Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — As the Cleveland crowd chanted for him like never before, Terry Francona tipped his cap to salute their 11 years together.

The number of spots reserved for conference champions when the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams next year remained open for discussion on Wednesday, as administrators who manage the postseason wrapped up meetings that mostly focused on potential television partners.

CLEVELAND (AP) — More than a year late, following a suspension and amid suspicions about his game, Deshaun Watson showed up.

CINCINNATI (AP) — T.J. Friedl hit a two-run homer and drove in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning as the Cincinnati Reds bounced back from an historic collapse the night before to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Sunday.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Chubb’s season-ending injury didn’t crush the Cleveland Browns.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Kyle McCord spent two years trying to get on the field at Ohio State and three additional weeks trying to prove he could lead the Buckeyes.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Cornerback Maxwell Hairston had a pair of pick-6s, Ray Davis rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns, and Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 45-28 on Saturday in an SEC opener for both teams.

CINCINNATI (AP) — As Joe Burrow goes, so go the Cincinnati Bengals.

CLEVELAND (AP) — As the brutal reality of losing star running back Nick Chubb for the rest of this season sunk in, the Cleveland Browns only needed to trace the recent history of their opponent on Sunday to know that everything could turn out OK.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — No. 6 Ohio State has been dogged at times this season by doubts about its firepower.