least 1920 to allow runs in the first inning in seven straight starts within a single season, according to STATS LLC. ... Besides Rodriguez, Yankees C Francisco Cervelli and minor league OF Fe

FORT WORTH, Texas -- When Oklahoma State crossed back over the Red River after last playing in Texas, the Cowboys were heading home after a loss.That was almost two months ago. The Cowboys havent lost since and now control their fate in trying to win the Big 12 championship.No. 13 Oklahoma State, with a six-game winning streak since losing in its league opener at Baylor, plays Saturday at TCU . And coach Mike Gundy knows the Cowboys (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 11 CFP) have to be focused on finishing strong.Fatigue could be an issue in conference play, but there is so much parity in our league right now that its just a matter of what teams stay focused, make the plays, take care of the football, and so on, Gundy said. I do feel better about where we are now than we were at this time last year with our health on the defensive side of the ball.Oklahoma State was 10-0 at this point a year ago, but with quarterback Mason Rudolph also hurt, the Cowboys had consecutive home losses to Baylor and Oklahoma that ended their Big 12 and playoff hopes.With wins at TCU (5-4, 3-3) and eighth-ranked Oklahoma , the Cowboys would be guaranteed no worse than a tie for the Big 12 lead -- and would have the tiebreaker to be declared conference champions.TCU, one win from being bowl eligible, is coming off an open date after a 40-point victory at Baylor .We feel confident that we can finish and end the season on a good note, TCU defensive end James McFarland said. I feel that we have finally started to get to a point where we trust each other and we feel confident in our abilities.The Frogs are eager to get back on the field for the first time since handing Baylor its worst home loss in 11 years.When you come off a win like that, its torturous to go into a bye week, receiver John Diarse said. Guys are channeling that energy into this game.Some other things to watch Saturday:SO CLOSE TO PERFECTMike Gundy considers Oklahoma State a 9-1 team. He doesnt accept the Central Michigan game as a loss after that Hail Mary pass for a TD on an untimed play that officials later admitted should have never happened. In their loss at Baylor, the Cowboys were on the verge of a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter but had a fumble that led to Baylors 99-yard drive in a 35-24 win.RUN BY DESIGNTCU quarterback Kenny Hills 85 yards rushing were his most in Big 12 play. There could now be more designed run plays for Hill, who also throws for 299 yards per game. He does a lot better when he gets involved in the game, not just be a true drop-back guy, Patterson said.CLOSE ONESOklahoma State is 4-1 in games decided by seven points or fewer, winning four in a row since the Central Michigan controversy. However the game flows is how it is, and we just have to make sure we fight hard all the way to the finish, Cowboys linebacker Justin Phillips said. TCU is 1/3 in such games, including two double-overtime losses.RUDOLPH ROLLINGOklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph has been spectacular during the Cowboys six-game winning streak, with 2,088 yards passing. He has 18 touchdowns and only two interceptions while completing 69 percent of his passes (136 of 198).SAME BUT DIFFERENTTCU junior running back Kyle Hicks and Oklahoma State freshman Justice Hill both have 789 yards rushing this season. But Hicks is third in the Big 12 with 87.7 yards per game, ahead of Hill at 78.9 yards per game -- the Cowboys have played one more game than TCU. Hicks is second in the league with 12 rushing TDs, five of them at Baylor.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Custom Dallas Stars Jerseys Cheap . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Custom Minnesota Wild Jerseys Cheap . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. http://www.hockeyjerseyscustom.com/ .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. Custom Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Custom Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Cheap . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club.CHICAGO -- Alex Rodriguez was handed a lengthy suspension, and then played in his first game of the season. He was booed lustily, and got a hit in his first at-bat. All in one strange day, even for the life of the embattled slugger. Rodriguez went 1 for 4 in his first game for New York, but the Chicago White Sox beat the struggling Yankees 8-1 on Monday night to snap a 10-game losing streak. "I just hope that theres a happy ending there somewhere," he said. Rodriguez returned to the big leagues hours after he was suspended through 2014 by Major League Baseball in the Biogenesis case, a punishment he is appealing. The three-time MVP had been out following hip surgery. His punishment overshadowed everything else, whether it was teammate Derek Jeter going back on the disabled list because of a strained right calf or Andy Pettitte (7-9) getting knocked out early. Alex Rios drove in four runs, Alexei Ramirez added four hits and Jose Quintana (6-3) pitched into the seventh for the White Sox. Was it a good day for baseball? "A little bit of both," Jeter said. "I dont know if you can say its a good day anytime youre talking about a negative, negativity. I understand what baseball is trying to do, Theyre cracking down on players." Rodriguez, meanwhile, is digging in, ready to go toe to toe with MLB. "Were just getting started in this process," he said. "But for me, personally, I just want to get back to baseball, playing hard and playing with a lot of intensity. I just want to see what our team has to offer." At 38 and coming back from the hip injury, he said hes fighting for his life. He was welcomed back with the same sort of greeting he got on the road in the past, a series of boos and jeers amplified by the penalty announced earlier in the day. The crowd at U.S. Cellular Field booed Rodriguez during pregame warmups and introductions. When he stepped to the plate in the second inning, the fans could have drowned out a jet. They werent feeling any better after Rodriguez dropped a leadoff single into shallow left on the third pitch. He moved to third with no outs on Vernon Wells double but was stranded. Rodriguez flied out in his second and third at-bats and handled a few grounders at third, getting booed every time he stepped to the plate or touched the ball. He also struck out in the eighth as fans chanted "Steroids! Steroids!" Rodriguez shrugged off the reaction. "I love Chicago," he said. "I love the fans here. Its just a great town, great people. Im just so humbled being on the field, being able to play the game I love.dddddddddddd" Rodriguez did not deny using performance-enhancing drugs in a news conference after the punishment came down. Instead he said he will talk about whether he used PEDs at another time when he is more free to speak. He did say he has to defend himself because no one else will. "I want nothing but the best for Al and his family," Pettitte said. "Glad to see him back. Hes going to help this club. Hes a great ballplayer. Hes in to the game. Hell definitely help us." The Yankees are hoping Rodriguez can provide some sort of spark even though theyre fading from the playoff picture. They need more power for their lineup, something thats been a particular problem for their third basemen. Pettitte, however, did them no favours. He lasted 2 2-3 innings in his shortest outing since July 18, 2010, while matching season highs for runs (seven) and hits (11). He fell to 0-3 in his last four starts. Rios delivered an RBI single and scored during a three-run first. He added a two-run single in the second that made it 5-0. Rios then capped a two-run third with a bases-loaded walk after Preston Claiborne replaced Pettitte, making it 7-0. That was more than enough for Quintana, who gave up one run and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings. "It was just a good night offensively," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "Guys were swinging it." NOTES: Pettitte is the first Yankees pitcher since at least 1920 to allow runs in the first inning in seven straight starts within a single season, according to STATS LLC. ... Besides Rodriguez, Yankees C Francisco Cervelli and minor league OF Fernando Martinez were suspended 50 games. "I think he had made strides this year as a player, and I want him to come into spring training ready to go, try to learn from what has happened," manager Joe Girardi said when asked about Cervelli. ... With Jeter going on the DL, the Yankees recalled infielder Dave Adams from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. They also designated infielder Brent Lillibridge for assignment, and Rodriguez was activated from the disabled list. Outfielder Thomas Neal was claimed off waivers by the Cubs. ... White Sox LF Dayan Viciedo jammed his left thumb diving for Robinson Canos single in the first inning and left the game. The team said X-rays were negative and hes day to day. ... RHP Hiroki Kuroda (10-6, 2.38 ERA) starts for the Yankees, with LHP Chris Sale (6-11, 2.92) pitching for Chicago on Tuesday. ' ' '