National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Naomi Osaka of Japan plays a forehand during their singles match against Andrea Petkovic of Germany at the Summer Set tennis tournament ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion who helped spark a conversation about athletes’ mental health when she pulled out of last year’s French Open before her second-round match and revealed that she has dealt with anxiety and depression. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair, File)

Naomi Osaka at French Open news conference: 'I think I'm OK'

Naomi Osaka is back at Roland Garros, and she spent time smiling and laughing at her own jokes during her pre-tournament news conference. She pulled out of last year's French Open before the second … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 5/20/22

FILE - Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses the cup after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during their final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, Sunday, June 13, 2021 in Paris. Djokovic won 6-7 (6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are both entered in the French Open, making it the first Grand Slam tournament with both of them in the field since last year’s French Open. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

FRENCH OPEN: More buzz about Alcaraz than Nadal, Djokovic

The French Open marks the first time in a year that Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are both entered in a Grand Slam tournament. And yet most of the buzz heading into the start of play at Roland … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 5/20/22

Abraham Ancer, of Mexico, hits from the fairway on the 13th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament, Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Record 6 Latin Americans start off well at PGA Championship

There are a record six Latin American players in the PGA Championship this year, and just about all of them got off to good starts in Thursday's opening round. Abraham Ancer of Mexico led the way … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 5/20/22

FILE - Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Saban called out Texas A&M on Wednesday night, May 18 for “buying” players in its top-ranked recruiting class with name, image and likeness deals, saying Crimson Tide football players earned more than $3 million last year “the right way.” (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

Column: A wildly entertaining spat between 2 coaching stars

Why did they wait so long to allow college athletes to make a few bucks on the side? Think of all the wildly entertaining shenanigans we’ve missed out on over the years. Jimbo Fisher is downright … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 5/20/22

Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) scores a goal against St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Denver. The Blues won 4-1. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Perron scores twice, Blues even series with 4-1 win over Avs

David Perron scored twice, Jordan Binnington made 30 saves and the St. Louis Blues beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 to tie their second-round series at a game apiece. Jordan Kyrou added a goal and … more

By PAT GRAHAM | 5/20/22

Boston Red Sox's Trevor Story tosses his bat while watching his three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Boston. Story hit two two-run home runs earlier in the game. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Story hits 3 homers for Red Sox in 12-6 win over Mariners

Trevor Story had three homers, four hits and seven RBIs to help the Boston Red Sox rally from a four-run deficit to beat the Seattle Mariners 12-6. Story slugged a pair of two-run homers and a … more

By DOUG ALDEN | 5/20/22

Boston Celtics players cheer the team from the bench during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals playoff series against the Miami Heat, Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Celtics roll past Heat 127-102, tie Eastern finals at 1-1

Jayson Tatum scored 27 points, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown each scored 24 and the Boston Celtics dominated the first half to roll past the Miami Heat 127-102 and tie the Eastern Conference finals … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/19/22

Colton scores late, Lightning beat Panthers 2-1 in Game 2

Ross Colton scored with just under four seconds remaining, giving the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Eastern … more

By GEORGE RICHARDS | 5/19/22

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, waves after making a putt on the first hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament, Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

McIlroy powers to a 65 for early lead at PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy has the early lead in the PGA Championship with a 65. Tiger Woods was alongside him at Southern Hills and shot a 74. They played two different games. McIlroy is blasting away with … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 5/19/22

New York Mets' Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a walk-off two-run home run in the 10th inning of a baseball game as St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) walks off the field on Thursday, May 19, 2022, in New York. The Mets won 7-6 in 10 innings. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

After Mets lose Scherzer, Alonso HR in 10th beats Cards 7-6

Hours after the Mets learned Max Scherzer will join fellow ace Jacob deGrom on the injured list, Pete Alonso kept New York rolling with a two-run homer in the 10th inning for a 7-6 win over the St. … more

By RONALD BLUM | 5/19/22

New York Mets third baseman Eduardo Escobar (10) checks on starting pitcher Max Scherzer during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Mets ace Scherzer likely out 6 to 8 weeks for oblique strain

Mets pitcher Max Scherzer is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks with a strained oblique muscle in his left side. It's the latest blow to a New York pitching staff already missing ace … more

By RONALD BLUM | 5/19/22

Boston Celtics center Al Horford wipes his face while seated on the bench as the Celtics trail the Milwaukee Bucks in the second half of Game 1 in the second round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoff series, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Celtics' White to miss Game 2, heads home for child's birth

Marcus Smart is hoping to play. Al Horford is likely to remain out. And Derrick White headed home early for a good reason. The Boston Celtics were hoping to have at least one of their missing … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/19/22

A happier Andretti returns to Indy 500 as part-time racer

Marco Andretti eased into semi-retirement after the 2020 season and now races only the Indianapolis 500 for his family-owned team. It's enough for the third-generation racer, who lost much of the joy … more

By JENNA FRYER | 5/19/22

Baltimore Orioles' Anthony Santander is doused as he celebrates heading home after hitting a three-run walk off home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Baltimore. The Orioles won 9-6. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Santander's 3-run HR in 9th leads Orioles past Yankees 9-6

Anthony Santander lined a three-run homer in the ninth inning off Lucas Luetge and the Baltimore Orioles avoided a four-game sweep by beating the New York Yankees 9-6. New York lost for just the … more

By TODD KARPOVICH | 5/19/22

Tiger Woods hits from the fairway on the 13th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament, Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Tiger trouble: Woods winces way through opening 74 at PGA

Tiger Woods cooled off after a hot start at the PGA Championship, then struggled on his ailing leg down the stretch while shooting 4-over 74 in the opening round. It was his worst opening round at … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 5/19/22

FILE - At left, Alabama head coach Nick Saban yells to the sideline during the first half of Alabama's NCAA college football scrimmage, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. At right, Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher reacts to an official's call during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher called Nick Saban a “narcissist” Thursday, May 19, 2022. after the Alabama coach made “despicable” comments about the Aggies using name, image and likeness deals to land their top-ranked recruiting classes. Saban called out Texas A&M on Wednesday night for “buying” players. (AP Photo/File)

'We're done': A&M's Fisher fires back at 'narcissist' Saban

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher is firing back at Alabama coach Nick Saban. Fisher called Saban a “narcissist” and said his comments about the Aggies are “despicable.” Saban called out Texas A&M … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 5/19/22

Djokovic, Nadal, Alcaraz on same half of French Open bracket

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz all were placed on the same half of the French Open men’s bracket in the draw for the clay-court Grand Slam tournament. Djokovic is the defending … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 5/19/22

Injured reliever Luke Jackson loses arbitration vs Braves

Atlanta Braves reliever Luke Jackson has lost his salary arbitration case. Jackson is sidelined for the season by Tommy John surgery. He was awarded the team’s $3.6 million offer rather than his $4 … more

5/19/22

In this Dec. 29, 2018 photo provided by Lo van Pham, from left, line judge Derek Anderson, referee Mike Defee and side judge Lo van Pham pose for a photo before the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Lo van Pham’s journey to the NFL began when he fell in love with sports upon arriving in Texas after living in refugee camps with his family. More than 40 years later, van Pham is set to become the first Asian American to officiate in the NFL. (Lo van Pham/NFL via AP)

Lo van Pham honored to be first Asian American official

Lo van Pham’s journey to the NFL began when he fell in love with sports upon arriving in Texas after living in refugee camps with his family. More than 40 years later, van Pham is set to become the … more

By ROB MAADDI | 5/19/22

Preakness tradition Alibi Breakfast back after 2 years off

The Preakness tradition of the Alibi Breakfast is back this week after a two-year absence because of the pandemic. The annual event that dates to the 1930s brings together owners, trainers and other … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/19/22