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Lynch figures to get
Denver QB Case Keenum gets to face his former teammates whom he helped reach the NFC championship before management dumped him in favor of Kirk Cousins , the jewel of this winter’s free agent class.
Keenum said Wednesday he’s eager to face the Vikings.
“Definitely. I mean, I got a firsthand view of how good a defense it is, so I know we’ve got our work cut out for us. It’s going to be a great test. I’m excited to go compete against a really, really talented defense,” Keenum said.
Keenum insisted he holds no grudges , either.
“No, man. I love all those guys,” he said. “This Saturday it’s going to be a competition and we’re going to get after it. I know those guys are going to be jacked to get back on the field just like I’m jacked to get back on the field. But, no. No bad feelings.”
Keenum went 12-4 for the Vikings last season after injuries to Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater [url=http://www.patriotscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-troy-niklas-jersey]Cheap Troy Niklas Jersey[/url] , but Minnesota moved on in the offseason, winning the Cousins sweepstakes with, among other things, a strong roster, a sparkling new stadium and a fully guaranteed contract for $84 million over three years.
Keenum signed a two-year, $36 million deal in Denver.
Asked what he admires about Keenum’s game after watching film of last season’s surge, Cousins said, “Any time you win 13 games and a playoff game you’re doing an outstanding job as a quarterback, but I’ve watched Case going back to his days in Houston running Coach (Gary) Kubiak’s offense, watching him in L.A. He won that job in training camp, and here, he’s just a winner.”
Cousins said Keenum does all the little things right: “There’s a lot of positives to his game.”
It’s just that the Vikings found more to like in Cousins’ repertoire.
“Case was a winner [url=http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-ronnie-harrison-jersey]http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-ronnie-harrison-jersey[/url] ,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “He won a lot of games and moved well in the pocket. He’s a great teammate and made some outstanding plays for us.
“With Kirk, he’s been as advertised. He throws the deep ball well, very accurate, and takes charge of the offense.”
Cousins and Keenum figure to play a series or two Saturday night, then give way to their backups, and that’s where the real intrigue comes in.
Trevor Siemian won the Broncos’ starting job each of the last two summers but was traded to Minnesota after the Broncos signed Keenum.
Zimmer said Siemian’s 24 starts over the last two years and high IQ made him a perfect fit as Cousins’ backup.
Siemian said Keenum’s short stint in Minnesota is indicative of how important it is to have a capable backup ready to step in and run the offense should the starter get hurt.
“Case here, Nick Foles in Philly,” Siemian said. “Yeah, I think you’re one play away. My job is to prepare as if I’m starting and knock on wood, if I’m called upon, I’ll be ready to go.”
Siemian, however [url=http://www.packerscheapshoponline.com/cheap-authentic-oren-burks-jersey]Authentic Oren Burks Jersey[/url] , might not even get as much work this weekend as another former Broncos QB, Kyle Sloter, who signed with the Vikings a year ago after a surprisingly strong camp in Denver.
The Broncos are still holding out hope that Paxton Lynch is a late-bloomer and not a first-round bust.
Broncos coach Vance Joseph declared Lynch and Chad Kelly would battle it out for the backup job this summer, yet Lynch has worked exclusively with the second-teamers while Kelly has worked with the third-stringers so far.
Kelly, however, has consistently outshined Lynch and was clearly the superior quarterback in a recent scrimmage.
Lynch figures to get the bulk of the snaps Saturday night for Denver, and his performance could go a long way in determining if the Broncos need to consider signing a veteran backup for Keenum.
Notes: DE Clinton McDonald was getting his troublesome shoulder checked out again Wednesday. … Joseph said TE Jeff Heuerman, who has missed all but one day of camp with a sore left knee, doesn’t necessarily have to rush back to make the roster. “It’s early,” Joseph said. “I wouldn’t say that right now. That’s extreme.”
.be more than ready for
"This time of year I think it's OK to be a little boring in these moments [url=http://www.arizonacardinalsteamonline.com]Cardinals Authentic Jerseys[/url] ," Pace said Tuesday.
He's saving the excitement for when the draft starts on Thursday.
Pace has shown he's not afraid to make a bold move to get the player he wants. And with the No. 8 pick, the Bears have a chance to land a difference-maker whether they stand pat or make a trade.
Pace staked his reputation last year to Mitchell Trubisky when he traded up a spot with San Francisco to grab the quarterback he believes is the one to help energize a struggling franchise with the second pick.
In 2016, Pace moved up two spots with Tampa Bay to land outside linebacker Leonard Floyd at No. 9.
"I think when we identify a guy that we like 鈥?and there's unified vision in the building of a player that we want 鈥?I don't think we're ever afraid to go up and get that guy," he said.
"I'd rather do that and ensure we get that guy, than he goes right before you and everybody walks out of the draft room, you know, a little bit disappointed."
There has been plenty of disappointment at Halas Hall and Soldier Field in recent years.
The Bears have four straight last-place finishes in the NFC North and just one trip to the playoffs since the 2006 team's run to the Super Bowl.
Even so, they believe they have the quarterback in place to lift a struggling franchise.
They've spent the offseason trying to surround him with the pieces he needs to reach his potential, hiring offensive-minded coach Matt Nagy to replace John Fox and signing receiver Allen Robinson.
Now, they have another chance to land a major contributor. Whether they go for help on offense or a potential centerpiece on defense in the first round, Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson and Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith would seem to fit.
Pace said the Bears have identified eight players they would be comfortable taking at No. 8. None are quarterbacks, though he believes a strong class this year works to Chicago's advantage.
Pace was also asked about the decision to let receiver Cameron Meredith sign with New Orleans. The team's leading receiver in 2016 [url=http://www.carolinapanthersteamonline.com/donte-jackson-jersey]Authentic Donte Jackson Jersey[/url] , he missed last season because of a knee injury.
Because the Bears tendered him at the low restricted free agent level, they did not get any compensation from the Saints.
"Obviously he was coming off an injury," said Pace, who worked in New Orleans' front office before the Bears hired him as GM in 2015.
"We lean on our training staff and our docs. Hey, I've got a lot of respect for Cam and a lot of respect for the organization he went to (Saints). We wish him luck."
Pace also said the Bears will decide whether to pick up receiver Kevin White's fifth-year option after the draft.
It seems unlikely they will, considering the West Virginia product has been limited to just five games since Chicago selected him with the No. 7 pick in 2015.
"Right now it's all focused on the draft," Pace said. "Then once the draft's over, we'll meet with him and his agent and make that decision."
Two days later, there is still no clarity on what J.R. Smith knew when he grabbed that offensive rebound in the final seconds of regulation of Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Not even in Smith’s own mind.
”I can’t say I was sure of anything at that point,” Smith said.
All he and the Cleveland Cavaliers are sure of now is this: They’re down 1-0 to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, with Game 2 on Sunday night and Smith knowing that he’s going to be booed, made fun of [url=http://www.losangelesdodgersteamshop.com/authentic-kenta-maeda-jersey]Kenta Maeda Jersey[/url] , mocked and probably worse by the crowd at Oracle Arena.
