ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 19-20, 2021 SPORTS 15

Texans agree to 1-year contract with QB Taylor Some NFL veterans prosper as business season begins NEW YORK, March 18, (AP): As the enjoys watching game fi lm, added John NFL opened its business year Wednes- Brown, recently cut by Buffalo. Brown day, veterans Trent Williams, A.J. Green could be a veteran deep threat in Las and Emmanuel Sanders prospered. Vegas after Nelson Agholor left in free Some teams offi cially announced agency for New England. But Brown, deals that consistently leaked during who turns 31 in April, is coming off the the “legal tampering” period that began second-least productive season of his Zibanejad nets hat trick Monday, and others stayed pretty silent. career and was limited to nine games be- That trio of players with a total of 31 pro cause of knee and ankle injuries. seasons made out very well despite not The Raiders also are bringing back getting big offers immediately. versatile offensive lineman Denzelle The 49ers held onto the best tackle Good on a two-year contract and reserve who could have become a free agent by receiver Zay Jones on a one-year deal. giving Williams the richest contract ever ■ Seattle made its fi rst big move to for an offensive lineman. Williams is a bolster its offensive line and appease as Rangers down Flyers particularly intriguing case. His agents at quarterback Russell Wilson by acquir- Elite Loyalty Sports said the deal agreed ing veteran guard Gabe Jackson from to early Wednesday will pay Williams Las Vegas for a fi fth-round draft pick. $138.1 million over the next six years, The Seahawks addressed another surpassing the $138 million deal David need, agreeing to terms with tight end Bakhtiari got from Green Bay a year Gerald Everett on a one-year deal. They ago. Williams also will get the biggest also signed defensive tackle Poona Ford signing bonus ever to a two-year contract, locking up one of for an offensive the key pieces of their defense. lineman at $30.1 ■ Kansas City agreed to a $5 million million, as well contract for next season with three-time as $55.1 million guaranteed. Basically, he FOOTBALL gambled on him- self. Seeking to get out of Wash- guard Kyle Long, who will ington, where come out of retirement. Earlier this week, Williams believed the Chiefs gave an $80 million, fi ve-year the medical staff Williams deal to Patriots offensive lineman Joe botched a can- Thuney. KC’s offensive line was a sieve cer diagnosis, he sat out 2019. Midway in its Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay. through that season, he hoped to be The Chiefs also agreed to one-year traded before the deadline, which didn’t deals to keep running back Darrel Wil- occur. Williams was banished from the liams, linebacker Ben Niemann and de- Washington facility by former team fensive end Taco Charlton. president Bruce Allen. ■ Detroit took away one of division- He landed in San Francisco in a draft- rival Green Bay’s offense pieces, giving a day trade for a 2020 fi fth-round pick and two-year contract to running back Jamaal a 2021 third-rounder. Williams. He was a backup to Aaron Jones “Trent’s a game changer,” said fullback with the Packers, and fi gures to fi ll the Kyle Juszczyk, who signed a fi ve-year same role in Detroit behind D’Andre Swift contract to stay in San Francisco earlier and Kerryon Johnson. The Lions also ar- in the week. “He’s somebody that teams ranged a trade with the Rams for steady have to scheme around. They have to defensive tackle Michael Brockers as they change what they’re doing because he’s attempt to rebuild one of the NFL’s worst out there, and he’s a guy that we can just units. They released veteran cornerback completely count on and know that he’s Desmond Trufant. going to get his job done and then some. ■ The Falcons acquired tight end Lee You can’t pay too much for a guy like that. Smith from the Bills for a