MLB – La Russa steps down as White Sox manager over health issues
Tony La Russa stepped down as manager of the Chicago White Sox because of a pair of health issues. The announcement ends a disappointing two-year run in the same spot where the Hall of Famer got his first job as a big league skipper. La Russa is a three-time World Series champion who turns 78 on Tuesday. He left the team on Aug. 30 because of issues with a pacemaker that was implanted in February. La Russa says a different, previously diagnosed health problem led to his departure. La Russa directed Chicago to the AL Central title last year, but the team fell short of expectations this season.

MLB – Major League Baseball
Last Night
Detroit Tigers 4, Seattle Mariners 3
Chicago White Sox 3, Minnesota Twins 2
Cincinnati Reds 3, Chicago Cubs 1

Tigers 4, Mariners 3 – Mariners to start playoffs on road after 4-3 loss to Tigers
The Seattle Mariners will start their first playoff trip in two decades on the road after a costly 4-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers, who got a two-run homer from Javier Báez. Sam Haggerty singled with two outs in the ninth inning and hurt his left groin while sliding into second base on a successful steal. He needed assistance to leave the field, an arm draped over manager Scott Servais and an athletic trainer. Haggerty is scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday. Andrew Chafin struck out Carlos Santana for his third save. Seattle will open a best-of-three series at Toronto or Cleveland on Friday.

White Sox 3, Twins 2 – Cueto helps White Sox beat Twins after La Russa steps down
The Chicago White Sox watched manager Tony La Russa announce he was leaving his position, and then beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 behind Johnny Cueto’s seven effective innings. La Russa stepped down because of a pair of health issues, punctuating a disappointing season for the Hall of Famer in the same spot where he got his first job as a big league skipper. Josh Harrison hit a two-run homer in Chicago’s fourth win in five games. Minnesota dropped to 9-19 in its last 28 games. Gio Urshela hit a two-run homer, and Bailey Ober pitched five innings of two-hit ball.

Reds 3, Cubs 1 – Reds avoid 100th loss, beat Cubs 3-1 behind Hunter Greene
Hunter Greene pitched six scoreless innings and the Cincinnati Reds remained at 99 losses, beating the Chicago Cubs 3-1. The Reds are 61-99 this season. They snapped a six-game skid and can avoid losing at least 100 games for the second time in franchise history if they sweep the three-game series against Chicago. Cincinnati finished 61-101 in 1982. Greene and relievers Derek Law, Buck Farmer and Alexis Diaz combined on a two-hitter to stop the Cubs’ winning streak at seven games. Chicago only got one runner past second base before scoring in the ninth against Diaz, who picked up his 10th save.

Tonight
Detroit (Rodriguez 5-5) at Seattle (Gonzales 10-15), 6:10 p.m. – Game 1 WSJM/WCSY 5:50
Detroit (TBD) at Seattle (Flexen 8-9), 9:40 p.m. – Game 2 WSJM/WCSY
Chicago Cubs (Assad 2-2) at Cincinnati (Cessa 4-4), 6:40 p.m.
Minnesota (Winder 4-5) at Chicago White Sox (Giolito 10-9), 8:10 p.m.

NFL – National Football League – Week 4
Last Night
San Francisco 49ers 24, Los Angeles Rams 9

49ers 24, Rams 9 – 49ers use defense, Deebo Samuel to beat Rams 24-9
Deebo Samuel turned a short catch into an electric 57-yard touchdown, Talanoa Hufanga returned an interception for a score and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams 24-9. Jeff Wilson Jr. also scored on a 32-yard run that gave the Niners their seventh straight regular-season win over their in-state rivals. The Rams won the matchup that meant most in last season’s NFC championship game on the way to a Super Bowl title, but this meeting looked more like their recent regular-season meetings. San Francisco used a relentless defense to slow down coach Sean McVay’s offense and got enough big plays for the win.

