SPORTS HEADLINES

Thomas hits grand slam off Skubal, Guardians down Tigers 7-3 to reach AL Championship Series

CLEVELAND (AP) — Lane Thomas hit a grand slam off Tarik Skubal and Cleveland beat the Detroit Tigers 7-3 in Game 5 of their AL Division Series, moving the Guardians into another postseason matchup against the Yankees. Cleveland will meet New York in the ALCS, setting up another playoff series between two teams that have crossed paths six previous times in October. Game 1 is Monday in the Bronx. Thomas finished with five RBIs for the Guardians, who weren’t expected to contend this season. But they won the tough AL Central under first-year manager Stephen Vogt and Cleveland still has a chance to end a World Series title drought stretching to 1948.

No. 7 Alabama overcomes botched recovery of an onside kick to beat South Carolina 27-25

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama held off South Carolina 27-25 after allowing the Gamecocks a chance at handing the Crimson Tide its second straight SEC loss by botching an onside-kick recovery. LaNorris Sellers hit Nyck Harbor for a 31-yard touchdown with 43 seconds left, but the Gamecocks failed to convert on their two-point attempt. They recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Sellers’ desperation heave toward the end zone with 13 seconds remaining was intercepted at the goal line by Domani Jackson. The Crimson Tide narrowly avoided another upset Saturday after losing to Vanderbilt last week.

Breanna Stewart and the Liberty look to bounce back and even WNBA Finals series against the Lynx

NEW YORK (AP) — Breanna Stewart and her New York Liberty teammates were confident they can rebound from the Game 1 collapse that put them down a game to Minnesota in the WNBA Finals. Stewart said she watched the free throw she missed at the end of regulation which would have won the game for New York a few times to see if anything was off with her form. She came to the conclusion it wasn’t and that sometimes shots just don’t fall. The two-time MVP and her teammates will need to be at their best on Sunday when they face the Lynx in Game 2 of the best-of-five series.

Holding a Super Bowl outside the US is a possibility, NFL Commissioner Goodell says

LONDON (AP) — The NFL’s aggressive international growth plan could include holding a Super Bowl outside the United States for the first time. Commissioner Roger Goodell in the past has shot down the idea but he said Saturday at a fan forum in London that it’s a possibility. He says, “It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.” Goodell floated the idea as he outlined a plan that could include playing 16 international games every year if the regular season expands to 18 games. He adds that he has “no doubt” that Ireland will host a game soon. He named Rio de Janeiro as a likely new host.

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers is off the injury report and fine to play Monday night vs. Bills

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers is off the New York Jets’ injury report and will be back under center Monday night against the Buffalo Bills. The quarterback was a full participant Saturday after being limited Thursday and Friday while dealing with a sprained ankle. The defense will be without nickel cornerback Michael Carter II, who injured his back in pregame warmups last week. Linebacker C.J. Mosley could make his return after missing the last three games with a toe injury. Right tackle Morgan Moses could also be back after missing two games with a knee injury.

Ronaldo scores again in Nations League win for perfect Portugal. Spain finds replacement for Rodri

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his record-extending 133rd international goal to keep Portugal perfect in the Nations League with a 3-1 win over Poland while Spain struck late to edge Denmark 1-0. The 39-year-old superstar was there to put in the rebound after Rafael Leão’s shot hit the post in the 37th minute. That made it 2-0 following Bernardo Silva’s opener in Warsaw in the 26th. After failing to find the net in his five appearances at this summer’s European Championship Ronaldo has scored in three straight Nations League matches, including goals in wins over Croatia and Scotland last month. Spain won thanks to a 79th-minute goal by Martín Zubimendi.

Oklahoma and Texas, one of college football’s most storied rivalries, open a new chapter in the SEC

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Perhaps the only way the Oklahoma-Texas rivalry could have become even more intense happened when both joined the powerful Southeastern Conference in July. The series that began in 1900 immediately will rank with the best of the SEC’s older ones. Oklahoma and Texas have 10 AP national titles and nine Heisman Trophy winners between them. The game is played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, a neutral site virtually equal distances from the campuses. The stadium is split with half Oklahoma crimson and half Texas burnt orange. The game is played during the Texas State Fair, creating a unique atmosphere.

Senga’s comeback to continue with start for Mets in Game 1 of NLCS vs Dodgers

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga will start Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, continuing his unlikely comeback from injuries that limited him to two starts this season. Manager Carlos Mendoza announced the start Saturday at the Mets’ workout before the team was scheduled to depart for Los Angeles. Senga returned to the lineup in the NL Division Series. He started Game 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies on Oct. 5 and gave up one run over two innings in the Mets’ 6-2 win. The Mets play the Dodgers in Game 1 on Sunday.

Sharks place rookie Macklin Celebrini on IR with a lower-body injury

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The San Jose Sharks have placed rookie Macklin Celebrini on the injured reserve list with a lower-body injury. The move came two days after Celebrini made an impressive debut by recording a goal and an assist in an overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 18-year-old Celebrini was picked first overall in June and is being counted on to help spark a rebuild in San Jose. He was hampered in the preseason with a lower-body injury. Coach Ryan Warsofsky said Celebrini is week to week.

Clay Holmes rediscovers form a month after being pulled from closer’s role as Yankees prep for ALCS

NEW YORK (AP) — Clay Holmes is rediscovering his sinker at a pivotal time for the New York Yankees. A little over a month since being removed from his closer’s role, Holmes has allowed two runs over his past 14 outings and the right-hander’s five spotless innings helped the Yankees advance past the Kansas City Royals to reach the AL Championship Series. Holmes was 3-5 with 3.14 ERA and 30 saves in 67 appearances. He led the majors with 13 blown saves and was taken out of the closer’s spot after allowing a game-ending grand slam to Texas rookie Wyatt Langford on Sept. 3.

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