MINNEAPOLIS -- After adding Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes in the off-season, the Twins expected their rotation to be better. [ur

Posted in IYH Forums by jokergreen0220 at 08:50, Mar 30 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- After adding Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes in the off-season, the Twins expected their rotation to be better. Deion Sanders Super Bowl Jersey . Instead, the offence has been the biggest turnaround for Minnesota. Joe Mauer hit his first home run of the season, Brian Dozier connected for his fourth and Nolasco earned his initial win with the Twins in a 7-1 victory Saturday over the Kansas City Royals. "I feel like, one through nine, everybody today had at least three hard-hit balls each, and thats a tell-tale sign an offence is clicking," said Dozier, who tied for the AL lead in homers. "Been doing that for the past week now, so everything is starting to click as a team right now." A day after getting his first RBI of the year, Mauer hit a three-run shot against starter James Shields (0-2). Dozier had a leadoff homer for Minnesota, which has scored the second-most runs in the American League. Nolasco (1-1) showed why the Twins signed him to a $49 million, four-year contract to steady their rotation. The right-hander gave up five runs in each of his first two outings for his new team, but was on top of his game Saturday in his first home start for Minnesota. Nolasco went eight innings and allowed five hits with four strikeouts. "I wish I could say Im going to go eight every time," Nolasco said. "This level is very difficult and you can never count yourself out no matter how good or bad youre doing. I had two bad starts, but my mentality is still like I could do something like today." While the rotation was addressed in the off-season, it was Minnesotas lineup that figured to keep the Twins near the bottom of the AL Central again. Instead, Dozier has been a power source in the leadoff spot, and Minnesota has received big production from a middle of the order that includes Trevor Plouffe, Chris Colabello and Jason Kubel. Making the transition full-time to first base this season, Mauer was slow to come around with the bat. Kansas Citys first trip to Minnesota was the perfect remedy, though. In his career, Mauer has hit .338 against the Royals with 11 homers and 95 RBIs. Hes also hit .350 (12 for 37) against Shields. "When its all said and done his numbers are going to be there," acting Twins manager Terry Steinbach said. "Hes a professional hitter, a great hitter, and just over the course of time its going to happen. It was good to see him connect with one and get that ball out of the ballpark." Shields put Kansas City in an early hole again. The Royals had seven quality starts in their first eight games, but Bruce Chen allowed two first-inning runs Friday night and only went 3 2-3 innings. Shields gave up a home run to Dozier on his fourth pitch and Minnesota added six runs in the second. Shields was undone by the defence, including his own. None of the runs in the second were earned because Shields misplayed a sacrifice bunt by Kurt Suzuki, with the ball slipping out of his hand for an error as the pitcher tried to throw to third base. Shields then walked No. 8 hitter Aaron Hicks with the bases loaded. Later, third baseman Mike Moustakas couldnt handle a hard-hit grounder by Dozier that deflected into left field for an error, allowing two runs to score. Mauer followed Moustakas error with a three-run homer, his first since Aug. 16 last season. "Even though it was a 3-2 count, I was trying to go changeup down and away," Shields said. "Hes a pretty good hitter. Hes going to hit that every time." Shields yielded seven runs -- one earned -- in 5 2-3 innings. He gave up six hits and walked three while striking out five. NOTES: Steinbach filled in for Twins manager Ron Gardenhire the past two games while Gardenhire attended the funeral for Michael Hirschbeck in Ohio. Hirschbeck, the son of umpire John Hirschbeck, died Tuesday at age 27. Gardenhire is expected back for Sundays game. ... Kansas City recalled LHP Danny Duffy from Triple-A Omaha to pitch out of the bullpen. Duffy, who was in the mix for a rotation spot this spring, is the only healthy left-hander in the bullpen. The Royals optioned 2B Johnny Giavotella to Omaha. ... Minnesota put LF Josh Willingham on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised left wrist. Willingham was set to have an MRI later Saturday. The move was made retroactive to Monday, and the team hopes hell be ready to return when eligible. The Twins recalled RHP Michael Tonkin from Triple-A Rochester. ... Minnesota assistant general manager Rob Antony said SS Jason Bartlett will travel to Fort Myers, Fla., on Sunday to begin rehabilitating a left ankle injury. Bartlett was placed on the disabled list Monday. ... Twins RHP Kevin Correia (0-1, 6.17 ERA) pitches Sunday against LHP Jason Vargas (1-0, 1.20). Devonta Freeman Falcons Jersey . - UFC 178, previously announced for Sept. Julio Jones Falcons Jersey . Milan was held to 1-1 at home by Torino. Cagliari scored six minutes from halftime when Mauricio Pinilla blasted home from the penalty spot after Facundo Roncaglia tripped Marco Sau. The home side could have doubled its tally in stoppage time as first Fiorentina defender Stefan Savic almost scored an own goal then Albin Ekdals shot clipped the top of the upright. http://www.atlantafalconsfootballstore.com/authentic-brett-favre-falcons-jersey/ . Some will say that Martin is too sensitive while others will say that it is part of the way football is in the locker room. But to have to absorb what was said to him for any rational and intelligent person is too much. SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The start of the San Francisco 49ers three-day mandatory minicamp was overshadowed by the players who were absent. Two-time Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis and right guard Alex Boone skipped Tuesdays activities. Both starters are seeking raises despite two years left on their contracts. Cornerback Eric Wright, a seven-year veteran who played in seven games for the 49ers last season, announced his retirement. Wright said in a statement released through the team that he "no longer had the same passion" for the game. While Wrights announcement came as a surprise in the locker room, Davis and Boone are far bigger contributors to a 49ers team that has Super Bowl aspirations. Coach Jim Harbaugh said he appreciates players who show up for the voluntary workouts in the off-season but expects everybody in attendance for the mandatory meetings. He said he was disappointed that Davis and Boone are not at the minicamp. "Not the decision that I envisioned being the 49er way," Harbaugh said. "Really nothing more to be said about it. The focus will be on whats going on here." Players can be fined nearly $70,000 if they miss all three days of the minicamp, per the NFLs collective bargaining agreement. If Davis and Boone continue to hold out, they set the stage for what could be a major distraction leading into training camp next month for a franchise that has avoided such contract disputes the past few seasons under Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke. Neither Davis nor Boone was present during the first eight weeks of the teams voluntary program. Davis sacrificed a $200,000 bonus and Boone $50,000 for missing the workouts. And while both are seeking new deals, Davis has been the most vocal about his situation. "In 2010 I signed a five-year, $37 million contract extension with $23 million guaranteed. It was the biggest contract for a tight end in league history. Four years later, and Im playing at a higher level than I was then, which brings me to why Im holding out," Davis wrote in a guest column for MMQB.com on Monday. "Its all about getting paid what you deserve. Its not that complicated. I want the 49ers to win the Super Bowl, and I want to be on the field this summer working toward that goal, but I have to worry about my future first." "Most of my teammates and many players in the NFL understand that. A few dont," Davis continued. "Behind closed doors, theylll say theyre all about the team and would run through a brick wall for the organization. Mohamed Sanu Womens Jersey. But when you look closer, theyre doing things to contradict themselves. I cant listen to anyone but my family and my advisors, because those are the people who are going to be there when football inevitably dumps me." Davis, who initially acted coy about skipping the teams voluntary off-season program, began making his displeasure known shortly before the 49ers announced they had given quarterback Colin Kaepernick a six-year contract extension through the 2020 season that could be worth up to $126 million. Davis, who is now 30 years old, had 52 catches for 850 yards and accounted for 13 of Kaepernicks 21 touchdown passes last season. The tight end has repeatedly talked about marketing his "brand" this off-season after signing a deal with Fantex, which sells shares of Davis "stock" to investors. The San Francisco company paid Davis $4 million in return for 10 per cent of his future earnings from football, commercial endorsements and other jobs that he may get during the remainder of his life. The 27-year-old Boone signed a contract extension while he was a backup tackle in November 2011. He has two years remaining on the deal, which will reportedly pay him $2.25 million this season and $1.45 million next season. Most of their teammates responded in similar fashion when asked about their absences -- saying its a decision each player has to make on their own. Second-year safety Eric Reid, whose locker is next to Wrights, said it was a little surprising when he heard Wright was considering not playing anymore. Wright had been competing for the job vacated by former starters Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown, who both signed with the Oakland Raiders in free agency. The 49ers are treating minicamp as an opportunity for others to make an impact. Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek are expected to receive most of the practice repetitions behind Davis at tight end. Joe Looney is competing at the guard spot, while tackle Jonathan Martin is receiving some time at guard. Daniel Kilgore also can play centre and guard. Tramaine Brock, Chris Culliver, Perrish Cox, Chris Cook, Darryl Morris and rookies Dontae Johnson and Kenneth Acker are competing at cornerback. "Its next man up," 49ers offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman said. "Thats how it goes." Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '