Today marks a new beginning for Audacy’s sports talk brand based in Houston, Texas. For 32 years, SportsRadio 610 has been known as Houston’s sports talk leader. But today, the brand and signal are forever changed as Audacy officially launches 95.7 The Fan with the kickoff of the Houston Texans’ 25th season set to begin. A moment that was in the works for years under the leadership of Brand Manager Parker Hillis.
“The timing ended up being perfect because of our amazing partnership with the Houston Texans,” said Parker Hillis, brand manager of 95.7 The Fan. “For us to start our new era at the start of an incredible era for them, it’s poetic for us. It made all the sense in the world to share in that moment with them. It’s football Christmas for us and the perfect storm in putting this all together.”
Advertisement
95.7 The Fan is the latest example of Audacy ensuring the company’s top sports talk outlets are being served to an FM audience. The station serves as Audacy’s 23rd sports talk brand on the FM dial, with several joining the ranks beginning this year in Chicago, Buffalo and Los Angeles.
Advertisement
For Hillis, who’s been serving as brand manager of 95.7 The Fan since May 2022, the shift to FM has been a long time in the making.
“It’s ultimately been a really long process. I’ve been lobbying for the move since day one when I began,” said Hillis. “We’ve been putting the pieces in place for eighteen months to two years. It was a slow process because it wasn’t a question if we were ready. It was a question of where do we go regarding the brand and signal.”
A Long Road To FM
While discussions had taken place over several years, the shift to FM did not become a realistic possibility until recently. Hillis said recent changes in Audacy management helped change that. The company’s increased focus on building sports talk brands on FM also played a key role. Those shifts moved the conversation from a possibility to a potential reality.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Finally, the moment came when approval was granted. For Hillis, it was a special moment to get across the finish line.
“The hardest part for me was keeping it quiet and under wraps for a handful of months,” noted Hillis. “I knew how exciting it was going to be for my team. Six months ago, I noticed the tides beginning to turn. To get the confirmation it was happening about three months ago was exciting.”
The opportunity for a legacy brand to shift to FM is unique. With that goal in mind following his arrival in Houston four years ago, Hillis approached building the brand in preparation for when the opportunity would arrive. While the Houston market does have sports talk on the FM dial, Hillis says the market desired more.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“For Houston, this is a gamechanger. I felt for a long time this market has been desperately in need for a true full market FM sports brand. We have such a rabid fanbase, that the market has been underserved,” said Hillis. “We’ve been operating as a station that was ready to go on the FM dial. We were just waiting for the opportunity by being FM ready. Had there been one, we probably would already be there.”
While the branding is evolving around the new FM signal, the station will retain its legacy 610 AM position. That preserves more than three decades of familiarity among Houston sports fans. Hillis and Audacy followed a similar path by keeping the AM signal alongside the shift to FM.
Hillis noted that over the past several months, research with focus groups showed that while the shift to FM was desired, a section of the audience still preferred what they’ve always known.
Advertisement
“The AM represents a handful of things with us. First and foremost, a level of consistency. It didn’t make sense to get rid of a legacy brand that’s been around for 32 years,” said Hillis. “We’ve received some feedback where maybe ten percent still prefer listening to their sports talk on the AM dial. There’s something nostalgic about that, and that’s really cool.”
Advertisement
A Fresh Look
He also noted that having the brand on both AM and FM creates opportunities to eventually split the brands. In addition, that approach could provide additional room for growth. Hillis said there are currently no plans for another rights deal on either dial. However, retaining the AM signal provides Audacy with additional options.
Unlike other Audacy sports talk brands shifting to FM, 95.7 The Fan is not just shifting to the FM band but also rebranding as The Fan. Moreover, the brand is synonymous with Audacy, stemming from WFAN in New York City. To date, 95.7 The Fan will be the 13th Audacy sports talk brand using The Fan branding.
Advertisement
“Over time we just got generically lumped in with the casual listener as ‘Sports 610.’ There hasn’t been a ton of separation. To us, there’s a power to having a unique and strong brand name like ‘The Fan’ or ‘The Ticket’ or ‘The Game.’ We had to determine what’s the value of SportsRadio 610 versus the value of a strong, well-regarded, more widespread sports brand name like ‘The Fan,’” explained Hillis.
