MIAMI -- Josh Donaldsons two-out RBI single scored the go-ahead run from second base in the 14th inning, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Miami Marlins 7-6 Saturday.
[b]Jeff Locke Jersey[/b] . For the second game in a row, the Athletics won despite squandering a 4-0 lead. They also overcame a blown save by Sean Doolittle, whose streak of 26 2-3 innings ended when Miami scored the tying run in the ninth. Jeff Francis came on with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 14th to earn his first career save. He struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Donovan Solano flied out to end the game. AL West leader Oakland has won three in a row and is 6-1 in interleague play. The Marlins have played five games lasting 13 or 14 innings this season, all since June 6, going 0-5. The As were blanked for five consecutive innings before breaking through in the 14th. Brandon Moss doubled with two out against Jacob Turner (2-6). Donaldson singled on the next pitch, and Moss barely beat the throw home from centre fielder Jake Marisnick. The RBI was Donaldsons team-high 60th this season. Jim Johnson (4-2) pitched 2 1-3 scoreless innings. The 4-hour, 47-minute game left plenty of time for oddities. Oaklands Coco Crisp scored from third on a strikeout, while teammate Jed Lowrie hit into a 5-6-3 double play. The Athletics Yoenis Cespedes was out when he rose after a slide on a steal attempt, lifted his foot off second base and was tagged. Both teams ran out of healthy position players. Tommy Milone, scheduled to pitch for Oakland on Sunday, flied out when he pinch hit in the 12th. Moss and Alberto Callaspo had two RBIs apiece for the Athletics, who scored four times in the first inning against Nathan Eovaldi. But Miami rallied for a 5-4 lead. The As also squandered a 4-0 lead in their 9-5 win Friday. Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick left the game in the fourth inning with a strained right knee, and is day to day. Crisps alert baserunning helped the As score in the fifth to make it 5-all. He was at third with one out when Moss struck out and the ball rolled away from Saltalamacchia. When Saltalamacchia threw to first for the out, Crisp sprinted home and easily beat the return throw with a headfirst slide. Sonny Gray couldnt protect Oaklands early lead. He pitched five innings and tied a season high with five runs allowed, leaving him with an ERA of 5.50 over his past six starts. The Athletics vaunted rotation has an ERA of 6.14 over the past 11 games. Miami trailed 6-5 when Giancarlo Stanton doubled with one out in the ninth, ending closer Doolittles streak of 24 consecutive batters retired. On the next pitch, Casey McGehee hit a game-tying single, snapping Doolittles streak of scoreless innings. Doolittle blew a save for the second time in 13 chances. NOTES: As C Derek Norris, who left Fridays game due to tightness in his back, did not play and did not take part in pregame drills. Its uncertain whether hell be available Sunday. ... Marlins LF Christian Yelich is expected to be activated Sunday and rejoin the starting lineup after missing two weeks with a back injury. Miami is 31-26 when he bats leadoff and 8-16 when he doesnt. . Marlins RHP Anthony DeSclafani, who left Fridays game with a bruised right forearm, is expected to make his next start as scheduled. . Before the game, Miami recalled RHP Sam Dyson from Triple-A New Orleans. ... LHP Milone (5-3, 3.89) tries to win his sixth consecutive decision Sunday when he faces the Marlins and LHP Andrew Heaney (0-2, 4.91).
[b]Kyle Barraclough Jersey[/b] . - John Elways philosophy is to address immediate needs in free agency, even though some of his own veterans may prove too pricey to keep around.
[b]Lewis Brinson Jersey[/b] . The Braves optioned outfielder Jose Constanza to Triple-A Gwinnett. As expected, the Braves also called up right-hander Julio Teheran from Gwinnett to start Sundays game and optioned backup catcher J.NEW ORLEANS - San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh is generally a man of few words when speaking about his team.Sometimes thats all it takes to make a point.Were at the halfway point. Were not where we want to be, and we certainly have to approach these games as single-game seasons, Harbaugh said this week, as the Niners (4-4) prepared to visit the New Orleans Saints (4-4). Playing our best football is our goal — and winning.After three straight trips to the NFC title game, as well as one Super Bowl appearance two seasons ago, San Francisco certainly didnt expect to be on the brink of sinking below .500 at midseason.The Niners probably cant afford to, either. Unlike the Saints, who have the luxury of sitting atop the anemic NFC South despite a lousy start, the 49ers are already three games behind NFC West Division leader Arizona (7-1).San Francisco also trails Dallas (6-3), Seattle (5-3) and Green Bay (5-3) in the race for one of the NFCs two wild-card spots. Another loss could be costly, which is why Saints quarterback Drew Brees said New Orleans needs to brace for the Niners best.In many cases it is not who you play, it is when you play them, Brees said, alluding to the way his own team rallied for two straight convincing victories since their 2-4 start.They probably feel this week like we did a couple of weeks ago where you are in desperate need of a win. Because of that, we know the type of team that is going to come in here.New Orleans could lose and still be in first place if Carolina loses at Philadelphia on Monday night.Saints coach Sean Payton knows this, of course, but he doesnt want to hear it.There are two teams here that are 4-4, that are battling, Payton said. Were desperate as well.Here are some things to know about the 49ers visit to New Orleans:INGRAMS INROADS: Saints running back Mark Ingram has done something in the past two games that no New Orleans player at his position had done since Deuce McAllister in 2006: Rush for 100 yards in consecutive games. Part of Ingrams increase in production stems from injuries to Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson, forcing the Saints — who average about 130 yards rushing as a team — to give their former Heisman Trophy winner the bulk of the carries. But Ingram also appears to be in top formm.
[b]Miguel Rojas Jersey[/b]. The running back said hes just being confident, being decisive, just understanding what the lines going to do.QUIET GROUND GAME: San Francisco hasnt scored a touchdown rushing since rookie Carlos Hydes 6-yard run in Week 3. While Frank Gore isnt complaining about his lack of carries, he is calling on everyone to do their part. Its always one person here or one person there causing plays to break down, said Gore, who has rushed for 472 yards and just one TD this season. In the NFL, its just not going to work. Weve got to be real with ourselves and go back to everybody taking care of their job and well be fine. ... Its real frustrating because have so many weapons on the offensive side of the ball.DOME ADVANTAGE: With Payton on the sideline, the Saints have virtually unbeatable in the Superdome for the equivalent of more than two full seasons. Payton has coached the Saints to 20 straight wins in the dome, going 9-0 (including playoffs) in 2011, 8-0 in 2013 and 3-0 so far this season.PROTECTING KAP: Niners left tackle Joe Staley said it would be too simplistic to cite a decline in the running game or a rookie centre as reasons for an increase of sacks taken, or turnovers committed, by quarterback Colin Kaepernick. San Franciscos third-year QB took eight sacks and lost two fumbles in a 13-10 loss to St. Louis last weekend, when rookie Marcus Martin was making his debut at centre. We have to do a better job of executing whats called. Watching the film, the plays are there to be made, Staley said. Speaking of the offensive line, we have to do a better job protecting the quarterback.GRAHAMS GAINS: Saints tight end Jimmy Graham hasnt let his right shoulder injury limit him for long. He did not have a catch in his first game after the injury in Week 7, but during the past two weeks, Graham has 12 catches for 142 yards and two TDs. He is a tough guy. He wants to be there for everybody. He is the ultimate team guy, Brees said of Graham. His preparation throughout the week in order to get himself ready, his body ready, his mind ready to play the game is pretty tremendous.___AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley in Santa Clara, California, contributed to this report.___Online:
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