Off the wire

BASKETBALL UConn’s top five streak over

The Connecticut women’s basketball team’s record streak of top five appearances in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll is over. The Huskies, whose roster includes Christyn Williams (Central Arkansas Christian), fell to sixth on Monday, ending a run of 253 consecutive weeks as one of the first five teams in the Top 25. That historic stretch dated back to Feb. 5, 2007. Connecticut’s run dwarfs the No. 2 all-time mark of 96 set by Louisiana Tech in the 1980s. The longest current streak is now held by No. 1 South Carolina at 11. The Gamecocks had a hand in ending the Huskies’ run by routing UConn last Monday night. The Huskies’ three losses this season have come to the Gamecocks, No. 2 Baylor and third-ranked Oregon. South Carolina earned 27 first-place votes from the national media panel. Baylor received two and Oregon one. UConn’s streak may have continued had fourth-ranked Stanford not had a miracle finish to beat Colorado on Sunday. The Cardinal trailed by three with 12 seconds left when Kiana Williams tied the game. She then stole the ball from Mya Hollingshed and sank a 40-footer at the buzzer. The Cardinal moved up four spots in the poll. Louisville moved into fifth after knocking off then-No. 4 N.C. State on Thursday. Maryland, UCLA, Mississippi State and N.C. State round out the first 10 teams. The University of Arkansas moved up one spot to No. 22 in the poll.

BASEBALL Braves extend manager, GM

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker and his coaching staff were given one-year contract extensions through the 2021 season Monday. General manager Alex Anthopoulos was extended for three years through the 2024 season and given the additional title of president of baseball operations. The Braves have won back-to-back NL East titles under Anthopoulos and Snitker. Anthopoulos, 42, joined the Braves following the 2017 season after two seasons as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ vice president of baseball operations and six seasons as the Toronto Blue Jays’ general manager. Snitker, 64, led the Braves to 97 wins last season. He is entering his fourth season as manager and his 44th season in the organization. He was was hired as interim manager in May 2016 when Fredi Gonzalez was fired, and the interim tag was removed that October. Atlanta gave him a two-year contract in October 2018 that included a club option for 2021. Snitker’s record in the major leagues is 318-292.

Houston pitcher suspended

Houston Astros pitcher Francis Martes was suspended for the 2020 season following his second positive test for a performance-enhancing substance under baseball’s major league drug program. Martes tested positive for Boldenone, the commissioner’s office said Monday. Boldenone is sold under the brand name Equipose and is used commonly on horses.