The San Francisco 49ers signed left tackle Joe Staley to a six-year contract extension Thursday, securing their durable young lineman through 2017.

The Arizona Cardinals have signed two-time Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson to a new five-year, $39 million contract, with $18.5 million guaranteed.

Breakthrough guys are part of the fun in the NFL. This time a year ago, how many knew Matt Cassel, LaMarr Woodley, Lance Moore ...? Pete Prisco is impressed with what they did but needs to see an encore from these 10.

Luke Donald has a number of life connections to Jack Nicklaus, and his day Thursday is worthy of the Memorial host. Steve Elling says Donald has the putting touch of old master in an 8-under 64 that leads Round 1.

Jason Jaramillo drove in a career-high four runs, prized prospect Andrew McCutchen had a productive major league debut and the Pittsburgh Pirates completed a rain-shortened, three-game sweep of the New York Mets 11-6 on Thursday.

Melky Cabrera hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning and the New York Yankees overcame yet another poor start by Chien-Ming Wang to beat the Texas Rangers 8-6 Thursday.

Heading into Game 4, the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals look like '08, with Detroit leading Pittsburgh 2-1 and both teams holding on home ice. But Wes Goldstein says looks might be deceiving.

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche hired Joe
Sacco of the AHL as their coach Thursday, a day after firing Tony
Granato and shaking up their front office.

Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett was suspended six games Thursday for throwing high and tight to Texas' Nelson Cruz earlier this week.