The 49ers and Raiders are continuing training camp.  The Niners had wide receiver Jauan Jennings on the field as he continues to seek a contract extension with the team.  Jennings led all the receiver drills during individual periods and came up with several catches during 11-on-11.  Fellow wideout Jacob Cowing injured his hamstring during the session and it is unclear how much time he will miss.  In Nevada, the Raiders had linebackers Elandon Roberts, Devin White and Germaine Pratt taking the field at the same time.  Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and offensive lineman Thayer Munford Jr. were the lone players that did not participate in the practice.

 

(Atlanta, GA)  --  The Giants claimed their three-game series over the Braves following a 9-3 victory in the finale from Atlanta.  Justin Verlander earned his first win of the season after giving up just one hit over five scoreless innings.  The win ended a historic 16-game winless streak for the future Hall of Famer.  Rafael Devers led the offense, going 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs.  Matt Chapman also homered as the Giants improved to 54-and-49.  They will host the New York Mets tomorrow night.

 

(Arlington, TX)  --  The Athletics are on a four-game losing skid.  The A's fell to the Texas Rangers 2-1 in Arlington.  Nick Kurtz drove in the only run for the A's on a double in the sixth inning.  Jack Perkins allowed a run in three innings out of the bullpen, getting the loss.  The A's have lost five of six since the All-Star break and sit last in the AL West at 42-and-62.  They visit the Houston Astros tonight.

 

(San Francisco, CA)  --  The Valkyries are closing in on their return to the hardwood.  Golden State will host the Dallas Wings tomorrow night in San Francisco.  The team is coming off a 67-58 loss to the Seattle Storm last Wednesday.  The Valkyries have lost five of six and sit fifth in the Western Conference at 10-and-12.

 

     Chico's Kurt Kitayama shoots a first round 65 at the 3M Championship at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. Kitayama sits at 110 in the Fed Ex Cup points race and needs a strong finish to earn a spot in the Fed Ex Cup playoffs. 

     Kitayama got off to a great start registering birdies on holes 1, 5 and 6. The Chico High alum then had birdies on 10, 14, 16 and 18 with his lone bogey on 13. 

 

 

 49ers veterans will report for training camp today in Santa Clara.  The team's rookies reported last Tuesday.  The Niners will host the Denver Broncos in their first preseason game on August 9th.  Elsewhere, the Raiders will see their veterans report to camp today.  Las Vegas had its rookies report last Thursday.

 

(Atlanta, GA)  --  The Giants have now lost six straight games.  San Francisco lost to the Braves 9-5 in the opener of a three-game set in Atlanta.  Willy Adames led the way at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs.  Matt Chapman finished with two RBIs on two hits.  Starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong struggled mightily and allowed five runs without recording a single out before being pulled from the mound.  The Giants are now 52-and-49.  They visit the Braves again this afternoon.

 

(Arlington, TX)  --  The Athletics were handed a loss against an AL West rival.  The A's fell to the Texas Rangers 7-2 to open a three-game set in Arlington.  Nick Kurtz was 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored in the setback.  Jacob Lopez was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs through five frames.  The A's have lost three of four to sit at 42-and-60.  They visit the Rangers again this evening.  In other news, rookie center fielder Denzel Clarke is heading to the injured list due to an adductor strain.

 

 

D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser isn't concerned about President Trump's recent comments.  Bowser said Monday that she knows Trump is a Jayden Daniels fan, and that the land Congress has leased to the city is the best site of any he has seen for a stadium.  The mayor is downplaying a recent post by the president that included his demand for the Commanders to go back to being called the Redskins as part of any deal to get a new stadium on federal land in the district.  Team owner Josh Harris has said the team will not be changing its name back.

 

(Cincinnati, OH)  --  The owner of the Bengals is sharing his thoughts on a major team issue.  Mike Brown told the media on Monday that "foolishness" is the reason why Shemar Stewart hasn't signed his rookie deal.  Brown said the impasse is over guaranteed money in the contract which would not be honored if Stewart engaged in conduct detrimental to the team.  The edge rusher was taken 17th-overall in April's draft.

 

(Undated)  --  The Chargers are inking a veteran running back to the roster.  ESPN reports that Los Angeles has reached an agreement on a deal with free agent running back Nyheim Hines [[ nah-HEEM ]].  The 28-year-old has not played in the NFL over the past two seasons because of a knee injury.  The Chargers decided to sign Hines after having him in for a tryout on Monday.  He was originally tore his left ACL while with the Buffalo Bills after a personal watercraft struck him.  He was signed to the Cleveland Browns last season but did not play due to the injury.  Hines has amassed just shy of 3,000 scrimmage yards and has 18 total touchdowns.

