Lefty Travis Wood aims for a second win against St. Louis in 10 days on Monday night, when the Chicago Cubs visit Busch Stadium to begin a four-game series with the Cardinals. Wood picked up his second victory of the season -- and fourth of his career against the Cardinals -- on May 2, allowing two earned runs on six hits in seven innings of a 6-5 triumph. He walked none and struck out six batters in the win. In one subsequent start, however, Wood was battered for eight runs on eight hits in just four innings of an 8-3 interleague loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. For the Cardinals, fellow left-hander Tyler Lyons makes his fourth starting bid in search of win No. 1 for 2014. The 26-year-old Texan pitched a scoreless inning of relief against the Cubs in the aforementioned May 2 game, but did not factor in the decision. It was his lone career meeting with Chicago. Lyons pitched six strong innings and allowed four hits and a run in one outing since, getting a no-decision in the Cardinals 2-1 loss at Atlanta on Tuesday after walking one and striking out seven. On Sunday in Atlanta, Evan Gattis and Jason Heyward both homered to back a solid start from Aaron Harang, as the Braves completed a three-game sweep of the Cubs with a 5-2 triumph at Turner Field. Chicago starter Edwin Jackson (2-3) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks over six frames to absorb the loss. Nate Schierholtz smacked a two-run double for the Cubs, who have lost seven of their last eight. In Pittsburgh, Allen Craig and Yadier Molina posted a pair of hits to go with an RBI and run scored and the Cardinals hung on to beat the Pirates, 6-5, in the finale of a three-game set. Trailing by two runs going into the ninth, Pittsburgh got a run back when Neil Walker hit a double and Andrew McCutchen singled to plate him and make it 6-5. The Pirates later loaded the bases with none away, but Trevor Rosenthal got Ike Davis to pop out into foul territory and Jordy Mercer to roll into a 1-2-3 double play to end the game and give Rosenthal his 10th save of the season. Shelby Miller (5-2) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings for the Cardinals, who avoided being swept. The Cardinals and Cubs have split six meetings this season. . The underachieving franchise finished 17th in the 19-team league with a 6-17-11 record this season. "Our soccer team is absolutely in complete disarray," said Leiweke, drawing laughs during an Empire Club luncheon speech about the future of MLSE teams and plans to improve them. . The Mavericks avoided a season sweep by the Nuggets, who ran away with a win in Denver two weeks ago to hand Dallas its longest losing streak at three games. Dallas (42-28) got a boost in the playoff race when Miami rallied from seven down in the last 3 1/2 minutes to beat Memphis 91-86 Friday night.
http://www.bruinsauthority.com/authenti ... ersey/.com) - Australian Open champion Li Na, former Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova and former world No. . The Toronto Maple Leafs were holding a news conference, so they got curious. It didnt take long for them to find out via social media that coach Randy Carlyle was coming back — with a two-year extension — and assistants Greg Cronin, Scott Gordon and Dave Farrish were being let go. . For the first time all night, as the Raptors were on the clock to make the 20th overall selection, no one had the slightest idea what was about to happen. No leaks, no whispers, nothing.Michael Brantley did anything and everything for the Indians last season. His versatility and consistency has been rewarded. Brantley has agreed to long-term contract with the Indians, a person familiar with the deal told the AP on Tuesday. Clevelands most consistent player in 2013, Brantley will sign a four-year, $25 million deal once he passes a physical, says the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract cant be finalized until he undergoes the medical examination. The Indians are reporting to spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., this week, and it appears theyll open camp by announcing their commitment to Brantley. The deal was first reported by Northeast Ohio Media Group. Brantley moved from centre field to left last spring when the Indians signed free agent Michael Bourn. The switch didnt rattle Brantley, who battted .dddddddddddd284 with 10 homers and 73 RBIs in 151 games. Manager Terry Francona used Brantley throughout his lineup -- he batted everywhere but ninth -- and he excelled in the field by not making an error and recording 11 assists. The Indians were scheduled to go to an arbitration hearing with Brantley on Feb. 17. Brantleys new deal locks him up through the 2017 season and the club has an $11 million option for 2018. He was at his best late last season, batting .345 with 14 RBIs in September to lead the Indians push toward a wild-card playoff spot. Brantley began his career with Cleveland as "the player to be named" in the blockbuster deal that sent pitcher CC Sabathia to Milwaukee in 2008. While first baseman Matt LaPorta didnt pan out for the Indians, Brantley has developed into one of their core players. ' ' '