Advertisement
Of anything regarding the shift to FM, Hillis noted that in the final stages of planning, the conversation about shifting to ‘The Fan’ was the item that took the most time and effort.
“The Fan speaks to the foundation and philosophies of what our radio brand is. We are a voice for fans and a place they can come to connect. This station is a collection of Houston sports fans walking these halls,” said Hillis. “I’m sure there will be questions regarding why go with a brand name that exists around the country. For me, that brand speaks to who we are and it’s a bonus that we get to share that moniker with so many strong stations around the country.”
Advertisement
With the rebrand comes a new look and a new logo as well. Hillis admits he’s not the most savvy graphic artist and admitted to using AI for early mockups of what he envisioned. In the end, Hillis said the logo was the element of this process he was most proud of. He noted every element of the logo has some tie to the Houston area, building on the connection the station has with the sports fans that encompass it.
“The light blue represents the city of Houston. The tile pattern is also an homage to the city as well,” said Hillis. “For a Houstonian that sees our logo, our hope and expectation is they see that light blue and tiles and know instantly this is Houston’s sports station. It’s a tip of the cap to the city.”
Advertisement
Serving Space City
Advertisement
Hillis says he doesn’t feel any added pressure with the switch to FM but instead approaches it as a unique opportunity. 95.7 The Fan is taking over an FM signal that was the cluster’s best-performing FM music brand in 95.7 The Spot.
Typically, when a sports talk station shifts to an FM signal, it replaces an underperforming music brand. Hillis credited The Spot’s successful run in attracting audiences and hopes to continue building upon that foundation.
“The Spot has been incredible. It’s been a powerhouse. Yes, it’s certainly a risk, but a risk that ultimately corporate and the building felt was taking for us. We believe in the power of the Houston sports audience,” said Hillis. “This is a statement that I believe that there is power in the sports talk brand unlike any other time in the past. That’s the opportunity in front of us… We’re stepping into big shoes, but it’s not pressure.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
For Hillis, the launch of 95.7 The Fan represents more than a frequency change or a new logo. It is the culmination of a vision that began when he arrived in Houston and an opportunity to take a brand with more than three decades of history into its next chapter.
SportsRadio 610 will continue to live on the AM dial, preserving the identity and connection that generations of Houston sports fans have come to know. But on FM, 95.7 The Fan has the chance to introduce that connection to an even larger audience.
“I’m the most aggressive and optimistic person you’ll find about our product and our team. I fully expect us to win and be not just competing against the other sports stations in market, but the top stations across the demographic,” said Hillis. “I truly believe we have what it takes to be a number one station in men and adults… There’s a lot of buzz and we couldn’t be doing this at a better time.”
The timing only adds to the significance. As the Houston Texans begin their 25th season, 95.7 The Fan is beginning its first. For Hillis, that makes the launch feel less like an ending and more like the start of something much bigger.
Advertisement
Advertisement
After 32 years as SportsRadio 610, Houston’s sports station now has a new frequency, a new identity and a new opportunity. The signal has changed. The mission hasn’t. The next era of Houston sports talk begins today.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
If a new Ping Scottsdale putter has been languishing on your wish list instead of your golf bag, now is the time to act! For a limited time, you can enjoy a $30 discount on nine Ping Scottsdale putter models.
What does Ping’s Scottsdale family offer? Each of the nine models on sale features a one-piece, lightweight PEBAX face insert to increase MOI at impact while also ensuring a soft feel, nice sound and consistent ball speed.
You can order the Ping Scottsdale in both mallet and Anser-style head shapes. Whether you have a straight stroke, slight arc or strong arc, you’ll find a putter model designed to suit your game.
And as with nearly every club available from Fairway Jockey, you can customize your Ping Scottsdale putter at the time of purchase to make it truly your own. Choose your preferred shaft, length, grip brand and style, loft and more. You can even choose to have one or two extra wraps added to your grips.
