COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The first Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award will recognize the late Muhammad Ali.The Owens Award was started this year, the 80th anniversary of Owens four-gold-medal performance at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and is to be presented annually to recognize people who have served as an inspiration in society.Owens granddaughter, Marlene Dortch, will present the award at next weeks Best of the Games awards ceremony to Alis widow, Lonnie.Ali won the gold medal at the Rome 1960 Olympics, then took three world heavyweight championships -- in 1964, 1974 and 1978. Nike Air Max 1 2020 . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Nike Air Max 1 2022 . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. https://www.cheapairmax1store.com/ . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Cheap Nike Air Max 1 . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Nike Air Max 1 . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Four-star power forward Malik Williams has committed to Louisville.Williams, a six-foot-11 product of R. Nelson Snide High School (Indiana), boosted his stock during the spring, playing for Legit Basketball, an independent AAU team not on one of the big sneaker circuits. Williams didnt lack for attention, though, with the likes of Michigan State, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana and Purdue all seriously involved in his recruitment.Louisville entered the mix in early May, extending an offer to Williams and then getting him on campus a few weeks later for an unofficial visit. Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino made Williams a clear priority during the crucial July evaluation period, watching him in his first game in Philadelphia all the way to the third period in Orlando. Pitino and his assistants were sitting front and center at most of Williams July games. Williams took another viisit to Louisville earlier this week, and the Cardinals closed the deal.ddddddddddddWilliams, ranked No. 42 in the ESPN 100, cemented his status during an impressive month of July, averaging 23.5 points and 13.2 rebounds at an Under Armour tournament during the second period. Despite his size, Williams runs the floor well, can make shots consistently from the perimeter and is also capable of facing up and driving to the basket.Williams is Louisvilles first commitment in the 2017 class, but the Cardinals are also pursuing?Makai Ashton-Langford (No. 32), Brandon Randolph (No. 43), Alex OConnell, Darius Perry (No. 48), Lindell Wigginton (No. 60), Matt Coleman (No. 27) and more. With Williams in the fold, Pitinos focus will turn to the perimeter. ' ' '

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Florida Gators have an opportunity Saturday to prove they can shake off not just one, but two ugly hangovers.The 23rd-ranked Gators visit Vanderbilt on Saturday, a week after blowing a 21-point lead in being routed 38-28 by the Tennessee Volunteers. If any Gators need a reminder to focus on a team theyve beaten nine of the past 10 seasons, coach Jim McElwain can point to Vanderbilt nearly ruining homecoming last year before Florida pulled out a 9-7 win clinching the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title.Safety Marcus Maye says the Gators have learned their humbling lesson and know they cant let that happen again.We know it takes four quarters, we cant get down on ourselves if were down, Maye said. We cant relax if were up. Its definitely a learning process.The Gators (3-1, 1-1) arent giving up on defending their SEC East title this early in the season. Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason, whos known McElwain a long time, isnt expecting a team based on whats happened in the last two quarters played.Sometimes you find yourself in a landslide and you cant escape it, and when that happens it can be rough, Mason said. Coach McElwains got to get that group to rebound, and he will. Hes been doing this a long time.Masons Commodores (2-2, 0-1) want to build on a 31-30 overtime win at Western Kentucky last week. And yes, they remember coming up short in the Swamp last November.To come so close and not come up with the win, its unacceptable, Vanderbilt linebacker-safety Oren Burks said. Theres something personal about this game.Here are some things to watch Saturday when the Gators visit Music City:WAKE UP: Kickoff is at 11 a.m. local time, but McElwain is keeping his Gators on Eastern time to help them be ready for their earliest kickoff this season. McElwain has reason to worry about his Gators kicking off at noon after struggling in three such games last season.I dont know what it is with noon starts a year ago, we were FAU, Vanderbilt and the bowl game, which none of those results were very good, McElwain said. So I think lets talk about the obvious, Ive got no problem with that. Weve got to make sure were ready to go play against a team that obviously has some weapons.STOPPING WEBB: Ralph Webb has been Vanderbilts biggest offensive threat since getting on the field, and now the junior ranks second in the SEC averaging 118 yards per game. Webb leads the SEC with five TDs rushing, and now sophomore quarterback Kyle Shurmur is coming off his best game throwing the ball with a career-high 279 yards in rallying Vandy to a win last week.DONT LOOK AHEAD: The Gators cant dwell on last weeks game, and they cant afford to look ahead either. LSU visits Gainesville on Oct. 8, giving Florida a chance to avenge last years 35-28 loss. Just go out and focus on what we have to focus on, Maye said.STINGY D: As bad as the Gators looked giving up five TDs in six possessions last week, theyve been so good defensively that they hardly budged in the early rankings. Florida still leads the SEC averaging 4.25 sacks per game, which is fourth nationally. The Gators are the only team with five different players with at least two sacks, and they rank second in the SEC giving up just 76.5 yards rushing.BALL SECURITY: The Gators have intercepted six passes in the past three games, and Vanderbilt has forced at least one turnover in each game this season. But the Commodores have protected the ball very well so far and lead the SEC in turnover differential at plus-5.---Online:AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org and AP-Top 25 Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/AP-Top25Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker Vapormax Plus Rosse . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. Vapormax Flyknit 3 Scontate .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. http://www.scarpevapormaxscontate.it/ . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. Vapormax Plus Grigie .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. Vapormax Plus Sunset . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. Wigan have announced the signing of utility Thomas Leuluai for the 2017 Super League season after he was granted an early release from his NRL contract with the Warriors.The 31-year-old New Zealand international, who left Wigan at the end of the 2012 edition of Super League, rejoins them next year but the length of the contact has not been specified.Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan said it was always part of a long-term plan for Leuluai to return to the club and that he would have a place on the coaching staff when he eventually retired.Leuluai, whose wife Natalie is the sister of former Wigan centre Darrell Goulding, had also been linked with St Helens but says a return to Wigan was always his preference.With my wife being from Wigan and uus having a newborn baby, I thought for my family it would be better for us to be back in England, he said.ddddddddddddLeuluai, who spent two seasons with London Broncos before joining Wigan in 2007, made 189 appearances and scored 60 tries for them and was a member of their grand final and Challenge Cup final winning teams.He was in his second stint with the Auckland club, for whom he had became their second youngest debutant in 2003, and had another year left to run on his contract.Leuluai will be reunited at the DW Stadium with Sam Tomkins, who also cut short his time at the Warriors to return to Wigan. ' ' '

MALIBU, Cali. -- The Pepperdine Waves scored a goal in the first half and two in the second half, combined with a shutout in net to knock off the Kentucky womens soccer team, 3-0, in Malibu on Sunday afternoon.The Wildcats were much better with the ball in the second half, dictating the pace of play and having much more of the ball and scoring chances in the second 45 minutes. Pepperdine, known for being deadly on the counter, used that expertise to their advantage on Sunday, scoring each of their first two goals off of Kentucky giveaways that resulted in counters.Kentucky will open its home slate of matches on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. ET from the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington. The match will be shown live on the SEC Network+, ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app. Free pizza will be available to all UK students in attendance of the match.Fans can purchase season ticket scarves from the UK Ticket Office by logging on to UKathletics.com/tickets or by calling (800) 928-2287 or locally at (859) 257-1818. The purchase of one (1) season ticket is good for entry for one person to each game.In the first half of a fairly-evenly played match, a Kentucky miscommunication along the backline resulted in a turnover and the Waves Rylee Baisden intercepted the ball and had a 1v1 with Kentucky goalkeeper Evangeline Soucie (0-1-1) and slotted it to Soucies left for the goal.At halftime, Kentucky trailed 1-0 with Pepperdine holding a 9-4 lead in shots and 3-2 edge in shots on goal.In the second half, Kentucky had much of the ball for the first 25 minutes and was playing through its midfield much more consistently, but Pepperdine against capitalized on a giveaway after Kentucky had two golden scoring opportunities by LaMaya Williams and Kelly Novak go wide. The goal Pepperdine scored was in the 68th minute, and is was Baisdens second of the match and third of the season.UK then transitioned into a three back, and moved centerback Zoe Swift back up top to try and go for a result and after two corners and a few more misses, Pepperdine got a free kick 25 yards from goal, and after the initial clearance, the Waves got organized and pinged Kentuckys defense for a third goal.Pepperdine outshot the Wildcats 18-9 and each team recorded three saves in the match. The Waves, who knocked off No. 16 Arizona 3-1 to start the season on Friday night, move to 2-0-0 on the season. UK drops to 0-1-1 after Sundays result. Chad Henne Super Bowl Jersey . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Sherman Super Bowl Jersey . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. http://www.thechiefsshoponline.com/Youth-Anthony-Hitchens-Chiefs-Jersey/ . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Emmanuel Ogbah Super Bowl Jersey . World champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia won the gold medal with 237.71 points, Moore-Towers and Moscovitch followed at 208.45 and Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia were third at 187. Kendall Fuller Super Bowl Jersey . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors.Michael Carrick admitted Manchester United were nowhere near good enough following Thursday nights shocking 2-1 defeat to Midtjylland in the Europa League. United have failed to win in their last three games and pressure is mounting on manager Louis Van Gaal amid reports linking Jose Mourinho with a move to Old Trafford.Carrick, who was named as captain against the Danish champions, apologised to United fans, who have become impatient with Van Gaal - their frustration was evident with sustained chanting mocking their own team. Louis van Gaal (L) casts a frustrated figure on the bench in Denmark. I cant knock the supporters, they were incredible, said Carrick.Theyve been great throughout my time at the club, especially during the last couple of years when they havent had much to shout about.Theyve stuck with us and traveled to support us so I can only apologise.Hopefully we can give them some reward for the unbelievable support theyve shown both the players and the club. Problems mount for Utd We take a look at the issues facing Manchester United United had 14 players out injured for the game, but Carrick did not use this as an excuse and believes they must improve in the return leg on February 25.dddddddddddd.You can talk about injuries but, irrespective of that, we cant make any excuses, said Carrick.To come here and lose is nowhere near good enough.The only positive is that weve got another chance at it (in the second leg), but it doesnt really change the fact that we were simply nowhere near good enough.United are also struggling in the league and if they are to have a realistic chance of clinching a top four spot they will have to beat title favourites Arsenal who travel to Old Trafford on February 28, live on Sky Sports. Also See: United receive no Rooney bids United lose at Midtjylland Problems mount for United Man Utds injury list ' ' '

GWS Giants coach Leon Cameron is predicting an AFL final round of full on footy and is adamant his side wont be holding back or hiding anything on Saturday when they play potential finals opponent North Melbourne.The Kangaroos are all but mathematically certain to finish eighth, meaning they will travel to the fifth-placed side in the first week of the finals.GWS enter the final round sitting fifth, well ahead on percentage of West Coast and the Western Bulldogs.A first win over North Melbourne should secure them fifth at worst and perhaps even a top-four spot.Cameron said he viewed Saturdays game at Etihad Stadium as a final for his side.Well finish full steam ahead so there will be no holding back from our end, Cameron said.They are starting to get some players back and Im pretty sure they will attack it 100 per cent as well.I think they will be fully wound up. They might have some players coming back that are clearly in their best 18, so they will want to make sure that they get a really good hitout.Theres so many things that probably can stem from this match in terms of ladder position, but we cant control what happens with the other teams, so weve got to go 100 per cent on Saturday night.He doubted the two sides would keep anything back from each other despite a strong chance they would clash again in September.There could be some with run-with roles on the weekend that they might do and we might do but I dont think that will change two weeks on if we happen to confront each other, Cameron said.He regarded the last-round showdown against a potential finals adversary as a good lead-in to their inaugural September campaign.You want to come in (to finals) match hardened and match fit and playing against some really top opposition and were going to get that on Saturday night, he said.With the top-four sides level on points and fifth, sixth and seventh all one win back, Cameron anticipated none of the finals-bound teams would be coasting.The shifting of spots on the ladder just makes it full-on footy, he said.Cameron said key defender Aidan Corr, who last played a senior game in round three, was pushing for a spot after playing three NEAFL matches and fellow back Matt Buntine was likely to be available after copping a head knock last week. Discount Nike Air Max 1 . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. Williams scored 11 points in 10 minutes, Alan Anderson scored 17 points, and the Brooklyn Nets finished the exhibition season with a 108-87 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night. Nike Air Max 1 Store .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. https://www.cheapairmax1store.com/ . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Fake Nike Air Max 1 . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Nike Air Max 1 2020 . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. The college football season kicks off later this week (hey, Cal-Hawaii from Australia!). So its time for preseason predictions. Want to know if anyone can challenge Baker Mayfield for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year? Its here. Can someone take down Alabama in the SEC? Just a click away.ACCSpoiler alert: There wasnt much debate over ACC Offensive Player of Year. (Deshaun Watson, claim your prize.) But Defensive Player of the Year was not unanimous. Here are a couple of the picks:Devante Fields, Louisville:?Fields ended last season on a tear and finished with 22.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Coach Bobby Petrino says Fields is in the best shape he has been in since his freshman year at TCU in 2012. Thats bad news for opposing offenses.?-- Andrea AdelsonDerwin James, Florida State:?As a freshman, James was moved all over the field and excelled in every position the Seminoles put him in. There wasnt a task he could not handle. James has the ability to load up the stat sheet, and coupled with a few highlight-reel hits, hell have a strong case for defensive player of the year.?-- Jared ShankerRead moreBig 12Which team walks away with the Big 12 title? It will be one of the most interesting races out there, and the only one in the Power 5 that wont be decided with a title game. This year, anyway.Oklahoma:?The Sooners have some question marks, notably at linebacker and in the trenches. But they have some incredible strengths as well, including a backfield that might be the envy of college football. That should be enough to catapult Oklahoma to another Big 12 title and, potentially, a return trip to the playoff.?-- Jake TrotterTCU:?Not trying to go contrarian here: I think Oklahoma and TCU both end up having great seasons, and I think TCU wins the head-to-head in Fort Worth. The Horned Frogs should be loaded on defense and are one great quarterback away from having all the pieces for a Big 12 title team.?-- Max OlsonRead moreBig TenOK, so this is whatt everyone wants to know: Ohio State or Michigan? Harbaugh or Meyer? Not surprisingly, our reporters are split.ddddddddddddHeres a look at what theyre saying when it comes to the Big Ten champion:Ohio State:?The Buckeyes will edge out Michigan to win the East in late November, then cruise past Nebraska in Indianapolis. Urban Meyer is too good of a coach to miss the conference championship game in back-to-back seasons with that much talent in Columbus.-- Dan MurphyMichigan:?Believe in the Harbaugh hype. The Wolverines could wind up with the top defense in the country, and its difficult envisioning anyone in the West knocking them off. This is the best team in the Big Ten.?-- Josh MoyerRead morePac-12Could the Offensive Player of the Year really be someone other than Christian McCaffrey? Two of our Pac-12 reporters think so. Heres a sampling:Washington State QB Luke Falk:?The redshirt junior will lead the conference in total offense for the second season in a row and push Washington State to a nine-win season.?-- Chantel JenningsChristian McCaffrey:?Christian McCaffrey posted an unprecedented 2,000-yard rushing, 1,000-yard receiving campaign in 2015. Hes faster and stronger as a 20-year-old entering 2016, so hell once again be the Pac-12s best player.?-- David LombardiRead moreSECIt always seems to come down to Alabama and LSU, right? Can Les Miles and the Tigers finally get over the hump and beat Nick Saban and Co. this year? It should decide the SEC champion. So, who wins the conference?Alabama:?Floridas offense wont be dynamic enough to keep Alabama from extending its streak of conference championship game wins to five.?-- Alex ScarboroughLSU:?Its the Tigers time. Les Miles was on the brink last November, but this year hell pull a rabbit out of his hat and find a way to get them to the playoff.?-- Sam Khan Jr.Read more ' ' '

WASHINGTON -- DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall were teammates for one dynamic college season at the University of Kentucky. The Sacramento Kings center and the Washington Wizards point guard are individually playing at a high level, though their respective teams arent finding similar success this season.Both teams enter Monday nights matchup with losing records, though the Kings (7-10) have won three of four. Cousins had 37 points and 11 rebounds in Sacramentos 122-105 romp over the Brooklyn Nets Sunday night. The Kings sank 13 of 23 3-pointers and outscored the Nets 34-18 in the third quarter.Good game for us as far as coming out in the second half, Kings coach Dave Joerger said. We got three stops in a row 11 times tonight, which is good. ... I dont know how often well go 13-of-23 from 3-point line.Expecting offensive production from Cousins is common. The big man with range made 4 of 5 from beyond the arc and finished 13 of 24 from the field.Hes a difficult cover because he can play facing you, with his back to the basket, he can shoot a little bit, he can drive a little bit, Joerger said of Cousins, who leads the Kings with 27.8 points per game. He creates a lot of contact and gets to the free-throw line. You look at that and you say how do you take him for granted.Cousins knows better than to take for granted what his former college teammate provides the Wizards. Wall leads Washington with 23.5 points and ranks fifth in the NBA with 8.7 assists.Tough matchup with John Wall, he is a big athletic guard, Cousins said. We have to keep the crowd around him, be there to help guards to help the guard. He really looks to get into the paint and get everybody involved. It is going to be a tough task (Monday) and if we play the way we did tonight minus some of the mistakes we will be fine.The Wizards (5-10) saw their modest two-game winning streak, a season high, end Saturday as the San Antonio Spurs handled Washington 112-100. The Spurs were relentless getting to the free throw and attacking a Wizards defense that struggles defending the perimeter.They were a more aggressive team, said Wall, who had 21 points in the home loss. They got a lot of easy shots and I think we missed some easy shots.Bradley Beal paced the Wizards with 25 points on a night center Ian Mahinmi made his season and Wizards debut after missing the opening 14 games following knee surgery. Rust was evident, but the hope is Mahinmi, who signed a four-year, $64 million contract over the summer, can help Washington defensively against the likes of Cousins.He knows how to play, Wizards coach Scott Brooks said of Mahinmi. Its going to take him some time. Im very patient and he understands that we all are. But I like what he brings to our team. Hes a tough player and he just brings a good fiber to our team. I thought tonights game, at times he looked good (and) at times he looked rusty. Thats expected. Hes missed the last six weeks of the season. LeSean McCoy Super Bowl Jersey . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. Juan Thornhill Super Bowl Jersey . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. http://www.officialkcchiefspro.com/Laurent-duvernay-tardif-chiefs-jersey/ . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. Chris Jones Super Bowl Jersey . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. Larry Johnson Super Bowl Jersey .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The two teams are a combined three games over .500, so to say the remaining three games of the series are crucial might be a bit of a stretch.The Seattle Mariners (43-43) and the Kansas City Royals (44-41) have three games remaining in a four-game series that will conclude the unofficial first half of the season. Both teams still feel there is plenty of time to get back into their respective division races.We have some good players, Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano said after his team gave up a three-run lead in the last two innings Thursday and lost 4-3 to the Royals. We will keep playing.You lose as a team and you win as a team. We dont want to blame anybody here.The Mariners and Royals are two of eight teams within 4 1/2 games of the American League wild-card lead. Just a few games past the midway point in the schedule is no time to put extra pressure on this series, according to Kansas City manager Ned Yost.Then again, Yost says he doesnt do that for any series.I dont know how many times I have to go over this, he said before the game. I dont feel (extra) urgency. The reason for that is that we feel urgency every day. We dont treat these situations with more urgency than any other situation. In a major league season, every game is important. Your mindset has to be that this is the most important game of the year. Tomorrow, thats going to be your mindset.Royals rookie second baseman Whit Merrifield added, I wouldnt say theres urgency, but its always important to put together good games and try to take the series. Going into the All-Star break it would be good to finish strong and build momentum. But I wouldnt say that its any more urgent than any other series.I dont know about it still being early, but theres a lot of baseball left. A lot of stuff can happen between now and September or October. There are lot of games to be played and a lot of ups and downs to come.Seattle has experienced ups and downs on the road. The Mariners started the season with a 19-8 roadd record, but they have now lost 15 of their last 17 away contests, including nine straight.dddddddddddd Seattle is hitting the ball -- it has 129 home runs, the second-highest total in the majors. They Mariners also are pitching well, as they own the fourth-best ERA in the American League (3.94).Their defense has let them down. Seattle is tied with the Minnesota Twins for the worst fielding percentage in the league.The Royals problems are almost opposite. Kansas City is one of the better defensive teams, but it ranks last in the American League in home runs and RBI. The starting pitching also is struggling. Danny Duffys strong outing Thursday was just the teams 32nd quality start in 85 games.The Royals will throw inconsistent Yordano Ventura (6-6, 5.26 ERA) on Friday night. When hes on, hes on. When hes not, hes not.Recent back-to-back starts against the Tigers and the Cardinals showed his good and bad form. He went 6 1/3 scoreless innings vs. Detroit on June 17, giving up six hits with no walks and five strikeouts. He followed that outing by going 5 1/3 innings and allowing seven runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts against St. Louis.Ventura is running into much of his troubles early in games. He has a 7.31 ERA in the first two innings but a 4.07 ERA from the third inning on.He will be looking for his first career win over the Mariners, as he is 0-3 with a 4.34 ERA in five starts. Ventura took a 6-0 loss at Seattle on April 30, when he allowed five runs in four-plus innings.The Mariners will counter with Hisashi Iwakuma, who has been improving as the season progresses. Iwakuma (8-6, 4.43 ERA) is 7-2 in his past nine starts. His ERA is still 4.47 in that span, but he has been able to keep his team in games.Iwakuma owns impressive career numbers against Kansas City: 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA four starts, though he hasnt faced the Royals this year. ' ' '

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics will be phased out of revenue sharing in the coming years as part of baseballs new labor deal, and that puts even more urgency on the small-budget franchises plan to find the right spot soon to build a new, privately funded ballpark.The As revenue-sharing funds will be cut to 75 percent next year, 50 percent in 2018, 25 percent in 2019 and then phased out as part of the five-year agreement reached Wednesday and formally announced Friday.We are very excited that there is an agreement on a new CBA. We are committed right now to investing every dollar of revenue that we generate back into the on-field product and the fan experience, new As team president Dave Kaval said. We will also work hard to increase our revenue in the near term so that we can allocate more resources to both of these areas. The new CBA again highlights the importance of getting a new ballpark built in Oakland. A new ballpark will allow for the most competitive level of play on the field. We are laser-focused on making that happen as quickly as we can.Kaval, named to his new As leadership position last month while also currently serving as president of Major League Soccers San Jose Earthquakes, brings a business savvy and the experience from just pulling off the building of the Quakes second-year, state-of-the art Avaya Stadium, which boasts the largest outdoor bar in North America. He envisions an intimate baseball venue surrounded by the bustle of businesses, restaurants and housing.Commissioner Rob Manfred said during the Cubs-Giants series in October he would like to see the club stay put and find a viable solution in Oakland, and Mayor Libby Schaaf has pledged her commitment.The As have a current payroll of $87 million, pending award bonuses and adjustments, and that is above only Tampa Bay and Milwaukees. They added outfielder Matt Joyce with an $11 million, two-year contract Wednesday and avoided a potential arbitration case when first baseman Yonder Alonso agreed Friday to a $4 million, one-year contract.Pushing forward for a new ballpark is a top priority, along with improving the fan experience at the Coliseum in the meantime to keep a frustrated fan base happy until ground breaks to show this really will happen -- prompting him to say last month, I know its maybe lipstick on a pig.The run-down Coliseum, shared with the Raiders and the last venue with both Major League Baseball and football, had multiple sewage problems in 2013 that caused damage during games among other issues.Kaval is committed to making quick progress but also doing this right. That means strong communication with city and civic leaders as well as the community and fan base. On Tuesday afternoon, Kaval will host his first office hours at the Coliseum open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis -- then each Tuesday after that by appointment. He has held a similar practice as with the Earthquakes.I do hope our new president has a better understanding of what the fans want in order to get a new stadium done, catcher Stephen Vogt said in a text message Friday. I think its great that he is having office hours that fans can come in and give him their opinion on what they would like to see. The new stadium is for these fans. These fans deserve a new stadium. They waited long and they still supported us through thick and thin the last few years. Mitchell Schwartz Super Bowl Jersey .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Custom Chiefs Super Bowl Jerseys . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. http://www.thechiefsshoponline.com/Youth-Eric-Fisher-Chiefs-Jersey/ .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. Harrison Butker Super Bowl Jersey . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. LeSean McCoy Super Bowl Jersey . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. Jos Buttler looks set to return to Englands Test side as a specialist batsman. Buttler, who was dropped as wicketkeeper a year ago, has only played one first-class game since but such is the England managements belief in his ability - and, just as importantly, the modest form of the alternative options - that he looks certain to be recalled for the third Test against India in Mohali.The man to make way will be Ben Duckett. While the England coach, Trevor Bayliss, remains a believer in Ducketts natural talent, his struggles against spin appear to have convinced the team management that to subject him to further exposure could damage his long-term development. He has scored 18 runs in the three innings he has played in the series against India and seen a technical weakness against quality offspin from R Ashwin exposed in merciless fashion.There are only two spare batsmen in the squad: Gary Ballance, who was dropped after the Bangladesh portion of the tour, and Buttler.For all Buttlers ability, he has an oddly modest record in red-ball cricket. He only once reached 30 in his last 12 Test innings (his highest score in that period was 42) and he has a first-class average of 32.07; notably lower than Chris Woakes.But the team management have long believed that his problem was temperamental rather than technical. They hope that he will take the confidence he shows in limited-overs cricket into the longest format and will encourage him to play in that same positive manner.The one thing with Jos, Bayliss said, is that if he plays the same way as he does in one-day cricket, I think thats the way ahead for him; red ball or white ball. I think hes starting to get his head around that fact.Hes in the top echelon of destructive batters when it comes to white-ball cricket, and theres no reason - if he can get his head around playing against a red ball - that he cant do the same and put the pressure back on the opposition.dddddddddddduttlers lack of match practice is far from ideal. He played in one red-ball warm-up match in Bangladesh a month ago (he scored 4 in his only innings and was dropped once as well), but it remains an irony that a nation that plays as much and appears to plan ahead as England should find itself in such a position.This predicament was created by an odd combination of events, though. First Buttler was encouraged to play in the IPL and then, just as he would have embarked upon a spell of County Championship cricket with Lancashire, he sustained a thumb injury in a T20 match against Worcestershire. But Bayliss hopes that his form in the nets can be transferred to a Test.Hes certainly hitting the ball very well in the nets, Bayliss said. Yes, we would have liked him to have a hit-out at some stage, but it is what it is these days. Weve no time to fit one in. If he does come in I think hell give it his best shot.While Duckett looks certain to be dropped, Bayliss remains an admirer of his ability and his work-ethic and maintained that, aged 22, he has time to come again.I think hes got a special talent, Bayliss said. Whether he plays the next match or not, I think hell play a lot more for England. Every level you get to, you go up. It gets harder and harder, and the step is bigger. Bens working harder than anyone in the nets to try to fix things up, getting himself into a position that he is confident enough to score runs. ' ' '

