Mike Peck shut the door of the van and scanned the faces as his Findlay Prep players sat in silence. Now the associate head coach at UTSA, Peck led Findlay   then a Las Vegas powerhouse   to three national championships during a tenure that spanned 2006-12. He coached 2013 No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Anthony Bennett, 2011 No. 4 overall pick Tristan Thompson and 2011 San Antonio Spurs first-round pick Cory Joseph. But top-flight talent and success did not always guarantee contentment. When Peck noticed that his players were worn down or feeling sorry for themselves, he canceled practice in favor of a field trip, loading them into a van for a drive to John F. Miller School. A converted elementary school that was built in 1960, saddled with heating and air conditioning systems that routinely cut out, Miller served about 125 of the area's most severely disabled children. Peck and his team toured the classrooms, talking to teachers for about an hour and a half. At some point during the trip, players inevitably encountered Peck's daughter Madi. Born in 1999 with a chromosome abnormality known as 18q-, Madi has been dependent on adult care throughout her life. She is nonverbal, confined to a wheelchair, and nourished through a feeding tube. Now 20 years old, Madi's mental development is on par with an infant. At the end of their tour, Peck's players loaded back into the van for a return to Findlay. "The last guy would get in, and they'd sit down and shut the door, and I'd say, 'OK, guys, now go ahead and tell me a little bit about your problems,'" Peck said. "'Tell me what's really bad that's going on in your life right now. Let's talk about it.' And not a peep." Madi's impact has since extended to San Antonio. When UTSA held its day of service in March, Peck brought the Roadrunners basketball team to volunteer at San Antonio's Chromosome 18 Registry and Research Society   coincidentally the only clinical research center in the world that specializes in chromosome 18 conditions, like Madi's. The Roadrunners crafted promotional signs and did other odd jobs around the registry before Mike talked for a few minutes about Madi's influence. "Madi has not spoken one word or taken one step, and she's impacted more lives than you or I can or will ever impact," Mike said. "She's been a blessing. We're just fortunate and lucky that she chose us." 'That rainy day' Terri Peck was pregnant with the couple's first child when doctors noticed signs of poor growth and a decreased fetal heart rate   a failure to thrive in the womb. Madi was born at 35 weeks on Jan. 9, 1999. She weighed only 4 pounds, 9 ounces, and doctors quickly recognized that her elongated thumbs did not have a middle joint. Ten days later, she was diagnosed with 18q-. During the next 25 months, Madi underwent five surgeries. Titanium tubes were inserted into her ears to combat chronic infections, and three doctors performed four surgeries on her stomach or intestines. She was hospitalized 10 times during that stretch, often in response to breathing issues, pneumonia or high fevers. The last of those trips spanned 90 days, including 63 on a ventilator. Madi saw so many specialists that Mike and Terri created a cheat sheet to save time introducing her to new doctors. The page lists 11 conditions divided into heart, lungs, ears and other, and it shows eight allergies categorized between medications, food and materials. Terri said Madi's entire medical history fills a binder four or five inches thick, covering hundreds of hospitalizations. Shortly before Madi's birth, Mike and Terri moved into a small home in Michigan, close to Mike's job as an assistant at Division II Saginaw Valley State. Understanding that Michigan's climate would be taxing for Madi's delicate immune system, the family began to explore a move. In 2003, Terri accepted a position with a television station in Las Vegas, choosing it over a similar offer in Portland, Ore., because of Las Vegas' arid climate and the proximity of the Miller School. Mike was the video coordinator at UNLV for three years before taking the job at Findlay. He then coached the NBA D-League's Idaho Stampede for two years, took a year off from coaching, went to Santa Clara University as an assistant coach for one season, then landed the position at UTSA in 2016. All the while, Terri and Madi remained in Las Vegas, understanding the tenuous nature of coaching jobs and the benefits of being close to Miller and the family's support system. Madi's medical bills always created a financial strain. During the family's time in Michigan, Mike saved 10-cent refundable bottles and cans in a large garbage bin. If he saved up enough to make $20 or $25, the family could splurge on a pizza rather than mac and cheese or hot dogs. "That rainy day that you may have saved for is every day," Terri said. "There are expenses that we had no clue that we would have to endure and figure out. … When you're buying diapers for 20 years, it adds up." 'That's reality for us' On the typical morning, Terri is out of bed by 5:30 a.m. An hour later, she is ready for her workday and can shift her focus to Madi. Terri purees Madi's breakfast, feeds her, changes her diaper, dresses her, brushes her teeth and combs her hair. If Madi's 10-year-old brother Gavin needs anything as he readies for school, Terri handles that, too. By 7:30, Terri and Madi are waiting for the Miller school bus to arrive. "Sometimes I say I've accomplished more in the mornings than most people do all day," Terri said. "It's not a pat on my back. It's just a reality, to be honest with you. When you deal with a 20-year-old that is like a 1-year-old, you do everything for her. But I wouldn't change it." In 2011, Madi spent two weeks hospitalized with pneumonia after Miller's heating system failed during the winter. Terri then went before the school board to push for improvements to the school's original run-down building. In response, the district built a new $18 million Miller school about three miles from the previous site. Madi cut the ribbon at the grand opening in 2013, and Miller principal Jean Trudell told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that she did not think the project would have been approved without Madi's illness. At school, Madi takes part in physical therapy to try to develop her motor skills, and children are encouraged to communicate through large buttons and switches that play audio messages. The school's motto is "All children can learn." A bus brings Madi home around 3 p.m. With Terri typically still at work, longtime family friend Emilee Savage helps take care of Madi for a few hours. Part of the challenge is trying to determine how Madi is feeling and what she needs. On heavy therapy days, Savage usually changes Madi's diaper, helps her into more comfortable clothes and lays with her in bed until she falls asleep. On days when Madi is more energetic, Savage reads to her, or the two work on a crafts project or watch TV. When the weather is nice, Savage takes Madi to a nearby park or dips her feet in the family's pool. Terri and Mike said familiarity with Madi is one of the top priorities when searching for someone to look after her, and they've developed a tight-knit support system through the years. Chromosome abnormalities of any kind affect less than one-half of 1 percent of all live births, and chromosome 18 abnormalities are just a piece of that group. Madi's 18q- condition is one of five possible types of chromosome 18 abnormalities, and every 18q- case is different depending on which genes have been deleted. When Savage first started looking after Madi about five years ago, she frequently called or sent pictures to Terri for advice. Now, she's learned to pick up on different cues. If Madi is scratching her head, she has a headache. If she's pulling her hair, she's probably tired. If she's reaching for her feeding tube, she might need to be changed. Reaching any lower signals a stomach ache. Terri keeps a pulse oximeter, a breathing machine and the feeding tube essentials in Madi's nightstand. She and Mike have aimed to minimize the need for hospital trips by bringing those functions home, where Madi can rest more peacefully. Sticking by Madi's side through 20 years of hospitalizations, Terri said she's become "a nurse without going to nursing school." "I've never left her. Not one time," Terri said. "You have to be there every second. Then I can help others understand what she's feeling and what's happening with her body, or her. You have to be in tune with her, and I am. Completely." Terri has a monitor that plays the audio of Madi's room through the night, but she usually doesn't need it. She's long grown used to the rhythm of changing Madi's diaper at 12:30 a.m., rolling her over around 2:30 to keep her from growing stiff, and changing her diaper again two hours later. Madi's daily oral intake of food doesn't provide sufficient nutrition, so Terri sets up a bag of formula on an IV pole to sustain Madi overnight. On nights when the sound of Madi's moaning comes through the monitor, Terri lays in Madi's bed and sleeps with her. "I'm automatically up every two hours with Madi," Terri said. "An eight-hour sleep period doesn't exist for me, and that's OK. That's reality for us." Though the family has tried to find a routine, Terri said every day with Madi is different. Especially when Gavin's AAU basketball schedule requires extensive travel for tournaments. The longest Madi can stay in a car is about 3½ hours. She suffers from scoliosis, and in 2012 she underwent surgery to have a rod inserted in her back. At some point on each car trip, Terri stops to stretch Madi's back, lifting her 4-foot-11, 89-pound body and holding it against her own. For longer trips, the family flies. Savage often comes along to assist. If the gym isn't too loud, Madi and Savage watch Gavin play. Otherwise, Savage takes Madi to a nearby park or mall. "We always say, 'If Madi can't go, we don't go,'" Terri said. "We want to give her the most normal life we can give her." 'Small but mighty' Shortly after Madi's diagnosis, a doctor approached Mike and Terri with a textbook on disabled children. Drawing from the book that Mike estimated was at least 20 years old, the doctor said Madi should only be expected to live six or seven years. The story was not unfamiliar to Dr. Jannine Cody, the founder and director of the Chromosome 18 Clinical Research Center. When her own daughter Elizabeth was born with 18q- in 1985, Cody was presented with a bleak outlook. Doctors said Elizabeth would live a vegetative and bedridden life. Confronted with a lack of information regarding Elizabeth's condition, Cody returned to school at UT Health San Antonio, earning a doctorate in human genetics. She formed the Chromosome 18 Registry and Research Society in 1990. The nonprofit registry still operates out of the basement of Cody's home, and the research lab is housed in the pediatric department of UT Health San Antonio. Elizabeth, 34, is a regular volunteer at the hospital, has completed classes at San Antonio College, and goes Scottish country dancing with her mother on Sundays. "Her motor skills aren't the best, so her footwork isn't very good," Cody said. "But her timing is OK, and she learns the dances as fast as anybody else." The research study includes more than 650 individuals, from as far away as Indonesia and South Africa. Chromosome 18 contacted the Peck family shortly after Madi's diagnosis and entered her into a two-year clinical study, providing her with human growth hormone treatments. Madi and the Peck family twice went to San Antonio for an array of testing and doctors' appointments. Researchers use blood samples to examine which of the 263 genes on chromosome 18 are missing or abnormal in each patient, potentially drawing connections to specific symptoms. "In our cohort, pretty much you name it, somebody has got it," Cody said. "Heart problems, orthopedic problems, learning problems, autism, all kinds of things. With 18q-, the IQs range from unmeasurably low to 120, which is probably where most of us are. It's a huge spectrum." Once a problematic gene has been isolated, researchers can create a mouse that is missing that gene, characterize the conditions or change in behaviors in that mouse, then test possible treatments to return the mouse to normal. If successful, the process can someday be advanced to humans. In the short term, the researchers hope to get more out front in helping individuals with chromosome 18 abnormalities develop treatment plans. When a survey of research participants revealed a trend of low bone marrow density, Cody and her team alerted other participants to the possibility. "We're not looking to cure," she said. "You can't put a whole chromosome or half chromosome back into somebody in every cell in their body. But we don't need to. It's really only about 10 percent of the genes that are causing the problem. So we can figure out how to address the problems created by each one of those." About 4,000 families across the United States and another 2,000 internationally are enrolled in the registry, which provides information and networking opportunities. The registry has just two full-time staff members, plus about a dozen volunteers operating out of the office space in Cody's basement. Government funding for research on such a niche condition has been elusive, so a large part of their work centers on fundraising efforts. They also organize an annual conference, which typically draws about 400 to 500 people and is held in San Antonio every four years. The 2019 conference is scheduled for July 22-24 in Colorado Springs. "For not having a large expanse or a deep resource of staff, we feel we manage to do quite a bit," Chromosome 18 executive director Neale Parker said. "We like to say we're small but mighty." Carving out time to attend the annual conference has been a challenge for Mike and Terri, but they said Chromosome 18 always has been a resource. Mike said he quickly reconnected with the registry after he was hired to UTSA in 2016. "It's funny, when I got the job three years ago, how it came full circle," Mike said. "The day of community service was a no-brainer." 'We've got this' When Mike FaceTimes home to check on Madi, he sometimes finds Gavin laying in her bed, playing on his iPad while she watches Disney shows on TV. Sometimes she'll wave her hand back and forth, following it with her eyes. If she finds something funny, she'll laugh and kick her legs up in the air. She also likes to scratch at rough surfaces or reach out to touch Gavin's face. As Mike spends most of his year more than 1,000 miles from his family, those moments help him find perspective. "We all get caught up in our world and our tunnel, and we put the blinders on," Peck said. "When our season starts as coaches, we're always like that. We think it's only about our world, when it's not. You understand how important family really is." Terri said Madi is a "social butterfly," someone people naturally gravitate to. When Gavin has friends over, they stop to say hi to Madi. If she's at Gavin's AAU games, the team comes over to hug her after the final buzzer. Savage has noticed that Madi is particularly fond of young children, the color purple and Elmo from Sesame Street. Madi has taught Savage patience and perseverance, inspiring her to earn a degree in elementary education from Nevada State College. When Savage had to read 170 children's books during an eight-week summer course, Madi was with her for every library trip, and Savage read each one aloud to her. Savage graduated in May, and Madi was on stage to help Savage's mother with the pinning ceremony. "I know that she will never be able to have the college experience that I've had, and she was a huge part of my college experience and my graduation," Savage said. "She was just a huge part of what I wanted to do, and why I wanted to do what I wanted to do, and she helped me achieve that goal. So I figured it couldn't be anybody else." Madi can stay in the Miller School until she's 23, at which point she can transition to the PRIDE program at Opportunity Village in Las Vegas, which will offer a similar routine. Madi has an endowment in her name worth more than $1 million to help fund the program, and Terri sits on the charity's board of directors. Mike and Terri said Madi will always live with them. For Mike, working in San Antonio "is not something we want to continue long term," though UTSA head coach Steve Henson has been flexible in allowing him to return home whenever necessary. Terri described her life as a juggling act, balancing the demands of a full-time job, Madi's disability and Gavin's schedule, all while Mike is in Texas. But she knows Mike will move back to Las Vegas someday, and she said Madi's impact on everyone she meets inspires her to keep moving forward. "From the second Madi was born and they told us the news, Mike wrapped his arms around me and said, 'We can do this. We've got this.' And we've got it," Terri said. "That's what we've done, and that's what we'll continue to do." greg.luca@express-news.net


