YASIEL PUIG HOMERS TO CENTER AS DODGERS NIP GIANTS 2-1 IN SERIES OPENER

(AP) — Hyun-Jin Ryu and two relievers combined on a five-hitter that sent the Los Angeles Dodgers past the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Tuesday night. 

Matt Kemp hit a tiebreaking home run leading off the sixth inning for the Dodgers.  Yasiel Puig also homered after getting hit by a pitch from Giants starter Matt Cain earlier in the game. 

Carl Crawford added three hits for the NL West champions, who have won three straight. 

Tony Abreu homered for San Francisco.  The Giants got just one runner past first base and were held to no more than one run for the third time in four games. 

VARGAS SHUTS DOWN A'S

(AP) — Jason Vargas earned his second shutout of the season with a four-hitter and Howie Kendrick homered, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night. 

The Athletics, who clinched their second straight division title Sunday, remain a game behind the Red Sox for the best record in the majors following Boston's 8-3 loss at Colorado. 

Vargas (9-7) threw 110 pitches, retiring 15 consecutive batters at one point and striking out five en route to his fifth shutout and 10th complete game in 153 career starts.  The left-hander, who was acquired from Seattle last December for slugger Kendrys Morales, is 3-3 with a 4.64 ERA in his last nine outings after missing almost two months because of a blood clot near his armpit. 

Griffin (14-10) gave up three runs and five hits over five innings. 

PRYOR STILL A QUESTION MARK AFTER CONCUSSION ON MONDAY NIGHT

(AP) — Terrelle Pryor is not practicing for the Oakland Raiders two days after suffering a concussion late in a loss to the Denver Broncos. 

Backup Matt Flynn worked with the first-team offense in practice Wednesday as the Raiders (1-2) prepared to play the Washington Redskins (0-3) on Sunday. 

Pryor is not able to practice or attend meetings until he is cleared by doctors.  He got hurt late in Monday night's loss in Denver when he was knocked out on a helmet-to-helmet hit by Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard while running a quarterback draw.  The play was determined to be legal because Pryor was a runner between the tackles. 

Pryor remained in for two plays before being taken to the locker room by doctors. 

49ERS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS DEFENSIVELY

(AP) — Carlos Rogers understands a key piece of San Francisco's defense is missing with the absence of Aldon Smith, yet the veteran cornerback is determined to make sure it never becomes an excuse for the team's recent poor play. 

The 49ers are moving forward without their star linebacker and sacks leader as he begins rehab for substance abuse and an indefinite leave from the team. 

While everybody in the locker room is rooting for his recovery, his fellow defenders are now focused on getting the most from the guys who will take over for him: Dan Skuta and Corey Lemonier, among others. 

A defense that has been dominant stopping the run ranks a surprisingly low 29th in the league, with opposing offenses running against the NFC champion Niners at every chance. 

MARK JACKSON RAISES THE BAR ON HIS WARRIORS

(AP) — Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson decided to take action when he saw that his players wrote a number on the whiteboard at the team's practice facility a few weeks ago signifying a goal of at least 50 wins this season. 

He erased it. 

With training camp set to start Saturday, Jackson says he viewed the number as a target on his team and a limitation on its potential.  Instead, his message to players is to stop talking and "make it happen." 

Blending all the talent together will be Jackson's job this season.  The same bold and boisterous coach who promised a playoff berth two years ago and didn't make good on it is suddenly leading a team coming off a thrilling run to the Western Conference semifinals and hoping to contend for a championship. 

SHAQ SAYS HELLO TO THE CAPITOL CITY

(AP) — Shaquille O'Neal has apologized to all Sacramento Kings fans for his verbal jabs during his playing career and is promising to restore the franchise to its winning ways as a minority owner. 

Declaring the new name of the city "Shaqramento," O'Neal took several steps to explain his past swipes at his introductory news conference Tuesday.  He said he was only trying to rile up people and market the game when he called the franchise the "Sacramento Queens" while winning three titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

O'Neal also offered insight into his role with the Kings and the vision of new majority owner Vivek Ranadive.  He says he'll be a mentor to center DeMarcus Cousins and help the team build the NBA's first "indoor-outdoor arena." 

KPAY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW SHOW DEBUTS THIS WEEK

KPAY unveils their High School Football Preview show this week.  You can hear the show exclusively on KPAY.COM.  You will get news, notes and previews of the Friday night high school football match-ups from the guys who bring you the scores and watch all the games each week.  We will utiilze the expertise of beat reporters from the Chico Enterprise-Record, The Paradise Post, KRCR-Channel 7, Action News Channels 12 & 24 and The Redding Record Searchlight.  Kpay's Mike Baca will moderate the exchange as we help get you ready for Friday night football.  Our first installment will come your way on Thursday afternoon on KPAY.COM