Allgemein » r 81 yards on 11 carries before leaving with a left ankle inj

The Texas Rangers are looking forward to a few days off with the All-Star break looming. Theyve been scuffling some and are battling injuries, especially to their pitching staff, so the Midsummer Classic couldnt come at a better time.But before the American League West leaders can kick their heels up, the Minnesota Twins are coming to town for four games. The series opener is Thursday night at Globe Life Park in Arlington.These are the only four home game for the Rangers (53-33) in a span of 23 games overall. Texas just came off a 4-6 road trip that ended with Wednesday nights 11-6 loss at Boston and heads out on a nine-game trip after the break.The Rangers committed three errors in the second inning Wednesday, allowing the Red Sox to break the game open.Not the way we wanted to end the road trip, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said, but it will be nice to get back home, get to Arlington, show up tomorrow, and hopefully put together four quality baseball games before the break and allow these guys to have some time off their feet.Texas is 28-12 at home and 12-0-1 in its last 13 home series. The Rangers still own a (7.5 or 6.5-game) division lead over Houston.Minnesota (29-55) won two out of three against the Rangers last weekend at Target Field to snap Texas streak of 13 straight series victories. The Twins have also claimed five of the last seven between the clubs.Its necessary for us to regain some momentum, Banister said. Obviously its nice to be able to try to do it in our ballpark.We didnt play so well against Minnesota. Weve got to play better against that ballclub. They look to be playing a little bit better right now. Its nice that we saw them recently, so we know what to expect.Minnesota is coming off Wednesday afternoons 4-0 home shutout of Oakland, and have won four of their last five. The Twins technically beat the As twice Wednesday, as Tuesday nights 11-4 victory ended after 1 a.m. due to a long rain delay.Getting back on the field about 11 hours later and winning again wasnt lost on manager Paul Molitor.It was one of those games where youre challenged as a professional to be out there and give it your best effort even when your body is telling its being pushed a little bit, he told MLB.com. So to win two games in situations were not usually accustomed to was a good sign. We had a good homestand and had a chance to win all six games.The Twins are 12-9 against the AL West, compared to 11-39 against the rest of the AL this season.Minnesota sends right-hander Tyler Duffey (4-6, 5.62 ERA) to the mound for the series opener. The right-hander leads the team in wins and beat Texas on Saturday after allowing four runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and no walks over 6.0 innings.Duffey was backed by plenty of offense in the 17-5 victory. Texas righty Chi Chi Gonzalez (0-1, 9.53) was on the losing end of that one and didnt get out of the first inning.The Rangers defense didnt do Gonzalez any favors, failing to make several plays that could have resulted in outs and ended the inning much sooner.Texas starters have taxed the bullpen lately with short outings. Gonzalez going deep into the game would be a big help.Minnesota, making its only trip of the season to the Lone Star State, should get back shortstop Eduardo Escobar during the series. He ran sprints before Wednesdays game at Oakland to test his strained left hamstring.Hes doing better, Molitor told MLB.com. When he got hurt, everyone thought going on the DL would be too long.Escobar was injured running the bases Saturday, but didnt go on the disabled list.Texas made a roster move Wednesday by recalling outfielder Jared Hoying for insurance reasons with Shin-Soo Choo dealing lower back stiffness. Nomar Mazara started in right field in place of Choo against the Red Sox.Nike Running Shoes NZ Online . Hey!" The lower tier of the School End of Queens Park Rangers Loftus Road was packed solid with a very festive-sounding Chelsea choral section in this particular part of South Africa Road London, W12. Cheap Authentic Shoes NZ .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. http://www.nikeshoesnzoutlet.com/ . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Clearance Nike Shoes NZ Sale . LUCIE, Fla. Wholesale Nike NZ . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Dallas quarterback Dak Prescotts NFL career is off to a great start. Veteran Aaron Rodgers is looking for more consistency in Green Bay.Its a surprise that the Cowboys young signal-caller has been more accurate than the two-time NFL MVP more than a month into the season. Theyll meet for the first time on Sunday when Dallas (4-1) visits Lambeau Field to face the Packers (3-1).Prescott, fourth in the league in completion percentage at 69 percent, has yet to throw an interception. Rodgers is 31st in the NFL at 56 percent, with three picks.He looks like hes played in the offense for quite some time, Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said about Prescott. Hes done a really good job particularly ... as far as his decisions with where he goes with the football.Quite impressive for a rookie who took over after veteran Tony Romo went down with a back injury in the preseason. Prescott has attempted 155 passes without an interception, second most by a quarterback to start his NFL career behind New Englands Tom Brady (162.) Prescott is off to the best interception-free start for a rookie.Ive got high expectations for myself. I only want to get better, Prescott said.It sure helps to be able to hand the ball off to the leagues leading rusher in rookie Ezekiel Elliott (109.2 yards per game).Rodgers completion percentage may be uncharacteristically low, though its not like the Packers offense is stuck in neutral. Rodgers has thrown nine touchdown passes, five to Jordy Nelson. Green Bay amassed a season-high 406 yards in total offense in last weeks 23-16 victory over the New York Giants, when Rodgers showed vintage touch with a sideline pass to Davante Adams for a 29-yard score.But given the high standards set by McCarthys offenses in recent years, Green Bays choppy start does stand out.Penalties maligned a couple other big plays last week. Timing seems to be just a touch off at times, and there have been uncharacteristic drops by receivers.Im not worried about that at all. Those things happen, Rodgers said. I missed some passes. Those guys shouldnt be worried about me, either. Were going to get better. Were not going to have inconsistent performances like that.Other notes and things to watch Sunday:WHAT WILL DEZ DO?: Star receiver Dez Bryant returned to practice this week but wasnt sure he would be available against the Packers after missing two games with a hairline fractture in his right knee.ddddddddddddHe came back after getting hurt against Chicago and scored a touchdown, but its been a cautious approach since the injury was revealed. Im OK with it because we are sitting at 4-1, said Bryant. Its no need to rush things.STOP SIGN: The Packers top-rated run defense (42.8 yards per game) faces its biggest test yet in Elliott and Prescott. Its the first time this season Green Bay will face a mobile quarterback. The Cowboys offensive line has played well, but the Packers might have their best defensive front in years. The line could be reinforced if key backup Mike Pennel returns to the active roster after being suspended for the first four games by the NFL for violating the leagues substance abuse policy.Bullish lineman Mike Daniels leads the push in the middle, while Clay Matthews and Nick Perry spark a deep group of outside linebackers who have extended the wall against the run to the edges.ROMO VS. PRESCOTT: Its looking more like Romo wont be ready Oct. 30 against Philadelphia after the Cowboys bye. If Prescott wins again, the chorus will grow louder for him to keep the job once Dallas 10-year starter is ready to play again.Prescott, Elliott and Bryant shrugged off such talk this week. Thats my job, is to win, Prescott said. Im going to focus on that. If you want to make it bigger, thats up to you guys.EDDIE, EDDIE: Packers running back Eddie Lacy bowled over the Giants last week for 81 yards on 11 carries before leaving with a left ankle injury. He was limited at midweek in practice, though it appears Lacy has a good shot to play Sunday. Lacys hard-charging style won over the Lambeau Field faithful last week, when they chanted Ed-die! Ed-die after the big back lowered his shoulder to power past defenders.FAVRE RETURNS: The Packers plan to honor former quarterback Brett Favre again at halftime, when they will unveil his name along the southeast facade inside Lambeau alongside other Packers enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Favre, who was inducted in August, will also be presented with his Hall of Fame ring.---AP Sports Writer Schuyler Dixon in Dallas contributed to this story.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Genaro Armas at: https://twitter.com/GArmasAP ' ' '