MLB-WORLD SERIES

Series shifts to Atlanta tied 1-1

HOUSTON (AP) — The World Series shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Friday after the Braves and Astros split the first two games in Houston.

Jose Altuve (al-TOO’-vay) doubled early, homered late and scored twice as the Astros whipped the Braves 7-2 on Wednesday night. Altuve hit a leadoff double and scored in the first inning before adding a solo homer in the seventh. Jose Siri, Martin Maldonado (mahr-TEEN’ mal-doh-NAH’-doh) and Michael Brantley delivered run-scoring hits while Houston scored four times in the second inning off Braves starter and loser Max Fried (freed). Siri’s RBI single and daring baserunning sparked the rally.

Jose Urquidy (ur-KEE’-dee) picked up the win after striking out seven while allowing two runs and six hits over five innings.

Travis d’Arnaud (dahr-NOH’) was the center of Atlanta’s attack, hitting a solo homer and scoring on Freddie Freeman’s RBI single.

Fried was lifted in the sixth inning, charged with five earned runs on seven hits.

With their win in Game 2 the Astros became the first team to win a World Series game in its home ballpark since the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 against Boston in 2018.

All six games of last year’s World Series were played at a neutral site in Arlington, Texas, because of the pandemic. That came after the visiting team won all seven games in the 2019 World Series — the only time that’s happened. The Washington Nationals beat Houston, winning all four games at Minute Maid, where they clinched after losing all three home games. Houston then lost the opener of this World Series, falling to 0-4 in Game 1s.

NFL-CARDINALS/PACKERS

Packers host Cardinals in elite Thursday night showdown

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The undefeated Arizona Cardinals host the Green Bay Packers Thursday night in a meeting of two of the NFL’s elite during the first half of the season.

The Cardinals are 7-0 for the first time since 1974 and have won those games by a combined margin of 111 points, which leads the league. The Packers have won six straight games since losing in Week 1.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown 15 touchdowns and just one interception during the winning streak. Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray leads the NFL with a 73.5% completion rate.

Green Bay will likely be playing this game without receivers Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, who went on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week. Adams is tied for second in the NFL in catches with 52 and is third in yards receiving with 744. The virus also has impacted Green Bay’s coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry tested positive this week and won’t be available Thursday.

Arizona can relate. The Cardinals are just getting over a virus outbreak on their roster. Coach Kliff Kingsbury, quarterbacks coach Cam Turner, edge rusher Chandler Jones and defensive linemen Zach Allen and Corey Peters have all missed time over the past two weeks. Everyone but Peters has returned.

T25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL-TROY/COASTAL CAROLINA

No. 24 Coastal Carolina looks to rebound vs Troy after loss

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — No. 24 Coastal Carolina is looking to bounce back after its first loss of the season when it hosts Troy on Thursday night. The Chanticleers squandered an early 14-point lead at Appalachian (ap-ah-LA’-chihn) State before falling 30-27 for their first loss of the season.

Coastal Carolina had also been in the drivers’ seat for the Sun Belt East Division lead before the defeat. The Chanticleers and Troy are part of a four-way tie for the top with Appalachian State and Georgia State. The loser of this one will fall further behind in the chase for the Sun Belt title game.

SOCCER-SALA-PLANE CRASH

Aircraft operator found guilty in Emiliano Sala crash trial

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — The businessman who organized the flight that resulted in the death of Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala has been found guilty of endangering the safety of an aircraft.

Sala died after the single-engine Piper Malibu aircraft in which he was traveling crashed in the English Channel in January 2019. Sala was traveling from French club Nantes to join his new team Cardiff, in Wales. The body of pilot David Ibbotson was never recovered.

David Henderson was the aircraft operator who arranged the flight. Ibbotson flew regularly for Henderson but did not hold a commercial pilot’s license or a qualification to fly at night.

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