By The Associated
Press (All times Eastern)

Schedule subject
to change and/or blackouts

5 p.m. NBC — Team:
Acrobatic Routine (Taped)

11:30 p.m. USA —
Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)

10 p.m. USA —
Men’s Middle, Light Finals &amp; more (Taped)

12:15 p.m. USA —
Sprint: Canoe, Kayak Heats (Taped)

4 a.m. E! — Men’s
3m Springboard Semifinal

9:10 a.m. E! —
Women’s 3m Springboard Preliminary

11 p.m. NBC —
Primetime in Paris (Aug 7)

3 a.m. GOLF —
Women’s Round 1: Part 1

7 a.m. GOLF —
Women’s Round 1: Part 2

9:30 a.m. USA —
Men’s Quarterfinal (Taped)

9 p.m. USA — Men's
Quarterfinal (Taped)

7:05 a.m. USA —
Men’s Park: Preliminary Round

5:45 a.m. E! —
Men’s Combined, Women’s Speed

7 a.m. E! — M&amp;W
Team: Quarterfinals (Taped)

4:30 a.m. USA —
Heats: Men’s 800m &amp; more

1 p.m. NBC —
Finals: Men’s 400m &amp; more

2:45 p.m. USA —
Men's Quarterfinal (Taped)

11 a.m. USA — GR
67kg, 87kg &amp; W Freestyle 53kg Eliminations (Taped)

By The Associated
Press (All times Eastern)Schedule subject
to change and/or blackoutsWednesday, Aug.,
7ARTISTIC SWIMMING1:40 p.m. E! —
Team: Acrobatic Routine5 p.m. NBC — Team:
Acrobatic Routine (Taped)BASKETBALL3:15 p.m. USA —
Women’s Quarterfinal11:30 p.m. USA —
Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)BEACH VOLLEYBALL11 a.m. E! —
QuarterfinalNoon NBC —
Quarterfinal3 p.m. E! —
Quarterfinal4 p.m. NBC —
Quarterfinal10:30 p.m. USA —
Quarterfinal (Taped)BOXING10 p.m. USA —
Men’s Middle, Light Finals &amp; more (Taped)CANOE &amp; KAYAK12:15 p.m. USA —
Sprint: Canoe, Kayak Heats (Taped)CYCLING12 p.m. E! — Team
Pursuit FinalsDIVING4 a.m. E! — Men’s
3m Springboard Semifinal9:10 a.m. E! —
Women’s 3m Springboard Preliminary11 p.m. NBC —
Primetime in Paris (Aug 7)GOLF3 a.m. GOLF —
Women’s Round 1: Part 17 a.m. GOLF —
Women’s Round 1: Part 2FIELD HOCKEY8 p.m. USA —
Women's Semifinal (Taped)HANDBALL9:30 a.m. USA —
Men’s Quarterfinal (Taped)2:45 p.m. USA —
Men’s Quarterfinal9 p.m. USA — Men's
Quarterfinal (Taped)SKATEBOARDING2:35 a.m. NBC —
NBC Late Night (Aug 6)7:05 a.m. USA —
Men’s Park: Preliminary Round11:30 a.m. USA —
Men’s Park: FinalSPORT CLIMBING2:35 a.m. NBC —
NBC Late Night (Aug 6)5:45 a.m. E! —
Men’s Combined, Women’s SpeedTABLE TENNIS7 a.m. E! — M&amp;W
Team: Quarterfinals (Taped)TRACK FIELD1:30 a.m. USA —
Mixed Team Race Walk4:30 a.m. USA —
Heats: Men’s 800m &amp; more1 p.m. NBC —
Finals: Men’s 400m &amp; more11 p.m. NBC —
Primetime in Paris (Aug 7)VOLLEYBALL10 a.m. NBC —
Men’s Semifinal4 p.m. E! — Men’s
Semifinal (Taped)6 p.m. USA — Men's
Semifinal (Taped)WATER POLO8 a.m. E! — Men’s
Quarterfinal1 p.m. USA — Men’s
Quarterfinal2:45 p.m. USA —
Men's Quarterfinal (Taped)WEIGHTLIFTING2:15 p.m.USA — Men’s 61kg
Final (Taped)WRESTLING11 a.m. USA — GR
67kg, 87kg &amp; W Freestyle 53kg Eliminations (Taped)

Olympics on TV for Wednesday, Aug., 7

WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State and Saint Louis are set to meet in the 2024 Hall of Fame Classic, it was announced by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Monday morning.

The Hall of Fame Classic will showcase a college basketball doubleheader with four tradition-rich programs on November 22 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. The matchups will pit Iowa against Utah State and Wichita State vs. Saint Louis, with specific game times and broadcast assignments to be announced soon.

The Shockers and Billikens will square off for the second straight season after the two met in Myrtle Beach last season. Wichita State finished the 2023 Myrtle Beach Invitational with a resounding 88-69 win over Saint Louis.

Saint Louis holds a 41-24 all-time lead in the series between the two schools, but Wichita State has won six straight. This will be just the second meeting on a neutral court between the former conference rivals.

Tickets for the event will go on sale Sept. 10 via the T-Mobile Center box office and t-mobilecenter.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722965495329.jpeg" alt="WSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>WSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State and Saint Louis are set to meet in the 2024 Hall of Fame Classic, it was announced by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Monday morning.The Hall of Fame Classic will showcase a college basketball doubleheader with four tradition-rich programs on November 22 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. The matchups will pit Iowa against Utah State and Wichita State vs. Saint Louis, with specific game times and broadcast assignments to be announced soon.The Shockers and Billikens will square off for the second straight season after the two met in Myrtle Beach last season. Wichita State finished the 2023 Myrtle Beach Invitational with a resounding 88-69 win over Saint Louis.Saint Louis holds a 41-24 all-time lead in the series between the two schools, but Wichita State has won six straight. This will be just the second meeting on a neutral court between the former conference rivals.Tickets for the event will go on sale Sept. 10 via the T-Mobile Center box office and t-mobilecenter.com.

MBB: Wichita State-Saint Louis to meet in 2024 Hall of Fame Classic

PARIS (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Serbia surged back to beat Australia 95-90 in overtime Tuesday to reach the Olympic basketball semifinals.

Bogdan Bogdanovic added 17 for points for Serbia, which rallied from a 24-point first-half deficit to set up a meeting with either the U.S. or Brazil.

Serbia is aiming for its first Olympic medal since the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, where it took silver. That was the first Olympics for a then 21-year-old Jokic.

Bogdanovic acknowledged doubting whether they'd complete the comeback.

“Honestly, we didn't keep cool,” Bogdanovic said. “But we knew we were down and we needed to find some momentum and rhythm. ... They had the whole momentum of the game. As I said, this is the biggest pressure of the tournament. Quarterfinals. You know if you lose, you’re out.”

Patty Mills had 26 points — but just six after halftime — for Australia, which won the Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo three years ago. Josh Giddey added 25 points.

“I thought we threw everything at them,” Mills said. “We’re playing against world-class individuals. World-class teams. World-class coaches. And this is why you play international basketball. It’s a different sport than any other league around the world. It brings the best out of everyone.”

Jokic put Serbia on top 91-90 with just over a minute left in overtime. Australia's Jack McVeigh then misfired on its next possession. Serbia got the ball back to Jokic, who converted again.

Australia attempted to get the ball into Mills on the inbounds, but it was knocked away and stolen by Serbia.

Serbia stormed back in the third quarter and retook the lead late, 61-60, on a jumper by Bogdanovic. The basket capped a 40-14 scoring run.

Serbia led 67-65 entering the fourth and was up 81-78 when Giddey hit a short jumper to cut the margin to a point with just over a minute to play in regulation.

Australia rebounded a Bogdanovic miss, but Mills misfired on the other end. Australia forced a Vasilije Micic error, but he was fouled on the rebound with 9.8 seconds left. He then connected on 1 of 2 free throws.

Australia got the ball into Mills, who lost his dribble, gathered and hit a fallaway jumper to send the game to an extra frame.

Franz Wagner scored 18 points and Germany overcame a sluggish start to beat Greece 76-63 and advance to the semifinals for the first time.

Dennis Schroder added 13 points and eight assists for the reigning World Cup champions, who will face the winner of France and Canada on Thursday. Germany’s previous best finish at the Olympics was seventh place in 1992.

Germany is unbeaten at the Paris Games after going 3-0 in the group stage.

“I think everybody on the team knows that we’ve got a special group, and I want to get the most out of this,” Wagner said.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points for Greece, which was denied its first semifinals berth in Antetokounmpo’s first Olympics appearance.

Greece had 15 turnovers, leading to 20 points for Germany.

Wagner entered the quarterfinals averaging a team-high 22 points per game but struggled to get going.

