<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"
	xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"
	>
<channel>
	<title>98.1 The Sports Animal (WWLS-FM)</title>
	<atom:link href="https://www.thesportsanimal.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/feed/</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 04:07:01 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<ttl>10</ttl>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2</generator>

<image>
	<url>https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/uploads/station/2980/squareIcon.png?r=80030</url>
	<title>98.1 The Sports Animal (WWLS-FM)</title>
	<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com</link>
	<width>32</width>
	<height>32</height>
</image> 
		<item>
		<title>Avs put up 9 goals in outscoring Wild in series opener</title>
		<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/avs-put-up-9-goals-in-outscoring-wild-in-series-opener/</link>
		<comments>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/avs-put-up-9-goals-in-outscoring-wild-in-series-opener/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 04:07:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-05-04T04:07:01+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[NHL Premium News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/avs-put-up-9-goals-in-outscoring-wild-in-series-opener/</guid>
		<media:content url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869610/600/400/" medium="image">
			<media:thumbnail url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869610/600/400/"></media:thumbnail>
		</media:content>
			<description><![CDATA[Cale Makar scored twice in the third period, Nazem Kadri also had a goal in the third, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Minnesota Wild 9-6 in a hig...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cale Makar scored twice in the third period, Nazem Kadri also had a goal in the third, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Minnesota Wild 9-6 in a high-scoring Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Sunday night in Denver.</p><p>Makar added an assist, Devon Toews had a goal and three assists, Nathan MacKinnon added a goal and two assists, Artturi Lehkonen and Sam Malinski each contributed a goal and an assist, and Nick Blankenburg and Jack Drury also scored for Colorado.</p><p>Game 2 is Tuesday night in Denver.</p><p>Quinn Hughes had a goal and two assists, and Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Johansson, Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan Hartman and Marcus Foligno scored for Minnesota, which rallied from down 3-0 early to take a brief lead late in the second period.</p><p>The game was tied 5-all when Makar, who shook off an early injury, got a pass from MacKinnon in the right circle and wristed a shot high past Jesper Wallstedt at 3:21. Kadri padded the lead at 5:43 of the third with a breakaway goal.</p><p>Wallstedt turned away 34 of 42 shots in the game.</p><p>Zuccarello gave the Wild life when the puck went off his leg and in at 16:01, but Makar answered at 17:06. MacKinnon added an empty-netter to seal it.</p><p>Martin Necas had three assists and Valeri Nichushkin contributed two assists for the Avalanche.</p><p>Scott Wedgewood had 10 of his 30 saves in the third period to make the lead stand up for Colorado</p><p>Malinski, Drury and Lehkonen scored 2:01 apart midway through the first period to give the Avalanche a 3-0 lead. Johansson and Hartman answered with goals a minute apart to cut it to 3-2.</p><p>The second period continued the scoring trend. Blankenburg scored 4:16 into the second to make it 4-2, and Tarasenko answered at 6:45 to get the Wild back in it.</p><p>Hughes tied it when his shot through a screen beat Wedgewood at 12:43 of the second, and Foligno scored a short-handed goal at 16:55 to give Minnesota a 5-4 lead.</p><p>Toews tied it again when he scored at 18:04, seconds after the Wild killed off a power play.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/avs-put-up-9-goals-in-outscoring-wild-in-series-opener/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869610/600/400/" length="99999" type="image/jpeg" />
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Five-star TE Ahmad Hudson stays in state, commits to LSU</title>
		<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/five-star-te-ahmad-hudson-stays-in-state-commits-to-lsu/</link>
		<comments>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/five-star-te-ahmad-hudson-stays-in-state-commits-to-lsu/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 03:56:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-05-04T03:56:01+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[NCAAFB Premium News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/five-star-te-ahmad-hudson-stays-in-state-commits-to-lsu/</guid>
		<media:content url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869609/600/400/" medium="image">
			<media:thumbnail url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869609/600/400/"></media:thumbnail>
		</media:content>