If you're looking for a low-impact workout that still helps you break a sweat , squatting is one of your best bets. Squatting may seem self-explanatory, but those who are just getting used to exercise sometimes make mistakes that are easily preventable. Here are a few tips to help you perfect your squat. Remember to stretch and warm up According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine , stretching before exercise reduces the risk of the dreaded muscle soreness many people experience when exercising for the first time . Because squats demand the most from your lower body, make sure to warm up with stretches that use your leg muscles. Don't use weights right away If you are a beginner, Carla Coyle, a sports medicine-certified Crunch Fitness instructor, suggests that you hold off on using dumbbells and weights. This will allow you to focus on developing your form. She says that a common mistake among new clients is adding on heavy weights too quickly. Try doing squats with just your body weight at first, then introduce weights slowly. "Start out with a reasonable weight for your size and work your way up," Coyle says. Keep your head up and back straight Whether you are sitting in a business meeting or behind your computer or squatting at the gym, it is always important to focus on your posture . Thinking about your posture also forces you to tighten your core and work your ab muscles as you squat. Coyle suggests squatting in front of a mirror so you can monitor your form. Position yourself correctly and begin your squat Although some nontraditional squats require different foot positioning, Coyle advises beginners to first master the original. To perform this squat, point your toes forward and keep your feet about hip width apart. Many first-timers make the mistake of squatting with their knees falling over their toes, though the correct form is to align your knees with your ankles. Another common misconception is that your form should vary based on your height and weight. "No matter how tall, short or big you are, your form should remain the same," she says. Don't go too deep Many assume that in order to get the most out of your squats, you should lower your body as close to the ground as you possibly can without falling over. But a deeper squat is not necessarily more effective. "Going just below your thighs being parallel with the ground will achieve great results," Coyle says. Don't be afraid to ask for help If you're a member of a gym, don't be afraid to ask the trainers circulating the floor to help you out or check on your form. But even if you haven't joined a gym, there are resources online that could help. "Search for a video of a credible fitness source to see how it's done if you are unsure," suggests Coyle. If you are more of a visual learner, it is a great idea to consult online content from fitness experts. Once you are comfortable with the basics, mix things up and transition into trendy workouts like barre and dance fitness. Video: You're unlikely to lose stubborn belly fat if you eat these 5 foods (Buzz60)


The IRS has added more than 220,000 Americans to the list of those possibly affected by a data breach.


It also packs some GM power under the hood. Old pickup trucks are like the salt of the earth. They're not pretentious, they can get the job done, and they're battle-hardened. This custom 1955 Ford F-100 certainly fits the bill, plus some nice custom work has smoothed out its wrinkles to make for a nice cruiser you can depend on. Immediately, you can tell this F-100 has been lowered, making it appear sportier. Centerline wheels are tucked under the wheel arches for a well-composed appearance. A creamy white paint job has been shined to gleaming perfection. Funny enough, instead of being painted a bold color like red or yellow, this F-100 actually will stand out from the crowd and get your noticed for being different. The wood slats in the bed are in excellent condition. A trailer hitch is tucked behind the license plate, keeping the exterior looking smooth and clean. The interior is also smooth and highly presentable. The same white paint graces the original dash. White-faced gauges add to the customized appearance, plus there's a large tachometer mounted below the dash by the steering column. A modern Pioneer sound system, plus grey cloth upholstery, door panel inserts, and carpeting make for a comfortable cab. This Ford runs using a Chevrolet 350ci V8, a practice which is more common than some might expect. It packs a punch thanks in part to a few upgrades like exhaust headers, while a high-capacity aluminum radiator means you can drive in the heat and heavy traffic without problems. A floor-mounted B&M shifter adds to the fun. Power steering, four-wheel disc brakes, and an independent front suspension makes this truck more approachable than many other classic pickups. Ford launched the F-100 back in 1954 and enjoyed a successful run all the way until 1983 when production ceased. Many working-class citizens and businesses learned to depend on the truck, making it a symbol of America's grit and determination. A clean, customized version like this 1955 Ford F-100 is difficult to find. Laguna Classic Cars & Automotive Art is the seller for this fine machine. More American Rides Immaculate 1966 Chevrolet Malibu Is A Mean Muscle Car Low Mileage 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Shelby GT500 Is A Baby


ST. PETERSBURG   Jabil is launching an initiative to offer new lines of sustainable product packaging, such as plastic bottles made from resins engineered for more easy recycling, composting and biodegradability, to companies that sell a wide range of consumer goods. As a global manufacturer of electronics, data centers, medical devices, appliances and more, Jabil might be better known for products that go inside the box, but it has an entire division devoted to packaging, including a packaging innovation center in Tortosa, Spain. This week that division unveiled a new suite of sustainable packaging services to help companies that sell packaged products from food to shampoo respond to consumer and regulatory demands for packaging that is less harmful to the environment. To do this, Jabil, which is headquartered in St. Petersburg but has more than 200,000 workers in 100 facilities spread across in 29 countries, is working with companies like Danimer Scientific in Bainbridge, Ga. Over more than a decade, Danimer has developed a biopolymer that can be used to make plastic products that are biodegradable and compostable. It does this by feeding vegetable oil to soil bacteria in a fermentation process that takes about two weeks. "The beauty of this whole process is that the micro-organism is the factory," Danimer Scientific chief executive officer Stephen Croskrey said during a conference call. "The way it works, the bacteria consumes vegetable oil and converts it for stored energy reserves when it's had enough to eat. ... I explain it as bug fat. It's just like when we eat too much, we have stored energy reserves in our fat. So when we break the cell wall open and extract that stored energy reserve, that is the plastic resin. We do nothing to it after that other than to clean it up." 'FEELS LIKE HOME': Jabil opens R&D innovation center as part of $67 million St. Petersburg campus expansion For companies producing consumer packaged goods, "there has never been a bigger challenge than the transition to a truly sustainable business model," Jabil Packaging Solutions vice president of technology Jason Paladino said. To make the shift will require "a new level of partnership and collaboration across the supply chain." So Jabil Packaging Solutions is offering three new services focused on: • Designing packaging products. • Assessing factors like a product's carbon footprint and recyclability along with its production requirements, and • Sourcing materials in a way that takes into account price, performance and supply chain optimization. Jabil aims to provide a single source of expertise in all areas of sustainable packaging development to a market that includes food and beverage, home care and personal care customers. That, the company says, should reduce the complexity of working with multiple suppliers and design houses, speed up the time it takes to conceive, create and deliver new products to the market, and reduce the risk that new package formats will fail to meet industry design guidelines. "We will partner with our suppliers to develop the most optimized solutions to bring the most cost-effective and the best-performing solutions to the market place," Paladino said. MORE: Go here for more business news Contact Richard Danielson at rdanielson@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3403. Follow @Danielson_Times     ©2019 the Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.) Visit the Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.) at www.tampabay.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


United Airlines, which is based in the same town as the Nasa Johnson Space Center, is going all out to mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing and celebrate Houston's role in the historic moment for mankind. Ahead of the anniversary July 20, the American carrier is rolling out a host of special events and activities including a commemorative flight that will feature space-themed entertainment and in-flight gifts. The celebration flight is set for July 17, the same day astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin Buzz Aldrin mad their first broadcast, showing viewers back on Earth what space looked like in a color TV broadcast 50 years ago. Customers aboard flight 355, traveling from Newark Liberty International airport to Houston will fly in the company of special guests who have flown beyond earth's atmosphere and into space. The Apollo 11 mission also features in United Airlines' heritage, as Armstrong later served on the carrier's board of directors. Throughout the month of July, travelers flying United will be able to tune into 17 space-related programs developed by NASA, including documentaries, views of the Earth from the Space Station and action cam footage of astronaut spacewalks. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH), restaurants Ember and Tanglewood Grille will feature a menu inspired by the foods astronauts ate aboard the historic flight. In preparation, restaurant staff were sent to NASA's Space Food Systems Laboratory in Houston to learn about how and what astronauts eat in space. In the spirit of 1969, think Tang beverages. Terminal C-North will also feature digital photography from the Apollo 11 mission at each of the terminal gates, while flyers will be able to meet retired NASA astronaut Ken Cameron July 9-11 in the United Clubs. During the same period, United's Terminal C and E at IAH airport will feature a pop-up science lab hosted by the Space Center Houston. Passengers can wile away the time on interactive, hands-on Apollo-themed exhibits.


ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Edwin Encarnacion paused at the plate and watched while his 400th homer flew toward the Mariners' bullpen beyond left field. He pumped his fists as he circled the bases while his teammates went wild for the milestone. Although Seattle's season has been mostly dismal, Encarnacion has done his best to provide something to cheer. His latest power barrage even propelled the Mariners to a rare series win. Encarnacion hit two homers to become the third active player with 400 homers, and Tom Murphy added two more homers in the Mariners' 9-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. Encarnacion and Daniel Vogelbach hit back-to-back homers in the sixth, and Encarnacion added a solo shot in the seventh for his 35th career multihomer game and his second against the Angels this month. Kyle Seager connected in the ninth for the Mariners' sixth homer, their most in a game since May 12, 2015. Seattle took two of three from Los Angeles for its first series win since mid-May and its first road series victory since mid-April. But the Mariners were focused on celebrating Encarnacion, who also got his 1,200th career RBI in the process. ''I feel really good that I accomplished this,'' Encarnacion said. ''I've been waiting for it for a long time.'' While becoming the 56th player in baseball history to hit 400 homers, Encarnacion pushed into the AL lead with his 20th homer of the season. Even at 36 years old, Encarnacion shows few signs of slowing: His 282 homers since 2012 are the most in the majors. ''What can you say (except) unbelievable,'' Seattle manager Scott Servais said of the milestone. ''There's what, 19,000 guys that have played? Little disappointed nothing showed up on the (scoreboard) here, to be honest. But everybody in our dugout knew what was going on, how important it was to him. He's been a true professional since we got him. Nothing but happy for him.'' Although his name frequently comes up in trade rumors around the struggling Mariners, he's not planning beyond the next game and his next statistical goal, which might be 500 homers. ''We'll see,'' Encarnacion said with a smile. ''I'm ready for it, but I don't think about that. I just try to keep winning.'' Tommy La Stella hit his 15th homer for the Angels, who have lost five of seven. After the Mariners' six-homer outburst, Los Angeles' pitching staff has yielded 111 homers in 66 games this season. That's more homers allowed than every team in the majors except Baltimore and Seattle. Brad Ausmus was ejected for the first time in his tenure as the Angels' manager for arguing about the strike zone of home plate umpire Jeremie Rehak after the third inning, when Mike Trout struck out looking. ''He's just defending the team,'' Trout said. ''Things don't go your way sometimes, and he's trying to fire us up. That's the way things go sometimes.'' 400 CLUB The only other active members of the 400-homer club are Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols, who remained stuck on 644 homers after going 0 for 4 with two flyouts to the warning track in center. FOR STARTERS Jose Suarez (1-1) yielded four hits and two runs over 4 2/3 innings in his second big league start for the Angels. The lefty beat Seattle last weekend in his major league debut, but didn't get 13 runs of support this time. ''It was a little bit more difficult this time,'' Suarez said. ''I kind of got in my head that they knew my game plan, because I saw them already this season. But I still just tried to stick to that game plan.'' TOVAR'S TURN Wilfredo Tovar doubled in the seventh for his first big league hit since 2014. The former Mets prospect, filling in for injured Andrelton Simmons at shortstop, was called up by the Angels for this series. GOOD START After opener Austin Adams struck out Trout and Shohei Ohtani in the first inning, Wade LeBlanc (3-2) pitched six innings of six-hit ball with eight strikeouts for his first victory since April 7. ''I got away with a couple of mistakes,'' LeBlanc said. ''But other than that, it was crisp.'' SHO'S 0 Ohtani went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts one day after homering off Seattle's Yusei Kikuchi in their first big league meeting. TRAINER'S ROOM Mariners: Dee Gordon (bruised wrist) is expected to join the club Tuesday in Minnesota. Angels: Trevor Cahill went on the injured list with right elbow soreness, although he's only expected to miss one start. Matt Harvey (back strain), the Halos' other big free-agent pitcher signing, got hit hard in a rehab start for Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday. UP NEXT Mariners: After a day off, Mike Leake (5-6, 4.30 ERA) takes the mound in Minnesota against Martin Perez (7-2, 3.72). Angels: Rookie Griffin Canning (2-2, 3.52 ERA) makes his eighth career start in the Freeway Series opener Monday night in Anaheim. The Halos must face dominant lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu (9-1, 1.35 ERA) for the Dodgers. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


Ongoing work on the West Loop/I-69 interchange could bring some delays to your commute next week. Beginning Monday at 5 a.m., the northbound mainlanes of the Southwest Freeway from Chimney Rock to Weslayan will be reduced from four lanes to three lanes, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The closure is expected to last until early 2020. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Team effort on Loop 610 busway a nod to new thinking TxDOT officials urge motorists to expect delays and consider an alternate route. The closure is part of a $259 million project designed to improve mobility and safety at an interchange that has long been the source of headaches for Houston drivers. STAY INFORMED: Text CHRON to 77453 to get breaking news alerts by text | Sign up to receive breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.


R&B singer R. Kelly was arrested Thursday in Chicago on federal sex trafficking charges, law enforcement sources told CBS News. Kelly was arrested by the New York Police Department and federal Homeland Security agents, a law enforcement source said. The U.S. Attorney's Office in northern Illinois said Kelly is facing 13 counts, including child pornography, enticement of a minor to engage to engage in criminal sexual activity and obstruction of justice. Video: R. Kelly pays $32k in child support debts (Bang Showbiz) Kelly has already been charged with over 20 counts of sexual abuse. He was first charged in February with 10 counts of sexual abuse involving four women, some of them minors. In May, he was charged with an additional 11 felony counts, including some that carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The charges in May stemmed from accusations from Jerhonda Pace, whose allegations were recounted in the Lifetime docu-series called "Surviving R. Kelly." In an explosive interview with "CBS This Morning " co-host Gayle King in March, Kelly insisted none of the allegations against him were true, including accusations that he had has beaten, starved and held other women against their will   a so-called "sex cult." Gallery: Hollywood men accused of sexual misconduct (USA TODAY) "Believe me, man! This is not me! They lying on me! They're lying on me! I'm cool, bro," he said standing and screaming. MSN are empowering Women In Sport this summer. Find out more about our campaign and the charity fighting to promote the transformational and lifelong rewards of exercise for women and girls in the UK here .


WASHINGTON   Nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's disease are women, and now some scientists are questioning the long-held assumption that it's just because they tend to live longer than men. What else may put woman at extra risk? Could it be genetics? Biological differences in how women age? Maybe even lifestyle factors? Finding out might affect treatments or preventive care. One worrisome hint is that research shows a notorious Alzheimer's-related gene has a bigger impact on women than men. "There are enough biological questions pointing to increased risk in women that we need to delve into that and find out why," said Maria Carrillo, chief science officer for the Alzheimer's Association. Last month, the association brought 15 leading scientists together to ask what's known about women's risk. Later this summer, Carrillo said it plans to begin funding research to address some of the gaps. "There is a lot that is not understood and not known. It's time we did something about it," she added. A recent Alzheimer's Association report estimates that at age 65, women have about a 1 in 6 chance of developing Alzheimer's during the rest of their lives, compared with a 1 in 11 chance for men. The tricky part is determining how much of the disparity is due to women's longevity or other factors. "It is true that age is the greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease," said University of Southern California professor Roberta Diaz Brinton, who presented data on gender differences at a meeting of the National Institutes of Health this year. But, she said, "on average, women live four or five years longer than men, and we know that Alzheimer's is a disease that starts 20 years before the diagnosis." That's how early cellular damage can quietly begin. Brinton researches if menopause can be a tipping point that leaves certain women vulnerable. However it starts brewing, there's some evidence that once Alzheimer's is diagnosed, women may worsen faster; scans show more rapid shrinkage of certain brain areas. But gene research offers the most startling evidence of a sex difference. Stanford University researchers analyzed records of more than 8,000 people for a form of a gene named ApoE-4, long known to increase Alzheimer's risk. Women who carry a copy of that gene variant were about twice as likely to eventually develop Alzheimer's as women without the gene, while men's risk was only slightly increased, Stanford's Dr. Michael Greicius reported last year. It's not clear why. It may be in how the gene interacts with estrogen, Brinton said. Amy Shives, 57, of Spokane, Washington, recalls when her mother began showing symptoms of Alzheimer's. But it wasn't until after her own diagnosis a few years ago that Shives looked up the gender statistics. "That was alarming," said Shives, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, which struck at a younger-than-usual age and forced her retirement as a college counselor. "The impact on our lives and that of our families is extraordinary." She points to another disproportionate burden: About 60 percent of caregivers for Alzheimer's patients are women. "My daughters are in their 20s and I'm already ill," Shives worries. "It's very stressful for them to think about when their mother's going to need their help." What drives the difference in Alzheimer's cases isn't clear, said Dr. Susan Resnick of the National Institutes of Health, pointing to conflicting research. "We really have had a tough time understanding whether or not women really are more affected by the disease, or it's just that they live longer," Resnick said. Data from the long-running Framingham, Massachusetts, health study suggests that because more men die from heart disease in middle age, those who survive past 65 may have healthier hearts that in turn provide some brain protection. Many of the same factors   obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes   that damage arteries also are Alzheimer's risks. What about hormones? That's been hard to pin down. Years ago, a major study found that estrogen therapy after 65 might increase risk of dementia, although later research showed hormone replacement around the onset of menopause wasn't a problem. Brinton studies how menopause changes the brain. Estrogen helps regulate the brain's metabolism, how it produces the energy for proper cognitive function, and it must switch to a less efficient backup method as estrogen plummets, she explained. "It's like the brain is a little bit diabetic," said Brinton, who is studying whether that may relate to menopausal symptoms in women who later experience cognitive problems. Carrillo notes that 40 years ago, heart disease was studied mainly in men, with little understanding of how women's heart risks can differ. "How do we make sure we're not making that mistake when it comes to Alzheimer's?" she asked.


