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By MICHAEL WAGAMAN (Associated Press)

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Brent Rooker became the first Oakland player in nearly 30 years to homer twice in an inning, accomplishing the feat in the third inning to help the Athletics pound the Miami Marlins 20-4 on Saturday for their sixth consecutive victory.

The Athletics only All-Star a year ago, Rooker drilled a two-run drive off Marlins starter Trevor Rogers (0-5), then added a three-run shot off Darren McCaughan in the 10-run inning.

“That’s Rook, we (saw) it last year,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “He gets hot and he hits mistakes. He got a couple today.”

Oakland set season highs for runs and hits with 21.

The rout came less than 24 hours after the Marlins shipped two-time defending batting champion Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres for four minor leaguers. Arraez went 4 for 6 in his Padres debut.

Rooker, who also singled in the sixth, is the 60th player in major league history to homer twice in an inning. Trea Turner of Philadelphia was the most recent to do it, reaching the milestone Aug. 19. The last A’s player to do it was Mark McGwire against Seattle on Sept. 22, 1996.

“I grew up in Memphis a big (St. Louis) Cardinals fan so he was kind of one of the first players I remember watching during his time there,” Rooker said. “Being able to do anything the same as him is a huge accomplishment and something that’s really cool for me.”

Brett Harris also homered twice for Oakland, a day after making his major league debut. The home runs were Harris’ first hits in the majors and came with his parents and fiancee among those in attendance. JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers added three-run home runs in the game delayed nearly 3 1/2 hours by rain.

Paul Blackburn (3-1) benefited from all the offense, though he hardly needed it. He retired the first 10 batters and allowed one run and four hits over seven innings.

“Just trying to create some early contact and get those bats back in the dugout,” Blackburn said.

The Athletics (17-17) have been one of the best stories in baseball after losing 112 games in 2023. Oakland — which didn’t win its 17th game last season until June 12 — reached .500 after beginning the year 1-7.

“You’re seeing a group that has some confidence right now,” Kotsay said. “Those are all things that I really I felt this group could accomplish. Maybe it’s come together a little bit sooner but those are good signs.”

Bryan De La Cruz and Nick Fortes homered for the Marlins. Rogers allowed seven runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings.

At 9-26, the Marlins are on pace to lose 120 games. The last team to lose that many games in a season were the expansion New York Mets of 1962, who went 40-120. The only team in MLB history to sustain more than 120 losses in a season were the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134).

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: Left fielder Esteury Ruiz was shaken up and left the game with a left wrist injury after making a diving catch to rob Bryan De La Cruz of a hit in the sixth inning.

UP NEXT

Athletics RHP Joe Boyle (2-4, 6.08 ERA) was set to start the series finale Sunday against RHP Sixto Sánchez (0-1, 8.36).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FORT LAUDERDALE — Lionel Messi scored a goal and had five assists as Inter Miami trounced the New York Red Bulls with the club-record six goals on Saturday night.

Messi, who earned the MLS Player of the Month Award for April, has now scored and assisted in six consecutive league matches.

Luis Suárez scored a hat trick and Matias Rojas scored twice as Inter Miami got six unanswered goals to come back from a 1-0 deficit at halftime. Messi and Suárez now have a league-leading 10 goals each, helping keep Inter Miami (7-2-3, 24 points) atop the Eastern Conference.

Inter Miami’s previous scoring high in a game had been five goals against Cincinnati in October of 2021.

The win extended Miami’s unbeaten string to six. The streak began after a 4-0 loss at New York on April 20, in which Messi did not play because of an injury.

Miami began the rout with Rojas’ equalizer in the 48th minute. Messi centered a pass to Rojas whose left-footed shot landed under the crossbar.

Suárez then fed a charging Messi with a touch pass to beat New York goalkeeper Carlos Coronel with a shot from 15 yards.

Rojas made it 3-1 with his second goal in the 62nd minute on an assist from Messi.

Messi then contributed on former Barcelona teammate Suárez’s first goal in the 69th minute.

Suárez also struck in the 75th and 81st minutes before the Red Bulls (4-2-5, 17 points) closed the scoring on Emil Forsberg’s penalty kick in stoppage time.

New York controlled possession early and eventually capitalized on a Miami defensive breakdown that resulted on Dante Vanzeir’s goal in the 30th minute. José Carmona ran deep into the right wing of the large area and blasted a shot that bounced off the far post. An unmarked Vanzeir retrieved the deflection and converted from 15 yards.

Messi had his only scoring opportunity of the first half in the 24th minute, when Coronel stopped his shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba missed his third straight game because of a hamstring injury.

Both clubs will continue MLS play next Saturday. Inter Miami will visit CF Montreal while the Red Bulls will host New England.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

BOCA RATON — St. Andrew’s senior Dylan Faison scored five goals and added four assists as the host Scots crushed St. John Paul Academy II 25-6 in a Class 1A regional final on Saturday afternoon.

The Scots (22-1) ranked No. 1 in the country by MaxPreps and winners of a dozen straight games since its lone loss of the season against Boys Latin (Baltimore, Md.),  will head to the state semifinals in Paradise Coast Sports Complex (Naples) on Thursday as they look to win their fourth consecutive state championship.

St. Andrew’s, 55-6 during their three-year title run and 77-7 in the past four seasons, will play Community School at 2 p.m. Benjamin, who pounded Lake Highland Prep 16-5, will play Jacksonville Bolles at noon in the other 1A state semifinal.

In 2A action, visiting St. Thomas Aquinas upended Jupiter 11-4 and will play top-seeded Lake Mary at 7:30 on Thursday.

St. Andrew’s has been dominant in the postseason as they have outscored opponents 70-11 in their three regional games. They have won 10 straight against St. John Paul II Academy dating back to 2017, and this was the most lopsided result.

“Every game is good,” said St. Andrew’s coach Tony Seaman. “We’ve played everybody in the state, and we have to keep going for another two games. These kids know, three (state championships) in a row, everyone wants a piece of you. This is probably the best group of kids I have had here in nine years.”

St. Andrew’s captured the first three state titles from 2008-2010 when the sport was first sanctioned. The Scots also won in 2012.

The Scots controlled the game from start to finish, starting with two goals by Faison in the first three minutes as they built a 10-4 halftime lead and coasted to the victory.

Sophomore Nick Testa also contributed four goals and three assists, while the Scots got three goals from senior Connor Hofbauer as the Scots picked up their second win this season over the Eagles. The Scots prevailed in the third game of the year, 19-10.

“I think what is different between this team and the teams we have had over the years is the chemistry and the skill,” Testa said. “In the past, there have been a couple of guys with skill and this team has amazing depth at every position.”

“It is definitely special,” Hofbauer said of his final home game at St. Andrew’s. “We come out here every day and I have so many good memories from lacrosse and football here.”

Fellow senior Jackson Parke also has great memories as a standout in football and lacrosse at the school.

“It’s always a good rivalry between us and (St. John Paul II Academy),” Parke said. “Our defense, I think is the core of the team. I think we have this great bond and chemistry on the backside of the field.”

Scots’ senior goalie Andrew Pozo will be playing in his first Final Four, after transferring from Miami Columbus High School.

“I thought I did great, but I have to give it to my defense,” Pozo said. “They were allowing shots that I like to see. The atmosphere was so unreal. You see it in football games…playing a rival brings some nerves, but it makes you play better. This is my first time going to Naples. I can’t put it into words. I am so excited for it.”

St. John Paul II Academy (16-6) got two goals from Peter Johnson, and one each from Travis Cheristin, Zach Throne, and Michael Polgar.

“They have a really good team,” said Eagles coach Andrew Bulger. “Ours comes together organically and theirs is a little differently put together. The season was fantastic, and I told my guys I couldn’t be prouder of how they played and did. It’s a bittersweet ending, we have a lot of guys coming back and we have a few guys leaving. We are going to miss those guys, but obviously, we have some work to do.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mystik Dan won a three-way photo finish over Sierra Leone and Forever Young in a historic 150th edition of the Grade 1, $5 million Kentucky Derby from a full field of 20 horses on Saturday night beneath the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

Mystik Dan, saddled by Lexington-based trainer Kenny McPeek and ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., provided the first combination Oaks-Derby double since 1952 with their narrow win.

The McPeek-Hernandez duo teamed up to win the Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna on Friday evening at Churchill. The last jockey to do the Oaks-Derby double was Calvin Borel in 2009 with Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird. The last trainer to do the double was Ben Jones in 1952 with Real Delight and Hill Gail.

McPeek is only the fourth-ever trainer to do the Oaks-Derby double in the same year.

After Friday’s Kentucky Oaks was contested over a sloppy track and rain threatened throughout Saturday, the Derby was run over a fast main track at Churchill.

It didn’t matter. McPeek and Hernandez won in both conditions at Churchill Downs this weekend.

Catching Freedom finished in fourth. T O Password (JPN) finished in fifth. Both of the Japenese horses in this year’s race placed in the top five.

A $2 exacta in the Derby with Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone paid $258.56. A $1 trifecta with Mystik Dan, Sierra Leone and Forever Young (JPN) paid $1,113.84.

McPeek was previously 0 for 9 in the Derby, with his best finish being second with Tejano Run in 1995.

Hernandez had been 0 for 4 in the Derby, with his best finish being eighth with McCraken in 2017.

“Brian just did an amazing job,” McPeek said post-race on NBC, praising the jockey, Hernandez, multiple times.

Mystik Dan (who broke from post position 3) is owned by Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing (Brent Gasaway and Daniel Hamby. This was the first Kentucky Derby for all of Mystik Dan’s owners.

The horse went off at 18-1 odds in the Derby.

Mystik Dan had accrued 46 Derby qualifying points, which included a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 30 at Oaklawn Park and a win in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes in early February at Oaklawn Park.

Mystik Dan had 20-1 morning-line odds following last week’s post position draw, before he was bet down to the 18-1 odds he went off at.

The horse is now 3-1-1 in seven career starts. He entered the Derby with career earnings of $641,360, a total that will significantly increase after Saturday’s result.

The bay-colored horse was bred in Kentucky and was sired by Goldencents. Mystik Dan’s dam was Ma’am, by Colonel John.

A homebred, Mystik Dan earned his first career win at Churchill Downs last November.

Fierceness, the dominant Florida Derby winner and morning-line favorite and 3-1 post-time favorite, finished in 15th.

The 2024 Derby Day attendance was 156,710 spectators at Churchill Downs, an increase of more than 6,000 fans from the crowd of 150,335 people that gathered for last year’s race.

Irad Ortiz Jr. dominates Derby undercard races

As always, several high-quality stakes races took place on the Derby undercard Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The early undercard races were dominated by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who won each of the Grade 2, $600,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes, Grade 1, $1 million Derby City Distaff Stakes and Grade 2, $665,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes.

