News » Coast trip. Los Angeles kept it close

KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- A stolen deuce in the ninth end was the back-breaker for Saskatchewan Tuesday night at the Canadian mens curling championship, as Alberta claimed a share of the lead going into the home stretch. But Saskatchewan (4-2) skip Steve Laycock says they had no one to blame but themselves at the Tim Hortons Brier. "Odds were still stacked against us even tied up coming home," he said after losing 8-6. "The real problem was we had lots of chances in that ninth end to set up a two and just heavy on a few hit and rolls and taps and stuff." Until then it had been a horse race, although Laycock was clearly the underdog. "We expected a close game all the way," said Koe, who advanced to 6-1 along with John Morris of B.C. "I was a little surprised with that steal of two in nine." Perhaps he shouldnt be, since hes at the top of the list when it comes to shotmaking by skips at this event, although Brier rookie Greg Balsdon of Ontario sits just below him with the same overall percentage of 86. Balsdons numbers got a big boost Tuesday night Eddie Mackenzie from Prince Edward Island (3-4) didnt bother to throw his last rock in the eighth end as he dropped 8-3 to Ontario (4-2). Balsdon is still very much in the hunt but knows he has his toughest games ahead. "Weve got a tough stretch coming up," he said. "Weve got Johnny Mo (Morris), Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba our next four games. If we could even split those games and end up 6-4 going into the last draw I think wed take it." Jean-Michel Menard of Quebec (3-3) was down early, came back and forced an extra end, but still lost 10-8 to James Grattan of New Brunswick (2-5). Jamie Koe of the Northwest Territories-Yukon (2-4) defeated winless Jamie Murphy of Nova Scotia 7-4. Laycock says theyd be satisfied just to know theyre in the playoffs, but theyre not giving up hope of finishing in the top group. "We know we can beat these teams when it comes crunch time, weve just got to play better than we did tonight." Koe says it would be nice to stay on top of the leader board instead of having to work his way into the final through the 3-4 game. "Im not too worried about who were tied with at the top as long as you keep going and start looking at who plays who and probably where youre at Thursday." Manitobas Jeff Stoughton was another favourite heading into the Brier and he recovered from a 9-7 loss in the morning Tuesday to steal one in the 10th and beat Nova Scotia 8-6 in the afternoon. But a clutch shot through a narrow port even had his own team covering their eyes. Nova Scotia skip Murphy was light on his last-rock draw attempt to force an extra end. The Manitoba skip agrees he and third John Mead havent been as sharp as they need to be. "Both John and I need to make better shots," Stoughton agreed. "Weve just got to clean up the little mistakes." He says their draw weight is good but their hits and peels are a little off. "Were really close and were working hard." Newfoundland and Labradors Brad Gushue retained at least faint hope of making the playoffs with an 8-5 win over Grattan. But after dropping a morning game 7-6 to Saskatchewan, the 2006 Olympic champion said there is no room left for more losses if they want to stay alive. "Yeah, that fourth loss this morning was a punch in your gut," said Gushue. "You know your backs against the wall and you cant afford to lose any more. And its not only winning for more in the round robin, its probably winning a tiebreaker, the 3-4 game, semifinal and final against some world-class teams." The odds are long and it may not be entirely up to him, he admits. "Ive seen 7-4 get in the playoffs, Ive seen 6-5 get in the playoffs. But most of the time it probably doesnt. So youre going to need some help." Bill Ranford Jersey . George Hill had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Pacers, who stayed atop the overall NBA standings despite losing twice on their West Coast trip. Los Angeles kept it close into the second half before the Pacers finished an easy win over the injury-riddled Lakers, who have lost five straight. Jean-Francois Jacques Oilers Jersey . With a victory seemingly slipping away late in the third quarter, his quick scoring flurry helped Golden State regain control early in the fourth. http://www.hockeyoilersshop.com/mark-fayne-jersey/ .Johnny there, who knew he had that speed? teammate Tommy Wingels said.Scott and Matt Irwin were unlikely goal-scorers Tuesday night as the previously stingy San Jose Sharks finally sprung a leak or two, blowing a pair of three-goal leads before coming away with a 6-5 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals. Ryan Smyth Oilers Jersey . Saskatchewans