08262025 SPORTS

SPORTS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025

Carl ‘Flashy’ Hield’s pro fight postponed

Due to political unrest brawling between the USA and Venezuela

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Due to the political unrest brawling between the United States of America and Venezuela, Bahamas’ undefeated double super welterweight champion Carl “Flashy” Hield’s professional boxing championship fight in Caracas has been postponed.

The 39-year-old WBA Fedecaribe and National Boxing Association Super Welterweight champion was scheduled to fight Mexican Carlos Jimenez for the World Boxing Association’s FedeLatin title.

“While this is a minor setback, it has not shaken my focus or determination,” Hield said. “I am continuing to train at the highest level, staying disciplined and fully committed to the mission ahead.

“My eyes remain fixed on the bigger goal, my upcoming title fight in Barbados on October 25. Hopefully I can get my opponent to fight on that card.”

Hield, undefeated in his 12 professional fights, said they attempted to enter Venezuela on Sunday from Colombia where he’s been in a training camp.

He said he was informed that the border was closed,

but he could enter at his own risk.

He opted not to go and eventually the fight was postponed until a new date and venue is secured.

“Everything is God’s plan. God had a plan for me, so something came up,” he said.

“It was a setback for a major comeback, so it ain’t changed.

“I still have the title fight and the opponent. It’s just been postponed because the fight can’t take place in Venezuela.

“I just have to stay focused and keep training as I wait for a new location and venue.”

Hield said he will advise the public and his sponsors of the new date as soon as details are available.

In the meantime, he intends to return home to Nassau on Wednesday and get his three children, ready for their first day of school on Monday.

“I will be home for two to three weeks before I head off to training camp for my next fight on October 25 in Barbados,” Hield said. “Things happen for a reason. You can’t judge God. You just have to deal with it.”

Hield expressed his gratitude to everyone for their unwavering support and belief in his journey to get a world title fight by the end of the year or next year.

“Your encouragement continues to push me forward, even when challenges arise,” Hield summed up. “Thank you for standing with me. I look forward to making you proud in the ring once again.”

Chisholm Jr hits 100th home run of his career in win over Red Sox

By JONATHAN BURROWS

JASRADO “Jazz”

Chisholm Jr hit a career milestone on Sunday by hitting his 100th career home run in a game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.

Chisholm Jr also hit another home run in the eighth inning to push his career total to 101, which helped solidify the Yankees’ 7-2 win over the Red Sox.

Chisholm Jr’s milestone was bittersweet, as he revealed after the game that he had learned news of losing a personal friend the day prior.

“I lost my best friend yesterday, so today felt like a different day, especially with the 100th home run coming today and everything,” Chisholm Jr told ESPN after the game.

Chisholm Jr’s two home run game brought his season total to 24, matching his career high from last season.

He is now one of

Yankee players with at least 20 home runs

season.

COOPER Lutkenhaus, the 16-year-old recordbreaking sensation in the 800 metres, became one of the youngest U.S. runners to turn pro by signing with Nike yesterday.

The junior at Northwest High School in Justin, Texas, reached the decision after long talks with his family. The idea wasn’t really even on the radar

THE Local Organising Committee and the Bahamas Volleyball Federation were given high marks for hosting the 19th Caribbean Volleyball Championships, which was termed the “best organised tournament” in the history of CAZOVA. CAZOVA president Mushtaque Mohammed made those remarks as he sang the praises of the athletes, coaches and officials, who all expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for the professionalism, efficiency and warm hospitality demonstrated throughout the week-long championships.

The championships, held under the patronage of Oswald “Ossie” Moore and the late Jennifer “Jan” Mortimer, ended on Saturday night with Curacao being crowned the men’s champion for the first time, while Trinidad & Tobago regained their ladies’ title.

“Every detail was thoughtfully executed, ensuring that the competition was conducted at the highest standard,” Mohammed said. “The success of this tournament is a testament to your commitment, dedication and teamwork.

“The high benchmark that has been set in The Bahamas will serve as a model for future events across our region.”

From all indications, BVF president Kurkwood Greene said it was a very successful tournament.

“It was very important early on that we prepared ourselves so that our guests and the countries visiting had a great experience in a

until earlier this month at nationals when he ran in 1 minute, 42.27 seconds to finish second.

It was an under-18 world record and the fourthfastest of any age by an American. It also earned him a spot for world championships next month in Tokyo.

“I feel like it’s the right decision in our eyes to be able to compete against

Aug.

Grounds.

The draft is slated to be held for the team

selection for the All-Star Game and Community Family Fun Day that will be staged at 11am on Saturday, September 13. BASKETBALL BBSF TOURNAMENT THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is scheduled to hold a meeting 6pm Thursday, August 28 at its office upstairs in the

AUG. - See Page E2

RUNNER COOPER LUTKENHAUS TURNS PRO AT 16

the best in the world now,” Lutkenhaus said in an interview with The Associated Press.

“Wherever you go, you’re going to have the best competition in the world. It’s going to be really cool. It’s going to be a great learning experience I feel like the first year or two. We’re just super-excited to see what we can do.”

Lutkenhaus joins a list of young runners who have headed for the pro circuit early.

