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Olympics schedule: What to watch on Wednesday, Aug. 7

A’ja Wilson and the United States women’s basketball team can move closer to their record eighth-consecutive Olympic gold medal Wednesday at the Paris Olympics, while Lin Yu-ting competes in boxing.

See the full schedule of events and read more on what to watch below:

Women’s basketball reaches knockout stageSabrina Ionescu #6 and Breanna Stewart #10 of Team United States high five while Napheesa Collier #11 and A’Ja Wilson #9 of Team United States look on during a Women’s basketball Group Phase – Group C game between the United States and Germany on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on August 04, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Led by two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, the seven-time defending champion U.S. extended its impressive Olympic winning streak to 58 games Sunday. The U.S. women will take on Nigeria in the quarterfinals at 9:30 p.m. CEST/3:30 p.m. EDT at Bercy Arena.

Nigeria is the first African country to make the men’s or women’s elimination round at the Olympics.

The winner of that game advances to the semifinals to face the winner of Serbia’s quarterfinal matchup against Australia, tipping off at 11 a.m. CEST/5 a.m. EDT.

The other quarterfinal matchups are Spain versus Belgium at 2:30 p.m. CEST/8:30 a.m. EDT and Germany facing France at 6 p.m. CEST/12 p.m. EDT.

The winners of Spain-Belgium and France-Germany will meet in the semifinals Friday.

Men’s 400-meter final

The excitement in track and field continues with the men’s 400-meter final at 9:20 p.m. CEST/3:20 p.m. EDT at the Stade de France.

Michael Norman of Team United States competes during the Men’s 400m Round 1 on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

American Michael Norman cruised through his opening heat in a season-best 44.10 seconds. Fellow American Quincy Hall won his opening heat in 44.28 seconds. Semifinals for the event were scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Additionally, the men’s discus final will start at 8:25 p.m. CEST/2:25 p.m. EDT, and the men’s steeplechase final will round out the day’s action at 9:43 p.m. CEST/3:43 p.m. EDT.

Lin Yu-ting’s semifinal bout

Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan fights Esra Yildiz Kahraman of Turkey in a women’s 57-kilogram semifinal at 9:30 p.m. CEST/3:30 p.m. EDT at Roland Garros.

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Lin and fellow boxer Imane Khelif of Algeria have been at the center of a clash over gender identity and regulations in sports, as critics have brought up their disqualification from the world championships last year after the banned International Boxing Association claimed they failed unspecified eligibility tests for women’s competition.

Lin won her opening Olympic boxing bout, beating Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan 5-0. She then defeated Svetlana Kamenova Staneva of Bulgaria 5-0 to advance to the semis and ensure she will win at least a bronze medal.

Khelif also clinched a medal when she won an emotional bout against Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary.

Olympic boxing does not stage bronze-medal bouts, so the losers of both semifinal fights receive bronze.

Lin is a two-time Olympian who did not medal in Tokyo in 2021. She has not spoken about the controversy during her Paris run but said after the quarterfinals that she is focused on winning a gold medal.

SF Giants fall back below .500 as Hayden Birdsong endures worst start of career

A week ago, exactly, the Giants placed a world of pressure on Hayden Birdsong.

Birdsong, who began the season with Double-A Richmond, made his debut in late-June largely because the rotation was depleted. With just two starts with Triple-A Sacramento to his resumé, the 22-year-old still required polish. By late July, the Giants traded Alex Cobb with the specific intent of maintaining a rotation spot for Birdsong. Farhan Zaidi, the team’s president of baseball operations, subsequently called the rotation the best in baseball.

For San Francisco’s rotation to be the best, Birdsong will now have to rebound from a start that can be described as his worst. In his first outing since July 27, Birdsong pitched a career-low two-plus innings and allowed a career-high seven earned runs — all being scored in a disastrous 40-pitch second frame — as the Giants lost to the Nationals, 11-5, at Nationals Park.

“Obviously, I want to get to five, six, seven innings, but sometimes, it doesn’t work that way,” Birdsong told reporters in Washington D.C. “Things happen. Guys can hit it. Didn’t have my best stuff, wasn’t my day, but gotta be a little bit better than two innings. Gotta be. Can’t hurt the bullpen like that, especially with a couple more games coming up this week. Now, we’re getting deep into the bullpen and just hoping we grind out a lot of innings early in the game. Gotta eat up more than two innings.”

“There are times that he’s been scattered with his fastball, but with his offspeed stuff, he’s been able to throw it for strikes and keep them off balance,” said manager Bob Melvin. “Today, just really didn’t have command of anything early on. They put some good swings on him, put a lot of pressure on him. Never really had a break out there, but not his best.”