Advertisement
Not sure yet which Ping Scottsdale putter you should choose? That means it’s time for a visit to your local True Spec, where, for a limited time, you can get a free club fitting with a $500 club purchase. Click here for more details!
Make the upcoming fall season your best yet with a brand new putter. Shop the Ping Scottsdale putter sale below!
The Scottsdale family combines a one-piece face insert with a big jump in forgiveness across model styles and stroke types to fit every golfer and elevate performance on the greens. The lightweight PEBAX insert creates discretionary weight used to increase MOI while ensuring a soft feel, a pleasing sound, and consistent ball speeds. The Tour-inspired DS72 has a ball-width PEBAX face insert that matches the ball-width cavity to make aiming easier. The back cavity has perpendicular visual cues and a contrasting alignment line to create visual balance in this model that assists a straight stroke.
The Scottsdale family combines a one-piece face insert with a big jump in forgiveness across model styles and stroke types to fit every golfer and elevate performance on the greens. The lightweight PEBAX insert creates discretionary weight used to increase MOI while ensuring a soft feel, a pleasing sound, and consistent ball speeds. The winningest putter of all time is heel-toe weighted for stability, forgiveness and accuracy, and its back cavity with a single alignment line makes aiming easy to inspire a confident stroke. Designed with a hosel that helps slight-arc players start putts rolling on line.
The Scottsdale family combines a one-piece face insert with a big jump in forgiveness across model styles and stroke types to fit every golfer and elevate performance on the greens. The lightweight PEBAX insert creates discretionary weight used to increase MOI while ensuring a soft feel, a pleasing sound, and consistent ball speeds. This slightly deeper, perimeter-weighted blade design has similar weight, size and forgiveness of a mid-mallet putter. A single contrasting alignment line and clean heel-toe ballasts make aiming easier to inspire a confident stroke in this slight-arc model.
The Scottsdale family combines a one-piece face insert with a big jump in forgiveness across model styles and stroke types to fit every golfer and elevate performance on the greens. The lightweight PEBAX insert creates discretionary weight used to increase MOI while ensuring a soft feel, a pleasing sound, and consistent ball speeds. The Tour-inspired, perimeter-weighted B60 model becomes the B63 with a soft-slanting hosel that matches the soft head geometry for visual balance in this high-MOI design. Gently sloping ballasts and a contrasting alignment line make aiming easy.
The Scottsdale family combines a one-piece face insert with a big jump in forgiveness across model styles and stroke types to fit every golfer and elevate performance on the greens. The lightweight PEBAX insert creates discretionary weight used to increase MOI while ensuring a soft feel, a pleasing sound, and consistent ball speeds. This center-shafted model will appeal to players who set up more comfortably with no offset and who have a straight stroke type. Heel-toe weighting creates stability to ensure a high MOI for forgiveness and a more consistent, predictable putting stroke.
The Scottsdale family combines a one-piece face insert with a big jump in forgiveness across model styles and stroke types to fit every golfer and elevate performance on the greens. The lightweight PEBAX insert creates discretionary weight used to increase MOI while ensuring a soft feel, a pleasing sound, and consistent ball speeds. This highly forgiving mallet is distinguished by its twin-fork design that gives it exceptional balance and stability to ensure accuracy. A short, contrasting alignment line in the ball-width back cavity helps make aiming easier in this model that assists a strong-arc stroke.
The Scottsdale family combines a one-piece face insert with a big jump in forgiveness across model styles and stroke types to fit every golfer and elevate performance on the greens. The lightweight PEBAX insert creates discretionary weight used to increase MOI while ensuring a soft feel, a pleasing sound, and consistent ball speeds. Shares similar design characteristics with the classic Anser – heel-toe weighting for forgiveness, clean alignment — but is designed with a hosel that assists a strong-arc stroke. Has the Anser’s visual symmetry and soft ballasts, with slightly less-rounded back corners.