NHL – National Hockey League – Preseason
Last Night
Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Detroit Red Wings 2

NBA – National Basketball Association – Preseason
Tonight
Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks, 7:00 p.m.
New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls, 9:30 p.m.

WNBA – Russian court sets Brittney Griner appeal date for Oct. 25
A Russian court has set a date for American basketball star Brittney Griner’s appeal against her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession. It has been scheduled for Oct. 25. Griner is an eight-time all-star center with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. She was convicted Aug. 4 after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. The Moscow region court said Monday it will hear her appeal. Griner’s lawyers argued after the conviction that the punishment was excessive.

NWSL – Abuse in women’s pro soccer league was systemic, report says
An independent investigation into the scandals that erupted in the National Women’s Soccer League found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct were systemic in the sport, impacting multiple teams, coaches and players. U.S. Soccer commissioned the investigation by former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates and a law firm after former NWSL players Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim came forward with allegations of harassment and sexual coercion dating back a decade. But it was clear the problems were widespread. Five of the 10 head coaches in the league last season either were fired or stepped down amid allegations of misconduct.

Running – Man, 36, dies after running in London Marathon
Organizers of the London Marathon say a 36-year-old man died after running in the race on Sunday. London Marathon Events says the man collapsed between miles 23 and 24 of the race. He received immediate medical treatment and an ambulance arrived within three minutes. He died in a hospital in London. The organizers expressed their “sincere condolences” to the man’s friends and family. The cause of death has yet to be established.

Fishing – Authorities probing report of scandal at fishing tournament
Prosecutors in Cleveland are investigating an apparent cheating scandal during a lucrative walleye fishing tournament over the weekend on Lake Erie. A Twitter video shows Jason Fischer, tournament director for the Lake Erie Walleye Trail event, on Friday cutting open walleye and finding lead weights and prepared fish filets inside the winning catch of five fish to bolster their weight. Anglers Jacob Runyan and Chase Cominsky were disqualified. Messages seeking comment were left Monday with Runyan, Cominsky and Fischer. A spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources says ODNR officers gathered evidence. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley in a statement said “these individuals will be held accountable.”

Olympics – Publishing executive charged in Tokyo Olympic bribes scandal
A top executive at a major Japanese publisher has been charged with bribing a former Tokyo Olympics organizing committee member. The charges against Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, a major figure in Japan’s movie and entertainment industry, are the latest in the unfolding corruption scandal related to last year’s Tokyo Summer Games. Kadokawa was arrested Sept. 14 on suspicion of bribing Haruyuki Takahashi with 69 million yen, or $480,000. Takahashi is a former executive at advertising company Dentsu who had great influence in arranging Olympic sponsorships. Kadokawa issued a statement saying he would quit as chairman.

MCCAA – Junior College Athletics
Today
Volleyball
Lake Michigan College at Southwestern Michigan College, 6:30 p.m.

MHSAA – High School Sports
Last Night
Boys Soccer
Our Lady of the Lake 1, New Buffalo 1 – TIE
Michigan Lutheran 3, Brandywine 2
Wyoming Lee 8, Berrien Springs 0
Allegan 3, Bridgman 0
Covert 2, Bloomingdale 1
Buchanan 2, Constantine 0
Watervliet 3, Kalamazoo Christian 1
Kalamazoo Hackett 7, Coloma 0
South Haven 3, Lawton 0
Edwardsburg 1, Vicksburg 0
Wyoming Potter’s House 3, Hartford 2
Paw Paw 2, Otsego 0
Plainwell 6, Niles 0
Sturgis 4, Three Rivers 1
Olivet 8, Comstock 0
Fennville 4, Delton-Kellogg 2
Saugatuck 7, Parchment 0
Schoolcraft 6, Holland Black River 3

Boys Tennis
Kalamazoo Hackett 7, Paw Paw 1

Tonight
Boys Soccer
SMAC Tournament – Gold Division
4 Mattawan at 1 Gull Lake, 6:30 p.m.
3 Portage Central at 2 St. Joseph, 6:30 p.m.

