Update on the latest in sports:
MLB-PLAYOFFS
Rays' Moore dominates Rangers; Tigers-Yanks tied, suspended
until tonight
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Tampa Bay's unrelenting drive to the
post-season has carried over into the playoffs.
Johnny Damon two-run homer sparked a three-run first inning and
the Rays went on to a 9-0 win over Texas in Game 1 of the ALDS.
Rookie left-hander Matt Moore took over from there shutting down
the AL West champs on 2 hits over 7 innings while striking out six
and walking two. Moore was making just his second major league
start. The powerful Rangers line-up only managed the two hits and
didn't have a base runner get past second base.
Tampa Bay catcher Kelly Shoppach (SHAH'-pahk) added two home
runs off of Rangers starter C.J. Wilson and drove in five. Wilson
was roughed up for eight runs in five innings.
The Rays put on a September push to overcome a nine-game deficit
and clinch the wild card in dramatic fashion in the final game of
the season.
NEW YORK (AP) - Game 1 of the Detroit-Yankees ALDS has been
suspended by rain and will resume tonight when Game 2 was
originally scheduled. Heavy rain started to fall in the middle of
the second inning with the score tied at 1-all and the game was
called when the rain didn't let up.
Detroit's Delmon Young hit a two-out homer in the first off of
Yankees starter CC Sabathia (suh-BA'-thee-uh). But New York evened
it up in the bottom of the inning when Derek Jeter scored on an
Alex Rodriguez ground out. Jeter struck out against Tigers starter
Justin Verlander to open the inning, but reached first on a wild
pitch.
Game 2 will now be played on Sunday, which was supposed to be a
day off in the series.
MLB-RED SOX
Francona moves on
BOSTON (AP) - Terry Francona's days as Boston Red Sox manager
are over after eight seasons. The team decided not to exercise the
option on his contract after Francona told management he thought
the team needed to hear a new voice.
Francona's departure comes just two days after the club finished
a monumental September collapse that saw it blow a nine-game lead
in the wild card race and lose the playoff spot to Tampa Bay on the
final day of the season.
Francona took over the franchise in 2004 and led it to World
Series wins that season as well as in 2007.
MLB-ANGELS
Angels GM steps down
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Tony Reagins has resigned as general
manager of the Los Angeles Angels after the team failed to make the
playoffs for the second straight season. The Angels won the AL West
in Reagins' first two seasons. But Los Angeles has fallen behind
the Texas Rangers in the AL West over the past two seasons despite
a payroll well over $100 million, and Reagins' hit-and-miss record
on personnel decisions apparently didn't please owner Arte Moreno.
MLB-BREWERS-GREINKE
Greinke to start Game 2 for Brewers
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Zach Greinke (GREHN'-kee) will get the start
for Milwaukee in Game 2 of the NLDS Sunday against Arizona. It's
the second straight time Greinke will pitch on three days' rest.
Greinke has been unbeatable at home this season with an 11-0 record
and 3.13 ERA in 15 starts.
MLB-DIAMONDBACKS-BAYLOR
Arizona coach faints at ballpark.
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Arizona Diamondbacks batting coach Don Baylor
was taken to a hospital after fainting at Miller Park this morning.
Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers says the 62-year-old
Baylor is undergoing tests and the initial results are encouraging.
It's not clear whether Baylor will rejoin the team for
Saturday's Game 1 of the NL division series against Milwaukee
MLB-WHITE SOX-SANTOS
White Sox keeping their closer
CHICAGO (AP) - White Sox closer Sergio Santos has agreed to an
$8.25-million, three-year contract. The 28-year-old right-hander
went 4-5 with 30 saves and a 3.55 ERA in 63 appearances this
season. He made a major league-record 25 straight scoreless
appearances on the road to start the season from April 2-August 30.
MLB-ATHLETICS MOVES
Athletics jettison coaches
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Bob Melvin wasted no time making changes
to his Oakland coaching staff after receiving a new three-year deal
last week to stay put as manager.
The Athletics aren't renewing the contracts of bench coach Joel
Skinner, pitching coach Ron Romanick and hitting coach Gerald
Perry.
