Sports briefs

NBA

Howard investigated

for child abuse

NBA star Dwight Howard is under investigation for suspected child abuse, Cobb County, Georgia, police said yesterday, the same day his son turned 7, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. It's the second time Howard, 28, has been investigated by Cobb police for the same allegations, but he has not been charged. Howard is in a custody battle with the child's mother, Royce Reed, a former star of the VH1 reality show "Basketball Wives."

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

'Bama No. 1

Alabama jumped from fifth to be the new No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings after beating last week's No. 1 team, Mississippi State, which dropped to No. 4. Oregon remained No. 2 and unbeaten Florida State remained No. 3.

GOLF

Woods upset with parody

Tiger Woods criticized Hall of Fame golf writer Dan Jenkins for a parody in which Jenkins fakes an interview with him and covers topics from his reputation as a bad tipper to his failed marriage to his six-year drought in the majors.

In a guest column for Derek Jeter's new website, Woods wrote that the fake interview "fails as parody, and is really more like grudge-fueled piece of character assassination."

American Hahn shoots 58

Ohioan John Hahn was one better than golf's magic number with a 12-under-par 58 in the fourth round of the European Tour's Q-school in Girona, Spain. The European Tour said it would not count as a record because of preferred lies in the soggy conditions.

BASEBALL

Stanton pact details

Giancarlo Stanton will make just $6.5 million in the first year of his record 13-year, $325-million contract with the Marlins, according to information obtained by AP. He can opt out after the 2020 season and there is a $25-million club option for 2028.-- AP