https://0xbt.net/blog/owner/laiyongcai92?offset=30 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/49487/new-york-ap-%E2%80%94-petr-mrazek Wed, 13 Mar 2019 04:35:21 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/49487/new-york-ap-%E2%80%94-petr-mrazek and the Carolina Hurricanes had a reason to enjoy themselves Anaheim Ducks Hats Womens , too, on Friday night.Mrazek made 27 saves and the Hurricanes spoiled a celebration at Madison Square Garden that honored the last Rangers team to win the Stanley Cup, blanking New York 3-0.Warren Foegele scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period as the Hurricanes ended a 16-game losing streak at the Garden. He took a pass from Saku Maenalanen in the slot and wristed a shot past Henrik Lundqvist at 6:43.“It was nice to get rewarded there,” Foegele said. “It was a great play by (Kegger) Greg McKegg to enter the zone with speed and then a beautiful pass by Saku.”Rookie Andrei Svechnikov and Brock McGinn added empty-net goals as Carolina won its third in a row. It was Carolina’s first win at MSG since a 4-3 victory on Oct. 29, 2010.In a 45-minute pregame ceremony, Mark Messier, Brian Leetch and the players and coaches from the Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup team were introduced. They were seated at center ice as a sellout crowd cheered the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of that championship.To honor that club, Lundqvist wore a goaltender’s mask similar to Mike Richter’s with the Statue of Liberty prominently displayed on the front. Lundqvist’s mask also has “1994” painted on the right side with a picture of Richter, his name and number.“Unbelievable. It’s a humbling thing. What a great statement by him,” Richter said before the game.“(He) didn’t have to do it. It’s very classy. I was shocked. … Coming from him, look at the career the man has put together. He’s been nothing but consistent from the day he arrived. He’s had just a remarkable career, so it means a lot coming from him.”Rangers coach David Quinn was disappointed in his team’s effort in the game.“There was definitely a lack of urgency which was surprising Custom Anaheim Ducks Jerseys ,” he said. “It certainly was set up to be a special night. We just didn’t capitalize on it.”Carolina, which is 13-4-1 in its past 18 games, climbed within a point of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference.“I think we know where we are in the standings and how important each game is,” Foegele said. “We need wins and it’s important we got two points there.”These Rangers are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.After a tightly played opening period, both teams had better scoring chances in the second.Kevin Hayes took a pass from Jimmy Vesey and faked Mrazek and attempted to stuff the puck into the net, but Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin swept it out from the crease.“That was a big save by him,” Mrazek said. “Hayes did a nice job holding the puck for a little bit, I get out and a great save by Slavin.”Mrazek closed the second period by making a stellar stick-side save on Mika Zibanejad with the Rangers on the power play.Lundqvist kept the game scoreless late in the opening period as he stopped Nino Niederreiter on a breakaway. He finished with 30 saves.“We definitely had our looks, especially in the second period,” Lundqvist said. “It came down to one play. Unfortunately we were on the wrong end. We had our opportunities. But they defended really well the whole game.”NOTES: For the national anthem, the Garden replayed John Amirante’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that he performed during the ’94 Cup Final. … The Rangers are 1-2-1 on their homestand. … Defenseman Haydn Fleury was scratched for Carolina. Center Brett Howden and defenseman Neal Pionk were scratched by the Rangers.UP NEXT:Hurricanes: At the Devils on Sunday in the fourth game of a five-game road trip.Rangers: Host Toronto on Sunday to close out a five-game homestand. VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) The San Jose Sharks were able to pull out a win despite struggling to shake the Vancouver Canucks.Timo Meier’s second goal of the game snapped a third-period tie and the Sharks won 5-3 on Saturday night for their fourth consecutive victory.Logan Couture and Kevin Labanc each had a goal and an assist www.coyotesproshop.com , and Tomas Hertl scored into an empty net with 25 seconds remaining for the Sharks, who are 7-2-0 in their last nine games.”We weren’t at our best,” said Couture, who also had an assist. ”They’re a team in a position where they are rebuilding, but they played hard. They gave us a challenge. It was tough, but we gutted out the win.”Nikolay Goldobin, Alex Edler and Bo Horvat scored power-play goals and Sam Gagner had two assists for the Canucks, who lost their sixth consecutive game – their longest losing streak of the season.”Our battle level was good,” Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said. ”The power play stepped up when it needed to. You score three on the power play and you should win in this league. It’s tough to lose again in the third. That’s the difference between teams that are in the playoffs and teams that are outside.”Goldobin’s goal at 10:48 of the first period snapped a scoreless streak of 222 minutes, 57 minutes for the Canucks, who had been shut out in three consecutive losses.The Sharks had allowed just two power-play goals in their previous 17 games, but gave up three against Vancouver. The only other time San Jose allowed three power-play goals in a game was in an opening-night loss to Philadelphia.”Our kill wasn’t very good Arizona Coyotes T-Shirts Womens ,” Couture said. ”We were running around. Our sticks weren’t good. We were getting outbattled and then they got a few lucky breaks. The kill needs to be better going forward.”Aaron Dell, making his first start since Feb. 22, made 28 saves for the Sharks.”It was a huge, gutsy performance,” San Jose coach Peter DeBoer said. ”We let them back in the game and still found a way to rebound. It’s a tough time of year to win, no matter whose building you are going into. To have a trip like that, at this time of year, is critical.”Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom stopped 25 shots.”I was awful today,” Markstrom said. ”I have to be better.”Meier put the Sharks ahead at 6:07 of the third with a shot from the faceoff circle that went under Markstrom’s blocker. The Canucks came close with just over six minutes left, but Hertl scooped a loose puck off the goal line.Vancouver scored twice with the man-advantage in the second period to tie the game at 3.The Sharks took a 3-1 lead just 1:47 into the period when Meier tipped in Brenden Dillion’s shot from the point.Horvat started Vancouver’s comeback, scoring just 6 seconds into a power play. Dell stopped Gagner’s slap shot but Horvat jammed home the rebound. Edler tied it with a blast from the point at 11:48. It was his first power-play goal in 88 games dating to Feb. 17, 2017.The Sharks scored 1:10 apart in the first period to erase a 1-0 deficit.Goldobin opened the scoring when he took a pass from defenseman Derrick Pouilot and snapped a shot from the face-off circle that sailed over Dell’s shoulder. The San Jose goalie was screened by Jake Virtanen.Labanc tied it on a power play at 14:48. Joe Pavelski’s shot was stopped by Markstrom Arizona Coyotes Hoodies Womens , but he managed to get his own rebound and passed it to Labanc at the side of the net.The Sharks went ahead on Couture’s 29th of the season at 16:08. He took a feed from Hertl, fought off a check by Virtanen and chipped the puck past Markstrom.NOTES: Defenseman Chris Tanev returned to Vancouver lineup for his first game since breaking his leg Feb. 8 against Tampa Bay. … San Jose center Melker Karlsson went to the dressing favoring his right leg early in the first period after blocking a shot. … San Jose’s Marc-Edouard Vlasic left in the second period after being hit in the chest by a puck. … The Canucks’ franchise record for a scoring drought is 234 minutes, 52 seconds, set March 16-24, 2016. … The longest goal drought by a team in the expansion era is 262 minutes, 3 seconds, set by the Minnesota North Stars from Jan. 28-Feb. 6, 1988.UP NEXTSharks: vs. New Jersey on Tuesday night.Canucks: at Vegas on Tuesday night.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47862/the-toronto-blue-jays-reportedly-reached Tue, 12 Feb 2019 03:39:32 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47862/the-toronto-blue-jays-reportedly-reached  an agreement Friday to trade third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Cleveland Indians Jason Hammel Jersey , according to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan.Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported Toronto will send $2.7 million to Cleveland.Donaldson enjoyed a late surge during the 2017 season after a sluggish start. The three-time All-Star posted a .270/.385/.559 triple-slash line with 33 home runs in 113 games. He also missed six weeks of action with a strained right calf.He's tallied five homers in 36 games this season, once again forced to the disabled list for an extended stretch his time because of right shoulder inflammation.The 32-year-old possesses a strong track record, though.He earned the 2015 American League MVP Award after finishing the campaign with a .939 OPS to go along with 41 homers, 123 RBI and 122 runs scored. He's also hit at least 24 long balls in five straight seasons.With Donaldson set to hit free agency after the 2018 season, he said in January that he hoped to remain in Toronto."As we talked about at the end of the season last year, I've definitely voiced my opinion that I would like to stay here," Donaldson told reporters. "That hasn't changed."His continued injury issues paired with the Jays' inability to keep pace in the AL East led the front office to trade him, though.Now Donaldson will shift his focus to getting back on track with the Indians. The fact he's two seasons removed from a campaign in which he posted a career-best .404 on-base percentage and smacked 37 homers bodes well for a return to form.While his long-term future remains uncertain because he's headed for the open market http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-jorge-soler-jersey , look for him to provide some reinforcements to an Indians team that's well on its way to a third straight AL Central title. SAN FRANCISCO — Clayton Kershaw will attempt to pitch the Los Angeles Dodgers into the postseason for the sixth consecutive season Saturday afternoon when he faces the San Francisco Giants on the second-to-last day of the regular season.The Dodgers (89-71) begin the day two games ahead of St. Louis (87-73) in the National League wild-card race with just two games to play.One more Dodgers win or Cardinals loss would send the defending NL champions back to the playoffs. St. Louis visits the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.Article continues below ...Los Angeles also remains alive in the chase for the NL West title, trailing Colorado (90-70) by one game. The Rockies could clinch the West crown on Saturday with a home win over Washington and a Dodgers loss in San Francisco.Kershaw (9-5, 2.53 ERA) will take the mound as the winningest visiting pitcher in the 19-year history of AT&T Park with a 13-4 record and 1.30 ERA in 22 games, including 21 starts.He owns a 22-10 overall record and 1.58 ERA against the Giants in 44 career meetings (43 starts), with his 22 wins ranking as the most for a Giants opponent since Greg Maddux retired with 31 in 2008.Kershaw has not lost since July 21 at Milwaukee, an 11-start run in which he’s gone 6-0.That stretch includes receiving a no-decision in a 5-2 loss to San Francisco on Aug. 13 in Los Angeles, a game in which the Giants scored four times in the ninth off Dodgers reliever Scott Alexander to rally from a 2-1 deficit. Kershaw gave up just one run in his eight innings in that game.Kershaw has dominated many of the Giants regulars over his career, including Hunter Pence (.186) http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-drew-butera-jersey , Evan Longoria (.154) and Brandon Crawford (.125).The left-hander will be facing a Giants team that has been held to two runs or fewer in 10 of its last 12 home games, and that grounded into a season-worst five double plays in Friday’s 3-1 loss in the series opener.The 30-year-old has never pitched against Saturday’s opponent, right-hander Dereck Rodriguez (6-4, 2.50), but did face his dad, Ivan, five times, with the Hall of Fame catcher going 1-for-4 with a sacrifice.Dereck Rodriguez has a chance to write a piece of personal history in his first-ever start against the Dodgers.The 26-year-old has a chance to become the first rookie since Jose Fernandez (2.19) in 2013 to record an ERA of 2.50 or lower with 15 or more starts.Rodriguez is winless in his last six starts http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-whit-merrifield-jersey , going 0-3 over that stretch.He will have to deal with a Dodgers club that’s won 11 of its last 17 games on the road, and in particular with Justin Turner, whose two-run home run off Madison Bumgarner on Friday night broke a fifth-inning tie and gave Los Angeles the lead for good.Turner has gone 10-for-28 (.357) in seven games against the Giants this season, with hits in all seven, including four doubles and two homers.The Giants retain a 9-8 lead in the season series heading into the final two meetings.