Greece led by 12 at one point —- the first time Germany had trailed by 10 or more points in the tournament. But Germany settled in and used a big third quarter to take a seven-point lead into the fourth. Germany started the final period on a 13-5 run to increase its lead to 72-57 with 1:50 remaining.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722965263401.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Serbia's Nikola Jokic questions a call during a men's quarterfinal game against Australia at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Serbia's Nikola Jokic questions a call during a men's quarterfinal game against Australia at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)</figcaption>
 </figure>PARIS (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Serbia surged back to beat Australia 95-90 in overtime Tuesday to reach the Olympic basketball semifinals.Bogdan Bogdanovic added 17 for points for Serbia, which rallied from a 24-point first-half deficit to set up a meeting with either the U.S. or Brazil.Serbia is aiming for its first Olympic medal since the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, where it took silver. That was the first Olympics for a then 21-year-old Jokic.Bogdanovic acknowledged doubting whether they'd complete the comeback.“Honestly, we didn't keep cool,” Bogdanovic said. “But we knew we were down and we needed to find some momentum and rhythm. ... They had the whole momentum of the game. As I said, this is the biggest pressure of the tournament. Quarterfinals. You know if you lose, you’re out.”Patty Mills had 26 points — but just six after halftime — for Australia, which won the Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo three years ago. Josh Giddey added 25 points.“I thought we threw everything at them,” Mills said. “We’re playing against world-class individuals. World-class teams. World-class coaches. And this is why you play international basketball. It’s a different sport than any other league around the world. It brings the best out of everyone.”Jokic put Serbia on top 91-90 with just over a minute left in overtime. Australia's Jack McVeigh then misfired on its next possession. Serbia got the ball back to Jokic, who converted again.Australia attempted to get the ball into Mills on the inbounds, but it was knocked away and stolen by Serbia.Serbia stormed back in the third quarter and retook the lead late, 61-60, on a jumper by Bogdanovic. The basket capped a 40-14 scoring run.Serbia led 67-65 entering the fourth and was up 81-78 when Giddey hit a short jumper to cut the margin to a point with just over a minute to play in regulation.Australia rebounded a Bogdanovic miss, but Mills misfired on the other end. Australia forced a Vasilije Micic error, but he was fouled on the rebound with 9.8 seconds left. He then connected on 1 of 2 free throws.Australia got the ball into Mills, who lost his dribble, gathered and hit a fallaway jumper to send the game to an extra frame.Germany 76, Greece 63Franz Wagner scored 18 points and Germany overcame a sluggish start to beat Greece 76-63 and advance to the semifinals for the first time.Dennis Schroder added 13 points and eight assists for the reigning World Cup champions, who will face the winner of France and Canada on Thursday. Germany’s previous best finish at the Olympics was seventh place in 1992.Germany is unbeaten at the Paris Games after going 3-0 in the group stage.“I think everybody on the team knows that we’ve got a special group, and I want to get the most out of this,” Wagner said.Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points for Greece, which was denied its first semifinals berth in Antetokounmpo’s first Olympics appearance.Greece had 15 turnovers, leading to 20 points for Germany.Wagner entered the quarterfinals averaging a team-high 22 points per game but struggled to get going.Greece led by 12 at one point —- the first time Germany had trailed by 10 or more points in the tournament. But Germany settled in and used a big third quarter to take a seven-point lead into the fourth. Germany started the final period on a 13-5 run to increase its lead to 72-57 with 1:50 remaining.

Serbia into Olympic semifinals; Germany also advances

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Matt Araiza concedes there were moments during the past two years when he thought the 82-yard punt he uncorked in a preseason game for the Buffalo Bills might remain his only NFL effort.

“There were times that I didn’t and there were times that I did,” Araiza said Monday. “Honestly, it kept going back and forth in my mind. But yeah, there was a lot of moments where I thought it was over, so I’m incredibly grateful to be here.”

The “here” is training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs at Missouri Western State University, where Araiza aims to restart his NFL career. Two weeks after that 82-yard punt in a game against Indianapolis, a lawsuit was filed against Araiza alleging his involvement in the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in 2021.

The San Diego County District attorney did not file charges in the case, and in July 2023 Araiza filed a defamation lawsuit against the accuser. The parties agreed to drop their lawsuits in December with neither side admitting wrongdoing and no money was involved.

Araiza said he’s trying to put the saga behind him.

“Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. But I think if you do your own research, I think you can come to a pretty clear conclusion,” he said.

Throughout the last years, however, football has remained his focus.

“I love football. I love being out here,” Araiza said. "So it was on my mind a lot. It was tough to watch Sundays for sure. Really tough.”

The Chiefs signed Araiza as a free agent on Feb. 22, and he impressed special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Dave Toub during offseason workouts.

“Coming in, I consider him a rookie because he really only kicked one game and preseason and he was done. So as a rookie, he’s really above the line in my opinion," Toub said. "I think he’s way ahead right now. He’s really hitting some good punts in team periods. That’s what you want to see now. I mean, that’s one thing, but now you got to see him do it in a game. That’s a whole other level. We got to see that.”

The “Punt God” gets that opportunity Saturday when the Chiefs open the preseason at Jacksonville. Head coach Andy Reid offered his advice for the 24-year-old punter on Monday.

“I like him. Just keep working. Consistency always as you go," Reid said. "You can see it. I mean, he’s booming the thing. Be curious to see in games, let’s see how he does there.”

Araiza doesn’t care much for the “Punt God” nickname he picked up while kicking at San Diego State, but he turns more heartfelt when discussing his return to an NFL field on Saturday.

“It’s going to be pretty surreal. Definitely going to take it all in," Araiza said. "Like I said, just grateful for the opportunity and grateful to get back to that moment because that’s my favorite thing is being out there in a pressure situation in a game with the rush, pads on, everything. I think that’s where I’m at my best so I can’t wait to get back out there.”

NOTES: Wide receiver Kadarius Toney was a limited participant Monday in his first action since an ankle injury on July 31. … Linebacker Nick Bolton (elbow) missed his fourth practice Monday. … Defensive tackle Chris Jones sustained a shoulder stinger during practice but later returned. … Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden attended Chiefs practice Sunday and Monday. “He and I go way back 30 years, so we’ve known each other a long time,” Reid said. “So it’s good to get him up here. He’s always got good input on things, very smart, great football coach. Enjoy having him around, great energy.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722937643753.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza (49) walks to the field at the start of an NFL football training camp Saturday, July 27, 2024, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza (49) walks to the field at the start of an NFL football training camp Saturday, July 27, 2024, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Matt Araiza concedes there were moments during the past two years when he thought the 82-yard punt he uncorked in a preseason game for the Buffalo Bills might remain his only NFL effort.“There were times that I didn’t and there were times that I did,” Araiza said Monday. “Honestly, it kept going back and forth in my mind. But yeah, there was a lot of moments where I thought it was over, so I’m incredibly grateful to be here.”The “here” is training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs at Missouri Western State University, where Araiza aims to restart his NFL career. Two weeks after that 82-yard punt in a game against Indianapolis, a lawsuit was filed against Araiza alleging his involvement in the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in 2021.The San Diego County District attorney did not file charges in the case, and in July 2023 Araiza filed a defamation lawsuit against the accuser. The parties agreed to drop their lawsuits in December with neither side admitting wrongdoing and no money was involved.Araiza said he’s trying to put the saga behind him.“Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. But I think if you do your own research, I think you can come to a pretty clear conclusion,” he said.Throughout the last years, however, football has remained his focus.“I love football. I love being out here,” Araiza said. "So it was on my mind a lot. It was tough to watch Sundays for sure. Really tough.”The Chiefs signed Araiza as a free agent on Feb. 22, and he impressed special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Dave Toub during offseason workouts.“Coming in, I consider him a rookie because he really only kicked one game and preseason and he was done. So as a rookie, he’s really above the line in my opinion," Toub said. "I think he’s way ahead right now. He’s really hitting some good punts in team periods. That’s what you want to see now. I mean, that’s one thing, but now you got to see him do it in a game. That’s a whole other level. We got to see that.”The “Punt God” gets that opportunity Saturday when the Chiefs open the preseason at Jacksonville. Head coach Andy Reid offered his advice for the 24-year-old punter on Monday.“I like him. Just keep working. Consistency always as you go," Reid said. "You can see it. I mean, he’s booming the thing. Be curious to see in games, let’s see how he does there.”Araiza doesn’t care much for the “Punt God” nickname he picked up while kicking at San Diego State, but he turns more heartfelt when discussing his return to an NFL field on Saturday.“It’s going to be pretty surreal. Definitely going to take it all in," Araiza said. "Like I said, just grateful for the opportunity and grateful to get back to that moment because that’s my favorite thing is being out there in a pressure situation in a game with the rush, pads on, everything. I think that’s where I’m at my best so I can’t wait to get back out there.”NOTES: Wide receiver Kadarius Toney was a limited participant Monday in his first action since an ankle injury on July 31. … Linebacker Nick Bolton (elbow) missed his fourth practice Monday. … Defensive tackle Chris Jones sustained a shoulder stinger during practice but later returned. … Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden attended Chiefs practice Sunday and Monday. “He and I go way back 30 years, so we’ve known each other a long time,” Reid said. “So it’s good to get him up here. He’s always got good input on things, very smart, great football coach. Enjoy having him around, great energy.”

Chiefs punter Matt Araiza hoping to get another chance to play in the NFL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — James Paxton pitched six solid innings, Masataka Yoshida tied his career high with four of Boston's 18 hits and the Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Monday night.

Boston, which has won four of its last five, now trails the Royals by 1 1/2 games for the final American League wild card spot.

“It was a humble approach,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “We hit the ball all over the place. We ran the bases well. The kids did a great job in the bottom of the lineup.

"We just kept putting pressure on them. They have a good team; it took a lot. But give our guys credit, they showed up today and did their job. Now we have to win the series, either tomorrow or the next day.”

Paxton (9-3) allowed two runs on five hits to pick up his first win since being traded to the Red Sox by the Dodgers.

“I felt good out there,” Paxton said. “To have (Cora) have that confidence in me was awesome.”

Boston catcher Connor Wong said Paxton was exactly who the Red Sox thought they were getting in the trade.

“We knew from last year that he gets better as the game went on,” Wong said of Paxton, who had 19 starts with Boston in 2023. “He did that against us in L.A. That's just who he is.”

Brady Singer (8-7) allowed four runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. He allowed at least one hit in every inning.

“I thought he pitched well,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Singer. “He really battled. They made a lot of contact, a lot of singles early. (Singer) couldn't quite put them away. Where he was in the sixth, after giving up those two runs in the second, we had a really good chance to win that game.”

Singer wasn't happy with his performance.

“I felt like the sinker in was going to be a huge part of it,” he said. “But I left a few over the middle of the plate and gave up a few hits on it.”

David Hamilton pulled a double down the right field line for Boston's first run in the second. Jarren Duran added an RBI with a slow roller.

The Royals got on the board in the third. Kyle Isbel coaxed a one-out walk from Paxton and advanced to second on a groundout. Bobby Witt Jr. lined a single to right, scoring Isbel.

Michael Massey tripled off the top of the wall in right center in the fourth and scored when Freddy Fermin tapped one off the end of the bat that resulted in an RBI single.

Boston regained the lead in the sixth. Reliever Angel Zerpa gave up a line drive down the left field line to Duran, scoring two runs.

The Red Sox added four more runs off Zerpa, including two on Romy Gonzalez’s pinch-hit home run, before recording an out in the seventh.

“With a 2-0 count I thought he was going to challenge me,” Gonzalez said. “He made a pitch where I wanted it and I put a good swing on it.”

The Royals scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh off Cooper Criswell.

Red Sox: OF Tyler O'Neill, who missed Boston's last two games with an illness, was not in the lineup. Manager Alex Cora said O'Neill was “feeling better, but not great. Still available, but not starting.”

The Red Sox and Royals will play the second game of a three-game series Tuesday night. Boston will send RHP Brayan Bello (10-5, 5.13 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Seth Lugo (13-5, 2.57 ERA).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722937257358.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Boston Red Sox starting pitcher James Paxton throws to a Kansas City Royals batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Boston Red Sox starting pitcher James Paxton throws to a Kansas City Royals batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — James Paxton pitched six solid innings, Masataka Yoshida tied his career high with four of Boston's 18 hits and the Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Monday night.Boston, which has won four of its last five, now trails the Royals by 1 1/2 games for the final American League wild card spot.“It was a humble approach,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “We hit the ball all over the place. We ran the bases well. The kids did a great job in the bottom of the lineup."We just kept putting pressure on them. They have a good team; it took a lot. But give our guys credit, they showed up today and did their job. Now we have to win the series, either tomorrow or the next day.”Paxton (9-3) allowed two runs on five hits to pick up his first win since being traded to the Red Sox by the Dodgers.“I felt good out there,” Paxton said. “To have (Cora) have that confidence in me was awesome.”Boston catcher Connor Wong said Paxton was exactly who the Red Sox thought they were getting in the trade.“We knew from last year that he gets better as the game went on,” Wong said of Paxton, who had 19 starts with Boston in 2023. “He did that against us in L.A. That's just who he is.”Brady Singer (8-7) allowed four runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. He allowed at least one hit in every inning.“I thought he pitched well,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Singer. “He really battled. They made a lot of contact, a lot of singles early. (Singer) couldn't quite put them away. Where he was in the sixth, after giving up those two runs in the second, we had a really good chance to win that game.”Singer wasn't happy with his performance.“I felt like the sinker in was going to be a huge part of it,” he said. “But I left a few over the middle of the plate and gave up a few hits on it.”David Hamilton pulled a double down the right field line for Boston's first run in the second. Jarren Duran added an RBI with a slow roller.The Royals got on the board in the third. Kyle Isbel coaxed a one-out walk from Paxton and advanced to second on a groundout. Bobby Witt Jr. lined a single to right, scoring Isbel.Michael Massey tripled off the top of the wall in right center in the fourth and scored when Freddy Fermin tapped one off the end of the bat that resulted in an RBI single.Boston regained the lead in the sixth. Reliever Angel Zerpa gave up a line drive down the left field line to Duran, scoring two runs.The Red Sox added four more runs off Zerpa, including two on Romy Gonzalez’s pinch-hit home run, before recording an out in the seventh.“With a 2-0 count I thought he was going to challenge me,” Gonzalez said. “He made a pitch where I wanted it and I put a good swing on it.”The Royals scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh off Cooper Criswell.TRAINER'S ROOMRed Sox: OF Tyler O'Neill, who missed Boston's last two games with an illness, was not in the lineup. Manager Alex Cora said O'Neill was “feeling better, but not great. Still available, but not starting.”UP NEXTThe Red Sox and Royals will play the second game of a three-game series Tuesday night. Boston will send RHP Brayan Bello (10-5, 5.13 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Seth Lugo (13-5, 2.57 ERA).

James Paxton's strong start, Boston's 18 hits lifts Red Sox over Royals 9-5

KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — James Paxton pitched six solid innings, Masataka Yoshida
tied his career high with four of Boston’s 18 hits and the Red Sox
beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Monday night. Boston, which has
won four their last five, now trails the Royals by 1 1/2 games for
the final American League wild card spot. Paxton allowed two runs on
five hits to pick up his first win since being traded to the Red Sox
by the Dodgers. Brady Singer allowed four runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3
innings. He allowed at least one hit in every inning.

ST. LOUIS (AP) —
Sean Manaea won consecutive starts for the first time this season,
Tyrone Taylor hit a three-run double from the No. 2 slot in the
batting order and the New York Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0
in the makeup of a May 8 rainout. Manaea allowed six hits in seven
innings, struck out 10 and walked none. He has pitched 14 scoreless
innings in his last two starts, giving up eight hits, striking out 21
and walking one. Ryne Stanek and Edwin Díaz finished with hitless
relief in the Mets’ fourth shutout -- all from July 11 on.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)
— The Chicago White Sox lost their 21st straight game, tying the
American League record with a 5-1 defeat to the Oakland Athletics as
Max Schuemann hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the fourth inning.
Chicago is on the longest losing streak since the 1988 Baltimore
Orioles lost 21 in a row. The NL record since 1900 is held by the
1961 Philadelphia Phillies, who lost 23 straight. The major league
low belongs to the 1889 Louisville Colonels, an American Association
team that lost 26 consecutive games during a 27-111 season.

LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Freddie Freeman singled and got a hug from Phillies star Bryce Harper
in his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup after missing
eight games to be with his ailing 3-year-old son who is out of danger
after a serious medical diagnosis. After an initial diagnosis proved
incorrect, Maximus Freeman was found to have Guillain-Barre syndrome.
It's a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system
attacks the nervous system. Freeman says his son is back home and
learning to walk again. The All-Star first baseman cried at times in
describing what he called a “heartbreaking” ordeal. He says his
son is expected to fully recover over time.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP)
— Matt Araiza concedes there were moments during the past two years
when he thought the 82-yard punt he uncorked in a preseason game for
the Buffalo Bills might remain his only NFL effort. Araiza says
“there was a lot of moments where I thought it was over, so I’m
incredibly grateful to be here.” The “here” is training camp
for the Kansas City Chiefs at Missouri Western State University,
where Araiza aims to restart his NFL career. Chiefs coach Andy Reid
says ”I mean, he’s booming the thing. Be curious to see in games,
let’s see how he does there.”

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP)
— Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who made the game-winning field
goal in Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory two years ago, has agreed
on a four-year contract extension that makes him the highest-paid
kicker in the NFL. Butker announced the deal on X, saying: “There’s
no place I’d rather be than with the Chiefs, excited to finalize a
4 year extension. To the Heights!” ESPN reported that Butker is
receiving a $25.6 million extension that includes $17.75 million
guaranteed.