In January 2021, Erriyon Knighton signed with Adidas just shy of his 17th birthday and leading into the Tokyo Olympics. Sprinter Candace Hill was 16 when she signed a deal with ASICS in 2015. Another route young athletes are going these days is through name, image and likeness. But Texas has rules governing NIL deals for high schoolers who are not 17. Lutkenhaus turns 17 in December.

Teenage 400-metre sprinter Quincy Wilson signed an NIL deal with

New Balance in 2023. Last summer at 16, Wilson earned a gold medal at the Paris Olympics as part of the 4x400 relay. He ran the opening lap in the first round. It’s been quite a season for Lutkenhaus, who seems to break records each time he steps on the track. It all culminated at U.S. championships, where he ran 1:45.57 in the semifinals. That proved to just be a preview of things to come. He used a burst from about 200 meters to propel him into second place and

just behind winner Donavan Brazier. Lutkenhaus toppled the world under18 record of 1:43.37 that Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia set on Sept. 10, 2011. Lutkenhaus’ blistering time altered the game plan.

“At (the time of) 1:45, we had it all figured out,” his father, George, said with a laugh. “It’s hard to put a 1:42 guy on a high school track. In some ways that’s not fair to him and in other ways it’s not fair to the other kids, either.”

They sat down as a family to make the decision. This

is a family of athletes — his mom, Tricia, ran in high school and his dad competed at the University of North Texas. His older brother, Andrew, is a runner for Tulsa and his oldest brother, George Jr., swam at Adams State in Colorado. They were all there earlier this month in Eugene, Oregon, to watch him. “It almost felt like a mini-vacation, all of us in the hotel, just because it was super relaxed,” Cooper Lutkenhaus said. “We don’t get to spend as much time together anymore

compared to when they (his brothers) were in high school. So it’s always fun to have the full family together.”

Lutkenhaus, his family and his agent, Ray Flynn, are still working out his racing schedule going forward. Next up, though, will be the 800 starting line at worlds on Sept. 16. The final will be four days later. Joining him from the U.S. will be Brazier and third-place finisher Bryce Hoppel. He considers both his idols. “They’re super-nice guys,” Lutkenhaus said.

CARIBBEAN ONE OF THE GREATEST UNTAPPED REGIONS FOR SAILING TALENT IN THE WORLD

ONE year ago, Olympian Andrew Lewis of Trinidad & Tobago and Niels Broekhuizen, a multiple Dutch national champion and current Bahamas ILCA national coach, based in The Bahamas, presented a bold idea to World Sailing and leaders of the sport: the Caribbean is one of the greatest untapped regions for sailing talent in the world. With more than 25 nations, year-round tropical conditions, rich athletic potential, and a proud sporting culture, Lewis and Broekhuizen believed that the Caribbean could rise to become a global force in sailing.

The Bahamas at the Heart of the Vision When Lewis and Broekhuizen first approached national

governing bodies for sailing (NGBs) across the region to support and endorse the vision of a Caribbean Sailing Academy, responses were mixed. Yet from the very beginning, The Bahamas emerged as one of the strongest supporters, ready to lobby for the vision and showcase its year-round sailing paradise to the world. Earlier this year, The Bahamas hosted the first-ever ILCA Racing Clinic, bringing together 25 sailors from across the Caribbean and five from North America. The sold-out event prepared athletes for the Pan American Games and Junior World Championships, and signaled that the region was ready to compete with the best. That momentum carried through to the Asunción

2025 Junior Pan American Games, where nine athletes from five Caribbean nations and one sailor from the USA trained under Lewis’ guidance. The breakthrough came when Bahamian sailor Eliza Denning captured gold in the ILCA 6 event - an historic first for the Caribbean and a defining moment for Bahamian sailing.

“This result was achieved despite being underresourced, understaffed, and competing against much larger nations with far greater support,” said Lewis.

“It proves that the Caribbean not only belongs on the world stage, but has the power to become a dominant force.”

A Bahamian Perspective – Building Pathways Through Sailing

Speaking after the Games, Niels Broekhuizen, National ILCA Coach and programme director at Lyford Cay Sailing, reflected on what the medal means for The Bahamas:

“I have been a professional sailor and coach for over 15 years, and it is the potential of this region with world-class sailing conditions that brought me here.

“Even though sailing is the national sport of The Bahamas, too few opportunities exist for people to get out on the water.

“I hope this gold medal shows what is possiblenow is the time to build on strong foundations and be bold and focus on what we can truly excel at — and I believe sailing is one of those areas.

“Sailing can create pathways for Bahamian youth

- not only to Olympic success, but also to better education opportunities at private schools and universities, and to careers as skippers, boatbuilders, instructors, and technicians.

“None of this could have been done without the support of Lyford Cay Sailing, the Lyford Cay Charitable Trust, the Lyford Cay International School, the Bahamas Sailing Association, and many individuals who have promoted the sport of sailing for the last 20 years, thus setting the stage for this recent success.”

For Lewis and Broekhuizen, the vision extends far beyond a single medal.

The Caribbean The Sailing Academy project is seen as a driver of sport, education, tourism and economic opportunity.

With The Bahamas leading the charge, they are now calling on governments, federations and private partners to join in building sustainable programmes and opening doors for the next generation of sailors.

“This is just the beginning,” Lewis concluded.

“The Caribbean deserves its place as a powerhouse in world sailing - and together, we will build it.”

Special thanks go to the Olympic Committees and National Governing Bodies of Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Barbados, The Bahamas, and the USA for their invaluable support during the Junior Pan American Games. This achievement would not have been possible without your commitment and belief in the vision.

Bahamas Baptist College, Jean Street, for all churches

interested in participating in the 2025 Basketball Tournament. The tournament is scheduled for the weekend of September 26-27 at the CI Gibson Gymnasium for

the 12-and under and open divisions.

Each team will consist of 12 players. Trophies sponsored by AID will be distributed to the champions and runners-up in each

category as well as medals for the third-place teams. Interested persons can contact Sean Bastian at seanbasbastian@gmail.com or call 826-8535 or Brent Stubbs at stubbobs@gmail. com or call 426-7265 for more information.

TRACK MEET

THE Devynne Charlton

Barrier Breakers Foundation is scheduled to hold the Legends Track and Field Devynne Charlton Invitational on January 24, 2026 at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The event, which is expected to bring in a number of top athletes from around the world, will be held in honour of Charlton for her achievement as the world indoor two-time 60 metre hurdles champion and world record holder.

SOFTBALL

ESA FAST PITCH

CLINIC

THE Exuma Softball Association is scheduled to hold a softball fastpitch pitching clinic over the weekend of August 29-30 in George Town, Exuma. Friday’s session will run from 6-9pm and Saturday will be from 10am to noon and 6-9pm. Male pitchers Thomas Davis and Delano Cartwright and female

pitchers Mary “Cruise” Edgecombe-Sweeting and Marissa Lockhart as well as coach Desmond “Big Country” Dean will conduct the sessions. Interested persons can call 242-457-0180 for more details.

SOFTBALL

NPSA REGUAR

SEASON ACTION

THE New Providence Softball Association is scheduled to continue its regular season action this week in the Bankers’ Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with the following games on tap: Tuesday - 7pm - Ballers Elite vs Black Scorpions (L) Gremlins vs Titans (M) Thursday 7pm - Platinum Sharks vs Black Scorpions (L) 9pm - Gremlins vs Titans (M) Saturday 7pm - Ballers Elite vs Pool Sharks (L) 9pm - Gremlins vs Renegades (M) LEGENDS TRACK

CLASSIC

THE Baptist Sports Federation is slated to hold its 2025 Track and Field Classic during the Baptist month of activities on Saturday, October 25 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Odd distance events will be staged for competitors in the under-7, under-11, under-15, under-17, under20, under-40, under-60 and 60-and over categories for men and women. There will also be a Pastors/Ministers category. Trophies will be presented to the divisional champions and medals to the top three finishers in each event. Interested persons can contact Ann Thompson at ann87609@gmail. com or call 425-3667 or Brent Stubbs at stubbobs@ gmail,com or call

MEET THE Devynne Charlton Barrier Breakers Foundation is scheduled to hold the Legends Track and Field Devynne Charlton Invitational on January 24, 2026 at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The event, which is expected to bring in a number of top athletes from around the world, will be held in honour of Charlton for her achievement as the world indoor two-time 60 metre hurdles champion and world record holder. TRACK & FIELD

Jonquel Jones scores 18 to help New York to 81-79 win over Connecticut

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer BREANNA

NEW YORK (AP) —

Breanna Stewart scored 19 points in her return from injury and Jonquel Jones added 18 to help the New York Liberty beat the Connecticut Sun 81-79 on last night. Stewart missed the previous 13 games with a bone bruise in her right knee. She was limited to just 21 minutes, but made the most of them.

New York (23-15) trailed 59-58 heading into the final quarter before Jones hit a 3-pointer to get them going. The teams exchanged the lead over the next few minutes before the Liberty went on a 9-0 run to take a 74-66 lead with 3:47 left.

Sabrina Ionescu hit four three throws to get the run started and Emma Meesseman capped it with a layup. Connecticut (9-28) didn’t go away and got to 81-79 with 23.6 seconds left after Aaliyah Edwards hit two free throws.

STEWART HAS 19 POINTS IN RETURN FROM INJURY

Ionescu then ran the clock down before Stewart threw the ball away to Leila Lacan. She went the length of the court but Ionescu hustled back and stripped the ball from Lacan with 2.2 seconds left to seal the win. The Sun snapped their season-best three-game winning streak. Aneesah

JONQUEL Jones added 18 to help the New York Liberty beat the Connecticut Sun 81-79 last night. (AP

Morrow had 18 points and 15 rebounds to lead Connecticut.

New York built a 27-15 lead after one quarter as

Jones and Stewart staked them out to the big lead. Connecticut rallied behind Lacan, who was a last-minute addition to the lineup.

She was doubtful to play before the game because of an injury in her right eye suffered in the last game. She finished with 22 points.

DALLAS (AP) — A basketball card autographed by Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant has sold for nearly $13 million at auction, a record for any sports card. Heritage Auctions said there were 82 bids for the 2007-08 Upper Deck Logoman collection card before it sold Sunday for $12,932,000. That surpassed the $12.6 million paid for a 1952 Topps rookie card of baseball Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle at a Heritage auction in 2022. It was purchased by a group that included famed “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary, according to the memorabilia company.

The only card of its type, the Jordan-Bryant card features certified autographs of both players along with NBA patches from their game-worn uniforms.