Birdsong’s night, his first start since July 27, began fine enough, tossing a scoreless, 18-pitch first inning. With the offense spotting him four runs of support by way of Heliot Ramos’ solo home run and Michael Conforto’s three-run blast, the rookie was on his way to securing his fourth major-league win.

In the second, the wheels fell off.

James Wood began the inning with a triple on a fly ball that left fielder Michael Conforto misread, then scored on Travis Blankenhorn’s groundout. Alex Call drew a walk. Ildemaro Vargas did, too. Jacob Young singled home Call. On Birdsong’s 29th pitch of the inning, CJ Abrams sent an eye-level fastball into the right-field bleachers for a three-run home run. The Giants’ 4-0 lead had become a 5-4 deficit.

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“I had no idea how he hit that ball,” Birdsong said.

“A long time since I’ve seen that,” Melvin said. Certainly not a bad pitch if you’re trying to elevate and get a swing. Give Abrams credit.”

Despite throwing roughly half-a-start’s worth of pitches in the second inning, Melvin kept Birdsong in the ballgame, likely in an effort to save the bullpen with the Giants in the middle of playing 14 straight games. The decision backfired. On his second pitch of the third inning, Birdsong allowed a solo home run to Keibert Ruiz. Birdsong followed up by walking Wood, and Melvin pulled the plug on the rookie’s night.

“It’s move on to the next,” Melvin said of the message to Birdsong. “He’s been good for us. So, it’s just, ‘Don’t worry about that one when you’ve been good enough times to where you’re going to be out there again. We have confidence in you and you have good stuff.’”

With Birdsong only completing two innings, Randy Rodriguez (2 2/3), Taylor Rogers (2/3) and Sean Hjelle (2 2/3) were called upon to cover the remaining frames. Washington’s offense continued to tack on runs following Birdsong’s departure, the dagger being Wood’s two-run, opposite-field homer off Hjelle in the eighth inning. The Giants, by contrast, went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

“Our situational at-bats were terrible again tonight,” Melvin said. “That’s been a problem here for a couple weeks now.”

Pacific Grove council considers change in residence requirement for city manager

PACIFIC GROVE >> The Pacific Grove City Council will handle smaller, less controversial issues at its Wednesday meeting, including renewing a lease for the Lighthouse Fellowship and continuing to update language about short-term rentals in the city’s ordinance.

The council will vote on updating the city ordinance to change the requirement that the city manager must be a resident of Pacific Grove. Instead, the proposal will require the city manager to live within Monterey County. Council members can also vote to add contingencies like the city manager should be living within a reasonable driving distance to take action during an emergency.  The Council had voted 6-0-1 to approve Matthew Mogensen as the new city manager in April.

The council will also vote on approving an amendment to the lease between Lighthouse Fellowship (a Calvary Chapel church), and the city, for the office space used at 515 Junipero Ave., also known as the Community Center. The organization is requesting an annual contract, with four chances to extend the lease each year. The church holds Sunday services at the Community Center.

Council members will be asked to select a voting delegate and two alternates for the League of California Cities 2024 Annual Conference in October. The representative will head to Long Beach, representing and voting on behalf of Pacific Grove.

The second reading of a proposal to approve a new snack shack at Lovers Point will be read. There were no changes from the last reading which approved a 270-square-foot building and detailed the rent for a five-year lease. The restaurant, owned by Sunset Hospitality Inc., will be a snack bar including beverages, sandwiches and light fare. The first rent is expected to be collected on Aug. 19.

The Pacific Grove City Council meets Wednesday at Pacific Grove City Hall, 300 Forest Ave. The meeting is available online via Zoom at https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/Zoom_CC.

Aubergine in Carmel picks up additional Michelin star

HALF MOON BAY — In a culinary-star-studded ceremony Monday evening, the Michelin Guide International solidified California’s reputation as a dining mecca, reaffirming all six of the state’s “exceptional” three-star restaurants (two more than New York), honoring 13 restaurants for their two-star cuisine and handing out seven new one-star awards — for a total of 85 starred restaurants statewide.

The event was held on the Bay Area coast for the first time, at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay.

