Allgemein » once again.Its fun, Donald said. Eve

OAKLAND, Calif. -- If those independent league road trips werent humbling enough for Scott Kazmir, starting over from square one with his delivery and mechanics sure did the trick. As Kazmir looks back a couple of years now, a fresh $22 million, two-year contract with the Oakland Athletics in hand, that challenging time in his baseball career is all worthwhile. "The past couple years the organization has had a great team, a great fan base and that definitely swayed my decision a little bit," said Kazmir, who drew serious interest from several clubs. The two-time defending AL West champion As announced the deal Wednesday after Kazmir passed his physical. The addition of Kazmir fills a key rotation spot with a player plenty familiar with the division after his stint pitching for the Los Angeles Angels. As general manager Billy Beane, who also made three trades in the past three days to build his 2014 roster, isnt ready to pencil Kazmir into a particular spot in the clubs young rotation. That will be up to manager Bob Melvin. "The advantage of having as much good starting pitching as you can get is something that has helped make us successful," Beane said. "The more we looked at it, the more we thought we should jump on the opportunity to bring him in. Having five good starters, and I think in some respects we have more, puts us, puts the club in a position of strength." That was before the two-time All-Star was limited to one start in 2011 for the Angels before going on the disabled list with a lower back strain and being released. The 29-year-old Kazmir then spent the 2012 season with independent Sugar Land before bouncing back to go 10-9 with a 4.04 ERA in 29 starts and 158 innings for Cleveland this year. "Pitching in the AL West, Im very comfortable there. I like pitching in the Oakland stadium," Kazmir said. "After my time in Los Angeles with the Angels, I kind of did a lot of self-evaluating and a lot of hard work getting to where I was last year." A stint in the Atlantic League with Sugar Land -- a mere 20 minutes from his Houston-area home -- provided Kazmir an ideal place to find himself again. "It was a great venue for me to get back into the game, get my feet wet again, face hitters. It surprised me, the challenge that was in that league, definitely surprised me and got me ready for this past season," Kazmir said. "It was a lot of fun. The road trips werent ideal to say the least." Kazmir went 9-15 in 2010 for Los Angeles and Beane recalls his early days among baseballs best lefties. Taking the long road back to the big leagues has only helped Kazmir get to this point. "Its probably a great learning experience. He was one of the top prospects coming out of high school in the game," Beane said. "It was probably a character-building experience for him as much as anything. Theres an appreciation in having made that climb back that will serve him well going forward." Despite all of the hours in the video room, tweaking his delivery and mechanics, Kazmir still considers himself much like his old hard-throwing self -- just with some added elements. "Stuff wise, I feel like Im the same pitcher," Kazmir said. "Im a lot more of a pitcher now than I was in my early years. I was more a guy who threw as hard as I could and got swings and misses." Luis Rengifo Angels Jersey . Costa injured his right thigh muscle against Barcelona last Saturday and had sought treatment in Belgrade from a doctor specializing in using fluid derived from horse placenta to repair damaged cells. Jimmie Reese Angels Jersey . -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are bringing back quarterback Chad Henne -- and making him the starter. https://www.cheapangels.com/2293j-rod-carew-jersey-angels.html .ca. Hi Kerry, Love reading your column and loved watching your analysis on the TSN broadcasts!And were now in Round 2! Bruins! Canadiens! We know all about the great games of the past from the players, the broadcasters and the writers. Justin Upton Jersey . Various media outlets, including the Detroit Free Press, indicate a deal is close, while USA Today cited an unidentified person directly involved with the negotiations as saying the pact is for two years. Keynan Middleton Angels Jersey .com) - Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named the National League Player of the Month for April.ST. LOUIS - Robert Quinn is back to harassing quarterbacks. This week, hell try to keep the Cardinals Carson Palmer from sitting in the pocket.The St. Louis Rams mustered just one sack, by rookie Aaron Donald, in the first five games. In the last three games, theyve piled up 14 and Quinn has six of them along with three forced fumbles.Quinn predicted this surge a few weeks back when he was sack-less.Youve got to stay committed, Quinn said in an interview with The Associated Press. Of course, it gets frustrating when youre not getting back there, but theres nothing you can do except continue to work your craft.Finally, finally, things are breaking loose for us.The Rams expect to be awarded a sixth sack for Quinn, who stripped Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith for a short loss two weeks ago. Officials misjudged where the ball went out of bounds.The Cardinals (7-1) have the NFLs best record and theyve taken good care of Palmer, allowing 13 sacks on the year. Palmer isnt a threat to run, but gets the ball out fast.We dont have to worry about him killing us with 50-yarders, Quinn said. But just because thats not his forte doesnt mean he cant do it.Youve just got to get him down.Palmer called the Rams defence a dark horse in our division.They do a ton, Palmer said. They can just rush the passer with four and wreak havoc, very well-disciplined. Every possible coverage you can think of, they show.Quinn set a franchise record with an NFC-leading 19 sacks last year and earned a four-year, $65.5 million contract extension before Week 2. Before the defensive surge that carried St. Louis (3-5) in victories over NFC West powers Seattle and San Francisco, hed settled for almost-but-not-quite statistics like quarterback pressures and hits.The Rams had a season-high eight sacks last week, with William Hayes getting his first two of the year.dddddddddddd. Even minus Chris Long, sidelined with an ankle injury in the opener and on injured reserve-designated for return, the pass rush was supposed to be a strength.Two tackles, Kendall Langford and Donald, got big push early on the 49ers quarterback sneak at the 1 in the closing seconds that resulted in a lost fumble by Colin Kaepernick and a surprise happy ending for St. Louis.Kendall knocked the centre back and I shot the gap, Donald said. He never got a clean snap. He got there a little faster than me.St. Louis was third in the NFL with 53 sacks last season and Hayes, the stand-in for Long, is the only line mainstay that wasnt a first-round pick or premium free agent. Once dead last in sacks, the push has the Rams climbing the charts in a tie for 22nd and dangerous once again.Its fun, Donald said. Everybodys making plays.Cardinals coach Bruce Arians never doubted defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams system would click in St. Louis.I didnt have to wait for them to wake up to know how good they are, Arians said in a conference call with St. Louis media. You can see his footprint all over that thing now.Eight players were on the injury report Wednesday, down five from this time last week when the Rams toned things down and held a walkthrough instead of a practice to preserve bodies.Seven players did not practice, five of them starters. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins (knee) was in that group but did some running early and could make it back after missing two games.Others not participating were Hayes (fibula), linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (toe), cornerbacks Marcus Roberson (ankle) and E.J. Gaines (knee), safety Rodney McLeod (knee) and tight end Cory Harkey (knee). Safety Cody (concussion symptoms) was limited.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '