Dein erstes Forum » all flame flickering here that can hopefully grow in

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates remain in contention for a playoff spot, but not without continued uncertainty regarding their rotation.Right-hander Gerrit Cole (5-6, 2.99 ERA) will try to get back to .500, far below what the Pirates expected from him, on Wednesday when Pittsburgh closes out a two-game series with the Seattle Mariners.After a day off, the Pirates scheduled starter for Friday at Milwaukee is TBD -- a fellow who has gotten quite a bit of face time on the Pittsburgh schedule of upcoming starters.The Pirates are dealing with a shoulder injury to promising young starter Tyler Glasnow and less-than-stellar results from Cole and Francisco Liriano, the latter two expected to anchor the rotation. The team is being cautious with another rookie, Jameson Taillon, although it looks as if he might be sticking in the rotation.Jonathan Niese, Juan Nicasio and now Jeff Locke have pitched their way into the bullpen, although Locke -- who made his first relief appearance Tuesday, allowing a hit but no runs in two innings -- for now is expected to miss just one start.Liriano looked to be breaking out of a funk when he struck out 13 batters Thursday in a 5-3 win over the Brewers. On Tuesday, though, he reverted to early-season form, struggling with his control and allowing seven runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings in a 7-4 loss to Seattle.So it is Coles turn to try to give the Pirates another in a series of what have seemed to be turnaround performances, although many of the previous ones have not stuck.On Saturday, Cole took the loss as Pittsburgh fell 4-0 to the Philadelphia Phillies, but he was encouraged about his outing, his second since coming off of the disabled list. He missed a month due to a right triceps strain.It was a good step in the right direction, he said after giving up one run on six hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.I thought there were a lot of pitches that were thrown really well that they couldnt pick up. Its good to see stuff like that. Hopefully, we can build on it.Coles opponent Wednesday will be James Paxton (3-4, 4.18 ERA). The Seattle left-hander will start against Pittsburgh for the first time in his career.Paxton ended a run of three starts without a win Saturday when he pitched seven innings in a 2-1 victory at Toronto. He allowed the lone Blue Jays run on three hits. His nine strikeouts were one shy of his season best.I know he and (pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.) have been working on a couple of things, and it certainly was evident with his ability to spin it, manager Scott Servais said of Paxton. That was the best curveball hes had all year.It was an adjustment Paxton took to happily.I was creeping down a little bit and getting too sidearm, getting on the side of the ball, he said. It wasnt allowing me to get on top of the curveball. Bringing my arm up a little bit more has allowed me to get on top of that curveball.The relief crew behind Paxton on Wednesday might include the newest member of the Seattle pitching staff.After Tuesdays game, the Mariners announced they acquired reliever Drew Storen and cash considerations from Toronto for pitcher Joaquin Benoit. Storen, 28, is 1/3 with a 6.21 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 38 relief appearances with the Blue Jays, who designated him for assignment Sunday.In his first six major league seasons, all with Washington, he was 21-13 with 95 saves and a 3.02 ERA.Obviously, this has not been Drews best season, but he is closely linked to a run of great success pitching in the back end of very good bullpens, Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. Hopefully, this serves as a change of scenery and over the next two months we can get him back on track. Discount Vapormax . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. Nike Vapormax Mens Uk . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. http://www.vapormaxwholesaleuk.com/wholesale-vapormax-womens-trainers/discount-vapormax-womens-white.html . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Nike Joyride Run Flyknit Uk . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. Nike Vapormax Womens Trainers Sale . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. LONDON -- Antonio Conte plans to infuse Chelseas players with the same passion he shows on the touchline and turn the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge from a small flame to a blazing inferno.Twelve days after his two-year stint with Italy ended at the European Championship, Conte was presented as the new manager of Chelsea ahead of his first spell in English football.His immediate brief is simple: Restore Chelsea to being a Premier League title contender. After winning the league at a canter in 2015, the London club put up a woeful defense of the title -- costing coach Jose Mourinho his job -- and finished in 10th place.Chelsea wont be playing in Europe next season.We must think about the present, Conte said in the Harris Suite at Stamford Bridge. We must stay there at the end of the season, to fight for the title and be there for the Champions League.Chelsea belongs in the Champions League, and we must stay there.Conte suggested Chelsea would not be among the title favorites.We are under-rated a bit, and might slip under the radar, Conte said, but I hope theres a small flame flickering here that can hopefully grow into a blazing inferno.The 446-year-old Conte has a reputation for being one of the most animated coaches around.dddddddddddd He is perpetual motion in the technical area, acting as if he is kicking every ball.At times last season, it felt like Chelseas players were demotivated and going through the motions under Mourinho. Its unlikely Conte will let that happen.I have passion and I want to transfer my passion to my players, also to my fans, he said. I suffer during the game and I want my players to see this.I fight with all my strength to reach with my players the habit of the final victory. This is a great challenge.Conte said John Terry would remain as club captain next season, whether the 35-year-old center back plays or not. And Conte also plans to call fellow Italian coach Claudio Ranieri, who led Leicester to an improbable Premier League title success last season.Hes a lovely man, Conte said, and I will ask him a bit of advice.Conte would not comment on transfer speculation. His one signing to date is Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi. ' ' '