Professional

MIAMI – For years, Ray Allen's routine has not changed. Show up for work hours earlier than just about everyone else, go onto the court and take hundreds of jump shots.

BOSTON – Pssst. Hey, you. Yeah, you. Want to know a secret? OK, here it is. Hockey is filled with secrets.

Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ransom hit back-to-back homers in a four-run first inning and that was plenty for Jeff Samardzija, who pitched the Cubs over the Cardinals 4-2 Tuesday night in St. Louis.

BOSTON – Marian Hossa was on the ice during warm-ups and then he was not.

Union jacked

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jason Leffler, like every other racer, understood the risks of his profession.

Dayan Viciedo's bases-loaded triple in a four-run sixth inning sent the Chicago White Sox to a 4-2 win over the Astros on Monday night in Houston.

BROOKLYN, Mich. – Greg Biffle gave Ford a milestone victory – right down the road from company headquarters.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Mets salvaged what had been shaping up as another sorry afternoon, startling the Cubs 4-3 on Sunday in New York.

ARDMORE, Pa. – Justin Rose could see all the pieces coming together in this U.S. Open.

Go ahead and question Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville for having Brandon Bollig on the ice for overtime of Saturday night's 2-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. You wouldn't be a good Chicago sports fan if you didn't second-guess something.

ARDMORE, Pa. – Perhaps 10 years ago if he shot a 6 over on the final day of a major and tumbled down the leader board, Steve Stricker would be a littler harder on himself. Sure, it will still sting. The 46-year-old entered Sunday just a shot off the lead. His elusive major – one of the few holes in an otherwise fine career – was well within sight. But that’s not how it played out for Stricker, who finished at 6-over 286 and tied for eighth at the U.S. Open. And frankly, that’s OK with him.

SAN ANTONIO – Manu Ginobili

David DeJesus hit a bases-loaded triple before injuring his shoulder when he crashed into the outfield wall, and the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 6-3 on Friday night behind resurgent starter Edwin Jackson.

ARDMORE, Pa. – Phil Mickelson made his first birdie on his last putt. Billy Horschel never missed a green. It was all they could do to barely break par against Merion, which is turning out to be the real star of this U.S. Open.