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(AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

NEW YORK (AP) Justin Verlander has a second AL Cy Young Award - and a clear path paved toward Cooperstown.

Verlander beat out Houston Astros teammate Gerrit Cole in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America revealed Wednesday night. Verlander got 17 first-place votes to 13 for Cole, who became a free agent after the season.

Mets ace Jacob deGrom won the NL prize for the second straight year. He received 29 of 30 first-place votes, becoming the 11th pitcher to win Cy Youngs in consecutive years. He and Verlander are the 20th and 21st players to win the award multiple times.

Celtics survive Beal's 44, push run to 9
BOSTON (AP) Jayson Tatum was so disappointed in his last game that he went to the team’s practice facility later that night to work on his shooting. The Boston Celtics forward could go straight home on Wednesday. (MORE)

Harden has 47, Rockets outlast Clippers
HOUSTON (AP) James Harden was pestered and harassed on defense by Patrick Beverley for most of Houston’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. Despite all of Beverley’s antics Harden still scored 47 points and the Rockets outlasted the Clippers 102-93 in a wild game that saw Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers ejected in the fourth quarter. (MORE)

Ohio State DE Young to miss 1 more game
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohio State star defensive end Chase Young will be held out of one more game as punishment for breaking NCAA rules by accepting a personal loan. The penalty was announced by Ohio State in a statement Wednesday. The school had sought immediate reinstatement from the NCAA. (MORE)

Johnson says Gase to coach Jets in 2020
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Adam Gase is staying put as the New York Jets’ coach. Not just this season. But, next season, too. (MORE)

Lions QB Stafford sits out practice
DETROIT (AP) Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford seems to be a step closer to missing another start. Stafford did not practice with teammates Wednesday, a few days after hip and back injuries stopped his streak of 139 consecutive starts counting the playoffs. (MORE)

No. 18 Ohio State smothers No. 10 'Nova
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Not even Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann saw this coming. His 18th-ranked Buckeyes looked NCAA Tournament-ready in their third game, racing out to a big lead, playing solid defense and smothering No. 10 Villanova 76-51 on Wednesday night for a significant early-season victory. (MORE)

Lakers rout Warriors without Davis
LOS ANGELES (AP) No Anthony Davis for the first time this season, no problem for the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James had 23 points and 12 assists in three quarters, Kyle Kuzma and JaVale McGee dominated the middle, and the Lakers rolled past the hobbled Golden State Warriors 120-94 on Wednesday night. (MORE)

Isles hold off Leafs, now 12-0-1 last 13
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) The New York Islanders’ depth paid dividends once again. Anthony Beauvillier scored twice, Derick Brassard had a goal and two assists, and the streaking Islanders held off the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 Wednesday night. (MORE)

Caps' point streak at 13 after SO win
PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Washington Capitals have a calm confidence in the game’s most tense moments. T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored in a shootout to lift Washington over the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 on Wednesday night. (MORE)