Off Topic » eyes just his second win in 15 starts on Friday when

(SportsNetwork.com) - Toronto left-hander Mark Buehrle eyes just his second win in 15 starts on Friday when the Toronto Blue Jays open a three-game set with the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. That may be easier said than done, though, as Buehrle is a miserable 1-12 in his career against the Yankees and 0-10 with a 7.34 ERA and .337 opponents batting average over 15 starts since April 20, 2004. Buehrle has struggled against just about everyone lately, though, and is 1-7 with a 4.74 ERA since beating Kansas City on June 1. He didnt get a decision on Saturday versus Tampa Bay and surrendered three runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 frames of his teams 5-4 win. He is 11-8 on the year with a 3.41 ERA. This could be his last start as a member of the Blue Jays. It has been reported that Buehrle has been placed on revocable waivers and the pitching- starved Los Angeles Angels apparently have some interest. However, he is owed $15 million next season. Toronto avoided a three-game sweep at the hands on the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, as it managed a 5-2 win. The Blue Jays, though, are 9 1/2 games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East and 5 1/2 back of the second wild card spot. "Yeah, were up against a big headwind, but yeah, you have to stay optimistic," said manager John Gibbons. "Why wouldnt you? What, are you going to quit?" The Jays could gain some ground this weekend on the Yanks, who are 2 1/2 games in front of them. New York lost in heartbreaking fashion on Thursday, as Alex Avila drove a first-pitch slider off the right-field wall in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Detroit Tigers a 3-2 win. "I heard him hit the wall and I heard the ball hit the wall," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "The bottom line is it was a hit and we lost." Still and all, the loss was just the second in the last eight games for the Yankees. Now, they turn to veteran Chris Capuano, who is 0-2 with a 4.21 ERA with the Yankees. He faced the Blue Jays in his first start with New York on July 26, taking a no-decision after allowing two runs in six innings. Capuano is 1-3 overall on the year with a 4.37 ERA. New York is 7-5 against the Blue Jays this season. Josh Manson Jersey . Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg were each convicted on four charges of aggravated rape, one of attempted aggravated rape and two for aggravated sexual battery. Vandenburg was also found guilty of tampering with evidence as well as an unlawful photography charge. Jean-Sebastien Giguere Ducks Jersey . The third baseman whipped the ball across the diamond to second baseman Aaron Hill. He quickly tossed it to shortstop Chris Owings, who flipped over his shoulder to left fielder Cody Ross. http://www.authenticduckspro.com/Giovanni-fiore-ducks-jersey/ . The Calgary Stampeders running back received the West Division nomination for the CFLs top individual award Thursday in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada and leagues eight head coaches. Carter Rowney Jersey . The star receiver certainly isnt celebrating it with the Texans mired in a franchise-record 13-game skid. Scott Niedermayer Jersey . The Mavericks were not going to let San Antonio beat them with 3-pointers, and they did not want Tony Parker using the lane as his personal playground.ATLANTA - Jeff Locke attempted to shrug off an ugly loss as just another game that didnt go your way.With the Pirates in a tight division race, however, it was much more.Locke gave up six runs in only four innings and the Pirates missed a chance to move up in the NL Central race, falling to the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Wednesday night.It marked the second time in five September starts Locke (7-6) failed to last longer than four innings. He allowed 13 baserunners a€” eight hits and five walks a€” in the short start.Locke said he struggled pretty much the whole game, really.Manager Clint Hurdle said Lockes pitches were up in the zone and he lacked consistency with his fastball and secondary pitches.So it was tough for him out there, Hurdle said.The Pirates, who clinched a playoff spot on Tuesday night, stayed 1 1/2 games behind division-leading St. Louis, which was beaten by the Cubs. Pittsburgh lost for only the fourth time in its last 19 games.Hurdle wouldnt say if the start could affect Lockes role in the playoffs.You know what, were not even there, Hurdle said. Well have those conversations when we need to. Thats not a question Im going to answer tonight. When we sit down, well look at the volume of work and well look at matchups.Andrew McCutchen had two hits, including a two-run homer in the fifth inning after Atlanta led 6-0.The Pirates had two baserunners in the ninth before Braves closer Craig Kimbrel struck out McCutchen and Travis Snider for his 45th save.We still battled, McCutchen said. We still fought at the end.Pittsburgh catcher Russell Martin left the game in the fifth inning with tightness in his left hamstring.I didnt tweak it; its just tight, Martin said, adding it was a smart and cautious decision to leave the game and guard against a more serious hamstring injury.Justin Upton hit a two-run homer and pitcher Julio Teheran and Emilio Bonifacio each had two-run singles as Atlanta ended a five-game losing streak. Teheran (14-13) allowed six hits and two runs in five innings.The Braves improved their dismal September record to 5-16. Their six runs matched their combined output in the five straight losses.Pittsburgh lost a day after its clubhouse celebration at Turner Field, where champagne and beer flowed freely.dddddddddddd The Pirates wrapped up their post-season berth exactly one year after clinching a place in the 2013 playoffs to end a 21-year drought.McCutchen drove in Starling Marte, who had two hits, with his 25th homer.Christian Bethancourt hit two ground-rule doubles for Atlanta.UP, UP AND AWAYUpton set a career high with his 28th homer. He has 99 RBIs, also a career high, and has been a highlight of a bad season for Atlanta hitters.GOOD FRIENDSLocke and Atlantas Jason Heyward lived together when the two were beginning their professional careers at Danville in the Braves farm system. Locke said he and Heyward remain good friends and talk or text regularly.Heyward had no hits in three at-bats against Locke.ADDITIONThe Pirates claimed right-hander Chaz Roe off waivers from the New York Yankees. Roe had been designated for assignment by the Yankees on Sunday.The 27-year-old Roe began the season with the Marlins before being acquired by the Yankees on August 31. He made three appearances with New York this season, and also posted 14 saves in 47 games (64.0ip) at Triple-A New Orleans.Roe will take the roster spot of right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton, who was placed on the 60-day D.L. with right hip inflammation.TRAINERS ROOMPirates: Martin singled in the second inning and seemed to hurt himself when he returned to first base on a pickoff throw. He remained on one knee for several seconds before rising slowly and said after the game it looked funny because his foot slipped off the bag.Braves: 3B Chris Johnson had two hits and scored two runs before he left the game in the sixth with a lower back strain. ... C Evan Gattis is expected to make his first start since Sept. 7 on Thursday night but likely wont play the full game. He has been held out with strep throat and a kidney stone.UP NEXTPirates: Edinson Volquez (12-7) will start on Thursday night in the final game of the four-game series. He hasnt faced the Braves this season and is 2-3 against Atlanta in six career starts.Braves: RHP David Hale, replacing Mike Minor in the rotation, will make his first start since June 28 in the Braves final home game of the season. Hale (4-4) has pitched in relief in 39 of his 44 games. ' ' '