Just as you shouldnt expect a dentist to turn up to work with a spanner and sledgehammer, so you shouldnt turn up in Mumbai with a pack of seamers and think you have the tools for the job.On a surface on which Indias spinners claimed all 10 of Englands first innings wickets, England found themselves attempting to bounce out the Indian batsman for a while. They didnt take the second new ball until the 130th over and, when they did, they initially placed a field which included one slip and four men on the boundary. There really wasnt anything in the surface or the conditions to help their four seamers.It might be simplistic to conclude that England just misread the surface. While it is true that there was little of the swing, reverse or conventional, for which they might have hoped, they also argued that they have picked a side that plays to their strengths. And it is true that, by most criteria, England have a much deeper and stronger selection of seamers than spinners.But, in these conditions, it left England with an unbalanced attack and some players all but redundant. Really, theyve called for a plumber when they needed an electrician.Not for the first time, either. In the second-innings in Rajkot, Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes contributed nine overs between them. In the second innings in Visakhapatnam, Moeen only bowled 19 deliveries despite the absence of Zafar Ansari due to injury. And, in Mohali, Gareth Batty could have been used as a scarecrow for all the use he was with the ball.It was similar for Woakes here. By the time he took the second new ball, somewhere around 3pm on Saturday, it had been 78 overs and about 23 hours since he had last been required to bowl. He and Ben Stokes have only contributed eight overs each in the first 142 of the India innings; thats the same amount as part-time spinner, Joe Root. It is hard to see how England required both of them as well as James Anderson and Jake Ball.Leading into the game, we thought there might be a bit more in it for the seamers, Joe Root admitted afterwards. But its not quite worked out that way so far.In hindsight, I think we would have liked to play an extra spinner. But it would be silly to think about things that are out of our hands now. Weve just got to make the best of what weve got.But do they need six bowlers? Why, when their batting has been a consistent weakness, do they not pick the extra batsman and put their trust in five bowlers? After all, four bowlers was enough when they won here in 2012 - all but three overs in Indias second innings were bowled by Englands two spinners - and they do have, in Root and Keaton Jennings, respectable support bowlers as required. It was Root, the seventh bowler in Indias innings here, who made the long-awaited double-breakthrough.Part of the problem is the lack of faith England would appear to have in the form of their support batsmen at present. So while they could have picked Gary Ballance or Ben Duckett, they seem to have concluded that neither will make much of a difference. In which case, you wonder why the selectors didnt act after the Bangladesh part of this tour and replace Ballance with a batsman they felt they could trust.Equally, they appear to lack faith in the support spinners. But while Batty was largely redundant in Mohali, he would, at least, have helped carry the burden for the frontline spinners here. At one stage, Adil Rashid bowled a 28-over spell (from the 74th to the 128th over) which conceded 88 runs, while Moeen has only once (in Cape Town, when he bowled 52) delivered more than the 45 overs he has so far in this innings. And while both bowled reasonably well - Rashid sometimes finding sharp turn to beat the bat of even Kohli - there were, as expected, too many release deliveries to allow any pressure to build on the batsmen. The smart money suggests Liam Dawson - a left-arm spinner and decent batsman - will make his Test debut in Chennai in place of a seamer.And that is the nub of the problem. For it may well be that there is no combination of players available to England to prevail against India in these conditions. There may well be no left-arm spinner in England that could exploited these conditions to the extent that India could have been kept to under 400 for the first time in their first innings in this series. Virat Kohli and Ravi Ashwin really might be too good for them. It is hard to be wildly optimistic for the future, either. There would be fewer opportunities for red-ball spinners in the brave new world the ECB is planning. There would be no domestic first-class cricket in August (a List A competition would occupy those players not involved in the new T20 competition) and fewer reasons for counties to invest in young spin talents.But England cannot take such a defeatist attitude. And the further this tour progresses, the more it seems they have erred in their selection. It is not so much that the decision not to bring Jack Leach is puzzling, it is that they have chosen not to pick him while persisting with several players - notably Ballance, Steven Finn and, to a lesser extent Duckett - who they clearly have no intention of picking. Leachs reputation, like others before him, may have grown in his absence from the side, but, even if he had batted at No. 11 here and not bowled an over, England would scarcely have been any worse off.Maybe things would not have appeared so bleak had England taken the chances that came their way? Jonny Bairstow missed a stumping opportunity off Murali Vijay when he had 45, Kohli was put down by Rashid - a tough caught and bowled chance - on 68, and Root put down Jayant Yadav on 8. When India were 307 for 6, it looked as if England might take a significant first-innings advantage. Kohli played magnificently, but England will know they had chances and they were unable to take them.Its bitterly disappointing, Root agreed. It just proves that when you create those half-chances, you have to make sure you take them.It wont be any consolation to England, but their supporters might reflect they were fortunate to be part of a perfect Mumbai Saturday. With 20,000 spectators lapping up every run and the red soil and magnificent stadium helping create a unique atmosphere, it was the sort of occasion most present will remember long after the memory of other games fades. England probably didnt give themselves absolutely the best chance of success, but its hard to avoid the conclusion that, whatever they do, this series is going to be defined by Kohlis excellence. He is the difference. Malik Hooker Youth Jersey . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . Ben Banogu Womens Jersey . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. http://www.coltsofficialstore.us/authentic-marshall-faulk-colts-jersey/ . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. Bobby Okereke Youth Jersey . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Bobby Okereke Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- It was a defenses nightmare: Aaron Rodgers throwing here, throwing there, scrambling for a first down -- and seemingly no way to stop him.The Detroit Lions had no answers for the Packers late in a 34-27 loss on Sunday. It was one of the reasons Detroit fell to 1-2.After Matthew Staffords 35-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Jones Jr. with 3:34 left closed the deficit to seven points, the Lions defense couldnt get off the field. Rodgers ran for a first down on third-and-8 with 3:22 left and followed that up with a nine-yard pass. Eddie Lacy then ran for nine yards and a first down to take the clock down to the two-minute warning.With Detroit out of timeouts, Rodgers knelt down on three consecutive plays to run out the clock.We have to play defense like we know how to play. We havent been as stout as we should be, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said Monday. Just to get that stop at the end, we couldnt come up with it when we needed it.After being shreddded in the first half -- Green Bay led 31-10 after the first 30 minutes -- the Lions forced the Packers to punt on successive drives in the fourth quarter.dddddddddddd It was a strong showing for a unit without linebackers DeAndre Levy (quad) and Antwione Williams (hamstring). Another linebacker, Zaviar Gooden, was signed off the practice squad last week and played most of the second half after replacing Thurston Armbrister.Were going to expect them to take care of their assignments successfully, Caldwell said.Still, Armbrister was matched up against Packets star receiver Jordy Nelson in the slot in the first half. Nelson had six catches for 101 yards and two touchdown receptions.As has been the case this season, Caldwell did not give any updates on injuries on Monday. The Lions play the Chicago Bears (0-3) at Soldier Field on Sunday. ' ' '

Medium-pacer M Ravi Kiran took 4 for 32, as Hyderabad beat Services by ten wickets at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.Ravi Kirans four-for on the final day completed Hyderabads comeback, who had scored 580 in the first innings, after being 141 for 6 on the first day. This 580 came in handy, as they were able to enforce the follow-on after removing Services last wicket in the first over of the final day, dismissing them for 360.Their medium-pacers then ran through Services top order, reducing them to 27 for 3 within 12 overs. First-innings centurion Shamsher Yadav (24) and G Rahul Singh (59) put on Services first resistance, adding 77 for the fourth wicket. But Ravi Kiran removed both of them in consecutive overs and Services were 117 for 5 in the 33rd over. Akash Bhandari broke the second resistance, a 60-run stand for the sixth wicket, and opened up Services tail, as they lost their last five wickets for 42 runs and were bowled out for 239.Hyderabad chased down the their target of 20 without losing a wicket, taking a bonus point in the process.Andhra defeated Tripura by an innings and 38 runs in Valsad as DP Vijaykumar and Bhargav Bhatt took four wickets each, to help them clinch the victory 58 overs into the day.Tripura started the day on 165 for 3, still trailing Andhras 524 by 188. In the seventh over of the day, overnight batsman Abhijit Dey was dismissed for 43. His partnership of 95 with Yashpal Singh (59) was the highest of the innings. The next four Tripura batsmen all made twenty-plus scores, but with no other significant partnerships they folded for 305 as Vijaykumar and Bhatt took all eight wickets to fall on the day. Andhras captain, Hanuma Vihari was the Man of the Match for his unbeaten 233 in the first innings.Goa fell 35 short of an outright win against Kerala at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.Both teams showed a desire to win outright, starting with Kerala who began the day on 154 for 4. They added 103 in 21 overs, before declaring on 257 for 9 and setting a target of 315 in 63 overs. The declaration came after last man-in Fabid Ahmed smashed 22 runs off the four balls he faced, having come in after Iqbal Abdulla (37 off 27) was dismissed at the start of the 67th over. Medium-pacer Saurabh Bandekar accounted for the overnight batsmen, Rohan Prem (70) and Mohammed Azharuddeen (64) to finish with 5 for 70.Goas captain, Sagun Kamat, led their charge after opener Sumiran Amonkar was dismissed in the fifth over. He put on 111 at 4.13, for the second wicket with Swapnil Asnodkar (41), and 127 at 5.04, for the third with Snehal Kauthankar (41), before falling for a 176-ball 151 with Goa still needing 57. They only managed 22 in the four overs after, as the match ended in a draw.Himachal Pradesh survived an early scare to draw their match and take three points against Chhattisgarh in Kanpur.Chhattisgarhs overnight batsman and stand-in captain Abhimanyu Chauhan, brought up his first century as a Chhattisgarh player, having begun the day on 69. He was dismissed for 109 with the score on 247, after helping Chhattisgarh add 72 to the overnight score of 175 for 4. Avnish Dhaliwal chipped in with 43, as they declared on 309 for 9, setting HP 234 to win.HPs response began shakily, and after a 24-run opening stand, they lose four wickets in 13 overs to be reduced to 51 for 4. Robin Bist (20) endured along with Sumeet Varma (26) for a fifth-wicket stand that added 28 in 17.2 overs, as HP looked to hang on to a draw.They felt a second hiccup, when Ajay Mandal took two wickets in the 43rd over to reduce them t0 106 for 7. But Rishi Dhawan (41*) and Mayank Dagar (4*) hung on for the last 67 balls to secure a draw.Opener Shubham Khajurias unbeaten 110, along with Pranav Guptas 80 helped Jammu & Kashmir draw against Haryana in Cuttack after being asked to follow-on.J&K batted out the entire day after starting on their overnight score of 38 for 0. Opener Khajuria put on a 167-run partnership for the second wicket with Pranav, after his partner Umar Nazir had been dismissed for 38 in the first session. Pranav was dismissed in the 94th over and Owais Shah fell in the 99th, but J&K had done enough by then. Mohit Sharma, took all the wickets to fall, finishing with 3 for 21. Axel Witsel Belgium Jersey .