seventh-round Those are guys that really make a differ- draft pick next year. Mostly a blocker, ence and put you over the top and and put the 11-year veteran has played in 133 you into that championship caliber.” games, with 64 receptions for 458 yards Green joins the Cardinals and ends and 10 touchdowns. ■ a decade in Cincinnati, though he has Tackle renegotiated St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly (right), tries to get a shot past Los Angeles Kings goaltender Calvin Petersen during the second period of an NHL been plagued by injuries recently and sat his contract with the hockey game on March 17, in Los Angeles. (AP) out 2019. Arizona, which also acquired and will return after opting out of last center Rodney Hudson from the Raiders season because of family concerns about for a third-round draft pick, already has COVID-19. Solder was to earn $9.9 mil- a No. 1 receiver in DeAndre Hopkins, lion in the upcoming season under his Doughty, Kopitar lead LA Kings’ 4-1 rout of slumping Blues and long-time star Larry Fitzgerald has old contract and will earn roughly $4 not made a decision on returning for million instead. an 18th season. He got a one-year deal The team also re-signed receiver C.J. NEW YORK, March 18, worth $8 million. The Cardinals added Board, defensive tackle Austin Johnson (AP): Mika Zibanejad had Rodríguez named opening day starter veteran placekicker , who and long snapper Casey Kreiter. owns the NFL record with a 64-yard ■ Washington stayed busy by agree- three goals and three as- fi eld goal made in 2013 with Denver. ing with wide receiver Curtis Samuel, sists in New York’s seven- Sanders, joining his fourth franchise, who becomes the No. 2 wide receiver goal second period and the Astros LHP Valdez receives didn’t make out quite so well as Green as behind Terry McLaurin. The 24-year- he heads to Buffalo. But he gets to join old shined in Carolina’s victory at Rangers beat the Philadel- All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs catching Washington last season, setting career phia Flyers 9-0. ‘positive’ update on injury balls from Josh Allen for a team on the rise highs with 106 yards receiving and 52 Pavel Buchnevich had two goals that went to its fi rst AFC title game since yards rushing. Washington also agreed and two assists - all in the second LOS ANGELES, March 18, (AP): The pulled after a leadoff walk to DJ the 1993 season before losing at Kansas with cornerback William Jackson on a Houston Astros received a positive LeMahieu in the third. The team said City. Sanders also played for Pittsburgh contract worth $42 million over three period - and Brendan Lemieux, Artemi Panarin, Jacob Trouba update on left-hander Framber Valdez on Hatch had discomfort in his right arm. and Denver, where he won a Super Bowl, years with $26 million guaranteed. the same day Forrest Whitley had sea- Bo Bichette singled with two outs in and spent last season with New Orleans. Placekicker Dustin Hopkins will re- and Filip Chytil also scored in the son-ending surgery on his right elbow. the sixth for the Blue Jays’ first hit. He’ll get about $6 million for 2021. turn, as will running back Lamar Mill- Rangers’ most decisive victory Valdez met with Dr. Steven Shin in Marlins 3, Mets 2 Elsewhere: er. Earlier this week, the team reached since beating New Jersey 9-0 on Los Angeles on Wednesday, and new ■ Quarterback Tyrod Taylor agreed agreement with 16-year veteran quarter- March 31, 1986. images of the pitcher’s fractured left ring Miami right-hander Sandy Alcantara to a one-year contract with Houston, back Ryan Fitzpatrick to join his ninth finger showed significant healing, continued his impressive spring training Alexandar Georgiev stopped 26 with five innings of three-hit ball, strik- giving the Texans an insurance policy team and perhaps replace NFL Come- shots for his sixth career shutout. according to the team. Valdez is expect- if they trade Deshaun