The Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves are chasing the final two National League wild cards. The Mets and Braves have identical 87-71 records after Atlanta beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Friday. The Diamondbacks were 88-71 heading into their Friday night game with the San Diego Padres.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was ejected by plate umpire Ramon De Jesus after arguing a called third strike on Francisco Alvarez that thwarted a rally attempt in the fourth inning.

New York’s loss spoiled the return of shortstop Francisco Lindor, who went 2 for 4 and committed an error in his first appearance since Sept. 15. Lindor had played only one inning over the Mets’ past 10 games due to lower back pain.

Hoskins’ first-inning drive was his third grand slam and the Brewers’ 10th of the season, both tying franchise records.

The only other Brewers to have three grand slams in a season were John Jaha in 1995, Devon White in 2001 and John Vander Wal in 2003. The only other year the Brewers hit 10 grand slams was in 1995.

Milwaukee’s Brice Turang went 3 for 4 with three runs and three steals — increasing his season total to 50. Gary Sánchez homered.

The only other players in franchise history to have at least 50 steals in a season were Tommy Harper (73 in 1969), Scott Podsednik (70 in 2005), Jonathan Villar (62 in 2016) and Pat Listach (54 in 1992). Harper’s 73 steals came in the franchise’s inaugural season, when they were the Seattle Pilots.

Milwaukee improved to 11-1 in its last 12 games against the Mets, including a 4-0 record this year.

Hoskins’ slam gave the Brewers an early 4-0 lead over Manaea, who had allowed more than three runs in only one of his last 12 starts. Manaea (12-6) gave up six runs — five earned — while lasting just 3 2/3 innings. New York had won his previous eight outings.

The Mets trailed 5-0 before Mark Vientos hit a two-run shot off starter Frankie Montas in the third.

New York then had runners on first and second with two outs in the fourth when Alvarez worked a 10-pitch at-bat before he struck out looking at a 3-2 pitch that appeared a bit low.

The Mets scored two runs off Hoby Milner in the eighth to cut Milwaukee’s lead to 7-4, but a brilliant catch by rookie Jackson Chourio in deep left-center helped limit the damage. Sánchez provided more breathing room with a 425-foot shot to left off Alex Young in the bottom half.

Joe Ross (3-6) pitched three innings of shutout relief to earn the win. Trevor Megill got the final out in the eighth and worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 21st save in 24 opportunities.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers RF Sal Frelick left after crashing into the sidewall while trying to make a leaping catch of a foul ball in the third inning. Frelick walked slowly to the bench and got helped toward the clubhouse.

Alvarez exited with back spasms after sliding into third in the seventh.

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Mets LHP Jose Quintana (10-9) will start Saturday night in the middle game of the series. Milwaukee had not announced a starting pitcher.

Sean Murphy hit a two-run homer and Marcell Ozuna trotted home on a throwing error after his first stolen base since 2022 for the Braves, who began the night one game behind Arizona and the New York Mets in the NL wild-card race.

The Mets were playing at Milwaukee, while the Diamondbacks hosted the Padres.

The Royals came in with their magic number at one to clinch their first playoff appearance since winning the 2015 World Series. They were still in position to celebrate an AL wild-card berth Friday if the Minnesota Twins lost to Baltimore.

Fried (11-10) came within one out of a shutout, giving way to Raisel Iglesias when the Royals put runners at second and third. Iglesias retired Salvador Perez on a flyout for his 33rd save.

Fried threw 98 pitches, 63 for strikes. He walked two and struck out nine.

Royals starter Brady Singer (9-13) allowed two runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Murphy homered on an 0-2 pitch in the fourth, and Ozuna tacked on an unlikely insurance run in the eighth by stealing third.

Caught off guard, Perez threw the ball into left field, allowing Ozuna to make it home to a giddy celebration in the Atlanta dugout.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (broken right thumb) was on the field during batting practice and will take simulated at-bats against reliever Will Smith on Saturday.

Braves: Starting pitcher Reynaldo López (right shoulder inflammation) threw his second side session Thursday. Atlanta manager Brian Snitker did not indicate when López might be activated.

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Right-hander Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.03 ERA) will start for the Royals on Saturday. The Braves had not yet announced a starting pitcher. Lugo allowed two runs on three hits over seven innings in his last outing — a 2-0 loss to the Giants on Sept. 22.

Kotsay fought tears, just like so many others Thursday, as the Oakland Athletics bid an emotional farewell to their beloved Coliseum they’ve called home since 1968, complete with all its quirks like plumbing problems and rally possums — and those stray cats who helped inspire Hall of Famer Tony La Russa’s former Animal Rescue Foundation.

The A’s beat the Texas Rangers 3-2 and Kotsay took the microphone afterward for a heartfelt thank you to a sellout crowd of 46,889 before leading one last chant of “Let’s go Oakland!” Third baseman Max Schuemann grabbed a huge A’s flag and ran it around the field, stopping to wave it in front of different sections.

“I’ve never been to a World Series before,” Kotsay said. “But I feel like today is one of those days that you can kind of experience the emotion of that, the magnitude of it. Driving in the gates today and seeing the fullness of a parking lot, feeling the energy and the emotion is something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.”

Longtime supporters and kids alike stole away from work or school to be here for the matinee finale under a cloudless September blue sky. Oakland’s last team standing, the A’s follow the NFL Raiders and Golden State Warriors basketball team out of town.

Spontaneously, Schuemann grabbed the flag held by mascot Stomper moments earlier, and took off running.

“I wanted to enjoy it with them, for sure,” he said of the fans.

Quickly, home plate was dug up and the mound rubber removed. Head groundskeeper Clay Wood’s sweet dog Reba made one final run through the outfield to her master’s office beyond the fence.

Kotsay made one request for a memento: He’s taking home three bases, which were changed out every inning so 27 were available as keepsakes — with longtime, outgoing groundskeeper Clay Wood gifted the first-inning bags.