NHL Seattle's worst-kept secret is now official. Hockey legend Ron Francis on Thursday was formally introduced as the first general manager of Seattle's incoming NHL team , as reports earlier this week had indicated would happen. Francis, one of the league's 100 greatest players ever, was welcomed to the city by Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and a former player of the Seattle Totems   one of the Emerald City's first professional hockey teams   among others at the Queen Anne Beerhall late Thursday morning. RELATED: Report: NHL Seattle expected to hire hockey legend Ron Francis as general manager The opportunity to run an expansion franchise was very attractive to Francis, playing a critical role in his desire to step back into a front-office hockey role after just a year away from the game. An NHL Hall of Famer, Francis served as general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes for four years before having his contract terminated in April 2018. "Honestly, it just became, 'why not?'" Francis said of the chance to run the NHL Seattle team. "We've got a blank canvas. Sure, it's a daunting task and a lot of work, but it's a challenge you don't get everyday because not every sports team starts from scratch. So I'm really excited about the challenge and looking forward to doing some good things here in Seattle." RELATED: KeyArena project to cost at least $900 million; completion expected in summer 2021 So what's first on the agenda for Francis ahead of the team's debut in 2021? How long does he expect it to take for Seattle to have a team that can contend for the Stanley Cup? And what's the timeline for naming a head coach? Browse through the slideshow above for the most memorable quotes from Francis at his introductory press conference as GM of NHL Seattle. Ben Arthur covers the Seahawks and other local sports for the SeattlePI. He can be reached by email at benjaminarthur@seattlepi.com . Follow him on twitter at @benyarthur .


The Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line was one that struggled mightily in 2018 due to four of their five starters going on injured reserve before the season could end. As a result, it appears the people over at Pro Football Focus are buying low on the Jags' unit heading into the preseason as they ranked the group 21st amongst the league's 32 units in their preseason rankings. 21. Jacksonville Jaguars PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: Left Tackle: Cam Robinson Left Guard: Andrew Norwell Center: Brandon Linder Right Guard: A.J. Cann Right Tackle: Jawaan Taylor After left tackle Cam Robinson suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of the 2018 season, we still don't really know what the Jags will be getting from the former Alabama big man in 2019. Heading into Year 3 of his career, Robinson has recorded just two single-game grades north of 70.0, while he's recorded 13 single-game grades of less than 60.0. Andrew Norwell took a slight step back in his first year in Jacksonville, seeing his overall grade dip from 76.3 in 2017 to just 66.7 in 2018. At the right guard spot, A.J. Cann is 4,136 snaps into his professional career, but he's only graded above 70.0 in one of his four seasons. When considering the circumstances the Jags' offensive line endured last season, starting them off at the No. 21 spot is more than fair when reflecting on how they ended the season. Of course, it all started when left tackle Cam Robinson was lost for the season with an ACL tear Week 2, which turned the team to backup tackle Josh Wells who also ended up on injured reserve. The team's two best lineman Andrew Norwell (ankle) and Brandon Linder (knee) ended up going on IR, too, around the mid-season point, then Jermey Parnell joined the party in late December. Now, Linder and Norwell have returned to 100 percent, while Robison is rehabbing towards a return during training camp. Parnell was released and the team drafted a first-round talent in Jawaan Taylor to replace him, which should set the offensive line up nicely in 2019. Eventually, when the unit gets acclimated it's possible they can improve their stock within PFF's database because the talent is there for them to at least lead the league in rushing again. MORE: Freddie Freeman was mic'd up during his at-bat against Justin Verlander and it was pure gold Three Potential Trade Destinations for Russell Westbrook Expected starting lineup for Lakers with LeBron James at point guard Former Steeler DeAngelo Williams throws shade at WR Ryan Switzer Full audio recording of Tyreek Hill, fiancée Crystal Espinal released


The Cleveland Browns have a job opening at right guard after trading away veteran Kevin Zeitler. There are a few candidates to fill Zeitler's big shoes, including Austin Corbett, Kyle Kalis and Eric Kush. Kalis has taken the perceived early lead. The third-year pro from Michigan took the majority of first-team reps during the recent minicamp and OTA sessions open to the media. He has limited starting experience with the Colts in 2017 and spent much of 2018 on the Browns practice squad. Corbett, the team's second-round pick in 2018, got some looks at right guard but has spent most of the offseason as the No. 2 center behind J.C. Tretter. Kush is a journeyman who has starting experience with the Chiefs and Bears. Even rookie Drew Forbes could factor in, as well. Just because Kalis is working with the starters now does not mean he's going to win the job. OTAs and minicamp saw the players learning the offense in just helmets, no full contact or live hitting. It's important for the mental development and physical repetition, but it does not replace the physicality needed. Coach Freddie Kitchens made that very clear after the minicamp concluded. Kitchens was asked if playing in pads will be a major factor in deciding who wins the job. "Definitely," Kitchens enthused after Thursday's practice. "Yeah, and that is the next step. That is what I was talking about preparing them to compete in training camp because we will have pads on in training camp. From a knowledge standpoint, they need to be prepared to do that so they can put their best foot forward. Then show me what they got. Show us. Show us what they have. You can only do that with pads on." Remember, last year the left tackle position switched hands several times during the offseason and preseason. And it changed again during the season when Desmond Harrison got yanked for Greg Robinson. Right guard roulette doesn't sound very appealing, but if it capably fills the hole left behind by dealing away the eminently capable Zeitler, let's strap up the pads and see who comes out on top. MORE: NHL fans weren't impressed with Mike Milbury's questions for Pam from 'The Office' Sleeping on Patriots WR Demaryius Thomas would be a huge mistake WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling impressing staff going into Packers minicamp Bears believe Clinton-Dix is an upgrade over Amos Roundup: Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger Get Married, Chicago Poop Vandal, Johnny Manziel Talks XFL


CHICAGO (CBS)  An 86-year-old man was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries after he was struck by an ambulance in Des Plaines. According to Des Plaines police, the man was crossing Potter Road westbound at the same time a Lifeline Ambulance was heading northbound just after 11 a.m. Wednesday. The victim was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. Police said the pedestrian was not in the crosswalk at the time of the crossing. The Des Plaines Police Department Accident Investigation Team is investigating.


If you love to eat and drink, this weekend offers a great chance to explore the world of Orlando food and beverage. From a "Friends" trivia bar crawl to a comedy brunch, there's plenty to explore and enjoy if you're hungry for something new. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Friends Trivia Bar Crawl - Orlando From the event description: 5+ venues. Trivia at multiple bars. Awesome afterparty. When: Saturday, July 13, 4-11:59 p.m. Where: Sideshow, 15 N. Orange Ave. Admission: $15 (Group Ticket (Save 25%); $20 (Single Ticket) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets HUSH Society From the event description: The focus is on cocktails, hookah and conversations. This night is made for those who want to get out but are not trying to do the club or bar scene. When: Saturday, July 13, 8 p.m.- Sunday, July 14, 2 a.m. Where: Novelty at 101, 101 S. Eola Drive Admission: Free (Complimentary RSVP for HUSH); $120 (Main Room High Top); $120 (Living Room Blue Couch). More ticket options available. Click here for more details, and to get your tickets April Fresh's Comedy Brunch (Silver Screen Edition) From the event description: April Fresh takes on the SILVER SCREEN! Songs from your favorite movie hits. When: Sunday, July 14, 12-2:30 p.m. Where: Parliament House Orlando, 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail Admission: $19.99 (buffet + show); $29.99 (buffet + show + unlimited mimosas & soda) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Washington Redskins have some tough roster decisions to make when cut down days arrive late in the summer. Chief among those problems is offensive line, where plenty of questions persist. While Trent Williams and his contract situation command all the headlines right now, the battle at guard might play a bigger role than expected. Ereck Flowers could be the odd man out by the time the battle is finished, per ESPN's John Keim : Flowers has not played well in the past, and he did not look great in the spring. The Redskins want Flowers to compete at left guard, but they also drafted Wes Martin in the fourth round to do the same. Flowers would count $3.2 million if he makes the roster, so they can save $1.7 million by releasing him. It means he should not feel guaranteed of a spot. It is hard to ignore the financial reasons there above all else. The Redskins still have a lot of money tied up in Alex Smith and spent more than anticipated this offseason by splurging with Landon Collins. And at guard, if Flowers doesn't look good, the coaching staff could always turn to someone like rookie Wes Martin. That $1.7 million saved by cutting Flowers isn't anything to scoff at when one keeps in mind the injury bug's assault on the roster over the last two or so years - money for replacements has to come from somewhere. If Flowers is struggling during the preseason, keep in mind the cap angle here. MORE: Mystery of fish caught with wedding ring attached solved NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players 2019 NBA Awards: How to Watch, Stream, and Channels Play speed fuels standout offseason for Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling Los Angeles Lakers 'think they have a strong shot' at signing Kawhi Leonard according to report


