PHOENIX -- For the second time in four games, the Arizona Diamondbacks couldnt hold a lead. John Brown Ravens Jersey . Angel Pagan hit a three-run home run in San Franciscos five-run eighth inning and the Giants beat the Diamondbacks 8-5 on Thursday in a game that was halted briefly in the top of the first due to a swarm of bees in the outfield. Paul Goldschmidt and Mark Trumbo each hit two-run homers and Arizona led 5-3 after seven, but the Giants teed off on reliever Will Harris (0-1) in the eighth to take three of four games from the Diamondbacks. "Close games but our bullpen cost us two of them," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. Brandon Belt hit his third home run of the series and Brandon Hicks had a pinch-hit solo shot for the Giants, who had rallied from four down to win the series opener Monday. Belt, who had no homers and just two RBIs in the spring, joined Barry Bonds, Willie Mays and Kevin Mitchell as the only Giants with three homers in the first four games of a season. Goldschmidt homered in the first inning off Tim Lincecum, his sixth homer in 21 career at-bats against the Giants right-hander. "Im going to start throwing underhand to him," Lincecum said. "I dont know, Ive just got to figure out something." Jean Machi (2-0) got one out for the victory. Machi also got the win in the season opener. Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to 25 games, second-longest in franchise history. He also doubled to improve to 12 of 23 against Lincecum with 13 RBIs. With a pair of season-opening losses to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Australia, Arizona has started the season 1-5. Bronson Arroyo, sidelined most of the spring with a sore back, was lifted after 4 1-3 innings in his Diamondbacks debut. Pagan, who had three hits, homered on the first pitch after the Giants tied it at 5. "It was down and over the plate," Gibson said. "He is very aggressive and he smoked it." With the Diamondbacks leading 5-3, Hunter Pence drew a one-out walk in the eighth and scored on Hector Sanchezs double. Pinch-hitter Buster Posey was walked intentionally and Michael Morses pinch-hit single up the middle tied it. That brought up Pagan, who hit the first pitch into the swimming pool area in right field to put San Francisco on top. Arizonas Aaron Hill had three hits, including an RBI double, and scored twice. Belts two-out homer off Arroyo in the first inning, his third in his first 14 at-bats this season, put the Giants up 1-0. Hill singled with one out in the Arizona first to bring up Golsdschmidt, who hit the first pitch he saw into the pool area. San Francisco tied it at 2-all in the fourth. Pablo Sandoval led off with a double down the left field line, advanced to third on Pences single and scored on Sanchezs sacrifice fly to centre. Arroyo gave up a leadoff double to Pagan to start the fifth. Pagan took third on Gregor Blancos sacrifice bunt and Arroyos day was over. Left-hander Oliver Perez got Belt and Sandoval to pop out to end the threat. Hicks shot to left off Josh Collmenter with one out in the seventh cut the lead to 4-3. It was his fourth career homer, first as a pinch hitter. Arizona added a run with two outs in the seventh, Hill doubling to the wall in left off Machi to score Gerardo Parra from first. "I felt as good as I could really ask for given the fact that I really only had nine or 10 innings of spring training," Arroyo said. "I felt strong early on and felt like I had decent zip on my fastball. A lineup like that when you run eight lefties against me at times it can make you work a little bit harder." NOTES: The Diamondbacks franchise-record hitting streak is 30 games by Luis Gonzalez from April 11-May 18, 1999. ... The Giants play a weekend series with the Dodgers in Los Angeles, sending RH Ryan Voglesong to the mound Friday night. LH Hyun-Jin Ryu goes for the Dodgers. Arizona opens a three-game series in Colorado Friday, going with RH Randall Delgado against Rockies RH Juan Nicasio. Mark Andrews Ravens Jersey .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes hope they now have the leadership tandem in place to turn the franchise around. Robert Griffin III Ravens Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. http://www.baltimoreravensofficialonlines.com/adidas-customized . Hes had three top-10 results this season and feels ready to put it all together and finally hoist a trophy at the top level.When it comes to masterpieces, the portrait of the 2013-14 Premier League season will not be hanging in a gallery of any prestige. Teams one through twenty competing in Englands top flight are each fatally flawed. A wide-open, highly competitive and mistake-filled season has followed. Its all been very entertaining. But near perfection from any team has been only but a dream. Through the mess of inconsistent play, its Liverpool FC shining brightest. With just four games to go, Liverpool looks set to win their first top flight league title since 1989-90. Liverpool controls its own destiny; a situation entirely far-fetched even just months ago. Who knew all it would take was the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson for Liverpool to fly back towards their perch. Even in retirement Ferguson warned of Liverpools potential. The Fergie kryptonite is no more. The beauty of imperfection; its the ideal way to describe Liverpools season. The team play, the goals, and the tempo – its been beautiful to watch. But through all the beauty are an abundance of flaws. Defensively, the team remains a mess, on pace to concede more goals than any Premier League Champion in its 22-year history. The squad leaves much to be desired, having holes that would make Swiss cheese envious. None of the shortcomings are a bother to Liverpool supporters, but it will be reasonable to question whether long-term, continued success is sustainable at Anfield. Those questions will be asked and answered another day. So how has this come to be? How has Liverpool made the meteoric jump from lesser like to the top of the pile? Confidence is a funny thing. Subtle moves have paid dividends, no more than the acquisition of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. The Belgian has conceded a number of head-scratching goals, but they have been far outweighed by his stabilizing demeanor, bringing belief to a vulnerable and ever-changing back four. His goals-against average doesnt flatter, but his influence does. Young players have also emerged, but its been a snowball effect. Confidence is contagious. The team has remained on the same page through transfer window rumour turmoil, leaks in defence and multiple