MADRID (AP) — Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain, police have said. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead after their car went off a road near the northwestern city of Zamora. Police were investigating the causes. They said there were no other vehicles involved. The 28-year-old Jota and his brother, 25-year-old André Silva, both Portuguese players, were in the car. Jota also played for Portugal’s national team. Silva played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw has reached an incredible milestone, becoming the 20th pitcher in MLB history to record 3,000 career strikeouts. On Wednesday night, he struck out Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox with a slider in the sixth inning. The 37-year-old Dodgers pitcher joins an elite group, including just three other left-handers, to achieve this feat. Fans at Dodger Stadium gave Kershaw a standing ovation as he tipped his cap and acknowledged his family in the stands. Despite not earning the win, Kershaw expressed gratitude for his teammates and the moment, calling it a special achievement in his 18th season.
NEW YORK (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers will have three fan-elected starters in the All-Star Game, with first baseman Freddie Freeman and catcher Will Smith joining designated hitter Shohei Ohtani as winners in final ballot totals. Detroit will have three fan-picked starters for the first time since 2007 after second baseman Gleyber Torres along with outfielders Riley Greene and Javier Báez were voted in at their positions for the July 15 game at Atlanta’s Truist Park. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs were picked for the NL outfield along with Ronald Acuña Jr. of the host Braves.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Deandre Ayton has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, sources tell the Associated Press. The Portland Trail Blazers bought out Ayton’s contract last weekend, and he will now team up with LeBron James and Luka Doncic for the upcoming season. Ayton, a 7-footer and former No. 1 overall pick, averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds over seven NBA seasons. His addition addresses the Lakers’ need for size in the paint after trading Anthony Davis. Ayton, who turns 27 this month, brings experience but has yet to make an All-Star appearance in his career.
LONDON (AP) — One tennis player's public lament about feeling alone after a loss at Wimbledon has revived the conversation about mental health in the sport. Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Alexander Zverev discussed his state of mind after a first-round exit at the All England Club this week. Other competitors were asked Wednesday about Zverev’s words and some said they could empathize. Some offered advice. When Naomi Osaka opened up about her anxiety and depression at the 2021 French Open, it sparked a conversation in sports — and society at large — about mental health and the importance of addressing such issues.
NEW YORK (AP) — A person with knowledge of the details says the New York Knicks have offered their coaching job to Mike Brown and are working to finalize a deal with the two-time NBA Coach of the Year. Brown would replace Tom Thibodeau, who was fired last month despite leading the Knicks to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. He had his second interview with the Knicks on Tuesday before the job was offered, the person told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because details of the search were to remain private.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The U.S. men's soccer team advanced to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico after a 2-1 win over Guatemala. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said the sellout crowd of 22,423 at Energizer Park, which rooted overwhelmingly for the visitors, was “like to play in Guatemala." Diego Luna scored in the fourth and 15th minutes for the U.S., giving him three goals in the tournament. Sunday's final in Houston will be the Americans’ last competitive match before next year’s World Cup.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Diego Luna scored twice in the first 15 minutes, and the United States hung on to beat Guatemala 2-1 to reach its first CONCACAF Gold Cup final since 2021. Luna put the U.S. ahead with a left-footed shot in the fourth minute, then scored with his right in the 15th for his third goal in two games. Olger Escobar scored in the 80th for Guatemala. The U.S. plays defending champion Mexico for the title Sunday at Houston.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Raúl Jiménez scored in the 50th minute off an assist from 16-year-old Gilberto Mora and Mexico advanced to its 12th CONCACAF Gold Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Honduras. El Tri advanced to play the United States in the final on Sunday night in Houston for the eighth meeting in the title game between the two countries with Mexico owning a 5-2 edge. Mexico has won nine Gold Cups, the U.S. seven and Canada one.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Claire Hutton scored her first international goal as the U.S. beat Canada 3-0 in a friendly. Sam Coffey and Yazmeen Ryan also found the net. The Americans have five straight wins by a combined score of 18-0 since losing to Brazil in April. Hutton's goal came in the 36th minute off a corner kick by Rose Lavelle, who also helped set up Coffey's earlier goal. This was the third game in seven days for the U.S., following two 4-0 wins over Ireland. The Americans face South Korea and Japan in September.
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final Detroit 11 Washington 2
Final Boston 5 Cincinnati 3
Final Minnesota 2 Miami 1
Final Washington 9 Detroit 4
Final Cincinnati 8Boston 4
Final Atlanta 8 L.A. Angels 3
Final Chicago Cubs 5 Cleveland 4
Final Houston 5 Colorado 3
Final L.A. Dodgers 5 Chicago White Sox 4
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Tampa Bay 6 Athletics 5
Final Toronto 11 N.Y. Yankees 9
Final Texas 6 Baltimore 0
Final Seattle 3 Kansas City 2
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Pittsburgh 5 St. Louis 0
Final Milwaukee 7 N.Y. Mets 2
Final San Diego 6 Philadelphia 4
Final Philadelphia 5 San Diego 1
Final N.Y. Mets 7 Milwaukee 3
Final San Francisco 6 Arizona 5