With players in the 2020 class set to enter their senior season of high school, it's time to see where the top prospects stack up against each other. The composite represents the average rankings of the three major recruiting services - 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals along with the USA TODAY Chosen 25. The lower the average the better. For players who are not ranked by a particular service, the player receives a maximum number +10 based on the way players are ranked for each site beyond the last player (310 for ESPN, and 260 for Rivals, 35 for Chosen 25). The Chosen 25 for the 2020 class has not yet been finalized. With the Rivals 5-star challenge having just been completed and The Opening set to take place this weekend, the USA TODAY High School Sports rankings can be expected soon. At that point, these composites will be updated to reflect the Chosen 25 with the other outlets. The No. 1 player in the 2020 class is strong-side defensive end Jordan Burch. Rivals bumped Burch up 10 spots to the No. 3 placement, pushing him over the previous No. 1 player, ALL-USA First Team defensive tackle Bryan Bresee. Bresee is now at No. 2. Justin Flowe, an inside linebacker on the ALL-USA Football First Team last season with Bresee, is No. 3. ALL-USA First Team running back Zachary Evans and Second Team wide receiver Julian Fleming, both of who received an average rank of 6.67, are the first offensive players on the list. They are the two of the only three offensive players in the top 10, with offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., who is No. 9. The two players between Fleming and Johnson are outside linebacker Sav'ell Smalls, who is a consensus top-10 recruit, and strong-side defensive end Myles Murphy, the No. 2 player on ESPN behind only Evans. At. No. 9 is cornerback Kelee Ringo, who ran a 4.35 40-yard time at the Rivals 5-star challenge to win his second Fastest Man championship in a row. Rounding out the top 10 is Mekhail Sherman, an outside linebacker committed to Georgia whose ranking was boosted by his No. 8 spot on 247Sports. Rank Player School Pos. College 247 ESPN Rivals AVG. 1 Jordan Burch Hammond School (Columbia, S.C.) SDE Uncommitted 2 6 3 3.67 2 Bryan Bresee Damascus (Md.) DT Clemson 1 8 4 4.33 3 Justin Flowe Upland (Calif.) ILB Uncommitted 6 7 2 5 T4 Zachary Evans North Shore (Houston, Texas) RB Uncommitted 10 1 9 6.67 T4 Julian Fleming Southern Columbia (Catawissa, Pa.) WR Ohio State 5 4 11 6.67 T4 Sav'ell Smalls Kennedy Catholic (Burien, Wash.) OLB Uncommitted 4 9 7 6.67 7 Myles Murphy Hillgrove (Powder Springs, Ga.) SDE Clemson 13 2 10 8.33 8 Paris Johnson Jr. Princeton (Cincinnati, Ohio) OT Ohio State 7 13 8 9.33 9 Kelee Ringo Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) CB Uncommitted 12 18 6 12 10 Mekhail Sherman St. John's College (Washington, D.C.) OLB Georgia 8 16 21 15 11 Darnell Washington Desert Pines (Las Vegas, Nev.) ATH Uncommitted 17 14 15 15.33 12 Chris Braswell St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.) WDE Alabama 20 5 22 15.67 13 Arik Gilbert Marietta (Ga.) ATH Uncommitted 14 20 14 16 14 Demond Demas Tomball (Texas) WR Texas A&M 11 21 18 16.67 15 DJ Uiagalelei St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) QB Clemson 3 50 1 18 16 Elias Ricks Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) CB LSU 9 41 5 18.33 17 Desmond Evans Lee County (Sanford, N.C.) WDE Uncommitted 15 3 41 19.67 18 Demarkcus Bowman Lakeland (Fla.) RB Clemson 22 24 16 20.67 19 Broderick Jones Lithonia (Ga.) OT Georgia 26 12 27 21.67 20 Rakim Jarrett St. John's College (Washington, D.C.) WR LSU 21 30 17 22.67 21 Kendall Milton Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) RB Uncommitted 23 38 20 27 T22 Jase McClellan Aledo (Texas) RB Oklahoma 29 17 38 28 T22 Bijan Robinson Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.) RB Uncommitted 27 31 26 28 24 Myles Hinton Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross, Ga.) OT Stanford 57 15 24 32 T25 Demonte Capehart Hartsville (S.C.) DT Clemson 30 27 58 38.33 T25 Johnny Wilson Calabasas (Calif.) WR Uncommitted 35 45 35 38.33 27 Drew Sanders Ryan (Denton, Texas) ATH Alabama 16 37 66 39.67 28 Don Chaney Jr. Belen Jesuit Prep (Miami, Fla.) RB Miami 51 40 30 40.33 29 Jordan Johnson DeSmet (Saint Louis, Mo.) WR Notre Dame 60 49 19 42.67 30 Reggie Grimes Ravenwood (Brentwood, Tenn.) WDE Uncommitted 90 10 32 44 31 Fred Davis II Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.) CB Clemson 70 44 23 45.67 32 Chris Tyree Thomas Dale (Chester, Va.) RB Notre Dame 53 22 64 46.33 33 Turner Corcoran Lawrence Free State (Lawrence, Kan.) OT Nebraska 33 61 48 47.33 34 Justin Rogers Oak Park (Mich.) OG Kentucky 45 91 12 49.33 T35 Antoine Sampah Woodbridge (Va.) ILB LSU 73 51 25 49.67 T35 MarShawn Lloyd DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) RB South Carolina 61 54 34 49.67 37 Bryce Young Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) QB USC 18 82 56 52 38 Tate Ratledge Darlington School (Rome, Ga.) OT Georgia 69 75 13 52.33 39 Marcus Rosemy St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) WR Georgia 65 47 53 55 40 Phillip Webb Lanier (Buford, Ga.) OLB Uncommitted 104 25 42 57 41 Kayshon Boutte Westgate (New Iberia, La.) WR LSU 39 53 85 59 42 Gervon Dexter Lake Wales (Fla.) DT Florida 38 42 98 59.33 43 Jermaine Burton Calabasas (Calif.) WR LSU 37 67 81 61.67 44 Noah Sewell Orem (Utah) ATH Uncommitted 64 89 33 62 45 Avantae Williams Deland (Fla.) S Oregon 118 43 36 65.67 46 Daniyel Ngata Folsom (Calif.) RB Uncommitted 78 48 75 67 47 RJ Mickens Southlake (Texas) Carroll S Clemson 89 46 68 67.67 48 Jalen McMillan San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) WR Washington 31 113 63 69 49 Tank Bigsby Callaway (Hogansville, Ga.) RB Uncommitted 140 39 29 69.33 50 Clark Phillips III La Habra (Calif.) CB Uncommitted 25 127 59 70.33 51 Andrew Gentry Columbine (Littleton, Colo.) OT Uncommitted 83 78 54 71.67 52 Trenton Simpson Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.) OLB Auburn 34 111 76 73.67 53 Ja'Quinden Jackson Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas) ATH Texas 48 33 154 78.33 54 Jaquelin Roy University Lab (Baton Rouge, La.) DT Uncommitted 101 70 73 81.33 55 Quentin Johnston Temple (Temple, Texas) WR Uncommitted 122 62 61 81.67 56 Jaylon Jones Steele (Cibolo, Texas) CB Texas A&M 67 63 119 83 57 Hudson Card Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) D-QB Texas 97 64 89 83.33 58 Jalen Berger Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) RB Uncommitted 62 151 39 84 59 Quandarrius Robinson Jackson-Olin (Birmingham, Ala.) OLB Albama 41 186 28 85 60 Luke Wypler St Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.) OC Ohio State 24 29 203 85.33 61 Tre Williams St. John's College (Washington, D.C.) DT Clemson 50 36 172 86 62 Tosh Baker Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.) OT Notre Dame 42 187 51 93.33 T63 Leonard Manuel Vanguard (Ocala, Fla.) WR Florida 109 71 104 94.67 T63 Keshawn Lawrence Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.) S Uncommitted 59 97 128 94.67 65 Wesley Steiner Houston County (Warner Robins, Ga.) ATH Uncommitted 76 35 174 95 T66 Jalen Carter Apopka (Fla.) DT Georgia 19 34 234 95.67 T66 Mookie Cooper Trinity Catholic (Saint Louis, Mo.) WR Uncommitted 126 106 55 95.67 T68 Myles Murao Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) OC Uncommitted 77 72 139 96 T68 Thaiu Jones-Bell Miami Carol City (Hallandale, Fla.) WR Alabama 87 90 111 96 70 Jack Miller Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) P-QB Ohio State 149 60 80 96.33 71 Vernon Broughton Cy Ridge (Houston, Texas) DT Uncommitted 153 79 60 97.33 72 Nate Anderson Reedy (Frisco, Texas) OT Oklahoma 116 59 118 97.67 73 Demouy Kennedy Theodore (Ala.) ILB Alabama 66 93 137 98.67 74 Gee Scott Jr. Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.) WR Ohio State 58 196 50 101.33 75 Gary Bryant Jr. Centennial (Corona, Calif.) WR Uncommitted 54 204 47 101.67 76 Haynes King Longview (Longview, Texas) QB Uncommitted 32 19 255 102 T77 Braiden McGregor Port Huron Northern (Port Huron, Mich.) SDE Michigan 28 26 255 103 T77 Jalen Kimber Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas) CB Georgia 110 83 116 103 79 Roydell Williams Hueytown (Ala.) RB Alabama 138 69 105 104 80 Michael Mayer Covington Catholic (Alexandria, Ky.) TE Notre Dame 88 154 71 104.33 81 Lathan Ransom Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.) SDE Uncommitted 55 190 70 105 82 A.J. Henning Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort, Ill.) WR Uncommitted 127 105 84 105.33 83 Dontae Manning Raytown (Kansas City, Mo.) CB Oklahoma 40 23 255 106 84 Trey Wedig Kettle Moraine (Wales, Wis.) OT Wisconsin 165 57 99 107 85 Chantz Williams Oakleaf (Orange Park, Fla.) WDE Uncommitted 49 58 217 108 86 Kobe Hudson Troup County (Lagrange, Ga.) WR Auburn 102 107 117 108.67 T87 Andrew Raym Broken Arrow (Okla.) OG Uncommitted 44 55 239 112.67 T87 Luke Doty Myrtle Beach (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) QB South Carolina 52 145 141 112.67 89 Will Anderson Dutchtown (Hampton, Ga.) WDE Alabama 85 56 198 113 90 Chris Morris Memphis (Tenn.) Central OG Uncommitted 210 101 31 114 91 Walker Parks Frederick Douglass (Lexington, Ky.) OT Clemson 199 87 57 114.33 92 Mitchell Mayes Leesville Road (Raleigh, N.C.) OG Clemson 223 11 112 115.33 93 Jay Butterfield Liberty (Brentwood, Calif.) P-QB Oregon 93 199 65 119 94 Jaxon Smith-Njigba Rockwall (Rockwall, Texas) WR Ohio State 71 223 72 122 95 Omari Thomas Briarcrest Christian (Memphis, Tenn.) DT Uncommitted 107 121 143 123.67 96 Troy Omeire Fort Bend Austin (Sugar Land, Texas) WR Texas A&M 203 100 69 124 97 Xzavier Henderson Columbus (Miami, Fla.) WR Uncommitted 46 74 255 125 98 Carson Beck Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.) P-QB Georgia 113 150 113 125.33 99 Bryan Robinson Palm Beach Central (West Palm Beach, Fla.) WR Uncommitted 157 130 91 126 100 Keyvone Lee Superior Collegiate Academy (Clearwater, Fla.) RB Uncommitted 56 141 182 126.33 101 Jayson Jones Calera (Ala.) DT Alabama 162 84 140 128.67 102 Enzo Jennings Oak Park (Mich.) Ath Uncommitted 144 123 122 129.67 T103 E.J. Williams Central (Phenix City, Ala.) WR Uncommitted 154 118 126 132.67 T103 Chad Lindberg Clear Creek (League City, Texas) OT Uncommitted 160 144 94 132.67 105 Antwaun Powell I. C. Norcom (Portsmouth, Va.) WDE Uncommitted 119 28 255 134 106 Jaylan Knighton Deerfield Beach (Fla.) RB Uncommitted 167 85 152 134.67 107 Brian Branch Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.) S Alabama 98 99 211 136 108 Ze'Vian Capers Denmark (Alpharetta, Ga.) WR Uncommitted 123 122 170 138.33 109 Curtis Jacobs McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.) OLB Penn State 68 171 177 138.67 110 Porter Rooks Myers Park (Charlotte, N.C.) WR NC State 209 160 49 139.33 111 Myles Murphy Dudley (Greensboro, N.C.) SDE Uncommitted 96 68 255 139.67 112 McKinnley Jackson George County (Lucedale, Miss.) DT Uncommitted 166 156 103 141.67 113 Jordan Botelho St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii) ILB Notre Dame 36 178 214 142.67 114 Paul Tchio Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.) OG Clemson 79 137 213 143 115 Prince Dorbah Highland Park (Dallas, Texas) OLB Texas 108 234 90 144 T116 Garrett Hayes Athens (Texas) OT Uncommitted 114 174 145 144.33 T116 Jay Hardy McCallie School (Chattanooga, Tenn.) SDE Uncommitted 94 203 136 144.33 118 Roger Rosengarten Valor Christian (Littleton, Colo.) OT Washington 92 218 124 144.67 119 Darrion Henry Princeton (Cincinnati, Ohio) DT Uncommitted 224 166 45 145 120 Major Burns Madison Prep Academy (Baton Rouge, La.) S LSU 194 77 165 145.33 121 Muhsin Muhammad III Myers Park (Charlotte, N.C.) WR Texas A&M 147 183 108 146 122 Chris Thompson Jr. Duncanville (Texas) S Uncommitted 158 73 210 147 123 Marcus Dumervil St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) OT Uncommitted 198 80 164 147.33 T124 Jake Majors Prosper (Texas) CB Texas 237 65 144 148.67 T124 Sedrick Van Pran Warren Easton (New Orleans, La.) OG Uncommitted 303 66 77 148.67 126 Tyler Baron Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic SDE Uncommitted 121 229 97 149 127 Harrison Bailey Marietta (Marietta, Ga.) QB Texas 161 244 43 149.33 T128 Jaylen Garth Port Neches-Groves (Port Neches, Texas) OT Texas 43 162 255 153.33 T128 John Humphreys Corona Del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.) WR Stanford 82 246 132 153.33 130 E.J. Smith Jesuit College Prep (Dallas, Texas) WR Uncommitted 271 95 95 153.67 131 Zykeivous Walker Schley County (Ellaville, Ga.) SDE Georgia 182 194 86 154 132 Jason Harris Higley (Gilbert, Ariz.) WDE Uncommitted 156 52 255 154.33 133 Rylie Mills Lake Forest (Ill.) SDE Notre Dame 171 132 161 154.67 T134 Zavier Betts Bellevue (Neb.) West WR Nebraska 323 98 46 155.67 T134 Michael Carmody Mars Area (Mars, Pa.) OT Notre Dame 95 117 255 155.67 T136 Jalen Rivers Oakleaf (Orange Park, Fla.) OT Miami 231 32 209 157.33 T136 Demorie Tate Freedom (Orlando, Fla.) CB Florida State 125 92 255 157.33 138 Lawrance Toafili Pinellas Park (Largo, Fla.) RB Uncommitted 91 133 255 159.67 139 J.J. Evans Montevallo (Ala.) WR Auburn 141 134 206 160.33 140 Seth McGowan Poteet (Mesquite, Texas) RB Oklahoma 136 138 208 160.67 141 Malachi Moore Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.) CB Alabama 99 265 123 162.33 T142 Fadil Diggs Woodrow Wilson (Camden, N.J.) WDE Texas A&M 150 147 192 163 T142 Xavion Alford Shadow Creek (Pearland, Texas) S Uncommitted 132 210 147 163 144 Ethan Pouncey Winter Park (Fla.) CB Uncommitted 86 149 255 163.33 T145 Cody Simon St. Peters Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) OLB Uncommitted 176 129 187 164 T145 Malachi Wideman Riverview (Sarasota, Fla.) WR Florida State 146 253 93 164 147 Malik Hornsby Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City, Texas) QB North Carolina 84 215 194 164.33 148 Kalel Mullings Milton Academy (Boston, Mass.) OLB Uncommitted 186 202 106 164.67 T149 Sergio Allen Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.) ILB Clemson 129 143 224 165.33 T149 Jordan Toles St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.) S LSU 259 193 44 165.33 151 Issiah Walker Jr. Norland (Miami, Fla.) OT South Carolina 72 170 255 165.67 T152 Alfred Collins Cedar Creek (Bastrop, Texas) SDE Uncommitted 130 114 255 166.33 T152 Jahari Rogers Arlington (Arlington, Texas) CB Uncommitted 143 167 189 166.33 154 Kaden Johnson Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Minn.) OLB Uncommitted 106 262 133 167 T155 Cole Brevard Carmel (Ind.) DT Penn State 208 76 219 167.67 T155 Timothy Smith Sebastian River (Fla.) DT Uncommitted 253 163 87 167.67 157 Samuel Anaele Carol City (Miami, Fla.) SDE Miami 247 161 96 168 158 Josh White Cy Creek (Houston, Texas) ILB LSU 193 238 74 168.33 159 Arian Smith Lakeland (Fla.) WR Florida State 75 182 255 170.67 160 Ty'kieast Crawford Carthage (Texas) OT Arkansas 74 185 255 171.33 T161 Kitan Crawford John Tyler (Tyler, Texas) ATH Texas 175 86 255 172 T161 Jordan Morant Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) SDE Uncommitted 47 214 255 172 163 Darin Turner Memphis (Tenn.) Central WR Uncommitted 184 103 230 172.33 164 Jacobian Guillory Alexandria (La.) DT Uncommitted 181 209 129 173 165 Quincy Brown Destrehan (La.) WR Uncommitted 108 158 255 173.67 166 Jo'Quavious Marks Carver (Atlanta, Ga.) RB Mississippi State 190 116 216 174 T167 Damian Sellers Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) OLB Uncommitted 172 96 255 174.33 T167 Derek Wingo St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) OLB Florida 142 231 150 174.33 T169 Antonio Johnson East St. Louis (Ill.) S Tennessee 180 261 83 174.67 T169 Javian Hester Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.) WR Uncommitted 229 181 120 176.67 171 Kedrick Bingley-Jones Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.) DT Uncommitted 159 241 134 178 172 Kourt Williams St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) OLB Uncommitted 200 242 100 180.67 173 Javon Baker McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) WR Alabama 215 226 102 181 174 Jadarius McKnight Dunbar (Fort Myers, Fla.) S Florida State 128 165 255 182.67 175 Mike Wyman Dudley (Greensboro, N.C.) WR South Carolina 135 219 195 183 176 Demon Clowney St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.) DE LSU 321 172 62 185 177 Jackson Bratton Muscle Shoals (Muscle Shoals, Ala.) ILB Alabama 155 146 255 185.33 178 Mohamed Kaba Clinton (N.C.) ILB South Carolina 80 222 255 185.67 T179 Jack Nelson Stoughton (Wis.) OT Wisconsin 163 140 255 186 T179 Jordan Banks Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.) OLB Uncommitted 139 305 114 186 181 Antonio Doyle Lutheran North (Hazelwood, Mo.) OLB Missouri 240 88 231 186.33 182 Sam Adams II Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.) RB Uncommitted 105 286 171 187.33 183 Alex Huntley Hammond School (Columbia, S.C.) DT South Carolina 164 221 178 187.67 184 Myles Slusher Broken Arrow (Okla.) S Oregon 63 252 255 190 185 Dwight McGlothern Klein Oak (Spring, Texas) CB Uncommitted 196 211 166 191 186 Ashaad Johnson Warren Easton (New Orleans, La.) RB Uncommitted 179 305 92 192 187 Jacolbe Cowan Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.) DT Uncommitted 373 124 88 195 188 Luke Hill St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.) CB Oregon 371 109 109 196.33 189 Nick Herbig St Louis School (Honolulu, Hawaii) OLB Wisconsin 103 257 232 197.33 190 Len'Neth Whitehead Athens Academy (Athens, Ga.) ILB Uncommitted 81 258 255 198 191 Ja'Qurious Conley Northside (Jacksonville, N.C.) S Uncommitted 112 228 255 198.33 192 Shane Illingworth Norco (Calif.) QB Oklahoma State 264 135 197 198.67 193 BJ Ojulari Marietta (Ga.) WDE Uncommitted 225 191 181 199 194 Johnnie Brown Woodinville (Wash.) DT Florida 168 175 255 199.33 195 Caziah Holmes Cocoa (Fla.) Ath Uncommitted 137 288 176 200.33 T196 Peter Skoronski Maine South (Park Ridge, Ill.) OG Northwestern 173 176 255 201.33 T196 Darion Green-Warren Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.) CB Uncommitted 178 205 221 201.33 T198 Eric Reed Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.) S Ole Miss 152 224 237 204.33 T198 Jerrin Thompson Lufkin (Texas) S Uncommitted 145 267 201 204.33 200 Geirean Hatchett Ferndale (Wash.) OG Uncommitted 197 164 255 205.33 201 Kevontre Bradford Lancaster (Texas) RB Uncommitted 183 180 255 206 202 Anton Harrison Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.) OT Uncommitted 322 136 162 206.67 203 Aaryn Parks National Christian (Fort Washington, Md.) OT Uncommitted 249 305 67 207 204 Devon Achane Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City, Texas) WR Uncommitted 111 256 255 207.33 205 Keyshawn Greene Wakulla (Crawfordville, Fla.) OLB Florida State 151 217 255 207.67 206 Logan Jones Lewis Central (Council Bluffs, Iowa) SDE Iowa 100 271 255 208.67 207 KeAndre Lambert Maury (Norfolk, Va.) WR Uncommitted 174 200 255 209.67 208 Chubba Purdy Perry (Queen Creek, Ariz.) QB Louisville 263 115 255 211 209 Ja'Khi Douglas Terrebonne (Houma, La.) WR Uncommitted 124 260 255 213 210 Max Johnson Oconee County (Watkinsville, Ga.) QB LSU 372 142 127 213.67 211 Traeshon Holden Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.) WR Alabama 120 269 255 214.67 212 RJ Moten Delran (Delran, N.J.) ATH Uncommitted 177 245 223 215 213 Javier Morton Stephenson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) S Alabama 134 272 241 215.67 214 Alec Bryant Shadow Creek (Pearland, Texas) WDE LSU 131 264 255 216.67 T215 Dominic Bailey St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.) DT Tennessee 269 128 255 217.33 T215 Josaih Hayes Horn Lake (Miss.) DT Ole Miss 213 279 160 217.33 217 Ashaad Clayton Warren Easton (New Orleans, La.) RB Uncommitted 179 220 255 218 218 Tonka Hemingway Conway (S.C.) DT Uncommitted 211 189 255 218.33 T219 Tirek Murphy Christ the King (Middle Island, N.Y.) RB Purdue 282 119 255 218.67 T219 Rashawn Williams King (Detroit, Mich.) WR Indiana 299 305 52 218.67 T221 Logan Parr O'Connor (Helotes, Texas) OG Texas 204 198 255 219 T221 Michael Drennen II Dublin (Ohio) Coffman RB Uncommitted 287 212 158 219 223 Kristian Story Lanett (Ala.) ATH Uncommitted 185 292 180 219 224 Cameron Roseman-Sinclair Myers Park (Charlotte, N.C.) S North Carolina 276 305 78 219.67 T225 Lavon Bunkley-Shelton Serra (Gardena, Calif.) WR Uncommitted 254 305 101 220 T225 Jalin Conyers Gruver (Texas) TE Uncommitted 117 305 238 220 T227 Robby Ashford Hoover (Hoover, Ala.) D-QB Ole Miss 230 184 255 223 T227 Jeremiah Pegues Oxford (Miss.) Ath Uncommitted 170 299 200 223 229 James Sylvester Newton (Texas) WDE TCU 245 232 196 224.33 230 Marcus Fleming Northwestern (Miami, Fla.) WR Miami 115 305 255 225 T231 Lamy Constant Canarsie (Brooklyn, N.Y.) RB Uncommitted 232 195 255 227.33 T231 Theo Johnson Holy Names ((Ontario, Canada) TE Uncommitted 243 240 199 227.33 T233 Parker McQuarrie Saint Paul (Concord, N.H.) QB UCLA 272 201 212 228.33 T233 Jalen Harrell Miami (Fla.) Central CB Florida State 270 305 110 228.33 235 Maliq Carr Oak Park (Mich.) TE Uncommitted 226 305 155 228.67 236 Makari Paige West Bloomfield (Mich.) S Uncommitted 202 230 255 229 237 Jacobe Covington Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) CB Uncommitted 234 305 149 229.33 238 Jaden Navarrette Norco (Calif.) Ath Oregon 242 254 193 229.67 T239 Jeff Sims Sandalwood (Jacksonville, Fla.) QB Florida State 312 126 255 231 T239 Desmond Tisdol Wilcox County (Rochelle, Ga.) ILB Uncommitted 133 305 255 231 241 Lideatrick Griffin Philadelphia (Miss.) ATH Mississippi State 191 248 255 231.33 242 Elijhah Badger Folsom (Calif.) WR Uncommitted 233 296 167 232 243 Micahel Redding IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) WR Uncommitted 355 305 37 232.33 T244 Dazalin Worsham Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.) WR Alabama 255 188 255 232.67 T244 D.J. Rogers Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.) TE Uncommitted 220 305 173 232.67 246 Jaden Dottin Suffield (Conn.) Academy WR Penn State 275 169 255 233 T247 Drew Pyne New Canaan (Conn.) QB Notre Dame 460 159 82 233.67 T247 Princely Umanmielen Manor (Manor, Texas) SDE Uncommitted 187 259 255 233.67 249 Rico Powers Jenkins (Savannah, Ga.) WR Uncommitted 256 305 146 235.67 T250 Jaquavion Fraziars Dunnellon (Fla.) WR Florida 341 112 255 236 T250 Ladarius Tennison Rockledge (Southwest Brevard City, Fla.) Ath Uncommitted 148 305 255 236 MORE: 8 players the Lakers can get for a minimum deal if they sign a third superstar Danny Green: 'This is the time where I need to maximize the dollars on the longest amount of years that I can do' Vegas Sportsbook moves up Lakers title odds due to Kawhi Leonard rumors News: Lawrence post-surgery drills, Cowboys contemplate Collins future Francis Ellis Fired from Barstool Sports [UPDATE]


ATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Braves finished an 8-2 homestand with another convincing victory. Freddie Freeman loved nearly every minute of it. ''It's pretty much the best you can possibly do, really,'' the slugger said. ''We won every series, and that's ultimately the goal.'' Josh Donaldson hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning, Freeman launched an early two-run shot and the Braves beat the New York Mets 7-2 on Wednesday night. The NL East leaders are 14-4 in June, best in the majors. They top the big leagues in runs, homers and RBIs this month and have outscored opponents 43-12 in going 5-0 in rubber games at home this season. Freeman blooped a pop-fly single to begin the sixth inning, Atlanta's first hit since his homer in the first off Steven Matz (5-5). Donaldson followed with his 14th home run, sixth in his last nine games, before Austin Riley doubled and scored on Ozzie Albies' double to make it 5-2. That chased Matz, who allowed five runs on six hits and lost for the first time in nine career starts against the Braves. ''I wasn't executing good pitches there,'' Matz said. ''They were seeing me the third time through. That was a big inning for me, and they just got me.'' Max Fried (8-3) shook off a 6.10 ERA over his last eight starts, bearing down to escape trouble in his last two innings. After striking out Pete Alonso to strand a runner at second in the fifth, Fried had runners on first and second in the sixth when right fielder Charlie Culberson picked up Wilson Ramos' opposite-field single and threw on one bounce to catcher Tyler Flowers. J.D. Davis tried to jump over Flowers, but was tagged out before touching the plate. Fried struck out Amed Rosario to end the sixth and strand a runner at third. The left-hander gave up two runs and eight hits with one walk and six strikeouts in six innings, winning for the first time in five starts. ''He kind of got himself back together,'' Braves manager Brian Snitker said. ''His breaking ball was good, his fastball command, he reached back for a little extra couple of times. It was huge getting out of the sixth inning. That was impressive right there. He took a lot of steps forward in my opinion.'' The Mets, who have dropped 13 of their last 18 on the road, led 1-0 in the first after Jeff McNeil doubled, stole third and scored on a groundout. Atlanta went up 2-1 in the bottom half on Freeman's 21st homer. New York tied it 2-all in the fourth when Ramos doubled and scored on Rosario's double. Pinch-hitter Nick Markakis' two-run double in the eighth made it 7-2. After losing two of three in Atlanta, the Mets fell to fourth place in the NL East and dropped 8 1/2 games back in the division. ''Our record is what our record is,'' New York manager Mickey Callaway said of his team's 35-39 mark. ''We're concerned what we're doing. It's not fun to be in fourth place. No, we don't want to be there.'' ROLLING BRAVES Freeman has 23 RBIs in June, most in the majors, and has 14 homers in his last 32 games. ... Donaldson has a season-high nine-game hitting streak with six homers during that stretch. ... Atlanta has at least two homers in six straight games. ... The Braves won eight games on a homestand for the first time since 2012 against Philadelphia, Miami and Houston. TRAINER'S ROOM Braves: LHP Sean Newcomb was placed on the seven-day concussion list and will make a rehab appearance before he's ready to return. ... CF Ender Inciarte will report to extended spring training to resume baseball activities. He has missed 33 games with a lumbar strain and will need to play several rehab games before he's ready to return in a few weeks. NEW ADDITION The Mets signed second-round draft pick Josh Wolf, a high school pitcher from Texas. The 18-year-old had a 1.52 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 69 innings this season. UP NEXT Mets: RHP Walter Lockett will make a spot start in his New York debut Thursday at Wrigley Field opposite Cubs RHP Tyler Chatwood. Lockett went 0-1 with a 3.28 ERA in three starts and one relief appearance with Triple-A Syracuse. Braves: LHP Dallas Keuchel is set to make his 2019 debut Friday in Washington against RHP Stephen Strasburg. Keuchel went 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA in 34 starts last year for Houston. --- For more AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


