Regeln » Mets and sit out the midsummer classic due after his back l

PITTSBURGH -- Jeff Lockes back forced the issue of whether the lefthander would pitch in next weeks All-Star game. The Pittsburgh Pirates starter will miss Sundays game against the New York Mets and sit out the midsummer classic due after his back tightened up during a 2-1 loss to Oakland on Tuesday. "It hasnt happened before, thats why Im speechless," Locke said. "Ive never had anything pop up like this." Gerrit Cole will start in Lockes place against the Mets and National League manager Bruce Bochy will have to find a replacement for Locke on the 34-man All-Star roster. The 25-year-old Locke has been one of the biggest surprises for one of baseballs most surprising teams. The lefthander emerged from a heated battle during spring training to make the team as the fifth starter and has flourished. He is 8-2 in 18 starts and his 2.15 ERA ranks second in the majors behind Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. Locke said he felt some discomfort toward the end of his seven innings of work against the Athletics. The symptoms lingered into Wednesday and flared up again during a weightlifting session. "I felt like I opened up the wound again," he said. He went through his normal bullpen routine on Friday and against Saturday but he and the Pirates decided it was best not to force the issue with Cole available. The former No. 1 pick is 4-2 with a 3.68 ERA and will start on five days rest. Locke, a New Hampshire native, will travel to New York for the All-Star festivities but will not be available to play. Barring a setback, Locke will make his next start on Sunday, July 21 against the Cincinnati Reds. "The only thing Im disappointed about is not being able to go (Sunday)," Locke said. "Its not one of those things where I cant go (Sunday) but I can go in the All-Star game. I think itd be disrespectful to the team. I dont think its even questionable ... Ill just go there and enjoy it and come back after the break." SWell Marble Water Bottle . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. sWell Bottle Stockists Nz . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. http://www.swellbottlesnz.com/ . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Discount Swell Bottles . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Swell Bottle Nz . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. LSU Preview CapsuleBy The Associated Press=LSULast season: 19-14.Nickname: Tigers.Coach: Johnny Jones.Conference: Southeastern.Whos gone: F Ben Simmons, G Keith Hornsby, G Tim Quarterman.Whos back: G Antonio Blakeney. LSUs third-leading scorer last season at 12.6 points per game; F Craig Victor. Junior Forward averaged 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds last season; G Brandon Sampson. Showed potential as a freshman who started five games.Whos new: C-F Duop Reath. The 6-foot-10 junior college transfer is a rim protector on defense who can run the court and has some offensive skillls as well.ddddddddddddHe provides an inside presence LSU lacked last season. Freshman G Skylar Mays and 6-6 F Wade Sims are Baton Rouge-area recruits who could make immediate contributions.The Skinny: Expectations are low following the departure of Ben Simmons, the No. 1 overall NBA pick this summer. Jones can only hope team chemistry improves and that a number of players emerging from Simmons shadow turn out to be better than everyone thought. ' ' '