ATLANTA (AP) β Gerrit Cole retired the final 17 hitters he faced, and the surging Pittsburgh Pirates clinched a spot in the playoffs with a 3-2 win over the free-falling Atlanta Braves. The Pirates’ 11th win in 13 games, combined with Milwaukee’s 3-1 loss to Cincinnati, assured Pittsburgh of no worse than an NL wild card.
NEW YORK (AP)β NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL’) and chief assistant Troy Vincent were told by 11 former players that the league must act immediately when someone is accused of domestic violence during a 3 1/2-hour meeting to discuss ways to improve the league’s personal conduct policy. The NFL has faced heavy criticism of its personal conduct policy after incidents this year involving Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, Greg Hardy, Ray McDonald and Jonathan Dwyer.
PITTSBURGH (AP) β So much for James Harrison’s retirement. The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing back the volatile five-time Pro Bowler to add a veteran presence to a depleted linebacker group. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the 36-year-old Harrison about the “climate change” around domestic violence before re-signing him. Harrison has had personal conduct issues in the past.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) β NCAA President Mark Emmert believes it is the responsibility of individual schools to handle issues of domestic violence and sexual assault, and that a spate of recent cases reflects greater societal problems. Just this week, Tennessee dismissed a freshman running back who reportedly struck an ex-girlfriend at a party over the weekend.
UNDATED (AP) βSue Bird became the first American player to make four world championship teams when USA Basketball announced its roster. Joining her on the final roster were veterans Diana Taurasi (tohr-AH’-see), Candice Dupree, Tina Charles, Angel McCoughtry, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus. Brittney Griner, Nneka Ogwumike (NEH’-kuh OHG’-wih-mih-kee), Odyssey Sims and Breanna Stewart will make their first appearance at the world championship, which begins Saturday in Istanbul.
