lingzi
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With the regular season ending in a week, the American League playoff race is
heating up. Frank Gore Womens Jersey . In the Central
Division, the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox are tied for the lead, an its
looking like the only option for the post-season is to win the division. In the
West, the Rangers host the As, while the hard charging Angels are facing the
Mariners. In the East, the Yankees play the Twins in a matinee, while the Os
look to down the Blue Jays. American League Central: Tigers go for another win
over Royals (Sports Network) – Righty Rick Porcello gets another chance to end a
personal skid and keep the Detroit Tigers in a first-place tie atop the American
League Central Division tonight when they host the Kansas City Royals in game
three of a four-game set at Comerica Park. The Tigers gained a game on the
Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, when they defeated the Royals in game two while
the White Sox dropped a game to Cleveland. Anibal Sanchez tossed a three-hit
shutout in the Tigers 2-0 win. Sanchez (4-6) struck out 10 and walked one while
earning his first shutout since Sept. 10, 2011 at Pittsburgh when he was a
member of the Marlins. “We need to take care of our game. We dont have to pay
attention to what the White Sox are going to do, or whether the White Sox win or
lose,” Sanchez said. “We need to keep focusing on our game. Thats more
important.” Prince Fielder and Delmon Young each hit RBI singles in the first
inning for Detroit, which won the first two games of the series. Bruce Chen
(11-13) allowed two runs on 10 hits over 6 2/3 innings for the Royals, who have
dropped three straight. The left-hander struck out five and walked three. “They
came ready to play. I left a couple pitches up and they got some base hits,”
Chen said. “But we played hard and we never gave in.” The Tigers won seven of
the first 11 games between the teams in 2012, though Kansas City swept a
three-game set at Kauffman Stadium from Aug. 28-30. Detroit won the 2011 season
series, 11-7. Meanwhile, Porcello was 9-6 on the season after a 6-5 defeat of
the New York Yankees on Aug. 7 in Detroit. Hes winless in seven starts since,
losing six decisions across the stretch while his earned run average has
actually dropped from 4.62 to 4.57. He got a no-decision at Cleveland in his
most recent start on Sept. 16 and allowed two earned runs on eight hits in 4 2/3
innings. Porcello, whos 5-3 in 13 career starts against the Royals, dropped a
2-1 verdict at Kansas City on Aug. 30 after allowing two runs on eight hits in
five innings. Hes opposed by veteran Jeremy Guthrie, who starts for the 13th
time with the Royals since a midseason trade with Colorado for lefty
Jonathan Sanchez. Guthrie was 3-9 in 19 games with the Rockies before the deal
and has won four of seven decisions since, all of which has come in a nine-start
unbeaten string since early August. He was a 5-3 loser to Texas on Aug. 3 but is
4-0 since, including a victory over Porcello and the Tigers in the
aforementioned Aug. 30 matchup. Guthrie allowed a run on 10 hits in 7 1/3
innings of the 2-1 win and is 4-3 in 12 career games against Detroit. — White
Sox target series win over Tribe The American League Central has become an
eight-game sprint to the finish. The Chicago White Sox hope to maintain at least
a share of the division lead on Wednesday when they play the rubber match of a
three-game series against the Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field. Chicago
lost sole possession of first place for the first time since Sept. 3 on Tuesday,
as Corey Kluber threw seven sharp innings and Russ Canzler went 3 for-4 with a
homer and two runs scored to propel Cleveland to a 4-3 win. The White Sox sixth
loss in seven tries coupled with Detroits win against Kansas City dropped them
into a first-place tie with the Tigers. “We knew it wasnt going to be easy,”
said A.J. Pierzynski, whose team had owned a three-game edge on Detroit just a
week ago. “(The Tigers) are not going to go away. Theyll keep playing hard.”
Kluber (2-4) gave up back-to-back solo homers to Pierzynski and Dayan Viciedo in
the bottom of the fifth inning, but just two other hits as the rookie hurler
notched his second career victory in his longest-ever start in the majors.
Chris Perez served up a leadoff homer to Paul Konerko in the ninth, but worked
out of a jam later on in the frame to notch his 37th save and enable Cleveland
to bounce back from a 5-4 loss in Mondays opener of this three-game series, in
which the Indians bullpen coughed up a late lead. Chicago starting pitcher
Francisco Liriano (6-12) lasted only 3 2/3 innings and was tagged for four runs
and seven hits while issuing two walks to record the loss. Canzler finished a
triple shy of the cycle to help the Indians halt a string of six consecutive
setbacks to Chicago, with Shin Soo-Choo contributing two hits and an RBI to the
winning effort. On Wednesday Chicago turns to rookie left-hander
Hector Santiago, who gets the start in part because manager Robin Ventura wanted
to push Jake Peavy back a day to keep ace Chris Sale on schedule for a start on
Saturday. Plus Cleveland is just 16-35 against left-handed starters this season.
Having Sale stay on schedule keeps him in line if a one-game playoff is needed
to decide the AL Central. Santiago has made just two starts for the White Sox
this season and is 1-1, while allowing just one run in nine innings of those
outings. Overall he is 3-1 with four saves and a 3.45 ERA in 40 appearances.
“You watch other guys get (the Indians) out. You learn from them. Im (glad) they
consider me for that,” Santiago said. “I feel like I have a tougher time
[against left-handed hitters] because of my slider, but I dont go out there and
think about that.” Cleveland, meanwhile, will turn to right-handed sinkerballer
Justin Masterson, who is 11-15 with a 4.97 ERA. Masterson lost his third
straight start on Friday in Kansas City, as the Royals reached him for four runs
in six innings. He is 4-5 in 17 games (13 starts) versus the White Sox with a
2.50 ERA. Chicago is 9-5 versus the Indians this season. — American League
West: Rangers vie to bounce back versus As The Texas Rangers try to move one
step closer to a third straight American League West crown on Wednesday when
they continue a four game set with the Oakland Athletics at Rangers Ballpark in
Arlington. Texas saw its lead atop the West dwindled to four and their magic
number for clinching the division remain at five on Tuesday, as Oakland pulled
out a much-needed win. George Kottaras solo homer in the 10th inning carried the
As to a 3-2 victory. Chris Carter also hit a solo homer for Oakland, which is
now a half-game behind the Orioles for the top wild card spot in the AL.
Baltimore lost to Toronto on Tuesday. “The farther you go into a season, each
and every win has a little bit more magnitude to it,” said As manager Bob
Melvin. “This team has responded like this many, many times this year so it
doesnt surprise me.” Oakland starter Tommy Milone gave up two unearned runs on
six hits over six innings. Evan Scribner (1-0) tossed a scoreless ninth to pick
up his first win in the big leagues. Scott Feldman got the start for Texas after
Yu Darvish was scratched due to neck stiffness. He allowed two runs on four hits
over four-plus innings. Mark Lowe (0-2) gave up the homer to Kottaras to take
the loss. Getting the call for the Rangers on Wednesday will be 21-year-old
lefty Martin Perez, who is 1-2 with a 3.78 ERA. Perez lost to Seattle on Friday,
as he surrendered four runs (3 earned) and six hits in four innings. “He needs
better command of his fastball,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “I like the
way he competes. He doesnt back down. Hes got good enough stuff and he believes
in his stuff. I just want him to go out there and keep competing.” Perez beat
the As the only other time he faced them, holding them to two runs back on June
30. Oakland, meanwhile, will counter with righty Jarrod Parker, who has won four
of his last five decisions and is 11-8 with a 3.40 ERA. Parker did not get a
decision on Friday against New York, despite a sensational outing that saw him
allow just a run in eight innings. He also struck out eight in that one without
walking a batter. He has now allowed two earned runs or less in four straight
starts “I think he feels like hes no longer a rookie with the way hes pitched
this time of the year,” said Melvin. “He pitched really good.” Parker yielded
just one hit over eight scoreless innings to beat the Rangers earlier in the
year. Texas has split its 14 games against the As this season with five of those
wins coming in Arlington. — Angels resume set with King Felix, Mariners
