Nexon has announced that more than 200,000 MapleStory players taken part in special quests to aid donate $10,000 to help you support water efforts in Maplestory M MesosMaplestory M Mesos . Players carried tanks of water for thirty in-game minutes to aid the cause.

During a final week of September and also the first week of October, MapleStory hosted two in-game quests that had been designed to engage users to understand about the significance of clean water and also to allow them to https://www.mmoah.com/Buy Maplestory M Mesos their support on the charity: water efforts in Rwanda. In the first quest, MapleStory players collected water droplets from monsters, within the second quest, players were tasked with carrying a container of water for thirty minutes while in-game. Each finishing of either quest helped bring about fill a water gauge monitoring the whole donation to become made to charity: water.

Longtime New York Rangers anthem singer John Amirante has died. He was 83.

His wife Blake Martinez Jersey Elite , Annie, told the Rangers he died of natural causes Tuesday in New York after about a week in the hospital.

The Rangers on Twitter mourned with ”great sadness” the loss of the ”legendary anthem singer” with the booming voice. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist says it was ”always special to hear his name, see him walk out and sing the way he did.”

The Bronx-born Amirante sang ”The Star-Spangled Banner” before Rangers games at Madison Square Garden from 1980 until he retired in 2015 and on special occasions afterward.

A memorable rendition came on June 14 Mitchell Trubisky Bears Jersey , 1994, when the Rangers beat the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the final to win their first Stanley Cup since 1940.

Amirante also sang before New York Knicks, Yankees and Mets games.

Dustin Bradford/Getty ImagesDenver Broncos outside linebacker Shane Ray posted on Instagram Tuesday that he's dealing with complications from a previous wrist surgery and is evaluating his options regarding treatment plans.聽Troy Renck @TroyRenck#Broncos Shane Ray provides more info on left wrist issue. He posted on his Instagram #Denver7 https://t.co/9Zp0kOacxDIan Rapoport of NFL Network noted Ray will undergo a new surgery on his wrist and will miss three months while recovering from the procedure Sean Lee Jersey Womens , which would put him out for the start of the 2018 campaign.聽In any event, it's unwelcome news for Ray, whose 2017 campaign was derailed by three wrist surgeries.聽The 2015 first-round pick managed one sack over eight games after his season was bookended by stints on injured reserve.聽That production represented a step back from聽his 2016 season Ty Montgomery Jersey Youth , when he racked up a career-high eight sacks and 48 total tackles while appearing in all 16 games.聽If there's a sliver of good news for the Broncos, it's that they added serious pass-rushing reinforcements when they drafted Bradley Chubb fifth overall in April's draft to provide pressure opposite Von Miller.聽Ray, who had his fifth-year option declined by the Broncos http://www.newyorkgiantsteamonline.com/landon-collins-jersey , will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2018 season..

The Winnipeg Jets only got a few hours to celebrate the biggest victory in franchise history.

The Jets finished off the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Nashville Predators 5-1 in Game 7 of their second-round series Thursday night LeSean McCoy Jersey , then quickly headed home to prepare for the opener of their first ever Western Conference final Saturday night.

”It’s too bad one of us had to be knocked off here,” Jets captain Blake Wheeler said. ”But night’s like tonight, you try to really soak it in and enjoy it. And then, wake up and get ready for a big game on Saturday.”

The Jets will be hosting the upstart Vegas Golden Knights in a conference final nobody predicted.

Upstart Winnipeg was swept in its only previous playoff appearance since leaving Atlanta for Canada in 2011. The Golden Knights, meanwhile, are dragging their debut season deep into the NHL calendar.

”We know what they bring, we know that they’re good, that they maybe surprised a few teams, but not really,” Jets center Paul Stastny said. ”They had 109 points. In a sense they play like us, they have a lot of depth, and they can roll four lines, and they have good http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/jim-kelly-jersey , puck-moving D. So we’re going to have our hands full for sure.”

Stastny had one of two Winnipeg goals 2:06 apart in the first period to chase Vezina Trophy finalist Pekka Rinne for the third and final time in their series. Stastny finished with two goals and an assist, and Mark Scheifele finished with two goals, giving him a postseason record seven road goals in a single series .

Tyler Myers also scored. Wheeler and rookie Kyle Connor each added two assists, and Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who improved to 4-0 coming off a loss this postseason, made 36 saves to outduel Rinne in the showdown between Vezina Trophy finalists.

”A year in a goalie’s life makes such a big difference,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said of his 24-year-old goalie. ”In the third period, I think had one bobbled puck that got away from him, but everything else after that he was knocking it to the corner, he was clearing the front. He looked calm.”

This was the first Game 7 for the Winnipeg/Atlanta franchise, and the Jets dominated the Predators to win in Nashville for the third time in the series. They outskated the Predators and kept the puck on their sticks much of the game, even as Nashville outshot them 21-7 in the third period.

By the time Scheifele scored his record-setting goal into an empty net with 2:33 left, the Jets had left no doubt this was their series.

Now they head back to Winnipeg Jaire Alexander Jersey , where the Jets posted the NHL’s best home record in the regular season. They have a good idea how much this next series means as Canada’s last team still standing and even more special for Winnipeg after the town lost its first NHL team to Arizona.

Wheeler said they’re thrilled their fans get to have a celebration.

”Our fans have been with us filling up our building for seven years and we haven’t always had the most success, but they’ve always been supportive all over the city,” Wheeler said. ”I don’t think I’ve heard a negative comment in seven years. So now, we’re just happy to keep playing for them.”

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B/R Mag LogoFacebook LogoTwitter LogoCopy Link IconBleacher Report LogoB/R MagMy Brother's Imagination Goes Beyond FootballAfter 10 years in the NFL, Martellus Bennett is still an author, rapper, director and cartoonist. Why WOULDN'T he retire? A family salute to the next chapter, as part of the B/R POWER 50 Boss Up list.Michael BennettContributor IAs Told to Master TesfatsionJuly 23, 2018When my younger brother initially told me he would retire, we were hanging out in Los Angeles during the offseason. Martellus said he was ready to move on from the NFL. I tried to talk him out of it.Martellus is only 31 years old. He's still good enough to play a few more seasons and cash a few more checks.It took me a good two days before I realized that I was approaching him as a football player and not a loving brother.Wait鈥攈e says he's tired. He's ready to try something else.From that moment, my perspective changed. If his mind was telling him he should end this chapter of his life, who am I to tell him otherwise?It's what I've always admired about my brother. He remains true to himself and his deepest desires, no matter the circumstances.When people described him as an immature player not focused on football when he played for the Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott Cowboys Jersey , Martellus rose above the noise to become a Pro Bowl tight end and eventual Super Bowl champion. As more tight ends are almost exclusively pass-catchers, he was willing to block and do the things nobody else wanted to do.While other athletes took vacations after a long season to unwind, I watched Martellus pour his money into creating The Imagination Agency to visually spark the next generation of creative minds. He attacked it with the same discipline, hard work and dedication as he did his football career.Imagine having to go through the physical and mental demands of a professional football player, then running an entire business on top of that鈥攂eing hands-on with every visual, every idea, every decision.A lot of times, Martellus doesn't sleep. He has books he's writing, or he's pouring all this time into these different ideas. It's like watching him have another baby, an intellectual baby, that he put his all into. He's one of those rare human beings who is able to be a superhero, a super father and a super creator.It's humbling to watch from the sideline how Martellus hasn't allowed his profession to place him in a box, fighting through the gravitational pull of what society expects an athlete to be. He used his platform to branch off and become an entrepreneur Jarvis Landry Browns Jersey , an author, a rapper, a film director and a cartoonist.When Martellus showed me the retirement statement he would release a few days later, I busted out laughing. It was so him. It carried the intellectual yet humorous tone you'd expect from Richard Pryor or Dick Gregory.It was how he wanted to end this chapter. Athletes never leave this much money on the table, but it goes to show how brave Martellus is. How much he believes in himself.He's always been seeking to bring his next creative thought to life. Now he gets to pursue that full-time.聽 聽 聽Michael Bennett is a defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles, a three-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl XLVIII champion and brother of Martellus Bennett.Check out more ballers on the B/R POWER 50 Boss Up list:1. Jimmy聽Garoppolo聽2. Becky Hammon3. Virgil Abloh4. Supreme5. Martellus Bennett6. Sean Wotherspoon7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic 8. Chiney Ogwumike9. Filayyyy10. LaVar BallExplore the聽B/R POWER 50, a list of the most influential people in sports culture right now >>.

