SEATTLE - Another well-pitched game for the Oakland Athletics came with a price. Scott Kazmir threw six sharp innings before leaving with tightness in his left triceps, and Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run homer that broke a scoreless tie in the eighth that lifted the As over the Seattle Mariners 3-0 Sunday. Kazmir called it was "a very, very minor" injury. He said it wont cause him to miss a start, but the As have reason to be cautionary. This spring the club lost staff ace Jarrod Parker to season-ending elbow surgery and A.J. Griffin is sidelined for perhaps the first two months with a strained forearm. Oaklands staff has an AL-leading 2.17 ERA. "Its exciting to have guys follow up a quality start, one after another, one through five. It really is exciting," Kazmir said. "We just want to keep going out there and keep making quality pitches and quality outings, all of us." Kazmir pitched two-hit ball, striking out nine without a walk. As manager Melvin said that the first time he noticed Kazmir was affected by the tightness was at the end of the sixth. Kazmir had a similar issue during training camp, missing one start with triceps tightness. "Everything checked out as far as his strengthening and what he does after a game," Melvin said. "He wanted to go back out but you have to be careful with a guy like that." Mariners star Robinson Cano said Kazmir was exceptionally tough. "He was making guys chase his slider and throwing the heater at 95," Cano said. Cespedes pulled a 2-2 slider from Charlie Furbush (0-1) into the left-field bullpen. Cespedes second homer of the season came after Jed Lowrie drew a leadoff walk. Josh Donaldson added a solo home run in the ninth, his third, off Lucas Luetge. Dan Otero (2-0) retired two batters in the seventh. Luke Gregerson worked the eighth and Sean Doolittle allowed one hit in the ninth for his first save. Chris Young made his first start since Sept. 9, 2012, while with the New York Mets. Troubled by shoulder problems all last season, he went to spring camp this year with the Nationals, was released and signed during the last week of training camp by Seattle. Young pitched six shutout innings, giving up four hits. He walked three and struck out two. Youngs other outing for Seattle was a two-inning scoreless stint in relief. "I was really, really pleased with his outing," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. "He got a lot of flyball outs, teased them up in the zone a bit. I think he is close. I saw his breaking ball coming today. When that pitch comes for him, hes going to be pretty tough." Kazmir didnt allow a runner and struck out six the first time through the lineup. The Mariners got back-to-back, one-out singles by Brad Miller and Cano in the fourth, but Kazmir retired Corey Hart on a grounder and struck out Justin Smoak with a 78 mph changeup. The Mariners only other scoring threat came with two outs in the sixth when Brad Miller sent right fielder Eric Sogard to the wall to bring down his flyball. Cano, who singled in the fourth, has a 14-game hitting streak against Oakland dating to Sept. 22, 2012. NOTES: Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon isnt sure about Major League Baseballs expanded replay format. "Im really worried about where were heading with replays, the effect its having on the game, the effect its having on the fans," McClendon said. "Its confusing." McClendon is concerned about the outfield transfer rule, when umpires look to be sure fielders successfully switch the ball from the glove to their hands. The Mariners already have had three such plays this season, with mixed results. "It was made for the play at second, on the double-play ball," Melvin said. "I dont think anyone thought it would come into play in the outfield as youre seeing right now." Both managers have had to talk to their players to be certain that runners go against their instincts and watch the umpires, not the play, in order to advance or hold. "I think the players are struggling more than the managers," McClendon said. "Initially, I thought Id be a fan of it. But Im not so sure now." ... Mariners top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is scheduled to make another rehab start Tuesday in the minors. Seattle has an open spot in the rotation for that day, but McClendon said he doesnt know when Walker will be called up. .com) - Marian Gaborik scored his sixth goal in the last four games to help the Los Angeles Kings top the Arizona Coyotes, 4-2, Saturday at Staples Center. . However, Therrien added that Galchenyuks status for next Wednesdays game against the Detroit Red Wings is questionable. Galchenyuk has been out since Jan. 6 with a broken right hand.
http://www.cheapnhlkingsjerseysauthenti ... ort-jersey. Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday. . Week 2s biggest games include Florida facing Miami and Notre Dame travelling to the Big House to conclude their rivalry against Michigan in primetime on TSN2 and TSN 1050. . Listen to the Raptors vs. Jazz live tonight on TSN Radio 1050 at 9pm et/6pm pt. The Raptors are 1-1 so far on the five-game junket after defeating Denver and losing to Portland.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Connecticuts exclusive club of elite guards welcomed a new member Monday night. Amid a rain of confetti, Shabazz Napier basked in the celebration on the court after being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four following the 60-54 win over Kentucky. Napier had 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting with six rebounds, and played lockdown defence in his final collegiate game. His career began as a freshman on the 2011 Connecticut team that won the title behind star guard Kemba Walker. Now, Napier is the man. "I will say one thing when they say Ray, Rip, Ben, Emeka, Kemba -- theyll soon say Shabazz," former coach Jim Calhoun, who won the 2011 title, said after watching the 2014 squad cut down the nets. Calhoun was referring to Ray Allen, Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Ben Gordon, Emeka Okafor and Kemba Walker. All except Okafor were guards. Not bad company at all. The Huskies steelyy point guard outshined Kentuckys freshmen phenoms.dddddddddddd Napier and fellow backcourt mate Ryan Boatright controlled the tempo and together outscored Wildcats twin guards Aaron and Andrew Harrison 36-15. On Saturday against Florida in the semifinals, Napier had 12 points and six assists. "Hes up there, hes up there," forward Niels Giffey said when asked where Napier rated among the history of Huskies guards. "He bleeds blue. He bleeds UConn." Napier looked like a floor general the way he directed players on offence with forceful motions. Instead of sulking after one blown play, Napier waited down court for his teammates and raised his right fist. Giffey said Napier promised his team after the 10-point loss to Louisville in the AAC tournament finals last month that they would cut down the nets in Texas. "I looked into his eyes and I really believed him," Giffey said. ' ' '
