The Houston Astros denied a reporter access to Justin Verlander's media availability following the team's 2-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.

Detroit Free Press writer Anthony Fenech was not allowed to attend Verlander's postgame session with reporters, Astros vice president of communications Gene Dias told the newspaper. Verlander refused to speak to any reporters with Fenech in attendance.

Verlander tweeted Thursday morning that he refused to talk to Fenech "because of his unethical behavior in the past," saying the newspaper has not engaged with him on the issue.

Although I tried to avoid this situation altogether, I've still reached out to @freep multiple times today with no response. They're still not interested in my side of the story.

— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) August 22, 2019

The Astros said in a statement released Thursday afternoon that their decision was made "after taking into consideration the past history" between Fenech and Verlander and "Verlander's legitimate concerns about past interactions with Fenech, and the best interests of the other media members working the game. We chose to prioritize these factors when making this decision.

"Fenech was allowed access to the clubhouse shortly after other media members and had the opportunity to approach Verlander or any player he needed. We believe that our course of action in this isolated case was appropriate."

The Astros opened their clubhouse at 9:35 p.m. As the rest of the media was allowed to enter, Fenech, who has a credential issued by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, was stopped by three Astros security officials.

Fenech contacted MLB vice president of communications Mike Teevan and was allowed in at 9:41 p.m., after Verlander had concluded his media session. Fenech approached Verlander, who said: "I'm not answering your questions.''

"Blocking a working reporter from doing his job is unprofessional, disappointing and intolerable," Free Press executive editor Peter Bhatia said. "We will be protesting to MLB and the Astros."

Free Press sports editor Chris Thomas also tweeted that neither he nor his reporter has heard from Verlander. Thomas added that he is "more than happy" to speak with Verlander about the conflict.

Hey, @JustinVerlander: I would like to know who you have contacted @freep about telling your side of the story. My reporter has not heard from you directly, nor have I.
My email is listed on the article we published last night.

I am more than happy to speak with you about it. https://t.co/vAbN86rNfY

— Chris Thomas (@ByChrisThomas) August 22, 2019

Verlander had made his displeasure with Fenech known at least twice before Wednesday night. He refused to talk to reporters with Fenech in attendance on Tuesday, and Dias told the writer before Wednesday's game that Verlander didn't want him at his postgame session.

MLB released a statement Thursday afternoon saying Fenech should have been allowed in the clubhouse.

"Per our Club-Media Regulations, the reporter should have been allowed to enter the clubhouse postgame at the same time as the other members of the media," MLB said. "We have communicated this to the Astros."

BWAA president Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic said the organization was "alarmed'' by the incident.

"This action by the Astros violated the MLB club-media regulations, which are laid out in the collective bargaining agreement, and the BBWAA expects MLB to respond accordingly and promptly,'' he said Thursday.

Verlander pitched for the Tigers from 2005 to '17, when he was moved to Houston at the waiver trade deadline. Fenech has been the Tigers' beat writer for the Free Press since 2015.

The Tigers scored the largest MLB upset in 15 seasons after being listed as plus-435 underdogs. Verlander took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits with 11 strikeouts in a complete-game effort.

The Astros are heavy favorites again Thursday, listed at minus-500 odds at Caesars Sportsbook.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

BALTIMORE -- Somewhere, the Cincinnati Reds are toasting.

On Thursday at Camden Yards, the Baltimore Orioles surrendered their 259th home run of 2019, breaking a tie with the 2016 Reds for most homers allowed by a team in a single season.

The record-breaking bomb came in the top of the third inning of Baltimore's game against the Tampa Bay Rays when Austin Meadows sent a 1-2 curveball from O's starter Asher Wojciechowski just barely over the out-of-town scoreboard in right field for his 22nd dinger of the season.

A former first-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010, Wojciechowski came into the contest having allowed 12 homers in 49 innings. He surrendered another solo shot in the fifth, to Willy Adames.

