MLB:
The San Francisco Giants have advanced to the National League Division Series against Washington by clobbering the Pirates 8-0 in the wild card game at Pittsburgh. Madison Bumgarner struck out 10 while going the distance on a four-hitter to help the Giants earn a trip to Washington against the Nationals. Brandon Crawford opened the scoring in the fourth inning with a grand slam before Brandon Belt added two hits and three RBIs.
Tonight it's the start of in the American league Division series as Detroit faces Baltimore at 5:30 and Kansas City is in Los Angeles to take on the number one Angels at 9.
NFL:
Baltimore Ravens receiver Steve Smith has ripped his former team, saying his release by the Carolina Panthers was personal and that the team stabbed him in the back. Smith took direct aim at Dave Gettleman, saying on WFNZ-AM's Bustin' Loose that Carolina's second-year general manager said he was "a shadow of the player I used to be." Smith spoke out three days after catching seven passes for 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Ravens' 38-10 rout of the Panthers.
The NFL has extended its contract with satellite provider DirecTV to carry the "Sunday Ticket" package, which allows viewers to watch out-of-market games. The deal expands DirecTV's rights to stream the package live on mobile devices and online. The deal is worth $20 billion over eight years, according to a person familiar with the contract.
Lawyers for ex-New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez have continued their effort to have cellphone evidence thrown out, and a judge began hearing testimony Wednesday on what the defense claims was an unlawful interrogation of him at his home. Judge E. Susan Garsh issued no immediate ruling after considering testimony over two days on whether the seizure of the ex-player's BlackBerry was illegal. The defense also maintains Hernandez was unlawfully questioned while state police executed search warrants at his North Attleborough, Mass., house.
In Thursday Night Football, Minnesota is in Green Bay to face the Packers at 8:25.
PGA – Golf:
Rory McIlroy has been voted the PGA Tour player of the year for the second time in three years. He hit his stride in the summer and won the British Open and the PGA Championship, with a World Golf Championship in between to climb to No. 1 in the world.
Swimming:
Police documents indicate that Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps registered .14 percent on a breathalyzer test after he was stopped on a speeding violation. The legal limit for intoxication in Maryland is .08.
The statement of probable cause by the Maryland Transportation Authority police also says Phelps' eyes were red, bloodshot, and "his speech was mush mouth."
The 29-year-old Phelps was charged Tuesday with driving under the influence, excessive speed and crossing double lane lines in the Fort McHenry Tunnel on Interstate 95 in his native Baltimore, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
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