People mingle as they being to arrive during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Chef Kristina Liedags Compton of Hilda and Jesse in San Francisco, right, speaks to attendees during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Chef Kristina Liedags Compton would later be awarded a one-star Michelin star. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Monterey spot prawn cornets served by the Ritz Carlton during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

A server slices pieces of Fermin Jamon Iberico to serve guests attending the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Chef Jordan Kahn of Meteora in Los Angeles prepares appetizers for guests during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Chef Kahn would later be awarded a one-star Michelin star. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

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People mingle as they being to arrive during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

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Three restaurants joined the ranks of two-star honorees at the event. Aubergine in Carmel and Sons & Daughters in San Francisco were elevated from their previous one-star level, while Vespertine, a newly reopened Culver City restaurant, vaulted onto the list at two stars.

“This is an amazing achievement for the Central Coast, and I couldn’t be more proud,” said an emotional Justin Cogley, the executive chef and culinary director at Aubergine, as his industry colleagues cheered. His tenure at Aubergine started in 2011.

The town is also home to Chez Noir, whose owners, Johnny and Monique Black, retained the Michelin star they were first awarded last year.

Seven restaurants joined at the one-star level, including three in San Francisco. Hilda and Jesse is a North Beach restaurant whose owners, Kristina Compton and Rachel Sillcocks, first launched with a brunch tasting menu. At Kiln, chef John Wesley, who also won Young Chef honors, offers a menu that blends Californian and Nordic influences. And at 7 Adams, chefs Serena and David Fisher specialize in seasonal California cuisine.

Southern California’s new one-star restaurants are Holbox, Meteora and Uka, all in Los Angeles, and R/O Rebel Omakase in Laguna Beach.

Chef Justin Cogley of Aubergine in Carmel-By-The-Sea becomes emotional after being awarded a two-star Michelin star during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

”California continues to shine bright as we see the culinary scene evolve and highlightemerging talent and cuisines,” said Gwendal Poullennec, the international director of the Michelin Guides, in a statement issued before the event.

Monday’s repeat three-star awardees were Dominique Crenn’s Atelier Crenn, Corey Lee’s Benu and Michael Tusk’s Quince, all in San Francisco; Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry, in Yountville; SingleThread in Healdsburg, from chef Kyle Connaughton and farmer Katina Connaughton; and Addison, in San Diego. Crenn and Katina Connaughton are the only women in the U.S. with three stars.

Chef Jordan Kahn of Meteora in Los Angeles slips on his Michelin white coat after being awarded a one-star Michelin star during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Chefs David Fisher and Serena Chow-Fisher of 7 Adams in San Francisco are awarded a one-star Michelin star while posing with the Michelin man during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Ian Krupp of Anajak Thai in Sherman Oaks is awarded the Sommelier Award as he pauses for a moment while speaking to the audience during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Chef Gilbert Cetina of Holbox in Los Angeles is in shock after being awarded his first Michelin star during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Trevin Hutchins of Aphotic in San Francisco is awarded the Exceptional Cocktails Award while posing for a photograph with the Michelin man during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

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Chef Jordan Kahn of Meteora in Los Angeles slips on his Michelin white coat after being awarded a one-star Michelin star during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

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Two-star Bay Area honorees retaining that award included chef James Syhabout’s Commis in Oakland, which has long been honored at that level, and Acquerello, Birdsong, Californios, Lazy Bear and Saison in San Francisco.

In the South Bay/Peninsula, George Aviet’s Chez TJ of Mountain View was again awarded with a star; the restaurant has been honored by Michelin for 17 years under a succession of chefs, including current top toque Stan Michalski.

Both the Plumed Horse in Saratoga, with chef Peter Armellino at the helm, and the Village Pub in Woodside, under the direction of chef Mark Sullivan and the Bacchus group, retained the one-star status they have held since 2009.

The other one-star honorees from this region include Protégé in Palo Alto from executive chef Anthony Secviar and master sommelier Dennis Kelly; Wakuriya, the contemporary Japanese restaurant in San Mateo from executive chef and owner Katsuhiro Yamasaki; and another Sullivan/Bacchus restaurant, Selby’s dinner house in Atherton.

Executive chef Harrison Cheney prepares a dish at the Sons & Daughters restaurant in San Francisco in September 2023. The San Francisco restaurant was elevated to two-star status at Monday night’s Michelin Guide International ceremony in Half Moon Bay. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group archives)

Michelin again awarded a star to both San Francisco restaurants owned by chef-spouses Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski — State Bird Provisions and The Progress. Cupertino native Brioza (who grew up in Danville) and Los Gatos native Krasinski met at De Anza College in Cupertino.

SoCal’s Kahn was the big winner of the night. Besides the two-star award, his Vespertine received Michelin’s newest Green Star for sustainability practices, and another one of his restaurants, Meteora, snagged its first one-star honor. Michelin inspectors who visited Vespertine raved about Kahn’s “daringly inventive” cuisine and concept that takes diners from floor to floor as the meal progresses.

