Dein erstes Forum » between Toronto and Montreal in 2007, 2

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins flexed some muscle for their first three-game sweep of the season. The Chicago White Sox were easily overpowered in this lopsided series. Brian Doziers two-run homer was one of a career-high four long balls hit off John Danks, and the Twins beat the White Sox 8-4 on Thursday. "It always helps a lot when youve got everybody hitting in the lineup," said Dozier, who homered for the third time in his last four games. "Hopefully that wont let up, and we can continue the hot bats and the pitching and defence." Oswaldo Arcia went deep in the second inning ahead of Dozier. Clete Thomas and Eduardo Escobar hit back-to-back shots in the fourth, sending the White Sox to their seventh defeat in the last eight games. They fell to a league-worst 13-28 on the road and 5-13 in June. "The game is hard enough when youre not playing well," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "When youre not playing well, you can see all the warts." Danks (1-4) lasted only five innings, giving up 12 hits and six runs. Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn hit consecutive home runs against Scott Diamond (5-6) in the sixth inning, but that wasnt nearly enough. The six combined homers on this humid, breezy afternoon matched a record at Target Field, which opened in 2010. The Twins last swept the White Sox in a three-game series Sept. 14-16, 2010, in Chicago. Theyd never done it here before. "Youre only as good as your last game, but theres a confidence level," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. The White Sox dropped to 29-41, the first time theyve been 12 games under .500 since the last day of the 2007 season, when they finished 72-90. That was the only year in the history of the AL Central, which was created in 1994, the White Sox have finished in fourth place. Theyve never finished last in the Central, but theyre well on their way this summer, with starting pitching joining this week the list of problems topped by fielding and scoring. "We truly feel like were way too good to be playing like this," Danks said. "We feel were just as talented as any team in the league." The signs of struggle were everywhere. Alejandro De Azas drag bunt attempt in the fifth inning sailed about 20 feet in the air all the way to Dozier for an easy catch at second base. Then in the sixth, shortstop Alexei Ramirez let a soft two-out grounder get through his legs for an error. Two batters later, Justin Morneaus two-run single with the bases loaded stretched the lead to 8-4. Danks, whose season started late because of surgery last summer on his left shoulder, fell to 0-4 in his four road starts with a 7.29 ERA. Nine of the 10 home runs hes allowed have been on the road. "Home runs are exciting, but as long as were putting them on the board youve got to be happy," Diamond said. Quipped Gardenhire: "As long as theyre ours being hit into the seats, thats OK." Diamond won for only the second time in his last eight starts, with only one completion of six innings in that span. This turn, he lasted 5 1-3 innings with seven hits and four runs allowed. One of those was unearned, due to a throwing error by third baseman Trevor Plouffe in the fourth. Reliever Jesse Crain has been one bright spot for the White Sox, at least. The former Twins right-hander set Chicagos franchise record with his 28th consecutive scoreless appearance, passing J.J. Putzs mark from 2010. Crain, who has 37 strikeouts in 28 innings during the streak, has allowed only two runs all season, most recently on April 12. NOTES: The six victories (out of nine) were the most on a homestand by the Twins since winning six of 12 here on from July 14-24, 2011. ... Ventura expressed encouragement about RHP Jake Peavys first real exercise -- riding the stationary bike -- since he broke a rib two weeks. Peavy is expected to miss another two to four weeks. ... Twins CF Aaron Hicks (strained left hamstring) is on track to begin a rehab assignment next week. Backup OF Wilkin Ramirez (post-concussion symptoms) started one on Thursday with Class A Fort Myers. ... The Twins play three games at Cleveland beginning on Friday. RHP Samuel Deduno (3-1, 3.26 ERA) will pitch the opener, with LHP Scott Kazmir (3-4, 5.89 ERA) starting for the Indians. ... The White Sox start a three-game series in Kansas City on Friday by sending LHP Hector Santiago (2-5, 3.30 ERA) to the mound at Kauffman Stadium. RHP Jeremy Guthrie (7-4, 3.72 ERA) will pitch for the Royals. Yonny Chirinos Jersey .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. Avisail Garcia Jersey . Pence singled in the winning run with no outs in the ninth inning to give the Giants a 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/406i-charlie-morton-jersey-rays.html . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes. Blake Snell Rays Jersey . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Kevin Kiermaier Jersey . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. TORONTO -- Novak Djokovic paused after accepting the Rogers Cup trophy for the fourth time. He scanned the stands Sunday at York Universitys Aviva Centre and asked everyone in the crowd to hug the person beside them.A small chuckle circulated the capacity crowd and then Djokovic said he would lead by example, turning to public announcer Ken Crosina and wrapping his arms around the emcee. Fans laughed and followed suit.It was a really wonderful moment, Djokovic said. I did feel that it was just the right moment for me to ask politely the crowd to do that, because in the end of the day, we are all here for the same thing. We are all here to connect through tennis, through passion for the sport.Its nice that we got to sense and feel that kind of energy around the stadium.The top-ranked Serb beat third-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-3, 7-5 after a short rain delay. Djokovic also won the hard-court event that rotates between Toronto and Montreal in 2007, 2011 and 2012. Ivan Lendl holds the tournament record with six titles.The 29-year-old Djokovic has seven singgles titles this year and 66 overall, a record 30 in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events such as the Rogers Cup.ddddddddddddHe has 12 Grand Slam titles, winning this year in Australia and France.After Grand Slams, these are the biggest events we have in [the] sport of tennis, Djokovic said. Naturally, Im going to be very disciplined, committed and focused to do well.Djokovic has won his past nine matches against Nishikori and leads the series 10-2.I had too many unforced errors, especially during important points, Nishikori said. He was returning really well today, I think. I was hitting some good first serves, but he was making returns in deep.In their previous match in April, Djokovic won the Key Biscayne final. Nishikori won his fourth straight Memphis title in February for his 11th ATP Tour victory.In the doubles final, Croatias Ivan Dodig and Brazils Marcelo Melo topped Britains Jamie Murray and Brazils Bruno Soares 6-4, 6-4. ' ' '