ekansekans's blog: "df"

PHILADELPHIA -- While the Phillies have been looking for answers as theyve struggled through the first five weeks of the season, Cole Hamels has been one of their most consistent pieces as they look to climb out of the cellar in the NL East. Elvis Dumervil Womens Jersey . Hamels was stellar on the mound in his return from a five-game suspension, extending his winning streak to five games with seven innings of one-run ball Sunday to help Philadelphia beat another last place team, the San Diego Padres, 3-2. The Phillies have now won six straight games in which Hamels has started. "Its nice to get some runs. Obviously when you get runs you can win," said Hamels. "I know if I just go out there and I battle and try to pitch deep into the ball game and we put up some runs, then I can get wins. If were able to score early then I just have to work off that. Theres been a few times where we scored late. I think its helpful just being able to go out there and know that your team is going to come through at the end." Hamels (5-1) was suspended by major league baseball after the Phillies left-hander intentionally threw a pitch that hit Washington rookie Bryce Harper a week ago. The San Diego native battled a little bit early. He allowed five hits while striking out five and threw 108 pitches. The Padres lone run against Hamels came in the third. Chris Denorfia hit a one-out double and Yonder Alonso walked. With Jesus Guzman batting, both runners caught Hamels unaware and pulled off a double steal. Guzmans slow grounder to third plated Denorfia to make it 2-1. Hamels then got Nick Hundley to ground out to short. "He pitched well. Hes having a fine year, no doubt," Padres manager Bud Black said of Hamels. "Early in the game his change wasnt quite where he wanted it, but from the fourth on he had it working." San Diego threatened in the eighth but managed to score only one run. Jose Contreras relieved Hamels and struck out Alonso but gave up a double to Guzman, who then stole third. Contreras got Hundley to ground out to short but quickly gave up a run-scoring single to James Darnell that pulled the Padres to 3-2. Antonio Bastardo replaced Contreras and got Andy Parrino to hit a soft blooper behind the mound that shortstop Jimmy Rollins caught just off the ground. Jonathan Papelbon worked a perfect ninth -- striking out two of the three batters he faced -- for his 10th save. It took Rollins 135 at-bats but he finally blasted one out, opening the game with his first homer this season off Padres starter Jeff Suppan (2-1), who gave up three runs -- two earned -- on six hits over six innings. Rollins wasnt in the mood to go into any details regarding his first home run of the season and 38th leadoff shot of his career -- a team record. "It was nice to hit a line drive," said Rollins. The Phillies won the season series with the Padres 4-3 after splitting a four-game set back in April at San Diego. It was just the fifth series win of the year for Philadelphia, which has won four of its last 10 games. "Every time you win a series youve done your job," added Rollins. "Definitely youd like to bring some sweeps in and get on a roll where you win five or six in a row before you lose a game but we havent done that yet." The Phillies were able to get some hits with runners in scoring position after going 1 for 10 in Saturday nights 2-1 loss. Ty Wigginton hit a hard grounder to third but Darnells throw sailed over the head of Alonso at first, allowing Wigginton to take second. With two outs, Brian Schneider, who came in 9 for 18 lifetime against Suppan, singled to centre to drive in Wigginton and make it 2-0. Juan Pierres two-out double in the bottom of the fifth scored Schneider for a 3-1 lead. "Just trying to scrape out some victories. Today we got the big hits when we need them and our pitching staff did their normal thing," Pierre said. With the bases loaded in the eighth, the Phillies had the chance to blow the game open but pinch-hitter Carlos Ruiz grounded out to first with two outs to end the threat. Its been one of the reasons why the Phillies havent had a solid winning streak all season. "I think weve got to add on when we score runs and we got to put some teams away especially when we got guys on base, especially in scoring position, we got to knock them in. Were having a lot of trouble doing that right now," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. Suppan was making just his third start of the season after being recalled from Triple-A Tucson on May 2. The 37-year-old was signed to a minor league deal during the off-season and spent last year with Kansas Citys Triple-A affiliate in Omaha. "Rollins hit a home run to start the game and then they had some good situational hitting. I tried to keep the ball down, changed speeds and keep it close," Suppan said. Suppan has lost each of his last seven decisions