Ortiz won each of those races for a different trainer: Ortiz was aboard Cogburn for Steve Asmussen in a 2 1/4-length victory in the Turf Sprint, Vahva for Cherie DeVaux in a 2-length victory in the Derby City Distaff and Chili Flag (FR) for Chad Brown in a win that came by a neck in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile.

The 88-year-old trainer D. Wayne Lukas teamed up with jockey Jaime Torres to win the Grade 2, $600,000 Pat Day Mile Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths with Seize the Grey, and trainer H. Graham Motion paired with jockey Umberto Rispoli to win the Grade 2, $600,000 American Turf Stakes with 47-1 long shot Trikari.

Asmussen also won the Grade 1, $1 million Churchill Downs by 2 1/2 lengths with Gun Pilot, who was ridden by Cristian Torres.

©2024 Lexington Herald-Leader. Visit at kentucky.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Tales From a Home Inspector: The Good, the Bad and the Weird  AOL

The girls lacrosse teams of Stoneman Douglas and American Heritage-Delray cruised in the regional final matchups on Friday to reach the state semifinals in Naples next week.

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• High School Sports | Girls lacrosse regional final: American Heritage-Delray 18, St. Andrew’s 4 | PHOTOS

The top-seeded Stallions breezed by St. Andrew’s 18-4 in 1A in Delray Beach, while the 2A Eagles got past Martin County 15-8 in Parkland.

According to FHSAA.com, American Heritage-Delray will take on Episcopal School of Jacksonville at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, while Douglas will take on Plant at 7:30 p.m. that night.

Meanwhile, on Saturday in the boys’ side in the regional finals, St. Thomas Aquinas travels to Jupiter for a 7 p.m. matchup in 2A, while, in 1A, St. John Paul II heads a few miles to the west to battle St. Andrew’s at 4 p.m., and Benjamin hosts Lake Highland Prep at 5.

General Daily Insight for May 04, 2024

We have an opportunity for a fresh start. As the temperamental Moon begins the day in foggy Pisces and unites with mysterious Neptune, answers and energy might seem elusive. Once Luna bursts into vibrant Aries at 4:41 pm EDT, we should all get a second wind. There, the Moon sextiles thoughtful Pluto and conjoins motivated Mars, empowering us to pursue meaningful change. Noticing what rubs us the wrong way isn’t petty or shallow — it can reveal opportunities for improvement worth pursuing.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Fantasizing may actually be an effective use of your time. While the emotional Moon meets idealistic Neptune in your dreamy 12th house, letting your imagination run wild can give you an opportunity to discover a goal that really inspires you. Even if it seems unrealistic, there’s probably at least a portion of it that’s practically possible. Once your passionate nature is awakened, you’ll likely be eager to do whatever’s necessary to bring your vision into reality. If you can dream it, you can do it!

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You’re likely to pick up a lot of emotions from the people around you today. It’s possible that they’re telling you about valid problems that rightly deserve your attention and concern. Still, figuring out a reasonable path forward won’t be easy while you’re in that impressionable state. After the sensitive Moon shifts into your 12th House of Contemplation, you may need to go off by yourself to sort through all the information you’ve taken in. Space should give you a clearer perspective.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

A lack of clarity surrounding who has the authority to make a big decision could be totally frustrating now. An influential person may want to retain their power without getting stuck with responsibility for an unpopular choice. Can you go around them in some way? If you come together with peers on your own level, you might be able to work something out amongst yourselves for the time being. It may not be perfect, but it’s probably better than twiddling your thumbs!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Persistent fantasies of the grass being greener somewhere else might be acting as an important message for you. It’s normal to be curious sometimes about how your life would be different in another location. As the observant Moon pokes into your 10th House of Authority, however, you might look at whether gaining more control over your present surroundings would give you room to be happier in them. Solve what you can where you are for now — wherever you go, you’ll bring yourself with you.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

A personal relationship could be too close for comfort at the moment. As the empathic Moon fuses with unlimited Neptune in your 8th House of Intimacy, you and the other person may be way too caught up in each other’s emotions. A solo journey, even a small one, might be necessary for you to reset an unhealthy dynamic. Collect a few interesting stories while you’re out and about — it’ll give you fresh material to discuss when you reunite with your companion!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Getting to know someone better could challenge you at the moment. Have you fallen into the habit of idealizing this person in an ungrounded way? Although they may legitimately have qualities that deserve your admiration, you might happen upon a less flattering side to them after the delicate Moon moves into your sharing sector. Don’t let your initial discomfort with any surprising revelations drive you away too soon — instead, look for what they’ve learned from those experiences. Maybe you can learn, too!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Your responsibilities may seem endless at present. Consider the possibility of a lack of definition between you and another person regarding who’s supposed to do what. When the connection-craving Moon enters your 7th House of Relationships, clearing the air with this individual has a real chance of benefiting both of you. To get the most out of the discussion, you’ll have to be honest about your real needs. If you haven’t yet figured out what those are, it’s a great time to do so!

