CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — This was supposed to be the breakout year for Ross Chastain, whose hard work caught the eye of a sponsor who promised to fund the eighth-generation watermelon farmer in the best ride of his career.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matt DiBenedetto has been told by Leavine Family Racing he will not be brought back for a second season with the NASCAR team in 2020.

MEDINAH, Ill. (AP) — On the range, Justin Thomas had no idea where the ball was going. Some five hours later, he had a share of the course record at Medinah.

USA Football is piloting the game’s first long-term development program in the hopes of growing the game and catching up to other sports around the world.

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. will take the weekend off from broadcasting to be with his wife and daughter after the three were in a plane crash landing Thursday near Bristol Motor Speedway.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Trace McSorley looks to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of a NFL football preseason game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Baltimore.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Hawaii sits behind all but 10 U.S. states in population, but when it comes to the Little League World Series, it’s become America’s hottest team.

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — The unofficial credo as part of the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff for Darryl Drake this season was, “Shut out the noise,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger relayed as training camp wrapped up Thursday.

The Baltimore Ravens will see a little bit of Aaron Rodgers on Thursday night in their preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. They’ll probably just shrug: The Ravens have won 14 consecutive exhibition matches.

MEDINAH, Ill. (AP) — The course is familiar to Tiger Woods. The circumstances are not.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Albert Pujols had two hits and three RBIs Wednesday and set the major league record for career hits by a foreign-born player, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 7-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kenny Pickett knows his numbers in his first year as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback weren’t great. He doesn’t particularly care.

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Gray, rainy skies and a subdued, sparse fan turnout made for a fitting setting Tuesday as the Pittsburgh Steelers returned to practice for the first time since the sudden death of wide receivers coach Darryl Drake.

Coco Gauff will get a chance to try for an encore: The 15-year-old from Florida received a wild-card entry Tuesday for the U.S. Open’s main draw.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Reigning national champion Clemson has taken any drama out of the Atlantic Coast Conference race.

The power structure in the Big Ten could be in for a shakeup.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — New coach Neal Brown has a tall task as he tries to prevent West Virginia’s perennially prolific offense from turning pathetic.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Saquon Barkley has no problem watching preseason games from the sidelines, if that’s what New York Giants coach Pat Shurmur wants.

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Raiders receiver Antonio Brown lost his grievance with the NFL on Monday over his use of an old helmet that is no longer certified as safe to use for practice or play.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State defensive tackle Robert Landers struggles with mental illness, and he doesn’t care who knows it.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — Patrick Reed still hasn’t reached top five in the world.

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball will open its 2020 season March 26, its earliest start other than international games. The schedule also features a late April series in Puerto Rico between the New York Mets and Miami Marlins.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andre Powell could exaggerate. Or maybe the Pittsburgh running backs coach could flat-out lie. That’s simply not his style.

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — What a defensive backfield in gold jackets: Ed Reed , Ty Law and Champ Bailey.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman, left, throws to first base after forcing out New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, right, during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 28, 2019, in New York. Robinson Cano was safe at first base on the play.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle sits in the dugout before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Pittsburgh, Thursday, July 25, 2019. The Cardinals won 6-3.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul DeJong hit a career-high three home runs, including one during a nine-run second inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals walloped the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-8 on Wednesday night.

GWANGJU, South Korea (AP) — Sun Yang was in the middle of controversy at the world swimming championships again. Only this time, it wasn’t his doing.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — The outcome was never in doubt to just about everyone but Shane Lowry.

Simon Pagenaud, of France, drives his way to first place at the Honda Indy auto race in Toronto, Sunday, July 14, 2019.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Rookie Davis throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, June 7, 2019, in Milwaukee. The Pirates lost 10-4.

Bubba Watson hits from a bunker on the 16th hole during the final round for the Masters golf tournament, Sunday.