Darian Durant is expected to miss the rest of the Roughriders season with a torn tendon in his right elbow. The 32-year-old, who will undergo surgery in the next couple days to repair the injury, was added to the teams six-game injury list Tuesday. Darnell Nurse Oilers Jersey .Brady threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman midway through the fourth quarter, and New England beat the San Diego Chargers 23-14 for its eighth win in nine games.CLEVELAND -- Before touching home plate, Mike Aviles slowed down long enough to get splashed in the face with cold water by his teammates. Maybe the Indians are waking up just in time. Aviles homered leading off the 11th inning Friday night to give Cleveland a 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Aviles, who made two barehanded plays at third base earlier in the game, connected on a 1-2 pitch from Brian Matusz (2-3), driving it onto the home run porch in left field for just Clevelands second run in the past 22-plus innings. The Indians were shut out 1-0 by Arizona in 12 innings on Wednesday night. After rounding third, Aviles was doused by his jubilant teammates, who then embraced him and danced as one up the first-base line. "That would have been a tough one to lose," Indians manager Terry Francona said. The Indians ninth walk-off win -- and second in three games -- allowed them to keep their playoff push going and not waste another strong outing from Corey Kluber, who allowed just one run in 7 2-3 innings and remained unbeaten in eight starts since June. Scott Atchison (6-0) retired all six batters. Kluber struck out 10 and has allowed just four runs in 47 2-3 innings over six second-half starts. He has a 0.76 ERA since July 6. The stoic Kluber, nicknamed "Klubot" by for his passive demeanour, walked one. "Hes so good and he competes," Francona said. "Hes just worked himself into being one of the premier pitchers in baseball. He wants to be the best." Rookie Zach Walters homered off Baltimore starter Wei-Yin Chen as the Indians won for the fourth time in five games. Blanked until the eighth by Kluber, the Orioles tied it on J.J. Hardys two-out single. After Kluber got two outs, Nelson Cruz singled off the right-hander, who has been on a remarkable run during the seasons second half. Kluber received a standing ovation from Clevelands fans as he walked to the dugout, and he had barely taken a seat when the Orioles evened it against Bryan Shaw. Delmon Young singled and Hardy, who missed the previous four games with a sprained left thumb, also singled,, with Cruz scoring ahead of centre fielder Michael Brantleys throw to the plate.dddddddddddd Klubers eight double-digit strikeout games this season are the most for an Indians pitcher since Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley in 1976. Walters gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with a homer in the fifth off Chen, who allowed only four hits in seven innings. During his brilliant second-half stretch, Kluber has struck out 55 in less than 48 innings, outdueled Seattle ace Felix Hernandez, downed the Tigers and Yankees and carried a perfect game into the seventh at Kansas City on July 24 before getting a no-decision. Kluber hasnt lost since June 30, and that was a 1-0 setback against the Dodgers. GAMESMANSHIP Francona wasnt pleased with how the umpires handled Baltimore manager Buck Showalter contesting that Orioles centre fielder Adam Jones was hit by a pitch in the eighth. Francona felt the delay -- Jones squared to bunt and appeared to get hit in the hand -- may have affected Kluber. After looking at a replay, the umpires determined Jones offered at the pitch. THIS BUDS FOR YOU: Francona had high praise for baseball commissioner Bud Selig, who will be replaced in January by Rob Manfred. Francona has gotten to know Selig over the years and credited him with steering the game through "some tumultuous times." "I cant imagine trying to please 30 owners and 30 teams," Francona said, "especially the way baseball is set up." TRAINERS ROOM Orioles: 3B Manny Machado (sprained right knee) is travelling with the team, but theres no timetable for when his return. Indians: 1B Nick Swisher will have his right knee examined again on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Its possible hell need season-ending surgery, and Swishers injury could explain his lack of production in his second season with Cleveland. UP NEXT Former Indians RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (4-8) faces his ex-teammates for the second time this season. Jimenez went 13-9 for Cleveland last season before signing with Baltimore as a free agent. Hell face RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-4), making his second start since returning to Clevelands rotation. ' ' '