Watson or if they back Player of the Year Alex Smith, New York Rangers’ Brendan Le- ed to continue his rehab at the team’s ing out nine. Alcantara has thrown 12 2/3 don’t trade him and he decides to sit out who was released. The Rangers were without head scoreless innings, striking out 19. Rookie coach David Quinn and assistants mieux (48) steps into Philadelphia facility in Florida, and there is no time- this season. Watson has been unhappy ■ Defensive tackle Adam Butler got a Flyers’ Connor Bunnaman (82) table yet for his return to the mound. Jazz Chisholm hit his second homer - a with the direction of the team and has $9.5 million, two-year contract with the Jacques Martin, David Oliver and during the fi rst period of an NHL The 27-year-old Valdez went 5-3 with solo shot in the fifth. requested a trade. Dolphins. Butler started four games last Greg Brown were due to NHL hockey game on March 17, in New a 3.57 ERA in 11 games last year, includ- Joey Lucchesi made his first start in ■ Eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Pat- year and had four sacks. COVID-19 protocols. Hartford York. (AP) his second appearance for New York, ing 10 starts. He got hurt when struck by allowing two walks in three scoreless rick Peterson left Arizona after 10 seasons The Dolphins also signed cornerback Wolf Pack coach Kris Knoblauch a comebacker while pitching against the to join the Minnesota Vikings, who agreed Justin Coleman and receiver Robert Fos- and associate head coach Gord Mur- innings. Francisco Lindor had two hits, Mike Hoffman scored for the Mets on March 2. and Albert Almora Jr. drove in two runs. with the 30-year-old on a one-year con- ter. phy, and Rangers associate general Blues. They have lost fi ve straight. Whitley’s Tommy John surgery was tract worth up to $10 million, according to ■ The Cowboys released punter Chris Athletics 10, Royals 5 manager Chris Drury were behind Jets 4, Canadiens 3, OT performed by Dr. Keith Meister in a person with knowledge of the negotia- Jones, who was with the club 10 years the bench. Arlington, Texas. He got hurt while Oakland left-hander A.J. Puk surren- tions, speaking on condition of anonymity and started the past eight seasons. Inju- Brian Elliott started in goal for In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Nikolaj throwing batting practice this spring dered two runs and two hits in two to the AP because the team had yet to an- ries sidelined Jones for the second half Philadelphia and allowed fi ve goals Ehlers scored at 55 seconds of over- training. innings. With Mike Fiers hampered by nounce the deal. of the 2020 season. The move saves Dal- time to push Winnipeg past Montreal. The 23-year-old Whitley, one of an injury, Puk, the No. 6 pick in the 2016 ■ on 13 shots before being replaced The Panthers went for defense with las about $2 million in salary cap space midway through the second period Kyle Connor scored twice, Blake Houston’s top prospects, is expected to amateur draft, could begin the year in the linebackers Haason Reddick and Denzel and clears the way for Hunter Niswan- as the Flyers lost for the third time in Wheeler connected on the first miss at least a year. He was selected by rotation. Perryman and end Morgan Fox. der to take over. the Astros in the first round of the 2016 Jed Lowrie hit two doubles for ■ four games. shot of the game, and Connor Hel- Reddick played under Panthers coach New England brought back center lebuyck made 33 saves. Pierre-Luc amateur draft. Oakland, and Matt Olson hit his fourth Matt Rhule at Temple. The 13th over- Ted Karras on a one-year, $4 million Dubois added three assists to help Rays 10, Pirates 9 homer in the fifth. all pick in the 2017 draft is coming off contract. Karras previously spent four Giants 11, Rockies 8 a breakout season with 12 1/2 sacks, six seasons in New England, winning two ICE HOCKEY the Jets rebound from a 4-2 loss to Tyler Glasnow pitched four