From Kotsay’s days of playing outfield and way back to the 1989 earthquake-interrupted World Series when the A’s swept the Giants, to Bash Brothers Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire and that special 20-game winning streak of 2002 and the Big Three of Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito before “I Believe in Stephen Vogt” later became a battle cry, this building has been home to so many glory moments transcending eras and spanning stars of different generations.

Zito sang the national anthem to huge applause, while Rickey Henderson and Dave Stewart tossed out ceremonial first pitches.

Not far from the A’s dugout, Kelly Mattson of the grounds crew let fans scoop dirt right out of his shovel.

Hours before first pitch, A’s bullpen catcher Dustin Hughes and his Oakland scout father John played catch in left field before hiking up to Mount Davis and then exploring the inside of the scoreboard and other hidden spots below the center-field stands.

Hundreds of fans spent recent days walking through the concourse snapping photos or taking videos of all the pictures and memories spanning the decades. The parking lots were filled before breakfast with tailgaters taking it all in just once more.

Former A’s fan favorite and current Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien expected 10 to 15 family and friends — including his parents and grandparents — in the stands for the special occasion.

“Thank you to all the security guards, concession workers everyone who made this place a major league stadium,” Semien said on the field. “I really appreciate you welcoming me as an East Bay kid to your place of work. I feel very sorry for anybody who can’t continue on with Oakland but keep on grinding like you always have been.”

Longtime manager and former catcher Bruce Bochy became emotional in the visiting dugout. The Coliseum matters so much to him, too.

The A’s plan to play the next three years in Sacramento with hopes of opening a new ballpark in Las Vegas ahead of the 2028 season.

“Big day,” said Bochy, a former catcher who guided the San Francisco Giants to World Series titles in 2010, ‘12 and ’14. “Memorable day for I think so many people but for me, it’s starting to hit me now that baseball’s done here. It’s kind of sad. Because I love this place, love the field and everything.”

He added of his team: “I think they’re really appreciating what this place is.”

Kotsay planned to soak in everything.

“It’s a day that will come and go pretty quickly,” he said, “and you just don’t want to miss any opportunity to express your gratitude toward the fans, toward the people that mean everything, the workers in the stadium. Sharing moments with them today was tough. There’s a lot of people here that have invested their lives and their souls into this organization and into this stadium and into the game of baseball. The love for the game of baseball but more for the love for the people and the relationships that have been built over 57 years in this stadium.”

Even his players understood the magnitude of saying goodbye.

“It’s unique in that there’s no frills. A lot of stadiums have, whether it’s good or bad, kind of become less about the actual baseball game and more just about an entertainment product,” slugger Brent Rooker said. “What the Coliseum offers is, ‘Here’s just a bunch of seats, and here’s a field and there’s going to be a baseball game happening.’ And that’s really cool.”

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Guenther will count just over $7.14 million annually against the salary cap over the term of the contract that runs through the 2032-33 NHL season. The 21-year-old is one of the youngest building blocks for the team that was known until earlier this year as the Arizona Coyotes and is now based in Salt Lake City.

“Dylan is elite in every aspect on and off the ice,” Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said. “He is a young, highly skilled forward with a shot that’s evolving into one of the best in the NHL. He’s also a first-class person with a strong determination to be great. We look forward to having Dylan as a core player for this organization for many years to come.”

Guenther split last season between Arizona and the American Hockey League’s Tucson Roadrunners. He had 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points in 45 NHL games with the Coyotes.

“There isn’t a better example than Dylan when we talk about the combination of talent and character that we are so excited to build a new franchise with here in Utah,” president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said. “Today is another exciting day for our organization and our fans who will come to love Dylan, not just as a hockey player but as a member of our community.”

Guenther, an Edmonton, Alberta, native, who also played his junior hockey there, was the ninth pick in the 2021 draft. He has 50 points in 78 career games since breaking into the league.

“This is a very happy day for me and my family,” Guenther said. “Everything about this organization is on the right track, and I know we have an opportunity to do some special things here for a long time. Utah is where I want to be, and I’m proud to commit to my teammates and the organization long term.”

Guenther is now signed longer than any other player in the organization, surpassing defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, who was acquired in an offseason trade from Tampa Bay and is under contract through 2031. Forward Clayton Keller and defenseman Sean Durzi are each signed through 2028.

Ohtani hit is 49th homer in the sixth inning, his 50th in the seventh and his 51st in the ninth. He finished 6 for 6 with 10 RBIs while becoming the first big league player to hit three homers and steal two bases in a game.

“It was something I wanted to get over as quickly as possible. And, you know, it’s something that I’m going to cherish for a very long time,” Ohtani said through an interpreter in a televised interview.

The Japanese superstar reached the second deck in right-center on two of his three homers at LoanDepot Park. In the sixth inning, he launched a 1-1 slider from George Soriano 438 feet for his 49th.

Ohtani hit his 50th homer in the seventh inning, an opposite-field, two-run shot to left against Marlins reliever Mike Baumann. Then, in the ninth, his 51st traveled 440 feet to right-center, a three-run shot against Marlins second baseman Vidal Brujan, who came in to pitch with the game out of hand. The Dodgers won 20-4 and clinched their 12th straight playoff berth.

“To be honest, I’m the one probably most surprised,” Ohtani said. “I have no idea where this came from, but I’m glad that it was going well today.”

Ohtani took care of the stolen bases earlier in the game, swiping his 50th in the first and his 51st in the second.

He broke the Dodgers’ franchise record of 49 homers set by Shawn Green in 2001. And he became the third player in major league history with at least six hits, three homers and 10 RBIs in a game, joining Cincinnati’s Walker Cooper in 1949 and Washington’s Anthony Rendon in 2017.

The Japanese superstar led off the game with double against Edward Cabrera and swiped third on the front end of a double steal with Freddie Freeman, who reached on a walk.

Ohtani has been successful on his last 28 stolen base attempts.