The Scottsdale family combines a one-piece face insert with a big jump in forgiveness across model styles and stroke types to fit every golfer and elevate performance on the greens. The lightweight PEBAX insert creates discretionary weight used to increase MOI while ensuring a soft feel, a pleasing sound, and consistent ball speeds. A Tour-proven PING classic known for extreme MOI that comes from perimeter weighting and a low/back CG that make it consistently reliable and accurate. Multiple alignment cues work together in this distinctive design to inspire a confident stroke.
The Scottsdale family combines a one-piece face insert with a big jump in forgiveness across model styles and stroke types to fit every golfer and elevate performance on the greens. The lightweight PEBAX insert creates discretionary weight used to increase MOI while ensuring a soft feel, a pleasing sound, and consistent ball speeds. This high-MOI mallet is perimeter weighted and has a low center of gravity for accuracy, helped by a ball-width back cavity and long alignment line that simplify aiming. Designed with a hosel to assist slight-arc players with getting putts started on line.
Manchester United have been linked with a transfer interest in PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye this summer, but face a lot of competition.
07:57, 14 Aug 2026Updated 07:57, 14 Aug 2026
Advertisement
Manchester United have been handed a double boost in their hopes of signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. United have been linked with an interest in the highly-rated 18-year-old this summer, and have reportedly made contact over a possible transfer.
There is, however, a lot of competition for the teenager, with Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Porto, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Roma and Aston Villa. Latest reports suggest that Liverpool have now pulled out of the race, deeming a deal for him too expensive.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano claims that Andoni Iraola’s side have stepped away from a possible transfer after holding talks with agent Jorge Mendes. They withdrew their interest after reportedly being quoted a price of €200 million (£171m) for both Bradley Barcola and Mbaye.
While a deal for Barcola would represent the majority of that fee, reports claim that PSG are asking for between €40 and €50m (£34.2m-£42.7m) for Mbaye. It’s a price Liverpool feel is too high, leading them to withdraw their interest.
It’s a situation United could look to take advantage of, especially given PSG’s latest transfer activity. The Athletic reports that the European champions have agreed a £42.7 million fee with Barcelona to sign Ferran Torres.
His arrival at les Parc des Princes is only going to reduce the Mbaye’s playing time further, and therefore make PSG more open to a sale. AS reports that the club could even be open to sanctioning a loan move.
Advertisement
The winger was an unused substitute for PSG’s 2-1 European Super Cup win over Aston Villa on Wednesday night. That’s despite him scoring the team’s goal in the 1-1 pre-season draw against United just four days earlier.
Mbaye made 31 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring three goals and providing two assists. But of those appearances, just 11 were in the starting XI.
He mainly plays on the right, but is also able to play on the left. If United do manage to win the race for him, he will join the likes of Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, Patrick Dorgu and Shea Lacey as wide attacking options for Michael Carrick this season.
Advertisement
United are back in pre-season action on Saturday when they take on AC Milan (3.45pm kick-off), a game which could see Rashford make his return to action for the club.
NEW DELHI: India spin great Harbhajan Singh believes there is only one way to tackle Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary strokeplay — attack the 15-year-old and go for his wicket rather than trying to contain him.Sooryavanshi has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young batters in the game, with Harbhajan admitting he has never seen a player dominate at such a young age.“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is extraordinary. He is a unique player. I have not seen a player like him before, one who can dominate the world at 14-15 years of age,” Harbhajan told PTI in an interview.The Rajasthan Royals prodigy became the youngest player in IPL history when he debuted at 14 in 2025 before smashing a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans to become the youngest batter to score a century in men’s T20 cricket.His rise continued this year when he became India’s youngest international debutant at 15 years and 99 days.
