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Published Date
MLB-ALCS
Yankees stay alive, whip Rangers
NEW YORK (AP) - The American League Championship Series is
heading back to Texas.
The New York Yankees have forced a Game 6 by belting three
homers and getting six gritty innings out of CC Sabathia
(suh-BATH'-ee-uh) in a 7-2 triumph over the Texas Rangers. Jorge
Posada and Curtis Granderson delivered RBI singles in a three-run
second before Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano (kuh-NOH') hit
back-to-back solo shots to put the Yanks up 5-0 in the third.
Granderson capped the scoring with a solo blast in the eighth,
his third hit and second RBI of the game.
Sabathia pitched in and out of trouble while surrendering 11
hits in six innings. But the left-hander and Cy Young Award
candidate held the Rangers to two runs while striking out seven to
get the victory.
Losing pitcher C.J. Wilson lasted just five innings after
pitching into the eighth inning of the series opener. Wilson was
reached for five earned runs on six hits and four walks.
The Rangers finished the game without outfielder Nelson Cruz due
to tightness in his troublesome left hamstring. Cruz missed 51
games this season because of hamstring injuries that landed him on
the disabled list three times.
The Yankees are trying to overcome their first 3-1 postseason
deficit since 1958, when they beat the Milwaukee Braves in the
World Series. Since the LCS went to a best-of-seven format, 24 of
the 30 previous teams to take 3-1 series leads have won pennants.
Game 6 is scheduled for Friday night in Texas, where Colby Lewis
will start for the Rangers against Phil Hughes. Lewis outpitched
Hughes in the Rangers' 7-2 triumph on Saturday.
Mark Teixeira's (teh-SHEHR'-uhz) season is over. The Yankees'
All-Star first baseman was removed from the postseason roster after
straining his right hamstring while running out a grounder against
Texas last night.
MLB-NLCS
Bumgarner gets the ball for San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Game 4 of the NLCS has begun in San
Francisco, one day after the Giants blanked the Philadelphia
Phillies 3-0 to take a two-games-to-one lead.
The Giants are looking to 21-year-old rookie Madison Bumgarner
to help build on their 2-games-to-1 NLCS lead over the Phillies.
Bumgarner helped the Giants wrap up the LDS in his last start,
limiting Atlanta to two runs in six innings of a 3-2 victory.
Joe Blanton is finally back on the mound for Philadelphia.
Blanton closed the season going 6-0 in his final 13 starts, but he
hasn't pitched since September 29.
MLB-BRAVES/JURRJENS
Jurrjens recovering from surgery
ATLANTA (AP) - Braves right-hander Jair Jurrjens (jyr
JUR'-jehnz) is expected to be ready for spring training after
undergoing surgery yesterday to repair a meniscus tear in his right
knee. Jurrjens was not able to pitch in the Braves' NL division
series loss to San Francisco due to the injury. He missed two
months early in the season with a hamstring injury and finished the
year 7-6 with a 4.64 ERA in 20 starts.
NFL-FAVRE/INVESTIGATION
Favre mum on NFL investigation
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Brett Favre (fahrv) is staying mum
about his meeting with NFL officials regarding allegations that he
sent suggestive messages and lewd photos to a woman who worked for
the New York Jets. The Vikings QB met with an NFL security official
Tuesday regarding the allegations.
Favre called the NFL's investigation into his alleged behavior a
"league matter" in a conference call with reporters and declined
to answer questions in his weekly news conference with Minnesota
media.
NFL-NEWS
Harrison excused from practice
(AP) - Steelers linebacker James Harrison was excused from
practice after meeting with coach Mike Tomlin about the $75,000
fine Harrison incurred for a helmet hit on a Browns receiver.
Harrison was so upset with the fine and the NFL's stricter
enforcement of dangerous hits that he said he was weighing
retirement. Tomlin says he felt Harrison needed time to cool off
and the coach expects Harrison to practice Thursday.
New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather was also fined
for a big hit over the weekend. Meriweather apologized for his
helmet-on-helmet hit and is promising to "play within the rules"
from now on.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson was also fined $50,000
for a hit the league deemed illegal. The hit left Robinson with a
concussion.
Robinson and Harrison indicated they will appeal their fines.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-LEGRAND PARALYZED
No update on paralyzed Rutgers player after 3 days
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - The 72-hour window of hope has come and
gone for paralyzed Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand without
word on whether he has had any feeling or movement below his neck.
Coach Greg Schiano (shee-AH'-noh) had no medical update on
LeGrand's condition after the team practiced Wednesday. The
defensive tackle was paralyzed from the neck down making a tackle
on a kickoff return against Army on Saturday afternoon.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-10-20-10 2053EDT