He reached the 50-50 milestone in his 150th game. Ohtani was already the sixth player in major league history and the fastest ever to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, needing just 126 games.

Ohtani’s previous career high in homers was 46 for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he also made 23 starts on the mound and won his first of two American League MVP awards.

Already the consensus best player in baseball whose accomplishments as a pitcher and batter outpaced even Babe Ruth, Ohtani reached new heights as an offensive player while taking the year off from pitching.

Ohtani signed a $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers last December. The two-way star, who previously spent six years with the Los Angeles Angels, has played exclusively at designated hitter this season as he rehabilitates after surgery a year ago for an injured elbow ligament.

Preparation was a key to Ohtani becoming the first member of the 50-50 club. He regularly huddled with the team’s hitting coaches and studied video of opposing pitchers to understand their tendencies with hitters and baserunners.

“I see all the work he puts in,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith said recently. “It’s not like he goes out there and it’s too easy for him. He works harder than anybody. He scouts really hard. He’s playing a different game so it’s fun to see.”

Ohtani appeared to make the 50-50 mark his mission. He increased the frequency of his base-stealing attempts and in turn his success rate went up.

But that may not be the case next year when he returns to the mound.

“He’s not pitching this year so I think he is emptying the tank offensively,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “I do think the power, the on-base (percentage), the average, I think he can do that as a pitcher. He’s done something pretty similar like that with his OPS. But as far as the stolen bases go, I’m not sure about that.”

Ohtani’s teammates have enjoyed watching him crush home runs and scamper around the bases.

“I’m honestly kind of trying to learn from him just seeing the way he goes about his day-to-day business. He’s very consistent, the same demeanor throughout,” outfielder Tommy Edman said recently. “I think that’s why he’s such a good player.”

Third baseman Max Muncy added, “Every night I feel like he does something that we haven’t seen.”

What’s next for Ohtani?

The Dodgers are headed to the postseason in October, which will be another first for Ohtani. He never made it there with the Angels, who never had a winning record during his tenure in Anaheim.

Another potential first could be earning National League MVP honors as a designated hitter. No player who got most of his playing time as a DH — without pitching — has ever won MVP, although Don Baylor, Edgar Martinez and David Ortiz placed high in the vote.

It would be Ohtani’s third career MVP award.

The increase announced Tuesday morning in an email to season-ticket holders notes a new 10% talent fee for all invoices to “help fund the proposed revenue share” for athletes and help Tennessee attract and keep the best talent. A video link features athletic director Danny White explaining the reason for the price hike per seat across Neyland Stadium.

“As the collegiate model changes, we have to remain flexible,” White said of the price hike, which includes a 4.5% increase on top of the 10% talent fee. “We have to continue leading the way. That connection between resources and competitiveness has never been tighter. Only now we have the ability to share these resources with our athletes. We can generate revenue that will go directly to our players. This will give our teams the best chance to be successful and bring championships home to Rocky Top.”

The increase comes with Tennessee off to a 3-0 and ranked sixth in the AP Top 25.

The announcement also includes a link to updates on talks between the NCAA and major college conferences trying to settle three antitrust lawsuits related to athlete compensation for name, image and likeness. They have a settlement agreement in place to pay $2.78 billion in damages to hundreds of thousands of college athletes, dating back to 2016.

At a hearing last week, the federal judge overseeing those cases declined to grant preliminary approval of the deal and kicked it back to attorneys to address her concerns with certain aspects of the agreement.

The NCAA changed its rules in 2021 to allow athletes to cash in on their fame through sponsorship and endorsement deals after decades of prohibition.

Tennessee has been working to be at the front of the changing landscape supporting athletes. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was a prized recruit who signed with the NIL collective supporting Tennessee athletes, the Volunteer Club founded by Spyre Sports Group. It was among the first and most well-organized to emerge around the country after the NCAA lifted its ban on athletes making money off their fame.

That deal prompted a meeting between NCAA investigators and Tennessee officials in January followed by a scathing letter from Chancellor Donde Plowman to NCAA President Charlie Baker. She ripped the NCAA for creating “extraordinary chaos” by failing to provide clear rules for name, image and likeness for both universities and athletes.

The attorneys general of Tennessee and Virginia filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA a day after Plowman’s letter was released. A federal judge granted the AGs a preliminary injunction Feb. 23 barring the NCAA from enforcing NIL rules.

White cited NIL for creating an even closer connection between resources and competitive success. Tuesday’s announcement notes the current settlement projections could take effect as early as July 1, and the athletic director said Tennessee wants to be as transparent as possible with a fan base that has helped build the nation’s best athletic department. White said the ticket fee is a big key to continuing that success.

“We want to be a leader in college sports. that means we want to be a leader in revenue sharing,” White said. “We want to have the very best experience for our athletes right here on Rocky Top.”

White, whose latest contract extension was announced in August, credited fans for selling out 102,000 seats at Neyland Stadium for a third straight year with a waiting list of 15,000 for season tickets. He said that comes as other programs around the country are talking about downsizing stadiums that they can’t fill. Tennessee fans can start renewing tickets for 2025 on Thursday with a deadline of Feb. 27 with the option of a 10-month payment plan to handle the cost.

Tennessee won the SEC regular-season title in men’s basketball and the program’s first national championship in baseball in June.

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A 52-year-old Argentine, Pochettino became the 10th U.S. coach in 14 years and its first foreign-born leader since Jurgen Klinsmann from 2011-16. Pochettino has coached Espanyol in Spain (2009-12), Southampton (2013-14), Tottenham (2014-19) and Chelsea (2023-24) in England and Paris Saint-Germain in France (2021-22), leaving after winning a Ligue 1 title.

“It’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” Pochettino said in a statement released by the USSF. “The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me.”

Pochettino had been in negotiations since mid-August. Matt Crocker, the USSF’s sporting director in charge of the search, was Southampton’s academy director when Pochettino started at that club. While the contract length wasn’t specified, the USSF said Pochettino will lead the team at the World Cup.