 

(Green Bay, WI)  --  The Packers are making sure star quarterback Jordan Love has top tier protection.  ESPN reported on Monday that Zach Tom agreed to a four-year, 88-million dollar extension.  The deal includes a more than 30-million dollar signing bonus, which is the largest-ever for an offensive lineman.  The right tackle was taken in the fourth round of the 2022 draft and has started every game over the past two seasons.

 

(Westfield, IN)  --  Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon still has faith in a former first round pick.  Irsay-Gordon said Monday that she believes there is still time for quarterback Anthony Richardson to prove he's capable of starting in the NFL.  In an interview with Colts.com, Irsay-Gordon mentioned that she would like to bring "urgency" to the situation.  Richardson will be competing with 2019 first rounder Daniel Jones for first-team reps in training camp.

 

(Undated)  --  Chris Paul will be returning to the hardwood for a 21st NBA season.  The free agent point guard has agreed to a deal with the LA Clippers for what is expected to be his final NBA season.  The 40-year-old decided to join the contending Clippers over other suitors such as the Bucks, Hornets and Mavericks.  The 12-time All-Star will now rejoin the team that he played for from 2011 through 2017.  He is the franchise's all-time assists leader after totaling 4,023 across his previous six-season span with the team.  He averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists while playing all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season.

 

(Philadelphia, PA)  --  One of the top prospects in this year's NHL draft is committing to a highly touted college program.  Sportsnet reported on Monday that Porter Martone will play for Michigan State this upcoming season.  The 18-year-old winger was taken sixth-overall by the Flyers.  Martone scored 37 goals and put up 98 points in 57 games for the Ontario Hockey League's Brampton Steelheads last season.

 

(New Orleans, LA)  --  Former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has decided where he will continue his college playing career.  ESPN is reporting that Retzlaff has verbally committed to Tulane.  He is reportedly expected to enroll soon as a walk-on and will compete for the starting job in training camp over the upcoming weeks.  Retzlaff formally withdrew from BYU on July 11th in the wake of the school's planned seven-game suspension of him for violating the school's honor code.

 

(Undated)  --  The American Athletic Conference is undergoing a rebrand.  The league announced on Monday the name will be changed to the "American Conference" and won't use the "AAC" acronym anymore.  Instead, the conference will be referred to as "American" and feature a first-ever mascot, an eagle named "Soar."  There are 15 schools that make up American, which sent eight football teams to bowl games last season.

The 49ers are facing a difficult decision with one of their offensive play makers.  ESPN reports that San Francisco wide receiver Jauan Jennings wants a new contract or a trade away from the franchise.  Jennings is scheduled to make 7.5-million-dollars in the final year of his deal.  If a new deal does not come to fruition by the start of the team's training camp next week, the 28-year-old is planning to request a trade.  Jennings finished last season with 77 receptions for 975 yards and six touchdowns.

 

  The Rays have a new owner.  The Athletic reported on Monday that Patrick Zalupski bought the team for one-point-seven-billion dollars.  Current owner Stu Sternberg agreed to sell the team to the Florida-based developer.  The deal is expected to close as early as September and Zalupski is committed to keeping the team in Tampa.  Sternberg bought the Rays for 200-million in 2004.

 

  A pair of college football powerhouse conferences are still at odds over a playoff reformat.  Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey told the media on Monday that the Big Ten has a "different view" for a College Football Playoff structure.  The SEC is lobbying for a "5-plus-11" model, which includes the five highest-ranked conference champs and 11 at-large bids.  The current playoff field has 12 teams.

 Los Angeles 2028 Olympics organizers are releasing its schedule of events.  When the Olympics begin on July 14th, 2028, they'll begin with track and field instead of swimming, which has been the tradition.  That will ensure there is enough time to build an indoor pool after the opening ceremony at SoFi Stadium.  There are a number of events that kick-off two-days before the opening ceremony  --  including soccer, basketball, cricket, field hockey, handball,  rugby, and water polo.  That's the most sports to start before the opening ceremony since the 1920 games in Belgium.

 

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game is set to be played in Atlanta tonight.  The American League is aiming to notch its second straight victory and win its 11th of the last 12 All-Star contests when they take on the National League at Truist Park.  The AL won last year's game 5-3 after the NL snapped a nine-game losing skid in 2023.  Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is slated to start on the mound for the NL opposite the AL's Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers.  Shohei Ohtani is set to start as the NL's designated hitter, while current MLB home run leader and Home Run Derby champion Cal Raleigh is set to start at catcher for the AL.  The AL is 22-4-and-1 against the NL since 1997.

