Dein erstes Forum » shooting and never allowed them to get close

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Ricky Romero is headed back to the minors. One day after being shelled by the Detroit Tigers, the former Opening Day starter and fellow pitcher Marcus Stroman were sent to the Blue Jays minor league camp. Toronto manager John Gibbons said both pitchers needed more work. Gibbons tried to soften the blow for Romero, saying the 29-year-old left-hander had pitched well earlier in the spring and was moving in the right direction after two troubled seasons. "We really like what he did this camp," Gibbons told reporters Wednesday prior to a Grapefruit League game against the Philadelphia Phillies. "Just go down there and polish it up." Stroman, a 2012 first-round draft choice who pitched in Class-AA last season, managed just one out in Tuesdays 18-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The 22-year-old right-hander gave up seven runs on six hits. "He was kind of the odd man out," said Gibbons. "He had trouble throwing strikes (Tuesday). Hes got to do that." Romero, who is due to make US$7.75 million this season, walked five and threw two wild pitches in 2 2/3 innings. Unofficially he threw 57 pitches, 23 for strikes. Gibbons said Romero needs to do "whatever it takes" to throw strikes. He was an all-star in 2011 when he went 15-11 with a 2.92 earned-run average. In 2012, he slumped to 9-14 with a 5.77 ERA and things got worse in 2013, when he saw action in just four games in the majors with an 0-2 record and 11.05 ERA. He spent most of last season in the minors where he went 5-8 with 5.52 ERA. "Its a long road. You never know if a guys going to make it back from that or not," said Gibbons. "But he was starting to show the signs of it. (Tuesday) he wasnt as good and it just kind of reaffirmed, Hey start him down there, but hes moving in the right direction." Romero had been a feel-good story earlier in spring training. Gibbons called him "the big talk of camp" last week after giving up one run in seven innings for an ERA of 1.29 in three appearances. But Romero fell back to earth Tuesday in Lakeland. He gave up three runs on three hits with five walks, a hit batsman and two wild pitches. "Weve taken too many steps forward to dwell on this," Romero said philosophically afterwards. Somewhat bizarrely, he referred to a "weird weather day" in noting "the balls were a little slick and just kept coming out of my hand." It was a sunny 20-degree day at Joker Marchant Stadium. Romero has been positive this spring, making an effort to stay in the moment rather than labour in the past or worry about the future. A lot of people have been rooting for him to succeed, including his manager. "We feel for the guy," said Gibbons. "Its not just looking at results. As much work as the kids putting in, things like that -- the battles hes going through, mentally -- you root for him. You root for him extra hard. "But were encouraged. Were positive after this camp. He may look at it differently but we feel positive with what he accomplished this spring." Romero had left the clubhouse by the time the announcement was made. Gibbons said the pitcher was disappointed at the news. "And rightfully so. I cant blame him for that, but hopefully he feels good about how this spring went." Despite the positive signs, Gibbons said he always saw Romero as having an outside shot at making the team. "Personally I thought regardless of the camp he had, it would probably do him some good to start down in the minor leagues in real competition where things are different," he said. "Just to make sure hes back to where he needs to be. "Because you dont want him to come up and if hes not ready to start the season, backslides and he may never regroup. So that was kind of my thinking. But that wasnt everybodys opinion. If he proved he was ready in spring training, he might have been the guy." NOTES -- Gibbons said closer Casey Janssen felt "great" after a throwing on the mound Tuesday and will go again Friday. Hes slated to make three or four appearances before the season starts March 31 in Tampa. Janssen has been limited in action to protect against shoulder soreness. Jim Gantner Brewers Jersey . -- Sonny Grays fastball wasnt as sharp as it usually is, and the Oakland Athletics young pitcher even had a quirky replay go against him. Custom Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys . Seriously. Seven years of losing has brought many different faces, players and management, to the annual pre-season get-to-know-the-team round up. https://www.cheapbrewers.com/569y-eric-thames-jersey-brewers.html . He will play 10th-seeded Feliciano Lopez in Sundays final, after the Spanish left-hander defeated Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (7), 