Andy Pages bests Mason Miller after an epic 9-pitch at-bat in 9th inning of Dodgers' win over Padres
Andy Pages dug in against Mason Miller and refused to give in. The Dodgers’ young slugger fouled off three triple-digit fastballs and three 87 mph sliders from San Diego’s peerless closer in an epic at-bat. Pages finally connected on the ninth pitch from Miller, driving the 101.5 mph fastball just far enough to score Los Angeles’ tiebreaking run in the ninth inning of a stirring 5-4 victory over the Padres. That was much more than just a sacrifice fly to the Dodgers, who handed Miller his first loss in a San Diego uniform.
New York hosts the Golden State Valkyries after Breanna Stewart scored 22 points in the New York Liberty's 100-82 win over the Portland Fire. The teams play Thursday for the first time this season. New York is 1- at home, and Golden State is 1- on the road.
Toronto visits the Minnesota Lynx after Brittney Sykes scored 31 points in the Tempo's 98-90 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Thursday's matchup is the first this season between the two teams. Minnesota is 0- at home, and Toronto is 2- on the road.
Los Angeles plays the Phoenix Mercury after Kelsey Plum scored 28 points in the Sparks' 106-96 loss to the Toronto Tempo. Thursday's meeting is the first this season between the teams. Phoenix is 1- at home, and Los Angeles is 0- on the road.
The New York Knicks host the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals with a 1-0 lead in the series. The teams meet for the fifth time this season. New York is 35-17 against the Eastern Conference, and Cleveland is 33-19 against conference opponents.
Taijul Islam has finished with six wickets as Bangladesh dismissed Pakistan for 358 on Wednesday for a 78-run win in the second cricket test and a 2-0 sweep of the series. The left-arm spinner took two of the three wickets to fall on Day 5 and returned figures of 6-120 from 34.2 overs, clinching the series after helping reduce the tourists to 316-7 on Day 4. Bangladesh won the first test by 104 runs.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te says that if given the chance he would tell U.S. President Donald Trump he hopes to continue U.S. arms purchases that are essential for peace. Lai on Wednesday marked two years in office, the halfway point of his term. He made assurances that Taiwan's future would not be decided by external forces. Trump has recently raised concern about traditional U.S. support for the island. He says a new Taiwan arms package is a good bargaining chip with China. Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a strong warning during a Beijing summit with Trump last week, saying the “Taiwan question” is the most important issue between China and the U.S.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised his close ties with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and said their countries are close partners in trade and international affairs as they opened bilateral talks Wednesday on his trip to Beijing. Xi welcomed Putin with a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People only days after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Xi and Putin were set to focus on energy and security as well as their overall ties. China became Russia’s top trading partner following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It also is the top customer for Russian oil and gas supplies, and Moscow expects the war in Iran to increase the demand.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)