Carlos Ruiz's three-run homer highlighted a five-run fifth inning, Raul Ibanez added a three-run shot in the eighth and the Philadelphia beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-6 on Thursday night to win the opener of the NL championship series.

  Conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh lashed out at NFL union leader DeMaurice Smith, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the media a day after being dropped from a group trying to buy the St. Louis Rams.

  Tony Pike threw two touchdown passes before spraining his left wrist and backup Zach Collaros ran 75 yards for a score to lead No. 8 Cincinnati to a 34-17 victory over No. 21 South Florida on Thursday night.

  Wade Phillips' job as coach of the Dallas Cowboys is safe for the remainder of the season, owner Jerry Jones said Thursday.

  LeBron James and teammates Darnell Jackson and Coby Karl have tested positive for Influenza A, and are being treated as if they have the H1N1 virus.

  NBA players will be able to take two steps before they have to stop, pass or shoot this season.

  Jimmie Johnson is returning to his dominant ways at the perfect time. His latest accomplishment: the fastest qualifying lap of the NASCAR season.

  Nicklas Lidstrom became the first European defenseman and eighth overall to reach 1,000 points, assisting on two goals in the Detroit Red Wings' 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

  The NFL has fined Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch $5,000 for his hit on Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning.

  The St. Louis Cardinals have expressed interest in extending Albert Pujols' contract during the winter, but the slugger is not in a hurry.

  Pedro Martinez will start for the Phillies in Game 2 of the NLCS.

  A U.S. congressman is asking NBA Commissioner David Stern why the league participated in games with a visiting Greek team that has allegedly breached contracts with former NBA players.

  With uncertainty surrounding their coach, some Redskins players would like the team to give the embattled Jim Zorn a public vote of confidence -- if it doesn't intend to fire him during the season.

  Shawn Marion won't return from a strained right calf to play for the Mavericks until next week at the earliest.