The previous record for a basketball card was the private sale of a Stephen Curry 2009 Panini card for $5.9 million. The top mark at auction was a little more than $3.1 million for Luka Doncic’s 2018 Panini rookie card.

WARM WELCOME HOME FOR BILLIE JEAN KING CUP LADIES

THE Lynden Pindling International Airport was filled with cheers as the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) and proud parents welcomed home the nation’s Billie Jean King Cup team. The threewoman team went undefeated in the pool play round with four other countries going 3-0 to be promoted to Zone II for 2026, an historic achievement for Bahamian women’s tennis. The team consisted of Jalisa Clarke, Saphire Ferguson and Sydney Clarke.

With this patriotic achievement, the entire nation looks forward to seeing them continue to break barriers and inspire the next generation of Bahamian players.

Collier scores 32 in return, Lynx defeat Fever 97-84

By The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

— Napheesa Collier had 32 points and nine rebounds in her return from a sevengame absence and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever 97-84 on Sunday night.

Collier, who was the favorite to win WNBA MVP before she suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of a 111-58 win over Las Vegas on Aug. 2, shot 11 for 19 from the field. Courtney Williams had 14 points and 10 assists with no turnovers for Minnesota (30-7). Kayla McBride and Maria Kliundikova scored 13 points apiece.

Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana (19-18) with 26 points on 7-for-12 shooting and Shey Peddy scored a season-high 16. Aliyah Boston had 14 points and Natasha Howard scored 10. Aerial Powers had five points, five rebounds and three assists.

Caitlin Clark (groin) missed her 15th consecutive game for the Fever. The 2024 WNBA rookie of the year has missed 24 of the Fever’s 37 games this season due to various injuries.

STORM 84, MYSTICS 82

WASHINGTON (AP)

— Nneka Ogwumike hit a 15-foot jumper as time expired and finished with six 3-pointers and 30 points as Seattle beat Washington. Seattle (20-18) has won four of its last five following a six-game skid. Washington (16-22) has lost four games in a row. Sug Sutton hit a 3-pointer from the left wing to make it 82-all with 6.1 seconds left. Ogwumike caught a pass from Sklar Diggins near the right elbow and made a spinning fade-away jumper that bounced multiple times as it rolled around the rim and then dropped. Dominique Malongo had 17 points, 10 rebounds, the 19-year-old rookie’s fourth double-double this season, and three steals, and Skylar

Diggins added 10 points and 11 assists for the Storm. Shakira Austin made 10 of 15 shots from the field, 10 of 10 from the line and scored a career-high 30 points for the Mystics. Sonia Citron added 14 points, Kiki Iriafen scored 12 and Stefanie Dolson 11. Dolson

moved past Anne Donovan for second on the franchise’s all-time coaching wins list.

The Storm play the fourth of five consecutive road games Tuesday at Indiana. The Mystics play the Liberty in New York on Thursday.

VALKYRIES 90, WINGS 81 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Veronica Burton had 25 points, 13 assists and a career-high four blocks and Golden State beat Dallas, sending the Wings to their fifth straight loss.

Golden State (19-18) snapped a three-game skid and has a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Sparks for the eighth and final spot in the WNBA playoffs, which begin Sept. 14.

Iliana Rupert tied her career high with 17 points, Kaila Charles matcher her career best with 16 points and Kate Martin hit four 3-pointers and finished with 12 points for the Valkyries. Burton, who had her fourth double-double this season, made a layup with 7:53 to play that capped a 10-0 run and gave the Valkyries their biggest lead of the game at 69-55. Dallas (9-28) has lost 10 of its last 11.

(AP Photos/Abbie Parr

Malonga made a layup that gave Seattle its biggest lead at 35-21 with 7:28 remaining in the first half.

Noelle Quinn earned her 94th win for Seattle and

hit a 3 to cap an 11-1 run that cut Washington’s deficit to three late in the third quarter and Austin made a driving layup with 4:53 to go in the fourth quarter that gave Washington its first lead at 71-70. Iriafen finished with six rebounds and has a franchise single-season record 332. Crystal Langhorn held the previous record of 330, set in 2010.

Maddy Siegrist led the Wings with 16 points and Myisha Hines-Allen scored 15. Amy Okonkwo made her second WNBA appearance and added a career-high 12 points, and Grace Berger scored 11. Rookie Paige Bueckers had nine points on 3-of-12 shooting, grabbed a careerhigh tying nine rebounds and five assists.

16-year-old supersub scores

last-gasp winner for Liverpool to beat 10-man Newcastle

NEWCASTLE, England

(AP) — Sixteen-year-old

substitute Rio Ngumoha scored a sensational lastgasp winner as Liverpool overcame 10-man Newcastle 3-2 in a Premier League game for the ages on Monday.

Newcastle played the second half with 10 men after Anthony Gordon was sent off just before halftime. When Liverpool, 1-0 up at the break, went 2-0 ahead seconds into the new half it looked like game over for Eddie Howe’s depleted side.

But Bruno Guimarães’ header in the 57th minute gave it a lifeline and the crowd of 52,200 at St James’ Park erupted in the 88th when substitute William Osula got on the end of a long punt to poke the ball past Allison and level the scores.

Second-half injuries to Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Fabian Schar prompted at least 11 minutes of added time and, as Newcastle continued to pound Liverpool’s ragged rearguard, it looked like it might grab the most unlikely of winners.