			<description><![CDATA[Five-star prospect Ahmad Hudson, regarded as the No. 1 tight end in the country in the Class of 2027, decided to stay in state and committed to LSU in...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Five-star prospect Ahmad Hudson, regarded as the No. 1 tight end in the country in the Class of 2027, decided to stay in state and committed to LSU in a social media post on Sunday.</p><p>The Tigers and new head coach Lane Kiffin secured the pledge from Hudson, who was deciding between LSU and Nebraska as of last month and had publicized a commitment deadline of July 4.</p><p>A two-sport star at Ruston (La.) High School, Hudson is ranked the No. 1 tight end by ESPN and rated No. 18 overall in the country, first at his position and third in Louisiana in the 247Sports Composite rankings for the Class of 2027.</p><p>Listed at 6-foot-6 1/2 and 239 pounds, Hudson has 36 football offers, per 247Sports, as well as reports of basketball offers from Nebraska, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M, Missouri, Ole Miss, Louisiana Tech and Grambling.</p><p>He visited LSU multiple times this year and canceled official visits for Nebraska and Southern California in June.</p><p>Kiffin also secured pledges this year from Class of 2027 four-star prospects Jaiden Bryant (defensive end, Columbia, S.C.), Braylon Calais (wide receiver, Carencro, La.) and Ah'Mari Stevens (wide receiver, Hollywood, Fla.). The program also is holding a commitment from four-star quarterback Peyton Houston (Shreveport, La.), who chose LSU when Brian Kelly was head coach last September.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/five-star-te-ahmad-hudson-stays-in-state-commits-to-lsu/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869609/600/400/" length="99999" type="image/jpeg" />
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cavs use third-quarter surge to best Raptors in Game 7</title>
		<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/cavs-use-third-quarter-surge-to-best-raptors-in-game-7/</link>
		<comments>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/cavs-use-third-quarter-surge-to-best-raptors-in-game-7/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 02:57:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-05-04T02:57:01+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[NBA Premium News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/cavs-use-third-quarter-surge-to-best-raptors-in-game-7/</guid>
		<media:content url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869607/600/400/" medium="image">
			<media:thumbnail url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869607/600/400/"></media:thumbnail>
		</media:content>
			<description><![CDATA[Jarrett Allen scored 14 of his career playoff-high-tying 22 points in the third quarter and grabbed 19 rebounds, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Jarrett Allen scored 14 of his career playoff-high-tying 22 points in the third quarter and grabbed 19 rebounds, powering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 114-102 win over the visiting Toronto Raptors in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Sunday night.</p><p>Fourth-seeded Cleveland, which trailed by double digits in the first and second quarters, will play the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the East semifinals, beginning Tuesday in Detroit. The home team won every game in the Cavaliers-Pistons series.</p><p>Donovan Mitchell also had 22 points and James Harden posted 18 points and six rebounds for the Cavaliers, who built a 94-72 lead early in the fourth. Allen had 10 rebounds -- five offensive -- in the third when Cleveland outscored the Raptors 38-19.</p><p>Scottie Barnes collected 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists for fifth-seeded Toronto. RJ Barrett had 23 points on 9-of-25 field goal attempts and Jamal Shead added 14 points and seven assists.</p><p>Cleveland is 5-0 all-time at home in Game 7 and has beaten the Raptors all 11 times in the playoffs in its arena. The Cavaliers also have won all four of their postseason series against Toronto.</p><p>Evan Mobley, who had 13 points, scored the first basket of the second half to give Cleveland its initial lead at 51-49. It turned into a 20-2 run spanning the second and third quarters when Mitchell made a hoop with 9:28 remaining in the third to make it 58-49.</p><p>Cleveland used an 11-2 run to close the opening half, tying the score for the first time at 49-all on a Jaylon Tyson 3-pointer. Shead and Barnes led all players at the half with 14 points apiece, while Harden had 10 points and Sam Merrill added eight off the bench.</p><p>The Cavaliers committed 13 turnovers in the first half, which Toronto turned into 14 points. Cleveland had six miscues in the first quarter and seven in the second.</p><p>Barnes netted the first five points of the evening after Allen missed a dunk on Cleveland's opening possession. Shead made a runner to give the Raptors a 22-12 advantage, but Merrill had five points in the final three minutes to cut it to 26-24.</p><p>Shead scored seven points in the period and Barnes had five points and four assists, helping Toronto shoot 55% from the floor.</p><p>The Raptors were without two starters, small forward Brandon Ingram (right heel soreness) and point guard Immanuel Quickley (right hamstring strain).</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/cavs-use-third-quarter-surge-to-best-raptors-in-game-7/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869607/600/400/" length="99999" type="image/jpeg" />
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Veteran-laden Knights, youthful Ducks to clash in second round</title>
		<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/veteran-laden-knights-youthful-ducks-to-clash-in-second-round/</link>
		<comments>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/veteran-laden-knights-youthful-ducks-to-clash-in-second-round/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 02:53:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-05-04T02:53:01+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[NHL Premium News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/veteran-laden-knights-youthful-ducks-to-clash-in-second-round/</guid>
		<media:content url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869605/600/400/" medium="image">
			<media:thumbnail url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869605/600/400/"></media:thumbnail>
		</media:content>
			<description><![CDATA[The Vegas Golden Knights and the Anaheim Ducks have played each other 38 times over the last nine seasons but have never met in the Stanley Cup playof...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Vegas Golden Knights and the Anaheim Ducks have played each other 38 times over the last nine seasons but have never met in the Stanley Cup playoffs.</p><p>That changes on Monday night in Las Vegas when the two teams open a best-of-seven Western Conference second-round series.</p><p>The Pacific Division champion Golden Knights, who defeated the Utah Mammoth in six games in the first round, will be playing in the second round for the sixth time in nine seasons.</p><p>Anaheim, which eliminated Connor McDavid and two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton in six games, will be playing its first second-round series since 2017. The Ducks defeated the Oilers in seven games that year before losing to the Nashville Predators in the Western Conference final.</p><p>Vegas is 27-8-3 all-time against the Ducks, including 15-3-1 at home, but division rival Anaheim won all three meetings this season, including two in overtime.</p><p>"It's going to be an exciting matchup," said defenseman Shea Theodore, a first-round draft pick of the Ducks in 2013 who was traded to Vegas before the 2017-18 season. "They're a great team. Watching how well they played against Edmonton, and how good Edmonton has been the last couple years, that was a tough matchup. It's going to be a tough test."</p><p>Third-year defenseman Jackson LaCombe, a member of the U.S. gold medal-winning Olympic team, led the Ducks in the opening round with nine points and a plus-six rating. He also drew praise for his defensive effort against McDavid, who scored just one goal and had five assists in six games.</p><p>Left wing Cutter Gauthier, 22, led the team with 41 goals in the regular season and also against the Oilers with four goals. Center Leo Carlsson, the second overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, had 29 goals and 38 assists in 70 games, then the 21-year-old followed that up with three goals and five assists against Edmonton.</p><p>The Ducks were particularly lethal on the power play, converting eight of 16 chances (50%).</p><p>"They're a fast team," said Vegas center Jack Eichel, who led the Golden Knights with nine points against the Mammoth after scoring a team-best 90 points in the regular season. "I think having played Utah, having improved throughout the series in terms of some of our deep defensive responsibilities, we should be able to take from that a bit."</p><p>"They're a good team. They're always trying to make plays through you and around you. " Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin added. "They're young. They have some experience, too, on the backend especially. Should be a lot of fun."</p><p>This is the first time since 2018 that Anaheim has played in the Stanley Cup playoffs.</p><p>"Now we've got a taste of playoff hockey," said first-year Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville, who led the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup titles (2010, 2013 and 2015). "And I think we can feel at this moment that it's so much more fun playing games that have more meaning. And then it seems to grow from this level on."</p><p>Eichel gave Vegas fans a scare at practice Sunday when he departed with trainers with towels held to his face after getting hit in the lip with a puck. However, he returned to finish practice.</p><p>Also noteworthy was center William Karlsson, out since suffering a lower-body injury on Nov. 8, returning to practice Sunday. Vegas was tight-lipped about Karlsson's possible return to the lineup. Karlsson, a two-way star and a key member on power play and penalty kill units, also is a former Duck who was obtained by Vegas from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the expansion draft.</p><p>"He hasn't played in a while. I've been through that," Vegas captain Mark Stone said. "It's not the easiest thing in the world to come back right into the playoffs. But he's a tremendous skater and in tremendous shape."</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/veteran-laden-knights-youthful-ducks-to-clash-in-second-round/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869605/600/400/" length="99999" type="image/jpeg" />
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Duece Jones-Drew, son of MJD, commits to UCLA</title>
		<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/duece-jones-drew-son-of-mjd-commits-to-ucla/</link>
		<comments>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/duece-jones-drew-son-of-mjd-commits-to-ucla/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 02:23:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-05-04T02:23:01+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[NCAAFB Premium News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/duece-jones-drew-son-of-mjd-commits-to-ucla/</guid>
		<media:content url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869604/600/400/" medium="image">
			<media:thumbnail url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869604/600/400/"></media:thumbnail>
		</media:content>
