MLB:
In baseball, Boston topped Baltimore 5-1 for its seventh consecutive win. The Red Sox extends their lead in the AL East to 5 games over second place Toronto, the Yankees bested Tampa Bay 11-5, — Rookie Gary Sanchez banged out two more homers and drove in five as the Yankees ripped Tampa Bay 11-5 to get within 2 ½ games of an AL playoff spot. Sanchez has hit 18 home runs in 42 games since being recalled in August. Brian McCann provided four of the Yankees' 17 hits. Cleveland edged Kansas City 4-3, the Angels won against Texas 5-4, Seattle slid past Toronto 2-1 in 12 innings, and Houston beat Oakland 6-5. Philadelphia beat the White Sox 8-3.
In the National League, Atlanta beat the Mets 4-3, the Cubs won against Cincinnati 9-2, Pittsburgh bested Milwaukee 4-1, Arizona beat San Diego 3-2, the Dodgers tripled up San Francisco 9-3, Colorado topped St. Louis 11-1, and it was Washington over St. Louis 8-3.
Steven Matz is tentatively scheduled to return to the New York Mets' injury-ravaged rotation Friday night. The left-hander threw a bullpen Wednesday at Citi Field, and manager Terry Collins says he is confident Matz will be able to start against Philadelphia. But before committing to him, the team will wait to see how Matz feels Thursday.
The Rangers still own a magic number of two for winning the AL West crown. Mike Trout hit a three-run homer and the Angels slowed the Rangers' division title push with a 5-4 triumph in Texas. Carlos Beltran slammed a two-run homer for the Rangers, who still own the AL's best record at 90-63.
Max Scherzer picked up his 18th win and the Nationals trimmed their magic number to two for winning the NL East by hammering Miami 8-3. Scherzer allowed homers by Christian Yelich and Derrick Dietrich but gave up just two other hits while running his season strikeout total to a major league-leading 267. Ryan Zimmerman belted a three-run homer and Trea Turner added a solo blast as Washington halted a four-game losing streak.
Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto could miss his next scheduled start because of a groin strain suffered in Tuesday's game against the Dodgers. Manager Bruce Bochy says Cueto could be out up to a week, leaving him unavailable as the Giants try to nail down an NL playoff berth.
NFL:
To start off week 3 in NFL action, Houston will be in New England tonight at 8:25.
New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall sat out practice while he recovers from a knee injury that briefly sidelined him against Buffalo last week. Marshall was also listed on the team's injury report Wednesday with a foot ailment, but said Monday he hopes to play Sunday at Kansas City.
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis says a report that he came to training camp "out of shape" and is contributing to his struggles is a result of his former agents taking "a shot" at him. A day after Cincinnati's A.J. Green had a huge game against Revis, a report on September 12th by Bleacher Report quoted anonymous sources saying that Revis arrived to camp not in prime condition because he was coming off offseason wrist surgery and was unable to work out adequately.
Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is listed as doubtful heading into Thursday night's game against the Houston Texans. Garoppolo was again a limited participant in practice Wednesday as he continues to recover from the right shoulder injury he sustained late the first half of New England's win over the Dolphins last week. The third-year quarterback sat out practice Monday, but returned to the field on Tuesday.
When it comes to the Buffalo Bills' offense, running back LeSean McCoy said simpler might be better. The Bills are hoping a more streamlined approach under new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn will turn things around after a 0-2 start to the season. Lynn replaced former offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was fired on Friday. The first thing the Bills have done under Lynn is simplify the offense in an effort to make things less complicated on the field.
"Coach Roman's a very intelligent coach. If everybody can't grasp the offense the right way ... then it won't be effective," McCoy said. "So we simplified the offense to make it easier for guys to go out there and play."
The Bills are in need of a jolt after sputtering out of the gate to start the season. Despite the presence of playmakers such as McCoy and Sammy Watkins, the Bills rank 30th in the league in offense through two games (276.5 yards per game). They're also in a three-way tie for 22nd in points per game (19). The Bills had just 160 yards in a Week 1 loss to Baltimore, which was their lowest offensive output in a decade and their lowest in a season opener since 1979.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. That much is certain. What no one seems to know is how long Peterson will be out, or when he will be able to resume his career. The 31-year-old was hurt while being tackled at the end of a run during Sunday's 17-14 win over Green Bay. Peterson told ESPN on Wednesday that his injury typically requires a minimum recovery time of three to four months. But Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said the timetable for Peterson's return won't be clear until after the procedure. Peterson has only 50 yards on 31 attempts this season after leading the NFL in rushing last season.