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Adnan Januzaj Belgium Jersey .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. http://www.belgiumsoccerpro.com/Toby-Alderweireld-Belgium-Jersey/ . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Jan Vertonghen Jersey . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. Thibaut Courtois Belgium Jersey . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses. INDIANAPOLIS -- Scott Tolzien and Stephen Morris see every play as an opportunity.So when they trot out Thursday night at Cincinnati, the Indianapolis Colts backup quarterbacks know this game matters.Youre always trying to be sharp, Tolzien said. The way I look at it, its another opportunity to go play in a football game.On this team, those chances usually have been rare.From 1998 through 2010, Peyton Manning started every meaningful game the Colts played. Then after drafting Andrew Luck with the top overall pick in 2012, Indy plugged the rookie into the starting lineup and he started every meaningful game for the next three-plus seasons.Fortunately for the Colts, when Luck went down last season, they had a capable backup in 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck.But when Hasselbeck announced his retirement during the offseason, it didnt take the Colts long to sign Tolzien. He spent the previous three seasons backing up Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, and they still had Morris, a developmental quarterback who finished last season on the Colts roster.Now, with the preseason winding down, the Colts will likely follow their traditional tack by giving most of their starters an extra night off to get healthy for the regular-season opener, Sept. 11 against Detroit.With so many injuries already, who can blame them?Besides, Tolzien and Morris cherish getting some extra work.Its being consistent, making plays, getting the ball out quicker, being decisive with my feet, Morris said, rattling off this weeks goals. You have to make sure youre in the books and preaching the right things.This time, though, the two quarterbacks could be vying for one open spot.Tolzien is listed at No. 2 on Indys depth chart with Morris on the No. 3 line.While coach Chuck Pagano has repeatedly brushed aside any discussion of a challenge to Tolzien, Morris has shown promise in his limited playing time and in a normal season might get one of the precious 53 roster spots.Its not so clear now.With the possibility of 10 or more injured players taking spots on the 553-man active roster, Pagano acknowledged Monday that trimming the roster from 75 to 53 might be tricky.dddddddddddd Things could get even more complicated when they fill out the 10-player practice squad because the Colts may need all 10 active for Week 1.Morris said Tuesday he has no idea if the Colts plan to keep two or three quarterbacks, though they have usually had only two during the Manning and Luck eras.Either way, Morris is eager to give it his best shot.Its exciting, he said. Its a great opportunity to put something good on film. Any time youre on the field, you want to put good film on.Tolzien also can use the work.A year ago, he threw only one pass -- a 4-yard completion at Arizona in Week 16. The only other regular-season action for the six-year veteran came in 2013, when Rodgers was injured. He played in three games that season, started two and finished 55 of 90 for 717 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions.Hell probably make his second preseason start Thursday and he wants to make the most of it.It is crunch time, but were going to play to win, he said. You play your best when youre prepared and youre comfortable.Game notes Indianapolis got under the 75-player limit Tuesday by waiving linebacker Anthony Sarao and cornerback Darius White and putting safety Dezmen Southward on injured reserve. ... Indy then re-signed safety Alden Darby, who was released Sunday. ... Left tackle Anthony Castonzo did not practice Tuesday because of a strained triceps. Pagano said he expected Castonzo to return to practice Wednesday. Tight end Dwayne Allen also sat out for the second straight day with a sore hip. ... Dont expect cornerback Antonio Cromartie to play against the Bengals. Hes in shape, Pagano said. But theres a difference between L.A. Fitness shape and football shape, right?---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday he spoke with his players about South Carolina linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams contention a Tigers offensive lineman used a racial slur during warmups before Saturday nights 56-7 victory.Allen-Williams said afterward he couldnt identify the Clemson player. When Swinney heard Allen-Williams comments, he asked his player and all told him it was false. I believe my guys, Swinney said. Thats all there is to say about it.The two teams got involved in a brief scrum while on the field about 90 minutes before kickoff. South Carolina defensive end Dante Sawyer said on Twitter it was Clemson fans using racial slurs. Sawyer also said Tigers center Jay Guillermo reached out to him after the game to ease tensions and received all my respect. Toronto Blue Jays . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. Paul Molitor Blue Jays Jersey .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. http://www.bluejaysonline.com/blue-jays-marcus-stroman-jersey/ . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Custom Toronto Blue Jays . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. Justin Smoak Jersey .4 million title. Ryan Riess emerged with the title after a session in which he started behind, but used expert skill to gather the chips to his side amid the unpredictability of no-limit Texas Hold em. Riess put his final opponent Jay Farber all-in with an Ace-King. CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians did not make qualifying offers to free agents Mike Napoli or Rajai Davis, two players who helped get them to the World Series.The AL champions had until 5 p.m. Monday to make the $17.2 million offers, which would have guaranteed them compensatory draft picks if the players sign with other teams.Even though qualifying offers werent extended, Indians president Chris Antonetti said the team has strong interest in re-signing Napoli and Davis. The Indians would have had exclusive negotiating rights with them, but now they can talk with other clubs.Napoli and Davis both revived their careers in first seasons with Cleveland.The 34-year-old Napoli set career highs in homers (34), RBI (101) and strikeouts (194).The first baseman/designated hitter struggled in the postseason, batting just .173 with one homer. But Antonetti said that wouldnt outweigh Napolis contributiions on the field as well as in the clubhouse as Cleveland won its first division title since 2007 and made the Series for the first time since 1997.ddddddddddddike Napoli, Davis had a productive first season with the Indians. The 35-year-old led the AL with 43 steals and helped solidify the outfield when All-Star Michael Brantley wasnt able to come back from shoulder surgery.Davis also struggled in the playoffs, but he provided a magical moment in Game 7 of the Series. Davis connected on a two-run homer in the eighth inning off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman to tie it 6 before the Indians lost 8-7 in 10 innings, preventing Cleveland from winning its first title since 1948.The Indians also chose not to pick up outfielder Coco Crisps $13 million option for next season. ' ' '

Calling the race for NFL Coach of the Year after Week 1 sounds ridiculously premature, but until another team matches what New England pulled off at Arizona on Sunday night, the award should reside in Bill Belichicks office.Long underappreciated by those who think any decent coach could win with Tom Brady, Belichick led the Patriots to a heavyweight knockout on the road against the defending NFC West champion Cardinals without Brady or Rob Gronkowski available. It was an epic achievement that further differentiated Belichick from his peers, including in ways that require a little investigation to uncover.Dare to say it: Garoppolo topped even BradyJimmy Garoppolo completed 24 of 33 passes (72.7 percent) for 264 yards with one touchdown, no turnovers, a 106.1 passer rating and 73.0 Total QBR score. While that would be sensational production for any quarterback making his first NFL start, Garoppolo put up numbers that would have made even Brady envious under the circumstances. Francisco Lindor Indians Jersey . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Hanley Ramirez Jersey .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. http://www.indianssale.com/indians-roberto-perez-jersey/ Custom Cleveland Indians Jerseys . 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. Tyler Naquin Indians Jersey . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. CINCINNATI -- Bartolo Colon got an early start on New Yorks trip to Cincinnati, and it paid off in a big way for the Mets.Colon pitched six innings of five-hit ball and Matt Reynolds homered to the lead the Mets to a 5-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.We had a man on the mound today, New York manager Terry Collins said. Nothing fazes him. Gave us what he always does, quality innings. Hes an amazing guy.Colon (13-7) improved to 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his last seven starts. The Reds put a runner on third with nobody out on two occasions, and Colon wiggled out of the jam each time.Kelly Johnson also went deep as the Mets won for the sixth time in eight games. It was New Yorks 12th straight victory over Cincinnati.The Mets remained one game back of St. Louis for the second NL wild card after the Cardinals won 12-6 at sliding Pittsburgh.New York had a short turnaround after a 5-1 victory over Washington on Sunday night, arriving in Cincinnati early Monday morning. Four regulars -- outfielders Curtis Granderson and Yoenis Cespedes and infielders Jose Reyes and Asdrubal Cabera -- were out of the starting lineup.But the 43-year-old Colon got plenty of rest after traveling to Cincy on Sunday.Never had any pressure at all. I knew a lot of the veterans were getting a day off today, Colon said through a translator. Getting ahead of the hitters was key for me.Jay Bruce went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in his first game in Cincinnati since the Reds traded him to the Mets on Aug. 1.It was a bit odd, coming over to the visiting side for the first time, Bruce said. Definitely odd being on the other side, but once the first pitch is thrown, its just baseball.Robert Stephenson, one of Cincinnatis top prospects, struck out nine in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs and six hits, but fell short in his bid to become the first Cincinnati pitcher since Wayne Simpson in 1970 to win each of his first three major league starts.The 23-year-old Stephenson (2-1), who beat Philadelphia and Colorado in a pair of spot starts in April, said feels less pressure in thee majors than he did in the minor leagues.ddddddddddddIts just confidence, he said. Im not trying to get back to this level. Im already here. Now Im just trying to have fun.Reynolds, recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas before the game, hit his third homer of the season with one out in the third inning. He also had an RBI single in New Yorks three-run seventh and finished with three hits.Reynolds checked into the Mets Cincinnati hotel at 9:15 Monday morning after flying all night from Salt Lake City.Its everything I can ask for, Reynolds said. I just want to help the team win. It just happened I had a couple of big hits.Johnson led off the fifth with his 10th homer.The Mets have hit 18 home runs in their last 11 games at Great American Ball Park and 185 overall this season for their best total since the 2006 team set the franchise record with 200.GRACIOUS HOSTSThe Reds honored Bruce and his wife, Hannah, in a pregame ceremony for his contributions to the team on the field and the couples work in the community during his nearly nine seasons with Cincinnati.AMBITIOUSNew Yorks Wilmer Flores was thrown out by left fielder Adam Duvall trying to stretch hits in each of his first two at bats, at second in the first inning and at third in the fourth. Duvall is the first Cincinnati outfielder with two assists in one game since Bruce on Aug. 5, 2014, at Cleveland, according to the Reds.DOUBLE TROUBLEAfter tying their season high by hitting into four double plays in a 5-2 loss to St. Louis on Sunday, the Reds hit into double plays in each of the first two innings on Monday against the Mets.TRAINERS ROOMReds: 2B Brandon Phillips returned to the starting lineup after being scratched each of the previous two days with a sore left foot.UP NEXTMets RHP Rafael Montero (0-0) and Reds LHP Brandon Finnegan (8-10) are scheduled to start on Tuesday. Finnegan has limited opposing batters to a .132 average (9 for 68) over his last three starts. ' ' '

PRO FOOTBALLNEW YORK -- NFL stars James Harrison, Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers can start the regular season without having the specter of a league investigation over whether they used performance-enhancing drugs hanging over their heads.The NFL cleared all three players, saying there was no credible evidence the players were guilty of any of the claims made in a documentary by Al-Jazeera America in January.An NFL statement said the investigation involved witness interviews, a review of relevant records and other materials, electronic research, and laboratory analysis and review.The league threatened Harrison, Matthews, Peppers and free agent Mike Neal with indefinite suspensions if they did not meet with investigators.All of them were mentioned in an Al-Jazeera television interview with Charlie Sly, who worked as an intern at an anti-aging clinic.PHILADELPHIA -- A last-minute appeal in the NFL concussion case, filed by the son of an all-star and civil rights activist, has sent the proposed settlement to the U.S. Supreme Court and delays payouts for at least several months.The family of the late Buffalo Bills fullback Carlton Cookie Gilchrist asked the high court Tuesday to review whether the judge should have approved the potential $1 billion settlement without a full challenge to the scientific evidence presented jointly by both sides.The appeal, for instance, questions why more money is awarded for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, than for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, which some researchers link more closely with football concussions. At least two sets of other plaintiffs were granted extensions of the Tuesday deadline and can appeal through next month.Players lawyers who support the 2013 settlement negotiated with the league on behalf of 21,000 retirees insist their clients need financial and medical help now. Lawyer Jim Acho of Detroit, who sent a letter to clients Tuesday that said no further appeals had been filed and the payouts were imminent, called the Gilchrist appeal unbelievable.ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Tom Brady has found at least one thing to do during his suspension.The New England Patriots quarterback will return to his alma mater to be Michigans honorary captain Sept. 17 when it hosts Colorado.Brady will sit out the first four games of the NFL season, serving a suspension because of his role in what has become known as Deflategate. The Patriots drafted Brady out of Michigan in the sixth round in 2000 after he shared time as senior with Drew Henson.Michael Jordan will serve as honorary captain for the seventh-ranked Wolverines on Saturday when they open the season against Hawaii. Michigan is the first and only college or pro football team to wear Jordan Brand apparel, cleats and shoes.COLLEGE FOOTBALLEast Carolina, UNLV and New Mexico are out of the Big 12s expansion derby.Officials at each school said that they were notified by the Big 12 that they are no longer being considered for membership.East Carolina spokesman Tom McClellan says Commissioner Bob Bowlsby notified Chancellor Cecil Staton of the decision Tuesday by phone.Athletic director Jeff Compher says its obviously not the decision we were hoping for, but expressed satisfaction that we were able to tell our story to not only the Big 12, but the entire nation.UNLV President Len Jessup and athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy issued a statement later in the day to acknowledge the Rebels were no longer being considered. UNLV has been a member of the Mountain West since 1990.New Mexico President Robert told the Albuquerque Journal that the school received very positive feedback from the Big 12, but was informed it would no longer be part the conferences expansion search. The Lobos are also a member of the Mountain WestCHICAGO -- The latest round of class-action concussion lawsuits against the NCAA and major college football conferences were filed by former college football players from Florida State, Miami, Florida, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Louisville and Murray State.The lawsuits were filed in federal courts by Chicago-based attorney Jay Edelson. The seven lawsuits increase the total number to 22 filed since May.The players are seeking damages for injuries they claim are the result of mishandled concussions they suffered while playing college football.In most cases the lawsuits name the NCAA and the conferences in which the schools competed. State laws protect most schools from being sued. The University of Miami, a private school, is named in the lawsuit filed by former defensive back Ryan Hill, who played for the Hurricanes from 2006-2010.BROADCASTINGHOUSTON -- TNT basketball broadcaster Craig Sager received a rare third bone marrow transplant as he continues his fight against cancer.OK, third times the charm, Sager said moments after the process began.The 65-year-old Sager has battled acute myeloid leukemia since 2014, and announced in March that he was no longer in remission.His son, Craig Sager II, was the donor for his first two transplants, which put the elder Sager into remission for close to a year each time. This time, the anonymous 20-year-old donor was considered a perfect match.BRISTOL, Conn. -- ESPN analyst Chris Mortensen says his throat cancer has been virtually reduced to zero detection.Mortensen was diagnosed in January and underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He has been on a leave of absence from the network. He says he anticipates returning for NFL coverage on a limited basis this season.I do have scheduled exams and scans during the next three months to monitor my status, he says, but my oncologists have directed me to recover and rehab from the treatments that have resulted in lengthy hospitalization, significant weight loss, strength, endurance and related health issues. I am following instructions to overcome these challenges.PRO HOCKEYFollowing the lead of the World Anti-Doping Agency, the NHL has added meldonium to its list of banned substances.Deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the addition in an email to The Associated Press. It was first reported by the Russian news agency Tass.The change goes into effect for the upcoming season. The NHL and NHL Players Association had to agree to add meldonium to its list of prohibited substances, as with any changes to the performance-enhancing drug program.Daly says that decision was made for the same reason WADA banned meldonium on Jan. 1. Brett Hull Jersey .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury. Jaromir Jagr Jersey . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. http://www.thedallasstarshockey.com/mattias-janmark-hockey-jersey/ . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Bobby Smith Stars Jersey . As the crowd erupted, Davis knocked the ball off the glass and back into his hands. With 1:14 to go in overtime, Davis sixth block also became his 17th rebound. That, along with his 32 points -- which tied a career high -- proved too much for Denver to overcome, and the Pelicans held on for their third straight victory, 111-107 on Sunday night. Miro Heiskanen Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. HOUSTON -- Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez ended a tough stretch in emphatic fashion Wednesday.Martinez took a no-hitter into the sixth, Jeremy Hazelbaker and Brandon Moss hit home runs and St. Louis beat the Houston Astros 8-2.Martinez (11-7) pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, allowing a run while striking out seven. He retired 15 of the first 16 batters before giving up a leadoff double to Teoscar Hernandez in the sixth.Martinez had allowed 14 runs over his previous three starts.Hes been impressive, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. I enjoy watching guys improve. When you see him pitch like that and maintain like that, thats improvement.Martinez leads St. Louis pitchers with 11 starts of seven or more innings.Every day I go out on the hill focused on my work and ready to go through nine innings hopefully, Martinez said. Some days theres bad days, some days theres good days like today. I stayed focused and I felt really good. I feel like its just part of the game and I went out and did the best I could.The Cardinals have won four straight and have a slim lead for the second NL wild-card spot over the Pirates and Marlins.St. Louis is averaging 7.5 runs per game during this winning streak and began its offensive frenzy Wednesday in the third inning against starter Doug