Bears decline White’s option
The Bears declined the fifthyear option on wide receiver
Kevin White, leaving him one more season to try to make an impact.
The decision was no surprise. Signing White, the seventh overall pick in 2015, for 2019 would have cost the Bears $ 13.924 million. The salary would have been guaranteed even if he gets hurt, no small thing for a receiver who has appeared in only five games in three seasons because of injuries, totaling 21 catches for 193 yards.
The Bears added three receivers this offseason who figure to have priority over White: free agents Allen Robinson and
Taylor Gabriel and secondround pick Anthony Miller. † Linebacker Jerrell Freeman, who was suspended twice for performance- enhancing drugs and later said he struggled with concussions during his two seasons with the Bears, announced his retirement. † Ex- Bears receiver Markus
Wheaton signed a one- year contract with the Eagles.
◆ Redskins cheerleaders were required to pose topless for a photo shoot in 2013, while spectators invited by the team looked on, according to a New York Times report.
NBA PLAYOFFS Jazz even series with Rockets
Joe Ingles had a career- high 27 points, and the Jazz squandered a huge early lead before using a big fourth quarter to beat the Rockets 116- 108 to tie the Western Conference semifinals at 1- 1. The Jazz were behind by two points with eight minutes left before using a 16- 2 run to pull away and hold on.
◆ The Suns agreed to a threeyear deal with Jazz assistant
Igor Kokoskov to be their coach. Kokoskov, a native of Serbia, will be the first head coach born and raised outside North America in NBA history. ◆ Timberwolves guard Jamal
Crawford will decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS Sharks rout Golden Knights
Tomas Hertl scored his team- leading fifth goal of the playoffs, Martin Jones made 34 saves for his sixth career postseason shutout and the Sharks beat the Golden Knights 4- 0 to even their second- round series at 2- 2. Vegas failed to convert on all five power- play chances to lose for the second time in eight games this postseason.
◆ Ondrej Palat scored twice in the first 3: 19 of the game, and the Lightning beat the Bruins 4- 1 to open a 2- 1 lead in their second- round series. Andrei
Vasilevskiy stopped 28 shots for the Lightning, who have won two straight.
◆ The NHL suspended Capitals forward Tom Wilson three games for an illegal check to the head that broke the jaw of Zach Aston- Reese. ◆ The Stars plan to hire the University of Denver’s Jim Montgomery to be their coach. Montgomery led the Pioneers to a national title last season.
◆ The Bruins and Flames will face off Sept. 15 in Shenzhen in southeast China and then again Sept. 19 in Beijing in the second incarnation of the China Games.
MLB M’s Paxton strikes out 16
James Paxton struck out a major- league season- high 16 in seven dominant innings, but the Mariners’ bullpen blew a late lead in a 3- 2 loss to the Athletics.
◆ Mookie Betts belted three solo homers in the Red Sox’ 5- 4 victory over the Royals. It was the fourth three- homer game for the 25- year- old Betts, snapping a tie with Ted Williams for the most in franchise history. ◆ Edwin Encarnacion homered three times and drove in six runs in the Indians’ 12- 4 victory over the Rangers. ◆ Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery could miss up to eight weeks because of an injury to his left elbow.