WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Wilyer Abreu and Wilson Contreras homered on back-to-back pitches in the eighth inning, Sonny Gray went seven innings for his 13th win of the season, and the Boston Red Sox rallied to beat the Athletics 5-4 on Thursday night.Ceddanne Rafaela added two hits and two RBIs for the Red Sox, who have had to come from behind in eight of their last 12 victories.Trailing 4-3 in the eighth, the Red Sox tied it when Abreu hit his 16th home run on changeup from Luis Media (2-3) 422 fee. Contreras connected on the following pitch for his 23rd home run.Lawrence Butler had two hits and scored two runs for the As. Jacob Wilson also had two hits and an RBI.Gray (13-2), the As first-round pick in 2011, allowed four runs and seven hits. Coming off his worst outing of the season, the three-time All-Star had five strikeouts and two walks.Greg Weissert retired three batters and Aroldis Chapman worked around a one-out double in the ninth for his 26th save.The Red Sox have won 23 consecutive games when scoring four runs or more.The As led 3-0 before Boston tied it in the fifth against As starter Mason Barnett on Andruw Monasterios single and Rafaelas two-out, two-run double.Butler came through for the As again in the sixth when he hit a leadoff double, took third on a flyout to center, then scored on Carlos Cortes short sacrifice fly to left.Barnett allowed three runs and four hits in five innings of his second start since being recalled from the minors on July 22.Up nextRed Sox: LHP Ranger Surez (4-3, 3.02 ERA) faces the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Friday.As: LHP Jeffrey Springs (3-10, 6.23) starts against the Tigers on Friday.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

  The Underwater Lighting Market Trends are being shaped by the structural transition from traditional halogen and metal-halide systems to high-efficacy LED arrays achieving 60-70% energy savings, the integration of smart technologies enabling IoT-connected building-management and subscription-based lighting control platforms, and the increasing focus on ecosystem-supportive lighting...

According to the latest report published by Data Bridge Market Research, the Boxing Gloves Market  CAGR Value As per Data Bridge Market Research Analysis the global Boxing Gloves market size was valued at USD 150.70 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 249.42 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.50% during the forecast period With the clear understanding of customer...

The Minnesota Twins acquired left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from the New York Mets on Thursday ahead of Major League Baseball trade deadline on Aug. 3, per ESPN. In exchange, the Mets received two Twins prospects: third baseman Billy Amick, ranked 21st in Minnesota's system, and infielder Bruin Agbayani, ranked 29th, per The Athletic. Minter, 32, has posted a 1-1 record with a 2.35 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 20 strikeouts, and one hold across 23 appearances this season. He provides Minnesota with left-handed depth in high-leverage situations, addressing a roster need following Anthony Banda's season-ending left lat strain in June. The trade signals the start of an expected sale at the deadline for the 47-63 Mets. Meanwhile, the 5555 Twins remain three games behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central and are positioning themselves for a postseason run.

According to the latest report published by Data Bridge Market Research, the Bicycle Shoe Market  CAGR Value The global bicycle shoe market size was valued at USD 1.29 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.95 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 5.35% during the forecast period of 2025 to 2032. Bicycle Shoe Market report has been framed by chewing over an array of...

According to the latest report published by Data Bridge Market Research, the Bakery Premixes Market  CAGR Value The global bakery premixes market size was valued at USD 373.92 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 609.60 million by 2032, at a CAGR of 6.30% during the forecast period Bakery Premixes Market analysis report has studied key opportunities in the market...

SAN DIEGO (AP) Rookie Daniel Susac hit a two-run home run and had three RBIs, and Robbie Ray pitched six impressive innings to win his seventh straight decision and lead the San Francisco Giants to a 4-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night. The Padres saw their five-game winning streak snapped and dropped two games behind the final NL wild-card spot. Susac drove the first pitch he saw from JP Sears (3-4) onto the balcony on the third level of the Western Metal Supply Co. brick warehouse in the left field corner for a 3-0 lead with no outs in the second. Willy Adames was aboard on a leadoff single. Susac added a sacrifice fly in the fifth for a 4-1 lead. He hit his first two home runs in a 16-3 win against Milwaukee on Wednesday. Ray (10-6) held San Diego to one run and four hits while striking out six and walking one. The left-hander is 7-0 in his last 10 starts and hasn't lost since May 18 at Arizona. Erik Miller pitched the ninth for his fourth save. Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. made a spectacular leaping catch to rob Rafael Devers of a three-run home run in the first inning. Devers did get a sacrifice fly, but Tatis added on to his impressive list of home run robberies, which included taking one away from Devers last August. Tatis tracked Devers fly ball and leaped to get his glove high above the short wall in right-center at Petco Park to make the catch. He landed and tumbled onto his backside, but flipped the ball to center fielder Jackson Merrill, who tossed it into the infield. Merrill helped Tatis to his feet and patted him on the chest. Sears raised his left arm in celebration.Up nextNeither team had announced its starter for Friday night. ___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