Smith became one of the big Game 1 stories for all the wrong reasons . He grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed free throw in the final seconds of regulation with the game tied, then ran toward midcourt as if he was running out the clock and thinking Cleveland had a one-point lead. The Cavaliers wound up losing in overtime.
”He probably took that loss as hard as anybody on the team,” Cavs star LeBron James said Saturday. ”But one thing about J.R., he has an uncanny ability to bounce back. I think people have seen that throughout our postseason runs, where he hasn’t played well or played to his ability that he thinks he should have played, and then the next game he comes on and shoots the ball extremely well.”
That bounce-back tendency for Smith will be tested now like perhaps never before. This wasn’t just a gaffe. This was a huge gaffe, in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals with the game on the line. And in the immediate aftermath, it appeared Smith said to James on the court that he thought the Cavs were leading – something he denied afterward.
”I might have said that,” Smith said. ”Not sure, but I might have.”
To say Smith was the reason Cleveland lost Thursday night isn’t right, or fair. There’s no guarantee that Cleveland would have scored to win the game in those final seconds if Smith had done anything differently.
Still, he was blamed.
”I’m glad it happened to me as opposed to anybody else on my team [url=http://www.arizonadiamondbacksteamshop.com/authentic-archie-bradley-jersey]Archie Bradley Jersey[/url] ,” Smith said. ”To be in that situation is tough and it’s not a situation everybody can handle, so I’m glad it happened to me.”
Smith spent Friday in his hotel room for the most part, watching the Memorial (”Tiger played really well,” Smith said), talking with Kyle Korver and visiting with his kids over FaceTime.
He knows he’s a punch line. He’s been there before.
”That’s pretty much who I’ve been my whole life,” said Smith, who bonded with a therapy dog earlier this season during a rough stretch. ”I’ve always been the one guy who’s the butt of the jokes, or that one guy who does something crazy and everybody’s got to look at or whatever the case may be. And then I come back and be myself and play the next day. I don’t really dwell on things too much. It’s been like that my whole life. That’s what it looks like it’s going to continue to be.”
The Cavs have made clear that they’re not quitting on Smith.
They need him.
”He’s going to start. And no, I haven’t lost confidence,” coach Tyronn Lue said. ”J.R. can shake off anything, and when everybody tends to count J.R. out, that’s when he comes through. So he’s definitely going to start again. He’s a big part of what we do. That last play is over [url=http://www.anaheimducksteamshop.com/authentic-corey-perry-jersey]Authentic Corey Perry Jersey[/url] , it’s behind us and now we’ve got to move on.”
A bounce-back game would be more than welcomed by Cleveland. When Smith is good, the Cavs are really good.
Cleveland is 10-1 this season, including playoffs, when Smith scores more than 15 points. The Cavaliers are 19-5 when he makes more than half his shot attempts. They’re 20-9 when he makes at least three 3-pointers. Those are some of the many reasons why Lue still has confidence in him, and Smith clearly appreciates that.
”I’ve been playing like dogcrap all year and he’s stuck with me,” Smith said. ”So he’s one of the people who gives me the most confidence.”
And he’s due, too.
Smith has missed more than half his shots in eight straight games – his longest such cold streak since November. The Warriors expect that Smith and the rest of the Cavaliers will be more than ready for Game 2. And Smith said his teammates still believing in him is helping.
”Everybody says it’s not just the one play or the reason why we lost,” Smith said. ”Take it however you want it. My teammates have been great. Very supportive.”
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Johansen said depth matters
General manager Don Waddell said Tuesday night that the deal is worth a total of $18.2 million.
De Haan had a goal and 11 assists in 33 games with the New York Islanders last season but missed the final 49 games with a shoulder injury. A year earlier [url=http://www.ravenscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-lamar-jackson-jersey]Authentic Lamar Jackson Jersey[/url] , he set career highs with 25 points, five goals and 20 assists while playing all 82 games.
The 27-year-old was a first-round draft pick in 2009 and is the second notable defensive acquisition this offseason for Carolina, which picked up defenseman Dougie Hamilton in a five-player trade with Calgary.
Waddell calls de Haan ”a strong two-day player” who ”will help solidify the left side and upgrade our defense.”
Predators coach Peter Laviolette’s biggest challenge adding Finnish scoring whiz Eeli Tolvanen has been finding a spot for the teenager in his lineup.
Yes, the Nashville Predators are that deep.
It’s why the defending Western Conference champions have turned in their best season yet with their sights set on finishing what they couldn’t a year ago. Savvy drafting, surprising trades and a handful of salary-cap friendly contract extensions have the Predators on the verge of what could be a dominant run in the NHL.
Boston, the Los Angeles Kings and the Chicago Blackhawks have run into salary cap issues or injuries that slammed the window shut on chasing the Stanley Cup. Dean Lombardi, who won two Stanley Cups with the Kings, said he thinks Nashville general manager David Poile has done the best job yet giving the Predators the chance to compete for the next five years.
”He’s still got to win it, but I think he’s certainly positioned for that [url=http://www.authenticsarizonacardinals.com]Cardinals Elite Jerseys[/url] ,” Lombardi said. ”To put a team of this quality together, which is one heck of a team. They can beat you in so many ways. They don’t have a weakness, and to be flexible going forward, I think is a remarkable job.”
The Predators not only are in the playoffs for an 11th time in the franchise’s 20 years, they head into the postseason having clinched their first Central Division title and Western Conference regular-season title with a 4-3 win at Washington on Thursday night. Then a few minutes later, Boston’s 3-2 loss at Florida handed Nashville its first Presidents’ Trophy for good measure.
Veteran center Mike Fisher, who unexpectedly came out of retirement in February to rejoin the Predators, sees an even deeper roster than a season ago. Despite not having a single player among the NHL scoring leaders, eight Predators have at least 48 points apiece this season along with four different 20-goal scorers.
”No question it’s stronger than last year for sure [url=http://www.detroitlionsteamonline.com/tracy-walker-jersey]Authentic Tracy Walker Jersey[/url] , as strong as I’ve been a part of,” Fisher said. ”You look at last year, you lose a couple key guys, and it made it tough. We were still real close. You just never know. Hopefully, we stay healthy. But you just never know. It’s always great to have that.”
Poile didn’t stand pat with a team that lost the final to Pittsburgh in six games.
With Fisher taking until August to announce his retirement , Poile signed center Nick Bonino as a free agent. Poile also signed center Ryan Johansen to the longest and richest contract the Predators have ever given out on their own, signing the then 24-year-old center to an eight-year, $64 million deal in July a couple days after signing Viktor Arvidsson to a seven-year deal.
Those contracts, combined with a six-year deal in July 2016 for Filip Forsberg [url=http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/phillip-gaines-jersey]Authentic Phillip Gaines Jersey[/url] , tied up Nashville’s top line through the 2021-22 season for a tidy sum of $18.25 million per year.
Poile joined Ottawa and Colorado in a three-way trade in November, bringing center Kyle Turris to Nashville . Poile also signed Turris to a six-year, $36 million extension, keeping him under contract through 2023-24 like Johansen and Arvidsson. The Predators gave Fisher a one-year deal.
Poile still had enough money to land forward Ryan Hartman at the trade deadline from Chicago, a seller that will finish last in the Central Division.
One deal that could haunt Nashville depends on defenseman Shea Weber, the former captain traded to Montreal for defenseman P.K. Subban . That deal netted the Predators a younger and cheaper defenseman, but Nashville needs Weber to play until he’s 40 to finish the 14-year, $110 million deal first offered by Philadelphia or face a salary cap hit that would cost more in 2025-26 than the Predators’ current defense corps.
The Predators are focused on this postseason with Laviolette taking advantage of his depth not to rush anyone back from injury.
”Winning always solves a lot of problems, and we’ve been able to do that inside of this game plan [url=http://www.bearsfootballauthentics.com]Chicago Bears Jerseys Womens[/url] ,” Laviolette said.
To some critics, adding Tolvanen at the risk of needlessly burning a year on the forward’s entry-level contract seemed almost like too much.
Not to the Predators who remember forward Kevin Fiala breaking his leg in their second-round series with St. Louis last spring or Johansen needing emergency surgery for acute compartment syndrome suffered during the Western Conference finals against Anaheim. Johansen said depth matters most in the playoffs.
”We feel like we’re in a great spot right now going into this postseason,” Johansen said. ”We got a lot of bodies that can not only play certain roles, but versatile players that can step up and be great players in any area of the game. So for us, our team feels really confident in what our capabilities are.”
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compared to sixth for
Calhoun hit a two-run homer, Richards pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Mariners 7-4 on Wednesday to snap Seattle’s eight-game winning streak.
Batting in the leadoff spot for only the fourth time this season, Calhoun had three hits and drove in three runs to help lift Richards (5-4) in his return.
Calhoun’s towering homer in the sixth gave the Angels a 6-2 lead. He also had a single in the fourth inning for his first RBI. Calhoun is batting .306 with four homers and eight RBIs since coming off the DL on June 18. He was hitting .145 before that break.
”Kole did his job today,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ”That’s what we need from the guys at the top of the order. It gave us a lot of opportunities today.”
Richards, who went on the DL on June 15 with a left hamstring strain, allowed three runs, including back-to-back homers to Kyle Seager and Ryon Healy, over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out eight.
”I just overthrew a couple of heaters there [url=http://www.authenticsnewenglandpatriots.com/cheap-adrian-clayborn-jersey]Adrian Clayborn Color Rush Jersey[/url] ,” Richards said of the home runs. ”But I felt good. The hamstring felt good. I knew I would be on a leash (80 pitches), so I just tried to execute pitches.”
Richards retired 10 of the next 11 hitters he faced after the home runs.
”Garrett just exhaled (after the homers) and made some really good pitches,” Scioscia said. ”He gave us a chance to win the game.”
Blake Parker pitched out of trouble in the ninth for his 10th save. Mike Zunino singled and Denard Span doubled to put runners at second and third, but Dee Gordon flied out to center and Zunino was thrown out at the plate on Jean Segura’s grounder to Albert Pujols at first. Mitch Haniger ended it with a groundout to third.
Parker failed to cover first on the grounder to Pujols, so Pujols had no choice but to throw home.
”Pujols getting that guy at the plate was a huge out,” Scioscia said. ”The pitcher didn’t cover there, so Albert made a great decision and threw a strike to the plate.”
The Mariners had their chances, including a bases-loaded [url=http://www.redskinscheapstore.com/derrius-guice-jersey-cheap]Derrius Guice Jersey Redskins[/url] , no-outs situation in the seventh inning when trailing 6-3. After Gordon and Span struck out, Segura hit a broken-bat flare that looked like it might drop behind second base and score two runs, but Angels second baseman David Fletcher made a leaping catch to end the inning.
”I got a pretty good read off the bat,” Fletcher said. ”I kind of felt I had a bead on it all the way. It was a nice feeling to save those runs from scoring.”
The Mariners struck out 15 times and left eight men on base.
Mike Leake (8-5) allowed four runs and nine hits before leaving with no one out in the fifth. He had allowed two runs or less in seven of his previous eight starts.
”They were battling me, fouling balls off today,” Leake said. ”Trying to get them to go down, but they found some holes and that’s about it.”
Luis Valbuena drove in two runs for the Angels and Shohei Ohtani and two hits and scored two runs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Angels: OF Chris Young was placed on the 10-day DL a day after straining his hamstring. LHP Tyler Skaggs was also placed on the DL with a thigh strain. Skaggs said hopes to miss only one start. OF Jabari Blash and RHP Deck McGuire were recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake, with INF Kaleb Cowart also optioned to Triple-A. … LHP John Lamb will undergo Tommy John surgery on his left elbow early next week. He’ll become the fourth Angels pitcher to have the procedure this season.
Mariners: Manager Scott Servais said RHP Erasmo Ramirez could begin a rehab assignment soon. Ramirez has been on the DL since May 1 because of a right teres major muscle strain in his pitching shoulder. Ramirez said is willing to pitch in relief if that’s where he’s needed.
UP NEXT
Angels RHP Jaime Barria (5-4 [url=http://www.lionscheapstore.com/kerryon-johnson-jersey-cheap]Kerryon Johnson Youth Jersey[/url] , 3.40) will start Thursday’s series finale in place of Skaggs. Barria is making his 12th start of the season and has given up two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. LHP Marco Gonzales (8-5, 3.77) will make his 18th start for Seattle. Gonzales pitched the first complete game of his career in his last start, a 4-1 victory over Kansas City when he allowed six hits and didn’t walk a batter.
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Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas would welcome a trade to the Oakland Raiders,聽NBC Sports Radio's Newy Scruggs reported Tuesday.According to Scruggs, Thomas approached Raiders owner Mark Davis and informed him of his desire for a move to the Bay Area.Scruggs also noted Thomas won't report to Seahawks training camp and plans to sell his house in the Seattle area.Thomas is in the final year of his聽contract聽with the Seahawks. In a聽post聽on Instagram, he asked Seattle to trade him if the team doesn't want to agree to a long-term extension."Extend .....if you don't want me let's make a trade happen I understand it's a bizz," Thomas wrote.Thomas would unquestionably be an upgrade for Oakland's secondary. Reggie Nelson, the Raiders' incumbent starter [url=http://www.jetsfootballauthentics.com/thomas-rawls-jersey-authentic]Youth Thomas Rawls Jersey[/url] , finished 30th in Bleacher Report's NFL1000 year-end聽free safety rankings, compared to sixth for Thomas.Moving on from Nelson wouldn't be too difficult, either. He'd count for聽$1.15 million聽in dead money against the salary cap in 2018 while freeing up $1.35 million.However, Spotrac estimates the Raiders to have聽$5.7 million聽in salary cap space this year, while Thomas has a $10.4 million cap hit. Oakland will also be reserving a large chunk of its available cap space in 2019 for Khalil Mack, who's a free agent after this season. The Raiders will want to either re-sign Mack to an extension or place the franchise tag on him鈥攅ither of which will be expensive in the short term.As much as Thomas would help the Raiders on the field, the investment necessary to acquire him and then sign him to an extension may rule Oakland out of a possible move..
Denver coach Vance Joseph
Ray broke his left wrist in July and underwent three surgeries that caused him to miss the opening six games in 2017. He had one sack over the next eight contests before going back on injured reserve.
Denver coach Vance Joseph said Ray's wrist was irritated and the team is "taking it slow. Just being smart with guys. It's the spring."
Absent from the optional workouts were players such as pass rusher Von Miller, along with receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Joseph wasn't concerned with their absence, saying, "they've been here all year. We're good. We coached the guys who were here today."
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"I'm anxious to go back and look at those," Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said.
The rule first struck specials teams in the opening quarter, well before the Jets closed out the Falcons 17-0 at MetLife Stadium.
After the Jets scored their first touchdown, Atlanta running back Ito Smith returned the kickoff 25 yards before being stopped by Buster Skrine. Once he was down, everyone got up and moved on 鈥?until they were reminded that before the whistle blew there was a flag on the play. It was specifically against Skrine, who left the game afterward with a shoulder injury. The officials moved the ball up 15 yards.
That was the first of the three calls, a significant amount considering they all came in the first half. The penalty was for "lowering the head to initiate contact." Key word: contact.
Two plays after the first penalty, still in the first quarter, Falcons wide receiver Reggie Davis caught a pass and was pushed out of bounds to end the play. There was another flag for a helmet penalty, on Smith 鈥?and he was on offense.
"I knew that could happen," Quinn said. "I probably was surprised it happened on a pass play by a blocker. . If that's going to be the way it's officiated, I think that's good that it happened now [url=http://www.eaglesfootballauthentics.com/markus-wheaton-jersey-authentic]Youth Markus Wheaton Jersey[/url] , not only for our team but for other teams around the league, to provide an example."
That 15-yard penalty was enforced at the 42-yard line where Davis went out of bounds after advancing Atlanta 5 yards.
"The first two that I saw I had a good look at, and I thought they were the correct call," Quinn said. "... It's an emphasis, and I'm disappointed to see our team 鈥?that we take such pride in that 鈥?have those fouls."
Lastly, the helmet penalty hit the defense, the side of the ball people expected to break the new rule on initiating contact by lowering the helmet.
Falcons defensive back Damontae Kazee tackled wide receiver Tre McBride after an 8-yard pass. Kazee apparently lowered his head enough to draw a flag. New York moved up half the distance to the goal line, or 4 yards.
"We're not only going to show ours, we're going to show ones from around the league this week, so we have more teaching (opportunities)," Quinn said. "Clearly we have work to do in that area, and we'll devote the time to it because it is that important."
This was both teams' first preseason game and it was sloppy. Overall [url=http://www.falconscheapstore.com/justin-bethel-jersey-cheap]Justin Bethel Jersey Falcons[/url] , the Falcons had 10 penalties for 71 yards. The Jets had eight for 65 yards. Two of the helmet calls were on Atlanta, one on New York.
"Those can go down," Quinn said. "Let's continue to work on it because clearly we're not doing it (right)."
The Jacksonville Jaguars won’t shock anyone next season.
A day after a disappointing loss to New England in the AFC championship game, players packed up their belongings and headed into the offseason. They carried with them more hope than heartache.
The Jaguars were one of the NFL’s biggest surprises in 2017. They ended a six-year run with double-digit losses by winning the AFC South for the first time in franchise history.
They hosted a playoff game for the first time in 18 years, stunned Pittsburgh in the divisional round and had a 10-point lead on Tom Brady and the Patriots in the fourth quarter.
It was far from a fluke. With young and still-emerging talent on both sides of the ball, the Jaguars look poised to be a postseason participant for at least the next few years.
”Going forward, we know that this team is going to be a true contender and we’re going to go out there and earn it,” All-Pro defensive end Calais Campbell said Monday.
Campbell was quick to point out that meeting higher expectations will only happen if they take the same approach to next season.
”You don’t get nowhere off of what you did last year,” he said. ”It’s only what have you done for me lately. I’ve been a part of a team that went to the NFC championship and the next year we missed the playoffs. It happens quite a bit. This team is definitely, I feel like, we should be able to go out there and be a great team next year, but we’re going to have to put the work in.”
Before the next phase begins [url=http://www.newyorkgiantsteamonline.com/saquon-barkley-jersey]http://www.newyorkgiantsteamonline.com/saquon-barkley-jersey[/url] , the Jaguars will have to get over a stinging loss at New England.
They surely will be haunted by four plays that were as much a part of the outcome as Brady:
-The league’s best pass defense gave up a 21-gain on a third-and-18 play early in the fourth quarter. The Patriots went on to score a touchdown that cut the lead to 20-17.
-Linebacker Myles Jack stripped the ball from Dion Lewis at the end of a 20-yard gain in the third quarter. Jack picked up the fumble and started running the other way, but officials whistled the play dead. The Jaguars felt like it should have been a touchdown. Instead, the offense went three-and-out.
-With 55 seconds to play remaining in the first half and two timeouts, Jacksonville took a knee on consecutive plays instead of trying to make something happen.
”Let’s get ourselves going and let’s take this lead into halftime,” coach Doug Marrone said. ”That is exactly how I thought, right or wrong.”
-Blake Bortles was flagged for delay of game – following a timeout, no less – and negated a 12-yard completion to Marcedes Lewis on a third-and-7 play in the second quarter. Instead of moving the chains and milking the clock, the Patriots got the ball back and scored a momentum-turning touchdown heading into the locker room.
”It was just a lapse on our part,” Marrone said.
All of those contributed to Jacksonville’s collapse.
By Monday, players and coaches had started to recover. Soon, they will turn the page.
”Getting there and showing the world that we can play good ball and be consistent against a good team like that and not fold under pressure was big,” Pro Bowl defensive tackle Malik Jackson said. ”We answered a lot of critics now. People want to give us our respect; they don’t have to. We proved a lot to ourselves [url=http://www.cowboyscheapauthenticstore.com/connor-williams-jersey-cheap]Connor Williams Jersey Cowboys[/url] , and I think we’re going to continue to build from there.”
Here are some other things to know about Jacksonville heading into the offseason:
QB DECISION: The biggest question centers on Bortles and his future . Jacksonville picked up the fifth-year option in his rookie contract, meaning he has one year remaining at $19.053 million. Bortles showed progress in 2017 and played well at times in the playoffs, but the Jaguars could decide they want to try to lure a free agent with fewer flaws to complement a dominant defense.
”I would love to be able to play here for as long as they would let me,” Bortles said. ”What they do and all the decisions that are made are kind of out of my control. I’d be thrilled to be able to stay here and play here, and hopefully that can happen.”
MOVING ON: Jacksonville is likely to part ways with receiver Allen Hurns ($7 million) and running back Chris Ivory ($6.97 million), and they could lose cornerback Aaron Colvin and linebacker Paul Posluszny to free agency.
NEW LOOK: The Jaguars are expected to unveil new uniforms in April, making the two-tone helmets a collector’s edition. The black-and-gold helmets were mostly mocked the last five years.