‘The only way to survive is to attack him’
Sooryavanshi’s fearlessness was on full display during the IPL when he hit the first deliveries from premier pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins for sixes.For Harbhajan, the fact that elite bowlers are forced to think about where to bowl to a teenager is itself a remarkable statement.“When the world’s top bowlers are bowling to him, they are actually thinking about where to bowl. That itself is a big, big statement,” he said.So how should a bowler approach Sooryavanshi?“The only way to survive is to attack him. You go at him and you take his wicket,” Harbhajan said. “It may not work all the time. Sometimes you might even get smashed. He would’ve hit sixes. But that is part of the game. You have to accept that he’s good.”Harbhajan said he would not allow Sooryavanshi’s batting to dictate his field settings in the powerplay.“I won’t set the field according to what he’s doing. I’ll set the field according to what I’m doing. If I bowl to escape, I won’t be able to get him out,” he said. “You go at him and you take his wicket. You might get success, you might not. That’s just a matter of time. You have to accept that he’s good.”
‘The next ball should be about how to get him out’
Harbhajan believes the challenge is as much mental as tactical, with Sooryavanshi capable of making experienced bowlers question themselves.“But still, the next ball should be about how to get him out,” he said.The former India spinner’s advice reflects the unusual challenge posed by Sooryavanshi, whose attacking approach means opponents cannot simply rely on defensive fields or containment.For Harbhajan, accepting that the teenager may score boundaries is part of the risk that comes with taking the aggressive route.
Iga Swiatek secured her first WTA title of the season with a straight-set victory over Elena Rybakina in the final of the Canadian Open on Thursday.
The six-time Grand Slam winner was cheered on by the crowd in Toronto as she beat world number two Rybakina 6-2 6-3.
Australian Open champion Rybakina struggled in the opening set and made 12 unforced errors, while Swiatek, 25, broke the Kazakhstan player’s serve twice – and saved two break points of her own.
In the second set, Rybakina, 27, was unable to break world number eight Swiatek, and the Polish player clinched her 26th career title in one hour and 15 minutes.
Advertisement
“It means so, so much to me because the past months were not easy,” said Swiatek, who will return to the top five in the rankings following her first Canadian final victory.
She advanced to the quarter-finals in Melbourne in January but was beaten by eventual champion Rybakina. In the French Open and this year’s Wimbledon, she only reached the fourth and third rounds respectively.
Swiatek says it can be challenging to contend with external criticism while searching for her best form.
“I’m really happy that I kept focusing on growing, changing my game a little bit, improving despite all the opinions that many people have about me every day on the internet,” said Swiatek.
“It’s not easy to deal with all of that.”
Rybakina led 2-1 in the second set before Swiatek won five of the final six games to end the match as champion.
Advertisement
Runner-up Rybakina had one ace and four double faults, hitting just 13 winners and making 23 unforced errors in total.
“I tried my best but it wasn’t enough,” said Rybakina, whose previous three matches went to three sets.
Meanwhile, Great Britain’s Katie Boulter earned her first career win at the Cincinnati Open by defeating American Katie Volynets 7-5 0-6 6-4 in the first round.
After sealing her first victory since June, 30-year-old Boulter will face Wimbledon champion and sixth seed Linda Noskova in the second round.
Shubman Gill and Dhananjaya De Silva (Agency Image)
India will begin their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka on Saturday, August 15, with the first match set to take place in Galle.The series comes at an important stage for India’s Test side. While Gautam Gambhir’s tenure has brought major success in white-ball cricket, including the Champions Trophy in 2025, the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup, India’s recent Test record has been a concern.India suffered home Test series whitewashes against New Zealand and South Africa, which have dented their World Test Championship campaign. Their red-ball schedule has also been limited this year. The Test against Sri Lanka will be only India’s second Test match of 2026, after their clash against Afghanistan in June ended inside two-and-a-half days.India will be hoping for a stronger showing in Sri Lanka as they look to rebuild their Test momentum.
When will India vs Sri Lanka first Test start?
The first Test between India and Sri Lanka will begin on Saturday, August 15.The match is scheduled to start at 10 AM IST.
Where will India vs Sri Lanka first Test be played?
The opening Test will be played at the Galle International Stadium in Galle, Sri Lanka.
Advertisement
Where to watch India vs Sri Lanka Tests on TV in India?
The two-match Test series will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network in India. Coverage will be available in multiple languages.The series will also be available on DD Sports for viewers who have access to DD Free Dish.
Where to watch India vs Sri Lanka Tests online?