LeBron James says he ”pretty much played the last three games with a broken hand” after injuring himself in frustration after Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

James punched a white board following Cleveland’s overtime loss in the opener at Oracle Arena Authentic Brian Urlacher Jersey , calling his injury ”self-inflicted” after Golden State finished a sweep of the Cavaliers with a 108-85 victory on Friday night.

James arrived for his postgame news conference with a cast over his right hand.

He says he was upset by some calls that went against the Cavs late in the fourth quarter of their opening loss and he was upset they had missed their chance to win on the road, saying he ”let the emotions get the best of me.”

James scored 23 points in Game 4.

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Continuity paid off for the Los Angeles Rams‘ offense last season, starting with the same offensive line combination that played together in all but one game.

It certainly did for running back Todd Gurley, who signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension in July after running for 1,305 yards and scoring 19 total touchdowns last season behind that familiar front five.

”Whoever said money don’t make you happy lied,” Gurley said with a smile Wednesday.

The Rams expect even greater stability on offense to translate into continued success in head coach Sean McVay’s second season Ezekiel Elliott Jersey Womens , a belief that has been reinforced during the start of training camp.

At this same stage last year, the Rams were working in new additions at left tackle, center and wide receiver while learning the basics of a new offense, and were still weeks away from trading for wide receiver Sammy Watkins. They return 10 of 11 starters for this year’s workouts at UC Irvine, with new acquisition Brandin Cooks replacing Watkins as the big play threat in the passing game.

Quarterback Jared Goff said the familiarity is paying dividends, especially during the transition from teaching the offense in the first few days to refining each element of a system that produced an NFL-leading 29.9 points per game.

”We feel like we’re in a good spot,” Goff said. ”Offensively Reuben Foster Jersey , we’ve been starting to click. I think today was the first day you really felt that consistency starting to gel. We’re not so much installing anymore, we’re running the same plays over and over again and starting to get a good feel with it.”

”It makes everyone so much more comfortable just to come out here and just play our game. You don’t have to think about too much, and that’s what it is all about,” Gurley said.

For Goff, his increased comfort level entering his second season as the starter manifests in a better understanding of what opposing defenses are trying to do.

”It just continues to slow down,” Goff said. ”Your pre-snap process is a lot smoother, and you’re more under control of everything and are seeing things better.”

While Goff is playing faster Joe Montana 49ers Jersey , there has been no deceleration by Gurley after signing a contract featuring the most guaranteed money for a running back in NFL history. Goff and McVay both praised his relentlessness in practice, with a prime example coming when Gurley kept running towards the end zone as McVay was setting up the next play in the sequence.

”I got what I want, now let’s keep going,” Gurley said. ”Nothing doesn’t stop. The grind continues. It’s going to be even harder now, obviously, to be able to do what I did last year, and teams are going to game plan for it. It’s my job to go out there Ty Montgomery Jersey , put myself in a great position and try to work as hard as I can. As long as I do that, I feel comfortable with the players around me and the coaches around me to put me in a great position.”

With so much familiarity returning, Gurley is ready to build on his best season to date. But he understands his individual production is the result of what the offense does together, declaring that every running back is the beneficiary of the blocking he gets before Gurley backtracked.

”Obviously, Barry Sanders is going to do what he do, but it doesn’t matter what other running back you have back there. If you don’t have all 11 doing one thing, then it’s not going to work Denzel Ward Jersey Elite ,” he said.

NOTES: Outside linebacker Matt Longacre left practice early because of an undisclosed injury. . Kicker Greg Zuerlein made a 63-yard field goal during a simulated two-minute drill.

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The Los Angeles Kings believe they are still Stanley Cup contenders Joe Thomas Browns Jersey , even after being swept by the upstart Vegas Golden Knights in the first round. How close they are to that goal might be reflected in how negotiations go with defenseman Drew Doughty this summer.

General manager Rob Blake said Friday that working out a contract extension with Doughty is the team’s top priority. The Kings and Doughty can begin holding talks on July 1, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the 2018-19 season.

”I always wanted to be an LA King and I want to stay an LA King,” Doughty said.

Doughty is one of three finalists for the Norris Trophy presented to the league’s top defenseman after winning it in 2016. He had 10 goals and 50 assists in his most productive NHL season yet, but Doughty believes he can still improve his scoring output.

”I wasn’t too happy with my goal totals this year,” Doughty said. ”I think I only maybe scored one or two one-timer goals, which in my career probably half of my goals are one-timer goals, so I was pretty disappointed about that this year. I can definitely improve on that and have an even better season and hopefully set some new career-highs.”

The Kings scored just three goals in four games against the Golden Knights. Developing a more reliable offense is the one glaring weakness that needs be addressed, and lifting the Stanley Cup for the third time is a reasonable goal provided it gets solved going into next season.

”Everybody is still here that was here in ’14 and almost in ’12 for that matter http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/jim-kelly-jersey , too, so we’re not that far off,” center Anze Kopitar said. ”It’s going to take a lot of work, yes, but we’re not far off.”

CAREER YEARS

Kopitar set personal bests with 35 goals and 57 assists while averaging a career-high 22:05 of playing time. His 92 points represented a 40-point improvement over his lackluster 2016-17, leading Kopitar to joke he is ”aging like wine.” Dustin Brown had 61 points to top his previous high of 60 set in 2007-08, his fourth season in the league. Doughty broke free with 60 points after reaching the 50-point plateau once in the previous seven seasons. Doughty’s usual defensive partner, Jake Muzzin Jim Kelly Bills Jersey , had 42 points. Even depth forward Trevor Lewis got into the act with 26 points and 14 goals in his most productive campaign.

FORWARD THINKING

Rookie Adrian Kempe was fourth on the team with 16 goals despite not finding the back of the net in the final 29 games of the regular season. Stepping in at center when Jeff Carter missed 55 games following surgery to repair a cut tendon in his ankle, Kempe showed a surprising toughness to go along with his natural quickness. If Kempe can continue to develop, he could decrease the reliance on Kopitar, who will be 31 when next season starts, and the 33-year-old Carter.

”I’m pretty sure he’ll be the first one to tell you he can offer more, and that’s a learning process,” Kopitar said. ”That’s his first full year in the league. Speaking from experience, it takes a little bit of time to figure out your routines and what’s working for you and what’s not.”

