Weaver helps M’s top slumping ChiSox 7-5Weaver helps M’s top slumping ChiSox 7-5

Chicago White Sox's Jermaine Dye sits in the dugout after the 7-5 loss Seattle Mariners in a baseball game in Seattle ib Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007. It was announced Saturday that Dye agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract extension to stay with the White Sox through the 2009 season.

For the past couple seasons, Jeff Weaver has had a troublesome pattern of not starting well. But he sure knows how to finish. Weaver (5-10) allowed four runs and five hits pitching into the eighth inning Saturday night, sending the Seattle Mariners to a 7-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox. The win moved Seattle within two of the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels, and the Mariners remained a half…

Cowboys ‘D’ solid in win over BroncosCowboys ‘D’ solid in win over Broncos

Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan looks up at the scoreboard during a NFL pre-season football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007. The Cowboys won 31-20.

Over four practices with the Denver Broncos this week, the Dallas Cowboys either held back on defense or figured something out. Because they sure had no problem getting into the backfield Saturday night. The attacking, pressure-seeking front being implemented by new Dallas coach Wade Phillips throttled Denver’s starting offense for two quarters, paving the way for the Cowboys to beat the Broncos…

Astros’ Oswalt, Lee injured in winAstros’ Oswalt, Lee injured in win

Houston Astros pitcher Brad Lidge, right, is congratulated by catcher Brad Ausmus, left, after getting the final out in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007 in San Diego. The Astros won, 3-2.

Roy Oswalt went from cruising to hurting. He got the game-winning hit, but didn’t get the win. The Houston Astros’ ace was one out away from qualifying for his sixth straight victory when he was forced out of Saturday night’s 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres with a strained left oblique. Slugger Carlos Lee left two innings earlier with a strained right hip flexor.

Ortiz’s slam helps BoSox rally by AngelsOrtiz’s slam helps BoSox rally by Angels

Boston Red Sox's Alex Cora dives but cannot catch Los Angeles Angels' Jeff Mathis (5), who was safe at second base on a double to left field in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, in Boston. The Red Sox won 10-5.

David Ortiz’s left shoulder hurts so badly sometimes that taking another swing seems too painful. The Red Sox are happy he gave it another shot — and put a hurting on the Angels instead. Ortiz hit a grand slam deep into the right field seats in a six-run fifth inning that carried Boston to a 10-5 win over Los Angeles on Saturday night in a matchup of teams with the two best records in baseball.

Starting QBs Schaub and Leinart shineStarting QBs Schaub and Leinart shine

Arizona Cardinals' Antrel Rolle, left, gets beaten by Houston Texans' Kevin Walter for a long pass-reception in the second quarter of an NFL pre-season football game Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The Texans defeated the Cardinals, 33-20.

Matt Schaub looked at ease and Matt Leinart responded to a week of “tough love”‘ from his coach. The starting quarterbacks were terrific in the preseason game between the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. The defense, well, that’s another matter. Schaub was 9-of-12 for 108 yards and ran 5 yards for a score and the Texans went on to beat Arizona 33-20 on Saturday in new Cardinals coach Ken…