AP - The Houston Astros have won eight straight games for the second time in less than a month. The Chicago Cubs have lost five in a row for the first time this season.

AP - LeBron James could be excused for his poor shooting from behind the arc, and for being blown out in a game of H-O-R-S-E with a warehouse worker in a beach exhibition. James was still floating in the clouds from his Olympic experience.

AP - Jaguars linebacker Clint Ingram spent about 14 hours at the hospital Tuesday, waiting with teammates, coaches and Richard Collier's family and friends. He didn't get any of the answers he wanted.

AP - Upon further review, the play stands. Major League Baseball's scoring review committee ruled Wednesday that official scorer Bob Webb did not err when he decided that Pittsburgh's Andy LaRoche singled against Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia in the bottom of the fifth inning of Milwaukee's 7-0 win on Sunday.

AP - New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick expects Tom Brady to be ready Sunday for the season opener against Kansas City after the NFL's reigning MVP missed all four exhibition games.

AP - Alex Rodriguez's ninth-inning homer was upheld in baseball's first use of instant replay, and the New York Yankees beat the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 on Wednesday night.

AP - LSU postponed its football game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav damaged Tiger Stadium and battered Louisiana's capital city far worse than anticipated.

AP - Serena Williams watched the final shot sail beyond the baseline, and immediately her sister called for an instant-replay challenge. At that point, Venus Williams really had nothing else to lose.

AFP - A revamped 2009 WTA Tour calendar will help ease the physical strain upon elite women's tennis players with ranking reforms aimed at raising the importance of Grand Slam and elite-level events.

AFP - Alan Curbishley admitted he resigned as West Ham manager after falling out with the club's owners over their transfer policy.

AP - Washington Nationals catcher Jesus Flores had an MRI exam Wednesday that confirmed he sprained his left ankle during a collision with Philadelphia's Chase Utley.

AP - White Sox third baseman Joe Crede was out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Cleveland because of a tight back, joining left fielder Carlos Quentin and center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. on the sidelines.