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP)
— The passage of time has allowed Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin
to gain perspective and grow in confidence a year after he resumed
playing football following a near-death experience. Hamlin tells The
Associated Press that his mind, spirit and soul are free in no longer
feeling hindered by fears of going into cardiac arrest and having to
be resuscitated on the field, as happened to him during a game at
Cincinnati on Jan. 2, 2023. The 26-year-old's focus is now on making
the Bills' roster for a fourth season since being selected by Buffalo
in the sixth round of the 2021 draft.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.
(AP) — Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh says he has no reason to
apologize. The former Michigan coach continued to deny having any
knowledge of an impermissible-scouting operation that triggered an
NCAA investigation into his program last year. Harbaugh left Michigan
two weeks after he led the Wolverines to their first national title
since 1997. Michigan is expected to soon receive a notice of
allegations from the NCAA related to the sign-stealing scheme.
Harbaugh could face a Level 1 violation. He says he believes in
owning up to mistakes, but did nothing wrong in this case.

NEW YORK (AP) —
Georgia will open the season ranked No. 1 in the preseason USA Today
Coaches Poll a year after having its two-year run as national
champion end. The Bulldogs received 46 of the 55 first-place votes
from college football coaches. Preseason No. 2 Ohio State got seven
votes at No. 1, followed by Oregon, Texas and Alabama. The Associated
Press preseason college football poll is scheduled to be released
next Monday. Texas and defending national champion Michigan each got
a first-place vote. The Wolverines will open ranked No. 8.


PARIS (AP) — American gymnast Simone Biles didn’t get the golden
sendoff she hoped. Biles earned silver in the floor exercise finals
on Monday after a routine that included a couple of costly steps out
of bounds. Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade became the first gymnast to beat
Biles in a floor final in a major international competition, posting
a score of 14.166 that finished just ahead of Biles at 14.133. It was
Biles' 11th Olympic medal. Jordan Chiles, a longtime friend of Biles,
earned the bronze.


PARIS (AP) — The International Boxing Association has raised new
questions while struggling to answer others at a shambolic news
conference about the opaque gender tests that led the Olympics-banned
governing body to abruptly suspend Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from
last year’s world championships. The decision has fueled online
abuse against the women during the Paris Games. During the news
conference Monday in Paris, IBA CEO Chris Roberts claimed the Olympic
committees of Algeria and Taiwan wrote letters to the IBA asking them
not to disclose information about the boxers. What information the
IBA did reveal about the tests wasn't flattering to the banished
governing body.


PARIS (AP) — Olympic triathletes plunged into the Seine River when
the mixed relay event got underway after organizers said the bacteria
levels in the long-polluted Paris waterway were at acceptable levels.
Organizers on Sunday night made the decision to hold the event Monday
morning with swimming legs in the Seine. The plan to hold the
swimming portion of the triathlons and the marathon swimming events
in the Seine was an ambitious one. Swimming in the river has, with
some exceptions, been off-limits since 1923 because it has been too
toxic.


SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Armand “Mondo” Duplantis broke his
own pole vault world record Monday night at the Olympics, clearing
6.25 meters (20 feet, 6 inches) to cap his second straight gold-medal
performance on the sport’s biggest stage. Duplantis cleared the
mark on his third and final try. It marked the ninth time the
Louisiana-born 24-year-old, who competes for his mother’s native
Sweden, has broken the record, but the first time at the Olympics.
Duplantis last broke the record April 20 in China. America’s Sam
Kendricks won the silver medal and Emmanouil Karralis of Greece took
the bronze.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721294994442.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — James Paxton pitched six solid innings, Masataka Yoshida
tied his career high with four of Boston’s 18 hits and the Red Sox
beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Monday night. Boston, which has
won four their last five, now trails the Royals by 1 1/2 games for
the final American League wild card spot. Paxton allowed two runs on
five hits to pick up his first win since being traded to the Red Sox
by the Dodgers. Brady Singer allowed four runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3
innings. He allowed at least one hit in every inning.ST. LOUIS (AP) —
Sean Manaea won consecutive starts for the first time this season,
Tyrone Taylor hit a three-run double from the No. 2 slot in the
batting order and the New York Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0
in the makeup of a May 8 rainout. Manaea allowed six hits in seven
innings, struck out 10 and walked none. He has pitched 14 scoreless
innings in his last two starts, giving up eight hits, striking out 21
and walking one. Ryne Stanek and Edwin Díaz finished with hitless
relief in the Mets’ fourth shutout -- all from July 11 on.OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)
— The Chicago White Sox lost their 21st straight game, tying the
American League record with a 5-1 defeat to the Oakland Athletics as
Max Schuemann hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the fourth inning.
Chicago is on the longest losing streak since the 1988 Baltimore
Orioles lost 21 in a row. The NL record since 1900 is held by the
1961 Philadelphia Phillies, who lost 23 straight. The major league
low belongs to the 1889 Louisville Colonels, an American Association
team that lost 26 consecutive games during a 27-111 season.LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Freddie Freeman singled and got a hug from Phillies star Bryce Harper
in his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup after missing
eight games to be with his ailing 3-year-old son who is out of danger
after a serious medical diagnosis. After an initial diagnosis proved
incorrect, Maximus Freeman was found to have Guillain-Barre syndrome.
It's a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system
attacks the nervous system. Freeman says his son is back home and
learning to walk again. The All-Star first baseman cried at times in
describing what he called a “heartbreaking” ordeal. He says his
son is expected to fully recover over time.ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP)
— Matt Araiza concedes there were moments during the past two years
when he thought the 82-yard punt he uncorked in a preseason game for
the Buffalo Bills might remain his only NFL effort. Araiza says
“there was a lot of moments where I thought it was over, so I’m
incredibly grateful to be here.” The “here” is training camp
for the Kansas City Chiefs at Missouri Western State University,
where Araiza aims to restart his NFL career. Chiefs coach Andy Reid
says ”I mean, he’s booming the thing. Be curious to see in games,
let’s see how he does there.”ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP)
— Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who made the game-winning field
goal in Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory two years ago, has agreed
on a four-year contract extension that makes him the highest-paid
kicker in the NFL. Butker announced the deal on X, saying: “There’s
no place I’d rather be than with the Chiefs, excited to finalize a
4 year extension. To the Heights!” ESPN reported that Butker is
receiving a $25.6 million extension that includes $17.75 million
guaranteed.PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP)
— The passage of time has allowed Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin
to gain perspective and grow in confidence a year after he resumed
playing football following a near-death experience. Hamlin tells The
Associated Press that his mind, spirit and soul are free in no longer
feeling hindered by fears of going into cardiac arrest and having to
be resuscitated on the field, as happened to him during a game at
Cincinnati on Jan. 2, 2023. The 26-year-old's focus is now on making
the Bills' roster for a fourth season since being selected by Buffalo
in the sixth round of the 2021 draft.EL SEGUNDO, Calif.
(AP) — Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh says he has no reason to
apologize. The former Michigan coach continued to deny having any
knowledge of an impermissible-scouting operation that triggered an
NCAA investigation into his program last year. Harbaugh left Michigan
two weeks after he led the Wolverines to their first national title
since 1997. Michigan is expected to soon receive a notice of
allegations from the NCAA related to the sign-stealing scheme.
Harbaugh could face a Level 1 violation. He says he believes in
owning up to mistakes, but did nothing wrong in this case.NEW YORK (AP) —
Georgia will open the season ranked No. 1 in the preseason USA Today
Coaches Poll a year after having its two-year run as national
champion end. The Bulldogs received 46 of the 55 first-place votes
from college football coaches. Preseason No. 2 Ohio State got seven
votes at No. 1, followed by Oregon, Texas and Alabama. The Associated
Press preseason college football poll is scheduled to be released
next Monday. Texas and defending national champion Michigan each got
a first-place vote. The Wolverines will open ranked No. 8.OLYMPICS
PARIS (AP) — American gymnast Simone Biles didn’t get the golden
sendoff she hoped. Biles earned silver in the floor exercise finals
on Monday after a routine that included a couple of costly steps out
of bounds. Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade became the first gymnast to beat
Biles in a floor final in a major international competition, posting
a score of 14.166 that finished just ahead of Biles at 14.133. It was
Biles' 11th Olympic medal. Jordan Chiles, a longtime friend of Biles,
earned the bronze.
PARIS (AP) — The International Boxing Association has raised new
questions while struggling to answer others at a shambolic news
conference about the opaque gender tests that led the Olympics-banned
governing body to abruptly suspend Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from
last year’s world championships. The decision has fueled online
abuse against the women during the Paris Games. During the news
conference Monday in Paris, IBA CEO Chris Roberts claimed the Olympic
committees of Algeria and Taiwan wrote letters to the IBA asking them
not to disclose information about the boxers. What information the
IBA did reveal about the tests wasn't flattering to the banished
governing body.
PARIS (AP) — Olympic triathletes plunged into the Seine River when
the mixed relay event got underway after organizers said the bacteria
levels in the long-polluted Paris waterway were at acceptable levels.
Organizers on Sunday night made the decision to hold the event Monday
morning with swimming legs in the Seine. The plan to hold the
swimming portion of the triathlons and the marathon swimming events
in the Seine was an ambitious one. Swimming in the river has, with
some exceptions, been off-limits since 1923 because it has been too
toxic.
SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Armand “Mondo” Duplantis broke his
own pole vault world record Monday night at the Olympics, clearing
6.25 meters (20 feet, 6 inches) to cap his second straight gold-medal
performance on the sport’s biggest stage. Duplantis cleared the
mark on his third and final try. It marked the ninth time the
Louisiana-born 24-year-old, who competes for his mother’s native
Sweden, has broken the record, but the first time at the Olympics.
Duplantis last broke the record April 20 in China. America’s Sam
Kendricks won the silver medal and Emmanouil Karralis of Greece took
the bronze.MONDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALL
Final	Arizona	7	Cleveland	6	
Final	Minnesota	3	Chicago Cubs	0	AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final	Boston	9	Kansas City	5	
Final	Texas	4	Houston	3	
Final	Oakland	5	Chicago White Sox	1	NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final	N.Y. Mets	6	St. Louis	0	
Final	San Francisco	4	Washington	1	
Final	Cincinnati	10	Miami	3

Tuesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Major League Baseball announced over the weekend that Bobby Witt Jr. has been named American League Player of the Month for July.

He’s the 12th different Royals player (17th instance) to win American League Player of the Month, and the first since Billy Butler in September 2009. Witt Jr. is the first Royals shortstop to win the honor.

Witt Jr. led the Majors last month in hits (44), runs (26), total bases (75), batting average (.489), on-base percentage (.520) and OPS (1.353), and led the American League in slugging (.833). His 44 hits in July were 10 more than the next closest players, and were the most by a Royal in any month since Johnny Damon had 47 hits in August 2000.

Bobby’s .489 batting average in July was the 2nd-highest in any month in franchise history (min. 50 plate appearances), trailing only George Brett, who hit .494 (42-for-85) in July 1980. Witt Jr. is the first Major League player to record at least 44 hits and a .489 batting average in any month since Lou Gehrig in June 1930.

Witt Jr. recorded a hit in 22 of Kansas City’s 23 games in July, including 13 multi-hit efforts, 8 games with at least 3 hits and a 4-hit game. He recorded 4 consecutive 3-hit games from July 19-22, becoming the first player in Major League history, according to Elias, to do so in a player’s 1st 4 games after the All-Star break. It also matched the 2nd-longest streak in franchise history at any point, trailing only Brett’s run of 6 games with at least 3 hits from May 8-13, 1976.

In a 10-4 win on July 22 vs. Arizona, Witt Jr. doubled, tripled and homered, finishing a single shy of the cycle. Last Monday night in Chicago, Bobby hit his 3rd career grand slam, a go-ahead shot in the 8th inning that propelled Kansas City to an 8-5 win vs. the White Sox.

Witt Jr. was named American League Player of the Week for the period of July 15-21, during which he went 9-for-11 (.818) in the 1st 3 games after the All-Star break. He began that week by finishing as the runner-up in the 2024 Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas. Bobby hit a derby-high 50 home runs, including 20 homers in the 1st round, then bested José Ramírez, 17-12 to advance to the finals. Witt Jr. hit 13 HR in the final round, and his last batted ball landed at the base of the wall, leaving him 1 shy of matching Teoscar Hernández, who hit 14 HR in the final round to be crowned Home Run Derby champion.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Major League Baseball announced over the weekend that Bobby Witt Jr. has been named American League Player of the Month for July.He’s the 12th different Royals player (17th instance) to win American League Player of the Month, and the first since Billy Butler in September 2009. Witt Jr. is the first Royals shortstop to win the honor.Witt Jr. led the Majors last month in hits (44), runs (26), total bases (75), batting average (.489), on-base percentage (.520) and OPS (1.353), and led the American League in slugging (.833). His 44 hits in July were 10 more than the next closest players, and were the most by a Royal in any month since Johnny Damon had 47 hits in August 2000.Bobby’s .489 batting average in July was the 2nd-highest in any month in franchise history (min. 50 plate appearances), trailing only George Brett, who hit .494 (42-for-85) in July 1980. Witt Jr. is the first Major League player to record at least 44 hits and a .489 batting average in any month since Lou Gehrig in June 1930.Witt Jr. recorded a hit in 22 of Kansas City’s 23 games in July, including 13 multi-hit efforts, 8 games with at least 3 hits and a 4-hit game. He recorded 4 consecutive 3-hit games from July 19-22, becoming the first player in Major League history, according to Elias, to do so in a player’s 1st 4 games after the All-Star break. It also matched the 2nd-longest streak in franchise history at any point, trailing only Brett’s run of 6 games with at least 3 hits from May 8-13, 1976.In a 10-4 win on July 22 vs. Arizona, Witt Jr. doubled, tripled and homered, finishing a single shy of the cycle. Last Monday night in Chicago, Bobby hit his 3rd career grand slam, a go-ahead shot in the 8th inning that propelled Kansas City to an 8-5 win vs. the White Sox.Witt Jr. was named American League Player of the Week for the period of July 15-21, during which he went 9-for-11 (.818) in the 1st 3 games after the All-Star break. He began that week by finishing as the runner-up in the 2024 Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas. Bobby hit a derby-high 50 home runs, including 20 homers in the 1st round, then bested José Ramírez, 17-12 to advance to the finals. Witt Jr. hit 13 HR in the final round, and his last batted ball landed at the base of the wall, leaving him 1 shy of matching Teoscar Hernández, who hit 14 HR in the final round to be crowned Home Run Derby champion.

Witt Jr. is AL Player of the Month

(All times
Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts


5 p.m. E! — Team: Free Routine (Taped)


3 a.m. USA — Men’s Singles: Gold Final (Taped)


8 p.m. USA — Women’s Singles: Gold Final (Taped)


3:15 p.m. USA — Men’s Quarterfinal (Taped)


11:30 p.m. USA — Men’s Quarterfinal (Taped)


10 p.m. USA — Women’s Light, Men’s Welter Finals &amp; more


9:30 a.m. E! — Sprint: Canoe, Kayak Heats (Taped)


2:15 p.m. E! — Men’s Team Sprint (Taped)


9 p.m. USA — Women’s Team Sprint (Taped)


9 a.m. NBC — Women’s 10m Platform Final (Taped)


4 a.m. E! — Men’s 3m Springboard Preliminary


7 a.m. E! — Jumping: Individual Final (Taped)


10:15 a.m. NBC — Jumping: Individual Final (Taped)


8 p.m. USA — Men’s Semifinal (Taped)


11:30 p.m. USA — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)


10:15 a.m. E! — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)


9 p.m. USA — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)


8:30 a.m. E! — Women’s Park Qualifying


11:45 a.m. USA — Women’s Semifinal (Taped)


3 p.m. E! — Women’s Semifinal (Taped)


7 a.m. USA — Men’s Speed: Qualification


12:15 p.m. E! — Women’s Semifinal: Boulder


4 a.m. USA — Repechages: W 400m, M 200m &amp; more


1:35 p.m. NBC — Finals: Women’s 200m &amp; more


10:15 a.m. USA — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)


6 p.m. USA — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)


5 p.m. NBC — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)


8 a.m. USA — GR 77kg, 97kg &amp; W Freestyle 50kg Eliminations

(All times
Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackoutsTuesday, Aug. 6ARTISTIC SWIMMING
5 p.m. E! — Team: Free Routine (Taped)BADMINTON
3 a.m. USA — Men’s Singles: Gold Final (Taped)
8 p.m. USA — Women’s Singles: Gold Final (Taped)BASKETBALL
5 a.m. E! — Men’s Quarterfinal
8:30 a.m. USA — Men’s Quarterfinal
3:15 p.m. USA — Men’s Quarterfinal (Taped)
11:30 p.m. USA — Men’s Quarterfinal (Taped)BEACH VOLLEYBALL
1 a.m. USA — Round of 16 (Taped)
2 a.m. USA — Round of 16 (Taped)
2:15 p.m. USA — Quarterfinal (Taped)
4 p.m. NBC — Quarterfinal
5 p.m. NBC — Round of 16 (Taped)
10:30 p.m. USA — Quarterfinal (Taped)BOXING
10 p.m. USA — Women’s Light, Men’s Welter Finals &amp; moreCANOE &amp; KAYAK
9:30 a.m. E! — Sprint: Canoe, Kayak Heats (Taped)CYCLING
2:15 p.m. E! — Men’s Team Sprint (Taped)
9 p.m. USA — Women’s Team Sprint (Taped)DIVING
9 a.m. NBC — Women’s 10m Platform Final (Taped)
4 a.m. E! — Men’s 3m Springboard PreliminaryEQUESTRIAN
7 a.m. E! — Jumping: Individual Final (Taped)
10:15 a.m. NBC — Jumping: Individual Final (Taped)FIELD HOCKEY
8 p.m. USA — Men’s Semifinal (Taped)
11:30 p.m. USA — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)HANDBALL
10:15 a.m. E! — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)
9 p.m. USA — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)SKATEBOARDING
8:30 a.m. E! — Women’s Park Qualifying
11:30 a.m. E! — Women’s Park FinalSOCCER
11:45 a.m. USA — Women’s Semifinal (Taped)
Noon E! — Men’s Semifinal (Taped)
3 p.m. E! — Women’s Semifinal (Taped)SPORT CLIMBING
7 a.m. USA — Men’s Speed: Qualification
12:15 p.m. E! — Women’s Semifinal: BoulderTRACK &amp; FIELD
4 a.m. USA — Repechages: W 400m, M 200m &amp; more
1:35 p.m. NBC — Finals: Women’s 200m &amp; moreVOLLEYBALL
10:15 a.m. USA — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)
6 p.m. USA — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)WATER POLO
1 p.m. E! — Women’s Quarterfinal
5 p.m. NBC — Women’s Quarterfinal (Taped)WRESTLING
8 a.m. USA — GR 77kg, 97kg &amp; W Freestyle 50kg Eliminations