Guinness PRO12 leaders Ulster left it late to beat Ospreys as Paddy Jacksons 79th-minute penalty secured the hosts a 9-7 victory.The visitors had not trailed until Jackson slotted over his third penalty of the game to continue his sides 100 per cent start to the league campaign.The home sides last-gasp win meant the Ospreys - who scored the games only try early on from prop Nicky Smith - fell to their second straight league defeat.Even though they took four vital points, this was a misfiring effort from Ulster who trailed 7-3 at half-time after Smiths try had been converted by Dan Biggar, who missed a second-half drop-goal attempt.Ulster had to deal with the withdrawal of Iain Henderson prior to kick-off with an injured elbow, with Robbie Diack coming into the starting line-up.The visitors scored in the fifth minute when Smith barrelled over from close range after a clever kick from Dan Evans had forced Ulster to concede a lineout near their line.Biggar converted and the Ospreys had thrown down the gauntlet to their hosts.Ulster were shaken but gradually worked their way back into the game only for Jacksons 24th minute penalty attempt to sail wide.The home side stayed in Ospreys territory and a sweeping move going left saw Charles Piutau link with Louis Ludik with the South Africans pass to Darren Cave being too difficult for the centre to hold.Still, Ulster managed to come away with their first points when Jackson landed a 28th-minute penalty after Ben John was penalised for not rolling away but that was as good as it got for the home side in the first half.On the resumption, Ulster needed a quick response and got one after Josh Matavesis high tackle on Ludik just four minutes in with Jackson making no mistake and narrowing Ospreys lead to one point. They then had a golden chance to take the lead in the 49th minute only for Jackson to again hit the attempt wide.Despite Ulster trying to turn the screw in Ospreys half, they got nowhere and only a last-ditch tackle from Jared Payne prevented Eli Walker from scoring a break-out try in the 65th minute.Five minutes later Ulster breathed a sigh of relief after Biggars drop goal went wide, and it took another last-ditch hit, this time from Ludik, to haul down Tom Habberfield short of making the right corner soon after.It looked like they could not possibly salvage a result but the in the closing minutes Cracknell was penalised - it seemed harshly - for not rolling away and Jackson put Ulster in front. Matt Carpenter . The 27-year-old Scrivens will be joining his third NHL club since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2010. The move also reunites with him with head coach Dallas Eakins from their time together with the American Hockey Leagues Toronto Marlies. Ozzie Smith Jersey Large . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. http://www.custommlbcardinalsjersey.com/custom-roger-maris-jersey-large-521q.html . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Mike Mayers . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. Cheap Custom Cardinals Jersey .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. Orlando City coach Adrian Heath knows his team is facing a tough test when the Lions head to Toyota Stadium to take on high-powered, counter-attacking FC Dallas on Monday in sweltering Frisco, Texas.Orlando City (4-3-8) is riding a five-game unbeaten streak, but sits just below the red line on the Eastern Conference standings with 20 points. The Lions got a game-winner from Kaka in the 10th minutes of stoppage time to beat Toronto FC in their last MLS match.Dallas (9-5-4) is in second place in the Western Conference with 31 points, one point behind first-place Colorado. The Toros have not suffered a loss in their last 16 home games, the best such streak in the MLS. They are coming off a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake in their last league game on June 25.Heath described Dallas as a dynamic squad, led by Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz. Castillo and Diaz have combined for five goals and five assists in their last two MLS matches, wins against Real Salt Lake and Colorado. Diaz is second in MLS with seven assists.Their atttacking threats are very, very good, Heath told the teams website.dddddddddddd They are second in the Supporters Shield so they are obviously doing well this season. We know that in the counterattack they are incredibly dangerous and for me its all about concentration. Can we concentrate when we have possession of the ball and they are off? Because thats when they are the most dangerous.The Lions mental toughness and concentration will be tested by the conditions. Temperatures are expected to approach triple digits leading up the 9 p.m. ET kickoff on Monday. The Toros have been able to use the local heat to their advantage, wearing down teams in the second halves of matches.Because Heath fielded a reserve-heavy lineup in a midweek loss to Ft. Lauderdale in U.S. Open Cup play, the core of Orlando Citys roster should be fresh and healthy. The Lions are tied for second in goals scored with 28. ' ' '

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee States high-scoring offense will run into one of college footballs best linebackers Saturday night.Vanderbilts Zach Cunningham leads the Southeastern Conference with 81 tackles and 13 tackles for loss and ranks in the top five nationally. Now the 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior will try to disrupt a Tigers offense ranked 16th in the Football Championship Series scoring 36.3 points per game.Cunningham was named the national defensive player of the week by two organizations and the Southeastern Conference defensive player of the week honors for his career performance last week. Cunningham had a career-high 19 tackles, including a game-saving stop, in last weeks 17-16 upset at Georgia.That last tackle was Cunninghams best coming on fourth-and-1 to preserve Vanderbilt coach Derek Masons first SEC road victory in his third season. Its the kind of play Mason has come to expect out of Cunningham, especially against Georgia. Mason remembers how Cunningham tackled Todd Gurley, now with the NFLs Los Angeles Rams, three times when the linebacker was a freshman.Theres still guys in the NFL still trying to tackle Gurley, and they still cant get it done, Mason said. I knew then that he had the potential to be a special player.Vanderbilt (3-4) hasnt won consecutive games this season, but Mason hopes his Commodores pick up momentum from their win at Georgia.That was a snowflake, and were trying to turn it into a snowball, Mason said. Were trying to make sure we push this thing in the right direction. We felt going in we could win. Nobody else probably had that idea, but we did.TSU coach Rod Reed is hoping Vanderbilt will overlook the Tigers (5-1).Im just hoping theyre still partying and celebrating after that win because when you watch them on tape they are extremely stingy on defense, said Reed, whose team is ranked 25th in the FCS. Its going to be a tall task for us.---Here are some other things to watch for Saturday night when Vanderbilt hosts Tennessee State:CUNNINGHAMS FUTURE: Cunningham already is showing up on NFL draft projections as a first-round pick if he leaves Vanderbilt after his junior season. Cunningham said he really tries to tune out that speculation so he can focus on helping the Commodores. Obviously, thats something Im thinking about, but its not my main focus, Cunningham said.DANGEROUS RETURN MAN: Darrius Sims needs 44 yards to set Vanderbilts career record for kick returns. The senior was named SEC special teams player of the week after returning the opening kickoff 95 yards setting up the Commodores first touchdown against Georgia. Whoever didnt see that hole is blind, Sims said. Four of Sims former high school teammates play for TSU: wide receiver Patrick Smith, offensive linemen Thomas Burton and Igor Misigaro and defensive tackle Michael Perry III.PICKOFF ARTISTS: Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur played a turnover-free game against Georgia but must be wary of TSU cornerback Ezra Robinson, who already has four interceptions. The senior transfer from Michigan State picked off two passes, one he returned 93 yards for a TD in last weeks 35-28 win over Eastern Kentucky. Tigers defensive back Terrell Bonds has three interceptions.MORE GAMES? Vanderbilt is less than 5 miles from TSU, but this is only the second game between the Nashville schools with Vandy winning 38-9 in 2006. Rods a good friend and I do believe it does make sense every, maybe, five or 10 years to play this ballgame, Mason said.RUSHING RECORD: Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb is 355 rushing yards away from breaking Zac Stacys career school record. Stacy rushed for 3,143 yards and Webb has 2,789.---AP College Football: collegefootball.ap.org Niklas Hjalmarsson Jersey . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. Dale Hawerchuck Jersey . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. https://www.cheapcoyotes.com/ . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. Brad Richardson Jersey . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. Nick Schmaltz Jersey . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. England lock Joe Launchbury has been appointed Wasps captain for the 2016-17 season.The 35-times capped Launchbury replaces international team-mate James Haskell -- who will miss most of the season after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his big toe -- and prop Matt Mullan who were co-captains last season.Launchbury joined Wasps from Worthing as a 19-year-old in 2009 and is closing in on 100 appearances for the Aviva Premiership club.Joe is a natural leader around the place and I think he has grown with the responsibility of being a leader and an international over the last couple of seasons, Wasps director of rugby Dai Young told the official club website.He has already proven himself as a world-class player and Im sure the captaincy will only help him grow again.Unfortunately, James picked up a nasty injury while playing for England which means he will miss a major chunk of Wasps season.That in iitself makes it difficult to do the job of captain, but we also want him to be a little bit selfish and focus on himself so he can concentrate all his energy on getting back to full fitness as soon as possible.ddddddddddddMatt has been around the captaincy role for almost three years now and while it is a big honour, people dont see all the extra work that goes in behind the scenes and the off-field commitments that go with the captaincy role.From my point of view, I feel three years is probably the right amount of time before then passing the baton on and have someone else step up.Launchbury, 25, said: Its a massive honour to have been named captain and something I am very excited about.We have a squad packed full of talent so its now important we hit the season running. ' ' '

INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA is placing Southern University athletic teams on five years probation and enforcing scholarship reductions after finding Southern failed to monitor eligibility requirements, apply proper financial aid rules or comply with academic performance standards.The NCAAs Division I committee on infractions, which released its ruling Wednesday, says it found Southern lacked institutional control when it improperly certified more than 200 student-athletes during a six-year period in all sports.The NCAA says Southerns penalties include vacating victories involving ineligible athletes and a $5,000 fine. Teams losing scholarships include football, which loses five for three years, and mens basketball, which loses one for three years.The NCAA cited the transfer of academic records to a new system, as well as inadequate staff training, as primary causes of certification errors. Air Force 1 Alte Flax . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. Air Force 1 Scontate Uomo . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. http://www.airforce1outletitalia.it/scontate-air-force-1-alte-2020.html . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Air Force 1 Alte Hand Wash Cold . 10 Texas Rangers jersey for one last time. Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. Air Force 1 Sp Italia . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Wild forward Zach Parise has been scratched from Minnesotas game against the Colorado Avalanche because of an illness.Parise had just returned to the lineup for two games after missing six with a lower-body injury. In his place, Minnesota dressed seven defensemen.In 10 games this season, Parise has two goals and four asssists.ddddddddddddColorado was without forwards Matt Duchene (concussion) and Gabriel Landeskog (lower body) on Saturday night. Duchene missed his fourth straight game, while Landeskog has sat out the past two. ' ' '

Who will win the Atlantic Division? Our NBA writers make their predictions:Predictions:?Atlantic | Central | Southeast Northwest | Pacific | Southwest East | West | NBA champs Air Force 1 Shell Pas Cher . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Nike Air Force One Low Pas Cher . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. http://www.siteairforce1pascher.fr/air-force-1-low-soldes/basket-basse-homme.html . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Air Force One Pas Cher Adulte . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. Air Force 1 Mid Pas Cher . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. SHANGHAI -- Hideki Matsuyama of Japan kept a clean card Saturday and made just enough birdies for a 4-under 68 to maintain his three-shot lead in the HSBC Champions.Matsuyama had made 19 birdies over the opening two rounds. He was even more satisfied with the third round because he played bogey-free for the first time all week at Sheshan International and didnt give anyone much of a chance to close the gap.Matsuyama made three of his birdies on the par 5s, including the final hole when he belted a 3-wood from 248 yards over the corner of the lake and onto the green, and he nearly holed the 25-foot eagle attempt. Matsuyama was at 17-under 199 as he goes for his first World Golf Championship title.Defending champion Russell Knox made a pair of birdies on the back nine and to keep in range, though he never could get closer than two shots of Matsuyama. Knox also shot a 68 and will be in the final group for the second straight year at the HSBC Champions.Joining them will be Daniel Berger, who has used his short game to stay in contention. That was never more evident than the 18th hole, when he pushed his fairway metal into the middle of the lake and still managed to get up-and-down from the fairway to save par. Berger shot a 67 and was four shots behind.Francesco Molinari, who won this WGC in 2010, had a 68 and joined Bill Haas (70) at 12-under 204.SIME DARBY LPGA MALAYSIAKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Shanshan Feng birdied four of her final six holes after a long lightning delay to top the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia leaderboard when darkness suspended play.The 27-year-old Chinese player had a one-stroke lead over fellow major champion Anna Nordqvist of Sweden. Feng was 7 under for the day and 13 under overall on the 18th tee when play was stopped at TPC Kuala Lumpur. Nordqvist was on the par-5 16th.Play was delayed for 4 hours, 39 minutes by the lightning and periods of heavy rain, leaving only 90 minutes of light left when the action resumed.Feng won the 2014 tournament for the last of her four LPGA Tour titles. She bogeyed the par-4 11th before the delay, then reeled off birdies on par-5 12th, par-4 14th, par-3 15th andd par-5 16th.ddddddddddddShe made a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-5 sixth in a front-nine 31.Feng was third in the Olympics in August, the start of a string of five top-four finishes -- the best a second behind Ha Na Jang three weeks ago in Taiwan.Nordqvist was 5 under for the round. Amy Yang was third at 11 under with three holes left.POWERSHARES QQQ CHAMPIONSHIPTHOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Tom Pernice Jr. had four straight birdies and shot an 8-under 64 for a share of the PowerShares QQQ Championship lead with Brandt Jobe.Jobe had a 66 to match Pernice at 11-under 133 at Sherwood in the PGA Tour Champions playoff opener.Pernice began the run on the par-5 11th and also birdied the par-3 12th, par-5 13th and par-4 14th. The four-time tour winner birdied another par 5 on 16 and closed with two pars.Jobe had eight birdies and two bogeys.First-round leader Colin Montgomerie (69) was a stroke back along with Rocco Mediate (65) and Olin Browne (66). Mediate played alongside Pernice, and matched him with birdies on Nos. 11-14.Fred Couples was tied for 22nd at 4 under after a 72 in in his first tournament in eight months. The 57-year-old Couples was sidelined by a chronic back injury.SANDERSON FARMS CHAMPIONSHIPJACKSON, Miss. -- Chris Kirk and Luke List each shot 7-under 65 to share the third-round lead in the Sanderson Farms Championship.Kirk and List were at 14-under at the Country Club of Jackson.Cody Gribble (67), Canadas Graham DeLaet (68), and 2009 U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover (68) were a stroke back. Second-round leader Grayson Murray had a 72 to drop two shots behind.Kirk, the highest-ranked player in the field at 76th, had eight birdies and a bogey.Kirks first PGA Tour title came in the event in 2011, when it was known as the Viking Classic and was played at Annandale Golf Club in nearby Madison. He has won three times since, including twice in 2014, when he finished second in the FedEx Cup standings.List, chasing his first PGA Tour victory, had seven birdies in a bogey-free round. ' ' '

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Keeping a dynasty seems even more challenging than creating one. Just ask Hall of Fame car owner Rick Hendrick.The NASCAR titan has fielded 11 Sprint Cup champions over the past 21 years, won 242 Sprint Cup races and just two seasons ago had all four of his star drivers- Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne -- in the 16-team championship chase.These days, Johnson is Hendricks only surefire contender locked into the chase, although hes got others knocking on the door. Hendrick understands its a time of transition for his proud, powerful organization.You sign guys and you cant believe that Jimmie Johnson, or Dale or Jeff Gordon are 40 years old, Hendrick said. But time moves on.And brings change.Gordon retired last year, although he has driven the past four races for Earnhardt, who is recovering from a concussion that has put his playoffs in doubt. Chase Elliott, Gordons replacement, stands 12th in points and is a good bet to keep his spot in the chase. Kahne, at 17th, needs a victory to guarantee moving on.I think everybodys looking for that next superstar, Hendrick said. And if youre not willing to invest in the future, then youre going to be in a bind when the time comes.Hendrick took steps toward that last week, signing 18-year-old truck series leader William Byron to race Xfinity cars next season. In Hendricks eyes, Byron is that budding star wholl keep the organization chasing checkered flags for a long time.Byron raced trucks for Kyle Busch Motorsports and looked to have a future at Joe Gibbs Racing, the current power player in NASCAR. But with Busch, the defending Sprint Cup champion, Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin all in their 30s (the fourth member is 44-year-old Matt Kenseth), there may not be room for advancement at JGR.David Wilson, president and general manager, Toyota Racing Development, USA, said Byron was a talent they hated to lose. I dont think we were anticipating the next step this soon, he said. I dont think William was anticipating it this soon.Dont fret for Toyota, which is developing several young drivers. Xfinity driver Erik Jones will advance to Sprint Cup with Toyota team Furniture Row Racing next year.Daniel Suarez, a 24-year-old JGR driver, was part of NASCAR Next and its Drive for Diversity program. He became the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR race when he took the Xfinity race at Michigan two months.All, though, will have to wait their time. The JGR quartet -- think of the Golden State Warriors on wheels -- have won 10 of 23 races this season and are all locked into the playoffs for a championship run.Edwards, the groups newest member, said the level of cooperation between very competitive teams and drivers keeps all of them sharp.Yeah, were running really well, but its not one thing, its a very good foundation of teamwork and it all starts with Coach Gibbs, Edwards said. Its cool to be a part of it.Roush Fenway Racing, with 135 Sprint Cup wins and two championships, has also dealt with changes in recent years and the need to find young talent. Once a perennial title contender, the organization that featured 2003 title winner Kenseth and Edwards is crossing its fingers looking for one chase entry.Former Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne, 25, stands 15th in points, but would get knocked out if race winners Tony Stewart and Chris Buescher both maintain their spots inside the top 30 in points.Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the 28-year-old whos 19th in points, was second Sunday to Kevin Harvick at Bristol Motor Speedway, the highest finish for a Roush Fenway driver this season. Stenhouse said although no one at RFR is satisfied with this years results, he thinks strides have been made in returning to the top.We passed some cars that were running (well) and leading laps throughout the race, Stenhouse said.Buescher, 25, was last years Xfinity champion and is on an extended run in Front Rows affiliation with Roush Fenway. His win at Pocono last month put him in playoff position and he moved up to No. 30 -- the required placing to make the Chase -- with his fifth place at Bristol. A few more strong showings at Michigan, Darlington and Richmond the next few weeks and Buescher will be racing for a title in his first full Sprint Cup season.From the Ford camp side, we know weve got a little bit of work to do yet, and we all know whos been dominant at all these tracks this year, Buescher said. And were working to get ahead of that group. Tracy McGrady Jersey . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. DeJuan Blair Jersey . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. https://www.cheapspurs.com/1316j-quinndary-weatherspoon-jersey-spurs.html . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Manu Ginobili Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Drew Eubanks Jersey . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. William Pike has been described as being as reliable as a bank ATM: Back whatever he is on and collect. In Saturdays Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in Perth, Western Australias premier jockey may validate the confidence of so many punters across the country yet again when he partners Perfect Reflection in the first feature of the citys Summer Racing Carnival at Perth.Now into the fourth month of the 2016-17 season, Pikes strike rate of 29.4 percent is as good as any jockey anywhere would imagine. Convert that to a run-rate and he would be knocking on the door of the Australian cricket team. For now, though, a second win in one of Perths toughest and most competitive races is where his mind is at with this $5.50 equal favourite.Im very much looking forward to riding her; she won the main lead-up race, the Lee Steere Classic [1400m, Group 2 on Nov. 5], and that was very good, Pike told ESPN of the four-year-old mares most recent performance.At the mile, I think it will be even better for her. And Ive got lucky with the [No. 2] barrier, too.The tougher Group 1 company may present another challenge, but the Grant and Alana Williams-trained mare stood up well enough to her first task at Group 3 level in Melbourne in February. Her third placing, beaten less than a length by Dont Doubt Mamma (twice a winner in Melbourne during the Spring Carnival) in The Vanity over 1400 metres at Flemington shouldnt be discounted.A blip on her record came when she finished well down the track in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (Flemington, 1600m) in March, but Pike says that it also shouldnt detract from assessing where she is currently at in her preparation.She went to Melbourne at the end of her campaign last time so it isnt fair to compare her then and now. She is a different horse now. With six Western Australian Derby trophies to his name, together with two Perth Cups, Pikes dominance of WA racing is most significantly stamped by his eight jockey premierships across the state.Pike broke a long-standing premiership record in the 2015-16 season with 118 winners in the Perth metropolitan area and more than 200 throughout Western Australia. Hes come a long way over a 16-year career, actually and figuratively.He grew up in the old gold mining town of Coolgardie, 550 kilometres east of Perth. Just as distant is his lineage to Hall of Fame jockey Jim Pike; the legendary rider of Phar Lap and a one- or two-degree relative of Williams grandfather. That association is more of a coincidence as a careeer in the racing saddle was never really on the radar for Willie.dddddddddddd.Not at all. My side of the family had nothing to do with racing. Id never been to a racecourse before I came to Perth and started my riding apprenticeship, the 30-year-old said.My uncle saw that I had always liked horses having done pony club and all of that sort of stuff and one day he said I want you to come and meet this person I know, referring to trainer Jack Cockell in Mundijong, situated 90 minutes south of Perth, and who became the WA champions mentor.The winners have kept rolling in. A riding-treble at Belmont last June was followed by a sextet of victories at Kalgoorlie in September. It all adds up to a list of profitable outings that any financial adviser would be more than proud of.But does being such a punters pal add to the pressure for an athlete still well in his prime, and did the prospect of smashing the local record result from a well laid plan?It did sort of just happen but a fair way out I still had my doubts, Pike said of his much lauded previous season. You have those patches where your form isnt so good, and at one point I was worried that I wouldnt even reach 100 [winners]. Somehow is then snowballed.Then they started saying that I was a chance to break the record. I didnt think that was going to happen but then I ended up putting a good margin on it. I did sort of just happen but definitely in between there are a lot of doubts.It all came about because I was able to stay out of the Stewards Room and from the ambulance, basically.Perhaps Pikes reliability emanates more from his attitude to race riding overall rather than just singling himself as a big race performer?Ive always just gone out and done my best no matter what the race is. My preparation for this Railway coming up is no different to any other that Ive ridden in. I want to win every race I go win, but I treat it like every other race just the same.I just want to do my best. I dont feel it [pressure] but sometimes when I go out on a short-priced horse -- and you know that its short because Im on it -- I feel like I want to do well for the punters, but it doesnt always happen.This Railway is a very hard race to win even if you have a good horse, and Im still going to need luck.Good luck, too, Willie. No doubt therell be plenty of others on the other side of the fence riding with you. ' ' '

There has never been greater competition for sports-loving eyeballs in bookstores this Christmas, and jammed in amid the glut of cricket memoirs comes Mitchell Johnson: Resilient. Peter Lalor of the Australian ably managed the words.The cover fronts with a close-up of Johnsons face; he looks at once stern and gentle. When you learn his story, that stands to reason. That his name is embossed in gold on a sleeve wrapping a weighty hardcover is less understandable, because Johnson has never pretended to be a stately figure. But when it comes to Australian cricket, alpha showdowns dont cease upon retirement - they extend to autobiographies too.Johnsons journey to Australian fast-bowling royalty - and he does belong there - is genuinely compelling, and never more so than when one contemplates the sheer rapidity of his elevation into the heady world of professional cricket. He literally didnt own a pair of cricket boots when Rod Marsh thrust him into Australias Under-19s team (to the chagrin of many of the other players parents).But like so many modern-day players with stories to tell and sell, Johnson in his memoirs struggles to shine a light on his professional years that hasnt already been shone.Its barely his fault. The ubiquity of media means that many of us are well-acquainted with each stars road. With Johnson, we know about the potential, the pace, the doubt, and the glorious return. At 392 pages, Resilient is nothing if not thorough in its chronicling of each plot point in Johnsons career. However, like so many other books, it does settle into a mechanical rhythm of moving from match to match to match, serving more as a reminder than much else more. This isnt to say there arent some highlights: his account of South Africa away and England at home - especially his 7 for 40 in Adelaide - will provide sweet tidings for Johnsons Australian readers looking for something soothing after Christmas (and the South African series).When you cant bring the matches to life, many ex-players understandably go where punters cant, by turning their autobiographies into titillating tales of the dressing room. To Johnsons great credit, it should be said, Resilient admirably resists joining this race to the bottom. Yes, he covers Homeworkgate and Katich v Clarke, but not gratuitously. It would be incorrect to put this down to any kind of naiveté or aloofness on Johnsons part. While he makes no pretensions to social over-analysis, he does have a discreet sense of old-school decency (as opposed to the chest-beating type), and it emerges in the book. So rather than view Australian crickets great in-house stoushes through the prism of base-level gossip, he places them in an altogether more relevant context: that of Australian crickets struggle for cohesion under Michael Clarkes influence. His notes are diplomatic, subtle, but communicate enough. Upon Ricky Pontings departure, Johnson writes, When he left he took something with him, and while he describes Clarke as tactically excellent, there is a seismic difference in the superlatives he chooses to use for each captain.But where Johnsons cricket yarns might lack mystery, his upbringing does not - at least in a cricketing sense. While Dennis Lillees description of him as a once in a generation fast bowler probably belongs in cricket cliché scrabble, how Johnson arrived at the moment is probably less well known. He was a genuine roughy from the bush, who, at the time of Lillees spotting, claims he didnt even know he was quick. The image he paints of arriving two days later to the Australian U-19 camp in Adelaide, long-haired, clad in a black Slayer T-shirt, owning no cricket kit, illustrates just how naturally talented he must have been. It also leaves you desperate for a picture of Johnson bowling in the nets with said T-shirt and hair. His emergence from the back of Townsville nonetheless provides an instructive backdrop to his entire career. With respect to the concept of lifelong learning, here was a guy who was picking up how to play cricket while competing in the Sheffield Shield. Johnsons rawness of talent and technique lent a youth to him that seemed to remain for his career. To that end, its easy to forget that his formative cricketing years were spent alongside Shield warhorses like Jimmy Maher, Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz, Andrew Symonds, Ashley Noffke and James Hopes. Johnson, who at one stage says that all he ever did was just wang it down - writes with pride about the influence of their old-school values on him. It was an influence that remained with him until the close of his Test career in 2015.The stories of so many champion players tell of being chastened by early and unexpected failure, and Johnsons mid-career walk through the shadows of cricketing decline are surely as dark as any. His description of the relentless carousel of international cricket travel, and the collapse of his body, technique and confidence, does help the reader appreciate the triumph that followed. We all know the Barmy Army song about him, but to properly consider that Johnson often could not rid his mind of it is illustrative of the difficult mental space he occupied for years.The book isnt written completely in Johnsons voice, however. There are welcome flourishes of content from people close to him, most of whom exist outside the insular cricketing sphere. Their inclusion here speaks of a man who never originally defined himself through his performances, but one who nonetheless harnessed his considerable abilities to achieve greatly in an unerringly human way.Mitchell Johnson: Resilient by Mitchell Johnson ABC Books, 2016 A$49.95 Bud Cooper Jersey Retro . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. Lloyd Harrison Jersey Retro . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. https://www.cheapjerseyslines.com/jeff-walker-jersey-retro/ . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Jim Ritcher Jersey Retro . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. Joe Francis Jersey Retro . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Ronda Rousey will return to the UFC on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas, fighting Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight title.The promotion confirmed Wednesday that Rousey will be in the main event of UFC 207 at T-Mobile Arena.Rousey (12-1) hasnt fought since November 2015, when Holly Holm stunned the previously unbeaten champion with a second-round knockout at UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia.The 135-pound title has changed hands two more times since then, wwith Miesha Tate beating Holm and losing to Nunes at UFC 200 last summer.dddddddddddd.Rousey became one of the worlds most popular female athletes during the former Olympic judo competitors meteoric rise through mixed martial arts. She took a competitive break after her shocking defeat to pursue her acting career. ' ' '

