Sports-Saturday, August 15 2009

CHICAGO (AP) - Derrek Lee matched a career high with seven RBIs and capped a 10-run burst in the second inning Friday as the Chicago Cubs snapped their five-game losing streak with a 17-2 romp over Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs sent 15 batters to the plate and every starter scored at least once in their first double-digit inning since 2004.

ATLANTA (AP) - Ryan Howard led off the ninth inning with a homer and the Philadelphia Phillies won their fourth straight game, beating the Atlanta Braves 3-2 Friday night in the opener of an important NL East series. Chase Hutley hit a two-run shot for the Phillies and Shane Victorino put on a dazzling defensive show in center field to keep the Braves from extending their winning streak to a season-best six games.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Michael Vick is in Philadelphia looking for a fresh start with the Eagles. He says he knows he's "done some terrible things," but he says he now wants "to be part of the
solution and not the problem." The former Atlanta Falcons star served 18 months in prison for his role in running a dogfighting ring.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Michael Vick's return to the NFL with the Eagles is getting a mixed reaction in Philadelphia. Some hardcore Philly fans are seeing red, but others are crediting the franchise for giving Vick a second chance after he was convicted for his role in running a dogfighting ring.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Andy Reid knows all about second chances. That's why Michael Vick is getting one in Philadelphia. Reid lived through the nightmare of having two sons jailed on drug charges. He's seen up close how Garrett and Britt Reid are progressing. And he believes Vick, with the right support system, can do the same.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is making little of the 20-10 exhibition victory over the Cardinals on Thursday night. Though starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made some crisp throws during his brief playing time, Tomlin says the team has a lot of work ahead.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The steel skeleton of the Pittsburgh Penguins new home is complete. The team marked the occasion with a "topping off" ceremony inside the new arena, across the street from Mellon Arena, where the team now plays. The new $355 million Consol Energy Center remains on track to open in time for the 2010-2011 season and will seat 18,087.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Former Philadelphia 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks will join the Oklahoma City Thunder next season as one of Scott Brooks' two new assistants. Cheeks was fired early last season by the 76ers after leading Philadelphia to a surprise playoff berth the year before. He also previously coached the Portland Trail Blazers.

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Villanova guard Reggie Redding has been kicked off the team for the fall semester two weeks after being charged with possession of marijuana. School officials say Redding will remain enrolled in classes and could return to the team in late December if coach Jay Wright and the athletic department approves. Redding started 22 games last season.

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Detroit 1 Kansas City 0
Final Baltimore 16 L.A. Angels 6
Final Toronto 5 Tampa Bay 2
Final Boston 8 Texas 4
Final Minnesota 11 Cleveland 0
Final Chi White Sox 8 Oakland 7, 10 Innings
Final N-Y Yankees 4 Seattle 2

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Chi Cubs 17 Pittsburgh 2
Final Florida 6 Colorado 5
Final N-Y Mets 3 San Francisco 0
Final Washington 2 Cincinnati 0
Final Philadelphia 3 Atlanta 2
Final Milwaukee 11 Houston 2
Final St. Louis 9 San Diego 2
Final Arizona 4 L.A. Dodgers 1

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESEASON
Final St. Louis 23 N-Y Jets 20
Final Minnesota 13 Indianapolis 3
Final New Orleans 17 Cincinnati 7
Final San Francisco 17 Denver 16

WNBA BASKETBALL
Final 2OT Washington 91 Connecticut 89
Final Chicago 88 New York 77
Final Sacramento 85 Los Angeles 79