CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo wasted little time in getting to Adam Wainwright.
Ramon Sessions Jersey . Rizzo hit a two-run single in the first that ended Wainwrights scoreless streak at 25 innings, and
the Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 Friday for their third win in four
games. "Im not trying to do too much," Rizzo said. "See the ball and hit it,
really try to swing at the pitches I want to hit, not pitchers pitches.
Especially with Wainwright, his stuff is so good hes going to eat you alive."
Wainwright (5-2) had allowed six runs in 45 innings coming in, but the Cubs
matched the runs total in just five innings against the St. Louis ace, who gave
up 10 hits. His ERA rose from 1.20 to 2.16. "They did a nice job of spoiling
some pitches," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of his batters. "Youve got to
give them all the credit. They grinded out some at-bats today and reaped some
benefits." Wainwright had been 6-0 in 12 previous starts and five relief
appearances at Wrigley Field. "There were certain pitches today I didnt have
good command over," he said. "My curveball was kind of sporadic in the zone and
out of the zone, which is pretty rare for me. Its a funny game. Today was not my
day. I accept that and take responsibility for today and move on." The scoreless
streak was one inning shy of the career high for Wainwright, who had not allowed
an extra-base hit since April 12 against the Cubs in St. Louis. "Hes been
incredibly consistent through this season so far. ... You can see pitches were
just on the edge and not where he wanted them or werent getting called,"
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "Its a frustrating day when he knows our
guys put some offence up for him and we just cant stop them. He limited the
damage and figured out ways to keep us in it. We had some chances." Rizzo added
a leadoff home run in the fifth that put Chicago ahead 6-3. Welington Castillo
had three doubles for Chicago, which sent the skidding Cardinals to their 10th
loss in 16 games. Travis Wood (2-3) gave up three runs -- two earned -- and six
hits in seven innings but allowed just one runner in his final three innings.
Justin Grimm gave up Jhonny Peraltas two-run homer in the eighth, Hector Rondon
pitched a perfect ninth for his second save. Cubs centerfielder Ryan Sweeney
made a catch on the run in the eighth on a drive to right-centre by Allen Craig.
Sweeney injured his right hamstring and was replaced by Emilio Bonifacio, who
moved from second. "It was great determination," Renteria said. "Hammys hurt."
St. Louis overcame its early deficit, tying the game in the third when
Matt Carpenter singled in a run and scored on Peraltas double. Chicago loaded
the bases in the bottom half on a pair of walks around Starlin Castros single.
Ryan Sweeney drove in the go-ahead run with a weak grounder to second that
allowed Rizzo to score from third, and Castillo followed with a two-out, two-run
double. Castros throwing error from shortstop on Randal Grichuks grounder
allowed Yadier Molina to score from third and cut the deficit to 5-3 in the
fourth. NOTES: Cubs GM Jed Hoyer said RHP Jose Veras (left oblique strain) will
begin his rehab assignment at Double-A Tennessee and pitch at some point in the
next few days, depending on how he feels. ... Cubs prospect OF Jorge Soler
(hamstring) is progressing at the teams facility in Mesa, Arizona. Hoyer said
"the reports have been good" and he hopes Soler will join Tennessee soon. ...
RHP Jack Arrieta is to make his big league season debut for the Cubs when he
starts Saturday. RHP Michael Wacha (2-2) is slated to slart for St. Louis.
19:27ET 02-05-14
Wes Unseld Wizards Jersey . -- James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, and the Houston Rockets dug
out of a double-digit, first-half hole to beat the Orlando Magic 101-89 on
Wednesday night.
Juwan Howard Wizards Jersey . -- The tight games and nastiness between old rivals Montreal and Boston is coming to a Game 7
climax.FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS: 1. LANDRY FIELDS (Raptors): He is looking
much more comfortable each time I watch him play. Thats a good development for a
guy that had injury issues/surgery to deal with last year. He lost his shot
mechanics and, in many ways, his confidence. His shot release is still a bit
slow but in time it will get better. Hell have to be conscious of that when he
takes perimeter shots and make sure he has time to set himself up and get it
off. His shot preparation will be very important. Hes a smart, team oriented
player and does all the little things that coaches love and has a winning
personality/approach. Too often folks focus on the contract - its not his fault
that he got the deal he was offered, and who wouldnt take it? Bottom line for
the Raptors, to compete for a playoff spot this year theyre going to have to
find some consistent productivity from their second unit (an area of concern
right now) and Fields is a guy that you hope can be ready to contribute. 2.
REGGIE JACKSON (Thunder): Talk about a guy whos on the radar this year in OKC.
With the trade of James Harden and the free agent departure of Kevin Martin to
the Timberwolves, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will need some heavy
perimeter support to make up the difference and keep their team at a high level.
In his third NBA season out of Boston College, this is the year you have your
fingers crossed his level of play is elevated and reliable. Hes got solid
versatility in his game, has decent shot making ability and hell compete for you
on the defensive end. Now its all got to come together and quick. Usually in the
third pro season you find out an awful lot about a guy with the growth of his
skills, strength, and basketball IQ. You focus on his dedication and overall
makeup and whether hes got what it takes to take that next step. Time has
arrived and hes going to get a shot each night. Take advantage. 3. LA CLIPPERS:
The Clippers have decided to cover the Lakers Championship banners and retired
numbers when they play their home games at the Staples Center. This has caused
quite a stir and to be perfectly frank it should have happened the day they
started playing games at the arena. Theyve been the JV team in LA for too long
and they owe the Lakers organization and their former greats absolutely nothing.
Kelly Oubre Jr. Jersey. Theyre a tenant of the arena just like the Lakers and can do whatever theyd like when its their
building. Its their money and their time. I always wondered why they would ever
even acknowledge the other team. This is competition; its ruthless and thats the
way it would be if the shoe was on the other foot, thats for sure. 4.
CHARLIE VILLANUEVA (Pistons): Villanueva will be starting his ninth NBA season
next week and the question is if hell ever play at a consistently productive
level as a pro. Hes coming off two poor seasons in Detroit where he averaged 7
ppg and 3.5 rpg while shooting an abysmal 38% from the field for a lousy team.
Are you part of the solution or part of the problem? Ill never forget a
conversation I had with an NBA College Scouting Director when he was a player at
UConn. He said that Villanueva would end up playing for at least 4-5 NBA teams
and be one of those guys that youd be fascinated by his skills and potential and
yet always be frustrated that you never got the high level nights enough. After
former Raptors GM Rob Babcock drafted him in controversial fashion hes had
stints as well with the Bucks and now the Pistons. I like him, hes a good guy
and not a problem player, yet hes just not getting it done. At age 29, its time.
Now or never. 5. THOMAS ROBINSON (Blazers): Robinson is in his second season
and already on his third NBA team after playing his rookie year in Sacramento
and Houston. Is this another guy who will bounce around and not fulfill his
potential? Honestly, I dont know yet. He averaged an underwhelming 4.8 ppg and
4.5 rpg in his rookie year; thats not going to make anyone happy for a lottery
pick out of Kansas. I liked him in college yet I was a bit concerned with his
size and still unpolished game. He reminds me of Truck Robinson (Im dating
myself!) who had a good career (15 and 9) in his best days with Washington,
Phoenix and New York. He needs to focus on being a terror on the glass and the
other stuff will work itself out. Hell get a shot at good playing time in
Portland and Blazers fans will hope the light comes on this season and he takes
that significant jump as a player.
Wholesale Jerseys China ' ' '