Fister.Eight Cardinals batted in the three-run third, highlighted by Stephen Piscottys two-run single and Yadier Molinas RBI double.Hazelbaker bashed a 3-2 pitch from Fister in the fourth for his first home run since July 29. Moss blew it open in the seventh with a three-run homer off Tony Sipp.Moss has four home runs in the last six games and leads the Cardinals with 22 homers in just 281 at-bats. Its a nice resurgence for the 32-year-old, who hit .250 with four homers in 51 games last season after being acquired from Cleveland in July.Seems like everybody discounted everything he did before he got to us, Matheny said. That was a bunch of homers. Then he comes over smoking the ball and not getting anyything for it.dddddddddddd You could just see where he was trending and where he continues to trend. This guys got legitimate big power.St. Louis has 49 home runs since the All-Star break to lead the National League.Its good were just having good approaches and obviously were having success at the plate, Hazelbaker said. It comes from preparation and just knowing what were capable of and just being prepared every at-bat.Fister (11-8) gave up four runs, seven hits and a walk while striking three in four innings.It was a disappointing day, Fister said. Any loss is a tough loss to swallow. I felt good today. I felt strong, I felt in control, but they put a few good swings on balls, and the ball bounced their way today.Fister has allowed four or more runs five times in his past 10 starts after reaching that mark once in his first 14 outings this season.Alex Bregman drove in Hernandez with a single in the sixth. The rookie has seven RBI in the last 11 games and is batting .312 in that time.Houston has been outscored 29-11 during a four-game losing streak and surrendered eight or more runs in three straight games for the first time this season.The rollercoaster ride that weve been on is no fun when were in this portion of it, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. This game will test your character, itll test your resolve, itll test your ability to come back from adversity and this is another test for us. Weve got the better part of six weeks left in the regular season, and we need to compile some wins.UP NEXTCardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (9-7, 4.72 ERA) starts against Philadelphia on Friday. Wainwright is looking for his eighth season with 10 or more wins and needs four to tie Dizzy Dean (134) on the Cardinals career list.Astros: RHP Joe Musgrove (1-0, 1.47 ERA) starts against Baltimore on Thursday after getting his first major league win against Toronto on Friday. ' ' '

WACO, Texas -- Johnathan Motley and the Baylor Bears got quite an early-season confidence boost -- their first-ever non-conference home win over a top-five opponent.And it counts even though fourth-ranked Oregon was without preseason All-America forward Dillon Brooks, their 6-foot-7 junior who was their leading scorer last season but is still recovering from offseason foot surgery.An eager Motley, who was suspended for the opener, scored 17 points in his season debut as Baylor beat the Ducks 66-49 on Tuesday.It gives us confidence knowing we can go out there and beat a good team like Oregon and maybe keep things going, Motley said. I was pretty fired up. Its really hard watching your teammates play.Motley missed the season opener for Baylor (2-0) after violating an NCAA rule by playing in an improper summer league game.Trailing by 10 at the break, Oregon (1-1) got within 33-32 on Chris Bouchers dunk to cap a second half-opening 9-0 run. The Ducks had the ball again with the chance to go ahead after Dylan Ennis steal, but then turned it over.That led to Ishmail Wainrights layup from Matt Lecomtes ally-oop pass, and Baylor started to stretch the lead again.Lecomte had 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting that included four 3-pointers. Jo Lual-Acuil grabbed 14 rebounds and had seven blocked shots for Baylor.Ennis led Oregon with 16 points, and Boucher finished with 12. Jordan Bell had 11 rebounds.The Ducks quickly led 3-0 when Boucher hit from long range on the games first shot, before they then missed six in a row. Motley made his first shot of the season and Manu Lecomte a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, and Baylor never trailed again.Didnt play very well, and didnt make plays for each other, so weve got a tremendous amount of work to do, Oregon coach Dana Altman said. Its difficult (without Brooks), but thats the way it goes. ... Theres no doubt hes a good player, but weve got some other good players that didnt play very well.BIG PICTUREOregon: While the Ducks were able to get past Army in their opener without Brooks, they clearly could have used their standout forward against the Bears, who dominated inside. Oregon struggled shooting at 33 percent (19 of 58) from the field and got outrebounded 41-30. Dillons a good rebounder but hes not going to make that difference up, said Altman, who wouldnt say when Brooks might return.Baylor: The Bears are 4-7 in their last 11 games against top-five teams. Maybe this will get the notice of poll voters. The Bears, picked to finish in the middle of the tough Big 12, havent been getting any votes so far this season.ZONE FACTORAsked about the difficulty of facing Baylors zone defense, Altman responded, Well, we did pretty good last year, we just didnt do good this year. Oregon beat Baylor 74-67 at home last November.BIG FACTORBaylors lead was only one midway through the first half when the 7-foot Lual-Acuil blocked a shot and was pumping his arms near midcourt after making a pass to Wendell Mitchell for a layup. Lual-Acuil made the next basket when he posted right under the goal, and got an inbound pass from Lecomte. I was trying to be a factor somehow, Lual-Acuil said. I knew my shots werent falling so I just tried to figure out different way of helping the team.HE SAID ITA lot of times, you play in big games and you play out of character, youre too nervous, youre too excited, Drew said. Weve played against a lot of good Big 12 teams in the top five that have beaten us. And I think we did a good job of staying poisedUP NEXTOregon played the first of five games in nine days. The Ducks are home Thursday night to play Valparaiso, where Drew was previously a head coach -- after his father and before his brother.Baylor is home for its third consecutive game to start the season, against Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night. Florida Gulf Coasts run to the NCAA Sweet 16 was in 2013, the season that Baylor was NIT champion.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org Yeezy Sko Fake . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Adidas Zx Flux Dame Danmark . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. http://www.yeezyskodanmark.com/yeezy-boost-danmark-outlet/yeezy-boost-350.html . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Yeezy Boost 350 Danmark Køb . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. Yeezy Danmark Køb . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. JACKSON, Miss. -- An attorney for former Southern Mississippi basketball coach Donnie Tyndall said the NCAAs Committee on Infractions missed its deadline to respond to the coachs appeal in the case.Don Jackson said in a motion that because the NCAA missed its Tuesday deadline, any response from the committee should be denied. It also requests that all previous penalties against Tyndall be dropped.The NCAA disagrees with Jacksons assessment. NCAA spokeswoman Emily James said in an email response to The Associated Press that the committee did not miss its deadline for the filing. She said she could not elaborate because of the memberships confidentiality rules.CBS Sports first reported Jacksons motion.The NCAA gave Tyndall a 10-year show-cause penalty in April after the governing body ruled the former Southern Miss coach orchestrated academic fraud designed to land recruits as well as other misconduct that included trying to cover up payments to athletes and potentiaal evidence.ddddddddddddTyndall was fired as Tennessees coach in March 2015 due to the possibility the NCAA might penalize him.The NCAA ruled in April that Tyndall acted unethically and failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance when he directed his staff to engage in academic misconduct while coaching at Southern Miss from 2012-14.Tyndall appealed the ruling in June.Southern Mississippi self-imposed a two-year postseason ban that took effect in 2015. The program is under probation until 2020 and will lose four more scholarships over the next three years.Tyndalls show-cause penalty -- which essentially makes him unemployable at the NCAA level -- runs through April 7, 2026. Even if he is employed after that date, he must sit out 50 percent of his teams first full season.---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP ' ' '

I had a moment last week Im not particularly proud of -- one of those projecting my sports dreams onto my kid moments. It was minor, in the grand scheme of things, but it stuck with me. So I drafted this message to him, to remind both of us what its all about.Hey, pal,Weve put in a lot of time together in the driveway and on the rec team. We talk about obscure NBA summer league players and listen to the Pure Sweat Basketball podcasts and follow the summer results of Team Takeovers 10-and-under championship AAU team on Instagram. I love watching you play.And I love that you love playing sports. But what really matters most isnt that I love anything -- its that you love it.Last week, I sent you to the legendary DeMatha Basketball Camp. Adrian Dantley! Danny Ferry! Victor Oladipo! Markelle Fultz!Im going to be really honest here: That was my dream, not yours. You were happy to drive 45 minutes away to play at a prestigious school -- if less happy to get dominated all day by much better, older players -- but the experience left me feeling as hollow as any moment on this sports journey we have had together. Because it was as much about me as you. (Sigh -- maybe more.)There is always going to be a certain amount of projection by a parent onto a kids athletics. That is basically the basis for the gajillion-dollar youth-sports industry. But seeing you in the camp T-shirt that I wanted so badly but never earned when I was a kid, I didnt feel excited for you -- I mostly felt ashamed of myself.Now that you are 10, its time for this to be your journey, all the way. I cant remind you to work on your dribbling; you have to appreciate on your own that the game becomes so much easier and more fun when you have a better handle. I cant encourage you to hustle for rebounds from the bleachers of the gym; you have to want to want them for yourself (or have a real coach instruct you).I cant let my 43 years of perspective eclipse your 10, even if it means that you potentially miss some exciting opportunities. From here on out, your mom and I are just here to support you as you figure out what role you want sports to play in your life.Trust me: Without me contributing so directly -- sharing sideline wisdom or rec-league postgame hot takes or handing you my phone so you can read the latest inspirational basketball quote from Coach Twitter -- youll still love basketball. Honestly, you can (and will!) love it even more than you can even realize right now.Youre going to keep playing and getting better and taking lessons from the sport that are going to be even more important than what happens on the court -- about being a good teammate and showing leadership and developing resilience and having meaningful relationships.Youre going to play ferocious pickup games with your buddies in high school and compete for intramural titles in college that rival anything that happens at the Final Four, and one day youre going to meet someone who will invite you into a weekly drop-in game of other middle-aged people who love basketball, and it sounds silly, but honestly, thatll feel like your NBA, even if you never make it to the high school varsity. Well love watching you learn, grow and -- yes -- play, all the way.Heres a promise: Ill always do my best to say yes if you ask me to rebound the ball for you in the driveway or count your free throws or just stand there mutely as you zip to the basket around me. But it is not fair to you for me to ask you -- Im just the parent ......?you are the player.Go get em,DadDan Shanoff writes about parenting for espnW. You can connect with him on Twitter at @danshanoff, follow Dans parenting effort on Instagram or continue the conversation on espnWs Facebook page. Deandre Baker Giants Jersey . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. Phil Simms Giants Jersey . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.nygiantsfanaticshop.com/Black-Julian-Love-Giants-Jersey.html?cat=969 . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. Custom New York Giants Jerseys . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. Harry Carson Giants Jersey . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. CROMWELL, Conn. -- The PGA Tour, which almost pulled out of Connecticut a decade ago, is making another major investment in its TPC River Highlands golf course, which last week was the site of the best score in tour history.The announcement was made in Hartford during the Travelers Championship tournament by PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who said the PGA would build a 32,000-square foot facility at the Cromwell course that will open before the pros tee off at the course in 2019.Its the latest in a series of boosts to the course, which golfers say have been turning the Travelers from an afterthought into a tournament that can attract the sports biggest names. The course made international headlines Sunday when Jim Furyk shot a 58 during final round of the Travelers, the lowest score in tour history.The clubhouse project follows the construction of a state-of-the art practice facility and driving range at the course in 2008 and $3.5 million in course renovations and aesthetic changes over the past year, which included changing bunkers and greens and viewing areas for the fans.Andy Bessette, Travelers chief administrative officer and executive vice president, called the announcement the last cog in the wheel to have a phenomenal facility here for the Tour.The tournament was in jeopardy before Travelers signed on in 2007 as a title sponsor, with the PGA considering relegating the course to hosting an event on its Champions Tour, for older golfers.Instead, Travelers committed to making it a showcasee event, increasing the purse and putting money into the practice facility, a fan zone that includes games and a rock-climbing wall, corporate tents and programming such as big-name concerts during the tournament and outings for the golfers families.dddddddddddd It now has a sponsorship deal that runs through 2024.Theyve elevated it one of the best we have all year, said golfer Bubba Watson, who won the tournament in 2010 and 2015. Theyre one of the best, if not the best sponsor we have.But the current two-story clubhouse is among the smallest on tour.Preliminary plans call for a ballroom large enough to host major fundraisers, a dining area for the golfers and their families and a store that would be open to the public.A new facility would eliminate the costs now associated with building temporary structures yearly to handle those types of functions, said Nathan Grube, tournament director.The tournament is one of the states biggest fundraisers, donating all of its net proceeds -- $2.8 million this year -- to more than 100 non-profits.No price tag has been set for the new facility. Grube said the PGA will be picking up the bulk of the cost of the clubhouse, but Travelers and the tournament have agreed to chip in.It really was not that long ago that we were talking about what is the future of this event? Grube said. This is a very clear sign that the Tour likes being here. ' ' '

CLEVELAND -- Wild Thing will have to stay in the bullpen during the World Series.While actor Charlie Sheen, who played Ricky Wild Thing Vaughn in the movie Major League offered to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before one of this years World Series games, Major League Baseball said the choices have already been made.A spokesman told the AP on Friday that MLB has worked with the Indians to identify former franchise greats to throw out the first pitch for the games in Cleveland. An announcement is expected early next week.The Indians host Games 1 and 2 on Tuesday and Wednesday. If necessary, Cleveland will host Games 6 and 7 on Nov. 1-2.There had been a movement by fans on social media for Sheen to throw the first pitch and be part of the pregame festivities.Sheen got wind of the buzz and responded on Twitter, posting a photo of himself as Vaughn in his Indians uniform and wrote, Major League continues to be the gift that keeps on giving! if called upon, Id be honored.Sheen made an appearance during the playoffs at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday when the Chicago Cubs beat Los Angeles in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series.Released in 1989, Major League is a fictional account of the Indians finishing in first place with an unconventional group of players including Vaughn, who struggled to find the strike zone and warmed up to Wild Thing, a No. 1 hit song in 1966 by The Troggs.The real Cleveland Indians, who overcame injuries to win the AL Central, before knocking off Boston and Toronto in the playoffs, took a page from Major League this season.Slugger Mike Napoli and second baseman Jason Kipnis constructed a shrine in an empty clubhouse stall between their lockers like one in the movie. In the film, character Pedro Cerrano practices Voodoo and prays to an idol named, Jobu to help him hit curveballs.Like Cerrano, Napoli and Kipnis have their own Jobu and have left gifts, including small bottles of rum and cigars, to keep them out of hitting slumps. Ersan Ilyasova Bucks Jersey . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Ray Allen Bucks Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. http://www.nbabucksproshop.com/Authentic-Vin-Baker-Bucks-Jersey/ . The showiest items on Calgarys lot were forwards Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer. D. J. Wilson Bucks Jersey .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Bucks Jersey . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. CHICAGO -- Having already impressed with his arm, Matt Harvey got to show off his bat. The 24-year-old right-hander won his fifth straight decision, allowing five hits in 7 1-3 innings and singling in the go-ahead run in the seventh to lead the New York Mets over the Chicago Cubs 3-2 Friday. "This guy is different. Hes not your run-of-the-mill young pitcher," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "This guy has got some savvy. Hes got great confidence" Daniel Murphy and David Wright homered for the Mets, and reserve right fielder Marlon Byrd preserved the lead by throwing out a runner at the plate in the eighth inning. The Mets won consecutive games for the first time since May 1 and 3. Harvey (5-0) won his first four starts of the year, then failed to get a decision in his next four outings. "I think today, the big thing was the curveball," Harvey said after his 19th major league start. "I had that working well and was able to throw that for a strike when I needed to." Collins that earlier this year he would have pinch hit for Harvey when the pitchers spot came up following Ankiels seventh-inning double. But with the Mets offence struggling, Collins is thinking more about pitching and defence. Harvey went up to the plate and singled to break a 2-2 tie. "That was awesome," Harvey said. "That was huge for me." Chicago took a 2-1 lead in the first with three hits off Harvey, who had allowed just three first-inning hits this year. Startlin Castro singled, Anthony Rizzo doubled and Alfonso Soriano hit an RBI single to shortstop Ruben Tejada, who ranged behind second and bounced a catchable one-hop throw past first baseman Ike Davis for a throwing error as Rizzo came home. Nate Schierholtz lined to centre, starting a streak in which Harvey retired 20 of 21 batters around Castros one-out single in the third. "All of the sudden, he got it going," Collins said. "He had such a rough first inning. You worry about it late in the game.dddddddddddd Then all the sudden he started cruising. He started getting a feel for it. I tell you, he is a horse, no doubt about it." Harvey gave up both runs, struck out six and walked none as his ERA rose from 1.45 to 1.55. Scott Rice, Gregg Burke and Bobby Parnell combined for one-hit relief, with Parnell pitching a perfect ninth for his fifth save in seven chances. "After that first inning, it was kind of the Matt Harvey show," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "Hes obviously the real deal." Edwin Jackson (1-6), coming off a victory at Washington on May 11, gave up three runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings. Wrights sixth homer of the season, on a 1-2 pitch, put the Mets ahead in the first. Murphys opposite-field home run to left leading off the fourth tied the score at 2. Ankiel doubled to right just over Schierholtzs glove with one out in the seventh. Harvey, at that point 2 for 18 at the plate this year, singled to left. Byrd preserved the lead in the eighth. Darwin Barney singled leading off and was sacrificed to second, and Rice relieved Harvey. David DeJesus singled sharply to right, and third-base coach David Bell sent Barney home. Byrd threw on the fly to catcher John Buck, and the ball beat Barney by about 15 feet. Barney didnt even bother to slide and slowed down as Buck applied the tag. "Turned out it wasnt a very close play," Bell said. "Its disappointing, it was the wrong decision. I just watched the replay again, and it wasnt close. As a third-base coach, you want to make the right decision, and that wasnt the right decision." NOTES: Cubs manager Dale Sveum would not put a date on the return of RHP Matt Garza to the starting rotation. Garza threw 75 pitches in six innings Thursday for Triple-A Iowa. Garza suffered a training camp lat muscle strain and has not pitched for the Cubs this season. "He did what we asked him to do," Sveum said. ... Davis ended an 0-for-24 slide with a sixth-inning single. ' ' '

