San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler won't come out for the anthem in protest after Texas school shooting  —  CINCINNATI — San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler on Friday said he will refuse to take the field for the national anthem in a protest over the nation's political direction following …

Chicago Cubs get to White Sox starter Johnny Cueto early in a 5-1 victory in the City Series  —  Johnny Cueto didn't allow a run in his first two starts with the Chicago White Sox.  —  But a Patrick Wisdom bloop double and a Frank Schwindel single set the tone early for the Cubs …

Jimmy Butler conjures his LeBron James with 47 as Heat force Game 7 with 111-103 win in Boston  —  BOSTON — The Miami Heat did not want it to end, and certainly not in a sea of green.  —  More to the point, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry did not want it to end, even when it seemed their bodies …

Gerrit Cole loses focus after bad call as Yankees fall to Rays, 3-1: ‘That was a strike’  —  ST. PETERSBURG — An hour later, Gerrit Cole was still sure he was right, but it didn't really matter.  The pitch to Ji-Man Choi was called a ball and Cole lost him.

Jeff McNeil's 3-run homer powers Mets to 8-2 win over the Phillies  —  Jeff McNeil stepped to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning with runners at the corners and his team down by one.  —  McNeil, the Mets' ever reliable hitter this season, was the perfect candidate to try …

Mike McDaniel bringing new vibe, energy to Dolphins through organized team activities  —  MIAMI GARDENS — A prevailing thought across sports is that a team takes on the personality of its coach.  —  It sure seems to be the case with the 2022 Miami Dolphins through their offseason and organized team activities.

How AL East rivals Rays and Yankees united to make dramatic statement on gun violence  —  The Tampa Bay Rays felt a “palpable” need to act after 19 students and 2 teachers were murdered in Texas.  The Yankees agreed.  —  It happens every so often in the Tampa Bay Rays' offices …

New York Mets' Jacob deGrom says injured shoulder feels ‘completely normal’  —  NEW YORK — Mets ace Jacob deGrom says his injured right shoulder blade feels “completely normal,” and he's waiting for New York's medical staff to clear him to resume throwing off a mound.

Reds' Tommy Pham slaps Giants' Joc Pederson in pregame altercation over fantasy football  —  CINCINNATI — Giants outfielder Joc Pederson said he was slapped by Reds outfielder Tommy Pham over a fantasy football league disagreement during batting practice before Friday's 5-1 Reds victory at Great American Ball Park.

Dodgers beat Merrill Kelly, continue ownership of Diamondbacks  —  For the third time in as many days, the Diamondbacks were beaten by a club generally regarded to be among the best in baseball.  The Diamondbacks played a clean game.  They played aggressively.  They had their chances.  They fell short.