Neues » 5 save percentage, ranked second

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Coco Crisps presence at the top of the batting order and in centre field has led the Oakland Athletics to so many key victories. Now that he is back from a neck injury, the Athletics are seeing it again. Crisp hit a bases-loaded triple, Scott Kazmir faced the minimum through six innings before running into trouble, and the As beat the Minnesota Twins 6-5 on Friday night for their 11th straight win in the series. "On any given night it can be anybody," Crisp said. "Fortunately I was able to find a gap and knock a few runs in. We rely on everybody. Its nice, though, when youre able to help out and contribute." Oakland owns its longest unbeaten run against the Twins, whose last victory came at Target Field on Sept. 10, 2013. The As are 5-0 this year. Kazmir (13-4) tossed just eight balls among his first 42 pitches through four perfect innings before Kennys Vargas broke up the bid with a single off shortstop Jed Lowries glove. Yet the As turned a spectacular double play on a grounder by Kurt Suzuki to third two batters later. "It cant get any better than that, making a diving play, getting up and making a strong, accurate throw," Crisp said of Donaldson starting the 5-4-3 play. Kazmir was dominant deep into the game five days after being handed his first loss in six starts and allowing a season-high 10 hits in a Sunday loss to Kansas City. He followed fellow southpaw Jon Lesters three-hit gem in a 3-0 win Thursday with his own impressive outing -- until the Twins made it interesting. "Its something that kind of pumps you up," Kazmir said. "I say it all the time, as starters we have a friendly challenge and try to outdo each other." Trevor Plouffe hit an RBI single in the seventh as Minnesota ended a 19-inning scoreless streak and avoided being shut out in consecutive games for the first time this season. Oswaldo Arcia singled in a run and Chris Parmelees two-run double chased Kazmir. Ryan Cook entered and immediately gave up Eduardo Nunezs RBI double. "We worked some good at-bats off him and that puts pressure on them," Plouffe said of Kazmir. "We put ourselves in a position of falling behind again." Kyle Gibson (10-9) allowed six runs -- five earned -- and five hits, struck out three and walked a season-high five in five-plus innings while facing the As for the first time. He dropped to 4-1 in six starts against the AL West this season. Gibson loaded the bases on two walks and a single with no outs in the fifth when Crisp tripled to the wall in right-centre. Eric Sogard nearly caught Sam Fuld on the play, crossing home plate a couple of steps later. Sogard doubled in two runs the next inning. BULLPEN RECORD Sean Doolittle retired former As slugger Josh Willingham on a called third strike to end it for his 18th save in 21 opportunities. The As bullpen set an Oakland record with 28 2-3 scoreless innings. The old mark of 27 2-3 was set in June 1998. And Doolittles 18 saves are most by an As lefty. "In a few months once the seasons over it will be cool to look back on," Doolittle said. "Obviously Im really proud to be in the Oakland record books. We have work left to do this season." TRAINERS ROOM Twins: Third base coach Joe Vavra is away from the team and will soon undergo surgery for a torn labrum in his left hip. He wont return to the third-base coachs box this season. "He can sit on the bench," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Hell be back with us." ... After a workout day Thursday, first baseman Joe Mauer was set to play nine innings for Class-A Cedar Rapids as he works his way back from a strained right oblique muscle. Athletics: Lowrie returned to the lineup and played shortstop after being limited by a bruised right index finger. ... First baseman Kyle Blanks, out since June 23 with a strained left calf, was scheduled to join Triple-A Sacramento to begin a rehab assignment Saturday. ON DECK Twins: Right-hander Trevor May will be promoted from Triple-A Rochester to make his major league debut. After Fridays game, the Twins optioned utilityman Chris Colabello to Triple-A to clear roster room. Athletics: Right-hander Jeff Samardzija (2-1, 3.09) makes his seventh start with the As since a July 4 trade with the Cubs. He has allowed six homers in that time. Justin Turner Jersey . Roma has a game in hand but now second place is even at risk for the capital side as Napoli moved to within three points with the win. "The result is not always fair," Roma coach Rudi Garcia said. "If we play like this until the end we will win many matches. Jedd Gyorko Jersey . Inter Milan ended its five-match winless streak in all competitions by beating 10-man Bologna 3-1 on new manager Claudio Ranieris debut, while injury-plagued AC Milan edged Cesena 1-0 with an early goal from Clarence Seedorf. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/515h-...ey-dodgers.html. So what happens? Stevenson lands a huge left to Dawsons temple only 76 seconds into the opening round and walks away with the championship belt. "I said Id knock him out," said Stevenson (21-1). Dodgers Jerseys 2020 . The four-time Grand Slam champion has beaten Hantuchova nine straight times, with the Slovaks only win coming when they first played 10 years ago. "I had a tough first opponent who can play extremely good tennis," Sharapova said. Los Angeles Dodgers Pro Shop . Josh Mazzola drove in five runs to lead the Goldeyes (20-12) past the Capitales 11-5 Friday night at Le Stade Municipal in Quebec City.DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard has been ruled out for at least a week after injuring his left knee again, putting his spot on the U.S. team for the Winter Olympics in doubt. Howard insisted Tuesday he is not concerned about missing the Sochi Games, saying he wants to get healthy "for this organization." The Red Wings, who have endured a slew of injuries all season, plan to start Jonas Gustavsson in Howards place on Wednesday night at home against the Chicago Blackhawks. Tampa Bays 6-foot-7, 214-pound goalie Ben Bishop would likely replace Howard if he isnt healthy enough when the Americans have to set their final Olympic roster on Feb. 11. Howard was hurt Monday night during the first period and left the game in the second period against the St. Louis Blues, aggravating the same knee that knocked him out of the lineup for eight games in December. "I reinjured my knee a little bit last night in the fiirst period making a save on one of the power plays," Howard said.dddddddddddd"As the game went on in the second period it just got stiffer and stiffer." He sprained a knee ligament two months ago and returned in time to play two games and be named one of three goalies for the U.S. team. Howard said the injury is not as serious as the last one, but acknowledged that there is fluid around his knee. "Hopefully it gets out of there fast," he said. Bishop had a career-high 48 saves Sunday in a 5-3 win over Carolina. He led the league with a .935 save percentage, ranked second with four shutouts and was tied for third with 24 victories, entering Tuesdays games. Howards .916 save percentage ranks 18th this season and he has a 9-12-8 record, playing behind a banged-up team that has him back on its list of injured players. "What I imagine theyll do is reassess him in a week," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. ' ' '