SMAC Tournament – Silver Division
8 Lakeshore at 5 Battle Creek Lakeview, 6:30 p.m.
7 Kalamazoo Central at 6 Portage Northern, 6:30

SMAC Tournament – Bronze Division
10 Battle Creek Central at 9 Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 6:30 p.m. SMAC 9th place game

Volleyball
Coloma at Bridgman, 6:30 p.m.
South Haven at Fennville, 6:30 p.m.
Watervliet at Allegan, 6:30 p.m.
Martin at Gobles, 6:30 p.m.
Schoolcraft at Lawton, 6:30 p.m.
Parchment at Kalamazoo Christian, 6:30 p.m.
Constantine at Kalamazoo Hackett, 6:30 p.m.
Galesburg-Augusta at Saugatuck, 6:30 p.m.
Holland Black River at Delton-Kellogg, 6:30 p.m.
Comstock at Bangor, 7:30 p.m.
Decatur at Centreville, 7:30 p.m.
Cassopolis at Hartford, 7:30 p.m.
Bloomingdale at Lawrence, 7:30 p.m.
White Pigeon at Mendon, 7:30 p.m.

Girls Golf – Regionals
Division 2 at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 10:00 a.m. (Yankee Springs GC, Wayland)
St. Joseph, Lakeshore, Harper Creek, Byron Center, Holland, Mattawan, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, Plainwell, Portage Northern, Gull Lake, Sturgis, Zeeland East, Zeeland West

Division 4 at Kent City, 10:00 a.m. (Moss Ridge GC, Ravenna)
Michigan Lutheran, Cassopolis, Comstock, GR Northpointe, GR West Catholic, Calvin Christian, Holton, Kalamazoo Christian, Kalamazoo Hackett, Kent City, Lawrence, Montague, Muskegon West MI Chr., Newaygo, North Muskegon, Schoolcraft

MHSAA – High School Football AP Rankings
Division 1
1. Belleville (5)                                     (6-0)     50
2. Caledonia                                           (6-0)     42
3. Rockford                                           (6-0)     40
4. Macomb Dakota                                   (6-0)     38
5. Rochester Adams                                (5-1)     25
6. West Bloomfield                                 (5-1)     23
7. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley        (5-1)     19
8. Lapeer                                                (6-0)     13
9. Brighton                                            (6-0)     11
(tie) Saline                                            (6-0)     11
Others receiving votes: Davison 2. Det. Catholic Central 1.

Division 2
1. Dexter (4)                                          (6-0)     49
2. Warren De La Salle (1)                        (5-1)     46
3. Muskegon Mona Shores                       (5-1)     36
(tie) Livonia Franklin                              (6-0)     36
5. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central       (6-0)     33
6. South Lyon                                        (5-1)     24
7. East Lansing                                       (5-1)     17
8. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer                     (5-1)     12
9. Midland                                             (5-1)     10
10. Birmingham Seaholm                          (6-0)     7
Others receiving votes: Battle Creek Central 2. Port Huron Northern 2. South Lyon East 1.

Division 3
1. Detroit King (5)                                 (4-1)     50
2. Mason                                                (6-0)     42
3. Muskegon                                           (4-2)     38
4. River Rouge                                       (4-1)     35
5. Mount Pleasant                                  (5-1)     28
6. St. Joseph                                         (5-1)    24
7. Walled Lake Western                         (5-1)     21
(tie) Zeeland West                                 (5-1)     21
9. Grosse Pointe North                           (6-0)     9
10. Linden                                              (5-1)     4
Others receiving votes: Cadillac 2. Trenton 1.

Division 4
1. Grand Rapids South Christian (5)        (6-0)     50
2. Whitehall                                          (6-0)     45
3. Riverview                                           (6-0)     40
4. Redford Union                                    (6-0)     34
5. Chelsea                                             (5-1)     27
6. Freeland                                            (5-1)     21
7. North Branch                                     (6-0)     16
8. Edwardsburg                                    (5-1)    15
9. Croswell-Lexington                            (5-1)     10
10. Goodrich                                          (5-1)     8
Others receiving votes: Charlotte 5. GR Forest Hills Eastern 2. Ludington 2.