6-4. Rob Deer Jersey .J. - Percy Harvin is ready to go, and theres no question in his mind hell be playing Sunday. Teddy Higuera Jersey .The Dallas Cowboys released Sam from the practice squad Tuesday, dropping the rush end as they prepare for several potential reinforcements to return to the defensive line.INDIANAPOLIS -- Washington keeps finding ways to break through old, stubborn barriers. Even in the unlikeliest place of all -- Indiana. Bradley Beal scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Trevor Ariza added 22 and the Wizards held off the Pacers with a stout defence over the final 7 1/2 minutes Monday night to get a 102-96 win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. It was Washingtons first second-round win in 32 years. "We know its a tough building to play in. We havent won here in a while," Ariza said after the Wizards snapped a 12-game losing streak in Indy. "Why wouldnt this be the best time to come here and get a win -- in the playoffs?" The Wizards know there is a lot more work to do in this best-of-seven series. Game 2 is Wednesday in Indianapolis. So far, though, things have gone well for the upstart Wizards. After clinching their first playoff berth since 2008, the Wizards have advanced to the second round for the first time since 2005, won at Indiana for the first time since April 18, 2007, and have their first second-round win since April 28, 1982. Washington has opened these playoffs with four straight road wins and put the pressure right back on the top seed in the Eastern Conference. It doesnt get better than that for a young team that beat Chicago 4-1 in the opening round. "The way I think about it, Im 20 years old, Im playing in the playoffs, something Ive always dreamed of. Why not embrace it?" Beal said. "Why not accept the challenge and have fun with it? Thats all Im doing -- having fun." For the Pacers, it was another kick in the pants. After salvaging their season with two straight wins to beat Atlanta in seven games, Indiana lost Game 1 for the second straight series and for many of the same reasons. They were outrebounded 53-36 and were outscored 19-5 on second-chance points. They got beat outside as Washington made a franchise playoff-record 10 3-pointers with Ariza going 6 of 6. They got no points and no rebounds from 7-foot-2 centre Roy Hibbert, who has looked nothing like the All-Star he was during the first half of the season. And when they were desperately trying to rally in the fourth quarter, Indiana went 7 minutes without a basket. Things got so frustrating that even the emotional Lance Stephenson lost his cool and snapped at coach Frank Vogel when he was yanked with 1 minute to play in the third quarter.ddddddddddddVogel said he took Stephenson out because he didnt want him playing 48 minutes. Stephenson said he was mostly mad at himself. "I waited too late," Stephenson said. "Third quarter was too late to turn (it) up. I mean we need to come out first quarter and turn (it) up and get everybody going so the second half we could already have that pace." Paul George and George Hill scored 18 points each to lead the Pacers, though half of Hills points came on three 3s in the final minute when it was too late to come back. David West added 15 points and 12 rebounds. The Wizards trailed once all game, 31-30, and retook the lead on the ensuing possession. But Washington won this one in large part because it beat Indiana at its own game. Marcin Gortat had 15 rebounds, six on the offensive end where Washington held a 17-6 advantage. The defence limited Indiana to 40.7 per cent shooting and never allowed them to get closer than six points until the final minute of the game. By then it was too late. Washington jumped to an 8-0 lead and led 28-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. After the Pacers charged back to take the lead, the Wizards closed the half with a decisive 17-6 run to make it 56-43. Washington took its biggest lead of the game, 68-52, midway through the third quarter with the Pacers in full catch-up mode. Indiana got within six late in the third, within seven early in the fourth and within five when Hill hit a 3 with 23.6 seconds to go. That was as close the Pacers got. "We won one game here in Indiana, but we still have to get three more," Beal said. "We have to be more desperate each and every game." NOTES: Washington has won seven straight on the road and nine of its last 10 including the regular season. ... Indiana held Washington to 66 points on Jan. 10, the lowest single-game point total in the NBA this season. It took the Wizards only 26:02 to top that mark Monday. ... Washington shot 62.5 per cent from 3-point range (10 of 16), the best against Indiana this season. ... Robert Mathis and Reggie Wayne of the Colts attended the game. ' ' '