Sports
Yankees seeking to rekindle offense against Phillies
Jul 22, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) reacts after hitting a three run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images The New York Yankees continue to search for answers offensively as they open a 10-game road trip with a matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.
The Yankees split a doubleheader with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, although they scored in just two of their 18 innings that day. New York dropped the opener 5-3, managing only six hits in the process, while the nightcap resulted in an uninspiring 2-0 triumph.
“We’ve got to improve (at the plate),” manager Aaron Boone said. “I feel like I’ve said that a lot here over the last month. We know we’ve got to produce better offensively, and consistently, night in and night out. We’re working to get that done. For us to reach our peak, we’ve got to get some guys going and be more consistent.”
New York continues to play without star outfielder Aaron Judge, who has been out since May 31 with a fractured right rib.
“It’s Aaron Judge; it’s a massive presence,” Boone said. “But again, he’s not there right now. Look at these names. We have a lot of good names here, capable, and we’ve got to step it up a little better.”
The Phillies’ offense has not been particularly impressive lately either, managing only one run in three of their six games since the All-Star break. Their bats showed some life in Wednesday’s 9-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Alec Bohm leading the way with a homer and three RBIs.
“Nothing in this series changes our thoughts,” said Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly, whose team dropped two of three to Los Angeles. “If we play well, we’re capable of being fine.”
Philadelphia has played well with Jesus Luzardo (9-4, 3.43 ERA) on the mound, having won his last 10 starts. The lefty allowed one run in five innings against the New York Mets on Saturday in his first start since the All-Star break.
“He threw a lot of pitches in those first couple innings, and then he settled in and quickened up after that,” Mattingly said.
Luzardo has struggled against New York in his career, going 0-3 with an 18.36 ERA in three appearances (two starts).
New York will give the ball to Will Warren (7-4, 4.00), who made a relief cameo in Wednesday’s doubleheader against Pittsburgh. The lefty threw two-thirds of an inning in the nightcap with one strikeout, allowing one hit and one walk in a 16-pitch effort.
Now, Warren will make his first start since July 12, when he yielded one run in five innings against the Washington Nationals. He was originally slated to start Tuesday’s affair against the Pirates before that game was rained out.
“As a starter, I feel like I’m being crafty and pitching a little more than just the blacked-out adrenaline, throwing as hard as I can in the ninth,” Warren said Wednesday.
The 27-year-old has made two career starts against the Phillies. Each resulted in a no-decision, and he holds a 4.91 ERA in 11 innings against them.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Richard Carapaz conquers Stage 18 in Tour de France
Richard Carapaz celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win Stage 18 of the Tour de France on Thursday. Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz climbed into the overall top 10 at the Tour de France with his Stage 18 victory in the Alps on Thursday.
Carapaz, 33, finished the mountainous 185.2-kilometer trek from Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette in 4 hours, 26 minutes and 21 seconds. He pulled away on the last ascent of the day and covered the final 3 kilometers solo.
Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid was the runner-up for the second straight day, 45 seconds behind, and American Matteo Jorgenson placed third.
Carapaz moved into 10th place in the overall standings.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia still leads the competition by 4 minutes and 32 seconds over Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel. Mexico’s Isaac del Toro is third, followed by 19-year-old Frenchman Paul Seixas and Spain’s Juan Ayuso.
Stage 19 on Friday is a 127.9-kilometer route through the mountains from Gap to Alpe d’Huez. The 113th edition of the Tour de France concludes on Sunday in Paris.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Panthers OLB Nic Scourton (knee) carted off field as training camp opens
Nov 16, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Nic Scourton (11) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Nic Scourton left the field on a cart after suffering an apparent right knee injury on Thursday, the first day of training camp.
An MRI was scheduled for later in the afternoon to determine the extent of the injury.
Reporters described it as an emotional scene as Scourton, 21, was in tears as the cart pulled away from the field. Before the cart departed, the entire team and head coach Dave Canales had a moment with him.
Practice was halted for the day.
In just his second season, Scourton was penciled in to start on the opposite side of Jaelan Phillips, acquired as a free agent in the offseason. As a rookie, Scourton appeared in 17 games (eight starts) and tallied 47 tackles (seven for loss), five sacks and a forced fumble.
Veteran Patrick Jones II and Princely Umanmielen, in his second season, could see game time in his absence.
The Panthers selected Scourton in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Dallas signs Benji Flowers, 15; reportedly reaches deal with Chelsea
Mar 15, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; A view of the logo and stadium during the game between FC Dallas and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images FC Dallas signed 15-year-old U.S. forward Benji Flowers to a first-team deal Thursday and reportedly agreed to a future transfer to Chelsea FC when he turns 18.
Dallas will receive an initial fee of about $3 million from the Premier League side and up to an additional $7 million in performance-based add-ons, according to The Athletic.
Flowers is the youngest player ever to sign a first-team deal with FC Dallas. The homegrown contract runs through 2030-31 and includes an option for 2031-32.
“Benji’s signing is another proud day for FC Dallas and our Academy,” said club president Dan Hunt. “Our commitment has always been to develop young players and provide them with a clear pathway to the professional game. Benji has embraced every step of that journey through hard work, determination and the support of his family.
“His signing is a reflection of the tremendous work being done throughout the FC Dallas Academy and reinforces what is possible for the next generation of players. We are excited to watch him continue his development with FC Dallas and North Texas SC.”
The future is bright ??
Benji Fowers has been named to the MLS NEXT All-Star Game! pic.twitter.com/xk0HuFk16q
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) June 24, 2026
Last month, Flowers was named to the MLS NEXT All-Star Game. The FC Dallas Academy product made his debut with North Texas SC on March 21 at 14 years, 11 months and seven days old, making him the second-youngest player in that club’s history.
“Benji is a special talent, and today is an important milestone for both him and our club,” said Andre Zanotta, FC Dallas chief soccer officer. “He has come through the FC Dallas Academy and has earned this opportunity through his work ethic, commitment and the support of his family.
“Every step of his development has come because he has embraced the process and continued to challenge himself every day. We believe he has a very bright future, but this is only the beginning of his journey as a professional. We’re excited to continue helping him develop here at FC Dallas before the next chapter of his career.”
–Field Level Media
Richard Carapaz conquers Stage 18 in Tour de France
Panthers OLB Nic Scourton (knee) carted off field as training camp opens