(Sports Network) – The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue their postseason
quest on Wednesday when they play the middle test of a three-game series with
the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. Los Angeles has won four in a row, but
still trails the Oakland Athletics by two games for the American Leagues second
wild card spot. The Angels continued their late season push in Tuesdays opener,
as Zack Greinke allowed one run over five innings, Torii Hunter and Erick Aybar
both homered, and Los Angeles eked out a 5-4 win. Greinke (6-2) notched a
season-high 13 strikeouts, scattered seven hits with two walks and improved to
5-0 in his last seven starts. “Greinke is really carrying us right now,” said
Hunter. Albert Pujols and Alberto Callaspo both added an RBI for the Angels, who
have won 23 of 32 to get themselves back into the race. “Its definitely a lot of
fun,” said Hunter, who has batted .378 with four homers and 24 RBI in his last
25 games. “The intensity level is definitely up. My adrenaline level goes to
another level in games like these.” Erasmo Ramirez (1-3) gave up five runs—
three earned—on seven hits over six innings in the loss. The rookie
right-hander struck out three and did not issue a walk. “Erasmo made pitches
tonight,” said Seattle manager Eric Wedge. “He hung a pitch to Hunter, but he
deserved a better fate.” The Angels will have their work cut out for them on
Wednesday against Seattle ace Felix Hernandez. The 2010 AL Cy Young Award
winner, though, is winless in his last four starts (0-3) and is 13-8 on the year
with a 2.85 ERA. After giving up 16 runs in his previous three outings Hernandez
bounced back to form last Wednesday against Baltimore, as he allowed just a run
and six hits in eight innings. However, he did not factor in the decision of his
teams 3-1 loss. “It was just something mechanical,” Hernandez said. “My last
couple games, nothing was working, and I was leaving pitches over the middle.
But this time I was following through at home plate and executing pitches.”
Hernandez has faced the Angels 28 times and is 6-11 against them with a 3.89
ERA. Los Angeles, meanwhile, will counter with lefty C.J. Wilson, who is 12-10
with a 3.82 ERA. Wilson failed to get out of the third inning last Wednesday and
absorbed the loss against Texas, as he surrendered three runs and four hits with
three walks in just 2 2/3 innings. “I wasnt happy to get pulled out of the game,
but I wasnt doing well, either,” Wilson said. “So its my own fault. Were trying
to win the game, so I understand.” Wilson beat the Mariners the last time he
faced them and is 10-5 with a 3.88 ERA in 48 games (11 starts) against them. The
Angels are 9-5 against the Mariners this season. — American League East: CC
tries to deliver Yankees series win in Minnesota CC Sabathia tries to deliver
the New York Yankees a series win on Wednesday when they play the rubber match
of their three-game set with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Sabathia was
terrific against the Oakland Athletics on Friday, but did not factor in the
decision of his teams 2-1 extra-inning win, despite scattering three hits and
striking out 11 over eight scoreless innings. Still, though, he is 0-3 in his
last five starts and is 13-6 on the year with a 3.47 ERA. “I know its been a
season where it hasnt been vintage CC,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after
his last outing, “but heres a guy with an ERA under 3.50, and were not calling
it vintage CC. Thats how good he is. Tonight might have been the best game hes
pitched all year.” Sabathia beat the Twins the last time he faced them and is
15-8 in 31 starts against them with a 3.00 ERA. In fact, he is 9-0 with a 1.93
ERA in his last 10 outings versus the Twins New York wasted a golden opportunity
to stretch its lead atop the American League East on Tuesday, as it blew a
three-run lead and fell to the Twins, 5-4. Denard Spans two-run double during a
four-run seventh inning propelled Minnesota to its third win in four games. “Our
guys are rising to the occasion,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “If you
cant get up for (the Yankees), you cant get up for anything.” Making the loss
even worse for New York was the fact that Baltimore lost to Toronto. The Yankees
still hold a 1 1/2-game lead on the Orioles for first place in the division.
“You had an opportunity,” Girardi said. “You can look at it the other way, too.