“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” Crocker said in a statement. “His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad.”

Pochettino was to be introduced at a news conference in New York on Friday and take over for friendlies against Panama on Oct. 12 at Austin, Texas, and at Mexico three days later. The next competitive matches are a two-leg CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal in November.

“Mauricio is a world-class coach with a proven track record of developing players and achieving success at the highest levels,” USSF President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement. “His passion for the game, his innovative approach to coaching, and his ability to inspire and connect with players make him the perfect fit for this role.”

He arrives with high expectations from a USSF management and fan base that both believe the player pool is capable of far more than its No. 16 world ranking.

Berhalter was fired on July 10, a week after the Americans were eliminated in the first round of the Copa America. He was hired in December 2018, was allowed to leave when his contract expired following a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in the second round of the 2022 World Cup, then was rehired in June 2023 to return in September.

Pochettino’s salary was not announced. The USSF said his hiring was supported by a leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, the CEO of the hedge fund Citadel, and his philanthropic entity Griffin Catalyst; with additional support from Scott Goodwin, managing partner of the asset management firm Diameter Capital Partners, and USSF commercial partners.

Mikey Varas, a Berhalter assistant, coached the team for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Canada in an exhibition and headed the Americans for Tuesday night’s game against New Zealand.

At the World Cup, the U.S. will be a seeded team as a co-host, which means it likely won’t have any nations ranked among the top nine in its first-round group in a tournament expanded to 48 teams. If the Americans win the group, they probably would not face a top-level opponent in the new round of 32. The U.S. has not reached the quarterfinals since 2002.

Pochettino is likely to have his full player pool available for just eight one-week training periods before the team gathers in the weeks ahead of the Americans’ World Cup opener on June 12, 2026.

He inherits a group led by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, who have thrived with European clubs. But goalkeepers Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath and midfielder Gio Reyna have failed to gain playing time with first-tier teams, and Chris Richards — at England’s Crystal Palace — was the only central defender in his 20s playing regularly with a top-league European club before Mark McKenzie joined Toulouse last month.

Berhalter minimized Major League Soccer players, not using any during the Copa America.

On-field discipline has been a problem, with defender Sergiño Dest getting two red cards in the past 13 months, and McKennie and winger Tim Weah receiving one each.

“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of,” Pochettino said.

Pochettino was a central defender who played for Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina and Espanyol, PSG and Bordeaux in Europe from the late 1980s until 2006. He made 20 appearances for Argentina, playing at the 1999 Copa América and the 2002 World Cup, where his foul of Michael Owen led to David Beckham’s penalty kick in Argentina’s 1-0 group-stage loss.

After retiring as a player, he became a coach in Espanyol’s system, took over as first-team coach in January 2009 and helped the team avoid relegation. Pochettino was fired in November 2012 with the team in last place and was hired two months later by English club Southampton.

Pochettino moved in May 2014 to Tottenham, which reached the final of the 2015 League Cup, losing to Chelsea, and the 2019 Champions League, losing to Liverpool. He was fired in November 2019 with Spurs in 14th place and replaced by Jose Mourinho.

PSG hired Pochettino in January 2021. The team finished second in the league and lost to Manchester City in the Champions League semifinals but won the French Cup, beating Monaco 2-0 in the final. Led by Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, PSG clinched the 2022 Ligue 1 title with four games to spare but lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.

Pochettino left PSG at the end of the 2022-23 season, then was hired by Chelsea in June 2023 after the club finished 12th. Chelsea lost the League Cup final to Liverpool and finished sixth in the Premier League, missing out on the Champions League. Pochettino left two days after the final match.

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The Arizona Cardinals are coming off a disappointing season-opening loss considering the heightened expectations. Meanwhile, the Arizona State football program has begun picking up steam with its first win against an SEC school on Saturday.

Arizona Sports at Night will air on weeknights from 6 to 8 p.m. when there is no play-by-play on 98.7 FM.

“The new show is an exciting addition to the Arizona Sports lineup and extends our local talk into the evenings,” Bonneville Phoenix director of programming operations Brian Long said. “Arizona Sports at Night will serve Valley sports fans with live, local content on their commute home and all throughout the evening.”

Arizona Sports, the home of the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns and Arizona State football and basketball, will now have more local programming when the teams are not on the court or field.

The new show will be fast-paced with entertainment and information that Arizona Sports fans need in their evenings.

Olson has been with Bonneville Phoenix for nine years. He has covered the Phoenix Suns and co-hosted the Empire of the Suns podcast since 2015. His role will shift to help with Arizona Sports at Night and fill-in work on the daily shows. Olson will continue covering the Suns with in-depth coverage of games and practices, both for ArizonaSports.com, on pregame and postgame shows, and on the Empire of the Suns podcast.

Vareldzis has been with the company for six years, primarily as the producer of Burns & Gambo. His role will also expand to include pregame and postgame coverage of the Suns.

Vareldzis has also previously been host of Arizona Sports Saturday and the State of the Sun Devils podcast.

Updated Arizona Sports 98.7 weekday lineup:

6 to 10 a.m.: Bickley & Marotta

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Wolf & Luke

2 to 6 p.m.: Burns & Gambo

6 to 8 p.m.: Arizona Sports at Night (when there is no play-by-play on 98.7 FM)

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Arizona Sports at Night with Kellan Olson and Mitch Vareldzis will air weeknights from 6 to 8 p.m. when there is no play-by-play on 98.7 FM. The show will be fast-paced with entertainment and information that Arizona Sports fans need in their evenings.

“The new show is an exciting addition to the Arizona Sports lineup and extends our local talk into the evenings,” said Brian Long, Bonneville Phoenix director of programming operations. “Arizona Sports at Night will serve Valley sports fans with live, local content on their commute home and all throughout the evening.”

