News » Howard added 17 points with 12 reb

PITTSBURGH – Brett Lawrie started at second base as the Blue Jays ventured into a National League Park for the first time this season. Both Lawrie and his manager agree it isnt preferable. What it is: a consequence of a game played without the designated hitter. "Im a third baseman," said Lawrie. "Im not a third base/second base guy. Im a third baseman and thats my position. Im not necessarily going over there thinking Im going to be Chase Utley tonight. Im just going to try to make the routine play and roll a double play if we can. "Its for the team and if it gives us a chance to win than thats how it has to be." "All were trying to do is win a game," said manager John Gibbons. Lawrie has appeared in one game, for just one inning, at second base this season. He started six games at second base last season when the Jays briefly considered a position switch. His longest tenure at second base came over two seasons in Milwaukees farm system, when he played 231 games at the position at Single-A and Double-A. He approached the evening as if he was playing a permanent exaggerated shift, which sees Lawrie shift over to the right side of the infield against noted left-handed pull hitters. "Im not uncomfortable about it," said Lawrie. "Im a third baseman. I dont necessarily like going across the diamond and playing second base because Im not a second baseman. Im here to play third base but if it helps the team, thats what Im here to do." The position change is temporary while the Jays trudge through Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and it wont be daily. Gibbons expects Lawrie to return to third base on Saturday as Francisco retreats to the bench when the Pirates go a left-hander, Francisco Liriano. "We win more games when we score more runs," said Gibbons. "Weve been giving up runs. A lot of its based on what Franciscos done since he got here. We didnt know what we had but hes hit pretty well. Its one bat, a short right field wall and we think we need some production. Well give it a try and if it doesnt work well move on from that. "It would be no different if Adam Lind was here," said Gibbons. "Youd try to get his bat in the lineup and itd probably be Eddie over at third, you know." With the demotions of Ryan Goins and Jonathan Diaz in recent days, it appears the Blue Jays are veering away from the all-glove, no-bat options, willing to trade a bit of defence for improved offence. Friday nights defensive alignment falls in line with the previous decisions. "Even with the great defence were still below .500 so its not like were sitting there, five games over and you could say ... you know what I mean," said Gibbons. STIFF QUADRICEPS SIDELINES NAVARRO The Blue Jays recalled catcher Erik Kratz from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned right-hander Chad Jenkins to the Bisons on Friday. Kratzs recall was necessitated by Dioner Navarros stiff right quadriceps muscle, which he injured late in Thursdays win at Kansas City. "It was the first time Ive ever felt anything in my quad," said Navarro. "Ive had problems with my hamstrings before; nothing with my quads so it was kind of strange." Navarro is listed as day to day. He didnt play on Friday and isnt scheduled to be in Saturdays lineup anyway with R.A. Dickey due to pitch. "Were going to be really careful with it," said Navarro. JANSSEN INCHING CLOSER Casey Janssen threw another bullpen session on Friday and pronounced himself ready to go out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Hell join Double-A New Hampshire in time for its game on Monday against Binghamton. No return date has been set but Janssen will need multiple appearances, including on back-to-back days. RAIN DELAYS LINDS RETURN TO GAME ACTION Adam Lind was supposed to play in an extended spring training game on Friday in Dunedin, Florida, but the game was rained out. Gibbons says Lind took ground balls indoors and will be in game action on Saturday, weather permitting. The hope is for Lind to return in the middle of next week, possibly when the Blue Jays play host to the Philadelphia Phillies. Josh Bynes Cardinals Jersey . -- Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer, Colby Rasmus drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 9-4 on Saturday. Chase Edmonds Cardinals Jersey . Carey Price made 27 saves for Montreal (30-21-6) for his fourth shutout of the year and second in four games. David Desharnais added an empty netter for the Canadiens. Reto Berra stopped 25 shots for Calgary (21-28-7). http://www.nflcardinalsrookiestore.com/C...an-Kirk-Jersey/. Therrien would not confirm his lineup for the game, but he did have the same line combinations practicing together for the third straight day which is usually a pretty good indication of what the lineup will be. Benson Mayowa Cardinals