			<description><![CDATA[Rising senior Duece Jones-Drew will be following in his father's footsteps, as the three-star running back announced his commitment to UCLA on Sunday....]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Rising senior Duece Jones-Drew will be following in his father's footsteps, as the three-star running back announced his commitment to UCLA on Sunday.</p><p>Jones-Drew's father is Maurice Jones-Drew, who was a unanimous All-American at UCLA in the early 2000s before going on to star in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars.</p><p>Duece Jones-Drew will be a part of the 2027 class for the Bruins. The De La Salle High School (Concord, Calif.) product is a composite three-star in the 247 rankings and was heavily pursued by Arizona, Cal, SMU and Utah before choosing UCLA.</p><p>UCLA's coaching staff turnover didn't end up dissuading Jones-Drew, who committed to new head coach Bob Chesney in part thanks to the retention of running backs coach A.J. Steward, who held the same role under DeShaun Foster a season ago.</p><p>Chesney took over the Bruins following a playoff appearance as head coach of James Madison in 2025.</p><p>The elder Jones-Drew, nicknamed "MJD," recorded three Pro Bowl seasons with the Jaguars in eight seasons before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2014. He led the league in rushing with 1,606 yards in 2011, the same year he was named first-team All-Pro.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/duece-jones-drew-son-of-mjd-commits-to-ucla/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869604/600/400/" length="99999" type="image/jpeg" />
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MLB roundup: Sizzling Rays sweep series from runs-challenged Giants</title>
		<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/mlb-roundup-sizzling-rays-sweep-series-from-runs-challenged-giants/</link>
		<comments>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/mlb-roundup-sizzling-rays-sweep-series-from-runs-challenged-giants/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 02:18:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-05-04T02:18:01+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[MLB Premium News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/mlb-roundup-sizzling-rays-sweep-series-from-runs-challenged-giants/</guid>
		<media:content url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869603/600/400/" medium="image">
			<media:thumbnail url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869603/600/400/"></media:thumbnail>
		</media:content>
			<description><![CDATA[Jonathan Aranda's walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning capped a four-hit outing, and the Tampa Bay Rays swept the first half of their six-game homes...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Jonathan Aranda's walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning capped a four-hit outing, and the Tampa Bay Rays swept the first half of their six-game homestand with a 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla.</p><p>The designated hitter, who went 4-for-5 and had half of his club's hits, looped a fastball off Caleb Kilian (1-1) over second base to easily score designated runner Chandler Simpson as the Rays moved to 16-5 in the past 21 games.</p><p>Ian Seymour (1-0) fired a perfect 10th inning as Tampa Bay allowed just two runs in 28 innings to the Giants, who lost their sixth straight. Starter Steven Matz allowed one run on four hits in six innings.</p><p>San Francisco's Casey Schmitt had two hits, an RBI and stole base, while Rafael Devers had a double and a run. Starter Tyler Mahle tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed only four hits.</p><p>Twins 4, Blue Jays 3</p><p>Luke Keaschall, Kody Clemens and Matt Wallner doubled in runs and host Minnesota overcame the early exit of starting pitcher Joe Ryan to beat Toronto in Minneapolis.</p><p>Ryan departed after just nine pitches and two hitters with what was termed right elbow soreness. Rookie right-hander Andrew Morris (1-1) came out of the bullpen to toss 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while fanning three. Four other relievers followed, with right-hander Justin Topa surviving a rocky ninth for his second save.</p><p>The Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto belted a two-run homer, his ninth of the year, with Myles Straw aboard with one out in the ninth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jesus Sanchez followed with singles to put the potential go-ahead runs aboard before Lenyn Sosa grounded into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play. Trey Yesavage (1-1) permitted five hits and a run in four innings with three walks and six strikeouts for Toronto.</p><p>Yankees 11, Orioles 3</p><p>Jasson Dominguez scored the tiebreaking run in the sixth inning before hitting a two-run homer and an RBI double during a seven-run eighth as New York pulled away for a victory over visiting Baltimore.</p><p>Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer off Baltimore rookie starter Trey Gibson. Ben Rice hit his 12th home run of the season in the first and doubled ahead of Judge's 13th homer in the third. Dominguez started New York's big inning with a two-run drive into the right field seats off Andrew Kittredge for a 6-3 lead, and he came up again later in the inning with a double for an 11-3 lead.</p><p>Blaze Alexander had an RBI single in the third for the Orioles. Leody Taveras hit an RBI infield single and Tyler O'Neill scored on a double-play grounder by Jeremiah Jackson in the fourth.</p><p>Pirates 1, Reds 0</p><p>Oneil Cruz's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth broke a scoreless tie and host Pittsburgh defeated Cincinnati to sweep the three-game series.</p><p>The two teams combined for only nine hits as the Pirates' Braxton Ashcraft and Reds' Chase Burns locked up in a pitchers' duel. Ashcraft had the longest start of his career at 7 2/3 innings, in which he only allowed four hits. Gregory Soto (3-0) retired the side in order in the ninth.