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09	August 2018

Best friends since kindergarte

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Rookie Wil Myers helped the struggling Tampa Bay Rays get a key victory in the opener of a four-game series. Myers homered and had three RBIs, Alex Cobb pitched eight solid innings and the Rays took the lead for the first AL wild-card spot by beating the Texas Rangers 6-2 on Monday night. "Its big ... just to come out here and beat this team," Myers said. Texas remained a half-game ahead of Cleveland for the second AL wild-card spot. Myers had a second-inning solo shot and hit a two-run double during a four-run fifth. Cobb (9-3) allowed two runs, six hits, one walk and had 10 strikeouts. "At this point of the season, the position were in, every game is going to get bigger and bigger," Cobb said. "Yesterday was the biggest game of the season, today is the biggest game of the season, tomorrow will be the biggest game of the season. I dont think its unfair to say that. We realize the performance we have to put together out there every night, and I think were up for it." Matt Garza (9-6) gave up six runs and eight hits over 4 1-3 innings to lose his third straight start for the Rangers, who have lost seven in a row and are 2-12 in September. Garza is 3-5 with Texas since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs on July 22. Texas has not held a lead during the current skid. "Im not frustrated, Im confused," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Im trying to figure out what we have to do to jump-start this offence." The announced crowd was just 10,724. The Rays entered with the majors lowest home attendance average of 18,747. Tampa Bay went up 6-2 in the fifth. After James Loney and Evan Longoria both had RBI singles against Garza, Myers drove in two with a double off Jason Frasor. "Those were really big knocks right there," Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Myers. Garza, who was the MVP of the 2008 AL Championship Series when Tampa Bay beat Boston, pitched against the Rays for the first time since being traded to the Cubs on Jan. 8, 2011. "My job is to help us get to October and Im still going to keep trying, keep pushing, keep working and get ready in five days," Garza said. "Keep grinding." The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on Desmond Jennings sacrifice fly. Texas pulled even at 2 during the fifth when Mitch Moreland, mired in an 0-for-22 slide, doubled and scored on Ian Kinslers double. Kinsler was caught attempting to steal third to end the inning. Myers put the Rays up 1-0 on his 13th homer, an opposite-field drive to right in the second. Cobb retired nine in a row, including his first four batters on strikeouts, before Kinsler doubled to start the fourth. After advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Elvis Andrus, Kinsler got tagged out during a rundown on Alex Rios grounder to third. A.J. Pierzynski tied it at 1 later in the fourth with an RBI single. Rangers centre fielder Leonys Martin made a strong defensive play in the third, throwing out Yunel Escobar, who tried to score from second on Ben Zobrists single. NOTES: Myers flew out to the centre field fence with the bases loaded to end the sixth. ... The Rangers held a players only meeting before batting practice. ... Rays reliever Jesse Crain (strained right shoulder) threw in a simulated game and will have his status evaluated Tuesday. ... Texas DH Lance Berkman (left hip and right knee) was in the starting lineup for the first time in two weeks and went 0 for 4. ... The Golf Channels Holly Sonders used a golf club from in front of the mound to hit a ball to the plate for the ceremonial first pitch. Tramon Williams Jersey . In the opener of the World Group first-round series, world No. 18 Kei Nishikori defeated Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont. DeShone Kizer Packers Jersey . Huntelaar also had a penalty saved by Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio. The two goals brought Huntelaars total for the season to 18, level with Bayern Munichs Mario Gomez for most in the league. http://www.shoptheofficialpackers.com/El...ers-Jersey/.com) - Quarterback Cardale Jones will return to Ohio State next season. Oren Burks Jersey . Hes still nowhere close to throwing yet. The four-time MVP was in good spirits when he made his first public appearance on the field since having neck surgery Sept. JK Scott Jersey . With Van Osch out with a flu bug that has been rampaging through the tournament, Knezevic stepped in to lead B.C. (4-3) to a pair of victories on Tuesday before 1,131 at the Maurice Richard Arena.TORONTO -- Andrew Stein and Glenn Macaulay bought into the Blue Jays hype. Best friends since kindergarten and lifelong baseball fans, the pair were swept up in