PITTSBURGH -- Andrew McCutchens fractured rib is healed. The reigning National League MVP is hoping his return will have the same effect on the reeling Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates activated the star centre fielder off the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. McCutchen will bat third as Pittsburgh tries to end a season-high six-game losing streak against Atlanta. McCutchen went on the disabled list last week, retroactive to Aug. 4, with fractured rib cartilage. The Pirates went 5-9 in McCutchens absence to fall slightly off the pace in the playoff race. "Its pretty frustrating," McCutchen said. "Its like having your best friend out there during a race and you want to go out there and help him and you cant. Its kind of the same thing. Your teammates are out there grinding and were getting the short end of the stick the last few games." McCutchen was batting .307 with 17 home runs and 67 RBIs at the time of the injury. He insists he isnt experiencing any lingering pain from the injury, which came after a seemingly routine sacrifice fly against Arizona on Aug. 3. He will wear extra padding for the time being as a precaution but doesnt believe he will be limited in any way. "Im going to play the way Ive been playing," he said. To make room for McCutchen on the 25-man roster, the Pirates sent utility infielder Michael Martinez to Triple-A Indianapolis. Manager Clint Hurdle hopes the return of the franchise cornerstone will stabilize a lineup thats been in flux for most of the month thanks to a string of injuries to regulars like McCutchen and second baseman Neil Walker. "I think the presence is valuable," Hurdle said. "The player is valuable but the value the presence does bring is something we would miss whenever hes not in." The injury came a day after McCutchen was drilled in the back by a 95 mph fastball Arizona reliever Randall Delgado, which happened to be one game after Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt broke his hand after getting hit by Pirates reliever Ernesto Frieri. While there was no direct correlation between getting plunked and the ensuing rib issue, McCutchen said he was "a little upset" Delgado was not disciplined. "Theres a chance that someone could get hurt with the same injury that I got because there was nothing that was handled," McCutchen said. "It wouldnt surprise me if something like that would happen again." .C. -- Carter Ashton had a pair of goals and added an assist as the Toronto Marlies downed the Charlotte Checkers 5-2 on Saturday in the American Hockey League. . According to Tony Barrett of The Times, the Liverpool captain is set to announce that he will leave the club at the end of the 2014-15 season.
https://www.cheapblazersonline.com/1118 ... azers.html. I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video. . New York then missed its next six shots and scored only two points the rest of the night. The Los Angeles Clippers defence and the Knicks general ineptitude both played a role in the unsurprising finish to a meeting of two teams headed in opposite directions. .C. -- Colin Kaepernick raced into the end zone, then pretended to rip open his shirt with both hands imitating Cam Newtons Superman touchdown celebration.DETROIT - If a contract extension between the Red Wings and Mike Babcock is indeed imminent, it appears to be news to the Detroit head coach.An animated Babcock addressed reporters after the Red Wings practice Thursday, candidly shooting down a media report that surfaced last night suggesting he was about to re-sign with the Original Six NHL club.Guys, this is like a fantasy world, Babcock said when asked about the report.Im happy here. I like the general manager, they treat me good. I dont know what else I can tell you.Babcock is in the last year of his current contract with the Red Wings, but he said he and general manager Ken Holland decided not to discuss contract negotiations during the season to prevent such talks from becoming a distraction.As far as negotiation between Mike Babcock and Ken Holland, there is none, he said. Do we ride on the plane together? Yeah. Was I out with his wife and his daughter the other night? Yeah. I think I had a glass of red wine and he had Coors Light. Therres nothing more to tell.ddddddddddddm not hiding anything, Im not making anything up, this is just reality. So lets not do this again tomorrow.The Red Wings have made the playoffs for nine straight seasons under Babcock, winning the Stanley Cup in 2008.They appear to be poised for another strong season. The Red Wings entered Thursday in first place in the Eastern Conference (17-6-6, 40 points).Babcock said the Red Wings impressive record this year should not come as a surprise.If you think Im working harder this year because Im in the last year of my contract, it makes no difference, he said. I grind, thats what I do. Im a professional grinder, I love winning.Babcock shrugged when asked whether he was getting tired of answering reporters questions about his contract status.They can write whatever they want, you guys get paid to make stuff up I guess, he replied. But the facts ... theres got to be something to do with the facts in the media somewhere, doesnt there? Youd think. ' ' '
