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KPAY Sports Blog

Dubs continue quest for record; Harvey good to go for Mets

(AP) — Mets ace Matt Harvey has been cleared to pitch the season opener Sunday against Kansas City. That was in doubt after on Sunday he began to feel discomfort that worsened through the night. It turns out he had a blood clot in his bladder which he’s been able to pass. Harvey says his problems started with a bladder infection that created the blood clot. He was 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA in 29 starts last year after missing 2014 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

 

The Golden State Warriors go for their 53rd straight win at home as they host the Washington Wizards at the Oracle in Oakland tonight. The Warriors have an NBA-best 66-7 record and are only 7 wins away from the all-time NBA single season wins record set by the Chicago Bulls in 1996 at 72 wins. The Warriors will play six of their final nine games at their home arena.

 

(AP) — Cleveland can extend its lead over idle Toronto in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings tonight. The Raptors were beaten last night by Oklahoma City, dropping them three games back of the Cavs for the top seed in the conference. Tonight the Cavaliers are playing host to Houston, a team involved in the battle for a low seed in the playoffs in the Western Conference. The Cavs by the way will not have LeBron James in the lineup as they are periodically resting their players to get them ready for the post season.

 

The Hornets have fallen two games back of first place Atlanta in the Southeast Division. Tonight the Hornets have a chance to pick up a half-game as they visit Philadelphia. Chicago needs to get some wins and fast as they trail Detroit for the final playoff berth in the East by 3 ½ games. This evening the Bulls have their hands full as they are playing the Pacers in Indianapolis while the Pistons are hosting Oklahoma City. The Pacers are also involved in the battle for a low Eastern Conference seed. Golden State is looking to go 36-0 at home this season with a game against Washington. The final game of the night is in Orlando as the Magic are hosting the Nets.

 

(AP) — The three teams battling it out for first place in the NHL’s Central Division are all on the ice tonight. In first place, tied with 99 points apiece, are the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars with defending league champion Chicago four points back. Tonight the Stars are playing host to Nashville while the Blues are home to Colorado and the Blackhawks are at Minnesota. Florida and Tampa Bay share first place in the Atlantic Division with 93 points apiece, with Boston five points off the lead. This evening, the Lighting have the night off while the Panthers are entertaining the Maple Leafs and the Bruins are at New Jersey. The rest of the schedule has Carolina playing in New York against the Islanders in a game featuring teams vying for a low seed playoff berth in the East: Pittsburgh at home to Buffalo, the Red Wings in Montreal and San Jose at Vancouver.

 

(AP) — The semifinals of the National Invitational Tournament are tonight in New York’s Madison Square Garden. Once the biggest tournament in college basketball, the NIT now settles for schools not chosen to play in the NCAA. In tonight’s semi’s, the first game has Valparaiso (val-pur-AY’-zoh) playing BYU with George Washington going against San Diego State in the second contest. The championship game will be played Thursday night in the Garden.

 

 

Kings lose AGAIN; Dubs lose Ezeli; Donaldson gets paid

 

(AP) — LeBron James recorded his 40th career triple-double while Kyrie Irving matched his season high with 32 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled past the Sacramento Kings 120-100 on Monday night.

James scored 21 points to go along with 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double of the season. The four-time MVP didn't play the fourth quarter.

Irving was 13 of 21 from the field and tied his career high with 12 assists. J.R. Smith hit six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points.

Cleveland went ahead early in the game and steadily built its lead against the listless Kings, who have dropped eight of nine.

Rudy Gay and Omri Casspi led Sacramento with 16 points each.

 

(AP) — Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to remove debris and is scheduled to be re-evaluated in six weeks.

The defending NBA champions said Ezeli's operation was performed by Dr. Arthur Ting at the Fremont Surgery Center on Monday morning. The team said it expects him to return this season.

Ezeli, averaging 7.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.23 blocks in 40 games with 11 starts, last played Jan. 25 against San Antonio before missing the last five games with soreness in the knee.

The Warriors host Houston on Tuesday night.

 

(AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says AL MVP Josh Donaldson and the Toronto Blue Jays are nearing agreement on a $28.65 million, two-year contract.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Tuesday because the agreement had not been completed. The progress toward a deal was first reported by Sportsnet in Canada.

Donaldson and the Blue Jays had been scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing. The 30-year-old third baseman had asked for a raise from $4.3 million to $11.8 million and Toronto had offered $11.35 million when the sides exchanged proposed arbitration salaries last month.

Acquired from Oakland in November 2014, Donaldson made the AL All-Star team for the second straight season in 2015. He led the majors with 122 runs, topped the AL with 123 RBIs, and hit .297 with 41 home runs to help the Blue Jays reach the playoffs for the first time since winning consecutive World Series in 1992 and '93.

 

(AP)- Coach Rick Pitino says he is still waiting to be interviewed by the NCAA about allegations by an escort that a former Cardinals staffer hired her and other dancers for sex parties at the team's dormitory.

University President James Ramsey Friday announced a self-imposed one-year postseason ban for the men's basketball team after the school's investigation into allegations revealed violations did occur. Pitino has said he did not know about the incidents and that athletic director Tom Jurich does not believe he was aware of the activities.

Pitino said Tuesday on ESPN's "Mike & Mike" if Jurich "thought for one second I had 1 percent of hearsay in this case, I would have been gone a long time ago."

The university investigation is ongoing and it's unclear if more self-imposed penalties are possible.

 

Obama Roasts Dubs; Super Bowl 50 approaches; Cats and Runners in action

By Mike Baca

President Barack Obama honored and roasted the Golden State Warriors at the same time during an official White House visit for the World Champions on Thursday.

Obama jokingly poked fun at the 45-4 Warriors for not being the best single season team yet, instead praising Steve Kerr for  being part of the 1996 Chicago Bulls who won 72 games, a number the Dubs are chasing during this campaign.

Obama also poked Steph Curry for being a great shooter but not having the "prettiest" jump shot on the team, instead laying that honor on fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson.

It was a joyous day for Warriors fans who waited 40 years to see their team capture a title.

SUPER BOWL

The Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers are getting ready for Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara. The NFC champion Panthers are 5.5 point favorites

LOCAL SCHEDULE

The Chico State baseball team opens a three game series today as they take the Point Loma Sea Lions. Point Loma was a West Regional participant last year. The first game of the series is at 2pm this afternoon on KPAYSports.com with pregame at 1:45. Tomorrow's 11am double-header is on Newstalk 1290-KPAY and KPAYSports.com

Chico State basketball is hosting Cal State East Bay tonight and Monterey Bay tomorrow. The Wildcats are 16-3 overall and sit one game behind UC San Diego for first in the CCAA. The Wildcat women have won three in a row and looking to climb up the CCAA standings against East Bay team that is the second best defensive team in the CCAA giving up only 52 points a game. You can hear the games on Newstalk 1290 KPAY and KPAYSports.com at 5:06pm on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Butte College baseball (1-1) is in Yountville at Napa Valley today at 2pm and then plays a double-dip tomorrow at 10am. Butte College softball opens their season at noon with a double-header against Yuba College tomorrow. The Roadrunner basketball teams host Shasta College tomorrow with men at 4pm and women at 6pm.

Curry Torches Wizards for 51; Kings trip at home against Bulls

(AP) — Stephen Curry scored 36 of his 51 points in the first half to offset a monster offensive game from John Wall and the Golden State Warriors pulled away to beat the Washington Wizards 134-121 Wednesday night for their eighth straight victory.

Curry made 13 of his first 14 shots and finished 19 of 28 from the field and 11 of 26 from 3-point territory. His 11 3s tied a career high.

The defending-champion Warriors (45-4) continued on their run by tying the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers for the best 49-game start in NBA history.

Along with Curry's 51, Klay Thompson scored 24 points and Draymond Green had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Wall led the Wizards (21-26) with 10 assists and his season-best 41 points.

 

(AP) — E'Twaun Moore scored a career-high 24 points while starting in place of injured Jimmy Butler, and the Chicago Bulls overcame a sloppy finish to beat the Sacramento Kings 107-102 on Wednesday night.

Pau Gasol added 16 points, 13 rebounds and made two free throws with 4.3 seconds remaining to help the Bulls to their first win in Sacramento in more than four years. Derrick Rose had 21 points and nine assists while Taj Gibson scored 12.

The Bulls led 101-92 with 2:40 left but struggled to close out the Kings. Chicago committed two turnovers and made only one basket down the stretch before pulling out the win at the free-throw line.

DeMarcus Cousins had 30 points and 11 rebounds in his return to Sacramento's lineup.

Red Sox Sit Atop the Baseball World !

 

NUMBER ONE AGAIN FOR THE BOSTON RED SOX

After an 86 year wait the Sox have won three titles in the last 10 years

 

 

 

RED SOX CLOSER KOJI UEHARA JUMPS INTO THE ARMS OF CATCHER DAVID ROSS AFTER THE FINAL OUT

 

By Mike Baca

 

The fans of the Boston Red Sox are still celebrating their team's World Series Championship. The Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinlas last night 6-1 en route to their 8th franichse title and their third championship in the last 10 years.

 

The Red Sox did it with a band of bearded mis-fits who came together as a group after the April Boston Marathon bombings that shocked the country and New England. The Sox, who suffered thru a 93 loss season in 2012, made whole-sale changes entering the 2013 campaign. The new faces and energy led to a 97 win season and a spirited post-season run.

 

David Ortiz was named the series MVP after hitting .688 in the six-game series.

 

 

Big Papi was walked four times in last night's game, three of them intentionally. Papi says this Red Sox team was a special group....

 

 

The Red Sox busted the game wide open in the third inning when Shane Victorino slammed 2-1 pitch from Cardinals rookie Michael Wacha off the Green Monster in left field.

 

 

 

That swing would provide all the runs the BoSox would need in winning the 2013 title.

 

One of the great local story lines to the Red Sox victory was the stellar play of former Chico Outlaw Daniel Nava.

 

 

Nava was a stand-out for the Red Sox all season long providing a dependable bat all over the John Farrell's line-up card. Nava hit .308 this year, good for eighth in the American League. Nava recounted his amazing journey last night in an interview moments after the game on the MLB Network.....

 

 

The Red Sox and their fans will celebrate their championship with a duck-boat parade on the Charles on Saturday morning at 10am est

 

WARRIORS TROUNCE LAKERS AS THOMPSON SCORES CAREER HIGH 38

 

(AP) — Klay Thompson scored a career-high 38 points in a spectacular shooting performance, and the Golden State Warriors whipped the Los Angeles Lakers 125-94 in their much-anticipated season opener Wednesday night.

Thompson finished 15 of 19 from the floor, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range, to lead the Warriors to the runaway win. Golden State led by 19 at the half, 33 at the end of the third quarter and 35 early in the fourth.

David Lee added 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Stephen Curry had 10 points and six assists as the Warriors trounced a rebuilding Lakers team playing without Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.

Jodie Meeks scored 14 points and Pau Gasol had 12 points and seven rebounds for an overmatched Lakers team playing on back-to-back nights. Los Angeles beat the Clippers on Tuesday night in their season opener.

 

COUSINS LEADS KINGS TO OPENING NIGHT WIN IN SACTOWN

 

(AP) — DeMarcus Cousins had 30 points and 14 rebounds to give Sacramento fans plenty more to cheer about than just having a team as the Kings won their season-opener 90-88 over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.

Greivis Vasquez added 17 points and Isaiah Thomas had 16 off the bench to cap a celebratory night in Sacramento as the Kings opened a new era just months after nearly moving to Seattle.

Ty Lawson scored 20 points but missed a potential tying shot in the closing seconds for the Nuggets, who started off Brian Shaw's tenure with a loss. Shaw took over for last season's coach of the year George Karl, who was fired after a first-round playoff loss to Golden State despite winning 57 games in the regular season.

 

SHARKS LOSE HEART-BREAKER AT STAPLES

 

(AP) — Anze Kopitar scored on a power play 2:32 into overtime after setting up Justin Williams' tying power play goal with 7:39 left in the third period, and the Los Angeles Kings rallied from behind three times Wednesday night to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-3.

Drew Doughty and Jarret Stoll also had goals and Jonathan Quick stopped 17 shots in the first meeting of the season between the Pacific Division rivals, helping the Kings win for the eighth time in 11 games.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture scored for the Sharks, who finished the first month of the season 10-1-2 and set a franchise record for wins in October. Antti Niemi made 19 saves in the finale of a 3-2 road trip.

 

NEWSTALK 1290 KPAY will carry the 2013 ALMOND BOWL on Friday night with our pre-game at 7:30

You can also hear the game on KPAY.com

The A's go with The Kid as they try and dethrone Verlander and the Tigers

 

 

CAN SONNY GRAY TAKE THE A'S TO THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES ?

 

The Oakland A's send 23 year-old Sonny Gray to the mound tonight as they play the Detroit Tigers for the second straight year in a Game 5 of the American Divisional playoff. The task will not be easy as the A's will have to face Tigers ace Justin Verlander for the second time in the series and for the second time in a Game 5 of the divisional playoff.

 

Bob Melvin explained his decision to by-pass 40 year-old Bartolo Colon in favor of the youngster Gray....

 

 

Melvin says Sonny Gray is the guy the Athletics want on the mound.....

 

 

Melvin says this doesn't mean they don't have confidence in Bartolo Colon. He says they feel confident in what

Gray will bring to the table in Game 5

 

 

 

We are just a few hours away from seeing if The Kid can get the A's to the ALCS

 

 

 

Baseball Playoff Re-Cap; HS Football Scores; Butte Football Rolls

 

49ERS ROLL THE TEXANS 34-3

 

 

(AP) — Tramaine Brock intercepted Matt Schaub's first pass of the night and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown, Schaub threw three interceptions in all before the embattled quarterback got replaced in the fourth, and the San Francisco 49ers pounded the Houston Texans 34-3 on Sunday night.

 

Colin Kaepernick threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis

 

 

And, Frank Gore ran for 81 yards and a score in his second straight impressive prime-time game. The 49ers (3-2) are right back in the NFC West race with Seattle after the Seahawks (4-1) lost at Indianapolis. Each team has beaten the Texans (2-3) and lost to the Colts, and Seattle still must visit San Francisco on Dec. 8.

Anthony Dixon added a 2-yard touchdown run for the NFC champions, while Brock had a second interception and nearly a third.

 

PRYOR RUNS WILD ON CHARGERS AS RAIDERS WIN LATE NIGHT AFFAIR

 

 

(AP)-Terrelle Pryor threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter and Charles Woodson tied an NFL record with his 13th defensive touchdown as the Oakland Raiders beat the San Diego Chargers 27-17. Pryor got the Raiders (2-3) off to a fast start in the latest starting West Coast game in NFL history with a 44-yard touchdown pass on Oakland's first play from scrimmage. The Raiders then used four forced turnovers, a goal-line stand, Woodson's 25-yard return of Danny Woodhead's fumble

 

 

and two long field goals by Sebastian Janikowski to beat the Chargers (2-3). Philip Rivers had his third 400-yard passing game of the season, throwing for 411 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions.

 

RODGERS AND THE PACKERS BEAT THE LIONS

 

Chico's Aaron Rodgers found things a little more difficult this time around against the Detroit Lions. But, in the end Rodgers and the Packers were 22-9  winners at Lambeau. Rodgers was 20-of-34 and threw for 274 yards and a touchdown. The Packers offense struggled early but found their footing in the second half. The Lions had to play without their all-everytthing wide receiver Calvin Johnson who was sidelined by injury.

 

CAREER MINOR-LEAGUER STEPHEN VOGT IS MOBBED AFTER GAME-WINNING HIT SATURDAY NIGHT

 

 

The Oakland A's get ready for Game 3 in Detroit this morning coming off of a dramatic win in Game 2 on Saturday night. Career minor leaguer Stephen Vogt delivered the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 9th giving Oakland a 1-0 win.

 

 

The A's and Tigers play Game 3 this morning at 10am.

 

BUCS ONE WIN AWAY FROM NLCS

 

(AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are one victory away from winning a postseason series for the first time since the 1979 World Series.

Pedro Alvarez hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 to take a 2-1 lead in best-of-five NL division series.

Alvarez pulled a grounder into right field that scored pinch-runner Josh Harrison from second base.

 

 

Russell Martin followed with a sharp RBI single for an insurance run against reliever Kevin Siegrist, who took over after Carlos Martinez faltered. Martinez took the loss.

Mark Melancon (meh-LAN'-sehn) picked up the win despite allowing Carlos Beltran's tying home run in the top of the eighth.

Charlie Morton is set to start for the Pirates in Game 4 Monday afternoon 12:07pm Pacific time against rookie Michael Wacha (WAH'-kah).

 

DODGERS POUND BRAVES; MOVE A STEP CLOSER TO NLCS

 

 

(AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers hammered Atlanta 13-6 in the other NL division series game. Juan Uribe (yoo-REE'-bay) and Carl Crawford homered for the Dodgers, who now own a 2-1 series lead. Uribe hit a two-run homer while Crawford's was a three-run shot.

 

 

The teams combined for 19 runs and 24 hits in the four-hour, one-minute tussle.

Hanley Ramirez and Yasiel Puig (yah-SEEL' pweeg) each had three hits and scored three times on a big night at the plate for the Dodgers, who matched a franchise record for runs in a postseason game. Brooklyn beat the New York Yankees 13-8 in Game 2 of the 1956 World Series.

The Dodgers send out 13-game winner Ricky Nolasco Monday night  at 6:35pm when they go for the clincher. The Braves go with veteran Freddy Garcia in what is a must-win game for them.

 

BIG PAPI'S TWO HOMERS SEND BOSOX TO TAMPA WITH 2-0 LEAD

 

The Boston Red Sox can wrap up their ALDS series against the Rays this afternoon. Boston will send Clay Bucholz to the mound today up 2-0 in their best-of-five series. The Red Sox beat Tampa 7-4 on Saturday behind a big day from David Ortiz. Big Papi not only went yard once........

 

 

but twice.....

 

 

Game time for Game 3 is 3:07pm Pacific time.

 

ROADRUNNERS ROLL TO 5-0 WITH 68 POINT EFFORT IN MODESTO

 

The Butte College Football team exerts their dominance again with a 68-40 trouncing of Modesto this weekend. Butte runs their record to 5-0 and has bye this coming weekend. They will travel to Santa Rosa on October 18th.

 

 CHICO STATE VOLLEYBALL AND SOCCER RECAPS....

 

The Chico State Volleyball team split a pair of matches on the road. The Cats swept San Francisco State on Friday only to fall to Sonoma State in straight sets on Saturday. The Wildcat women are 7-7 overall and 4-3 in the CCAA.

 

For the Chico State women's soccer team if they didn't have bad luck, they would have no luck at all. The Cats fell on Friday at home 2-1 in overtime to Cal State San Bernardino. And then lost at San Francisco State on Sunday on the road 1-0. The Wildcats are now 4-5-1 overall and 2-5-1 in the CCAA.

 

The Chico State men's soccer team had a great weekend. They swept the weekend disposing of San Bernardino 3-0 on Friday and then scoring a 1-0 win over San Francisco State on the road on Sunday. The Wildcat men are 8-2 overall and 6-2 in the CCAA.

 

 

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES

 

Gridley 36-26 over Anderson

Enterprise 56-48 over Chico  

(Izzy Matthews 371 yards rushing 4 TD's for Hornets)

Sutter 21-18 over Orland

Paradise 47-27 over Foothill

Corning 33-22 over Lassen

Wheatland 40-14 over Oroville

Winters 28-21 over Las Plumas

Willows 26-13 over Hamilton

West Valley 50-14 over Pleasant Valley

 

 

High School Football Friday; MLB Playoffs as A's take on Tigers

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MATCHUPS

 

PARADISE @ FOOTHILL

ENTERPRISE @ CHICO

PLEASANT VALLEY @ WEST VALLEY

WILLOWS @ HAMILTON

SUTTER @ ORLAND

ANDERSON @ GRIDLEY

OROVILLE @ WHEATLAND

WINTERS @ LAS PLUMAS

CORNING @ LASSEN

RED BLUFF @ SHASTA

 

The Chico State men's and women's soccer teams are hosting PACK THE HOUSE night at University Stadium.

The Wildcats will take on Cal State San Bernardino. The women are 4-3-1 on the season and will play at 4:30pm, while the men are 6-2 and will play 7pm.

 

Chico State volleyball is on the road this weekend. The Cats play San Francisco State tonight and Sonoma State tomorrow. Both matches start at 7pm.

 

(AP) — The brother of a Los Angeles Dodgers fan who was stabbed to death in San Francisco after the team played the San Francisco Giants says he swung a chair at the suspect during a fight.

Robert Preece told KGO-TV (http://bit.ly/1768pC5) that he was protecting his brother after another group of people came up behind them. He described the chair he swung as an aluminum beach chair that was a gift from his father from Dodger Stadium.

Preece's brother, Jonathan Denver, was stabbed to death on Sept. 25 after attending the Dodgers-Giants game. Police have said Denver's group, many wearing Dodgers garb, got into a shouting match over the Dodgers with the suspect, 21-year-old Michael Montgomery.

Montgomery's father has said his son acted in self-defense. Montgomery has not been charged.

 

The Oakland A's get ready to take on the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of their American League Divsional Playoff.

The A's will send 18 game-winner Bartolo Colon to the hill against 21 game-winner Max Scherzer. Last year Oakland lost to the Tigers in the divisional playoffs in 5 games.

 

The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders will both be playing in prime time on Sunday night. The 49ers are the featured game on Sunday night game on NBC as they take on the Houston Texans. Game time is at 5:30. The Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers were originally scheduled to play at 1:05pm on Sunday, but because the Oakland A's playoff game on Saturday night, crews need time to prepare the playing surface for football. So, the game has been pushed back to 8:30pm. The NFL Network will televise the game at 8:30pm

 

 

Raiders fall; Giants win finale and Chico State Cross Country dazzles at Stanford

 

RAIDERS DROP ONE TO SKINS AS FLYNN STRUGGLES

 

 

TERRELLE PRYOR (far left) AND HIS RAIDER MATES DROP TO 1-3 AFTER LOSS TO SKINS

 

(AP) — Robert Griffin III threw a go-ahead touchdown pass late in the third quarter to help the Washington Redskins overcome an early 14-point deficit to beat the Oakland Raiders 24-14 Sunday for their first win of the season.

David Amerson returned an interception for another score for the Redskins (1-3).

Washington looked ready to extend the worst start for the franchise since 2001 when they fell behind 14-0 after the first quarter thanks to a blocked punt touchdown and a scoring pass from Matt Flynn.

But the much-maligned Washington defense allowed the Raiders (1-3) no more points, taking advantage of an offense that was without starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor the entire game and starting running backs Darren McFadden and Marcel Reece for most of it.

 

GIANTS WRAP UP SEASON WITH WIN OVER PADRES

 

(AP) — Hunter Pence singled in the winning run with no outs in the ninth inning to give the San Francisco Giants a 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

Francisco Peguero hit his first career home run leading off the ninth to tie it as Huston Street (2-5) blew his second save in 35 chances.

Tony Abreu followed with a single and advance to second on Street's wild pitch. Brandon Belt walked and both runners advanced on a passed ball.

After Buster Posey was intentionally walked, Pence singled to center to end the game.

Sergio Romo (5-8) pitched the ninth for the win as the Giants finished in a third place tie with the Padres, 16 games behind the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jedd Gyorko hit a grand slam, Nick Hundley homered for the Padres.

 

GIANTS LOCK UP PENCE FOR 90 MILLION

 

 

PENCE WANTED TO STAY WITH GIANTS AND HE GETS HIS WISH

 

     Pence and the Giants have finalized a $90 million, five-year contract, a deal that keeps the outfielder off the free-agent market.

The announcement was made at a news conference before Sunday's season finale against San Diego, the Giants' final game as defending World Series champions.