While 10 California restaurants gained stars, several lost theirs including San Francisco’s venerable Restaurant Gary Danko. Chef Danko’s eponymous restaurant, which opened in 1999, had held a star since 2007.

The others that have fallen off Michelin’s star list include Barndiva (Healdsburg), Sushi Shin (Redwood City) and Sushi Yoshizumi (San Mateo); and SoCal’s Maude (Beverly Hills), Q Sushi (Los Angeles) and Sushi Tadokoro (San Diego).

Three restaurants were removed from the selection because they closed: Avery (San Francisco), Manzke (Los Angeles) and Taco Maria (Costa Mesa).

Also, two Southern California restaurants that received two stars in 2023, Sushi Ginza Onodera of West Hollywood and N/Naka of Los Angeles, dropped to one-star status this year.

As with all changes in star levels, Michelin inspectors — who review anonymously — make no comment regarding deletions or changes in star levels. As per Michelin protocol, they revisit all previous winners and new prospects with five criteria in mind: meal quality; harmony of flavors; mastery of technique; personality of the chef and  cuisine; and consistency between each visit.

Chefs retaining their three-star Michelin stars come on stage to pose for a photograph with the Michelin man during the Michelin Guide Ceremony California 2024 awards at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

This year, a total of 85 restaurants representing 17 cuisines earned the coveted stars, down two from last year’s 87 starred honorees. Three stars denotes “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”; two stars signifies “excellent cuisine, worth a detour”; and one star “high-quality cooking, worth a stop.”

When other categories such as good value and sustainability efforts are added, the 2024 Michelin Guide features praise for a total of 577 California restaurants.

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Coastal Commission postpones Monterey-Salinas Transit SURF hearings

MARINA – The California Coastal Commission hearings involving Monterey-Salinas Transit’s proposed SURF Busway and Bus Rapid Transit Project between the cities of Marina and Sand City on Wednesday were postponed until the next meeting Sept. 11-13 at the Portola Plaza Hotel and Spa in Monterey.

“MST requested a postponement after staff published the report recommending denial,” said Joshua Smith California Coastal Commission spokesperson. “Applicants have a right to postpone their item one time.”

The two items on the Coastal Commission’s agenda for this week that were postponed were first, an appeal by Keep Fort Ord Wild and Margaret Davis of the city of Marina decision granting permit with conditions to Monterey-Salinas Transit to construct an approximately 500-foot-long segment of a 30-foot wide two-lane bus road (part of a larger nearly 4.5-mile long bus road project) and associated development within the Monterey Branch Line rail corridor and in the dunes under Highway 1 near the Del Monte Boulevard southbound onramp in Marina.

Second, an application by Monterey-Salinas Transit to construct a nearly 4.5-mile long, 30-foot wide two-lane bus road and associated development (including retaining walls, grading, lighting, and drainage features) within the Monterey Branch Line rail corridor and to construct an approximately 700-foot long extension of Beach Range Road, seaward of Highway 1 and in the dunes between the cities of Marina and Sand City within unincorporated Monterey County.

In a combined staff report on the two related items issued in late July, the California Coastal Commission’s staff recommendation was “substantial issue and denial of both CDPs (Coastal Development Permits).

“MST and (Coastal Commission) staff plan to meet over the next few weeks in hopes of resolving the project’s impacts to rare coastal dune habitat,” said Smith. “This issue is expected to be heard at the commission’s public hearing in September.”

MST describes its project as, “A 5-mile, bus-only roadway parallel to the heavily congested segment of Highway 1, from Marina to Sand City/Seaside. New bus stations and amenities are included with an extension of the popular Beach Range Road trail in Sand City and Marina. The SURF! busway and stations will be built along the publicly owned rail line and within MST property.”

The rail line linked Monterey and San Francisco with passenger service from 1880 to 1971. In 2003, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County purchased the unused line from the Union Pacific to preserve it as a transportation corridor for mass transportation purposes only with a grant from State Proposition 116 funds, according to MST.

Bus service on the bus-only lane will allow passengers using Line 20 Salinas-Monterey (MST’s second most used transit line) and all other bus services traveling between Salinas, Marina, Seaside, Sand City, and Monterey to quickly travel past Highway 1 traffic, says MST. Riders traveling by bus on the new busway and other transit services that connect to Line 20 will have better access to Cal State Monterey Bay, the VA Department of Defense Clinic, beach access to Fort Ord Dunes State Park, the Dunes, and military neighborhoods.

The Coastal Commission staff recommendation summary said in part, “The Coastal Commission fully supports many of the goals and objectives underlying the proposed project, including facilitating less car-centric transportation options, particularly in terms of enhancing transit options for lower-income riders, environmental justice communities, and the general public, but that this particular proposal is not approvable in dune ESHA (environmentally sensitive habitat area) under the law, and alternative projects that avoid dune ESHA need to be pursued instead.”

Monterey-Salinas Transit General Manager and CEO Carl Sedoryk said the option to postpone was suggested to MST by Coastal Commission staff after discussion with the chair of the Coastal Commission as well as some supporters of the project including District 17 State Sen. John Laird and District 30 Assemblymember Dawn Addis.

There was a lot of information that appeared before the staff report was circulated that the Coastal Commission staff were not aware of or did not receive and did not make its way into the staff report, said Sedoryk, including the Proposition 116 issue and whether the project was an allowable use.

“The CTC (California Transportation Commission) sent a letter a week before the report was issued stating that as far as the CTC was concerned, the SURF project was an allowable use,” said Sedoryk.

Coastal Commission staff requested an analysis of alternatives and that information did not make it into the report either, as well as the estimated amount and quality of the habitat to be disturbed, which he said were both overstated. Sedoryk said the staff report contends that 100 acres of ESHA would be impacted and he believes, using the Coastal Commission’s own methodology, that it is 24.3 acres.

Sedoryk said since the decision to postpone, MST has had, and continues to have, numerous meetings with Coastal Commission staff to provide additional information with the intent to agree on a path forward that MST hopes will result in the recommendation for approval at the September meeting in Monterey.

49ers’ McCaffrey out with calf strain, won’t play in preseason

SANTA CLARA — Christian McCaffrey won’t play this preseason, which comes as no surprise given he never took a snap a year ago in three exhibition games.

This time, however, instead of protecting a healthy McCaffrey, the defending 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year will be out because of injury.

“Christian has a calf strain, did it a couple of days ago,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. “It’s all right, it isn’t pulled or anything, but you probably won’t see him this preseason.”

That also likely means the 49ers won’t risk McCaffrey on Aug. 15-16 in joint practices with the New Orleans Saints at U.C. Irvine.

McCaffrey left the 49ers’ Week 17 game last New Year’s Eve in a 27-10 win over the Washington Commanders with a calf strain and didn’t play in the regular-season finale, a 21-20 loss against the Los Angeles Rams.

A year ago, McCaffrey didn’t play in any of the 49ers’ three preseason games against the Raiders, Broncos and Chargers and hit the ground running in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers with 152 yards in 22 carries in a 30-7 win.

McCaffrey went on to rush for 1,459 yards on 272 carries, catch 67 passes for 564 yards and score 21 touchdowns rushing and receiving en route to being named the Offensive Player of the Year.

Also out for the second straight day was running back Elijah Mitchell, who Shanahan said had a hamstring strain that wasn’t serious.

“We’re going to be safe with him,” Shanahan said. “Probably will miss a week or so.”

With McCaffrey and Mitchell both sidelined, the 49ers brought in a familiar face in Matt Breida, who instantly got plenty of work in team sessions Tuesday.

From 2017 through 2019 with the 49ers, Breida gained 1,902 yards on 381 carries and scored six touchdowns in addition to catching 67 passes for 561 yards and four scores. He was the 49ers’ leading rusher with 814 yards in 2018. Breida played with Miami and Buffalo in 2020 an 2021 before joining the New York Giants in 2022.

“We were able to bring Matt in, which is awesome to have Matt available,” Shanahan said. “We need numbers out there and to get a legit player that’s had a hell of a career that’s been here before, we feel very fortunate.”

In other injury news, rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who had a long touchdown reception from Brock Purdy early in practice, left with a shoulder injury of unknown severity, an injury Shanahan said also happened in OTAs.

“I don’t know if it’s too serious, but that’s why we removed him halfway through practice,” Shanahan said.

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The 49ers will also be in the market for a street free agent punter heading into Saturday’s preseason opener in Tennessee with Mitch Wishnowsky missing recent practice sessions.

“He has knee irritation,” Shanahan said. “We’re taking it easy on him, not having him punt here for a little bit. We’ll have to figure out something for the game.”

Wide receiver Danny Gray practiced with a blue jersey that said “Do not touch” as he deals with a shoulder injury sustained in Sunday’s practice. Wide receiver Malik Turner was placed on injured reserve with an unknown issue, his roster spot filled by Breida’s addition.

