Texarkana Gazette | Professional Sports

Professional Sports

Palermo sets example for the return of tour-level tennis Local organizers and the WTA Tour have been vigilant about abiding by strict health protocols in order to hold this week's Palermo Ladies Open, the first tour-level tennis tournament for men or women in five months. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 2:04am

A's hold off Astros in 13th inning for seventh straight win The Oakland Athletics insist it's harder than it looks to score when an automatic runner gets to start on second base. It took them a while Friday night to finally do it, too. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 2:02am

Trout homers again on birthday, but Angels fall to Rangers The three-time AL MVP put the Angels up 2-0 in the first with his 444-foot drive over their bullpen in left-center. It was Trout's fourth homer in four games since rejoining the team after the birth of his first child, and his fifth overall this season. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 1:58am

Briscoe making case for promotion to NASCAR's top Cup level Briscoe began this season determined to race his way into a promotion to NASCAR's top Cup Series, figuring eight wins was his best path. He has won five so far and is second in the championship standings as the Xfinity Series heads Saturday to Road America in Wisconsin. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 1:57am

Amid pandemic, Hall of Fame Village plans move forward Instead of thousands of football fans converging on the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week, there might be dozens. The coronavirus pandemic ensured that when the hall's enshrinement ceremonies were postponed until next year, and the NFL canceled preseason games. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 1:56am

BASEBALL ROUNDUP | Rays hold Yankees to 2 hits in 1-0 win Pinch-hitter Michael Perez hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning on his 28th birthday, six Tampa Bay pitchers combined on a two-hitter and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the AL East-leading New York Yankees 1-0 on Friday night. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 1:54am

Zane Smith scores first NASCAR win in overtime at Michigan Zane Smith scored the first Truck Series win of his career Friday night with a last-lap pass in double overtime at Michigan International Speedway. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 1:52am

NHL ROUNDUP | Islanders top Panthers, 5-1, to advance in playoff prelims Anthony Beauvillier scored twice, and the New York Islanders beat the Florida Panthers 5-1 to clinch an NHL best-of-five preliminary round playoff series in four games on Friday. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 1:52am

Big start, fast finish gives Lydia Ko the lead at Marathon On a course with happy memories, Lydia Ko ran off four straight birdies to start her round and finished with birdies on her last two holes for a 6-under 65 and a one-shot lead going into the weekend at the Marathon Classic. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 1:30am

Li builds early lead at PGA Championship Still young, often inconsistent, forever fearless, Li Haotong is capable of just about anything on a big stage in golf. He was at his best Friday in the PGA Championship. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 12:36am

So far in MLB, West is best at avoiding COVID-19 disruption It was a rarity at the time and provided a very 2020-style photo op: Oakland's masked first baseman Matt Olson chatting with Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout, who was also masked as he prepared to run the bases. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 12:35am

White, Poeltl lead Spurs past short-handed Jazz, 119-111 Jakob Poeltl knew the Utah Jazz were going to try to take away the perimeter. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 12:33am

Newton embracing challenge and fresh start with Patriots Cam Newton is the first to admit he's still getting used to his new life as a member of the New England Patriots. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 12:32am

Orioles total 19 in 11-0 win at Nats Even Chris Davis got in on the act for the suddenly slugging Orioles, doubling his season total by collecting two of Baltimore's 19 hits and raising his average from .087 to .143 in an 11-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 12:30am

WATCH | Ex-Angels employee charged in overdose death of Tyler Skaggs A former Los Angeles Angels employee has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in connection with last year's overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, prosecutors in Texas announced Friday. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 12:24am

Phoenix Suns have been perfect so far The last time Devin Booker walked off the court as a winner in four consecutive games, these were the opponents: Hampton, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Notre Dame. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 12:21am

Keselowski still seeking first win at home track in Michigan Ford is on a nice little winning streak at Michigan International Speedway, although it may not feel that way to Brad Keselowski. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 12:18am

Marlins' 6-1 start is reminiscent of Perfectos Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly was talking about this week's doubleheader sweep at Baltimore that involved a parade of relievers, including several newcomers rescued from unemployment, and after naming three of them he drew a blank. by Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 12:18am

HOCKEY PLAYOFFS | Dubois caps hat trick in OT; Blue Jackets put Leafs on brink Pierre-Luc Dubois got his third goal of the game 18:24 into overtime, finishing the Columbus Blue Jackets comeback from three goals down to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on Thursday night and take a 2-1 lead in their playoff qualifying series. by Associated Press Published Aug. 7 2020 @ 12:43am

Harden's 39 help Rockets past short-handed Lakers 113-97 The Lakers scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 94-89 with about eight minutes to go. Houston had three turnovers and didn't score in the fourth until a layup by Harden with just more than seven minutes remaining to allow Los Angeles to make it close. by Associated Press Published Aug. 7 2020 @ 12:37am

McCaffrey: I should be No. 1 pick in Fantasy Football drafts He became only the third player in NFL history to post at least 1,000 rushing and receiving last season, rushing for 1,387 yards and hauling in 116 catches for 1,005 yards. He scored 19 touchdowns. by Associated Press Published Aug. 7 2020 @ 12:37am

Olson homers, Fiers gets first win as A's sweep Rangers The Oakland Athletics are on a roll with the rival Houston Astros coming to town at last. by Associated Press Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 10:23pm

More than 60 players opt out of NFL season A total of 66 players have opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly half of them linemen. by Associated Press Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 10:15pm