ast year but had the urge to get back in the game. It

The American League East has suddenly tightened up again. With Thursday nights loss at Baltimore coupled with the Yankees win at Seattle, the Jays lead atop the division is down to three-and-a-half games on the Os and the Yanks. Its way too early to get a read on how this thing might shake down by the end of September, but it would only seem fitting if on the 25th anniversary of Rogers Center the Blue Jays and Orioles would be fighting it out for first. They meet in the final three games of the regular season at the Dome on September 26-28. The Blue Jays and Orioles have a bit of history in these kinds of things. In 1983, the Blue Jays had their first ever winning season in their seventh year of existence. With Bobby Cox at the helm, they were actually in first place in the American League East at the All-Star game by one game on Baltimore. The Jays record was 43-33 when they were rained out on July 4, the day before the All-Star break. Baltimore was 42-34 through the 4th of July. Baltimore took off in the second half, though, and won the division with a 98-64 record and with Cal Ripken Jr. being named the Most Valuable Player. The Orioles felt 1983 was destined to be their year, since they had finished just one game back of division leading Milwaukee the year before. As for the Jays, they won their first division title two years later in 1985. Flash forward to 1989, the year Rogers Centre opened. The Blue Jays chalked up a couple of firsts that season. On April 16, Kelly Gruber became the first Blue Jays player to hit for the cycle, when he turned the trick against Kansas City in a 15-8 Jays victory. On June 9 at Fenway, the Jays put together the most incredible comeback in franchise history. Down 10-0 to the Red Sox, they battled all the way back, thanks in large part to an Ernie Whitt grand slam and sent the game into extra innings. Then, Junior Felix slugged the game winning homer in a 13-11 victory in the 12th inning. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, the Jays held a one-game lead on the Orioles heading into a three game series at Rogers Center. On Friday night, it was a classic pitchers duel. Lefty Jeff Ballard started for the Orioles and Todd Stottlemyer for the Jays. But the real hero on this night for the Jays was reliever Jim Acker, who took over in the 6th inning and pitched four shutout frames giving up only two hits. The Jays ultimately pulled out a 2-1 victory in 11 innings to clinch at least a tie for the division crown. On Saturday, it appeared for the better part of the game that the Orioles were going to force a meaningful game on Sunday. They got Jimmy Key out of the game in four innings and took a 3-1 lead to the bottom of the 8th. The Jays, who only had four hits on the day, bunched a couple in the bottom of the 8th and scored three runs to ultimately win it 4-3 to wrap up their second division title. For the second day in a row, the bullpen saved the day. 30-year-old right hander Frank Wills pitched four innings of one-hit relief, and then Tom Henke, who got his eigth win in relief on Friday, picked up his 20th save in this one. So the Jays, who started the season at Exhibition Stadium and got off to a 12-24 start under Jimy Williams, finished the season winning the East under Cito Gaston. The Jays finished the 1989 season with 89 victories -- the same number as they did in 1983 when they wound up fourth -- nine games behind the division-winning Orioles. So, if the Jays and Orioles meet on the final weekend of this season, it will be a sort of historical rubber match or completion of the trilogy 25 years after Rogers Center opened. Just when you think the Yankees might be slipping out of contention, they turn around and win three straight at Seattle. Not only that, Derek Jeter is finally starting to hit; banging out seven hits in the series. Whats even more impressive is the Yankees may have uncovered a diamond in the rough in 24-year-old right hander Chase Whitley. A 15th round draft pick in 2010, hes 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA with the "big club." He has not walked a batter in the last 114 men he has faced. What are the odds that the hottest rookie pitcher in the National League would also be named Chase? 26-year-old right hander Chase Anderson has won all five of his starts for Arizona and has a 3.14 ERA. He doesnt walk too many either; just seven, in fact, to 22 strike outs. He was a 9th round pick in 2009. The Tigers Max Scherzer won his eigth game Thursday night in an 8-2 victory at Chicago over the White Sox. But the thing that blew me away was that it was the first complete game of Scherzers career. We used to take CGs for granted, but it took Scherzer, who already has a Cy Young Award to his credit, until his 179th career start to get it done. That was the longest stretch any starter had gone without a complete game since 1900. The two active pitchers who had gone the longest now without a complete game, according to ESPN, are Scherzers teammate Rick Porcello (146 starts) and the Orioles Bud Norris (139 starts). There could be some history made Friday night at Philadelphia. Phils shortstop Jimmy Rollins needs only two more hits to break Hall of Famer Mike Schmidts franchise record of 2,234 hits. Jake Arrieta will be on the mound for the Cubs. Reds Jerseys 2020 . Its other five picks were all six foot or better, with three at 6-1 or above. Third-round pick Brett Lernout stands six foot four and weighs 206 pounds. Cincinnati Reds Shirts . Fans holding laudatory signs started showing up at Yankee Stadium when the gates opened at 4 p.m. Monday, an hour early in order to give them a chance to watch the New York captain take batting practice. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/ . "Youre not really spending time to sit back and analyze what your competitions doing and things like that," Anthopoulos said. "Youre so focused on what were trying to get done." Ultimately, while the landscape around them changed with trades both major and minor, the Blue Jays did nothing before Thursdays non-waiver deadline. Cincinnati Reds Gear .Derrick Rose scored 23 points, and the Bulls pulled away from the Nets for a 105-80 victory on Wednesday night. Chicago held Brooklyn to 29 points on 26. Reds Jerseys 2019 . Torres scored the first goal by an English team in the knockout phase of the Champions League this season when he met Cezar Azpilicuetas cutback in the ninth minute of their first leg match in the last 16. But Chelsea failed to make the most of its counterattacks and the Turkish champions equalized in the second half after gaining in confidence and cutting out their defensive mistakes.REGINA -- Its one of the most heart-breaking moments in Saskatchewan Roughriders history but Darian Durant uses it as motivation for the clubs crucial late-season run. Saskatchewan (9-5) hosts the Edmonton Eskimos (3-11) at Mosaic Stadium today after downing B.C. 31-17 last weekend to snap a dismal four-game losing streak. The Riders certainly control their playoff destiny, finishing their regular season with five games against West Division rivals, including three at home. You can watch the game live on TSN at 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt and get in-depth player stats, Twitter Trender and more on TSN.cas GameTracker. Following Fridays walkthrough, Riders coach Corey Chamblin selected Durant to address the team and the veteran quarterbacks message was simple -- at this time of year players must be totally focused and pay attention to even the smallest detail. And he pointed to the 09 Grey Cup, where a too many men penalty against Saskatchewan gave Montreal a second chance at a last-second field goal for the devastating 28-27 victory. "Its a reality," Durant said. "I wanted to let the guys know that its real and it can happen and if you dont pay attention on walkthrough days or you dont get right in certain situations it can cost you a football game, better yet a championship. "You have to lock in." Chamblin said Durants message was loud and clear. "Darian is the leader of this team, as the quarterback goes the team goes," Chamblin said. "One of the greatest things about life is when you have setbacks youre able to learn from them . . . if you cant learn from those youre deemed to repeat them again." Saskatchewan enters weekend action tied with B.C. for second in the West Division behind front-running Calgary (11-3). With the Lions visiting the Stampeders on Friday night, the Riders are in a must-win situation in their quest for a home playoff game. And for running back Kory Sheets, playing three of the next four games at Mosaic Stadium certainly enhances those chances. "Thats a big advantage," said Sheets. "No one wants to come to Saskatchewan." A point not lost upon Durant. "Its all about getting into a spot where we can host a game here," he said. "Were still in good position, the schedule gods have set us up that we have three of these last four games here but we have to take it one at a time. "Edmonton isnt going to be an easy team. Theyre hungry so we have to make sure were ready." Sheets ran for 80 yards and two TDs last week against B.C., his first after missing three games with a knee injury. The win over the Lions keeps the Riders in the race for a home playoff game, which they can achieve by either finishing first or second in the West Division standings. Predictably, Sheets -- the CFLs second-leading rusher with 1,302 yards -- and the Riders are thinking big. "Were looking for a first-round bye," Sheets said, which would happen if the Riders finished atop the West Division standings. Many football pundits pointed to Sheets return to the lineup as a big reason why the Riders snapped their dubious losing streak. But Sheets wouldnt take the credit. "It wasnt me,, one man being back in there," Sheets said.dddddddddddd"I think it was more the energy I brought." Sheets return certainly enhanced Saskatchewans rushing attack and gave the Riders offence a more balanced attack. But Durant said when the weather turns cold, having a potent ground game will certainly be an advantage. "Kory Sheets is a concern for everybody," said Eskimos defensive end Odell Willis. "Hes a great back in this league. Hes putting up great numbers. Hes doing great things. You have to be aware of where he is at all times." Another key figure could be defensive lineman Alex Hall, obtained earlier this week from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Hall has a CFL-high 15 sacks and his arrival certainly rejuvenated Saskatchewans defence. "You could see a couple of D-linemen had great pass rushes during the week," Chamblin said. "Usually when you bring a newer player in, its like anything else guys get excited especially when you bring in the league sack leader." Saskatchewan slotback Geroy Simon said he can sense his teammates getting into a playoff frame of mind. "The intensity level is starting to ramp up," Simon said. But Chamblin emphasized the team continues to take the same approach it has all season, that being one game at a time. "Id say its playoff atmosphere, its getting cold outside," Chamblin said. "But we still preach 1-0." Its been a rough season for Edmonton, which is coming off a lopsided 47-24 home loss to Montreal. But the Eskimos still boast a solid aerial attack with starter Mike Reilly (3,345 yards, 21 TDs) and slotback Fred Stamps (59 catches for 1,066 yards and 11 TDs, both CFL highs). Reilly started against Montreal despite suffering a concussion the week before against Toronto. He completed 13-of-21 passes for 180 yards and two interceptions before giving way to rookie Jonathan Crompton, who was 13-of-26 passing for 204 yards with three TDs and three interceptions. "I feel good. Im ready to play," said Reilly on Friday. "Its going to be loud. Its going to be crazy." Despite his concussion, Reilly will not stay in the pocket if the opportunity to run presents itself. "If thats what the defence gives us," said Reilly. "As long as they play the game theyve been playing all year, Ill play my usual style." Both Reilly and Stamps acknowledged Edmontons precarious playoff position. "We feel good as a team. Were fine," said Stamps. "Were going to take it one game at a time." Edmonton will be without linebacker JC Sherritt, who is out indefinitely after re-fracturing his left thumb against Montreal. The CFLs outstanding defensive player last year initially fractured his thumb in a 30-29 loss to Hamilton on Aug. 2. He required surgery and missed four games before returning to the lineup. "Its disappointing not to have JC," said Eskimos head coach Kavis Reed, who feels injuries must be treated with respect so they dont get worse. This will mark the third meeting this year between the two teams. Saskatchewan took the first two games -- both in Edmonton -- and will host the Eskimos again Nov. 2. ' ' '