Fans who prefer to stream the matches can watch the India vs Sri Lanka Test series live on SonyLIV.
Dhananjaya De Silva (captain), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.With India looking to revive their Test fortunes and Sri Lanka aiming to make the most of home conditions, the two-match series promises an important red-ball challenge for both sides.
The ongoing legal battle between Joe Gibbs Racing, Spire Motorsports, and Chris Gabehart has taken another turn, with a hearing now scheduled to address the counterclaims filed against JGR. Renowned NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass reported on X that the heading on whether to dismiss those counterclaims is set for August 26.
Earlier this year, JGR filed its $8 million lawsuit against its former competition director Chris Gabehart after he left the team to join Spire as its chief motorsports officer. The team accused Gabehart of taking confidential team information and violating his obligations to the organization after leaving for a leadership position with Spire. The case has since expanded to include claims and counterclaims from all sides.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
Bob Pockrass on Thursday reported that a court date has been set to dismiss counterclaims filed by Spire and Gabehart and coach Joe Gibbs’ team.
Advertisement
One of the counterclaims at the center of the upcoming hearing comes from Gabehart, who alleges that JGR did not pay him everything he was owed. Spire Motorsports has also filed counterclaims against JGR, with the team alleging that Coach Joe Gibbs’ team failed to reciprocate an arrangement involving car chief Cheddar Smith.
“A hearing on whether to dismiss counterclaims Chris Gabehart and Spire filed against JGR is set for Aug. 26. Gabehart claims include JGR didn’t pay him everything he’s owed, Spire claims JGR never reciprocated what it promised when Spire let car chief Cheddar Smith to go to 54.” Pockrass wrote.
A hearing on whether to dismiss counterclaims Chris Gabehart and Spire filed against JGR is set for Aug. 26. Gabehart claims include JGR didn’t pay him everything he’s owed, Spire claims JGR never reciprocated what it promised when Spire let car chief Cheddar Smith to go to 54.
JGR previously withdrew one of the allegations against Spire and Chris Gabehart
Last month, JGR released a statement noting that JGR withdraws their claim and acknowledged in a court filing that it “does not possess nonprivileged information sufficient to support the allegations.”
Advertisement
In the filing, the JGR said:
“In discovery Spire Motorsports II, LLC (“Spire”) requested information supporting the allegations contained in paragraph 129 of the Second Amended Complaint. JGR responded to Spire’s request and concedes that it does not possess nonprivileged information sufficient to support the allegations contained in paragraph 129 of the Second Amended Complaint.”
The case is now moving toward a larger trial after legal teams have failed to reach an out-of-court settlement. U.S. District Judge Susan C. Rodriguez has scheduled a 9-day jury trial for the lawsuit to begin on February 1, 2027, right before the Daytona 500.
Paris Saint-Germain have reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Ferran Torres, according to reports in French and Spanish outlets on Thursday evening. The forward, who scored the match-winner for Spain in the World Cup final, is expected to sign with the European champions for around €50 million.
France picked up another two medals at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris, with Maxime Grousset coming second in the 200m butterfly final while Mary-Ambre Moluh was runner-up in the 50m backstroke.
At the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, France‘s Alice Finot was only beaten to another 3000m steeplechase title by Germany‘s Gesa Felicitas Krause. Later in the evening, home favourite Amy Hunt made it a sprint double by following up her 100m title with gold in Thursday’s 200m final.
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Davis Martin was ejected from Thursday’s matinee against the Cincinnati Reds after back-to-back wild pitches led to a benches-clearing altercation.
Reds Rookie of the Year frontrunner Sal Stewart, who homered in his first at-bat off Martin, was facing a 0-1 count when a pitch sailed over everyone’s head and hit the backstop.
Stewart looked at Martin immediately, but the Sox starter tapped his chest, indicating he didn’t mean for the wild pitch.
Davis Martin of the Chicago White Sox delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Rate Field on Aug. 13, 2026, in Chicago, Ill.(Getty Images)
However, Stewart took exception, and understandably so, when a 92-mph fastball came up and in on the very next pitch from Martin. If Stewart hadn’t moved quickly, the ball may have hit him right in the face. Instead, it just clipped the brim of his helmet for a hit-by-pitch.
