Red Sox make splash in free agency with signings of Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez
BASEBALL: The Boston Red Sox are hoping to spend their way out of the A.L. East cellar with two big free agent signings.
The first team in baseball history to go from worst to first and back again has agreed to terms with former Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval. According to a baseball official with knowledge of the deal, Boston also agreed to a deal with former Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who came up to the major leagues with the Red Sox.
The moves give the Red Sox plenty of hitting, but they have to replace four starting pitchers they traded away last summer.
• Cy Young trio on ballot: Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz – a trio that combined for nine Cy Young Awards – headline the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot that includes 17 holdovers from previous elections.
Most notable of those are Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza and Craig Biggio, and 17 newcomers. Players must receive 75 percent of the vote for election, with results announced Jan. 6.
Penguins outlast Bruins in OT
HOCKEY: Evgeni Malkin scored his second goal of the night 32 seconds into overtime, giving Pittsburgh a 3-2 win over host Boston.
Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists, including a crossing pass for Malkin’s one-timer past goalie Tuukka Rask. Kris Letang had a pair of assists for the Penguins.
Marc-Andre Fleury recovered after Boston scored two quick goals early in the second period and finished with 27 saves. Boston had chances during a couple of scrums in front of Fleury late in regulation but could not get the puck across the goal line.
• Wings edge Senators: Stephen Weiss scored twice during Detroit’s three-goal second period to help the Red Wings defeat visiting Ottawa 4-3.
Jimmy Howard made 23 saves for his ninth win.
• Offensive mascot removed: The Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League have pulled their new Arabian-themed mascot that critics were calling offensive to Middle Eastern people.
The mascot depicted an Arabian raider character holding a sword and a hockey stick.
Blazers keep 76ers winless
NBA: LaMarcus Aldridge had 15 of his 33 points during the pivotal third quarter to help Portland defeat Philadelphia 114-104, sending the 76ers to their 14th straight loss to open the season.
Wesley Matthews added 17 points, Damian Lillard had 17 and Robin Lopez chipped in 12 for Portland, which won its eighth in a row.
The 76ers moved within one loss of matching the franchise mark for consecutive losses to begin a season and will look to avoid an 0-15 opening when they host Brooklyn on Wednesday.
• Raptors hold off Suns: Jonas Valanciunas had a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds, DeMar DeRozan scored 23 and host Toronto beat Phoenix 104-100.
Lou Williams scored 17, Kyle Lowry had 14 and Terrence Ross added 13 for the Raptors, who built a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter before holding of a late Phoenix run.
Villanova storms past VCU
NCAA Basketball: JayVaughn Pinkston scored 15 points and Darrun Hilliard had 14 to lead No. 12 Villanova past No. 14 Virginia Commonwealth 77-53 in New York.
The Wildcats used a 16-0 run early in the second half to bust this one open and advance to the Legends Classic final against Michigan, a 70-63 winner over Oregon.
• Gonzaga women left out: A new week led to a new No. 1 in the Associated Press women’s poll as South Carolina was atop the rankings for the first time in school history.
Gonzaga, which climbed into the top 25 a week ago, sharing 24th, slipped out this week, sitting 26th with 54 points.