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CINCINNATI — The Jacksonville Jaguars‘ latest loss clearly impacted head coach Urban Meyer more than the first three. He didn’t even try to hide his frustration.

His eyes were red, and he looked physically and emotionally drained in his post-game news conference. At one point he slammed his hand down on the podium to emphasize that the Jaguars didn’t turn the ball over on offense for the first time this season and still lost.

“It’s devastating. Heartbreaking,” Meyer said after Cincinnati kicked a field goal as time expired to beat the Jaguars 24-21 at Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday night. “These guys. Usually, I’m not wrong about stuff like that. I just see a good team in there. I see good guys. I see good hearts. I see guys that work and I told them I’m not wrong. I’m not wrong about that stuff.

“This team’s going to win some games.”

Thursday night was the closest the Jaguars have come so far this season. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for 202 yards and ran for 36 yards and a touchdown. James Robinson ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns, and the offense didn’t turn the ball over as they tried to overcome the loss of receiver DJ Chark (ankle) and right guard A.J. Cann (knee).

But the Jaguars failed on a fourth-and-goal play from the 1-yard line that would have given them a 21-0 lead at the half, and the defense couldn’t stop Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (who threw for 253 yards and two TDs in the second half) or force a turnover for the third time this season.

The result was the Jaguars’ 19th consecutive loss, behind only Tampa Bay’s 26-game losing streak in 1976-77 for the longest in league history.

It’s also Meyer’s first four-game losing streak of his coaching career. So, his frustration — and maybe even a little anger — is certainly understandable. And he doesn’t want to hear about getting a couple breaks to go their way so they can finally win a game.

“There are no breaks,” Meyer said. “I mean no disrespect, but you have to make your own. We don’t look at it that way. I’ve said this from Day 1: The core of this team has good players. We’re getting better each week. It’s sickening we couldn’t win that game. I’m not wrong about the guys in that room.

” … That’s a heartbroken locker room. We’ve got to get them back.”

The players are just as frustrated at the 0-4 start, though they hid it a little better than Meyer did.

“We’ll have to regroup a little,” Lawrence said. “This one hurts to be up 14-0 and somehow come up on the wrong side of it. We’ll bounce back. … Damn, I really want to get a win with these guys.

“We’ve been working so hard and put ourselves in positions the last two weeks to win. We just have to finish. It’s collectively. It’s not one side of the ball. We’re right there.”

The Jaguars (0-4) have two more chances to get a victory before their bye week at home against Tennessee on Oct. 10 and against Miami in London on Oct. 17. The Jaguars have lost nine of their last 11 games against the Titans, who started Jacksonville’s 19-game losing streak with a 33-30 victory in Nashville in Week 2 last season.

“We’re going to keep swinging as hard as we possibly can,” Meyer said.

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Orioles, veteran RHP Morton agree to 1-year deal

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Orioles, veteran RHP Morton agree to 1-year deal

After losing ace Corbin Burnes via free agency, the Baltimore Orioles bolstered their rotation on Friday, agreeing to a one-year contract with veteran right-hander Charlie Morton.

A 17-year veteran and two-time All-Star, Morton posted an 8-10 record with a 4.19 ERA, 167 strikeouts and 65 walks in 30 starts for the Atlanta Braves in 2024.

Morton, 41, has proved to be durable even in the late stages of his career, as he’s one of only four pitchers with at least 30 starts in each full season since 2018.

A third-round pick by Atlanta in the 2002 draft, Morton has pitched for the Braves (2008, 2021-23) along with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2009-15), Philadelphia Phillies (2016), Houston Astros (2017-18) and Tampa Bay Rays (2019-20).

He is 138-123 in 383 games (382 starts) with a 4.01 ERA, 2,047 strikeouts and 787 walks.

In 2019 with the Rays, Morton finished 16-6 with a 3.05 ERA in 33 starts, placing third in American League Cy Young Award voting and making the All-Star team for the second consecutive season.

Baltimore catcher Rene Pinto was designated for assignment to open a spot for Morton on the 40-man roster.

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Sources: Dodgers, Hyeseong Kim agree to deal

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Sources: Dodgers, Hyeseong Kim agree to deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement with Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim on a three-year, $12.5 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday.

Kim, 25, was posted by the Kiwoom Heroes on Dec. 5, marking Friday as a deadline to sign with a major league team. He’s known an an elite defender at multiple positions as he played second base, shortstop, third base and in the outfield for the Heroes over his eight-year run with the team.

His current fit with the Dodgers could be as a super utility player, depending on what other moves the team makes this winter. Kim is a career .304 hitter with 37 home runs and 211 stolen bases in 953 games while playing in the KBO. His speed alone can affect games, especially with the newer MLB rules that put an emphasis on base stealing.

The deal includes team options for 2028 and 2029, while the Dodgers also have to pay a $2.5 million release fee to Kiwoom. Per rules, the release fee is 20% of the total package.

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Hernandez returning to Dodgers on 3-year deal

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Hernandez returning to Dodgers on 3-year deal

LOS ANGELES — Teoscar Hernández will be in right field for the Los Angeles Dodgers next season when the World Series champions try to defend their title.

The outfielder was at Dodger Stadium on Friday after agreeing to rejoin the team on a $66 million, three-year contract.

“I had my mind clear that I wanted to come back and I was going to do anything in my power to make it work and be back with the Dodgers,” Hernández said.

He played last season on a $23.5 million, one-year deal and proved his value by becoming an All-Star and winning the Home Run Derby along with a third career Silver Slugger, which earned him a $1 million bonus. He capped it all by helping the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.

Hernández said he had offers from other teams that would have gotten him an additional $5 million to $6 million.

“For me, money wasn’t an issue,” he said.

Hernández’s deal comes with a $23 million signing bonus. The Dodgers hold a club option of $15 million for 2028 with a $6.5 million buyout. The contract also features $23.5 million in deferred money.

He called the Dodgers “different” than other teams.

“They give me the confidence. I didn’t get that really in other places,” Hernández said. “They trust me in everything that I can give them. That was one of the biggest things for me, that pushed me to do the best job that I can do in a Dodgers uniform.”

Manager Dave Roberts welcomed the return of Hernández.

“It’s not just about getting the most talented players. You’ve got to be good on the field and you’ve got to play the game a certain way,” he said. “What that does is it makes people around you better, it holds teammates accountable. For us, Teo checked every single box.”

Hernández hit a career-high 33 home runs and drove in 99 runs last season. The 32-year-old hit .272 in 154 games.

“He always put the team first and you could see that there was a real love of the game that he brought to the field each and every day,” general manager Brandon Gomes said. “I do think because of the way he plays with such passion and joy, when those big moments came up, it was something that he really cherished and was able to put the team first and slow the heartbeat down and do whatever was needed in that situation.”

Hernández will be in right field with Mookie Betts moving back to shortstop. Newcomer Michael Conforto will be in left.

Hernández was embraced by Dodgers fans and their support didn’t go unnoticed.

“I appreciate since the first day that I got here Dodgers fans were cheering for me,” he said. “They were giving me the support that I need to have the season that I have last year. When you have that support as a player, you have to give 110 percent every day.”

Information from The Associated Press and Field Level Media was used in this report.

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