From the wire
AUTO RACING
Verstappen drives to Brazil win
SAO PAULO — Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took a major step toward securing his fourth straight F1 title by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix despite starting 17th and increasing his lead over McLaren's Lando Norris with three races remaining. Verstappen overcame punishments before the race as well as the wet weather at Interlagos to earn his first victory since June, and his eighth Grand Prix victory of the year. The Dutchman increased his lead from 44 points to 62 over Norris, who finished sixth. Verstappen could secure the trophy in Las Vegas later this month.
Wacha, Royals strike new pact
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals are bringing back right-hander Michael Wacha on a three-year, $51 million contract that includes a club option for the 2028 season. The 33-year-old Wacha, who went 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA this past season, signed with Kansas City last offseason on a deal that included a $16 million player option for next season. Wacha made a pair of AL Division Series starts against the Yankees, dueling with Gerrit Cole both times.
Brewers decline Williams' option
MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers declined closer Devin Williams' $10.5 million club option for 2025. The two-time NL reliever of the year remains with the team while being arbitration eligible for one more season. The Brewers' decision to decline the club option on Williams means the 30-year-old will make whatever an arbitrator decides if the pitcher and team don't work out a deal before going to a hearing. The Brewers picked up their $8 million club option on right-hander Freddy Peralta and declined a club option on catcher Eric Haase. Haase also remains with the organization and is arbitration eligible.
Korda clinches POY
SHIGA, Japan — Nelly Korda has won a big prize without even playing. The American clinched the points-based award as LPGA player of the year on Sunday. The only player who had a chance to catch her was Ayaka Furue of Japan. She would have needed to win the rest of her tournaments and Furue tied for 10th in the Japan Classic. Korda is a six-time winner this year. It's her first time winning LPGA player of the year. Lilia Vu won the award last year. This is the first time in 30 years Americans have won the award in consecutive years.
Takeda wins long playoff
SHIGA, Japan — Rio Takeda of Japan won the LPGA's Japan Classic in a playoff that lasted six sudden-death playoff holes, defeating Marina Alex of the United States. It was Takeda's first victory on the LPGA Tour. Takeda had a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, edging Alex with par. The two were tied after 54 holes at 15-under 201. The tournament was restricted to 54 regulation holes after Saturday's second round was washed out by rain.
Nageeye, Chepkirui win in NYC
NEW YORK — Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands won the men's race at the New York City Marathon and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya took the women's event. Both runners pulled away from their closest competitors in the final few hundred meters to come away with their first victories in the race. Nageeye was step-for-step with 2022 champion Evans Chebet before using a burst heading into Central Park to come away with the win in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 39 seconds. Chebet finished 6 seconds behind. Chepkirui was running New York for the first time and pulled away from defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women's race. She won in 2:24.35.
Chelsea, ManU play to draw
MANCHESTER, England — Moises Caicedo's stunning long-range volley secured a 1-1 draw for Chelsea against Manchester United in the Premier League. Bruno Fernandes' 70th-minute penalty had put United ahead at Old Trafford as interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy looked for back-to-back wins since taking temporary charge. But Caicedo's effort from the edge of the box four minutes later ensured the points were shared. Also Sunday, Dominic Solanke scored twice as Tottenham thrashed Aston Villa 4-1. Tottenham is up to seventh in the standings, while sixth-place Villa missed out on the chance to move into the top three.
Zverev wins Paris title
PARIS — Alexander Zverev was dominant in dispatching Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 to win the Paris Masters. The third-seeded Zverev was in total control of the final to earn his seventh Masters 1000 title, his first in the French capital. The win also moved him past top-ranked Jannik Sinner for most wins on the ATP tour this year, at 66. In front of a lively and partisan home crowd, Humbert never got into the match. Zverev will overtake Carlos Alcaraz to move into second place in the new ATP rankings and will be a top contender at the ATP Finals gathering the top eight players of the season from Nov. 10-17 in Turin, Italy.