Olympics on TV for Tuesday, Aug. 6

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A rebuilt statue of Jackie Robinson in bronze will be welcomed home Monday by Little League players and former Major League Baseball All-Stars, just over six months after the original was destroyed by thieves.

The original sculpture of the baseball icon resting a bat on his shoulder was cut off at its ankles in January, leaving only Robinson’s cleats behind at McAdams Park in Wichita, Kansas.

An identical statue will return to the park, where about 600 children play in the urban youth baseball league called League 42, which was founded in 2013 and named after Robinson’s uniform number with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Playing for the Dodgers, Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s racial barrier in 1947.

The community is expected to be joined Monday by representatives of Major League Baseball and former players, including All-Stars CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances, according to League 42 posts on social media.

The nonprofit was met with an outpouring of support and hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations after news of the stolen statue shocked the community and spread across the country. Bob Lutz, League 42 executive director, said this year that the donations helped fund the replacement statue, as well as improvements to the plaza where it stands, the nonprofit’s facilities and its programming.

The rebuilt statue is identical to the original because the mold was still viable. Dedicated in 2021, it was created by artist John Parsons, a friend of Lutz, before he died in 2022.

Firefighters found burned remnants of the original statue five days after it disappeared. One man pleaded guilty and will spend about 15 years in prison, although most of that time is related to a burglary that happened a few days after the statue heist.

Ricky Alderete was sentenced Friday to 18 months and ordered to pay $41,500 restitution for stealing the statue, an act he said stemmed from his addiction to fentanyl.

The lonely cleats of the original found a new home at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722888983461.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Nate Ford, left, and Jeff Herndon apply finishing touches to a statue of baseball hall-of-famer and civil rights pioneer Jackie Robinson in Loveland, Colo., on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Nate Ford, left, and Jeff Herndon apply finishing touches to a statue of baseball hall-of-famer and civil rights pioneer Jackie Robinson in Loveland, Colo., on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A rebuilt statue of Jackie Robinson in bronze will be welcomed home Monday by Little League players and former Major League Baseball All-Stars, just over six months after the original was destroyed by thieves.The original sculpture of the baseball icon resting a bat on his shoulder was cut off at its ankles in January, leaving only Robinson’s cleats behind at McAdams Park in Wichita, Kansas.An identical statue will return to the park, where about 600 children play in the urban youth baseball league called League 42, which was founded in 2013 and named after Robinson’s uniform number with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Playing for the Dodgers, Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s racial barrier in 1947.The community is expected to be joined Monday by representatives of Major League Baseball and former players, including All-Stars CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances, according to League 42 posts on social media.The nonprofit was met with an outpouring of support and hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations after news of the stolen statue shocked the community and spread across the country. Bob Lutz, League 42 executive director, said this year that the donations helped fund the replacement statue, as well as improvements to the plaza where it stands, the nonprofit’s facilities and its programming.The rebuilt statue is identical to the original because the mold was still viable. Dedicated in 2021, it was created by artist John Parsons, a friend of Lutz, before he died in 2022.Firefighters found burned remnants of the original statue five days after it disappeared. One man pleaded guilty and will spend about 15 years in prison, although most of that time is related to a burglary that happened a few days after the statue heist.Ricky Alderete was sentenced Friday to 18 months and ordered to pay $41,500 restitution for stealing the statue, an act he said stemmed from his addiction to fentanyl.The lonely cleats of the original found a new home at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, this year.

Jackie Robinson statue will be unveiled 6 months after original stolen

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who made the game-winning field goal in Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory two years ago, has agreed on a four-year contract extension that makes him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.

Butker announced the deal on X, saying: “There’s no place I’d rather be than with the Chiefs, excited to finalize a 4 year extension. To the Heights!”

ESPN reported that Butker is receiving a $25.6 million extension that includes $17.75 million guaranteed.

Butker has converted 89.1% of his field goals (197 for 221) in seven seasons with the Chiefs. He’s made 70% percent (28 for 40) from beyond 50 yards.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722889513659.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker waves to the fans as he walks to the field at the start of an NFL football training camp Saturday, July 27, 2024, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker waves to the fans as he walks to the field at the start of an NFL football training camp Saturday, July 27, 2024, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who made the game-winning field goal in Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory two years ago, has agreed on a four-year contract extension that makes him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.Butker announced the deal on X, saying: “There’s no place I’d rather be than with the Chiefs, excited to finalize a 4 year extension. To the Heights!”ESPN reported that Butker is receiving a $25.6 million extension that includes $17.75 million guaranteed.Butker has converted 89.1% of his field goals (197 for 221) in seven seasons with the Chiefs. He’s made 70% percent (28 for 40) from beyond 50 yards.

Butker signs 4-year extension with Chiefs

The US LBM Coaches Poll is voted on by a panel of AFCA-member FBS head coaches who are chosen from a pool of coaches willing to participate. Each coach submits a Top 25 team ranking weekly, with a first place vote worth 25 points, second place worth 24 points, and so on. This year's panel includes 55 coaches from across the country, representing the major conferences and independent schools that will be competing this season. 

The US LBM Coaches Poll is voted on by a panel of AFCA-member FBS head coaches who are chosen from a pool of coaches willing to participate. Each coach submits a Top 25 team ranking weekly, with a first place vote worth 25 points, second place worth 24 points, and so on. This year's panel includes 55 coaches from across the country, representing the major conferences and independent schools that will be competing this season. Preseason coaches poll1 Georgia (46 1st place votes)2 Ohio State (7)3 Oregon4 Texas (1)5 Alabama6 Ole Miss7 Notre Dame8 Michigan (1)9 Penn State10Florida State11Missouri12LSU13 Utah14 Clemson15 Tennessee16 Oklahoma17 Kansas State18 Oklahoma State19Miami20Texas A&amp;M21Arizona22NC State23USC24Kansas25Iowa

K-State No. 17, KU No. 24 in preseason coaches poll

DETROIT (AP) — MJ
Melendez hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in the ninth inning to rally
the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. Trailing
2-0 going into the top of the ninth, Hunter Renfroe and Freddy Fermin
reached on singles with one out. Adam Frazier nearly hit a pinch-hit
homer, but the ball curled foul and he flew out to center field.
Melendez then hit a 362-foot blast, his 13th of the season, to give
Kansas City the lead. Chris Stratton (4-3) got the win with a
scoreless eighth. The Royals’ Hunter Harvey pitched the ninth for
his first save.

CHICAGO (AP) —
Justin Steele pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning and the
Chicago Cubs topped the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 for their fourth win
in five games. Mike Tauchman and Miguel Amaya both homered in the
sixth and finished with two hits and two runs scored to help the Cubs
overcome an early 2-0 deficit. Chicago took three of four from its NL
Central rival in a weekend series at Wrigley Field. St. Louis rookie
Masyn Winn lofted a two-run homer in the third for the only scoring
off Steele. The shortstop’s ninth home run was his third in six
games and second of the series. Michael Busch and Cody Bellinger had
RBIs as Chicago pulled ahead with two runs in the fifth.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) —
The woeful Chicago White Sox have lost their 20th consecutive game,
the majors’ longest skid in 36 years and one short of the American
League record, as Chris Flexen was chased early in a 13-7 defeat
against the Minnesota Twins. Royce Lewis hit a three-run homer off
Flexen in a six-run second inning that gave Minnesota an 8-0 cushion.
The White Sox rallied and cut it to 10-7 in the eighth, but couldn’t
get any closer and fell to 27-87 this season. Chicago’s
franchise-record losing streak is the longest in the big leagues
since the Baltimore Orioles dropped 21 games in a row — the AL mark
— to begin the 1988 season.


SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Noah Lyles won the Olympic 100 meters by
.005 seconds Sunday, waiting some 30 seconds after the finish of an
excruciatingly close sprint to find out he’d beaten Kishane
Thompson of Jamaica. The word “Photo” popped up on the scoreboard
after Lyles and Thompson dashed to the line. Lyles paced the track
with his hands draped over his head. Finally, the numbers came up.
Lyles won in 9.784 seconds to edge out the Jamaican by
five-thousandths of a tick of the clock. America’s Fred Kerley came
in third at 9.81 and defending champion Marcell Jacobs finished
fifth.


PARIS (AP) — Olympic triathletes plunged into the Seine River as
the mixed relay event got underway after organizers said the bacteria
levels in the long-polluted Paris waterway were at acceptable levels.
Organizers on Sunday night made the decision to hold the event Monday
morning with swimming legs in the Seine. The plan to hold the
swimming portion of the triathlons and the marathon swimming events
in the Seine was an ambitious one. Swimming in the river has, with
some exceptions, been off-limits since 1923 because it has been too
toxic.


PARIS (AP) — Novak Djokovic has won his first Olympic gold medal by
beating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in the 2024 Games men's
tennis singles final. Sunday's victory makes the 37-year-old from
Serbia the oldest man to triumph in the event at the Summer Games
since 1908. It also gives Djokovic the last significant
accomplishment missing from a resume that includes 24 Grand Slam
titles and the most weeks spent at No. 1 in the rankings. The final
was a rematch of the Wimbledon final that Alcaraz won. The
21-year-old from Spain was trying to become the youngest man to win
an Olympic singles gold medal in tennis.


NANTERRE, France (AP) — The United States closed out Olympic
swimming with a wide range of emotions. The Americans set two world
records on the final night, winning the gold-medal count over rival
Australia and easing the sting of the first loss ever in the men’s
4x100-meter medley relay. Bobby Finke set a new standard in the 1,500
freestyle and the American women closed a thrilling nine days at La
Defense Arena with another record in their 4x100 medley relay. China
stunningly won the gold in the men’s 4x100 medley relay, ending the
American run of dominance that stretched back to the introduction of
the event at the 1960 Rome Games.


SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France (AP) — Scottie Scheffler is the
best player in golf and has an Olympic gold medal to show for it. The
world's No. 1 player stormed from behind with a 62 at Le Golf
National for a one-shot victory over Tommy Fleetwood. He overcame a
six-shot deficit on the back nine and got plenty of help from a
shocking collapse by Jon Rahm. The Spaniard lost a four-shot lead and
didn't even make the podium. Rahm shot 39 on the back nine. Fleetwood
won the silver medal. The bronze went to Hideki Matsuyama of Japan.


PARIS (AP) — French authorities are making broad use of
discretionary powers during the 2024 Olympics and their run-up to
keep hundreds of people they deem to be potential security threats
away from the biggest event modern France has ever organized. Lawyers
told The Associated Press that minorities are often among those
targeted with orders not to leave their neighborhoods and to report
daily to police. Fearing terror attacks, France has massively boosted
security. Those now unable to leave the vicinities of their homes
include Amine, a bank apprentice and student restricted to his Paris
suburb except for daily check-ins at a police station. The
France-born 21-year-old has no criminal record and has not been
charged with any crime.


PARIS (AP) — American gymnastics star Sunisa Lee's Olympic medal
count keeps rising. Lee earned her third medal of the 2024 Paris
Games and the sixth of her Olympic career by claiming bronze Sunday
in the uneven bars. Lee says the bronze is a vindication of sorts
after she took bronze on the same event in Tokyo three years ago
despite what she considered a sloppy performance. Lee has one last
chance to add to her medal total when she competes in the balance
beam final on the final day of gymnastics competition.


NANTERRE, France (AP) — Olympic swimmers spoke out about the
Chinese doping scandal that has hung over these Paris Olympics as the
events finished. China won the men’s 4x100-meter medley relay in 3
minutes, 27.46 seconds, with two of the four members of the relay
team on the list of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive ahead of
the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. Britain's Adam Peaty says he
believes dopers should be out of the sport altogether.

SUNDAY SCORES MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL INTERLEAGUE Final	L.A. Dodgers	3	Oakland	2

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721294994442.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — MJ
Melendez hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in the ninth inning to rally
the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. Trailing
2-0 going into the top of the ninth, Hunter Renfroe and Freddy Fermin
reached on singles with one out. Adam Frazier nearly hit a pinch-hit
homer, but the ball curled foul and he flew out to center field.
Melendez then hit a 362-foot blast, his 13th of the season, to give
Kansas City the lead. Chris Stratton (4-3) got the win with a
scoreless eighth. The Royals’ Hunter Harvey pitched the ninth for
his first save.CHICAGO (AP) —
Justin Steele pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning and the
Chicago Cubs topped the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 for their fourth win
in five games. Mike Tauchman and Miguel Amaya both homered in the
sixth and finished with two hits and two runs scored to help the Cubs
overcome an early 2-0 deficit. Chicago took three of four from its NL
Central rival in a weekend series at Wrigley Field. St. Louis rookie
Masyn Winn lofted a two-run homer in the third for the only scoring
off Steele. The shortstop’s ninth home run was his third in six
games and second of the series. Michael Busch and Cody Bellinger had
RBIs as Chicago pulled ahead with two runs in the fifth.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) —
The woeful Chicago White Sox have lost their 20th consecutive game,
the majors’ longest skid in 36 years and one short of the American
League record, as Chris Flexen was chased early in a 13-7 defeat
against the Minnesota Twins. Royce Lewis hit a three-run homer off
Flexen in a six-run second inning that gave Minnesota an 8-0 cushion.
The White Sox rallied and cut it to 10-7 in the eighth, but couldn’t
get any closer and fell to 27-87 this season. Chicago’s
franchise-record losing streak is the longest in the big leagues
since the Baltimore Orioles dropped 21 games in a row — the AL mark
— to begin the 1988 season.OLYMPICS
SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Noah Lyles won the Olympic 100 meters by
.005 seconds Sunday, waiting some 30 seconds after the finish of an
excruciatingly close sprint to find out he’d beaten Kishane
Thompson of Jamaica. The word “Photo” popped up on the scoreboard
after Lyles and Thompson dashed to the line. Lyles paced the track
with his hands draped over his head. Finally, the numbers came up.
Lyles won in 9.784 seconds to edge out the Jamaican by
five-thousandths of a tick of the clock. America’s Fred Kerley came
in third at 9.81 and defending champion Marcell Jacobs finished
fifth.
PARIS (AP) — Olympic triathletes plunged into the Seine River as
the mixed relay event got underway after organizers said the bacteria
levels in the long-polluted Paris waterway were at acceptable levels.
Organizers on Sunday night made the decision to hold the event Monday
morning with swimming legs in the Seine. The plan to hold the
swimming portion of the triathlons and the marathon swimming events
in the Seine was an ambitious one. Swimming in the river has, with
some exceptions, been off-limits since 1923 because it has been too
toxic.
PARIS (AP) — Novak Djokovic has won his first Olympic gold medal by
beating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in the 2024 Games men's
tennis singles final. Sunday's victory makes the 37-year-old from
Serbia the oldest man to triumph in the event at the Summer Games
since 1908. It also gives Djokovic the last significant
accomplishment missing from a resume that includes 24 Grand Slam
titles and the most weeks spent at No. 1 in the rankings. The final
was a rematch of the Wimbledon final that Alcaraz won. The
21-year-old from Spain was trying to become the youngest man to win
an Olympic singles gold medal in tennis.
NANTERRE, France (AP) — The United States closed out Olympic
swimming with a wide range of emotions. The Americans set two world
records on the final night, winning the gold-medal count over rival
Australia and easing the sting of the first loss ever in the men’s
4x100-meter medley relay. Bobby Finke set a new standard in the 1,500
freestyle and the American women closed a thrilling nine days at La
Defense Arena with another record in their 4x100 medley relay. China
stunningly won the gold in the men’s 4x100 medley relay, ending the
American run of dominance that stretched back to the introduction of
the event at the 1960 Rome Games.
SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France (AP) — Scottie Scheffler is the
best player in golf and has an Olympic gold medal to show for it. The
world's No. 1 player stormed from behind with a 62 at Le Golf
National for a one-shot victory over Tommy Fleetwood. He overcame a
six-shot deficit on the back nine and got plenty of help from a
shocking collapse by Jon Rahm. The Spaniard lost a four-shot lead and
didn't even make the podium. Rahm shot 39 on the back nine. Fleetwood
won the silver medal. The bronze went to Hideki Matsuyama of Japan.
PARIS (AP) — French authorities are making broad use of
discretionary powers during the 2024 Olympics and their run-up to
keep hundreds of people they deem to be potential security threats
away from the biggest event modern France has ever organized. Lawyers
told The Associated Press that minorities are often among those
targeted with orders not to leave their neighborhoods and to report
daily to police. Fearing terror attacks, France has massively boosted
security. Those now unable to leave the vicinities of their homes
include Amine, a bank apprentice and student restricted to his Paris
suburb except for daily check-ins at a police station. The
France-born 21-year-old has no criminal record and has not been
charged with any crime.
PARIS (AP) — American gymnastics star Sunisa Lee's Olympic medal
count keeps rising. Lee earned her third medal of the 2024 Paris
Games and the sixth of her Olympic career by claiming bronze Sunday
in the uneven bars. Lee says the bronze is a vindication of sorts
after she took bronze on the same event in Tokyo three years ago
despite what she considered a sloppy performance. Lee has one last
chance to add to her medal total when she competes in the balance
beam final on the final day of gymnastics competition.
NANTERRE, France (AP) — Olympic swimmers spoke out about the
Chinese doping scandal that has hung over these Paris Olympics as the
events finished. China won the men’s 4x100-meter medley relay in 3
minutes, 27.46 seconds, with two of the four members of the relay
team on the list of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive ahead of
the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. Britain's Adam Peaty says he
believes dopers should be out of the sport altogether.SUNDAY SCORES MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL INTERLEAGUE Final	L.A. Dodgers	3	Oakland	2	Final	Philadelphia	6	Seattle	0	Final	L.A. Angels	3	N.Y. Mets	2	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Kansas City	3	Detroit	2	Final	Tampa Bay	1	Houston	0	Final	Baltimore	9	Cleveland	5	Final	N.Y. Yankees	4	Toronto	3	Final	Boston	7	Texas	2	Final	Minnesota	13	Chicago White Sox	7	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	San Francisco	8	Cincinnati	2	Final	Washington	4	Milwaukee	3	Final	Miami	7	Atlanta	0	Final	Arizona	6	Pittsburgh	5Final	San Diego	10	Colorado	2

