Clan-Members » Kareem Abdul-Jabbars next book will be a fond look back

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The series opener between Texas and the Los Angeles Angels on Monday isnt just a big game for the first-place Rangers.Its also a big deal in Venezuela. The pitching matchup features Texas lefty Martin Perez (10-10, 4.20 ERA) against his countryman, right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (5-8, 5.43 ERA).For Perez though, the game has everything to do with building off his recent success and nothing to do with who his mound opponent is.Perez recorded quality starts in each of his past three outings and is 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA in that span. The start will be his 31st of the season, which is the most of any Texas pitcher and a career high.Perez feels as if he has found his groove after a rough start to the second half of the season.You never have 30 consistent starts, Perez said. I think the first half was good for me. In the second half, Ive faced teams Ive faced before and they know how I pitch and theyve got me. Ive done my adjustment and now I feel great. I just need to continue to throw strikes and attack the zone every time and move the ball and see what happens.One thing that is working well recently for Perez is minimizing damage. In the past, he struggled because of the big inning. He learned from those outings, though, and knows he doesnt have to be perfect every inning to give the Cowboys a chance to win.If I do my job, were going to win, he said. I just want to give my team a chance to win. We dont have time to practice things. Its time to win, and its time to compete. The time for working on things is in spring training. I prepared myself to do this, help my team. I think I did a great job, but I have to stay focused and continue to win.Winning wont be easy against the Angels despite Los Angeles being in last place in the division. The Angels are 8-8 against the Rangers this year, and they have won 20 of their past 35 meetings against Texas.Chacin has been tough on the Rangers, too. He has faced Texas three times this year and has allowed four earned runs in 12 innings. And while Chacin has been bouncing between the bullpen and the rotation, he has excelled in his recent starting action. He has allowed a total of one run in 11 2/3 innings over his past two starts.On Wednesday against the visiting Seattle Mariners, Chacin got an emergency start in place of left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who was scratched because of a sore forearm. In six innings, Chacin gave up just one run on three hits. He didnt walk a batter while striking out five in a 78-pitch outing.Hes doing great, Angels rookie catcher Juan Graterol said of Chacin. Hes always ahead in the count, and he throws everything for strikes.Chacin will take the mound for a last-place Los Angeles team that just beat the playoff hopeful Toronto Blue Jays in consecutive games, 6-1 on Saturday and 4-0 on Sunday. The Angels had lost nine of 10 before those two victories. Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Custom NHL Jerseys . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. https://www.chinanhljerseys.us/ . Oaklands loss to Seattle clinched the ALs best record for the Red Sox with one day to spare in the regular season. "I think everybody was kind of watching," catcher David Ross said. "Demp (Ryan Dempster) came out before he went to the bullpen and was just yelling that they lost. Clearance NHL Jerseys . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. NEW YORK -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbars next book will be a fond look back at his long friendship with John Wooden, the celebrated basketball coach at UCLA.Coach Wooden and Me will be published next June and will combine personal memories and lessons learned from his friend and mentor, Grand Central Publishing told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Wooden, who died in 2010, coached 10 NCAA championship teams at UCLA. Three titles were won while Abdul-Jabbar, then called Lew Alccindor, was the Bruins star center.ddddddddddddAbdul-Jabbar, who went on to become the NBAs all-time leading scorer, remained close to Wooden. In a statement released through Grand Central, he called Wooden a great coach and an even better teacher and friend. Abdul-Jabbars other books include the memoir Giant Steps and the novel Mycroft Holmes. ' ' '