A new crop of leaders must emerge at Manchester CitySince the 2025-26 season ended, Manchester City has seen a host of leadership and experience depart the club. Pep Guardiola stepped down as Manchester Citys manager. He has been replaced by Enzo Maresca. Bernardo Silva, Nathan Ake and John Stones have also departed the club. Their departures, coupled with Pep Guardiolas, create a void in terms of leadership and experience in the City squad. Heading into the 2026-27 season, Manchester City do need a new crop of leaders to rise to the fore.Manchester City need players to step up and become leaders.Last season, Pep Guardiola named Bernardo Silva as the Manchester City captain with Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland completing Manchester Citys leadership group. Of those four players, Bernardo Silva is now a Real Madrid player. There are doubts that surround the future of Rodri. Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias do look to be the standout candidates to become the next captain for Manchester City.Outside of Haaland, Dias and Rodri, if he stays, Manchester City do need other players to step up and become leaders. It is time for other players to fill the void left behind following the loss of bonafide leaders and experienced players. Gianluigi Donnarumma looks to be a prime candidate to step up as a leader for Enzo Marescas side. As does Marc Guehi. Both players have been leaders throughout their careers and could make a step up in this regard for Enzo Maresca.Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden are two other players who have the potential to be leaders in Manchester Citys new era. Foden is now a seasoned professional and knows intimately the high standards demanded at City. Josko Gvardiol has signed a long-term contract extension and the natural progression for him is to become a leader for his team. Foden and Gvardiol are two players who seem primed to step up as leaders and hopefully other candidates will emerge during Manchester Citys preseason tour of Asia.Final thoughts.Manchester City do need a new crop of leaders to emerge for the 2026-27 season and beyond. The standards expected at the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders have been established by Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Nathan Ake and the club legends that have departed before them. To carry on those standards, City will need a new batch of leaders to emerge. It is a crucial element of any team and the sooner that Manchester Citys next crop of leaders reveal themselves the better it will bw for Enzo Marescas side.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Lawrence Butler #4 of the Athletics slides into home plate to score a run ahead of the tag from Connor Wong #12 of the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the sixth inning at Sutter Health Park on July 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe Athletics closed out this four-game series against the Boston Red Sox on a warm summer night in West Sacramento. It was dj vu all over again for the As, as they carried a late lead only to watch another reliever blow the save in a 5-4 loss that prevented them from salvaging a series split.As Strike FirstThe Athletics struggles with runners in scoring position showed up immediately. Facing Red Sox starter Sonny Gray, designated hitter Jacob Wilson lined a one-out double in the bottom of the first, only to be stranded at second as the next two hitters grounded out.As right fielder Carlos Cortes drew a leadoff walk in the third inning. He advanced to second on a groundout and then moved to third on Red Sox shortstop Andruw Monasterios fielding error. Unlike last night, Wilson came through with a runner on third and fewer than two outs, lining an RBI single to center to put the As up 1-0.The hosts had a chance to score more, but Gray escaped without further damage by getting left fielder Tyler Soderstrom to ground into an inning-ending double play. Through three innings, the As were 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position, wasting opportunities to do more damage against Bostons starter.Jacob Wilson and the A's strike first pic.twitter.com/1EhUWRdpOb Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 31, 2026As Add OnSeeking to extend the As lead, catcher Jonah Heim led off the bottom of the fourth with his 11th double of the season. He scored the As second run on center fielder Lawrence Butlers one-out RBI double to right. Jeff McNeil followed with a single, advancing Butler to third. Butler doubles in Heim pic.twitter.com/Hy82JQwT0g Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 31, 2026With two outs, shortstop Donovan Walton came through, grounding an RBI single to right that brought Butler home and extended the As lead to 3-0. Once again the As had a chance to add to their lead, but Gray got Wilson to pop out, stranding the bases loaded.Walton makes it 3-0 pic.twitter.com/RkryUoPdya Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 31, 2026Red Sox Tie Things UpAs starter Mason Barnett got off to a good start, throwing four scoreless innings. However, he unraveled in the fifth inning.The Red Sox scored their first run of the game on Monasterios RBI single against Barnett. The visitors were not done, tying the game at 3-3 on Rafaelas two-run double down the left-field line that got past a diving White at third base. Barnett kept the game tied by retiring Wilyer Abreu to end the inning.The As starter had been pitching well until that inning, which was likely due to it being his deepest outing in a major league game this season. He allowed three runs on four hits over five innings, striking out six in an outing that was going well until his fifth and final inning of work.Blewett Does Not Blow it Right-handed reliever Scott Blewett pitched the sixth inning, making his As debut in a tie game. His first appearance with the team did not start well, as two straight singles and a sacrifice bunt set Boston up to take the lead for the first time this evening. Blewett kept the game tied, as the Red Sox failed to take advantage of that golden opportunity.Butler Comes Through AgainButler led off the bottom of the sixth with his second double of the night off Gray. He tagged up and advanced to third on McNeils flyout before scoring the go-ahead run on Cortes sacrifice fly.Law Dawg slides in safe pic.twitter.com/xZRJPzDXd6 Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 31, 2026Blewett kept the As in the lead, throwing a second straight scoreless inning of relief. Unfortunately, the As bullpen could not keep things going. Familiar FateRight-hander Luis Medina, whose daughter threw out the first pitch before the game, blew his fourth save of the season. Abreu and Willson Contreras hit back-t0-back home runs in the eighth inning to put the Red Sox ahead 5-4, turning the game on its head.The As continued to hurt themselves by swinging at first pitches. The latest example came in the bottom of the eighth inning, when White grounded into a first-pitch double play, instantly erasing speedster Henry Bolte from the bases.Up one, the Red Sox brought in closer Aroldis Chapman for the save opportunity. With one out, pinch-hitter Alika Williams just missed a game-tying home run, settling for a double off the wall. Chapman recovered, striking out pinch-hitter Colby Thomas and Nick Kurtz to save Bostons 5-4 victory, wrapping up their seventh straight series victory and sending the Athletics to their tenth straight series loss.Series Wrap-upThis four-game series perfectly encapsulated the As 2026 season. The Green and Gold had a chance to complete the sweep, but their leaky bullpen and inability to deliver with runners in scoring position cost them three games of the series, dropping the teams home record to an awful 24-31. With the trade deadline looming on Monday, something has to change. There is too much dead weight on this roster, from Thomas to the inconsistent bullpen to manager Mark Kotsay, who has yet to lead the Athletics to a winning season since replacing Bob Melvin in 2022.The As will continue this homestand this weekend with a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers. Fridays pitching matchup features left-hander Jeffrey Springs against right-hander Casey Mize. The As will look to return the favor after the Tigers swept all three games between the teams in Detroit before the All-Star break.

