TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Mason Fluharty left Saturday’s game against the Athletics in the seventh inning after being struck on the right leg by consecutive infield singles.
Fluharty replaced Braydon Fisher to begin the inning and gave up a leadoff single to Jeff McNeil that bounced in front of the mound and struck the Toronto reliever above the right knee.
Manager John Schneider and a trainer came out to check on the 24-year-old Fluharty, who stayed in to face Max Muncy. Three pitches later, Muncy’s bouncing comebacker hit Fluharty on the inside of the right knee, knocking him to the ground.
Schneider and the trainer came out again and Fluharty eventually limped off while being supported by slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and head athletic trainer Jose Ministral.
After Toronto won 8-7 in 11 innings, Schneider said Fluharty had a right knee contusion, adding that X-rays had not revealed a fracture.
“He feels good,” Schneider said of Fluharty. “Should be good for (Sunday).”
Left-hander Brendon Little came on for Fluharty, who went 5-2 with a 4.44 ERA in 55 games as a rookie last season.
Both hits off Fluharty led to runs. McNeil scored on an infield single and Muncy came home on a grand slam by Shea Langeliers.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, left, tends to pitcher Mason Fluharty after he hit by a second comebacker forcing Fluharty to leave the baseball game against the Athletics in Toronto, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Trainers and staff observe as Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mason Fluharty (68) as he throws after being hit by a come-backer in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Athletics in Toronto, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mason Fluharty (68) reacts after he was hit by a second come-backer forcing him to leave in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Athletics in Toronto, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka beat Coco Gauff in the Miami Open women’s singles final 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 on Saturday.
The world No. 1 overpowered fourth-ranked Gauff in the first and third sets with sizzling groundstroke winners and became the first player to accomplish the “Sunshine Double” — winning Indian Wells followed by Miami in the same season — since Iga Swiatek in 2022.
It was Sabalenka's second straight title at the Miami Open, Gauff's hometown tournament, and put her ahead of Gauff in their head-to-head record, 7-6.
“You’ve pushed me to be a better player,’’ Sabalenka said during the ceremony, before adding about the crowd, “You always bring a full stadium.’’
The match lasted 2 hours, 11 minutes and ended on Gauff getting broken for the fourth time with a wide backhand.
Gauff fought back to force the third set, but couldn’t maintain the momentum she appeared to get from the deafening crowd supporting her.
“It sucks not to come out with a better result but I had a lot of joy this week,’’ Gauff said to the crowd. “You guys brought energy every day this week.’’
Gauff’s off-and-on serve created seven double faults while Sabalenka registered none.
Sabalenka broke Gauff in the first game of the third set, helped by a Gauff double fault and an unforced error. On break point, Sabalenka crunched a backhand winner.
“I was disappointed about that first game of the third set up 30-0 with momentum,’’ Gauff said. “It was an important game to win in that moment.’’
The match was attended by Kai Trump, President Donald Trump’s granddaughter and a golfer at the University of Miami. She posted a photo with Sabalenka at the tournament on social media Friday.
Sabalenka, who got her 24th pro title, said before the match she was happy Gauff had found her best tennis in her home tournament at which she had never gotten past the fourth round.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Kai Trump, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, watches the women's singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Coco Gauff returns to Aryna Sabalenka during the women's singles final at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Aryna Sabalenka returns to Coco Gauff during the women's singles final at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Aryna Sabalenka, left, and Coco Gauff embrace at the end of the women's singles final at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Aryna Sabalenka kisses the trophy after winning the women's singles final at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Coco Gauff returns against Karolina Muchova, of the Czech Republic, in the semifinals of the Miami Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Aryna Sabalenka reacts after defeating Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Aryna Sabalenka reacts after winning the first set against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Coco Gauff celebrates a point against Karolina Muchova, of the Czech Republic, in the semifinals of the Miami Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Aryna Sabalenka serves to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