LOOKING FOR DEPTH

Short of dealing in the offseason Odell Beckham Jr Jersey , the Kings should return essentially the same roster next season. Speedy forward Tobias Rieder is a restricted free agent, and Torrey Mitchell is an unrestricted free agent. The 25-year-old Rieder showed some chemistry with Carter, posting four goals and two assists in 20 games. Defensemen Christian Folin and Kevin Gravel are both unrestricted free agents.

HOME IMPROVEMENT NEEDED

The Kings went 23-15-3 at home, the second-fewest wins by a playoff team. It seemed like they were getting better as the season went on, going 9-4-0 down the stretch, only to lose both home playoff games and fall to 0-5 at Staples Center in their last two postseasons. Their 118 goals at home in the regular season was tied for 21st in the NHL. The power play contributed 25 percent of that output, underscoring the need for 5-on-5 improvement.

COMING ATTRACTION

Clearly in need of more contributors on offense, center Gabriel Vilardi could be an option for the Kings next season. Selected No. 11 overall in the 2017 draft Joe Montana 49ers Jersey , Vilardi has been a force in the OHL playoffs with 11 goals and nine assists in his first 12 postseason games. Vilardi also has the size and 200-foot game that fit a Kings team that still emphasizes defense.

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The New England Patriots reportedly considered acquiring the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft had the Cleveland Browns not selected Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield with the first pick.According to Andrew Brandt of The MMQB, Mayfield's agent, Jack Mills, said: "We knew that the [New York] Jets at [No.] 3 was the bottom line. We had another team that said, 'You may get a big surprise on draft day at No. 2 if he is available.' And that team was the Patriots."Cleveland nabbed Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick, while the New York Giants stayed at No. 2 and took Penn State running back Saquon Barkley.The MMQB's聽Albert Breer聽and Robert Klemko added that the Pats were denied a meeting with Mayfield until after they acquired the No. 23 overall pick as part of the trade that sent wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams.New England entered the draft owning selection Nos. 23 and 31, but it likely would have needed to offer much more to get to No. 2, including next year's first-round pick.On Monday Josh Gordon Jersey Youth , Patriots quarterback Tom Brady officially committed to聽play in 2018.Brady was the NFL MVP last season and turned in a dominant performance in New England's Super Bowl LII loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with 505 yards passing and three touchdowns, but he will be 41 by the time the 2018 season begins.New England's primary backup is veteran journeyman Brian Hoyer, although New England drafted LSU signal-caller Danny Etling in the seventh round.With their pair of first-round selections, the Pats took Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn and Georgia running back Sony Michel..

CHICAGO BEARS (5-11)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: CB Kyle Fuller (transition tag) Lamar Jackson Jersey , Prince Amukamara, Bryce Callahan and Sherrick McManis; WRs Josh Bellamy, Dontrelle Inman and Kendall Wright; QB Mark Sanchez; RB Benny Cunningham; TE Zach Miller; G Josh Sitton; DE Mitch Unrein; LBs Sam Acho, Lamarr Houston and Christian Jones.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Cameron Meredith.

NEEDS: Bears have glaring need for playmaking receivers and could make run at Jacksonville’s Allen Robinson and Rams’ Sammy Watkins in free agency. Chicago needs help on offensive line after declining option on Sitton and with Kyle Long recovering from multiple surgeries. On defense, Bears could use more pass rushers to go with LB Leonard Floyd. Chicago placed transition tag on Fuller, giving them right to match any offer he receives in free agency.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $64 million.

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Tom Brady is losing one of his top receivers, and Jared Goff is getting a speedy new target.

The New England Patriots traded receiver Brandin Cooks to the Rams on Tuesday for Los Angeles’ first-round draft pick Authentic Vontaze Burfict Jersey , the 23rd overall.

New England also sent a fourth-round choice to the Rams, and the Patriots got a sixth-rounder from Los Angeles.

The 24-year-old Cooks had 65 catches for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns in his only season with the Patriots. His receiving stats were second on the defending AFC champions’ roster only to tight end Rob Gronkowski, who barely topped Cooks in all three categories.

Cooks’ clear chemistry with Brady makes the trade fairly surprising for New England, particularly after the recent departure of another favorite Brady target, Danny Amendola, who signed with the Dolphins.

But the defending NFC West champion Rams made an aggressive offer to secure a potential No. 1 receiver and proven deep threat just three weeks after the departure of Sammy Watkins Leighton Vander Esch Cowboys Jersey , who got a three-year, $48 million deal from the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.

After weeks of rumors about the Rams’ interest in acquiring star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants, they managed to find another elite talent at the position. Cooks’ speed and versatility should fit in well in coach Sean McVay’s schemes as he lines up alongside Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp in the NFL’s highest-scoring offense last season.

The trade also appears to be a strategic move on the part of the Patriots: Cooks is entering the fifth year of his rookie contract, and he can become a free agent after the 2018 season.

With three 1,000-yard seasons in a four-year pro career that began with New Orleans, Cooks would likely be a coveted player after another big year, and the Patriots may not have been willing to pay a high price to keep him and may be looking to get maximum value now.

Watkins was in the same contractual situation when the Rams acquired him from Buffalo during training camp last year John Ross Youth Jersey , and he parlayed a solid season in Los Angeles into an enormous contract elsewhere. Yet the Rams don’t appear to regret the trade, even though Watkins was their fourth-leading receiver with 39 catches, because he excelled in the red zone with eight TD grabs and provided a deep threat that had to be respected by opponents.

Cooks will be asked to do all that and more with the Rams, who haven’t let up on their intense offseason pursuit of a championship roster.

The Rams acquired elite cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib last month, and they signed defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh last week to form a ferocious duo with AP Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. Los Angeles has lost leading tackler Alec Ogletree and top cornerback Trumaine Johnson during its machinations, yet kept its entire offensive line intact for Goff and running back Todd Gurley.

With the draft picks acquired in Tuesday’s deal, New England now holds four picks in the first two rounds later this month and four more picks in Rounds 3-7. That gives coach Bill Belichick the ability to go shopping for a young prospect or perhaps to make a deal for a veteran.

Still Courtland Sutton Jersey , there’s also the possibility that the Patriots may do nothing at all at receiver heading into training camp.

Julian Edelman is expected to return after suffering a preseason knee injury, and Malcolm Mitchell is also slated to return after spending time on injured reserve with a knee issue.

Cooks was New Orleans’ first-round selection out of Oregon State in 2014, and he played three solid seasons for the Saints while emerging as a top young receiver.

Yet when the competitive receiver apparently disagreed with the Saints about the height of his abilities and his long-term future, he was traded to New England 13 months ago for a first-rounder and other picks.

Although Cooks is one year away from free agency, the Rams probably feel they’ve got a better chance to do a long-term deal with Cooks. Cooks and Goff are represented by the same agent, and Cooks is a Stockton, California Darius Leonard Youth Jersey , native whose family will be able to see him play regularly.

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AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham in Los Angeles contributed to this story.

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Andrew Benintendi and the Red Sox easily made up for David Price’s bad outing.

Benintendi homered Dallas Goedert Eagles Jersey , doubled, walked a career-high four times and scored four runs, and Boston routed the Kansas City Royals 15-4 on Saturday night.

Mookie Betts had four hits, raising his American League-leading average to .343. Ten Red Sox players had RBIs as they scored a season high in runs. They scored 11 runs after the sixth inning.

They needed the big finish to overcome Price’s poor start. He was lifted after 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with nine strikeouts.

”I put us in a hole early,” Price said. ”We bounced back in the fifth inning with that four-spot then to give up the lead the way I did, not to be able to get through five innings, that’s tough. I’m struggling right now, searching, so that’s a big win for us to be able to come back the way we did.”

Benintendi became the sixth Boston player to walk four times and homer in a nine-inning game.

Xander Bogaerts had three RBIs for the Red Sox, who have won five straight and 12 of their past 15.

Christian Vazquez had a two-run Sam Darnold Jets Jersey , two-out single in the seventh.

Royals pitchers walked 13, one shy of the franchise record, including three in the three-run seventh. Mitch Moreland’s sacrifice fly scored Benintendi, who led off the inning with his fourth walk, for the first run of the inning.

The Red Sox rallied from a three-run deficit to take the lead with a four-run fifth, which Bogaerts highlighted with a three-run double.

”(Brad Keller) was on,” Bogaerts said of the KC starter. ”It was a tough pitch. Good thing I hit it hard and it kind of ran away from (center fielder Alcides) Escobar. He was throwing a good game until that last inning. He started to lose a little command. The walks might have got them in a little trouble – two-out walks, leadoff walks.”

Keller walked five, including Benintendi and Moreland in the fifth to load the bases before Bogaerts’ double. J.D. Martinez singled in the initial run of the inning, hiking his major league-leading RBI total to 74.

”He got into the fifth inning and got two quick outs,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. ”He just couldn’t make that pitch to get through that inning at that point.”

The next five batters reached base Jimmy Garoppolo Youth Jersey , four scored and Keller was pulled.

”You get two outs and think on the attack, but unfortunately it snowballed really quick on me,” Keller said.

Price, who had never hit three batters in a game, hit three Royals in a four-batter span, including Lucas Duda with the bases loaded to bring home Whit Merrifield in the fifth to tie the score at 4.

Heath Hembree (4-1) worked 1 1/3 hitless innings to pick up the victory. Jason Adam (0-2), the third of seven KC pitchers, took the loss. Catcher Drew Butera got the final out in his sixth career relief appearance and his first since 2016.

”I was trying not to get anybody hurt, including myself,” Butera said.

The Royals led 3-0 after Duda homered in the second and they scored twice more in the third.

The Royals have lost eight straight and 27 of 32 to fall 38 games below .500 for the first time since ending the 2006 season 62-100. They have lost 14 of their past 15 games at Kauffman Stadium.

LONGEST GAME

The game lasted 4 hours, 3 minutes Saquon Barkley Giants Jersey , the longest nine-inning game for both clubs this season.

MOUSTAKAS AT FIRST

Mike Moustakas, who normally plays third, made his third start of the season at first. It was probably no coincidence a Yankees scout was in attendance and they are in the market for a first baseman.

ROSTER MOVE

The Royals placed RHP Justin Grimm on unconditional release waivers. Grimm had been on the disabled list with a right shoulder impingement. He was 1-3 with a 13.50 ERA in 16 relief appearances.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez broke his right little finger sliding into second base in the seventh inning and will go on the disabled list Sunday. .. RHP Joe Kelly was led off the field by the trainer in the eighth with light headiness. LHP Drew Pomeranz (bicep tendinitis) made a rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Pawtucket. He allowed one run on five hits and two walks over three innings, while striking out one. He threw 37 strikes in 60 pitches against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello, who is 10-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 18 starts, is the probable for the series finale.

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis has lost his previous seven starts to tumble to 5-10 with a 5.13 ERA in 17 starts.

鈥?Now that Dak Prescott knows how the other half lives in the NFL, the Dallas quarterback can see where it was easy to think every season would be like his remarkable rookie year.Missing the playoffs just wasn’t much of a thought after an NFC-best 13 wins 鈥?until the Cowboys lost a postseason elimination game to Seattle and suddenly have only a winning record to play for going into the season finale at Philadelphia on Sunday.“It makes me respect this league, the game, the preparation and everything it takes to be great in this league so much more,” Prescott said after Sunday’s 21-12 loss to the Seahawks.“Having a first year like I did, I think you almost want to take things for granted. And then you come in the second year and a lot of things go against you and it’s tough.”On the field and off Cheap Josh Allen Jersey , Prescott went on to say 鈥?an acknowledgment that running back and fellow rookie star Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension over domestic violence allegations was high on the list of what went wrong for Dallas (8-7).Elliott returned against the Seahawks, but many of the things that plagued Prescott without him continued. He made poor decisions and poor throws, things he mostly avoided while setting an NFL rookie record for passer rating last season.And since it was in such a high-stakes game, the bad overthrow to Elliott that resulted in Justin Coleman’s 30-yard interception return for a touchdown was magnified.The throw behind Dez Bryant that went through the drop-prone receiver’s hands for the second pick was another example of how critical mistakes have replaced the clutch moments of a year earlier.“I think as much as anything else it was the turnovers,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s done such a good job taking care of the football throughout his career, and that is not an easy thing for a young quarterback to do.”Franchise passing leader Tony Romo conceded the job to Prescott last year when he was ready to return from a preseason back injury and the Cowboys were in the middle of a franchise-record 11-game winning streak. Then Romo retired to the broadcast booth when the season ended.Owner and general manager Jerry Jones is all in with Prescott despite a big increase in interceptions (13 compared to four last season, with four returned for touchdowns).The Seattle loss was the second time in six games the Dallas offense didn’t score a touchdown, all the more alarming with Elliott back.“I’m excited about our future with Dak at quarterback,” Jones said. “I’m extremely excited about our future. We’ve just got to get it done better.”As good as Prescott was as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, he lost his only playoff game for the top-seeded Cowboys 鈥?the same thing Romo had done nine years earlier, when he was forging a reputation as a good Ronald Jones II Jersey , but not clutch, quarterback.After throwing the most interceptions for a Dallas quarterback since Romo’s 19 in 2012, Prescott will face questions about his staying power in his third season.“The future is bright,” said Prescott, who will have significant drops in completion percentage and passer rating.“We are not giving up on this team. We are not giving up on ourselves. We know we are not making the postseason, but hopefully it will motivate us.”.

The chase began nearly a year ago A.J. Green Youth Jersey , when Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan addressed hundreds of thousands of fans following a second Stanley Cup championship parade through choked downtown streets in as many summers.

Rather than run from the challenge of trying to become the first franchise in 35 years to win three consecutive Cups, Sullivan embraced it.

”I wonder if we can repeat, or three-peat, should I say,” Sullivan said.

Following an occasionally rocky regular season, the Penguins begin their pursuit in earnest Wednesday night when they host cross-state rival Philadelphia Flyers to open their first-round series. Asked Tuesday if he remembers openly talking about a three-peat – last accomplished by the New York Islanders in 1983 – Sullivan just shrugged. He wasn’t so much predicting another mid-June celebration as he was stating the obvious.

”We believe that we have a group that’s capable,” Sullivan said. ”And we’ve shown an ability to have success in a high-stakes environment.”

For proof P.J. Hall Raiders Jersey , look no further than the most recent names etched on hockey’s most coveted chalice. The Penguins have won series in all kinds of ways over the last two years. They’ve dominated. They’ve rallied. Mostly, they’ve survived. And the Flyers have noticed.

”They have all the pieces,” Philadelphia center Claude Giroux said. ”On paper they’re a really good team and in the playoffs they always find a way.”

The Flyers, however, present a unique challenge. Philadelphia hasn’t won a playoff series since it beat the favored Penguins in six sometimes chaotic games in 2012. The Flyers pulled off the upset thanks in part to a meltdown by Pittsburgh. The Penguins lost their composure at times, leading to a string of power plays that Philadelphia rode to victory.

While the majority of the faces that will take the ice at PPG Paints Arena are different, the history of antagonism between the two clubs remains. Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby understands things are likely to get chippy. He’d prefer they not get out of hand.

”I don’t think we’re looking to fight Mike Hughes Vikings Jersey ,” Crosby said. ”It will definitely be an intense series, we know that.”

One in which the erratic Flyers, who endured a 10-game winless streak around Thanksgiving, know they are the underdogs. That’s fine. In some ways, they’ve been one all season.

”In reality, when you have to earn your way and your margin of error is pretty short all the way along, it tests you Isaiah Wynn Youth Jersey ,” Philadelphia coach Dave Haksol said. ”Sometimes you pass the test. Sometimes you fail the test. It tests you and pushes you to get better.”

Some things to look for as Philadelphia tries to put an abrupt end to Pittsburgh’s bid at winning a fourth Cup during the Crosby Era.

POWER HOUR: The Penguins and their star-laden power play led the league and set a franchise record by scoring 26.2 percent of the time with the man advantage. Their number this season was just a touch better than the 26.0 the 1995-96 club posted, a group that included Hall of Famers Mario Lemieux and Ron Francis and future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr. The Flyers understand their best chance to pull off the upset will be by staying out of the penalty box.

”They got special players that make special plays,” Giroux said. ”For us it’s to make sure we minimize those chances.”

HOW SWEEP IT IS? The Penguins took all four meetings between the teams during the regular season, scoring five goals each time. Look closer, however, and things are tighter than they seem. Both games in Pittsburgh ended with the Penguins escaping 5-4 following goals during the three-on-three overtime. There are no extra-period gimmicks in the playoffs.

”I don’t think we’ve played our best game or a full 60 minutes against Pittsburgh yet,” Flyers forward Sean Couturier said. ”But I like our chances if we play some good hockey for 60 minutes Austin Corbett Jersey , maybe even more.”

BRASSARD BONANZA: Pittsburgh’s big move at the trade deadline was to bring in Derick Brassard from Ottawa to center the third line. Brassard appeared to be hitting his stride in late March before suffering a lower-body injury. He should be good to go in Game 1, and his presence gives the Penguins perhaps the best depth down the middle of any team in the league.

”I’m just going to try and keep it simple early and go from there,” Brassard said.

—

More NHL hockey: Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin missed a third straight practice on Tuesday while dealing with a knee issue.

Coach Pete Carroll said after practice that Baldwin had a sore knee coming into camp. He practiced the first two days with the team before being held out each of the last three practices.

”We’re just going to take our time with it and be patient,” Carroll said.

Carroll said the team is going to give Baldwin a couple of weeks off in order to give him the downtime he needs before gradually working him back to full speed. Carroll said the team knows exactly what the issue is, although the coach wouldn’t go into detail.

”He’s doing some special treatments to make sure we’re taking care of him and then we want to bring him back into shape so we can really get him ready for the long haul,” Carroll said.

Defensive end Dion Jordan is also going to miss an extended amount of time while he recovers from what Carroll called a ”stress issue” in his ”other leg.” Jordan has been plagued by injuries to his left knee in past seasons, but it appears his right leg is currently the issue.

”He’s got a little bit of healing to do so it’s going to be a while Dante Pettis Youth Jersey ,” Carroll said. ”We’ve just got to wait it out.”

Following the departures of Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, the Seahawks have been counting on Jordan to be a presence at defensive end. The four sacks he racked up in five games last season left Seattle excited about what he could bring to the table. However, he continues to struggle to stay on the field.

”That was a position that we were really hoping he was going to be a factor in,” Carroll said.

NOTES: LB Marcus Smith (hamstring) and WR David Moore (hip flexor) were new absences from practice on Tuesday. Neither injury appears to be significant.

—

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Zack Godley followed one of his worst outings of the season with perhaps his best. Perfect timing for Arizona Authentic Nick Chubb Jersey , too.

Godley pitched six effective innings in his 10th win, helping the Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 on Friday night.

Arizona improved to 2-6 on its 10-game homestand and regained sole possession of first place in the NL West from the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost 3-2 to the Angels.

Godley (10-6) allowed one run and four hits while improving to 5-1 in his last six starts. He was rocked for seven runs in four innings in a loss to San Francisco in his last outing.

”The way this game works you kind of have to let it go and move on,” Godley said. ”Baseball is a short-memory sport.”

Asked what was working, he said: ”my curve and my defense.”

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Godley’s command was ”as good as I can remember.”

”There’s been a couple of games so far this year where he has had outings like that,” Lovullo said. ”But today’s was one of the better ones that I’ve seen in a long time.”

Steven Souza Jr. drove in two runs with a single and fielder’s choice in his second game back from the disabled list. Souza has played in just 17 games this season due to a right pectoral injury.

Joey Lucchesi (4-4) retired 14 in a row before Arizona scored twice in the sixth. Lucchesi went 5 1/3 innings Rashaan Evans Titans Jersey , allowing two runs and three hits with two strikeouts, one walk and two hit batters.

He grazed A.J. Pollock with a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in the tying run.

Nick Ahmed doubled, singled and scored twice for the Diamondbacks. Brad Boxberger threw a perfect ninth for his 21st save in 25 tries.

The Padres have lost 14 of 18.

Lucchesi’s first big league hit helped the Padres take the lead in the third. The rookie singled to left, advanced to third on Travis Jankowski’s long single to the right-field corner and scored when Carlos Asuaji grounded out.

The Diamondbacks threatened in the first when David Peralta was hit by a pitch and Paul Goldschmidt lashed a ground-rule double that bounced into the Arizona bullpen. But they came up empty when Pollock grounded out and Souza struck out looking.

Arizona didn’t get another baserunner until Godley drew a leadoff walk in the sixth. The Diamondbacks loaded the bases with one-out singles by Ahmed and Goldschmidt and Lucchesi hit Pollock to bring in the tying run.

That was it for Lucchesi. Reliever Adam Cimber bobbled Souza’s slow grounder and still got the out at first, but Ahmed scored and the Diamondbacks led 2-1.

”He threw the ball well,” Padres manager Andy Green said of Lucchesi. ”We didn’t do too much for him offensively. You get to that sixth inning Billy Price Youth Jersey , his pitch count is low. You want to see him attack that inning. The thing that hurts him is the walk to Godley. Outside of that I think it was a very good day for him.”

Ahmed led off the eighth with a double and scored on Souza’s two-out single.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Padres: RHP Phil Hughes (right rhomboid strain) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list and RHP Kirby Yates returned from paternity leave. RHPs Kazuhisa Makita and Robert Stock were optioned to Triple-A El Paso.

Diamondbacks: RHP Randall Delgado (strained left oblique) was reinstated from the 60-day DL. RHP Fernando Salas was designated for assignment.

NOT SIGNING

California high school shortstop Matt McLain, Arizona’s first-round pick and the 25th overall player taken in the draft, informed the Diamondbacks he will not sign with them and will instead enroll at UCLA. The Diamondbacks will get a compensatory pick, the 27th overall, next year.

