AP - The Carolina Hurricanes signed Eric Staal to a seven-year contract extension Thursday. The deal worth $57.75 million will pay the center an average of $8.25 million starting in 2009-10 and will last through the 2015-16 season.
AFP - Struggling Everton will not rush influential Australian midfielder Tim Cahill back into action, the English Premier League club's manager David Moyes said.
AP - If the Philadelphia Phillies are going to make another remarkable run to swipe the NL East crown from the New York Mets, they're going to need 45-year-old Jamie Moyer to pitch like an ace.
AP - Shaun Marcum pitched effectively for 7 1-3 innings and the Toronto Blue Jays broke a scoreless tie with six runs in the eighth Thursday night in beating the Chicago White Sox 6-4 for their 11th win in 12 games.
AP - Ryan Howard hit his major league-leading 43rd homer, Jamie Moyer pitched 5 2-3 effective innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3 Thursday night to gain ground in the playoff race.
AP - Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Thursday it is doubtful that starting tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells will play Saturday night against No. 1 Southern California.
AP - The first two games of this weekend's series between the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros have been postponed because of the potential impact of Hurricane Ike.
AP - Francisco Rodriguez got the final three outs for his 57th save to tie Bobby Thigpen's major league record, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Seattle Mariners 7-4 on Thursday night.
AP - Joan Higgins went out Thursday morning looking for pars. She found enough to become the oldest winner of the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship. -- read full article
AFP - World number five David Ferrer will be back to defend his Japan Open title this month, spearheading a star-studded field that also includes Andy Roddick and Richard Gasquet.
AP - McNeese State canceled Saturday's home football game against Cal Poly because of Hurricane Ike's potential effects on Lake Charles. -- read full article
AFP - Gianfranco Zola promised to give West Ham's players "all of my experience and knowledge" after becoming the east London club's first foreign manager here Thursday.
