UNDATED (AP) β The Rangers, Astros, Angels and Twins are battling for an American League playoff spot with the last weekend of the season upon us. The Rangers, who have clinched a playoff berth, lead the Astros by three games and the Angels by four in the AL West, while in the wild-card race the Astros hold down the second spot, a game in front of the Angels and Twins. Tonight, Texas is home to the Angels while the Astros are at Arizona and the Twins are home to the Royals.
NEW YORK (AP) β For the 10,000th time, the New York Yankees won a ball game last night. They beat the Red Sox 4-1 and the victory secured a playoff spot for the Yankees, the fifth in eight seasons as manager for Joe Girardi.
PITTSBURGH (AP) β The Ravens clawed back to a 23-20 overtime win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh last night. Justin Tucker, who forced overtime with a 42-yard field goal with 3 seconds left in regulation, won the game with a 52-yarder with 5:08 left in OT.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) β Golden State coach Steve Kerr is taking a leave of absence as he recovers from back surgery. The team says Kerr will need time off for rehabilitation and recovery. He underwent back surgery to repair a ruptured disc in late July and had follow-up surgery in September.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) β For those old enough to remember the “Thrilla in Manilla,” Muhammad Ali has just celebrated the 40th anniversary of the fight, which was one of his greatest wins. The fight was the third between Ali and Joe Frazier and took place in the Philippines. An anniversary celebration took place last night in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, that included former rivals but friends Larry Holmes and George Foreman.