</p><p>Burns pitched seven shutout innings, which included beginning the eighth for the first time in his career, in which he stayed in to face a single batter. For the day, he gave up three hits and got seven strikeouts.</p><p>Astros 3, Red Sox 1 (10 innings)</p><p>Cam Smith had three hits, including a two-run single in the top of the 10th inning, to help visiting Houston earn a victory over Boston.</p><p>Smith's two-out single came against Zack Kelly (0-2). The Red Sox had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the 10th, but Bryan Abreu got Ceddanne Rafaela to ground into a double play to end the game.</p><p>Jarren Duran hit a home run for Boston, which stranded 13 runners and was 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Abreu (1-2) pitched two scoreless innings. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out one.</p><p>Phillies 7, Marlins 2</p><p>Bryson Stott belted his second three-run homer of the series and Jesus Luzardo struck out 10 batters, fueling visiting Philadelphia to a victory over Miami.</p><p>Luzardo (3-3), who pitched for the Marlins from 2021-24, breezed through six innings before surrendering a two-run homer to Esteury Ruiz in the seventh. That was the lone blemish for Luzardo, who allowed just those two runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh reached base three times apiece for the Phillies, who banged out 11 hits.</p><p>Otto Lopez and Christopher Morel each had two hits for Miami, which has lost five of its last eight games. Chris Paddack (0-5) permitted seven runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings.</p><p>Rays 2, Giants 1 (10 innings)</p><p>Jonathan Aranda's walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning capped a four-hit outing, and Tampa Bay swept the first half of its six-game homestand with a victory San Francisco in St. Petersburg, Fla.</p><p>The designated hitter, who went 4-for-5 and had half of his club's hits, looped a fastball off Caleb Kilian (1-1) over second base to easily score designated runner Chandler Simpson as the Rays moved to 16-5 in the past 21 games.</p><p>Ian Seymour (1-0) fired a perfect 10th inning as Tampa Bay allowed just two runs in 28 innings to the Giants, who lost their sixth straight. San Francisco's Casey Schmitt had two hits, an RBI and stole base, while Rafael Devers had a double and a run.</p><p>Nationals 3, Brewers 2</p><p>Nasim Nunez had a pair of RBI singles and Washington avoided a three-game sweep with a win over visiting Milwaukee.</p><p>CJ Abrams had two infield singles and scored twice for the Nationals, who had won four of five before getting outscored 10-2 in the first two games against the Brewers.</p><p>Brandon Lockridge had two of the four hits for Milwaukee, which had won three in a row.</p><p>Braves 11, Rockies 6</p><p>Jonah Heim homered, doubled and drove in a career-high-tying five runs as visiting Atlanta completed a three-game series sweep of Colorado in Denver.</p><p>Matt Olson went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI as Jorge Mateo also homered and had two hits with two RBIs for the Braves. Three teammates finished with two hits: Eli White (triple, RBI), Ozzie Albies (three runs, RBI) and Drake Baldwin.</p><p>Mickey Moniak hit two home runs and drove in three runs, Troy Johnston had two hits with two walks and a run, and TJ Rumfield went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs and a run for the Rockies, who suffered their fourth straight loss.</p><p>Dodgers 4, Cardinals 1</p><p>Justin Wrobleski tossed six scoreless innings as visiting Los Angeles snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over St. Louis.</p><p>Andy Pages doubled in a run and Hyeseong Kim, Freddie Freeman and Alex Call each had RBI singles to help the Dodgers end the Cardinals' six-game winning streak and avoid a sweep of the three-game series.</p><p>Wrobleski (5-0) gave up six hits with one walk and no strikeouts. Tanner Scott retired St. Louis in order in the ninth for his second save. Cardinals starter Dustin May (3-3) allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings against his former team.</p><p>Mets 5, Angels 1</p><p>Mark Vientos hit a pair of two-run homers for visiting New York, which earned a rare series win by beating Los Angeles in the rubber game of a three-game interleague set.</p><p>Carson Benge had an RBI double immediately before Vientos' second homer in the eighth for the Mets, who won for just the fifth time in 23 games. Starter Clay Holmes (4-2) earned the win by allowing the one run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. The outing lowered his National League-leading ERA to 1.69.</p><p>Jorge Soler delivered a run-scoring single in the first for the similarly skidding Angels, who have dropped 12 of 14 since an 11-10 start. Starter Jack Kochanowicz (2-1) gave up two runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings.</p><p>Cubs 8, Diamondbacks 4</p><p>Michael Busch drove in four runs to lead Chicago over visiting Arizona for its fifth consecutive victory.</p><p>Busch doubled and scored a run in the second and broke the game open for good with a three-run triple in the fifth as the Cubs finished the three-game sweep with their 11th straight win at home. Starter Matthew Boyd (2-1) gave up four hits and two runs over six innings.</p><p>Diamondbacks pinch hitter Adrian Del Castillo hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth to finalize the scoring. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went 2-for-3 with a run for Arizona. Starter Merrill Kelly (1-3) went 4 1/3 innings, giving up eight hits and six runs.