Arizona Sports, the home of the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns and Arizona State football and basketball, will now have more local programming when the teams are not on the court or field.

Olson has been with Bonneville Phoenix for nine years. He has covered the Phoenix Suns and co-hosted the Empire of the Suns podcast since 2015. His role will shift to help with Arizona Sports at Night and fill-in work on the daily shows. Olson will continue covering the Suns with in-depth coverage of games and practices, both for ArizonaSports.com, on pregame and postgame shows, and on the Empire of the Suns podcast.

Vareldzis has been with the company for six years, primarily as the producer of Burns & Gambo. His role will also expand to include pregame and postgame coverage of the Suns.

Vareldzis has also previously been host of Arizona Sports Saturday and the State of the Sun Devils podcast.

The first Arizona Sports at Night airs on Monday, Sept. 9. It will also air shortened shows around partner specials such as the Arizona Cardinals’ Big Red Rage and Arizona State football’s Sparky’s Den.

Updated Arizona Sports 98.7 weekday lineup:

6 to 10 a.m.: Bickley & Marotta

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Wolf & Luke

2 to 6 p.m.: Burns & Gambo

6 to 8 p.m.: Arizona Sports at Night (when there is no play-by-play on 98.7 FM)

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The 49ers announced on Monday the receiver would start the season on the reserve/non-football injury list, making a Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals the earliest possible debut for the rookie.

Pearsall, 23, was released Sunday from San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, according to a statement from the team. He had been listed in fair condition.

Pearsall played his first three seasons at Arizona State University (2019-21) before transferring to Florida for his last two seasons. Pearsall caught 159 passes for 2,420 yards and scored 14 touchdowns over his college career.

ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham spoke Monday about the “tough kid” he saw in Pearsall while recruiting him to Oregon. Dillingham took the ASU job the year after Pearsall transferred to Florida.

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham on Valley native and former Sun Devil Ricky Pearsall, who was shot in San Francisco during an attempted robbery over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/1AtNQcnDxK

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) September 2, 2024

The 2024 first-round pick for the 49ers went to Tempe Corona Del Sol High from 2016-19 where the receiver caught 168 passes for 2,358 yards and scored four touchdowns.

Pearsall was walking alone carrying shopping bags to his car shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday when a suspect attempted to rob him with a gun on Geary Boulevard in the Union Square area, officials said.

“A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject,” San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said during a news briefing.

Officers in the area responded immediately and provided emergency medical aid and arrested the suspect.

Police identified the suspect as a 17-year-old male resident of Tracy, California, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of San Francisco, who also was transported to San Francisco General. His condition was not immediately disclosed.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. A gun allegedly belonging to the suspect was recovered and investigators believe he acted alone, Scott said.

Video recorded by a witness showed Pearsall, shirtless with a large chest wound, being helped into an ambulance, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

“This kind of violence is simply unacceptable in our city and we will do everything in our power to work with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to ensure that justice is served in this matter,” Scott said.

Jenkins told reporters at the briefing that her office expects to make a charging decision by Tuesday or Wednesday and initially will file any charges in the juvenile court system.

Scott said there was no indication Pearsall was targeted because he is a player for the city’s football team.

“He and his family, along with the entire San Francisco 49ers organization, would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, doctors and staff at San Francisco General Hospital,” said the team statement Sunday.

“He’s good,” 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel posted on X. “Thank god!!!!”

Mayor London Breed said she was confident in the district attorney’s actions to prosecute the case.

“This is how we hold people accountable in San Francisco. Robberies and any violence like this will not be tolerated in our city,” Breed said during the briefing, offering her gratitude to the hospital staff, police and first responders including San Francisco Fire Department personnel.

“This was a terrible and rare incident in Union Square and our thoughts are with Ricky Pearsall and his family. He has a bright future and I look forward to seeing him recover and get back on the field,” Breed said.

Pearsall was drafted in the first round in April by the 49ers with the 31st overall pick but has been slowed by injuries since joining the team.

He missed time during training camp due to hamstring and shoulder issues before returning to practice this past week with a noncontact blue jersey while his shoulder heals.

Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State and transferred to Florida for his final two seasons. He had 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Gators and finished his college career with 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 TDs.

The Niners have hoped Pearsall could contribute as a rookie as backup to starters Brandon Aiyuk and Samuel.

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San Carlos High School will host ALA-Anthem South on Thursday night in the first game of the series as the Fiesta Bowl organization hopes to further engage in the sport at the youth level.

The Fiesta Bowl organization will give fans attending the games special fan experiences. It will also spotlight student athletes and student sections at the game and across social media.

The schedule includes 12 tackle football games and three additional flag football games. The AIA enters its second season with girls flag football as a sanctioned sport and has expanded to 102 schools, twice the size of last year’s number.

“The power of Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown was on display last season, as schools, student-athletes, coaches and fans benefitted from the additional engagement, experiences and exposure,” Fiesta Sports Foundation executive director and CEO Erik Moses said in a release. “We are honored to help bring excitement to grassroots and high school football across the state of Arizona, where the elite level of play is recognized nationally by college football’s top programs for recruiting.

“Visiting San Carlos as that community rebounds from the Watch Fire is a fitting start for our second season to celebrate the game at all levels. Adding girls flag football was important to recognize the talent, dedication and future opportunities as the sport explodes in participation and quality.”

The 12-game schedule on the boys football side includes seven of the eight schools that played in the 2023 AIA Open State Championship bracket, including title winner Liberty High School. It will also feature 6A champion Saguaro and 5A title winner Higley.

On the flag football side, the schedule debuts on Thursday, Sept. 19, in a game featuring Highland High School and defending 5A title winner Campo Verde.

It later includes Mountain View High School, the 2023 6A champion from Mesa, which faces Millennium on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

“The AIA is a proud supporter of the Fiesta Sports Foundation and the continued opportunities that the organization provides to bring additional attention to Arizona high school football,” said AIA associate executive director Jim Dean. “The Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown and Flag Football Showdown will shine a spotlight on the outstanding football student-athletes throughout the state and highlight the exceptional play across Arizona.”

