inoza said. "Today he was a bit flat down the lane. He ran back-

BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona lost Lionel Messi to another leg injury but still had more than enough firepower to win 4-1 at struggling Real Betis and capitalize on a stumble by title rival Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Things looked grim for the defending champions when Messi suffered his third leg injury of the season and asked to be substituted in the 21st minute, as Barcelona came under pressure. But Cesc Fabregas stepped in by scoring two goals and making another in a convincing victory before he was replaced late in the match due to pain in his right knee. "We started without any intensity and they were rolling over us for the first 20-25 minutes," Fabregas said. "But then we had a good 20 minutes before dominating in the second half." Fabregas, who has started nine of Barcas 13 league matches and appeared particularly put out at not being chosen to start Wednesdays Champions League win over AC Milan, made it clear he wants to prove his worth to coach Gerard Martino. "I know the starting 11 that my coach has in his head and that I am not in it," Fabregas said. "I will work as much as I can to erase any doubts." Barcelona said Messi and Fabregas would undergo tests on Monday to determine the extent of their injuries. Goalkeeper Victor Valdes made two superb saves to deny Jorge Molina before Fabregas set up Neymar for Barcelonas 35th-minute opener. Pedro Rodriguez made it 2-0 two minutes later with a solo effort that left Betis defence in tatters, and Fabregas finished off the scoring for Barcelona in the 63rd and the 79th. Barcelonas 12th win in 13 rounds kept it undefeated and lifted it three points clear of second-place Atletico after it was held to a 1-1 draw at Villarreal earlier. Messi, who appeared to be back to his old self after scoring a double on Wednesday against AC Milan in the Champions League, hurt a muscle in his left thigh while sprinting and was replaced by Andres Iniesta. "No doubt we will have to talk to Leo so that this third injury doesnt worry him and affect him mentally," Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said. Last-place Betis had already tested Valdes by the time Messi went off, but the Spain goalie continued his excellent season by denying Molina one-one-one, and moments later leaping to turn away the strikers header at the far post. Having regrouped after losing Messi, Alex Song met Fabregas run with a weighted pass that left him free to cross for the unmarked Neymar, who scored his fourth league goal of the season. Pedro then raced onto a high ball in midfield, knocked it beyond Betis last line of defence, and collected it before looping a shot beyond goalkeeper Guillermo Sara. Betis Joan Verdu went close and Jose "Nono" Delgado hit the woodwork as the hosts tried to react after halftime. But coach Pepe Mels insistence on pushing his defensive line up the pitch proved fatal. Neymar had threatened twice on the break before Iniesta lobbed the ball wide to Martin Montoya, who had three Barcelona players to cross to in the area against one Betis defender. Montoya chose Fabregas to tap in his first goal before the former Arsenal midfielder nodded Dani Alves pass off the turf and the upright before it trickled over the goalline. Three minutes later, Fabregas left the match. "We tried to make long passes behind their defence to look for the open spaces they were leaving, and I think we took full advantage of them," said Pedro. Molina finally beat Valdes from the penalty spot for Betis consolation goal in stoppage time after Dani Alves fouled Javier Matilla in the box. Atletico went ahead just two minutes into the match at El Madrigal Stadium when Juanfran Torres broke free on the right flank and swung in a cross that defender Mario Perez turned into his own net while trying to fend off Jorge "Koke" Resurreccion. Atletico held Villarreals passing attack in check until coach Marcelino Garcia sent on striker Jeremy Perbet. Five minutes later Perbet provided the missing spark when he collected the ball from a throw-in, dribbled into the area and provided a square pass that Juanfran ended up poking into his own goal while jostling with Villarreals Ikechukwu Uche. Villarreal remained in fourth place, but seven points behind Real Madrid in third. Earlier, Sevilla beat Espanyol 3-1 to end a 22-game winless run away from home in the league, while Valencia was held to a 2-2 draw by Valladolid to remain without a victory in its last three home games. Sevilla got the much-needed victory thanks to goals from Federico Fazio, Vitolo Machin, and Carlos Bacca. Sevilla hadnt won away in the league since Sept. 24, 2012. Espanyol finished with 10 men when Victor Sanchez received his second booking with five minutes to play. After Valencias Ever Banega missed a penalty, Javi Guerra headed Valladolid in front in the ninth minute before Dorlan Pabon levelled in the 29th. Gilberto "Alcatraz" Garcia, who had set up Guerras opener, drilled in Valladolids second goal in the 50th, only for Sofiane Feghouli to guide home a cross by Sergio Canales in the 76th to share the points. Pittsburgh Pirates Gear . Mitchell first announced on Twitter that he has signed with the Steelers and his agent Brian Hamilton confirmed the signing to The Associated Press. Financial terms were not released. The Steelers have not announced the addition of Mitchell. Pittsburgh Pirates Store .J. -- Freshman Eli Carter scored a career-high 31 points and hit the go-ahead basket in the second overtime as Rutgers rallied to stun No. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/ . - On the night Dirk Nowitzki overtook Dominique Wilkins on the career scoring list, Brandan Wright was a human highlight film all by himself. Pirates Jerseys 2020 . On the eve of the 2013-14 NBA season, he can finally take a step back and allow his team to do the talking. Stitched Pirates Jerseys . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring.NEW YORK -- Since Affirmed swept the last Triple Crown in 1978, Victor Espinoza is the only jockey to get two cracks at winning the elusive title again. Both times hes left empty. It was War Emblem in 2002. On Saturday, it was California Chromes turn to lose the Belmont after capturing the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. "We reached almost to the top," Espinoza said. "Just one step away to get to the top." California Chrome finished in a dead heat for fourth, a disappointment to bettors who made him the 4-5 favourite. The Belmont was the third tough race in a short five-week span. His tank was empty. "As soon as he came out of the gate he wasnt the same," Espinoza said. Espinoza, 41, was once a bus driver in his native Mexico City. He has won riding titles at four Southern California tracks, winning over 3,000 races and earning $169 million in purses. With history on the line, the rider did his best to nurse California Chrome through the 1 1/2-mile race. Espinoza kept him on the rail in the early stages. On the final turn, with time running out, Espinoza shifted California Chrome outside to light a spark. "By five eighths pole (the top of the turn) he was empty," the jockey said. "I tried to move out to see if iit would make a difference.dddddddddddd." Not with a tired horse. "I was just waiting for to have the same kick like he always had before," Espinoza said. "Today he was a bit flat down the lane. He ran back-to-back races at different tracks, and against those fresh horses." At least this time, California Chrome got to run his race. War Emblem was a different kind of horse, a confirmed front runner who had to have it his way to be effective. War Emblem stumbled at the start of the Belmont. Espinoza got him back into the race but playing catchup was not War Emblems game. He finished eighth. Jockeys rarely get a chance for Triple Crown redemption. Espinoza was handed one when California Chrome launched a six-race winning streak the moment they teamed up. It was a magical run that started in races restricted to horses bred in California. It picked up momentum in the Santa Anita Derby and crashed the national stage in the Derby and the Preakness. In every win, California Chrome proved responsive to every command by Espinoza. They won on the lead. They came from just off the pace. "The last time I had been here, I stumbled," Espinoza said. "Today I dont feel bad. California Chrome was just empty today." ' ' '