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47861/yankees-slugger Tue, 12 Feb 2019 03:26:48 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47861/yankees-slugger OAKLAND Gregor Blanco Jersey , Calif. (AP) —  Aaron Judge took his first swings off a tee since breaking his right wrist July 26, a significant early step in what he hopes is a return to the field for New York in a couple of weeks.Judge, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, took 25 dry swings Monday in Oakland’s center-field cage before taking another 25 off the tee at what he called 100 percent effort. He said he felt good enough in recent days and without pain that the decision was made he would begin hitting again.“Just moving in the right direction. Definitely a big step,” Judge said, sitting in the Oakland Coliseum dugout. “I’m kind of on track with what we kind of wanted to accomplish, so I’m excited about the progress we’re making so far. It feels good. So I’ve just got to keep moving forward, keep having good days and just keep kind of building off that. Hopefully ramp it up here in the next couple days and be back out there soon.”The next step for Judge is expected to be some more cage swings off the tee, then hitting soft toss and batting practice before live BP as soon as this weekend.With the minor league schedule complete Blake Parker Jersey , manager Aaron Boone said the Yankees will “get creative” in how to get Judge the at-bats he needs — perhaps with a combination of simulated games and some work at the club’s Tampa, Florida, complex. Boone was encouraged by Judge experiencing no discomfort and planned to discuss different scenarios with general manager Brian Cashman.“We definitely feel like he’s starting to build some momentum. For him to get to swing and hit off the tee and it go really well is obviously a great sign,” Boone said before the afternoon opener of a three-game series against the Athletics. “I know he’s pleased with it and just starting to build momentum toward getting back, so today was a very good day of progress.”Boone doesn’t want to guess when Judge might be back in the Yankees’ lineup, saying it all will be based on how the right fielder responds after each step. And when Judge is ready, he will likely be back in right field as well as taking some games in the designated hitter spot.Judge was batting .285 with 26 homers, 20 doubles and 61 RBIs in 99 games before the injury, which happened when he was hit by a fastball from Kansas City’s Jakob Junis.“He’s excited about where he’s at CJ Wilson Jersey ,” Boone said. “Once we get through this weekend, if he continues to graduate then we start thinking about a possible timeline about maybe getting back. … I envision him once he’s able to be back that he’s a full-bore Aaron Judge player.”Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius, sidelined with a bruised left heel he hurt Aug. 19 in a collision with Toronto’s Kendrys Morales beating out an infield single, is set to run the bases Tuesday and Boone said he is “very close to a return.” The Houston Astros are the favorites to win the World Series.According to OddsShark.com, the defending champions (+260) hold the top odds among the remaining postseason contenders, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers (+350), Milwaukee Brewers (+350), Boston Red Sox (+450), New York Yankees (+500) http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-julio-urias-jersey , Atlanta Braves (+1500) and Cleveland (+2000).Houston holds a 2-0 lead over Cleveland in one American League Division Series, while Boston and New York are tied 1-1 in the other. In the National League, the Brewers swept the Colorado Rockies and are awaiting either the Dodgers or Braves.L.A. holds a 2-1 advantage in that matchup.Only Boston (108-54) finished with a better regular-season record than Houston (103-59), and the Astros haven't missed a beat in the postseason, outscoring Cleveland 10-3.It's hard to imagine many baseball fans being upset with a Dodgers-Astros rematch in the World Series after last year's classic, which Houston won in seven games. That included one of the greatest games in World Series history, a 13-12 Game 5 win by the Astros in which the Dodgers erased a three-run deficit in the top of the ninth inning only to lose in the bottom of the 10th on Alex Bregman's walk-off single.Houston doesn't boast many weaknesses. It has a strong pitching staff, led byJustin Verlander,Gerrit Coleand Dallas Keuchel. Bregman Cody Bellinger Jersey , Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer lead a dangerous offense. Ryan Pressly andRoberto Osunahold down the bullpen.Even in a year wherein the Red Sox were historically great, the Astros are the frontrunners in October. Should they get past Cleveland, a matchup against Boston or New York would provide fireworks.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47860/the-boston-red-sox-104-49-will-visit-the-cleveland-indians Tue, 12 Feb 2019 03:14:14 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47860/the-boston-red-sox-104-49-will-visit-the-cleveland-indians  (85-67) on Friday as small road favorites at sportsbooks in a battle between two American League teams that have already clinched their respective divisions.The Red Sox won the AL East for the second year in a row on Thursday with an 11-6 road victory against the New York Yankees Bruce Bochy Jersey , while the Indians have already taken home their third consecutive AL Central title. MLB betting line: The Red Sox opened as -130 favorites (wager $130 to win $100); the total is at eight runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 4.6-3.0, Indians (MLB picks on every game)Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news. Why the Red Sox can pay on the MLB linesBoston will be guarding against a potential letdown here in a possible playoff preview with ace Chris Sale (12-4, 1.92 ERA) on the mound. The 29-year-old went just three innings in his last outing on Sunday versus the New York Mets, allowing one hit with no walks and one strikeout on 42 pitches. The Red Sox are trying to squeeze a couple more starts out of Sale before the end of the regular season, and he is reportedly hoping to throw 65 pitches at Cleveland. If they can get five innings from the southpaw, they will have a shot to win. Why the Indians can pay on the MLB linesThe Indians will send their AL Cy Young candidate Trevor Bauer (12-6, 2.22 ERA) to the hill opposite Sale, and he will be coming off the disabled list. The 27-year-old suffered a lower leg fracture in mid-August and is only expected to throw a couple innings, with Shane Bieber (10-4, 4.50 ERA) relieving him and likely pitching a majority of the game for Cleveland.Like Boston with Sale, Cleveland wants Bauer to simply see some game action in preparation for the playoffs, as his last start took place on August 11. He is 5-0 in his last eight outings http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-willie-mays-jersey , while Bieber has split his previous four. Smart betting pickThese teams do not have much to play for in this spot, as they wouldn't meet in the postseason until the AL Championship Series if both advance that far. That said, each of the starting pitchers will be limited, so do not expect them to play a major role in determining the final outcome.The over is 3-1-1 in the past five meetings, though, according to the OddsShark MLB Database, and the best bet is that trend continuing.MLB betting trendsThe total has gone over in four of Boston's last six games on the road.Boston is 7-3 in its last 10 games.Cleveland is 11-4 in its last 15 games when playing at home against Boston.All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jakob Junis had just served up a home run to JaCoby Jones and a base hit to Jeimer Candelario, and the Royals‘ young right-hander could feel the inning starting to get away from him.So when he turned around to watch his infield turn a timely double-play on a grounder by Jose Iglesias, Junis wheeled right back around with the kind of fist pump rare for the soft-spoken starter.“That was a big at-bat,” Junis said. “Who knows if I would have gotten a chance to go back out.”Junis did indeed get to go back out for the ninth, and when he mowed through Detroit’s lineup one more time, he had his first career complete game. The six-hitter allowed Kansas City to roll to a 6-2 victory to begin a midweek, two-game set between AL Central rivals Tuesday night.Not only was it his first big league complete game Will Clark Jersey , it was his first as a professional.“That’s a goal you set out to do,” said Junis, who improved to 4-0 with a 1.74 ERA in four starts against Detroit this season. “A great feeling to accomplish that. Hopefully more to come.”The only runs Junis (7-12) allowed came in the third, when Candelario managed a sacrifice fly, and the eighth, when Jones went deep. Otherwise, the young right-hander worked briskly and efficiently, with seven strikeouts and no walks producing his second win since May 18.“You have confidence against certain teams. Pitchers get that,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “You have success and that gives you confidence. You ride that.”Junis’ three previous wins against Detroit came in April and May, when he was off to a hot start, but he struggled throughout June and landed on the disabled list with lower back inflammation. But he’s been solid in eight starts since his return, cutting down his walks and home runs.“He wasn’t showing it, but he was very frustrated when he was going through that period. He’s not a robot,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “Tonight he was pretty much in control the whole way.”Adalberto Mondesi went deep off Matthew Boyd (8-12) to lead off the third inning, and the Royals wound up batting around. Jorge Bonifacio hit a sacrifice fly Barry Bonds Jersey , Hunter Dozier added a two-run double and Alcides Escobar wrapped up the big inning with a two-out single that gave Kansas City a 5-1 lead.That turned out to be plenty with Junis on the mound.Boyd, who threw six shutout innings against the White Sox his last time out, wound up allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks in six innings. The Tigers’ right-hander dropped to 3-7 in 13 career starts against Kansas City, and he’s just 8-21 in 41 starts on the road.“I just got away from my fastball. Hats off to Mondesi, he hit my pitch,” Boyd said. “I lost a little feel for the fastball as the inning went on and that’s what happened.”Detroit could have used a gem from him as they opened a nine-game trip. They’ve lost four straight and five of six, their offense failing to score more than three runs in any of the defeats.STATS AND STREAKSJunis had the first nine-inning complete game by the Royals since Jason Vargas on June 2, 2017, against the Indians. … Royals 1B Hunter Dozier has six RBIs in his last six games. He had four in his previous 35. … Tigers LF Mikie Mahtook has reached base in 13 straight games.JONES RETURNSJones (right hamstring strain) was back in the lineup for the first time since hitting the DL on Aug. 13. OF Mike Gerber was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday to create a roster spot for him.TRAINER’S ROOMTigers: LHP Daniel Norris (left groin strain) could start Saturday against the Yankees in New York, Gardenhire said. Norris has been sharp in rehab outings at Toledo after compiling a 5.87 ERA in five appearances for Detroit before getting hurt.Royals: OF Brian Goodwin (left groin strain) will rejoin the club when rosters expand Sept. 1, Yost said. … OF Jorge Soler (left toe fracture) will finish the season with Triple-A Omaha before he rejoins the Royals. That would mean Soler is expected back Sept. 4.UP NEXTTigers RHP Michael Fulmer tries to build on a solid start in his return from the disabled list, when he threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings against the White Sox last Friday. The Royals counter with LHP Danny Duffy as the teams wrap up their two-game series with a matinee Wednesday.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47859/houston-ap-%E2%80%94-houston-manager-aj-hinch Tue, 12 Feb 2019 03:02:38 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47859/houston-ap-%E2%80%94-houston-manager-aj-hinch said the top of the eighth inning on Saturday night was one of the ugliest innings the Astros have had all season.The bottom half of the inning was easily one of the team’s best innings of the year.Justin Verlander struck out 11 in six dominant innings http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-brad-brach-jersey , Jose Altuve capped a nine-run eighth with a two-run homer, and the Houston Astros rallied for a 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels.“It happened fast,” Hinch said. “Just guys doing their part and then we got a little fortunate that they made a mistake. A lot of quality at-bats, one mistake, a lot of key hits, three or four walks led to a huge inning.”After the Angels scored five times in the top of the eighth, Yuli Gurriel, Brian McCann and Evan Gattis each hit RBI singles off of Ty Buttrey (0-1) to close the lead to 5-4.“They found holes and they capitalized on some mistakes I made on some pitches,” Buttrey said. “There’s not much you can do in that situation but control what you can control.”With the bases loaded and one out, pinch-hitter Tyler White hit a chopper to third baseman Taylor Ward Colby Rasmus Jersey , whose throw sailed into right field for an error and allowed two runs to score.“I was trying to get to first base as fast as possible,” White said. “I know we needed that run. That’s not really how you draw it up, but it got the job done. It got the runs in.”Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels had timing on their side on White’s chopper, but the throw got away from Ward.“He just lost it up and away,” Scioscia said. “It’s like we said, he’s got to experience a lot of things. He’s playing in a big ballpark against a team that’s in first place and he’ll make that play next time.”George Springer followed with a two-run single off of Blake Parker. Altuve, who led off the inning with a walk, launched a two-run homer onto the train tracks in left field.“I looked over at Dallas (Keuchel), and I was like ‘You know, they could easily hand us this game http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-craig-gentry-jersey ,'” Gattis said. “I think everyone on this team believes that and knows that we are never out of it.”The AL West-leading Astros remain 3½ games ahead of Oakland.Verlander allowed one hit and hit one batter in six innings. The right-hander retired the last 15 batters he faced after allowing Justin Upton’s single to lead off the second, including ten by strikeout.“I kept trying to attack the zone and be the aggressor,” Verlander said. “Those tight ballgames, one pitch can kill you. I was just trying to execute. I had good fastball control. I was able to use my off speed effectively when I needed to. I kept them off-balanced.”Verlander reached double digits in strikeouts for the third straight outing and has 12 such games this season. He set a career high with 280 strikeouts, besting the 269 he had in 2009.Houston’s pitching staff broke a major league record by striking out 1,615 batters this season, reaching the mark when Roberto Osuna fanned Sherman Johnson to lead off the ninth. The Astros have eight games remaining.The Angels jumped on the Astros’ bullpen in the eighth. Francisco Arcia tied the game at 1 with an RBI double off Hector Rondon, and Mike Trout launched a three-run homer to left-center off Joe Smith. Andrelton Simmons added an RBI double.Collin McHugh (6-2) earned the win after getting the final two outs in the top of the eighth.Gattis hit an RBI single in the fourth to put the Astros ahead.Jaime Barria allowed one run on four hits in five innings.TROUT’S HOME RUN BARRAGETrout homered in his third straight game and fifth home run in his last six games. He now has 38 on the season, three shy of his career-high 41 he hit in 2015.TRAINER’S ROOMAngels: 1B Jose Fernandez left with a bruised right hand after being hit by a 96-mph fastball from Verlander in the first inning. X-rays were negative. The pitch was the 14th of the at-bat. Jefry Marte replaced Fernandez.UP NEXTRHP Charlie Morton (15-3, 3.15 ERA) starts the series finale Sunday against LHP Tyler Skaggs (8-8 Andrew Cashner Jersey , 3.69). Morton is on a three-game winning streak and has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last three starts. Skaggs is making his second start since coming off the disabled list after throwing three scoreless innings in his last outing Tuesday at the Athletics. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are getting into the soccer business.The team announced Tuesday the purchase of the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the United Soccer League, who play their home games at Al Lang Stadium, the onetime waterfront spring training home of the Rays.The sale price was not disclosed.The USL said Rays team presidents Matthew Silverman and Brian Auld will become vice chairmen of the Rowdies. They will direct all aspects of the soccer club, along with Rowdies vice president and chief operating officer Lee Cohen.“The sale is bittersweet,” said Bill Edwards, who had owned the Rowdies since December 2013 and invested millions in stadium improvements.“When I purchased the Rowdies, they were on the brink of bankruptcy; today they are champions fighting for their rightful spot in the USL Playoffs,” Edwards added. “I saw the potential of the team and what it could mean for downtown St. Petersburg.”Silverman said the Rays are “committed to continuing the winning trajectory that the Rowdies have been experiencing” under Edwards’ guidance.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47858/the-trip-to-dodger-stadium-will-apparently Tue, 12 Feb 2019 02:39:15 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47858/the-trip-to-dodger-stadium-will-apparently get a lot easier after Elon Musk installs his newest creation in Los Angeles.Darren Rovell of ESPN provided the latest details on The Boring Company invention:Darren Rovell darrenrovellBREAKING: elonmusk boringcompany will build a 3.6 mile tunnel from East Hollywood to Dodger Stadium that can carry 1 http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-jason-grilli-jersey ,500 fans to the game in four minutes versus the more than an hour those fans spend traveling by car to the game today. v9joUxbsrEThe "Dugout Loop" is expected to cost customers only around $1 per trip, according to the company's site.The tunnel system, which will be an estimated 30-44 feet below the surface, will take up to 14 months to build. It is also expected to be 100 percent privately funded by The Boring Company.The city had already approved in April a tunnel system in West Los Angeles that runs 2.7 miles Ryan Rua Jersey , smaller than the 3.6-mile tunnel running from East Hollywood to Dodger Stadium.Musk provided an update in May on Instagram that the first tunnel was almost done.With Los Angeles known for its legendary traffic, especially on the way to Chavez Ravine, this new system could be a game-changer for fans attending games. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig took a swing at San Francisco Giants catcher Nick Hundley and both players were ejected during a benches-clearing scrap in the seventh inning Tuesday night.Puig swatted his bat in frustration after fouling off a pitch from Tony Watson, and Hundley said something to the mercurial slugger while still in his crouch. Puig turned around and walked toward Hundley Drew Robinson Jersey , the catcher stood up, and they stood face to face and argued for a moment before Puig shoved Hundley twice.That brought players out of the benches and bullpens. Puig and Hundley were momentarily separated, but Puig ducked around teammates, coaches and manager Dave Roberts before reaching back to hit Hundley. He smacked Hundley with an open hand across the front of his catcher’s mask.The players were then separated again for good. After discussing with both managers http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-alex-claudio-jersey , the umpires ejected both Puig and Hundley.It was the fourth career ejection for Puig, who had also got into a skirmish with Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner in 2014.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47856/the-final-weekend-of-a-better-than-expected Tue, 12 Feb 2019 02:24:34 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47856/the-final-weekend-of-a-better-than-expected For the Pittsburgh Pirates http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-sammy-sosa-jersey ,  season is a time to say not only goodbye but also hello. Perhaps to the same player.For the Cincinnati Reds, the final weekend of a worse-than-expected season is a time to begin looking ahead and not back at yet another frustrating year.The National League Central rival Pirates and Reds wrap up their three-game series and the season Sunday at Great American Ball Park, with both teams already focusing on 2019. But not before the Pirates conclude some unfinished business.Article continues below ...During a 3-0 loss to the Reds on Saturday, the Pirates’ infield had the look of a few seasons ago with Jung Ho Kang at third base, Jordy Mercer at shortstop and Josh Harrison at second base. But the once-familiar infield might be together only one more day.Kang, troubled by injuries and legal issues the last two seasons, started in the majors for the first time since Oct. 2, 2016, and went 1-for-4. Kang could return next season as the Pirates hold a $5.5 million club option on him, or they could decline the option and attempt to re-sign him for less money.Mercer, however, is a pending free agent who appears unlikely to return, and the Pirates can buy out Harrison’s contract for $1 million instead of paying him $10.5 million in 2019.“He (Kang) worked hard to try and put himself in position to come back before the season ended Joe Maddon Jersey ,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “I think we want to honor that responsibility and the work that he put in to get back here.”Before losing Saturday, the Pirates (81-79) had won nine of 13 overall, a push that guaranteed them a winning season, plus seven in a row and nine of 10 against Cincinnati. The Reds (67-94) halted a six-game losing streak that came amid a late-season run of 11 losses in 14 games.Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen (4-2, 3.11 ERA), trying to make the transition from a reliever to a starter, shut out the Pirates on five hits in 5 2/3 innings Saturday. It was the second time in Lorenzen’s three late-season starts that he didn’t permit an earned run. He also contributed an RBI single, and Eugenio Suarez hit his 34th homer and his second in as many games.“He (Lorenzen) certainly factors in (the 2019 plans),” Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said.Sal Romano (8-11, 5.37 ERA), another Reds right-hander who hopes to make the 2019 rotation, will make his first start since Aug. 21 on Sunday. In nine games as a reliever this month, Romano has a 5.19 ERA http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-willson-contreras-jersey , with five earned runs allowed in 8 2/3 innings.During his last time out as a starter, Romano allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings of the Reds’ 9-7 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. He didn’t figure in the decision. Romano is 1-2 with a 3.08 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Pirates.For now, it’s too early to forecast what role he’ll play next season.“Our guys (pitchers) are competing like crazy, they’re working their tails off,” Riggleman said. “But we’ve got to make a few changes pitching-wise.”The Pirates hand the ball to rookie right-hander Clay Holmes (1-3, 7.25 ERA), who makes his fourth career start. Holmes made his major league debut against Cincinnati on April 6, allowing one run in two relief innings.Reliever Steven Brault said he believes the Pirates exceeded expectations in 2018 after losing 87 games last season. Their record, for example, is nearly identical to that of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who were in first place in the NL West at the start of September.“I would say we surpassed expectations this year. We did some really good things,” Brault told the team’s website. “We were inconsistent as a club, individually Albert Almora Jr Jersey , everything. That’s why we have the record we do. (But) I think we held our own really well this year.”For the Reds, 2018 was more of the same. They began the season by losing 15 of 18 and never recovered. Even if they win Sunday, they will lose at least 94 games for a fourth consecutive season.The Reds are 5-13 against the Pirates this season. With the 2018 World Series matchup now set, the oddsmakers are weighing in.The Boston Red Sox enter the Fall Classic favored over the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to OddsShark:OddsShark OddsSharkWe have a World Series. Lookahead lines from earlier this week (BovadaOfficial):Dodgers EVENRed Sox -130Boston has been met with little resistance on its way to the American League pennant. Under first-year manager Alex Cora, the Red Sox cruised to the AL East crown by going a franchise-record 108-54 during the regular season. They took out the archrival New York Yankees in four games in the ALDS, and after dropping the opening game of the ALCS, they ran off four straight wins against the Houston Astros in the ALCS.Powered by AL MVP candidates J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts, the Red Sox have had the top offense in both the regular season and the postseason.Not only that, but former AL Cy Young award winner David Price appears to have exorcized his postseason demons. After his teams were winless in his first 10 career postseason starts, Boston went 2-0 in the five-time All-Star's ALCS starts. That includes six innings of three-hit, shutout baseball to close out the Astros in Game 5.If Price carries that momentum over, one of Boston's previous weaknesses could turn out to be a strength.Meanwhile Kyle Hendricks Jersey , things weren't so easy for Los Angeles in the National League. The Dodgers (92-71) had to scratch and claw their way into the postseason, and they needed a 163rd game in order to win the NL West. They easily handled the Atlanta Braves in four games in the NLDS but were pushed to the limit by the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS.Ultimately, Los Angeles pulled out a 5-1 victory on the road at Miller Park to win its second consecutive NL pennant.The Dodgers are strong both on the mound and at the plate. Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler andHyun-Jin Ryu have come up with big starts throughout the playoffs. Also, the offense ranked second only to the record-setting Yankees with 235 home runs.Los Angeleshad10players reach double digits, with seven reaching the 20 mark.Boston owns home-field advantage after finishing with the better record during the regular season. Game 1 will be played at Fenway Park, with first pitch on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 8:09 p.m. ET.