Entering play Thursday, the Orioles were on pace to yield 329 home runs. With power numbers up across Major League Baseball, Baltimore isn't the only team that has been giving up homers at a record rate. Through Wednesday's games, the Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies were all on target to surpass the 2016 Reds.

Nearly a quarter of Baltimore's historic 2019 total has come against the division rival Yankees. In 19 games against New York, Orioles pitchers surrendered 61 home runs, shattering the mark for most allowed to one team in a single season.

This season, 3.7% of all MLB plate appearances have resulted in home runs, up from 3.0% a year ago. Compared to 2014, when the leaguewide rate was 2.3%, home runs have increased by roughly 60%. If the current rate holds throughout the rest of the season, it would break the all-time single-season record of 3.3%, set during the 2017 campaign.

The rebuilding Orioles began play on Thursday in last place in the American League East, owners of a 41-86 record that was second worst in the majors. Their team ERA of 5.89 was the highest in baseball by nearly half a run.

Major League Baseball has banned all affiliated players from participating in the Venezuela winter league this season, a response intended to comply with President Donald Trump's embargo against the country's Nicolas Maduro-led government.

"MLB has been in contact with the relevant government agencies regarding the Executive Order issued by President Trump on Venezuela," the league said in a statement. "MLB will fully adhere to the policies implemented by our government. With respect to the Venezuela Winter League, MLB will suspend its involvement in that league until it receives direction from the relevant agencies that participation by affiliated players is consistent with the Executive Order."

The potential repercussions of the prohibition, which prevents major league and minor league players from joining the 75-year-old Liga Venezolana de Beísbol Profesional (LVBP), could be significant. Multiple sources told ESPN they feared the ban would warp the heretofore strong bond between MLB and Venezuela and spawn a situation similar to that of Cuba, another embargoed country whose complicated relationship with the league has festered for decades.

Dozens of affiliated players either return home to Venezuela or travel there annually to play winter ball, as many supplement paltry minor league incomes with low- to mid-five-figure sums to play in a 63-game season. The LVBP, whose champion participates with those from the Dominican, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban and Panamanian leagues in the annual Caribbean Series, is sponsored by Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the country's state-run oil company, according to sources.

The murkiness of the LVBP's link to a government-run business spurred MLB to consider the ban and consult with the Major League Baseball Players Association, according to sources. The fear, sources said, is that players agreeing to deals with a government-affiliated entity -- or agents consummating the deals -- would run afoul of the Aug. 5 executive order, which banned any such transactions.

Venezuela, once a bustling economic power in Latin America, has plunged into crisis, with widespread food and medicine shortages, millions of refugees leaving the country and toxic political infighting. The U.S. recognizes Juan Guaidó, the leader of the opposition, as president instead of Maduro, who remains in power.

One consequence of MLB's plan, sources said, could be Maduro retaliating by banning the league from signing amateur players in Venezuela. The country has proved to be a hotbed of talent, with Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras and New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres among the 95 Venezuela-born players who have logged major league time this season.

In recent years, as the economic strife worsened, teams shut down academies in Venezuela and consolidated their Latin American operations in the Dominican Republic. Top Venezuelan prospects have begun following suit, according to sources. Some of the best 12- and 13-year-old players in the country have moved with their families to the Dominican Republic in anticipation of signing with major league teams at age 16, sources said.

While all of the concerns about the executive order could be mollified by an agreement between the United States and Venezuela -- both countries on Thursday acknowledged recent back channel discussions -- MLB's desire to abide by it comes at a moment when the league's international dealings have been under scrutiny.

The Trump administration in April scuttled a deal between MLB and the Cuban government that would have allowed Cuban players to sign directly with the league instead of taking the circuitous and dangerous paths offered by traffickers. The Department of Justice continues a wide-ranging investigation into baseball's Latin American business -- including deals for Cuban defectors -- that sources said have targeted a number of teams, including the Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

MLB this week contacted the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the U.S. Treasury department that imposes economic sanctions, seeking clarity on the executive order, according to a source. Teams expect to continue to sign amateur players as long as Venezuela does not prohibit it, believing that doing so would not breach the executive order because individual teenage players are not under the Venezuelan government's purview.

