Sports
Dodgers top Padres, close in on NL West title
Sep 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting an RBI single in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Shohei Ohtani drove in two runs, including a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning, as the Los Angeles Dodgers moved to the cusp of another National League West title after a 4-3 victory over the visiting San Diego Padres on Wednesday.
Teoscar Hernandez and Gavin Lux each drove in a run as the Dodgers moved three games ahead of the Padres and reduced their magic number for their 11th division title in 12 seasons to two. The Dodgers can win the West with a victory over the Padres on Thursday.
Alex Vesia (5-4) pitched an inning to earn the win and Michael Kopech pitched the ninth for his 15th save as Los Angeles (94-64) maintained the top record in major leagues, a half-game better than the Philadelphia Phillies.
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a home run while Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth each drove in runs as the Padres (91-67) lost for just the fourth time in 12 games against the Dodgers. Jeremiah Estrada (6-3) allowed a run in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss.
For the second consecutive game between the teams, the Dodgers took a 1-0 in the first inning after Ohtani crossed the plate. The Los Angeles leadoff man walked, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Hernandez single.
The Padres answered with two runs in the top of the second, just as they did in the series opener. Manny Machado walked and Jackson Merrill doubled before a run-scoring single from Bogaerts and an RBI ground out from Cronenworth.
The Dodgers regained the lead on a two-out rally in the fourth when Tommy Edman doubled and came home on a single from Lux. After Miguel Rojas walked, Ohtani doubled home Lux for a 3-2 advantage. Rojas left the game after the inning with left groin tightness.
Tatis’ home run in the fifth inning, his 21st of the season, to tie the score 3-all.
Will Smith and Edman opened the Dodgers’ sixth inning with walks against Estrada and, with two outs, Ohtani singled to center against Adrian Morejon for a 4-3 lead.
In a matchup of top starters, Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty gave up three runs on four hits over five innings with three walks and five strikeouts. Padres right-hander Dylan Cease gave up three runs on five hits over five innings with three walks and four strikeouts.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves activate OF Ronald Acuna Jr. from injured list
Jul 4, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) during batting practice before a game against the New York Mets at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves reinstated star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday’s series opener against the host New York Mets.
The five-time All-Star is batting .251 with seven homers, 22 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 53 games during an injury-plagued campaign.
Acuna, 28, has not played with the Braves since June 9 due to a left hamstring strain, the same injury that kept him out for more than two weeks in May.
The 2023 National League MVP, Acuna is a career .287 hitter with 193 homers, 481 RBIs and 220 steals in 870 games since making his debut with Atlanta in 2018.
The Braves optioned outfielder Brewer Hicklen, 30, to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. He batted .368 (7-for-19) with four doubles and three RBIs in eight games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Nashville SC acquire Senegalese M Famara Camara
Sep 18, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; General view of the MLS PRO logo on the side of a match ball in the match between Nashville SC and Chicago Fire at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Casey Gower-Imagn Images Nashville SC acquired midfielder Famara Camara from Norwegian side Ranheim Fotball on Monday.
The 21-year-old Senegal native is signed through June 2029 with an option through June 2030. He will occupy an international roster slot.
Camara recorded one goal and two assists in 39 appearances across all competitions with Ranheim from 2025-26.
Locking down the midfield for the long haul ?? pic.twitter.com/n1rsC6J2Ab
— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) July 27, 2026
“Famara is a talented midfielder who has the ability to impact games on both sides of the ball,” Nashville president of soccer operations and general manager Mike Jacobs said. “He will join a talented midfield corps here in Nashville and complement that group really well.”
Midway through the season, Nashville (12-2-3) leads the MLS Supporters’ Shield race with 39 points.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: NBA to max out LeBron James, 76ers' national TV games
May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Fans itching to watch LeBron James play in his new Philadelphia uniform should get plenty of opportunities this season as the 76ers are expected to get the NBA’s maximum of 34 national game telecasts/streams, Front Office Sports reported Monday.
That would more than double the 14 national games the Sixers were featured in last season, when the team led by Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey finished in a disappointing seventh place in the Eastern Conference at 45-37.
Now that the 41-year-old James has signed a two-year, $8 million contract to play in Philly, viewers can expect to see him featured prominently during tentpole league events like opening week and Christmas Day’s five-game slate.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said on July 16 he was awaiting James’ decision before finalizing the schedule for the telecasts/streams across Disney’s ABC/ESPN, NBCUniversal’s NBC Sports/Peacock, and Amazon’s Prime Video. The league receives input from these partners before making the final schedule.
Four teams received the maximum 34 national games last season: the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks, who play in the league’s biggest market; the Los Angeles Lakers in the No. 2 market; the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder; and four-time champion Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors.
–Field Level Media
Braves activate OF Ronald Acuna Jr. from injured list
Nashville SC acquire Senegalese M Famara Camara