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Embracing whatever you find fun could be especially rewarding today. While the intuitive Moon unites with imaginative Neptune in your 5th House of Pleasure, you may strike astoundingly creative insights. You might not be motivated to do anything productive with them right away, though — this energy is more about living in the moment. Soaking up this vibe ought to leave you refreshed whenever you finally do get back to work, so don’t feel guilty for enjoying it as long as you can.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Your longing to be nurtured could be overwhelming at the moment. While the hungry Moon conjoins sentimental Neptune in your 4th House of Roots, you might be painfully aware of the ways in which others have failed to take care of you, both past and present. You may not be able to control whether or not you get what you feel you are owed, now or ever. Thankfully, you likely have room to pursue an activity that brings you joy in the meantime. Choose wisely.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Getting the truth out of someone you’re talking with could seem impossible. Perhaps it seems like they’re just telling you what they think you want to hear. After the perceptive Moon shifts into your grounded 4th house, simply paying attention to how this person acts when they think no one’s looking can tell you everything you need to know. Your immediate gut reaction is probably on target. Even if it seems a little harsh, cutting through the haze has to happen eventually.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Seeing your present finances accurately could be difficult. You might feel sorry for yourself in a way that’s not totally warranted — you may be contributing to your problems in a way that you’d rather not admit. If you’re not willing to mount your own challenge to the idea that you’re a blameless victim, someone else might seize the opportunity to do it for you. However it ultimately happens, you can genuinely learn something useful from the brewing confrontation. Try to tolerate the discomfort.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

You could have your heart set on getting people to see you in a certain way. If they don’t follow the script you have in your head for them, you might impulsively lash out. You technically always have the right to take your ball and go home. You may want to think about how realistic your expectations are in this moment, though. You can’t control what others do, no matter what incentives you provide them. Only give what you can offer without strings attached.

By JANIE McCAULEY (AP Baseball Writer)

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Miami Marlins are working on a trade that would send second baseman and reigning NL batting champion Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres.

The Marlins said Friday that the deal was pending a review of medical information before it could be finalized and formally announced.

“When a guy like that is taken out of the lineup or potentially traded, you feel it, because he’s such a good kid and one of the leaders in that clubhouse,” manager Skip Schumaker said, “so there’s definitely a shock value.”

There was also some shock in the Padres’ clubhouse after their 7-1 victory over the Diamondbacks on Friday night, though it was for happier reasons.

“It’s really amazing — that guy is a baller,” San Diego slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. said about Arraez. “He’s probably the closest to Tony Gwynn right now, so looking forward to seeing him in our lineup. … The guy’s a pure hitter and I can’t wait for him to help us.”

Gwynn won eight batting titles for the Padres during his Hall of Fame career from 1982 to 2001.

Miami changed its lineup minutes before first pitch in Oakland, pulling the 27-year-old Arraez out of the leadoff spot.

Instead, he made his way through the visitor’s dugout at the Coliseum shaking hands and offering hugs and goodbyes with his now-former teammates, coaches and staff.

“Great teammate,” Schumaker said. “So of course, yeah, I think that it’s human nature that there’s an initial shock value when it happens. Again, nothing’s official, but when he gets pulled out of the lineup these guys aren’t dumb, they know what’s going on. I think that the initial shock factor is definitely real and hopefully it goes away in a couple days or tomorrow or whatever it is because we know it’s a business and you’re paid here to come here and win games and be professional.”

Arraez — who was gone by the end of Miami’s 3-1 loss and his locker empty — should provide an instant spark to the Padres’ lineup. San Diego trails the first-place Dodgers in the talented NL West.

Arraez was hitting .299 with five RBIs and had scored 22 runs with a .347 on-base percentage over 16 games during Miami’s 9-24 start. A two-time All-Star, he also won an AL batting title for the Minnesota Twins in 2022 before they traded him to Miami for Pablo Lopez in January 2023.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay appreciated the heads up from Schumaker before the game.

“It can be disruptive, but I think Skip handled it very, very well,” Kotsay said. “He’s been in the game a long time. Delivering those messages is never easy, but it was nice to see his teammates get a chance to say what they needed to. In terms of preparation, we’re all professional here. Those things happen. I’m sure it didn’t distract them from the game.”

The Marlins were reportedly expected to receive four players: reliever Woo-Suk Go and prospects Dillon Head, Jakob Marsee, and Nathan Martorella.

Martorella was playing in a Double-A game for San Antonio and at second base when he was traded and removed from the game, confused initially before saying his goodbyes.

ESPN first reported the trade Friday.

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AP Baseball Writer David Brandt in Phoenix contributed to this report.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Say this for Odell Beckham Jr.: He makes everything more interesting. He gives this Miami Dolphins offense added options.

He doesn’t have the electricity of his New York Giants youth. Nor does he come with the burdened payday he had last year in Baltimore. But his no-risk signing Friday with the Dolphins provides some interesting thoughts toward solving their primary problems last season:

1. Having a Plan B against good defenses.

2. Managing Tyreek Hill’s workload so he’s healthy in December and January.

There’s Beckham Jr.’s role. There’s how he succeeds as a third receiver. There’s what he can do for no-risk rate of a $3 million contract ($8.5 million with incentives) that’s a success simply by reproducing the modest 35 catches, 565 yards and three touchdowns he did last year in Baltimore for the staggering price of $15 million.

Everyone knows Plan A for the Dolphins offense. It’s the speed of Hill and Jaylen Waddle. It’s quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s quick throws as designed by coach Mike McDaniel. No offense produced more yards last year. Only Dallas scored more points.

It was fun, even titillating, and also a bit overstated on its good days, as everyone came to realize. The Dolphins bullied non-playoff teams in scoring 35.4 points and having a 10-1 record.  They averaged 16.1 points in going 1-6 against playoff teams.

When teams took away the Dolphins’ Plan A, they had no Plan B. That’s where Beckham Jr. can help. So can free-agent signee Jonnu Smith, considering no Dolphins tight end had a touchdown last year. So might the lower-round picks in the draft, from running back Jaylen Wright to receiver Malik Washington and Tahj Washington.

