Kellermann-Strauss Forum » oal. However, this is no Robert

CHICAGO -- The pitch was just a tick up, and Starlin Castro was ready. When Edwin Jackson was limited to five innings, the bullpen took over. Pedro Alvarezs drive fell short on the warning track. These are fun days for the improving Chicago Cubs. Castro hit a three-run homer and Jackson finally got the better of Charlie Morton, leading the Cubs to a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. "This is the nicest Ive felt about this team since Ive been here," said Anthony Rizzo, who was acquired in a January 2012 trade with San Diego. Chris Coghlan added a solo shot as the Cubs opened a 10-game homestand with their fourth win in five games. Last-place Chicago also improved to 18-13 since May 17 for the best record in the NL in that stretch. "Everything in this game is contagious, whether its positive, negative, hitting, defence, pitching," Coghlan said. "I think were having more team at-bats." Jackson (5-7) was removed after 86 pitches due to cramps in his calves, but it was enough to get his first win in four matchups this year against Morton (4-8). The right-handers have faced off more than any other pair of starting pitchers this season in the majors. Jackson allowed three runs on Jordy Mercers fifth homer and five hits. He struck out eight and walked two in just his second win in his last six starts. Alvarez had a chance to tie the game when he came to the plate with two on and two out in the sixth. He took a frustrated hop between first and second as Ryan Sweeney ran down his long fly ball in the biggest part of the ballpark. Andrew McCutchen struck out with two on in the seventh, wasting another Pittsburgh threat. "Pitchings been pretty great all year. The offence is coming around, and the defence is coming around as well," Jackson said. "So were definitely showing a glimpse of what were able to do. Its just going out and doing it on a consistent basis." Pittsburgh rookie Gregory Polanco opened the game with a single to centre, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. He is the first NL player to begin his career with such a streak since Juan Pierres 16-game run for Colorado in 2000. The Pirates have lost four of five since a four-game winning streak. Morton retired six in a row before Jacksons one-out single in the third started a string of five consecutive batters reaching safely. Rizzo lined a two-run double into the right-field corner before Castro drove an 0-2 curveball over the wall in left for his 11th homer, moving past his total from all of last year. Morton jerked his head down in disgust when Castro connected, and then turned around to see where the ball was going. Castros third homer of the season against Morton gave the Cubs a 5-0 lead. "I could have gotten the ball down a little bit more," Morton said. "I dont think it was a bad pitch. It was a bad pitch to him in that situation." The six runs in six innings were a season high for Morton, who had won each of his last three starts and was 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA in his previous five outings. Mercer went deep after Jackson walked the first two batters in the fifth, but that was it for the Pirates. Four Cubs relievers combined for three innings of two-hit ball before Hector Rondon worked the ninth for his eighth save in 10 chances. Jason Grilli pitched the eighth for the Pirates in his first outing since manager Clint Hurdle removed the right-hander from the closer role. Grilli has blown four save opportunities this season after converting 33 of 35 chances a year ago. "Better rhythm, a better execution of pitches," Hurdle said when asked about Grillis inning. NOTES: Hurdle said before the game that Mark Melancon will close for now, and he also could use Tony Watson in save opportunities. ... Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said he is pleased with Manny Ramirezs impact on the organization so far, and the former major league star could join Triple-A Iowa next week. When Ramirez reports to Iowa, he will be a player-coach for Chicagos top farm club. ... Epstein also said he doesnt forsee a scenario where prospect Kris Bryant joins the major league club this year. ... Pirates RHP Vance Worley (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Cubs LHP Travis Wood (7-5, 4.48 ERA) face off on Saturday. Cheap Nike Roshe Free Shipping .com) - Pavel Datsyuk and Gustav Nyquist both scored in the shootout as the Detroit Red Wings denied the Minnesota Wilds comeback bid with a 5-4 win on Tuesday. Nike Roshe Clearance Sale . You can watch all the action on TSN2 beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. Pineda won his second straight start last Wednesday against Chicago, as he held the Cubs to just four hits over six scoreless innings to run his record to 2-0, while lowering his ERA to 1. http://www.nikeroshecheap.com/. Old times for a defence that has looked just plain old recently? "No," safety Ryan Clark said. "We used to be much better than that. Cheap Nike Roshes For Sale . With the team he supported as a child on the verge of reaching the Champions League semifinals for the first time in 19 years, Ba instead scored the goal that knocked them out. Nike Roshe Shoes China . Torres tells Spanish daily AS "in football you never know where you will be inside one month. Im going to work hard, thats all you can do with this last part of the season so important.This week the 2013/14 Premier League season comes to a close. Here at TSN.ca we will take a look back at the season by bringing together a panel of experts to help pick the best 50 players of the season. This list is based purely on their performances this season. It is not a list of who we think the best 50 players in the league are. Fourteen members were asked to take part (panel below) and submit their top 20 players of the season. Their list was then placed into a scoring system and then the totals determined the overall positions in the top 50. Each day this week we will release the list in 10s. The sport is very much about opinions, so please feel free to write your own list in the comments below. Here is how the Top 20 were scored – 1st place – 30pts; 2nd place – 25; 3rd place – 22; 4th place – 20; 5th place – 18; 6th place – 17; 7th place – 15; 8th place – 14; 9th place – 13; 10th place – 12; 11th place – 10; 12th place – 9; 13th place – 8; 14th place – 7; 15th place – 6; 16th place – 5; 17th place – 4; 18th place – 3; 19th place – 2; 20th place – 1. The Panel Six members of TSNs soccer team were on the panel and were joined by eight other members from around the world who were asked to represent their specific field. Joining our staff members were two outstanding statistical experts, Jonny Blain and Simon Gleave, two brilliant reporters/commentators covering the league, Stewart Coggin and Paul Sarahs and two extremely knowledgeable tactics writers, Tim Palmer and Ritesh from the False9 website and a man who covers the development side of the league like no other, Aidan from the England Youth website. In addition, also involved was arguably one of the knowledgeable writers covering the league in the world, Michael Cox, aka Zonal Marking. Follow the Panel on Twitter Aidan from England Youth – https://twitter.com/englandyouthJonny Blain - https://twitter.com/jonoblainNoel Butler - https://twitter.com/TheSoccerNoelStewart Coggin - https://twitter.com/StewartCogginMichael Cox - https://twitter.com/Zonal_MarkingJason DeVos - https://twitter.com/jasondevosSimon Gleave - https://twitter.com/SimonGleaveKristian Jack - https://twitter.com/KristianJackTim Palmer - https://twitter.com/timhpalRitesh from The False9 - https://twitter.com/TheFalse_9Paul Sarahs - https://twitter.com/PaulSarahsPete Schaad - https://twitter.com/PeteSchaadGareth Wheeler - https://twitter.com/WheelerTSNLuke Wileman - https://twitter.com/LukeWileman 50. Winston Reid (West Ham) – It has been a frustrating year for the New Zealand centre-back in terms of injuries as ankle surgery forced him to miss more than a dozen Premier League matches and it was during this time that his loss was really noticeable. The Hammers have shown glimpses of a very solid unit this past season but it never looks better unless the 25-year-old is in the team. Could be on the move this summer to a bigger club. 49. Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) – Some people who watch Liverpool often` belief Skrtel should not be a part of their future. The Slovakian can be far too aggressive in his own penalty box and, despite improvement, doesnt seem comfortable enough on the ball to suit the style Brendan Rodgers demands. However, this season his strength and bravery, in both penalty boxes, have helped Liverpool win many games. With regular issues surrounding who plays the other side of the centre-back tandem, Skrtel has given Rodgers much needed solidity at the heart of his defence. 48. David De Gea (Man Utd) – There are very few positives for Man Utd fans to take from this past season. However, one of the advantages to having an aging, poor defence was that their goalkeeper was tested more than usual. De Gea had an excellent season and, for some on this panel, was the clubs best player. Arguably one of the best saves of the entire season came in October when Sunderlands Emanuele Giaccherini headed the ball towards the top corner and a stretched De Gea tipped it wide. It was a brilliant save, as was the instinctive stoop he had on a volley by Jonathan Walters a few weeks later.dddddddddddd 47. Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) – It was a mystifying season for the Spaniard. Some think he has the talent to carry a team on his back and showed glimpses of that when Arsenal were at their peak in November (he was outstanding in their home win over Liverpool) yet consistency at the highest level is still lacking. This may not be Cazorlas fault. Although a wonderfully pleasing player on the eyes, it is, perhaps, an indictment on Arsenal in 2014 that he is one of their best players. If he had two or three world class players around him (particularly playing behind him centrally), Cazorla would blossom more often. 46. Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace) – On January 11, Crystal Palace were having fun at Tottenham, playing the high-flyers completely off the pitch. Then they got a penalty, one Puncheon smashed into Row Z. The look on his face showed just how distraught he was. Palace would lose 2-0 and manager Tony Pulis admitted that the winger couldnt get over the miss for the rest of the game. The next two weeks, Palace won 1-0 twice with goals, each time, from the man who started the season at Southampton. Then, at the start of April, he scored in three straight games to guarantee the teams safety. 45. Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) – Puncheon got a lot of the headlines, but Crystal Palaces best player of the season was arguably a man very few Premier League fans had heard about 12 months ago. Joel Ward was asked to play all different positions across the back four and in central midfield this season but really excelled under Tony Pulis, showing a real assurance in possession, while enjoying the freedom of width by causing overlaps down the wings. 44. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) – Arsene Wengers side have holes and when asked what they need to do to become a title contender, many people think they can do better up top by replacing Giroud. That might be true but the 27-year-old is a striker who should be monitored not just for the goals he scores. Obviously they are essential for a man in his position but the Frenchman is a very clever link forward, comfortable with his back to goal, bringing in to play the multiple playmakers in behind him. He is also very good in the air and has won key aerial battles in both boxes this season. 43. Curtis Davies (Hull City) – What a difference three seasons can make. Once seen as a future star, Davies, cast aside by Aston Villa, had to go down to the lower leagues and improve his craft and when Steve Bruce paid just over two million pounds for him last summer to play in the Premier League there were those who werent sure he was up to the task. Davies (Saturdays game against Villa aside) proved the doubters wrong, starting all but one of the teams league games this season and being, unquestionably, the teams player of the season in what has been a very good season for the club. 42. Alvaro Negredo (Man City) – If this list would have been done at Christmas, the Spaniard would have been in the top 20. All of Negredos nine Premier League goals this season came before the middle of January and if he doesnt score a goal in the final week of the season he will have gone four months without a league goal. However, this is no Roberto Soldado. The beast, as he is called in the blue half of Manchester, is no flop and is a wonderful footballer who can score goals from set pieces, drop deep and play in opponents and score goals in the six-yard box. Expect him to come back stronger and fitter in August. 41. Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) – What a strange season for Arsenals defence. Impressive against most of the league, diabolical away from home at Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton. The Frenchman can be a very polarizing figure, often looked down on because of highlight-reel mistakes such as own goals or high-profile red cards, but when not being put into highlight packs, the 28-year-old shows he is very steady in defence. Like many defenders, he isnt always at his best when forced to turn and face his own goal but very few opponents force him to do so. ' ' '