From there, Stewart pointed the knob end of his bat at Martin, and it was clear he, at the very least, said “that’s twice.” Martin was still claiming he didn’t mean to do it, but Stewart’s Reds teammates didn’t care to hear his side.
MLB veteran Eugenio Suarez was among those shown on the broadcast running out to say his piece to Martin. The White Sox dugout, though, was quick to move as well.
White Sox catcher Edgar Quero was pivotal in the situation not getting out of control, as he popped up from his place behind home plate and stopped Stewart from walking toward his pitcher. Quero even walked down the first base line with Stewart as the situation unfolded.
After the tension dissipated, umpires reviewed the situation to see if Martin should be tossed from the game. Considering that both pitches were near Stewart’s head, umpires eventually made the decision to toss the White Sox starter before he could complete three innings.
Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds hits a home run during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 13, 2026.(Getty Images)
Stewart got the party started for the Reds at the beginning of the game, launching a home run on a hanging breaking ball by Martin into the left field seats. Some argued on social media that was the reason Martin may have been throwing those pitches intentionally, but it didn’t seem Stewart did anything extra after hitting the solo blast.
Advertisement
Martin also allowed a two-run homer to Suarez later in that first frame, as the Reds quickly put up three runs on the White Sox. But at the time of Martin’s ejection, Chicago had scored four runs of their own to take the lead as the top of the third got underway.
Chicago, though, was forced to bring in Erick Fedde on emergency notice and Cincinnati made him pay. The Reds scored four runs in the top of the fourth inning to take an 8-4 lead. They would go on to win the game, 9-8, holding off the White Sox, who scored three runs in the eighth and ninth innings combined.
Davis Martin of the Chicago White Sox delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Rate Field in Chicago on Aug. 13, 2026.(Getty Images)
Stewart is having himself quite the 2026 campaign, as the first-time All-Star is now hitting .259 with an .811 OPS and 26 home runs after his 2-for-3 day at the dish.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Walbert Ureña allowed two hits in six innings, Mike Trout and Denzer Guzman led a 15-hit outburst with three singles and an RBI apiece, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Texas Rangers 7-0 on Thursday night.
Josh Lowe added two hits and two RBIs, and Adam Frazier had two hits and an RBI for the Angels, who extended their win streak to three and amassed 10 or more hits in a game for the first time since July 8.
Ureña (8-8) struck out five and walked two while lowering his ERA to 2.67. The rookie right-hander has a 2.43 ERA in 18 games since May 1 and has allowed no more than one run in 13 of those starts. José Fermin, Tayler Saucedo and Sammy Peralta each threw a scoreless inning to complete the five-hitter.
With the loss, the Rangers (60-62) dropped out of the third wild card spot in the American League, half a game back of the Detroit Tigers (60-61). The Minnesota Twins (60-63), the Cleveland Guardians (59-63), the Toronto Blue Jays (59-64) and the Baltimore Orioles (58-63) all are within two games.
Advertisement
Rangers starter Jacob deGrom, who has been battling a left hip and glute injury since the All-Star break, was pulled after two innings because of right triceps fatigue.
The 38-year-old right-hander escaped a two-on, one-out jam in the first but gave up two runs and five hits during a 32-pitch second — the first time deGrom (8-8) allowed five hits in an inning since Sept. 5, 2017, with the New York Mets.
Guzman sparked the Angels’ second-inning rally with a single. He went to third on Lowe’s double and scored on Frazier’s one-out single. Lowe tried to score from second on Frazier’s hit but was thrown out by left fielder Wyatt Langford. Wade Meckler singled and Trout hit an RBI single for a 2-0 lead.
The Angels broke open the game with four runs and six hits off Texas left-hander Jordan Montgomery in the fifth.
Advertisement
Singles by Trout, Nolan Schanuel and Vaughn Grissom loaded the bases. Guzman drove in a run with an infield single, Lowe hit a two-run single and Jose Siri’s RBI groundout made it 6-0. Siri added an RBI single in the seventh.
