Sports
Avalanche defeat Stars, as Brent Burns makes history
Apr 4, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (84) looks on during the first period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Martin Necas scored with 9:21 left in the game, as the visiting Colorado Avalanche blanked the Dallas Stars, 2-0, on Saturday.
Nathan MacKinnon added his NHL-leading 51st goal with 58 seconds remaining.
The top two teams in the Central Division and the Western Conference split four meetings this season. This was the first result that did not require a shootout.
Necas’s winner came off assists from Artturi Lehkonen and Devon Toews. The Avalanche kept the puck in the zone off a failed Dallas clear. Toews sent the puck into the middle to Lehkonen, who worked into some space in the middle of the ice before finding Necas on the back doorstep for the easy tap-in.
Necas’s goal was his 36th of the season, a career high. His 14 goals since the Olympics break are tied for second in the league. Toews’s assist was the 300th point of his career.
It was the fifth straight road win for Colorado (50-15-10, 110 points), which is on the verge of clinching the Presidents’ Trophy. It was also a good response, particularly defensively, to a sloppy 8-6 home defeat to Vancouver on Wednesday.
Scott Wedgewood made 17 saves for his third shutout of the season. He came into the game with an NHL-leading 2.19 goals against average and .916 save percentage and improved to 28-6-6.
For Dallas (45-20-12, 102 points), which fell to 3-6-2 since a 14-0-1 run skyrocketed them up the standings, Casey DeSmith matched Wedgewood save for save through two and a half periods. He made 20 stops, but fell to 0-4-1 in his last five.
MacKinnon provided insurance with an empty-netter. He’s third in the league with 122 points. Necas assisted, giving him a career-high 58 assists and 94 points.
Colorado defenseman Brent Burns became just the second NHL player ever, and first blueliner, to play 1,000 consecutive games. The 2017 Norris Trophy winner, while with San Jose, Burns has not missed a game in 12 years and 138 days, dating back to November 17, 2013.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Garrett Mitchell lifts Brewers over Royals
Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman David Hamilton (6) throws to first base over Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images Garrett Mitchell doubled, homered, and racked up five RBIs for the visiting Milwaukee Brewers in a 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday.
Luis Rengifo was 2-for-5 with two doubles and a run, and Christian Yelich was 2-for-5 with two runs for the Brewers. Jac Caglianone was 2-for-3 with a walk, and Lane Thomas and Bobby Witt Jr. each had an RBI for the Royals.
Milwaukee starting pitcher Chad Patrick (1-0) picked up the win as he went five innings, gave up four hits, walked three, and struck out three. Luinder Avila (0-1) took the loss for the Royals, as he only lasted three innings, surrendered eight hits, five runs, walked three, and struck out four.
Trevor Megill threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save of the season for MIlwaukee which won its third straight game.
The Brewers jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Mitchell drove a high fast ball to the wall in right center field that plated Rengifo and Yelich in the first inning. In his next at bat, Mitchell launched Avila’s hanging curveball deep over the right field fence for a three-run home run, as Milwaukee extended its lead to 5-0 in the top of the third.
Vinnie Pasquantino led off the sixth inning with a single and advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch by Milwaukee reliever Aaron Ashby. After a Salvador Perez ground out, Jac Caglianone’s infield single placed runners on the corners for the Royals with one out.
But Ashby struck out both Starling Marte and Isaac Collins to end the Royals’ threat.
In the bottom of the seventh, Kansas City finally got on the board when pinch hitter Thomas lined an RBI double into the left field corner that scored Nick Loftin as the Royals cut their deficit to 5-1. Maikel Garcia’s ground out to first moved Thomas to third. Witt’s sizzling one-hooper to second base led to an infield RBI single and the Royals pulled closer at 5-2.
Megill issued walks to Thomas and Witt in the bottom of the ninth but struck out Pasquantino looking to end the threat.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cubs-Guardians postponed by weather; doubleheader Sunday
Jul 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Progressive Field during a rain delay before a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Colorado Rockies. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images The Cleveland Guardians’ home game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday was postponed due to inclement weather, with a traditional doubleheader scheduled for Sunday at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Slated to start Saturday for the Cubs, right-hander Edward Cabrera is listed as Sunday’s Game 1 starter. Left-hander Parker Messick is listed as the Guardians’ Game 1 starter. The Game 2 starters have not been announced.
Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter, who entered Saturday tied for the major league lead with five home runs, belted a two-run shot in Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Cubs in the series opener.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Dodgers SS Mookie Betts (back) exits in first inning vs. Nationals
Apr 4, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images Los Angeles Dodgers star shortstop Mookie Betts exited in the middle of the first inning of Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals due to right lower back pain, the club said.
Betts apparently was injured while the running the bases. He drew a walk and scored on Freddie Freeman’s two-run double. Betts slowly walked toward the Dodgers’ dugout after scoring.
A further update is expected after the contest.
Betts, 33, is batting just .179 (5-for-28) with two homers and seven RBIs in eight games.
Miguel Rojas replaced Betts at shortstop.
–Field Level Media
Garrett Mitchell lifts Brewers over Royals
Cubs-Guardians postponed by weather; doubleheader Sunday
