Vorstellungsforum » those guys, to USC, it is. They played good.

TORONTO - There he stood, possibly days away from a return to the bus trips and not-quite-five-star-hotel lifestyle of minor league baseball, to address the media after his latest incident of unlikely heroism. Munenori Kawasaki had hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to pull his Blue Jays even with the Orioles, paving the way for Rajai Davis walk off single that would come two innings later. Toronto had won its ninth in a row, by a score of 7-6, and had gotten to .500 for the first time all season. Kawasakis fingerprints were all over the victory. With interpreter Yashushi Kikuchi of Kyodo News by his side, Kawasaki chose not to lean on his native tongue. He wished to describe in broken English his big hit and the subsequent crowd reaction. "Very happy and appreciate, thank you appreciate," said Kawasaki. "Yeah. Thank you, appreciate." It was Kawasakis first career home run in his 118th major league game. It came just days after an in jest debate on TSN 1050s "Macko & Cauz" show about a legitimate question: Did Kawasaki possess the ability to hit a home run in a major league park? The answer this writer gave was "no." This writer was wrong. Not only could Kawasaki drive a ball 380 feet, his knack for timing couldnt be ignored. "I would say that its no surprise but that home run was a surprise Ive got to say," said starter R.A. Dickey, who was taken off the hook by Kawasakis dinger. "The legend grows, you know. The Kawasaki legend grows and rightfully so." Who knows how Blue Jays fans will remember the summer of 2013. That chapter of this once depressing, suddenly thrilling yet perfectly even ride (see the record of 36-36) hasnt been written. What was made clear by the "Kawasaki" chants from 35,472 fans at Rogers Centre, the chants which darn near shook the building, is that the spring of 2013 belonged to Kawasaki. Edwin Encarnacions all-star caliber first half of 20 home runs and 59 RBI hasnt captured the imagination quite like Kawasaki, nor has Casey Janssens leadership of a dominant bullpen or Adam Linds offensive brilliance. Why is it that Munenori Kawasaki captivates? First, Kawasaki represents an idealism which often isnt reality. He exudes true joy. He is playful in a sport thats big business. His teammates are drawn to him. An example youve seen repeatedly: Kawasaki makes a put out and then turns to face Melky Cabrera in left field. The two bow to each other. Its how two men, one of whom speaks Japanese, the other of whom speaks Spanish and neither of whom speaks English well, communicate. Kawasaki draws out a side of Cabrera, a likable type but naturally shy, fans wouldnt otherwise see. Second, during his time in Toronto Kawasaki has maximized his talent. Hell never have the power of Jose Bautista; his throwing arm wont be mistaken for Jose Reyes. Think back to the April days immediately after Reyes got hurt. Alex Anthopoulos, a general manager notorious for keeping his cards close to his vest, was openly musing about the need to make a trade for a defensive shortstop. Little did he know Kawasaki would more than ably fill the role; a trade never was made. Even the statistics come up Kawasaki. Coming in to Friday night, having appeared in 56 games, he had a Wins Above Replacement (WAR) rating of 1.1. Hes the replacement whos played above replacement level. With Reyes due to return to the Blue Jays lineup no later than Monday in Tampa Bay, Kawasakis fate hangs in the balance. The natural move would be to activate Reyes and option Kawasaki to Triple-A Buffalo. He can be recalled, after all. But manager John Gibbons wont commit one way or the other. Maybe the underdog has given the brass something to chew on. "Hes added a lot, off the field," said Gibbons. "The teammates love him, the fans love him. You cant help it. You know, hes contributed big time on the field with some key hits here and there, good fundamental baseball." One things for sure, if Kawasaki goes, the Orioles wont mind. He seems to have their number. Marvin Jones Jr Youth Jersey .4 million title. Ryan Riess emerged with the title after a session in which he started behind, but used expert skill to gather the chips to his side amid the unpredictability of no-limit Texas Hold em. Riess put his final opponent Jay Farber all-in with an Ace-King. Will Harris Womens Jersey . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. http://www.shopdetroitlionsnfl.com/lions-will-harris-black-jersey/ . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Kerryon Johnson Womens Jersey . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Austin Bryant Lions Jersey . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. SEATTLE -- Washington defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski chose his words carefully, making sure he didnt recite the famous Zen saying verbatim.I cant say it, he said, but stuff happens, right? You cant win every freak ... Im trying to bite my tongue here.Say no more, coach. Stuff happened Saturday night at Husky Stadium, as an inspired and talent-stocked No. 20 USC team outclassed No. 4 Washington 26-13, handing the Huskies their first loss of the season.USCs Sam Darnold, not Washingtons Jake Browning, was the best quarterback on the field. USCs Adoree Jackson, not Washingtons Sidney Jones or Budda Baker, was the best defensive back. USC linebacker Porter Gustin was the most disruptive pass-rusher, not Washingtons Elijah Qualls or Vita Vea. The Trojans looked like the better team, plain and simple.But stuff happened Saturday night in Iowa City, too. And stuff happened earlier Saturday in Clemson, South Carolina. Of the three losses by top-four teams during a wild Week 11, Washingtons surely will look the best to the playoff selection committee. USC doesnt resemble the team that started 1-3 and will be favored to win out and finish in the top 15, if not the top 10.If Washington had to lose a game the rest of the way, this was it. The Huskies still control their own fate in the Pac-12 North. And they always were going to need to win the Pac-12 title to have a chance at the playoff.So even as USC wide receiver Deontay Burnett stood on the Trojans bench and mocked Washington fans with the Jim Mora (not the UCLA coach) line, Playoffs? Playoffs? -- which other Trojans later jumped in on via Twitter -- the Huskies can still reach the field of four.We dont even really talk about a winning streak, Washington coach Chris Petersen said. Well try to start a new one next week, try to be 1-0. Thats the win streak that we need to pay attention to.Thats the good news. The bad news is Washington failed its first test against an opponent with elite talent, the type of opponent it could see if it reaches the playoff. The loss feeds the argument that Washington is very good but not truly elite, a product of a schedule lacking much meat outside of Utah.Pac-12 coaches sensed it last week, describing Washington as an almost flawless team, but one that could struggle with USCs superior individual pieces.I guarantee theyve got a shot, a Pac-12 head coach said of the Trojans. Theyre so talented.The talent rose at a raucous Husky Stadium. Darnold flummoxed Washingtons defense, which continued to struggle generating pressure without Joe Mathis, and USC converted 7-of-13 third-down opportunities. The redshirt freshman moved nimbly in the pocket, jump-passed to move the chains and spread the ball to eight different players. Kwiatkowski admitted Darnolds mobility forced Washingtons defenders to play more tentatively than usual.We could not get off the field in the first half like we wanted to, Kwiatkowski said.Washingtons more surprising difficulties came on offense, as it entered the game ranked second nationally in scoring (48.3 points per game) and boassted the nations most efficient passer in Browning (202.dddddddddddd8 rating), one of the nations most explosive receivers in John Ross (14 touchdowns) and two effective running backs in Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman. USCs defenses reputation? Kind of ordinary, especially in the front seven.But USC shut down the run from the onset and then began harassing Browning, who completed less than half of his pass attempts (17-of-36) and threw two interceptions, both to Jackson. It was his first multiple-interception performance since Nov. 14, 2015, against Arizona State. Before Saturday, Washington had committed one or zero turnovers in 12 straight games, the longest streak in the FBS.Washington had five drives end in USC territory and came away with only one touchdown.We arent going to beat anybody if we score 13 points, Browning said.Browning, whose Heisman hopes took a major hit Saturday, added that Washington goes back to square one after the loss. Players and coaches didnt think the team was swept up in playoff talk or overwhelmed by the moment and the opponent. USC simply played and coached better.Stuff happened.I dont even really know what the one through four rankings mean when theres four weeks left in the season, Browning said. Obviously not a lot because everybody gets in there and loses. Weve got to get ready for ASU. If were playing just to play in the College Football Playoff or whatever, then youre sadly mistaken. Things like this will happen if youre looking forward.I dont think we were looking forward. I thought we had the right mindset. Weve got to execute better.Petersen also had no issues with his teams focus. But he admitted that USC presented a jump in talent, and on this day, Washington couldnt match the Trojans.I dont think it was an outstanding game by any phase of our team, Petersen said. Part of thats a credit to those guys, to USC, it is. They played good. They played hard and whooped us pretty good.The best news for Petersen on Saturday came as he was exiting his news conference, as a reporter mentioned No. 3 Michigans stunning loss to unranked Iowa. If Washington wins out to finish as a 12-1 Pac-12 champion, it should have a better-than-decent chance to make the playoff. The Huskies will have wins over No. 15 Utah, No. 23 Washington State and possibly No. 12 Colorado (if they beat the Buffs in the Pac-12 title game).Even a rematch win against USC in the league title game could serve Washington well in the eyes of the committee.Im not worried that our guys are going to sit there and feel sorry for themselves for a long time, Petersen said. This hurts them, theres no question. ... I just think its hard when you lose and you put so much into it, but well regroup. Well be back.These kids are going to be resilient, and well reload and see what weve got.Stuff happened Saturday at Husky Stadium. But the stuff that happens in the coming weeks will determine what Washington is all about. ' ' '