Sports

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash was signed to an eight-year extension on Friday through the 2017-18 season.

Hank Blalock belted a two-run homer and Tommy Hunter pitched 5 1/3 strong innings to collect his first win in the majors on his 23rd birthday, as the Texas Rangers downed the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-1, in the opener of a three-game series at Rangers Ballpark.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash was signed to an eight-year extension on Friday through the 2017-18 season.

New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2009 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances, the league announced Thursday.