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47855/toronto-ap-%E2%80%94-tampa-bay%E2%80%99s-ryne-stanek Tue, 12 Feb 2019 02:12:30 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47855/toronto-ap-%E2%80%94-tampa-bay%E2%80%99s-ryne-stanek became the first rookie pitcher in 75 years to start consecutive games — throwing one inning for the second straight day.“It’s pretty much the same as two relief appearances in a row Authentic Tre'Davious White Jersey ,” Stanek said. “I didn’t really notice anything different.”Stanek combined with six relievers on a three-hitter in Tampa Bay’s 4-0 victory over Toronto on Tuesday night, which extended the Rays‘ winning streak to four.Tampa Bay has held Toronto to five hits or fewer in seven consecutive meetings, matching the longest streak in the majors since 1920. The Baltimore Orioles did it to the Washington Senators from Sept. 11, 1968, to April 18, 1969, according to STATS.“We’re getting outstanding pitching performances,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “It seems like just about every night we’re in a ballgame because of our pitching and defense.”Tampa Bay is 9-2 against the Blue Jays this season. Toronto has lost seven of its past nine.A night after throwing 16 pitches, Stanek allowed Devon Travis’ leadoff double and hit Kendrys Morales with a pitch with one out. Stanek escaped a 10-pitch first inning when Randal Grichuk struck out as Morales was caught stealing second.“That was huge for us right there to get the game started off on the right foot Cheap Christian McCaffrey Jersey ,” Stanek said.Stanek became the first rookie to start back-to-back games since the St. Louis Cardinals’ Red Munger got one out in a loss to Philadelphia on July 28, 1943, then pitched a complete game victory over the Phillies the following day, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.“That’s definitely cool,” Stanek said.Stanek became the third pitcher to start consecutive games for the Rays after Sergio Romo against the Los Angeles Angels on May 19 and 20 this year and James Shields on both sides of the All-Star break in 2009.Before Romo, the previous big league pitcher to start consecutive games was Milwaukee’s Zack Grienke, who was ejected after four pitches on July 7, 2012, and started again the next day.Hunter Wood (1-1) pitched two hitless innings Authentic Christian McCaffrey Jersey , Jalen Beeks worked 2 2/3 innings, Jose Alvarado got one out, Diego Castillo pitched the seventh and eighth, and Adam Kolarek got the first out in the ninth. Romo entered with runners at the corners and got his 19th save in 26 chances when Grichuk fouled out and Kevin Pillar flied out.Tampa Bay has 12 shutouts this season, two shy of AL-leading Cleveland. Three of the Rays’ shutouts have come against the Blue Jays.“They’ve got some good arms, guys have some good breaking balls,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.Matt Duffy reached base twice and had one RBI and Tommy Pham had two hits, including a run-scoring triple, before leaving with a sore groin. Cash said Pham will likely sit Wednesday. The Rays are off Thursday.Rookie Ryan Borucki (3-4) allowed two runs and three hits in six innings.Borucki pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the first Baker Mayfield Jersey Elite , then gave up Mallex Smith’s RBI groundout in the second. Starting with Smith, Borucki retired 15 of 16 before hitting Kevin Kiermaier with a pitch starting the seventh. Pinch-hitter Ji-Man Choi had an RBI double off Jake Petricka, Pham tripled with two outs and came around on Duffy’s single.BACK-TO-BACK BRUISESKiermaier was hit by pitches in two straight trips to the plate, once in the sixth and again in the seventh. He’s the third Rays player this season to be hit twice in the same game.IN A PINCHChoi is 4 for 7 with one homer and five RBI as a pinch hitter this season.TRAINER’S ROOMRays: Tampa Bay recalled RHP Jake Faria from Triple-A Durham and activated C Adam Moore off the restricted list. Moore was unable to join his teammates on the flight to Toronto on Sunday night because of what the team called improper documentation. To make room for Moore on the 40-man roster, the Rays moved INF Daniel Robertson (left thumb) to the 60-day disabled list.Blue Jays: Toronto put RHP Joe Biagini (strained left oblique) on the 10-day DL, retroactive to Saturday, and recalled Petricka from Triple-A Buffalo. … The Blue Jays recalled OF Dwight Smith Jr., 1B Rowdy Tellez and INF Richard Urena from Buffalo and selected the contract of OF Jonathan Davis from their top farm team.UP NEXTRays RHP Tyler Glasnow (0-2, 3.23) starts Wednesday’s series finale against RHP Aaron Sanchez (3-5 http://www.billscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-tre_davious-white-jersey , 5.22). Glasnow allowed one run and two hits in a loss to Cleveland last Fridays. Sanchez has an 11.88 ERA in two starts since returning from the DL after missing two months because of a finger injury. Hannah Foslien/Getty ImagesHaving already acquired J.A. Happ, the New York Yankees bolstered their starting rotation even further on Monday by adding Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Lance Lynn.The Yankees announcedthey traded first baseman Tyler Austin and minor league starting pitcher Luis Rijo to the Twins in return for Lynn.Sports Illustrated's Jon Tayler questioned the move from New York's perspectivesince the teamtradedright-handed reliever Adam Warren, who essentially occupied the same role Lynn likely will with the pitching staff:Jon Tayler, Smiling Politely JATaylerSo the Yankees salary-dumped a good reliever/swingman in Adam Warren to get a worse pitcher in Lance Lynn (who hasnt pitched in relief since 2012), and they also gave up cheap 1B/OF depth to do it in Tyler Austin. I cant say that I follow the logic here.TheNew York Post's Joel Sherman reported the Yankees at least won't add much money to their payroll by essentially swapping Warren for Lynn:Joel Sherman Joelsherman1Lynn owed about $4.3M. Hear #Twins will pay about $2M of that. Between offset and dealing Warren and $1.18M-ish left on his deal, #Yankees stayed about neutral in salary in this days work.Lynn might benefit from a move to the bullpen. In his first two years since undergoing Tommy John surgery, he's 18-16 with a 4.02 ERA and a 4.78 FIP, according toBaseball Reference.However, Lynn hasn't pitched in a relief role since the 2015 postseason http://www.pantherscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-christian-mccaffrey-jersey , and his last regular-season appearance out of the bullpen was in 2012.Ultimately, the Yankees may value Lynn's ability to move into the rotation in an emergency over Warren's proven track record as a reliever.The Twins, meanwhile, get a 26-year-old first baseman who's underteam controlfor four more seasons and a young pitcher who might develop into something down the road.Austin is batting .230 with 15 home runs and 43 RBI in 85 career MLB games, and the 19-year-old Rijo is4-1 with a 2.77 ERA in seven minor league appearances in 2018.That's a solid return given both Lynn's performance and the fact he's only a half-season rental.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47854/robinson-chirinos-and-the-rangers-broke-through-in-the-sixth-inning Tue, 12 Feb 2019 02:00:56 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47854/robinson-chirinos-and-the-rangers-broke-through-in-the-sixth-inning SAN DIEGO (AP) — http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-bill-mazeroski-jersey , and the bullpen made that lead stand on a long work night for Texas’ relievers.Chirinos hit a three-run double and Isiah Kiner-Falefa followed with a pinch-hit RBI double during a five-run sixth inning to help the Rangers beat the San Diego Padres 6-3 on Saturday night.“That was a big two-out double by Robinson and then Isiah’s double put the distance between us where we could use our bullpen” manager Jeff Banister said.San Diego led 3-1 prior to the big inning. The Padres fell to 59-90, losing 90 games for the third straight season.The Rangers sent 10 to the plate in the sixth mostly against the bullpen after a solid five-inning start by Eric Lauer. The left-hander was charged with two runs, including one in the sixth after allowing Elvis Andrus‘ leadoff single.After Trey Wingenter walked Adrian Beltre, Jose Castillo (2-3) allowed a single to Jurickson Profar, RBI doubles to Chirinos and Kiner-Falefa, and a run-scoring single to Shin-Soo Choo.“It was just one of those days where (Castillo) wasn’t sharp,” Padres manager Andy Green said.The Rangers had a reliever open the game for the second straight night, with left-hander Alex Claudio getting the nod. Claudio gave way to Ariel Jurado after an inning. Things didn’t immediately go as well as the previous game, when four Rangers blanked the Padres.Eric Hosmer hit a three-run homer off Jurado (3-5) for a 3-1 lead in the third. Hosmer smacked the outside pitch the opposite way off the second deck of the Western Metal Building in left field. Before Hosmer’s 17th homer and fourth in seven games, Wil Myers walked and Franmil Reyes singled.“That was hit like a right-handed pull hitter,” Green said. “It’s really impressive.”Added Banister: “That was supposed to be up and in to Hosmer and it rode back over the plate. But that was really the only blemish on the scorecard for (Jurado).”The Padres didn’t score again against Jurado as he went four innings and surrendered six hits and two walks with three strikeouts. It was the third consecutive outing that a reliever pitched before Jurado, and for the first time, the rookie right-hander earned a victory.“He struggled with his slider tonight, but he was able to get a feel for his changeup,” Banister said.After Jurado exited, Martin Perez worked two innings, with Connor Sadzeck and Jose Leclerc each pitching a frame. Leclerc got his 11th save and extended his scoreless-inning streak to 18.Joey Gallo hit his team-high 39th home run for Texas and his third on the road trip for a 1-0 lead in the first.HOPE THEY KEPT THE BALLPadres shortstop Javy Guerra recorded his first major league hit in the third inning, but it wasn’t made official until about two hours later. Shortstop Andrus originally drew an error on the grounder, but it was changed to an infield hit.DRESSED FOR SAFETYPadres catcher Austin Hedges had his mask on and his glove at the ready, while sitting on the bench in the eighth inning. Moments before he donned his gear, Francisco Mejia scorched a line drive into the Padres dugout, nearly taking out Myers and Hedges.TRAINER’S ROOMRangers: RHP Chris Martin (upper-respiratory) wasn’t available Saturday and his condition will be updated Sunday.UP NEXTRangers LHP Mike Minor (12-7, 4.19) gets the start as Texas wraps its nine-game road trip. Minor has gone 3-1 in his last four starts while pitching to a 1.96 ERA. The last time he faced the Padres, Minor took a perfect game into the seventh inning before Hosmer’s single. Padres RHP Jacob Nix (2-3, 6.00) makes his first start against the Rangers and the seventh of his career. Within 22 months, Kimbrel Dave Parker Jersey , Simmons, Heyward and Upton would all be gone. So would Wren, fired as general manager with a week to go in the 2014 season, less than eight months after Freeman signed his contract.Former longtime front office executive John Hart left the MLB Network studios and took over as the head of baseball operations. It wasn't long before he realized the upper levels of the farm system were barren and the payroll wouldn't work, and the Braves needed to go into full rebuilding mode. Everyone and anyone of value could be traded.Except Freeman.Hart came to believe the same thing Wren did, that Freeman was indispensable. He also learned about Freeman's character, which showed up the day the Braves signed him to the extension."He was extremely appreciative and loyal to the organization when we gave him that contract," said Wren, now the senior vice president/player personnel of the Boston Red Sox. "He was as appreciative a young player as I've seen."When Freeman signed his deal in February 2014, he had three years of major league service time and was arbitration-eligible for the first time in his career. It was the point when a player could expect a long-term contract offer and the question would be whether to sign or to wait it out for bigger riches in free agency.Freeman was just happy the Braves trusted him enough to offer him all that money."Four years later, I'm still kind of at a loss for words," he said. "I never, ever thought any of this would happen. I grew up playing a game I loved and grew up playing with my brothers and my dad. Next thing you know, I'm here. Believe me, I didn't expect any of this."No one who knows Freeman is surprised to hear him say this. And everyone who knows him is certain he means it.That's one reason Hart and the people who came in to run the Braves believed he was the one guy who would stay, the guy they could keep through the rebuilding and into the better years to come, the guy who would be able to handle all of it."Freddie was going to be the cornerstone piece," said Hart, who left the Braves last November.For Freeman and manager Brian Snitker, both Braves for life, 2018 has been a fun year.Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSo as they traded Heyward to St. Louis and Kimbrel and Upton to San Diego and Simmons to the Los Angeles Angels and Evan Gattis to Houston and Shelby Miller to Arizona, Freeman remained through 2015 (95 losses), 2016 (93 losses) and 2017 (90 losses)."I cannot make it any more clear: We are not trading Freddie Freeman," former general manager John Coppolella told Bob Nightengale of USA Today in November 2015, right after the Simmons trade. "We are not. I'd give my right arm before we trade Freddie Freeman. It is not happening."Reading those words at home in Atlanta, Freeman loved it. He couldn't believe a general manager would say something like that. He was even more impressed when Coppolella picked up the phone and called him directly to say the same thing."I didn't want to leave鈥攅ver Josh Harrison Jersey ," Freeman said. "I still don't."It wasn't easy watching friends leave, going to spring training with a team everyone knew couldn't win.It wasn't easy when Freeman got off to an MVP-type start last year, only to have his left wrist fractured on May 17 when Toronto's Aaron Loup hit him with a pitch. He was leading the National League in home runs at the time, with 14 in 37 games, the most of any Brave that early in a season since Hank Aaron. He was hitting .341 with a .461 on-base percentage and .748 slugging percentage."I thought for sure he was going to win the MVP," Braves pitcher Mike Foltynewicz said.The doctors said he would miss at least 10 weeks. Freeman told them he was a fast healer and vowed to do anything he could to return quicker.He came back on July 4, one day less than seven weeks after the injury.Oh, and he came back as a third baseman.Ask Braves players and coaches, and Freeman's brief move to third base is often the first thing they bring up. It wasn't just that an All-Star first baseman agreed to play third. It was that he offered to do it without ever being asked, because the Braves had traded for first baseman Matt Adams while he was hurt, and while Adams was hitting well, third base was more of a problem."He was the one who made the suggestion," said Ron Washington, who coaches the Braves infielders. "And he handled himself immaculately."Freeman shrugs it off. He signed out of high school as a third baseman, he reminds you. So what if his entire pro experience at third before last year was five games in rookie ball in 2007.Freemans teammates in Atlanta were surprised he volunteered to move across the diamond to play third base upon his return from a broken wrist last season.Tom Mihalek/Associated Press/Associated PressHe was helping the team, and he was helping Adams. In fact, Freeman now says the one good thing about getting hurt was that it helped Adams jump-start his career."What a great guy he is," Freeman said. "He needed an opportunity. I always look at the positive in things. Matt Adams is a beautiful human being. With the bad that happened to me in breaking my wrist, the good happened to him in getting an opportunity."It would be easy for Freeman to play the hero now, to say how great it is to play for the Braves. They're a half game out of first in the NL East and have such a surplus of young talent that it's not hard to see them contending for many seasons ahead.Freeman, however, never wavered in saying how much he wanted to play for the Braves through all the losing. He said it last winter, after four straight years of losing, when Fox Sports South interviewed him at the Braves' Chop Fest.He brought up Chipper Jones, who played 19 seasons with the Braves and never put on another uniform, and who is going into the Hall of Fame this month."Chipper is the Braves http://www.piratesfanproshop.com/authentic-gregory-polanco-jersey ," Freeman said. "Never wanted to be a free agent. He was loyal. That rubs off on me. I want to be here forever. So hopefully I can follow in his path. I don't know if I'll ever do what he did, but hopefully I can be here for the rest of my career."Jones was also part of six teams that won at least 100 games鈥攁nd only one team that lost as many as 90."Chipper was fortunate enough he got here at the right time," Snitker said. "He had good timing."Snitker is as much a Brave as Freeman. He signed with the team in 1977 as an undrafted free agent out of the University of New Orleans and played four seasons in the minor leagues before turning to coaching and managing.Freeman cites friend and former teammate Chipper Jones when he talks about wanting to play his entire career with the Braves.Logan Riely/Atlanta Braves/Getty ImagesHe's been with the organization ever since, and he was Cox's third base coach when Freeman debuted in the big leagues in 2010."Snit cares more about the person than the player," Freeman said. "You respect the man Brian Snitker is. He deserves a World Series ring."Many would say the same about Freeman.Life is good for Freddie Freeman now. He's happily married, his son Charlie is nearly two years old and he's already picking up anything that looks like a baseball bat and swinging it. On the field, Freddie is playing well and his team is winning.And he doesn't even have to fight Atlanta's notorious traffic to get to the ballpark each day.The Braves moved to SunTrust Park before the 2017 season, and in preparation for the switch from Turner Field, Freeman moved, too. He had lived in Atlanta year-round since 2011, even though his family in California would prefer to have him closer to home in the winter.But the new park is in Cobb County, on the north side of town, and Freeman wanted to be a little closer."It's 13 minutes, all on back roads," he said.He loves the new park and the development around it. He praised first-year general manager Alex Anthopoulos for improving and enlarging the room where players' families wait after games.He's proud that when he sees opposing players at first base, they all tell him they view Atlanta as a great place to play.Just as Freeman has always believed.He admits there were times during the year everyone else got traded that he didn't understand why it had to happen. But he says he came to believe it was the right thing for the organization, even though it hurt him to lose close friends, as well as talented teammates.He told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnicklast year that the Heyward trade was the toughest to take."Selfishly, me and him would always say we wanted to play our whole careers together," Freeman said then. "It was definitely weird seeing him leave.鈥滲ut ask him now about the friends who left, and Freeman has a different outlook."You never know," he said. "They might come back."You never know. The Braves could use a top closer. Kimbrel will be a free agent this winter.They might come back, and they might love it. But they won't be able to appreciate it the way Freeman does.He was the one chosen to stay. Now he's the one who can appreciate the Braves' success most of all.Danny Knobler covers Major League Baseball as a national columnist for Bleacher Report.Follow Danny on Twitter and talk baseball.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47853/david-wright-took-live-batting-practice Tue, 12 Feb 2019 01:38:18 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47853/david-wright-took-live-batting-practice NEW YORK (AP) —Tuesday at Citi Field as the New York Mets captain tries to complete his comeback from a string of debilitating injuries.The third baseman originally was scheduled to play defense in a simulated game as well http://www.atlantafalconsteamonline.com/matt-ryan-jersey , but those plans were scrapped on a drizzly afternoon because the infield was wet and muddy.Wright faced Mets minor league pitching prospects Justin Dunn and David Peterson, simulating game at-bats for the second time in four days. The seven-time All-Star did similar work Saturday, also taking grounders on the field.“I’m really excited and I’m really satisfied with how these two simulated games went,” Wright said. “Took some good swings, took some bad swings.”The 35-year-old Wright said he’s still trying to regain his timing, and he’ll need to see how he feels Wednesday before looking ahead to the next step.“It’s getting a little better,” Wright said. “I’m still fouling a lot of pitches off, which for me at least in my mind tells me that the rhythm’s off and my timing’s off, but towards the end there it got a little bit better. Put some good swings on it. So, I’ll take that.”Wright hasn’t played in the major leagues since May 2016 due to neck, back and shoulder injuries that required surgery. He has said he believes he’ll return to the Mets this season, and reiterated that he expects to meet with chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon in the next few days to formulate a plan.“They certainly know where I stand Authentic Calvin Ridley Jersey ,” Wright said. “We’ll see where the conversation takes us, and hopefully work something out.”Wright has salaries of $20 million this year, $15 million next season and $12 million in 2020, the final year of his deal. If the Mets reinstate him from the 60-day disabled list, it would likely diminish the amount of insurance money they could collect on his contract.“For me, this is over two years of work. That’s coming out into the field to try to get back and play in a major league game,” Wright said. “So certainly, my short-term goal and, as it’s been the last couple years, my long-term goal is to put that uniform on and go out there and play again.”New York’s current homestand ends Thursday, but the Mets finish the season with six games at Citi Field from Sept. 25-30.“The biggest thing for me is just how my body responds,” said Wright Calvin Ridley Jersey Limited , wearing an NYPD cap on the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. “I would say the second-biggest thing is obviously results.”Wright hit a combined .171 with a double and two RBIs in 41 at-bats during 10 games for Class A St. Lucie and two with Triple-A Las Vegas last month. His rehab assignment expired and the season is over for New York’s farm teams, so Wright no longer has any tuneup opportunities in minor league games this year.“Obviously, the circumstances aren’t great, physically, or running out of minor league games, but you do what you can do and that’s all we can do at this point,” he said. “So I’m going to try to get as comfortable as I can and then kind of go from there.” LOS ANGELES (AP) — While the Red Sox wait to see whether J.D. Martinez can start Game 3 of the World Series, this much is true: Don’t take any bets on Boston shifting a star outfielder to the infield.“Mookie Betts at second? No, he’s not playing second base. Well, he’s not starting at second base,” manager Alex Cora said Thursday.The Red Sox lead 2-0, and there’s been a lot of speculation about what they will do Friday night when the designated hitter spot is dropped at Dodger Stadium.Martinez is Boston’s main DH and led the majors with 130 RBIs. He drove in two runs in each of the two wins at Fenway Park http://www.atlantafalconsteamonline.com/calvin-ridley-jersey , and is 3 for 7 in the Series.Martinez rolled his right ankle on a double in the opener. He stayed in and, playing while sore, delivered a key hit Wednesday night.After that win, Martinez said he planned on playing in Game 3. He started 57 times in the outfield this season, splitting time in left field and right field.The Red Sox traveled to Los Angeles on Thursday and Cora was at the ballpark, where he was asked about Martinez.“We’ll see. Actually, he felt better today walking around, he got treatment on the way here. He’s going to get treatment tomorrow. He’ll get treatment tomorrow morning. In the afternoon, we’ll make a decision,” Cora said.“It looked bad early in the game, but then it seemed like it was moving better towards the end. We’ll make a decision whenever — he’ll let us know,” Cora said.If Martinez plays the outfield Cheap Josh Allen Jersey , then either Betts, center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. or left fielder Andrew Benintendi would lose their spot.Bradley was the MVP of the AL Championship Series and is a stellar defender. Benintendi got four hits against the Dodgers in the opener and made a stellar grab in front of the Green Monster in Game 2.There was talk Betts, a top candidate for AL MVP this year, could play second base. That would allow Martinez, Benintendi and Bradley to all stay in the lineup.Betts made 14 starts at second as a rookie in 2014. He played there once this year, filling in for six innings at the spot in August after Ian Kinsler was hurt.Kinsler started at second base in the first two games versus the Dodgers.It was mentioned to Cora that a lot of people were wondering what lineup the Red Sox would employ.“Me, too, man,” he said.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47852/washington-nationals-outfielder Tue, 12 Feb 2019 01:18:46 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/47852/washington-nationals-outfielder Bryce Harper was forced to leave Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds with an apparent right leg injury after he was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning.Harper trotted out to his post in right field the following inning http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-mike-montgomery-jersey , but as MLB.com's Jamal Collier noted, he was limping and had to be removed.Adam Eaton replaced him in the lineup.Harper flirted with disaster last August when he suffered a significant bone bruise in his left knee against the San Francisco Giants. However, he avoided ligament or tendon damage and worked his way back to 100 percent fitness in time for the playoffs.Entering Saturday, the six-time All-Star was slashing .230/.377/.492 with 26 home runs and 67 RBI. He's also logged 2.3 offensive wins above replacement, according to Baseball Reference.Needless to say, that kind of power can't be replaced by another outfielder on the Nationals roster.In the meantime, Eatonho is hitting .301 this season hould occupy Harper's usual spot in the corner of Washington's outfield. CHICAGO (AP) — It’s purely about the math for Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs.A three-game lead is better than a one-game advantage, and that was all that mattered Wednesday.Rizzo homered Ian Happ Jersey , drove in three runs and stole two bases in his return to the cleanup spot, and Chicago beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 to strengthen its hold on the NL Central.The Cubs bounced back nicely from their 7-0 loss in the opener of the two-game series, improving to 9-4 against the Brewers this year. But they have six more games left in the season series and St. Louis is gaining quickly, so Rizzo and company coolly packed up their three-game advantage over the second-place Brewers and got ready for a six-game trip.It’s just about the numbers in the middle of August.“I think early on we knew it was going to come down to the wire,” Rizzo said, “so I don’t see us or any team pulling away like crazy. Winning games versus our division is always big, and this one was nice.”Jason Heyward added three hits and two RBIs as Chicago moved 19 games over .500, matching its season high. David Bote had two hits Jose Quintana Jersey , scored twice and made a terrific barehanded play at third base in his first action since he hit a game-ending grand slam in Sunday night’s 4-3 victory over Washington.Kyle Hendricks (9-9) struck out eight in six-plus innings on his bobblehead day, providing a lift for the Cubs after Jon Lester and Jose Quintana struggled in recent starts.“Psychologically, I mean obviously there was a lot of folks that would have been running for the hills had we lost,” manager Joe Maddon said. “The fact that you win the game, it settles down that method. There’s still a long way to go.”Milwaukee had a chance to inch closer to Chicago, but instead lost for the fourth time in six games. Junior Guerra (6-8) lasted just 3 2/3 innings, and first baseman Eric Thames committed an error that helped set up a run.“It was definitely a hard game,” Guerra said. “Some of the things just didn’t go our way today.”The Brewers http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-yu-darvish-jersey , who are in position for a wild card, also lost left fielder Ryan Braun and catcher Manny Pina to injuries. Braun departed with tightness on the right side of his rib cage, and Pina hurt his left shoulder when he collided with Javier Baez while he was diving back to second in the seventh.Pina stayed in after the play and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single. But Erik Kratz took over behind the plate in the bottom half of the inning.“We’re going to take him to Milwaukee for tests tomorrow, but he was adamant about staying in the game,” manager Craig Counsell said. “It’s just kind of precautionary. So we’ll get some tests and we’ll see.”Braun is considered day to day. He got hurt trying to make a sliding catch on Heyward’s RBI double in the third.“I don’t anticipate making a quick move with this one, but if it lingers, we’re going to have to make a move,” Counsell said.Rizzo Paul Konerko Jersey , who had been leading off, drove a 0-1 pitch from Guerra into the basket in left for a two-run shot in the first. The big first baseman also blooped a run-scoring single into center in the Cubs’ three-run fourth, helped by a partly cloudy sky that made life difficult for each team all afternoon.The Brewers closed to 7-4 on Hernan Perez’s RBI single in the seventh. But they wasted a chance for more when Travis Shaw popped out and Jonathan Schoop lined to left with the bases loaded, ending the inning.Albert Almora Jr. then led off the bottom half of the inning with a line drive into the bleachers in left . It was his first homer since June 28 and No. 5 on the year.MINOR MOVESThe Cubs acquired minor league outfielder Terrance Gore from Kansas City for a player to be named or cash. He was assigned to Triple-A Iowa.The speedy Gore is 0 for 11 in 49 major league games. But he has scored 14 times and swiped 21 bases.TRAINER’S ROOMBrewers: RHP Jimmy Nelson is unlikely to return this season after he had shoulder surgery in September, according to Counsell. … RHP Zach Davies, who is coming back from an inflamed right rotator cuff and tight lower back, could make another rehab appearance after he starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday.UP NEXTBrewers: Following a day off, RHP Freddy Peralta (5-3 http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-carlos-rodon-jersey , 4.47 ERA) faces Cardinals RHP Luke Weaver (6-10, 4.66 ERA) on Friday night in the opener of a big weekend series in St. Louis. Peralta was tagged for seven runs in three-plus innings in a 10-1 loss at Atlanta on Friday night.Cubs: Lester (12-5, 3.89 ERA) pitches Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Pittsburgh. He is 0-3 with a 10.32 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break. RHP Ivan Nova (7-6, 4.42 ERA) gets the ball for the Pirates.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/46793/denver-ap-%E2%80%94-chris-iannetta-flung-the-bat-aside Tue, 29 Jan 2019 03:38:00 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/46793/denver-ap-%E2%80%94-chris-iannetta-flung-the-bat-aside as if he got all of the pitch.In a way http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-alex-claudio-jersey , he did — a walk’s just as good as a hit, especially with the bases loaded in the ninth.Iannetta brought in the winning run by drawing a five-pitch walk, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 after squandering a late lead Sunday.“I like my chances against a guy in that situation — someone with their back against the wall and has to make pitches over the plate,” the Rockies catcher said.It was the second walk-off win in as many days for Colorado. Ryan McMahon lined a three-run homer in the ninth on Saturday.DJ LeMahieu led off the ninth with a single to right that Yasiel Puig misplayed, allowing LeMahieu to take second. After David Dahl was intentionally walked with one out, Ian Desmond grounded out. McMahon was also walked to load the bases.Manager Bud Black thought about using pinch-hitter Carlos Gonzalez, but elected to stick with Iannetta, who drew the walk off Dylan Floro (4-3) when the right-hander’s sinker missed low.“I don’t get the job done and we go to the next inning. It’s not live or die,” Iannetta said of the pressure situation. “If he doesn’t get the job done Robinson Chirinos Jersey , the game’s over.”The Rockies took three of four for their first home series win against the Dodgers since April 7-9, 2017. The loss dropped the Dodgers out of a first-place tie with Arizona in the NL West.It was the third straight game a Dodgers bullpen without Kenley Jansen — who’s sidelined with an irregular heartbeat — was tagged with the loss.“When you’re putting guys in a tough spot in tight situations where every game is close and you can’t get any breathing room, it makes it tough on everyone,” manager Dave Roberts said.Wade Davis (2-6) pitched a shaky ninth in a tie game after Colorado failed to earlier protect a 3-0 lead.Chad Bettis pitched efficiently into the seventh before turning it over to the struggling bullpen.That’s when the Dodgers went to work.Brian Dozier delivered a two-out, two-run single in the seventh off Scott Oberg. In the eighth, Matt Kemp tied the game at 3 with a sacrifice fly against Adam Ottavino.Davis got two quick outs in the ninth before walking Dozier, who stole second and then third when the shifted infield wasn’t paying attention. Davis retired pinch-hitter Joc Pederson on a grounder to end the inning.“They bended a little, didn’t totally break,” Rockies manager Bud Black said.Bettis went 6 1/3 innings Curtis Granderson Jersey , allowing one run and three singles. It was his second start since returning from the disabled list after a pesky blister on his right middle finger kept him out for a month.Rich Hill threw six innings and allowed three runs, two earned, as he returned to the mound at Coors Field for the first time since April 23, 2008, when he was with the Chicago Cubs.His biggest mistake was a two-seam fastball on a 3-2 count that Charlie Blackmon knocked into the left-field bleachers in the sixth. It was Blackmon’s first homer since July 31.TRAINER’S ROOMDodgers: LHP Julio Urias will soon pitch three innings at Double-A Tulsa as he takes another step in his rehab from June 2017 shoulder surgery. Urias turned 22 on Sunday.ARENADO UPDATERockies All-Star 3B Nolan Arenado was close to playing Sunday, but the team decided to give him another day to rest his sore shoulder. The team has an off day Monday before playing in Houston, where Arenado could play third or be the designated hitter.“Feels better for sure,” Arenado said.FRUSTRATIONIt was a frustrating day for Manny Machado, who went 0 for 4. He broke his bat over his leg after striking out in the seventh. He was lifted in a double-switch in the bottom of the inning.UP NEXTDodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (5-5 http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-jaime-garcia-jersey , 2.58 ERA) will go against another ace in San Francisco LHP Madison Bumgarner (4-4, 2.69) to open a three-game series Monday. Kershaw is 22-10 with a 1.60 ERA in 42 starts versus the Giants.Rockies: Monday provides the first day off after 17 straight games. The Rockies will open a two-game series at Houston on Tuesday, with RHP German Marquez (9-9, 4.69) taking the mound. The Astros will throw RHP Justin Verlander (11-7, 2.50). SEATTLE (AP) Charlie Morton did what’s become expected on the mound in getting his 12th victory, while Evan Gattis and Josh Reddick provided the pop needed with all the big names missing from the Houston Astros‘ lineup right now.Gattis hit a two-run home run to put Houston ahead, Reddick capped it with a two-run shot in the ninth inning, and the Astros snapped a five-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.Already without Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, the Astros lost George Springer for most of Tuesday’s game with a sore shoulder.”We’ve just got to go in there and do our job and not try to make up too much for those guys because obviously we’re not those guys and what they can do Yangervis Solarte Jersey ,” Reddick said. ”We’ve got to piece it together and hopefully put a few guys (together) that can make one of them.”Gattis’ 21st home run of the season came in the sixth off Seattle starter Mike Leake and snapped a 1-1 tie. Leake left a breaking ball in the middle of the plate and Gattis clubbed it over the left field fence to put the Astros in front.Reddick greeted new Seattle reliever Zach Duke with a shot to deep right-center field in the ninth. It was the first home run allowed this season by Duke, who was acquired in a trade with Minnesota.Morton (12-2) struck out eight and didn’t allow Seattle to put together a sustained rally. Seattle’s offense was limited to Jean Segura’s solo home run and Mitch Haniger’s RBI single. Morton was pulled after the sixth, despite giving up just two runs and throwing 90 pitches. The sixth inning was the only time Seattle had multiple runners on base and Morton got out of the jam after Haniger’s single by getting Chris Hermann to ground out with two runners on.”He pitched great. His command of his pitches was overall good tonight. Got some big swings and misses when he needed to,” Houston manager A.J. Hinch said.Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his 10th save.Leake (8-7) escaped a bases loaded jam in the fourth inning, but couldn’t avoid giving up a run in the fifth. Leake left a 0-2 pitch to Reddick in the middle of the plate and his two-out single scored Tony Kemp. Gattis added his homer an inning later.Leake allowed eight hits and struck out four. He allowed three earned runs or more for just the fourth time in his past 13 starts.”Felt good (early), I was mixing and matching and kind of keeping them off-balance, and then they got me a couple times,” Leake said.INJURY CONCERNAs if the Astros needed more injury concerns, Springer left the game in the second inning with left shoulder soreness. Springer fell awkwardly on the shoulder making a diving attempt to stop Denard Span’s triple in the first inning. He was replaced by Kyle Tucker.Springer said he received treatment throughout the game.”It just didn’t feel right. I know when it feels right and I know when it doesn’t. Got some stuff done during the game and again we’ll see what happens tomorrow http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-randal-grichuk-jersey ,” Springer said.NO OFFENSEThe Mariners ended July scoring just 77 runs in 23 games, an average of 3.3 runs per game. It was a drastic drop over June when the Mariners averaged 4.5 runs per game and went 19-9 overall. Segura’s homer was his eighth of the season and Haniger was in a 2-for-26 skid before his RBI single.”We just haven’t been able to put big numbers up there. We’ve had innings here and there, but it’s going to take everybody contributing, it’s not just one guy to go up there and hit the big three-run homer,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said.TRAINER’S ROOMAstros: Houston SS Carlos Correa went through a full pregame workout on Tuesday including hitting and fielding during batting practice. Correa also did an extensive running program as well. Hinch said if all goes well Correa could go out on a rehab assignment as early as Thursday with Double-A Corpus Christi. Correa has been out since June 26 with a back injury. … 2B Altuve joined the Astros in Seattle, but will simply be doing rehab work the next few days on his injured right knee. Hinch said it would likely be in Los Angeles before the team tests Altuve with any baseball activity.Mariners: LHP Roneis Elias was placed on the 10-day DL with a strained left triceps. Servais said Elias felt the arm start to bother him last weekend in Anaheim and an MRI revealed the strain.UP NEXTAstros: Dallas Keuchel (8-9) has gone 5-1 with a 2.16 ERA over his past eight starts. He had won five straight before losing to Texas in his last start.Mariners: Wade LeBlanc (6-1) looks to continue his career-best season. LeBlanc got a no decision in his last start against the Angels. He’s made one start this season against the Astros, allowing three runs in four innings in a no decision in June.