now it was only the Astros). Buehrle might look good in the rotation of a National League contender like the Dodgers, Cardinals,

TURIN, Italy -- Former world champions Italy and Spain played to 1-1 on Thursday, giving a chance for unheralded Albania to take the lead in their Europe qualifying group.Elsewhere, Mario Mandzukic bagged a hat trick as Croatia beat up Kosovo 6-0, while Wales conceded the lead twice away in Austria in a draw.---GROUP GSpain lost to Italy in the round of 16 at the European Championship, and was set for a measure of revenge in Turin.Spains Vitolo scored in the 55th minute following a rare mistake from veteran Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.But Daniele De Rossi converted a penalty with eight minutes remaining after Eder was tripped by Sergio Ramos, and preserved his teams formidable home record. Italy has won 43 World Cup qualifiers, drawing the other seven.Spain and Italy are level on points in Group G after winning their opening qualifiers. Only the top team qualifies for the 2018 World Cup in Russia automatically.Albania moved to the top after winning in Lichtenstein 2-0 to maintain its perfect start to its qualifying campaign.Goalkeeper Peter Jehle turned into his own net, and Bekim Balaj, who also netted the winner against Macedonia, scored in the 71st.Israel moved into fourth with a 2-1 victory in Macedonia.Italy visits Macedonia on Sunday, when Spain travels to Albania.GROUP IMandzukic proved unstoppable, ruthlessly exploiting Kosovos inexperience and scoring his three in the first 35 minutes. However, celebrating Croat fans spoiled their teams show by chanting in Serbo-Croatian, Kill, kill the Serbs in the second half, and they were echoed and followed by Kosovo fans, too, in Albanian.Kosovo became a UEFA member in May, joined FIFA a week later, and was fast-tracked into World Cup qualifying though many nations still have not recognized it.After Kosovo earned a credible draw at Finland last month, this was its first competitive home game but played in Albanias northern city of Shkodra, as Kosovo has no stadium certified by UEFA.Croatia was without star midfielders Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric but had another star available: Mandzukic needed just six minutes to open the scoring off a pass from Andrej Kramaric.Mandzukic met Ivan Perisics cross to head home and double the lead, and completed his hat trick with another header 10 minutes before the interval, this time using a cross from Sime Vrsaljko, for his 27th goal in 71 internationals.With the damage done and the result beyond doubt early, Mandzukic was substituted by Nikola Kalinic in the 58th.Its better it occurred today, and I am convinced we shall represent ourselves better at the next match, Kosovo midfielder Bernart Berisha said. There was no good communication between the defense and the midfielders.Iceland rallied in the final minutes to earn its first victory in qualifying, 3-2 over Finland.Alfred Finnbogason leveled the score in the final minute of the match, and Ragnar Sigurdsson scored the winner deep into stoppage time for the surprise Euro 2016 quarterfinalist.Hakan Calhanoglu converted from the spot nine minutes from time to salvage a 2-2 draw against Ukraine.Croatia is tied atop Group I with Iceland, on four points. Ukraine and Turkey have two points after their 2-2 draw. Kosovo is at the bottom with one.GROUP DMarko Arnautovic twice came to Austrias rescue to draw 2-2 with Wales in the group where Wales, Serbia, Austria, and Ireland are separated only on goal difference at the top.Knowing the Euro 2016 semifinalists underperformed, it was a frustrating night for Gareth Bale.We know we werent at our best tonight -- it was a difficult game, Bale told British broadcaster Sky Sports. But this is what weve grown up to do. We grind out results when we need them.When we dont play well, we defend solidly as a team, and we get something from the game. We are a little bit frustrated.Wales took the lead with a slick goal in the 22nd minute, with Joe Allen volleying into the net. It was canceled out inside six minutes by Stoke teammate Arnautovics downward header.Austria conceded again in clumsy circumstances just before halftime. Sam Vokes flicked on Bales long throw-in, James Chester prodded goalward, and goalkeeper Robert Almer saved. But the rebound hit Kevin Wimmer, who inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net.Three minutes in the second half, though, Arnautovic equalized again after seizing on Allens misdirected pass and darting through a huge hole in the Wales defense.Hunter Renfroe Jersey . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. Brian Giles Jersey . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. https://www.cheappadresjerseys.us/993m-graig-nettles-jersey-padres.html . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. Bill Almon Jersey . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. Ozzie Smith Jersey . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery.The Toronto Blue Jays made a couple of deals heading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline a year ago and both were designed to shore up the bullpen. They dealt outfielder Travis Snider - a former first-round pick - to Pittsburgh for reliever Brad Lincoln and sent Eric Thames to Seattle for another hard-throwing reliever in Steve Delabar. At the very least, Alex Anthopoulos won the Delabar deal, seeing as how he blossomed into an All-Star (with a little help from the fans) this year. The Mariners ended up dealing Thames to Baltimore for another minor leaguer. The swap with Pittsburgh hasnt quite panned out so far. Lincoln has had a couple of shining moments with the big club, but has spent the bulk of this season with Buffalo in Triple A. It was a pretty active week headlining up to the deadline last year. The Angels landed the biggest name getting right hander Zach Greinke from Milwaukee for a trio of prospects including shortstop Jean Segura. The Halos gambled on getting a rental in Greinke and the move backfired when he signed with the Dodgers in the offseason. And the Angels didnt even make the postseason. Detroit did well, giving up three prospects - including pitcher Jacob Turner - to Miami to get right-hander Anibal Sanchez and second baseman Omar Infante - two players who were key in getting them to the World Series against the Giants. The Dodgers new ownership made some huge noise, getting Hanley Ramirez from Miami and Shane Victorino from the Phillies before pulling off the biggest blockbuster of many a year on August 25, getting Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto from Boston in a nine-player swap. Those deals didnt exactly pay immediate dividends for the Dodgers, partially because Crawford was injured. But a year later, with a boost from Yasiel Puig, they are in first place in the National League West and look like they could be World Series contenders. Still, the team that did the best at the deadline a year ago was San Francisco. The Giants added Hunter Pence from the Philllies for outfielder Nate Schierholtz and two prospects and then second baseman Marco Scutaro, who turned into a playoff hero from Colorado. Pence added a colourful quirky brand of leadership that helped propel the Giants to their second World Series victory in three years. Ironically, the Giants couuld turn into big time sellers this year now that theyve fallen to fourth in the NL West.dddddddddddd. The Dodgers and Arizona are only seperated by a game and a half in the West, so they could both be active. St. Louis is on top in the Central, but could be in the market for starting pitching. With Tim Hudson suffering that horrible broken ankle, East-leading Atlanta could be looking for a pitcher as well. The American League could be a little quieter, since Texas has already landed Matt Garza from the Cubs and Baltimore has picked up late reliever Francisco Rodriguez from Milwaukee. White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy could be the biggest starting pitcher name to get moved this time around. Its hard to say where the Blue Jays stand in all of this. Theyre 10 games behind Baltimore for the second Wild Card spot with 61 games left to play, so loading up for a run doesnt make much sence. The Blue Jays arent about to "blow it up" either, when their stated plan was to be serious contenders for a three-year span. I could see a reliever or two being moved. Lefty Darren Oliver (whos close to retirement) comes to mind and maybe a utility-type player such as Emilio Bonifacio. If any starting pitcher is moved, Id bet on Mark Buehrle. He upped his stock considerably with that two-hit shutout of Houston on Thursday night (yeah, I know it was only the Astros). Buehrle might look good in the rotation of a National League contender like the Dodgers, Cardinals, Diamondbacks or Braves. The most interesting team to watch might be the Yankees. Theyre only 2 1/2 games back of the second Wild Card slot in the AL and re-acquired Alfonso Soriano. The Yankees are always in it to win it and being this close may be just the temptation they need to go all in again. The non-waiver trade deadline is this Wednesday afternoon at 4pm et. Elsewhere, right-hander Marcus Stroman is continuing to put impressive numbers with the Blue Jays AA New Hampshire affiliate. On Wednesday, he struck out 11 members of the Harrisburg Senators over 6 2/3 innings in a no decision. The 59" flamethrower is 5-2 with a 2.99 ERA. Hes struck out 79 while only walking 19 and opponents are only hitting .216 against him. In his last five starts, Stroman has gone at least six innings and twice into the seventh. He just might be a candidate for the Blue Jays starting rotation next spring. ' ' '