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I don’t think you
The Washington Capitals captain took the NHL trophy to a fan zone in Moscow where World Cup games are screened. With the Russian National Guard providing security [url=http://www.losangelesdodgersteamshop.com/authentic-chris-taylor-jersey]Chris Taylor Jersey[/url] , Ovechkin lifted the cup above his head in front of a crowd of fans, who were allowed to take photos with the trophy.
”The cup is with us. The cup is in Moscow, Russia,” Ovechkin said. ”I am very happy for the people that can see it and touch it. I am very, very happy.”
Ovechkin said he wishes the Russian soccer team well in its quarterfinal match against Croatia in Sochi.
”The national team did a great a job for the fans. Everyone is so happy. Miracles can happen. We are not far away from the final,” he said. ”We need to fight, and our players understand it. They will do everything that they can.”
Ovechkin won his first Stanley Cup championship a month ago in his 13th season in Washington.
Other Russian NHL players are also interested in soccer. Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins posted a picture on Instagram showing himself on a luxury jet with Ilya Kovalchuk of the Los Angeles Kings and Alexander Radulov of the Dallas Stars.
”Flying to Sochi” was the caption.
—
Christian Scotland-Williamson looks the part.
Standing on the practice field with the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the rookie tight end blends in seamlessly. The 25-year-old is tall (6-foot-9), big (275 pounds) and athletic.
Then Scotland-Williamson opens his mouth. A polite British accent comes out [url=http://www.officialblackhawksproshop.com/authentic-adidas-corey-crawford-jersey]Adidas Corey Crawford Jersey[/url] , the kind that would go unnoticed on a soccer pitch, but on a field crammed with dozens of players practically weaned on America’s Game, it raises eyebrows. Lots of eyebrows.
Scotland-Williamson gets it. The former rugby player who was raised in the London suburbs understands he’s a bit of a curiosity as a member of the second graduating class of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. At the heart of it all, however, Scotland-Williamson figures the only thing separating him from his teammates is experience. Not passion. Not athleticism. And certainly not drive.
”It’s one of those things where when I was younger, if I’d been exposed to American football I probably would have played it at an earlier age,” Scotland-Williamson said. ”But being a British kid, it’s not at your doorstep, so it’s quite hard.”
So Scotland-Williamson opted for rugby. He turned professional at 20 and spent four seasons with the Worcester Warriors of the English Premiership [url=http://www.authenticskansascitychiefs.com/cheap-dorian-o_daniel-jersey]Dorian O'Daniel Color Rush Jersey[/url] , the top rugby division in the United Kingdom. Then cameras caught him making a monster tackle in a game last spring and his phone rang, with folks wondering if he’d like to come to the U.S. and join the IPP.
Started in 2017, the IPP selects a handful of athletes from other countries to come to the U.S. to learn the finer points of pro football. If they make it through a four-month boot camp at IMG Academy in Florida, they can be assigned to an NFL club, where they will spend a season on the practice squad to prove themselves in what amounts to one of the most unusual internships on the planet.
Though Scotland-Williamson’s rugby career appeared on the rise, the prospect of heading overseas was simply too tantalizing to pass up.
”It’s kind of like that movie `Inception,’ once one plants that seed, that’s it,” he said. ”I’m very much someone who doesn’t want to live with any regrets and look back at 50 or 60 years old at a bar with your mates and think [url=http://www.tampabaybuccaneersteamonline.com/customized]Customized Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys[/url] , `Oh no, what if I could have done this but didn’t.’ So that’s why I’m here really.”
The initial IPP graduation class last spring included three athletes from the United Kingdom and another from Germany. The current group includes Scotland-Williamson and Australian rugby player Jordan Mailata, who impressed the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles so much they used a seventh-round draft pick on him to make sure he didn’t end up somewhere else.
Scotland-Williamson is not quite as polished. He understood little about the game outside of what he occasionally saw on TV when he arrived in Florida in January. The highly regimented day started with a 6 a.m. walkthrough and often lasted until a film session at a coach’s house that wouldn’t wrap up until around 9:30 p.m.
”We learned a hell of a lot in a short amount of time,” Scotland-Williamson said.
Just not everything. Though he’s studied up on the 100-plus page NFL rule book, he admits he’s still a little fuzzy on details in some spots. And while the film work certainly helps, it’s quite a bit different when you have your helmet on standing in an offensive huddle listening to a quarterback bark out a play that has very specific instructions. Compared to rugby’s more free-flowing style, it’s a lot to take in.
The evidence can be found on the practice field. While Scotland-Williamson thinks he’s handling his business just fine as a blocker, route running is another matter. The player who never donned so much as a football helmet until rookie minicamp earlier this month practically staples himself to tight ends coach James Daniel, hoping to soak up as much as he can as fast as he can.
Yet Scotland-Williamson understands he can’t rush things. That’s why he’s grateful the opportunity didn’t arise until his mid-20s. Spending four years as a professional rugby player taught him how to deal with bumps in the road.
”I have a better perspective [url=http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com]Raiders Game Jerseys[/url] ,” he said. ”Especially with this where you’re going to get your butt kicked every day for a while until things start clicking. You have to have quite thick skin, so that’s helped.”
So does a bit of a thick head. When he told his parents he was putting his rugby career on hold to give football a try, his father balked.
”I had to give him a massive sales pitch,” Scotland-Williamson said.
That included one very important point: This wasn’t a lark or a publicity stunt or fulfilling some bit of wanderlust. This was real.
”I don’t think you go into this half-hearted,” he said. ”You want it all. You want to make the 53 (man roster). You want to go to Super Bowls. You want to end up being the first international player to make it big. That’s the biggest thing, not only to represent myself, but it means a lot for the international players who were born outside of America who don’t think they have a chance.”
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Brooklyn got its fourth
TORONTO — The Florida Panthers will be trying to keep their playoff drive alive Wednesday night while the Toronto Maple Leafs will make another attempt to set a franchise record for wins in a season.
The Panthers (39-28-7) defeated the New York Islanders 3-0 Monday night as they pursue the New Jersey Devils for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
“I really haven’t been paying much attention to what’s going on with the Devils and those other teams [url=http://www.titanscheapstore.com/rashaan-evans-jersey-cheap]Rashaan Evans Jersey[/url] , but obviously we know it’s tight and you can’t afford to lose at this point,” said Panthers center Nick Bjugstad, who scored a goal Monday. “There’s not much breathing room here at the end of the year. We’ve got a tough schedule coming up here, a lot of games, but it’s going to be a fun challenge.”
The Maple Leafs (45-24-7) are secure in their playoff spot but will be trying for a franchise-record in wins for a season with 46. That goal was thwarted by a 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres Monday night in which they had a 41-27 advantage in shots on goal. The loss also stopped a franchise-record 13-game home winning streak and prevented the Maple Leafs from winning their 27th home game of the season, which also would be a team record.
“I think we got a nice warning against Detroit (a 4-3 win over the Red Wings Saturday) that no matter if the teams are playing for the first draft pick or whatever or they’re playing for the playoffs, they’re going to bring it every night,” Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen said. “I think we came prepared, I think we played well tonight — we could have hit the net a little bit more maybe, but I think we had a lot of good opportunities. Those nights are going to happen, and I think we played a good game overall.”
