lossjean
高级会员
注册日期: 2011-10-31
发贴数: 135
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| 发贴日期: 2011-11-30 09:39 | IP 已记录
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CLEVELAND - Looking for an upgrade at third base as they make a push for the playoffs, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Casey Blake from the Cleveland Indians for two minor leaguers Saturday. Authentic Lions Jersey . The Indians, who also sent cash to the Dodgers as part of the trade, received catcher Carlos Santana and right-hander Jonathan Meloan. The versatile Blake was in Los Angeles starting lineup Saturday night against Washington, playing third base and batting sixth. "Hes the type of player I think that can help this ball club," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "Were not necessary looking for some blockbuster move, but a piece that can really add to what were trying to do. And the more people you can acquire that have the work ethic that he does, I think its got to be a positive." The Dodgers (50-52) have been looking for a dependable bat for weeks, and Blakes name first came up when they were in trade talks with the Indians for ace CC Sabathia, who was dealt to Milwaukee. "There were quite a few rumours out there," said Blake, playing for his fifth big league club and first in the National League. "Nothing like this has ever happened to me, so its all a new experience. A lot of emotions hit me at once and I didnt really have a lot of time to let any of them soak in. I kind of got anxious real quick." This was the first time Blake has been traded since making his major league debut with Toronto in 1999. He was claimed off waivers three times, eventually signing with the Indians in December 2002 after stints with the Blue Jays, Orioles and Twins. "Its kind of tough because Im not mentally attached to this team yet, but hopefully it wont take long to get to know these guys," Blake said. "I played against them a month ago, and you could tell they seem like a great bunch of guys and a great team. They should win this division. You couldnt ask for a better situation." Los Angeles began the night one game behind first-place Arizona in the NL West. Blake, who has also played right and left field, is expected to play third exclusively for now because the Dodgers havent gotten what they needed from rookies Andy LaRoche and Blake DeWitt at that position. "I like the idea that Casey does play a number of positions," Torre said. "But right now were just thinking third base, knowing that whatever future decisions we make will be based on his versatility. I watched him for a number of years when I was over in the other league. He was a guy who gave them a tough out, especially in key situations, and hes got a grinding attitude." Blake, who turns 35 on Aug. 23, is batting .289 with 11 homers and 58 RBIs, and he has been Clevelands most clutch player, hitting .398 with runners in scoring position. He was batting only .234 through the end of May, but is hitting .352 in 45 games since then with 29 RBIs. "Ive had a pretty good approach for a couple of months now," Blake said. During the three-game interleague series the Indians played at Dodger Stadium from June 20-22, Blake had an RBI in each game and was 4-for-13. "Casey Blake is a gamer," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "His experience and character will be a plus as we head down the stretch." When Sabathia was traded, Blake moved into the left-handers old locker in Clevelands clubhouse. Now, hes on the move. Blake played the infield and outfield for the disappointing Indians. He struggled at the plate with runners in scoring position last year, batting just .190 and was often a target of Indians fans, who never seemed to appreciate his all-around value. This year, Blake was one of Clevelands most reliable players. He signed a US$6.1 million contract at the start of the season, and the Iowa native has said he would like to finish his career with the Indians. Shapiro said the Indians are assuming a sizable portion of what remains of Blakes salary this season. The GM said Cleveland will pursue Blake in the off-season if he becomes a free agent. "I have a lot of great friends over there and I loved my experience in Cleveland," Blake said. "I have a lot of fond memories, but its part of the game and youve got to move on. "I still have a chance to finish my career there. I mean, this isnt it after this season, so well see. But Im here now and Im happy to be here. I dont ask why things happen." Cleveland came within one win of the World Series last year and was favoured to defend its AL Central title. But costly injuries and underachievement by some top players dropped the Indians back in the division and forced general manager Mark Shapiro to begin retooling for the future. "This was a tough one emotionally because of what Casey meant to our clubhouse," Shapiro said. "We werent determined to trade him. We had to be compelled to make a move and we felt this was compelling. "Were in a situation we didnt want to be in, but were committed to taking advantage of it the best we can," he added. "Theres always a conflict of emotion, but you have to separate from that emotion and make good, solid decisions for the organization." Meloan pitched in five games as a reliever for the Dodgers last season. The club converted him into a starter this year, and the 24-year-old right-hander was 5-10 with a 4.97 ERA at triple-A Las Vegas. The Indians have transferred his option to triple-A Buffalo, where he will pitch in relief. Shapiro said Meloan could join the Indians this season. Santana, a 22-year-old switch hitter, batted .323 with 14 homers and 96 RBIs at class-A Inland Empire. He led the California League in RBIs, on-base percentage (.431) and runs (88). Since June 26, hes batting .393 with six homers and 30 RBIs in 28 games. "He has the rare combination of plate discipline and run production at a premium run-producing spot," Shapiro said. The Indians said Santana will report to class-A Kinston. Baltimore Ravens Webb Jersey . The 28-year-old winger, who spent his first seven NHL seasons with Los Angeles, has scored over 20 goals five times - including two 30-goal seasons - but is coming off a disappointing one in which he had only 19 goals and 32 assists in 81 games. Custom Arizona Cardinals Jersey .C. - After more than a year of trying, the Carolina Hurricanes are getting their wish: their top minor-league affiliate is coming to North Carolina. Replicas LaDainian Tomlinson Jersey . Carmelita Jeter of the United States was fastest in qualifying in 11.22 seconds, with none of the favourites for Mondays final in trouble on another sunny day at the Olympic Stadium. Jamaica had three runners in the top seven while the third American, Muna Lee, was 17th. Throwback 49ers Jersey . Brian Dopiraks RBI double in the ninth won the game for Houston, which got two hits, two runs scored and an RBI from Jason Michaels. Wandy Rodriguez was charged with a run on four hits over four innings of work. Premier Robert Meachem Jersey . The NHL announced the discipline on Friday. Lapierre knocked Nichol into the end boards 1:50 into the third period of the Sharks 3-2 win Thursday night in San Jose. Saints Jersey . The team announced Tuesday that the 19-year-old outfielder was released on Saturday and will continue physical and occupational therapy as an outpatient at from Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Michael Bush Jerseys Womens .com is pausing to take a snapshot of the League, looking at who has excelled, surprised or disappointed over the first 42 -- or so -- games. Green Bay Packers Woodson Jersey . According to the report, Stallworth told officers he flashed his lights to try to warn 59-year-old Mario Reyes, a construction crane operator who was rushing to catch a bus after getting off work around 7:15 a.VANCOUVER -- A pair of late-season additions are making an impact for the Vancouver Canucks in their chase for the Stanley Cup this playoff. Forward Chris Higgins and centre Maxim Lapierre, both acquired at the trade deadline, have joined right-winger Jannik Hansen on the Canucks third line. The three have banged bodies, been tough on the forecheck, and contributed offensively. Higgins scored the lone goal in Vancouvers 1-0 win over the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal. "In those three players you have three good skaters," coach Alain Vigneault said Friday after a small group of Canucks practised at Rogers Arena. "You have three guys that put a lot of pressure on the other team as far as finishing checks. They are just working their butts off right now." The Canucks hope to keep pounding the Predators and limiting their scoring chances in Game 2 Saturday night. The best-of-seven series returns to Nashville for games Tuesday and Thursday. The Canucks outshot the Predators 30-20 and controlled most of Thursdays Game 1. Even with that firepower Vancouver managed to get just one puck past Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne. Forward Tanner Glass said the Canucks need to make Rinnes life more difficult. "As far as scoring on this guy, I think we have to get more traffic and make his life tougher," said Glass. "Hes a tall goalie. He tends to get over the screen and see things. The tougher we make it on him, the easier it will be for us." Nashvilles Steve Sullivan said the Predators must show more effort against Vancouver. "You cant correct Xs and Os if you dont have effort," said Sullivan. "No matter what your game plan is, if youre not going to put the effort behind it, it doesnt matter." The series is becoming a preview of this years NHL awards. It was announced Friday that Vigneault and Nashvilles Barry Trotz are both finalists for the coach of the year award. Rinne and Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo are finalists for the Vezina Trophy, given to the best goaltender. Vancouvers Mike Gillis and Nashvilles David Poile are finalists for the award given to the top general manager. Other finalists include Vancouvers Daniel Sedin (MVP) and Nashvilles Shea Weber (top defenceman). The Canucks third line can hurt you along the boards and on the scoreboard. Higgins, who the Canucks obtained in a trade from Florida, and Hansen, in his third full season with Vancouver, have scored two goals each during the playoffs. The lanky Lapierre, picked up from Anaheim, has shown some muscle, leading the Canucks with 34 hits. Playing physical is a role the six-foot-two, 207-pound Lapierre enjoys. "Its fun, especially in the playoffs when you play the same guys four to seven times within two weeks," said the Saint-Leonard, Que., native. "Its kind of annoying for the other team to have somebody in your face all the time. This is the type of game I want to pplay. Steelers Mike Wallace Jersey. I know when its time to be physical, to go for the big hit." Lapierre is more than brawn. He won all six faceoffs he took in Thursdays win, including some while penalty killing. "It changes a lot of things in the game when you start with the puck," said Lapierre. "We take big pride on it." For most of the season the Canucks third line consisted of centre Manny Malhotra playing between Hansen and Raffi Torres. Malhotra suffered a season-ending eye injury in the middle of March, forcing Vigneault to mix and match as he tried to find the right combination. He settled on the current unit in Game 6 of Vancouvers first-round series against Chicago. "Those guys are easy to play with," said Higgins. "Jannik has really opened my eyes. "Hes a very talented player. They are both really responsible with the puck and they work really hard." Higgins and Lapierre were teammates in Montreal for a couple of seasons, where they sometimes played on a line together. "When things werent going our way the coach would put us together in the third period," he said. "I think its pretty simple with Jannik and him. We want to use our speed, put everything at their net, be strong in our zone and chances will come." Nashvilles Mike Fisher said the Canucks third line was effective, but the Predators also made them look good. "They played with some energy and were hard on the forecheck," said Fisher. "A lot of the things they got were our mistakes. Things we have to clean up and cant let happen again." While the third line is drawing praise, questions are swirling about the play of Henrik Sedin. The Canuck captain has not scored a goal in eight games. Usually the setup man for twin brother Daniel, Henrik has managed just one assist in the last five games. Overall he has five points and is a minus-four in the playoffs. Never known as a grinder, Henrik has not seemed strong enough to win many of the puck battles. He had six shots on net Thursday night, but only 18 so far in the playoffs. On several occasions Henrik has chosen to dish off the puck instead of shooting, even when looking at some good scoring chances. Daniel Sedin, who led the regular season with 104 points (41 goals, 63 assists) has five goals and two assists during the playoffs. His production has flattened out with a goal in Game 6 against Chicago his only point in four games. Vigneault said he isnt worried about the brothers. "If you are looking at points, maybe the ratio you are used to (with Henrik) is a little bit down," he said. "His scoring chances and what hes doing on the ice, and the effort he is putting in, is what we see all the time. "Its more challenging now. You have the best teams in the league. You are going to get the best (defencemen) and the best forwards. Its tough to score on any team. I am very confident in those guys, that they are going to contribute." ' ' '
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主题: CLEVELAND - Looking for an upgrade at thi
