Team USA 3-0 in Olympic hoops...9 straight for the Cubs

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Team USA men's basketball team was given a challenge before pulling away from Australia 98-88 in the group round play at the Olympics. Carmelo Anthony led the Americans with 31 points and Kyrie Irving of the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers added 19 points and five assists. The Americans are 3-0 in group play and next play Serbia on Friday and France on Sunday before the medal round.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — In women's beach volleyball, Americans Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross have finished the Olympic group stage unbeaten, but not before losing their first set of the Summer Games. The U.S. women beat Switzerland 21-13, 22-24, 15-12 to win their pool with a 3-0 record. The round-of-16 begins Friday.

CHICAGO (AP)— Jason Hammel won his career-best fifth straight start, pitching four-hit ball over six scoreless innings, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 for their season-high ninth straight win. The major league-leading Cubs moved a season-best 30 games over .500 at 71-41.

UNDATED (AP) — Jeff Samardzija (suh-MAHR'-juh) and four relievers combined on a five-hitter to lead San Francisco to a 1-0 win over Miami to pitch the Giants back into first place. The Giants moved back atop the NL West, a game ahead of the Dodgers, who lost 6-2 to Philadelphia.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Prince Fielder will not be able to come back after a second neck surgery. The Texas Rangers slugger wept as he said health issues were forcing him to end his 12-season major league career with 319 home runs -- exactly the number his father, Cecil, compiled in his big league career.

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