Whether that legal argument holds up is unclear and part of the complications caused by the embargo. While a number of major league and minor league players planned to compete in the LVBP, contracts are not typically agreed upon until September and October. With no affiliated players allowed, Luis Amaro, the general manager for the Aguilas del Zulia, said he expected Venezuela natives playing in the Mexican and Italian leagues this summer to fill out the rosters.

Until then, MLB and the MLBPA can only wait to see the consequences of the potential action. The lockdown of the Venezuelan talent pool, while not crippling, would significantly hinder the talent base in the minor leagues, where hundreds of Venezuelans play. The lack of a winter option for young players in Venezuela concerned one agent, who said LVBP helps keep players out of trouble when they return home. Another agent, who expected multiple clients to make up for below-minimum-wage minor league salaries by playing in Venezuela, said he hopes clients still can get jobs in the Dominican, Mexican or Puerto Rican leagues.

Reports that the world 100m No.1 has recorded three ‘whereabouts failures’ in 12 months

He has been the world’s fastest 100m man for the past three years but American sprinter Christian Coleman was hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons on Thursday following reports of “an alleged series of missed drugs tests”.

According to British newspaper the Daily Mail, Coleman “is disputing one of three whereabouts failures in the last 12 months”.

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules require athletes to submit their whereabouts for one hour every day, plus overnight accommodation and training information, in case they are needed for out-of-competition testing.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) website states: “Any cumulation of three Missed Tests or Filing Failures in a 12-month period can result in a potential ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation) and a period of ineligibility of up to two years for a first violation.”

In a report for MailOnline, Matt Lawton writes: “It is understood there are high level ongoing discussions between WADA, USADA and the IAAF’s Athletics Integrity Unit about the case, with Coleman’s own legal team disputing at least one of the alleged whereabouts violations.

“There appears to be an issue because while all tests fall under WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration Management System, at least two different testing bodies are thought to be involved.”

Coleman, who has run 9.81 for 100m this year and broke the 60m indoor world record with 6.34 last year, had been due to compete at the Müller Grand Prix in Birmingham on Sunday but withdrew and in a statement said: “As a result of complications occurring after practice this week, I must limit my competition schedule going forward. Being totally prepared to compete in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at World Championships has to be my primary goal.”

USA Track & Field and the Athletics Integrity Unit have not yet responded to AW‘s requests for comment.

The best of Britain’s athletes are preparing to do battle for world championships places and UK titles. Here are some of the many clashes to keep an eye out for this weekend

Will Francis be fastest?

Zharnel Hughes has been in the best form this season so far, hoping to reclaim his British title that he last won in his first British Athletics Championships in 2015 over 200m.

Although he has been undisputedly the fastest over 100m this season, Miguel Francis goes into Birmingham as the quickest Brit this year over 200m following a highly-impressive 19.97 at London’s Müller Anniversary Games.

READ MORE: Miguel Francis aims for more after making his mark

Beyond Hughes and Francis, Adam Gemili has slowly but surely been getting back into the groove of things with a world qualifying standard at the Müller Anniversary Games over 100m courtesy of a time of 10.04. The 200m time has yet to come, but the sub-20 man seems to be getting fitter every race.

And don’t rule out Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake. The championship record holder after winning in 2017, Mitchell-Blake also won the title in 2018 before going on to win European silver in Berlin. In 2019, he’ll have extremely stiff opposition standing between him and a hat-trick of successive titles.

Dobbin defends

In the women’s 200m, Beth Dobbin emerged on the elite stage at last year’s championships and will look to defend her title in a competitive field. She comes in fresh from a personal best and Scottish record run of 22.50 at the Müller Anniversary Games, with the time ranking her ahead of closest rivals for this coming weekend, Jodie Williams and Ashleigh Nelson.

Williams herself is excelling over the rare double of 200m and 400m. Holding both qualifying standards and running a big personal best in the 400m, her return to form makes for an intriguing 200m this year with the title very much up for grabs given that Dina Asher-Smith is only racing over the 100m.

Completing the trio that spearhead the field, City of Stoke’s Ashleigh Nelson has been a staple of relay teams in previous years, last competing for GB&NI in Zurich at the European Championships in 2014 where she won gold with the 4x100m relay team as well as bronze in the individual event.

Nelson’s success has primarily come in the 100m, but she has excelled over 200m this season with a lifetime best of 22.85 – however, she has never competed at a British Championships over the distance.

Will Wightman get the better of Grice again?

Charlie Da’Vall Grice (pictured, top) has laid down one of the fastest times this season after clocking a 3:30.62 in Monaco last month to leap to fourth on the British all-time list.

He goes in as the fastest by a margin in the men’s 1500m ahead of Scottish duo Jake Wightman and Josh Kerr. In theory that should make him the favourite, but in head-to-heads with Wightman, including two international championships, the Scotsman has come out on top.

Wightman is the most decorated athlete in the field after taking bronze at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships last year, with his ever-growing reputation as a championship racer meaning he shouldn’t be ruled out for the title.

Kerr is the least experienced of the three but shouldn’t be written off. The 1500m NCAA record-holder, Kerr is regarded as one of the best middle-distance athletes ever to grace the American collegiate system.

He has shown glimpses of brilliance at the championships before, but this is the year where he is no longer an underdog – he’s now one of the favourites.

Irozuru leading the way

The women’s long jump sees Abigail Irozuru lead the way fresh from her qualifying mark jump of 6.75m last Sunday at the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham, with the mark her second-best ever behind her PB of 6.80m from 2012.

This weekend’s #MullerBritishChamps long jump sees @Airozuru lead the way, fresh from her 6.75m @IAAFDoha2019 qualifying mark at the @BirminghamDL, where she spoke with AW. See today’s mag for Grand Prix coverage & UK Champs preview (with more video interviews in our digital mag) pic.twitter.com/APxqD4fiFM

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) August 22, 2019

Championship record-holder Lorraine Ugen is looking for the standard, as is British record-holder Shara Proctor, with the latter’s season’s best mark just 4cm shy of the 6.72m Doha qualifying mark.

Ever the championship performer, Jazmin Sawyers certainly isn’t to be discounted, either, with her personal best of 6.86m last year seeing her make the European Championships, where she finished fourth.

Two-lap tussle

The women’s 800m this year is stacked with six athletes currently holding the qualifying standard. Lynsey Sharp is heading into the championships in incredibly strong form, her win in London last month in 1:58.61 putting her among the top 10 in the world this year.

Shelayna Oskan-Clarke will give Sharp a run for her money, though. The champion from both 2016 and 2017 has delivered when it matters in recent years with European indoor gold (2019), world indoor bronze (2018) and European indoor silver (2017) to build an impressive haul of international medals.

Alexandra Bell has yet to win a British vest for a major championship, but has an opportunity after a solid performance for third place behind Sharp at the Müller Anniversary Games in a lifetime best of 1:59.82, the second sub-2 time of her career.

Williams wants more

The men’s triple jump sees Ben Williams face British stalwart Nathan Douglas. Williams has had a breakthrough year, gaining the world and Olympic qualifying mark in Bydgoszcz this month, emulating performances that Douglas is used to. The world youth champion from 10 years ago has had a bit of a late bloom as an elite athlete but will use the British Championships as a good warm-up for the World Championships.

At 36, Douglas is still jumping impressive distances. His season’s best of 16.88m is just 7cm shy of the world qualifying standard. Given Williams has only recently captured the mark, that could well spur Douglas on to achieving the same feat in a genuine head-to-head.

Trip of a lifetime to watch the stars in action in Qatar
By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor

Squash fans have the chance to watch the finals of the 2019-20 PSA World Championships in Doha, Qatar, and get the chance to meet their favourite participating players in a fantastic new promotion.

As the official title partner of the Canary Wharf Squash Classic, Citigold are excited to offer the full VIP squash experience at the PSA World Championships to the first 20 clients who open and fund their account before 30 September 2019.