The point is the Dolphins need some role-playing options to help this offense have some new wrinkles and added firepower. Take Beckham’s role as a third receiver. It’s been more an idea than an actual option the past two years in McDaniel’s offense.

They had three receivers on the field 47 percent of the time last year, third-least in the league, according to analyst Warren Sharp. Tight end Durham Smythe’s 35 catches were the most in either of the past two seasons after Hill and Waddle.

Bad defenses were outwitted with play design, then outrun by footspeed. Good defenses had the smarts and talent to stop that Plan A, even when these defenses were hurt in December like Baltimore and  Buffalo.

“We were trying to take advantage of it,’’ Hill said after losing to Baltimore. “But just like every team we play, they seem to find their way to Cover 2 (coverage).”

Kansas City cornerback L’Jarius Sneed threw Hill to the ground at the line in the playoff game. Or it had two cornerbacks at the line to rough him up.

“Jammed my ahh to Cancun,’’ Hill tweeted after the game.

McDaniel was asked the day after the season how much he’d think about those disparate numbers between playoff and non-playoff opponents.

“A fair amount,’’ he said.

Beckham is the latest thought toward that.  He’s not who he once was. But, look in the mirror, who is with a little age? Still, to repeat, did you see what the Dolphins are paying him?

Beckham Jr. or any other receiver who steps up can give this offense options while also organically taking some of the load off Hill. There’s the other way this signing works.

Hill is the focal point of the offense for obvious reason. He’s the best playmaker in the game. That’s why he was targeted 170 and 171 times the past two years. Only Vegas receiver Davante Adams had the ball thrown toward him more.

That’s also why Hill was hurting the past two Decembers when the Dolphins season needed him most.  He’s no fragile package. But he turned 30 in March and has a lot of wear and tear on his body. Taking some off his plate so he’s healthy at the end of seasons should be baked into this offense’s goals.

Enter Beckham, who is just a year older than Hill at 31. It tells how some age naturally in the NFL and some age in dog years.  This can be either a humbling or a wonderful time for a star like Beckham in the twilight of his career. And no one’s pretending this isn’t the twilight. Look at his contract. Look how he’s not just the third Dolphins receiver at best — he’s the lesser Beckham in town.

But there’s a good role waiting for him in a fun offense as he should see it. There’s a no-risk price tag as the Dolphins see it. Even if this doesn’t work exactly as planned, it should work out just fine.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday objected to a proposal by the U.S. Air Force that would transfer a Florida Air National Guard squadron to the U.S. Space Force.

DeSantis sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and said such proposals need the approval of governors.

“If adopted, the proposal would flout more than a century of precedent and undermine federal law protections for state control of their National Guard,” DeSantis wrote.

The Air Force’s legislative proposal has raised questions since it was submitted on March 19.

The proposal also came as state lawmakers have requested that Congress increase the allowed size of the Florida National Guard from 12,000 members, the cap in place for several decades.

In addition to National Guard members providing assistance with hurricanes and being deployed overseas, about 1,000 guard members were deployed by DeSantis this year to assist Texas at the southern border. Also, about 300 guard members have been helping make up for vacant positions in the state prison system.

The Hurricanes added another talented interior defensive line transfer Friday evening.

Former Michigan State defensive tackle Simeon Barrow Jr. committed to UM, sharing his decision to join the Hurricanes on his Instagram page.

Barrow, who is entering his redshirt senior season, was a solid defensive tackle for the Spartans last year. He notched 36 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last year. Pro Football Focus gave Barrow a 72.2 defensive grade last season. However, he earned a low tackling grade, 29.6.

Barrow, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound lineman, has 110 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in three seasons.

Miami needed to shore up its defensive line after losing nine defensive line transfers since the season ended: Collins Acheampong, Jamil Burroughs, Jared Harrison-Hunte, Thomas Gore, Jahfari Harvey, Nyjalik Kelly, Cyrus Moss, Jayden Wayne and Chantz Williams. Of those nine players, Gore, Harrison-Hunte, Harvey, Kelly, Wayne and Williams played 100 or more snaps last year.

The Hurricanes have turned to the transfer portal to add defensive linemen, bringing in Elijah Alston, Barrow, C.J Clark and Marley Cook. They also signed eight defensive linemen in the 2024 recruiting class: Armondo Blount, Artavius Jones, Marquise Lightfoot, Cole McConathy II, Booker Pickett Jr., Elias Rudolph, Daylen Russell and Justin Scott.

By ANITA SNOW (Associated Press)

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona’s new heat officer said Friday that he is working with local governments and nonprofit groups to open more cooling centers and ensure homes have working air conditioners this summer in a more unified effort to prevent another ghastly toll of heat-related deaths, which topped 900 statewide last year.

“We don’t want to see that happen again,” Dr. Eugene Livar said of last year’s deaths. “We cannot control it, even though we can control our preparation in response. And that’s what we’ve been focusing on.”

Livar, a physician with the Arizona State Department of Health Services, was named to his post by Gov. Katie Hobbs earlier this year, making him the first heat officer of a U.S. state in the nation. The new position recognizes the serious public health risks posed by climate-fueled extreme heat, which has increased in recent years.

Livar was joined at a news conference to kick off Arizona Heat Awareness Week May 6-10 by officials from governments including the neighboring cities of Phoenix and Tempe and Maricopa County, Arizona’s largest county that saw a record 645 heat-related deaths last year. In attendance was climate scientist David Hondula, who will see his third summer as the first heat officer in Phoenix, America’s hottest city.