However, Arne Slot’s late substitutions shifted

the balance again. Ngumoha was given his Premier league debut six minutes into added time and four minutes later the unmarked winger swept home the winner with aplomb.

The goal came four days before his 17th birthday and made him the fourth youngest scorer in Premier League history behind James Vaughan, James Milner, and Wayne Rooney.

“This is what makes the Premier League so special,” Slot said.

“Every fan around the world would have enjoyed watching this game of football, also because their fans were amazing. I’m not too sure it was a football match today. It was set-piece after set-piece, long throw after long throw.

“We didn’t collapse and stood strong. We didn’t play well enough on the ball. I don’t think there was so much open play.”

The action on the field overshadowed the behindthe-scenes drama that dominated the buildup to what has become one of the league’s most anticipated matchups.

Most of the pre-game debate surrounded the fate

of Newcastle’s unhappy striker Alexander Isak. The Sweden forward has been prolific for Newcastle over the last two seasons but he wants a transfer and has not played since the Saudi-owned club rejected

Liverpool’s 110 million pound bid this month. There was much talk about how Newcastle fans would confront the controversy, and before kickoff they unveiled a flag saluting coach Howe and a banner

with the pointed message: “Nothing Is Achieved Alone. We Are A City. A Whole Population.”

Gordon looked to step into the main striking role and was a fiery presence during a thrilling first half.

Against the run of play, Ryan Gravenberch scored his first Liverpool game in the league in 16 months. Gordon then made it worse for Newcastle by chopping down Virgil van Dijk from behind, his second red card in the league.

Hugo Ekitike, who Newcastle wanted to sign in the offseason, poked home his second Liverpool goal in two games straight after halftime and Newcastle fell into damage limitation mode.

Guimaraes launched the comeback but Ngumoha will take the plaudits after an unforgettable game.

“It’s a dream debut I’m very, very pleased for Rio,” Van Dijk said.

“He has to keep working hard, to stay humble but definitely have to enjoy this, because you can’t take these nights for granted. With the players we have in the squad, I’m sure he’ll be back in a hard training session tomorrow.”

The result left Liverpool as one of only three teams to win its first two games, along with Arsenal and Tottenham. Howe’s side has one point from its first two games.

VENUS WILLIAMS MAKES

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

women’s doubles alongside her younger sister, Serena, plus two in mixed doubles, earned a record five Olympic tennis medals and reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings. Through the years, both siblings transcended their sport and became much more than successful athletes. Serena, who won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, played her last match at the 2022 U.S. Open. The elder Williams was off the tennis

tour for 16 months until making a comeback at a tournament in Washington last month, where she won one match each in singles and doubles. She hadn’t competed anywhere since the Miami Open in March 2024, and had surgery for uterine fibroids later last year. The U.S. Tennis Association awarded wild cards to Williams for both the mixed doubles event last week and singles. She hasn’t won a match at the U.S. Open in singles

since 2019, when she got to the second round. Since then, Williams exited in the first round in 2020, 2022 and 2023, and missed the tournament in 2021 and 2024.

“I want to be my best, and that’s the expectation I have for myself: to get the best out of me. And that’s all any player can ask for,” Williams said Saturday, the day before the start of singles play at the U.S. Open. “I haven’t played as much as the other players, so it’s a different challenge when you’re dealing with that. So

Cal Raleigh’s record-setting home runs power Mariners to 11-4 win over Athletics

By The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 48th and 49th home runs, setting a single-season record for catchers, as the Seattle Mariners beat the Athletics 11-4 on Sunday.

The switch-hitting Raleigh hit his home runs in the first and second innings off Athletics left-handed starter Jacob Lopez (7-7), with the second homer giving the Mariners a 5-1 lead. Raleigh passed Salvador Perez’s total with the Kansas City Royals in 2021 to set the record.

Seattle turned the contest into a lopsided win in the third with a six-run inning that featured RBI singles from Victor Robles and Julio Rodriguez, as well as a two-run double by Josh Naylor. While Raleigh led the Mariners with four RBIs, Robles, Rodriguez and Naylor each knocked in two runs.

The Mariners’ offensive outburst was hardly needed for starter Logan Gilbert (4-5), who set a careerhigh with 13 strikeouts in six innings of one-run ball. Gilbert was efficient, too, walking just one batter before a trio of Seattle relievers combined to secure the Mariners’ 70th win of the season.

PIRATES 4, ROCKIES 0

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes pitched seven sparkling innings, and Pittsburgh beat Colorado for its fourth consecutive win.

Jared Triolo hit a threerun homer for Pittsburgh, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa had a run-scoring double. Triolo also went deep during Saturday night’s 5-1 victory over the lowly Rockies.

Skenes (8-9) allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked none. It was a much sharper performance by the right-hander than his previous start against Colorado, when he permitted four runs and five hits in five-plus innings in a nodecision at Coors Field on Aug. 2.

Pittsburgh outscored Colorado 18-1 while sweeping the weekend series between last-place teams.

Rockies right-hander McCade Brown (0-1) pitched 3 2/3 innings in his major league debut. He was charged with four runs and five hits.

BRAVES 4, METS 3 ATLANTA (AP) — Jurickson Profar drove in two runs with a basesloaded single with two outs in the eighth inning, sending Atlanta to a win over New York.

