Augen auf beim Hundekauf » again, this time via the loss of cent

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Stephen Vogt can really fly. Especially for a catcher, as he cheerfully points out. With the game tied in the seventh, Vogt took off from first on Eric Sogards two-out double and beat the throw home to score the go-ahead run in Oaklands 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Friday night. "I can run," Vogt said, smiling. "I played a lot of outfield in the minor leagues and Ive been able to run a little bit, for a stereotypical catcher." Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run homer in the first, and Sogard came through yet again with a timely hit. The As gained ground on first-place Texas in the AL West race for the second straight day, pulling within a half-game after the Rangers lost at home to Seattle. "Every ones huge now," Sogard said. "Were not in the middle of the game looking at the scoreboard, though." Former As fan favourite Nick Swisher tied the game at 2 in the seventh with an RBI single, and winner Sean Doolittle (4-4) walked the bases loaded before getting out of it with only the one run. Swisher, booed at every chance, grounded out with runners on first and second to end the eighth. Grant Balfour pitched the ninth for his 31st save in 32 chances, allowing a one-out walk to Carlos Santana and Michael Brantleys single before Asdrubal Cabrera lined into a game-ending double play as the As held on to win for the first time in five tries this year against the Indians. Cleveland All-Star Justin Masterson (13-9) lost consecutive decisions for just the second time this season. He allowed three runs on seven hits in 7 2-3 innings after coming off his shortest outing of the year, 4 1-3 innings in which he allowed five runs and seven hits against the Angels. The lefty is still looking for his first victory in the Oakland Coliseum. He dropped to 0-5 with a 7.71 ERA in six appearances and five starts. "We couldnt catch a break," Masterson said. "We were getting some good at-bats. We got guys on, we werent able to get that extra one." As starter A.J. Griffin escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth but his pitch count climbed in a hurry and he was done after five innings and 104 pitches. The right-handers winless stretch reached three starts since getting victories in four of his previous five outings. "That many pitches in five innings and youre feeling good about yourself," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "But when you get to the bullpen, this is one of the few teams who can run some pretty good guys out there." The As held on in their home ballpark after being swept in a four-game series in Cleveland from May 6-9, being outscored 21-8. In the third game of the series, Adam Rosales was denied a ninth-inning home run and given a double by the umpires in a 4-3 As loss -- even after going to replay. Major League Baseball the next day said the umpires made an "improper call," but executive vice-president Joe Torre said the "judgment" decision is final. Griffin and Masterson matched up in that one, too. On Friday, the Indians got on the board in the third on Carlos Santanas single to right. Gold Glove right fielder Josh Reddick wildly overthrew third baseman Josh Donaldson trying to get Swisher. The ball hit the facing of the Oakland dugout and bounced back onto the field, where Donaldson grabbed it and threw home not knowing the play was dead and Swisher would score. Meanwhile, Griffin went sliding into the dirt on his knees apparently thinking he could stop the ball from reaching the dugout. Reddick made a nice reaching catch at the warning track on a hard hit ball by Michael Bourn in the fifth to rob him of an extra-base hit, then Cespedes chased down a drive by Brantley for the third out of the inning as the Indians left the bases loaded. NOTES: The Indians matched a season high by stranding 13 baserunners. ... As CF Coco Crisp is still dealing with stiffness in his troublesome left wrist and sat out three days after receiving a cortisone injection. ... Indians RHP Corey Kluber, on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right middle finger, played catch from 90 feet in right field before the game. He will extend out to 120 feet Saturday. "Hes kind of flying through this," Francona said. ... Cleveland RHP Carlos Carrasco has been moved to the bullpen for now. He allowed 10 hits and four earned runs in 4 1-3 innings Wednesday at Minnesota. Recalled last Friday from Triple-A Columbus, he is winless in seven starts this year and hasnt won since June 29, 2011, at Arizona. ... Francona on Cleveland reserve Jason Giambi, former As slugger: "Hes been a blessing to all of us here. Theres some wear and tear on those tires, hes got some miles on them. But hes still a presence in the batters box." ... Indians RHP Brett Myers, out since April 20 with right elbow inflammation, threw his fourth bullpen and is set for a simulated game Sunday at Double-A Akron. Cheap Nike Air Max Nz . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. Cheap Wholesale Air Max . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. http://www.airmaxcheapnz.com/ . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. Wholesale Nike Air Max Nz . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Nike Air Max Clearance Sale . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. HOUSTON -- It might be too early in the season to get ensnarled in the implications of one particular game, but given the recent trajectories of the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, their meeting on Tuesday at Toyota Center could feature plenty of intrigue.The Spurs (22-5) have responded to their first road loss of the season (and chastisement from coach Gregg Popovich) on Dec. 8 at Chicago with four consecutive wins by an average margin of 16 points.San Antonio and Houston split their two previous meetings this season, each winning on the road as part of a home-and-home last month. The teams will not meet again until March 6 in San Antonio, by which time the Southwest Division standings could look different.Even with their early-season hiccups the Spurs remain a juggernaut, ranking in the top 10 in both offensive (sixth) and defensive (fourth) rating. And as another testament to their collective professionalism, the Spurs handled an emotional night centered on the jersey retirement of Tim Duncan with focus by dispatching the New Orleans Pelicans 113-100 on Sunday night prior to honoring The Big Fundamental.I thought our physical effort was pretty good, Popovich said. The mental effort was better than it has been. A lot of people participated and got involved, so that was good.The Rockets (21-7) claimed their 10th consecutive victory on Saturday night with a white-knuckle win at Minnesota, rallying from a 17-point deficit in the second half, 11 points with just over a minute remaining, to win in overtime 111-109.Playing the second half of a back-to-back on the road against a team that had three nights off, the Rockets had every reason to pack it in once the deficit swelled to double digits. But one attribute they have shown this season is a resiliency they lacked last year as they stumbled to a .500 finish.Jamees Harden scored 10 of his 28 points in overtime while Ryan Anderson hit seven 3-pointers en route to 28 points.ddddddddddddIm so confident in this team, Harden said. I dont ever see us out of a game. We score the ball so easily, so well.The Rockets exceptional 3-point shooting is an obvious asset, but their tenacity requires a deeper appreciation.Unbeaten in December, the Rockets rank third in offensive rating (113.6 points per 100 possessions), second in defensive rating (98.4) and second in net rating (15.2) over 10 games this month. Opening the season without guard Patrick Beverley qualified as early adversity. Houston is 15-2 since Beverley returned to action.Now, the Rockets will be tested again, this time via the loss of center Clint Capela, who suffered a left knee contusion against the Timberwolves. Capela, averaging 17.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per 36 minutes, underwent an MRI on Monday, has been declared out for the Spurs game and reportedly for four to six weeks.Rockets coach Mike DAntoni has done a commendable job juggling the minutes of his big men, a collection that also includes veteran center Nene plus second-year power forward Montrezl Harrell.With Capela sidelined for an indefinite span of games, that rotation shrinks and responsibilities will be greater for Nene and Harrell.Nothing changes for me, Harrell said. I come out and do the same things that the teams needs me to do every night. I come in and play the game with a lot of energy, I come in and do all the little things they need me to do and its as simple as that.Its unfortunate that were missing a teammate thats definitely a huge part of our roll but it doesnt change anything with what I have to do. ' ' '