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PHILADELPHIA -- Cody Asches rough night in the field ruined Cliff Lees effort on the mound. Luis Jimenez hit a tiebreaking double in the sixth, Matt Shoemaker tossed five effective innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Tuesday night. Lee allowed four unearned runs and six hits, striking out seven in seven innings. He was hurt by Asches three errors at third base. "I know he wasnt doing it on purpose," Lee said. "He had some funky balls hit to him." Mike Trout went 1 for 5 with more than 4,000 fans in the crowd from his hometown of Millville, New Jersey. The two-time All-Star centre fielder grew up in the small town 45 minutes south of Philadelphia. Lee (3-4) took a 2-0 lead into the sixth, but Asches fielding and throwing errors led to four unearned runs. Collin Cowgill led off the inning with a double to left. After Trout struck out, Albert Pujols reached when Asche let his high bouncer go off his glove. Howie Kendrick walked to load the bases. Chris Iannetta then hit a bouncer to Asche, who pulled catcher Carlos Ruiz off the plate with his throw home. Grant Greens sacrifice fly tied it at 2. Jimenez followed with a two-run double on a 3-0 pitch, giving the Angels a 4-2 lead. "Its frustrating, not just for myself, but when you let a team down," Asche said. "Cliff was pitching well. He couldve gone all night." Asche has struggled in his first full season. Hes hitting .226 with a team-high six errors. "The kid had a tough night," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "That can happen. Well continue to work with him. A lot of things have been thrown at him." The Phillies have lost two in a row to fall three games below .500. They blew a 4-1 lead in the ninth in a 5-4, extra-inning loss to the Mets on Sunday. Closer Jonathan Papelbon wasnt available to pitch that day because he was sore after earning saves in the first two games of the series. Papelbon has drawn criticism from fans for not pitching. Sandberg said before the game the team needs its closer to be able to pitch three days in a row. Shoemaker (1-1) allowed two runs and three hits. He made his second career start and first this season. The righty was called up to replace Hector Santiago, who was sent to the bullpen after going 0-6 with a 5.19 ERA in seven starts. Ernesto Frieri pitched the ninth for his fifth save in seven tries. Domonic Brown hit a triple off reliever Fernando Salas and scored on Ruizs sacrifice fly in the seventh to get the Phillies to 4-3. Shoemaker retired his first nine batters before Ben Revere hit a hard single just past second baseman Kendrick. One out later, Chase Utley ripped an RBI triple into the right-field corner to make it 1-0. Angels manager Mike Scioscia challenged the safe call at third, but it was upheld following a replay review that took 3 minutes, 33 seconds. Ryan Howard hit an RBI single through the vacated hole at shortstop for a 2-0 lead. NOTES: The Phillies called up INF Cesar Hernandez from Double-A Reading to take Jayson Nixs spot on the roster. Nix was outrighted to Triple-A on Monday, but chose to become a free agent. ... The Angels optioned RHP Cory Rasmus to Triple-A Salt Lake. ... Sandberg said a Shake Shack hamburger at Citi Field gave him food poisoning during Philadelphias weekend series in New York.... RHP A.J. Burnett (2-2, 2.90 ERA) goes for the Phillies against RHP Garrett Richards (3-0, 2.80) on Wednesday. Dikembe Mutombo Jersey . - The Washington Redskins have signed free agent offensive lineman Mike McGlynn. Bob Houbregs Jersey . - Chris Davis hit a two-run double, scoring Nelson Cruz in his Orioles debut in Baltimores 9-7 win over to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. https://www.cheaphawks.com/334r-cliff-levingston-jersey-hawks.html.com) - It may just be the right place and the right opponent for the Detroit Red Wings to snap their longest losing streak of the season. Hawks Jerseys 2020 . Louis Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia will have surgery on his left shoulder this week and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Zelmo Beaty Jersey . scored 18 of his career- high 28 points in the first half, as fifth-ranked Ohio State dominated No.MIAMI - Giancarlo Stanton stood on the Miami Marlins field Wednesday and scanned a sea of empty seats, mindful the stands look much the same at games.He had just signed a record $325 million, 13-year contract and conceded he wasnt certain he should have agreed to the deal.There was no 100 per cent sure answer, Stanton said. But the decision is made. Once you make your decision, you go all-in