NFL:
In the NFL, Jay Cutler hit Martellus Bennett for a pair of touchdowns while throwing for 225 yards and no interceptions in the Chicago Bears' 27-19 win over the New York Jets. Ryan Mundy returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown to put the Bears ahead to stay just 32 seconds into the game. The 1-2 Jets lost despite outgaining the 2-1 Bears 414 yards to 257.
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has criticized a report that suggests he and other team officials tried to persuade the NFL to be lenient on Ray Rice after the running back was arrested for knocking out his then-fiancee in an Atlantic City elevator.)
Bisciotti spoke Monday after ESPN reported last week that the owner, president Dick Cass and general manager Ozzie Newsome pushed Commissioner Roger Goodell for leniency for their star running back. Bisciotti says, "Their accusations didn't jibe with what we know is fact."
The owner also said, "What's obvious is the majority of the sources work for Ray. ... They are building a case for reinstatement."
Rice was originally suspended two-games, but after a video surfaced on Sept. 8 showing the violent attack, he was released by the team and suspended indefinitely by the league.
MLB:
In Major League Baseball, in the American League, the Yankees blanked Baltimore 5-0. Derek Jeter began his final series at Yankee Stadium by breaking open the game with a two-run double, and he had three RBIs to lead the Yankees to victory. Elsewhere Toronto blew out Seattle 14-4, Texas beat Houston 4-3, and Oakland doubled up the Angels 8-4. Boston had a day off.
The Detroit Tigers' lead in the American League Central is down to one game over Kansas City with six to play. as the Chicago White Sox beat the Tigers 2-0 in Detroit. Speaking of the Royals, Cleveland edged Kansas City In a double header 4-3 in 10 in the first game and the Royals shut out Cleveland 2-0 in the second.
In the National League, Pittsburgh blanked Atlanta 1-0,St. Louis shut out the Cubs 8-0, San Diego won against Colorado 1-0, and San Francisco topped the Dodgers 5-2 in 13. The Mets had a day off.
In interleague play, Arizona tripled up Minnesota 6-2.
Incoming baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and players' association head Tony Clark have been selected to participate in a new Major League Baseball committee tasked with decreasing the times of games. The committee will be chaired by Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz. The group includes Boston Red Sox Chairman Tim Werner and partner Michael Gordon, New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and Major League Baseball Executive Vice President Joe Torre.
Sandy Alderson is keeping his current job. A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press the New York Mets and their general manager have agreed to a multiyear contract. Alderson replaced Omar Minaya before the 2010 season, signing a four-year contract with a club option for 2015. Rather than just exercise the option, the Mets are giving him a new deal that keeps him under contract longer. CBSSports.com reported Monday that Alderson and the Mets agreed to a three-year deal that runs through 2017.
The Atlanta Braves have fired general manager Frank Wren, less than 24 hours after being eliminated from the National League playoff race. Former major league executive and MLB Network analyst John Hart has been named as the team's interim general manager. Wren was in his 15th season with the Braves and his seventh as the club's general manager. The Braves have been one of baseball's biggest disappointments this season. A half-game behind the Washington Nationals for the NL East lead on July 29, Atlanta plummeted out of contention by winning just 18 of its next 49 games.
NHL - Preseason:
The New Jersey Devils outlasted the New York Rangers 5-4 last night in the preseason opener for both teams. Adam Henrique broke a tie with 51.7 seconds left, moments after New Jersey squandered its second two-goal lead of the night.
NBA:
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says his league will "take a fresh look" at its domestic violence procedures in the wake of the NFL's rash of incidents.
Silver said Monday the league has been discussing with the NBA Players Association ways to further educate players and provide programs to them and their families.
The league's collective bargaining agreement calls for a minimum 10-game suspension for a first offense of a player convicted of a violent felony. Silver says the NBA will examine that as well.
Silver spoke at the opening of a Staten Island playground and basketball court, where he was joined by Mayor Bill de Blasio and Knicks and Nets officials in announcing community service efforts in New York, which will host the 2015 All-Star weekend.
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