UP NEXT

Arizona LHP Robbie Ray (3-1. 4.89 ERA) makes his third start since returning from the disabled list and San Diego counters with RHP Tyler Ross (5-6, 3.89 ERA) on Saturday night in the third game of the four-game series.

Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesThe Oakland Raiders used the No. 140 overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft to upgrade the defensive front with the selection of Maurice Hurst out of Michigan.OAKLAND RAIDERS @RAIDERSWe have traded picks #159 and #185 to the Indianapolis Colts. With the 140th pick we have selected DT Maurice Hurst from Michigan. #RaiderNation x #NFLDraft https://t.co/2w1IV4kZI2Twitter reacted to the Raiders' decision to add a talented player Mike McGlinchey Jersey , albeit one with health concerns:Ian Rapoport @RapSheetThe #Raiders take the most talented player available and go with #Michigan DT Mo Hurst at No. 140. A medical risk caused him to fall, but a great player.Pro Football Focus @PFFThe third overall player on the PFF big board finally finds a home! Oakland lands Maurice Hurst, who dominated at an elite level during his collegiate career https://t.co/Aqa4o2ImZtAdam Schefter @AdamSchefterRaiders used the 140th overall pick in the fifth round on Michigan DT Maurice Hurst, who might have gone in the first round were it not for heart issues that doctors uncovered at the combine. Most teams had Hurst off their board; Raiders clearly did not.Sam Monson @PFF_SamMaurice Hurst is a top 5 talent in this draft. If his heart condition doesn't destroy his career in a hurry, this is the best pick of the draft. Congrats, @mohurstjrMike Clay @MikeClayNFLMaurice Hurst finally off the board. He was the NUMBER THREE prospect in this draft according to @PFF - Potential massive steal if he's healthy. OAK also threw a dart at Arden Key yesterday.At 6'2" and 282 pounds Taven Bryan Youth Jersey , Hurst is a little undersized for the position but has a great burst off the ball and is quick enough and strong enough to get into the backfield consistently.Bleacher Report's Matt Miller considered him the No. 4 defensive lineman in the class, also listing him as the best pass-rusher at the position while having the most potential.While size is a bit of an issue, the bigger question mark for teams came when he was flagged for a heart condition at the scouting combine. However, he was cleared to play a month later, per ESPN.com's Adam Schefter.Todd McShay of ESPN.com reported some teams took him off the board completely because of the heart problem.Hurst was a consensus All-American last season for the Wolverines, consistently becoming a disruptive presence in the middle of the front seven. While defensive tackles don't often produce big statistics Courtland Sutton Broncos Jersey , he finished last year with 61 tackles, with 14.5 coming for a loss and five sacks.Pro Football Focus noted just how good he was in 2017:Pro Football Focus @PFFMaurice Hurst's dominance in 2017 was the best we've seen from an interior defender in four years of grading college football https://t.co/gtRPp8An8jIf he can remain healthy,聽Hurst has a chance to make an immediate impact in the pros..

>Sometimes when you’re dealing with an airport crisis Mike McGlinchey Jersey , all you need is a friendly neighbor.My Take: 6/1/2018Clinton Yates|November 30, -0001 12:00 am New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram has "vigorously challenged" his impending four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.On Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided a statement from VIP Sports Management general counsel David W. Jones about the arbitration process鈥攚hich is scheduled to conclude by May 16鈥攁nd the potential to pursue further legal action:Ian Rapoport @RapSheetA statement from suspended #Saints RB Mark Ingram Sam Darnold Youth Jersey , who is 鈥渧igorously鈥?challenging the positive test result through the arbitration process. https://t.co/GuoFzNLVATNews of the suspension came with Ingram seeking a long-term contract extension,聽per聽Rapoport, as 2018 is the final year of his current deal.The 28-year-old University of Alabama product is coming off his best statistical season (1 Dante Pettis 49ers Jersey ,124 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns). He also caught 58 passes for 416 yards.Although 30 is typically viewed as the age where running backs begin to decline, Ingram told聽Larry Holder聽of the聽Times-Picayune聽in January he believes he's still firmly on the ascent because of a manageable workload:"I feel like I'm only getting better. I feel like my career is just starting and only just beginning. I feel like I'm going into my eighth year, but I haven't had a lot of wear and tear on my tires. You can go to guys with only four or five years that have more carries and more wear on my tires than me."So I'm just going to continue to keep grinding and improving and get better. I feel like my best football is still ahead of me. I'm confident. I love where I'm at."If the suspension is upheld Cheap P.J. Hall Jersey , Ingram would be eligible to return for the Saints' Week 5 clash with the Washington Redskins on聽Monday Night Football.Alvin Kamara, who tallied 1,554 yards from scrimmage and 13 scores as a rookie last year Rashaan Evans Youth Jersey , would be in line for a heavier workload if his backfield mate is out..

The scene was all too familiar for the San Jose Sharks: a postgame handshake line on their home ice with the other team celebrating a series win while the Sharks wonder what might have been.

A team that seemed to have the ingredients necessary for a long playoff run went out instead in the second round with a 3-0 loss Sunday in Game 6 against the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.

”For periods of this series I thought we were a better team Cheap P.J. Hall Jersey , I thought we played the game that we know we’re capable of, we showed we could beat them,” forward Logan Couture said. ”We just didn’t do it long enough.”

That’s what perhaps makes this the most bitter playoff loss in coach Peter DeBoer’s three seasons in San Jose, all of which ended with home playoff losses.

In 2016, the Sharks got over a major hump and made it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history before losing in six games to a more talented Pittsburgh team.

Last year, San Jose sputtered toward the finish of the season and lost in six games to Edmonton in the first round in large part due to injuries that hampered top two centers Couture and Joe Thornton.

But the Sharks were healthier this year despite Thornton’s absence because of a knee injury. Midseason acquisitions Evander Kane and Eric Fehr had San Jose surging following a first-round sweep against Anaheim.

They came out flat in the opener against Vegas and lost 7-0 and then dropped a key overtime contest at home in Game 3, playing much of the series from behind. The biggest difference was the performance of the top lines with Vegas’ trio of William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith combining for eight goals and 17 assists, while Kane, Joe Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi had just three goals and two assists for the Sharks.

”We definitely would’ve liked to have been a little bit more productive,” Pavelski said. ”It’s hard to say. We’ll have to take a look at it Billy Price Youth Jersey , figure it out. We had some looks, we had some chances, we didn’t capitalize when we did. I wish I had an answer. We sure should’ve been a little better.”

Here are some other takeaways from the season and things to watch this summer:

JUMBO JOE

Thornton injured his right knee on Jan. 23 and never was able to make it back into the lineup. He practiced all postseason and even took part in all the pregame skates but never felt quite healthy enough to get back into the lineup. The 38-year-old Thornton is now eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, leaving his future in San Jose in doubt. He still can be productive as evidenced by his 13 goals and 23 assists in 47 games. But after significant knee injuries the past two seasons, there are questions about whether he will be able to keep up in the faster paced game.

KANE’S CALL

The move to acquire Kane from Buffalo at the trade deadline provided a major spark. He had nine goals and five assists in 17 games, providing needed speed and physicality on San Jose’s top line. That carried over to the first round when he had three goals and an assists in a sweep against Anaheim but Kane wasn’t nearly as effective against Vegas as he played through injuries. Now the Sharks have a decision to make whether to keep Kane or let him leave as a free agent. If he signs, they owe Buffalo a first-round pick in 2019. If he leaves, that pick becomes a second-rounder.

”Obviously I enjoy winning and coming here was a great opportunity for me to do that,” Kane said. ”I really, really, really enjoyed my time with this group of guys Vita Vea Jersey , and loved going to battle with these guys.”

STEPPING UP

The best development for the Sharks this season was the development of some younger players. Tomas Hertl looks like he could be a dominant power forward, Chris Tierney and Kevin Labanc are able playmakers, Timo Meier scored 21 goals at age 21, and Joakim Ryan is an ideal defensive partner for Brent Burns. Those players will be counted on to do even more in the future as the Sharks transition from players like Thornton, Pavelski and the departed Patrick Marleau to a new generation.

CAP ROOM

The Sharks head into the offseason with projected salary cap room of more than $15 million. While some of that could be used up by keeping Thornton or Kane, GM Doug Wilson also could use that money to target a top free agent like John Tavares of the New York Islanders. Wilson has been planning for that flexibility for years and now the question becomes how he will use it.

—


Even as the Philadelphia 76ers exceeded expectations this season, those who have indeed trusted the process still could not have imagined the team’s quick ascension to the NBA’s elite.

Joel Embiid, for one, isn’t about to pump the brakes on what has been a whirlwind ride that has the 76ers heading into their Game 5 home matchup on Tuesday sporting a 3-1 lead over the visiting Miami Heat.

“A lot of people say we have a bright future,” said Embiid, whose 76ers host the Heat at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Wells Fargo Center. “But I think our time is now. We have a special team and I feel like now we have a pretty good chance to go forward.”

Speaking of the now: With their backs against the wall Cheap DJ Chark Jersey , the Heat are not flailing their arms wildly, looking for any target.

They are pointedly focused on the present: Game 5 and the 76ers.

“It’s not necessarily us against the world,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “It’s us against the Philadelphia 76ers. We have to find a way to finish games. They’ve really nailed us in the fourth quarters of all four games, except the one we were able to pull away. We just have to do better. Through three quarters, we’ve been up. It’s going to require a full 48-minute game of our absolute best effort.”

Miami has been outscored by Philadelphia by an astounding 42 points in just the fourth quarters through four games. Even in the Heat’s 113-103 Game 2 win at Philadelphia, the 76ers still outscored Miami 28-27 in the fourth quarter.

In a roundabout way, that Game 2 loss — which snapped Philadelphia’s 17-game winning streak — actually gave 76ers coach Brett Brown some much-needed locker room material heading into the game.

“Everybody’s trying to break somebody’s spirit,” Brown said Monday. “It’s always the same thing. It happens on the other side of it. And I know (Spoelstra), who is a great coach, would be in his locker room saying, ‘All we got to do is win a game and come home.’

“They’re going to live in a really isolated M.J. Stewart Buccaneers Jersey , sort of roomed-in world of, ‘Let’s just win a game. We won a game last time we were here, and just come home and figure it out.’ You can see it.”

Knowing his team can close out a hungry opponent on Tuesday, Brown isn’t changing his message too much.

“My intention is not to speak anything into existence,” Brown said. “It’s all about trying help the team win. Like, we want to get better. We’re gonna. We’re going to go into Tuesday night and we’re going to get better. I believe that if we think like that, act like that, coach like that, then the habit becomes, I hope, we’re going to win.”

J.J. Redick Roquan Smith Bears Jersey , no stranger to heated playoff series, echoed his coach’s thoughts on Monday.

In Game 4, Redick led the 76ers with 24 points en route to a 106-102 win in a game that Philadelphia trailed by four after three quarters.

“You’re feeling each other out and then later on in the series you have to deliver a crushing blow,” Redick said. “You have to finish that. A team like Miami, their culture, their organization, their group of guys, they have fighters. They have warriors on their team. Every game in this series has been tough and there’s no indication that Game 5 will be different. It’s going to be a tough game.”

.

Peter G. Aiken/Getty ImagesThe Oakland Raiders and free-agent linebacker Derrick Johnson reportedly agreed to terms on a contract Friday Andy Dalton Youth Jersey , according to NFL Network's Mike Silver.聽Levi Damien of SB Nation reported, per Yahoo Sports' Terez Paylor, that Johnson's deal is for one year and $3 million.Johnson, 35, spent the first 13 years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs.聽Coming off the second torn Achilles of his career, Johnson registered 71 total tackles and seven pass breakups while playing 76.8 percent of the Chiefs' defensive snaps a season ago. That mark ranked second among all linebackers on the team behind Justin Houston.聽By adding Johnson to the fold, the Raiders may be signaling a willingness to play free-agent signee Tahir Whitehead on the weak side.If that's the case, Johnson would make sense as a聽NaVorro Bowman replacement at middle linebacker who can clog running lanes on early downs.聽Johnson's arrival also means the Silver and Black have now signed seven players older than 30 years old in free agency as new head coach Jon Gruden continues to eye an expedited route to Super Bowl contention. Just before the most improbable of Stanley Cup Final in the most improbable hockey city around Denzel Ward Jersey , Gary Bettman and Bill Daly put on a little show of their own.

As lounge acts go, it probably wouldn’t play on the Las Vegas Strip. Then again, no one ever thought the Vegas Golden Knights would be playing on the Las Vegas Strip – and certainly not as late as Memorial Day.

But play they did, in a wild 6-4 win over the Washington Capitals that officially ended with Elvis singing ”Viva Las Vegas” and the Golden Knights taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

The greatest expansion team ever against a classic underachiever was already a story that has played well even among those who wouldn’t think of watching anything but playoff basketball this time of the year.

But a thrilling Game 1 couldn’t have been scripted any better even if Bettman and Daly had spent their pre-game writing it instead of sitting in front of the media, sharing laughs and a few inside jokes. They completed each other’s sentences, and seemed to be having so much fun that they didn’t want to leave.

And why not? They could have taken a victory lap outside the T-Mobile Arena and no one would have seemed to mind.

They are the architects of NHL expansion, the gatekeepers who decide which cities are in the league and which cities must watch from the sidelines. They came up with the plan – hatched privately a decade ago – for billionaire Bill Foley to pay $500 million to put a team among the gamblers, degenerates and M.J. Stewart Youth Jersey , yes, upstanding citizens of the city where fun never stops.

They then made sure it would work, despite all the naysayers who said hockey would never catch on in the desert and certainly not in a city where there are a lot of other things to do than watch hockey players race up and down the ice.

But even the top league execs didn’t expect this.

”No one saw this coming,” Bettman said.

They didn’t in New York, and they didn’t in Las Vegas. A generous expansion draft helped set the Knights up to be competitive, but competitive doesn’t mean scoring 109 points in the regular season and then going 13-3 in the playoffs.

Competitive doesn’t mean taking the ice on Memorial Day with nearly 19,000 crazed Knights fans cheering them on inside the arena on the Strip and thousands more partying as the game unfolded on big-screen TVs outside.

It was, as Bettman pointed out Mike McGlinchey Youth Jersey , 342 days since the expansion draft in the same arena. And what a 342 days it has been for not only the new franchise but a league that took a chance on Sin City when no other league would.

Bettman and Daly rolled the dice that Las Vegas would raise the league’s profile and not just because it isn’t, well, Columbus or Ottawa.

”We thought being in Las Vegas would give hockey a greater presence and make the game stronger,” Bettman said.

The results, at least so far, show that bet paying off. Las Vegas has gone mad over the Golden Knights, and hockey is thriving in a town where most ice is made for drinks, not rinks.