innings in forced fumbles and 15 tackles for a loss. Super Bowl rings as a utility offensive Montreal on Monday night in the se- his third start for Tampa Bay, allowing Kevin Gausman pitched 2 1/3 innings ■ Raiders coach Jon Gruden, who lineman and backup center to David An- ries opener. four runs and six hits. Austin Meadows for San Francisco, yielding an earned run likes speedy wideouts as much as he drews. He was with Miami last year. Zibanejad scored three consecutive Brendan Gallagher and Phillip Da- connected for a two-run homer, and Joey and three hits. Alex Dickerson and Jason nault each had a goal and an assists Wendle collected three hits. Krizan connected for the Giants. goals in a 10:10 span of the second for Germán Márquez worked five innings his fi fth career hat trick. The Swedish for the Canadiens, and Tyler Toffoli Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller forced overtime with 1:25 left and was hit hard again, allowing eight runs for the Rockies, striking out six and center also topped 400 career points. and 10 hits in two-plus innings. Keller’s Oilers 7, Flames 3 goalie Carey Price off for an extra at- ERA is 21.60. tacker. Price had 26 saves. In Calgary, Alberta, NHL scoring Bryan Reynolds and Colin Moran BASEBALL leader Connor McDavid had a goal Knights 5, Sharks 4 each hit a two-run homer for the Pirates. Phillies 2, Tigers 0 and two assists and Edmonton beat In Las Vegas, Ryan Reaves broke a allowing three runs and six hits. Jairo Calgary to split the two-game series. tie during a run of four straight Vegas Philadelphia right-hander Zack Díaz allowed three runs and two hits in McDavid has 18 goals and leads the goals in the third period and the Gold- Wheeler tossed five innings of four-hit his inning of relief. NHL with 38 assists and 56 points. en Knights rallied to beat San Jose. ball. Odúbel Herrera led off the fourth Cardinals 4, Astros 4 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jesse Pulju- Cody Glass, Nicolas Hague and with his third homer and Ronald Torreyes Alec Martinez also scored over a added an RBI double. Jose Altuve hit his first homer this jarvi, Dominik Kahun, Darnell Nurse, spring for Houston, spoiling a strong out- Zack Kassian and Alex Chiasson also roughly eight-minute span when Ve- Tarik Skubal made his first start in his third appearance for Detroit, allowing a ing by St. Louis starter Adam scored to help the Oilers rebound gas erased a 3-1 defi cit. The Golden Wainwright. The 39-year-old Knights improved to 13-1-3 in 17 reg- hit and three walks in three scoreless from a 4-3 loss Monday night in the innings. Wainwright allowed two runs in 4 2/3 series opener. ular-season meetings with San Jose, innings, striking out four and limiting Tyson Barrie had a career-high four including 5-0-0 this season. Yankees 1, Blue Jays 0 Houston to five hits. In this Dec. 19, 2020 fi le photo, Carolina Panthers’ Curtis Samuel reaches assists, and Leon Draisaitl had three Shea Theodore also scored for Ve- Jordan Montgomery made his third St. Louis slugger Paul Goldschmidt for a pass that fell incomplete during the fi rst half of the team’s NFL football gas, and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped start for New York, pitching fi ve no-hit in- hit his first homer, and Tommy Edman game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP) for the Oilers. Mike Smith made 30 saves. 