with it.The slugger hit the jackpot, landing the most lucrative contract for an American athlete and the longest in baseball history. Stanton accepted the deal after cost-conscious owner Jeffrey Loria pledged to put together a contending team that will finally transform Miami into a baseball town.Stanton and South Florida have heard such talk before.You cant keep saying, Were going to win this year. Were going to do it this year, Stanton said. Im sick of hearing that. Everyone is sick of hearing that. Its doing something about it.At a news conference, Loria said signing Stanton is part of a long-range plan that began with the Marlins most recent payroll purge two years ago.Our goal was to start fresh, Loria said. It wasnt popular, but we had to do it. We wanted to create a long-term system around young players who would build their entire career with us.General manager Dan Jennings said the team plans to pursue multiyear contracts this off-season with several other young players, including right hander Jose Fernandez, centre fielder Marcell Ozuna, left fielder Christian Yelich and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria.Such deals will be possible for the historically low-payroll franchise only because of the way Stantons contract is structured. He readily agreed to a heavily backloaded agreement, and will make just $6.5 million in 2015, the same as this year. His salary doesnt peak until 2023, when hell make $32 million.The agreement wouldnt have happened without such structuring, team president David Samson said. He said the Marlins anticipate better attendance and a more lucrative TV package will make Stantons contract affordable.Loria wants to be around for the franchise turnaround. His popularity with fans has plummeted in recent years, but he has no plans to sell the team, Samson said.Hes in it with Miami for the long run, because he loves it, Samson said.While Kevin Brown was the first player to break the $100 million barrier in 1998 and Alex Rodriguez became the first to top $200 million just two years later, it took 14 more years to produce baseballs first $300 million man.Stanton did a double take when asked if the amount of deal was embarrasssing to him.dddddddddddd.Embarrassing to me? Not exactly, he said. I know I have a lot of expectations to live up to, which I need to do and am willing to do. This isnt like a lottery ticket. This is the start of new work and a new job. Its a huge responsibility, and one Im willing to take.Stanton took the podium for his news conference wearing a tailored blue suit and a grin, showing no signs of the beaning that ended his season Sept. 11. He hasnt hit a ball since but said hell return to the batting cage beginning in mid-December in his native California.Ill probably take a moment before I get into that box, but itll be good, he said. Im excited for it.The Marlins said theyre not concerned the injuries will have lingering effects.Stanton, who turned 25 on Nov. 8, wasnt due to become eligible for free agency until after the 2016 season. When negotiations on his mega-deal began, Stanton said he was more concerned about the front offices plans for improving the roster than about his financial terms.Despite 154 home runs from Stanton, the Marlins have finished with a losing record in each of his five seasons, including three last-place finishes.They had the contract there, and I put it aside and said, Listen, what are we going to do to make this better? Im financially good for the rest of my life. Great. But Im not coming here to get my butt kicked for 10 hours every day and then going home to a lavish lifestyle. Thats not fun for me.He said he didnt seek advice from players on other teams about whether to accept the Marlins offer.Everyone sees the dollar sign and theyre like, What are you waiting for? No one could relate to how I felt over the years. So I had to do this on my own.Topics of the negotiations included the dimensions at Marlins Park, which Stanton considers too big. The walls are staying where they are in 2015, but the Marlins havent ruled out moving them in eventually.The final hurdle in the discussions was an opt-out clause, which the Marlins accepted and Stanton described as my fail-safe. He can part with the Marlins after making $107 million over the first six years of the deal. It also includes a no-trade clause.In the end, Stanton called the decision to say yes the toughest of his life.This is 13 years, he said. I didnt even go to school for 13 years.He signed the agreement at the start of the news conference, Loria at his side.Im glad to be here for my foreseeable future, Stanton said.The occasion attracted nearly 100 members of the media, a sign interest in the Marlins already is on the rise. ' ' '

