WOMBAT-Empfang » wler wanted to be, but a torn right Achill

PHILADELPHIA -- Garrett Richards helped Mike Trout have a perfect homecoming trip. Richards tossed a five-hitter over seven sharp innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 on Wednesday to sweep a two-game interleague series. Trout went 1 for 4 with a triple, walk and stolen base. The two-time All-Star went 2 for 9 in his first series against the team he rooted for growing up. Trout grew up in nearby Millville, New Jersey. More than 4,000 people from the small town came to see him Tuesday night, and there were plenty of fans wearing No. 27 Angels jerseys in the stands again. "It was a quick two days, two wins," Trout said. "Its been a blast. I was feeling something special just driving to the stadium." Richards (4-0) struck out eight with no walks and lowered his ERA to 2.42. Ernesto Frieri pitched a perfect eighth, and Joe Smith finished off the five-hitter for his fifth save in seven tries. "I was keeping the ball down in the zone," Richards said. "My two-seam fastball was working well. Mainly I got ahead with my fastball then kept them off balance with breaking balls." Phillies starter A.J. Burnett (2-3) laboured through five innings, allowing three runs and seven hits. He struck out six and walked five. "Im not a negative person, so Im not going to pout," Burnett said. The Angels have won five of six to move a season-high three games above .500 at 21-18. The Phillies have lost three straight and seven of nine to fall a season-worst four games under .500 at 17-21. The Angels got a run in each of the first three innings. Richards did the rest. Albert Pujols hit a two-out double in the first and scored on a single by Raul Ibanez, the former Phillies All-Star who heard familiar "Rauuuul" chants when he came to the plate. Ibanez helped the Phillies win the NL pennant in 2009 and was a fan favourite during three seasons in Philadelphia. Efren Navarro had an RBI single with two outs in the second to give the Angels a 2-0 lead. Erick Aybar ripped an RBI double to right-centre in the third to make it 3-0. But Burnett escaped more trouble with the bases loaded and no outs. He struck out Grant Green and retired Luis Jimenez on a double play. Richards pitched out of his only jam in the sixth after Chase Utleys second double put runners at second and third with one out. Richards then struck out Ryan Howard and retired Marlon Byrd on a soft liner. Trout led off the seventh with a triple off reliever Mike Adams. He dove headfirst into third base and got up to cheers. Adams left him there, though. He fanned Pujols and Ibanez, walked Aybar and retired Hank Conger on a pop-up. Trout thought about stealing home. "It was in the back of my mind," he said. "I was looking in the dugout. Itd be dangerous, though, if the hitter didnt know." The Phillies are 6-11 at home. Theyve scored two runs or fewer at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park five times in 17 games. Theyre 1-8 in interleague play. "We need to do a better job driving the ball at our park," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "This is considered a hitters park. Teams come in here swinging. We need to step up our hitting." NOTES: Pujols tied Lou Gehrig for 33rd on the all-time list with his 534th career double. He snapped an 0-for-15 slump with the hit. ... Of Trouts 42 hits, 21 are for extra bases. ... Jimmy Rollins singled in the sixth for his 2,211th career hit, tying Ed Delahanty for third on the clubs all-time list. Rollins is 24 shy of passing Mike Schmidt for first place. ... The Phillies are off Thursday before opening a three-game series at home vs. Cincinnati on Friday. Kyle Kendrick (0-3, 3.98) faces Homer Bailey (3-2, 4.72). The Angels start a four-game set at Tampa on Thursday. Tyler Skaggs (3-1, 4.14) opposes Erik Bedard (2-1, 3.38). Adidas Outlet Belgie . - The Kansas City Royals are hoping All-Star catcher Salvador Perez will be back in a few days. Adidas Sneakers Belgie . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. http://www.adidasschoenenoutlet.be/. Head coach Randy Carlyle confirmed the news after the Leafs morning skate on Monday. Kozun was hurt during Friday nights home game against the Red Wings and did not make the return trip to Detroit for Saturdays game. Adidas Schoenen Goedkoop Kopen . -- Arizona coach Sean Miller rose from his seat every time Roberto Nelson touched the ball and yelled "Shooter!" He could have been talking about his own team, too. Adidas Schoenen Outlet . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Vince Wilfork advised and encouraged teammates on the sideline during last years playoffs.Not exactly where the five-time Pro Bowler wanted to be, but a torn right Achilles tendon kept him from clogging the middle for the New England Patriots.The defensive tackle is back doing that this season, ready for the post-season after playing in all 16 games for the AFCs top-seeded team.I worked my tail off just to get back and play football like I know how to play, and I never take anything for granted, Wilfork said. Its fun to come to work with the group of guys that I have in this locker room.He missed just six games in his first nine seasons and often occupied two blockers, opening space for teammates to stop ball carriers. But he played in only four last season.As a rookie in 2004, he played every game and was part of a team that won the Patriots third NFL championship in four years. But since, theyve lost the two Super Bowls theyve reached.They might have reached a third if Wilfork had been healthy for the Patriots 26-16 loss to the Denver Broncos in last years AFC championship game. He still tried to contribute while watching.When I was coming off the field he would say, all right, theyre doing this and you go back out there and do this, said defensive tackle Sealver Siliga, a midseason pickup last year and a backup this season.Of course, Wilfork would much rather be on the field tackling runners.Thats where hell be Jan. 10 when the Patriots host Indianapolis, Cincinnati or Baltimore in an AFC divisional playoff game.Every season means a lot to me, Wilfork said. The passion I have for the game, it means a lot just being where I came from, especially last year.His presence was critical this season in victories against two of the worst teams when he made plays rare for defensive tackles.With just over five minutes left in a 17-16 win over the New York Jets, Wilfork tipped a 52-yard field goal attempt by Nick Folk in the 15th game of the season.And in a 16-9 victory in the third game, Oakland had the ball at the Patriots 12 with 59 seconds left. Thats when Wilfork intercepted Derek Carrs pass.That led safety Devin McCourty, who worked outt with him in the off-season, to dub him Air Wilfork.ddddddddddddWilfork, a remarkable athlete for a 325-pounder, had a more simple label.I just look at it as capitalizing on opportunities, he said. Throughout the course of the season, youre going to have a couple of opportunities where you can make a game-changing play and Ive been able to make a couple of them in my career.Cornerback Brandon Browner also is returning to the playoffs after being suspended for them last season when his Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl.Does that make his return sweeter?Ive talked about the Super Bowl all off-season, Browner said. Thats been my goal. I want it bad. I dont know if its sweeter, but I want it bad because I didnt get to play in it.Darrelle Revis, the other free agent cornerback signed by the Patriots before the season, was in the playoffs just twice in his previous seven seasons and none in the last three.You talk to guys who have playoff experience and guys who never, whove played 12-13 years and have never even touched the playoffs, he said. Its great.Revis also came back from a serious injury. He missed most of the 2012 season with the Jets with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and wasnt at full strength in 2013 with Tampa Bay, which missed the playoffs. But this year he was chosen for the Pro Bowl.Theres a lot of appreciation just for (Wilfork) to get back to playing at a high level, Revis said. Hes been one of the top players in the league at his position.Revis and Browner are two big reasons for the Patriots defensive improvement this season. Wilfork is a third.Hes held up well this year, coach Bill Belichick said. Hes a powerful guy. Hes very smart and instinctive. Its hard to fool him on those type of plays, screens or traps or misdirection plays, those kind of things. Hes a hard guy to block.In this years playoffs, thats what offensive linemen must face.He didnt sulk last year when he was injured. He did what he could to help make us a better defensive line by giving advice, Siliga said. Now hes back, and Im excited to go into the post-season with him.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '