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s quicks and burst. Might be a better pro tha
Topic Started: Nov 2 2012, 09:51 AM (18 Views)
lingzi

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants pulled on grey NL West champion shirts and white caps, then took a victory lap around AT&T Park slapping high-fives with any fans they could reach. Arian Foster Womens Jersey . The Giants have needed every face in their clubhouse and every ounce of support from their city. They lost All-Star closer Brian Wilson in April to season-ending elbow surgery, and top hitter Melky Cabrera to a 50-game drug suspension in August. They lost Pablo Sandoval to the disabled list twice, and second baseman Freddy Sanchez for the year months ago. And, still, San Francisco won and won. Madison Bumgarner pitched the Giants to their second division title in three years and newcomer Marco Scutaro had three hits and three RBIs in an 8-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night. "Its almost like we take it personally when people say were going to kind of fade away," first baseman Brandon Belt said. "When somebody goes down, it seems the whole team just kind of picks it up and takes over. Thats what happened the last few weeks, and thats why were NL West champions right now." The Giants captured their eighth divisional crown -- wrapping it up once again with a victory over the Padres in front of their home fans, just as they did on the seasons final day in 2010 on the way to an improbable World Series championship. A little earlier this time was nice, with 10 games to go. "Ill take this one," manager Bruce Bochy said. "I like a margin of error." Belt homered leading off the eighth to give the sellout crowd of 42,418 one more thing to stand and cheer about in a season full of such moments. The real party began after Sergio Romo retired Mark Kotsay on a fly ball to centre to end it. Fireworks shot off behind the main centre-field scoreboard as the players rushed to the mound and began bouncing up and down. "Its the first step," Sandoval said. "Were excited to get it done early. Weve got it now. Were going to focus on finishing the season the right way." Romo was among the first to grab a T-shirt, and as music blared and fans roared, the pitcher waved his high for everyone to see. "It never gets old," general manager Brian Sabean said in the champagne-soaked clubhouse. "Theyre all different because the faces change and the dynamics change. Its a special group. The long and windy road this seasons been, I dont know that were known for any real star quality. I cant remember a team that attacked the schedule at the end." Buster Posey and Hunter Pence each hit a sacrifice fly in the first and Bumgarner tacked on an RBI single in the second. Pence singled twice as the Giants won their season-high sixth straight game and moved 26 games above .500 (89-63), the clubs best record since finishing the 2003 season 39 games over. Scutaro singled in the first to match his career-best hitting streak of 12 games, also accomplished from April 9-21, 2004, while with Oakland. He is tied with Milwaukees Norichika Aoki for longest active streak in the National League. Scutaros two-run single in the fourth chased rookie Andrew Werner (2-2). He singled in another run in the sixth. Now, Bochy can rest his regulars and prepare his playoff rotation -- but dont count on it. San Francisco is still eying the best record in the National League if it can catch Washington and newly crowned NL Central champion Cincinnati. The Reds helped make it possible for the Giants to clinch, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0 at home earlier in the day. "Its one of those things you dont want to prolong it -- you want to get it done as soon as possible, celebrate and have a good time," Belt said. These Giants are hardly the castoffs and misfits of the 2010 title team. Sabean again added some key pieces for the second half, getting Scutaro in a trade from Colorado on July 27 and acquiring Pence from the Phillies three days later. San Francisco also played on, seemingly unfazed, after Cabreras suspension Aug. 15 for a positive testosterone test. Just as it did in the seasons first month when Wilson was lost to season-ending elbow surgery. These Giants are still defined by their pitching. The 23-year-old Bumgarner (16-10) struck out six and walked one in 5 2-3 innings to win his second straight following a four-start winless stretch in which he was 0-3. He took over the team lead for wins and also has the most victories by a Giants left-hander since Kirk Rueter won 16 games in 1998. "Thats pretty cool," Bumgarner said. Bumgarner knows plenty about coming through in big games. He won Game 4 of the World Series at Texas two years ago as a rookie. But he was done after surrendering a two-run homer to Yonder Alonso that cut San Franciscos lead to 5-3. A mix-and-match bullpen that has been so reliable since Wilson went down took over from there. Romo, the fifth reliever of the night after Javier Lopez recorded the first out of the ninth, closed it out to set off a ballpark frenzy. Sandoval received a standing ovation when he made an amazing catch in foul territory in the fourth on a popup by Alonso. The burly third baseman fell over the railing of a party suite close to the field, backhanding the ball while grabbing onto the rail with his right hand. Once back in the dugout, Sandoval received a hug and pat on the back from Bumgarner. "A deserving champion of winning our division," San Diego skipper Bud Black said in congratulating the Giants. "They played well, especially the second half of the season. Theyve had a great second half." Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal was a late scratch as a precaution, a day after he left the game in the seventh inning after taking a foul ball off his mask. Black wanted to see how Grandal did in pregame baseball activities before starting him. NOTES: Bumgarner is 31-3 when the Giants score at least three runs for him. He improved to 3-0 with a 3.04 ERA in four starts this season vs. the Padres. ... San Diego named Eric Stults (6-3) its starter for Sundays series finale. The Giants changed their starter after the clincher to RHP Yusmeiro Petit. ... San Francisco leads the season series 10-4 with four meetings remaining. Andre Johnson Jersey . The Los Angeles Lakers centre acknowledged Saturday that he wasnt ready for Game 3 at Denver, when he was held scoreless in the first half of a 99-84 loss to the youthful Nuggets. Andre Johnson Womens Jersey . Drabek felt a "popping sensation" in his elbow last week during an outing against the Washington Nationals. Preliminary tests showed Drabek suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and a second opinion from Dr. http://www.texansprostore.com/j-j-watt-jersey . The central midfielder was meant to be a backup to Yann MVila at Euro 2012. But an ankle injury for Laurent Blancs first choice means Diarra will be in the starting lineup at the Group D match in Donetsk. Arian Foster Jersey . He could handle those things. What he couldnt handle was the unknown, that being how much his surgically repaired left knee could handle if he tried to play too soon. So with the Knicks already having lost guards Baron Davis and Iman Shumpert to serious knee injuries already in this series -- theres little chance Davis will play at all next season, and Shumperts availability for the start of next season would be considered highly doubtful at best -- Lin erred on the side of caution by not rushing a comeback against the Heat, a move that neither risks his knee or his earning potential this summer as a restricted free agent. J.J. Watt Red Jersey . Hes been getting back at them ever since. The Gold Glove second baseman helped the Cincinnati Reds get through their illness with another strong game against his former team, hitting a two-run homer and driving in three runs in a 5-3 victory over the Indians on Wednesday night.NBA Draft on Thursday night; cant wait! Hope springs eternal for all those teams that need to turn the corner and succeed. Here are a few quick thoughts. FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS: 1. TORONTO RAPTORS: The Draft is the beginning of what should be a busy and fascinating off-season. The team has multiple needs, as well as a lack of a deep talent pool. Bottom line, the eighth overall pick will be in play if there is a dance partner to do a deal with. I fully expect the Raps to try to make a run at free agents on the market with their cap space. Theyll also look to be active in the trade market and use the amnesty exemption as well. So many moving pieces in play where one move will have significant ripple effects on the dynamics of other possible transactions. Bottom line, they need to figure out the long- and mid-term plan at point guard, acquire a starting small forward, and upgrade the athleticism and skill level at all the perimeter spots. Four years without a Playoff game with new owners in place soon; time to start showing significant progress. 2. DANNY FERRY (Hawks): Hired as the GM with a six-year deal. Coach Larry Drew will get a chance based upon his contract extension to see things through a bit, but with a new boss and a team thats good but not great, the Hawks have big decisions to make on how long they stick with their core group after being eliminated in the first round of the Playoffs. You have enough success, you draft lower each year, have to pay big money to your core guys (example: Joe Johnson) and your available cap space diminishes. You have to make the right moves on the complimentary players with limited money. Ferry did a good job in Cleveland even though he came up short with LeBron. Hes a good basketball man who will be bold when need be. Good is the Enemy of Great - no better example thaan this franchise. J.J. Watt Womens Jersey. 3. JARED SULLINGER (Ohio State): Not invited to the Draft due to not being projected in the Top 15. I feel bad for him. If he came out last year, he would have easily been a Top 5 pick - now hes fighting for mere respect as his stock plummets due alleged back issues and not being a workout wonder. Hes an effective post player, and in the right system, with the proper coach who understands big men play, hell be a good pro. Needless to say, hell have a huge chip on his shoulder. Prove it. Hes a guy I wouldnt count out. 4. DION WAITERS (Syracuse): This guy intrigues me. Hes a combo guard who is more of a scoring minded 2-guard. I think he can be a very good third guard for a long time in the league. Hes got good creativity and scoring ability. Love his quicks and burst. Might be a better pro than he was in college. If he gets with a team that pushes it a bit, and gets a chance to play decent rookie minutes, he can be one of the really good players in this class. 5. UNC BIGS (JOHN HENSON & TYLER ZELLER): These guys will go in the top 12 and in my opinion, and the teams that get them will be very pleased. Henson has a long ways to go as an offensive player, and needs to get stronger, but he can block shots and rebound and runs exceptionally well for a big man. His game is a bit awkward yet he produces and keeps getting better. Zeller is a wonderfully gifted post player who has good hands, terrific skills, good footwork and excellent feel for his role. He has to improve his stamina and toughness, but hell be a good player in the NBA for a long time. He has the motor and desire to succeed and is very coachable. Lots of good big men in this draft, these two have big-game experience and solid polish/understanding of what it means to play really hard and with purpose in the trenches. ' ' '
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