FRISCO, Texas -- Tony Romo was expected to have an MRI on Monday, with Dallas owner Jerry Jones believing the results would show that his quarterbacks fourth back injury in less than four years has healed.Coach Jason Garrett didnt provide an update, but did indicate that the 36-year-old Romo wont be officially listed as a participant in practice this week. The Cowboys visit Green Bay (3-1) on Sunday before their bye week.I think its day to day, and that seems a little further down the road, Garrett said.Its been almost seven weeks since Romo broke a bone in his back when he was tackled awkwardly in a preseason game at Seattle. Rookie Dak Prescott has led the Cowboys (4-1) to four straight wins after they went 1-11 without Romo last season.While Garrett refuses to be drawn into a Prescott-Romo debate, Jones is doing his best to show enthusiasm for the surprising newcomer and respect for his beloved incumbent, the first $100 million player in franchise history.Tony is our No. 1 quarterback and were going to have the luxury of being able to, I think, see them both, Jones said after Sundays 28-14 victory over Cincinnati. I welcome the opportunity of having Dak playing at this level and Tony back in excellent health. Its going to be really special for the Cowboys.Romo has been throwing as part of his rehab, but hasnt practiced since the injury. The 10-year starter has had back surgery twice since 2013, along with two other back injuries that didnt require an operation, including the most recent. He broke his left collarbone twice last season.Meantime, Prescott has avoided the types of mistakes that have plagued Romo throughout his career. While the 23-year-old had his first turnover on a lost fumble against the Bengals, he has 155 passes without an interception to start his career, seven shy of Tom Bradys NFL record.Prescott wrapped up the rookie mark when Philadelphias Carson Wentz finally threw an interception in a loss at Detroit on Sunday.The biggest thing for everybody is just focusing on doing what you need to do to get yourself better every day, Garrett said, repeating a familiar refrain throughout Prescotts winning streak. Tony is doing that with his rehab. Then Dak has to continue doing what hes doing, prepare as well as he can and go play as well as he can and thats pretty much where our focus is.The Cowboys are visiting the Packers for the third straight season, starting with a loss in the divisional round of the playoffs in 2014. The 28-7 loss last season was one of seven in eight starts for Matt Cassel, the second of three veteran backups who failed filling in for Romo.In two road victories, Prescott has led a fourth-quarter rally to beat Washington and overcome a 14-0 deficit in San Francisco. Now the former Mississippi State standout visits Lambeau Field.Its an historic place, but once I get there I will be locked in, Prescott said . I will be locked into the game plan, that defense, and what we have to do to win the game.And if Prescott beats Aaron Rodgers for a 5-1 start, the questions will keep coming for Garrett and Jones.Ill show you some hard days around here without a quarterback (that would) really want to make you pout, ok? Jones said. Thats not a problem to have that.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler Daryl Johnston Jersey . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Deion Sanders Womens Jersey . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. http://www.shoptheofficialcowboys.com/Elite-Larry-Allen-Cowboys-Jersey/ . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. Bill Bates Jersey .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Demarcus Lawrence Cowboys Jersey . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. WASHINGTON -- The Atlanta Braves allowed one big inning Monday, and it was enough to bring an end to the teams six-game winning streak.Ryan Weber, making his first start of the season, allowed home runs to Trea Turner and Chris Heisey during a five-run third inning and the Braves fell 6-4 to the Washington Nationals in the opener of a three-game series.Washington right-hander Max Scherzer (16-7) allowed two runs in seven innings to stymie Atlanta, which left 11 men on base.We left a lot of guys on against him, but thats why he is who he is, too, Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. He gets in trouble and he has a lot of weapons he can go to.Weber (1-1) allowed five runs in three innings, with all of the damage coming in his final inning. Weber allowed a leadoff single to catcher Jose Lobaton, who moved up a base on Scherzers sacrifice. Turner then smacked a two-run homer to left with an out in the third to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead.Weber yielded a double and a walk to create more trouble. After Clint Robinsons pop out, Heisey drilled his ninth homer of the season into the left-field seats to make it 5-1.I left one just middle-in, right in (Turners) wheelhouse and after that my ability to limit the damage was not that good, Weber said. I made another bad pitch to Heisey and then it was really out of hand.Jace Peterson drove in thee Braves only two runs off Scherzer.dddddddddddd Atlanta scored twice in the ninth off closer Mark Melancon to pull within 6-4, but the right-hander ended the threat by getting catcher Anthony Recker to fly out with a man on first.That one inning got away from us real quick, Snitker said. It kind of happened before you knew it happened a little bit.INCIARTE STREAK TO 16Atlanta CF Ender Inciarte extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a pair of singles in five at-bats. He is 30 for 70 (.429) since Aug. 19 and owns the longest active hitting streak in the majors.TRAINERS ROOMBraves: Snitker said he hopes RHP Matt Wisler (sore side) can return to the rotation next week. Atlanta skipped his turn Monday. Id like to get him back out there, obviously, Snitker said. I want him to finish the season.UP NEXTBraves: RHP Williams Perez (2-2, 4.62), who has not appeared in the majors since June 6 because of a rotator cuff strain, returns to the rotation and will face Washington for the first time this season. Snitker said Perez is unlikely to throw more than 100 pitches Tuesday.Nationals: LHP Gio Gonzalez (10-9, 4.14) looks for his first win against the Braves this season. He has a 2.31 ERA in two starts against Atlanta. ' ' '

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A judge on Wednesday awarded more than $5 million to a former Penn State assistant football coach over his treatment by the university following Jerry Sanduskys arrest on child molestation charges five years ago.Judge Thomas Gavin ruled in favor of Mike McQuearys whistleblower claim, adding to a jurys $7.3 million verdict issued last month for defamation and misrepresentation.Only when the Sandusky Matter became public was Mr. McQueary subjected to disparate treatment and adverse employment consequences, Gavin wrote. He said the decision to order McQueary to keep out of athletic facilities after placing him on administrative leave with pay was the equivalent of banishment.The judge said McQueary was humiliated in several respects, including being told to clean out his office in the presence of Penn State personnel, an action that suggests he had done something wrong and was not to be trusted.McQueary has testified that in February 2001 he reported to then-head coach Joe Paterno and to two high-ranking administrators that he had just seen Sandusky, at the time retired as the schools defensive football coach, sexually abusing a boy in a team shower. Those officials did not contact police, but when investigators began looking into new complaints about Sandusky nearly a decade later, someone suggested they interview McQueary.McQueary has testified he heard sexually suggestive sounds when he went into the locker room late on a Friday night, then saw Sandusky abusing the boy in the shower. He did not physically intervene but said the two separated and he left the athletics facility, highly disturbed by what he had witnessed.Gavin concluded that Penn State retaliated against McQueary. He said the university has never publicly acknowledged that McQuearys reports to Paterno, athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Schultz were done following the schools policy.Such recognition would have gone a long way toward reducing the opprobrium visited upon him and the resulting humiliation he suffered, Gavin wrote.McQueary has been a particular target for criticism over the past five years, as strong feelings about the Sandusky scandal have divided the university community. He has not been able to find a job, either in the coaching field or even entry-level retail positions. He had been making $140,000 annually as an assistant football coach.Sandusky was convicted of several crimes over the shower encounter McQueary witnessed, though Sandusky was acquitted of the most serious charge of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.A spokeswoman for Penn State said the school was reviewing its options. Messages left for McQueary and his lawyer, Elliot Strokoff, were not immediately returned.McQuearys lawsuit included claims for defamation, misrepresentation and violations of legal protections for whistleblowers. Jurors in the trial, held last month in the courthouse near Penn States campus, awarded him $7.3 million for defamation and misrepresentation.Gavins ruling, which pertained to the whistleblower part of the case, granted McQueary nearly $4 million in lost wages. The judge also said he felt the jurys decision was insufficient and not binding, so he added $1 million in noneconomic damages.McQueary will also get a bonus issued to other coaches for the Ticket City Bowl he missed after he was suspended, as well as his legal fees and costs.Sandusky, 72, is serving 30 to 60 years in state prison and is pursuing appeals. Zach Collins Jersey . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Bill Walton Blazers Jersey . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. http://www.blazersteamofficial.com/Bill-Walton-Blazers-Jersey/ . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. Brandon Roy Blazers Jersey . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. Terry Porter Blazers Jersey . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th.WINNIPEG -- Rashad Evans says it will be a little crazy looking across the cage Saturday at Dan Henderson, a veteran fighter he has followed for years. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Dan and its going to be fun because Ive watched his style for a long time," Evans said Thursday. "I kind of modelled my style after his a little bit." Evans, with an MMA record of 22-3-1 and a UFC record of 12-3-1, is still predicting a win when the light heavyweights meet at UFC 161. Hes coming off losses to Jon Jones and Rogerio Noguiera, who was to be in one of the cancelled fights Saturday that bumped Evans-Henderson into the main-event slot. "Speed I think is going to be the biggest factor in this fight," he added. Both are former champions who would like to get another title shot, although neither was begging for one Thursday. "Eventually, I beat enough people, I do it impressively enough, theyre going to want to give me a title shot," said Evans. Henderson, 42 to Evans 33, is looking to improve on his MMA record of 29-9. He has a UFC record of 6-3 that dates all the way back to UFC 17 in 1998 and lost his last fight in a split decision to Lyoto Machida in February. He knows what to expect from Evans. "I think its going to be a war. Hes quick and dangerous on his feet and a good wrestler," said Henderson. "He mixes up things real well sometimes and I plan on staying in his face and hitting him hard and expecting that hell try and take me down after that." Henderson has a reputation as a great puncher, but Evans says he believes he can hold his own with his fists. "I believe I have a heavier punch but Dan Henderson, his punch is legendary. Hes silenced a lot of people with the H bomb." This isnt Evans first visit to Winnipeg, where he had a small part in a movie called "Lockdown" that was filmed in the dead of a Manitoba winter. "Chilly is an understatement, it was the coldest experience Ive had in my life," said the fighter, who is based