Maybe your team didnt make it to the postseason. Maybe your team got eliminated early. Maybe youre new to this whole baseball thing.Whatever the case may be, you need a team to root for heading into these late-round October games. Lets see which team goes best with your personality:The Chicago Cubs havent won since 1908. The Cleveland Indians since 1948. The Los Angeles Dodgers since 1988. The Toronto Blue Jays since 1993. Its been a while for all of the teams left in the postseason, and the fans are itching for a taste of victory.Arent you glad you have a bandwagon to jump on now?? Bryan Abreu Jersey . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Aledmys Diaz Jersey . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. http://www.customastrosjersey.com/custom-carlos-correa-jersey-large-1686y.html . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Wade Miley Jersey . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. Nolan Ryan Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A glance at the 16 drivers competing in NASCARs Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, which begins Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. The drivers are in order of seeding for the 10-race playoffs:No. 2 Ford, Penske RacingDRIVER: Brad KeselowskiBORN: Feb. 12, 1984HOMETOWN: Rochester Hills, MichiganCREW CHIEF: Paul WolfeTWITTER: (at)keselowskiNOTEWORTHY: Has been one of the fastest drivers this season, but has yet to put it together in the new Chase format. He failed to qualify for the finale in 2014 and 2015.---No. 18 Toyota, Joe Gibbs RacingDRIVER: Kyle BuschBORN: May 2, 1985HOMETOWN: Las VegasCREW CHIEF: Adam StevensTWITTER: (at)KyleBuschNOTEWORTHY: The reigning Sprint Cup champion has four wins this season, but his consistency has been up and down.---No. 11 Toyota, Joe Gibbs RacingDRIVER: Denny HamlinBORN: Nov. 18, 1980HOMETOWN: Chesterfield, VirginiaCREW CHIEF: Mike WheelerTWITTER: (at)dennyhamlinNOTEWORTHY: Hamlin opened the season with a win at the Daytona 500. Hes still seeking his first championship, and the final pit stop in the 2014 finale cost him the title.---No. 4 Chevrolet, Stewart-Haas RacingDRIVER: Kevin HarvickBORN: Dec. 8, 1975HOMETOWN: Bakersfield, CaliforniaCREW CHIEF: Rodney ChildersTWITTER: (at)KevinHarvickNOTEWORTHY: Won the first version of NASCARs elimination Chase in 2014, then finished second in the championship race last year. Has been plagued by pit crew issues that have cost him several wins over the last three years.---No. 19 Toyota, Joe Gibbs RacingDRIVER: Carl EdwardsBORN: Aug. 15, 1979HOMETOWN: Columbia, MissouriCREW CHIEF: Dave RogersTWITTER: NoneNOTEWORTHY: Edwards drives for powerhouse JGR, which has all four of its drivers in the Chase. Despite the depth, only one JGR driver made it to the finale last year.---No. 78 Toyota, Furniture Row RacingDRIVER: Martin Truex Jr.BORN: June 29, 1980HOMETOWN: Mayetta, New JerseyCREW CHIEF: Cole PearnTWITTER: (at)MartinTruexJr56NOTEWORTHY: Truex is back in the Chase this year after making it to the finale last year. As a sister team to Joe Gibbs Racing, the move to Toyota has led to wins in two crown jewel races this year, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Southern 500.---No. 20 Toyota, Joe Gibbs RacingDRIVER: Matt KensethBORN: March 10, 1972HOMETOWN: Cambridge, WisconsinCREW CHIEF: Jason RatcliffTWITTER: (at)mattkensethNOTEWORTHY: Is looking for redemption after last years Chase, in which a feud with Joey Logano led to his suspension.---No. 48 Chevrolet, Hendrick MotorsportsDRIVER: Jimmie JohnsonBORN: Sept. 17, 1975HOMETOWN: El Cajon, CaliforniaCREW CHIEF: Chad KnausTWITTER: (at)JimmieJohnsonNOTEWORTHY: The six-time NASCAR champion has not won a title since 2013. Hes carried the flag for Hendrick Motorsports this season with two victories.---No. 22 Ford, Team PennskeDRIVER: Joey LoganoBORN: May 24, 1990HOMETOWN: Middletown, ConnecticutCREW CHIEF: Todd GordonTWITTER: (at)joeyloganoNOTEWORTHY: Didnt make the Chase finale last year in part because of a feud with Matt Kenseth.dddddddddddd Has not had as strong a season as he did the last two years, when he was a title favorite.---No. 42 Chevrolet, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix SabatesDRIVER: Kyle LarsonBORN: July 31, 1992HOMETOWN: Elk Grove, CaliforniaCREW CHIEF: Chad JohnstonTWITTER: (at)KyleLarsonRacinNOTEWORTHY: Earned a spot in the Chase late last month with his first career victory. Is in his third season in the Cup Series and has turned up his performance the last month.---No. 14 Chevrolet, Stewart-Haas RacingDRIVER: Tony StewartBORN: May 20, 1971HOMETOWN: Columbus, IndianaCREW CHIEF: Mike BugarewiczTWITTER: (at)TonyStewartNOTEWORTHY: Missed the first eight races of the season with a broken back, but returned to win on the road course at Sonoma to earn a Chase berth in his final season before retirement.---No. 41 Chevrolet, Stewart-Haas RacingDRIVER: Kurt BuschBORN: Aug. 4, 1978HOMETOWN: Las VegasCREW CHIEF: Tony GibsonTWITTER: (at)KurtBuschNOTEWORTHY: Busch has had a quiet year, with one victory but steady consistency. Hes one of three Stewart-Haas Racing drivers in the Chase.---No. 34 Ford, Front Row MotorsportsDRIVER: Chris BuescherBORN: Oct. 29, 1992HOMETOWN: Prosper, TexasCREW CHIEF: Bob OsborneTWITTER: (at)Chris-BuescherNOTEWORTHY: Last years Xfinity Series champion earned a spot in the Chase by winning the rain-shortened race at Pocono. Still had to fight to stay within the top-30 in points to lock in his berth.---No. 24 Chevrolet, Hendrick MotorsportsDRIVER: Chase ElliottBORN: Nov. 28, 1995HOMETOWN: Dawsonville, GeorgiaCREW CHIEF: Alan GustafsonTWITTER: (at)ChaseElliottNOTEWORTHY: The son of Hall of Famer Bill Elliott has had a strong rookie year as Jeff Gordons replacement. He won the pole for the Daytona 500 and is only one of two Hendrick Motorsports drivers to make the Chase.---No. 3 Chevrolet, Richard Childress RacingDRIVER: Austin DillonBORN: April 27, 1990HOMETOWN: Welcome, North CarolinaCREW CHIEF: Slugger LabbeTWITTER: (at)austindillon3NOTEWORTHY: Making his first Chase appearance in his third full Sprint Cup season. Is still seeking his first career Sprint Cup victory.---No. 1 Chevrolet, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix SabatesDRIVER: Jamie McMurrayBORN: June 3, 1976HOMETOWN: Joplin, MissouriCREW CHIEF: Matt McCallTWITTER: (at)jamiemcmurrayNOTEWORTHY: Made his first Chase last season but was eliminated after the first round. Gave Chip Ganassi Racing two cars in the Chase for the first time in team history. ' ' '

CLEVELAND -- The football popped into the air and Jason Pierre-Paul knew exactly what to do next.Use both hands.I knew one of these days I was going to catch the ball, he said. I knew if I was ever catching a ball, Im going to the end zone.Pierre-Paul returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown and recorded three sacks to lead the New York Giants to their sixth straight win, 27-13 over the Cleveland Browns.Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes -- two to Odell Beckham Jr . -- as the Giants extended their longest winning streak since 2008 and moved closer to securing their first playoff berth in five years. The Browns (0-12) have lost 15 straight dating to last season.With the Giants (8-3) slogging through a game where they seemed to be playing down to Clevelands level, Pierre-Paul helped New York open a two-touchdown lead and avert disaster with his third career touchdown -- maybe one that meant a little bit more to the defensive end.Under pressure, Browns quarterback Josh McCown was hit as he threw by New Yorks Jonathan Hankins and the ball was corralled by Pierre-Paul, who tucked it under his left arm and rambled untouched for the TD to give the Giants a 20-6 lead. It was another stirring moment in the comeback for the 27-year-old Pierre-Paul, whose career was nearly ended by a horrifying fireworks accident in 2015, when he lost his index finger and parts of two others on his right hand.The fumble return only reaffirmed Pierre-Pauls return to form as an elite player, coming a week after he had 2 1/2 sacks, forced a fumble and deflected a pass in a win over Chicago.Im not proving anything, he told reporters Sunday. I told you all last year when I came in, I already won.Pierre-Paul is the first player to have three sacks and a fumble return for a touchdown of at least 40 yards since 1982, when the NFL first recognized individual sacks as an official statistic.His humility after the performance was just as impressive. He has been an inspiration to his teammates, who have marveled at his resiliency.Hes basically taken over these last two games, Giants linebacker Jonathan Casillas said. Ive been a fan of JPP since he came into the league, and knowing what hes been through, its so encouraging to watch him now.Pierre-Pauls TD was originally ruled an interception before being changed to a fumble.It was an interception, he said with a laugh. How else can you get seven points? The ball never touched the ground, so were going to call it an interception.The Giants recorded seven sacks on McCown, who said there are few players as tough to block as Pierre-Paul, who was limited in practice this week because of a knee injury.He is a big dude and a heck of an athlete, and he plays hard, McCown said. You have those types of things where he has a very rare skillset for that size and speed. That is what gives him an edge.Here are a few other takeaways from the Giants win:NEW ROLE? Beckham had a 59-yard punt return TD called back by a holding call, but that didnt stop him from celebrating in the end zone.As he mimicked the powder toss made famous by Cavaliers star LeBron James, a close friend, Browns punter Britton Colquitt informed him the play was coming back.I told him, `I dont care, I still ran it back on you, Beckham said.Giants coach Ben McAdoo wouldnt commit to Beckham taking over return duties.DOWN BROWNS: Cleveland is four losses from history, and first-year coach Hue Jackson may have reached a breaking point.Jacksons eyes teared up when discussing a nightmarish season that is almost over. The Browns are trying to avoid joining the 2008 Lions as the only 0-16 teams, and Jackson is vowing his team wont be bad in 2017.I am not feeling like this next year, Jackson said. There is no way. Uh-uh. No. I am a fighter, and I dont lose many fights.WAR OF WORDS: Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor and Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins wont be exchanging Christmas cards.Despite Pryor catching six passes for 131 yards, including a 54-yarder, Jenkins ripped him on Twitter following the game with a vulgar post. Pryor answered back with praise, writing you are a great corner. Solid defender! You played a solid game. Good luck rest of year.Earlier in the week, Jenkins said Pryor, a converted quarterback, wouldnt be a challenge and called him another receiver, just bigger.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Billy Turner Super Bowl Jersey . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Kevin King Super Bowl Jersey . PAUL, Minn. http://www.shoptheofficialpackers.com/Elite-Dave-Robinson-Packers-Jersey/ . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off. Packers Super Bowl Jerseys . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Raven Greene Super Bowl Jersey . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Ryan Ludwick had a bag of ice wrapped on his right shoulder, the one thats prevented him from doing much of anything all season. It seems to be finally coming around, just like his team. Ludwick drove in his first run of the season with a double, and the Cincinnati Reds kept up their August surge, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 on Monday night for their seventh win in nine games. The Reds moved 17 games over .500, matching their season high and keeping the pressure on Pittsburgh and St. Louis in the NL Central race. "Weve been playing pretty well since I came back," said Ludwick, who returned from shoulder surgery a week ago. "We were 5-2 on the road trip, and we beat the team thats behind us in the wild-card standings, so thats a good start to the series." Its an important four-game series for Arizona, which now trails Cincinnati by six games for the final NL wild card spot. The Diamondbacks have won five of their last seven games, but cant afford to lose any more ground. "Were hoping to win the next three -- thats our goal," catcher Wil Nieves said. Bronson Arroyo (12-9) won his third straight start, allowing three runs in six innings. Aaron Hill hit a solo homer, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. J.J. Hoover retired the side in the eighth, his 23rd straight scoreless appearance -- a club record and the longest active streak in majors. Aroldis Chapman gave up a pair of singles in the ninth while getting his 31st save in 36 chances. It was the left-handers first appearance since he gave up a two-run homer to Jonathan Lucroy for a 7-6 loss in Milwaukee on Friday night. Ludwick got his long-awaited RBI during a three-run fourth inning against Randall Delgado (4-4), who had won his last three decisions. The left fielder tore cartilage in his right shoulder while sliding headfirst into third base on opening day. He returned a week ago and had a pair of singles in 14 at-bats on a road trip, showing a lot of rust from his long layoff while recovering from surgery. Manager Dusty Baker has dropped him from the cleanup spot to sixth in the order while he gets his swing straightened out. He doubled down the line at third base during the three-run fourth innning, his first RBI since a solo homer off Matt Cain during San Franciscos 6-4 win in Game 5 of their divisional playoff series at Great American Ball Park last Oct.dddddddddddd 11. "I actually felt a little better tonight," Ludwick said. "I dont know if it was being home in familiar surroundings or what. "Its baby steps. Its a process. You feel like you want it all at once. You want to hit a home run in every one of your first 10 at-bats. Obviously, its a rhythm and timing issue. Tonight, I felt like I had a pretty good rhythm at the plate." The Reds could use a consistent right-handed run producer in their lefty-dominated lineup. Ludwick led the offence when Joey Votto missed most of the second half of last season with a knee injury, leading the Reds to the NL Central title. "Like Ive said, our best days are ahead of us," Baker said. "Weve just got to keep winning in the meantime." The Diamondbacks were coming off a 16-inning, 4-2 win in Pittsburgh that left their bullpen worn down. They needed a solid start from Delgado, who came up short. Todd Frazier hit a solo homer. Brandon Phillips had a triple among his three hits off Delgado and scored a pair of runs. Zack Cozart drove in two with a sacrifice fly and a groundout, helping the Reds pull ahead 5-1 after five innings. The Diamondbacks loaded the bases in the sixth, and Martin Prado singled for a pair of runs that cut it to 5-3. Arroyo allowed seven hits but didnt walk a batter for the third straight start. Notes: Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero, on the DL since Aug. 1 with a strained lower back, is scheduled to catch on Wednesday, take a day off, then catch Friday and Saturday. Hell be evaluated then. ... LH Matt Reynolds, on the DL since June 10 with a strained left elbow, is playing catch but hasnt thrown off a mound. ... Hill is 8-for-21 career against Arroyo with three homers. ... Phillips is 8-for-16 during a four-game hitting streak. ... Cozart leads the NL with nine sacrifice flies. ... The Diamondbacks will start LH Patrick Corbin, who hasnt won on the road since June 2, in the second game of the series. LH Tony Cingrani makes his first career appearance against the Diamondbacks. ' ' '

Wisconsin faces an early elimination game against No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.The No. 8 Badgers are rested after a bye week and, after a seven-point loss to Michigan, Wisconsin could be scratched off the contender list for the College Football Playoff at midseason with a second defeat.Ohio State has become so accustomed to success that a 21-point win for the Buckeyes can be framed as only a moderate success.Such was the case after second-ranked Ohio States 38-17 win over Indiana on Saturday in Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes were good, but not as good as they had been in their first four games of the season.The Buckeyes will file away the victory and move on to a more formidable challenge on Saturday (8 p.m., ABC) in a Big Ten showdown at No. 8 Wisconsin, which had a bye last week after losing for the first time this season the previous week at No. 4 Michigan in a hard-fought 14-7 decision.The Hoosiers came ready to play and challenged the Buckeyes for much of the afternoon, but in the end they couldnt match Ohio States superior talent.For the first time this season, Ohio State didnt move the ball as efficiently as it had done against the likes of Oklahoma and Rutgers. Quarterback J.T. Barrett was limited to 93 yards passing, completing just 9 of 21 throws, and was forced to run 26 times for 137 yards to help the offense get some traction against Indiana.The Buckeyes game plan was to hit some deep balls to loosen up the Hoosiers defense, but Barrett either misfired, receivers ran bad routes or the coverage blanketed his wideouts, forcing his excessive number of runs. He also faced some pressure from the Indiana pass rush that the offensive line at times found difficult to contain.Were going to go to the drawing board and clean it up next week, Ohio State freshman running back Mike Weber said. Eliminate (mistakes) and get bigger wins.Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, though, isnt going to worry too much about Barrett taking off with the ball considering his dynamic playmaking ability thats reminiscent of Braxton Miller a few years ago.Ill tell you, its part of playing quarterback in this offense. Youre one of the best players in the country, were going to play you and use you and do what you do well, Meyer said. Were aware of (the number of rushes) and have to be somewhat intelligent about how we do it, but go win the game.Meanwhile, the defense continues to play at a high level. Ohio State forced two turnovers, including safety Malik Hookers fourth interception of the season, and made some key stops. The biggest was a stop inside the 5-yard line in the second half with Indiana threatening to make it a seven-point game.The Buckeyes realize they have to play better this week than they did against Indiana.Outstanding. The typical Wisconsin, Meyer said. I think it goes back to (former) Coach (Barry) Alvarez and what hes built up there. I think Coach (Paul) Chryst ... I can push play and see its one of the best coached teams in the United States of America. Very good players. They have their niche.Playing at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison is never easy. The fans are hostile and Wisconsin will be gunning to knock off Ohio State, which lost there as recently as 2010.Wisconsin is in the midst of the rigorous part of its Big Ten schedule. Coming off a bye week after the tough loss at Michigan and facing the prime-time matchup with Ohio State on Saturday, the Badgers travel to Iowa the following week and then return home to face Nebraska.I think were all excited (to face Ohio State at night), Wisconsin redshirt freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook said. Its going to be an awesome atmosphere here at night in front of our fans. I cant wait to play.Hornibrook, a first-year starter, will have his work cut out for him against the Ohio State defense, which is ranked in the top 10 statistically in every major category. He had trouble against Michigan, completing just 9 of 25 passes for 88 yards and threw three interceptions.This will be another new challenge, a new experience for him, Chryst said. But Im very confident that hell be himself and thats a good thing.Wisconsin is known for its smash-mouth style featuring outstanding running backs in recent years such as Montee Ball and Melvin Gordon. But the Badgers are eighth in the Big Ten in rushing at 161.6 yards per game and the Buckeyes are No. 2 in the conference defending the run, which means Wisconsin could have trouble establishing a ground game.It is a good scheme, sound, Chryst said of Ohio States defense. And theyve got guys that play it well. And I think they are playing with confidence.Defensively, the Badgers get after opponents. In the loss to Michigan, their defense neutralized a Wolverines offense that piled up 77 points against Rutgers last week. Wisconsin held Michigan to one touchdown until the fourth quarter when the Wolverines scored the winning points.Theyre outstanding. Theyre what theyve been, Meyer said. Its amazing that theyve had coach transition. Theyve changed defensive coordinators and its a very similar defense. Its Wisconsins defense. I like that. I like the fact that we change coordinators on offense, its Ohio States offense, so Wisconsin youve got to give the leadership a lot of credit. One of the best teams in America. Jamie Thompson . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Gary Roberts . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. https://www.cheapnfljerseyschina.co/steven-baker-jersey-for-sale/ .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Jermaine Whitehead . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said. Tom Nelson . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Thanks to the play of Burnley keeper Tom Heaton, Manchester United were held to a scoreless draw by the Clarets on Saturday at Old Trafford.Despite taking 37 shots, United (4-3-3) were blanked in a third consecutive Premier League contest. They are 1-3-3 since opening league play with three straight wins.United began the first half brightly, but rarely threatened and allowed Burnley (3-2-5) to grow into the game. Sloppiness crept into both sides games as the first half entered deep waters, with the only noteworthy chance falling to Jesse Lingard, whose bullet header was expertly stopped by Heaton, who made an astonishing 11 saves.Burnley had to endure conttinuous pressure after the re-start, but Uniteds finishing left a lot to be desired.dddddddddddd Uniteds Ander Herrera was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge in the 68th minute.Teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the bar, Juan Mata hit the post, and Heaton was forced into countless saves.United boss Jose Mourinho will no doubt be happy with the way his side dominated, but the fact they couldnt find a way through is perhaps more worrying given the amount of time they spent in Burnleys defensive third. ' ' '