12-17-2019, 12:56 AM
MIAMI -- Former All-Star closer Brian Wilson acknowledged feeling butterflies in the bullpen as he warmed up Thursday, which was understandable since he hadnt pitched in 16 months. Tom Gugliotta Jersey . Once on the mound, he took a deep breath and was ready to go. "I only have a brief moment out there, and I can either crumble or rise to the occasion," he said. "I can tell you crumbling isnt something Id like to do." Instead, Wilson took the biggest step yet in his comeback from Tommy John surgery, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to seal the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0 victory over the Miami Marlins. Wilson gave up a two-out double, struck out two and looked a lot like the pitcher who saved 171 games for the Dodgers rivals, the San Francisco Giants. "It felt normal," the bearded right-hander said. "It was long overdue, a very arduous process, but Im glad I went through it so I could appreciate baseball even more. I felt comfortable. I felt like I hadnt skipped a beat." Wilson threw 19 pitches, 11 for strikes, and reached 94 mph on the scoreboard radar gun. "Pretty impressive," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "He comes out throwing strikes. His stuff seemed sharp. It was good." The game was Wilsons first since April 12, 2012, with the Giants. He underwent reconstructive elbow surgery later that month, and the Dodgers signed him after he was non-tendered by San Francisco last winter. When Wilson struck out Justin Ruggiano to complete the Dodgers 17th shutout this year, he celebrated with his familiar crossed-arm, finger-pointing gesture. "I was very impressed with his stuff and the way he threw the ball and his confidence," Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said. "Hes going to help us out. The guy has gotten last outs in World Series games, so hes somebody we can count on who wont get rattled in tough situations, which is another great piece to have." Wilson joins a deep bullpen that has the second-best ERA in the NL since the All-Star break. He said his role will be to "get outs," and hes looking forward to pitching in the important games to come for the NL West leaders. "Theres going to be no lack of fun," he said. "This team is playing well and is just a great group of guys having a lot of good laughs. When you feel comfortable in the clubhouse, it only correlates to success out on the field, and thats how everyones playing. Theres energy coming from all sorts of players here right now. Were on a good run." Kevin Loughery Jersey . "Its not done, but its a huge step," Hannover general manager Dirk Dufner said. Poor defending allowed the visitors to score in the second minute, when Leon Andreasens header from Christian Panders cross sent the ball inside the far post. Bob Dandridge Jersey . The ongoing funk on penalty kill and an unusually quiet night on home ice for the power play divided the Leafs from the Bruins at the ACC in a rare Sunday night affair. https://www.cheapwizardsonline.com/649k-...zards.html . - Kyle Wood and Barclay Goodrow scored second period power-play goals to provide all of the scoring for the North Bay Battalion in a 2-0 victory over the Erie Otters in Ontario Hockey League action on Thursday. CLEVELAND -- On a night of celebration, there were two surprising, strange sights: LeBron James back on Clevelands bench. The Knicks back in the NBA playoff chase. Carmelo Anthony shook off a congested chest and a horrid shooting start to score 26 points, leading New York to its third straight victory, 107-97 over Cleveland on a Saturday when James was briefly reunited with the Cavaliers. Amare Stoudemire added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, whose winning streak began after a seven-game slide and amid reports Phil Jackson may accept a job in New Yorks front office. Anthony missed his first six shots, but found his touch in time to help the Knicks in their late-season run at the playoffs. J.R. Smith scored 17 and Tyson Chandler added 15 points and 11 boards for New York, which is 3 1/2 games out of the final post-season spot in the Eastern Conference. "You can see something different over the last couple of games," Anthony said. "It seems like everyone has a sense of urgency right now. Were playing for something. We control our own destiny. We want to win as many games as we can down the stretch." Kyrie Irving had 30 points, eight assists and eight rebounds for the Cavs, who retired centre Zydrunas Ilgauskas No. 11 jersey at halftime. Spencer Hawes had 21 points for Cleveland, which dropped to 0-4 in March. The Knicks were as good as done just a few days ago. But with New York fans ready to write them off again, and coach Mike Woodsons future looking shakier than ever, the Knicks have responded with wins over Minnesota, Utah and Cleveland. Theres still plenty of work to do, and the Knicks will likely need some help, but a dreadful season to this point has some hope. "Theres no room for error," Woodson said. "We have to play each possession like its our last possession. The mental approach is a little different now. Its been a tough season for all of us. Now, theyre playing for something." The Knicks made four 3-pointers during a 14-1 run early in the fourth to take control. With New York down 80-77, Pablo Prigioni drained a 3, Smith followed with a long-range shot and Prigioni dropped another 3 to give the Knicks an 88-81 lead. After a Cleveland turnover, Anthony made his fourth 3-pointer, putting the Knicks ahead by 10 with 7:38 left. Cleveland never recovered and the Knicks outscored the Cavs 30-17 over the final 10 minutes. "Were fighting for ouur lives," Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. Otto Porter Jr. Jersey. "This team was a game behind us and I just feel like we didnt come out with the right mindset to compete with this team for the eighth spot." The loss put a damper on an otherwise memorable night for the Cavs. At halftime, they retired Ilgauskas jersey during a poignant ceremony. The big man overcame serious foot injuries early in his career to become the clubs career leader in rebounds, games played and blocked shots. Ilgauskas thanked Cleveland fans during the ceremony, which included James sitting again on Clevelands sideline. James, who famously left Cleveland as a free agent in 2010, kept a low profile as Ilgauskas jersey was raised to the rafters, but afterward he greeted his close friend and then posed for photos on the floor with former teammates Delonte West and Daniel "Boobie" Gibson. Anthony said the long halftime break helped. "It was good for me because I got some rest," said Anthony, who was unaware James was at the game. "I got a chance to lay on the floor and let Z do his thing. He took some time up. I appreciate him for that." Anthony couldnt buy a basket in the early minutes before heating up. He scored nine straight points to help the Knicks open a 45-35 lead, and then made his sixth shot in a row, a 3-pointer, to give New York a 14-point cushion. Hawes made consecutive 3-pointers to get the Cavs within six, but Smith dropped the first of his five 3-pointers and New York pushed its lead to 58-43. Irving, though, closed the second quarter with seven quick points to pull the Cavs to 58-50 at halftime. NOTES: The Knicks made 14 3s. ... Cavs C Anderson Varejao played 9 minutes after missing the previous 12 games with a sore back. ... James flew in from Chicago to support Ilgauskas, his teammate for eight seasons in Cleveland. With the Heat playing on Sunday, James chartered a jet to witness the ceremony. Dressed smartly in a dark suit, James sat in a luxury suite during the first half before coming down to the floor at halftime to see Ilgauskas jersey raised to the rafters. ... Beginning with a game in Phoenix on Wednesday, the Cavs will play six straight games -- three at home, three on the road -- against teams currently in playoff position. After the Suns, Cleveland will travel to Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers before hosting Miami, Oklahoma City and Houston. ' ' '