The increased coordination comes as federal agencies seek better ways to protect human beings from the dangerous heat waves that are arriving earlier, lasting longer and increasing in intensity.

The National Weather Service and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month presented a new online heat-risk system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors with a seven-day forecast that is simplified and color-coded for a warming world of worsening heat waves.

Last summer, Phoenix experienced the hottest three months since record-keeping began in 1895, including the hottest July and the second-hottest August. The daily average temperature of 97 F (36.1 C) in June, July and August passed the previous record of 96.7 F (35.9 C) set in 2020. Phoenix also set a record in July with a 31-day streak of highs at or above 110 F (43.3 C).

This year’s hot season began Wednesday in Maricopa County, where it runs from May 1 through Sept. 30.

Hobbs this year proclaimed May 6-10 as Arizona Heat Awareness Week to draw attention to the dangers of the summer in this arid Southwest state and work on ways to better protect people. Arizona for the first time this year also has an Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan.

Among the new measures the state is introducing are at least a half dozen mobile cooling centers made with shipping containers that are solar powered and can be moved to wherever they may be needed.

The City of Phoenix for the first time this summer is opening two 24-hour cooling centers, one in a downtown public library and the other in a senior center.

Maricopa County has set aside nearly $4 million to expand evening and weekend hours of cooling and respite centers where people can escape the outdoor heat, rest in an air-conditioned space and drink plenty of water. It is also working to help people with limited resources to get help paying their utilities and to have their air conditioners repaired or replaced.

MIAMI — Amid speculation of what might come next with the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler — with Butler eligible for an extension and also in the midst of media speculation about his future with the team — coach Erik Spoelstra spoke Friday of an enduring relationship.

“It goes by fast,” Spoelstra said of the partnership that began with the Heat’s acquisition of Butler from the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 offseason. “I remember my first meeting with him and now we’ll be heading into our sixth year working together. I think that’s a beautiful thing. It’s not something I take for granted. I can’t wait. I can’t wait for training camp.”

Spoelstra’s comments came in the wake of Butler missing the Heat’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics due to an MCL sprain in his right knee. The comments also came two months before Butler, 34, is eligible to seek a two-year contract extension.

While Butler declined to speak with the media during Friday’s optional interview session at Kaseya Center, he did meet earlier in the day with Spoelstra and the Heat front office.

That session apparently went well enough for Spoelstra to emerge with optimism about what might come next in the partnership with Butler that has produced three trips to the Eastern Conference finals and two to the NBA Finals.

“He’ll be extremely motivated,” Spoelstra said in looking ahead to next season. “You know Jimmy views things like us, also, and doesn’t want to have our season over early in May.

“My expectation is that at this place in his career and his age that he’ll come into training camp in the best shape of his career. I think that’s the goal, particularly when you get to that stage.”

While Butler can evoke tensions with an abrasive approach, Spoelstra spoke of the relationship in terms of one that has evolved, even if perhaps not as the same Spoelstra enjoyed with Heat icon Dwyane Wade.

“I think from the head coach to the star player going into whatever chapter this is, one of the later chapters in his career — I don’t want to say the final chapter, because of the kind of condition that he’s in, he can play for a long, long time. I don’t want to put a ceiling on that — but this is like the sweet spot, the beauty, when you actually get an opportunity to coach and work with somebody together for six years,” Spoelstra said.

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“It’s different than one year, two years. It’s something that most coaches and players don’t get to experience. And certainly not any more. But it was an amazing, beautiful thing when Dwyane and I got past a handful of years. Our relationship, our perspective, everything was way different and way more in unison. And when you’re working with that kind of intuitive togetherness, and not to say that we weren’t, it’s just my experience that when you get to those later years, it just happens. That’s a symbiotic relationship. You’re pushing in the same direction intuitively, and I’m looking forward to that.”

Robinson reflects

Guard Duncan Robinson, severely limited during the playoffs by a back ailment listed as left facet syndrome, said Friday the only treatment option both then and now is extended rest.

“I don’t want to get too much into it, because just having a conversion leans into it being an excuse,” he said. “I was just going to try to do whatever I could to be available.”

Robinson said he would have had more regrets if he did not attempt to play, even with his diminished state.

“I didn’t want to rest,” he said. “I wanted to give it whatever I could to the team.”

Market value

Several of the Heat’s impending free agents on Friday discussed the offseason.

On potentially leaving in free agency because of the Heat’s cap issues, forward Caleb Martin said, “Yeah, I think about that. But some things, you have to see as it goes.”

Of his free agency plans, forward Haywood Highsmith said, “When that time comes to figure out where I’ll be playing next season, I’ll go through it slowly.” He said the goal would be to remain with the Heat. “I love it here. It matches me.”

Of possibly returning, guard Delon Wright said, “I would definitely love to come back. But it’s a business, so you never know what the future holds.” Asked if he would be disappointed not to return, Wright said, “I definitely would like to come back.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Republican National Committee on Friday filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent Nevada from counting mail ballots received after Election Day, as the state’s law currently permits.

The law, passed by Democrats in 2021, permits the tallying of mail ballots received up to four days after Election Day, provided the envelopes are postmarked before the end of the day. The lawsuit says the provision also assumes that envelopes received three days after Election Day that don’t have a postmark indicating otherwise were posted in time.

Republicans contend this violates the U.S. Constitution’s requirement that there be a single day for Election Day.