Rangers: RHP Kumar Rocker (4-9, 4.46 ERA) opposes Athletics LHP Gage Jump (5-7, 4.46) on Friday night in West Sacramento.
Angels: RHP Grayson Rodriguez (3-5, 7.20 ERA) faces Royals RHP Seth Lugo (5-7, 4.41) on Friday night in Anaheim.
Amy Hunt is now halfway to an historic four European golds at one championships after completing a brilliant sprint double at Birmingham 2026 with 200m gold.
The 24-year-old claimed her second gold in four days by blitzing the field with a European lead time of 22.19.
Dina Asher-Smith was the last sprinter to double up at this competition eight years ago but could only manage bronze on this occasion.
The home hopefuls were in adjacent lanes and Asher-Smith got the better start around the bend as she sought a seventh European gold.
But Hunt reeled her compatriot in on the home straight as the domestic duel lived up to expectations in front of an improved crowd of more than 20,000 at the Alexander Stadium.
Advertisement
“The 100 is the hardest mentally and the 200 is the hardest physically,” Hunt told the BBC. “I’ve had a lot of health things going on this year, some really low blood pressure, and the 200s have been really scary. I have been fainting after some of my 200s this year.
“I just had to go into that one, get on the bend and be really brave. It was an amazing race.”
Asher-Smith has now won nine European medals, putting her one shy of the all-time record, but this was the latest sign of a changing of the guard.
Hunt won gold in the 200m with GB teammate Dina Asher-Smith claiming bronze (PA)
Hunt retained her national 100m title by beating Asher-Smith on this track in June before dethroning her over the same distance on the opening night of these Championships.
Asher-Smith still leads the 200m head-to-head between the two but Hunt has come of age in the last 12 months and now set her sights on completing a remarkable quadruple as she looks ahead to the women’s and mixed 4x100m relays over the weekend.
Advertisement
“This is becoming a magical week and one I will remember for the rest of my life,” she said. “There is no celebrating or champagne until Sunday night. I have a debt to the ladies, we have to come out here and show them who the best sprint nation is in Europe. It’s not over yet – I hope you’re not sick of my face.”
Asher-Smith said: “Obviously, I’m disappointed to have a bronze, but I think 10 years after my first one it is such an achievement to be in a place to come back year after year.
Asher-Smith has won nine European Championship medals – one away from the all-time record (Reuters)
“It doesn’t matter what’s going on in my life, I just want to continue to be one of the fastest women in the world. I’m happy to have done that and it is great to be part of a successful British team.”
The hosts’ pair finished either side of Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke, who won silver in a 22.28 national record.
Keely Hodgkinson kept her bid for a European hat-trick on track on a dramatic afternoon which saw her main rival Audrey Werro take a tumble – before being reinstated for the final.
Advertisement
Hodgkinson won the second semi-final in 1:57.38, holding off Femke Broeders-Bol to safely advance to one of the most eagerly-awaited events of the week.
It was a far more serene race than the opening semi, which was dominated by Werro before she hit the deck on the final bend.
Keely Hodgkinson won her 800m semi-final to book a place in the final against rival Audrey Werro (PA)
Werro picked herself up to stumble over the finish line and a successful appeal means the 22-year-old, who holds this year’s world lead, will also be on the start line.
Hodgkinson was relieved to avoid the chaos and said: “You can’t worry about what happened to other people, but I hope she’s ok.
“The excitement makes me excited. I love a good challenge and I hope for a clean race with no falling over and no wind.”
Advertisement
Scot Jemma Reekie took advantage of Werro’s slip to cross the line first and advance in 1:58.61.
Elsewhere, Mark English won Ireland’s first individual men’s gold medal at the European Championships as he finished first in the 800m.
Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team. From everyday goals to world-class dreams, Novuna backs the ambition of millions across the UK — from supporting British businesses and individuals’ plans, to powering British Athletics on the global stage. Find out more at www.novuna.co.uk
You must be logged in to post a comment Login