The enticing offer includes a pair of tickets to BOTH the semi-finals and finals and the opportunity to meet your favourite participating players after the matches.

In addition, the first 10 clients will also enjoy two nights’ accommodation for two at the official tournament five-star hotel.

The PSA World Championships will be held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar between November 8-15, 2019.

For this priceless experience, all you have to do is simply follow this link and open an account with Citigold*.

You will enjoy all the benefits of a global bank, receive your VIP squash package and have a choice of either up to 100,000 Avios points, £1,000 in cash or £1,000 on your Harrods Reward card.

* Minimum funding of £150,000 applies. Accommodation provided for first 10 accounts opened and funded. Flights not included. View Terms and Conditions.

Pictures courtesy of Citigold Wealth Management Canary Wharf Classic 

Title sponsors CIB pledge an extra $100,000
By SEAN REUTHE – Squash Mad Correspondent

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) and I-Events have announced that the prize money for October’s CIB PSA Women’s World Championship will now total $430,000 after title sponsors CIB pledged an additional $100,000 into the prize fund.

The 2019-20 CIB PSA Women’s World Championship is the most prestigious women’s squash tournament and will be held in front of the iconic Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, from October 24 to November 1.

Some 64 of the world’s leading female players will compete in Cairo for the coveted trophy, with the likes of Egyptian World No.1 Raneem El Welily, reigning World Champion Nour El Sherbini, French World No.3 Camille Serme and British Open champion Nouran Gohar all set to feature at the iconic Pyramids, which will host a World Championship for the first time since 2006.

The increase in prize money means that the 2019-20 CIB PSA Women’s World Championship becomes the second most lucrative professional squash tournament of all time, with only the 2018-19 PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family boasting a higher prize fund.

“We’re delighted to announce a significant increase in prize money for the biggest tournament on the women’s tour, particularly off the back of last month’s announcement regarding record prize money being on offer during the 2018-19 season,” said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough.

“Our female athletes will compete in front of one of the most breathtaking backdrops in all of world sport in October, and the increase in prize money and prestige that comes with being crowned World Champion means we could see one of the most dramatic and closely-contested World Championships the sport has ever seen.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank CIB for their incredible support of squash and, together with I-Events, I’m confident that we will put on a World Championship to remember.”

CIB Chief Executive and Board Member, Hussein Abaza, said: “We are thrilled to partner with the PSA and I-events to bring this tournament back to Egypt. As an avid enthusiast of the sport, I have to say some of the best squash I have ever seen has come from the female squash players and we at CIB are honoured to be able to offer a small token of our appreciation to the dedication of these world-class athletes. I look forward to some amazing squash.”

The men’s CIB Egyptian Squash Open will be held alongside the CIB PSA Women’s World Championship between October 25 and November 1, while the PSA Men’s World Championship will take place in Doha, Qatar between November 8-15.

Report by SEAN REUTHE (PSA). Edited by ALAN THATCHER.

Pictures courtesy of PSA

Former England rugby union international James Haskell has signed a deal to fight with mixed martial arts promotion Bellator MMA.

The 34-year-old is expected to make his debut as a heavyweight next year.

The former Wasps and Northampton Saints flanker, who won 77 caps for England, retired from rugby in May.

Haskell has previously trained with British MMA fighter Michael 'Venom' Page and worked as a television pundit covering MMA.

Bellator say 6ft 4in Haskell will continue his training this year with his first fight "expected to take place during the first half of 2020".

Haskell says his interest in MMA goes back a decade and in an interview during his rugby career said it "builds strength and endurance and has helped me to manipulate and move people on the rugby pitch".

He told Joe.ie at the time that he would "like to compete" in MMA and that it commands similar discipline to rugby.

Haskell played in the past two World Cups and won three Six Nations with England, including the Grand Slam in 2016.

But he struggled with ankle and toe problems while playing for Northampton last season and announced his decision to retire after a 17-year professional career in May.