Sports
Blue Jays hold on to get one back from Guardians
Apr 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto (7) hits a home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images Kevin Gausman pitched an effective 6 2/3 innings, Kazuma Okamoto homered and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting Cleveland Guardians 5-3 on Saturday afternoon.
Gausman (2-1) allowed two runs, six hits and no walks with three strikeouts.
Louis Varland allowed one run on two singles and a double in the ninth to pick up his second save.
Andres Gimenez keyed a three-run sixth with a two-run double to help the Blue Jays gain a split of the first two games of the three-game series.
David Fry hit a solo homer for the Guardians.
Cleveland scored once in the third against Gausman. Juan Brito led off with a double to left, took third on a groundout and scored on Brayan Rocchio’s groundout to shortstop.
Okamoto led off the home fourth with a home run to center on a 1-1 fastball against Joey Cantillo (1-1).
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off the sixth with a single to right, stole second and took third on Okamoto’s single to left. Matt Festa replaced Cantillo. With one out, Daulton Varsho’s grounder to second squirted past Brito for an RBI single. Gimenez blooped a two-run double down the left-field line.
Cantillo allowed three runs, six hits and one walk while striking out four in five-plus innings.
Cleveland got one run back when Fry hit a first-pitch slider to left with one out for his first homer of the season. Mason Fluharty replaced Gausman with two outs in the seventh.
Toronto loaded the bases with none out in the seventh against Peyton Pallette when Myles Straw and Ernie Clement singled and Guerrero walked. Okamoto walked to force in the only run of the inning.
Cleveland rallied in the ninth against Varland. Rhys Hoskins and George Valera singled with one out. Pinch hitter Kyle Manzardo stroked an RBI double to left. Brito walked to load the bases before Varland struck out the next two batters.
Cleveland’s Steven Kwan was a late scratch with a stiff neck.
Toronto put Nathan Lukes on the injured list with a strained left hamstring. Outfielder Yohendrick Pinango was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Atlanta United snaps losing streak with win over Toronto FC
Apr 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Atlanta United FC midfielder Luke Brennan (20) keeps th eball in play as Toronto FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes (8) defends during the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Alexey Miranchuk deposited a terrific free-kick goal, Tristan Muyumba powered in the eventual game-winner and visiting Atlanta United snapped a four-match losing streak with a 2-1 win over Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon.
In a game light on shots on target, goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos recorded one save for Atlanta (2-7-1, 7 points), which ended an 0-4-1 rut and won for the first time since March 14.
Emilio Aristizabal had his first MLS goal for Toronto FC (3-3-4, 13 points), but they could not equalize and lost for the first time since February 28, a seven-match span.
Atlanta’s Ajani Fortune drew a foul early in the second half to set up a close-range free kick that produced the opening goal. Miranchuk sent a left-footed shot over the Toronto wall and tucked it just under the crossbar in the top-left corner in the 48th minute.
It was the Russian’s team-high fifth goal of the season.
The Five Stripes’ second scoring sequence in the 67th minute was critical, as the two-goal cushion lasted only four minutes.
On the attack, Cooper Sanchez sent a ball ahead for former U.S. national Fafa Picault, who tapped a side-heel pass behind him for Muyumba. The defender uncorked a one-time shot past Toronto goalie Luka Gavran to make it 2-0.
Aristizabal answered by heading in a cross from Kobe Franklin to bring Toronto back within a goal.
Toronto FC fans thought the game was level when Jules-Anthony Vilsaint knocked in a loose ball in the 85th minute, but the flag went up for offsides.
The last play of the match was a Toronto corner kick, but Jonathan Osorio’s offering sailed long and out of bounds and the match reached full time. The Reds fell despite dominating possession (68.2%) and taking eight corner kicks.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Kentucky Derby favorite Renegade draws the dreaded rail
People show up for the first day of horse racing on opening day of the Spring Meet ahead of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.Apr. 25, 2026.
Early favorite Renegade was picked to start on the rail for the 152nd Kentucky Derby during the official draw on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Renegade, the Arkansas Derby winner owned by American billionaire Mike Repole, opened at 4-1 as the 20-horse field became official for the Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 2, in Louisville, Ky.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has raced Renegade just twice as a 3-year-old, but he has come through both times. He came from well back to capture the Sam F. Davis Stakes on Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs, then he pulled away to win the Arkansas Derby by four lengths on March 28 at Oaklawn Park.
Renegade’s jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr., has not won a Derby in nine tries, but he has raced to victory in two Belmont Stakes (2016, 2022).
Renegade’s assignment to the first gate will have it fighting against history along with the other 19 horses. Ferdinand, the Derby champion in 1986, was the last horse to win from the rail. Seven other horses have won from Gate No. 1, but most were long ago when Derby fields were smaller.
Commandment, which will start from the No. 6 gate, and Further Ado, which will come from the outside at No. 18, both opened at 6-1. They are trained by Brad Cox.
Bob Baffert, the legendary trainer who returned to the Kentucky Derby last May after serving a three-year suspension, has two horses in the field: Potente and Litmus Test
Here’s the entire field with their opening odds:
1) Renegade 4-1
2) Albus 30-1
3) Intrepido 50-1
4) Litmus Test 30-1
5) Right To Party 30-1
6) Commandment 6-1
7) Danon Bourbon 20-1
8) So Happy 15-1
9) The Puma 10-1
10) Wonder Dean 30-1
11) Incredibolt 20-1
12) Chief Wallabee 8-1
13) Silent Tactic 20-1
14) Potente 20-1
15) Emerging Market 15-1
16) Pavlovian 30-1
17) Six Speed 50-1
18) Further Ado 6-1
19) Golden Tempo 30-1
20) Fulleffort 20-1
–Field Level Media
Sports
Eagles draft North Dakota State QB Cole Payton
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton (QB15) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Philadelphia Eagles selected quarterback North Dakota State Cole Payton in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Payton was selected with the 178th overall pick and was one of six quarterbacks selected in the first five rounds.
Payton established himself as a dynamic dual threat quarterback at North Dakota State. After four seasons as a seldom-used reserve, he took over as starting quarterback last season, throwing for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns.
As a backup, he was a two-time FCS champion (2021, 2024).
At the NFL combine, the 6-foot-3 left-hander ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash and posted a 40-inch vertical.
The 23-year-old will join a crowded Eagles’ quarterback room that includes Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Andy Dalton.
–Field Level Media
Atlanta United snaps losing streak with win over Toronto FC
Kentucky Derby favorite Renegade draws the dreaded rail