(SportsNetwork.com) - Chris Kreider showed his former coach a few things last time out. The New York forward will look to build off his first career hat trick on Monday night as the Rangers welcome the Winnipeg Jets to Madison Square Garden. Coming off a 3-2 loss to Boston the previous day, the Rangers prepared for a big showdown with the John Tortorella-led Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. It marked Tortorellas first trip back to New York after being fired by the Rangers during the offseason. Tortorella was replaced as coach by Alain Vigneault, who was let go by the Canucks over the summer to create the position filled by Tortorella. Vigneault opted to shake up his lines ahead of Saturdays game and one move was putting Kreider on the top line with Rick Nash and Derek Stephan. It paid off as Kreider scored three times in the 5-2 win. The 22-year-old now has six goals and 16 points in 20 games this season after logging just two goals and one assist in three games last season under Tortorella. He credited his linemates with Saturdays success. "Those are just the kind of players they are. It doesnt matter really who you put with them, theyre so good. Ive been really lucky to have some good linemates this year," Kreider said. Nash scored and had two assists, while Stepan finished with a pair of helpers. Defenseman Michael Del Zotto -- a healthy scratch in the previous two games and five of the last eight -- also scored in New Yorks fourth victory in six games. Backup goaltender Cam Talbot made a career-high 35 saves, moving to 6-1-0 on the season. He has not allowed more than two goals in any of his seven starts, the first of his NHL career, while giving some rest to No. 1 Henrik Lundqvist. The Jets visit New York looking to get their struggling power play on track. They went 0-for-6 in Fridays 2-1 setback to the Philadelphia Flyers and rank 28th in the league on the man advantage at 11.5 percent. Winnipeg also allowed its NHL high-tying fifth short-handed goal in Fridays defeat. "Our power play was disappointing. We cant get anything out of it and havent been able to through the years. Its not like its anything new for us. Finding solutions to that issue and problem is certainly a challenge for us," said Winnipeg coach Claude Noel. Michael Frolik had a third-period goal and Ondrej Pavelec made 32 saves for the Jets, who had won the first two of a six-game road trip and fell to 2-3-2 in their past seven games overall. Winnipeg lost forward Evander Kane to a lower-body injury in the first period and he did not skate in Saturdays outdoor practice in Central Park. He is tied for second on the club with seven goals, but has not been ruled out for this game. The Jets have lost five of their last seven meetings with the Rangers, including three of the four games played in New York since the Winnipeg franchise relocated from Atlanta. Lundqvist is 10-7-6 with a 2.19 goals against average in his career versus the franchise, while Pavelec has gone 4-4-1 with a 2.34 GAA lifetime against the Rangers. Mike Mitchell Jersey .Mallais and his team out of Saint John defeated James Grattan 5-4 in Fredericton.The 2015 Tim Hortons Brier from Feb. Jordan Clarkson Jersey . Top-seeded Djokovic, who is making only his second appearance this year after reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, was a 6-3, 6-3 winner over 54th-ranked Istomin of Uzbekistan. "It wasnt as easy as the scoreline indicates," said Djokovic, who has won in Dubai on four occasions. https://www.cheapcavaliers.com/892q-mark-price-jersey-cavaliers.html. The Detroit Tigers closer blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning Wednesday night against the Dodgers. Tristan Thompson Jersey . - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November. Shaquille ONeal Jersey . Among the six changes: Drivers are now eligible if they have competed for 30 or more years in NASCAR or turned 55 in the calendar year before nominating day. Previously, drivers were not eligible until they had been retired for three years, so drivers can continue to compete and still reach the hall.TORONTO – Jose Bautista is nearing a return to the Blue Jays lineup and pinch hit in the sixth inning of Sundays series finale against the White Sox. Batting for Dioner Navarro with runners on the corners and the Jays down 2-0 at the time, Bautista grounded out to end the inning. Fans who arrived to watch batting practice were treated to Bautistas first public testing of his injured left hamstring. He was running