Off the wire
BASEBALL Japan clinches series
Takuya Kai hit a go-ahead double off Dan Otero in the eighth inning, capping a comeback from a four-run deficit that led Japan over the MLB All-Stars 6-5 Wednesday in Nagoya, Japan, and clinched the six-game exhibition series 4-1. Down 5-1, Japan tied the score with a four-run seventh against Hector Velazquez. Kai started the comeback with an RBI single in the seventh, and Velazquez threw wildly into center field for a run-scoring error on Kazuki Tanaka’s comebacker. Pinch-hitter Hotaka Yamakawa followed with a two-run double. Seiji Uebayashi singled with two outs in the eighth off Otero, who took the loss, and scored from first on Kai’s double. Winner Yu Sato struck out two in a hitless eighth, and Yuki Matsui worked around Juan Soto’s leadoff single in the ninth for the save. MLB starter Junior Guerra allowed one run in five innings, a second-inning home run by Kazuma Okamoto. Japan starter Nao Higashihama gave up three runs and six hits in three innings. The final game is today at the Nagoya Dome.
Indians, Pirates trade
The Cleveland Indians traded versatile infielder Erik Gonzalez on Wednesday to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a five-player swap. Cleveland sent Gonzalez, who appeared in 81 games for the AL Central champions last season, and right-handers Tahnaj Thomas and Dante Mendoza to the Pirates for outfielder Jordan Luplow and infielder Max Moroff. Gonzalez batted .265 with 1 home run and 16 RBI last season for Cleveland, which signed the Dominican native in 2009. Gonzalez filled a utility role for the Indians, but was not going to be able to get into the starting lineup behind All-Stars Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez. Luplow, 25, brings needed depth to Cleveland’s outfield, which was decimated by injuries last season. He appeared in 64 games over the past two seasons with the Pirates, who named him their top minor league player in 2017.
FOOTBALL Ex-Cowboy joins Dolphins
Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Brice Butler has signed with the Miami Dolphins to shore up the injury-depleted position. Wideouts Jakeem Grant (calf) and DeVante Parker (shoulder) were both hurt in Sunday’s loss at Green Bay. Butler, a six-year veteran, was slowed by a groin injury earlier this season with the Cowboys and was released last month. He has 73 career receptions for 1,177 yards and 8 touchdowns for Dallas and Oakland.
Falcons LB Jones returns
Falcons linebacker Deion Jones has been moved to the active roster and is eligible to play for the first time since breaking his right foot in Week 1. Coach
Dan Quinn said Wednesday that the team will see how he looks in practice this week before deciding if Jones will be in uniform Sunday when Atlanta (4-5) hosts Dallas (4-5). Jones’ return would boost a defense that ranks 28th in scoring and 30th in average yards. Jones was a Pro Bowl alternate selection last year after getting 91 solo tackles, six tackles for minus yards and nine pass breakups in 16 games. Jones said, “Anything I could do I’ve done to get back out there with my boys … make sure I’m ready to go when I go.”
Browns to interview Williams
Cleveland Browns General Manager John Dorsey said interim coach Gregg Williams will be interviewed to be the team’s next coach. Williams took over when Hue Jackson was fired on Oct. 29 after winning three games in two-plus seasons. Dorsey has been pleased with how the team has performed under Williams, their fiery defensive coordinator. Williams, 60, coached Buffalo in 2001-03. Dorsey said Williams deserves the chance to be considered for the full-time job. The Browns have split their two games under Williams, and Dorsey said he has been impressed with how the team has been focused and disciplined the past two weeks.
SEC has 3 Nagurski finalists
Alabama nose tackle Quinnen Williams, Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen and LSU safety Grant Delpit give the SEC three of the five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation’s top defensive player. The other finalists announced Wednesday were Michigan linebacker Devin Bush and Clemson defensive tackle
Christian Wilkins. The Nagurski Trophy is chosen by the Football Writers Association of America. The winner will be announced Dec. 3 at the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Williams has 14 tackles for loss, including five sacks, for No. 1 Alabama. Allen leads the SEC with 15 ½ tackles for loss. Delpit leads LSU in interceptions (five) and tackles for loss (9 ½). Bush is the leading tackle for the top defense in the country. Wilkins has 10.5 tackles for loss, including three sacks.
TENNIS Djokovic wins in London
Novak Djokovic overcame an illness — and Alexander Zverev — to earn a second consecutive victory at the ATP Finals in London. Despite requiring a tissue to blow his nose between points, Djokovic beat Zverev 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday to close in on a spot in the semifinals at the season-ending tournament. The five-time champion from Serbia saved two break points at 4-4 in the opening set and then broke Zverev in the following game to take the lead. Zverev won only one more game, ensuring all seven matches at the tournament have ended in two sets. Djokovic’s passage to an eighth semifinal at the season-ending tournament was confirmed when Marin Cilic beat
John Isner 6-7 (2), 6-3 6-4 in the late match.
Radwanska to retire
Former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska announced Wednesday she is retiring from tennis after a 13-year career. The 29-year-old Pole, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 2, said she is “no longer able to train and play the way I used to.” Radwanska won 20 WTA titles in her career. She reached the Wimbledon final in 2012, losing to Serena Williams in three sets. Radwanska also reached the semifinals at the All England Club in 2013 and ‘15, as well as reaching the French Open semifinals in 2014 and ‘16. “Taking into consideration my health and the heavy burdens of professional tennis, I have to concede that I’m not able to push my body to the limits required,” Radwanska wrote on her Facebook account. Radwanska said she’s not leaving tennis completely, adding “it’s time for new challenges, new ideas, equally as exciting as those on the tennis court, I hope.” Last year Radwanska married her coach and sparring partner, Dawid Celt.
HOCKEY Rutherford extends contract
Jim Rutherford celebrated a new contract in the most expected of ways: by putting together a trade he hopes will jump-start his struggling team. The Pittsburgh Penguins general manager signed a contract extension on Wednesday that will keep him with the club through the 2021-22 season. Moments later he dealt forward
Carl Hagelin to the Los Angeles Kings for forward Tanner Pearson. All of it unfolded as Penguins captain Sidney Crosby skipped practice while being evaluated for an upper-body injury. The only general manager to win Stanley Cups with multiple teams in the expansion era remains fervently committed to his job, which is why he didn’t hesitate to make a trade that sent the speedy but slumping Hagelin to the Kings for the younger Pearson, the first of what could be several moves as Pittsburgh tries to shake itself out of a 7-6-3 start.