 

The Jets are locking up one of their top play makers.  According to ESPN, the Green and White have signed wide receiver Garrett Wilson to a four-year, 130-million-dollar contract extension.  The deal includes 90-million-dollars in guaranteed money.  He has caught 279 passes for over 32-hundred yards and 14 touchdowns since being taken with the 10th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

      An American is in the women's final at Wimbledon for the first time in six years.  Thirteenth-seeded Amanda Anisimova stunned top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the semifinal round on Thursday.  Anisimova becomes the first American since Serena Williams in 2019 to reach the women's final.  Anisimova advances to Saturday's final.

 

     On the men's side, top-seeded Jannik Sinner advanced following a win in straight sets over 10th-seeded American Ben Shelton.  Sixth-seeded Novak Djokovic punched his ticket to the semifinals following a four-set victory over 22nd-seeded Flavio Cobolli.  Sinner and Djokovic play Friday for a chance to play the winner of Friday's other semifinal match between second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz and fifth-seeded American Taylor Fritz.  

 

     All 30 NBA teams will descend upon Sin City for Las Vegas Summer League, which begins on Thursday.  Each team will play at least five games with the results of the first four determining which four teams will move on to the playoffs and play for the summer league championship.  The action begins with seven games on Thursday, featuring a matchup between top pick Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks taking on Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

     The San Francisco Giants see their four-game winning streak end falling to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon 13-0. Phillies Bryce Harper went 4-for-6 with a home run and scored three runs. The Giants managed only two hits and were 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position. The Giants remain in 2nd in the NL West five games behind the Dodgers who have lost six in a row.

 

     The A's fall to Atlanta 9-2 in Sacramento. Atlanta hits five home runs including two by Ronald Acuna Jr. The A's have lost three-of-four. 

 

 

 

     Chico's Kurt Kitayama posted a strong 5th place finish at the John Deere Golf Tournament in Silvis, Illinois. The Chico native and Chico High product posted four rounds in the 60's and moved from 131st to 110th in the FedEx Cup points race. The top 70 get into the FedEx Cup Playoffs at the end of the season. Kitayama has not gained entry into the Scottish Open this week. 

 

     Mexico has claimed its record 10th Concacaf Gold Cup title with a 2-1 victory over the United States in Houston.  Edson Alvarez scored the go-ahead goal in the 77th minute to give Mexico a lead that they would not relinquish.  Raul Jimenez also found the back of the net for Mexico in the 27th minute.  Mexico is now 6-and-2 against the U.S. in Gold Cup finals.  Chris Richards scored the lone goal for the Americans in the fourth minute.  It was the earliest goal in Gold Cup final history.  

 

 

     Willy Adames and the San Francisco Giants took down the Athletics 6-2 in the series finale of a three-game set in Sacramento.  Adames hit his 11th home run of the season and finished the game 1-for-3 with two walks and three RBIs.  Luis Matos drove-in a pair of runs and starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong earned his fourth win after throwing five innings of one-run ball. The Giants are now 49-and-42.  Tyler Soderstrom hit his 15th homer of the season in the setback.  Jacob Lopez was tagged with the loss as the A's dropped to 37-and-55.  The Giants host the Phillies tonight.  The A's host the Braves beginning tomorrow.

 

     San Francisco Giants pitchers Robbie Ray, Randy Rodriguez and Logan Webb have been selected to the All-Star Game along with A's designated hitter Brent Rooker.

 

      The Warriors capped off the weekend with a Summer League loss. Golden State fell to the San Antonio Spurs 90-88 in the California Classic in San Francisco. LJ Cryer scored a team-high 19 points while Isaiah Mobley and Will Richard finished with 16 apiece in the losing effort. The Warriors are now 1-and-1. They will play the Miami Heat tomorrow afternoon.

 

      The Kings are getting set to tip off Summer League play this week. Sacramento will face the Orlando Magic on Thursday afternoon in Las Vegas. Assistant coach Dipesh Mistry will serve as the team's Summer League head coach. The roster is headlined by draft selections Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud. Devin Carter and Mason Jones will also participate in the action.

 

     The Valkyries are continuing their four-game road trip. Golden State will visit the Atlanta Dream this afternoon in College Park. The Valkyries are coming off an 82-71 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday. Tiffany Hayes scored a team-high 23 points in the setback. The Valkyries enter at 9-and-8. In other news, Kayla Thornton has been selected to her first All-Star Game.