</p><p>Padres 4, White Sox 3</p><p>Xander Bogaerts' RBI infield single in the bottom of the eighth inning was enough for the winning run as San Diego snapped a four-game losing streak with a decision over visiting Chicago.</p><p>Jason Adam (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth and Mason Miller mowed Chicago down in the ninth for his 11th save in as many chances. Miguel Andujar and Manny Machado each hit solo shots.</p><p>Derek Hill belted a two-run homer and Drew Romo had a solo blast, but the White Sox's five-game winning streak was snapped.</p><p>Athletics 7, Guardians 1</p><p>Colby Thomas, Zack Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom hit home runs and Aaron Civale tossed six innings of one-run ball as the Athletics defeated visiting Cleveland in West Sacramento, Calif.</p><p>Jeff McNeil had a team-high three RBIs as the A's avoided the sweep in the series finale, having lost to the Guardians 8-5 and 14-6 on Friday and Saturday. Tyler Soderstrom went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.</p><p>Civale (3-1) had traffic on the bases in every inning of his outing, conceding seven hits and two walks in total, but he kept the damage to a minimum. Cleveland's only run came courtesy of a Chase DeLauter solo homer in the fifth.</p><p>Royals 4, Mariners 1</p><p>Kris Bubic pitched seven strong innings as Kansas City beat host Seattle to sweep the three-game series after winning just three of its first 15 road games this season.</p><p>Bubic (3-1) gave up one run on four hits -- all singles. The left-hander walked two and struck out seven. Daniel Lynch IV worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his first save of the season. Teammate Isaac Collins went 2-for-2, added a walk, a sacrifice fly and drove in two runs. Vinnie Pasquantino added two hits in five at-bats and scored once.</p><p>Mariners starter Luis Castillo (0-3) allowed four runs on six hits over six innings. The right-hander walked two and fanned five.</p><p>Tigers 7, Rangers 1</p><p>Spencer Torkelson smacked a two-run homer, Kevin McGonigle supplied a pair of run-scoring hits and Detroit beat visiting Texas in the rubber game of a three-game series.</p><p>Matt Vierling had a two-run double and Hao-Yu Lee added an RBI single. Tyler Holton was used as an opener and pitched two-thirds of an inning. Brenan Hanifee got the next five outs and winning pitcher Brant Hurter (4-0) tossed 3 1/3 scoreless frames, allowing two hits. Ricky Vanasco gave up one run in 1 1/3 innings. Kyle Finnegan and Burch Smith each added an inning of scoreless relief.</p><p>Rangers starter Jack Leiter (1-3) struck out 10, tying his career high, in 6 2/3 innings. He was charged with five runs and five hits with one walk.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/mlb-roundup-sizzling-rays-sweep-series-from-runs-challenged-giants/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869603/600/400/" length="99999" type="image/jpeg" />
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tigers break open close game, earn series win vs. Rangers</title>
		<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/tigers-break-open-close-game-earn-series-win-vs-rangers/</link>
		<comments>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/tigers-break-open-close-game-earn-series-win-vs-rangers/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 02:07:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-05-04T02:07:02+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[MLB Premium News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/tigers-break-open-close-game-earn-series-win-vs-rangers/</guid>
		<media:content url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869601/600/400/" medium="image">
			<media:thumbnail url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869601/600/400/"></media:thumbnail>
		</media:content>
			<description><![CDATA[Spencer Torkelson smacked a two-run homer, Kevin McGonigle supplied a pair of run-scoring hits and the host Detroit Tigers downed the Texas Rangers, 7...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Spencer Torkelson smacked a two-run homer, Kevin McGonigle supplied a pair of run-scoring hits and the host Detroit Tigers downed the Texas Rangers, 7-1, on Sunday in the rubber game of a three-game series.</p><p>Matt Vierling had a two-run double and Hao-Yu Lee added an RBI single. Tyler Holton was used as an opener and pitched two-thirds of an inning.</p><p>Brenan Hanifee got the next five outs and winning pitcher Brant Hurter (4-0) tossed 3 1/3 scoreless frames, allowing two hits. Ricky Vanasco gave up one run in 1 1/3 innings. Kyle Finnegan and Burch Smith each added an inning of scoreless relief.</p><p>Rangers starter Jack Leiter (1-3) struck out 10, tying his career high, in 6 2/3 innings. He was charged with five runs and five hits with one walk.</p><p>Leiter struck out six of the first eight batters he faced. He didn't allow a baserunner until the fifth, when Riley Greene drew a leadoff walk on four pitches. Leiter got ahead 0-2 in the count to Torkelson, then hung a slider that Torkelson crushed to left-center for his sixth homer of the season.</p><p>Detroit extended its lead to 3-0 in the sixth. Jake Rogers led off with a sinking liner to center. Evan Carter tried to make a diving catch and the ball bounced past him, allowing Rogers to go all the way to third for a triple. McGonigle then lined a single to right to knock him in.</p><p>The Rangers broke through in the seventh. Ezequiel Duran had a one-out double to left and Josh Smith walked. A wild pitch moved up both runners and Duran scored on Kyle Higashioka's groundout. Vanasco struck out Brandon Nimmo to keep the score at 3-1.</p><p>Detroit made it 7-1 in the bottom of the seventh. Kerry Carpenter had a one-out single, advanced on a groundout and scored on Lee's single. Tyler Alexander replaced Leiter and gave up a single to Rogers and another to McGonigle, scoring Lee. Rogers and McGonigle scored on Vierling's double.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/tigers-break-open-close-game-earn-series-win-vs-rangers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869601/600/400/" length="99999" type="image/jpeg" />
