Soriano powers Cubs past Giants

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FOOTBALL

Weary Giants lose to Cubs

CHICAGO (AP) - The San Francisco Giants are used to a difficult travel schedule, playing on the West Coast.

Seattle beats Oakland to finish preseason

SEATTLE (AP) - Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson played just one quarter in his final tuneup before the regular season, so high-priced backup Matt Flynn led Seattle on a three scoring drives. The Seahawks closed out the second perfect preseason in franchise history with a 21-3 win over the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night.

New-look Raiders seek to end losing ways

OAKLAND (AP) - The first offseason for the Oakland Raiders since the death of longtime owner and architect Al Davis was one full of changes.

Athletics sweep Indians for 2012 record against Cleveland of 8-2

CLEVELAND (AP) - The only downside for the Oakland Athletics is that they don't play the Cleveland Indians again this season. Oakland capped a four-game sweep of the free-falling Indians with a 12-7 victory on Thursday. The Athletics, who have won six straight and eight of nine, finish the season series against Cleveland with an 8-2 record. After dropping the first two ...

Kaepnernick throws two TD passes as Niners win

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Jim Harbaugh wanted tight end Delanie Walker to play a bit more than the rest of San Francisco's starters in the final preseason game considering a bum knee limited him during training camp.

Tournament within a tournament in Deutsche Bank Championship

No. 21 Stanford opens post-Luck era against San Jose St.

US Open shockers: Roddick to retire, Tsonga is upset

Texas high school to open $60M football field of dreams

ALLEN, Texas (AP) - Call it the palace of high school football: A gleaming $60 million facility with seats for 18,000 roaring fans, a 38-foot-wide high-definition video screen, corporate sponsors and a towering upper deck.

Replacement refs: NFL deserves penalty for arrogance

Giants rally for win over Astros for sweep

HOUSTON (AP) - Ryan Vogelsong had a tough time early in his start on Thursday night. But after using six relievers a night before, San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy was forced to stick with him despite giving up four runs through three innings. Vogelsong (12-7) bounced back, pitching three scoreless frames before Hunter Pence hit a go-ahead two-run single in the seventh inning and the Giants rallied again for an 8-4 win over the Houston ...

Rodriguez edges Contador to win Vuelta 12th stage

DUMBRIA, Spain (AP) - Joaquin Rodriguez surged past Alberto Contador on the final climb to win the 12th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Thursday and extend his overall lead to 13 seconds. Rodriguez and Contador broke away from the peloton and rode wheel-to-wheel up the last stretch of a sharp ascent to finish the 118.4-mile leg. "You ...

49ers prepare to take one more step

Marshall’s plan: Give me the ball

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) - Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall understands he's going to turn heads when he speaks out, given his well-publicized struggles with mental illness.

A’s rage in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) - The Oakland Athletics have beaten Detroit with both pitching and power. And that's left the Tigers on the brink of elimination - and simmering with frustration.

Crabtree could return next month

SANTA CLARA (AP) - Coach Jim Harbaugh expects top 2012 wide receiver Michael Crabtree to return to game action in mid- to late November after recovering in quick fashion from a torn right Achilles tendon that required surgery.

First demoted, Flynn now cut by Raiders

ALAMEDA (AP) - The Oakland Raiders released quarterback Matt Flynn on Monday, just six months after bringing him in to be the starter.

Harvick, Gordon making moves into Chase fray

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - Considering where Jeff Gordon was after Richmond, left out of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in part due to some late-race shenanigans, he couldn't have been happier on Sunday.

Dodgers beat Braves 4-3 to win NLDS on Uribe homer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Juan Uribe hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning after Clayton Kershaw started on short rest for the Dodgers in a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night, sending Los Angeles into the National League championship series for the first time since 2009.

Wacha, Cardinals edge Pirates 2-1 to knot NLDS

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Michael Wacha heard the chants. Then again, when 40,000 people clad in black scream your name relentlessly for the better part of three hours, it's kind of hard to miss.

Lobaton’s HR in 9th lifts Rays over Red Sox 5-4

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Rays are still afloat in the AL division series.

Warriors beat Kings in preseason home opener

OAKLAND (AP) - When the Golden State Warriors signed free agent Andre Iguodala this summer, most figured that meant Harrison Barnes would be coming off the bench.

Smith, Folk lead New York Jets past Falcons 30-28

ATLANTA (AP) - Geno Smith wasn't flustered. Not after all the mistakes in his first four games. Not after the Atlanta Falcons went ahead on a touchdown with less than 2 minutes remaining.

49ers pound Schaub, Texans

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Tramaine Brock is kicking himself for not having a third interception. He came oh so close.

Pryor, Woodson lead Raiders past Chargers

OAKLAND (AP) - Terrelle Pryor and Charles Woodson turned this rare late-night start into an Oakland Raiders celebration.

Sanchez next in Detroit’s rotation

DETROIT (AP) - On another team, he might be an ace.

Hertl scores 2 goals in San Jose Sharks’ victory

SAN JOSE (AP) - Tomas Hertl found a reason to keep on smiling.