The Mets, who led 2-0, were denied their first sweep at Truist Park, which opened in 2017. New York’s last series sweep in Atlanta came at Turner Field in 2016.

Profar’s single gave Atlanta a 4-2 lead. Juan Soto hit an RBI single for New York in the ninth before Raisel Iglesias retired Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil with two runners aboard, earning his 22nd save.

The Mets fell a seasonhigh seven games back of the NL East-leading Phillies going into a three-game series between the teams beginning on Monday night at Citi Field.

In the eighth, Mets lefthander Gregory Soto (1-4) hit Vidal Bruján with a pitch to load the bases after giving up a single to Ozzie Albies and walking Sean Murphy. Profar’s go-ahead single landed in front of Cedric Mullins in center field.

New York’s Mark Vientos hit a two-run homer in the second. Vientos hit two of the Mets’ six homers in Saturday night’s 9-2 win.

David Peterson gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings, falling one out shy of giving

the Mets their third consecutive start of at least six innings.

Tyler Kinley (2-3) pitched the eighth for the win.

PHILLIES 3, NATIONALS 2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ranger Suárez struck out a career-high 11 in seven shutout innings and backup catcher Rafael Marchán provided all the offense for Philadelphia with three RBIs and the Phillies held on for a win over Washington. The Phillies have won six of seven and have a sevengame lead over the New York Mets in the NL East heading into their threegame series at Citi Field beginning Monday night.

Suarez (10-6) allowed only three hits. It was his second consecutive game with double-digit strikeouts after getting 10 against Seattle last week.

Marchan had a two-run double in the second inning and a bases-loaded walk in the third to pace the Phillies.

Orion Kerkering allowed Luis Garcia Jr.’s pinch-hit homer with one out in the ninth, but retired the final two batters for his fourth save.

The Phillies generated a lot of base runners off Washington starter Jake Irvin (8-9). Irvin lasted just 2 1/3 innings — the shortest outing of his Major League career — and allowed three runs and six hits.

ROYALS 10, TIGERS 8

DETROIT (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia homered to help Kansas City beat Detroit. The Royals improved to 28-14 in series finales this season. They are 9-4 when they are in danger of being swept.

John Schreiber (3-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win, and Carlos Estévez handled the ninth for his 34th save.

Riley Greene hit his 31st homer for the Tigers, who had won five straight and nine of 10. Jack Flaherty (7-13) was tagged for eight runs in five-plus innings.

The Royals scored six runs in the third inning after Flaherty retired the first two batters.

Luke Maile singled and scored on Mike Yastrzemski’s double. Bobby Witt Jr. made it 2-1 with an RBI single, and Pasquantino followed with a two-run homer. Garcia singled, Salvador Perez drove in Kansas City’s fifth run and Adam Frazier made it seven straight hits with an RBI double.

Jahmai Jones hit a threerun double for Detroit in the fourth, and the Tigers added three more runs in the fifth. Wenceel Pérez homered, and Zach McKinstry’s two-out RBI single made it 7-6 Detroit.

Flaherty departed after the Royals started the sixth with a pair of hits, and Tyler Holton allowed a two-run single to Kyle Isbel. Holton’s wild pitch allowed Isbel to score Kansas City’s ninth run.

Garcia homered in the seventh to make it 10-7, but Spencer Torkelson answered with a solo shot in the bottom of the inning.

ORIOLES 3, ASTROS 2

BALTIMORE (AP) — Gunnar Henderson and Luis Vázquez homered and Trevor Rogers worked seven strong innings as Baltimore beat Houston to avoid a series sweep. Rogers (7-2) allowed five hits and three walks and struck out nine. The 27-year-old left-hander moved past two Hall of Famers with his 1.40 ERA through the first 13 starts of a season. Hoyt Wilhelm set the club record with a 1.50 ERA in 1959, and was followed by Jim Palmer’s 1.55 ERA in 1975.

SEATTLE Mariners’ Cal Raleigh celebrates in the dugout with the trident after hitting a two-run home run against the Athletics during the second inning of a baseball game, breaking the record for singleseason home runs by a catcher at 49, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Keegan Akin struck out three in 1 2/3 scoreless innings for his third save. Henderson hit his 16th homer, a solo shot off Spencer Arrighetti (1-5) in the first, to give Baltimore the lead. Ryan Mountcastle had an RBI single in the sixth and Vázquez made it 3-1 in the seventh with his first big league homer. Arrighetti gave up two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings. John Rooney relieved Arrighetti in his debut and allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings. Craig Kimbrel struck out two in a scoreless inning in his first game with the Astros.

Jeremy Peña had an RBI single in the third and Victor Caratini drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth for Houston.

MARLINS 5, BLUE JAYS 3

MIAMI (AP) — Jakob

Marsee hit a bases-loaded triple and Eury Pérez pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning to lead Miami past Toronto.

Eric Wagaman homered and scored twice for Miami, and Agustín Ramírez had an RBI single. Pérez (6-3) was charged with two runs in six-plus innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Lake Bachar inherited two runners from Pérez in the seventh and allowed Daulton Varsho’s three-run homer that pulled the AL East-leading Blue Jays to 4-3. Varsho, who struck out twice in two at-bats against Pérez, sent a 424-foot drive over the center-field wall for his 15th homer.

