Rory McIlroy Completes Career Grand Slam at the 2025 Masters
Rory McIlroy secured his first Green Jacket and completed the career Grand Slam with a dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose at the 2025 Masters Tournament. McIlroy, 35, became the sixth golfer in history to win all four major championships, joining legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. After a final-round 73, McIlroy and Rose were tied at 11-under-par. McIlroy clinched the title with a birdie on the first playoff hole, following a precise approach shot that landed two feet from the cup. The emotional win was highlighted by a heartfelt embrace with his 4-year-old daughter, Poppy, marking a poignant moment in his illustrious career. ESPN
MLB Weekend Roundup
Cardinals Blank Phillies 7–0 to Take Series Finale
The St. Louis Cardinals shut out the Philadelphia Phillies 7–0 on Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium, securing the final game of their three-game series. Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore delivered a standout performance, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowing just four hits. The Cardinals’ offense was led by Brendan Donovan, who went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. With this victory, the Cardinals improved their record to 7–8, while the Phillies fell to 9–5. MLB
Blue Jays Rally Late to Edge Orioles 7–6 in Extras
The Toronto Blue Jays secured a dramatic 7–6 extra-inning victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, splitting their rain-shortened two-game series. Trailing 6–3 in the eighth inning, the Blue Jays mounted a comeback with a three-run rally, highlighted by Bo Bichette’s game-tying RBI single. In the 10th inning, Myles Straw’s infield single drove in the go-ahead run. Reliever Jeff Hoffman earned the win by pitching scoreless ninth and 10th innings, including two critical strikeouts with the tying run on third in the 10th. Ernie Clement led Toronto offensively, going 4-for-5 with two runs, while Alejandro Kirk contributed a home run, a double, and two RBIs. Ryan Mountcastle and Tyler O’Neill homered for Baltimore, and Gunnar Henderson had three hits and two runs. Orioles starter Cade Povich allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings. Reuters
Marlins Surge Past Nationals 11–4 in Series Finale
The Miami Marlins defeated the Washington Nationals 11–4 on Sunday at loanDepot park, clinching the three-game series 2–1. The game was tied 3–3 entering the sixth inning, but the Marlins’ offense erupted with a run in the sixth, three in the seventh, and four in the eighth to secure the victory.
Matt Mervis delivered a pivotal moment with a three-run, pinch-hit homer in the seventh inning. Kyle Stowers contributed by going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs, while Eric Wagaman reached base five times, going 3-for-3 with two walks and two runs. Xavier Edwards extended his hitting streak to seven games.
Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore, who entered the game with a 2.65 ERA, allowed four runs on eight hits over six innings, raising his ERA to 3.52. The loss dropped Washington to 6–9 on the season.
The Marlins improved to 8–7 and will look to build on this momentum as they continue their homestand. ESPN
Greene’s Gem Leads Reds to Sweep of Pirates
Hunter Greene delivered a masterful performance, pitching seven shutout innings to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 4–0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday at Great American Ball Park. Greene allowed just two hits and struck out eight, retiring the final 17 batters he faced. This dominant outing extended his scoreless streak to 19 innings and lowered his ERA to 0.98.
Offensively, Santiago Espinal broke the scoreless tie with a two-run single in the third inning. The Reds added to their lead with an RBI double from TJ Friedl and an RBI single by Elly De La Cruz. With this win, Cincinnati completed a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh, marking their first sweep of the Pirates since August 2021. The Reds improved to an 8–8 record, while the Pirates fell to 5–10, having lost four of their last five games. Reuters
NBA Regular Season Concludes; Playoff Picture Set
The 2024–25 NBA regular season concluded on Sunday, April 13, finalizing the playoff seedings and matchups. The Oklahoma City Thunder secured the top seed in the Western Conference with a league-best 68–14 record, while the Cleveland Cavaliers led the Eastern Conference at 64–18.
In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics clinched the No. 2 seed with a 61–21 record, finishing the season with a 93–86 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, led by Payton Pritchard’s 34 points. The New York Knicks secured the third seed after a 113–105 win over the Brooklyn Nets, during which Mikal Bridges extended his consecutive games played streak to 556.
In the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets earned the No. 2 seed, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 3. The Lakers will face the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. The Golden State Warriors, after a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, fell to the Play-In Tournament and will face the Memphis Grizzlies for a chance to enter the playoffs.
The NBA Play-In Tournament is scheduled from Tuesday, April 15, to Friday, April 18, determining the final two playoff spots in each conference. The NBA Playoffs will commence on Saturday, April 19, with the NBA Finals set to begin on Thursday, June 5.
NHL Regular Season Nears Conclusion; Playoff Picture Taking Shape
The 2024–25 NHL regular season is set to conclude on Thursday, April 17, with several playoff spots and seedings still to be determined. The Winnipeg Jets have secured their first Presidents’ Trophy, clinching the league’s best regular-season record despite a recent 4–1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers
In the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Maple Leafs have solidified their position atop the Atlantic Division with a 50–26–4 record, totaling 104 points. The Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning are closely trailing, each vying for favorable playoff positioning.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are scheduled to commence on Saturday, April 19, featuring the top eight teams from each conference. The first round will run through May 3, followed by the second round starting May 4. The Stanley Cup Finals are slated to begin on June 9, with a potential Game 7 scheduled for June 23.
College Baseball: Bullets Swept By Swarthmore
Swarthmore scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning of game one for a 5-3 victory before carrying that momentum to an 8-0 win in game two to sweep No. 16 Gettysburg.
Will Stellato led the Bullets with five hits on the day, recording three hits in game one before rapping out a pair in game two.