—]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/46791/traditional-baseball-card-statistics-dont-do-lorenzo-cain-any-favors Tue, 29 Jan 2019 03:28:12 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/46791/traditional-baseball-card-statistics-dont-do-lorenzo-cain-any-favors  He's hit .300 a few times http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-carlos-rodon-jersey , but he's peaked at 16 home runs and 72 runs batted in, and he's yet to steal 30 bases in a season.And yet, he's more than justifying an $80 million contract by playing like an MVP in his first season with the Milwaukee Brewers.It's par for the course for Cain in the traditional categories in 2018. He has only 10 homers and 35 RBI, and his 26 steals are two off his career high of 28. There's no frowning at his .311/.403/.432 triple-slash line, though. Nor at his 6.1 wins above replacement, according to Baseball Reference. Those lead all National League position players:1.Lorenzo Cain: 6.12.Paul Goldschmidt: 5.6T3.Christian Yelich: 5.4T3.Javier Baez: 5.4T3:Freddie Freeman: 5.4Thanks in part to their 32-year-old center fielder's efforts, the Brewers hold the NL's top wild-card spot. They're also only one game off the Chicago Cubs' pace in the NL Central race.This doesn't mean Cain has the inside track at the NL MVP award. If there's a takeaway from an August 30 MLB Network discussion on the topic, it's that he's worthy of acknowledgment in the crowded race for the award but difficult to elevate in it:MLB Network MLBNetworkWhere do you think ChristianYelich should rank as an NL MVP candidate? How about his Brewers teammate Lorenzo Cain? #MLBNow 8Ifoa03f9iHowever, former Colorado Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd hit the proverbial nail on the head: That Cain is in the MVP discussion at all reflects how much baseball has changed in recent years.A few exceptions aside, the MVP has typically honored guys with the biggest sticks. But as WAR has become a bigger part of the conversation, appreciation has grown for players who can do it all.Hence Cain's impossible-to-ignore candidacy. He's one of the National League's most valuable baserunners and defenders. And despite his 10 dingers and 35 RBI, he qualifies as a well-above-average hitter by way of his 122 OPS+.Whether going over all of this is still necessary in the year 2018 is a good question. The battle for the future of baseball was won by the number-crunchers many years ago, and there are many W-based statistics with which their victory is honored. Every time somebody mentions WAR, wOBA, wRC+ or WPA, a sabermetrician gets his/her wings.Still Nellie Fox Jersey , the special place that Cain has found himself in feels like a singular achievement.Consider Cain's contract. He's one of only 32 free-agent hitters who've signed a contract worth at least $80 million, and he got his despite being relatively old, inexperienced, unproductive and undecorated.Cain didn't become an everyday player with the Kansas City Royals鈥攚ho acquired him from the Brewers as part of the 2010 Zack Greinke trade鈥攗ntil his age-28 season in 2014. By the time he entered free agency, he was 31 and his record included just 756 career games, a 106 OPS+ and 57 homers.Among other $80 million free-agent hitters, those figures rank 29th, tied for 29th and 32nd. To boot, Cain had made only one All-Star team, and his defensive reputation wasn't underscored by any Gold Glove awards. To these extents, he entered the open market as less of a Torii Hunter and more of a Gary Matthews Jr.But Cain had racked up more WAR from 2014 to 2017 than every outfielder except Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Kevin Kiermaier and Giancarlo Stanton. Despite his age, that enabled strong projections for his contract. For example, MLB Trade Rumors and FanGraphs predicted something in the four-year, $70 million range.That the Brewers were willing to beat those projections with their five-year http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-harold-baines-jersey , $80 million offer speaks to how optimistic they were about Cain."As we examined Lorenzo's career arc this offseason, we thought that he was still improving as a player," GM David Stearns told Ben Lindbergh of The Ringer. "It's odd to say that about someone on this side of 30, but we thought that was the case."The readings on Cain's athleticism must have helped Milwaukee reach that conclusion. His average sprint speed was holding steady. While metrics like defensive runs saved and ultimate zone rating cast some doubt on his defense, Statcast was over the moon with it. He had recorded 18 outs above average in 2017, more than even Betts could muster.As for Cain's bat, what it lacked in power, it made up for in gradual advancement. He had established himself as an above-average contact hitter, and his walk rate was on the way up.Even if the latter trend abated, the former promised to bring a welcome dynamic to a Brewers offense that undercut 224 home runs (tied for tops in the NL) with MLB's highest strikeout rate in 2017. Sure enough, Cain has kept hitting for contact and helped the Brewers lower their K% from 25.6 to 23.7.But the real revelation has been his increased patience. He's working on a career-best 11.9 BB%, and it's rooted in a dramatic plate-discipline improvement. According to the most advanced strike zone available at Baseball Savant, his out-of-zone swing rate has cratered:Some of this is circumstantial. After bouncing all around Kansas City's lineups, Cain now mostly bats out of the leadoff spot in Milwaukee. There's a greater emphasis on putting up quality at-bats.But it's no small feat that he's played his part as well as he has. Likewise, it's been no small boon to the Brewers.Their on-base percentage in the leadoff spot has increased from .320 to .357. Meanwhile, Cain's elite .471 OBP with runners in scoring position has helped them raise their collective OBP in those spots from .326 to .336. Thus Luke Appling Jersey , they're keeping the line moving a lot better than they did a year ago.The Brewers have also benefited from Cain's baserunning and defense. His aggression has helped raise their rate of extra bases taken on hits from 35 percent to 40 percent. They've also gone from the middle of the pack in defensive efficiency to fourth-best.Maybe Cain won't be named the NL MVP in November, but his 2018 season is about as complete a success story as he or the Brewers could have hoped for. He's a late bloomer who's still blooming, and they're all the better for it.In a bygone era, it might have been hard to notice as much. But in this era, there's no excuse not to. Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, Baseball Savant and Baseball Prospectus. It will be a tale of two pitchers Sunday when the Pittsburgh Pirates and visiting Miami Marlins close their weekend series at PNC Park.Pittsburgh right-hander Trevor Williams (12-9, 3.15 ERA) is at the top of his game, confident and looking to finish the season as one of baseball’s hottest pitchers.Miami right-hander Jeff Brigham (0-1, 9.00 ERA) will make his second major league start after nerves got the better of him in his debut.Article continues below ...Williams will make his 28th start of the season. He has allowed four runs in his past nine starts, has gone 5-2 with a 0.72 ERA in eight outings since the All-Star break, and has been the starter in eight of the Pirates’ 14 shutout wins.“I’m confident in my ability to pitch at the big league level and have success at the big league level,” Williams said. “It’s just a matter of executing pitches.”That and control are the crux of it.“It’s pitchability,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “It’s flat-out pitch execution. He’s a technician. He’s hitting spots. He’s throwing his fastball where he wants it, and he’s changing speeds. And it’s really hard to hit.”Williams hasn’t faced the Marlins this year. He went 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA in two appearances (one start) in 2017.Brigham was brought up from Triple-A New Orleans on Sept. 2 and made his major league debut that day against Toronto. He lasted only three innings, giving up three runs and four hits http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-bo-jackson-jersey , with four walks and two strikeouts.“I didn’t stay within myself early,” Brigham said. “It was a big day for me and definitely a good learning experience.“My tempo was a little slow and I wasn’t finishing my pitches — wasn’t trusting myself. I think that’s one of the big issues there. A lot of pitches were left up.”Brigham was a combined 10-3 with a 2.36 ERA in three minor league levels before that debut, so Miami manager Don Mattingly suspects the rookie will be better when he calms down.“Talking with (catcher) Chad (Wallach), he had never seen him all over the place like that,” Mattingly said. “So, hopefully, it’s one we get out of the way and next time out, he settles down and we get more like what we think we have. I think you can chalk that one up to (nerves).”The teams are in different places, too, even though both are looking to next season rather than the postseason.The Pirates (71-71) on Sunday will be aiming for a sweep, a sixth straight win and a chance to get back above .500. Miami (56-86) has lost eight of 11 and is in a race to avoid 100 losses.One hitch for Pittsburgh is the loss of right fielder Gregory Polanco. He left Friday’s game after an awkward slide into second.The report Saturday was that he will miss the rest of the season because of a significant bone bruise on his left knee and a left shoulder injury. Polanco leads the team with 23 homers and 81 RBIs.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/46790/three-pitches-in Tue, 29 Jan 2019 03:09:06 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/46790/three-pitches-in NEW YORK (AP)  Robinson Chirinos Jersey , Ronald Acuna Jr. was off and running.Acuna led off with his first big league triple and reached three times, Johan Camargo hit a two-run double in a three-run third inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 4-2 Thursday night to extend their winning streak to four.Acuna grounded inside the third-base bag and down the line. When left fielder Michael Conforto struggled to find the ball quickly, Acuna sped to third in 11.15 seconds, according to MLB’s Statcast. Acuna slid in headfirst as his helmet came off.”I slowed down at first,” Acuna said through an interpreter. ”I think we were all thinking double, double when it came off the bat, and I don’t think we expected it to take the hop that it did. So, I kind of slowed up at first and kind of turned it up a little bit.”He scored when Ozzie Albies followed with a single. Acuna is hitting .357 (15 for 42) since being moved to the leadoff spot on July 20 and the Braves think the 20-year-old is even quicker than before since returning from a knee injury on June 28.”I just know that when he came back from the injury he’s running faster than he was prior,” manager Brian Snitker said. ”He’s got another gear. That speed’s a weapon for him.”Making his second big league start in center, Acuna threw out Wilmer Flores trying to stretch a single into a double in the sixth. Flores initially was called safe by second base umpire Gary Cederstrom, but the call was overturned in a video review and Acuna was credited with his first big league outfield assist.Mike Foltynewicz (8-7) won for the first time since July 11, allowing two runs and five hits in six innings. Three pitchers followed with one-hit relief as the Braves improved to 10-3 against the Mets this year.”Just how hard he swings at the ball Curtis Granderson Jersey , kind of reminds me of Bryce Harper a little bit,” Foltynewicz said of Acuna. ”Just very intimidating at the plate and when he puts the play, especially in the gaps, it’s awesome to watch him run.”New York dropped a season-low 18 games under .500 at 44-62. The Mets have lost 41 of their last 60 games overall and 23 of their last 32 home games.Jason Vargas (2-7) allowed four runs and six hits in five innings. He has not pitched past the fifth in any of his 11 starts.”He had to get a few more outs than he probably should have, but I thought his stuff was good, crisp, had some swings and miss,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. ”Kept the ball down for the most part. That’s your typical Vargas. Kept us in the game and did his job”.Todd Frazier returned from a ribcage injury and went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in his first game since July 8. He was booed loudly when he hit an inning-ending popup in the sixth that stranded Conforto on third.Brandon Nimmo hit his career-high 14th homer leading off the bottom half of the first, and Freddie Freeman had a go-ahead single in the third as Atlanta took a 4-1 lead. Freeman is hitting .400 (20 for 50) against New York this season.Freeman’s single came after Acuna took second when the Mets could not execute a pickoff play.”I tried to rush a little bit,” Flores said. ”Just kind of got away a little bit.”Pinch-hitter Luis Guillorme singled in a run for the Mets in the fifth.Jesse Biddle pitched a perfect seventh, and Brad Brach struck out Conforto with a runner on second to end the eighth. A.J. Minter worked around a leadoff walk to Flores to remain perfect in seven save chances.FAMILIAR FACES: RHP Kevin Gausman was activated two days, after being acquired from Baltimore and had the locker next to former Orioles teammate Nick Markakis. He also was reunited with infielder Ryan Flaherty and Brad Brach http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-jaime-garcia-jersey , acquired from the Orioles on Sunday. Gausman is slated to make his Braves debut Saturday.TRAINER’S ROOMMets: OF Yoenis Cespedes had surgery to remove bone calcification in his right heel. He will have a second surgery on his left heel in two to three months. … LHP Steven Matz was diagnosed with a flexor-pronator strain in his left forearm and could be placed on the DL. The Mets said they will decide Friday, two days before Matz’s next turn. … INF Phillip Evans was placed on the DL with a broken tibia. He will be on crutches for at least three weeks and will not be able to resume baseball activities for a month. … RHP Bobby Wahl got two outs in the eighth in his Mets debut, his first big league appearance since May 23 last year with Oakland.UP NEXTRHP Anibal Sanchez (5-3, 3.00) is to start for the Braves on Friday, two days after a rainout caused his turn to be pushed back. He is 4-5 with a 4.34 ERA in 13 starts against the Mets. New York RHP Jacob deGrom (5-6, 1.82) is 5-4 with a 1.80 ERA in 15 starts against Atlanta.