A former Maple Leafs goaltender, James Reimer, has played a big part in the Panthers attempt at a playoff spot.
Reimer made 32 saves for his fifth consecutive win Monday. The backup to Roberto Luongo earned his fourth shutout of the season. He is 7-1-0 since returning from injury Feb. 12.
“I just tried to be big in there and try to read the puck as best as I could and be on it [url=http://www.billscheapstore.com/tremaine-edmunds-jersey-cheap]Tremaine Edmunds Bills Jersey[/url] ,” Reimer said. “And then rely on your D-men to clear any garbage, and they did a great job.”
“Reims has answered the bell every time,” Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. “This is the part of the season you need guys stepping up and he’s been one of our guys that’s stepped up for us. His preparation is real good and you can see he was focused right from the drop of the puck tonight, made some big saves.”
Monday night, the Panthers signed their first-round draft pick from 2016, center Henrik Borgstrom to a three-year entry-level contract. He could join the team as soon as Wednesday.
Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said there are things his team can improve on from their performance on Monday.
“Obviously, I thought our turnovers in our own zone in the first period; I thought we were a little bit loose,” he said. “We’ve got to hit the net, we had so many opportunities in the offensive zone and we failed to hit the net. We missed the net, just looking right here, it says 26 times we missed the net. So, I mean, that would be part of it too. In the end [url=http://www.newyorkgiantsteamonline.com/odell-beckham-jr-jersey]Odell Beckham Jr Jersey[/url] , we had every opportunity to win, we were a little too loose and we didn’t win. Let’s get back to work.
“I thought we had lots of good things, but then we got carried away with it and gave up some chances. Now, the puck has got to stay out too. The bottom line is we did lots of good things, we didn’t win the game. I still think we can be better without it at times. I thought we turned it over a bit too much — too cute — and in the end you go home disappointed.
Russell Westbrook and Paul George each scored 24 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder used a timely fourth-quarter run to pull away for a 108-102 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
The Thunder were down one with about seven minutes left before scoring the next 11 points.
Oklahoma City is vying with several teams for the final playoff spots in the loaded Western Conference. The victory gives the Thunder a 2-1 win in the season series and snaps the Rockets’ 20-game home winning streak.
James Harden had 26 points for Houston, and Chris Paul added 17.
NUGGETS 134, CLIPPERS 115
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Will Barton scored 31 points, Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and Denver earned its fifth consecutive victory.
Denver (45-35) pulled into a tie with Minnesota for eighth in the Western Conference with two games to play. The Nuggets visit the Timberwolves for their season finale on Wednesday night.
Lou Williams scored 24 points for the Clippers (42-38), who were eliminated from playoff contention. DeAndre Jordan had 16 points and 17 rebounds.
PELICANS 126, WARRIORS 120
OAKLAND [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/connor-williams-jersey]Connor Williams Jersey Elite[/url] , Calif. (AP) – Anthony Davis had 34 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots, and New Orleans snapped a 10-game losing streak to Golden State.
The Pelicans beat the Warriors for the first time since April 7, 2015, in New Orleans, and at Oracle Arena for the first time since April 24, 2012.
Golden State star Kevin Durant scored 19 of his 41 points in the third quarter. Durant also finished with 10 rebounds and five assists.
Quinn Cook, who has been an admirable fill-in for the injured Stephen Curry after his promotion from the G League, added 21 points in the Warriors’ final regular-season home game.
Nikola Mirotic had 28 points for the Pelicans, and Rajon Rondo dished out 17 assists.
SPURS 116, TRAIL BLAZERS 105
SAN ANTONIO (AP) – LaMarcus Aldridge scored 28 points to help San Antonio stop a two-game losing streak.
The Spurs (46-34) are tied with Oklahoma City and New Orleans for fifth in the Western Conference, a half-game back of idle Utah.
San Antonio can clinch a playoff spot with a victory over visiting Sacramento on Monday.
Portland (48-32) dropped its third consecutive game and missed out on an opportunity to clinch home-court advantage in the first round. Damian Lillard had 33 points for the Trail Blazers, and Evan Turner finished with 18.
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NEW YORK (AP) – Eric Bledsoe had 22 points and 10 assists, and Milwaukee moved into a tie for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Khris Middleton also scored 22 points for the Bucks, who joined Miami with a 43-37 record. The Heat were blown out by the Knicks at Madison Square Garden a night earlier but the Bucks avoided the same fate despite playing without All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo because of a sore right ankle.
Jabari Parker made his second start of the season in Antetokounmpo’s place and finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Jarrett Jack scored 18 points and Kyle O’Quinn had 15 points, 16 rebounds and five assists for the Knicks, who beat Miami 122-98 on Friday but fell short in their hopes of beating another playoff-bound team.
NETS 124, BULLS 96
CHICAGO (AP) – Quincy Acy scored 21 points, and Brooklyn set a franchise record by making 24 3-pointers.
The Nets finished one 3-pointer shy of the NBA record set last season by Cleveland. Acy made six 3s, and Allen Crabbe hit 5 of 13 from deep on his way to 20 points.
Brooklyn got its fourth road win in its last five games.
Sean Kilpatrick led Chicago with 20 points, and Bobby Portis had 18 points and eight rebounds.
—
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LHP Matthew Boyd
He scored 36 points to help Oklahoma City defeat Utah 116-108 in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series Sunday night.
”That’s his new name?” seemingly perplexed teammate Carmelo Anthony asked with a smile.
George lived up to it. He set an Oklahoma City playoff record with eight 3-pointers, blowing past the previous mark of five. He made eight of 11 shots from long range, and 13 of 20 shots overall.
It was his first playoff game with the Thunder since being acquired in a trade with the Indiana in the offseason. He had averaged more than 27 points per game in the playoffs for the Pacers the past two years.
”I’m going to bring it to that level every night,” George said. ”Obviously, I was hot tonight, but that’s the level I’m going to bring every night.”
Russell Westbrook had 29 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists and Anthony added 15 points for the Thunder, who will host Game 2 on Wednesday.
Westbrook, who seemingly was Oklahoma City’s only scoring option for much of last season, appreciated the help.
”When he’s aggressive, man, it changes the game for us,” Westbrook said. ”You saw that tonight. He had it going. Our job is to make sure we find him, make it easy for him. As long as he stays aggressive [url=http://www.sanjosesharksteamshop.com/authentic-evander-kane-jersey]Authentic Evander Kane Jersey[/url] , we’ll be a better team.”
Many of George’s makes were contested. His success made it difficult for the Jazz to cover other players.
”He made a couple and we changed up what we were doing, and he went to something else,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. ”He went to pick-and-roll and he made a couple more, and then we tried to take him and he passed the ball.”
Utah doesn’t expect George to keep making those tough shots.
”If those shots start to affect you, then the whole game plan goes away,” said rookie Donovan Mitchell, who led the Jazz with 27 points and 10 rebounds. ”So we just kept sticking with it, and hopefully, he doesn’t go 8 for 11 the rest of the series. But we played great defense, and we are proud of that.”
Mitchell left the game in the second half with left foot soreness. He returned, but played sporadically.
”I feel fine,” he said. ”Think I just stubbed my toe. Nothing major.”
Rudy Gobert scored 14 points, and Joe Ingles and Jae Crowder each added 13 for the Jazz.
The Thunder recovered from a 16-4 deficit to tie it at 25 at the end of the first quarter. Oklahoma City led 54-48 at halftime behind 20 points from George and 14 from Westbrook.
George hit his seventh 3-pointer to push Oklahoma City’s lead to 79-66. He hit a deep 2-pointer to close the quarter and give the Thunder an 81-72 lead.
Alex Abrines hit two 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to give Oklahoma City a 92-80 lead and force Utah to call timeout. The Thunder held off a surge in the final minute.
TIP-INS
Jazz: Mitchell made his first four shots, but just one of six the rest of the first half. … Made just eight of 22 shots in the second quarter. … Dante Exum and Alec Burks each scored 10 points.
Thunder: G Corey Brewer, who was questionable with a right knee sprain, started. … Anthony scored his 1 [url=http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/tremaine-edmunds-jersey]http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/tremaine-edmunds-jersey[/url] ,700th playoff point. … Oklahoma City made its first 17 free throws and didn’t miss one until the final minute.
QUOTABLE
Mitchell on why he was taken out of the game in the fourth quarter: ”I was just limping, so the trainers saw me limping and they thought I needed to come out, but I was just being a baby, so I’m good.”
STAT LINES
George’s outburst is significant because in Oklahoma City’s five-game playoff series with Houston last season, no Thunder player other than Westbrook scored more than 20 points in a game. Westbrook averaged 37.4 points in the series, but no other Thunder player averaged more than 11.6.
UP NEXT
Game 2 will be Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.
—
Trevor Bauer is piling up the strikeouts. And, the Cleveland Indians are piling up the wins.
Bauer (7-5) struck out 11 over 6 1/3 innings to beat Detroit for the fourth time this season, leading Cleveland past the Tigers 4-1 on Saturday night for their sixth straight win overall.
The right-hander recorded his seventh double-figure strikeout game of the season, including five of his last six starts. Bauer has struck out 140 this season and is tied for the AL lead with Boston’s Chris Sale.
”I definitely take pride in it,” Bauer said. ”It’s what I enjoy doing most, punching guys out.”
Bauer’s consecutive games with double-digit strikeouts was interrupted Monday by a rain delay after he struck out eight in seven innings against the Chicago White Sox. He threw 100 pitches and didn’t return after the delay.
”I wish it hadn’t rained last game,” he said. ”It would have been six in a row, but I’ll start a new streak this time.”
Bauer allowed a run in the second inning on a wild pitch and was pulled after Dixon Machado’s one-out single in the seventh. He’s 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four starts against the Tigers.
”He’s got quality pitches across the board,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. ”That’s part of what’s making him so good.”
Francisco Lindor hit a leadoff homer in the fifth, and Jose Ramirez – who reached base in his 30th consecutive game – and Edwin Encarnacion had RBI singles in a three-run first.
Cody Allen struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 16th save in 17 opportunities.
Francisco Liriano (3-3), making his first start in a month [url=http://www.cowboyscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-leighton-vander-esch-jersey]Leighton Vander Esch Jersey[/url] , allowed three runs – two earned – in four innings. The left-hander, who strained his right hamstring against the White Sox on May 26, threw 40 pitches in the first.
”He was rushing and after the first inning we told him you got to slow down,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. ”Just make your pitches and don’t overthrow the ball. We had a chance to get out of there and we cost him some extra pitches in the first.”
Detroit lost its fourth straight and committed three errors. Catcher James McCann dropped a throw from center field that allowed a run to score in the first.
Bauer struck out the game’s first two hitters, but a walk, single and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. McCann struck out, ending the 28-pitch inning. Bauer allowed five hits, walked two, hit two batters and threw 112 pitches.
Cleveland’s first consisted of four hits, two walks, two wild pitches and McCann’s error. Ramirez singled in the first to score Lindor. Encarnacion followed with another single for a 2-0 lead.
Following a wild pitch, Brandon Guyer singled to center. Encarnacion would have been out by 10 feet, but scored on a slide when McCann couldn’t hang on to Leyonis Martin’s throw.
Liriano made his first start since straining his right hamstring against the Chicago White Sox on May 26.
Oliver Perez retired the final two batters in the seventh and Neil Ramirez worked a scoreless eighth.
CAUTIOUS APPROACH
The Indians aren’t going to rush left-hander Andrew Miller to come back from his sore right knee, an injury that has had him on the disabled list since May 26. He won’t throw off a mound for 10 days and there’s no timetable for his return.
”We saw the load he carried a couple years ago,” Francona said. ”For us to get where we want to go, and have the best chance to do that [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/jason-witten-jersey]Jason Witten Cowboys Jersey[/url] , he’s going to carry a big load. So we feel like being patient is the best chance to get there.”
BUT WHO’S COUNTING?
The first inning lasted 36 minutes and included five hits, three walks, a hit batter, two wild pitches, an error, nine baserunners and a combined 68 pitches.
QUICK CHANGE
Detroit started the week with a five-game winning streak, but lost twice in Cincinnati and has dropped the first two games of this series.
”You look at Cincinnati, they’re hot,” Gardenhire said. ”We come in here and this team is hot. It’s all part of the schedule. Right now, we are scuffling offensively and it all kind of molds together.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: RHP Johnny Barbato (rotator cuff tendinitis) is on the 10-day disabled list. He allowed five runs in one-third of an inning Friday.
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (bruised elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday. He was struck on the elbow by a line drive hit by Minnesota’s Joe Mauer on June 16.
UP NEXT
Tigers: LHP Matthew Boyd (4-5, 3.63 ERA) is 1-2 with a 1.78 ERA in six career appearances – five starts – against Cleveland.
Indians: RHP Adam Plutko (3-1, 5.40) will make his fifth career start for Cleveland.
—
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Host Ottawa Senators on Saturday
Joc Pederson, Max Muncy and Yasiel Puig homered off ageless wonder Bartolo Colon, and the defending NL champions broke loose for seven runs in the fourth inning to rout the last-place Texas Rangers 12-5 on Tuesday night and improve to 8-2 this month.
Los Angeles moved two games above .500 for the first time this season.
”Winning is contagious,” said Cody Bellinger, who reached base safely in four of five plate appearances. ”When you’re winning, everything comes together.”
The Dodgers pounded out 16 hits in taking their second straight game.
”We’re taking a lot of good swings,” manager Dave Roberts said.
Colon, the 45-year-old right-hander, has allowed 19 homers this season. He recorded his 2,500th career strikeout against Muncy in the first.
Colon (3-4) got tagged for season highs in runs (eight) and hits (nine) over 3 1/3 innings after tossing at least five innings in 10 of 11 starts. He was trying to break a tie with Hall of Famer Juan Marichal for most wins by a Dominican-born pitcher – they both have 243.
”They took advantage of me. They got heated up good,” Colon said through a translator. ”That’s what happened, so I couldn’t do (anything). They were very aggressive and I couldn’t hold them.”
The Rangers lost their season high-tying fifth in a row in their first visit to Dodger Stadium since 2015. They fell to 14-19 on the road [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/connor-williams-jersey]Connor Williams Youth Jersey[/url] , having lost four of their last five.
