Dein erstes Forum » s way: Beijing 2

SAN DIEGO -- The San Francisco Giants start what they hope is a long second half when they face the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Petco Park.The Giants, with baseballs best record at 57-33, have their sights on keeping their recent tradition alive. Since 2010, theyve won the World Series in even years.Were in the business of winning around here, Giants manager Bruce Bochy told mlb.comThe Padres (38-51) are trying to avoid something theyre known for: delivering losing baseball. San Diego starts its second half hoping to sidestep its six consecutive season under .500 and begins the second half without left-hander Drew Pomeranz, who was reportedly traded to the Boston Red Sox.San Francisco offers ace lefty Madison Bumgarner (10-4, 1.94 ERA)against Padres right-hander Andrew Cashner (3-7, 5.40).For Bumgarner, a four-time All-Star, its his second outing at Petco Park in four days. Although the other one was merely a bullpen session before Tuesdays All-Star Game that he didnt pitch in.Bumgarners left arm was still rebounding from pitching a one-hitter on 117 pitchers in a 4-0 blanking of the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday.So its a well-rested Bumgarner looking for the Giants 10th straight win over the Padres this season in kicking off an eight-game road trip. The Giants have also claimed the last six series against their most southerly NL West foes.Bumgarner has won two of his last three decisions and was back being his dominant self against Arizona. He had a no-hitter in the eighth inning and struck out a career-high 14.This guy has just amazed us with what hes done, Bochy said. Nothing surprises us with what he does and how he elevates his game and gets even better.The Padres know just how the Diamondbacks felt.Bumgarner has won both decisions against the Padres this season. In the last matchup which came in San Diego on May 17, Bumgarner notched a complete game by allowing a run on five hits while striking out 11.Cashner takes the mound and the Padres take a deep breath.Cashner is coming off a dreadful outing in which he surrendered eight runs and four home runs in Sundays loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the second start back for Cashner after he missed most of June with a neck injury.The inconsistent Cashner could also be feeling the pressure of scuffling in a season in which his contract expires.This years been tough for him in the sense that hes got all the potential in the world, Padres manager Andy Green said to mlb.com. Its just a matter of putting him in there, giving him the opportunity to show what he can do and hopefully move past those struggles.The Giants have contributed to Cashner, who was once traded Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, having a shoddy season.Theyve beat him twice this year as hes lasted but 6 2/3 innings in his two starts. His 6.23 ERA against the Giants tells the story as Cashner continues to struggle with consistency, no matter the opponent. Cheap Vapormax 95 China .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Fake Vapormax 2020 . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. http://www.clearancevapormax.com/cheap-vapormax-flyknit-clearance.html . U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield in Manhattan agreed that lawyers on both sides could make their formal requests by Nov. 8. A hearing is scheduled for a day earlier. Jordan Siev, a lawyer for Rodriguez, wrote in a joint letter to the judge from lawyers on both sides that MLB lawyers planned to ask that the lawsuit be dismissed. Wholesale Vapormax Flyknit . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. Vapormax Plus Clearance . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Before they took the court and won bronze, they gathered in the locker room one final time. Each player on the U.S. womens volleyball took a turn to speak.Jordan Larson told her teammates she loved them and would fight for every one of them.Alisha Glass made sure they all knew there was nowhere shed rather be now than right here in Rio.Captain Christa Dietzen? She didnt need an Olympic medal. She already understood what this tight-knit team was all about, and she also knew it sure would be nice to wear one home as she heads into retirement and prepares to start a family. They thanked one another for the time and effort over four hard years.Beach star Kerri Walsh Jennings sent a note of her own: Go get a bronze. Just as Walsh Jennings and April Ross did.Im just really proud to be a part of this program, Larson said. Its come a long way. Im just really happy because there are a lot of good people who deserve this. A lot of people just gave their hearts and soul to this.Player-turned-coach Karch Kiraly, the only person to win Olympic volleyball gold as a beach and indoor player, addressed each woman. He spoke of his admiration and acknowledged those players back home who didnt make the cut.Just by stepping on the court Saturday, Foluke Akinradewo showed how this squad stuck together. She returned from an injury to her left leg that forced her out early in the semifinal loss to Serbia. The star middle blocker took charge as the top-ranked Americans bounced back two days later to beat the Netherlands 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 25-19.After Kim Hills ace on match point, the U.S. women fell into an embrace. Kiraly hugged his coaches and brought the women into a huddle for one last cheer.In a way, selfishly, I wanted a gold medal to almost prove the way this culture is, or the way the culture has grown and the foundation that weve built, almost to prove it right -- that the way we did it was right, Dietzen said. A medals not going to prove that. A medal doesnt define this team. It will never define this team.Reserve setter Courrtney Thompson, the Americans inspirational motivator, joined Dietzen in announcing immediately after the match that her volleyball days are done.dddddddddddd Then they joked about meeting for a crack-of-dawn spin class later in the week.I have a whole new respect for everyone that wins a bronze medal, Thompson said. Its not easy, 48 hours later.This group leaves the Olympics again without the big prize. The last three games went this way: Beijing 2008, silver; London 2012, silver; and Rio de Janeiro 2016, bronze.Our team dealt with some real pain and heartache, heartbreak, a couple of days ago, said Kiraly, who thanked Walsh Jennings for her gesture. Im incredibly proud of how within hours they were preparing, carrying that heartbreak, but preparing to be good and to finish strong. I also never had any understanding of how good a bronze medal could feel, and it feels incredible right now. Were so happy to finish this tournament on this note.The Netherlands shined, playing in its first Olympics since the 1996 Atlanta Games. The Dutch pushed the U.S. to five sets in pool play on Aug. 8 and put womens volleyball on the map at home with a gutsy, never-give-up style.Now, the Americans are left to try again in Tokyo 2020 for the programs first gold, with certain new leaders emerging to guide that run: Hill, Kelsey Robinson, Kayla Banwarth.Thompson and Carli Lloyd wrapped themselves together with an American flag. Banwarth lifted the Stars and Stripes above her head.These women will look to build on this even if it wasnt the result they planned for all along. Still, it was far better than departing South America empty-handed.Theres been a lot of tears the past couple days, Hill said. And not just tears of sadness before this match, tears of gratitude and just joy at this experience these past four years, in this tournament and being with this group of people, this special group. Its been such an amazing ride. ' ' '