Dein erstes Forum » when Buffalo began a 16-season playoff drought

PITTSBURGH -- The Milwaukee Brewers wont be going to the postseason and they spent the weekend trying to keep the Pittsburgh Pirates from getting there.Domingo Santana had his first career two-home run game, Jonathan Villar hit his first grand slam and Chris Carter connected for his 32nd homer as the Brewers rolled to a 10-0 victory over the sputtering Pirates on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.The Pirates have lost six in a row since sweeping a four-game series at Milwaukee last weekend, falling 3 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the second National League wild card. The Pirates host the Cardinals in a three-game series beginning Monday.This ones done, Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. Learn from it. The schedules been fortunate for us. We get to chase the team that were chasing. We all need to hit the reset and refresh button and go on. Lamenting about the past doesnt do anybody any good.The Brewers are in fourth place in the NL Central with a 60-76 record.Santana, who has six home runs while being limited to 54 games this season because of a shoulder injury, hit a solo shot off starter Steven Brault (0-2) to open the scoring. The third-year outfielder hit the second of back-to-back homers with Carter, who had a three-run drive, off rookie left-handed reliever Kelvin Marte during a five-run ninth.It just feels good to hit one, so I feel really feel fortunate to hit two in one game, Santana said. Ive been through a lot this year. Im trying to stay positive and go out, help the team as much as I can and make a good impression.Villar connected as a pinch-hitter with two outs in the sixth inning off Juan Nicasio to break open a 1-0 game. Normally the Brewers third baseman, Villar did not start for a second straight day because of a sore left knee that was the result of the Pirates Josh Harrison sliding into him Friday night.It was the 12th home run of the season for Villar, adding to the four-year veterans career high, as he helped the Brewers win their fourth straight game.I hit the ball and starting running to first base becuase I didnt think I hit it hard enough for it to go out, Villar said. I was surprised but it was a good surprise.Chase Anderson (8-11) scattered five hits over five innings while striking out two and walking none as he combined with three relievers on a six-hitter. Anderson has not recorded an out in the seventh inning in 14 starts since June 8 but has not allowed more than three runs in 11 starts since June 28.The Brewers allowed four runs in the series.Its huge, Anderson said of the sweep. Were such a young team and its important that we can bounce back from losing (six) in a row. We just want to keep growing together and come back next year and have a better season.Santana had three of the Brewers 13 hits. Carter finished with two hits and three RBI and Keon Broxton doubled twice.Making his fourth career start, Brault also pitched five innings and gave up one run on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Both of his losses have come against the Brewers.Harrison had two hits.TRAINERS ROOMBrewers: With Villar limited to pinch-hitting, INF Yadiel Rivera was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs to provide depth.Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (elbow inflammation) is on schedule to be activated from the disabled list Sept. 12 and start at Philadelphia. He has been out since Aug. 25. ... 3B Jung Ho Kang (sore left shoulder) is expected to activated from the DL on Monday after being sidelined since Aug. 20. ... RHP Neftali Feliz said he felt better after leaving Saturday nights game with arm discomfort but there is no timetable for when he may pitch again.COUNSELL EJECTEDBrewers manager Craig Counsell was ejected in the second inning by second base umpire and crew chief Brian Gorman following a long argument over an obstruction callWith the Brewers ahead 1-0, Orlando Arcia appeared to score from first base after third baseman Adam Frazier threw wildly to first base on Hernan Perezs two-out grounder. The throw pulled first baseman John Jaso off the bag and he collided with Perez.The umpires, after huddling twice, ruled obstruction on Jaso and sent Arcia back to third base, where he was left stranded when Carter lined out.UP NEXTBrewers: Rookie RHP Zach Davies (10-6, 4.07 ERA) faces Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (13-7, 2.09) on Monday in the opener of a three-game home series.Pirates: Rookie RHP Chad Kuhl (3-2, 3.70) opposes St. Louis RHP Adam Wainwright (9-8, 4.53) in the series opener. Vans Shoes Sale . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Vans Sk8 Hi Sale . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. http://www.vanssalestore.com/ . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. Vans Old Skool Cheap . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Vans Old Skool Black Sale . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Despite Rex Ryans propensity for brash and bold talk, the Buffalo Bills coach has no problem with boring.Boring is good, he said on Monday. Maybe thats the old-school in me.The usually colorful Ryan is referring to the relatively simple blueprint the Bills have used in overcoming an 0-2 start by reeling off the franchises first four-game winning streak in eight years.As the Bills once again proved in a 45-16 win over San Francisco on Sunday, their approach consists of handing the ball to LeSean McCoy and Ryan leaning on his opportunistic defense to stop the run, apply pressure and force turnovers.McCoy scored three times and led a ground attack that totaled 312 yards rushing, fifth most in Bills history.The eighth-year running back has been on a tear in combining for 470 yards and six touchdowns (including one receiving) over the past four games for a team that led the NFL in yards rushing last season. The surge coincides with Ryan firing offensive coordinator Greg Roman and replacing him with running backs coach Anthony Lynn.The re-emphasis on running the ball has taken the burden off quarterback Tyrod Taylor having to force the passing game.We dont have to throw it 50 times a game, Ryan said. And quite honestly, if we throw it 50 times a game, were getting beat and getting beaten badly.The numbers bear him out.Since taking over the starting job to open last season, Taylor is 1-6 in games he attempts 30 or more passes, and 11-2 with 29 or fewer.The quarterback has also been efficient with eight touchdowns passing versus just two interceptions and a lost fumble this season.Ryans prized defense has also played a key role in Buffalos turnaround, which began after a 37-31 loss to the New York Jets on Sept. 15.Since being burned for 493 yards and four touchdowns by New York, the Bills are allowing an average 317 yards and have given up just four touchdowns ovver the past four games.ddddddddddddBuffalo already has 20 sacks this season -- one fewer than it totaled last year -- and forced 12 takeaways (six fumbles, six interceptions), three of which have been returned for touchdowns.The Bills held the 49ers in check by forcing a fumble on special teams, getting three sacks and stopping San Francisco twice on fourth down.The turning point came with Buffalo leading 17-13 late in the third quarter, when linebackers Preston Brown and Lerentee McCray teamed to stop Mike Davis for no gain on fouth-and-1 at Buffalos 40.The Bills then broke the game open by scoring three touchdowns in a span of 7:02.Next up for Buffalo is Sundays game at AFC East rival Miami (2-4). The Bills havent won five straight since a six-game streak in 2004.They also have a winning record through six games for just the third time since 2000, when Buffalo began a 16-season playoff drought -- the NFLs longest active streak. Buffalo was 4-2 in 2011 before finishing 6-10, and got off to a 5-1 start in 2008 before losing eight of its final 10 games.Ryan is careful to note hes a long way off from mentioning playoffs.A long, long, way, he said. Theres no sense even thinking about that. Were not even close to that.Game notes Ryan confirmed the Bills intend to activate first-round draft pick LB Shaq Lawson off the physically unable to perform list. Lawson has been sidelined since May, when he had surgery to repair a shoulder injury that nagged him at Clemson. ... Players got the day off and dont return for practice until Wednesday. ... Buffalos 16 first downs rushing against the 49ers were the most since the Bills had a team-record 21 in a 38-13 win against Washington on Nov. 3, 1996.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '