[naviga:h2]QB Romo retires, joins CBS team[/naviga:h2]

DALLAS — Tony Romo couldn’t bring himself to use the word “retired” and didn’t have an answer for whether he would have decided to replace another former quarterback in Phil Simms as lead analyst for CBS if he hadn’t lost his starting job in Dallas.

This much Romo did know: Teams were interested in him continuing his chase for an elusive Super Bowl, and he couldn’t pass up a chance to go straight from the field to a No. 1 booth with Emmy Award-winning play-by-play man Jim Nantz.

Romo’s release by the Cowboys and his deal with CBS were announced simultaneously — roughly four weeks later than Dallas owner Jerry Jones told the franchise passing leader he would turn him loose to pursue other teams.

[naviga:h2]Westbrook secures 41st triple-double[/naviga:h2]

OKLAHOMA CITY — For just a few moments, Russell Westbrook slowed down.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s mile-a-minute point guard took the time to soak in the atmosphere after he matched Oscar Robertson’s single-season record with his 41st triple-double. The home crowd stood and chanted “MVP! MVP!” long after the assist, and he later waved to the crowd after play stopped .

Westbrook finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists to help the Thunder beat the Milwaukee Bucks 110-79.

Robertson set the record during the 1961-62 season, and Westbrook can break it Wednesday in Memphis.

[naviga:h2]Cubs get 1st win with strong defense[/naviga:h2]

ST. LOUIS — Albert Almora Jr. provided a big lift for the Chicago Cubs with a birthday present for his mom.

Almora robbed Matt Adams of a home run and Javier Baez made a terrific sliding stop on Kolten Wong’s game-ending grounder, sending Jake Arrieta and the Cubs to a 2-1 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals.

[naviga:h2]Shoemaker back from cracked skull[/naviga:h2]

OAKLAND, Calif. — Exactly seven months after being struck in the head by a line drive that left him with a cracked skull, Matt Shoemaker looked every bit the same pitcher he had been.

Shoemaker tossed five effective innings in his return to the mound and Danny Espinosa hit a three-run homer in the ninth to rally the Los Angeles Angels past the Oakland Athletics 7-6.