Regeln » teammates during the Travelers

CLEVELAND -- A playoff contender in September, the Indians drew their largest crowd in almost a month and gave fans something to cheer about. Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Cleveland leads Texas by a half-game for the ALs second wild card. The Indians, who have won eight of their last 10, trail Tampa Bay by a half-game for the wild-card lead. "Theres nothing like that atmosphere," Nick Swisher said. "Weve got to keep winning, but Im telling you, man, when you have fan support like that its so easy to get up for games. Were so happy everybody showed up and everybody had a great time." Swisher, who scored a run, had a hit and walked twice, picked up the tab for a postgame fireworks show. Despite being in the playoff race, Cleveland went into Saturday 14th among AL teams in attendance at 19,317, ahead of only Tampa Bay (18,457), according to STATS. Saturdays crowd of 26,611 was the Indians largest at home since 26,870 watched a game against Minnesota on Aug. 24. "It was really welcome," manager Terry Francona said. "I think players probably appreciate that. There was a little extra energy tonight. This time of year that cant hurt anybody." Swisher and several teammates tossed miniature baseballs into the stands following the game. The Indians passed Texas with Fridays rain-shortened 2-1 win, moving into a wild-card spot for the first time since before play on Aug. 5. Following Sundays series finale, Cleveland hosts the Chicago White Sox for two games before closing the regular season with four games at Minnesota. "As close as we are, we can almost taste it," Kazmir said. "So you want to go out and give it everything youve got." Francona has a simple philosophy when it comes to dealing with a playoff chase. "When we win, were fine, when we lose, you hope," he said. "Its not do or die. Its do, or it hurts." Houston, a major league-worst 51-104, is on a season-high eight-game losing streak and has totalled just 12 runs during the skid. Houston is three losses from matching the club record set last season. The Astros scored when Chris Carter homered against Joe Smith with two outs in the ninth. Kazmir (9-9) struck out 10 and walked two. He had been 1-5 with a 5.82 ERA in his previous seven starts. He gave up Jonathan Villars single to start the game, then included a double-play grounder from Jose Altuve and didnt allow another runner until a single opening the fifth by Carter, who had three hits. Kazmir, who was pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters in an independent league last season, has far exceeded the Indians expectations. "This is exciting," Francona said. "Knowing Kaz, the bigger the game, hes not going to shy away from that." "You definitely have to tip your hat to Kazmir tonight," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "He had an explosive fastball and did a tremendous job with his breakaway stuff." Cody Allen relieved following to L.J. Hoes leadoff double in the eighth. Brantleys home run capped Clevelands three-run first inning. Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall also drove in runs for Cleveland. Paul Clemens (4-6) allowed four runs in 4 2-3 innings in his fourth start of the season after making 30 appearances out of the bullpen. NOTES: Francona said RHP Justin Masterson (strained left oblique) likely will throw a simulated game Sunday or Monday. Its possible Masterson, who left his start against Baltimore on Sept. 2 in the second inning, will be ready to pitch in relief before the regular season ends. ... Francona said he contacted Boston manager John Farrell after the Red Sox clinched the AL East on Friday night. Farrell was Bostons pitching coach during Franconas tenure as manager and the two are friends. ... Astros 3B Matt Dominguez (left hand) returned to the lineup after sitting out one game. He was struck on the left hand Thursday by a pitch from Indians RHP Chris Perez. "Matt said its still a little sore, but hes a pretty tough guy," Porter said. Dominguez was hitless in four at-bats. ... Astros LHP Erik Bedard (4-11) takes on Indians RHP Corey Kluber (9-5) in the four-game series finale Sunday. Fake NMD R1 For Sale . Even that couldnt slow them down against the New Orleans Hornets. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook scored 31 points apiece and the Thunder overcame injuries to two key backups to beat New Orleans 101-93 Monday night for their 10th straight home win. Adidas NMD R1 Japan Black . The first of the three games will be played in Week 4, when the Oakland Raiders will take on the Miami Dolphins on Sept. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/adidas-nmd...508-unisex.html. -- The Denver Broncos locked up a shutdown cornerback, only his name wasnt Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Adidas NMD R1 White . PETERSBURG, Fla. Adidas NMD R2 Sale .ca/CurlingSkins - with the Top 16 curlers earning a ticket to Banff, Alta. to compete in the TRAVELERS ALL-STAR CURLING SKINS GAME Presented by Pintys, running Jan.TSN has announced the top six vote-getters to date at each position for the Travelers All-Star Curling Skins Game Presented by Pintys. With hundreds of thousands votes cast, fans have the hammer with three days left to vote for their favourite curlers. Only a few hundred votes currently separate the curlers in the running to compete in TSNs two-day, made-for-television annual curling skins event. Fans can visit TSN.ca/CurlingSkins to cast their votes – voting runs until Dec. 8 at 11:59pm et. The top six vote-getters to date at each position, in alphabetical order, are as follows: Skip Third Second Lead Brad Gushue Brett Gallant Adam Casey Ben Hebert Brad Jacobs David Nedohin Brent Laing Craig Savill Glenn Howard John Morris Carter Rycroft Geoff Walker Jeff Stoughton Jon Mead E.J. Harnden Markk Nichols Kevin Koe Ryan Fry Marc Kennedy Nolan Thiessen Kevin Martin Wayne Middaugh Reid Carruthers Ryan Harnden As part of the Travelers All-Star Curling Skins Game Presented by Pintys qualifying process and All-Star team format, fans were asked to determine who will compete in the event by visiting TSN.ddddddddddddca/CurlingSkins and voting for their favourite Canadian mens curlers at each position. On Dec. 11, TSN will announce the curlers participating in the two-day skins tournament. The All-Star teams will be drafted in a special outdoor broadcast airing Friday, Jan. 10 at 8pm et on TSN2 – giving fans the chance to see their favourite curlers compete with new teammates during the Travelers All-Star Curling Skins Game Presented by Pintys. The four All-Star teams will compete for $100,000 in prize money during the Travelers All-Star Curling Skins Game Presented by Pintys airing live on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre in Banff National Park on Jan. 11-12, 2014. ' ' '