NEW YORK (AP) — A day after leaving a game because of lower back spasms, George Springer entered as a pinch runner for the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning Sunday and stole second base against the New York Mets.
Springer replaced designated hitter Alejandro Kirk, who had singled.
Springer crashed into the right-field fence in the eighth inning Saturday in an unsuccessful attempt to catch Jesse Winker's drive, a tying, two-run triple in a game the Mets went on to win 3-2.
Springer, 35, is a four-time All-Star. He is hitting .379 with one homer and five RBIs in nine games.
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Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer, left, hits a two-run single during first-inning baseball game action against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Dak Prescott threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, and the Dallas Cowboys blew most of an 18-point lead before squeezing past the Washington Commanders 30-23 Thursday.
Dallas (7-8-1) scored touchdowns on its first three possessions to go up 21-3. Although the Commanders (4-12) cut the gap to a touchdown on three different occasions, they couldn't complete the comeback and absorbed their 10th loss in 11 games.
Both teams were previously eliminated from playoff contention, which severely lessened the significance of this matchup between longtime NFC East rivals.
Prescott completed 19 of 37 passes and helped Dallas convert all six of its fourth-down tries. His two TD passes gave him 30, tying Tony Romo's franchise record of four seasons with at least 30 touchdown throws.
Prescott shrugged off six sacks, including three by Jer'Zhan Newton.
Playing without injured quarterbacks Jayden Daniels (elbow) and Marcus Mariota (quad, hand), Washington turned to 39-year-old journeyman Josh Johnson. Making his 10th career start and first since 2021, Johnson went 15 for 23 for 198 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt scored on runs of 10 and 72 yards for Washington. The latter touchdown got the Commanders to 24-17 in the third quarter, but Dallas restored its double-digit lead with a 52-yard field by Brandon Aubrey.
Aubrey added a 51-yarder to make it 30-20 with 3:59 remaining.
After Prescott threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ferguson on the game's opening drive, Johnson went 3 for 3 for 68 yards to get Washington to 7-3. The key play was a 41-yard completion to Deebo Samuel, Johnson’s longest since 2018. Samuel finished by running into Donovan Wilson, knocking the safety's helmet off.
On their second possession, the Cowboys converted three fourth downs on a 17-play march that ended with a touchdown run by Javonte Williams. Prescott then made it three TDs in three drives with an 86-yard scoring pass to KaVontae Turpin.
Cowboys: Williams sustained a shoulder injury. ... Ferguson missed the second half with a calf injury.
Commanders: C Tyler Biadasz left with a right knee injury.
Cowboys: Close the season at New York Giants on Jan. 3 or 4.
Commanders: Season finale at Philadelphia on Jan. 3 or 4.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Josh Johnson (14) throws during the first half an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) catches a touchdown pass as Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin (20) defends during the first half an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) is congratulated by teammates running back Jeremy McNichols and wide receiver Treylon Burks (13) after scoring during the first half an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