— NEW YORK (AP) — In a way, Don Mattingly was about as far from the hustle and bustle of downtown New York City as an ex-ballplayer could be on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.The former New York Yankees captain was cleaning out stalls on his horse farm in Indiana when he heard the horrible news on the radio: Two planes had crashed into the Twin Towers in Manhattan, destroying the World Trade Center landmarks and undoubtedly killing thousands of people.So he went inside.“I felt like I watched TV for like three weeks straight,” Mattingly said. “Just couldn’t take my eyes off the TV.”Within a month, he returned to New York for a visit.“Unbelievable,” he recalled. “Devastating.”Mattingly Yangervis Solarte Jersey , now managing the Miami Marlins, was back in New York on Tuesday as Major League Baseball once again commemorated the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks with ceremonies at ballparks all across the country.A moment of silence to honor victims and first responders was held before every game. Players, coaches and umpires wore caps with a “We Shall Not Forget” ribbon patch, and MLB planned to donate all royalties from the sales of those hats to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Pentagon Memorial Fund and the Flight 93 National Memorial. At Citi Field , where the Mets hosted the Marlins, more than 100 representatives from the New York Police Department, Fire Department of New York, Port Authority Police Department, New York City Office of Emergency Management and the City of New York Department of Sanitation lined up in full uniform along the warning track and baselines.Players and coaches from both teams stood alongside, interspersed between them, and shook hands before the national anthem was performed by NYPD police officer Makiah Brown .Colors were presented by the Port Authority Police Department Honor Guard in center field http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-randal-grichuk-jersey , and children whose parents or grandparents have fought illnesses related to the Sept. 11 attacks took the field with Mets players.“Obviously, a tough day for a lot of people. Obviously, a lot going on in the city,” Mattingly said. “It feels good to be a small part of that.”Fire Department of New York Commissioner Daniel Nigro threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Mets captain John Franco, who grew up in Brooklyn and wore an FDNY cap. FDNY Firefighter Regina Wilson sang “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch.Before the game, Mattingly and Mets manager Mickey Callaway wore NYPD hats as they conducted interviews.“It’s a day that needs to be remembered and I’m proud to be a New Yorker and have this hat on,” Callaway said. “I don’t think it’ll ever be forgotten. I’m glad that baseball recognizes it every year.”At Target Field in Minnesota, the Twins honored family members of the late Tom Burnett, a Minnesota native who was one of the passengers on Flight 93 who helped crash the plane into the ground in Pennsylvania and avert a presumed attack on Washington.As players from the Twins and New York Yankees lined up on the field for the national anthem, local police, fire and emergency personnel stood between them during the song.The Kansas City Royals had several former stars, including George Brett Jose Bautista Jersey , Mike Sweeney, Bret Saberhagen and Reggie Sanders, in the Middle East this week, with Fox Sports Kansas City set to air its annual “This One’s For You” telecast during Tuesday night’s home game against the Chicago White Sox.“It means a lot to be able to say thank you,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.The former Royals planned to watch the game on Armed Forces Network, alongside members of the Missouri National Guard’s 35th Combat Aviation Brigade.“Just a difficult day for everybody. And the lives that were lost,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria recalled. “It impacted us, but it didn’t stop us. I thought we came together very well.”]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/46788/baltimore%E2%80%93the-defending-world-series Tue, 29 Jan 2019 02:35:53 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/46788/baltimore%E2%80%93the-defending-world-series champion Houston Astros close the 2018 season with a trip to Baltimore this weekend Keith Hernandez Jersey , and the first game of their four-game series with the Orioles is set for Thursday at 7:05 p.m. ET at Camden Yards.Houston already has clinched the American League West and will play the Indians in the Division Series. That starts on Oct. 5, and the Astros get home-field advantage there.The only time Houston would not hold the home-field advantage is if it meets Boston in the AL Championship Series as the Red Sox already have that locked up.Article continues below ...David Hess (3-10, 5.14 ERA) will start for the Orioles versus Houston right-hander Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.92) on Thursday.Cole has given an already-strong Astros’ starting staff even more punch this season. He has won five in a row and last lost on Aug. 10. This will be the first time Cole has pitched against the Orioles this season — and in fact, he’s never gone against Baltimore in his career.Hess has been up and down during this rookie season. The right-hander has gone 1-5 in the past two months but pitched effectively on several occasions.This will be the first time he’s ever pitched against the Astros.Houston (100-58) is coming off of a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday in a game that really meant nothing. The Astros actually clinched the division total very early Wednesday morning when Oakland lost to Seattle.However, Houston officially celebrated in the locker room after the loss in Toronto, and now will prepare for this four-game series in Baltimore that really holds little meaning except that the Astros want to go into the playoffs on a good note.“We’re the only team that can repeat, and our team needs to know that Jorge De La Rosa Jersey ,” Houston manager AJ Hinch told reporters. “It’s important for us to have our moment and lock back in. In a week, we’re going to play real baseball.”Baltimore is starting the final series of an historically poor season. To make matters worse, the Orioles have run out of pitchers at times, especially in the starting rotation, which is a big reason they went with a committee approach in Wednesday’s day-night doubleheader in Boston.Plus, most of the pitchers Baltimore is using do not have a lot of major league experience and are being hit hard as they get used to life at this level.“There are better days ahead for those guys,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of the young pitchers. “But it’s a tough learning curve. (However) it’s never as bad as it seems or as good as it seems.”The Orioles are coming into this series after splitting a day-night doubleheader in Boston on Wednesday. Boston crushed Baltimore 19-3 in the first game — the biggest margin of defeat the Orioles (46-112) have suffered in this forgetful season.However, Baltimore bounced back and pulled out a 10-3 victory in the nightcap http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-taijuan-walker-jersey , thanks to seven runs in the final three innings. DENVER (AP) — As he rounded first base, Ryan McMahon turned back toward his teammates in the dugout, hollered and emphatically clapped twice.It was just the emotion shining through.McMahon hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning after replacing injured slugger Nolan Arenado , Colorado’s beleaguered bullpen kept the Dodgers in check and the Rockies beat Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 on Friday night.McMahon entered the game in the fifth when Arenado was taken out with soreness in his right shoulder. The left-handed McMahon lined a fastball from left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup (0-1) to straightaway center and heartily celebrated as he rounded first.“I was really pumped up,” McMahon said. “We needed that one.”McMahon’s homer overcame a rough night on the bases for the Rockies, who had two runners thrown out at home trying to score on grounders. Running on contact, Carlos Gonzalez was easily thrown out in the first and Trevor Story in the third.It was a rough night at the plate as well — the Rockies were 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position.But the bullpen was lights out a night after giving up five homers and seven runs. The relievers went a combined 3 1/3 scoreless innings after starter Jon Gray left, with Jake McGee (2-4) picking up the win and Adam Ottavino closing out the ninth instead of a struggling Wade Davis. It was Ottavino’s fifth save.“For them to go out there and not give up anything … that was incredible Jarrod Dyson Jersey ,” said Gray, who allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings. “So hopefully that next step gets taken and we go off from here.”DJ LeMahieu had a two-run homer in the first to help the Rockies snap a six-game skid against the Dodgers at Coors Field. It was his first homer since June 28.There was reason for a degree of concern with the durable Arenado leaving the game. The Gold Glove third baseman has been bothered by a sore shoulder for a week and tweaked it while turning a double play in the third inning. He was covering second base on a play that was scored 3-5-3.“After it, I had trouble throwing,” said Arenado, who hopes to be back in the lineup Saturday. “It hurt too much to let it fly after that.”McMahon replaced Arenado at third base and hit his first homer since June 20.“It was Mac’s night to give us a big swing,” Rockies manager Bud Black said.Max Muncy had two doubles and a two-run homer for the Dodgers, while Cody Bellinger added three singles. Los Angeles remains in a first-place tie with Arizona in the NL West.Kenta Maeda went 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs before running out of steam and was replaced by Rosscup, a reliever Los Angeles claimed off waivers from Colorado on July 11.“I think all my pitches were average today ttp://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-brad-boxberger-jersey ,” Maeda said through a translator. “Nothing really stood out per se.”TRAINER’S ROOMDodgers: Closer Kenley Jansen was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday because of an irregular heartbeat. MGR Dave Roberts didn’t have a timetable for his return.Rockies: LHP Mike Dunn (left shoulder joint inflammation) tossed a recent bullpen session. … RHP Antonio Senzatela (shoulder) threw on the side Friday and “feels good,” manager Bud Black said.FAMILIAR FOEMcMahon said he faced Rosscup during a live batting practice a few months ago when both were with Colorado.The result?“I hit a home run against him in live BP,” McMahon said.TO THE BULLPEN?In Jansen’s absence, Roberts said moving Maeda to bullpen remains a possibility. Maeda hasn’t discussed that with his manager yet.“It’s hard to say until we have that conversation,” Maeda said.ROCKIN’ IN THE CAGESinger Chris Stapleton took batting practice off Black before the game. Clayton Kershaw, Ian Desmond and Charlie Blackmon stood around the cage to watch.Stapleton hit a sharp single to left on his first pitch and then got jammed on the next two pitches before calling it a day. Asked if he hit any homers, Stapleton responded: “An inside the park one.”He played at the Pepsi Center on Friday.UP NEXTDodgers: RHP Walker Buehler (5-4, 3.63 ERA) faced the Rockies on June 2 at Coors Field Daniel Descalso Jersey , giving up four runs in five innings.Rockies: LHP Kyle Freeland (10-7, 3.04 ERA) is 7-2 with a 2.18 ERA in 10 starts at Coors Field this season.]]> laiyongcai92