Webb Weaves Gem as Giants Blank Dodgers 4-0
Logan Webb struck out 10 batters and pitched 7.2 scoreless innings Friday night to lift the Giants over the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS. Buster Posey launched a two-run homer, and Kris Bryant and Brandon Crawford each added a dinger to help the Giants beat the defending World Series champs in the series opener.
Mercury Launches into the WNBA Finals
Brittney Griner had an epic block against A’ja Wilson with .7 seconds to play to secure the Phoenix Mercury’s 87-84 win over the Las Vegas Aces, punching their ticket to the WNBA Finals. Diana Taurasi put up 14 of her 24 points in the fourth, bringing the Mercury back from an eight-point deficit at the beginning of the quarter. Phoenix will play Game 1 against the Chicago Sky at home on Sunday at 3 pm EST.
Brewers Beat Braves 2-1 Behind Tellez HR
Rowdy Tellez launched a two-run homer in the seventh inning, giving Milwaukee just what it needed to win Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday night. The Braves’ Charlie Morton had pieced together a solid six-inning, 9 K performance, but Tellez’s bat sent the Brew Crew into the win column.
Boston’s Bats Come Alive in 14-6 Win over Tampa Bay
After a rough start for pitcher Chris Sale, the Red Sox evened up the ALDS on Friday night with a historic night at the Trop. Boston got major production from the heart of their lineup, as the second through sixth hitters each launched a homer, including J.D. Martinez, who made his return from an ankle injury that had kept him out of the playoffs thus far.
Astros Surge in Seventh, Beat White Sox 9-4
Chicago is heading home to Guarantee Rate Park staring down elimination. Houston had a huge seventh inning as the bats lit up and Yordan Alvarez drove in the go-ahead run, busting a tie and scoring five to put them up 2-0 in the series.
Finger Injury Sidelines Russell Wilson for 4-8 Weeks
In Week 6, the Seattle Seahawks will be missing Russell Wilson under the snap for the first time since 2007. The team confirmed that the All-Pro QB had surgery on Friday to repair a ruptured tendon on his throwing hand that he experienced during Seattle’s 26-17 loss on Thursday, and will miss four to eight weeks. Veteran QB Geno Smith, who had a solid performance off the bench, will get the start next week.
Barkov, Panthers Agree to $80M Extension
Aleksander Barkov is Florida’s highest-paid player of all time. The 26-year-old sensation won last season’s Selke Trophy, which is awarded to the league’s best defensive forward and is widely held as one of the best at his position in the league. Sources say that the Finnish center, who was drafted by the team in 2013, inked an $80 million contract that will keep him in Miami for the next eight years.
DeMaurice Smith to Stay on as NFLPA Boss
Smith will retain his role as the Executive Director of the NFL players’ union; however, The Athletic reports that it will be his final term and a succession plan will be put in place. Smith won the 32-man players’ vote 22-8, securing the two-thirds required. He has held the position since 2009.
Sporting Kansas City’s Hernandez Suspended for Betting on MLS Games
The young midfielder revealed his past bets to the team, as he was concerned for his personal safety due to the debts he owed as a result. Following an investigation launched by the league into the matter, it has been revealed that Hernandez bet on two MLS games, in which his team was not playing. He has been suspended for the remainder of the season without pay.
NFL Draws Highest Viewership in Six Years
It’s been a wild start to the 2021 NFL season, and fans are tuning in at record rates. Nielsen data show that an average of 17.3 million viewers per game, an increase of 17% over last season’s figures. Tom Brady’s return to Gillette yielded the highest number with 28.5 million tuning in for the showdown against the Patriots.
Wilder Teams up with Everlast for Custom NFT
On the heels of Oleksandr Usyk’s shocking win over Anthony Joshua two weeks ago, all eyes are on Vegas tonight for Wilder-Fury 3. In advance of the heavyweight showdown, Everlast announced that they are releasing a limited-release NFT to commemorate the event. The digital collectible will feature the customized gloves that Deontay Wilder is set to wear, and will be released exclusively on Blockparty.