AFP - Struggling AC Milan earned their first victory of the season in a 3-1 success over FC Zurich in the UEFA Cup first round, first leg at the San Siro on Thursday.

AP - The Philadelphia Phillies' playoff prospects would look a whole lot brighter if they played in Atlanta every night.

Reuters - The NBA fined Miami Heat rookie Michael Beasley $50,000 on Thursday for his role in an incident at the Rookie Transition Program this month which resulted in the expulsion of Miami's Mario Chalmers and Memphis's Darrell Arthur.

AP - Aric Goodman made a 25-yard field goal in overtime to give Colorado a 17-14 victory over No. 21 West Virginia on Thursday night.

AP - Pat Burrell hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Braves 4-3 on Thursday night to complete an unprecedented sweep of the nine-game season series in Atlanta.

AP - Evan Longoria hit three home runs for Tampa Bay but Alexi Casilla went deep in Minnesota's five-run ninth inning, helping the Twins rally for an 11-8 victory over the Rays on Thursday night.

AP - Geovany Soto hit a tying three-run homer with two out in the ninth inning, Derrek Lee singled in the winning run in the 12th and the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-6 on Thursday to move closer to the NL Central title.

AP - Muhammad Ali made a surprise visit to the Ryder Cup teams.

AFP - Without former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, former champions Australia will be out to down their hosts Chile in this weekend's Davis Cup World Group play-off at Antofagasta.

AFP - Ray Wilkins was appointed as Chelsea's new assistant first-team coach on Thursday following Steve Clarke's move to London rivals West Ham.