WOMBAT-Empfang » n answers in LA. The rumour mill

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Tampa Bay Rays didnt lose their edge during their recent slide. Theyre still strategizing with a World Series in mind. Saving Chris Archers right arm is one example, and he was so good on Friday night there was no concern of overexertion. Archer spun six scoreless innings, and the Rays added to their slim wild-card lead by beating the Minnesota Twins 3-0. "There was no moment that really showed up. He pretty much had his way," said manager Joe Maddon, who was more than satisfied with 87 pitches by the rookie. "I just want to really eye him up, because our intent is to play well into October, and I want to make sure that hes well." The Rays hold the second wild-card spot with four teams still in striking range. They nudged their advantage to 1 1/2 games over Cleveland, due to a loss by New York that pushed the Yankees to two games back. Baltimore (2 1/2 games behind) and Kansas City (3 1/2) are lurking, too. Archer (9-7) scattered three singles and struck out seven without a walk, following a pair of rough outings to start September. In his 20th start, he lowered his ERA to 3.03. "I still feel mentally and physically there. But I have an understanding of the big picture and maybe saving a couple extra innings, just in case if we do make that magical playoff run," Archer said. Yunel Escobar had an RBI double among his three hits for the Rays, and Desmond Jennings and James Loney drove in runs with singles against Kevin Correia (9-12), whose defence behind him was less than ideal. "We need to make the plays that should be made. Were not good enough to make up for that right now," Correia said. After losing 13 of 17 games, the Rays picked up an important victory on Thursday night over AL East-leading Boston on a tiebreaking eighth-inning double by rookie standout Wil Myers. The Rays started their weekend reprieve against the floundering Twins before 11 straight games against wild-card competitors Texas, the Orioles and Yankees. Tampa Bay has won 10 straight games against the Twins, including five this year. The Twins, who lost 15 of their last 18 home games, struck out 11 times. "I know hittings not easy. Ive been there. But you have to defend the plate. You have to put the ball in play. You have no chance when you dont swing," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. Correia, who leads the Twins in wins, starts, innings and strikeouts, left with no outs and two on in the seventh, and reliever Caleb Thielbar escaped with a popped-up bunt by Ben Zobrist that became a double play and a pickoff throw that caught David DeJesus stealing. That was about the only sequence for the Rays that went wrong. Archer took advantage of the weakened Twins lineup, missing star Joe Mauer and a whole lot more, and never let a runner advance past second base. In the fifth inning, he hit Darin Mastroianni with a pitch to put two on with one out. But Archer retired Clete Thomas and Eduardo Escobar on called third strikes, skipping off the mound and pumping his arm with a clenched fist on his way to the dugout. His changeup was extra sharp. "Ive had games where its been decent, but tonight was the best its been in my career," Archer said. Jake McGee, Joel Peralta and Fernando Rodney each pitched a scoreless inning in relief, and Rodney recorded his 35th save in 43 tries with a perfect ninth. So Archer left the game in good hands, even if he felt he couldve pitched longer. "Hes got a long career ahead of him, so at one point hes got to understand that and realize its not a bad thing," catcher Jose Molina said. NOTES: Mauer (concussion) felt good working out for the second straight day, and general manager Terry Ryan said the team will consider taking him on the road next week. ... RHP Jesse Crain, who has yet to pitch for the Rays since being acquired in a July trade with the White Sox because of a shoulder problem, might be ready for game action next week. ... LHP Matt Moore (15-3, 3.18 ERA) will try to extend his seven-game winning streak on Saturday for the Rays, against Twins rookie LHP Andrew Albers (2-2, 3.35 ERA). ... Zobrist became the Rays leader in career walks, passing Carlos Pena on the franchise list. Air Max 1 Sale Cheap .com) - The 12th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continue a four-game homestand at Value City Arena on Wednesday night when they face off against the High Point Panthers in a non-conference matchup. Air Max 1 Cheap UK . Setting United on its way to a 2-0 victory, Rooney sent the ball high from inside the halfway line over goalkeeper Adrian after just seven minutes. "Its just instinct, Ive turned and had a quick look and seen the goalkeeper off his line," Rooney said. http://www.cheapukairmax1.com/.com) - The Ottawa Senators will try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive when they face the Chicago Blackhawks who are trying to secure their place in the post-season. Nike Air Max 1 UK Sale . - Jesse Shynkaruk scored a hat trick as the Moose Jaw Warriors snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the Prince Albert Raiders in Western Hockey League action on Saturday. Air Max 1 Sale UK .com) - James Harden had 32 points, including a tying layup late in regulation, and the Houston Rockets scored eight of their 13 points in overtime at the foul line to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 117-111 on Friday night.LeBron James reportedly decided to opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat on Tuesday. Heres a few quick thoughts of what this Decision means to me. 1. CONTROL: Hes the best player by far on the planet so its his contractual right to exercise this clause and I agree with him. Old-timers and traditionalists might not like it but its the reality of pro sports in the 21st century. Great actors/actresses set the tone and select what movies/plays they want to perform in and who they want to work with and for and LeBron is at that level in the "sports/entertainment industry" that former NBA commissioner David Stern created with the emphasis on stars over teams. This is a creation of that. Right, wrong or indifferent - it is what it is. Hes negotiated and earned the right to reconsider and re-explore what hed like to do with his career. The man is serious about his game and is a student of the game and wants/needs some space here to evaluate. 2. MIAMI HEAT: We all saw them with our own eyes in the NBA Finals vs. the Spurs. The reality is that the current team as constructed needs major improvements or they wont challenge against the superior Western Conference teams for an NBA title. In addition, if an Eastern team like the Chicago Bulls gets back a healthy Derrick Rose and is able to acquire Kevin Love and/or Carmelo Anthony who is to say that theyre even the No. 1 contender in the East anymore? Do you honestly believe that Dwyane Wade is going to give you 70-75+ regular season games and four playoff rounds at a high level at $20 million per year? Is Chris Bosh still committed to playing in all areas of the game rather than just becoming a jump shooter? If Im LeBron I have my doubts. A few smart tweaks with Wade and Bosh sacrificing some money opens up the possibility of it all working again...yet its far from a sure thing. 3. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Owner Dan Gilbert blasted LeBron on the way out the door after "The Decision". Does LeBBron forgive and forget? Does new GM David Griffin have the wherewithal/pedigree to pull off such a heist? He and Kyrie Irving together - not bad.dddddddddddd. They have the No. 1 Pick and some talented young guys they can package to move to Minnesota for Kevin Love. How does Irving, Love and LeBron sound to you? It would be a better Big Three at this point that the Miami version even though both Love and Irving have put up "numbers", yet still havent shown me yet that theyre truly special. What a return this would be. 4. OTHER SUITORS (Chicago, Houston, LA Lakers): Youll hear about all three and more in the hunt for the King. Needless to say, you put him on the Bulls or Rockets and theyre in the hunt for a title. The Lakers? Kobe and LeBron would be an interesting pairing but what does the rest of the roster look like? How long does Kobe hold up? Lots more questions than answers in LA. The rumour mill will surely be filled with gossip from all three of these spots. 5. TORONTO RAPTORS: Not saying this because its wishful thinking on my part. Seriously, why not? They desperately need a starting small forward. You put him with a re-signed Kyle Lowry, Demar DeRozan, a re-signed Patrick Patterson and Jonas Valanciunas with a re-signed Greivis Vasquez, Terrence Ross and Amir Johnson and Ill take my chances with anyone in the East. On a league-wide scale Im not scared by anyone with that crew on my side. You want hoops to grow in Toronto and across the country - go for it. Nothing to lose. Realistic? Maybe not but honestly thats not a bad eight-man core whatsoever. Obviously, the salary cap/luxury tax always comes into play but for a player of this magnitude you explore every possibility. It would actually be a very good team if it ever happened. Why not Toronto? Its about time we stick our chests out and go for it. I like the style of GM Masai Ujiri and CEO Tim Leiweke and this fits them if its a reasonable pursuit. ' ' '