Cubs lose crucial series with Mets\nNEW YORK -- Al Leiter pitched a two-hit ball for six innings to earn his first win in six weeks, and the New York Mets put another dent in Chicago's playoff hopes Sunday with a 3-2 victory over the Cubs.\nChicago began the day a half-game in front of San Francisco in the National League wild-card race after losing 4-3 to the fourth-place Mets in 11 innings Saturday. San Francisco hosted Los Angeles later.\nThe Mets capitalized on a streak of wildness by Cubs starter Kerry Wood (8-8) to score three runs in the first inning.\nLeadoff batter Jose Reyes walked, stole second and scored on a single by Kaz Matsui. After a double play, rookies Craig Brazell and Victor Diaz, the heroes of the Mets' victory Saturday, both singled. Then Eric Valent and Jason Phillips were hit by pitches, forcing in one run, and a bases-loaded walk to Gerald Williams brought in another.
USC's close call allows Oklahoma to close gap\nSouthern California's hold on No. 1 loosened after the Trojans struggled against Stanford.\nUSC received 46 first-place votes in The Associated Press poll released Sunday, eight fewer than last week.\nThe team that benefited most from Southern California's come-from-behind 31-28 victory Saturday was idle Oklahoma. The second-ranked Sooners got 18 first-place votes and narrowed the gap between them and the Trojans to 35 points (1,605-1,570).\nUSC trailed 28-17 at the half to Stanford, but never panicked.\n"It was fun," USC quarterback Matt Leinart said. "We haven't had too many close games."\nThe Trojans' defense came alive in the second half, shutting out the Cardinal and allowing just 36 yards. Meanwhile, Leinart and tailbacks Reggie Bush and LenDale White made key plays offensively to secure the Trojans' 13th straight victory.\n"I know people wonder how you have games like this," Trojans coach Pete Carroll said. "It ain't going to be easy. It's hard to do this week after week."\nAnd it's going to get harder for the Trojans.\nUSC is off next week before hosting California on Oct. 9. Cal was the last team to beat the Trojans, winning 34-31 in triple overtime last season.\nUSC's close call was part of another perfect weekend for ranked teams. The 19-0 performance -- 17-0 in Saturday's games -- left the Top 25 virtually unchanged.
