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Minnesota Twins clinch AL Central title with 8-6 win over Angels

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:18:23 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins clinched the AL Central title Friday night with an 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.Alex Kirilloff homered and drove in three runs, and Minnesota held on late to win the division crown for the third time in five seasons under manager Rocco Baldelli.Pablo López (11-8) pitched six innings for the Twins, allowing three runs and five hits with seven strikeouts. Jhoan Duran gave up a run in the ninth but got the final out with the bases loaded to secure his 27th save of the season.After the Twins squandered an early 3-0 lead, Kirilloff’s 10th homer snapped a 3-all tie in the sixth and Minnesota won for the sixth time in eight games. Kirilloff became the 12th Twins player with double-digit home runs this season, setting a club record.With lines from a recent college football game played at Target Field still visible, the crowd was eager to celebrate another extended fall for the Twins. It’s their 15th trip to the postseason since the Washingto...

Armstrong, Narveson and penalties help N.C. State survive at Virginia, 24-21

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:18:23 GMT

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Brennan Armstrong hit KC Concepcion with a pair of touchdown passes in his return to Scott Stadium and Brayden Narveson kicked a second-chance 33-yard field goal as time expired and North Carolina State beat Virginia 24-21 Friday night.Narveson’s first attempt from 48 yards was blocked by James Jackson, but he was called for a personal foul, moving the ball 15 yards closer. His second try was true.The drive was necessary after freshman Anthony Colandrea led Virginia on an 11-play, 66-yard drive and hit Malik Washington from 3 yards out to make it 21-19. The Cavaliers, however, were called for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play, and on their 2-point attempt from the 18, Colandrea hit Malachi Fields to tie it up.Another 15-yard unsportsmanlike call — this one on the freshman quarterback — forced Virginia to back up 15 yards on the kickoff, and a nice return set the Wolfpack up at the Virginia 48. Three runs by Armstrong moved the ball to the...

Ronald Acuna Jr. joins exclusive 40-40 club, Morton leaves game in 1st as Braves beat Nationals 9-6

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:18:23 GMT

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Washington. With the hit, Acuña became the fifth player in MLB history with 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)(AP/Andrew Harnik) Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Washington. With the hit, Acuña became the fifth player in MLB history with 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)(AP/Andrew Harnik) ...

Padres react to 'AI robots' at Petco Park

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:18:23 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- If you were at the Padres game Friday, you may have noticed some very realistic "AI robots" at Petco Park.No, robots are not taking over the world, but 20th Century Studios is promoting its new sci-film “The Creator" that is about a futuristic war between humans and robots. It is set to be released in theatres on Sept. 29.The bionic machines were seen wandering the field during batting practicing, catching the attention of Padres players, staff and even the fans. Their reactions to the cyborgs were priceless. 2 San Diego spots rank among top pan dulce places in US: Yelp Padres star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. appeared to be in shock with his glove over his mouth while A.J. Preller, president of baseball operations and general manager of the Padres, dapped up one of the "AI robots." Other players laughed in amazement at the convincing technology. This wasn't the first time “The Creator" showcased their devices in a public setting. On Sept. 10, fans at SoFi S...

Padres extend winning streak to 8 straight games

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:18:23 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Manny Machado hit two homers and drove in three runs for the San Diego Padres, who beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 on Friday night to extend their season-high winning streak to eight games.A season after Machado helped carry the Padres to the NL Championship Series, they're fighting for their playoff lives. The Padres are four games out in the race for the third and final NL wild card, with four teams ahead of them. They've been under .500 since May 12.“We have eight games to empty the tank,” said Machado, who reached 30 homers for the seventh time. He's been limited to DH duty since Sept. 1 due to right tennis elbow that he says will require surgery after the Padres' season ends.Machado twice put San Diego ahead, the second time on a two-run homer to left field off Matthew Liberatore (3-6) with one out in the eighth inning. Machado gestured toward the Padres' dugout after hitting his 30th homer, with Juan Soto aboard on a double.He was greeted with chants of “Mann...

Taiwan factory fire leaves at least 5 dead, more than 100 injured

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:18:23 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A fire and subsequent explosions at a golf ball factory in southern Taiwan killed at least five people and injured more than 100 others, and five people are still missing.The fire began on Friday night at the factory in Pingtung county and raged overnight. Authorities said rescuers were still looking for four factory workers and one firefighter who remained unaccounted for.More than 100 people were taken to the hospital with injuries.The cause of the fire was under investigation, Chou Chun-mi, magistrate of Pingtung county, said in a Facebook post.“Facing the grief of the family members, I could not say anything except to bow deeply, apologize, and express my deepest condolences,” she said in the post, after visiting the funeral home and meeting with victims’ families.Authorities said that natural gas may have contributed to the explosions, which occurred as firefighters were attempting to put out the fire.The Associated Press

Tropical Storm Ophelia forecast to make landfall early Saturday on North Carolina coast

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:18:23 GMT

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Tropical Storm Ophelia was expected to make landfall on the North Carolina coast early Saturday morning with the potential for damaging winds and dangerous surges of water, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Life-threatening flooding caused by the weather system was forecast for parts of eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, the center said in an update at 11 p.m. Friday. Ophelia was about 70 miles (115 kilometers) south of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, and heading north-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph) late Friday after spinning into tropical storm during the afternoon. The system had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (113 kph) with some higher gusts, but was forecast to weaken after landfall, the hurricane center reported.Ophelia was expected to turn north Saturday and then shift northeast on Sunday. The storm promised a weekend of windy conditions and heavy rain up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) in parts of North Carolina and Virginia and 2 to 4 ...

A Venezuelan man and his pet squirrel made it to the US border. Now he’s preparing to say goodbye

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:18:23 GMT

MATAMOROS, Mexico (AP) — During the weeks it took Yeison and Niko to migrate from Venezuela toward the U.S., they navigated dangerous jungles and over a dead body. The two are so inseparable that Yeison sold his phone so both had enough bus money to continue their journey.Now as Yeison prepares to finally enter the U.S., it’s likely he will have to leave Niko behind.That’s because Niko is a squirrel. The 23-year-old man and his pet squirrel are an unusual but blunt reflection of the emotional choices migrants make over what to take — and what to leave behind — as they embark on the dangerous trip north. Yeison, who declined to give his last name because he fears for his family’s safety in Venezuela, said going without Niko was out of the question. But Mexico is where they might be forced to part ways. Yeison, who is among millions of Venezuelans fleeing political and economic unrest back home, secured an appointment for Saturday to present himself at the border to seek e...

With temporary status for Venezuelans, the Biden administration turns to a familiar tool

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:18:23 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — From a White House podium in May, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas outlined new legal pathways to the United States for Venezuelans and others, along with a “very clear” message for those come illegally.“Our borders are not open. People who cross our border unlawfully and without a legal basis to remain will be promptly processed and removed,” he said.On Wednesday, Mayorkas announced temporary legal status for an estimated 472,000 Venezuelans who had arrived in the country as of July 31 — including some who ignored his stern warnings and came illegally. Circumstances change, but the Biden administration’s sharp expansion of Temporary Protected Status may complicate its messaging.Many Venezuelans will migrate to the United States with or without prospects for TPS, a 1990 law that empowers the Homeland Security secretary to grant eligibility for work permits in renewable increments of up to 18 months to people whose home countries are deemed...

League of Legends, other esports join Asian Games in competition for the first time

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:18:23 GMT

HANGZHOU, China (AP) — The world of online gaming takes its place this year at the Asian Games as an official event for the first time, with gold medals in play across seven top titles. The Asian Games has long featured other so-called “mind games,” like bridge and chess, so it’s not surprising that extremely popular — and lucrative — esports are being added to the lineup. Teams from more than 30 countries are taking part, with South Korea and host China expected to dominate what is anticipated to be one of the most watched events of the two-week Asian Games. The competition features five PC games and two mobile games, covering both multiplayer online battle arena, or MOBA, and single-player genres. The lineup consists of: League of Legends, Arena of Valor Asian Games Version (also known as Honor of Kings); Peace Elite Asian Games Version (also known as PUBG Mobile); Dota 2; Dream Three Kingdoms 2; Street Fighter V: Champion Edition; and EA Sports FC (also known as FIFA Online...