up top. We never thought that it was out of our reach. So, those were the margins. I think they played a really good game today. We were not good enough, and that’s what we have to work on,” said Jayawardene.</p><p>The MI coach also added that left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner was rested on Tuesday as a precaution. “Mitch had a little niggle when he came off during the last game. So, it was a precaution that he wasn’t 100 per cent for him to play this game. But hopefully, he’ll be fit for our next game.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 08, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Difference #sixes #couldnt #find #laments #coach #Jayawardene #loss

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Champions League QF, 1st leg: Bayern Munich beats Real Madrid 2-1 as Kane rules the roost vs Mbappe <div id="content-body-70836971" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Bayern Munich took control of its Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the ‌Santiago Bernabeu, earning a slender first-leg advantage after a high-tempo contest in the Spanish ​capital.</p><p>Vincent Kompany’s side struck just before half-time when Serge Gnabry slipped a precise pass through ⁠for Luis Diaz, who beat the offside trap and fired low past keeper Andriy Lunin in the 41st minute.</p><p>Bayern doubled its lead seconds after the restart as Michael Olise squared for Harry Kane to finish neatly from the edge of ‌the box following a swift counterattack.</p><p>Real improved after the hour, and Kylian Mbappe pulled one back in the 74th minute, turning in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low cross at the far post.</p><p>Manuel ‌Neuer then denied Mbappe and Vinicius Jr with a series of sharp saves as the host pressed ⁠for an equaliser that never came, as Bayern headed home with a slender yet significant ⁠advantage.</p><p>The winner of the two-legged tie will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool, who play their first leg on Wednesday, in the semifinals.</p><p>“We came out for the second half and conceded a goal straight away. Both goals we conceded were gifts. Both sides ​had plenty of chances but Bayern’s best ‌player today was Neuer. In the end, that’s how it goes,” Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger told Movistar Plus.</p><p>Bayern imposed itself from the outset and went close to scoring in the ninth minute, only for Alvaro Carreras to produce a goal-line clearance to deny Dayot Upamecano from point-blank range after Real ‌failed to clear their lines.</p><p>The visiting side dominated possession in the first half, seeing more than 65 per cent ​of the ball as Alvaro Arbeloa’s side dropped into a deep defensive block and looked to break on the counter.</p><p>Real nonetheless created chances. Vinicius forced a superb one-handed save ⁠from Neuer in the 17th minute, the Bayern goalkeeper tipping away a low drive from the edge of the box at full stretch.</p><h4 class="sub_head">REFLEX SAVE</h4><p>Mbappe squandered two openings soon after and was denied again in the 29th minute ‌by an outstanding reflex save from Neuer.</p><p>Bayern made the breakthrough four minutes before the interval following a slick passing move. Kane and Gnabry exchanged quick passes before Gnabry slipped a perfectly weighted ball through the centre for Diaz, who slipped behind the defence and drilled a low finish inside the right post in the 41st minute.</p><p>The German side doubled its lead seconds after the restart. Carreras lost possession in midfield, and Bayern countered swiftly as Kane, unmarked on the edge of the area, finished calmly just inside the right ‌post.</p><p>It was Kane’s 49th goal of the season and his 11th in the Champions League.</p><p>Real responded with urgency. Vinicius burst clear ​after an error from Upamecano in the 60th minute but dragged his shot wide as Neuer rushed out to narrow the angle.</p><p>The goalkeeper then produced another fine one-handed save to ⁠deny Mbappe in the 65th minute and moments later watched the France forward pull an angled effort wide after ⁠clever play from Vinicius.</p><p>Mbappe pulled one back in the 74th minute, with the referee ruling the ball had crossed the line despite Neuer appearing to get a hand to the shot.</p><p>Neuer remained ‌defiant, blocking a fierce strike from Vinicius in the 81st minute and holding an Eder Militao curler shortly afterwards, while Mbappe sent another effort narrowly wide in the 89th minute as Real poured ​forward.</p><p>Bayern wasted chances to extend its lead on the break but returned home with the advantage after a compelling first leg.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 08, 2026</p></div> #Champions #League #1st #leg #Bayern #Munich #beats #Real #Madrid #Kane #rules #roost #Mbappe

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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