MLB:
In baseball, the Chicago Cubs have advanced to the National League Division Series against St. Louis by blanking the Pirates 4-0 in Pittsburgh. Jake Arrieta allowed four hits and had 11 strikeouts in tossing the Cubs' first complete-game shutout in a postseason game since Claude Passeau in Game 3 of the 1945 World Series. Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run homer and an RBI single, and Dexter Fowler added a solo shot while scoring three times. Chicago now faces the St. Louis Cardinals.
NBA:
In NBA preseason play, Carmelo Anthony scored 17 points in his first game since left knee surgery, Kristaps Porzingis had seven in his NBA debut and the New York Knicks beat Paschoalotto Bauru of Brazil 100-81 on Wednesday night. Anthony hadn't played since the All-Star Game on this court in February. Atlanta squeaked by Cleveland 98-96, Orlando bested Miami 100-97, Houston topped Dallas 109-82, Oklahoma City beat Minnesota 122-99, and it was Phoenix over Sacramento 102-98.
A person with knowledge of the details says Knicks coach Derek Fisher was involved in an altercation with Memphis Grizzlies forward and former teammate Matt Barnes in California on Saturday. The New York Post, citing an anonymous source, reported Wednesday that the altercation was because Fisher is dating Barnes' estranged wife. Fisher filed for divorce from his wife, Candace, in March.
A professional basketball player has described how he was kicked in the leg and taken to the ground after a testy exchange with a New York City police officer. The Atlanta Hawks' Thabo Sefolosha testified in his own defense Wednesday in Manhattan Criminal Court. The 31-year-old guard-forward has pleaded not guilty.
NHL:
The first day in regular season NHL play, the Rangers edged Chicago 3-2, Montreal beat Toronto 3-1, Vancouver defeated Calgary 5-1, and it was San Jose over Los Angeles 5-1.
The Blackhawks raised their latest Stanley Cup banner before Henrik Lundqvist turned back 32 shots in the New York Rangers' 3-2 triumph at Chicago. Oscar Lindberg notched his first NHL goal to open the scoring just 1:43 after the opening faceoff. Artemi Panarin countered for the Blackhawks at 14:24, but the Rangers went ahead for good on goals by Kevin Klein and Derek Stepan 2:23 apart late in the first period.
Tennis:
Former pro tennis player James Blake says New York City's police watchdog has substantiated his complaint against officers involved in tackling and mistakenly arresting him. Blake filed a complaint with the Civilian Complaint Review Board against Officers James Frascatore and Daniel Herzog, alleging they used excessive force and abused their power.
New York City Marathon:
Actor Ethan Hawke will run his first marathon next month to raise money for charity. Hawke said Wednesday he and his wife will take part in the New York City Marathon on November 1st to support The Doe Fund, which works to break the cycles of homelessness, addiction and criminal recidivism. It will be the first 26.2-mile race for both Ethan and Ryan Hawke.
NFL:
On Thursday Night Football, Indianapolis will face the Texans in Houston tonight at 8:25 p.m.
You are going to see more NFL games played overseas. The owners have approved more international games through 2025, including ones in places other than England. An agreement to stage games in the United Kingdom through 2016 not only was extended at the Fall meetings, but other nations, such as Mexico, Germany and Canada, will be considered for international games.
The league also is looking at moving the Pro Bowl to international sites. Brazil has expressed interest in the all-star game, and Mark Waller, a vice president with the league, says Australia and Asia also were potential sites.
Also, Commissioner Roger Goodell expects league owners to vote on franchise relocation to Los Angeles in a few months. The current timetable calls for submission of applications to relocate in January, when the owners could vote. Steelers president Art Rooney said he doesn't envision that timetable being changed, noting that St. Louis, Oakland and San Diego are "still are putting together their proposals" to keep their teams.
The Buffalo Bills have signed veteran kicker Billy Cundiff to replace the Jordan Gay, who was released after handling kickoff duties. Cundiff's arrival poses a threat to veteran kicker Dan Carpenter, who has been erratic since the start of the preseason while nursing assorted injuries. He has missed two of seven field-goal attempts, including a 30-yarder in a 24-10 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday.
NCAAF:
University of South Carolina officials have decided to move Saturday's scheduled football game against LSU to Baton Rouge due to massive flooding in the Columbia area.
School officials wanted to keep the game in Columbia, but now say that law enforcement that would be needed to direct traffic and keep Williams-Brice Stadium safe are needed elsewhere in the area to help clean up from the massive flooding. The game time has not been announced.
©2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.