the promise of 2013 and purchased season tickets. From the top level of Rogers Centre above home plate they watched as Toronto slumped through the spring then came alive during an 11-game winning streak only to finish last in the AL East. Excitement isnt a word they used to describe their hopes for 2014. "I wouldnt say worried," said Stein. "Not optimistic," said Macaulay. "Yeah, not optimistic," said Stein. "Maybe slightly uneasy that its just going to be a repeat of last year." Stein and Macaulay were among the Blue Jays season ticket holders at Rogers Centre on Wednesday for the teams annual State of the Franchise event. Team president and CEO Paul Beeston, general manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons were on hand to take questions as jazz played throughout the stadium and food and drinks were handed out to fans wondering just what the state of the team is. Anthopoulos had no surprise announcements, nor was he worried about being grilled despite promises of change going unfulfilled during a quiet off-season. "When you dont have a good season you expect theres criticism that comes with that, that goes without saying, thats part of it," he said. "But again, these fans, I think its a different type of setting because these are the season-seat holders. They support the club. They love the team good and bad. Obviously were here to be accountable and to make ourselves available to talk and answer whatever questions they might have." Torontos only notable acquisition has been catcher Dioner Navarro, who was brought on to replace J.P. Arencibia. Navarro, who hit .300 with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs in 240 at-bats with the Chicago Cubs last season, barely made the splash that all-stars Jose Reyes or R.A. Dickey did when Toronto traded for them prior to last season. "(Navarro will) be serviceable. Im not going to buy his jersey or anything," said Stein. The Blue Jays real need, the one Anthopoulos promised would be his winter focus, is starting pitching. Dickey, coming off a Cy Young season, struggled, although not as badly as Josh Johnson. J.A. Happ missed time after being hit in the head by a frightening comebacker in May, while Brandon Morrows season ended in July with a forearm injury.dddddddddddd Only Mark Buehrle, who also had a slow start to the season, performed to expectation. Torontos rotation finished with a 4.81 earned-run average last season, second worst in the majors, and the starters 899.1 innings pitched were 28th in baseball. But Toronto has stood pat during the off-season. Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka was signed by the New York Yankees before veteran Matt Garza joined the Milwaukee Brewers. Several pitchers such as Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez still remain on the market, but Anthopoulos said progress has been slowed by free agents who cost teams draft picks. That doesnt apply to the Blue Jays -- theyve got two protected first-round draft picks. But Anthopoulos remained non-committal. "We like some of the upside of the guys that are coming back. Wed still like to add," he said. "I think weve been very open about that. I dont know whats going to happen obviously between now and the start of camp. "Depending on how free agency goes or even the trade market, maybe its beyond that, but we are excited about some of the guys coming back, especially some of the young guys. Theres upside to the performance of a lot of these guys. But at the same time were still going to be active and try to get a starter." Whereas Anthopoulos could only ask fans to stick by the team, Gibbons said hes looking ahead after making peace with 2013. "After I was home for about two weeks I said, you know what, its time for a new season," said Gibbons. "Ive always been an optimistic guy. Its smart to look back and look at some areas to do things differently maybe to improve some things. But in the end youve got to turn the page and its a new start here in the next two months." Gibbons, who heard plenty of calls for his dismissal last season, isnt worried about the direction of the team. He acknowledged fans frustrations, and that there wont be as much good will in April as there was last year. "It sure would be nice me coming in here feeling good going to this thing having won something, but until you do that youre just hoping and dreaming. So hopefully we can do that." What, then, is the state of the Blue Jays? Ask again on Opening Day. Cheap Chargers Jerseys Cheap Rams Jersey Cheap Dolphins Jerseys Cheap Vikings Jerseys Cheap Patriots Jersey Cheap Saints Jerseys Cheap New York Giants Jerseys Cheap Jets Jerseys Cheap Raiders Jerseys Cheap Eagles Jerseys Cheap Steelers Jerseys Cheap 49ers Jerseys Cheap Seahawks Jerseys Cheap Buccaneers Jerseys Cheap Titans Jerseys Cheap Redskins Jerseys ' ' '