injuries at key positions. The successful formula has been entirely impressive. Liverpool doesnt experience the lulls in matches typical to Manchester City. Nor do they rely on the negative approach of Chelsea. And they certainly dont encounter the tactical brain cramps of Arsenal. Other teams may have better players, more talent and higher payrolls. But none have the team spirit and belief of Liverpool. No matter how, the fact remains title contending football has returned to Merseyside. Commitment to team play and consistency in approach no matter the formation has culminated in a 10 game winning streak and a two-point cushion atop the table. Credit the manager Brendan Rodgers, who in less than two years has transformed his team from long-ball fiends to a group confident with the ball on the ground with the best off the ball movement in the Premier League. The shredding of the Manchester City backline Sunday in a back and forth 3-2 victory is testament to the confidence within the team and commitment to playing well-balanced, attractive football. Capitalizing on mistakes is part of it; no team has been more advantageous than Rodgers men, scoring an incredible 93 goals. Phillipe Coutinhos 76th minute winner was product of a Vincent Kompany gaffe, rather than any superior ball movement that has become commonplace for the Reds. But the cool finish by the Brazilian is trademark of this years team; calm, cool and collected in front of goal. The scenes at the final whistle were as memorable as the game itself, with longtime captain and inspirational leader Steven Gerrard emotionally addressing his teammates in huddle. The finish line is there to be seen. Gerrard will be relied to navigate across the line through potential rough waters. Norwich City lay ahead on the weekend. A trip to Carrow Road will not scare, even without Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge available. Luis Suarez has scored 11 goals in five meetings against Norwich, and the Canaries are on a run of form as dire as any in the league. Typically, this weekends fixture would scream let-down game for Liverpool. Especiallly after a week thats been a roller coaster ride of emotions, from the win against City through the 25th anniversary services commemorating the 96 lives lost in the Hillsborough tragedy. Hayden Hurst Ravens Jersey. Its all been a deeply moving and mentally exhausting week: from reflection to justice. 25 years of pain and anguish for the club, families and friends involved in the tragedy. At the same time but altogether much different, 25 years of an alternative kind of pain from inferior results by their beloved team on the field. Liverpool has remained a worldwide marketing force as one of Europes most decorated clubs. The ability to compete without a new stadium, against the financial giants of the Premier League has left Liverpool secondary citizens in a league they used to dominate. That is until now. The old flame is back. The belief. The winning attitude. Citys money, Chelseas Chosen One, Arsenals big city charm, and previous dominance of United are secondary for now. The feelings of 25 years are back for all the right reasons. Liverpools 2005 Champions League glory was a small reminder of where the club had come from. A Premier League title in 2013-14 would mean so much more. Through the beauty of imperfection, Liverpool is almost there. Other Musings - Crystal Palace looked relegation bound mere months ago. Now they are flying, winning four straight, look safe from relegation and a playing a big role in the title race. Palace dealt Everton a crucial blow towards Champions League qualification, going to Goodison Park and beating the upstart Toffees 3-2. Jason Puncheon has emerged a scoring machine and true difference maker in the Palace midfield. You have to feel good for Puncheon, who had trouble getting over a horrible penalty miss against Spurs in January. From embarrassment to electric play, Puncheon has been fantastic. Manager Tony Pulis has got Palace playing in the mold of his former club, Stoke City. Palace is big, strong, determined and out-work virtually every team they play. Joel Wards defending has been outstanding, and the January additions of Scott Dann and Joe Ledley have been massive. Palace has a huge role to play, with a fixture against Liverpool at Selhurst Park ahead. The May 5th result will go a long way to determining who will be Champion. - Was Saturdays FA Cup semifinal shootout victory the moment that keeps Arsene Wenger at Arsenal? The Gunners were pushed to the brink by FA Cup holders Wigan, in a match lacking requisite commitment by the London-side until late. The over-the-top end of game celebration showed what the result meant for a club without meaningful silverware since 2005. The trophy drought is unacceptable for any club of Arsenals magnitude. Wengers 4th place is a win mentality shouldnt sit well either. But that doesnt mean he shouldnt be back at the club for another season. A proper succession plan is required for a club with a vision dominated by one figure for the better part of two decades. Manchester United was ill equipped to deal with Fergusons sudden departure. Arsenal should be thinking long-term and plan accordingly for what post-Wenger life at the Emirates will look like. The finances are in good order. But a new footballing vision would be welcomed. A new short-term deal is preferable for Wenger with a proper plan how to proceed in place. A knee-jerk decision on Wengers future is the last thing the club needs. - Its time for Jose Mourinho to shine. Enough downplaying his teams chances of winning the league. Chelsea is right in the mix. A win at Anfield would put Mourinhos men in pole position for the title. The problem: the Liverpool fixture is sandwiched between Chelseas Champions League semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid. How Mourinho manages his side and the tactical approach will be critical. While he can play a conservative, defensive approach in the first leg at Atletico, similar tactics will not be suffice for the trip to Liverpool. He will have to open things up and play to win at Anfield; something his team hasnt done on away travels this season in the Premier League. The next fortnight will test all Mourinho brings to the table to see if he can get the most of his squad thats still in transition. Gareth Wheeler@WheelerTSNgareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca Stitched Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Discount Jerseys China NFL Hoodies China NFL Hoodies Cheap NFL Black Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China ' ' '