Next stop, the preseason. The Bills exited their training camp portion of their summer schedule and the preseason now begins. Perhaps no one is more excited for that than wide receiver Duke Williams. During training camp, Williams hasn't gotten the best shake of things. Teams don't get physical in practices often, so it's hard for a physical, 6-foot-4 wideout, to make his mark. Speaking to 13WHAM -TV, Williams made it clear and simple what he's looking forward to during the exhibition season. "Contact," Williams said. "Get a little physical." Prior to joining the Bills, Williams led the CFL in receiving which made him and attractive option for the team to sign. He hasn't made his mark yet during camp, but when the preseason opens on Thursday against the Colts, expect to see some energy from Williams. "That's definitely my game. See ball, get ball," Williams said to the team's website . "Every time I see that ball I want to go get it. I'm a big body and I'm good on contested catches." Zay Jones, Cole Beasley, John Brown and to a bit lesser extent, Robert Foster, are all safe on the team's roster. Andre Roberts, an All-Pro returner, looks like he'll have a spot carved for him on the offensive, too. That leaves perhaps one or two open spots for Williams to grab. MORE: ESPN's Molly Qerim walked off set after Max Kellerman said Kobe's on his 'all-NBA worst team' Deadline passes as Elliott loses accrued season, fines reach $500K Packers' decision to cut OT Jason Spriggs places spotlight on second-year UDFA Alex Light 8 Patriots who need to shine in preseason opener vs. Lions Raiders Hard Knocks: Winners and Losers from Episode 1


CHARLOTTE, NC   A 37-year-old man wanted on a list of domestic violence charges ranging from kidnapping to strangulation was taken into custody Thursday afternoon after a standoff with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's SWAT team that stretched for nine hours in south Charlotte. The incident began around 9:30 a.m. May 23 when officers from CMPD's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) responded to the 1600 block of North Wind Place and attempted to arrest Luis Pineda-Acheta, 37. He was wanted on warrants on charges of kidnapping, strangulation, and assault on a female related to a domestic violence assault that took place on May 21, CMPD said. The address was at the Aurea Station apartment complex located off Sharon Road. According to police reports, Pineda-Acheta forced a woman into a car earlier in the week, drove her to an unknown location, and threatened her after tying her up with rope, WSOC reported. VCAT officers were unable to make contact with him and members of the SWAT Team along with negotiators were brought to the scene. "As a precaution, officers relocated nearby residents," CMPD said. The situation became tense for residents of the Aurea Station apartment complex, according to reports. "We just heard a loud bang coming from the apartment complex," a FOX46 reporter tweeted from the scene. "Several residents waiting to get back inside took off running." For the duration of the nine hours, Pineda-Acheta refused to speak with negotiators, CMPD said, adding that he was eventually taken into custody and transported to an area hospital with a medical issue. The medical issue was heat exhaustion , according to WSOCTV. When SWAT team members went in to the apartment, they found him hiding in a space behind a fireplace, the station said. "As temperatures soared into the upper 80s and with the humidity climbing as well, Pineda-Acheta became so overheated that he needed to be treated for heat exhaustion." "Once he is released he will be transported to CMPD Headquarters where he will be interviewed by detectives with the Domestic Violence Unit," CMPD said. "Upon completion of the interview he will be transferred to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office for charges related to this incident and outstanding warrants." RELATED: SWAT Team Deployed To Apartment In South Charlotte: Report


