Sports

Amid his struggles, he found a huge bright spot on Tuesday night, hitting his first career grand slam to break a tie in the sixth inning and the Athletics held on for a 6-4 victory over the Houston Astros.

Matt Olson hit a two-run homer, Jed Lowrie drove in two runs and the Oakland Athletics rebounded for a 7-3 victory over the AL East leaders to win for the sixth time in seven games Wednesday night.

Sandoval technically will not be free to agree to a deal with a team until 1 p.m. EDT on Friday upon clearing waivers. Giants general manager Bobby Evans declined to confirm San Francisco's interest in bringing back the Kung Fu Panda, as he became known a

With a young offensive core led by Derek Carr and Amari Cooper, last year's Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack and the return to the NFL of local hero Marshawn Lynchafter a one-year retirement, the Raiders are considered one of the top challengers to New England in the AFC after last year's breakthrough 12-win season.

The offense has been near flawless, the defense has been much improved and the special teams has generated big plays to help Oakland to its first 2-0 start in 15 years.

Simmonds scored his second power-play goal to break a tie with 10:33 remaining and completed the first opening-night hat trick in Flyers history with an empty-netter as Philadelphia beat the San Jose Sharks 5-3 on Wednesday.

Durant had 35 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and Golden State beat the Charlotte Hornets 101-87 without Curry and Draymond Green.

The Oakland right-hander pitched seven scoreless innings, and Marcus Semien homered and drove in three runs, leading the Athletics to a 3-2 win and three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.