meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on

The Los Angeles Sparks snapped a two-game losing streak with a win over the dismal San Antonio Stars on Thursday. But it wasnt easy, and the uneven performance adds to the concerns facing the Sparks heading into the final seven games of the season.Los Angeles will try to complete a Texas two-step in two nights on Friday, when the Sparks take on the struggling Dallas Wings at College Park Center. The Sparks have clinched a playoff spot.Los Angeles (22-5) lost its first two games after returning from the Olympic break and had a tough time putting away the Stars on Thursday. They trailed midway through the fourth quarter, until Kristi Toliver and Candace Parker fueled a late push to put away San Antonio, owner of the worst record in the WNBA, in a low-scoring 70-61 victory.The Wings (9-19) havent been much better and have dropped nine straight games, the longest current losing streak in the WNBA. But the Sparks, who spent the majority of the season with the best record in the league, havent been playing well, either.The Wings are surrendering a league-worst 88.2 points per game. Odyssey Sims is averaging 14.3 points per game, and star forward Glory Johnson is averaging 11.7 points and 9.1 rebounds for Dallas.The Sparks have failed to score 80 points in any of their three games since the month-long Olympic break. Forward Nneka Ogwumike leads the team in points (19.7) and rebounds (9.1), and Parker is having another big all-around season, averaging 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists.The Sparks won both previous meetings this season, most recently a close 89-84 home victory over the Wings on June 28. Parker had 31 points and 13 points in the win. It was an emotional performance for Parker, in her first game since losing her beloved college coach at Tennessee, the late Pat Summitt.The Wings led by 22 in the third quarter, but had no answers for the Sparks down the stretch. Dallas has won only twice since blowing that big lead to the Sparks. Walker Buehler Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. Ross Stripling Jersey .com) - Yankee Stadium is the home of the Bronx Bombers, but on Sunday afternoon it will open its gates to host the latest addition of the Hudson River Rivalry. http://www.ladodgersprostore.us/Julio-Urias-dodgers-jersey/ . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Mike Piazza Dodgers Jersey . Pedro scored from a pass by Lionel Messi in the 33rd minute and added two more goals in the 47th and 72nd after Valdes saved his second penalty in four days following his stop in Wednesdays 4-0 over Ajax in the Champions League. Julio Urias Womens Jersey . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs expect starter John Lackey to return from a strained right shoulder this weekend.Lackey -- 9-7 with a 3.41 ERA -- threw on Thursday. The team says the session went well, and assuming no setbacks, the veteran will start against San Francisco on Sunday.Reliever Hector Rondon (strained right triceps) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.Reliever Pedro Strop (torn meniscus in left knee) tweaked his right grooin in a workout on Wednesday.dddddddddddd The Cubs expect him to miss about six weeks after initially projecting him to be out four to six following his injury on Aug. 10.Chicago activated outfielder Chris Coghlan (ribs) and right-hander Joe Smith (hamstring) from the disabled list and called up righty Jake Buchanan from Iowa. ' ' '