Division 5
1. Frankenmuth (3)                                 (6-0)     48
2. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (2)       (5-1)     46
3. Detroit Country Day                           (4-1)     38
4. Belding                                              (6-0)     31
(tie) Gladwin                                         (6-0)     31
6. Corunna                                            (5-1)     23
(tie) Portland                                        (5-1)     23
8. Muskegon Oakridge                             (5-1)     12
9. Marine City                                        (5-1)     7
(tie) Williamston                                    (5-1)     7
Others receiving votes: Olivet 2. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 2. Berrien Springs 2. Howard City Tri-County 2. Armada 1.

Division 6
1. Grand Rapids West Catholic (5)           (6-0)     50
2. Clinton                                              (6-0)     44
3. Standish-Sterling                               (6-0)     39
4. Negaunee                                           (6-0)     34
5. Durand                                              (6-0)     29
6. Boyne City                                         (6-0)     19
7. Kent City                                           (6-0)     15
8. Gladstone                                          (5-1)     14
(tie) Millington                                     (5-1)     14
10. Warren Michigan Collegiate               (5-1)     6
(tie) Madison Heights Bishop Foley          (6-0)     6
Others receiving votes: Ecorse 3. Constantine 2.

Division 7
1. Traverse City St. Francis (5)               (6-0)     50
2. Hudson                                              (6-0)     44
3. New Lothrop                                       (6-0)     40
4. Detroit Central                                  (6-0)     35
5. Ithaca                                               (5-1)     28
6. Elkton-Pigeon Bay Port Laker             (6-0)     27
7. Napoleon                                            (6-0)     21
8. Charlevoix                                         (5-1)     10
9. Ravenna                                             (5-1)     6
10. Erie-Mason                                       (5-1)     3
(tie) Jackson Lumen Christi                      (3-3)     3
Others receiving votes: Schoolcraft 2. North Muskegon 2. Union City 2. Pewamo-Westphalia 1. Lawton 1.

Division 8
1. Ottawa Lake Whiteford (5)                  (6-0)     50
2. Beal City                                            (6-0)     43
3. Fowler                                               (6-0)     39
4. Ubly                                                 (6-0)     35
5. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary    (6-0)     33
6. Iron Mountain                                    (5-1)     24
7. Evart                                                 (5-1)     17
8. Centreville                                       (5-1)    16
9. Frankfort                                           (5-1)     12
10. Reading                                            (5-1)     6
Others receiving votes: none.

8-Man Division 1
1. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Chr. (4)      (6-0)     48
2. Adrian Lenawee Christian                    (5-1)     42
(tie) Merrill (1)                                     (6-0)     42
4. Munising                                            (6-0)     32
5. Martin                                              (5-1)    28
6. Bridgman                                          (6-0)    27
7. Norway                                              (6-0)     21
8. Lincoln-Alcona                                   (6-0)     11
9. Kingston                                            (6-0)     8
10. Rogers City                                     (6-0)     7
Others receiving votes: Newberry 3. Farwell 3. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian 2. Breckenridge 1.

8-Man Division 2
1. Powers North Central (5)                   (6-0)     50
2. Colon                                               (6-0)    45
3. Marion                                               (6-0)     38
4. Climax-Scotts                                  (5-1)    25
(tie) Morrice                                          (5-1)     25
6. Crystal Falls Forest Park                    (5-1)     24
7. Peck                                                 (5-1)     21
8. Posen                                                (5-1)     16
(tie) Au Gres-Sims                                  (5-1)     16
10. Cedarville                                        (5-1)     6
Others receiving votes: Mendon 5. Lake Linden-Hubbell 3. Gaylord St. Mary 1.