National Sports - The Morning Sun

Kentucky Derby entrant Epicenter works out at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Epicenter is 6-5 favorite for Preakness without Rich Strike

Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter has been set as the morning line favorite for the Preakness. Derby winner Rich Strike is not in the field of nine for the second jewel of horse racing's Triple … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/16/22

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) throws against the New York Mets during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 15, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Robbie Ray doesn't travel with Mariners to Toronto series

Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray isn’t joining Seattle for a series in Toronto this week, missing a chance to celebrate the Cy Young Award he won with the Blue Jays last season amid border … more

By IAN HARRISON | 5/16/22

Tiger Woods hits a chip shot on the 11th hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club on Monday, May 16, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (Mike Simons/Tulsa World via AP)

PGA shaping up as much different from previous 4 in Tulsa

Southern Hills proudly displays the slogan for this PGA Championship as “First to Five.” No course has hosted the PGA as many times. And it's surely going to be different from the other four. … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 5/16/22

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, center, talks with players as officials review a play during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Spoelstra, Udoka have Heat and Celtics ready for East finals

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra have enormous respect for each other and a bond that stems from their shared history in the sport. Both grew up in Portland and … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/16/22

FILE - Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. NFL officials will meet this week with Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson as the league continues to investigate whether he violated its personal-conduct policy, a person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press on Monday, May 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)

AP source: Browns Watson to meet with NFL officials in Texas

A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will meet with NFL officials in Texas. Watson, who is facing 22 civil lawsuits from … more

By TOM WITHERS | 5/16/22

FILE - Auburn forward Jabari Smith (10) reacts after making a 3-pointer against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. Houston, Detroit and Orlando share the best odds to win the draft lottery on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, and the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. All three are already loaded with young players, even before the possibility of adding someone like Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero or Jabari Smith. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)

Before NBA draft lottery, Lakers already made Pelicans lucky

The New Orleans Pelicans are the lone playoff team among the clubs who can get a boost from lotto luck when the NBA draft lottery is conducted Tuesday night in Chicago. Houston, Orlando and Detroit … more

By BRIAN MAHONEY | 5/16/22

Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) shakes hands with Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg (9) after Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Monday, May 9, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. The Avalanche won 5-3 to sweep the series 4-0. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Second thoughts: Speedy Avs get rematch with rugged Blues

The Colorado Avalanche will try to avoid being ousted in the second round of the NHL playoffs for a fourth year in a row. Standing in the way is a nasty, experienced St. Louis Blues team familiar … more

By PAT GRAHAM | 5/16/22

Fans react during Game 7 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning in Toronto, Saturday May 14, 2022. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Column: Maple Leafs now at 55 years since last championship

As soon as the NHL expanded to more than six teams, and television networks switched to color, the Toronto Maple Leafs were in trouble. Once again, the hockey playoffs are moving on, while the Maple … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 5/16/22

Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling, right wing Claude Giroux, center Carter Verhaeghe and center Aleksander Barkov, from left, celebrate Giroux's goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period of Game 6 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Friday, May 13, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Rematch: Lightning, Panthers set to meet again in playoffs

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions on one side. The Presidents’ Trophy winners on the other. Franchises separated by just a couple hundred miles of highway. And two teams that don’t … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 5/16/22

Colton Herta holds the trophy after winning an IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Column: Herta's profile elevated as he rolls into Indy 500

The stage now belongs to Colton Herta, the young American driver who has forced his way into international conversations. Herta spent three days embedded with McLaren at the Miami Grand Prix and he … more

By JENNA FRYER | 5/16/22

Islanders hire longtime Trotz assistant Lambert as coach

The New York Islanders have hired longtime Barry Trotz assistant and right-hand man Lane Lambert to succeed him as coach. It's Lambert's first NHL head coaching job. Trotz was fired last week after … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/16/22

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby and goaltender Tristan Jarry skate off the ice after losing to the New York Rangers in overtime of Game 7 in an NHL hockey playoff series, Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Matt Freed/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)

End of an era? Penguins at crossroads after playoff exit

The Pittsburgh Penguins are at a crossroads following a fourth straight quick playoff exit. The Penguins blew a 3-1 series lead and fell to the New York Rangers in the first round. Longtime stars … more

By WILL GRAVES | 5/16/22

Poland's Iga Swiatek returns the ball to Turkey's Ons Jabeur during their final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Sunday, May 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Swiatek on streak entering French Open, with Ukraine on mind

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek enters the French Open on a 28-match winning streak that has lasted three months. The 20-year-old Polish player just won the Italian Open for her fifth straight title. All of … more

By ANDREW DAMPF | 5/16/22

FILE - Tiger Woods sits next to the Wanamaker Trophy during a press conference following his win at the 89th PGA Championship golf tournament at the Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. Southern Hills is hosting the PGA this week for a record fifth time. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP '22: Capsule look at Southern Hills majors

Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is among the golf courses with a history of hosting the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. Next up is the fifth time the Perry Maxwell design hosts the PGA. Tiger … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 5/16/22

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Chris Coduto)

D'backs, Orioles picking themselves up after 2021 failures

Last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles tied for baseball’s worst record with a staggering 110 losses apiece. This year has been a bit more encouraging, so far. The Diamondbacks … more

By NOAH TRISTER | 5/16/22

Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, second from right, is consoled by teammates as Calgary Flames celebrate following overtime NHL playoff hockey action in Calgary, Alberta, Sunday, May 15, 2022. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Gaudreau's OT goal gives Flames 3-2 win over Stars in Game 7

Johnny Gaudreau scored 15:09 into overtime to lift Calgary past the Dallas Stars 3-2 in Game 7 to give the Flames just their second playoff series win in the last 17 years. Gaudreau got a rebound and … more

5/16/22

After Game 7 win, Mavericks will enjoy, prepare for Warriors

The Dallas Mavericks have beaten the NBA's top team during the regular season and now it's off to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2011. The Mavs are still playing after a … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 5/16/22

New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin is mobbed by teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during overtime in Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in New York. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Rangers-Canes, Battle of Alberta up next in NHL playoffs

The New York Rangers will play the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the NHL playoffs. The league also will get the Battle of Alberta for the first time in 31 years with the Calgary Flames … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 5/16/22

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Albert Pujols (5) throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, May 15, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

Pujols pitches 9th, Cardinals romp to 15-6 win over Giants

Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina set a major league record for wins by a starting battery as the St. Louis Cardinals routed the San Francisco Giants 15-6 in a game that ended with longtime slugger … more

By STEVE OVERBEY | 5/16/22

New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) reacts with teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during overtime in Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Sunday, May 15, 2022, in New York. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Panarin lifts Rangers past Penguins 4-3 in OT in Game 7

Artemi Panarin scored a power-play goal 4:46 into overtime and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Mika Zibanejad had a … more

By VIN A. CHERWOO | 5/15/22