Your top plays for today

[August 21, 2013]  (AP) -- An AP sports guide:

DEMPSTER ACCEPTS HIS PUNISHMENT WITHOUT ADMITTING ANY MISDEED

Ryan Dempster is suspended for five games and fined by Major League Baseball for intentionally hitting New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez with a pitch last weekend.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/
girardi-says-dempster-should-be-suspended

___

HIGH DEMAND FOR WORLD CUP TICKETS AS SALES BEGIN

It was a frenzied start to FIFA's attempt to fill the stands for next year's World Cup in Brazil as fans applied for more than 1 million tickets in just seven hours.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/
high-demand-world-cup-ticket-sales-begin-0

___

KVITOVA ADVANCES AT NEW HAVEN, KERBER OUT IN 2ND ROUND.

Defending champ Petra Kvitova recovers from a set and a break down to beat Annika Beck at the New Haven Open. Other seeded players didn't fare so well.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/
kerber-upset-vesnina-new-haven-open

___

STUBBS HR POWERS INDIANS PAST ANGELS IN 14th

Drew Stubbs hit a two-run homer in the 14th inning, and the Cleveland Indians outlasted the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 Tuesday night to gain ground in the AL playoff race.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/
stubbs-hr-powers-indians-past-angels-4-1-14th

___

VON MILLER TO SERVE 6-GAME BAN

Broncos linebacker Von Miller receives a six-game suspension under the NFL's substance-abuse policy, taking away the best defensive player from a team many expect to make a run at the Super Bowl.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/
broncos-sign-veteran-lenon-shore-lb-spot

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.