k for most of the season. But the Liberty failedk for most of the season. But the Liberty failed | Forum
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Jul 22 '19
LOS ANGELES -- This time, the Pittsburgh Pirates left nothing to chance. Hydro Flask Canada Cheap .A day after equaling the franchise record by stranding 18 runners, the Pirates cleared the bases twice in the first inning with home runs Sunday on their way to an 11-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.It was a lot of fun to be in the dugout today, said Josh Harrison, who had four hits. It was almost like a flip of yesterday when they got out to a little jump on us. You know, it was good to go out there in the first inning today and put pressure on them right away.Adam Frazier each had four hits, Sean Rodriguez homered and had four RBI and the Pirates spoiled Brett Andersons return with a five-run burst in the first.Rodriguez had a three-run homer and Jordy Mercer a two-run shot in the first to chase Anderson (0-1) from his first start since last October.Anderson had back surgery in March and left following one inning with a mild left wrist sprain.Aside from blowing the back out again or hurting my elbow its probably about the worst way a first start back can go, he said.The Dodgers were forced to use seven pitchers. Anderson struggled after Saturday starter Brandon McCarthy lasted only 1 2/3 innings.In all, the bullpen was forced to pitch 15 1/3 innings over two days.To put our bullpen in that situation after McCarthy yesterday, to try and have them go nine innings, its embarrassing on my part, Anderson said.Jung Ho Kang added a solo homer during a four-run ninth to help Pittsburgh win for the fifth time in seven games against the Dodgers this season.Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle loved his teams resiliency after the way that we played yesterday.Rookie Chad Kuhl (3-0) won his third consecutive start, holding the Dodgers to two runs and six hits over six innings.We obviously have a good team here, a great defense, he said. Im just trying to put the ball on the ground.We have the capability offensively to put up a crooked number in the first and keep adding on from there. As you can tell, its a very talented team, he said.The Pirates have won each of Kuhls first six starts, the second-longest winning streak to start a career in team history. The Pirates won the first seven starts of Jim Nelsons career in 1970.Regardless of who starts for us, we approach things the same, Harrison said. What I got from him in his starts is hes been very efficient. Pitching aggressive in the zone, thats half the battle. Letting your defense work for you. Hes done a good job of going out there.Joc Pederson hit his second homer in two games for the Dodgers, whove lost three of their last four and stayed one game back of San Francisco in the NL West. The Giants lost 8-7 to Baltimore.LEADING OFFHarrison has a .356 average (21 for 59) in 13 games as the leadoff hitter. Hes also scored 12 runs.TRAINERS ROOMPirates: OF Starling Marte, who left Saturdays game in the eighth inning with upper back discomfort, was a late scratch from the lineup. He was replaced in left field by Frazier.Dodgers: 3B Justin Turner missed his second consecutive game with a right hand contusion. Manager Dave Roberts expects Turner back in the starting lineup on Tuesday in Philadelphia. ... RHP Bud Norris gave up one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings in a rehab start Saturday for Class A Rancho Cucamonga. Norris will return to the Dodgers rotation on Thursday.UP NEXTPirates: RHP Ryan Vogelsong (1-2, 2.67) pitches against San Francisco on Monday, making his first start against his former team since rejoining the Pirates at the beginning of the season.Dodgers: RHP Kenta Maeda faces the Phillies for the second time in a week in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The rookie notched his 11th win of the season on Tuesday at home against the Phillies, giving up three runs and six hits over five innings. Hydro Flask Coffee Mug Canada . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Hydro Flask 21 Oz Canada . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. http:///...ffee-mug-canada.html . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. NEW YORK -- Phoenix coach Sandy Brondello hasnt always loved the WNBAs new knockout playoff format. But its safe to say she has come around on it.The Mercury, inconsistent for much of the regular season, beat New York 101-94 in an elimination game Saturday to advance to the WNBA semifinals against Minnesota.?That isnt bad for a team that finished the regular season two games below .500.I was a little critical of the knockout games, but I kind of like it right now, Brondello said.Veteran Diana Taurasi led the way for Phoenix, just as she did Wednesday in the Mercurys first-round, elimination-game win over Indiana.Taurasi had a game-high 30 points on 9-for-17 shooting to lift Phoenix. But it wasnt just the point total; it was when Taurasi scored that mattered most Saturday.With Phoenix up two and 6:40 to play, Taurasi scored five straight points to spur an 8-2 run. Five minutes later, the Mercury led by just four. But Taurasi put the game away by hitting a contested 3-pointer.That prompted this statement from Brondello: Diana Taurasi, shes the GOAT [greatest of all time]. Its always great to have her on your team.Is it ever. Saturday was just the latest example of Taurasi lifting her team in an elimination game.She scored 14 of her game-high 20 points in the second half of the Mercurys win over the Indiana Fever on Wednesday. That gave her a 12-3 career record in WNBA elimination games. Saturday was win No. 13.I just think its the mindset that the teams Ive been on have had, Taurasi said. These moments, weve never shied away from.Taurasi, understandably, doesnt want to talk about her own exploits. But her performance in win-or-go-home scenarios has been remarkable. According to WNBA.com, Taurasi averages 23 points on better than 48 percent shooting in such situations. If you include her Olympic and NCAA career,, Taurasi has a 43-3 record in elimination games. Hydro Flask Sale. Thats why I say shes the best player in the world, Brondelo said. Shes such an unselfish player, but her determination to win in those big moments exceeds anyone else Ive ever seen.Taurasi didnt do it all by herself on Saturday, of course. Brittney Griner was fantastic, scoring 22 points with 10 rebounds and five assists, and Penny Taylor added 22 points. It was the kind of game that many expected from Phoenix over the course of the season.But the Mercury struggled with consistency and clinched the eighth and final WNBA playoff seed with a disappointing 16-18 regular-season record.We had some good individual performances, Brondello said, but we were just inconsistent in putting it together for one night.The Mercury have now put it together for two nights when it mattered most. But for the Liberty, it was a sudden end to another successful regular season.New York finished with the third-best record in the WNBA, but thanks to the leagues new playoff format, which awards the top two seeds byes into the best-of-five semifinals, the Liberty played in an elimination game rather than a full series.They worked all year long to give themselves an opportunity, and tonight it just didnt get done, Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer said.Tina Charles finished with 19 points and nine rebounds on Saturday, looking every bit the MVP candidate who carried New York for most of the season. But the Liberty failed to execute late in the fourth quarter, and Taurasi seemed to thrive.Diana was Diana, Charles said.On Saturday, that meant Taurasi was at her best when her team needed her most. Those who have watched her long enough shouldnt be surprised. ' ' '
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