Red Sox, Rays wrap up series wins...Vikes beat Saints...Boldin injury has Warner thinking retirement

BOSTON (AP) Jed Lowrie hit an RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth as the Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 to win the American League Division Series in four games. Torii Hunter tied the game with a two-run single in the eighth, but the Angels blew a chance to grab the lead in the ninth when Erick Aybar (EYE'-bahr) missed on a suicide. Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester had to settle for a no-decision after giving up four hits in seven shutout innings.

CHICAGO (AP) The Tampa Rays have won their first-ever playoff series, knocking off the Chicago White Sox 6-2 in Game 4 of the ALDS. B.J. Upton hit a pair of solo homers to support Andrew Sonnenstine, who allowed three hits and two runs in five and two-thirds. Cliff Floyd hit an RBI double and scored in the Rays' two-run fourth before Carlos Pena added a pair of run-scoring singles.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Ryan Longwell hit a 30-yard field goal with 13 seconds left as the Minnesota Vikings pulled out a 30-27 win at New Orleans. Saints running back and returner Reggie Bush became the 12th player in NFL history to bring back a pair of punts for touchdowns, doing it in the second half after the Vikings built a 20-10 lead. Saints kicker Martin Gramatica (mahr-TEEN' grah-MAT'-ih-kuh) missed a potential tiebreaking field goal with 2:04 remaining, allowing the Vikings a chance to win.

UNDATED (AP) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner says he will give more serious consideration to retirement after the season. Warner's comments came after Yahoo.com reported that he text messaged his wife shortly after a scary injury to teammate Anquan Boldin on September 28th against the New York Jets, saying he'd decided it was time to retire. She said he meant immediately, but Warner said that wasn't the case.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook says it's too early to tell if his latest injury will force him to miss this Sunday's game at San Francisco.

Westbrook broke two ribs in Sunday's loss to Washington Sunday, though he finished the game. He missed one game earlier this year with an ankle injury but leads the Eagles with 194 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-07-08 0101CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list