NLCS-DODGERS-CUBS
Kershaw helps Dodgers blank Cubs 1-0 in NLCS Game 2
CHICAGO (AP) — Clayton Kershaw pitched seven sparkling innings, Adrian Gonzalez homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Sunday night to tie the NL Championship Series at a game apiece.
Kershaw retired his first 14 batters and allowed just two hits in first outing since he pitched three times in the NL Division Series, including a two-out save in Game 5 on Thursday night in Washington. He struck out six and walked one in the best playoff start of his illustrious career.
The Dodgers needed a clutch pitching performance after their heartbreaking 8-4 loss in the series opener, and their ace left-hander stepped up. Kenley Jansen then got six outs for his third save of the playoffs.
Game 3 is Tuesday night in Los Angeles, with Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta facing Dodgers lefty Rich Hill.
FALCONS-SEAHAWKS
Wilson leads Seattle’s late rally for 26-24 win over Atlanta
SEATTLE (AP) — Steven Hauschka’s 44-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining capped the 20th career fourth quarter or overtime comeback for Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, and the Seahawks pulled out a wild 26-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons Sunday.
After watching Matt Ryan blitz the Seahawks for 21 third-quarter points, it was Wilson’s turn in the fourth quarter. He led a 70-yarddrive that was capped by Christine Michael’s 1-yard run with 4:47 left, but a blocked extra point by Ra’Shede Hageman still had Seattle trailing 24-23.
Seattle then got a needed big play from its defense. Ryan’s pass slipped through Julio Jones’ hands, was tipped in the air by Richard Sherman and eventually landed in the arms of Earl Thomas, giving Seattle possession at midfield with 3:48 remaining. It was the first time in the game that Jones was targeted and didn’t make the catch.
Seattle stalled at the Atlanta 26. This time Hauschka was perfect after missing a 29-yard attempt earlier in the fourth quarter, the result of a bad snap.
Ryan was incomplete on his last four throws, including a breakup by Sherman on a long pass to Jones on which the Falcons screamed for a pass interference flag.
Wilson was 25 of 37 for 270 yards. Michael had two touchdown runs and rookie Alex Collins added his first NFL touchdown on a 2-yard run.
MLS-SOUNDERS-FC DALLAS
FC Dallas takes Supporters’ Shield lead, beats Sounders 2-1
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Carlos Ruiz stabbed home Mauro Diaz’s flick pass in the 89th minute and FC Dallas moved to the top of the Supporters’ Shield table with a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday.
FC Dallas (17-8-8) moved two points ahead of the Colorado Rapids and eliminated the New York Red Bulls from contention with a game to go. The Sounders (13-14-6) would have clinched a playoff berth with a win and remain in contention with Real Salt Lake, Sporting KC and the Portland Timbers for the final three playoff spots.
Maximiliano Urruti tied it for FCD in the 79th minute, smashing home a rebound from Matt Hedges’ close-range attempt.
Nicolas Lodeiro slipped a free kick between FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz and the inside post to open the scoring for Seattle in the 41st minute. It came five minutes after the Sounders’ Herculez Gomez had a goal disallowed due to an offside call.
MLS-RAPIDS-TIMBERS
Portland still alive for playoffs with 1-0 win over Rapids
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Fanendo Adi scored on a penalty kick in the 35th minute and the Portland Timbers continued to fight for a playoff spot with a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday.
The defending MLS Cup champion Timbers won their fifth straight and home and pulled even in points with Sporting Kansas City for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Timbers were a point back of fifth-place Seattle.
Colorado (15-6-12) dropped to second in the conference standings behind Dallas while vying for the Supporters’ Shield for the team with the best regular-season record.
The Timbers (12-13-8) have been winless on the road this season, which has hurt their playoff chances. But the result Sunday keeps them in the playoff race heading into the final game of the regular season next Sunday against the Whitecaps in Vancouver.
The Rapids wrap up the regular season at home next Sunday against the Houston Dynamo.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.