sprints in the outfield; he estimated at about 50 to 60-percent effort and admitted to feeling some pain, which he said he expected. Bautista will work out on Mondays off day and is hopeful of being in the starting lineup on Tuesday when the Jays play a Canada Day matinee against the Brewers. He hasnt been in the starting lineup since removing himself in the third inning of the June 22 loss in Cincinnati. "You know, its huge," said Bautista of avoiding the disabled list. Then he offered a precautionary thought: "Obviously thats still not in the plans but you never know how things are going to respond," said Bautista. "I just want to make it clear that I can get back into playing and because theres a previous injury there anything can happen. Im not trying to jinx it or anything but thats just reality." Bautista has been hitting in the underneath batting cage. "I feel like hitting is much easier right now than running," he said. While its superfluous to suggest the Blue Jays miss Bautista when hes not in the lineup the matter became more pronounced as the club faced three Chicago lefthanders over the wweekend.dddddddddddd After two home games versus Milwaukee, against right-handed starters, the Jays kick off their next road trip with four games in Oakland. The As will throw three left-handers at the Blue Jays in that series. Bautistas done serious damage to southpaws this year. Seven of his 15 home runs have been hit off of lefties. Hes accomplished that in only 57 at-bats. His on-base plus slugging percentage sits at an otherworldly 1.329. Combine Bautistas absence with the predominantly right-handed lineup manager John Gibbons has played this weekend, featuring Triple-A call ups Brad Glenn and Darin Mastroianni, and offence has been in relatively short supply. Left-handed hitters Adam Lind and Colby Rasmus, when theyve played, have struggled as the numbers would suggest they would. Bautista isnt committing to whether hell be Tuesdays designated hitter or take his usual spot in right field. "If I come in and feel 100-percent and great and go out on the field and play defence and I could not feel 100-percent and ask to DH instead of playing the field," said Bautista. "It all depends on how I feel on Tuesday and I wont know that until Tuesday." If Bautistas hamstring limits him to the designated hitters role, that likely removes Adam Lind from the Canada Day starting lineup. Against a right-handed starting pitcher, thats less than ideal. Should Bautista declare himself fit to play right field, Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Lind would both play, one as the designated hitter and the other at first base. ' ' '

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Top-seeded Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia needed just over an hour to beat Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan 6-1, 6-2 Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of Malaysian Open. Third-seeded Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic also advanced, beating Ying-Ying Duan of China 6-1, 6-3 to set up a quarterfinal against Cagla Buyukakcay of Turkey, who ousted Tadeja Majeric of Slovenia 6-4, 6-4. Kristyna Pliskova -- Karolinas sister -- was eliminated by Donna Vekic of Croatia, who won 1-6, 6-3, 7-5. In a rain-delayed second-round match, second-seeded Zhang Shuai of China overcame outlasted Hong Kongs Ling Zhang 6-3, 4-6, 6-0. Tony Clark Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the deal will pay Schenn $2.25 million in the first year and $2.75 million in the second year. In 82 games with the Flyers in 2013-14, Schenn scored 20 goals and added 21 assists. Derrel Thomas Jersey . Granada goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez saved Morenos first two headers from corner kicks taken by Sergio Garcia, but the defender beat him on his third try after Garcia found Moreno unmarked at the near post in the 78th minute. https://www.cheappadresjerseys.us/. Didnt need any help this time. Wood beat Cincinnati for the first time in his career, repeatedly pitching out of threats for seven innings, and Chicago stalled the Reds week-long surge with a 2-0 victory Monday night. Dave Winfield Jersey . LOUIS -- Known for his game-managing and defensive skills, Yadier Molina made another statement with his bat. Ty France Jersey . Hollis-Jefferson went 5-for-6 from the field and added six rebounds, while Stanley Jefferson contributed 14 points for the Wildcats, who used their trademark tough defense to dominate the games final 24 minutes and advance to Tuesdays winners bracket matchup with Kansas State.