29 shots. nings and lowering his ERA to 0.90. Aaron had three hits. walked two Elias Lindholm, Mikael Back- Matt Nieto, Mario Ferraro, Kevin Judge had two hits and scored a run. and got two outs in a scoreless outing, lund and Johnny Gaudreau scored Labanc and Evander Kane scored for Toronto pitcher Thomas Hatch was his second appearance this spring for the NHL Results/Standings for Calgary in the Flames’ fi rst loss the Sharks. Cardinals. since Darryl Sutter returned as coach. Canucks 3, Senators 2, SO Orioles 5, Braves 2 Baltimore left-hander John Means Sutter directed the Flames to three In Ottawa, Ontario, Adam Gaudette straight victories after taking over for pitched one-run ball over four innings, WASHINGTON, March 18, (AP): Results and standings from the NHL games on Wednesday. scored in a shootout to lift Vancouver the fi red Geoff Ward. allowing two hits and striking out four. Vancouver 3 Ottawa SO 2 Los Angeles 4 St Louis 1 past Ottawa. The only damage he allowed was a solo NY Rangers 9 Philadelphia 0 Edmonton 7 Calgary 3 Kings 4, Blues 1 Winnipeg 4 Montreal OT 3 Vegas 5 San Jose 4 Bo Horvat had a goal and an assist, homer by Ozzie Albies. Austin Hays had East Division West Division In Los Angeles, Drew Doughty, Brock Boeser also scored in regula- three hits for the O’s, raising his spring GP W L OT Pts GF GA GP W L OT Pts GF GA Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Moore tion and Thatcher Demko made 30 average to .370. Washington 29 19 6 4 42 103 88 Vegas 27 20 6 1 41 90 61 scored in a dominant fi rst period, saves for Vancouver. Charlie Morton allowed just an NY Islanders 30 19 7 4 42 87 67 Minnesota 27 18 8 1 37 86 64 leading Los Angeles past St. Louis. The Canucks have won three unearned run over 4 1/3 innings for Pittsburgh 29 18 10 1 37 94 82 Colorado 27 17 8 2 36 86 64 Atlanta, striking out four while giving up Boston 27 15 8 4 34 73 65 Moore had a goal and an assist straight - also beating Ottawa 3-2 in St Louis 29 14 10 5 33 89 96 four hits and a walk. Philadelphia 27 14 10 3 31 88 96 Los Angeles 28 12 10 6 30 83 79 for his fi rst multipoint game of the overtime Monday night - and six of NY Rangers 28 12 12 4 28 85 76 Arizona 29 12 13 4 28 70 88 season, while captain Anze Kopitar seven to improve to 15-16-3. Cubs 8, Padres 2 New Jersey 26 9 13 4 22 65 84 San Jose 27 11 13 3 25 80 96 Buffalo 28 6 18 4 16 60 97 Anaheim 30 8 16 6 22 67 103 scored an empty-net goal from the Ryan Dzingel and Josh Norris Willson Contreras had three hits, Central Division opposite goal line and added an assist. scored for the Senators. They lost including a homer, and drove in five for GP W L OT Pts GF GA North Division Chicago. Anthony Rizzo also homered, Tampa Bay 28 20 6 2 42 102 67 GP W L OT Pts GF GA Cal Petersen made 19 saves to end his goaltender Joey Daccord to an injury Florida 28 19 5 4 42 99 81 Toronto 30 19 9 2 40 102 79 fi ve-start losing streak. in the third period. Daccord, who Ian Happ had two hits and Kyle Carolina 28 20 7 1 41 97 72 Winnipeg 29 18 9 2 38 97 85 Los Angeles and St. Louis were had his first NHL victory Sunday Hendricks allowed two runs in 3 1/3 Chicago 30 14 11 5 33 92 98 Edmonton 32 19 13 0 38 110 94 against Toronto, left at 5:07 of the innings for the Cubs, striking out four Columbus 30 11 12 7 29 80 99 Montreal 29 13 8 8 34 93 80 scheduled for two consecutive games Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher and walking one. Dallas 25 9 9 7 25 72 68 Vancouver 33 15 16 2 32 92 104 at Staples Center this week, but Mon- third period. He appeared to twist a Tyler Glasnow delivers during the Chris Paddack gave up four runs in 1 Nashville 29 12 16 1 25 71 97 Calgary 30 14 13 3 31 83 92 day’s game was postponed after a knee when he went down in the net, fourth inning of a spring training ex- 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and three Detroit 30 9 17 4 22 68 99 Ottawa 33 10 20 3 23 87 130 hibition baseball game against the Note: Two points for a win one point for overtime loss. The top four teams in each division will blizzard stranded the Kings in Den- and grimaced while being helped walks while striking out two for San qualify for playoffs under this season’s temporary realignment. ver, where they had just lost back-to- off the ice. Filip Gustavsson took Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Diego. Tommy Pham had three hits and back games to the Avalanche. over for his NHL debut. Florida on March 17. (AP) Jake Cronenworth doubled.