Sports: Big Papi Ends Career in Boston Loss

The Indians beat the Red Sox 4-3 last night, to sweep the series and advance to the AL Championship Series.    Coco Crisp smacked a two-run homer and Tyler Naquin laced a two-run single as the Indians beat the Red Sox, 4-3 at Fenway Park. It was the final major league game for Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who lifted a sacrifice fly in the sixth and worked out an eighth-inning walk before leaving for a pinch-runner.   Cleveland will face Toronto in the next round this Friday night at 8pm in Cleveland.

The Giants are still alive after Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik hit consecutive doubles in the bottom of the 13th to give San Francisco a 6-5 win over the Chicago Cubs. The Giants went ahead 5-3 with a three-run eighth, but the Cubs extended the game on Kris Bryant's two-run homer off Sergio Romo. Madison Bumgarner's postseason shutout string ended at 24 innings when Cubs’ pitcher Jake Arrieta slammed a three-run homer in the third to put Chicago ahead 3-0.  The Cubs can clinch the series with a win tonight in San Francisco.   Game time is 8:30pm.

Washington has a two-games-to-one lead over the Dodgers after an 8-3 win at Dodger Stadium.  Anthony Rendon belted a two-run homer and Jayson Werth went 3-for-4 with a solo shot and two RBIs.  The Dodgers will try to extend the series when they host Washington today at 5pm.

The Pistons lost to San Antonio 86-81 last night in pre-season basketball at the Palace.  Andre Drummond had a third straight double-double, with 17 points and 13 rebounds.  The Pistons say guard Reggie Jackson likely will miss 6-to-8 weeks with knee and thumb issues. Jackson got plasma injections yesterday to treat both injuries. He has not played for the Pistons so far in the exhibition season.  The regular season starts October 27^th as the Pistons go to Toronto.

The Red Wings have waived Teemu Pulkkinen, and he will likely be picked up by another team.  The Red Wings lost another forward, Martin Frk, as the Carolina Hurricanes picked him up on waivers. Three teams put claims on Frk, and since Pulkkinen only makes $812 thousand dollars a year, it’s not likely that all 27 teams will pass on him.   The hard-shooting forward had shoulder surgery but has bounced back ahead of schedule.   Coach Jeff Blashill says he likes Pulkkinen a lot, but that his failure to put up scoring numbers was a concern.

Several other Wings cleared waivers, including defensemen Nick Jensen and Brain Lashoff and forwards Eric Tangradi and Mitch Callahan.  All will play in Grand Rapids along with goalie Jared Coreau and forward Tyler Bertuzzi.   The Wings have to finalize their roster by 5pm today.  Coach Jeff Blashill says either Andreas Athanasiou or Anthony Mantha will make the team.  Both players have options and could be sent down to Grand Rapids.   The Red Wings start the regular season Thursday in Tampa.

Monday Night Football....The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulled out a 17-14 win at Carolina on Robert Aguayo's 38-yard field goal as time expired.  Aguayo had missed two field goals already in the game.  Jameis Winston threw for 219 yards and a touchdown as the Bucs improved to 2-3 and dropped the defending NFC champs to 1-4.  Derek Anderson threw a pair of interceptions and lost a fumble while starting in place of Cam Newton, who missed the game with a concussion.

The Big Ten has four teams in the top 10 of The Associated Press college football poll during the regular season for the first time since 1960, and No. 24 Western Michigan is ranked for the first time in school history.  No. 8 Wisconsin and No. 10 Nebraska joined No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Michigan in the first 10 of the AP Top 25 released Monday.  Alabama remains No. 1 and Clemson is No. 3.

The WMU Broncos take their perfect 6-0 record to Akron this Saturday.

Michigan has a bye this week before playing at home against Illinois on Oct. 22.

Michigan State is 2-3 and hosts Northwestern this Saturday.

Boys’ Soccer

Calhoun Christian/St. Philip  2, Maple Valley 2.  Ben Swagler and Davis Spencer each had a goal and an assist.

Girls’ Golf

Harper Creek beat Lakeview at Binder Park Golf Course for their second straight All-City title.  The Beavers won by 12 strokes.  Harper Creek’s Jacqueline Greene and Sydney Leatherman were the top golfers. Leatherman and Lakeview's Haley Lesiow will compete individually at  the upcoming State Finals.

Marshall plays Friday and Saturday in the Division 3 State Finals at Bedford Valley Golf Club.

Boys’ Tennis

Marshall and Harper Creek will advance to team State finals in boy’s tennis.

Coldwater plays in the Boys Tennis State Finals this week in Kalamazoo.

The Detroit Lions had to show some creativity in juggling their players in Sunday's last-second win over the Philadelphia Eagles, with injuries to a number of key players. Detroit hosts Los Angeles next weekend and is dealing with significant injuries at tight end, running back, and linebacker and on the defensive line.  The Lions host the L-A Rams next Sunday.