“Nevada’s ballot receipt deadline clearly violates federal law and undermines election integrity in the state,” RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement. “Ballots received days after Election Day should not be counted.”

The lawsuit comes after Republicans sued to overturn laws permitting the tallying of ballots received after Election Day in Mississippi and North Dakota, and it’s the 83rd election-related suit filed by the party six months before Election Day. That’s a sign of both the increased pace of election-related litigation and the party’s focus on fighting over election rules after former President Donald Trump installedloyalists who have parroted his false claims about the 2020 election being stolen from him.

Nineteen states, including Nevada, allow ballots to be tallied if they’re received after Election Day. Supporters of those rules say they make it easier to vote and ensure that those who cast ballots by mail have as much time to make up their minds as those who vote on Election Day. Opponents contend they slow election results, undermine trust in the system and can be exploited.

“I hope the RNC is putting as much time and energy into educating voters on how to participate in elections as they put into suing the state of Nevada,” the state’s Democratic secretary of state, Francisco Aguilar, said in a statement.

What to Expect From a Home Inspection  CapeGazette.com

General Daily Insight for May 03, 2024

Our problems are no match for our tenacity and courage today. Once assertive Mars sextiles deep-rooted Pluto at 5:06 am EDT, we’re equipped to take serious and decisive action. Our intuition can help us find information useful to our efforts, as the sensitive Pisces Moon sextiles the vibrant Sun. That being said, while Luna conjoins structured Saturn, reining in excessive sentimentality will probably be necessary in order to achieve the greatest possible outcome. Sometimes compassion just looks like getting things done!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Taking a stand in your community might benefit your reputation with peers. Although you may overall be content with a less public role, your own preferences potentially aren’t the highest priority at this moment. In particular, if someone else has overstepped their bounds, pushing back against their excesses is necessary to restore balance. Fortunately, it shouldn’t take a lot to let them know that you’re a force to reckon with! Focus on finding a positive outcome instead of pitting your ego against theirs.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Your lack of visible progress toward a significant goal could stress you out at the moment. While the vulnerable Moon meets strict Saturn in your social 11th house, you might perceive that your peers are judging you harshly for falling behind — whether or not they’re actually doing that. Either way, remind yourself that there’s more to your story than the surface level. Even if the small steps you’ve consistently been taking don’t seem like much, remember that they add up over time!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Joining forces with others could currently encourage you to express your beliefs. When bold Mars in your community zone encourages quiet Pluto in your philosophy sector, hearing someone else say their piece may inspire you to articulate thoughts that have recently started coming together for you. Although your inner critic might not be sure about this move, you’re likely to find strength in numbers. Feel free to learn from your companions — you don’t have to solve every problem on your own!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Forming an alliance with someone else could further your progress toward your present goals. Still, you’ll have to be careful to follow any relevant rules as you set things up. If formal laws aren’t a factor, that’s an even better reason to clarify expectations between the two of you before you proceed any further. Although this process might seem inconvenient, it’ll be a good nudge to think about any important issues you haven’t considered. Take all the time you need to do a thorough job!

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Someone else might encourage you to go out on a limb today. This could potentially be the right thing for you to do for your own reasons. Still, as courageous Mars in your adventure sector engages with manipulative Pluto in your 7th House of Partnership, ask yourself why the other person is this involved with your choices before you get locked into anything. Know the difference between a helpful wind beneath your wings and a tornado of whims blowing you this way and that.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

You may soon gain a willing collaborator who is happy to assist with your responsibilities. The hard part might be that there are a lot of tasks you do without thinking about them. Unintentionally leaving all that off the table could make finding a fair division of labor difficult — assuming that fairness is what you want. Your companion is probably more competent than you think they are, so don’t be afraid to let them show you just how capable they can be!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You may have a few tedious tasks on your to-do list today. Although feeling sorry for yourself might be tempting under the circumstances, you also have more rewarding options. While combative Mars in your partnership sector teases intense Pluto in your playful 5th house, adding a little friendly competition to your work could make your grind into a game. Whether you battle against a companion or just your own past achievements, finally conquering your chores can only count as an epic win!

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Cleaning up at home could turn into a bigger project than you expect without warning. Even if you think you’re just taking care of a simple task, your efforts will potentially reveal other things that should be addressed. Once you get going, you’ll probably begin to see rewarding results quickly. As the passionate Moon meets disciplined Saturn in your 5th House of Joy, experiencing this pleasure can encourage you to accomplish more. Schedule yourself enough time to take full advantage of the opportunity.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Asserting yourself in conversation is a real possibility. This is great if you have something important you need to say. However, you run the risk of overwhelming your audience even when you don’t mean to. With dynamic Mars in your expressive 5th house drawing out profound Pluto in your communication zone, you simply have a lot of energy! To minimize the chances of others taking your comments too personally, do your best to focus on “I” statements about your specific experiences.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Obtaining a change you want in your present home life is possible, but it likely won’t be merely handed to you. While ambitious Mars in your domestic 4th house aligns with powerful Pluto in your resource sector, using your money or possessions to start working toward your proposed improvements can show the people around you that you’re serious about your plan. This display of your self-confidence may convince your audience more than any words would. Still, they’ll probably listen once you’re ready to talk.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Giving off an intimidating vibe is presently a risk for you. As forceful Mars in your communication sector stimulates brooding Pluto in your sign, people are inclined to hear aggression in whatever you say, whether or not you feel that way. More transparency should reduce the risk of misunderstandings. Asking directly for what you want is often scary because it’s possible you’ll be told no. In this case, even if the answer is no, knowing that will cause fewer problems than beating around the bush.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Your serious mood can help you get results today. While potent Mars in your resource zone engages with perceptive Pluto in your 12th House of Secrets, you likely have a thorough understanding of any dynamics going on behind the scenes. This might empower you to take bold actions that otherwise wouldn’t seem reasonable. The current possibilities do have limits, though — your ability to tell the difference between intuition and wishful thinking will be vital to making the most of this opportunity.

