La Crosse Tribune Sports News

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Defenders like to make fun of David Johnson because he almost always smiling.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Anthony Rizzo hit a pair of home runs and Jon Lester pitched eight dominant innings as the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-0 on Wednesday to clinch at least a wild-card playoff berth.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Yes, the Mets lost a chance to gain ground in their postseason push. It's also true they dropped two of three to the Nationals. Here's another fact: New York put itself in position for the playoffs with…

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Alfred Morris won't be trying to prove the Redskins wrong when the Dallas running back faces his former team for the first time Sunday.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Andy Green pulled aside his Padres hitters before this series against San Francisco and challenged them to be better — in day and night games alike.

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — During his decade in Los Angeles, Pete Carroll felt the void.

It isn’t difficult to notice the improvement that’s taken place along the University of Wisconsin football team’s offensive line since last fall.

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Saints coach Sean Payton is prepared to quit calling offensive plays — something he loves and has done most of his career — if it helps him manage his entire football team better.

TORONTO (AP) — Former Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington has been hired by the Toronto Blue Jays as vice president of baseball operations.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Rookie Joey Bosa missed Wednesday's padded practice, increasing the likelihood that he'll miss the San Diego Chargers' home opener against Jacksonville on Sunday.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Titans coach Mike Mularkey believes Marcus Mariota got a very important reminder that taking a sack is much better than turning the ball over.

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — To become a playoff contender, the Miami Dolphins know they need to fare better within their division.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals have been awarded their waiver claim on cornerback Tharold Simon from the Seattle Seahawks.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Anthony Davis on Wednesday denied reports that he was considering retirement over the weekend for the second time in 15 months.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The NHL is revamping its concussion monitoring system for the upcoming season.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton is optimistic his sprained shoulder will be good to go in time for Sunday's home opener against Cincinnati.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have acquired veteran right-handers Josh Collmenter and Joe Wieland in deals with the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners.

Three Big 12 teams were still undefeated going into November last season and four other teams got into conference play before suffering their first losses.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Tomas Plekanec banked a backhander off Connor Hellebuyck's pads with just over 8 minutes remaining and the Czech Republic held off Team North America 3-2 in a World Cup of Hockey exhibition Wednesday.

The only other sophomore captain was former Badgers coach Mike Eaves in 1975-76, the first of three years he wore the "C" on his sweater.