The Giants were beaten on the road by their NL West rivals.  San Francisco lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-2 in Phoenix.  Willy Adames hit his 10th homer of the season on a solo shot in the second inning.  Starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong was charged with his third loss after allowing four runs through four frames.  The Giants have lost four straight to sit at 45-and-41.  They visit the D-Backs again tonight.

 

(San Francisco, CA)  --  The Giants will be keeping their skipper around beyond this season.  San Francisco has exercised manager Bob Melvin's contract option for the 2026 season.  The 63-year-old is currently in his second season with the franchise and 22nd season as a major league manager.  The three-time Manager of the Year has over 16-hundred career victories as a manager and has taken eight trips to the postseason.  Melvin is a Palo Alto native and played for the Giants as a catcher from 1986-to-1988.

 

(Tampa, FL)  --  The Athletics knocked off the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in a 10-inning contest in the Sunshine State.  Austin Wynns hit a sacrifice fly that scored Colby Thomas in the top of the 10th to bring home the game-winning run.  Shea Langeliers and Max Muncy both homered and combined for three RBIs in the victory.  Michael Kelly earned his second win in relief and Mason Miller notched his 17th save as the A's improved to 36-and-52.  They visit the Rays again this morning.

 

(Undated)  --  The Sharks are locking up a key member of their lineup with a new contract.  San Jose is signing forward William Eklund to a three-year, 16.8-million-dollar contract extension.  The 22-year-old's new deal will start with the 2026-27 season.  He set career highs with 17 goals, 41 assists and 58 points in 77 games last season.  The team also signed defenseman John Klingberg to a one-year, four-million-dollar pact and re-signed forward Colin White to a one-year, two-way deal.

 

(Undated)  --  The Kings are adding a veteran playmaker to their backcourt.  ESPN reports that Sacramento is signing free agent guard Dennis Schroder to a three-year, 45-million-dollar contract.  Schroder averaged 13.1 points in 75 games split between the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons last season.  The team is also working to sign big man Drew Eubanks to a one-year deal.  The Kings also traded center Jonas Valanciunas to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for fellow center Dario Saric.

 

(Minneapolis, MN)  --  The Valkyries are taking some time away from the court.  Golden State will visit the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday evening in Minneapolis.  The team is coming off an 84-57 win over the Seattle Storm on Sunday.  Tiffany Hayes scored a team-high 21 points in the victory.  The Valkyries are fourth in the West at 9-and-7.

 

The action continues on the grass courts at Wimbledon.  Top-seeded Jannik Sinner, fourth-seeded Jack Draper and sixth-seeded Novak Djokovic each won their matches to advance to the second round.  Third-seeded Alexander Zverev and seventh-seeded Lorenzo Musetti were both upset in the first round, while Americans Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul collected victories.  On the women's side, three of the top five seeds went down with second-seeded Coco Gauff, third-seeded Jessica Pegula and fifth-seeded Zheng Qinwen all failing to advance.  Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, eighth-seeded Iga Swiatek and 10th-seeded American Emma Navarro have each locked up their spots in the second round.

  The Giants were knocked off by the Diamondbacks.  San Francisco lost to Arizona 4-2 in the series opener in Phoenix.  Tyler Fitzgerald was 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the setback.  Starting pitcher Logan Webb was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs through six-and-a-third innings.  The Giants are now 45-and-40.  They visit the D-Backs again tonight.  In other news, the team has placed infielder Casey Schmitt on the 10-day injured list due to left hand inflammation.

>>Athletics Defeat Rays In Series Opener

(Tampa, FL)  --  Lawrence Butler and the Athletics picked up a 6-4 win over the Rays in the opener of a three-game series in Tampa.  Butler hit a two-run triple in the top of the ninth to break open a tie ballgame and send the A's to their second win in the last three games.  Shea Langeliers hit his 11th homer of the year on a three-run shot in the first inning in his first game back from the IL.  Sean Newcomb earned his second win in relief while Mason Miller notched his 16th save.  The A's are now 35-and-52.  They visit the Rays again this afternoon.

>>Valkyries Visit Lynx This Weekend

(Minneapolis, MN)  --  The Valkyries are taking some time away from the court.  Golden State will visit the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday evening in Minneapolis.  The team is coming off an 84-57 win over the Seattle Storm on Sunday.  Tiffany Hayes scored a team-high 21 points in the victory.  The Valkyries are fourth in the West at 9-and-7.