out of Boca Raton, Fla. Even though its now a main event, the fight remains at three rounds and not the usual five. Henderson saiid hes decided hes content with that.dddddddddddd "I kind of think that I would like to have it five rounds but at the same time five rounds makes it a lot tougher to fight, so it changes things up a little bit." As for the age difference, he suggested it gives him an edge. "I feel that this is definitely an experience-based sport and hopefully that shows on Saturday." Henderson also isnt making his first visit to the city but, like Evans, his last stop was in January when he avoided moving around outside as much as possible. He was born in and fights out of California. The other fights on the main card include a heavyweight matchup between Roy Nelson of Las Vegas and Stipe Miocic out of Indenpdence, Ohio, and a light heavyweight battle between Edmontons Ryan Jimmo and Igor Pokrajac of Zagreb, Croatia. It will also feature the first womens fight in Canada between Ontario native Alexis Davis and Rosi Sexton from Manchester, England. The card took its first hit several weeks ago when the main event featuring interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao and Eddie Wineland fell apart after Barao injured his foot. It took another blow when the co-main event featuring former light-heavyweight champion Mauricio (Shogun) Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira was off after Nogueira pulled out due to injury. UFC also struggled with injuries that depleted a card in Calgary last year. UFC president Dana White, in town for the fight, said last year was the worst in 13 years of history for the organization. "These things are going to happen. Unfortunately a couple of them happened in Canada," he said. But he said the response in Winnipeg has been tremendous and no one who bought tickets is going to be disappointed. "Theres always bumps on the road. Guys get injured, it happens." White said he was also encouraged by a law passed this month in Ottawa to legalize MMA and allow provinces to draft regulations. "We want to take this thing everywhere and now we can." White also confirmed Thursday that Jon Jones will defend his light heavyweight title against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165 in Toronto in September. ' ' '

Australian captain Cameron Smith will leapfrog coach Mal Meninga on the international appearance list when the Kangaroos take on New Zealand in Coventry next week.Smith played his 46th game in the green and gold against Scotland in Hull on Friday to draw level with Meningas tally and will only trail Darren Lockyer (59) on the all-time list if he plays against the Kiwis next week.Mal let me know I was equalling his record on the team walk this morning, Smith said.Its funny, because I have 46 Test matches and 23 of them as captain and that is what Mal finished with and he said this will probably be your last game!Hopefully I get another start.Smith has worked under Meninga for over a decade with Queensland and now Australia and the 33-year-old said hes honoured to have matched his milestone.Mal was a guy I looked up to as a young boy. He was part of my dream to become and Australian representative, Smith said.Ive been lucky enough to be coached by Mal for a while now, but the last 10 months have been special.And to play the same amount of games as a Kangaroos legend is quite humbling. Tony Bradley Jazz Jersey .com) - Yankee Stadium is the home of the Bronx Bombers, but on Sunday afternoon it will open its gates to host the latest addition of the Hudson River Rivalry. Karl Malone Jazz Jersey .Y. - Detroit goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has earned NHL first star of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/kids-pete-maravich-jazz-jersey/ . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. John Stockton Jersey . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. Dante Exum Jersey . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. Golf could be the next sport on Jarryd Haynes list of dreams, with the Gold Coast fullback set to play in a pro-am event in Fiji in October.But this time NRL fans can likely rest easy as the code-hopper isnt believed to be considering a future in the sport - hes just playing as a VIP guest ahead of the Fiji International, as part of an ambassadorial role on October 5.The NRL-turned-NFL-turned-rugby-sevens-turned-NRL star will play alongside PGA Tour winner Steven Bowditch to help raise money for the Cyclone Winston recovery efforts, after more than 40 people were killed by the wild weather in the country earlier this year.I love Fiji and I love sport so to be able to come back and witness Fijis largest sporting event is a great way to spend some time, Hayne said.Playing with a two-time PGA Tour winner is an incredible opportunity that doesnt come around very often.I hhope that a golf fan out there sees playing with Bowdo and I as a unique experience and that we generate a large donation for the Winston recovery efforts.ddddddddddddowditch will be joined by the likes of three-time major champion Vijay Singh, Australian Robert Allenby and world No.23 Brandt Snedeker at the Fiji International, which begins the next day,However, PGA Tour of Australiasia chief executive Brian Thorburn said Hayne would be one of the biggest drawcards at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.Jarryd has proven he is a world-class athlete in so many sports and has a global fan base, Thorburn said.His support of the Fiji International will further assist the Fiji International in reaching all sports fans, not just golf fans. ' ' '

again, DeLaet finished tied for secon

EUGENE, Ore. -- An embarrassing road loss to Baylor may prove to be a valuable lesson for Oregon.If the fourth-ranked Ducks want to meet their own lofty expectations, theyll have to earn it on the boards.Two days after losing by 17 points to the unranked Bears, Chris Boucher had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead Oregon to its 27th consecutive home victory, 76-54 over Valparaiso on Thursday night.Boucher was coming off a 12-point, two-rebound performance against Baylor.His activity allowed him to him to have the 25 points, Oregon coach Dana Altman said. He had no defensive rebounds the other night and we lost the rebounding battle by 11.Tonight we won it by 13, and that was the difference in the game.Jordan Bell added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Ducks (2-1), who took control early in the second half with an 11-4 run fueled by Bells eight points to open a 52-38 lead. Bell scored 12 points in the second half as Oregon shot 15 of 27 from the field.That was our goal, just to go inside, Bell said. Against Baylor we went 3 for 21 at the 3-point line, so we just wanted to go inside.Alec Peters led the Crusaders (3-1) with 24 points to become the schools second-leading career scorer. Tevonn Walker added 12 points.Valparaiso shot just 23.3 percent in the second half as Peters was its only starter to make more than half of his attempts. The Crusaders finished 4 of 21 from 3-point range.I think its pretty evident that we are not shooting the ball very well, Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich said, and to beat a team like Oregon youre going to have to hit shots from the outside.Backup freshman point guard Payton Pritchard had nine points and five assists for the Ducks, who led by as many as 25 points in the second half.Oregon had a 40-27 rebounding edge and blocked six shots.Altman said his teams size and rebounding ability should be what sets the Ducks apart.If youre not beating people on the boards, youre not taking advantage of your athleticism, he said. Our goal should be a plus-eight or -nine on those boards for the season, and if we do that, itll be really positive for our team.The Ducks played again without preseason All-America Dillon Brooks, who continues to recover from offseason foot surgery. Altman was noncommittal about the junior forwards availability for the Maui Jim Maui Invitational when Oregon opens play Monday against Georgetown.I dont know if hell play in Maui, Altman said, and if he does, it wont be very much.BIG PICTUREValparaiso: Coming off a 30-win season and deep run in the NIT, the Crusaders were held 28 points below their season average while shooting just 32.1 percent from the field against the Ducks.Oregon: The Ducks likely will slip in Mondays poll off their 66-49 loss at Baylor, but they may regain Brooks services while in Hawaii.POLL IMPLICATIONSDespite Thursday nights win, Oregons best-ever No. 4 ranking likely will take a hit after its 66-49 road loss to unranked Baylor on Tuesday.STAT OF THE NIGHTBoucher, who has scored in all 38 games hes played at Oregon, had 18 points by halftime and missed his career high by one.HIGHLIGHT REELThough not known for his ball-handling, the 6-foot-10 Boucher flashed some nifty moves when he picked off a cross-court pass, dodged a Crusader at mid-court, dipped inside another off the dribble and smoothly threw down a one-handed dunk in the first half to cap a 9-0 run.UP NEXTValparaiso plays Alabama on Monday in Las Vegas at the four-team MGM Grand Main Event. The Crusaders will face either BYU or Saint Louis on Wednesday before heading home.Oregon heads to Hawaii to play Georgetown on Monday in the first round of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. The Ducks will face either No. 9 Wisconsin or Tennessee on Tuesday. ETwaun Moore Pelicans Jersey . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Jahlil Okafor Jersey . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. http://www.shoppelicansonline.com/Authentic-Anthony-Davis-Pelicans-Jersey/ . Blackwood, 28, has played the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League. New Orleans Pelicans Jerseys . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. Jrue Holiday Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Flanker Guy Mercer has been named Baths club captain for the new Aviva Premiership season, with England fly-half George Ford appointed his understudy.England playmaker Ford has assumed the vice-captaincy role, reaffirming his importance to the Blue, Black and Whites.Ford was said to have been heavily unsettled by father Mikes departure from the clubs coaching staff at the tail-end of last term but Baths new rugby director, Todd Blackadder, has handed the 23-year-old the pivotal role, underlining the England fly-halfs renewed focus at the Recreation Ground.Blackadder said of new skipper Mercer: Guy is a terrific player who knows Bath Rugby inside and out, which is an invaluable resource in a captain.He works tremendously hard both on and off the pitch and its that work ethic, combined with his personality, which has earned him the respect of his team and the supporters.ddddddddddddWere fortunate to have a strong core of leaders within the squad who will also play their part in what will be a big season for us, which is very pleasing from a coachs perspective.Former King Edwards School pupil Mercer graduated through the Bath academy and has racked up more than 100 club appearances since 2011.This is a huge honour for me, Mercer said. I grew up watching Bath, so to play for them was always a huge ambition of mine, and now to have been asked to lead the players makes me incredibly proud.Im really excited to be part of building the culture here at the club, and moving forward as a group. Theres a lot to look forward to, and the players cant wait to get the season started. ' ' '

Schedule strength is a key factor in the annual committee selection process for the College Football Playoff.But how much of a difference is there in strength of schedule among the best teams in the best conferences?Plenty, it turns out. For fun, we dropped the Big Tens best teams into each of the other Power 5 leagues to see how the leagues best teams would do. (Yesterday we looked at the ACC.)The result? Michigan and Co. would not fare nearly as well. Kevan Miller Bruins 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. Brad Marchand 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. http://www.thebostonbruinshockey.com/johnny-bucyk-hockey-jersey/ . Emery skated the length of the ice and fought an unwilling Holtby during the third period of the Flyers 7-0 loss Friday night in Philadelphia. He was given 29 penalty minutes, including a game misconduct. But Emery did not face even a disciplinary hearing with NHL senior vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan because rules 46. Steven Kampfer Jersey . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Phil Esposito Jersey . By having more great seasons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday. With Round 6 of the Aviva Premiership and the Guinness PRO12 done and dusted and the Top 14 simmering gently, here is, based on this weekends form, our composite Lions team of the week.BACKS15. Rob Kearney (Leinster)The veteran fullback has been plagued by injury in recent times, and so the news that the two-time Lions tourist completed 76 minutes of work in Leinsters win over Munster on Saturday will not have gone unnoticed by Warren Gatland and his selectors.14. Marland Yarde (Harlequins)Yarde impressed in New Zealand in 2014, not something many England wingers do, but recently he has slipped down the pecking order for his country. His display as Quins dispatched Northampton at the Stoop on Saturday reminded all those watching how good he can be.13. Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)The west country of England is throwing up plenty of ball-playing three quarters in recent years, and the way the 23-year-old Hill created space for his outsides in the Chiefs drawn encounter with Gloucester this weekend will have had the purists purring.?12. Matt Banahan (Bath)The big man has always been hard to ignore on the field, and his form this season, culminating in his performance in Baths trouncing of Sale on Friday night, has reignited the Banahan for England campaign.?11. Cian Kelleher (Connacht)Over 120 metres gained from 15 carries - not to mention two tries - in Connachts big win over Ulster on Friday night means this 22-year-old Dubliner waltzes into our Lions team.?10. ?Jason Tovey (Edinburgh)The 27-year-old from Newport has impressed everyone since arriving in the Scottish capital this season, and he had the ball on a string in his sides towelling of Benetton Treviso on Saturday.?9. Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester)The inspirational Scottish skipper will always be in the mix, and not just because his ability from the tee frees up the selectors in terms of goal-kicking. His Gloucester side have endured a tough beginning to the season that was typified by a draw with Exeter this weekend, but under Laidlaws leadership you get the feeling theyll turn it around.FORWARRDS8.dddddddddddd Ben Morgan (Gloucester)Another currently suffering from the Kingsholm blues, but the man with 61 England caps retains his ball-playing ability and rugby nous, and Eddie Jones will be watching closely to see how Morgan handles the cherry and whites current adversity.?7. Will Welch (Newcastle Falcons)The Falcons young skipper is acquitting himself well in a solid start to the season for Dean Richards men, and his ball-sniffing efforts were rewarded with a try in his teams win over struggling Bristol on Saturday.6. James King (Ospreys)The Welsh blindside was everywhere in Ospreys big win over Cardiff on Friday night, and is showing the kind of form that could see him add to his eight caps in the near future.?5. Graham Kitchener (Leicester)An old-school performance by the Tigers against Worcester relied heavily on men like their 121kg second-row, who grabbed himself a try for his efforts.?4. ?Maro Itoje (Saracens)It would be sheer folly to suggest anyone other than Itoje in the number four jersey in New Zealand in 2017, and his contribution to Saracens victory over Wasps on Sunday afternoon was just another extremely good day at the office for the England man.3. Kieran Brookes (Northampton)Some things may not be functioning yet this season for the Saints, but the scrum is not one of them, and their tighthead props efforts in a losing cause against Quins this weekend will have been duly noted by former front rowers like Warren Gatland and Eddie Jones.?2. Dave Heffernan (Connacht)The 25-year-old from County Mayo was a constant thorn in the side of Ulster as they lost to Connacht on Friday night, and Heffernans work-rate and mobility should see him called up for his country before too long.?1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)The Sarries loosehead was at the centre of another suffocating tight five display by the champions against Wasps on the weekend, spearheading a dominant scrum and even nicking himself a try.? ' ' '

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Less than eight months after finishing third in voting for the AL Cy Young award, Athletics ace Sonny Gray is mired in the longest slump of his career.There is little indication that things are going to get better any time soon, either.Gray lost his sixth consecutive decision after blowing an early three-run lead and the Athletics offense was held to one hit over the final seven innings of a 7-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.This hasnt been his best year and hell figure it out and hell get better as the year goes on, As manager Bob Melvin said. Theres always going to be a year thats as not good as other years. So far this is the one for him. Hes been good for us.Gray was coming off two fairly decent starts before blowing up against Pittsburgh in the Pirates first trip to the Oakland Coliseum since June 27, 2010.Gray (3-7) gave up seven runs, hit a batter and threw two wild pitches in six innings while losing his sixth consecutive decision. The right-hander, third in the 2015 AL Cy Young voting, is winless since April 22.Once I got to two outs, I just wasnt able to get them out, Gray said. There were times, like in the sixth where I got two quick outs, I have to be able to shut that inning down and get back out there for the seventh . and not hit a guy and walk another. It just escalated from there.Jody Mercer homered and had an RBI single to help Pittsburgh rally from three runs down to beat. Matt Joyce added two hits, Josh Harrison drove in two runs while Andrew McCutcheon doubled and scored on a wild pitch to help the Pirates to their first win in their history at the Coliseum and just their second in 13 games between the two franchises.They did it by taking advantage of another shaky outing by Gray (3-7).We just stayed the course, Harrison said. We just put together some good at-bats as a team and it wasnt easy on him.Marcus Semien hit his 17th home run of the season for Oakland.Pirates starter Jeff Locke (8-5) also struggled early but retired the final nine batters he faced to win his third straight. He gave up three runs over five innings with three walks and three strikeouts.Three relievers combined to retire the final 12 batters and complete the four-hitter.Mercer homered in the third and added an RBI single as part of a two-run fifth.Harrisons two-out, two-run double in the sixth put the Pirates up 7-3.ALL-STAR PUSHSemiens home run was his fifth in nine games, padding his AL-leading total among shortstops. Melvin thinks Semiens offensive surge should be good enough to earn the young shortstop a trip to the All-Star game in San Diego later this month. Hopefully that merits some consideration going forward, Melvin said. You cant ignore the numbers. Not only is he doing it all offensively, he doing defensively too. He just maturing.LINEUP SHUFFLEJed Lowrie had decent results while batting leadoff for the first time this season. He drew a walk from Locke in the first before Semien homered on a 3-2 pitch. Oaklands second baseman added an RBI double in the second to make it 3-0.TRAINERS ROOMAthletics: Infielder Tyler Ladendorf was recalled from Triple-A Nashville before the game. Left-hander Dillion Overton, the losing pitcher against San Francisco on Thursday, was optioned down. Overton went 1-1 with an 11.42 ERA in two starts.UP NEXTPirates: Right-hander Chad Kuhl (1-0) pitches against Oakland on Saturday in his second career start in the majors after beating Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers in his debut.Athletics: Rich Hill is expected to come off the disabled list to start against Pittsburgh. The left-hander had been out since May 30 with a strained groin. Oshane Ximines Cheap Jersey . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. Oshane Ximines Youth Jersey . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. http://www.giantsonlineteamshop.com/phil-simms-jersey-cheap.html . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. Robinson was injured in a spill underneath the Nuggets basket during the first quarter of Wednesday nights loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. Eli Manning Youth Jersey . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Daniel Jones Cheap Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. LAGOS DE COVADONGA, Spain -- Nairo Quintana retook the lead of the Spanish Vuelta after leaving his title rivals behind on the final grueling ascent to win Mondays mountainous 10th stage.Chris Froome fell back early on the special category climb to the Lagos de Covadonga summit, but the British rider recovered to finish third behind Robert Gesink.Quintana shook off a fall that tore his shirt early in the stage to win back the red jersey that he conceded to David de la Cruz on Sunday.The Colombian climbing expert won the 188.7-kilometer (117.2-mile) stage from Lugones to its finish in the northern mountains in 4 hours, 50 minutes, 31 seconds. Gesink, who had formed part of an early breakaway, crossed 24 seconds later, just ahead of Froome.Quintana opened up a 57-second advantage over Movistar teammate Alejandro Valverde, with Froome another second behind in third place overall.Lagos de Covadonga, with gradients up to 17 percent, is considered one of the classic and most demanding ascents of the three-week race.I had always dreamed of winning here, Quinttana said.dddddddddddd It fills me with pride to leave my name on this great mountain.Despite having built almost a minutes lead over Froome, Quintana said the three-time Tour de France winner was the man to beat with a time trial, which Froome excels at, still to come.(Froome) is still very close given what is ahead, Quintana said. We will have to keep doing what we are doing to build our lead because he is still the big favorite.While Valverde and Froome stayed within striking distance of Quintana, Alberto Contadors chances of winning a fourth Vuelta took another blow.Contador was the last rider able to stick with Quintana on the final climb, but he faded over the final 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) and finished over a minute behind.The Spaniard entered the day almost two minutes behind, and that deficit grew to almost three minutes. He is fifth, behind Esteban Chaves.Tuesday is the first of two rest days during the grand tour. ' ' '