2024 Fiesta Bowl Friday Night Showdown schedule:

Thursday, August 22 – ALA – Anthem South at San Carlos
Friday, August 30 – Brophy at Williams Field
Friday, September 6 – Sandra Day O’Connor at Liberty
Friday, September 13 – Queen Creek at Perry
Friday, September 20 – Desert Edge at Higley
Friday, September 27 – Chandler at Highland
Friday, October 4 – Centennial at Saguaro
Friday, October 11 – Hamilton at Basha
Friday, October 18 – Desert Mountain at Horizon
Friday, October 25 – Buena at Marana
Friday, November 1 – ALA – Gilbert North at Notre Dame Prep
Friday, November 8 – Red Mountain at Mountain View (Mesa)

2024 Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Showdown schedule

Thursday, September 19 – Highland at Campo Verde
Tuesday, October 15 – Mountain View (Mesa) at Millennium
Thursday, November 7 – Hamilton at Chandler

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The study also found that the Final Four earned $256.9 million for Arizona’s gross domestic product.

“I commend the Phoenix Local Organizing Committee and its stakeholders for delivering this windfall to Arizona,” Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a press release. “Mega sporting events are crucial for driving our state’s tourism sector. Basketball is the world’s game, and during the 2024 Men’s Final Four, the world’s eyes were proudly on Arizona. It not only generated revenue, it also served as a powerful advertisement for our great state.”

The Final Four saw the UConn Huskies win their second consecutive national championship over Purdue.

Attendance and viewership of Phoenix’s 2024 Final Four

The Final Four games received a total of 40.3 million viewers, according to the study.

The three games drew a combined 149,143 fans to State Farm Stadium while the national championship game between UConn and Purdue drew 74,423 fans, the third-highest attendance in the game’s history.

The festivities during the weekend, such as the three-day NCAA March Madness Music Festival at Hance Park in Phoenix, saw 67,451 people attend the event while the Final Four Fan Fest at the Phoenix Convention Center had 52,283 people attend it, according to the study.

“Hosting the Men’s Final Four was a tremendous slam dunk for Phoenix, as we proudly welcomed the third-highest-attended event in its history,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in the release.

“The influx of visitors significantly boosted our local economy, benefiting businesses, cultural institutions and hotels across the city. I am extremely grateful to our dedicated Local Organizing Committee and the city of Phoenix staff for their outstanding efforts in showcasing our growing, glowing city and ensuring the event’s success from start to finish.”

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Arizonans came through in a massive way, donating $2,372,385 to assist the youth who need it most in the Valley.

Since 2009, the event has raised more than $26.3 million.

“Breaking a record like this doesn’t happen by accident,” Tim Harrison, vice president of corporate partnerships and special events at Phoenix Children’s, said. “Over our 16 year partnership with Bonneville we have built the largest radiothon in the country using a lot of hard work and passion on both sides.

“They understand the growing need to support the patients and families here at Phoenix Children’s and didn’t bat an eye when we set the largest goal we’ve ever had this year. We made the call to Bonneville and their listeners to be champions for these kids and they exceeded our wildest expectations.”

All of the proceeds generated directly benefit Phoenix Children’s Hope Fund, which funds essential equipment, operations, charitable care, Child Life resources, virtual care and research. Phoenix Children’s is one of the largest children’s hospitals in the nation with 433 beds.

The Give-A-Thon for Phoenix Children’s also maintained its position as the top children’s hospital radio fundraiser in the country.

“Building up our community is a core value of ours and there is no better demonstration than rallying our community with powerful storytelling that inspired a record-breaking $2.36 million for Phoenix Children’s,” Ryan Hatch, senior vice president and market manager of Bonneville Phoenix, said.

“We are so grateful for our incredible audiences, sponsors, team partners and the hundreds of volunteers for their tremendous support of the Give-A-Thon.”

Phoenix Children's Give-A-Thon with KTAR & Arizona Sports.

Call the Yrefy Phone Bank at 602-933-4567, text “GIVE” to 620620 or visit here to donate: https://t.co/vsNQMR3RTf https://t.co/36B1ErRdTB

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) August 16, 2024

With more than 400,000 outpatient visits, 280,000 unique patients seen and nearly 3,000 patients who came from out of state last year to Phoenix Children’s, your donations will make a difference.

Give-A-Thon was presented by Valley Hyundai Dealers and the Ak-Chin Indian Community. Sponsors of the weeklong event included Yrefy, Mattamy Homes, Trane Heating and Cooling, Ace Hardware, Presidential Pools, The UPS Store, Sonic and Carl’s Jr.

The U.S. easily won the total medal count with 126. Aside from the 40 gold, the Americans won 42 silver and 44 bronze.

“I saw the medal count beforehand so I knew,” said U.S. women’s coach Cheryl Reeve, who thought to herself, “that’s what we need — more pressure.”

The U.S. lost a bronze medal Sunday when the International Olympic Committee said it was reallocating the bronze given to Jordan Chiles in the women’s floor final to Romanian Ana Barbosu. U.S. Olympic officials are appealing.

China came in second in the total medal race with 91. China won 40 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze. Japan was a distant third with 20 gold medals, 45 overall. Great Britain won 65 medals, but only 14 were gold for an overall ranking of seventh.

The medal rankings are done by gold, and the last time the U.S. didn’t top the standings was at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, when the Americans finished second to China, 48-36.

The U.S. has won the most overall medals in eight consecutive Summer Games. The last time the Americans failed to top the medal leaderboard was the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. The “Unified Team” featuring athletes from ex-Soviet republics won both the most golds (45) and total medals (112), while the Americans were second in both categories with 37 golds and 108 medals.

The U.S. had been battling with China for the lead in gold medals the last several days and entered Sunday, the final day of competition, trailing China 39-38.

China picked up an early gold medal Sunday when Li Wenwen won the top medal in women’s +81kg weightlifting. The U.S. followed with another gold when Jennifer Valente defended her women’s omnium title in cycling track.

It then came down to the women’s basketball game, and the U.S. won gold for the eighth consecutive time.

The United States won a total of five medals on Sunday, including a silver in women’s freestyle 76kg (wrestling), a team silver in women’s volleyball and a bronze in men’s water polo.

Three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics, the U.S. beat China with 39 gold medals to 38. The U.S. won 113 medals in Tokyo. The Americans were far more dominant at the Rio Olympics in 2016, when they won 46 gold medals to 27 for Great Britain 26 for China.

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The gold medalists in the 400 hurdles and 200 meters took care of legs two and three for the United States, handing a 30-meter lead to Alexis Holmes, who didn’t lose any ground.

The U.S. finished in 3 minutes, 15.27 seconds, only .1 short of the world record.

The American men won gold in the same race in a much closer finish about 15 minutes earlier.

Rai Benjamin held off Letsile Tebogo on the anchor leg to give the United States a gold medal and an Olympic-record time in the men’s 4×400-meter relay at the Paris Games on Saturday night.

Benjamin added this Olympic title to the one he claimed in the 400-meter hurdles a night earlier and prevented 200-meter champion Tebogo from giving Botswana another triumph over the Americans.

It was Tebogo, the 21-year-old sprinting sensation, who stole the spotlight — and the gold — from the U.S. in the 200 on Thursday, relegating Kenny Bednarek to silver and Noah Lyles, who tested positive for COVID-19, to bronze.

The U.S. quartet of Christpher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon and Benjamin completed the four laps in 2 minutes, 54.43 seconds, nearly a second faster than the American 4×400 team ran at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. And Saturday’s time was just .14 seconds off the world record set by the United States in 1993.

Botswana was a tenth of a second back Saturday, with Tebogo joined by Bayapo Ndori, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi and Anthony Pesela.

Britain was third in 2:55.83.

The 34 track medals were the most for the U.S. at a non-boycotted Games since the early 20th century, when there were more events and fewer countries, and the 14 golds are the most in a non-boycotted Olympics since 1968.

The Americans, who hadn’t won gold since the 2012 London Olympics, closed out an undefeated run to the title in their first international campaign under new coach Emma Hayes.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher preserved the win with a one-handed save on Adriana’s header in stoppage time at Parc des Princes. At the final whistle, the U.S. players celebrated as Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” played in the stadium.

The loss is more heartbreak for Brazil and its iconic star, Marta. The six-time world player of the year has never won a Women’s World Cup or an Olympics. This is expected to be her last major international tournament.

It was the third victory for the United States over Brazil in an Olympic final. The Americans also beat the Brazilians in the 2004 in Athens and four years later in Beijing.

Brazil has never finished better than runner up at the Olympics.

“I’m very emotional. It’s been a dream of mine to be in this position,” said Hayes, a London native. “I have to thank my dad because he’s the one who pushed me to this point to be able to come and coach an unbelievable group of players that have received me so well and taken on board everything I have asked. They are tremendous people and players and role models. Yeah, I love them.”

Three years ago in Tokyo, the U.S. settled for the bronze medal. The Americans were knocked out in the quarterfinals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

Swanson’s 57th-minute goal came in her 100th appearance with the United States.

Tom Cruise and former U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe were among those in the crowd.

The U.S. also won gold in 1996 at the Atlanta Games in the first women’s soccer tournament at the Olympics.

Brazil finished third in its group in France, earning one of two third-place spots in the knockout round.

Marta was playing in her six Olympics. Her first was in 2004 — when she was just 18 — which ended with a silver. But she started the match on the bench after a two-game suspension for a hard foul on Spain’s Olga Carmona in the team’s final group match.

Hayes was named coach of the U.S. back in November but she didn’t join the team until May so she could finish out the season with Chelsea — guiding the Women’s Super League squad to its fifth straight title.

Hayes was tasked with turning around a U.S. team that crashed out of last summer’s Women’s World Cup earlier than ever before. Despite her short time with the Americans, she quickly fostered chemistry within the young squad, particularly between forwards Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Swanson.

The trio have scored 10 of the 12 U.S. goals in France.

Brazil had the best chances early. Ludmila was alone in front of the goal in the second minute but her shot went straight into Naeher’s arms.

Ludmila appeared to score in the upper far corner in the 16th minute but was offside.

Swanson took off on a break down the left side in the 25th minute but but Brazil goalkeeper Lorena easily stopped her shot.

Naeher kept the game scoreless at the break by punching away Gabi Portilho’s shot in first-half stoppage time.

Brazilian midfielder Vitoria Yaya was stretched off with an injury early in the second half.

The U.S. continued to threaten after Swanson’s goal. Smith nearly scored on a break in the 66th but her attempt went wide.

Lindsey Horan smashed a free kick into the wall in the 82nd after Tarciane fouled Smith just outside the box.

Hayes made one change to her lineup for the final, starting Korbin Albert in place of Rose Lavelle. It was the second youngest U.S. lineup to start a gold medal match, with an average age of 26.7. The average age of the team that started the 1996 final was 25.8.

The U.S. advanced to the final with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Germany in Lyon. Smith scored the lone goal.

Brazil earned its spot with a wild 4-2 victory over Women’s World Cup champions Spain.

Germany went on to win the tournament’s bronze medal with a 1-0 victory over Spain in Lyon on Friday.

Between Aug. 12-16, the 16th annual Phoenix Children’s Give-A-Thon, presented by Your Valley Hyundai Dealers and Ak-Chin Indian Community, takes place on KTAR News and Arizona Sports.

The event will air at various times on all shows throughout the week before in-person fundraising at the hospital on Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

It will air daily between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. on KTAR News and between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Arizona Sports.

Every show will dedicate one segment per hour to the hospital and its services.