Melvin took over for the fired Bob Geren (GEHR'-ehn) in June and
went 47-52 the rest of the way
MLB-BRAVES-CHANGES
Braves reverse course
ATLANTA (AP) - Just one day after manager Fredi Gonzalez said
his entire staff would return in 2012, the Braves have fired
hitting coach Larry Parrish after only one season.
Atlanta ranked 13th in the 16-team National League with a .243
team batting average. They were 10th in runs.
Braves general manager Frank Wren also says there's no guarantee
that Derek Lowe will have a spot in the rotation next season, even
though the team still owes him $15 million on the final year of his
contract. He lost 17 games with a 5.05 ERA.
BASEBALL-RAMIREZ ARRESTED
Ramirez charged
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Florida prosecutors have formally
charged former World Series MVP Manny Ramirez with domestic
violence.
The 39-year-old retired slugger was arrested Sept. 12 after his
wife told deputies Ramirez slapped her in the face, which caused
her to hit her head on the headboard. Authorities say Ramirez
denied hitting his wife.
He's scheduled to be arraigned on the charge Oct. 14.
MLB-DODGERS BANKRUPTCY
Hearing set
DOVER, Del. (AP) - A Delaware judge presiding over the Los
Angeles Dodgers bankruptcy issued an order Friday scheduling a
hearing that could determine the fate of the team. He says he
expects baseball Commissioner Bud Selig (SEE'-lihg) and Dodgers
owner Frank McCourt to testify under oath.
In a sharply worded order in response to dueling motions by the
league and the team, Judge Kevin Gross said he was setting aside
four days for an evidentiary hearing, starting Oct. 31, so that he
can decide critical issues "based upon facts rather than the harsh
allegations and innuendo of antagonists."
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-UTAH ST-BYU
Nelson leads Cougars to dramatic win
PROVO, Utah (AP) - Marcus Matthews caught a deflected pass from
backup quarterback Riley Nelson in the end zone with 11 seconds to
play to cap a 96-yard drive that gave BYU a 27-24 victory over Utah
State.
The Cougars started on their own 4-yard line with 2:26 to play
after a Utah State punt. Nelson, who replaced ineffective starter
Jake Heaps in the third quarter, led the Cougars (3-2) on an
improbable drive that gave them their 21st win over their in-state
rival in their last 23 meetings.
Nelson was 4 of 5 for 66 yards on the final drive, including a
40-yard pass to McKay Jacobson to the Utah State 26 and the winning
pass from the 13. Nelson ran four times for 30 yards during the
drive.
NFL-RAIDERS-PRYOR SUSPENSION
No break for Pryor
NEW YORK (AP) - Terrelle (teh-REHL') Pryor's five-game
suspension has been upheld by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
(guh-DEHL'). The Raiders rookie quarterback had appealed his
suspension, which is related to NCAA violations he committed while
at Ohio State.
Oakland selected Pryor in the third round of the supplemental
draft.
NFL-NEWS
Colts going with Painter
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Curtis Painter will make his first NFL start
at quarterback for the Colts Monday at Tampa Bay.
Kerry Collins is still recovering after suffering
concussion-like symptoms last Sunday against Pittsburgh, and his
status is uncertain for Monday's game. Coach Jim Caldwell says
Collins will be re-evaluated on Saturday.
Painter has mostly struggled during his three years with the
team, but he directed the Colts to a game-tying touchdown against
Pittsburgh before Ben Roethlisberger (RAWTH'-lihs-bur-gur) led the
Steelers to a game-winning field goal.
Regular starter Peyton Manning isn't expected to return until at
least November as he recovers from neck surgery. Indy signed Dan
Orlovsky to the active roster this week to provide depth.
Elsewhere:
- Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora (OH'-see yoo-mihn-YOHR'-uh)
practiced for a third straight day and expects to play for the
first time this season Sunday at Arizona. The two-time Pro Bowler
had arthroscopic surgery on the knee in August.
- Minnesota middle linebacker E.J. Henderson is listed as
questionable for Sunday's game at Kansas City with a sore knee.
- Tennessee safety Chris Hope has practiced all week and appears
ready to return to the starting lineup Sunday against Cleveland.
Hope dislocated his shoulder in the opener and has missed the past
two games.
- Jets All-Pro center Nick Mangold is a game-time decision to
play at Baltimore on Sunday after doing some team drills at
practice for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain two
weeks ago.
