WHITE SOX-BLUE JAYS
Cooper's single gives Jays 3-2 win over White Sox
TORONTO (AP) — David Cooper singled home the winning run in the 11th inning as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Monday night.
Rajai Davis popped out to open the 11th before left-hander Leyson Septimo came on to replace Jesse Crain. After Septimo (0-2) walked Johnson on four pitches, White Sox manager Robin Ventura brought in Nate Jones to face Edwin Encarnacion, whose single moved Johnson to third. Cooper followed with a liner that bounced just in front of a hard-charging Alex Rios in right, scoring Johnson easily.
Steve Delabar (3-1) struck out six batters in two innings to earn the win.
Chicago's Adam Dunn hit two home runs, including a game-tying shot in the ninth inning, boosting his major league-leading total to 33. It was his 32nd career multihomer game and second this season.
WHITE SOX-KONERKO
White Sox 1B Konerko passes post-concussion tests
TORONTO (AP) — Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko has cleared a battery of post-concussion tests and will resume physical activity today.
Konerko did not accompany the AL Central leaders to Toronto for a series that opened last night.
Konerko was placed on the 7-day disabled list last Friday, three days after being accidentally elbowed in the head by Kansas City's Jarrod Dyson during a close play.
Manager Robin Ventura said Konerko checked out fine after a thorough concussion-related exam at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Ventura said Konerko will likely ride an exercise bike and play catch today. If he's OK, he would move on to hitting, running and fielding grounders.
Konerko is batting .316 with 18 homers and 54 RBIs. He can return Aug. 17 at Kansas City.
ASTROS-CUBS
Samardzija strikes out 11, Cubs beat Astros 7-1
CHICAGO (AP) — Jeff Samardzija struck out a career high-tying 11 in seven innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the Houston Astros 7-1 last night.
Darwin Barney and Alfonso Soriano hit two-run homers and Anthony Rizzo had four hits for the Cubs.
Chicago won for just the second time in 13 games. The Astros have lost 25 of its last 27 road games.
The crowd of 31,452 was the smallest of the season at Wrigley Field.
Samardzija (8-10) allowed one run and four hits. He also fanned 11 at Atlanta on July 2.
The Astros, who have the worst record in the majors, got their run on the first career homer by rookie Brandon Barnes, a pinch-hit shot in the sixth.
Armando Galarraga (1-2) was tagged for five runs on seven hits.
CUBS MOVES
Cubs recall RHP Bowden, option LHP Raley to Iowa
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have recalled right-handed reliever Michael Bowden and optioned lefty Brooks Raley to Triple-A Iowa.
The team moved third baseman Ian Stewart to the 60-day disabled list yesterday to make room on the 40-man roster.
Bowden allowed eight runs in nine innings of work in his first stint with Chicago in May. The 25-year-old was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in April for Marlon Byrd.
Raley went 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in two starts for the Cubs. He retired the first 13 Reds he faced on Sunday before allowing home runs in the fifth and sixth innings in the 3-0 loss.
RAMS-LONDON
Rams drop plans to play in London in 2013, 2014
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Rams are dropping plans to play home games in London in 2013 and 2014, citing a need to focus on bringing their home stadium to "first-tier" status.
The Rams will go ahead with plans to use a home game to play the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 28. But the team said yesterday that it has withdrawn its commitment for home games in London the following two seasons.
The team and the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau have been negotiating on ways to improve the Edward Jones Dome. The bureau leases the dome to the Rams.
The agreement allows the Rams to break the contract and potentially leave after the 2014 season if the dome doesn't meet certain standards.
RAMS-FISHER
After dismal start, new coach keeps it positive
ST. LOUIS (AP) — In the St. Louis Rams' first game under Jeff Fisher, they looked much like the team that's gone just 15-65 the past five seasons.
Good thing there's almost a month for their new coach to iron out the rough spots.
Fisher was pleased with the effort in Sunday's 38-3 preseason-opening loss at Indianapolis.
He noted the offense moved the ball well, too, until Steven Jackson and Sam Bradford called it a day after two series and the Rams trailing by a touchdown.
The defense played catch-up all day after allowing a 63-yard touchdown on a dump-off pass by rookie Andrew Luck on the Colts' first snap. The Colts doubled the Rams' output of 215 yards and were 11 for 15 on third down.
Fisher said he may have handicapped his team by limiting play selection, noting the Colts showed more of their game plan. Fisher promises more options in Week 2 of the preseason at home against Kansas City on Saturday night.
NORTHWESTERN-GREEN
Green expected to be ready for Northwestern opener
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald says running back Treyvon Green is doing well and is expected to be ready for the season opener after a scare at practice last week.
Fitzgerald told reporters yesterday at practice in Kenosha, Wis., that Green should be available to play against Syracuse on Sept. 1. That's a big relief considering the scene that unfolded on Friday.
Green took a hit to the chest and stayed down as medical staff tended to him. After about 10 minutes, players and media were cleared from Northwestern's indoor practice facility before Green was taken to the hospital.
Green played in all 13 games and ran for 362 yards as a true freshman last season.
RYDER CUP
Love adds 2 assistants, now waits 3 weeks on picks
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Davis Love III has added Scott Verplank and Jeff Sluman as his assistant captains for the Ryder Cup. The more difficult decision is three weeks away when Love has to announce his four picks to fill out the American team.
There was no movement in the standings in the final qualifying event at the PGA Championship. Tiger Woods was the leader of the eight players who qualified.
Love made it clear that Steve Stricker, who finished 10th, would be on the team as a playing partner for Woods. There also were plenty of hints that Jim Furyk, at No. 11, was safe.
Love said he would look at form, Ryder Cup experience and potential pairings — pretty much everything. His picks are to be announced Sept. 4.
