OAKLAND, Calif. -- The New York Mets still consider themselves a contender in the NL East chase even with a daunting deficit to make up over the final month. Theyre counting on building on their latest offensive performance. Lucas Duda hit a three-run homer, Eric Campbell also connected and the Mets beat the Oakland Athletics 8-5 on Wednesday to snap a three-game losing streak. "I hope it lifts us. I hope it gets us going," manager Terry Collins said. "There were some big hits and some very good at-bats. I just hope this is the start of a final six weeks with some good offensive nights." Zack Wheeler (9-8) allowed two earned runs while working 5 2-3 solid innings. The Mets split their quick two-game interleague series. Wheeler is 6-0 with a 2.12 ERA over his nine outings since June 30. The As chased him after two innings in the shortest start of his career on June 25. The right-hander and former San Francisco Giants top prospect improved to 4-1 in his last 10 road starts. Jeurys Familia relieved Vic Black with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth and walked in a run but avoided further damage. He finished for his fourth save. Campbell and Duda homered during a five-run third against Jeff Samardzija (3-3). Samardzija had been unbeaten in five previous starts at the Coliseum. Instead, he was done after 3 2-3 innings. The As closed to 5-2 in the third on consecutive RBI doubles by Coco Crisp and John Jaso. New York added on in the fourth with RBI singles from Curtis Granderson and Daniel Murphy. "We strung five, six, seven hits in an inning. Its something to build on," Duda said. "Hopefully we can continue rolling." Samardzija cruised through a 10-pitch first inning and got through the second unscathed. Acquired in a July 4 trade from the Cubs, he has never beaten the Mets in nine appearances and three starts. "Its just having trouble putting guys away," Samardzija said. "Probably as simple as that." Oakland lost for the eighth time in 10 games. The As returned home from a 1-6 road trip through Kansas City and Atlanta in which they lost their last five. Murphys two-run fielding error aided the As in the fourth. He nearly had the ball, but it skipped off his glove and then he inadvertently kicked it. PLAN FOR COLON: Bartolo Colon will rejoin the Mets this weekend in Los Angeles and pitch Sunday before returning to the Dominican Republic for his mothers funeral. The right-hander was placed on the bereavement list on Tuesday. ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE: As team president Michael Crowley and other club officials participated in the ice bucket challenge for ALS after the game in the right field corner. OF Jonny Gomes did his own version. TRAINERS ROOM Mets: OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis was a late scratch, apparently his stiff neck still an issue. Athletics: INF Nick Punto, sidelined with a strained right hamstring, is in the beginning stages of running. "Its feeling good. The strength is getting back in there," Punto said. ... 3B Josh Donaldson had much of the day off because "hes a little bit tired right now," manager Bob Melvin said. Donaldson entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh and had a leadoff single. UP NEXT Mets: New York continues its five-game California road trip with the opener of a three-game series Friday against the Dodgers, sending LHP Jonathon Niese (7-8, 3.50 ERA) to the mound looking to improve to 3-0 in six career starts against Los Angeles. Athletics: The As have their second off-day in a four-day stretch before opening a key weekend series at home with the division-leading Los Angeles Angels. The schedule allowed Melvin to tweak his rotation and use three top starters: Sonny Gray, Jon Lester and Scott Kazmir. Gray is 0-4 in August after his 6-0 July that earned him AL Pitcher of the Month. "We have an off-day tomorrow to clear our heads," Melvin said. "We know it will be an exciting series and a big series coming up." . The 18-year-old centre was the Senators first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. The six-foot 196-pound native of Salmon Arm, B. . The time off didnt slow them down. Tyler Zeller scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds, Kyrie Irving added 14 points and the Cavaliers pushed their winning streak to five games Tuesday night with a 114-85 victory over the skidding Philadelphia 76ers.
https://www.cheapwizardsonline.com/1809 ... zards.html. Carcillo was a little of both for New York in Game 3. Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis, Dan Girardi and Carcillo scored goals, leading the Rangers to a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. . 1-9 on TSN. With more than 65 hours of exclusive live coverage, TSN delivers all the action beginning with Draw 1 on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2 p. .m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Colts by 5RECORD VS. SPREAD — Cincinnati 8-8, Indianapolis 11-5SERIES RECORD — Colts lead 18-10LAST MEETING — Colts beat Bengals 27-0, Oct.Every night of the Stanley Cup playoffs, TSN hockey analyst and former NHL goaltender Jamie McLennan breaks down each goalies performance. Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers (1) - Rough night for him, uncharacteristic goals against, the Plekanec shot was a soft goal that goes under glove. On Paciorettys, it goes through the body five-hole and Bourques goes shortside and his night is over. Good move by Alain Vigneault to change goalies, Henrik wasnt sharp and it sparked his team to get back into the game. Cam Talbot, New York Rangers (1) - Comes in to stop the bleeding at 4-1. He allows an early goal to Bourque, tries to settle in but is not tested much. The Bourque hat trick goal was the back-breakerr as that put the Habs up 6-4 and the game out of reach.dddddddddddd Dustin Tokarski, Montreal Canadiens (3) - Two big saves in the first period, one on Richards with a good post play and a great desperation save on Hagelin as it hits the shaft of his stick. Bad goal against Stepan allows them back into it as the Rangers hang around. The second period was crazy, no chance on the Nash goal as it takes a bounce off Gorges stick, and the Rangers continue to press to make it 4-4. Certainly not his fault, but wasnt overly sharp in the second. Came up big in the third, his best work of the game was at 6-4 when he made a big save on Nash while shorthanded, then on Zuccarello late in the game with his right pad. It certainly will help his confidence moving into the next game. ' ' '