The Raiders are another step closer to calling Las Vegas home. Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval says he intends to call state lawmakers into a special session early next month to consider a public financing plan for an NFL stadium. The Republican governor said he spoke with Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis this week and thought Davis was "committed and resolute in the team's interest in relocating to our state." The Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee last week recommended raising hotel taxes in the Las Vegas area to help put $750 million toward a 65,000-seat stadium. Three-quarters of NFL owners would need to approve any team relocation.
— Colts quarterback Andrew Luck sat out practice Wednesday after taking 16 hits in Sunday's loss to the Broncos. Luck said his throwing shoulder is just sore, downplaying any concern. He said he hopes to return to practice Thursday and plans to play Sunday against the Chargers as the Colts try to avoid their first 0-3 start in five years.
— The New Orleans Saints have placed P.J. Williams on injured reserve. The cornerback was carted off the field and taken to a hospital after absorbing a hard hit to the head during Sunday's loss to the New York Giants.
— The Lions have put running back Ameer Abdullah on the reserve-injured list with a foot injury, which will keep him inactive for at least eight weeks. Abdullah hurt his left foot on a 24-yard run in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the Titans.
— Suspended Cleveland receiver Josh Gordon has had an arrest warrant issued against him in a paternity case. The Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office in Ohio has confirmed that Gordon has not address several subpoenas and that a judge issued the warrant last month. A woman alleges Gordon is the father of her 1-year-old daughter.
NBA:
The Minnesota Timberwolves are preparing for a time without veteran forward Kevin Garnett. ESPN reports his 21-year career might come to an end via a contract buyout.
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed journeyman forward Thomas Robinson, who spent last season with Brooklyn. Robinson has averaged 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds while playing for five teams over his four-year NBA career.
World Cup – Hockey:
Henrik Lundqvist made 45 saves and Sweden wrapped up the top seed in Group B and a spot in the World Cup of Hockey semifinals by reaching overtime in a 4-3 loss to Team North America on Wednesday. Nathan MacKinnon scored the winner after back-and-forth 3-on-3 play. But Sweden got the point it needed to advance to the semifinals, while North America needs Finland to beat Russia on Thursday. Facing 49 shots, Lundqvist was brilliant playing the second half of back-to-back games. Counting his shutout against Finland, "The King" has stopped 81 of 85 shots at the World Cup. Auston Matthews, Vincent Trocheck and Johnny Gaudreau scored in regulation for North America. Filip Forsberg, Nicklas Backstrom and Patrik Berglund scored for Sweden. Starting in place of Matt Murray, North America goalie John Gibson stopped 35 of 38 shots.
Formula E – NYC:
The world's first fully electric racing series will stage a race next year in Brooklyn, where Formula E will host the first FIA-sanctioned open-wheel race within the five boroughs of New York City.
The 1.21-mile track was revealed Wednesday on the shores of New York Harbour at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The race through Red Hook will be called the New York City ePrix and will be a doubleheader over two days in July.
The circuit will require no street closures and run around Pier 11 and the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Formula E isn't receiving any financial assistance from the city or the state to host the race but will depend on corporate sponsorship to offset costs.
Formula E has coveted an event in New York City since it launched two years ago. The series opens in Hong Kong and has stops in Buenos Aires, Monaco, Paris, Berlin and Brussels.
NCAA:
The Ivy League has proposed tightening NCAA rules to prevent coaches from recruiting high school athletes before their junior years. The NCAA already has rules against coaches making early contact with prospective athletes pre-junior year, but holes in the regulations have accelerated the recruiting process and led to nonbinding scholarship offers, contact during camps and unofficial campus visits.
Under the Ivy's proposal, coaches would not be allowed to make verbal offers of financial aid or provide support in the admission process before the prospective athlete's junior year. Coaches would be prohibited from initiating or receiving telephone calls, planning unofficial visits and having recruiting conversations at camps and clinics before the start of a high school athlete's junior year. The proposal will be considered for legislation by NCAA membership in January.
WNBA:
In the WNBA, Phoenix beat Indiana 89-78 and it was Atlanta over Seattle 94-85.
Olympics:
Rome mayor Virginia Raggi has rejected the city's bid for the 2024 Olympics, effectively dooming the capital's candidacy. After campaigning for office on a "No" vote, Raggi has now made it official by saying it would be "irresponsible" to pursue the bid any further. She added that "in light of the data we have, these Olympics are not sustainable. They will bring only debt."
NASCAR:
NASCAR will not penalize Martin Truex Jr. or Jimmie Johnson for failing inspection after Sunday's race at Chicagoland Speedway, the opener the Sprint Cup playoffs. NASCAR executive vice president Steve O'Donnell said not penalizing either driver was the fair decision. Truex won the race and Johnson finished 12th before both cars failed the laser inspection with infractions that should have drawn 10-point penalties.
©2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
