Yankees win, meet Tigers in ALCS
NEW YORK, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- CC Sabathia threw a four-hit complete game Friday while carrying the New York Yankees into the AL Championship Series with a 3-1 win over Baltimore.
Sabathia dominated the Orioles in the fifth and final game of the division series, setting the Yankees up for a best-of-seven duel with the Detroit Tigers for the American League championship.
The New York-Detroit series will open Saturday in Yankee Stadium.
Pre-game attention in New York Friday focused on the fact that star third baseman Alex Rodriguez was not in the starting lineup, having been removed by Manager Joe Girardi after going 2-for-16 in the opening four games of the series.
As the game went on, however, it was Sabathia who stepped into the spotlight with his nine strikeouts and 121 pitches. His first complete game in 17 career playoff starts came on the heels of an 8 2/3-inning performance in the opening contest of this series, one the Yankees won 7-2.
Rodriguez was replaced at third base by Eric Chavez while Raul Ibanez was used as the designated hitter. Both Chavez and Ibanez had pinch-hit for Rodriguez during the series with Ibanez coming through in Game 3 to smash a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of what eventually became a New York victory.
Ibanez struck again Friday, driving in Mark Teixeira with the game's first run in the fifth inning after Teixeira had singled to open the frame and stolen second.
Ichiro Suzuki doubled in Derek Jeter with New York's second run in the sixth and Curtis Granderson hit a solo homer in the seventh to make it 3-0.
Baltimore's lone run came on an RBI single by Lew Ford in the eighth.
The Orioles had three of their fourth hits in the eighth, their only other one coming from leadoff hitter Nate McLouth in the fourth after Sabathia had retired the first nine men he faced.
Baltimore starter Jason Hammel took the loss after giving up two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. The Orioles were making their first post-season appearance in 15 years.
The Tigers and Yankees will be meeting in the playoffs for the second time in as many years. Detroit ousted New York in the division round last season before losing to Texas in the ALCS.
Detroit will send Doug Fister to the mound Saturday. Fister went 10-10 during the regular season, but in his last six starts posted an earned run average of 2.77.
Andy Pettitte will start for the Yankees, having taken the loss in Game 2 of the division series against the Orioles despite giving up only three runs through seven innings.
USA survives World Cup qualifying scare
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua and Barbuda, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Eddie Johnson's second goal Friday, coming on a header in stoppage time, lifted the United States to a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Antigua and Barbuda.
The Americans appeared on their way to what would have been an embarrassing and perhaps very costly draw with the decidedly underdog Antiguans, who had produced only one point in their three previous group games.
Johnson, however, nodded in a crossing pass from Alan Gordon to move the Americans a step closer to reaching the final round of North American qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Despite the clutch victory, the Americans have yet to clinch a spot in the final round. In order to advance in the qualifying, at least a tie will likely be needed by Team USA when it meets Guatemala in Kansas City next Tuesday for their final group game.
Twelve teams from the region have battled through round-robin competition in three groups this year and the top two teams from each group will then conduct a tournament next year. The three leading teams from those six will earn a spot in the World Cup.
Canada inched closer to becoming one of the teams in the final qualifying tourney with a 3-0 victory over Cuba in Toronto. Only 11 Cuban players showed up for the game, creating speculation that the other five members of the squad had defected.
Mallinger leads on PGA Tour
SAN MARTIN, Calif., Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A 9-under 62 by John Mallinger Friday vaulted him into a 4-shot lead midway through the Frys.com Open.
Mallinger, whose lone PGA Tour victory came at the Pebble Beach Invitational two years ago, highlighted his round with an eagle at the par-5 15th on his way to a 30 on the back nine of the CordeValle Golf Club course.
He stood at 14-under 128 for 36 holes with Billy Horschel and Jhonattan Vegas sharing second place at 132.
Those at 133 included Nicolas Colsaerts, Scott Dunlap and first-round leader Nick O'Hern, who followed his opening 62 with an even-par 71.
Colsaerts, a member of European team that won the Ryder Cup last month, took a large stride toward becoming a full-time competitor on the PGA Tour.
He accepted a special temporary membership to the tour earlier this year, which meant he was able to receive unlimited sponsor exemptions for the rest of 2012. In eight tour starts this season, three of them in World Golf Championship events, he has earned $652,886.
In order to become a full-time tour member for next year, he must finish among the top 125 money winners and the player currently in 125th place (Jeff Maggert) has accumulated $598,994.
A high finish this week by Colsaerts will all but clinch his spot in the top 125 with two tournaments remaining on the 2012 schedule.
West Virginia extends AD's contract
MORGANTOWN, W.Va., Oct. 12 (UPI) -- The University of West Virginia, which has jumped to national football prominence this season, Friday extended the contract of AD Oliver Luck through 2017.
Luck, who played football at West Virginia and is the father of 2012 No. 1 NFL pick Andrew Luck, has been with the Mountaineers for the last two years.
He was in the third year of his original five-year contract and his new deal will increase his yearly salary to $550,000. Incentive bonuses are included.
"Oliver Luck is a true leader," said West Virginia President Jim Clements. "He has brought stability, momentum and energy to his position. He is someone we want on our team for many more years to come."
In its first year as a member of the Big 12 Conference, West Virginia has put together a 5-0 record under the guidance of Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Geno Smith.
The Mountaineers, ranked No. 4 in the country, will try to stay unbeaten on Saturday when they meet Texas Tech.
After his collegiate career, Luck appeared in 20 games over four seasons with the Houston Oilers. He had 2,544 passing yards in his career with 13 touchdowns. His final NFL season came in 1986.
