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Kimi Raikkonen says attention to the small details has been key to his improved form in 2016, which has occurred despite a disappointing campaign for Ferrari.Raikkonen dropped behind teammate Sebastian Vettel after retiring due to a botched pit-stop at the U.S. Grand Prix, having led the German in the standings for much of the season. Last year Raikkonen finished a huge 128 points behind Vettel, the second season in a row which had seen him comprehensively out-performed by a teammate.The Finn says the improvement has come from change in mentality compared to previous years.Obviously the car is new, we had a good car last year also, but there were some changes with the people that I work with and I think theyve been very good, Raikkonen said when asked to explain the reasons for his improvement in form ahead of this weekends Mexican Grand Prix. The guys are very good at what they do, we work very well together, but I dont think theres the one reason why were doing better. I think the reasons are in the very small details, making sure that they are correct, theyre not almost there or roughly there, theyre exactly as they should be.To have this mentality pays off because we have a lot of details that can make a difference if theyre spot on but if theyre not then youd adding a lot of lap time. We work very well together, we understand each other well, we have the same kind of idea of how we want to do stuff.Despite acknowledging the improvement in his own form compared to 2014 and 2015, Raikkonen admits it means little in a year which has seen Ferrari fail to record a single victory despite pre-season expectations of a title challenge.I can drive the car well, that helps, but it hasnt been such a good season as I want to be at the front and win races, so its difficult for me to say this has been a good season. But I understand that coming from the last few years this is better, but the end result is not what we want as Ferrari. . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. WASHINGTON -- At some point in mid-June, Jayson Werth decided to stop listening to everyone who told him to swing at the first pitch and be more aggressive.The result is a 40-game on-base streak that has Werth setting the table for the Washington Nationals potent offense. On Wednesday, Werth got on base and drove in runs himself with a homer while the Nationals beat the Cleveland Indians 7-4.Werth hit a three-run homer off Josh Tomlin in the second inning but takes more pride in getting on base than anything else.Im an on-base guy that can drive in runs, said Werth, who was 2 for 3 with a ground-rule double and a walk. I think Ive silenced all those people that have told me over the years that thats the way I should hit. Just getting back to being myself. I think thats what it comes down to.Werth spearheaded an offensive outburst for the Nationals, who had scored three runs in their previous three games combined. Anthony Rendon also went 2 for 4 with a two-run double and Daniel Murphy and Wilson Ramos each had an RBI.It was even better that we scored some runs and our offense came alive to put us in that position, manager Dusty Baker said. We had some guys have some good days.It wasnt the best day for starter Gio Gonzalez (8-9), who allowed four runs and seven hits, including a two-run home run by Francisco Lindor, and struck out five in five-plus innings. But Gonzalez got plenty of run support, and reliever Matt Belisle bailed him out by inducing a double play in the sixth and getting out of the inning unscathed.Cleveland got three hits from Jose Ramirez, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games, but Tomlin (11-5) failed to get through the fifth inning for the second consecutive start. Tomlin allowed seven runs and eight hits and struck out four in four-plus innings.I make a mistake, I pay for it, Tomlin said. Doing that against a team like that, its tough to come back from.The Nationals are an imposing team even without reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper, but Baker said the recent futility was a little bit past a blip. Hed rather see struggles now than in September.But Werth is doing anything but struggling. He has just 13 RBI over his 440-game streak -- which is three short of Ryan Zimmermans Nationals record -- but has 30 walks in that time.ddddddddddddHis mix of patience and power is what Washington needs from him now and down the stretch.Hes been around long enough to understand how to do almost anything in the order, Baker said. Hes a veteran. He struggled early. Glad to see him come to life.TRAINERS ROOMIndians: Manager Terry Francona returned after a health scare caused him to miss the series opener Tuesday. Francona, who has a history of blood clots and pulmonary embolisms, complained of chest pain and had an elevated heart rate but reported feeling better by Wednesday. ... Francona said RHP Tommy Hunter threw a simulated game Tuesday and was progressing well from a non-baseball injury.Nationals: Harper missed his third consecutive game with a stiff neck. Baker said Harpers neck was in a spasm and medical personnel hadnt yet figured out how to alleviate it. ... LHP Oliver Perez felt a pull in his back before throwing his first pitch but stayed in the game. Baker said he was being evaluated.GOODWIN BREAKS THROUGHNationals outfielder Brian Goodwin made his first major league start and got his first hit with a single off Zach McAllister in the eighth. Fans gave him a standing ovation, giving backup catcher Pedro Severino a good laugh from the rail of the home dugout.Seeing some good pitches and putting some good swings on balls, Goodwin said. Finally seeing one go through was kind of like a relief for me.UNCLE CARRASCOIndians pitcher Carlos Carrasco passed his U.S. citizenship test last week, which was cause for celebration. Carrasco wore an Uncle Sam costume for the flight back to Cleveland, posing with thumbs up for the teams Twitter account .UP NEXTIndians: RHP Corey Kluber (11-8, 3.22 ERA) starts the series opener back in Cleveland against RHP Jhoulys Chacin (3-7, 5.27) and the Los Angeles Angels.Nationals: After a day off, RHP Stephen Strasburg (15-2, 2.80) starts Friday against RHP Mike Foltynewicz (5-5, 4.37) and the last-place Atlanta Braves. ' ' '
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