against the Phillies dating to April 9, 2005. He is 0-7 in his last nine starts with his teams losing all nine. The last time he beat the Phillies was May 6, 2004 while he was with St. Louis. Notes: Suppan made his 415th career start and ranks fourth among active pitchers. Jamie Moyer leads with 635. Livan Hernandez (474) and former Phillies pitcher Kevin Millwood (421) follow. ... Rollins came in just 9 for 27 with two home runs in his career against Suppan. ... Announced attendance was 45,442 for the Phillies 220th consecutive regular season sellout. ... Hunter Pence went 0 for 4 and is now mire in a 2-for-23 slump. ... Pierre went 2 for 4 and has seven hits in his last 16 at-bats. Peyton Manning Elite Jersey . Today, she solidified her place in history as the first African-American woman to win an Olympic all-around title at the London 2012 Olympic Games, shattering records in the process. Peyton Manning Orange Jersey . Charles Crawford and another Massachusetts man are now accusing Donald Fitzpatrick, who died in 2005, of abusing them in the early 1990s. The statute of limitations has expired for filing lawsuits, but the men are seeking US$5-million settlements from the team. http://www.nfldenverbroncosstore.com/peyton-manning-jersey . Considering how poorly the Eagles played, that was a harsh punishment. The Pro Bowl receiver spoke to coach Andy Reid and his teammates, and is ready to move forward after being deactivated Sunday because he missed a meeting. Ryan Clady Jersey . Azarenkas match at Wimbledon was rescheduled from Sunday because of rain. The world No. 1 from Belarus could end up on court six consecutive days if she reaches the gold medal round in singles. Von Miller Jersey .C. -- Defending champion Brittany Lincicome has some high praise for the Canadian Womens Open.CORONADO, Calif. - The Michigan State Spartans couldnt feel too bad about losing 67-55 to No. 1 North Carolina in the Carrier Classic on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson. After all, U.S. President Barack Obama sat at midcourt as the teams played the first college hoops game on an active flat top. The Veterans Day game was conceived by Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis as a salute to the military. Most of the 8,111 fans were active-duty military. "Its a loss but at the end of the day its a win because of what we did," Draymond Green said after pulling down a career-high 18 rebounds for the Spartans. Playing in front of Obama "was phenomenal," Green added. "Its not every day anyone gets to do that, so that was great. We appreciate the opportunity to show our support and our thanks to the troops for what they do for us every single day." Harrison Barnes scored 17 points and John Henson had 12 points and a career-high nine blocked shots as the Tar Heels put their size advantage to good use. Obama watched intently, chatted with wife Michelle and service members seated near him, and at one point appeared to check his BlackBerry. When the game ended, he applauded and then shook hands with coaches Roy Williams and Tom Izzo. The Carl Vinson conducted Osama bin Ladens burial at sea after he was killed by Navy SEALs in a raid ordered by Obama. Fitting with the Veterans Day theme, the Tar Heels and Spartans had USA rather than their names on the back of their jerseys, which had a camouflage design. At dusk, the game was paused for the lowering of the American flag. Mike Adams Jersey. When the game ended, the players gave their jerseys to servicemen. In a nod to the troops, Williams and his staff wore combat boots and cargo pants. The Carrier Classic featured slam dunks and fast breaks on a court plopped down where jet fighters normally scream into flight. North Carolina led by double digits from late in the first half on, including 36-25 after Kendall Marshall made two free throws with 44.8 seconds left before halftime. This game turned out as have recent matchups between the schools. North Carolina has beaten Michigan State six straight times, including in the 2009 national championship game. The Tar Heels biggest lead was 59-38 with 10:42 left before Michigan State closed within 10 points with 5:43 left. Dexter Strickland had 10 points for North Carolina. Green scored 13 points and had an unbelievable game on the boards, including 11 defensive rebounds. Michigan State outrebounded the Tar Heels 49-34 but made only 2 of 20 3-pointers. "One of the things we talked about was getting back to our roots," Green said. "To outrebound one of the biggest, best front courts in the nation by 15, thats phenomenal. If we attack the boards like that every single game, were going to win a lot of games." Branden Dawson and Adreian Payne scored 10 points each for the Spartans. Green said it was great getting to play in front of the president. "That was phenomenal," he said. "Its not every day anyone gets to do that." ' ' '