Biete - Deuterium » beat. Plenty Of Interest in N

CHICAGO -- The pitch was just a tick up, and Starlin Castro was ready. When Edwin Jackson was limited to five innings, the bullpen took over. Pedro Alvarezs drive fell short on the warning track. These are fun days for the improving Chicago Cubs. Castro hit a three-run homer and Jackson finally got the better of Charlie Morton, leading the Cubs to a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. "This is the nicest Ive felt about this team since Ive been here," said Anthony Rizzo, who was acquired in a January 2012 trade with San Diego. Chris Coghlan added a solo shot as the Cubs opened a 10-game homestand with their fourth win in five games. Last-place Chicago also improved to 18-13 since May 17 for the best record in the NL in that stretch. "Everything in this game is contagious, whether its positive, negative, hitting, defence, pitching," Coghlan said. "I think were having more team at-bats." Jackson (5-7) was removed after 86 pitches due to cramps in his calves, but it was enough to get his first win in four matchups this year against Morton (4-8). The right-handers have faced off more than any other pair of starting pitchers this season in the majors. Jackson allowed three runs on Jordy Mercers fifth homer and five hits. He struck out eight and walked two in just his second win in his last six starts. Alvarez had a chance to tie the game when he came to the plate with two on and two out in the sixth. He took a frustrated hop between first and second as Ryan Sweeney ran down his long fly ball in the biggest part of the ballpark. Andrew McCutchen struck out with two on in the seventh, wasting another Pittsburgh threat. "Pitchings been pretty great all year. The offence is coming around, and the defence is coming around as well," Jackson said. "So were definitely showing a glimpse of what were able to do. Its just going out and doing it on a consistent basis." Pittsburgh rookie Gregory Polanco opened the game with a single to centre, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. He is the first NL player to begin his career with such a streak since Juan Pierres 16-game run for Colorado in 2000. The Pirates have lost four of five since a four-game winning streak. Morton retired six in a row before Jacksons one-out single in the third started a string of five consecutive batters reaching safely. Rizzo lined a two-run double into the right-field corner before Castro drove an 0-2 curveball over the wall in left for his 11th homer, moving past his total from all of last year. Morton jerked his head down in disgust when Castro connected, and then turned around to see where the ball was going. Castros third homer of the season against Morton gave the Cubs a 5-0 lead. "I could have gotten the ball down a little bit more," Morton said. "I dont think it was a bad pitch. It was a bad pitch to him in that situation." The six runs in six innings were a season high for Morton, who had won each of his last three starts and was 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA in his previous five outings. Mercer went deep after Jackson walked the first two batters in the fifth, but that was it for the Pirates. Four Cubs relievers combined for three innings of two-hit ball before Hector Rondon worked the ninth for his eighth save in 10 chances. Jason Grilli pitched the eighth for the Pirates in his first outing since manager Clint Hurdle removed the right-hander from the closer role. Grilli has blown four save opportunities this season after converting 33 of 35 chances a year ago. "Better rhythm, a better execution of pitches," Hurdle said when asked about Grillis inning. NOTES: Hurdle said before the game that Mark Melancon will close for now, and he also could use Tony Watson in save opportunities. ... Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said he is pleased with Manny Ramirezs impact on the organization so far, and the former major league star could join Triple-A Iowa next week. When Ramirez reports to Iowa, he will be a player-coach for Chicagos top farm club. ... Epstein also said he doesnt forsee a scenario where prospect Kris Bryant joins the major league club this year. ... Pirates RHP Vance Worley (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Cubs LHP Travis Wood (7-5, 4.48 ERA) face off on Saturday. Torrey Smith Jersey . No, the San Antonio star didnt announce retirement plans during an off day at the NBA Finals on Wednesday. Graham Gano Jersey . Luis Enrique signed the deal with club president Josep Bartomeu two days after it was announced by the club. That was two days after coach Gerardo Martino stepped down when Barcelona finished its first season without a major trophy in six years. http://www.officialcarolinapanthersfootball.com/.com) - Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mat Latos had an arthroscopic procedure performed on his right elbow last week, the teams official site reported Wednesday. J.J. Jansen Jersey .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Jarius Wright Jersey .Voegele will next play Anna Schmiedlova of Slovakia, who saved 10 of 16 break points to defeat Annika Beck of Germany 7-6 (6), 6-4.Also, Marina Erakovic of New Zealand defeated eighth-seeded Caroline Garcia of France 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.With the NHL Draft coming up on June 27 and free agency opening on July 1, discussions between NHL general managers are already heating up towards a busy off-season. Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Plenty Of Interest in No. 1 According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, at least eight teams have shown interest in acquiring the first pick overall pick from the Florida Panthers. The list of teams includes the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Dreger also reports the Panthers plan on naming their new head coach by Monday at the latest. Also on the coaching front, some believe Willie Desjardins may have a choice between head coaching jobs in Pittsburgh and Vancouver but no final decisions have been made yet. Pivotal Times In Vancouver Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province writes that Ryan Keslers trade value appears to be more appealing for a team like the Anaheim Ducks than that of Jason Spezza. Not only does Kesler have two years left at $5 million a season and Spezza one year at $4 million, the Ducks will need the grit and defensive game that Kesler would bring to the tough Pacific Division. Kuzma adds that Kesler also led the Canucks with 25 goals, while Spezza had 23 goals in a "softer conference." Kuzma also writes that if the Senators are asking for a top-six forward, a top prospect and a first-round pick for Spezza, then Canucks GM Jim Benning can at least ask that much for Kesler. HHe thens writes that the St.dddddddddddd Louis Blues may interest Spezza because they would need help on their power play (worst during the postseason) and have assets that would interest the Senators. Kuzma adds that the Canucks wont get a Kesler-comparable in return in any trade scenario, but Benning could get a first-round pick and can offer up a centre and young wingers to help rebuild the Canucks. And if that happens before the draft, Kuzma specualtes that Vancouvers sixth overall pick can be in play to acquire Floridas first overall pick. Thats News To Tallon Miami Herald writer George Richards tweeted that Panthers GM Dale Tallon is refuting a report that defenceman Brian Campbell has asked for a trade. St. Louiss Big 550 KTRS host and CBS Sports Radio St. Louis contributor Andy Strickland reported Wednesday that Campbell - who still has two years left on his contract that pays him over $7 million a season - wants out of Florida. Done In Detroit Detroit Wings general manager Ken Holland confirmed to The Macomb Daily that veteran forwards Todd Bertuzzi and Mikael Samuelsson wont be returning next season. He added to the paper that as far as the rest of the unrestricted players go, the team will take a wait-and-see approach. "The other guys Im not sure," Holland told The Daily. "I basically told the other agents were not doing anything right now. Under the CBA on June 27, which is next Wednesday, we can start talking to potential unrestricted free agents. 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