And the NHL is on a bit of a roll itself. The controversial decision not to halt play during the middle of the season for the Olympics paid off in increased attention for professional hockey and television ratings for the playoffs Mike Gesicki Youth Jersey , while not nearly up to NBA levels, are up across the board.

And so far no one has said a word about the evils of sports betting and how a major sports franchise can’t exist in a city that allows it.

”This commissioner wasn’t scared by the things other sports leagues may have been scared about,” Daly said.

No one, of course, could have expected a hockey team to help heal a city in the wake of the Oct. 1 massacre that killed 58 people just down the street from the hockey arena. But the Knights helped that cause, too, adopting the Vegas Strong name and honoring victims not only at the opener nine days after the shooting but at games since.

The players – who call themselves the Golden Misfits – have also done their part, both on and off the ice.

”They seem to be playing with the emotion of a higher purpose Vontaze Burfict Bengals Jersey ,” Bettman said.

That’s one reason why the bookies had them favored to beat the Caps and win the iconic trophy before the first puck dropped in Game 1. So far they’ve not only run through every obstacle in their way, but smashed through them.

Good times in Las Vegas, and good times for the NHL.

Little wonder that Bettman and Daly couldn’t stop smiling.

—-

Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg(at)ap.org or .

— Hayden Hurst has finally found a sport Austin Corbett Jersey , position and team that are best suited for his athletic ability: football, tight end, Baltimore Ravens.

After being selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 17th round of the 2012 draft, Hurst pitched in the Gulf Coast League in 2013. He tried first base the following year before calling it a career.

“It wasn’t exactly the easiest three years of my life. But I learned a lot about myself,” Hurst said.

He then played football at South Carolina, lining up as a wide receiver in 2015 before moving to tight end. In 38 games with the Gamecocks, Hurst scored four touchdowns — one of them on a 2-yard run.

Still, Hurst was impressive enough to be picked 25th overall by the Ravens in the 2018 NFL draft. Just 39 minutes into his first game last Thursday night, the 6-foot-4 A.J. Green Youth Jersey , 245-pound rookie caught a touchdown pass to help Baltimore beat Chicago 17-16 in the Hall of Fame Game.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Hurst said after Saturday’s practice. “I’m a big body guy, and I like to be utilized in the red zone. I’m a threat there. At South Carolina, I wasn’t used a whole lot in the red zone. Nut here I think they’re going to take advantage of it. So it should be a fun career.”

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has long relied on his tight end for big plays and touchdowns. From Todd Heap to Dennis Pitta to Benjamin Watson, the man in the middle of the field has been a vital component of the Baltimore offense.

Hurst could very well be the newest addition to that impressive list.

“Joe throws to the tight ends a lot. He has a lot of faith in that position,” Hurst noted. “When things kind of break down, he tries to find us. It puts more emphasis on my position.”

Flacco didn’t take a snap in Baltimore’s preseason opener, yet both Baltimore touchdowns were scored by tight ends. Hurst’s 8-yard TD came on a pass from Lamar Jackson, a former Heisman Trophy winner who was after Hurst (32nd overall) but has received far more publicity and acclaim.

“The quarterback gets all the attention. That’s how this league works Tremaine Youth Edmunds Youth Jersey ,” Hurst said. “It doesn’t matter to me.”

Baltimore lists six tight ends on the roster, so the 24-year-old Hurst is going to have to earn playing time. Though he admits he needs to know the playbook better, Hurst has already made a positive impression.

“It was good to see Hayden play well in the first game. That’s the first test,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “The next test is to come back and have a good week of practice and take it into the next game.”

Toward that end, Hurst made a sensational grab between three defenders Saturday, drawing a collective cheer from the fans in attendance.

Not bad for a former baseball player.

“I’m glad I experienced it,” Hurst says of his abbreviated baseball career. “It kind of hardened me, made me the football player that I am today. That’s why I play fast and physical, because I don’t want anything to be taken away from me like I kind of had with baseball.”

In other news A.J. Green Jersey , the Ravens activated six-time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda from the physically unable to perform list Saturday. Yanda had offseason shoulder surgery and will slowly be worked back into a practice routine.

“Very encouraging,” Harbaugh said. “This was the target date, so he’s right now schedule.”

Ryne Stanek is set for a new role in the Tampa Bay rotation – sort of.

The reliever will likely now start two out of every five games in the Rays‘ ongoing bullpen-day experiment.

Wilson Ramos homered, six Tampa Bay relievers combined for a five-hitter and the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 on Tuesday night.

With right-handers Chris Archer and Jake Faria on the disabled list, Tampa Bay is using relievers to start three times through the rotation.

Stanek opened the game, striking out three in two perfect innings, and was followed by Austin Pruitt (2 2/3 innings), Jonny Venters (one-third of an inning), Chaz Roe (1 1/3 innings) Dak Prescott Jersey , Jose Alvarado (1 2/3 innings) and Sergio Romo (one inning).

”We won, so it’s a pretty good day,” Stanek said. ”It’s like anything, the more you do something, the more comfortable you’re going to be. It’s definitely starting to become a little more normal. It’s not really coming like a surprise.”

It was Stanek’s fourth start.

”Stanek set the tone,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. ”The big story of the game was the bullpen, how they pieced it together.”

Pruitt (2-3) allowed four hits and a run but picked up the win. Romo allowed the other hit but locked down his second save.

”It’s always fun seeing guys come in behind you and get the job done,” Pruitt said.

Tampa Bay has won three of four following an eight-game skid.

Ramos put the Rays up 2-0 with his two-run drive off Jaime Garcia (2-5) in the third.

Garcia gave up four runs, four hits DJ Chark Jaguars Jersey , four walks and struck out four in five-plus innings. The left-hander is 1-4 in seven road starts, allowing 28 earned runs over 31 1/3 innings.

”I competed and tried to make pitches,” Garcia said. ”There’s a couple of walks there that I’ve got to do a better there.”

Garcia departed after C.J Cron walked and went to third on Willy Adames‘ double to start the sixth. Pinch-hitter Joey Wendle and Mallex Smith both had run-scoring singles off Joe Biagini that made it 4-1.

Toronto had runners on second and third with no outs in the fifth but scored just once on Devon Travis‘ grounder off Pruitt.

”We had a chance to tie it, and then who knows?” Toronto manager John Gibbons said.

The Blue Jays have been held to one run or fewer 11 times.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: 3B Josh Donaldson (left calf tightness) remains day to day. … RHP Marcus Stroman (shoulder) will make a rehab start Wednesday night with Class A Dunedin.

Rays: CF Kevin Kiermaier (right thumb torn ligament) went 2 for 4 with a walk in his first minor league rehab game with Class A Charlotte and hopes to be back June 22. … OF Johnny Field (sore knee) was available off the bench.

HOUSE OF HORRORS

The Blue Jays have dropped the first two games in the three-game set and are 73-105 at Tropicana Field. It’s the most losses at any road ballpark since 1998, the Rays’ inaugural season. ”They’ve always held us in check down here,” Gibbons said. ”I don’t care what the roster is, I don’t care what team is here. It’s always kind of been that way.”

REACHING A DECADE

Romo reached 10 years of major league service time Monday and was given a postgame celebration by his teammates. ”A pretty awesome day,” Romo said.

UP NEXT

Tampa Bay RHP Wilmer Font (0-1) will start another bullpen game Wednesday against Blue Jays LHP J.A. Happ (8-3).

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