Ramírez’s run-scoring single against reliever Yariel Rodríguez in the bottom half made it 5-3.

The Blue Jays threatened in the eighth when Bachar issued two-out walks to Nathan Lukes and Bo Bichette. Ronny Henriquez relieved and retired pinch-hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a popup in the slugger’s first appearance of the series. Guerrero missed the previous four games because of hamstring inflammation.

Tyler Phillips pitched a perfect ninth for his second save. Wagaman gave the Marlins their first lead of the series with his solo homer in the third. Marsee’s triple in the fifth extended it to 4-0.

Toronto starter Kevin Gausman (8-10) allowed four runs and seven hits while striking out seven in six innings.

WHITE SOX 8, TWINS 0

CHICAGO (AP) — Colson Montgomery homered for the third straight game, and Chicago beat Minnesota.

Edgar Quero drove in three runs for Chicago, and Kyle Teel had three hits and two RBIs. Mike Tauchman had two hits and scored twice from the leadoff spot.

The last-place White Sox posted their second straight win following stretch of seven losses in eight games. It was the team’s first series win against the Twins since July 2023.

Taj Bradley (6-7) was tagged for seven runs and nine hits in five innings in his first start with Minnesota. The Twins finished with five hits.

White Sox right-hander Yoendrys Gómez struck out six in 4 2/3 innings in his third career start. Brandon Eisert (3-5) got four outs for the win.

RANGERS 5, GUARDIANS 0 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rowdy Tellez and Joc Pederson homered, and Merrill Kelly earned his first win with Texas by pitching seven terrific innings as the Rangers beat Cleveland to sweep their three-game series.

Kelly (10-7) faced two batters in the eighth and struck out eight, the most in his five starts with Texas since being acquired from Arizona on July 31.

The Rangers (66-66) have won three straight for the first time since sweeping Atlanta from July 25-27. They’re back at .500 for the first time since Aug. 14.

Tellez hit a two-run homer in the fourth, and Wyatt Langford blooped a two-run single into shallow right field.

Pederson added a solo shot in the seventh.

The Guardians (64-65) were shut out on eight singles over the final 19 innings of the series and have lost four in a row overall, dropping below .500 for the first time since July 29.

Gavin Williams (8-5) allowed three runs on three hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. Williams leads the majors this season with 72 walks.

GIANTS 4, BREWERS 3

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Heliot Ramos hit a two-run single off Trevor Megill with two outs in the ninth inning and San Francisco rallied to beat Milwaukee.

streak ended after Jeremiah Estrada (4-5) gave up a homer for the second straight day out of San Diego’s usually formidable bullpen.

Shortly after Rushing’s third career homer, Freeman — who hit a tying solo shot in the sixth off Nick Pivetta — added a two-run blast off Wandy Peralta. Ohtani was hitless in the series until he crushed a fastball from Yuki Matsui.

Pivetta pitched six innings of two-hit ball with seven strikeouts, retiring 16 of 17 before Freeman’s first homer.

CUBS 4, ANGELS 3

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Nico Hoerner had an RBI double against former teammate Kyle Hendricks and Chicago beat the Los Angeles Angels to complete a three-game series sweep.

Hoerner and Matt Shaw each had two hits in backing right-hander Jameson Taillon (9-6), who allowed one run in five innings as the Cubs improved to 8-2 in winning their third straight series. Right-hander Daniel Palencia worked out of a ninth-inning jam for his 20th save.

The Giants trailed 3-2 when Matt Chapman hit a leadoff double and Luis Matos delivered a one-out single in the ninth. Megill struck out pinch-hitter Rafael Devers before walking Jung Hoo Lee to load the bases.

Ramos, who had been 0 for 12 over his last three games, then sent a 2-1 fastball back up the middle to drive in Chapman and Matos. Matos also hit a two-run homer as the Giants earned their first series victory since winning two of three at Pittsburgh from Aug. 4-6. Megill (5-3) has blown three of his last four save opportunities, though this was the first of those times the Brewers ended up losing the game.

Ryan Walker allowed a two-out single to Sal Frelick in the bottom of the ninth before striking out pinchhitter Anthony Seigler to earn his 11th save. José Buttó (4-3) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win. Caleb Durbin put the Brewers ahead 3-2 with a leadoff homer against Giants starter Robbie Ray in the fifth. Brandon Lockridge and Christian Yelich each had an RBI single for Milwaukee. The Brewers wore “UECK” rather than their own names on the back of their jerseys to pay tribute to Bob Uecker, whose life was celebrated in a starstudded pregame ceremony. Uecker broadcast Brewers games for 54 seasons before dying Jan. 16 at age 90.

DODGERS 8, PADRES 2 SAN DIEGO (AP) — Freddie Freeman homered in back-to-back innings, rookie Dalton Rushing hit a tiebreaking three-run shot in the seventh, and the Los Angeles Dodgers evened the NL West race once again with a victory over San Diego. Shohei Ohtani hit his 45th homer in the ninth inning and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-8) yielded four hits over six strong innings for the Dodgers, who salvaged the last game of their final regular-season series with the Padres after managing just two runs while losing the first two and falling out of first. The Southern California archrivals are now even at 74-57 with 31 games left.

Backup catcher Elias Díaz hit a two-run homer in the third, but the Padres’ five-game winning

Taylor Ward hit his 30th homer for the Angels, who fell to 2-7 since a threegame sweep of the Dodgers. Hendricks (6-9) gave up four runs on five hits over 4 1/3 innings with three walks and two strikeouts in his first start against his former club. He joined the Angels this season after 11 seasons with Chicago, where he played a key role in their 2016 World Series title.

REDS 6, DIAMONDBACKS 1

PHOENIX (AP) — Spencer Steer hit a three-run homer in Cincinnati’s five-run eighth inning, and the Reds avoided a sweep by topping Arizona.

Austin Hays had three hits for Cincinnati, and Noelvi Marte had two hits and scored two runs. Brady Singer struck out nine while pitching six innings of onehit ball.

The Reds (68-63) improved to 3-3 on a ninegame trip. They also moved within 1 1/2 games of the New York Mets for the third NL wild card. Arizona wasted a sharp performance by Zac Gallen, who struck out seven in six innings. The Diamondbacks finished with two hits.

Marte sparked the decisive sequence for the Reds with a leadoff single against Kyle Backhus (0-3). He advanced on Elly De La Cruz’s flyout and scored on Hays’ tiebreaking single off Juan Burgos. Following a Gavin Lux single, Steer hit a 397-foot drive to left for his 16th homer. TJ Friedl tacked on a two-out RBI single that gave Cincy a 6-1 lead.

Graham Ashcraft (8-5) pitched a scoreless inning for the win.

RAYS 7, CARDINALS 2 TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Junior Caminero hit his second career grand slam to power Tampa Bay to a victory over St. Louis after a 4-hour, 25-minute rain delay that emptied most of the announced crowd of 8,809 at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Rays (63-67) took two of three games in the series and are 5-5 over their last 10. The Cardinals (6467) finished a 3-3 trip to Miami and Tampa.

Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore, once a Rays prospect, walked Josh Lowe and Carson Williams to open the fifth inning. After getting one out, Liberatore issued another walk to Chandler Simpson that loaded the bases and ended his outing.

Matt Svanson entered and gave up Caminero’s 381-foot slam to right field on his first pitch.

19th Caribbean Volleyball Championships ‘best organised tournament’ in CAZOVA history

safe environment and we accomplished that,” Greene said. “We’ve gotten compliments from every single country that attended. It wasn’t a casual sort of congratulations, but they really took the time to express how they felt from the bus transportation to the hotel and to both venues for the competition and the training venues. So I’m extremely proud of that.”

Curacao won the men’s title in three sets over host Bahamas with Jamaica getting the bronze. Trinidad & Tobago won the ladies’ crown in four sets over the youth Barbados with Jamaica again claiming the bronze. The Bahamas’ ladies ended up sixth.

“I was extremely proud of The Bahamas women’s national team. They put themselves out there. It was a mixture of some experience and younger players,” Greene said. “At least the younger players got some experience to play at the highest level in our region.

“We’re hoping they will be able to build on that and be better next time around.”

As for the men, Greene said while they didn’t win as planned, they played a team from Curacao, who just wanted it a little more than The Bahamas.

But he said if there was consolation, the men’s team knocked off the defending champions Suriname in a big game in the semifinals on Friday.

Kirkwood Farquharson, who started out as the technical director, was one of the designated referees. So he relinquished a lot of his responsibilities to Peter Ferguson from the Exuma Volleyball Association and

Sherwin Major from the Grand Bahama Volleyball Association. Looking at both the organising and competition during the tournament, Farquharson said everything turned out very well.

“Everything went well. We had some challenges in the electronic scoring system at the beginning over the first two days because of an unstable internet service,” Farquharson pointed out. “But

eventually they got it sorted out and everything went very well.

“I must say that our volunteers worked very hard. We were limited on the numbers and after day three and going into day four, those young kids started to get tired. But some of the supervisors and managers were able to fill in where necessary and ensured that all of the protocols and everything with the event was met.”

Even though there were some times the teams and the fans were irate with some of the calls made by the referees, Farquharson said all of the teams were pleased with the officiating overall.

“It’s normal, especially when teams are trying to win, there will be a lot of tension,” Farquharson said. “But we didn’t have any major issues and everybody was pleased with the officiating.”

Mohammed also extended gratitude to the Government of the Bahamas and the various sponsors, whose support was invaluable in making this event a reality.

“Their contribution ensured that the championships were conducted with excellence and showcased the very best of our region,” he said. “Please accept our deepest thanks for your efforts, support, and partnership in advancing volleyball within the CAZOVA Zone.”

Mohammed noted that CAZOVA looks forward to continued collaboration as we build on this momentum and further strengthen our sport.

From this tournament, The Bahamas men have been invited to compete in the CAZOVA Final Four, which will take place shortly. More details are expected to be released shortly.

As for the BVF, Greene said they hope to build on the tournament by bringing more exposure to volleyball in the country.

He noted that they hope to organise volleyball for the Bahamas Games in 2026 and they look forward to having a beach volleyball tournament.

“The fans showed up and supported the tournament,” Greene said. “They have helped to rejuvenate the interest in the sport. So we are happy to have had the opportunity to host the event and we are looking for more support from the sponsors and individuals who have helped us.”