WPPA / T-102 SPORTS / Wednesday

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - When the Philadelphia Phillies and San
Francisco Giants meet in the NL championship series, runs won't
come easy. The teams have perhaps the two best starting rotations
in the majors. For the Phillies, it's Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and
Cole Hamels. For the Giants, it's Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and
Jonathan Sanchez. Game 1 is Saturday night in Philadelphia.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Former Brewers manager Ken Macha and Jeff
Banister have interviewed as the Pittsburgh Pirates search for
their next manager. Macha, a Pittsburgh-area native, was fired this
month after going 157-167 in two seasons with Milwaukee. Banister
has been in the Pirates' organization for 25 years as a player,
minor league manager and coach.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn't care if his
players are avid social media users. Just as long as they don't
talk shop. Although quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's return from a
four-game suspension is certain to be a subject of locker room
conversation this week, Tomlin doesn't want his players posting
messages on Twitter, Facebook or similar sites about any
team-related issues.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Sixers have their first preseason win
after Marreese Speights scored 19 points and Lou Williams added 16
to lead the Philadelphia over the Boston Celtics 103-92 last night.
Jason Kapono and Jrue Holiday had 12 points each for the Sixers,
who lost 93-65 to the Celtics last week in New Hampshire.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - The heat is on Joe Paterno to turn
things around at injury-riddled Penn State after two lackluster
losses. The Nittany Lions are 3-3 and are off Saturday. The offense
has trouble scoring and the short-handed defense has numerous
players sidelined.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State safety Nick Sukay is out
for the year with a torn pectoral muscle in the latest setback for
a struggling team hit by a spate of injuries. Coach Joe Paterno
says that Sukay's season was done after the junior got hurt during
a tackle on Illinois' Jack Ramsey on the opening kickoff of last
week's 33-13 loss to the Illini.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pitt's offense is built around running the
football, so the Panthers' dilemma wouldn't seem to be much of a
problem at all. They have two running backs capable of reeling off
100-yard games. Dion Lewis did it enough times last season that he
was chosen as a second-team All-American. Ray Graham has done it
three times in the Panthers' last four games.

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - With the United States experimenting again
with a new formation, the Americans finished the home portion of
their 2010 schedule with a dull 0-0 draw against Colombia last
night in Chester. The draw extends their three-year winless streak
against South American opponents to nine matches.

DIVISION SERIES
American League
Tampa Bay vs. Texas
Wednesday, Oct. 6
Texas 5, Tampa Bay 1
Thursday, Oct. 7
Texas 6, Tampa Bay 0
Saturday, Oct. 9
Tampa Bay 6, Texas 3
Sunday, Oct. 10
Tampa Bay 5, Texas 2
Tuesday, Oct. 12
Texas 5, Tampa Bay 1, Texas wins series 3-2

Minnesota vs. New York
Wednesday, Oct. 6
New York 6, Minnesota 4
Thursday, Oct. 7
New York 5, Minnesota 2
Saturday, Oct. 9
New York 6, Minnesota 1, New York wins series 3-0

National League
Philadelphia vs. Cincinnati
Wednesday, Oct. 6
Philadelphia 4, Cincinnati 0
Friday, Oct. 8
Philadelphia 7, Cincinnati 4
Sunday, Oct. 10
Philadelphia 2, Cincinnati 0, Philadelphia wins series 3-0

San Francisco vs. Atlanta
Thursday, Oct. 7
San Francisco 1, Atlanta 0
Friday, Oct. 8
Atlanta 5, San Francisco 4, 11 innings
Sunday, Oct. 10
San Francisco 3, Atlanta 2
Monday, Oct. 11
San Francisco 3, Atlanta 2, San Francisco wins series 3-1


NHL
Tuesday's Games
Colorado 5, Detroit 4, SO
Los Angeles 3, Atlanta 1
Wednesday's Games
New Jersey at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Islanders at Washington, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Nashville at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

NBA PRESEASON
Tuesday's Games
Washington 107, Atlanta 92
Philadelphia 103, Boston 92
Chicago 109, Toronto 90
Minnesota 122, Denver 108
Memphis 116, Oklahoma City 96
San Antonio 100, L.A. Clippers 99
Utah 105, Phoenix 100
Sacramento 116, Golden State 97
Wednesday's Games
New Jersey vs. Houston at Beijing, China, 8 a.m.
Dallas vs. Detroit at Grand Rapids, MI, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Indiana, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Boston at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Miami at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
Sacramento vs. L.A. Lakers at Las Vegas, NV, 10 p.m.

MLS
Tuesday's Games
Kansas City 2, Chicago 0
Friday, October 15
Chivas USA at Seattle FC, 11 p.m.