o Giants.That changed against right-hander Joe Musgrove, when Pittsburgh peppered him for four runs in the first inning before outfielder Gregory Polanco took | Forum

TORONTO -- The speed and skill of Team North America has captured the imagination of fans watching the World Cup of Hockey. Authentic Soccer Jerseys Cheap .The methodical, self-proclaimed boring play of Team Europe has just captured two victories.Three days into the World Cup of Hockey, Europe is the first team to four points and has shown it belongs in this tournament. By beating the United States and the Czech Republic, the European all-star group of players from Slovakia, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Denmark, Austria, Norway and France sent a message that its not an underdog.Coming in here at 33-1 longshot, the Las Vegas bookies, its a lot of fun, coach Ralph Krueger said. I just never believed those numbers. Weve never used any negative motivators in our process. Its always been about us finding our potential, and the belief that we could match with anybody here at this tournament.Europe has found its potential. Offensive production has come from Germanys Leon Draisaitl, Slovakias Zdeno Chara, Slovenias Anze Kopitar and more.But no one expected even this collection of European stars from non-power countries to come together like this and play like a national team.Theres just complete buy-in on this group, Krueger said. Ive never experienced anything quite like this as a coach in 25 years of head coaching, where a group just bought in so quickly and sacrificed for each other.Players have their native flags stitched on their shoulders, but the NHL-created Team Europe crest isnt something they dreamt of playing for. North Americas Johnny Gaudreau even scoffed at a question about the crest on his jersey on Sunday, because its not something that existed even a year ago.Thats what makes Europes impressive showing at the World Cup even more impressive. Its 33-to-1 odds were the longest of any team on the board, and Draisaitls overtime goal against the Czech Republic on Monday put Europe on the verge of a spot in the semifinals.Im just so proud of the way the players have come together in this short period of time, how theyre representing their countries on their arms and as a group how weve come together, Krueger said. This is really not luck, guys.Its not luck. Its talent.Slovak goaltender Jaroslav Halak has stopped 63 of 65 shots in his first meaningful games since March because of a groin injury, Chara is doing his job on defense and Kopitar and Marian Hossa are supplying strong play up front. Those players are all NHL stars and together theyve fared better than any one of their national teams would have against this level of competition.Were certainly very excited at what we did so far with the two games, Kopitar said. Were staying in the moment. Weve certainly realized that we have a pretty special thing going here.After winning two games, Krueger proclaimed Europe is not done. A win by Canada in its game against the United States puts Europe into the semifinals, but dont expect this sewn-together all-star team to suddenly think its not a 33-to-1 shot to win the World Cup.Favored Canada awaits Wednesday.Definitely thats going to be a different animal, Hossa said. Its going to be a great measurement of where were at. Obviously theyre huge favorites at home, so well try to surprise them.Just like Europe has surprised everyone so far.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno . Cheap Nike Soccer Jerseys . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Cheap Soccer Jerseys . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. http://www.cheapsoccerjerseyswholesale.com/ . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. PITTSBURGH -- After splitting the first two games of their interleague series, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros will meet for the series finale Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park.Pittsburghs quiet bats awoke in a dominant 7-1 win against Houston Tuesday, while the Astros (65-61) shut down the Pirates (63-60) in a 3-1 victory the night before. Something will have to give Wednesday, with each team attempting to gain ground in their respective wild-card races.The Pirates came out strong Tuesday, starting the game with six straight hits, and will hope to repeat that performance.I mentioned to our offensive coordinator Jeff Branson that I liked the way he scripted his first 20 plays, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. I think well stick with that. We came and hit balls where they were pitched and took advantage of a sinkerballer who wasnt getting the ball down.Pittsburgh will hope right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole (7-8, 3.30) can regain some of the control hes lost in recent starts when he opposes right-hander Collin McHugh (7-10, 4.99).Pittsburgh has lost in each of Coles past three starts dating back to a 5-3 win against the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 2. The Pirates ace, who has allowed at least three earned runs in each of those three starts, had a solid outing against the Miami Marlins on Friday, but allowed two home runs that cut his night short at 6 2/3 innings pitched, his longest start since recording his first career complete game July 27.Coles inconsistency wont be the only issue Pittsburgh will look to overcome, however. The Pirates floundering offense will try to find a spark and could against McHugh, who aallowed seven runs, six earned, in three innings against the Baltimore Orioles when he last started Friday. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys. .McHugh has not won since allowing two runs through six innings of a 7-2 win against the Los Angeles Angels on July 23. Since that victory, he has gone past six innings once and went three or less twice, including when he surrendered eight runs in 1 2/3 innings pitched against the Detroit Tigers on July 29.Things could turn around for McHugh on Wednesday, though, if the Pirates offense cant build on its momentum from Tuesday.Entering Tuesday, Pittsburgh had failed to score more than two runs in each of its past three games. The Pirates had lost four in a row since taking five of six on their West Coast road trip last week, which included a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants.That changed against right-hander Joe Musgrove, when Pittsburgh peppered him for four runs in the first inning before outfielder Gregory Polanco took him deep for a solo home run in the third.The teams seemed to trade places Tuesday. While the once-dormant Pirates exploded, the red-hot Astros cooled.Houston had scored 35 combined runs over four consecutive wins entering the series middle game, but couldnt solve right-hander Ivan Nova.Astros shortstop Carlos Correa exited Tuesdays game late due to an illness, Houston manager A.J. Hinch said.Hes been sick. Half our team has been sick, Hinch said. We werent really doing much against them. We have a 12:30 game tomorrow, so pretty easy decision. 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