Hamlin on the mend

TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) -- NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin has been released from a hospital a day after a hard crash at Talladega Superspeedway.

Hamlin was kept overnight for observation after his car slammed into a retaining wall. He was alert and awake when he was transported to the UAB Medical Center yesterday, but was complaining of a headache and possibly had a concussion. He was also favoring his right foot after a slow exit from his crumpled car.

Hamlin is one of 12 drivers racing for the Sprint Cup title. He was leading midway through the race when his right front tire failed and his Toyota shot into the outside wall. He said nothing over his in-car radio after the hit and took several moments to get out of the car.

Hamlin finished 39th in the race and fell to 12th in the Chase standings.

Junior circuit takes center stage

UNDATED (AP) -- Now that the National League Championship Series participants have been decided, the American League has the spotlight all to itself for at least one day.

Game Four of the White Sox-Rays best-of-five division series is scheduled for a late-afternoon start in the Windy City. That's where the Central Division-winning White Sox beat the Rays 5-3 yesterday to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the AL East champs.

Chicago sends Gavin Floyd to the mound for a second straight crucial start. The 25-year-old left-hander held Detroit to five hits and one earned run over six innings of last Monday's 8-2 victory over the Tigers that forced a playoff with Minnesota for the division title.

The Rays counter with 25-year-old right-hander Andy Sonnanstine, who, like Floyd, is making his postseason debut.

If they need a fifth game to settle things, it will be played Wednesday evening in St. Petersburg.

The scene shifts from the Windy City to Beantown tonight. Boston enters Game Four of its ALDS holding a 2-1 advantage over Los Angeles. The Angels kept their hopes alive with last night's marathon 5-4, 12-inning victory at Fenway Park. L.A. sends out John Lackey against the home team's Jon Lester.

If needed, Game Five would be played Wednesday night in Anaheim.

The best-of-seven National League Championship Series gets under way Thursday night in Philadelphia, where the Phillies await the Dodgers.

Philly beat Milwaukee 6-2 yesterday to win their best-of-five division series 3-1.

L.A. completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.