Texas manager Jeff Banister liked Colon’s velocity early on before watching it tail off.
”Couldn’t get the sinker where he wanted it to. It seemed like all pitches were getting hit pretty good,” he said. ”Fastball was elevated and couldn’t land the off-speed stuff down in the strike zone where he wanted to.”
Edward Paredes (1-0) got the win with a scoreless inning of relief.
Daniel Corcino pitched three innings for his first career save, but stumbled with two outs in the ninth when he allowed two runs. Jurickson Profar had an RBI single and Delino DeShields scored on a throwing error by Puig in right field.
Pederson’s two-run homer in the second – his seventh in eight games – gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead after Puig drove in their first run with a two-out double.
Pederson notched his fourth three-hit game of the season. He hit just one homer in the first 53 games, and now has seven in his last eight games since June 2.
”What I used to do in the past is worry about the results,” he said. ”Used to get real frustrated with not getting results. Instead, I’m just sticking to the process. I’ve been hitting some balls hard on the ground. Now I’m able to get some balls in the air and do some damage.”
Muncy hit his team-leading 13th homer, going deep in his fourth straight game, to make it 4-2 in the third. He made his first start of the season at second base.
The Dodgers batted around in the fourth, with Puig powering a two-run homer to get the scoring started. Chris Taylor added an RBI single and scored on an error by Profar at shortstop. Bellinger had an RBI double and Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run single in extending their lead to 11-2.
Muncy’s groundout in the fifth made it 12-3.
Caleb Ferguson allowed two runs and five hits in four innings during his second major league start for the Dodgers after being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the day. The left-hander struck out three and walked two.
Adrian Beltre had an RBI single for the Rangers, and Shin-Soo Choo homered leading off the fifth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rangers: SS Elvis Andrus will be the designated hitter and play seven innings in the second game of a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Wednesday.
Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler went on the 10-day DL with a right rib microfracture, an injury sustained when he was hit by a 108 mph line drive by Colorado’s Trevor Story on May 21. … LHP Clayton Kershaw (lower back strain) threw a bullpen, and a simulated game will occur soon. ”He’s reassured me he feels great [url=http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/tarik-cohen-jersey]Kyle Long Jersey[/url] ,” Roberts said. … LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (left groin strain) threw a bullpen.
HE SAID IT
”I had to face him and get hits off him when he was a lot better.” – Roberts on Colon.
STRUGGLING AGAINST LA
Colon has never fared well against the Dodgers. He is 2-7 with a 6.12 ERA in 11 career starts. He’s struck out 39 and walked 10. His eight runs were the most he’s allowed since June 5, 2017, when he gave up eight against the Phillies over 3 2/3 innings.
BELTRE AND ICHIRO
With two hits, Beltre tied Ichiro Suzuki for 21st place on the career list at 3,089.
UP NEXT
LHP Cole Hamels (3-6, 3.86 ERA) goes for the Rangers in the series finale, having allowed 17 home runs, second-most in the majors. RHP Kenta Maeda (4-4, 3.61) makes his first start since May 29 after being on the DL with a right hip strain. He’s never faced Texas.
—
Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg isn’t sure how many more milestones he has left as he prepares to complete his 15th season in Detroit.
The 37-year-old is eager to find out.
”I hope so,” Zetterberg said after picking up his 954th career point to match Sergei Fedorov for fifth on the franchise list following 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. ”I think this is the one that was kind of in reach. The next big one in my point production, it’ll take a while. So we’ll see.”
Next on the list: Nicklas Lidstrom at 1,142.
Zetterberg earned the secondary assist on Danny DeKeyser’s goal that put Detroit up 5-3 with 9:50 remaining.
In closing a season in which Detroit will miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year [url=http://www.saintscheapstore.com/marcus-davenport-jersey-cheap]Marcus Davenport Saints Jersey[/url] , Zetterberg and his teammates finally had something to feel good about.
The Red Wings won on the road for the first time in more than a month by snapping an 0-10-1 skid – their worst since the 1981-82 season.
And they did it with a balanced attack, while overcoming a 2-0 first-period deficit.
Though the Red Wings’ offensive production came mostly from their youngster, goalie Jimmy Howard said Zetterberg deserves the credit for being a role model.
”He’s awesome. He’s one of those leaders you can’t say enough about,” said Howard, who stopped 29 shots. ”It doesn’t matter what the situation is, whether we’re in the playoffs or not, he leads by example. And I think that’s what our young guys need right now.”
Anthony Mantha, with his team-leading 24th, scored the go-ahead goal by converting a rebound off a shot he deflected with 3:34 left in the second period.
Dylan Larkin and rookie first-round pick Evgeny Svechnikov had a goal and assist each. Darren Helm, with a short-handed goal, and Andreas Athanasiou also scored for Detroit, which hadn’t won on the road since a 3-2 overtime victory against the New York Rangers 3-2 on Feb. 25.
The NHL’s last-place Sabres endured yet another familiar collapse at home [url=http://www.newyorkjetsteamonline.com/joe-namath-jersey]Cheap Joe Namath Jersey[/url] , where they are now assured of finishing with the fewest wins in an 82-game season in franchise history. With an 11-24-5 home record, and one game at Buffalo left, the Sabres can’t match their previous low win total of 13 set in 2012-13.
Rookie Sabres coach Phil Housley blamed the loss on too many lapses.
Jack Eichel simply called it, ”frustrating.”
Added Eichel: ”You’re not going to win hockey games playing like we did.”
Eichel set a single-season career high by scoring his team-leading 25th goal. Ryan O’Reilly also scored, and center Casey Mittelstadt set up Evan Rodrigues‘ goal by winning a faceoff in the third period for his first career assist in his NHL debut.
Selected with the eighth pick in last year’s draft, Mittelstadt signed with Buffalo this week after electing to skip his final three college season at Minnesota.
Sabres goalie Robin Lehner did not return for the start of the third period after sustaining an undisclosed injury. He allowed three goals on 20 shots through two periods. Chad Johnson gave up three goals on 12 shots.
Mantha scored just after a faceoff violation penalty called against Mittelstadt expired. Mantha was allowed to stand alone in front, where he deflected Joe Hicketts‘ shot from the blue line. Lehner got a piece of the shot, though Mantha was still untouched while easily converting the rebound.
Athanasiou’s scored a 1:50 into the third period to put the Red Wings up 4-2 by capping an exceptional series of passes. Niklas Kronwall broke up the left wing and flipped a pass through the middle to Justin Abdelkader, who tapped the puck through his legs in setting up Athanasiou in the slot.
NOTES: Detroit won for the third time in 16 games (3-12-1). … Coming of a 5-2 win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday, the Red Wings 11 combined goals matched the total of their previous five games. … Rather than having the starting goalie lead the Sabres out for pre-game warm-ups, Mittelstadt got the honor in skating out on his own for 20 seconds before being joined by his teammates. The 19-year-old drew applause upon jumping the boards and hitting the ice for his first shift 1:27 into the game.
UP NEXT
Red Wings: Host Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
Sabres: At Nashville on Saturday.
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