ALCS-RED SOX/ASTROS

Astros try to clinch trip to World Series

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros rookie Luis García will start against the Red Sox in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series with a trip to the World Series on the line.

García started Game 2 and gave up a grand slam in the first inning before leaving with no outs in the second because of discomfort in his right knee. Manager Dusty Baker says the Astros are confident García will be 100% healthy for Friday night’s start.

Nathan Eovaldi (eh-VAHL’-dee) will start for Boston. He came through on Saturday in Game 2, pitching 5 1/3 innings for the win, but he faltered out of the bullpen in Game 4 on Tuesday and allowed four runs while retiring just two batters.

Houston leads the series 3-2.

NLCS-BRAVES/DODGERS

Dodgers force Game 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are still alive in the NL Championship Series after snapping out of their hitting funk while getting an outstanding performance from six relievers.

Chris Taylor slammed three home runs and drove in six as the Dodgers clobbered the Braves 11-2 Thursday night in Game 5, sending the series back to Atlanta. The LA bullpen limited Atlanta to three runs while striking out nine over 8 1/3 innings. Dodgers relievers allowed their team to rebound after starter Joe Kelly left with an injury in the first inning, shortly after giving up a two-run homer to Freddie Freeman.

Losing pitcher Max Fried (freed) was lifted with two out in the fifth, charged with five runs and eight hits.

Game 6 is Saturday. Ian Anderson is slated to start for the Braves and Max Scherzer for the Dodgers.

NFL-NEWS

Cardinals still dealing with COVID issues

UNDATED (AP) — The undefeated Arizona Cardinals are still sifting through COVID-19 issues as they prepare to face the Houston Texans on Sunday. Linebacker Chandler Jones was back at the practice facility Friday, but head coach Kliff Kingsbury was not.

Kingsbury, quarterbacks coach Cam Turner, Jones and defensive linemen Zach Allen and Corey Peters all missed last week’s 37-14 win over the Cleveland Browns after testing positive on the virus. So far, only Turner and Jones have returned. Kingsbury is still handling the offensive meetings virtually from his home.

Arizona is trying to push to 7-0 for the first time since 1974.

In other NFL news:

— Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan will not play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday as he recovers from a concussion. The Titans also declared out linebacker Monty Rice and wide receiver and punt returner Chester Rogers. Lewan was carted off the field Monday night in the Titans’ win over Buffalo. Wide receiver Julio Jones is questionable with a hamstring along with outside linebacker Bud Dupree who did not practice Friday with a knee that had him limited Thursday. Wide receiver A.J. Brown will play after practicing fully Friday. He has been dealing with the effects of food poisoning all week.

— Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dante Fowler has been placed on injured reserve and will miss at least three games. Fowler was initially ruled out for Sunday’s game at Miami with a knee injury. The team said later that he was going on IR. It’s not clear when Fowler was injured. The Falcons were off last weekend after beating the New York Jets in London. Fowler started the first five games for 2-3 Atlanta. He has two sacks, two forced fumbles, three quarterback hits and a total of 12 tackles. The Falcons also listed cornerback Avery Williams as doubtful with an ailing hamstring.

— With the NFL trade deadline about a week and a half away, Miami coach Brian Flores has reiterated that Tua Tagovailoa (TOO’-ah tuhng-ah-vy-LOH’-ah) is “our quarterback.” There are reports that the Dolphins might be looking to acquire Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is seeking a trade. Watson has been accused of sexual assault and harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women, but not charged.

T25 FOOTBALL-OKLAHOMA STATE-GUNDY

Oklahoma St. coach Gundy agrees to perpetual 5-year deal

UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has agreed to a new contract that will keep him on a perpetual five-year deal at his alma mater.

Gundy has a career record of 143-67 in 17 years and has led the program to 15 consecutive bowl games and 15 straight winning seasons. The 54-year-old has coached the Cowboys to four New Year’s Six bowl games since 2010. He received a one-year extension in 2019 that paid him $5.1 million that year and went through 2023.

The Cowboys have reached The Associated Press Top 10 poll in 10 seasons since 2008, including this season. The eighth-ranked Cowboys take a 6-0 record into Saturday’s game at Iowa State.

NHL-PENGUINS-CROSBY

Still no timetable for Crosby’s return from injury

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins star center Sidney Crosby still isn’t sure when he’ll return from left wrist surgery.

Crosby skated with his teammates for more than an hour Friday in the latest step in his recovery from surgery in early September. The team announced at the time of the procedure that Crosby would miss a minimum of six weeks. The six-week mark passed on Wednesday with Crosby still inching his way back. He says he needs to see how the wrist holds up during faceoffs and physical play before knowing when he’ll be cleared to play.

The Penguins are off to a 2-0-2 start without Crosby.

AAU COACH-ABUSE ALLEGATIONS

FBI looking for players victimized by Connecticut AAU coach

UNDATED (AP) — The FBI says it has identified “quite a few” victims of a former girls basketball coach who helped run a Connecticut AAU program. Authorities on Friday said they are seeking the public’s help in finding others.

Danny Lawhorn of Hartford faces both state sexual assault and federal child enticement charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of three girls who played for the Bria Holmes Elite program between 2017 and this year. His attorney says Lawhorn was not coaching the 17-year-old at the center of the case at the time of the alleged abuse.

Lawhorn was removed as a coach after his arrest in June on state charges of second-degree sexual assault. He had coached multiple teams for the program founded by Holmes, a former Connecticut high school star who went on to play at West Virginia and in the WNBA.

The FBI has set up a special website for victims to contact them.

PGA-ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP

Masters champion Matsuyama takes 2nd-round lead

CHIBA, Japan (AP) — Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama overcame cold temperatures and often steady rain showers to shoot a 2-under 68 and take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship in Japan.

Matsuyama trailed by a stroke after the first round following a 64 on the par-70, 7,041-yard Narashino Country Club course. He has a two-round total of 8-under 132. Temperatures dropped to as low as 53 degrees Fahrenheit late in the second round.

Cameron Tringale birdied his final hole for a 66 and was in second place. Matt Wallace birdied his final three holes for a 69 and was tied for third with Brendale Steele.

LPGA-SOUTH KOREA

Two South Koreans tied for lead at home tournament

BUSAN, South Korea (AP) — Hee Jeong Lim shot a 6-under 66 and first-round leader Na Rin An a 69 to leave the South Korean players tied for the lead after two rounds of the LPGA Tour’s BMW Ladies Championship.

Lim and An had 11-under totals of 133 on the par-72 LPGA International Busan course. American Danielle Kang shot 68 and In Gee Chun 69 and were tied for third, one stroke behind. The tournament is the only Asia event in the so-called fall season.

The LPGA started out with a four-tournament Asia swing until events in Shanghai, Japan, and Taiwan were either canceled or removed from the schedule due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.