Pence began the day with a .282 average, a career-best 27 homers and 96 RBIs. He was on track to become the first Giants player to appear in every regular-season game since Alvin Dark played in 154 in 1954.

The two-time All-Star was acquired from Philadelphia in July last year and was credited with being instrumental in San Francisco's second title in three years.

 

A'S GET READY FOR POST-SEASON WITH 9-0 SHUT-OUT IN SEATTLE

 

(AP) — Sonny Gray threw five shutout innings in his final start before the playoffs, Oakland had a pair of four-run innings and the Athletics closed out the regular season with a 9-0 win over Seattle in Eric Wedge's final game as Mariners manager.

The A's now turn their attention to the AL Division Series against Detroit that will begin Friday in Oakland, while Seattle enters the offseason with another managerial search on the docket.

Oakland gave a few of its starters the finale off, while some others made cameos before getting a rest before beginning the postseason. Jed Lowrie, Coco Crisp and Yoenis Cespedes all sat Sunday, while Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss and Chris Young were lifted early.

It didn't matter who was hitting against the Mariners. The A's scored four times in the second inning, all charged to Seattle starter Erasmo Ramirez, and four more times in the fifth.

 

STANFORD WINNING BY AIRING IT OUT

 

 

PRESSURE DEFENSE STYMIES COUGARS AS CARDINAL STAY PERFECT

 

(AP) — For all the brute force Stanford shows, from its jumbo "elephant" package of offensive linemen to its bruising running backs, there is an element of the Cardinal offense that often goes overlooked.

They have a group of sneaky fast wide receivers that are more than happy to go deep on cheating defenses.

That ability was on full display Saturday night when the fifth-ranked Cardinal routed Washington State 55-17 thanks in part to Kevin Hogan being able to throw over the top of the Cougars defense.

Hogan threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, all three scores of at least 30 or more yards. He found Devon Cajuste for touchdowns of 57 and 33 yards in the first half and hit Michael Rector on a 45-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

 

CAL GETS CRUSHED AND THEN KICKS OFF BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER

 

(AP) — California has kicked defensive end Chris McCain off the squad for conduct detrimental to the team.

Coach Sonny Dykes announced the move Sunday, a day the Golden Bears lost 55-16 to Oregon to fall to 1-3 on the season.

McCain was supposed to be one of Cal's best defenders this season. But he and his teammates have struggled so far in Dykes' first year, allowing 181 points in the first four games of the season.

McCain has 11 tackles, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble this season.

 

LANE KIFFIN IS SHOWN THE DOOR IN LAND OF THE TROJANS

 

(AP) — Southern California has fired Lane Kiffin, ending the coach's tumultuous tenure a few hours after the Trojans lost 62-41 at Arizona State.

Ed Orgeron was picked as USC's interim head coach by athletic director Pat Haden later Sunday. The Trojans (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12) have eight games left on their 13-game schedule.

Orgeron was Kiffin's assistant head coach and the former Mississippi head coach.

Haden fired Kiffin at the Trojans' private airport terminal when the team plane returned from Arizona early Sunday morning, but not before a 45-minute meeting in which Kiffin tried to change Haden's mind. The Trojans matched the most points allowed in school history in their seventh loss in 11 games.

 

ROADRUNNERS CRUSH DELTA; MOVE TO 4-0

 

     The Butte College Roadrunners moved to 4-0 on the season with a 45-3 blasting of San Jouquin Delta College on Saturday at Cowan Stadium. The Roadrunners punishing defense stopped Delta in their tracks, and the Butte offense flourished in scoring over 40 points for the fourth straight game. Butte has now outscored their opponents 200-31 this season. They travel to Modesto next Saturday to try and move to 5-0.

 

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES FROM FRIDAY NIGHT

 

Central Valley 45           Chico 42
Paradise 46                   Pleasant Valley 26
Enterprise 40                 Red Bluff 0
Orland 40                     Gridley 14
Hamilton 45                  Portola 17
Shasta 54                     Foothill 14
Durham 25                  Quincy 18
Biggs 45                      Esparto 13
Las Plumas 21             Oroville 10
Chester 14                   Burney 6
Sutter 35                     Wheatland 0
Corning 20                  Willows 0
West Valley 28            Turlock 7

 

CHICO STATE SOCCER SPLITS MATCHES ON SO-CAL ROADIE

 

The Chico men's and women's soccer teams both split their weekend CCAA series in Southern California.

Both the men and women fell to Cal State Los Angeles on Friday night, but both rebounded for hard-fought wins against Dominguez Hills on Sunday. The men go to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in the CCAA. The women go to 4-3-1 overall and 2-3-1 in the CCAA.

 

VOLLEYBALL DROPS TWO FOUR-SET THRILLERS TO NATIONALLY RANKED POWERS

 

Tough losses for the Chico State volleyball teams this weekend. Knowing it would be one of their toughest weekends of the year, the Wildcats put up quite a fight. But, in the end they lost in four sets to 20th-ranked Cal State San Bernardino and 10th-ranked UC San Diego. The Wildcats fall to 6-6 overall and 3-2 in the CCAA.

 

PAYBACK FOR CHICO STATE WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

 

Another fine showing for the Chico State Cross Country teams at the Stanford Invitational. The Wildcat women exacted a bit of revenge on the Simon Fraser Clan. Just two weeks after losing to The Clan at the Sundodger Invitational in Seattle, the Wildcats responded by beating their regional rival 51-61 in Palo Alto. The women were led by Ayla Granados who finished second amond non-Division I runners at 22.14. Sara Mikesell finished fourth at 22.26. In the unofficial overall standings compiled by the Chico State Sports Information Department the Wildcats finished 5th out of 26 teams competing in the event, including decisive wins over D-I opponents USF, UC Davis and North Dakota State.

 

CHICO STATE FINISHES 3RD AT STANFORD INVITE; BEATING 13 DIVISION-I FOES

 

For the second straight year the Chico State Men's Cross Country team has finished third at the Stanford Invitational. The Wildcats' Isaac Chavez once again had a great run finishing sixth overall finishing the eight kilometers in 24:35 just mere seconds behind Stanford stand-out Erik Olson. As a team, in numbers compiled by the Chico State Sports Information Department, the Wildcats finished behind Stanford and Division-II Colorado Mines. The Wildcats out-ran 13 of the 14 Division-I schools in the field including 15th-ranked UC Davis.

 

 

 

49ers run over Rams and Chico State soccer hits the road and Butte Football looks to continue dominance

FRANK GORE AND NINERS RUN OVER RAMS

 

 

(AP) — Colin Kaepernick threw two touchdown passes, Frank Gore had his first 100-yard game of the season and the San Francisco 49ers' defense stepped up without some of their stars in a 35-11 rout over the St. Louis Rams on Thursday night.

Anquan Boldin had five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown, and Gore had 153 yards on 20 carries and a 34-yard score for San Francisco (2-2), which was outscored 46-10 the previous two games. Navarro Bowman had two of the 49ers' five sacks with a strip leading to a fourth-quarter scoring run by Anthony Dixon.

The Rams (1-3) had an overtime win and tie against San Francisco last year, and took the early lead Thursday before falling flat. Greg Zuerlein banged in a 40-yard field goal off the right upright to end a nine-game scoring drought in the first quarter, but the 49ers answered with 28 straight points.

 

PRYOR STILL ON THE SIDELINES AS RAIDERS GET READY FOR SKINS'

 

(AP) — Terrelle Pryor returned to the practice field for the Oakland Raiders three days after sustaining a concussion but is not participating in team drills.

Pryor was in uniform Thursday and took part in stretching but did not have a helmet and mostly watched backup quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Matt McGloin run practice during the portion open to the media.

Pryor was knocked out of Monday night's loss in Denver in the fourth quarter and did not practice Wednesday. Pryor has said it would be difficult to start Sunday's game against Washington if he did not practice Thursday.

 

BYE WEEK FOR RODGERS AND THE PACK

 

Chico's Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have an early bye week this year. The Pack are still trying to lick their wounds after blowing a 30-14 second half lead in Cincinnati last week.

 

PAGAN'S BLAST GIVES GIANTS SERIES OVER DODGERS

 

(AP) — Angel Pagan hit a tiebreaking home run leading off the eighth inning to give San Francisco a win in what might have been Tim Lincecum's final outing with the club, and the Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Thursday night.

Pagan's fifth home run in an injury-shortened season was surrendered by losing pitcher Paco Rodriguez (3-3) and plunked off the top of an ambulance parked just beyond the fence in left field.

Lincecum struck out Yasiel Puig three times among his six Ks but missed a win against the NL West champion Dodgers. Santiago Casilla (7-2) earned the victory with a 1-2-3 eighth, while Sergio Romo pitched the ninth for his 38th save.

Lincecum is wrapping up a $40.5 million, two-year contract that paid him $22 million this season. The 29-year-old right-hander allowed two runs and three hits in seven impressive innings.

 

SUSPECTS FATHER POINTS FINGER AT DECEASED DODGER FAN

 

(AP) — The father of a man accused of fatally stabbing a 24-year-old Dodgers fan in San Francisco says his son told him it was self-defense.

Marty Montgomery told the Lodi News-Sentinel on Thursday that his son, Michael Montgomery was jumped during a fight and he stabbed Jonathan Denver in self-defense.

San Francisco police say that 21-year-old Michael Montgomery was arrested on suspicion of homicide in the stabbing death of Denver Wednesday night.

Montgomery's father said his son told him by phone that during the fight, Denver hit his son over the head with a chair, and in self-defense, his son stabbed Denver.

Montgomery told his father that Denver, who was wearing Dodgers apparel, yelled, "Giants suck," at Montgomery's friend who was wearing a Giants hat when Denver and others hit his son and their friends without warning.

 

ROADRUNNERS LOOK TO CONTINUE THEIR DOMINANCE

 

The Butte College Roadrunners look to move to 4-0 when they host San Jouquin Delta College at Cowan Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Roadrunners has blasted their opponents by a combined score of 155-28 through their first three games of the season. But, the year gets a little bit tougher now as they enter conference play. The Roadrunners are ranked #1 in Northern California and #2 in the state. Game time is 1:00pm

 

TASK GETS TOUGHER AS WILDCATS HOST TWO NATIONALLY RANKED CCAA FOES

 

The Chico State Volleyball team hosts two ranked teams this weekend at Acker Gym. The first place Wildcats are 6-4 overall and 3-0 in the CCAA. Chico is coming off of a road sweep against Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal State East Bay last weekend. Chico hosts Cal State San Bernardino tonight at 7pm. The Coyotoes are ranked #20 in the country. UC San Diego comes to town tomorrow for a 7pm match. They are ranked #10 in the country. Both matches begin at 7pm. IF you can't make it to Acker you can follow the action on the Chico State LIVE STATS webpage.... https://www.sidearmstats.com/csuchico/wvball/xlive.htm

 

CHICO STATE SOCCER TEAMS HIT THE ROAD

 

The Chico State Soccer teams hit the road. The men and women are in Southern California. Today they play Cal State Los Angeles and on Sunday they take on Cal State Dominguez Hills. The Wildcat men are 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the CCAA. The women are 3-2-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the CCAA. Tonight's matches from LA begin at 4:30 with the men's match and 7pm for the women. You can follow all the action on Cal State Los Angeles website LIVE STATS.

 

CHICO STATE CROSS COUNTRY AT THE STANFORD INVITE

 

The Chico State Cross Country teams are at the Stanford Invitational. The men are ranked #4 in the country while the Chico State women are #8. Some members of the squad will be competing in Folsom at the Willow Hills Open as well. Its been two weeks since the Wildcats shined at the Sundodger Invitational in Seattle where they bested several high profile Division I programs. The Wildcats will once again be competing against their Division I brethren at the Stanford Invite.

 

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW SHOW

 

High school football has some great match-ups around the North State tonight. We preview all of these match-ups in the first installment of the KPAY High School Football Preview Show on....right here on KPAY.COM. Copy and paste the link below to hear the show OR go to the KPAY Sports News Items on our main page to hear the show.

 

https://www.kpay.com/business-blog/73570

 

BUTTE VOLLEYBALL HOSTS BUTTE CLASSIC

 

Butte College Volleyball will be hosting the Butte Classic at Cowan Gym today with matches at 3pm and 5pm.

The Butte College men's soccer team looks to get their first win of the season in Modesto, while the women look to even their overall record as they host Shasta at 2pm

 

49ers gear up for Rams: Zito and Giants get win against Dodgers

 

49ERS LOOK TO FLY HIGH AGAINST THE ST. LOUIS RAMS TONIGHT !!!

 

 

(AP) — The Thursday NFL game is being played in St. Louis tonight as the Rams entertain the 49ers. Coming in each team has a record of 1-2. The 49ers opened the season with a win over the Packers before dropping games to Seattle and Indianapolis. The Niners were outscored 56-10 in those games. The Rams opened up with a win over Arizona before losing to Atlanta and Dallas.

The record between these two teams is 62-62-and-3. The series goes back to the days with the Rams were located in Los Angeles.

 

UGLY INCIDENT MARS GIANTS WIN OVER DODGERS

 

The San Francisco Giants knocked off the Los Angeles Dodgers last night 6-4. Barry Zito, in what may have been his final start in the Giants uniform pitched 5 innings to pick up the win. Tony Abreu's second inning bases-clearing triple gave the Giants a 3-0 lead.

 

 

(AP) — Police have arrested two people in the fatal stabbing of a Dodgers fan during a fight near San Francisco's AT&T Park after the Giants' 6-4 win over the Los Angeles team. San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr the victim was wearing Dodgers gear when he and the group he was with got into an argument with another group, which included a person wearing a Giants hat. Suhr said the two groups exchanged insults about the Giants-Dodgers rivalry before the argument escalated, and the young man was fatally stabbed.

Stadium security and fan behavior came under scrutiny when another Dodgers-Giants matchup saw a Northern California paramedic severely beaten in March of 2011. Bryan Stow, a Giants fan, suffered a traumatic brain injury after a beating by two men dressed in Dodgers gear following the home opener between the two longtime rivals in Los Angeles.

 

BUD WILL RETIRE AFTER 2014 SEASON

 

(AP) — Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig (SEE'-lig) has announced that he will step down and retire in January 2015. The 79-year-old has repeatedly said since 2003 that his retirement was imminent.

Selig bought the Seattle Pilots in bankruptcy court in 1970 and moved the team to Milwaukee. He was part of the group that forced the resignation of former commissioner Fay Vincent.

Selig took over as acting commissioner on Sept. 9, 1992, in his role as chairman of the executive council. He repeatedly said he would not take the job full time but was formally elected commissioner July 9, 1998. He agreed to new contracts in 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2012

 

IOC SAYS THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH RUSSIA'S STANCE ON GAYS DURING OLYMPICS

 

(AP) — The International Olympic Committee has dismissed concerns over Russia's law banning gay propaganda. The chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission, Jean-Claude Killy (zhawn klawd KEE'-lee), said the IOC doesn't have the right to discuss the laws that are in place in the country hosting the games, "so unless the (Olympic) charter is violated we are fully satisfied."

Russia has come under scrutiny as the next host of the Olympics because of the law passed this summer outlawing "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among minors," which many worry may apply to gay athletes and visitors to the games.

Giants lose to Dodgers; 49ers get ready for Rams: Raiders look at QB options

 

 

YASIEL PUIG HOMERS TO CENTER AS DODGERS NIP GIANTS 2-1 IN SERIES OPENER

 

(AP) — Hyun-Jin Ryu and two relievers combined on a five-hitter that sent the Los Angeles Dodgers past the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Matt Kemp hit a tiebreaking home run leading off the sixth inning for the Dodgers. Yasiel Puig also homered after getting hit by a pitch from Giants starter Matt Cain earlier in the game.

Carl Crawford added three hits for the NL West champions, who have won three straight.

Tony Abreu homered for San Francisco. The Giants got just one runner past first base and were held to no more than one run for the third time in four games.

 

VARGAS SHUTS DOWN A'S

 

(AP) — Jason Vargas earned his second shutout of the season with a four-hitter and Howie Kendrick homered, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night.

The Athletics, who clinched their second straight division title Sunday, remain a game behind the Red Sox for the best record in the majors following Boston's 8-3 loss at Colorado.

Vargas (9-7) threw 110 pitches, retiring 15 consecutive batters at one point and striking out five en route to his fifth shutout and 10th complete game in 153 career starts. The left-hander, who was acquired from Seattle last December for slugger Kendrys Morales, is 3-3 with a 4.64 ERA in his last nine outings after missing almost two months because of a blood clot near his armpit.

Griffin (14-10) gave up three runs and five hits over five innings.

 

 

PRYOR STILL A QUESTION MARK AFTER CONCUSSION ON MONDAY NIGHT

 

(AP) — Terrelle Pryor is not practicing for the Oakland Raiders two days after suffering a concussion late in a loss to the Denver Broncos.

Backup Matt Flynn worked with the first-team offense in practice Wednesday as the Raiders (1-2) prepared to play the Washington Redskins (0-3) on Sunday.

Pryor is not able to practice or attend meetings until he is cleared by doctors. He got hurt late in Monday night's loss in Denver when he was knocked out on a helmet-to-helmet hit by Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard while running a quarterback draw. The play was determined to be legal because Pryor was a runner between the tackles.

Pryor remained in for two plays before being taken to the locker room by doctors.

 

49ERS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS DEFENSIVELY

 

(AP) — Carlos Rogers understands a key piece of San Francisco's defense is missing with the absence of Aldon Smith, yet the veteran cornerback is determined to make sure it never becomes an excuse for the team's recent poor play.

The 49ers are moving forward without their star linebacker and sacks leader as he begins rehab for substance abuse and an indefinite leave from the team.

While everybody in the locker room is rooting for his recovery, his fellow defenders are now focused on getting the most from the guys who will take over for him: Dan Skuta and Corey Lemonier, among others.

A defense that has been dominant stopping the run ranks a surprisingly low 29th in the league, with opposing offenses running against the NFC champion Niners at every chance.

 

 

MARK JACKSON RAISES THE BAR ON HIS WARRIORS

 

(AP) — Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson decided to take action when he saw that his players wrote a number on the whiteboard at the team's practice facility a few weeks ago signifying a goal of at least 50 wins this season.

He erased it.

With training camp set to start Saturday, Jackson says he viewed the number as a target on his team and a limitation on its potential. Instead, his message to players is to stop talking and "make it happen."

Blending all the talent together will be Jackson's job this season. The same bold and boisterous coach who promised a playoff berth two years ago and didn't make good on it is suddenly leading a team coming off a thrilling run to the Western Conference semifinals and hoping to contend for a championship.

 

SHAQ SAYS HELLO TO THE CAPITOL CITY

 

(AP) — Shaquille O'Neal has apologized to all Sacramento Kings fans for his verbal jabs during his playing career and is promising to restore the franchise to its winning ways as a minority owner.

Declaring the new name of the city "Shaqramento," O'Neal took several steps to explain his past swipes at his introductory news conference Tuesday. He said he was only trying to rile up people and market the game when he called the franchise the "Sacramento Queens" while winning three titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.

O'Neal also offered insight into his role with the Kings and the vision of new majority owner Vivek Ranadive. He says he'll be a mentor to center DeMarcus Cousins and help the team build the NBA's first "indoor-outdoor arena."

 

KPAY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW SHOW DEBUTS THIS WEEK

 

KPAY unveils their High School Football Preview show this week. You can hear the show exclusively on KPAY.COM. You will get news, notes and previews of the Friday night high school football match-ups from the guys who bring you the scores and watch all the games each week. We will utiilze the expertise of beat reporters from the Chico Enterprise-Record, The Paradise Post, KRCR-Channel 7, Action News Channels 12 & 24 and The Redding Record Searchlight. Kpay's Mike Baca will moderate the exchange as we help get you ready for Friday night football. Our first installment will come your way on Thursday afternoon on KPAY.COM

Raiders Fall: Peyton Shines and Giants and Dodgers meet for final time

 

 

PEYTON MANNING SETS AN NFL RECORD BY THROWING 12 TD'S IN DENVER'S FIRST THREE GAMES

 

(AP) — Peyton Manning threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns Monday to lift the Denver Broncos to another easy victory, 37-21 over the Oakland Raiders.

The Broncos (3-0) have outscored opponents 127-71 this season.

Manning hit Eric Decker, Wes Welker and Julius Thomas for a score apiece.

The quarterback's 12 TD passes are an NFL record for the opening three games, breaking Tom Brady's mark of 11 in 2011. Manning has yet to throw an interception this year.

Oakland's Terrelle Pryor finished 19 for 28 for 281 yards but played catch-up from the start. Oakland (1-2) trailed 17-0 before Pryor hit Denarius Moore for a 73-yard score.

Four plays later, Manning connected with Thomas for a 13-yard score to push the lead back to 17.

 

ALDON SMITH ENTERS BAY AREA REHAB FACILITY

 

(AP) — The San Francisco 49ers placed linebacker Aldon Smith on the reserve non-football injury list Monday as he enters rehab for substance abuse and begins what team CEO Jed York has termed an indefinite absence.

San Francisco didn't immediately announce a corresponding roster move.

Smith played Sunday and had five tackles just two days after he was arrested and jailed Friday morning on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession. Smith apologized after the 27-7 home loss to the Colts, and now his team moves forward without him heading to St. Louis on Thursday.

Smith had previously been arrested on suspicion of DUI in January 2012 in Miami shortly after the 49ers lost in the NFC championship game.

He is expected to remain in the Bay Area for treatment.

 

ATHLETICS KEEP WINNING IN ANAHEIM

 

(AP) — Jed Lowrie hit a three-run homer, Brandon Moss added a two-run shot and the Oakland Athletics kept rolling toward the postseason with their fifth straight victory, 10-5 over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night.

Tommy Milone pitched into the sixth inning and Seth Smith had an early RBI double for the AL West champion A's, who have won 11 of 13.

Seven A's drove in a run at the Big A as Oakland (94-63) moved to a season-high 31 games over .500 with the majors' second-best record, just behind Boston (95-62).

Howie Kendrick homered and hit a three-run double for the Angels, who have lost two straight after winning 21 of 28. They hadn't lost by more than three runs since Sept. 3.

 

GIANTS AND DODGERS RENEW RIVALRY AT&T

 

     The San Francisco Giants get ready to wrap up their 2013 season by taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers from AT & T Park tonight. The Giants will miss the post-season after winning the World Series in 2012. The Dodgers are preparing for the post-season after winning the National League West for the first time since 2009. The Dodgers still have an outside shot of garnering home field advantage throughout the National League Playoffs, but still trail Atlanta and St. Louis by two games with six games left to play.

 

 

49ers lose to Colts; Raiders prepare for Broncos; A's Clinch West; Butte Rolls Shasta

 

 

HEY KINGS FANS, SAY HELLO TO YOUR NEW OWNER

 

Shaquille O'Neal is joining the ownership group of the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings announced Monday that O'Neal has acquired a minority stake in the team under new owner Vivek Ranadive. The Kings will introduce the four-time NBA champion at a news conference Tuesday in Sacramento.

O'Neal tormented the Kings during the height of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, even dubbing the franchise the "Sacramento Queens." He also handed Sacramento its biggest blow by rallying the Lakers from a 3-2 deficit to win the 2002 Western Conference finals.

O'Neal retired after the 2010-11 season and has worked as an analyst for TNT the last two seasons.

 

 

ANDREW LUCK GETS THE BEST OF JIM HARBAUGH AND THE 49ERS

 

(AP) — Andrew Luck threw for 164 yards and ran for a 6-yard touchdown while facing college coach Jim Harbaugh for the first time, and the Indianapolis Colts defeated the San Francisco 49ers 27-7 win Sunday.

Trent Richardson scored a 1-yard touchdown on his first carry in his Colts debut after being acquired on Wednesday from the Browns. He was drafted two spots behind top pick Luck at No. 3 last year.

Ahmad Bradshaw added a 1-yard TD run in the final minutes, and Adam Vinatieri kicked a pair of field goals before missing a 51-yarder early in the fourth.

