MLB:
In baseball, in the National League, the Mets bested the Dodgers 13-7 to take a 2-1 lead in the NL Division Series, and it was the Cubs over St. Louis 8-6. Chicago also has a 2-1 lead in the NLDS.
In the American League, Toronto doubled up Texas 8-4 to force a fifth game in the AL Division series, and Kansas City beat Houston 9-6 also forcing a fifth game.
NFL:
In the NFL on Monday Night Football, Pittsburgh defeated San Diego 24-20.
The New York Giants have taken a crash course on MRSA. Team doctors, trainer Ronnie Barnes, the head of the team's facilities and the players union spoke to the team on Wednesday after tight end Daniel Fells was hospitalized with the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that kills thousands a year. "It's a very serious thing, has been that way in this league for quite a few years," coach Tom Coughlin said. "Everyone has been very aware of it."
New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson has returned to practice after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Richardson was back with the team yesterday following the Jets' bye-week break. Coach Todd Bowles says he will play in New York's home game against Washington on Sunday, although his role is uncertain.
New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson will have precautionary X-rays on his sore ribs that limited him at practice in the team's return from its bye-week break. Coach Todd Bowles says Wilkerson only made the team aware of the injury yesterday. The injury isn't believed to be serious or potentially keep him out Sunday against Washington.
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck returned to full participation for yesterday's practice for the first time in two weeks. He's still day-to-day with a sore right shoulder and had been limited in practice since leading Indianapolis to a 35-33 win at Tennessee on September 27th. The Colts host defending Super Bowl champion New England on Sunday night.
Buffalo Bills:
Coach Rex Ryan insists it's premature to start judging the Buffalo Bills' high-priced defense on a few inconsistent performances a month into the season.
Get back to him at the end of the season, and see how the numbers stack up, he says.
And yet the ever-confident Ryan couched his assessment Wednesday by adding: "But it's just we're not there yet."
Not even close.
The "No. 1 or bust" expectations Bills defensive players openly boasted having in early September have yet to materialize for a team off to a 2-2 start in preparing to play at Tennessee (1-2) on Sunday.
What's troubling is how a veteran-laden unit that features two $100 million players has sagged at critical times because of poor on-field communication, lack of discipline and poor tackling.
NBA:
In NBA preseason play, New York beat Philadelphia 94-88, Toronto bested Minnesota 112-105, Memphis beat Cleveland 91-81, Miami defeated San Antonio 97-94, New Orleans won against Chicago 123-115, and it was Portland over Utah 88-81.
NHL:
In the NHL, the Islanders doubled up Winnipeg 4-2, Tampa Bay topped Boston 6-3, Buffalo bested Columbus 4-2, Philadelphia blanked Florida 1-0, and it was Vancouver over Anaheim in a shootout 2-1.
Boston captain Zdeno Chara played in his first game yesterday after missing most of the preseason with an undisclosed upper body injury. Chara has been the mainstay of Boston's defense the past nine seasons, including a Stanley Cup title in 2011.
The Bruins signed former Boston University player Travis Roy to a one-day contract yesterday. Twenty-years ago, Roy suffered a spinal cord injury 11 seconds into his first shift, leaving him a paraplegic. He dropped the ceremonial first puck before yesterday's game against the Lightning. The B's also made a $50,000 donation to his foundation.
Newly named Buffalo starting goalie Robin Lehner didn't get to enjoy the role for very long. He'll miss between six and 10 weeks with a sprained right ankle suffered in the second period of the Sabres' season-opening loss to Ottawa Thursday. The injury means the Sabres will proceed with backup Chad Johnson, who stopped 22 shots in the Columbus Day win over the Blue Jackets.
Surfing:
A 25-year-old surfer and Rhode Island native who recently lost most of his leg in a shark attack near the Hawaiian island of Oahu says he's determined to ride the waves again. Hawaii News Now reports doctors amputated most of Colin Cook's left leg after he was attacked by a 10- to 12-foot tiger shark near island's North Shore on Friday. The day later, Cook was out of his hospital bed and taking a few steps.
NCAAF:
Florida quarterback Will Grier has received a one-year suspension for violating the NCAA's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
The eighth-ranked Gators are not facing a forfeiture of wins, and Grier won't lose any eligibility, but the school said it will appeal. Grier said he took an over-the-counter supplement, and coach Jim McElwain called it an honest mistake that could have been prevented by talking to the team's medical staff.
Sophomore Treon Harris will make his first start since the season opener when Florida plays at No. 6 LSU on Saturday.
MLS:
Sacha Kljestan and Lloyd Sam scored to help the New York Red Bulls beat the Montreal Impact 2-1 on Wednesday night.
New York (16-9-6) will secure the Eastern Conference regular-season title with a win or tie in either of its two remaining matches. The Red Bulls are three points ahead of Los Angeles and FC Dallas in the race for the overall lead.
Ambroise Oyongo was shown a red card for a hand ball on what otherwise would certainly have been a goal by Bradley Wright-Phillip in the 15th minute, leaving Montreal (12-13-6) a man down.
Kljestan put away the ensuing penalty kick.
Wright-Phillips slipped behind the defense on a breakaway, pulling goalkeeper Evan Bush out to the top of the box, but couldn't convert either of two shots. The second, however, ricocheted back to Sam, who chipped over a scrambling Bush to make it 2-0 going into the half.
Didier Drogba converted a penalty kick in the 67th for Montreal.
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