Sports
Twins make clutch plays, add to Tigers' losing skid
Apr 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Trevor Larnach (9) slides into third base on a single by Minnesota Twins first baseman Josh Bell (not pictured) against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Brooks Lee pulled a two-run single through the right side of the infield, and the Minnesota Twins held on for a 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Josh Bell went 3-for-4 and hit a solo home run for Minnesota, which completed a four-game sweep over the Tigers.
Gleyber Torres drove in the lone run for Detroit, which has dropped five straight games.
Twins right-hander Garrett Acton (1-0) earned his first career win after allowing one run in two innings of relief. He followed starter Mick Abel, who pitched six scoreless innings.
Tigers right-hander Will Vest (0-2) gave up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Twins right-hander Eric Orze pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.
Lee delivered the go-ahead hit with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the eighth. He fell behind Vest 0-2 before working the count full and knocking a single to right.
The Twins grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Bell led off the inning against Tigers starter Jack Flaherty and ripped the first pitch he saw 401 feet over the wall in right-center field. The blast marked his third home run since signing with the Twins.
The Tigers evened the score at 1-all in the top of the seventh. Jake Rogers started the action when he was hit by a pitch with one out. Moments later, Rodgers advanced from first to third on a single by Colt Keith. Torres lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Rogers and tie the game.
Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows had to be carted off the field after a scary collision in the bottom of the eighth. Meadows and Riley Greene converged on Bell’s fly ball that was slicing toward the gap in left-center field, and Greene made the catch but his head clipped the side of Meadows’ face.
Meadows stayed down and rolled on his back as trainers attended to him. He eventually sat up and walked a few steps slowly to a cart that took him out of the game.
–Field Level Media
Sports
A's OF Brent Rooker leaves game vs. Yankees with flank discomfort
Apr 8, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker (25) hits a run scoring sacrifice fly in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The visiting Athletics lost Brent Rooker to right flank discomfort when the right fielder felt pain on a swing in the first inning of Thursday’s game against the New York Yankees.
Rooker appeared to feel pain when he fouled off a changeup by New York starter Ryan Weathers for a 0-2 count. He winced after appearing to feel something near his back and was lifted from the game after being checked out by manager Mark Kotsay and a trainer.
The A’s announced the injury in the fourth inning.
Rooker was replaced by Lawrence Butler in the third spot in the Athletics’ lineup. Butler took a called third strike on the next pitch and the at-bat was charged to Rooker.
Rooker hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the ninth inning off David Bednar to give the A’s a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night.
Rooker entered the day hitting .146 this season with two homers and eight RBIs this season. He drove in six runs on a pair of homers in Sunday’s 12-10 10-inning win over Houston, which he ended with a walk-off three-run homer.
–Field Level Media
Sports
NBA fines Magic $25K for violating injury reporting rules
Apr 6, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) is fouled by Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) during the second half at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images The Orlando Magic were fined $25,000 by the NBA on Thursday for violating the league’s injury reporting rules.
Per the NBA, the Magic failed to disclose the game availability status of guard Anthony Black prior to Monday’s contest against the Detroit Pistons. Black was listed as “out” in the initial injury report and later played in the game.
Black, 22, scored 14 points in 15 minutes during the Magic’s 123-107 victory over the Pistons.
The third-year player is averaging 15.1 points, 3.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 62 games (40 starts) this season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Sam Burns torches par 5s to grab early Masters lead
Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sam Burns plays his shot from the fifth tee during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images AUGUSTA, Ga. — Sam Burns took advantage of Augusta National’s longest holes in posting a 5-under-par round of 67 to take the early first-round in the 90th edition of the Masters Tournament on Thursday.
Burns got his round rolling by sinking an 11-foot eagle putt on the par-5 second hole. After dropping a shot on the seventh, he immediately gained it back with a birdie on the par-5 eighth. Burns also birdied both par-5s on the back nine and added another with a birdie on the par-3 12th.
It added up to the best round of Burns’ Masters career, besting the 68 he posted in the first round in 2023. In 12 previous rounds through four previous appearances at Augusta National, that had been the lone time Burns had broken 70 until Thursday.
Patrick Reed also reached 5 under by eagling both par-5s on the front nine to make his turn in 31, but the 2018 Masters champion gave a shot back at No. 10 before putting a ball in the water on the par-5 15th for another bogey.
Kurt Kitayama finished an eventful day at 3-under 69. He reached 4 under through 10 holes before a bogey on No. 11 and a double bogey on the short par-3 12th. He was able to card birdies on two of his final holes to get to the clubhouse among the early leaders.
Bryson DeChambeau, who is seeking to build on his best Masters finish of fifth place last year, was at even par beginning hole Nos. 11-13 known as “Amen Corner.” DeChambeau put his approach shot on No. 11 into the bunker behind the green. He then failed to get out of the bunker on his first two attempts and ended up carding a triple bogey on the hole.
NOTES: The 91-player field includes 22 first-time players — six amateurs and 16 professionals. Each amateur is paired with a Masters champion for the first two rounds of the tournament.
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
A's OF Brent Rooker leaves game vs. Yankees with flank discomfort
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