Two-time Olympic champion Hanyu wins Four Continents

Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu won's the men's free skate on Sunday to claim his first Four Continents figure skating title and complete a Japanese sweep of the men's and women's events.

Hanyu, first after the short program, received 187.60 points for a total of 299.42. Jason Brown of the United States was second in the free skate to finish second overall with 274.82 points while Japan's Yuma Kagiyama was third with 270.61 points.

Hanyu went into the free skate with a 15.99 point-lead after setting a world-record score in the short program. He put his hand on the ice on the opening element of the free skate — a quad lutz — but quickly recovered to land a clean quad salchow.

Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu puts his hands together before the men's single free skating competition in the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoLee Jin-man)

Although he fell on the quad toeloop and it wasn't his most impressive free skate, Hanyu comfortably won by a wide margin to claim his first Four Continents title.

Japan's Rika Kihira claimed the women's title on Saturday.

China's Boyang Jin, who was second after the short program, fell to fourth place while local favorite Junhwan Cha of South Korea was fifth.

Gold medalist Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu, center, silver medalist United States' Jason Brown, left, and bronze medalist Japan's Yuma Kagiyama pose during the medal ceremony for the men's single free skating competition in the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoLee Jin-man)

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Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu sings the Japanese national anthem during the medal ceremony for the men's single free skating competition in the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoLee Jin-man)

Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu looses his balance as he performs during the men's single free skating competition in the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoLee Jin-man)

Japan's Yuma Kagiyama performs during the men's single free skating competition in the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoLee Jin-man)

Japan's Yuma Kagiyama performs during the men's single free skating competition in the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoLee Jin-man)

Japan's Yuma Kagiyama performs during the men's single free skating competition in the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoLee Jin-man)

Silver medalist United States' Jason Brown poses with his medal during the medal ceremony for the men's single free skating competition in the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoLee Jin-man)

United States' Jason Brown performs during the men's single free skating competition in the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (AP PhotoLee Jin-man)

SEATTLE (AP) — All Vinnie Pasquantino needed was a few days of rest, a morning walk around Seattle and a warm, sunny day at T-Mobile Park to get back on track for the Kansas City Royals.

Pasquantino had two hits — including a solo homer — two RBIs and two runs in his return to Kansas City’s lineup against the Seattle Mariners after sitting out the previous two games because of lower back tightness. He batted third and played first base in the Royals' 7-6 win.

“I told them yesterday, I want in,” Pasquantino said. “And I’ll let them know if anything changes.”

His single to right field drove in Kansas City’s opening run in the first inning. He then belted his fourth home run of the season in the sixth off Bryan Woo on a 2-0 count, a Statcast-projected 404-foot blast into the second deck in right. It gave the Royals a 5-3 lead before Jac Caglianone followed with a solo home run to right.

Pasquantino said it has been an issue he has dealt with for a while after he was removed in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s game. He also appeared in the ninth inning and hit a game-ending flyout in Thursday’s 6-3 loss to the Athletics.

“We hope that he’s not going to have to deal with it the whole season,” manager Matt Quatraro said before Friday’s game. “But he’ll probably feel it for a handful of days before it resolves.”

But it felt good in Friday’s win.

“We’ll see how it feels in about an hour when all the adrenaline comes down,” Pasquantino said.

Pasquantino, 28, is off to a slow start this season for Kansas City, batting .176 with three doubles, 16 RBIs and 25 strikeouts in 30 games.

Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino hits an RBI single to score Maikel Garcia against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 1, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)