UNDATED (AP) — The Big 12 is adding Arizona, Arizona State and Utah as members next year, completing its raid of the Pac-12. The latest blow to the Pac-12 came just hours after the Big Ten welcomed Oregon and Washington to grow its new West Coast wing next year. A little more than a year ago, Southern California and UCLA announced they were joining the Big Ten in 2024. With the Ducks and Huskies, too, the Big Ten will be an 18-team conference. The additions of the Arizona schools and Utah give the Big 12 16 schools, stretching from Florida to Arizona.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. homered and stole a base, Michael Massey also went deep and the Kansas City Royals won their seventh straight game with a 7-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Witt became the first player in MLB history with at least 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases in each of his first two big-league seasons. Dairon Blanco drove in three runs and stole three bases for Kansas City. The Royals are in last place in the AL Central and have the second-fewest wins in baseball but followed three-game home sweeps of the Mets and AL Central-leading Twins with a series-opening defeat at defending NL champ Philadelphia for their longest winning streak since July 2017.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Nolan Jones had four hits and three RBIs, and the Colorado Rockies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-4 in a matchup of last-place clubs. Elias Díaz had two hits and drove in two runs as Colorado won for just the third time in nine games. The Rockies finished with 15 hits. Nolan Gorman hit two solo homers for St. Louis, which has dropped six of eight. Gorman, who has 24 homers on the season, missed Thursday night’s 5-3 to Minnesota with a sore foot. Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright (3-6) was tagged for seven runs and nine hits in three innings. He remains stuck on 198 career wins in his final season.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs are doing no favors to Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley and every other running back that wants to get paid. They won the Super Bowl last year with two running backs on rookie contracts and another that cost pennies on the dollar, and they’re rolling with the same inexpensive backfield in their title defense. They even have another undrafted rookie thrown in the mix. Chiefs coach Andy Reid remembers when running backs were paid handsomely, but that has changed when teams began to air it out. He thinks the values will rebound someday. It just doesn't look like that will be soon in Kansas City.
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — New Orleans Saints star running back Alvin Kamara and Indianapolis Colts defensive back Chris Lammons each have been suspended for three regular-season games by the NFL because of their involvement in a February 2022 fight in Las Vegas. The NFL released its decision on Friday, two days after Kamara was excused from training camp to meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell. Kamara and Lammons each pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges last month in a deal with prosecutors that avoided trial and potential jail time. Kamara has been one of New Orleans' most productive players as a rusher and receiver since being named offensive rookie of the year for the 2017 season.
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — One year after the NFL vigorously tried to suspend Deshaun Watson a minimum of one season for alleged sexual misconduct before settling on 11 games, the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback is moving forward. He says he’s a changed person. Coaches and teammates have praised his leadership, work ethic and attitude. Media see a noticeable difference in his demeanor.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy knows the process of getting ready for the season after major elbow surgery in the offseason is a deliberate one with each day providing a new test. He got an unexpected one earlier this week when teammate Clelin Ferrell hit his surgically repaired throwing arm as he attempted a throw, knocking the ball out and causing San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan to “to hold my breath so I didn’t lose my mind.” For Purdy, it was just another play on his road back to being the starting quarterback.
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Tony Pollard is taking over as the lead running back for the Dallas Cowboys after the offseason departure of Ezekiel Elliott in a cost-cutting move. The quieter Pollard is trying to be true to his personality as he takes over the leadership role from the more boisterous two-time rushing champion. Owner Jerry Jones refuses to shut down the idea of the still-unsigned Elliott returning. Pollard knows not to rule out anything. He is playing on the $10.1 million franchise tag after recovering from a broken lower left leg/ankle. Pollard was injured in the divisional playoff loss at San Francisco.
AMES, Iowa (AP) — A gambling scandal has left Iowa State with a quarterback quandary. Hunter Dekkers, last year’s starter, is among three current or former Cyclones players facing criminal charges. He is not participating in preseason camp. That leaves redshirt freshman Rocco Becht, true freshman J.J. Kohl and junior college transfer Tanner Hughes vying to be Dekkers’ replacement for now. Gambling investigations at Iowa and Iowa State have resulted in criminal charges against seven current or former athletes, including ex-Hawkeyes basketball player Ahron Ulis and Dekkers.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Three powerhouse teams play on the second day of the Women’s World Cup knockout stage and at least one of the best will be eliminated. The U.S. team has won the last two titles and is ranked No. 1 in the world. The Americans play third-ranked Sweden in the round of 16. The final whistle will close the international career of either Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. or Caroline Seger of Sweden. Both stars are retiring at the end of the tournament. In the second Sunday game, Netherlands faces South Africa. Netherlands is ranked ninth in the world and was runner-up to the U.S. four years ago.
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Russell Henley is used to leading the Wyndham Championship. The goal is to be leading after Sunday. He had a 66 for a one-shot lead over Billy Horschel. It's the fifth time in the last 10 rounds at Sedgefield Country Club that Henley has been leading. More startling was Horschel posting a career-low 62 to move into second place. He has to finish alone in second to be among the top 70 who advance to the FedEx Cup playoffs. Justin Thomas also made a move with a 65. He's now seven behind but at least has the weekend to improve.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed on a three-year, $186 million contract extension. The deal was confirmed by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. ESPN first reported that the Lakers and Davis struck the deal. At an average value of $62 million per season, the extension becomes the richest annual agreement in league history.
FRIDAY SCORES
INTERLEAGUE
Final Kansas City 7 Philadelphia 5
Final Baltimore 10 N.Y. Mets 3
Final Texas 6 Miami 2
Final Minnesota 3 Arizona 2
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Tampa Bay 8 Detroit 0
Final Cleveland 4 Chicago White Sox 2
Final Toronto 7 Boston 3
Final Houston 7 N.Y. Yankees 3
Final Seattle 9 L.A. Angels 7
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Atlanta 8 Chicago Cubs 0
Final Washington 6 Cincinnati 3
Final Colorado 9 St. Louis 4
Final Pittsburgh 8 Milwaukee 4
Final L.A. Dodgers 10 San Diego 5