PITTSBURGH – Brett Lawrie started at second base as the Blue Jays ventured into a National League Park for the first time this season. Both Lawrie and his manager agree it isnt preferable. What it is: a consequence of a game played without the designated hitter. "Im a third baseman," said Lawrie. "Im not a third base/second base guy. Im a third baseman and thats my position. Im not necessarily going over there thinking Im going to be Chase Utley tonight. Im just going to try to make the routine play and roll a double play if we can. "Its for the team and if it gives us a chance to win than thats how it has to be." "All were trying to do is win a game," said manager John Gibbons. Lawrie has appeared in one game, for just one inning, at second base this season. He started six games at second base last season when the Jays briefly considered a position switch. His longest tenure at second base came over two seasons in Milwaukees farm system, when he played 231 games at the position at Single-A and Double-A. He approached the evening as if he was playing a permanent exaggerated shift, which sees Lawrie shift over to the right side of the infield against noted left-handed pull hitters. "Im not uncomfortable about it," said Lawrie. "Im a third baseman. I dont necessarily like going across the diamond and playing second base because Im not a second baseman. Im here to play third base but if it helps the team, thats what Im here to do." The position change is temporary while the Jays trudge through Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and it wont be daily. Gibbons expects Lawrie to return to third base on Saturday as Francisco retreats to the bench when the Pirates go a left-hander, Francisco Liriano. "We win more games when we score more runs," said Gibbons. "Weve been giving up runs. A lot of its based on what Franciscos done since he got here. We didnt know what we had but hes hit pretty well. Its one bat, a short right field wall and we think we need some production. Well give it a try and if it doesnt work well move on from that. "It would be no different if Adam Lind was here," said Gibbons. "Youd try to get his bat in the lineup and itd probably be Eddie over at third, you know." With the demotions of Ryan Goins and Jonathan Diaz in recent days, it appears the Blue Jays are veering away from the all-glove, no-bat options, willing to trade a bit of defence for improved offence. Friday nights defensive alignment falls in line with the previous decisions. "Even with the great defence were still below .500 so its not like were sitting there, five games over and you could say ... you know what I mean," said Gibbons. STIFF QUADRICEPS SIDELINES NAVARRO The Blue Jays recalled catcher Erik Kratz from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned right-hander Chad Jenkins to the Bisons on Friday. Kratzs recall was necessitated by Dioner Navarros stiff right quadriceps muscle, which he injured late in Thursdays win at Kansas City. "It was the first time Ive ever felt anything in my quad," said Navarro. "Ive had problems with my hamstrings before; nothing with my quads so it was kind of strange." Navarro is listed as day to day. He didnt play on Friday and isnt scheduled to be in Saturdays lineup anyway with R.A. Dickey due to pitch. "Were going to be really careful with it," said Navarro. JANSSEN INCHING CLOSER Casey Janssen threw another bullpen session on Friday and pronounced himself ready to go out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Hell join Double-A New Hampshire in time for its game on Monday against Binghamton. No return date has been set but Janssen will need multiple appearances, including on back-to-back days. RAIN DELAYS LINDS RETURN TO GAME ACTION Adam Lind was supposed to play in an extended spring training game on Friday in Dunedin, Florida, but the game was rained out. Gibbons says Lind took ground balls indoors and will be in game action on Saturday, weather permitting. The hope is for Lind to return in the middle of next week, possibly when the Blue Jays play host to the Philadelphia Phillies. .com) - Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal with just 12. .ca. The NHL Play of the Year showdown kicks off with some slick moves going head-to-head with a combination of soft hands and endless patience.
http://www.cheapcanucksjerseysauthentic ... jersey.com) - The Carolina Hurricanes placed defenseman John-Michael Liles on injured reserve Tuesday. . The 49ers announced the deal Tuesday. San Francisco selected Lloyd in the fourth round of the 2003 draft.TAMPA, Fla. -- Sidney Crosby hit a milestone and helped his team get a win. Chris Kunitz scored two goals and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 21 shots, leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. Crosby had assists on all three goals for Pittsburgh, which extended its winning streak in the series to eight games. The Penguins also halted the Lightnings bid to tie a club record with an eighth consecutive triumph on home ice. Kunitz opened the scoring seven minutes in, taking a pass from Crosby and lifting it past Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop from the left circle. Kunitz sealed the win, scoring into an empty net with 1:43 remaining in the game. Crosbys accomplishment caught the attention of his coach. "It is amazing how often and how fast he has been on that score sheet," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said of Crosby, whose second assist was the 700th point of his career. Crosby, the NHL leader this season with 36 points, appreciates the milestone. "You obviously play to win, but when you get things like that, little individual things, I guess you enjoy it for a little bit," he said. "Its fun to see that, but ultimately you play to win games. Its nice we were able to get a win in the same night." Brandon Sutter scored the second Pittsburgh goal on a power play midway into the third period. Sutter took his own rebound behind the net and banked it off the leg of Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman on the opposite sside.dddddddddddd "Its part of the game. It was a really lucky bounce for them and unfortunate for us," Hedman said. "Down one goal and they get a lucky one on the power play, so obviously it sucks a little momentum out of you. ... It could have gone either way. They got the bounces today." Tampa Bay had several excellent scoring chances. Richard Panik got loose in front of the Pittsburgh net just before the second intermission, but was stopped by Fleury, who earlier made a save on Nikita Kucherov on a partial breakaway. "Part of the problem tonight was we let Fleury see shots, not all of them, but too many," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "And we were really having a tough time getting pucks to the net." The Lightning also came up empty in three man-advantage situations. Bishop, who finished with 26 saves, has lost twice in his past three games. The early goal set the tone for Pittsburgh, which has won all but one of the 15 games in which it scored first. The Penguins are 9-0 when leading after the first period, and Tampa Bay is 0-6 when behind after one. NOTES: Crosby, Kunitz and C Evgeni Malkin each have seven-game point streaks against the Lightning, with a combined 23 goals and 22 assists. ... Pittsburgh broke a tie with Tampa Bay for second place in the Eastern Conference. ... Penguins LW James Neal was held without a point for the first time in six games, having collected 11 on six goals and five assists in his past five outings. ' ' '