So we have to come out and win the series tomorrow.” Robinson Cano had three
hits and Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to 19 games in the loss, New
Yorks second in three games. Nick Swisher also homered for the third straight
game. Minnesota will pin its hopes Wednesday on righty Samuel Deduno, who is 6-4
with a 3.84 ERA. Deduno lost for the fourth time in six starts on Sept.16
against the Chicago White Sox, allowing four runs and five walks in four
innings. “My mechanics were OK, but I was just trying to do too much,” Deduno
said. “Nothing was working. But sometimes thats just part of the game.” He has
never faced the Yankees. New York has won 19 of its last 26 regular season
meetings with the Twins since the start 2009 campaign, but it is just 3-3
against them this season. — Os try for needed split with Blue Jays Its
starting to get hot under the collar for the Baltimore Orioles and their quest
to end a lengthy playoff drought. Tonight, the Orioles will try for a split in
their four-game series versus the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards and havent
been to the postseason since 1997. They have lost two straight and three of four
games since a season-best six-game winning streak and dropped a 4-0 decision
Tuesday. Joe Saunders took the mound for Baltimore and lasted 6 1/3 innings in
the loss, as he was touched for four runs—three earned—and 11 hits.
J.J. Hardy and Matt Wieters both had two hits for the Os, who still lead the
wild card with Oakland in the American League, but the LA Angels are only two
games off the pace. Baltimore is 1 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees for the
top spot in the AL East. The Yankees lost in Minnesota last night. “Right now,
winning is the only thing thats going to help us,” Wieters told the clubs
website. “We know were going to need to win some games to be able to get in, so
were just going to keep trying to win as many as we can.” The Orioles will host
the Red Sox for three games on their homestand and took two of three matchups in
Boston over the weekend. Rookie Miguel Gonzalez draws the start for Baltimore
and is 7-4 with a 3.52 earned run average in 16 games (13 starts). Gonzalez has
prevailed in five of his last seven decisions and tossed 6 1/3 innings of
two-run ball in a 4-2 win at Boston on Friday. Gonzalez, a right-hander, is 0-1
with a 5.59 ERA in two games (1 start) against the Blue Jays. Toronto has
nothing to play for besides ruining postseason chances for other teams and will
try for a series win this evening. The Blue Jays have won two in a row since a
seven-game slide and used six pitchers to shut out Baltimore in the third
portion of the set. Aaron Laffey threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings for the win,
while Steve Delabar, Brett Cecil, Brandon Lyon, Darren Oliver and Casey Janssen
kept the Os off the board. “Everything I had was out there tonight, but it just
shows that if you stay aggressive in the zone and throw quality strikes,
regardless of what the velocity of the pitch is, you can get big league hitters
out,” Laffey told the teams website. “I didnt walk anybody tonight and I think
that was the biggest difference-maker.” Colby Rasmus, Edwin Encarnacion,
Yan Gomes and Adeiny Hechavarria were each credited with an RBI for the Jays.
Toronto will close out the season with a seven-game homestand versus the Yankees
and Twins at Rogers Centre. Carlos Villanueva will handle pitching duties this
evening and is 1-6 in his last seven decisions. Villanueva was hammered in a
12-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Friday, as he gave up a season high seven runs and
eight hits in only 2 1/3 innings of work. It was the first time this season that
he didnt last at least five innings. Villanueva fell to 7-6 with a 3.88 earned
run average in 37 games (15 starts) this season. He lost to Baltimore on Aug. 24
and is 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA in eight career games (5 starts) in this series. The
Orioles are 10-7 against the Blue Jays this season. Baltimore had a six game
home-winning streak against Toronto come to an end Monday night. Ronnie Lott Jersey . The hottest star
attractions in athletics continued to fulfil their post-London Olympics plan of
dividing the glamor sprints between them—and making fast times seem routine.
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running back Fred Jackson has the team doctors clearance to play this weekend.
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. The coach took over from Fabio Capello three months after the Italian vacated
the job. After a miserable 2010 World Cup performance, a reinvigorated England
squad will march into its Euro 2012 quarterfinal against Italy on Sunday with
confidence. Justin Smith Elite Jersey .C. —The Canadian
womens national basketball took a promising step forward heading into an Olympic
qualifier next month. LaMichael James Jersey . Tampa Bay Lightning
forward Teddy Purcell accepted an invitation to the tournament on Wednesday,
bringing the total number of committed players to 17. DENVER —
Giancarlo Stanton is breaking records at Coors Field. He also might be breaking
windshields. Stanton homered for the sixth straight game at Coors Field and the
Miami Marlins held on to beat the Colorado Rockies 6-5 Saturday night.