U.S. coasts into Olympic men’s basketball semis with blowout over Brazil

After capturing the top overall seed with a dominant group stage showing, Team USA continued its dominance in the men’s basketball tournament.

By easily handling Brazil, 122-87, Steve Kerr, Steph Curry and America are heading to the semifinals, where Serbia awaits. The U.S., a 27.5-point favorite, started strong and never let up, with a balanced effort in which the roster gelled as well as imaginable.

Turning the quarterfinal matchup into shooting practice, the US had six players score double-digit points and shot 57% overall from the field and 48% from deep.

The U.S. has yet to fully unlock Curry, who finished with seven points on 2-for-3 shooting, but that hasn’t mattered the slightest bit. Since looking rocky in exhibition games, Team USA has rolled through the tournament. The Americans now have victories of 35, 26, 17 and 21 points.

Kerr continued his game plan of essentially platooning his lineups, subbing five in and five out. For much of the tournament, his bench unit — led by Kevin Durant — has been more effective than the starters. Tuesday, Curry and the starters looked more comfortable than they showed in the group stage.

Joel Embiid knocked down two early triples and Curry converted a pair of layups assisted by LeBron James. The U.S. blitzed Brazil from the opening tip, jumping out to an 18-6 lead while sinking its first four 3-pointers.

Both units blanketed Brazil defensively. They put ball pressure on Brazil’s guards, including 41-year-old Marcelo Huertas, and forced them into contested jump shots.

But Brazil found rhythm in the second quarter against Embiid’s drop coverage in the pick-and-roll, cutting the U.S. lead to eight. But Embiid sank his third 3 on the other end and James (nine assists) picked apart Brazil’s defense.

Jayson Tatum’s alley-oop dunk — off another assist from James on an inbounds pass — capped a 15-0 U.S. run to close the half firmly in control.

Trailing by 25, Brazil resorted to spraying 3-pointers and running in transition. They looked on the perimeter for Warriors reserve Gui Santos, who registered seven points and five rebounds.

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No one could expect Santos, leading scorer Bruno Caboclo, or anyone else on Brazil’s roster to match USA’s star power. On one play, Anthony Davis snatched an offensive rebound from Santos and stuffed an and-1 dunk. The next U.S. possession, Davis soared over Santos for a one-handed putback jam.

With a dunk off a backdoor cut, Durant became the United States’ all-time leading scorer — men’s or women’s — in Olympic play.

The Americans are two wins away from a gold medal in a tournament where anything less would be a failure. A rematch against Nikola Jokic’s Serbia, which the U.S. handled 110-84 in group play, is next in the semis.

Serbia has significantly more talent than Brazil, but no team in the tournament will be able to touch the U.S. if it keeps playing like it did on Tuesday.

Horoscopes Aug. 6, 2024: Vera Farmiga, set your sights on learning

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Vera Farmiga, 51; Geri Halliwell, 52; M. Night Shyamalan, 54; Michelle Yeoh, 62.

Happy Birthday: Hang on to your cash and secure what’s important. Opportunity is readily available this year, but before you overdo it, consider what’s necessary, and make decisions that will enhance your lifestyle without depleting your bank account. Smart selections will encourage peace of mind and more time to enjoy life and loved ones. Set your sights on learning, staying on top of trends and marketing yourself for success. Your numbers are 4, 11, 17, 26, 32, 35, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take a reticent approach when dealing with associates. Listen, assess and contemplate your next move. A vested strategy is mandatory to outmaneuver anyone who might get in your way. Structure your plans around what’s available to you. Privacy and secrecy are in your best interest. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take charge and initiate the changes that will enhance your life. Participate in events or activities that will help you get ahead or introduce you to lifestyle changes that enrich your life and encourage saving. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take more time to sort through options; if you act hastily, you’ll make a mistake. Channeling your energy into discovering what’s available and possible will help you avoid criticism and personal setbacks. Treat uncertainty as a warning sign, sit tight and breathe easy. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You can talk your way into anything. Promote what you want to achieve, ask for help and set yourself up for advancement. Emotional situations require honesty to help you decide with whom to share your secrets or personal information. Romance is on the rise. 4 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Invest more time in updates, and ensure you have the qualifications and resources needed to help you achieve your goals. Refrain from relying on others to pick up the slack or do the work for you. Hands-on is your best route to getting what you want done on time. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Refuse any emotional strain outsiders cast your way. Stay focused on getting things done on time and being responsible and accurate. Pay attention to what others expect of you. Make changes as you go. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Learn from experience and situations that require hands-on help. Take care of meaningful relationships first to avoid emotional fallout. If you take someone for granted, the outcome will lead to the point of no return. Set priorities, high standards and boundaries. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Trust your judgment regarding your professional reputation. Be accommodating, but only share necessities. Giving compliments and being charming will help you avoid sensitive questions that may compromise your objective. Take time for something you find calming or rejuvenating. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Gullibility will be your downfall. Don’t give anyone the benefit of the doubt. Clarity is necessary to avoid being taken advantage of or led astray. Applying minimalism to every aspect of your life will help clear your head. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ve got what it takes to get things done. Seize the moment and forge ahead with confidence, skill and a smile. Surround yourself with people with something worthwhile to contribute, and don’t hesitate to assume a leadership position. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Protect your possessions and work on meaningful relationships. Consider what’s available to you and the effort it will take to make your life easier. Set a budget and time limit to ensure success. Aim to ease stress and to free up time to do what makes you happy. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Simplify your life, relationships and goals. Adjust your attitude to ensure better health, emotional well-being and personal growth. Steer clear of situations that tempt you to ignore what’s important and give in to poor behavior. Choose your friends wisely. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are thorough, flexible and original. You are sensitive and accountable.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

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Olympics TV schedule for Tuesday, August 6

Here is the Paris Olympics TV schedule for Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Highlights include the U.S. women’s soccer team in the semifinals vs. Germany (9 a.m., E!), beach volleyball quarterfinals including Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng (U.S.) vs. Switzerland, (1 p.m., NBC) and the U.S. men’s basketball team vs. Brazil in the quarterfinals (12:30 p.m., USA).

ARTISTIC SWIMMING

11 a.m.

E! — Team: Free RoutineBADMINTON

Midnight

USA — Men’s Singles: Gold FinalBASKETBALL

5:30 a.m.

E! — Men’s Quarterfinal

12:15 p.m.

USA — Men’s Quarterfinal – U.S. vs. Brazil

8:30 p.m.

USA — Men’s QuarterfinalBASKETBALL 3X3

11:35 p.m.

NBC — NBC Late Night (Aug. 5)BEACH VOLLEYBALL

10 p.m.

USA — Round of 16

11 p.m.

USA — Round of 16

10:30 a.m.

UNIVERSO — Track and beach volleyball

11:15 a.m.

USA — Beach Volleyball, Cycling

Noon

E! — Quarterfinal

1 p.m.

NBC — Quarterfinal: Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng (U.S.) vs.  Tanja Hueberli and Nina Brunner (Switzerland)

7:30 p.m.

USA — QuarterfinalBOXING

7 p.m.

USA — Women’s Light, Men’s Welter Finals & moreCANOEING

7:45 a.m.

E! — Sprint: Canoe, Kayak HeatsCYCLING

11:15 a.m.

USA — Beach Volleyball, CyclingDIVING

1 a.m.

E! — Men’s 3m Springboard Preliminary

7 a.m.

TELEMUNDO — Natación

8 p.m.

NBC — Primetime in Paris (Aug. 6)EQUESTRIAN

1 p.m.

E! — Jumping: Individual FinalFIELD HOCKEY

5 p.m.

USA — Men’s SemifinalGOLF

3 a.m.

GOLF — Golf Central – Paris PreviewHANDBALL

3:15 a.m.

E! — Women’s Quarterfinal

7:45 a.m.

USA — Women’s Quarterfinal

6 p.m.

USA — Women’s QuarterfinalSKATEBOARDING

5 a.m.

USA — Women’s Park: Preliminary Round

8:30 a.m.

USA — Women’s Park: Final

8 p.m.

NBC — Primetime in Paris (Aug. 6)SOCCER

9 a.m.

E! — Women’s Semifinal – U.S. vs. GermanyTELEMUNDO — Women’s Semifinal – U.S. vs. Germany

Noon

UNIVERSO — Women’s Semifinal – Brazil vs. SpainSPORT CLIMBING

4 a.m.

USA — Men’s Speed: QualificationTABLE TENNIS

4:30 a.m.

E! — M&W Team: Round of 16TRACK & FIELD

1 a.m.

USA — Repechages: W 400m, M 200m & more

7 a.m.

UNIVERSO — Track and volleyball

10:30 a.m.

UNIVERSO — Track and beach volleyball

10:35 a.m.

NBC — Finals: Women’s 200m & more

8 p.m.

NBC — Primetime in Paris (Aug. 6)VOLLEYBALL

3 a.m.

TELEMUNDO — Volleyball

6:30 a.m.

