Fun und Spam » ) and for his part, Brady isnt downp

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The AL West champion Angels have a long list of nagging injuries, a flu bug in the clubhouse and tired bodies as the result of only one off day since Aug. 14. Los Angeles is still pulling out important wins in late September. Howie Kendrick doubled and drove in three runs as the Angels held off the playoff-hopeful Oakland Athletics 5-4 on Wednesday, then packed up for their final regular-season series at Seattle. Oh, and Thursdays well-earned day off. "These guys have been terrific. What theyve done the last 60 games, theyve just been incredible," manager Mike Scioscia said. "These guys have played hard, theyve played long and theyve played well, and its fun to watch." The As dropped a half-game back of Kansas City for the top AL wild card with the Royals set to play a night game at Cleveland. Seattle began the day three games behind for the second wild-card spot. Los Angeles (98-61) maintained its lead over Baltimore (95-63) for the best record in baseball and home-field advantage for the AL playoffs. The Angels beat their Northern California rival for the seventh time in the last eight meetings to capture the season series 10-9 for the first time in four years. The Angels won at the Coliseum for just the third time in nine games. Angels star Mike Trout left the game before the top of the fifth with a stomach illness. This stretch for Oakland can be best defined as one of wasted pitching performances and devoid of clutch hitting. The As rallied with four runs in the seventh, including Josh Reddicks two-run double and an RBI triple by Nick Punto. Adam Dunn struck out as a pinch-hitter to end the inning with runners on first and second. "Weve got to get on the right path. We seem to be taking the wrong turns no matter what road we take," Reddick said. Trout dropped a fly ball in centre field for a three-base error in the fourth, putting Josh Donaldson on third leading off the inning. Jonny Gomes popped out and Derek Norris flied out to right, with Kole Calhoun making a perfect throw home to get Donaldson for a double play. Crew chief Gerry Davis sent the play to review to determine whether catcher Chris Iannetta had blocked the plate. The call was upheld in 3 minutes, 30 seconds, sending the crowd into a booing frenzy. Hector Santiago (6-9) worked 5 1-3 innings for his first outing longer than two innings in three starts. He allowed three hits, struck out three and walked two. He hopes he showed enough to get his shot in the playoffs. "I heard a cut last week that we have one starting pitcher," Santiago said. "Im pretty sure we have five." Huston Street, the seventh Los Angeles pitcher, finished for his 17th save with the Angels and 41st overall. As starter Jon Lester (16-11) struck out seven in seven innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. He went winless in three starts against the Angels this year. The As wrapped up their home schedule and left with luggage to be away four to 10 days and for varying climates. They could have to play a wild-card game at Kansas City on Tuesday. "Well, we know were going to Dallas," manager Bob Melvin said. "Well figure out hopefully a destination after that. Were in an exciting time, and we need to be able to embrace that." BIRTHDAY BOY Angels infielder John McDonald had a birthday cake waiting postgame from visiting clubhouse manager Mike Thalblum to celebrate his 40th. "Delicious," McDonald said with a grin. "I might eat the whole thing." TRAINERS ROOM Angels: OF Josh Hamilton had a recovery day as he deals with upper body pain that has sidelined him 19 of the last 20 games. ... 3B David Freese sat out for a second straight day with tightness in his upper back. ... RHP Matt Shoemaker played catch for the third straight day as he works back from a strained left oblique but still needs to throw off a mound. There is no timetable for when that might happen. UP NEXT Angels: RHP Jered Weaver deemed himself ready for Fridays start at Seattle after spending two days with the flu that he caught from his son. Weaver has kept food down since Tuesday and had a piece of cake. "Ill be fine for Friday," the 18-game winner said. Athletics: RHP Jason Hammel (2-6, 4.52 ERA) pitches the opener of a season-ending four-game series at Texas after rejoining the club Monday following paternity leave. He has received two or fewer runs of support in 10 of his 11 starts since joining the As on July 4, and has never beaten the Rangers in two career starts. Größentabelle Schuhe Adidas . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted that its believed the Flames are working towards a new contract with the defenceman. Adidas Schuhe Schweiz . It will be their 15th head-to-head meeting and fourth in the post-season (Sunday at 2pm et/11am pt on CTV) and for his part, Brady isnt downplaying just how big the game is for him. "Im excited - Its everything you could ask for as an athlete," the New England Patriots quarterback told WEEI Radio in Boston on Monday. http://www.schuheadidasschweiz.ch/. Blackhawks RW Patrick Kane came up big when it counted, tallying two goals and an assist. He scored the game-winner with 4:45 remaining in the third period, stopping on the right hashmarks, carrying the puck up through the top of the Kings zone, then firing a wrist shot from the top of the circles past Jonathan Quick, who had his view obstructed by Andrew Shaw. Adidas Schuhe Sale Damen . Will Venable and Ryan Ludwick drove in a run each for the Padres, who have taken six of their last seven contests and clinched their third straight series win after winning the first two in this set. Clayton Richard (4-9) allowed five hits and a pair of runs over seven innings, while fanning five. Adidas Schuhe Sale Herren . Louis Cardinals for the National League Wild Card, are in the drivers seat as they open the final series of the regular season, but they face a large task in the form of the Philadelphia Phillies.MOSCOW -- Canadian ice dancer Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje qualified for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Japan with a second-place finish at the Rostelecom Cup on Saturday. Weaver and Poje, both from Waterloo, Ont., finished first in the ice dancing free skate with 101.64 points for a combined 163.14 points in the Russian event. The pair scored 61.50 points for their performance in the short program on Friday. Earlier, Kirsten Moore-Towers of St. Catharines, Ont., and Dylan Moscovitch of Toronto took bronze in the pairs program to also qualify for the Japan final. Poje says he and Weaver used their disappointing short dance score as motivation heading into Saturdays event. "After not having the most positive score on the short dance we wanted to make sure we came back and showed that we have a strong free dance ... and I feel like we did that," he said. "We didnt achieve a seasons best score, but we achieved a season-best performance for us." Weaver and Poje missed out on qualifying for the ISU Grand Prix Final last year. Now that theyve secured their spot in this years event, Weaver says that means "everything." "Its the last time the judges are going to see us before the Olympics," she said. "We want to leave a lasting impression and show that we are every bit eligible for that Olympic podium. "The best teams in the world will be at that final and thats our shot to measure ourselves up against them and see where we stand two short months before the Games. It will give us a very good judgement as to what we need to work on and what has gotten better since the last time weve been up against these teams." Canadas Olympic gold medallists in ice dancing in 2010, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of London, Ont.dddddddddddd., have already qualified for the Grand Prix Final. Ekaterina Bobrova faltered during her free dance with Dmitri Soloviev, but the Russians held on for the ice dance gold with a total of 168.32 points. Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates took third place. Torontos Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier finished sixth with 133.66 points. In the pairs figure skating event, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany won gold, followed by Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov of Russia and Moore-Towers and Moscovitch. Moore-Towers fell on her chest coming out of a lasso lift, which she casually characterized as one of "a couple of little weird things" in the routine. Despite the fall, the Canadians picked up 123.08 points, staying in third place overall with 188.73 points. They will join Meagan Duhamel of Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford of Balmertown, Ont., who have already qualified for the final pairs program in Japan. "For the most part we were strong from the beginning to the end," Moore-Towers said. "Our skating skills are improving every time out. We are excited to have made the final where we will have better performances." Moscovitch said the pair came into the competition well prepared after some solid training since Skate Canada a month ago. "Well definitely be hungry at the Grand Prix Final," he said. "Its always special to make the final, especially in an Olympic year. Its an opportunity to be among the top-six in the world and competing there will set us up well for the second half of the season." Ottawas Patrick Chan will compete in the Grand Prix Final in the mens program. ' ' '