pinch-hit. Gonzalez was on deck to pinch-hit when Friday

Criticize the Maple Leafs for the way they play, if you wish, and Im not sure how youd avoid doing that after a 9-2 loss on home ice, but thumbs down to the razzing the Leafs are getting for not putting their sticks up in a post-victory salute one game later. I like the thank you, fans gesture, but I hardly think it needs to be mandatory. Some pitchers tip their caps on their way from the mound to the dugout, and some dont. Not every concert has an encore. The restaurant owner doesnt always buy you a drink, and you dont receive a Christmas card from everyone on your list. Hey, if prior to their Thursday game against Tampa Bay, the Leafs decided to win for themselves and no one else, not for the coach or the owners or the fans or their families, and if that served to motivate them, all those other people would let them have their little cause if it contributed in any way to two points. Hockeys post-game salute to the crowd is a nice touch, but not if its forced. Polite applause is an awful sound. As for another team that deals with unhappy fans, my thumb is down for the way the Edmonton Oilers attempt to explain their losing ways. Following Fridays 2-0 loss to New Jersey, which produced a chorus of boos from fans who might still be described as overly patient, the Oilers read from a script that said were not trying hard enough.” Excuse me? Isnt lack of effort the one reason for a loss that is totally unacceptable? You can be tired or hurt or unlucky or beaten by a better team or victimized by a bad call or confused on a line change - you can spin a loss in a bunch of different ways and the worst youll hear is that the explanation is weak. But an admitted lack of effort isnt self-defence, its an apology that demands action. It calls for a Saturday win over Chicago or a trade that removes the worst offenders from the lineup or a coach who can make them work harder. One of the three is essential, because there’s nothing left to say. Stitched Giants Jerseys . That further limits the options of Australia coach Ewen McKenzie, who on Monday suspended six players who were involved in a night out in Dublin ahead of the Saturdays 32-15 win over the Irish. The Wallabies play Scotland on Saturday before facing Wales on Nov. Giants Jerseys 2020 .com) - Stanley Johnson had 18 points and No. https://www.cheapjerseysgiants.us/ . - The Carolina Panthers believe Steve Smith lost "top-end" speed, a big reason the franchise parted ways with its all-time leading receiver. Custom San Francisco Giants Jerseys . Catch all the action on TSN starting at 10:30pm et/7:30pm pt. Toronto won at Denver and Utah, but lost in Portland and Sacramento. The Kings loss was the most recent game for the Raptors. San Francisco Giants Store . -- Theres nothing like winning to bring hope for a struggling team. ATLANTA -- The Colorado Rockies began another day without Carlos Gonzalez in their starting lineup with the more daunting knowledge Nolan Arenado will be missing for much longer. The Rockies placed Arenado on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, one day after he broke his left middle finger on a head-first slide into second base. The team recalled infielder Josh Rutledge from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Arenado was hitting .305 with six homers and 28 RBIs. A decision on surgery or other treatment options wont be made until the third baseman is examined by a specialist. Arenado said Saturday he knew the finger was broken as soon as he made the slide in Fridays 3-2 loss to the Braves. "I kind of feel like Im letting these guys down a little bit," Arenado said. "That hurts a little bit." Manager Walt Weiss said he knew Arenado was upset "so I shot him a text late last night." "At some point, if youre lucky enough to play long enough, youre probably going to have to deal with an injury," Weiss said. "And sometimes a substantial one. Hes got to keep his mind strong and be ready to help us when he gets ready." Charlie Culberson, who replaced Arenado on Friday, was starting at third base Saturday. Meanwhile, Gonzalez missed his third straight start with a swollen left index finger.ddddddddddddWeiss said he didnt want to give Gonzalez a full game but said the outfielder was available to pinch-hit. Gonzalez was on deck to pinch-hit when Fridays game ended. Rutledge has played second base and shortstop this season. He was placed on the 15-day DL on May 2 with a viral infection, then was optioned to Colorado Springs on May 13. The addition of Rutledge gives Colorado the flexibility to move D.J. LeMahieu from second base to third. "Weve got some moving parts here so well mix and match at little bit," Weiss said. "Some of those things tend to work themselves out, but weve got some options. "Sure, D.J.s got some history at third base. Hes playing a Gold Glove second base. You dont necessarily want to move a guy thats playing dominant defence like he is, but for our club that may be something we look to do." Right fielder Michael Cuddyer started 150 games at third with Minnesota from 2002-10. "Ill play anywhere anyone ever tells me," Cuddyer said before adding: "But there are some positions that for the betterment of the team ..." Cuddyer didnt complete the thought, but it was clear he didnt expect to be looking for a third base glove anytime soon. ' ' '