DENVER -- Chris Nelson stole home in the eighth inning to send the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, completing a four-game series sweep and extending their winning streak to season-best seven games.


Sports - Winning streak - Rallying - Organizations - Events

ATLANTA -- Colby Rasmus hit a pair of homers, Albert Pujols and Skip Schumaker also connected, and Adam Wainwright bounced back from a shaky first inning to lead the Cardinals past the slumping Atlanta Braves 11-4 on Thursday night.


Sport - St Louis Cardinals - Baseball - NFL - Football

DETROIT -- Johnny Damon had a season-high four hits and scored two runs, helping the Detroit Tigers beat Chicago 6-3 Thursday and handing the White Sox their third straight loss.


Johnny Damon - Chicago White Sox - Rick Porcello - Shopping - Miguel Cabrera

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Cameron Newton put on another impressive show Thursday night, this time against a Southeastern Conference defense in No. 21 Auburn's 17-14 victory over Mississippi State.



Mississippi State University - College football - Mississippi State Bulldogs football - Touchdown - United States

ISTANBUL -- Chauncey Billups made the promise. Kevin Durant made sure it was kept.


Russia - Sport - United States - Games - Video Games

ISTANBUL -- Lithuania advanced to the semifinals of the basketball world championship for the first time Thursday, hitting nine of its first 11 three-pointers to beat Argentina 104-85 and set up a meeting with the United States.


Lithuania - Argentina - Milwaukee Bucks - FIBA Americas Championship - Carlos Delfino

LEMONT, Ill. -- Already having his best season, Matt Kuchar got off to his best start of the year Thursday in the BMW Championship. A mystery season for Tiger Woods took another unexpected turn.


BMW - Recreation - Makes and Models - Autos - Motorcycles

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers signed cornerback Charles Woodson to a contract extension through the 2014 season on Thursday, a deal that will likely allow the 2009 AP Defensive Player of the Year to retire as a Packer.



Green Bay Packers - Charles Woodson - Cornerback - New York Jets - sport

Ray Lewis is thrilled Darrelle Revis is back with the New York Jets.

After getting behind early, the Cardinals recovered behind Wainwright's resilience and their most determined offensive showing in more than a month, beating Atlanta 11-4.

Joe Laurinaitis made his living as a professional wrestler. His avocation was coaching kids sports teams — mostly the ones on which his son, James, played.

Mizzou player shows his resiliency after tough transition. Athleticism and an intrepid spirit seem to run in the family.

The line of fans stretched unimaginably, as an estimated 5,000 showed up to meet goalie Jaroslav Halak last week at a sporting goods store near Montreal.

Hours before the team's biggest breakout in five weeks, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak and manager Tony La Russa reiterated that the trade July 31 of right fielder Ryan Ludwick in a three-tea

The app's only $2.99 for the entire season. Text STLRAMS to 46275 to download.

ISTANBUL • Kevin Durant scored 33 points and the United States beat Russia 89-79 on Thursday to move within two wins of its first world championship since 1994.

After missing the past two weeks with a sprained thumb, quarterback A.J. Feely is ready to go.

The Lakers star lends his fame to a push for funding for mental health programs in schools, using his own story to tell middle schoolers in Montebello it's all right to ask for and receive help.

The Lakers star lends his fame to a push for funding for mental health programs in schools, using his own story to tell middle schoolers in Montebello it's all right to ask for and receive help.

In another breezy match at U.S. Open, the top-seeded player remains on course for a possible collision with Roger Federer.

In another breezy match at U.S. Open, the top-seeded player remains on course for a possible collision with Roger Federer.

The Super Bowl champions open their season with a surprisingly low-scoring effort against Brett Favre and Minnesota in a rematch of the epic NFC title game.

The Super Bowl champions open their season with a surprisingly low-scoring effort against Brett Favre and Minnesota in a rematch of the epic NFC title game.

The forward, who was arrested in Sacramento on suspicion of domestic violence, says in a text message that he was the victim.

Marking himself controversial before even putting on his Lakers uniform, newly signed Matt Barnes was arrested Wednesday in Sacramento on suspicion of domestic violence.

They get four hits against Astros and lose sixth in a row, 3-2. Ted Lilly pitches well, but he takes the loss.

Reporting from Houston

'I feel remarkably good,' midfielder says about recovery from Achilles' tendon surgery. It's probable he will return against D.C. United on Sept. 18, but he hopes to play Saturday against Columbus.

David Beckham is back — a little longer of hair and a little shorter of breath, but back nonetheless.

He passed for a career-best five touchdowns against Hawaii, but most of the attention has centered on a defense that struggled. The quarterback hopes to put on a show at the home opener.

It's been a surprisingly quiet week for Matt Barkley .

Cassius Marsh, who was in for 10 plays last week, will get playing time against Stanford. Another first-year player, Seali'i Epenesa, may also get on the field.

After UCLA's defense was trounced for 313 yards rushing by Kansas State last Saturday, Coach Rick Neuheisel said that more rest was needed for those up front.

Toby Gerhart's gone, so the Cardinal is going with five tailbacks for now. UCLA is up next Saturday.

Reporting from Palo Alto

UCF coach George O'Leary said the Knights understand they have to `protect their house' during big game against N.C. State

UCF senior DT Wes Tunuufi Sauvao is hoping UCF coach George O'Leary will let him do a special pregame tribute when the Knights play N.C. State Saturday night.

GAINESVILLE — Let all of us sports fans take a moment right now to pray to God or Allah or Yahweh or the Great Spirit or whoever or whatever you worship. Ask Him or Her to please persuade Pastor Terry Jones to not hold a Quran-burning here Saturday.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints — the top offense in the league last year — had just enough in Thursday's opener against the Minnesota Vikings to take a 14-9 lead after three quarters.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Cameron Newton threw two touchdown passes and accounted for 206 total yards to help No. 21 Auburn beat Mississippi State 17-14 on Thursday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

The forward, who was arrested in Sacramento on suspicion of domestic violence, says in a text message that he was the victim.

Marking himself controversial before even putting on his Lakers uniform, newly signed Matt Barnes was arrested Wednesday in Sacramento on suspicion of domestic violence.

TALLAHASSEE — To get the formalities out of the way, no, it will not be pleasant for Stoops brothers Bob — the Oklahoma coach — and Mark, the Florida State defensive coordinator, to be coaching against one another on Saturday. And yes, the matchup in Norman, Okla., between No. 17 Florida State and No. 10 Oklahoma will place Dee Dee Stoops, mother of four boys — all coaches — in an uncomfortable predicament.

DAYTONA BEACH -- John Maronto's return to the Mainland football sideline turned into a media frenzy Thursday night at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium.

Why would a seemingly healthy 15-year-old collapse and die at the end of football practice?