- Buffalo starting right guard Kraig Urbik returned to practice
Friday, but is doubtful for Sunday's game at Cincinnati. Urbik
worked out on a limited basis for the first time since injuring his
left knee against the Oakland Raiders in Week 2.
- Green Bay says running back Ryan Grant and right tackle Bryan
Bulaga won't play Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Bulaga
suffered a sprain and bruise of his left knee in the first quarter
of last week's win at Chicago last weekend. Grant rushed for a
season-high 92 yards against the Bears but bruised his kidney on a
hit to his back.
- Oakland cornerback Chris Johnson has been ruled out of
Sunday's game against New England with a hamstring injury. That's a
blow to a secondary that might also be without starting free safety
Michael Huff, who's questionable after suffering a concussion last
week.
- The Jaguars likely will be without starting cornerback Derek
Cox against the pass-happy New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio says Cox is doubtful because of a
groin injury.
NBA-LABOR
Talks to continue Saturday
NEW YORK (AP) - NBA players and owners plan to resume bargaining
Saturday after a four-hour round of negotiating Friday.
LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and other NBA stars
took part in the session, with time running out to reach a labor
deal that saves the Nov. 1 start of the season.
Commissioner David Stern indicated that the union will OK the
owners' plan for enhanced revenue sharing. However, the salary cap
structure remains an obstacle, as does the division of revenues
between the sides.
Owners locked out players on July 1, and the sides continue to
spar over the division of revenues and salary cap system.
BASKETBALL-BRYANT-BOLOGNA
Almost a done deal
ROME (AP) - The president of Virtus Bologna (boh-LOHN'-yuh)
tells The Associated Press he is "very confident" Lakers star
Kobe Bryant will sign a deal to play for the Italian club during
the NBA lockout. Claudio Sabatini says Bryant's agent has agreed to
an arrangement for 35 to 40 days, worth more than $3 million for
ten games.
The deal would allow Bryant to return to the Lakers immediately
if the lockout ends.
NHL-RED WINGS-SMITH SUSPENDED
Red Wings rookie suspended
NEW YORK (AP) - Detroit Red Wings rookie defenseman Brendan
Smith has been suspended for the first five regular-season games
for an illegal hit to the head of Chicago forward Ben Smith.
The NHL says Smith will also miss the last three games of the
preseason and forfeit $23,648 in salary.
NHL-OILERS-FEDUN
Oilers defenseman breaks leg
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Edmonton defenseman Taylor Fedun broke
his right leg Friday when he crashed into the end boards during an
exhibition game at Minnesota.
Fedun and the Wild's Eric Nystrom were chasing after a puck near
the end boards when Nystrom reached around Fedun with his stick in
an attempt to touch the puck and avoid an icing call.
Video replays showed Fedun's skate getting tangled up with a
stick. Fedun crashed hard into the end boards and play was
immediately stopped. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher, was
hospitalized and did not make the trip back to Edmonton with the
Oilers.
Oilers coach Tom Renney described the injury as a "complex
fracture."
PGA-JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN
Round 2 in the desert
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Kevin Na (NAH), Jhonattan (JAHN'-uh-thihn)
Vegas, and Charlie Wi (WEE) share a one-stroke lead after the
second round at the PGA Tour event in Las Vegas.
Na vaulted to the top of the leaderboard with a bogey-free
8-under 63 to reach 12 under. Vegas shot a 67 and Wi a 66.
CHAMPIONS TOUR-SAS CHAMPIONSHIP
Pavin leads the way
CARY, N.C. (AP) -Corey Pavin (PAY'-vihn) shot a 7-under 65 to
take a one-stroke lead in the opening round of the SAS
Championship. Nick Price, Gary Hallberg, Kenny Perry and defending
champion Russ Cochran were tied for second at the Champions Tour.
LPGA-THOMPSON
Old enough for the pros
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Teenage sensation Lexi Thompson will
be going to work full-time on the LPGA Tour next year. The LPGA
granted the 16-year-old's request to waive its requirement that
members be at least 18 to join, one day after she filed it.
.Thompson won the Navistar LPGA Classic in Alabama this month,
becoming the youngest winner in LPGA history.
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