It was Colin Kaepernick's first home loss at Candlestick Park as a starter.

There were few bright spots for Kaepernick as San Francisco struggled to establish a passing game with tight end Vernon Davis sidelined by a hamstring injury.

 

SMITH TAKE INDEFINITE LEAVE OF ABSENCE TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ISSUES

 

(AP) — San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York says linebacker Aldon Smith will miss Thursday's game at St. Louis and perhaps sit out longer following his arrest Friday for suspicion of driving under the influence and marijuana possession.

York expects Smith will seek treatment on his own, but the 49ers won't interfere, saying "I think Aldon is going to take steps on his own." Smith started and had five tackles in a 27-7 loss to the Colts on Sunday.

Smith is a key pass rusher and sacks leader for the 49ers, and coach Jim Harbaugh had said leading up to Sunday that the NFL would decide how to punish the third-year pro, who turns 24 Wednesday.

Smith apologized after the game to the team, organization, his family and "everybody I let down," but didn't field questions.

 

RAIDERS GET READY FOR PEYTON AND BRONCOS

 

The Oakland Raiders know it will be an uphill battle when they take on the Denver Broncos tonight. The Raiders are coming off of a 19-9 win at home over Jacksonville, while the Broncos have been dominant in their two wins over Baltimore and the NY Giants. Peyton Manning has thrown 9 touchdown passes in Denver's two games.

 

THE A'S OUTDISTANCE BIG SPENDING RANGERS AND ANGELS AGAIN !!

 

(AP) — The Oakland Athletics are AL West champions again.

The A's clinched their 16th AL West title and 26th postseason appearance when Texas lost 4-0 at Kansas City on Sunday. Oakland was playing the Minnesota Twins.

With the Twins batting in the third, word started to circulate around the Oakland Coliseum of Justin Maxwell's two-out grand slam that beat the Rangers in the 10th inning to seal the division title for the A's. Some players kept glancing at the manual scoreboard in left field before the ending of the Royals-Rangers game was shown on the video board between innings.

It was quite a different scene than a year ago, when the A's won the AL West on the final day of the regular season by beating Texas.

 

 

YOENIS CESPEDES SPRAYS CHAMPAGNE AS THE ATHLETICS CELEBRATE THEIR SECOND STRAIGHT AL WEST TITLE

 

GIANTS PUT A DAGGER INTO YANKEES POST-SEASON PLANS ON MARIANO'S DAY

 

(AP) — After honoring Mariano Rivera and celebrating Andy Pettitte, the New York Yankees saw their AL wild-card hopes dim Sunday with a crushing 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

The Yankees held a 50-game pregame ceremony and retired the No. 42 of Rivera, who announced during spring training that this will be his final season. Pettitte said Friday he also is leaving, and he started off with five hitless innings in what likely was his final Yankee Stadium start.

But Ehire Adrianza tied the score in the sixth with his first career home run. Leaving to standing ovations and a curtain call after Pedro Sandoval's leadoff double in the eighth, Pettitte (10-11) watched Tony Abreu hit a go-ahead double off David Robertson.

In danger of missing the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years, the Yankees dropped four back of Cleveland for the second AL wild card with six games left.

 

ROADRUNNERS TROUNCE SHASTA IN A MATCH-UP THAT IS FAR FROM A RIVALRY

 

     The Butte College Roadrunners felt confident going into their Saturday night match-up with the Shasta Knights. That confidence was well placed after a decisive 65-0 win over their North State foes. The Roadrunners pass rush suffocated the Knights, not allowing for any cohesiveness offensively. Butte was able to score at will by punishing Shasta up front and building a 44-0 halftime lead.

     The task gets more difficult for the undefeated Roadrunners as they face Delta College this Saturday at Cowan Stadium. Game time is 1pm

 

WILDCATS DO WORK ON THE ROAD AND STAY UNDEFEATED IN CCAA

 

     It was a great weekend for the Chico State Volleyball team. The Wildcats hit the road to face Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal State East Bay. Chico gutted out a five-set win on Friday against the Otters and then bounced back for a four-set win over East Bay on Saturday. Chico now sits at 6-4 overall and 3-0 in the CCAA. Chico State will be home this weekend against Cal State San Bernardino on Friday and UC San Diego on Saturday at Acker Gym.

 

CHICO STATE WOMEN'S SOCCER SETTLE FOR A TIE ON THE WEEKEND

 

     The Chico State Soccer teams played their CCAA home openers this weekend to mixed results. The Wildcat women played to a thrilling tie on Friday night. Chico trailed the Tritons 2-0 mid-way through the second half only to score two late goals to tie the match up. The tying goal scored in the 88th minute to preserve the tie. The Cats dominated for much of the evening, but couldn't take advantage of the numerous scoring opportunities. The Chico women fell on Sunday in overtime 1-0 to Cal Poly Pomona. The Chico State women's soccer team is now 3-2-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the CCAA.

 

14TH-RANKED MEN WIN OVERTIME THRILLER ON SUNDAY TO SPLIT THE WEEKEND

 

     The Chico State men's soccer team lost their home opener on Friday 1-0 to UCSD. The Wildcats got off to a sluggish start and could not really recover. They were able to rebound with a 1-0 overtime win versus Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday. The Cats move to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the CCAA. Both the men and women hit the road for tough match-ups with Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills this coming Friday and Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local High School Match-ups and Butte College showdown with Shasta

 

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 3

 

Its Week 3 of the high school football season. Here are some of the match-ups tonight.

 

Oroville  vs Pleasant Valley  @Asgard Yard

Central Valley vs Enterprise

Hamilton  vs Durham

Willows vs Orland

Live Oak vs Gridley

Las Plumas vs Anderson

Red Bluff vs Corning

 

Saturday

Nevada Union vs Chico High @Asgard Yard

 

Follow high school football scores on our twitter page @KpayBacaSports

 

ROADRUNNERS LOOK TO FEND OFF KNIGHTS UPSET BID

 

The Butte College Roadrunners head to Redding to take on the Shasta Knights on Saturday. The game is scheduled for a 6pm kick-off. The Roadrunners are ranked #2 in the state and #1 in Nor-Cal. Butte has run rough-shod over both Feather River and Siskiyous, winning by scores of 45-14 in both games. Shasta is looking to re-capture the magic from the Ricky Ray years and sees a chance with one of the best teams in the state on their home field.

 

You can follow Roadrunner football with updates from Chico Enterprise Record write Travis Souders Twitter feed

@TravisSouders

 

HOME SWEET HOME FOR WILDCAT SOCCER THIS WEEKEND

 

The Chico State men's and women's soccer teams have their CCAA home openers tonight. They will both take on UC San Diego. The men play at 4:30 while the women take the fielf at 7pm. The men are 4-0 and are ranked #14 in the country. The women are 3-1 and look to get their second CCAA win. If you can't make it out to the match, you can follow the action on the Chico State athletics website. Click "Live Stats" to follow all the action.

 

The Wildcat volleyball team hits the road for a couple of matches this weekend. Tonight they are in Seaside taking on the Otters of Monterey Bay. On Saturday they travel to Hayward to take on Cal State East Bay. Match times begin at 7pm. You can follow the action with live stats on the respective athletic websites for both Monterey Bay and East Bay.

 

LUCK AND RICHARDSON MAKE THEIR WAY TO CANDLESTICK POINT

 

The San Francisco 49ers had to change their game plan for the Indianapolis Colts mid-week. With Trent Richardson being traded by the Cleveland Browns to the Colts, all of a sudden Indy has a running game. The Niners are trying to bounce back after a demoralizing 29-3 loss to Seattle last Sunday night. The Colts come in with a record of 1-1 as well. Kick-off slated for 1:15pm on Sunday.

 

TALL ORDER FOR RAIDERS IN MONDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN

 

The Oakland Raiders will have the toughest of tasks as they take on the Denver Broncos on Monday night. The Raiders disposed of the woeful Jacksonville Jaguars 19-9 last Sunday, while Denver went into MetLife Stadium and beat up on the New York Giants 41-23. The Raiders will have to pressure Peyton Manning into mistakes if they expect to hang with Denver in this one. Kick-off will be Monday night at 5:30.

 

MAGIC NUMBER IS 4 FOR ATHLETICS

 

The Oakland Athletics magic number to clinch the American League West is 4 after last night's 8-6 win over the Twins. Coco Crisp hit his 21st home run to break a 6-all tie and give the A's the win. Any combination of A's wins and Rangers losses totaling 4 this weekend nets the Athletics their second straight AL West title.

 

GIANTS AND YANKEES MEET IN NEW YORK

 

The San Francisco Giants head to Yankee Stadium to take on the fading Yankees. The Giants got a gem pitching performance from Madison Bumgarner at Citi Field against the Mets yesterday afternoon. MadBum pitched 7 innings of 4-hit ball while striking out 10 as the Giants got a 2-1win. Tonight Tim Lincecum (10-13) goes against

C.C Sabathia (10-13) in game one of the three game series from the Bronx.

 

 

Seahawks Whack Niners; Raiders win home opener; A's move closer to AL West Title

SEAHAWKS HAMMER SAN FRANCISCO IN THE EMERALD CITY

 

 

SEAHAWKS TOO MUCH FOR NINERS

 

(AP) — Marshawn Lynch scored on touchdown runs of 14 and two yards and added a seven-yard TD reception in the second half, Seattle flustered Colin Kaepernick into his worst passing game as a starter and the Seahawks dominated the San Francisco 49ers in a 29-3 win Sunday night.

The game was delayed 60 minutes late in the first quarter when thunderstorms blew through the area. The highly-anticipated NFC West showdown was sloppy as opposed to sensational, but Lynch more than did his part.

Lynch finished with 135 total yards, including 98 yards rushing, making up for quarterback Russell Wilson hitting on just two of his first 10 throws with Seattle's receivers struggling to get open. His scoring run on the first drive of the second half gave the Seahawks a 12-0 lead and his TD catch pushed the advantage to 19-3 early in the fourth quarter.

 

RAIDERS WIN THEIR HOME OPENER

 

(AP) — Darren McFadden ran for 129 yards and Oakland's defense held Jacksonville out of the end zone until the closing minutes, as the Raiders won their home opener 19-9 over the Jaguars on Sunday.

Terrelle Pryor ran for 50 yards and threw for 126 in his first home start for the Raiders (1-1), and Marcel Reece scored on an 11-yard run to help Oakland bounce back from last week's late loss in Indianapolis. Sebastian Janikowski added four field goals.

Playing the depleted Jaguars offense sure helped the cause. Jacksonville (0-2) came within 2:53 of becoming the first team since the 2006 Raiders and Buccaneers to fail to score a touchdown in the first two games.

            Oakland strong safety Tyvon Branch and Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew left the Raiders' 19-9 victory over the Jaguars on Sunday with ankle injuries.

Branch got hurt rushing Jacksonville quarterback Chad Henne in the first quarter and had to be helped off the field. Coach Dennis Allen said after the game the injury looks to be "significant."

 

           Week 2 of the NFL season wraps up tonight at the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals. Both teams lost in week 1 and will look to avoid an 0-2 start.

 

ATHLETICS SWEEP TEXAS; EXTEND LEAD IN AL WEST TO 6.5

 

(AP) — Josh Donaldson, Chris Young and Josh Reddick all homered and the AL West-leading Oakland Athletics completed a three-game sweep of the chasing and slumping Texas Rangers with a 5-1 win Sunday.

Oakland took a commanding 6½-game division lead with two weeks left after the final regular-season series between the AL West's top two teams. The A's have won five in a row and 13 of 16 overall.

Texas is 2-11 in September after beginning the month with a two-game division lead. The Rangers lost their sixth in row, all at home — this was their first winless homestand of at least six games since moving to Texas in 1972.

The Rangers and Tampa Bay are tied for the two AL wild-card spots in a rapidly tightening race. Texas starts a four-game series at Tropicana Field on Monday.

 

GIANTS AND PENCE TAKE SERIES FROM PLAYOFF-BOUND DODGERS

 

(AP) — Hunter Pence hit two more home runs, pinch-hitter Brett Pill connected for a tiebreaking shot leading off the eighth inning, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 Sunday.