A handgun illegally purchased by South Florida rapper Kodak Black was used in an attempt to shoot another rapper in Pompano Beach in March, a federal prosecutor claims in court papers seeking to keep the singer behind bars before trial on separate weapons charges. "A rival rap artist was the intended target," Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Brown said in the new filing. Brown disclosed the information for the first time as he urged a Miami federal judge to hold Black, 21, after a magistrate judge granted him a $550,000 bond following his arrest earlier this month. Black was handcuffed before his May 11 performance at the Rolling Loud music festival at Hard Rock Stadium. Since then, Black has been held at the Miami Federal Detention Center. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres said he granted the bond with conditions of house arrest and electronic monitoring, anticipating that Black would soon be transferred to state authorities in South Carolina, where he is facing sexual assault charges. State authorities there have moved to revoke Black's bond in that case because of the new federal weapons charges in Miami, court records show. Black's defense attorney, Bradford Cohen, urged U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno to affirm Torres' decision, saying his client is also willing to pay for 24-hour supervision by a former federal agent while he is under house arrest at his home in Miramar. Cohen challenged the prosecutor's claim that Black is a danger to the community and a flight risk. Cohen said the federal prosecutor referred only to "circumstantial evidence" about the March 7 shooting in Pompano Beach, saying Black has not yet seen it. He also accused Brown of exaggerating Black's "storied criminal history," noting that while he has been arrested several times he has not been convicted of a felony as an adult. Cohen said his client had only been convicted as a youthful offender. Moreno scheduled a hearing for Wednesday to resolve the dispute over Black's pre-trial detention. In Miami federal court, Black is charged with lying about his criminal history during a background check when he purchased three firearms at a licensed gun dealer in Hialeah on Jan. 25 and again when he attempted to buy more weapons on March 1. The purchases were approved the first time because Black, whose legal name is Bill K. Kapri, also altered his Social Security number on a federal form for the background check. He used his actual number during the second purchase, which was ultimately blocked because the check showed that he was facing previous criminal charges in South Carolina. In his appeal on Black's bond, the prosecutor said one of the handguns that the rapper purchased in January at Lou's Police Distributors   a Sig MPXK9 for more than $2,000   was recovered at the March 7 shooting that targeted an unnamed rival artist in the low-income Golden Acres section of Pompano Beach. "The firearm had a live round in the chamber and apparently jammed during the shooting," Brown wrote to Moreno, the federal judge. "Fingerprints taken off the firearm belonged to the defendant." Brown said Broward Sheriff's deputies found the loaded Sig MPXK9 left at the scene by the shooters   along with "several spent casings" that were possibly discharged from other firearms. The prosecutor said fingerprints taken off the Sig "belonged to the defendant [Black]," and that "witnesses indicated the shooters arrived in at least two vehicles," including a Porsche Panamera sedan rented by the rapper. Sheriff's deputies later found the Panamera abandoned with severe vehicle damage in Lauderhill. It was equipped with a GPS, which showed the Panamera was in the Golden Acres neighborhood at the time of the shooting. "Witnesses put the defendant at the scene as well," Brown wrote in the court filing, adding that the Broward Sheriff's investigation into the shooting is continuing. News media reports indicate there were two shootings on the evening of March 7 in the Golden Acres neighborhood, but it's unclear whether they were related to the incident involving Black's Sig handgun on the same date. Gunshots were fired at two homes   including one with three children inside   in the 1600 block of NW 14th Circle. The rapper's indictment in Miami stems from his filling out a Firearms Transaction Record, or Form 4473, a federal document that must be completed to buy a gun from a registered dealer. According to the indictment, Black twice lied on the forms, in January and March, for purchases or attempted purchases at Lou's, the popular gun store in Hialeah. The form asks whether the applicant is facing an indictment or "information in any court" for a felony in which a judge could send him to prison for more than a year. Black answered "no" instead of "yes." A second handgun that Black purchased from Lou's in January was found in the trunk of a Porsche Panamera as it crossed the Canada-U.S. border with the rapper's entourage after a performance last month. Black, who was drving in a Cadillac Escalade, had eight grams of marijuana and $17,000 cash in his possession. He was charged with criminal possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of marijuana. Black was arrested before the Rolling Loud concert on May 11 by federal agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals and Miami-Dade's Northside gangs unit. The rapper is also facing separate weapons charges in Miami-Dade state criminal court. Black, who grew up in Pompano Beach, has skyrocketed to popularity over the past six years. His December 2018 album, "Dying to Live," debuted at the top of the Billboard albums chart. Black's hits include songs such as "Tunnel Vision," "No Flockin" and ?Wake Up in the City" with Gucci Mane and Bruno Mars. However, a long string of legal problems have plagued his career. Many of his troubles have emerged in his native Broward County. Last year, he was arrested after deputies said he hosted a party in which a guest waved a gun in the air near a baby's face. Deputies found a handgun and ammo at his home. The charges were later dropped. At the time of that arrest, Black was on felony probation for robbery and false imprisonment. Miami Herald staff writer David Ovalle contributed to this report.     ©2019 Miami Herald Visit Miami Herald at www.miamiherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are the latest to jump into the podcast game, under a pact with Spotify to produce a series of podcasts exclusively for the streaming platform. Under the multiyear deal between Spotify and Higher Ground Productions, the former first couple's production company, Barack and Michelle Obama are set to develop, produce, and lend their voices to select podcasts on a wide range of topics. The agreement is with Higher Ground Audio, a new division of the Higher Ground production company, that is housing the Obamas' move into podcasts. The Obamas formed Higher Ground last year, saying their goal is to foster new, diverse voices in the entertainment biz. The couple has a multiyear deal with Netflix to produce original scripted, unscripted and documentary series and films and earlier this spring announced seven initial projects in development . Spotify will distribute the Obamas' podcasts worldwide to its paid and ad-supported user base. In the first quarter, Spotify said it had 100 million Premium subscribers and more than 217 million monthly active users overall. "We've always believed in the value of entertaining, thought-provoking conversation," President Obama said in a statement provided by Spotify. "It helps us build connections with each other and open ourselves up to new ideas. We're excited about Higher Ground Audio because podcasts offer an extraordinary opportunity to foster productive dialogue, make people smile and make people think, and, hopefully, bring us all a little closer together." Michelle Obama said, "We're thrilled to have the opportunity to amplify voices that are too often ignored or silenced altogether, and through Spotify, we can share those stories with the world. Our hope is that through compelling, inspirational storytelling, Higher Ground Audio will not only produce engaging podcasts, but help people connect emotionally and open up their minds   and their hearts." The companies didn't provide details on specific projects the Obamas may be planning for Spotify at this point. According to Spotify, the programming will encompass "a diverse slate of original podcasts." For Spotify, the deal with Obamas extends its new push into podcasting, to diversify its audio-entertainment mix beyond music. Spotify also sees better economics and user engagement through a roster of exclusive podcast content, compared with ubiquitously licensed songs from music companies. "President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are two of the world's most important voices and it is a privilege to be working with them to identify and share stories that will inspire our global audience, which looks to Spotify for unique, breakthrough content," said Spotify chief content officer Dawn Ostroff, who joined the company a year ago from Condé Nast. In 2019, Spotify said, it expects to invest $400 million-$500 million in podcasting. That includes the acquisition of two podcasting companies   producer Gimlet Media and services provider Anchor FM Inc.   for around $337 million . Then in March, Spotify acquired Parcast, an L.A.-based scripted-entertainment podcast studio . Related video: Obama visits Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, hits a standup double (via the Washington Post)


• At his peak, Gary Hall weighed more than 500 pounds and experienced a variety of related health issues. • A disparaging comment about his weight motivated him to start working out and eating healthier. • Hall has since completed a dramatic 300-pound weight loss transformation, and isn't finished yet. Gary Hall had wanted to get healthy for a long time, but whenever he would try, his mind would get in the way, and he'd lose his motivation. It's a sentiment that's probably familiar to most people who've struggled at some point with mental illness. "The depression would always take over, and I'd think, 'Who cares? I'm fine just the way I am," he says. "I was a 520-pound man who never wanted to leave the house." Hall, now 38, recalls the moment that changed his mindset. While training for a security job at a Wal-Mart near his hometown in Minnesota, Hall overheard another employee comment that he was too fat to be a guard, and that he wasn't going to make it. "At this point, I felt like I'd let my wife and kids down, and the people who'd been pushing me to get back into the field. That's what flicked the light for me." Here's how Hall, who has now lost more than 300 pounds to date, got healthy. At your heaviest, you said you weighed more than 500 pounds. What was the biggest contributor to your weight gain? I would say a combination of depression and bullying. As I got older, kids started to make fun of me for my size, which previously I'd never thought of and I began not wanting to go outside as much. I started to quit playing sports and that's where the depression began to settle in. As the depression, manifested I started to give up. By the time I got into high school, I had a chip on my shoulder and this caused me to be withdrawn from other students. When did you reach your peak? Can you describe how you felt at the time? At around age 30, I was weighing in at 520 pounds. At this point, I'd already had a heart attack. I would get winded from doing the simplest things-showering, washing dishes. As my weight went up, so did my depression and anxiety, along with issues like diabetes, agoraphobia, disassociation disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder, to name a few. How did you get started losing the weight? What was your regimen like? I was all over the place. I didn't know what to do or where to start, so I failed with the fad diets and with going cold turkey. Eventually I wound up talking to a guy at my local Planet Fitness and he explained the nutrition side of things in a way I could understand. I began to use protein with casein to cut the cravings. After my appetite was under control, I went whey protein and began to introduce vitamins into my daily routine. Then I replaced the massive amounts of soda I was drinking with BCAA's. I also began to focus on lower carb meals and mixed cardio in with weight training. Did you work with a trainer? How'd you stay consistent? When I started, I was just working out with friends here and there, and eventually I met up with a trainer from another gym who designed a workout schedule for me and that made things a lot easier. I began to lose weight, and the more weight I lost the more motivation I had. I was able to do things I couldn't do before and that kept pushing me How long did that process take? The whole process took me a couple years, and in total I've lost 300 pounds. I feel amazing. I love being outside. I'm no longer diabetic. My cholesterol is normal, and so is my blood pressure. I'm much happier going out in public. I'm able to go on rides with my kids, and I have so much more energy. I no longer take any medications, and when the depression or anxiety do come on, they're a lot easier to control. People really began to notice after I lost the first 50 pounds. Everyone was pretty shocked, and they still are. What's the next goal you have in mind for yourself? After several life changes-work hours changing, family medical issues, money-I struggled to stay on the path of health and fell off for a month, but this journey has taught me I can do it. I just need to plan and execute. So, I've gotten back on track and set up some new goals, like taking my kids hiking, losing the extra weight I gained (about 20 pounds) and eventually participating in larger charity bike/walk events. Any advice for people just getting started? I've learned several valuable lessons: First, drink plenty water-I can be terrible at this, but apps like MyFitnessPal make logging food and water very easy, and they will give you lots of helpful advice. Second, stay off the scale. It'll go up and down and can discourage you for no reason. Instead, look at how your clothes fit, your increased energy, or how much more comfortable you are in warmer weather. Basically, use your improved quality of life as a sign that you're doing great, and also be prepared to fail. It happens. I recently fell off for a month due to life-and it was almost like starting over, but you have to remember what life was like before and why you decided to get in the gym in the first place. Video: This Guy Made Two Big Changes to Drop 105 Pounds


The Jets have not seen Le'Veon Bell much since he signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal March 13. He showed up the first few days of the offseason program last month but has worked out on his own since. Although the Jets have said all the right things about the offseason program being voluntary, they aren't "particularly pleased" Bell is not working at the team facility, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports. The Jets don't know whether they will see Bell before their mandatory minicamp June 4-6. The star running back has committed only to that. "We had a conversation about what was kind of his schedule ," Jets coach Adam Gase said Friday, via Mehta. "We'll kind of see how the OTAs go. As of right now, I know the mandatory stuff . . . he said he was going to be here for that. So I don't expect him to not show up." Bell explained on social media why he was absent from the team's offseason program, saying he has a tried and true formula that works for him to prepare for the season. "It's voluntary," Gase said. "Everybody can get upset about it. There's no point. We know where he is. He's working out. He's always been ready. Every year that he's played, he's been ready to go. So that's just what it is. If somebody doesn't like it, then talk to the NFLPA."