Sports Digest: Fire clinch playoff spot with win over Chivas

Major League Baseball

ANGELS STAY ALIVE IN ALCS: Kendry Morales drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out single in the seventh inning, and the Los Angeles Angels responded to the Yankees' six-run rally moments earlier for a 7-6 win Thursday night that trimmed New York's lead in the AL championship series to 3-2.

Vladimir Guerrero's single tied it in the seventh for the Angels, who somehow didn't surrender after blowing a 4-0 lead moments earlier. New York struck immediately after manager Mike Scioscia removed ace John Lackey.

The Game 5 theatrics continued right up to the final pitch, when Angels closer Brian Fuentes retired Nick Swisher on a full-count popup with the bases loaded.

Game 6 is Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.

Pro soccer

FIRE CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT: The Fire clinched a playoff spot by beating CD Chivas USA 1-0 in their season finale Thursday night.

The Fire (11-7-12) got an own goal from Chivas' Eduardo Lillingston in the 68th minute. The forward headed Cuauhtemoc Blanco's corner kick -- Chicago's 14th of the game -- past goalkeeper Zach Thornton.

The victory snapped the Fire's 0-4-2 stretch and secured Chicago's fifth consecutive appearance in the MLS Cup playoffs, where it will hold the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Fire's opponent will be determined this weekend as six teams are vying for the last two spots.

The loss by Chivas also allowed defending MLS Cup champion Columbus to clinch the Supporters' Shield for having the best regular-season record.

The Fire outshot Chivas 12-5 and goalkeeper Jon Busch made three saves for his 10th shutout, tying a career high set with Columbus in 2004.

Pro hockey

TOEWS, SEABROOK MISS SKATE: Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews did not practice Thursday, one day after being knocked out of the game by a hard hit.

Coach Joel Quenneville said Toews had progressed overnight and it was still possible he could play Saturday night against Nashville.

Vancouver's Willie Mitchell was coming out of the penalty box and leveled the unsuspecting Toews in the third period Wednesday night. Toews missed the final 14 minutes of Chicago's 3-2 loss.

Also injured Wednesday night and not practicing Thursday was defenseman Brent Seabrook.

Pro golf

AUSTRALIAN LEADS FRYS.COM OPEN: Brandishing a hot putter on a warm afternoon, Australian Nick O'Hern cruised to a career-low 63 and the Frys.com Open lead Thursday.

O'Hern, who finished at 7 under, putted only nine times while posting a 28 on the par-35 back nine at Grayhawk. Eight of O'Hern's nine birdies came in that stretch.

Bob Heintz and Heath Slocum were one stroke back at 64, and D.A. Points, Rory Sabbatini, Greg Owen and Rickie Fowler shot 65s to finish two shots off the lead.

GARCIA LEADS CASTELLO MASTERS: Defending champion Sergio Garcia shot an 8-under 63 on his home course to take the lead during the suspended first round of the Castello Masters.

Gusts up to 40 mph forced the players off the Club de Campo del Mediterraneo course -- where Garcia's father, Victor, is the club pro -- for 3 hours at lunchtime.

Women's bowling

VU BEGINS INAUGURAL SEASON THIS WEEKEND: Ranked 20th in the nation, Valparaiso University's women's bowling team starts its inaugural season this weekend at the Greater Ozark Invitational.

The Crusaders' roster includes 11 bowlers, including talented upperclassmen Erin Gleason and Alana Mackenthun.

College football

PAC-10 ADMITS TO OFFICIATING ERROR: The Pacific-10 Conference says its officials erred in not calling a penalty on Notre Dame for a fake field goal in last Saturday's 34-27 win by USC.

The trick play resulted in a 25-yard gain that set up Notre Dame's first touchdown. Dave Cutaia, the Pac-10's coordinator of officials, says a foul should have been called for using substitutions to deceive. The Fighting Irish should have been pushed back 15 yards and the down repeated.

Also, Notre Dame has agreed to play Western Michigan in football next season, completing the 2010 schedule. Athletic director Jack Swarbrick said Thursday the Irish also will play Tulsa and Utah in South Bend next season, its second season of playing seven home games, one home game at a neutral site and four road games.

Around the horn

Purdue Calumet women's basketball coach Tom Megyesi previews his 2009-10 squad on "Purdue Calumet Sports Insight" from 5:30-6 p.m. today on WJOB-AM (1230). ... Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable won't face charges after being investigated over allegations that he assaulted one of his assistants. Napa County district attorney Gary Lieberstein said in a statement Thursday that the investigation concluded no charges were warranted. Cable was accused of attacking Randy Hanson on Aug. 5 during a meeting at the team's training camp hotel in Napa. Hanson went to the hospital to get treated for a broken jaw but did not immediately tell authorities who assaulted him.