Nathan Eovaldi pitched effectively into the seventh inning and Bryan Petersen
had three hits for the Marlins. Jose Reyes and Gorkys Hernandez added two hits
each. The Marlins said Stanton became the first player in major league history
to homer in his first six games in a particular park, according to information
provided to the team by the Elias Sports Bureau. “I thought I was just going for
here,” Stanton said of the record. “Thats pretty cool. Anytime you do something
no ones ever done in the big leagues its something pretty cool.” His drive
Saturday travelled an estimated 448 feet, and combined with Fridays shot to
centre he has covered approximately 920 feet on his last two homers at Coors
Field. He tied the game Friday with his 474-foot homer. He capped a four-run
first inning Saturday with a three-run shot onto the concourse in left field. It
bounced into the Rockies players parking lot, which brought up the possibility
of his blast damaging a car. “Hopefully not, but if there is Im not paying for
it,” he said. It was Stantons 24th of the season gave the Marlins a 4-0 lead
against Tyler Chatwood (3-3). Reyes made it 6-0 in the second with a two-run
triple down the left-field line. “The two big pitches I messed up on were the
two to Reyes,” Chatwood said. “(The one to Stanton) was actually a good pitch
and off the plate. He put a pretty good swing on it.” Stanton was ready for an
inside pitch, and when he saw the 95 mph fastball, he jumped on it. “I knew he
was going to come in to get the double play or not let me get extended with guys
on first and second and less than two outs,” he said. “He came up and in first
pitch, so I figured he was going to repeat it.” Eovaldi (4-8) didnt give up a
hit until Michael Cuddyers single in the fourth. He allowed one run on six hits,
walked four and struck out three in 6 2-3 innings. He left after giving up a
two-out single to Rutledge and a walk to Fowler. David Akers Jersey. Chad Gaudin came on and
got Cuddyer to ground out to end the seventh. It was Eovaldis longest outing
since May 29 when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers. “This kid only needs to
throw strikes,” Miami manager Ozzie Guillen said. “Hes got a great arm. Hes got
a good idea of what he wants to do. Its a process.” He also got some defensive
help when Stanton made a diving catch on Jordan Pachecos liner into right to
save a run. “I paused, took maybe a half-step in. I didnt get the best read on
it but I tracked it down and snagged it,” he said. “Its what helps win games,
the little things.” Tyler Colvin had three hits and three RBIs while
Josh Rutledge and Dexter Fowler added two hits apiece for the Rockies. Colorado
chipped away and nearly came all the way back. Colvin hit an RBI double in the
fourth before Pacheco had an RBI double and Chris Nelson a sacrifice fly in the
eighth to make it 6-3. Colorado cut it to one on Colvins two-run single in the
ninth before Steve Cishek got Pacheco to ground out for his ninth save. “I kick
myself for the seventh when Wilin (Rosario) led off with a double and I didnt do
my job,” Colvin said. “Were always going to battle back.” Cuddyer left the game
in the eighth after aggravating his right oblique, an injury that cost him 11
games earlier this month. “Its most likely a DL situation,” Rockies manager Jim
Tracy said. Chatwood allowed six runs and nine hits in four innings. NOTES: The
Rockies placed OF Carlos Gonzalez on the bereavement list due to the death of
his grandfather in Venezuela. Colorado recalled OF Charlie Blackmon from
Triple-A to fill the roster spot. ... Rockies RHP Jhoulys Chacin (pectoral nerve
irritation) is expected to start against the Mets in New York on Tuesday. ...
After the game the Marlins optioned OF Scott Cousins and designated
Gil Velazquez for assignment. They will activate OF Emilio Bonifacio and INF
Donnie Murphy from the disabled list Sunday to fill the roster spots. ...
Marlins RHP Josh Johnson (7-9) is scheduled to face LHP Drew Pomeranz (1-7) in
Sundays series finale. ’ ’ ’
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