TORONTO (AP) — William Nylander scored twice, Joseph Woll made 22 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday night to force a seventh game in the first-round Eastern Conference series.

“We battled and competed,” said Nylander, who sat the first three games of the series because of an undisclosed ailment. “And Woller was incredible.”

Toronto has overcame a 3-1 series deficit, also staving off elimination with a 2-1 victory in overtime in Boston on Tuesday night, to send the series back to Boston for a winner-take-all finale Saturday night. The series winner will face the Florida Panthers.

Morgan Rielly assisted on both goals.

Jeremy Swayman stopped 24 shots for the Bruins, who also blew a 3-1 lead against the Florida Panthers last year in the first round before losing in Game 7 following a record-setting regular season. Morgan Geekie spoiled Woll’s shutout bid with 0.1 seconds left.

Bruins coach Jim Montgomery wants to see more from his team in the decider and called out forward David Pastrnak by name.

“Your best players need to be your best players this time of year,” Montgomery said. “I think the effort is tremendous and they need to come through with some big-time plays in big-time moments. “I think (captain Brad) Marchand has done that in the series. Pasta needs to step up.”

Said Pastrnak: “I maybe didn’t get enough shots. I should maybe have a little bit more of a shooting mentality. Usually, that always helps me.”

Toronto was without Auston Matthews for the second straight game after the star center was pulled from Game 4 because of an illness.

Nylander opened the scoring with 54.8 seconds left in the second period. The Swedish winger took a pass from Timothy Liljegren in the offensive zone before weaving away from his check and firing a shot that glanced off Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy in front and beat Swayman on the short-side.

“Big-time stuff,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “What you’re looking for from a player of his calibre.”

The goal set off wild celebrations inside an electric Scotiabank Arena — and outside the rink as Maple Leaf Square turned into a mosh pit of blue and white.

Toronto made it 2-0 with 2:13 left in the game when Nylander moved in alone after taking a pass from Matthew Knies and slid a backhander between Swayman’s pads.

“They’re obviously very desperate, fighting for their lives,” Marchand said. “So that’s always the toughest game to get. We know that. But I thought tonight was better than last game. … If someone told us at the start of the season that we’d be Game 7 at home against Toronto, we’d take that all day.”

Woll is the first goalie in NHL history to have each of his first four career playoff starts come in elimination games. Thatcher Demko (2020), Michael Hutchinson (2020) and Manny Fernandez (2003) are the only other netminders to have their first three starts come in win-or-go home contests.

The Bruins had just one shot on target through 27 minutes.

“Gives me a lot of confidence,” Woll said. “Guys were laying out blocking shots and coming up big.”

___

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER (Associated Press)

HONOLULU (AP) — Had emergency responders known about widespread cellphone outages during the height of last summer’s deadly Maui wildfires, they would have used other methods to warn about the disaster, county officials said in a lawsuit.

Alerts the county sent to cellphones warning people to immediately evacuate were never received, unbeknownst to the county, the lawsuit said.

Maui officials failed to activate sirens that would have warned the entire population of the approaching flames. That has raised questions about whether everything was done to alert the public in a state that possesses an elaborate emergency warning system for a variety of dangers including wars, volcanoes, hurricanes and wildfires.

Major cellular carriers were negligent in failing to properly inform Maui police of widespread service outages, county officials said in the lawsuit filed Wednesday in state court against Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA, Spectrum Mobile and AT&T.

“We continue to stand with the Maui community as it heals from the tragic fires, but these claims are baseless,” T-Mobile said in a statement Thursday. “T-Mobile broadcasted wireless emergency alerts to customers while sites remained operational, promptly sent required outage notifications, and quickly contacted state and local emergency agencies and services.”

A Spectrum representative declined to comment, and the other carriers didn’t immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.

A flood of lawsuits has come out since the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century ripped through the historic town of Lahaina and killed 101 people.

Maui County is a defendant in multiple lawsuits over its emergency response during the fires. The county is also suing the Hawaiian Electric Company, saying the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions.

In Maui’s latest legal action, lawyers for the county say if the county is found liable for damages, then the cell carriers’ “conduct substantially contributed to the damages” against the county.

“On August 8 and August 9, 2023, while the County’s courageous first responders battled fires across the island and worked to provide first aid and evacuate individuals to safety, the County notified those in the vicinity of danger through numerous alerts and warnings, including through direct text messaging to individual cell phones,” the lawsuit said.

The county sent at least 14 alert messages to cellphones, warning residents to evacuate, the lawsuit said. The county later discovered all 21 cell towers serving West Maui, including in Lahaina, experienced total failure.

“As of the date of this filing, the Cell Carriers still have not reported to the County the true extent and reach of the cell service outages on August 8 and August 9, 2023, as they are mandated to do under federal law,” the lawsuit said. “Had the Cell Carriers accurately reported to the County the complete and widespread failure of dozens of cell sites across the island as they were mandated to do by law, the County would have utilized different methods in its disaster and warning response.”