CHICAGO (AP) – The BCS commissioners are backing a four-team college football playoff plan with the sites for the national semifinals rotating among the major bowl games and a selection committee picking the teams. The plan will be presented to university presidents next week for approval, which is expected to OK the plan to start in 2014.

MIAMI (AP) – For the first time in his nine-year NBA career, Miami superstar LeBron James is one victory away from being an NBA champion. James shrugged off the effects of leg cramps and practiced with the Heat, who take a 3-1 series lead into Game 5 of the NBA Finals Thursday night against Oklahoma City.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The NCAA banned a record 10 men’s basketball teams including three-time national champion Connecticut from this year’s NCAA tournament because of poor Academic Progress Rate scores. Joining the Huskies on the sideline next March will be Arkansas-Pine Bluff, California-Riverside, Cal State Bakersfield, Jacksonville State, Mississippi Valley State, North Carolina-Wilmington, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Toledo and Towson.

NEW YORK (AP) – Dillon Gee extended the Mets’ shutout streak to 29 innings before Baltimore broke through late, and New York held off the Orioles 4-3 for a three-game sweep. The Mets nearly shut out the Orioles for the third straight day following R.A. Dickey’s one-hitter Monday night and a combined five-hitter Tuesday night by the Mets staff.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 to win a fast-ballers’ duel and the Washington Nationals snapped a four-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Strasburg improved to 9-1 by winning his sixth consecutive start by allowing five hits and two runs over seven innings.

INTERLEAGUE

Braves 10, Yankees 5

Royals 2, Astros 1

Brewers 8, Blue Jays 5

D-Backs 14, Mariners 10

Cards 3, Tigers 1

Rangers 4, Padres 2

Indians 8, Reds 1

Nationals 3, Rays 2

Twins 2, Pirates 1

Mets 4, Orioles 3

Red Sox 15, Marlins 5

White Sox 7, Cubs 0

Athletics 4, Dodgers 1

Angels 6, Giants 0

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 7, Rockies 6