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at [email protected]. Good morning Kerry, I love your daily clarifications to help everyone understand better why some calls are made! My question is in regards of spearing. As you know by now, Milan Lucic speared Alexei Emelin in Game 3 - again! I understand that at times some calls be overlooked, but why is he continuously getting away with it? If there is video evidence, why nothing is done afterward to avoid any precedence to be set? My last question: is this not making the officials in a difficult position? Thank you very much for your time. Lyne Laurendeau Lyne: The act of spearing and butt-ending seldom result in a player suspension. Instead, a fine may be imposed (but not always as we have seen) by the Player Safety Committee. It would appear that players are utilizing both ends of their hockey stick on a more consistent basis in violation of rule 58 (butt-ending) and rule 62 (spearing). This season the following fines have been levied for these illegal acts: February 6, 2014: Alexei Emelin - Montreal Canadiens - Butt-ending Pascal Pelletier ($5,000)March 20, 2014: David Legwand - Detroit Red Wings - Butt-ending Evgeni Malkin ($5,000)April 13, 2014: Scott Hartnell - Philadelphia Flyers - Spearing Brett Bellemore ($5,000)April 18, 2014: Milan Lucic - Boston Bruins -Spearing Danny DeKeyser ($5,000)April 25, 2014: Ryan Garbutt - Dallas Stars - Spearing Corey Perry ($1,474.36) You also might recall in the Ducks-Stars series on April 18th that Corey Perry was given a "slashing" minor when he "speared" Jamie Benn at 7:25 of the first period. Perry remained in the game as a result the "slashing" assessment and then scored an unassisted goal at 16:15 of the second in a 3-2 Anaheim win.  Milan Lucic was also guilty of an undetected backdoor spear motion on Alexei Emelin in a game March 24. Neither of these incidents resulted in a fine.  Beyond the non-call in the Bruins-Habs game the other night, no disciplinary action or fine will result from Lucics latest spear on Emelin. It should also be noted that Emelin was guilty of cross-checking on the play and was not penalized for the infraction as well. Fouls can be missed in the fast pace of the game. There is obvious reluctance on the part of the referees to call "spearing" foor what it is due to the severity of the penalty that they must impose under the rule.dddddddddddd Only when contact is significant, as in the Ryan Garbutt spear on Corry Perry, will we see the accurate call made. Perrys action on Jamie Benn was no less a spearing motion than Garbutts, but due to lesser degree of contact (deemed to be minimal by the ref) the infraction was called slashing. It is not the referees job to interpret the relative value of the rule or base their assessment on the degree of contact (or non contact) when a spearing motion is delivered.  That however is exactly what is being done. Under rule 62, the referee is empowered (and expected) to assess a double minor is imposed when a player spears an opponent and does not make contact. A major and game misconduct is to be assessed on a player who spears an opponent (makes contact).  When I attended my first NHL training camp for officials as a 20-year-old aspiring referee in 1972 we went through every rule in the book during daily classroom sessions. The rule book wasnt all that thick back then and the referee had the option of assessing a minor or major penalty for spearing based on the degree of contact. Wanting to understand the difference between the two applications I approached veteran referee Lloyd Gilmour for advice. I asked Gilmour what constituted the difference between a minor or major penalty for spearing. Without so much as a wink, Lloyd said, "Kid, if you see the spear go in its two minutes; if the stick comes out the players back call it five!" Perhaps the veteran advice was a little tongue-in- cheek but in reality not all that far off from the application we might be seeing now. Lyne, it is my opinion that there should be a fine imposed for every instance of spearing and butt-ending; regardless of the degree of contact or whether a penalty was imposed by the referee. Both are dangerous and cheap acts. Further to this, the referees must be directed to call the action of spearing and butt-ending for what they are and not place their personal value on the degree of contact made with the point or end of a players stick.  It is the referees that are putting themselves in a "difficult position" by either ignoring the infraction or calling it by any other terminology than what it is. Penalty enforcement and fines would result in higher standards of player accountability and act as a stronger deterrent against these unwanted acts from being committed. ' ' '