USA — Women’s Quarterfinal

7 a.m.

UNIVERSO — Track and volleyball

3 p.m.

USA — Women’s QuarterfinalWATER POLO

7:15 a.m.

E! — Women’s Quarterfinal

10 a.m.

USA — Women’s Quarterfinal

2 p.m.

NBC — Women’s QuarterfinalWRESTLING

9:15 a.m.

USA — GR 77kg, 97kg & W Freestyle 50kg Eliminations

2:15 p.m.

USA — Finals: Greco-Roman 77kg, 97kg & moreRelated ArticlesOlympics | Photos: Paris Olympics celebrity sightings Olympics | PHOTOS: Paris Olympics nail art Olympics | For female athletes of color, scrutiny around gender rules and identity is part of a long trend Olympics | Competing for two: Pregnant Olympians push the boundaries of possibility in Paris Olympics | Olympic boxer Imane Khelif calls for end to bullying after backlash over gender misconceptions

Tyler Fitzgerald’s latest home run puts him in historic company as SF Giants get back to .500

Tyler Fitzgerald’s 12th home run of the season, one off Patrick Corbin that easily cleared the left field wall in Washington, was special for several reasons. 

Yes, the first-inning blast was the first lead-off home run of Fitzgerald’s young career. 

But it was also his 11th homer in his last 17 games, putting Fitzgerald in historic company the Giants defeated Washington 4-1.  

Since 1901, the only other shortstops to hit that many home runs in such few games are Alex Rodriguez, Troy Tulowitzki, and Trea Turner. And now, Tyler Fitzgerald.  

“I was just trying to slow it down and get a good fastball to hit, and he threw it right where I wanted it,” Fitzgerald said on the KNBR radio broadcast after the game.

Behind Fitzgerald’s blast 30 seconds into the game, the Giants (57-57) defeated the Nationals, 4-1. For the first time since May 31, San Francisco reached the .500 mark, remaining in striking distance of a wild card spot.

Fitzgerald’s hitting prowess has been one of the pleasant surprises of what has been an up-and-down season for the Giants. 

“Nothing goes on forever like this, but I think he can be a productive big-league hitter and he’s settling in at shortstop too,” manager Bob Melvin told media after the game. “He’s playing with a ton of confidence.”

The campaign has featured hot-hitting stretches, cold streaks, poor pitching, uneven fielding and a rash of injuries that have necessitated shuffling the lineup.

But through most of that, excellence from pitcher Logan Webb (9-8) and a losing record have been two constants.

Webb’s great play remained unchanged in the Giants victory. 

After throwing a complete game shutout against the Oakland A’s, Webb took advantage of a 4-0 lead – sparked by Fitzgerald’s home run – to speed through five innings.

Webb went 5 ⅔ innings, allowing just four hits and striking out four. Keibert Ruiz gave him trouble in the sixth, drawing a 13-pitch walk, but he was otherwise excellent. 

But while Webb was his usual outstanding self until a rocky sixth inning, the team’s ever-present losing record was shown the door after nine innings.

After rookie phenom James Wood singled in one run against Webb with two outs and another runner was able to get on, manager Bob Melvin pulled Webb.

Ryan Walker came in and got Alex Call to fly out to rookie outfielder Jerar Encarnacion on a slider to get out of the jam.  

Encarnacion also impressed with his bat, going 2 for 4 as the Giants racked up nine hits compared to Washington’s six.

Fitzgerald’s lead off home run gave all-star Webb an early cushion, and then San Francisco’s steady starter enjoyed even more run support in the third inning.

With runners on the corners, Matt Chapman belted Corbin’s slow slider into the stands with a 409-foot home run that left his bat at 108 mph. It was Chapman’s third straight game with a homer, and his first home run in Nationals Park. 

“Everything is right in front of us, and we’re excited and we want to keep it rolling,” Chapman said.

Camilo Doval saw his first action in eight days and captured his 21st save of the season by striking out the side. 

Undefeated rookie Hayden Birdsong (3-0, 2.97 ERA) is expected to start Tuesday’s game, and then Blake Snell (1-3, 4.29 ERA) should make his first start since throwing a no-hitter on Friday. 

Injury updates

Pitcher Tristan Beck threw a bullpen in Arizona, and is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.Wilmer Flores, suffering from right knee tendonitis, travelled to Los Angeles to undergo what the team described as a Tenex procedure on his right knee. Pitcher Tyler Matzek is scheduled to throw a 20-pitch live BP as he works through a left elbow strain, and Keaton Winn will continue to rehab through his right elbow inflammation in San Francisco.