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Habs notch first playoff win since &#8217;21, edge Lightning in Game 7</title>
		<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/habs-notch-first-playoff-win-since-21-edge-lightning-in-game-7/</link>
		<comments>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/habs-notch-first-playoff-win-since-21-edge-lightning-in-game-7/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 01:09:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-05-04T01:09:01+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[NHL Premium News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/habs-notch-first-playoff-win-since-21-edge-lightning-in-game-7/</guid>
		<media:content url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869599/600/400/" medium="image">
			<media:thumbnail url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869599/600/400/"></media:thumbnail>
		</media:content>
			<description><![CDATA[Alex Newhook broke a third-period tie with the game-winning goal to give the visiting Montreal Canadiens a 2-1 Game 7 victory over the Tampa Bay Light...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Alex Newhook broke a third-period tie with the game-winning goal to give the visiting Montreal Canadiens a 2-1 Game 7 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.</p><p>Nick Suzuki also scored for the Canadiens, who were outshot 29-9 and outplayed for much of the deciding game, but now face the Buffalo Sabres, who finished atop the Atlantic Division, in the second round, a best-of-seven series that begins Wednesday in Buffalo.</p><p>The Canadiens set a Stanley Cup Playoffs record for fewest shots on goal in a win, per Sportsnet.</p><p>Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes made 28 saves, standing especially tall while Tampa Bay peppered him with shots in the second period.</p><p>With overtime on the horizon, Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped a point shot, sending the puck bounding to the end boards. But Newhook batted it out of the air toward the front of the cage, banking it off Vasilevskiy and into the cage for his first goal of this year's playoffs with 8:53 remaining in regulation.</p><p>Montreal had last won a series in 2021, the year the Canadiens lost to Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final.</p><p>Dominic James scored for the Lightning, who were eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year.</p><p>Vasilevskiy stopped seven of nine shots in the game.</p><p>The Canadiens opened the scoring on the game's first big break. Suzuki netted his first goal of the series when he deflected Kaiden Guhle's point shot off Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser and into the net at 18:39 of the opening frame.</p><p>James tied the game with a deflection tally of his own, tipping a Charle-Edouard D'Astous point shot for a power-play marker at 13:27 of the second period.</p><p>The Canadiens failed to register a shot on goal in the middle period, even with a power play, while the Lightning fired 12 on the Montreal net in the period. It is the first time the Canadiens failed to net a shot on goal in a period during the playoffs since shots were counted in 1955-56.</p><p>The Canadiens finally put a puck on net more than five minutes into the third period, going nearly 27 minutes between shots. That sparked Montreal to gain some momentum and eventually Newhook's winning goal.</p><p>The Lightning pushed, and even pulled the goalie for the extra attacker with more than two minutes remaining, but could not find the equalizer.</p><p>Montreal benefited from the return of defenseman Noah Dobson, who had been out since being hit in the left hand by a slap shot April 11. Dobson blocked a shot with his right hand in the waning minutes of regulation.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/habs-notch-first-playoff-win-since-21-edge-lightning-in-game-7/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869599/600/400/" length="99999" type="image/jpeg" />
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Wolves dub Anthony Edwards (knee) questionable for Game 1 vs. Spurs</title>
		<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/wolves-dub-anthony-edwards-knee-questionable-for-game-1-vs-spurs/</link>
		<comments>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/wolves-dub-anthony-edwards-knee-questionable-for-game-1-vs-spurs/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 01:02:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-05-04T01:02:02+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[NBA Premium News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/wolves-dub-anthony-edwards-knee-questionable-for-game-1-vs-spurs/</guid>
		<media:content url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869598/600/400/" medium="image">
			<media:thumbnail url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869598/600/400/"></media:thumbnail>
		</media:content>
			<description><![CDATA[The Minnesota Timberwolves have cracked open the door for star guard Anthony Edwards to return for Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal.Edward...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Minnesota Timberwolves have cracked open the door for star guard Anthony Edwards to return for Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal.</p><p>Edwards, originally considered week-to-week and assumed to be out for the opener Monday at the San Antonio Spurs, was listed as questionable on Sunday evening's injury report.</p><p>Edwards suffered a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise on an awkward landing during Minnesota's Game 4 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the first round on April 25. He avoided ligament damage and was ruled out for the rest of the first round.</p><p>Just eight days later, the Timberwolves have cleared Edwards for basketball activities. ESPN reported that the team initially targeted Games 3 or 4 of the best-of-seven series against San Antonio, but he now could be ahead of schedule.</p><p>Edwards, 24, also posted a video to YouTube on Sunday that showed him running on an underwater treadmill and featured a clip with David Hines, Minnesota's vice president of medical performance.</p><p>In the video, Hines said, "I think he can return sooner if he can hit all his metrics for pain management, mobility, functional strength."</p><p>The four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection scored a career-high 28.8 points per game on 48.9% shooting, including 39.9% from 3-point range, in the regular season (61 games). He put up 18.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in four starts against the Nuggets.</p><p>Ayo Dosunmu, who led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Denver series (21.8 ppg), including 43 points in Game 4, is also questionable due to right calf soreness. He missed the clinching Game 6 win over the Nuggets with the ailment.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/wolves-dub-anthony-edwards-knee-questionable-for-game-1-vs-spurs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869598/600/400/" length="99999" type="image/jpeg" />
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Yankees option SS Anthony Volpe to Triple-A after rehab stint</title>
		<link>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/yankees-option-ss-anthony-volpe-to-triple-a-after-rehab-stint/</link>
		<comments>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/yankees-option-ss-anthony-volpe-to-triple-a-after-rehab-stint/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 00:36:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<dc:creator>Syndicated Content</dc:creator>
		<atom:updated>2026-05-04T00:36:01+00:00</atom:updated>
				<category><![CDATA[MLB Premium News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/yankees-option-ss-anthony-volpe-to-triple-a-after-rehab-stint/</guid>
		<media:content url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869597/600/400/" medium="image">
			<media:thumbnail url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869597/600/400/"></media:thumbnail>
		</media:content>
			<description><![CDATA[The New York Yankees reinstated shortstop Anthony Volpe from his rehab assignment but optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.Volpe p...]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The New York Yankees reinstated shortstop Anthony Volpe from his rehab assignment but optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.</p><p>Volpe played four games at Scranton and eight with Double-A Somerset to start the season as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery.</p><p>However, with Jose Caballero playing well as New York's everyday shortstop, the club opted not to rush back the 25-year-old -- an apparent change of heart after general manager Brian Cashman insisted "the plan" was for Volpe to return to the starting role.</p><p>Volpe made his major league debut in 2023 after spending just 22 games at Triple-A the year prior. He won the starting shortstop job in spring training and posted a 21-home run, Gold Glove rookie season. Volpe played in 159 games, then 160 in 2024 and 153 in 2025.</p><p>But his batting average and his fielding dipped in 2025, and it was revealed that the Yankees were playing Volpe despite a partial labrum tear in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He had surgery in October after the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs.</p><p>In 472 career games, Volpe has batted .222 with 52 homers, 192 RBIs, 82 doubles and 70 stolen bases. Across his 12 minor league rehab games, he batted .275 with one homer and six RBIs.</p><p>He also made one error, after he tied the American League lead with 19 errors in 2025.</p><p>Caballero, meanwhile, has laid his claim to the everyday job for the AL-leading Yankees (23-11). He has batted .259 with four homers, 12 RBIs and 12 steals through 32 games. He has a fielding percentage of .978.</p><p>Before the Yankees opened a series against the Baltimore Orioles Friday, manager Aaron Boone said Caballero's play "complicates it a little bit, clearly," when it comes to Volpe's return.</p><p>"Jose's earned opportunities and been a key part of our club here and a part of the success here to start out the season," Boone said.</p><p>Caballero, 29, was a trade deadline acquisition from the rival Tampa Bay Rays last summer and has also played second base, third base and the outfield.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>https://www.thesportsanimal.com/2026/05/03/yankees-option-ss-anthony-volpe-to-triple-a-after-rehab-stint/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<enclosure url="https://v4.dailysportspage.com/cumulus/image/869597/600/400/" length="99999" type="image/jpeg" />
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>