FIFA insists "nobody is selling football" amid criticism of its decision to launch a consultation on selling stakes in a World Cup commercial entity to private investors.However, football's global governing body stopped short of withdrawing the controversial plan and insisted it would press ahead with the consultation period.UEFA reacted furiously when the plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) first emerged in media reports in The Times and the Financial Times on Tuesday.Less than 48 hours later, UEFA's 55 member associations insisted they would not participate in any FIFA tournament until the plan was withdrawn.In a statement released on Friday morning, FIFA said: "We have heard the feedback provided by the respective confederations in relation to the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and would like to address the issues that have surfaced since the initial media reporting on Tuesday."We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation."Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA has the ability to express its vote based on facts."The statement continued: "FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all FIFA Member Associations (MAs) have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries, and that this does not come at the cost of either the spirit or the governance of FIFA or football itself."Nobody is selling football. This is not something FIFA would ever entertain."Separately, CONCACAF, the confederation representing 41 nations from North and Central America, along with the Caribbean, also made clear its opposition to FIFA's plan, saying it "rejected the proposal."FIFA president Gianni Infantino has publicly backed the plan, with an investor group led by Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner the brother of US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner waiting in the wings to secure a minority stake in the new venture.However, promises of huge returns to national associations if FFE goes ahead could surely not be honoured if the men's and women's World Cups took place without European involvement, even if Infantino could still muster majority support for FFE.European and world leagues are also opposed to the plans fearing that commercial imperatives will drive FIFA to hold bigger and more frequent tournaments in the future, eating even further into domestic schedules.UEFA's opposition to the plan, in its words, is "unanimous and unequivocal.""No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership," European football's governing body stated.The statement said the way in which FFE had come to light with national associations and even European members of the FIFA Council blindsided until media reports emerged on Tuesday was "irresponsible and indefensible."FIFA was also accused of "an act of coercion" in asking associations to approve the FFE proposal by September 19, dangling a carrot of up to 40 million US dollars (30m) in development funding to associations willing to participate in the plan in the run-up to the 2030 World Cup alone.UEFA's chief complaint, though, was the impact handing over stakes to private investors would have.FIFA's Friday statement added that "each MA (Member Association) should be allowed to review the proposal and have a say in shaping their own future."The association said the proposals were subject to consultation and could be approved, rejected or amended, while FIFA's commercial activities would remain unchanged without majority backing from members.The English FA said it stood "shoulder to shoulder" with other European governing bodies in supporting the boycott stance, while the Scottish, Welsh and Irish FAs and the FA of Ireland also said they agreed with the position UEFA had taken.CONCACAF members also held a meeting to discuss FFE on Thursday, with the confederation saying in a statement: "During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies."Earlier on Thursday, FIFA's tight timeline for the FFE project came to light, with national associations informed this week that investors were expected to have transferred all monies to FIFA by the end of October, in documents seen by PA.Any European boycott would first impact the Women's Under-20 World Cup, due to be staged in Poland in September. The big FIFA event on the longer-term horizon though is the senior Women's World Cup in Brazil next summer, with qualifiers due to take place later this year.Infantino has said FFE would help "turbocharge" global football, and FIFA has maintained it would have sole control and ownership of FFE.