Pinch-hitter Yasiel Puig grounded out with the bases loaded to end the game. The NL West-leading Dodgers lost three of four to San Francisco, and the magic number to clinch their first division title since 2009 remained at four after second-place Arizona won.

Pence has 19 RBIs in six games. He drove in three, a day after his grand slam and career-high seven RBIs led the Giants to a 19-3 rout at Dodger Stadium.

Jean Machi (3-1) pitched one inning. Sergio Romo closed for his 35th save in 39 chances.

Paco Rodriguez (3-3) gave up Pill's homer.

 

CHICO MEN SHINE ONCE AGAIN AGAINST DIVISION-I FOES

 

The Chico State men's Cross Country team had an impressive showing in the Sundodger Invitational in Seattle. The Wildcats Isaac Chavez was edged out at the tape and finished 2nd overall in a primarily Division I field. Chavez finished with a time of 23:52.43 seconds. Phil Graber finished in 5th place. Because of  new Division I rules, the Wildcats were not scored as a team, but if they were there is a strong possibility they would have finished a close second to the University of Washington in the overall standings. The Chico State men are ranked No. 1 in the West Region and No. 4 in the nation.

 

The Chico State women's Cross Country team finished third in the Sundodger. Ayla Granados finished fifth to lead the way for the Wildcat women.

 

WILDCAT SOCCER TEAMS COMPLETE FIRST CCAA ROADIE OF THE YEAR

 

The Chico State men's soccer team stayed perfect by winning both of their matches over the weekend. Knocking off Cal State East Bay and Cal State Stanislaus to move to 4-0 on the season and 2-0 in CCAA play. The Chico State women split their CCAA match-ups, upending East Bay, but falling to Stanislaus on Sunday. Both the men and women play in their home openers this weekend as they welcome both UC San Diego and Cal Poly Pomona this Friday and Sunday.

 

CHICO STATE VOLLEYBALL SPLITS THEIR FOUR MATCH-UPS AT SONOMA TOURNEY

 

The Chico State Volleyball team split their four matches at the Seawolf Spike Tournament. The Wildcats knocked off Dominican on Sunday 3-games-to-1 but then fell in straight sets to Hawaii Pacific. Chico State is now 3-4 on the season as they get ready for the CCAA openers this weekend.

 

ROADRUNNERS SHUT DOWN EAGLES; GEAR UP FOR KNIGHTS

 

The Butte College Roadrunners took awhile to get their offensive footing, but once they did the Eagles from College of the Siskiyous was in deep trouble. The Runners didn't score until mid-way through the second quarter, but it was the start of quite an onslaught as they ripped the Eagles 45-14. Butte is now 2-0 on the season and they get ready for a North State showdown against Shasta. The game will be played in Redding on Saturday night.

 

 

 

 

Zito get rocked; A's beat Detroit and Opening Day US Open

 

 

ZITO GETS ROCKED; GIANTS FALL IN COLORADO

 

(AP) — Todd Helton homered to move within three hits of 2,500, and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants 6-1 on Monday night.

Juan Nicasio tossed six shutout innings and added an RBI single, and Charlie Blackmon also homered for the Rockies.

Buster Posey singled and reached base for the 49th straight game against Colorado.

The Rockies began a nine-game, 10-day homestand with a strong performance against lefty Barry Zito (4-10), who has struggled away from home this season. His numbers didn't improve in his short outing at Coors Field.

Zito allowed five runs and nine hits and struck out one in four innings in his second start since being put back into the rotation. He is 0-8 with a 9.61 ERA on the road this season.

 

A'S KNOCK OFF TIGERS TO OPEN ROAD TRIP

 

(AP) — Coco Crisp and Daric Barton each drove in two runs, and the Oakland Athletics beat Miguel Cabrera and the Detroit Tigers 8-6 on Monday night.

Cabrera hit his 43rd homer, bolstering his pursuit of another Triple Crown, but Barton had a tiebreaking RBI single in Oakland's two-run sixth inning. Crisp also had a solo homer during his three-hit performance.

A.J. Griffin (11-9) allowed four runs and seven hits in five-plus innings, but managed to win for the first time since July 29. The right-hander was 0-2 with a 3.47 ERA in his previous four starts.

 

49ERS TRADE POPULAR HARALSON TO SAINITS

 

(AP) — A person with knowledge of the trade says the San Francisco 49ers have sent linebacker Parys Haralson to the New Orleans Saints, who are in desperate need at the position as a pair of would-be starters are sidelined with knee injuries.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday night because neither team had announced the trade. It wasn't clear what compensation the 49ers would receive in return.

Haralson departed San Francisco team headquarters Monday night after saying his goodbyes before the team began a late practice, acknowledging that he had been traded while providing no further details other than, "I'm outta here."

Saints outside linebacker Will Smith will be sidelined for the season with a knee injury, a person familiar with the situation said. Victor Butler also is recovering from knee surgery that will sideline him most or all of the season.

The Mercury News first reported the trade was with New Orleans.

 

ROSTER CUT DOWN DAY; MAEHL STILL WITH EAGLES

 

(AP) — NFL rosters need to be cut down to a 75-man limit by today so there will be a flurry of decisions made by team general managers. Former Paradise High and Oregon Ducks product Jeffrey Maehl is still on the roster for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is hoping to make the squad for a team in need of receivers. The last of the pre-season games will be completed Thursday, then GM's will have until Saturday to get the rosters down to 53 for the start of the season.

 

DAY TWO OF THE US OPEN

 

(AP) — Top-seed and 2011 champ Novak Djokovic (NOH'-vak JOH'-kuh-vich) takes the court tonight as part of the Day 2 action at the US Open. He'll be trying to continue his recent success at Flushing Meadow where he's reached the last three finals and been a semifinalist for the past six years.

Roger Federer's schedule was thrown off by a rain out last night, so the five-time champ is now set to open play today. Federer will be appearing in his 56th consecutive Grand Slam event, tying the men's record held by Wayne Ferreira. Federer's seventh-seed is his worst since 2002.

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka (ah-zah-REN'-kuh) is also on today's schedule.

 

 

Giants get waxed by Bucs; 49ers sign former Seahawk

 

THE LOSING CONTINUES FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

 

 

 

BUCS HAMMER GIANTS; NOW 19 GAMES BACK

 

(AP) — Garrett Jones and Jordy Mercer homered, Jose Tabata hit a three-run double, and the NL Central-leading Pittsburgh Pirates beat the San Francisco Giants 10-5 on Thursday night.

Pedro Alvarez hit a go-ahead, two-run double to start a seven-run fifth and matched his career high for RBIs in a season with 85. Russell Martin and Gaby Sanchez added sacrifice flies and Tabata had a three-run double in his second plate appearance of the inning.

Marco Scutaro had a tying two-run single in the fourth for San Francisco after scoring in the third on Buster Posey's sacrifice fly.

Giants right-hander Matt Cain left in the fourth inning after getting hit on his pitching arm on a line drive by Sanchez. He sustained a contusion on his forearm and X-rays were negative.

 

X-RAYS NEGATIVE AS CAIN TAKES COMEBACKER OFF PITCHING ARM

 

 (AP) — Right-hander Matt Cain left his start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the top of the fourth inning Thursday night after getting hit in the pitching arm on a line drive by Pittsburgh's Gaby Sanchez.

The Giants said he suffered a contusion on right forearm and X-rays were negative.

Athletic trainer Dave Groeschner and manager Bruce Bochy hustled out to check on Cain, who walked off the mound to the dugout on his own moments later Thursday night. He allowed three runs and seven hits in 3 1-3 innings, struck out three and didn't walk a batter. Guillermo Moscosco relieved with the Giants trailing 3-1.

Cain, who had been on a nice roll since the All-Star break, threw 64 pitches, 40 strikes.

 

BRAUN ADMITS P.E.D. USE AND LYING TO FANS AND FRIENDS

 

(AP) — Ryan Braun is admitting taking performance-enhancing drugs during his NL MVP season of 2011.

The suspended Milwaukee slugger says in a statement released by the Brewers that he took a cream and a lozenge containing banned substances while rehabilitating an injury.

Braun says, "It was a huge mistake for which I am deeply ashamed and I compounded the situation by not admitting my mistakes immediately."

Braun tested positive for elevated testosterone in October 2011. But his 50-game suspension was overturned when an arbitrator ruled that the urine sample was mishandled.

Braun apologized to the collector of the urine sample, his teammates and Commissioner Bud Selig (SEE'-lihg), saying: "I have no one to blame but myself."

 

49ERS SIGN FORMER SEAHAWK

 

(AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have added another quarterback to the competition to be Colin Kaepernick's backup, signing nine-year veteran Seneca Wallace to a one-year contract Thursday.

While Colt McCoy had appeared to be the favorite to win the No. 2 job coming into training camp, neither he nor Scott Tolzien have separated themselves. Even rookie B.J. Daniels has been deemed a contender, though clearly Wallace now will get a chance with little time to prepare before the Sept. 8 season opener against Green Bay.

Wallace, who was competing with Luke McCown to back up Drew Brees in New Orleans, had his contract terminated by the Saints on Monday.

San Francisco waived wideout Ricardo Lockette, who worked out with Kaepernick in Atlanta for a stretch this offseason along with departed A.J. Jenkins.

 

RAIDERS HOPING TO GET A LOOK AT FIRST ROUND PICK HAYDEN

 

(AP) — D.J. Hayden finally gets the chance to answer the critics who thought the Oakland Raiders made a risky bet when they drafted him 12th overall in April.

Hayden will make his exhibition debut for Oakland on Friday night against the Chicago Bears in his first game action of any kind since a near-fatal practice collision ended his college career last November and raised questions about his future in the NFL.

Hayden has been limited most of training camp after undergoing abdominal surgery in May to heal scarring from the original injury. He was not cleared for any contact until last Friday and has had just one padded practice before taking the field against the Bears.

Hayden last played a game Nov. 3 for Houston against East Carolina. He was injured days later.

Giants lose now welcome BoSox; Arod gets drilled

 

GIANTS FALL IN SERIES FINALE TO THE FISH

 

(AP) — Jeff Mathis hit an early home run, then lined a tiebreaking double in the eighth inning that bounced off Giants center fielder Andres Torres and sent the Miami Marlins over San Francisco Giants 6-5 Sunday.

It was 5-all in a back-and-forth game when Ed Lucas led off the eighth with a single against Sandy Rosario (3-1). With one out, Mathis hit a liner to left-center and the ball dropped in front of Torres' dive and caromed off him.

Chad Qualls (4-1) pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings and Steve Cishek worked the ninth for his 27th save in 29 chances.

Hector Sanchez singled with one out in the ninth before Buster Posey grounded into a game-ending double play.

Hunter Pence and Brandon Crawford homered for the Giants.

 

A'S POWER PAST CLEVELAND

 

(AP) — Chris Young and Alberto Callaspo homered in the fifth inning and the Oakland Athletics beat the Cleveland Indians 7-3 on Sunday.

Jed Lowrie, batting leadoff for only the third time this season, had two hits and scored twice for Oakland. Josh Donaldson drove in three runs as the A's pulled within a half-game of AL West-leading Texas.

Young hit his 11th home run off Cleveland starter Scott Kazmir (7-6) to break a 3-all tie in the fifth. Three pitches later, Callaspo followed with his sixth homer and first since being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in late July.

Ryan Raburn homered for Cleveland, which has lost six of its last seven in Oakland.

Dan Otero (2-0) retired five batters for the win in relief of starter Tommy Milone.

Grant Balfour pitched the ninth.

 

AROD PLUNKED AND THEN HOMERS AS YANKS RALLY PAST BOSOX

 

 

 

(AP) — Ryan Dempster might receive a few thank-you cards from major leaguers this week, players who've been embarrassed by steroid use in baseball.

Dempster plunked Alex Rodriguez with a pitch in the second inning of Boston's 9-6 loss to the New York Yankees, leading to the ejection of manager Joe Girardi. Dempster's first pitch of the at-bat went behind A-Rod's knees, and the next two were inside before the fourth hit the Yankees third baseman. The benches and bullpens emptied following the plunking, but order was quickly restored without further incident.