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with KTAR and Arizona Sports,” said Steve Schnall, senior vice president and chief development officer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“These funds go a long way in helping the patients who need it most at Phoenix Children’s. Every donation counts and gets us closer to our goal.”

How to donate to the 2024 Phoenix Children’s Give-A-Thon?

The hospital is looking for Champions of Hope to pledge $20 per month.

Those who do will have a teddy bear delivered to a patient in their name on the TRANE Teddy Bear Express. They will also receive a choice of a gift card to Papa John’s Pizza, Raising Cane’s or a Wildlife World Zoo kids pass.

Call the Yrefy Phone Bank at 602-933-4567, text “GIVE” to 620620, or visit here to donate and receive more details.

As the largest radio hospital fundraiser in the country, the fundraiser last year brought in a record $2.15 million in donations. Since 2009, it has raised more than $22.4 million.

With hundreds of thousands of patients and visits, Phoenix Children’s continues to need help.

Be a Champion of Hope this week and help save lives. Special thanks to our sponsors The UPS Store, Sonic, Carl’s Jr., Presidential Pools and Mattamy Homes.

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Andre De Grasse put a bright mark on an otherwise disappointing Olympics by anchoring Canada to gold in a time of 37.50 seconds. It was the first medal in Paris for De Grasse, but his seventh overall. South Africa finished second and Britain third.

Earlier, Sha’Carri Richardson won her first Olympic gold medal, bringing the Americans from behind in the anchor lap to capture the 4×100 relay.

HERE COMES SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON!

Team USA takes GOLD in the women’s 4x100m. #ParisOlympics

📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/ZM6qaYCQOw

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024

In the men’s race, even without Noah Lyles, who was out of the lineup due to COVID, this looked like America’s race to lose. They have knack for doing just that. The only time the U.S. has captured a medal over the last two decades was in 2012, but that got stripped for a doping violation.

It’s mostly been scenes like this. Coleman first ran into, then passed, Bednarek as they made their awkward exchange.

The women ran their lap cleanly.

Richardson, the 100-meter silver medalist, overcame runners from Britain and Germany, to help the U.S. finish in 41.78 seconds, good for a .07-second win over Britain, which struggled with two baton changes in the rain.

Gabby Thomas ran the third leg and got her second gold of the Games, this one going with the 200-meter title. Twanisha Terry and 100 bronze medalist Melissa Jefferson rounded out the team. The exchange between Terry and Thomas that nearly wrecked the Americans in qualifying was better this time.

Still, when Thomas handed off to Richardson, the U.S. was in third.

Richardson had to reel in Daryll Neita (Britain) and Rebekka Haase (Germany), and when she did, she flashed a look to her right — and backward — that said ″you’re not catching me.”

She sprinted eight more steps down the track, and on her ninth, lifted her left leg high and stomped it on the other side of the finish line, then let out a scream.

It marked a sweet close to the Olympics for Richardson, who came into the Olympics as a favorite but surprisingly fell to Julien Alfred of St. Lucia.

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The Americans, undefeated in France under new coach Emma Hayes, will be vying for their fifth gold medal in their sixth appearance in the Olympic women’s soccer final.

The United States will play the winner of Tuesday’s later game between Brazil and Spain on Saturday in Paris. Germany will play in the bronze medal match on Friday at Lyon.

SOPHIA SMITH STRIKES IN EXTRA TIME FOR THE USA. 💥🇺🇸#ParisOlympics | 📺 USA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/XyzQZQTEEG

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2024

Smith broke the scoreless stalemate five minutes into extra time, out maneuvering defender Felicitas Rauch and German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

After netting her third goal of the tournament, Smith fell to the ground in celebration and joined in an embrace with teammate Mallory Swanson.

The United States had defeated Germany 4-1 in the group stage earlier in the tournament.

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By the slimmest of margins, Thompson was beaten out for gold on a perfectly timed lean from American Noah Lyles on Sunday night. Their times of 9.79 seconds needed to be calculated farther out to determine the winner — with Lyles winning 9.784 to 9.789. Thompson was five-thousandths of a second away from joining the company of fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt as an Olympic champion.

“I’m a bit disappointed,” Thompson said. “But I am happy at the same time. I am going to take it as what it is and move forward from here.”

Someone asked Thompson soon after if he thought the gold medal could be shared, since it was that close of race. It would be a nod to the high jumpers at the Tokyo Games in 2021, when Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Barshim of Qatar agreed to split the gold medal.

Somehow, Thompson didn’t think Lyles would go for the idea.

“I think the sport is too competitive, no offense to any other sport,” the 23-year-old Thompson said. “It’s too competitive for us to share a gold medal.”

The race was barely over and Thompson was already replaying the little things that could’ve made a big difference. Maybe more of a lean. Maybe a bit more patience to let his speed propel him to the finish line.

“I know that Jamaica would have wanted me to get the gold,” he said. “Everybody loves winners.”

Thompson was in Lane 4 in the final and Lyles in Lane 7. He couldn’t see Lyles out that far so he wasn’t sure precisely where he stood right after the finish. Thompson knew it was close and immediately glanced at the scoreboard for an answer.

He waited. They all waited.

Lyles gave him a glimmer of hope, though.

“I did think Thompson had it at the end,” Lyles said. “I even said, ‘Bro, I think you got that one big dog. And then my name popped up, and I’m like, ’Oh my gosh, I’m amazing.’”

Thompson became the first Jamaican to be on the podium in the men’s Olympic 100 since Bolt’s run of three straight titles in 2008, ’12 and ’16.

“My body language will not show it because I am not an expressive guy, but I am glad,” Thompson said. “I’m super grateful.”

Thompson entered the race with the fastest time of the season and was viewed as the biggest threat to Lyles. It came down to the wire with all eight sprinters separated by a margin of .12 seconds — and even closer for gold and silver.

“That close,” Thompson said. “It was that close.”