Neues » have a successful running

CLEVELAND -- The Indians had little choice but to give up Justin Masterson. The trade doesnt mean theyre going to surrender the season. "We will never raise the white flag," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "Thats not an option. Anybody who stands next to me in the dugout knows that will never happen." Protecting themselves in case the 29-year-old Masterson left as a free agent after the season, the Indians traded the right-hander on Wednesday to the St. Louis Cardinals. The trade of Masterson could be followed by other moves by the Indians, who entered Wednesday 6 1-2 games behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central and in a scramble with five other teams for the leagues second wild-card spot. The Indians could also trade shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera before the deadline. Like Masterson, Cabrera is in the final year of his contract and the Indians have shown little interest in re-signing him. Dealing the two-time All-Star could bring a prospect in return. General manager Chris Antonetti said hes exploring deals to improve the team before Thursdays 4 p.m. trade deadline. "Our focus is to continue to try to win as many games as we can," he said. "Were currently in the midst of having conversations to bring players in to impact our team at the major league level. Whether or not that happens over the next 24 hours, there are a lot of factors in play and its hard to handicap that." Masterson began the season as the Indians ace. Hell end it with a different team in a different league after a disappointing four months. "I was surprised," Masterson said. "Its bittersweet. Im sad to leave the fellas and the fight were making here in Cleveland, but Im excited to get to St. Louis and be a part of what they have going there." In exchange for Masterson, who was scheduled to come off the disabled list later this week, the Indians got outfielder James Ramsey. A first-round pick by the Cardinals (No. 23 overall) in 2012, Ramsey has spent this season at Double-A Springfield, where he batted .300 with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs. Antonetti said Ramsey will be moved up to Triple-A Columbus. Masterson went 14-10 last season and then turned down an offer of a contract extension in spring training. "Its an extraordinarily difficult day for us," Antonetti said. "It wasnt an easy decision, but its one that made sense." Masterson is 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA in 19 starts this season and has had a noticeable loss in velocity. In five starts before being placed on the DL with right knee inflammation, he allowed 19 runs and 27 hits in 18 innings. Masterson, who hasnt won since June 8, said the impending free agency didnt affect his performance. "I guess I could try and blame that, but that would be a lie," he said. The Cardinals are in the race for the NL Central crown, a season after going to the World Series. "Im excited," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said before the Cardinals played the Padres in San Diego. "Ive watched this guy. Yes, the numbers dont quite look the same as what they looked last year, but were talking a year ago. Still, good movement, hes able to attack the strike zone. We can see theres a lot of potential here to help us out." Masterson will join the Cardinals on Friday in St. Louis and is scheduled to start against the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. "Lets go. Theres no sense waiting around," Matheny said. Masterson was acquired by the Indians at the trading deadline in 2009 in the deal that sent catcher Victor Martinez to Boston. Before Tuesdays series opener against Seattle, Masterson said he wouldnt be surprised if the Indians made any moves before the trade deadline Thursday. Masterson had said he was hoping to stay and help them make a playoff push. Francona was Bostons manager when Masterson was dealt to Cleveland. Masterson went 48-61 with Cleveland. "The hug was a little longer than normal," Francona said. "We may part teams, but my admiration for him isnt parting." Joked Masterson: "Tito keeps trading me away. Whats up with that?" Nick Leddy Jersey . Striker Dario Mandzukic scored the opener in the 22nd minute but was given a red card nine minutes later for a reckless tackle and left Croatia with 10 men for the remainder of the match. Anders Lee Islanders Jersey . And theyre pointing to the NHLs biggest market: Toronto. With Gretzky paid out for what is believed to be $7 to 8 million, Gretzky may be eager to get back into the NHL and TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs are very much interested in The Great Ones services. http://www.islanderssale.com/authentic-b...landers-jersey/. - Robert Griffin III has a sprained throwing shoulder that limited him in practice Wednesday as the Washington Redskins prepared for their season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Adam Pelech Islanders Jersey . The 30-year-old Moore played in 13 games for the Saints last season, catching 37 balls for 457 yards and two touchdowns. Cal Clutterbuck Islanders Jersey . -- Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale searched more than three quarters for five guys who would play well together.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Mike Smith is not giving up on the Falcons season, just as he wouldnt give up in the closing minutes of a lopsided loss to Seattle. Smith was criticized for exposing quarterback Matt Ryan and others to injuries by leaving them on the field late in Sundays 33-10 loss to the Seahawks. The coach said he wouldnt abandon the idea of trying to win. Similarly, Smith said Monday he hasnt given up on the season even when three straight ugly losses have left the Falcons 2-7. The Falcons already have matched the high mark for losses in Smiths first five seasons — a 9-7 finish in 2009. Atlanta trails first-place New Orleans by five games in the NFC South. Smith said hes heard plenty of negative talk about the outlook for the remainder of the season, including this weeks game at Tampa Bay. "This season is not over," Smith said. "I know people want to say doom and gloom. Thats not the case. Weve not played the type of football that wed like to play in the first nine games. It is well below our expectations and were going to continue to work and get ready to play the Buccaneers." Smith acknowledged there must be improvement on both lines and in the running game. In his third game back from a hamstring injury, Steven Jackson was held to 11 yards rushing on nine carries. Seattles Marshawn Lynch ran for 145 yards and a touchdown, and Smith said Seattle dominated both lines. "I think we did not win the physical battle ... they won that handily," Smith said. "I felt like they won the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. Thats where games are won and lost." As a result, Jackson often had no chance. "Of course Im frustrated," Jackson said. "The thing about it is you have to keep chipping away. No one is going to come in the locker room and save us. We have to save ourselves. ... We cant dwell on it. One thing about being a professional, you have to acknowledge the things you made a mistake on and move on to the next one." The Falcons quickly fell so far behind that they abandoned any hope of balanciing their offence in the second half.ddddddddddddRyan had to carry the load. "On our first possession of the second half, we were down 26-3, and at that time your run game basically goes out the window," Smith said. It was not a new problem. "I know that Steven is a guy who gets stronger as the game goes on," Smith said. "Unfortunately, in the last three weeks the game has gotten so out of hand coming out after halftime weve had to basically ditch the run and start throwing the football, so we havent had an opportunity to really concentrate on running the ball for 60 minutes." Left tackle Sam Baker was held out with a knee injury. He has missed five games this season. He played on Nov. 3 against Carolina but couldnt stay off the inactive list two straight weeks. "Yes, it is a concern when youre not able to play consecutive games," Smith said. The offensive line lost centre Todd McClure, who retired, and right tackle Tyson Clabo, who was released, from the 2012 starting unit. Mike Johnson, who was expected to replace Clabo, was lost for the season when he dislocated his left ankle and broke his left leg in training camp. With Bakers ongoing knee problem added to the mix, the lack of continuity on the line has been a constant issue that resurfaced against Seattle. "A couple of our opportunities to run it, we never got a chance to get it going," Smith said. "There were some individuals and individual blocks and combination blocks that were executed very well and there were some blocks that were not executed very well on the same play. As a unit, youve got to hit on all your blocks if youre going to have a chance to have a successful running play." Smith said linebacker Sean Weatherspoon will be activated off the injured reserve list by Wednesday. Weatherspoon, one of the defences leaders, has been out since hurting his foot the second week of the season. Smith said he had no update on tight end Tony Gonzalez, who briefly left Sundays game with a toe injury. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org ' ' '