Rodriguez got the better of Dempster four innings later, hitting his 649th career homer to pull within 11 of tying Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time list. It sparked a four-run rally that allowed the Bombers to turn a 6-3 deficit into a 7-6 lead.

It marked the second time A-Rod has been hit by a pitch since receiving a 211-game suspension for his participation with Biogenesis, a shuttered anti-aging facility that sold performance-enhancing drugs to major leaguers.

Brett Gardner had the game's key hit, a bases-loaded triple that allowed the Yanks to take the rubber match of the series.

The loss cuts the Red Sox's lead in the American League East to one game over Tampa Bay.

 

DENVER'S VON MILLER FACES SIX GAME SUSPENSION FOR VIOLATING NFL'S DRUG POLICY

 

ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting this morning that Pro-Bowl Denver Broncos Linebacker Von Miller will be suspended for his team's first six games. Sources tell Mortensen that the suspension is a result of Miller violating the league's substance abuse policy. Mortensen says Miller is in the process of trying to negotiate the suspension down to four games.

Dufner wins PGA; A's win and Giants get blasted

 

 

DUFNER SOLVES OAK HILL AND WINS HIS FIRST MAJOR

 

(AP) — Jason Dufner's win at the PGA Championship yesterday made him the third first-time winner at the majors this year. He joins Masters champ Adam Scott and U.S. Open winner Justin Rose as winners of the big four events. Phil Mickelson was the only repeat winner at majors with his come-from-behind win at the British Open.

The first-time winner phenomenon is not unique to this year. Dufner is the 15th champion in the last 19 majors who had never won the big one.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson was in the hunt during the final round. An early eagle pulled him to within a shot of the lead, but that's as close as he got. Still Stenson finished third, giving him two runner-up finishes and a third in his last three events -- the British Open, the Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship.

 

ATHLETICS OUTLAST BLUE JAYS

 

(AP) — Alberto Callaspo hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning, Brandon Moss had a two-run homer and the Oakland Athletics beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4 on Sunday.

Oakland outfielder Josh Reddick, who homered five times in the first two games of the series, was moved up to fifth in the order but failed to connect again. He went 1 for 3 with two walks.

Facing left-hander Darren Oliver (3-3) with runners at first and second and two outs in the eighth, Callaspo hit a drive to deep left. Emilio Bonifacio almost made a leaping catch at the wall, but the ball ticked off the side of his glove. A second run scored without a play at the plate when shortstop Jose Reyes dropped Bonifacio's relay throw. The Athletics wrap up their series against the Jays with the series finale this morning with the first pitch at 9:37am

 

ORIOLES POUND GIANTS; NOW 15 GAMES BACK IN LAST PLACE

 

(AP) — J.J. Hardy hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning, Adam Jones added a three-run shot in the ninth and the Baltimore Orioles pounded the San Francisco Giants 10-2 on Sunday.

Hardy's 21st home run of the season gave the Orioles a 3-2 lead. Four players drove in a run in the eighth, Jones hit his 24th homer and every player in Baltimore's starting lineup finished with at least one hit.

Brandon Belt and Hunter Pence each hit RBI doubles off Bud Norris in the first for San Francisco's only runs.

Matt Cain (7-8) retired 15 of the first 16 batters he faced. He struck out five and walked one in seven innings, allowing only an RBI single by Nate McLouth in the sixth before Hardy's homer.

 

 

AROD and 12 others suspended as MLB throws hammer at drug cheats

 

SUSPENDED !

 

 

ALEX RODRIGUEZ FACES A 211 GAME SUSPENSION FROM MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL; HE WILL APPEAL

 

(AP) — It was a busy day even by Alex Rodriguez's standards.

The New York Yankees third baseman was activated from the disabled list, met the media before Monday's game against the White Sox in Chicago, made his season debut and produced a bloop single in his first at-bat. He also was suspended for the remainder of this season and all of 2014, although he'll be able to play until his appeal is heard.

Rodriguez and 12 other players have been given lengthy suspensions by Major League Baseball after an in-depth probe into the closed Biogenesis anti-aging clinic. All but Rodriguez have accepted their suspensions, but he opted to appeal his suspension and remain on the active roster.

A-Rod received the harshest suspension.

Commissioner Bud Selig says Rodriguez had used testosterone as well as human growth hormones. Selig also stated Rodriguez engaged in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate the Office of the Commissioner in its investigation.

Rodriguez held a news conference before taking the field for the Yankees' game against the White Sox in Chicago. He wouldn't deny using PEDs, saying during the news conference that "when the time is right, there will be an opportunity to do all of that. I don't think that time is right now."

Rodriguez is expected to file an appeal by Wednesday. It will be at least a week before the appeal is heard, and several more weeks before an arbitrator renders his decision. If the 211-game penalty is upheld, his lost pay could range from $30.6 million to $32.7 million, depending on when exactly the suspension is served.

Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta (JAH'-nee peh-RAHL'-tah) and Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera are among 13 players to receive 50-game suspensions on Monday for their connection with Biogenesis of America. All three were All-Stars this season, with Cruz leading Texas in homers and RBIs, and Peralta serving as Detroit's second-best hitter behind Miguel Cabrera.

Others agreeing to 50-game bans include Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, Philadelphia pitcher Antonio Bastardo, Seattle catcher Jesus Montero and New York Mets infielder Jordany Valdespin.

MLB also cleared Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Orioles third baseman Danny Valencia, saying its inquiry found no violations by the players linked to Biogensis in media reports. Gonzalez says he has no lingering sense of animosity toward baseball .

 

GIANTS KNOCK OFF BREWERS 4-2

 

 

CHAD GAUDIN SHINES AGAIN AS THE GIANTS TAKE GAME ONE OF A FOUR-GAME SERIES

 

(AP) — Pinch hitter Jeff Francoeur's broken-bat single in the bottom of the eighth inning drove in the go-ahead run in the San Francisco Giants' 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.

Brandon Belt had three hits for the Giants, who won for the fourth time in six games. Hunter Pence walked three times and stole two bases.

Santiago Casilla (5-2) pitched the eighth for the win, while John Axford (4-5) took the loss. Sergio Romo pitched the ninth for his 27th save in 31 chances.

Juan Francisco hit a home run and drove in two for the Brewers, who have lost four of five. Jean Segura and Jonathan Lucroy each had two hits.

Giants starter Chad Gaudin gave up a run on four hits over 6 1-3 innings. He walked four and struck out eight.

Brewers starter Tyler Thornburg went six innings, allowing an unearned run on seven hits.

 

RAIDERS FIRST ROUND PICK PARTICIPATES IN PRACTICE

 

(AP) — Oakland Raiders first-round draft pick D.J. Hayden will not play in Friday's preseason opener against Dallas.

Hayden suffered a slight hamstring pull in training camp on Monday but Oakland coach Dennis Allen said the decision to hold the rookie cornerback out was related to Hayden's recovery from offseason abdominal surgery.

The 12th overall pick in this year's draft, Hayden has practiced every day but has been wearing a red jersey normally reserved for quarterbacks and kickers because he has not been cleared for contact yet.

Hayden underwent surgery in late May to remove scar tissue from his abdominal region. That operation came months after a near-fatal practice injury that ended his college career at Houston early.

 

REID PREPARES FOR CHALLENGES OF THE NFL

 

(AP) — Every time Donte Whitner looks at rookie Eric Reid he's reminded of what it was like to be a safety selected in the first round competing for a starting spot.

Whitner, San Francisco's savvy strong safety, had quite the Week 1 opponent after being taken eighth overall by the Buffalo Bills back in 2006: Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Reid, the former LSU standout for whom the 49ers traded up to draft at No. 18, is hoping to start against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the regular-season opener Sept. 8.

And when San Francisco hosts Denver in his first preseason game Thursday night, Reid might even get a few snaps against another former NFL MVP: Peyton Manning.

 

CHICO'S AARON RODGERS LOSES HIS BEST PASS PROTECTOR TO TORN ACL

 

 

BRIAN BULAGA (75) COULD BE LOST FOR THE SEASON

 

     The Green Bay Packers are looking for answers after losing their best offensive lineman to a torn ACL on Monday. Brian Bulaga protects Aaron Rodgers' blind-side and was injured during a practice session. Its a devastating loss for the Packers whose offensive line is not considered a strength. Rodgers came to rely on Bulaga's ability to keep pass-rushers away from his blind-side. The Packers will now have to piece their line together as they get ready for the season opener in a month. Practice was canceled once Bulaga went down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A's Surge while the Giants woes continue

 

 

 

OBAMA HONORS GIANTS; GIVES TEAM PEP TALK AFTER WOEFUL HOMESTAND

 

The San Francisco Giants were honored today by President Barack Obama for their 2012 World Series Championship. Obama praised the Giants organization's work in the community and their commitment to healthy eating choices at the ballpark. The President also told the Giants not to be discouraged by their 46-58 record saying, "you guys are a second half team." The Giants currently sit 10 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and just finished a 3-7 home-stand where they were swept by the Cubs. The Giants are in Philadelphia on Tuesday where they will take on the Phillies looking to turn their season around.

 

 

ATHLETICS LEAD WEST BY 6 GAMES AFTER SERIES WIN AGAINST ANGELS

 

(AP) — Yoenis Cespedes (yoh-EHN'-ehs SEHS'-peh-dehs) drove in four runs on his most productive day since winning the Home Run Derby, and the Oakland Athletics rallied from five runs down to beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-6 on Sunday.

Cespedes snapped an 0-for-13 funk with a two-run double in the third inning, added an RBI single in the fifth and then doubled in Josh Donaldson as part of a five-run sixth.

Eric Sogard added three hits and two RBIs, and Brandon Moss also drove in a pair of runs for Oakland. The A's (62-43) moved a season-high 19 games over .500 and extended their lead to six games over Texas in the AL West.

Erick Aybar doubled and tripled for the Angels.

 

GIANTS GET SWEPT BY CUBS

 

(AP) — Travis Wood homered and pitched four-hit ball over seven innings in helping the Chicago Cubs complete a three-game sweep in San Francisco for the first time in 20 years, beating the Giants 2-1 Sunday.

Welington Castillo also homered for the Cubs, who won their third straight and five of seven.

Pablo Sandoval drove in a run for the Giants, who have lost four straight and seven of eight.

Tim Lincecum (LIHN'-seh-cum) (5-11) had two hits in addition to pitching seven innings. He gave up two runs and four hits. He walked two and struck out 10.

Wood (7-7) allowed an unearned run while walking four and striking out seven. Wood was 1-4 over his previous nine games.

 

RAIDERS LOOK TO McFADDEN FOR A BOOST

 

(AP) — Darren McFadden hopes that going downhill will be just the tonic to revive his career with the Oakland Raiders.

Back in a familiar offense that suits his running style perfectly, McFadden is looking to bounce back from a disastrous 2012 campaign and return to the big-play back he was for the two years Hue Jackson ran the Raiders' offense.

Oakland switched schemes after Jackson was fired as coach following the 2011 season, returning to the same zone blocking system under coordinator Greg Knapp that McFadden struggled with early in his career. Those struggles returned and McFadden had one of the worst years ever for a Raiders back.

With new coordinator Greg Olsen bringing back a power running system, the Raiders are hoping to see the old McFadden.

 

 

Giants Split Double-Dip; A's Trip in Houston

 

 

JONATHAN VILLAR SLIDES HOME WITH THE WINNING RUN AS THE ATHLETICS FALL COUGH ONE UP TO ASTROS

 

(AP) — Rookie Jonathan Villar scored the winning run from second base in the ninth inning when catcher Derek Norris had a passed ball and then made a bad throw on the same play to give the Houston Astros a 5-4 win over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night.

Houston ended a 10-game losing streak against the A's this season and a six-game skid overall.

The Astros trailed 4-2 entering the ninth before Matt Dominguez hit a two-run homer off closer Grant Balfour (0-2) to tie it.

Justin Maxwell hit an infield single to start the inning and advanced to second when Balfour attempted to make a throw to first from his knees and bounced it in the dirt for an error.

