Sky fire Stocks after two seasons
The Sky fired head coach and general manager Amber Stocks after a two-year tenure that included an overall record of 2543 and no playoff appearances.
“The entire organization would like to thank Amber for the hard work and dedication that she has given to the Sky for the past two seasons,” team president and CEO Adam Fox said. “At this time, we felt a change was necessary for the 2019 season. We wish her nothing but the best in the future. Our search for a new coach will begin immediately.”
Stocks was named general manager and head coach of the Sky in December 2016 after serving as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Brewers continue to bolster roster
The Brewers acquired left-handed starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez from the Nationals and Curtis Granderson from the Blue Jays. Gonzalez is 7-11 with a 4.57 ERA in 27 starts this season. The two-time All-Star is 124-97 with a 3.71 ERA in 11 major-league seasons. Granderson, 37, meanwhile, hit .243 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI in 103 games.
♦ Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson was traded to the Indians. The 32-year-old Donaldson, who has been limited to 36 games this season because of injuries, is hitting .234/.333/.423 with five home runs and 16 RBI.
♦ The Dodgers bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-hander Ryan Madson from the Nationals for a minor-league pitcher. Madson was 5-5 with five saves and a 4.08 ERA in 69 games for Washington.
Donald agrees to record deal with Rams
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald ended his second consecutive contract holdout, agreeing to a record six-year, $135 million deal, with $87 million guaranteed. It’s the richest defensive deal in NFL history and could keep Donald with the Rams for the next seven years, through the 2024 season.
♦ The Vikings released receiver Cayleb Jones and linebacker Antwoine Williams.
♦ The Saints released veteran receivers Michael Floyd and Brandon Tate.
♦ Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley faces a four-game suspension without pay in connection with his arrest earlier this offseason.
Serena cruises past Venus at U.S. Open
Serena Williams defeated sister Venus 6-1, 6-2 in the sisters’ 16th meeting in a major to move into the fourth round of the U.S. Open. Serena’s win over Venus is tied for the most lopsided victory ever in their 30 professional meetings. Also on the women’s side, No. 3 seed Sloane Stephens advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Victoria Azarenka.
No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal and 2017 Open finalist Kevin Anderson were among the men’s winners to advance.
♦ UIC says it will drop men’s and women’s gymnastics after the 2018-19 season.