Germanys Maria Hoefl-Riesch has taken the gold medal in the womens super combined. Combining her fifth place finish in her downhill run with her third place finish in the slalom, the 29-year-old held off a deep field to win at Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort on Monday with a total time of 2:34.62. Austrias Nicole Hosp took the silver medal with a total time of 2:35.02, placing fourth in the slalom run. Despite leading the pack after the downhill, American skier Julia Mancuso faltered on her slalom run, placing 13th and ending up with the bronze medal.Marie-Michèle Gagnon, the lone Canadian in the race, had difficult runs on both the downhill and slalom runs. The 24-year-old Lac-Etchemin, Que., native crashed in her slalom race and ended up unranked. More to come Kevin Ritz Jersey .28 mph. Logano will start on the front row next to Penske Ford teammate Brad Keselowski, who came in second Friday at 193.099. The Penske drivers swept the top two spots for the second straight race, reversing their qualifying finish in Phoenix a week ago. DJ LeMahieu Jersey . 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. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/1194t-justin-lawrence-jersey-rockies.html. The stress, the waiting, the whispers about whether he doped during his stellar cycling career, all of it ended when - after nearly two years - federal prosecutors closed an investigation of him last week without bringing any charges. Larry Walker Jersey . - After spending the morning in the hospital, Logan Couture gave the San Jose Sharks the spark they needed. Joe Harvey Jersey . Locke overcame a shaky start to pitch seven innings and Josh Harrison had three hits to extend his hot streak as the Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Wednesday night.There arent too many teams that can boast having two point guards who have been starters in the NBA. The Toronto Raptors will have that luxury this season. D.J. Augustin, a former starter with the Charlotte Bobcats, gives the Raptors some much-needed depth as they try to improve on their 34-48 record from last season. "D.J. has a very steadying effect and hes an excellent floor general," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. Augustin, a New Orleans native whose family was forced to relocate to Houston by Hurricane Katrina, was a McDonalds All-American in high school. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a star guard at the University of Texas, and went on to be was selected ninth overall by Charlotte in the 2008 NBA draft. However, he seemed to have lost his confidence last season, recording career lows in scoring and field goal percentage and starting just five games as a backup in Indiana. Hes looking for a fresh start in Toronto. "Its just about getting an opportunity, getting a chance," he said. "Here Im getting a chance to play, and Im just trying to get comfortable and keep playing well." Augustin was impressive in the Raptors intrasquad game last weekend in Halifax, leading the black team in a win over the grey squad that was led by starting point guard Kyle Lowry. Augustin, who played almost 30 minutes, was the straw that stirred the drink for the black team. He notched five points, but doled out seven assists and did a great job distributing the ball, consistently finding DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas in the paint. "The more we practise, the more I get comfortable, the more confident I am and my teammates are confident in me, so that helps me out." said Augustin. Augustin had a shakier outing in Torontos 97-89 pre-season win ovver the Celtics in Boston on Monday, finishing with four points and three assists in 18 minutes.dddddddddddd Augustin was the subject of one highlight-reel play that saw Bostons Jeff Green leap over Augustins head on a hard block. With last seasons deal that sent Jose Calderon to Detroit, it was obvious that the Raptors needed to acquire a point guard in the off-season. New general manager Masai Ujiri signed Augustin as a free agent in the summer could give the Raptors a great backcourt duo. With Augustin and Lowry, the Raptors can expect solid play from the point guard position for 48 minutes each night, Casey said. Augustin, a five-year NBA veteran, plays a "driving" style and describes himself as a pass-first point guard who shoots well enough to keep defenders honest. The 25-year-old, who has started 147 games in his career, doesnt expect to be a starter again this year. He said Casey has mentioned the idea of pairing him with another point guard to provide some ball movement if the team needs it, but hes prepared to play any role. "Whatever coach needs me to, whatever the team needs me to do," Augustin said. "This is all about opportunity and I think here, Im getting a chance." The Raptors trip to Boston marked their third city in almost as many nights, as they held camp in Toronto and then Halifax before opening their pre-season against the Celtics. Casey said he wasnt worried about the hectic travel schedule. "Its good because its like an NBA season," he said. "It gives us a feel of how its going to be." The Raptors continue the pre-season Wednesday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Air Canada Centre. Former Raptors No. 1 draft pick Andrea Bargnani returns to Toronto with the New York Knicks on Friday. ' ' '

DEPENDABLE DANIEL Daniel Sturridge is only 23-years-old but has already belonged to three of the biggest football clubs in England, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. With over 100 Premier League appearances to his name, that is a startling fact for someone so young. Five-and-a-half years since his senior debut, the Englishman, only now, has found a quality all top players seek from their clubs, dependability. At Manchester City, young Sturridge saw a club transform themselves and suddenly players from around the globe wanted to go there. The more he watched players come through the front door, the more he knew he had to leave out the back one. At age 19 he was surrounded by people telling him he would be a star and the moment fellow rich club Chelsea came calling, he left. It proved to be a sideways step and he was never going to be given the amount of time in the team an inexperienced professional needed to excel. A brief loan spell at Bolton showcased his scoring abilities in the Premier League, but a return to Chelsea soon after simply showcased his ability to wear a tracksuit next to whichever manager the Blues had that year. By January, under his fourth manager in as many years, Rafa Benitez, Sturridge was ready to move on and Liverpool, desperate to add some depth scoring to a squad heavily reliant on Luis Suarez, stepped in with a £12 million offer. At the time the bid was seen as expensive by many, but Liverpool were thrilled to get a player of Sturridges quality for such a price. You will recall they spent over £70 million on Englishmen Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, before Brendan Rodgers came to the club. His first appearance for his new club came at Old Trafford from the bench. Liverpool were down 2-0 at the half after a timid tactical approach, but Rodgers brought the forward on at half-time and within 12 minutes he had scored. Liverpool lost 2-1 but a message had been sent to Rodgers, Sturridge had clearly brought a great deal to their attack that had been missing in the opening half. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) The Reds would go on to score 24 goals in their next nine Premier League matches, six of which Sturridge started alongside Suarez. The Uruguayan is a sensational centre forward but is not always easy to play with because of his all-around movement but Sturridges game fitted in well with the clubs talisman. Rodgers decided to play Suarez a little deeper but, with the flexible Sturridge playing in front of him, had a centre-forward who wouldnt get in his way and had a desire to show tremendous workrate with his movement. Inside a 4-2-3-1, the pair worked very well, helped by the intelligent Philippe Coutinho, who was able to play wide but also had the brain to move inside and make up the numbers in midfield when the team didnt have the ball, a trait that the often maligned Henderson also has. The signing of Sturridge in January, along with Coutinho, was exactly what Rodgers needed in transitioning from the old direct style under former manager Kenny Dalglish, where wingers were told to get as many crosses in as possible, to a much more technical and cohesive attack based around movement and the key ability to find space. All of this was on show after Suarez missed the last four matches through suspension as Liverpool dismantled Newcastle 6-0 and Fulham 3-1, both away from home, with Sturridge claiming five goals in the two games. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) Liverpools season opener last weekend against Stoke City was much the same. The game ended 1-0, after Sturridge became the leagues first goal scorer of the new campaign, but the home side created a number of goal scoring opportunities thanks to Sturridges ability to come deep and get other players involved around him. This causes opponents problems as either central defenders come out of their comfort zone and track Sturridge, leaving space in behind, or defensive midfielders come deeper and eventually ensure the team is far too deep to create much of an attacking threat. Both these things happened to Stoke and it was not a surprise to see the two players Sturridge passed most to against Stoke were the two central midfielders whose ball retention allows the forward to run into space following the layoff and/or vision can mean a pass is played in to a crucial area created by Sturridges movement. (photo: fourfourtwo.com - Click For Larger Image) On Saturday at Villa Park, Sturridge scored his 12th goal in his 13th league start for Liverpool and it was a moment that showed all of his qualities. In the buildup he moved over to the left wing with Coutinho going central, before gliding inside with the ball and laying it off to Jose Enrique. At that point, Sturridge went on an excellent run centrally and, because he couldnt be tracked, was in a perfect position, following a great dummy by Coutinho, to receive the ball in the box. He then showed tremendous ball control, dancing around the defenders before looping the ball over Brad Guzan in the Villa goal. It was an outstanding goal helped by team-mates who didnt touch the ball and one that rightfully got his manager off his seat to applaud.Rodgers was full of praise this week for his young English striker and didnt stop short at a bold prediction: "I think he can be one of the top scorers in the league this year." 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Austin became the latest No. 12 seed to pull off an upset, tying the game on Desmond Haymons did-that-just-happen four-point play with 3.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Memphis Grizzlies have been on a roll of late and will try to continue that momentum Saturday night when the Philadelphia 76ers visit FedExForum. The Grizzlies have won five of their last six and are on game four of a five- game homestand, which ends Monday night against the Orlando Magic. Memphis rebounded from a disappointing loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday with a 92-86 triumph over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Zach Randolph finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds and Marc Gasol scored a game-high 26 points to lead the Grizzlies to victory. Gasol, who was named a Western Conference All-Star starter, added seven boards and five assists, while Mike Conley netted 12 points, including Memphis only 3-pointer during a late run that put the game away. Gasol will start in his second All-Star game appearance, and, hell be going against his brother Pau, who was voted a starter for the Chicago Bulls. Knowing that I will be facing my brother Pau for the opening tip, it will be a true accomplishment for our family and a memory I will cherish for the rest of my career, Gasol said in a statement. It holds special meaning to be voted in by the fans, and I look forward to representing my teammates, the organization, the city of Memphis and entire Mid-South community and Grizzlies fans across the world. In other news for the Grizzlies, the tteam signed Tyrus Thomas to a 10-day contract.dddddddddddd The 76ers were in action Friday night at home versus the Toronto Raptors and suffered a 91-86 loss. The game was tied at 81-81 with less than three minutes to go and the Raptors scored four straight for an 85-81 edge. Michael Carter-Williams hit a 3-pointer and added a layup to give the Sixers an 86-85 lead with 42.1 seconds on the clock, but a Greivis Vasquez basket put Toronto ahead by one. Philadelphia blew a chance on the other end and Jonas Valanciunas made two free throws to seal it. Robert Covington led the hosts with 18 points and six rebounds, while Carter- Williams finished with 12 points, nine assists and seven boards. Nerlens Noel had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the 76ers, losers in four straight and six of the past seven games. I thought Michael Carter-Williams was a stud tonight, said Sixers coach Brett Brown. Philadelphia will try to stop a three-game road losing streak Saturday and is 5-17 as the guest this season. The Sixers, who are last in scoring with 90.0 ppg, have a 2-15 mark against Western Conference foes this season and will visit New Orleans on Monday. The Grizzlies defeated the Sixers in overtime on Dec. 13 in Philadelphia. The Grizz have taken four straight and seven of the last eight versus Philly and are 3-1 in their last four as the host in this series. ' ' '