Jersey . This is an exercise I have undertaken a few times, starting in 2009, and hope that Ive refined my approach a little bit in that time to help paint a better picture. Christian Kirk Cardinals Jersey . -- Mike Shanahan gave Robert Griffin III a rest, and may have turned up the pressure on himself, too. HOUSTON -- Coach Kevin McHale said it first and then player after player echoed his sentiment: Early in the season Houston wouldnt have won the type of game they did Sunday night. James Harden scored 41 points, Jeremy Lin had 26 and the Rockets rallied for a 118-113 overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers. "Theres no way we win this game early on in the year," Chandler Parsons said. "So I think that shows a lot about our growth and maturity and just how much were coming together and how well were playing right now." The Trail Blazers led by 3 in overtime after two free throws by Wesley Matthews. Houston took over from there, using an 8-2 run with a 3 from Harden and four points from Lin to make it 116-113 with 35.4 seconds left. Lin added two free throws after that to help the Rockets secure their fifth straight win. "We didnt have a lot of zip in us tonight ... but the guys just kept battling and kept fighting," McHale said. "Sometimes you just have to go out there and gut your way through a win." Houston trailed by double digits in the fourth quarter before using a big spurt to close the gap. Portland regained the lead 106-103 before Harden hit a 3-pointer with seconds left in regulation to send it to overtime. "The first three quarters we were basically just out there running around," Harden said. "The last quarter we got more physical and created some opportunities for our defence." LaMarcus Aldridge led the Trail Blazers with 28 points and 12 rebounds, but managed just two points in OT. Its the second straight loss for Portland, following a 103-98 defeat at Dallas on Friday. "There are a lot of angry faces because we shouldve had that game," Aldridge said. "Weve had two tough losses on the road and we definitely felt like we didnt do everything we could tonight, so of course guys are angry right now." Dwight Howard added 17 points with 12 rebounds and Chandler Parsons had 16 points for Houston. Harden also had 10 rebounds, six assists and six steals. After the win, a couple of Rockets said they feel like they are as good as any team in the league right now. But Howard, who at 28 is one of the teams oldest players, cautioned against getting too confident. "You just want to hold up that trophy come June," he said.dddddddddddd "Youve just got to stay humble. Thats the message. Stay humble and stay hungry and continue to do the small things to help us win games." Damian Lillard opened overtime with a 3-pointer for Portland, but picked up his sixth foul on a charge a few seconds later. A basket by Chandler Parsons cut the lead to 1 before Patrick Beverley fouled out, too, leaving both teams without their starting point guards. Harden knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner off the inbounds pass with 8 seconds left in the fourth and Matthews in his face to tie it. A turnover by Nicolas Batum gave Houston a chance to win it in regulation, but Beverleys jump shot clanged off the rim at the buzzer. Matthews had 26 points for Portland and Lillard 21. Houston trailed by 11 points with about eight minutes left in the fourth before going on a 12-3 run, powered by nine points from Harden, to get within 97-95 with about 3 1/2 minutes left. The only thing that slowed Harden during that span was an offensive foul that erased one his buckets. Lin got Houston within 1 on a layup with two minutes left in the fourth before a free throw by Robin Lopez. Lin gave Houston its first lead of the game -- 102-101 -- with a 3-pointer with 1:25 remaining. Lillards basket put Portland on top after that and Hardens turnover led to a pair of free throws by Matthews on the other end. Lin made one of two free throws to make it 105-103 before another free throw by Matthews. Portland was up by 12 points in the third quarter before a 5-1 spurt, with a 3-pointer by Matthews, extended the lead to 77-61. Houston got its offence going a little bit after that, scoring five straight points. But Aldridge made four quick points to push the lead up to 81-66. Portland got off to a quick start, building a 10-0 lead with five points from Lillard. Houston missed four shots and had two turnovers as the Trail Blazers built the lead. NOTES: McHale received a technical for arguing a foul call in the second quarter, and Williams and Hamilton also received technical fouls later in the second. ... Aldridge, who is from Dallas and played at the University of Texas, has scored at least 20 points in each of his last 12 regular-season trips to Houston. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '