Clan-Members » adjustments, but it has been a good

SEATTLE -- When the struggling Los Angeles Angels and life-support Seattle Mariners play again Saturday night at Safeco Field, the only given is that Mike Trout and the Angels will jump out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.Not that that has been a recipe for success for Los Angeles (59-75).In three of the past four games played by the two teams at Safeco Field, Trout has hit a three-run homer to put Los Angeles ahead 3-0 before the Angels get their first out. In all three games, Seattle has come back to win.So if Mariners starter Taijuan Walker doesnt issue an intentional walk in Trouts first plate appearance, its understandable.Hes a great player, but you cant keep letting him do that, Mariners manager Scott Servais said.In reality, the Mariners (69-65) probably cant afford another early deficit. Seattles unexpectedly quick comeback from Fridays 4-0 deficit -- the Angels Jefry Marte added a solo homer in the top of the first -- gave a Mariners starting pitcher the win for the first time in a week. Seattles past six games have seen the Mariners starters go 1-4 with a 7.98 ERA.Walker had one of the more effective outings in that span, going 7 1/3 innings but taking the loss in a 4-1 defeat his last time out. Hes still trying to prove himself as a consistent major league starter, having fallen on hard times since opening the season No. 2 in the Seattle rotation behind ace Felix Hernandez.Walkers season, which has been hampered by a foot injury, hit a low when he was sent to Triple-A in early August. He has been a better pitcher since returning, but the Mariners want to see more consistency down the stretch.After Walkers most recent outing, Servais said, He was on top of his game, about as good as weve seen him since early in the year.He might have to be particularly sharp early on, especially when facing Trout. The Angels star has killed the Mariners in first innings at Safeco Field, piling up nine RBI behind three first-inning homers.Its just having opportunities with guys on (base) and getting pitches to hit, Trout explained, and not missing them.If the Angels are to get another lead this time, theyll need starter Tyler Skaggs (2-3, 4.75 ERA) to make it stand up. Seattle (69-65) has scored 32 total runs in the past four games against Los Angeles at Safeco Field, including three that the Mariners trailed 3-0 before getting a single out.Skaggs has had a rough go lately but is coming off one of his more efficient starts. He threw six scoreless innings his last time out, ending a three-start losing streak that saw Skaggs post a 10.95 ERA.I do think there are some adjustments that he has to continue to move forward with, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after Skaggs six innings of shutout ball in a 5-0 win over Detroit.Skaggs is one of many question marks in an ever-evolving Los Angeles rotation. The Tim Lincecum experiment already fell flat, and Fridays loss turned out to be a missed opportunity for former Astros and Phillies left-hander Brett Oberholtzer, who couldnt get a single out in the second inning.Well look at a couple of things, Scioscia said when asked how his rotation might shake out in the next couple of weeks. Weve got a couple things to consider. ... We would love to look at Brett, but he didnt pitch well (Friday).Harold Carmichael Youth Jersey . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. Wilbert Montgomery Eagles Jersey . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. http://www.theeaglesfootballauthentic.com/eagles-wilbert-montgomery-black-jersey/ . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. Wes Hopkins Jersey . 10 Texas Rangers jersey for one last time. Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. Ron Jaworski Youth Jersey . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night.LOS ANGELES -- Before a high-profile reunion with old running mate Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.Westbrook is off to an incredible start for Thunder (3-0), who play the first of back-to-back contests at Staples Center before heading to Oakland, Calif., to clash with the Golden State Warriors and Durant for the first time Thursday. Westbrook is averaging an NBA-high 38.7 points along with 11.7 assists (second in the league) and 12.3 rebounds (tied for sixth).He is shooting 45.3 percent from the floor and 44.3 percent from 3-point range for Oklahoma City, which beat the Clippers in two of three meetings last season. In his last outing Sunday, Westbrook earned his second straight triple-double in a 113-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with 33 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds.Westbrook is the first player in NBA history to record 100 points, 30 rebounds and 30 assists in a clubs first three games.Theyre a great team, so its always a fun matchup even though they look different this year, said Clippers forward Blake Griffin, who collected 21 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a 116-98 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday as Los Angeles improved to 3-0. But still, you see what Russ is doing and you see they have guys who are very capable, so I think for that part you look forward to a game like that.(Westbrook is) an unbelievable player. Just the impact he has on the game in so many different areas and just the pressure he puts on defenses just alone is crazy. But you kind of know thaats his personality, to just go and destroy and take over.dddddddddddd But it will be a fun challenge.Thunder coach Billy Donovan is anticipating the two-game road trip providing a compass on his team.This gives us an opportunity really early in the season -- in the fourth game and the fifth game -- to find out really more about ourselves against two outstanding teams, Donovan said, according to NewsOK.com.The Clippers relied on defense to roll past the Utah Jazz 88-75 in their home opener Sunday. That followed a 114-106 road triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers last Thursday.Trust has been a big point for us, and talking, said Griffin, who is putting up 22 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. We have been eliminating small mistakes by communicating more. (Defense) has been our main focus in practice. We have been communicating and calling for each other, and everybody has a pretty good trust. We have to make some adjustments, but it has been a good start.On Tuesday, the Thunder acquired forward Jerami Grant and a trade exception from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for forward Ersan Ilyasova and a protected draft pick. Ilyasova was traded to Oklahoma City with guard Victor Oladipo in an offseason deal with the Orlando Magic for forward Serge Ibaka.The 6-foot-8, 210-pound Grant averages eight points, 3.5 rebounds and two blocks per game. For his career, Grant has posted averages of 8.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.38 blocks in 144 games (63 starts). ' ' '