Bobcats pick up Augustin’s 3rd-year option for 2010-11 season; no decision yet on Ajinca

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Bobcats are exercising the third-year option in guard D.J. Augustin’s contract for the 2010-11 season.

Extra-large expectations: CC Sabathia tries to end playoff failures in Yankees opener

NEW YORK — CC Sabathia was fantastic in his first regular season with the New York Yankees. Now, it’s time for him to earn that $161 million contract.

Cardinals minor leaguer Ahmady suspended 50 games after testing positive for amphetamine

NEW YORK — St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer Alan Ahmady has been suspended for 50 games after testing positive for an amphetamine.

Redskins hire veteran NFL assistant Sherman Lewis to aid offense, ‘not a threat’ to Zorn

ASHBURN, Va. — The scoring-challenged Washington Redskins have added longtime NFL assistant Sherman Lewis to their staff as an offensive consultant.

Rush Limbaugh and Blues owner join up in bid for St. Louis Rams, one of NFL’s worst teams

ST. LOUIS — The lowly Rams have someone who loves them.

WALKER ON FOOTBALL: Roster moves, mistakes part of Titans’ surprising 0-4 start

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jeff Fisher tried to joke when asked if his Tennessee Titans had trouble fixing the mistakes that cost them their first three games.

Rush Limbaugh, Blues owner Dave Checketts join up in bid for St. Louis Rams

ST. LOUIS — The lowly Rams have someone who loves them.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy, GM Brian Sabean plan for 2010, fully expect to be a part of it

SAN FRANCISCO — Now this could have been considered just a tad bit awkward: Giants general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy publicly discussing the 2009 season and looking ahead to next year before they even have new contracts.

Blue Jackets score 3 goals in second period to chase Luongo and beat Canucks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Kristian Huselius, Rostislav Klesla and Nikita Filatov scored over a 3:44 span early in the second period to chase star Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo and lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 5-3 win over the Canucks on Monday night.

Favre Bowl I: Favre on fire against Packers; Vikings lead 28-14 after 3 quarters

Vikings lead Packers 28-14 after 3 quarters

Brandon Bass’ 7 points in final 2 minutes rallies Magic past Mavericks in preseason opener

DALLAS — Vince Carter scored 21 points in his Orlando debut and Brandon Bass added seven of his 13 points in the final two minutes to lift the Magic to a 110-105 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the preseason opener for both teams on Monday night.

Favre Bowl I: Favre on fire against Packers; Vikings lead 28-14 after 3

MINNEAPOLIS — An amped up Brett Favre was nearly perfect in the first three quarters against his former team, throwing for 242 yards and three touchdowns to help the Minnesota Vikings to a 28-14 lead after three quarters over the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.

Favre Bowl I: Favre on fire in 1st half against Packers; Vikings lead 21-14

MINNEAPOLIS — An amped up Brett Favre was nearly perfect in the first half against his former team, throwing for 154 yards and two touchdowns to help the Minnesota Vikings to a 21-14 halftime lead over the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.

Favre Bowl I: Favre on fire in 1st half against Packers; Vikings lead 21-14 at halftime

MINNEAPOLIS — An amped up Brett Favre was nearly perfect in the first half against his former team, throwing for 154 yards and two touchdowns to help the Minnesota Vikings to a 21-14 halftime lead over the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.

Favre Bowl I: Favre, Rodgers trade TD passes in 1st quarter; Vikings 7, Packers 7

MINNEAPOLIS — Brett Favre got off to a rousing start for the Minnesota Vikings and his replacement in Green Bay responded in impressive fashion.

Jets LB Calvin Pace back with team after serving 4-game suspension

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Calvin Pace is eager to finally get his season started.

Singletary says he would still like to have Crabtree play for 49ers this season

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Coach Mike Singletary said Monday that the San Francisco 49ers would still like to have first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree play for the team this season.

Dodgers give Joe Torre record-tying 14th consecutive postseason berth

LOS ANGELES — Joe Torre wears his Dodgers cap high on his head, revealing a vast expanse of forehead with fewer worry lines than expected for a manager who spent 12 years working for George Steinbrenner.

Person with knowledge of deal: Hoffman, Brewers agree to $8 million, 1-year contract

MILWAUKEE — All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman agreed Monday to a one-year, $8 million contract to return to the Milwaukee Brewers next season.

87 wins may not be enough for Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez to keep his job

MIAMI — By most measurements, the Florida Marlins overachieved in 2009.

Fit to be tied: Twins beat Royals 13-4, will play Tigers in AL Central playoff on Tuesday

Twins win to set up 1-game playoff against Tigers

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins held a season-long countdown celebrating their final season in the Metrodome, commemorated each game by pulling down a number hanging in the left field stands.

Cubs relieve Von Joshua of hitting coach duties, offer him a chance to return to Triple-A

CHICAGO — The disappointed Chicago Cubs wasted little time making a change, dropping hitting coach Von Joshua after Sunday’s season finale while offering him a similar spot at Triple-A.

Twins, Tigers head to 1-game playoff for AL Central title; other matchups set

The chase for the AL Central championship once again is going to extra innings.

Favre’s flip-flop has only fueled bitter Packers-Vikings border rivalry that runs deep

MINNEAPOLIS — These Midwestern states of Wisconsin and Minnesota have much in common, including an intense dislike of each other’s football teams.

Vrbata scores twice to lift Coyotes past Kings

LOS ANGELES — Despite the controversy surrounding his team, Phoenix Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalov is only focused on what he can control on the ice.

Top San Jose forwards score, Heatley gets first points in victory

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks had little trouble getting on track against the Anaheim Ducks this time.

Arnott scores early, Predators beat Stars 3-2 on Santorelli’s shootout goal

DALLAS — Jason Arnott had an early goal, Michael Santorelli scored the winner in a shootout and the Nashville Predators held on for a 3-2 season-opening victory against the Dallas Stars on Saturday night.

Crosby scores goal, adds shootout tally to lift Pens over Tavares and Islanders 4-3

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Sid the Kid took the storybook ending away from prized rookie John Tavares and the New York Islanders.

Rostislav Klesla’s third-period goal, Mason’s goaltending lead Blue Jackets past Wild, 2-1

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Rostislav Klesla celebrated a new four-year contract extension by scoring a goal midway through the third period Saturday night to push the Columbus Blue Jackets past the Minnesota Wild, 2-1 in the season opener for both teams.

Towers figures he was fired so Padres CEO Moorad could hire his own guy

SAN DIEGO — Kevin Towers, a gunslinger if ever there was one, marveled at how he always managed to stay one step ahead of the posse.

Cleveland Browns place rookie running back James Davis on injured reserve with shoulder injury

CLEVELAND — Browns rookie running back James Davis had a short run in his first NFL season.

Towers figured he was fired so Padres CEO Moorad could hire his own guy

SAN DIEGO — Kevin Towers says he really wasn’t told why he was fired as general manager of the San Diego Padres, although he figures it’s because CEO Jeff Moorad wanted his own guy in the job.

Blue Jays fire GM J.P. Ricciardi after 8-year tenure without trip to postseason

BALTIMORE — J.P. Ricciardi is out as the Toronto Blue Jays’ general manager. As for embattled manager Cito Gaston, he isn’t going anywhere.

Blue Jays fire GM J.P. Ricciardi, assistant Anthopoulos takes over@

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have fired general manager J.P. Ricciardi.

Source: Padres fire Towers, the longest-tenured GM in big leagues

SAN DIEGO — Kevin Towers, the longest-tenured general manager in the major leagues, has been fired by the San Diego Padres, a person familiar with the situation said Friday night.