Monday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Noah Lyles paced on the far end of the track, hands folded over the top of his head, wistfully looking up at a scoreboard that would, sooner or later, flash an answer he’s been seeking over three sweat-soaked years.

Was all that toil since the last Olympics — all the work on the practice track and in the weight room in the name of finding a centimeter here or a millisecond there — really going to be worth all the trouble?

Ten seconds passed, then 20. Then, nearly 30. And then, the answer popped up.

Yes, Lyles is the 100-meter champion at the Paris Olympics. The World’s Fastest Man.

The American showman edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson on Sunday by five-thousandths of a second — that’s .005 of one tick of the clock — in a race for the ages.

The final tally in this one: Lyles 9.784 seconds, Thompson 9.789.

The new champion said that before he left for Paris, one of his physio guys ensured him this race would be a squeaker.

“He said, ‘This is how close first and second are going to be,’” Lyles said as he pinched his thumb and his forefinger together so they were almost touching. “I can't believe how right he was.”

For perspective, the blink of an eye takes, on average, .1 second. That was 20 times longer than the gap between first and second.

It was so close, that when the sprinters crossed the line and the word “Photo” popped up next to the names of Lyles, Thompson and five others in the eight-man field, Lyles walked over to the Jamaican and said “I think you got the Olympics dog.”

Thompson, who raced three lanes to the left of Lyles and had no clue where he was on the track, wasn't convinced.

“I was, ‘Wow, I’m not even sure, because it was that close,'" the Jamaican said.

Time would tell. It always does. When Lyles' name came up first, he snatched his name tag off the front of his bib and held it to the sky. Moments later, he shouted at the TV camera: “America, I told you I got this!”

The first four racers were separated by less than .03. The top seven all finished within .09 of each other.

America’s Fred Kerley came in third at 9.81. “That’s probably one of the most beautiful races I’ve been in,” he said.

In the photo finish, Kerley's orange shoe crossed the line before anyone, or anything. But it's the chest breaking the barrier that counts. Lyles' chest crossed first.

This was the closest 1-2 finish in the 100 since at least Moscow in 1980 — or maybe even ever.

Back then, Britain’s Allan Wells narrowly beat Silvio Leonard in an era when the electronic timers didn’t go into the thousandths of a second. The same was true in 1932, when Eddie Tolan won the Olympics’ first ever photo finish.

Lyles conceded that during the excruciating wait, he was pretty sure he had dipped his chest just a tad too soon. Dipping, it turns out, is one of the few things he doesn't work on over and over again at his training track in Florida.

“But I would say I have a decent history with dipping,” he said, recalling races he won in high school and as a junior.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722850303189.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Noah Lyles, of the United States, in lane seven, wins the men's 100-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Noah Lyles, of the United States, in lane seven, wins the men's 100-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)</figcaption>
 </figure>SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Noah Lyles paced on the far end of the track, hands folded over the top of his head, wistfully looking up at a scoreboard that would, sooner or later, flash an answer he’s been seeking over three sweat-soaked years.Was all that toil since the last Olympics — all the work on the practice track and in the weight room in the name of finding a centimeter here or a millisecond there — really going to be worth all the trouble?Ten seconds passed, then 20. Then, nearly 30. And then, the answer popped up.Yes, Lyles is the 100-meter champion at the Paris Olympics. The World’s Fastest Man.Just not by very much.The American showman edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson on Sunday by five-thousandths of a second — that’s .005 of one tick of the clock — in a race for the ages.The final tally in this one: Lyles 9.784 seconds, Thompson 9.789.The new champion said that before he left for Paris, one of his physio guys ensured him this race would be a squeaker.“He said, ‘This is how close first and second are going to be,’” Lyles said as he pinched his thumb and his forefinger together so they were almost touching. “I can't believe how right he was.”For perspective, the blink of an eye takes, on average, .1 second. That was 20 times longer than the gap between first and second.It was so close, that when the sprinters crossed the line and the word “Photo” popped up next to the names of Lyles, Thompson and five others in the eight-man field, Lyles walked over to the Jamaican and said “I think you got the Olympics dog.”Thompson, who raced three lanes to the left of Lyles and had no clue where he was on the track, wasn't convinced.“I was, ‘Wow, I’m not even sure, because it was that close,'" the Jamaican said.Time would tell. It always does. When Lyles' name came up first, he snatched his name tag off the front of his bib and held it to the sky. Moments later, he shouted at the TV camera: “America, I told you I got this!”The first four racers were separated by less than .03. The top seven all finished within .09 of each other.America’s Fred Kerley came in third at 9.81. “That’s probably one of the most beautiful races I’ve been in,” he said.In the photo finish, Kerley's orange shoe crossed the line before anyone, or anything. But it's the chest breaking the barrier that counts. Lyles' chest crossed first.This was the closest 1-2 finish in the 100 since at least Moscow in 1980 — or maybe even ever.Back then, Britain’s Allan Wells narrowly beat Silvio Leonard in an era when the electronic timers didn’t go into the thousandths of a second. The same was true in 1932, when Eddie Tolan won the Olympics’ first ever photo finish.Lyles conceded that during the excruciating wait, he was pretty sure he had dipped his chest just a tad too soon. Dipping, it turns out, is one of the few things he doesn't work on over and over again at his training track in Florida.“But I would say I have a decent history with dipping,” he said, recalling races he won in high school and as a junior.The 9.784 marked a new personal best for Lyles and made him the first American champion in the marquee race at the Olympics since Justin Gatlin in 2004.Lyles is hoping to go even bigger than that, and maybe take this sport back to a day when it was Carl Lewis and Edwin Moses lighting up the track — a must-see affair, the likes of which Lyles headlined in front of around 80,000 on a warm night at the Stade de France.The mission started after Lyles settled for a bronze medal in Tokyo in his favorite — and then, only — sprint, the 200. Those COVID-impacted Games were a terrible experience for Lyles. He rededicated himself to bettering his mental health, but also looked for a new mission — the 100 meters and, with it, a chance at track immortality.The practice was tough for a sprinter never known as a great starter, but he stuck with it. When he won the world championships last year, then backed it up by winning the 200, his goal for Paris was very much in sight.But when he came into the Olympic final having finished second in both his qualifying races and staring across at one sprinter who had run faster than him this year — Thompson — and another who had beaten him twice this year — Jamaica's Oblique Seville — he knew this would be no coronation.Thompson added another roadblock when, during the introduction, he let out a primal scream, the likes of which Lyles has been unleashing in some of his biggest races.“I thought ‘Man, that’s my thing, that's crazy,'" Lyles said.Lyles galloped and leapt about 20 yards down the track before returning to the starting line, where the runners waited some three minutes for the gun to finally sound.It was worth the wait.Now, the question that could be debated for years is: What was the difference in this one?Could it have been Lyles’ closing speed and that lean into the line that he thought was mistimed?Was it his ability to stay in reach of everyone among this straight line of sprinters over the first 60 meters — a skill he's been working on in tedious practice after practice since he took on the shorter sprint?The answer: all that and more.“Everyone in the field came out knowing they could win this race,” Lyles said.It took 9.784 seconds, then about 30 seconds more, for the scoreboard to flash the name of the man who actually did.