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MINNEAPOLIS —Cole DeVries can see the opportunity ahead of him with several
spots in the Minnesota Twins rotation likely open for 2013. Asante Samuel Jersey . Hes trying not to look
too far ahead, though, knowing his audition is ongoing. DeVries pitched six
scoreless innings to win his third straight start and Minnesota beat the
Cleveland Indians 3-0 on Saturday night. DeVries (5-5) gave up four hits and
walked one. A trio of relievers combined for three hitless innings, with
Glen Perkins working the ninth for his 11th save in 14 chances. “I think its a
little premature to be saying that I deserve one of those spots, but I know
thats the case at hand,” DeVries said. “Each time I go out, its no different. I
try to pitch as well as I can every time, but Im also trying to pitch to secure
one of those spots for next year.” Joe Mauer had an RBI single and
Josh Willingham added a sacrifice fly in a two-run third inning for the Twins,
who had lost four of their past five games. Ben Revere had two hits and two
stolen bases for Minnesota, which is trying to avoid ending consecutive seasons
in the AL Central basement and now trails Cleveland—which led the division at
one point in June—by just two games. Indians starter Zach McAllister (5-7)
made it through only three innings in losing his third straight decision. He
allowed two runs on two hits and three walks. “They fouled a lot of pitches off
him,” Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. “Its September, its a kid that we care
about and value a lot, I couldnt let him go any further after 87 pitches in
three innings of work.” DeVries is pitching his way into consideration for one
of the rotation spots heading into next spring. The rookie right-hander has
allowed just four earned runs over his last four starts, spanning 23 1-3
innings. “It seems like when he gets himself into a little bit of a hole, hell
just come back and pound the strike zone and go right at them and make them
swing it rather than walking them, and thats a good thing,” Twins manager Ron
Gardenhire said. “Hes been going along pretty good, using all of his pitches,
his breaking ball, the whole package.” Minnesotas rotation has been completely
turned over from the beginning of the season with the patchwork beginning almost
as soon as the team broke from spring training. DeVries has been one of the few
surprise additions. He wasnt even on the teams 40-man roster at the beginning of
the season, but he made his major league debut May 24. After three inconsistent
outings DeVries was sent back to Triple-A Rochester, but he has been a rotation
mainstay since July 8 and could be starting to find his way. He allowed a hit
and a walk to the first two batters and pitched around some trouble in the first
two innings before retiring 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. He left the game
after six innings with some soreness stemming from a comebacker off the bat of
Asdrubal Cabrera that hit him in the ribs. DeVries made the catch to end the
third. “I think Ive felt really comfortable up here for a little while, but
things are starting to meld together,” DeVries said. “Things are kind of
starting to go my way a little bit at times. Im feeling pretty good.” McAllister
and the Indians have been going the other way. The Indians led the division for
much of the first two months of the season and were still in the top spot as
late as June 23, but they are 15-39 since the All-Star break. The Indians have
scored the second-fewest runs in the AL and have put up one run or less eight
times in the past 19 games. On Saturday, they managed one baserunner over the
final seven innings. Shin-Soo Choo, who had two hits, led off the sixth with a
single and was erased on a double play. “We struggled with their kid once he
started throwing breaking balls for strikes,” Acta said. “We hit a lot of fly
balls on the wrong day with the wind blowing in. We couldnt string any offence
together. I think our best chance was in the very first inning when we had first
and second, no outs and we didnt do anything.” Over his first 15 starts,
McAllister had a 3.50 ERA and had given Cleveland a chance despite the poor
offence. But hes now allowed 14 earned runs in his last 12 1-3 innings. Notes:
The Twins retired the No. 10 before the game in honour of former manager Tom
Kelly. Kelly led the team to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991, and is the
clubs all-time leader in managerial wins with 1,140. Kelly was credited with
creating the “Twins Way”, an emphasis on fundamentals the team has been known
for since he took over as manager in 1987. “TK was all about respecting the game
of baseball,” said Gardenhire, who succeeded Kelly in 2002. “He preached that
constantly, on how we take the field, playing hard.” ... Willingham drew two
walks to give him 69 for the season, a career high and seventh in the AL.
Willingham has established career highs in walks, home runs (33), RBIs (102) and
runs scored (81). ... RHP Esmerling Vasquez (0-1, 7.94) will make his second
start for Minnesota in the third game of the four-game series on Sunday. Vasquez
allowed five runs in 5 2-3 innings in a 6-4 loss at Kansas City last weekend,
his first appearance for the Twins since being recalled from Triple-A Rochester.
RHP Corey Kluber (1-3, 4.79) is scheduled to pitch for the Indians, coming off
his first career win on Monday against the Detroit Tigers when he pitched six
innings and gave up two runs. Atlanta Falcons Jones Jersey . To the highly
touted 19-year-old for the Texas Rangers, he was just playing another game of
baseball with a new group of teammates. Limited Julio Jones Jersey . The San Antonio
Spurs announced Wednesday that they had re-signed Duncan, bringing back the
36-year-old forward for at least a 16th season. http://www.shopnflfalconsgear.com/matt-ryan-jersey/
. —Caroline Wozniacki remains undefeated at the New Haven Open after the
four-time defending champion beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-3 in the first round
Monday, her 18th consecutive victory at the tournament. Sean Weatherspoon Jersey . —Marcus Mariota
says part of his progression as a young quarterback is learning how not to do
too much. Falcons Jersey . The 32-year-old Spaniard
suffered serious injuries to her head and face after colliding with a team
vehicle at the end of one of her straight-line test runs at Duxford Airfield in
Cambridgeshire, north of London.MINNEAPOLIS—Christian Ponder didnt flinch
against that feisty, swarming San Francisco defence. Minnesotas flourishing
young quarterback engineered a stunning victory after two of his more-decorated
division peers fell well short. Ponder threw two touchdown passes to tight end
Kyle Rudolph and ran for another score to help the Vikings hand the 49ers their
first defeat, 24-13 on Sunday. “Its big, more for people outside this
organization than us. Were already confident in what we can do,” said Ponder,
who went 21 for 35 for 198 yards and, most importantly, no turnovers or sacks.
