Gäste Forum » right now.Texans: Simon in response to teammates

SEATTLE -- At about 10:15 p.m. Pacific time Tuesday, the retractable roof at Safeco Field made its methodical closure while the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers played the eighth inning of another high-scoring baseball game.It seemed like the only way to contain the Rangers unlimited offense.Texas and its loaded lineup will try to provide some more fireworks against the Mariners on Wednesday night, when struggling Seattle rookie Ariel Miranda (2-1, 5.76 ERA) takes the mound to face the Rangers A.J. Griffin (7-3, 4.41 ERA).Texas (83-56) has scored six or more runs in eight consecutive games and is averaging 7.5 runs per game over its past 13 games.Their offense is obviously really good; its rolling right now, Seattle manager Scott Servais said after Texas pounded out 15 hits and hit two home runs to beat the Mariners 10-7 on Tuesday night. Were having trouble slowing it down.The Mariners (70-68) arent alone in that respect. Texas already had a pretty good offense before adding Lucroy and Carlos Beltran in deadline deals, and now the Rangers are nothing short of loaded.Its a pretty special batting order, Lucroy said after hitting his ninth home run in 28 games as a Ranger on Tuesday night. Any guy in the lineup can hurt you.The Rangers, who have some question marks in their pitching rotation, have largely ridden their bats to a huge lead in the American League West. Tuesdays win kept Texas 8 1/2 games ahead of second-place Houston, and the Rangers magic number sits at 16.Griffin has won two consecutive starts heading into his scheduled outing Wednesday night in Seattle. He threw six shutout innings against Cleveland on Aug. 27, then Griffin had a shakier start the last time out, walking three while allowing two home runs over 5 2/3 innings in an 8-6 win over Houston.The Texas offense gives any starter room for error, and the Rangers should feel good about their chances against Seattle starter Miranda on Wednesday. Although Texas has yet to face the rookie left-hander, the 27-year-old Miranda has struggled in recent outings as he tries to prove himself as a long-term option in the Mariners rotation.Hes one of many Seattle starters who are in a funk heading down the stretch. Veterans Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma are losing some of their command, while youngsters James Paxton and Taijuan Walker have been unable to sustain any kind of consistency.Walker, who is scheduled to start Thursdays series finale, has been particularly bad as of late. He only got two outs in his last start, so it wouldnt be a big surprised to the Texas offense continue to rip through its final two games in Seattle.Texas has virtually wrapped up the division but is still trying to hold off Cleveland and whatever team wins the AL East for homefield advantage. The Rangers currently have the best record in the American League heading into Wednesday nights game in Seattle.Jackie Robinson Dodgers Jersey . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. Hyun-Jin Ryu Jersey . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. http://www.dodgerssale.com/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-jersey/ . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Kirk Gibson Dodgers Jersey . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. A. J. Pollock Jersey . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate.HOUSTON -- Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins couldnt quit smiling Sunday after the Houston Texans 34-24 exhibition victory over the Arizona Cardinals.Hes beginning to see just how good this offense can be now that new quarterback Brock Osweiler is settling into his role.The mindset that we have when we go out there is that we cant be stopped and today kind of showed that, Hopkins said.Osweiler threw for 146 yards and a touchdown and Houston intercepted two of Carson Palmers passes to help the Texans improve to 3-0 in the preseason. The Cardinals are 0-3.Osweiler led the Texans to scores on three of his four drives. He connected with Fuller on a 26-yard touchdown pass that extended Houstons lead to 24-10 before sitting down with about three minutes left in the first half.It was Osweilers second successful outing after he and Houstons starting offense struggled in the teams first preseason game.Were constantly improving, were fixing mistakes and were getting better each week, Osweiler said. Thats really what you want to see at this point in time.While Osweiler was solid, Houstons starting defense starred. Andre Hal intercepted Palmers second pass of the day to set up Houstons first score, a 1-yard touchdown run by new running back Lamar Miller.Palmers second drive was his only clean one, and it ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by David Johnson.On Arizonas next possession, linebacker John Simon tipped a pass by Palmer, intercepted it and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. It was the second straight game in which Palmer had an interception returned for a touchdown after Brandon Flowers did it in last week in a 9-3 loss at San Diego.Its easy to evaluate that game: its just called turnovers, Arizona coach Bruce Arians said.Palmer attempted to tackle Simon after the interception and was tackled by 305-pound defensive end Devon Still, a hit that knocked the quarterbacks helmet off. Arians had seen enough after that hit, and Palmer was replaced by Drew Stanton.Palmer chipped a tooth on the play.Im fine, he said. It (just) looked bad.Fuller finished with 67 yards receiving and fellow rookie Braxton Miller, the former Ohio State star quarterback, added three receptions for 29 yards. The Texans chose Fuller in the first round this year to take pressure off Hopkins, who was third in the NFL with 1,521 yards receiving last season despite facing near constant double teams.He had two receptions for 31 yards Sunday.INJURY UPDATECardinals: CB Mike Jenkins, who had recently returned after having surgery to repair a broken bone in his right hand, was carted off the field after injuring his right knee in the first quarter. He was injured when he was juked by Hopkins and immediately crumpled to the groound.dddddddddddd. He appeared to be in a lot of pain as he was helped to the cart, and slammed his right hand on the cart in disgust before he was taken to the locker room. Arians didnt have an update on Jenkins after the game.All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu, who came off the physically unable to perform list last week after knee surgery, was expected to play on Sunday, but remained on the sideline in a T-shirt and shorts.Ive been making great strides in my rehab, my recovery ... but I just didnt feel like I was ready to go out there and play the game, he said.Texans: K Nick Novak returned after sitting out most of the week after getting a concussion against the Saints last week. He made a 44-yard field goal in the first quarter and added one from 42 yards in the fourth.CLOWNEY STANDING OUTOutside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney had three tackles and put pressure on Palmer and Stanton often on Sunday, leading Houstons defense with Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt still out after back surgery. The performance comes a week after Clowney sacked Drew Brees for a 14-yard loss in a win over the Saints. The top overall pick in the 2014 draft is looking for a breakout year after failing to produce in his first two injury-plagued seasons.I just want to stay on the field all season, he said. Thats it.POSITION BATTLESCardinals: Jenkins had been among three players the mix to start at cornerback opposite star Patrick Peterson. If his injury is as severe as it appears, Arians will now have just Brandon Williams and Justin Bethel as candidates for the job.Texans: C Greg Mancz started at center on Sunday in the position left open when rookie second-round pick Nick Martin had season-ending ankle surgery this week. But he struggled with some protections on Sunday, leaving open the possibility that offseason free agent acquisition Tony Bergstrom could get another shot at the job.QUOTABLECardinals: Palmer on if his chipped tooth will make him look tougher: Im not looking for street cred right now.Texans: Simon in response to teammates saying he looked slow on his interception return: I was able to get into the end zone without getting caught, so thats whats important.ROOKIE WATCHCardinals: Undrafted free-agent Chris Hubert had a 43-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.Texans: Fourth-round pick Tyler Ervin looks to have solidified his position as the teams kick returner after returning one for 58 yards on Sunday. Irvin also had two carries for 13 yards and a 20-yard reception.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '