Cowboys.EAGLES, 30-23No. 30 Washington (plus 6 1-2) a

LOS ANGELES -- Clutch hitting from Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez helped the Pittsburgh Pirates finally win a series in Dodger Stadium after a seven-year drought. McCutchen hit his first home run in over a month, doubled twice and scored two runs to help the Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 on Sunday and take three of four from the defending NL West champions. "Its good that we were able to get three out of four against a really good team here in L.A.," McCutchen said. "We havent done that in a long time, so its a step in the right direction, definitely." Alvarez drove in three runs against Zack Greinke and Josh Harrison homered against Chris Perez, helping the Pirates win for the eighth time in 12 games. The last time they captured a series at Chavez Ravine was in September 2006, when they took two of three under then manager Jim Tracy. "Weve been out here a lot and not done a whole lot. So it was a big thing for us -- because we flat-out believe we can play," skipper Clint Hurdle said. "We needed to knock this off our to-do list, and we were able to. We knew what we were facing here, and we outpitched them for three of the four days. We played three really clean ballgames. We have confidence and we have enough edge and grit, and I think it showed up this weekend." Edinson Volquez (3-4) allowed two runs and five hits over five innings, striking out six and walking one. "Youve got to stay focused on what youre doing, especially against those guys because they have a good lineup," Volquez said. "You cant make a lot of mistakes against them, especially with Greinke because hes one of the best pitchers in the National League. Tonight I had better fastball command than I did in New York, so I was able to throw more strikes and keep the fastball down." Jason Grilli, the fifth Pirates pitcher, got three outs for his eighth save and third of the series after giving up a pair of two-out walks and an RBI single by pinch-hitter Scott Van Slyke. It was the Dodgers only hit after Justin Turners solo homer with one out in the fourth. Greinke (8-2) gave up a season-worst four runs and five hits in seven innings and struck out seven. "Hes an ultra-competitor. And to beat him, youve got to out-compete him," Hurdle said. "We laid off some tight pitches, we worked some counts, got his pitch count up, then we hit some pitches we were able to handle and got the barrel on them. But that was the plan coming in. I mean, you give him strike one and he can cut you up three different ways. So we just tried to be as aggressive as he was. We were looking for fastballs early, and his location played into it." Alvarez opened the scoring in the first with a two-run single after Greinke gave up a two-out double to McCutchen and walks to Ike Davis and Russell Martin. "McCutchen did a lot against us," manager Don Mattingly said. "Obviously the kid at third base (Alvarez) had a couple of big hits too, and had some good at-bats. Zack had been fairly successful against him." McCutchen, whose 21 homers, 84 RBIs and .317 average last season helped the Pirates end a 20-year playoff drought, made it 3-1 in the third with his fifth homer and first since April 23. The RBI was the first for the reigning NL MVP after a drought of nine games and 33 at-bats since his run-scoring single against Washingtons Blake Treinen on May 22. "I havent been hitting the ball the way I knew I could be, so tonight was a good start for myself," said McCutchen, who came in 4 for 21 against Greinke with two RBIs. "Just being ready to hit was the biggest key, and getting pitches to hit. Ive been a little late, probably because my timings been off on off-speed pitches. So tonight I got myself in a hitting position and was ready to fire. And when I got a good pitch to hit I was able to put the barrel on it." Harrison, who was 7 for 17 in the series, hit his fourth homer in the seventh for the Pirates final run. NOTES: Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig had two hits and has reached base in 33 straight games, the longest active streak in the majors. ... RHP Bryan Morris, who gave up Hanley Ramirezs second homer of the game in Saturdays 12-2 Pirates loss, was traded to the Miami Marlins for the 39th overall pick in Thursdays draft. RHP Casey Sadler was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, where he was 6-1 with a 2.66 ERA in eight starts. Jeff Hornacek Jazz Jersey . -- Arizona pitcher Bronson Arroyo is expected to miss a week to 10 days because of a back injury. Pete Maravich Jersey .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings take aim at an eighth straight victory on Monday night as they wrap up a road trip versus the Calgary Flames. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/kids-karl-malone-jazz-jersey/ . James Erskine said Tuesday that Thorpe was "quite sick" in a Sydney hospital but dismissed media reports the swimmer might lose the use of his left arm. "Hes not in the intensive care," Erskine said. John Stockton Jazz Jersey . Now, Sarah Burkes legacy will live on in Canadas Sports Hall of Fame. Burke, who tragically died at age 29 from a training accident in 2012, headlined the 2014 class named for induction Wednesday. Pete Maravich Jazz Jersey .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons.Even as the Arizona Cardinals are presented an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth, they have plenty to be concerned about.Injuries, for one. No contenders lineup has been more damaged than Arizonas, with the latest being the sidelining of top running back Andre Ellington.Its somewhat astonishing that they not only lead the NFC West, but could grab a wild-card spot with a victory at St. Louis on Thursday night.Much easier said than done. The Rams come off consecutive shutouts — yes, they were against Oakland and Washington, and were not exactly talking the John Madden Raiders or Joe Gibbs Redskins. Still, St. Louis is not a team anyone wants any part of right now.Particularly the defence.Theyve always been as good a front four as anybody in the league and youre watching them jell and become an outstanding defence, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says. (Safety) Mark Barron was a great addition. Theyve stayed healthy, thats a big thing.Preparation is at a premium for a short week, but neither is a fancy team with a lot of tricks. Most important is keeping your own house in order, according to Rams coach Jeff Fisher.Im fine with a Thursday night game. Its just getting to Thursday night, which is the challenge as coaches, he says. In essence what you do is you pick up an extra bye week. This one is as late as its been for me in the season, almost mid-December.Despite their records, the Rams (6-7, No 19 in AP Pro32) are 3 1-2-point favourites over the Cardinals (10-3, No. 6 AP Pro32).On a full week, with a healthier roster, the pick would be Arizona. Thats not the situation at all, so ...RAMS, 17-16No. 16 (tie) Miami (plus 7 1-2) at No. 2 New EnglandPatriots clinch division with win. BEST BET on it.BEST BET: PATRIOTS, 31-10No. 31 New York Jets (minus 1) at No. 32 TennesseeLoser might earn No. 1 overall draft pick, as welll as bottom spot in power rankings.dddddddddddd That would be J-E-T-S.UPSET SPECIAL: TITANS, 16-13No. 4 Denver (minus 4) at No. 13 San DiegoLike Patriots, Broncos take care of their division.BRONCOS, 27-21No. 15 Houston (plus 6 1-2) at No. 7 IndianapolisDitto for Colts, albeit in close one.COLTS, 30-27No. 12 Cincinnati (pick em) at No. 20 ClevelandJohnny Football starts off with loss.BENGALS, 20-14No. 1 Green Bay (minus 5) at No. 16 (tie) BuffaloPackers could be playoff-bound by end of Sundays action.PACKERS, 24-20No. 18 San Francisco (plus 9 1-2) at No. 3 SeattleNot nearly the once-anticipated showdown it was. Niners keep it close.SEAHAWKS, 23-17No. 9 Dallas (minus 3 1-2) at No. 5 PhiladelphiaStill very anticipated. Eagles finish off sweep of Cowboys.EAGLES, 30-23No. 30 Washington (plus 6 1-2) at No. 26 New York GiantsNot at all anticipated.GIANTS, 31-20No. 22 Minnesota (plus 7 1-2) at No. 8 DetroitLions inch closer to post-season berth.LIONS, 26-17No. 29 Jacksonville (plus 13 1-2) at No. 10 BaltimoreSo do Ravens, who might steal AFC North.RAVENS, 28-13No. 11 Pittsburgh (minus 2) at No. 23 AtlantaCan banged-up Falcons lose their way into playoffs?STEELERS, 23-20No. 27 Oakland (plus 10 1-2) at No. 14 Kansas CityPrevious loss to Raiders ruined KCs season. Wont be a repeat.CHIEFS, 17-14No. 24 New Orleans (minus 3) at No. 25 Chicago, Monday nightThe Monday night mess. Any good hockey on TV that night?SAINTS, 27-26No. 28 Tampa Bay (OFF) at No. 21 CarolinaCam Newtons uncertain availability eliminates betting line.BUCCANEERS, 16-13___2014 RECORD: Against spread: This week (10-5-1); Season (100-100-5). Straight up: This week (12-4); Season (137-69-1)Best Bet: 5-9 against spread, 8-6 straight up.Upset special: 7-7 against spread, 5-9 straight up.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '