Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Capitals' Alex Ovechkin plans to return for 21st NHL season
After a season when he became the NHL's all-time goal-scoring leader, Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin said Saturday he still has more to give to the game and will return for his 21st NHL season in 2025-26 at the age of 40. The Capitals were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs Thursday and two days later, the team captain said he is not going anywhere. The Russian has one more season remaining on a five-year, $47.5 million contract.
Golf-Scheffler storms home, leads PGA Championship by three
Scottie Scheffler capped the third round of the PGA Championship in style to grab a three-shot lead over Sweden's Alex Noren on Saturday at Quail Hollow Club where the world number one has a third major title in his grasp. Scheffler followed a back-nine eagle with a birdie and then picked up two more strokes over the tricky three-hole closing stretch known as the Green Mile for a six-under-par 65 that was the day's low round and brought him to 11 under on the week.
Royals place starters Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo on IL
The Kansas City Royals' starting rotation took a hit Saturday when left-hander Cole Ragans and right-hander Seth Lugo both were placed on the 15-day injured list. Ragans is dealing with a left groin strain, while Lugo has a third finger sprain, with his IL move retroactive to Wednesday.
Tennis-Home favorite Paolini downs Gauff to clinch Italian Open
Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian woman to win the Italian Open in 40 years when she beat American world number three Coco Gauff 6-4 6-2 in the final on Saturday. It was Paolini's biggest claycourt title and her second 1000-level crown, with the 29-year-old from Tuscany having won the Dubai Championships last year.
Basketball-Cloud nine: Liberty's new guard dazzles in New York debut
Natasha Cloud made a dream debut with the Liberty on Saturday, helping power the defending champions past their old foes Las Vegas Aces 92-78 in front of a packed house at New York's season opener. A gritty defender with exceptional speed, Cloud was exactly as fans had hoped when New York snatched her up from the Phoenix Mercury in the offseason, draining 22 points, while the twice MVP Breanna Stewert led the scoring for the Liberty with 25.
Orioles dismiss manager Brandon Hyde
The Baltimore Orioles fired manager Brandon Hyde on Saturday. The Orioles have gone from a playoff team the past two seasons to second to last in the American League. Only the Chicago White Sox (14-31) have a worse record than Baltimore (15-28) in the AL.
Fever F-G Sophie Cunningham (ankle) misses opener vs. Sky
Indiana Fever wing Sophie Cunningham missed the team's season-opening game on Saturday against the visiting Chicago Sky due to an ankle injury. Cunningham sustained the injury in the preseason finale against the Atlanta Dream on May 10. She lobbied to play but was turned down by Fever coach Stephanie White.
For Josh Berry, competitive performance is antidote to frustration
After his victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the fifth NASCAR Cup Series race of the season, Josh Berry's luck went from bad to worse. On March 30 at Martinsville Speedway, Berry led 40 laps before electrical problems in his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford -- necessitating a battery change -- dropped him to 32nd at the finish.
Twins' Byron Buxton joins teammate Carlos Correa on concussion list
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton was placed on the 7-day concussion list on Saturday, two days after colliding with shortstop Carlos Correa during a 4-0 win over the host Baltimore Orioles. Buxton entered concussion protocol Thursday and remained there until Minnesota placed him on the concussion list prior to Saturday's game against the host Milwaukee Brewers. The move is retroactive to Friday.
MLB roundup: Wilmer Flores (3 HRs, 8 RBIs) powers Giants
Wilmer Flores set career highs with three homers and eight RBIs as the San Francisco Giants spoiled the Athletics' first return to the Bay Area representing West Sacramento with a 9-1 shellacking on Friday. Flores launched a grand slam off A's starter JP Sears (4-3) in the third inning, a three-run shot off Michel Otanez in the sixth and a solo blast off Anthony Maldonado in the eighth, helping the Giants win for https://allpinoynews.com/ just the second time in the past seven games. The eight RBIs were two more than the six Flores had produced on three occasions. The slam was the seventh of his career, and he leads San Francisco with 10 homers.