The homer by Dominguez bounced off the wall in left-center as Coco Crisp desperately tried to climb to grab it.

 

 

GIANTS SPLIT DOUBLE-HEADER WITH CINCINNATI

 

 

BUSTER POSEY SLIDES IN SAFELY ON PABLO SANDOVAL'S RBI DOUBLE IN GIANTS 5-3 WIN

 

 

(AP) — Pablo Sandoval hit a two-run double to help Bruce Bochy (BOH'-chee) earn his 1,500th win as a manager, and the San Francisco Giants split a straight doubleheader with the Cincinnati Reds with a 5-3 victory in the nightcap Tuesday.

Hunter Pence hit an RBI single, Gregor Blanco had a sacrifice fly, and Brandon Belt added an RBI groundout in San Francisco's first win in six tries against the Reds this season after being outscored 34-6 in the first five meetings — including 11-0 on Monday night and 9-3 in the opener Tuesday. The Reds had 10 hits after combining for 32 in the first two games.

The teams were forced to make up a July 4 rainout at Great American Ball Park.

Cincinnati batted last and wore home uniforms as the visiting team.

 

 

WORLD SERIES CHAMPS SET TO VISIT COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

 

(AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama will honor the San Francisco Giants at a ceremony saluting their victory in the 2012 World Series.

The team will visit the White House on Monday. The president will also honor the team for its community service work.

The Giants swept the World Series in October, defeating the Detroit Tigers 4-3 in the final game after being nearly knocked out in the playoffs. It was their second title in three seasons.

But Obama didn't predict that finish.

On the campaign trail last year, the longtime Chicago White Sox fan predicted a World Series between the White Sox and the Washington Nationals.

 

 

AROD BACK IN FOLD AS BIOGENESIS CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS HIM

 

(AP) — Alex Rodriguez has reported back to the New York Yankees' minor league complex, three days after he was diagnosed with a strained left quadriceps on the final day of his injury rehabilitation assignment.

Rodriguez, under investigation by Major League Baseball for his reported ties to a clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs, did not speak with reporters when he arrived in a SUV shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The third baseman, who turns 38 on Saturday, had been recovering from hip surgery in January. He hit .250 (8 for 40) with two homers and eight RBIs in 13 minor league games before the leg injury.

New York said A-Rod was being sent to Tampa for "for rest and treatment." The Yankees have not said whether they intend to send him on another rehab assignment.

 

WRIGLEY RENOVATIONS SET FOR COUNCIL VOTE

 

(AP) — Chicago's City Council is set to consider a proposed $500 million renovation of historic Wrigley Field that includes a massive Jumbotron in left field.

Aldermen are scheduled to give the final vote on the project Wednesday.

The vote comes one day after it got crucial approval from a City Council committee and the alderman whose ward includes the ballpark.

Under the deal, the Chicago Cubs agreed not to erect outfield signs in addition to a Jumbotron in left field and another sign in right field. The plan also includes improved facilities for the players in the bowels of the 99-year-old ballpark and a hotel across the street.

The Cubs say they need advertising revenue from the signs to pay for the renovation.

 

 

HGH TESTING BEFORE NFL OWNERS AND PLAYERS

 

The NFL and players union are meeting Wednesday in Washington in an attempt to reach agreement on testing procedures for human growth hormone as early as the upcoming season.

Both sides already have closed in on conducting a population study that has been a key demand by the players before HGH testing is implemented.

The labor agreement that ended the NFL lockout in 2011 requires the league gain union approval before testing players for HGH. The union says it favors testing, but has reservations about the appeals process. The union also has concerns about the way discipline will be handed out, and wants to collectively bargain that issue.

An email obtained by The Associated Press from the NFL Players Association on Monday indicated that the league and the NFLPA have jointly hired a doctor to conduct a study on NFL players to determine an accurate threshold for a positive HGH test. The email was sent by the union to players, in part to explain that the study requires them to have blood drawn during their physical when training camp begins. The email said the blood samples will only be used for the study, which would mean further blood tests for players once an overall agreement is reached.

Supplemental HGH is a banned substance that is hard to detect and used by athletes for what are believed to be a variety of benefits, whether real or only perceived — such as increasing speed and improving vision.

Among the health problems connected to HGH are diabetes, cardiac dysfunction and arthritis.

 

Braun BUSTED: Suspended 65 Games.....We look at effects and implications

 

BRAUN SUSPENDED FOR 65 GAMES

 

(AP) — The post-game comments rolled in last night after the revelation that Milwaukee's Ryan Braun had been suspended yesterday afternoon by baseball for the rest of the season for "violations" of baseball's drug program. Perhaps the quote from Seattle pitcher Joe Saunders summed it all up when he said, "I think everybody's frustrated, especially the players. I think we all feel a little bit cheated."

 

ESPN's Jayson Stark says Braun faced an even longer suspension.....

 

ESPN's Jayson Stark says Braun's lies will make it very tough for the former MVP to rehabilitate his image.....

 

ESPN Investigative Reporter TJ Quinn says Anthony Bosch from Biogenesis provided MLB investigators damning evidence.....

 

ESPN Investigative Reporter TJ Quinn says Braun had no mercy towards his accusers.....

 

ESPN Investigative Reporter TJ Quinn says his sources tell him MLB has an even stronger case against Alex Rodriguez....

 

Former big-league pitcher Rick Suttcliffe says on ESPN last night that Ryan Braun lied to his face.....

 

Former big-league pitcher Curt Schilling says the stain of PED use hurts the game and its competitive balance....

 

AP baseball writer Ron Blum says there now implications for the other 19 players on the Biogenesis list with Braun copping a deal with Major League Baseball.....

 

 

The suspension is costing Braun, the 2011 National League MVP, about $3 million and the final 65 games of the season. In a statement he admitted to making some mistakes in the past and that he is willing to accept the consequences.

 

 

(pictured above)

BRAUN EXPLAINING IN 2011 HOW HE WAS THE VICTIM IN THE SAMPLING PROCESS

 

Baseball attempted to suspend him for an elevated testosterone level following that MVP season, but he got off on a technicality.

Now fans are left asking the question, who will be suspended next? Speculation has been as many as 20 players may be hit with a suspension following baseball's investigation of a Florida clinic accused to distributing performance-enhancing drugs.

 

REDDICK'S BLAST CARRIES A'S PAST ASTROS

 

(AP) — Josh Reddick put Oakland on top with a two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Athletics remained perfect this season against the Houston Astros with a 4-3 victory Monday night.

Chris Young hit a solo homer for the A's, who are 10-0 against their new AL West foes this season and 15-1 all-time.

Houston took an early 3-0 lead thanks in part to Oakland tying a season high with three errors. Young's shot cut the lead to one in the seventh before Reddick's drive to right field off Wesley Wright (0-4) made it 4-3.

Young also tripled for another big game in his hometown.

Three of Young's nine homers this season have come at Minute Maid Park, and he's hit eight home runs with 30 RBIs in 22 career games in Houston.

 

LINCECUM GETS SHELLED; GIANTS DROP OPENER OF FOUR-GAME SET TO REDS

 

(AP) — Bronson Arroyo pitched a seven-hitter for his sixth career shutout, beating Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants 11-0 Monday night for his first victory at AT&T Park and No. 100 with the Cincinnati Reds.

Arroyo (9-7) struck out six and didn't walk a batter in his 15th career complete game, a 108-pitch gem that ended in 2 hours, 45 minutes. Derrick Robinson ended it with a tough catch in deep center.

Devin Mesoraco and Shin-Soo Choo homered in the second inning off Lincecum, pitching for the first time since his no-hitter at San Diego.

Jay Bruce also hit a solo homer, Todd Frazier added a three-run double and Robinson, a late addition to the lineup, had three hits

 

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS ARE NBA SUMMER LEAGUE CHAMPS

 

(AP) — Ian Clark scored 33 points and hit seven of 10 3-pointers to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 91-77 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the championship game of the NBA's Vegas Summer League on Monday night.

Kent Bazemore added 18 points and five assists to help the Warriors finish summer league play 7-0.

Marcus Morris had 17 points and six rebounds for the Suns, who finished 6-1. Archie Goodwin scored 18 points for Phoenix.

It was the first time the NBA has crowned a champion in the 22-team summer league.

Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas was named MVP of the league, while Clark was named MVP for the title game.

 

Phil Dazzles at Muirfield for 5th Major

IMPROBABLE VICTORY AT THE BRITISH FOR LEFTY WITH A BLISTERING 66 ON SUNDAY

 

 

PHIL MICKELSON CELEBRATES HIS 5TH MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP WITH HIS TEAM

 

(AP) — Phil Mickelson put on a masterful back-nine charge to shoot a tournament-low 5-under 66 and win the British Open. Lefty birdied four of the final six holes on the difficult back nine at the hard, fast Muirfield layout to finish at 3-under par. Mickelson called it the best round of his career....

 

 

Mickelson sees his name engraved on the claret jug, adding the British Open championship to his three wins at the Masters and a PGA Championship title......

 

 

 

MICKELSON HUGS HIS CADDIE "BONES" AFTER DRAINING A BIRDIE PUTT ON 18

 

Lee Westwood was poised to finally win his first major title, with a two-shot lead to start the final round. But the 40-year-old Englishman struggled from the outset and continues to go winless in the big events. He shot 4-over 75 to finish four shots back of Mickelson. That left Westwood tied for third with Masters champ Adam Scott and Ian Poulter at 1-over par.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson's 1-under 70 was good for second place, three shots back of the winner.

 

GIANTS WIN SERIES BUT DIAMONDBACKS SALVAGE SERIES FINALE

 

 

A PERFECT RELAY CUTS DOWN BUSTER POSEY AT THE PLATE IN GIANTS LOSS ON SUNDAY

 

(AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit a sacrifice fly and a double against All-Star Madison Bumgarner, Cody Ross added a late two-run single.......... and the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks held off a late rally by the San Francisco Giants for a 3-1 win Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.

The D-backs snapped a three-game losing streak with their first victory of the second half.

Randall Delgado (2-3) won in his first career start at AT&T Park, and Goldschmidt's first-inning sac fly got things going against the inconsistent defending World Series champions. Arizona threw out Buster Posey at the plate in the sixth.

A day after stranding 13 baserunners and going 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position, the D-backs did just enough against Bumgarner in the 10-game winner's first outing after the All-Star break.

Ross singled in the eighth as Arizona won for just the fourth time in 16 road games.

The Giants are now 5.5 games out of first in the NL WEST as they open a four-game series with Cincinnati tonight.

 

A'S WIN BEHIND ANOTHER GEM FROM BARTOLO COLON

 

(AP) — Bartolo Colon pitched a four-hitter for his third shutout this season and center fielder Chris Young robbed Albert Pujols (POO'-hohlz) of a home run to help the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-0 on Sunday.

Eric Sogard hit a two-run homer to back Colon (13-3), who struck out five and walked one. The 40-year-old right-hander, making his first start since returning from his third All-Star game, tied Max Scherzer and Adam Wainwright for the major league lead in wins while reducing his ERA to 2.52. Colon is 10-1 with a 1.46 ERA over his last 12 outings.

The 116-pitch complete game was Colon's 35th in 395 big league starts, and the shutout was the 12th of his career.

Crisp preserved Oakland's ninth shutout of the year when he pulled back Pujols' bid for his 492nd homer leading off the seventh.

 

STEPH CURRY SHINES ON THE COURSE AT THE AMERICAN CENTURY IN TAHOE

 

(AP) — Billy Joe Tolliver won the American Century Championship for the fourth time, beating fellow former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien with a par on the third hole of a playoff Sunday.

They finished regulation at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course tied at 67 in the modified Stableford format that awards graduated points for pars or better.

On the par-5 18th hole in the playoff, they had matching pars and birdies on the first two extra holes. Tolliver then took advantage of Rypien's pitch shot into the water, winning with a two-putt par from 25 feet.

Former pitcher Mark Mulder was third with 66 points, and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry tied for fourth with former NFL quarterback Chris Chandler at 64.