After a dominant start to their NFC North tour by decisively beating playoff
teams Green Bay and Detroit, the 49ers (2-1) were beaten in every way by the
team least likely to do so. Aaron Rodgers of the Packers and Matthew Stafford of
the Lions each had a pass picked off in their game, and they were harassed often
by a defence thats been one of the NFLs best for the last several seasons.
Ponder, in his second year and in the long shadow of Rodgers, Stafford and
Chicagos Jay Cutler in this pass-driven division, deftly avoided the rush and
made a bunch of clutch throws on the run. “Its huge for the rest of our season.
Its a springboard,” Rudolph said. The Vikings (2-1) began the game boldly with a
fourth-and-goal touchdown pass by Ponder to his favourite target, Rudolph. They
finished strong by forcing three turnovers and two punts in a wild, drawn-out
fourth quarter due in part to more replacement referee blunders. Twice in a
six-play span, the 49ers were allowed to withdraw a called timeout to challenge
a play instead. The first one was reversed, a fumble by Toby Gerhart given to
the 49ers after video review. But the Vikings played so well that didnt matter.
Neither did Gerharts second fumble a few minutes later. “You cant think that the
games just going to be given to you, especially when you guys are hyping us up
and saying were that good,” 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman said. “Everyone is
trying to knock us off. You just have to be prepared for it every single game.”
Playing against his former team in the regular season for the first time,
Randy Moss had a quiet afternoon with three catches for 27 yards. Frank Gore
managed only 63 yards on 12 carries, and Alex Smiths franchise-record
interception-free streak ended at 249 passes when Vikings rookie Josh Robinson
picked him off with 2:18 left. Donte Whitner dropped a sure interception and a
potential touchdown midway through the fourth quarter after Vikings receiver
Michael Jenkins slipped on third down. David Akers had a 43-yard field goal
blocked by Letroy Guion late in the first half. And Smith lost a fumble on a
late sack by Jared Allen. “I know the Vikings have always played teams tough,
especially wwhen theyre an underdog. Michael Palmer Jersey. Thats Minnesota
football,” Moss said. “Well keep going back at it.” Smith finished 24 for 35 for
204 yards. He found tight end Vernon Davis on consecutive passes, the second one
a 1-yard play-action fake, in the third quarter to pull within 17-13. The
Vikings blew 17-0 and 20-0 halftime leads last September in losing consecutive
home games to Tampa Bay and Detroit, and this was starting to set up the same
way. But with one third-and-goal pass by Ponder—Adrian Peterson was wide open
next to Rudolph, who reached around Whitner for it—the lead was back to 11.
The Vikings were on their way to burying that painful start to last years 3-13
record. That drive was fueled by three 49ers penalties, including two
unnecessary roughness calls, one by Dashon Goldson against Rudolph. “Knock on
wood, but hes playing some of the cleanest football Ive ever seen somebody play
at any age in the NFL,” said Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway, who had two
sacks. He added: “He just has that poise about him.” Peterson finished with 86
yards on 25 grueling carries, helping give Ponder some room to throw. The
Vikings went 82 yards in 16 plays to start the game, but Peterson was
stonewalled for 1 yard on second-and-goal at the 2 and no gain on third down.
With inches to go, Ponder rolled left under pressure by Goldson and threw a
floater off his back foot that Rudolph ran down in the corner of the end zone
for a 7-0 lead. Rudolph had four catches on that drive. Then Ponder used his
feet, taking off three times for 34 yards on a second-quarter possession,
including the 23-yard sprint that made it 14-3. Accelerating off a cut inside
the 10, perhaps reminding 49ers fans inside the dome of their old favourite
Steve Young, Ponder dived across the goal line for the final yard. “There was a
big running lane, and I figured that if my … legs were fast enough, maybe Id
get there,” Ponder said. “And I got there, so it was good.” NOTES: Moss moved
past Tim Brown into fourth place on the NFLs all-time receiving list with 14,946
yards. ... Vikings FS Mistral Raymonds right ankle rolled awkwardly while trying
to tackle Gore at the end of the first quarter. He left on a cart and was on
crutches afterward. “From the naked eye, it looks like a very serious injury,”
Frazier said, “but I dont know all the details.” ... 49ers LB Patrick Willis
walked gingerly off the field with an injury to his lower right leg and DT
Isaac Sopoaga hurt his lower left leg in the fourth quarter. Harbaugh said both
players would be X-rayed and re-evaluated. ... The 49ers play the Bears at home
on Nov. 19. ... Gore passed Roger Craig for the most career rushing attempts in
49ers history. ... Percy Harvin led the Vikings with nine catches for 89 yards.
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