Forenaddys » ointer for the Raptors. A layup by Patrick P

TORONTO – The Blue Jays made a roster move of some significance prior to the start of an important four-game series with their division rival Red Sox, designating for assignment struggling reliever Sergio Santos. Air Jordan 6 Clearance . It was a move of some time in the making. “He hasnt thrown well, clearly some guys are being used more than him right now and the only way to get out of this funk is to pitch,” said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. “But its hard to find a spot for him right now, certainly not a long guy, and hes not going to be used late in the game.” That much is true. Santos had fallen out of favour with manager John Gibbons and had lost the confidence of other members of the coaching staff. In his last four outings, the most recent of which was July 12, Santos allowed five earned runs on seven hits and four walks in just 2 1/3 innings. He hadnt been used by Gibbons since the club returned from the All-Star break. Long man Todd Redmond had taken the role once reserved for Santos. After his July 12 outing in Tampa Bay, in which he allowed two runs in one inning, Santos alluded to difficulty harnessing his slider due to a lack of work. It became clear, then, that the two sides were at a crossroads. The manager had no faith in the pitcher and, therefore, wasnt using him in critical situations. The pitcher knew he was on the outs and his performance reflected that doubt. Theres also the business of the game. First, the Blue Jays: Santos makes $3.75-million. Thats a team-friendly number. The contract, as a whole, is club-friendly because the guaranteed portion expires at the end of the season. Santos has club options for three years, through 2017, at these escalating numbers: $6-million, $8-million, $8.75-million. If in any year Santoss option is declined, hed be due a paltry $750,000 buyout. If Santos is claimed on waivers, the deadline for a team to do so is Wednesday and the remainder of his salary would be off the Jays books. Its not a lot of money, but its something, if the club is working on a strict dollar in-dollar out policy as the trade deadline approaches. Anthopoulos reacted to the contrary. The plan, he said, is to keep Santos in the organization. “Like we told him, hes certainly not the first talented, good player to go through this before whether its the Linds or the Encarnacions,” said Anthopoulos. “The way to get things worked out is to go throw some innings. He was put on waivers today, Wednesday, well find out if he gets claimed or clears. Then, he would be active down there to pitch. We told him, hopefully, this is an Encarnacion scenario, go down there, throw a lot, hell be a priority guy, get back on track and be that dominant reliever we know he can be that we saw at the end of last year, that we saw at the beginning of the year before the rough trip with the Twins.” Its interesting that Anthopoulos references the “rough trip with the Twins.” Santos was part of that eighth-inning implosion the night of April 17. It was the back end of a doubleheader. The bullpen coughed up a late lead, allowing six runs on just one hit, eight walks and three wild pitches. Santos was responsible for three of the runs, three of the walks and all three wild pitches. Some believe he never recovered from the experience on that frigid night. Second, Santoss perspective: He surely knows the Jays are unlikely to pick up that $6-million option for 2015. It would be best for him to move to another organization, get a fresh start and, in the best-case scenario, find command of his wicked slider and finish the year strong. If that option isnt going to be picked up, at least a good final two months could result in a bump in next years salary. Santos wasnt happy. A source close to the pitcher told TSN.ca, hed recently made his feelings known to the organization. Anthopoulos said Santos did not request a trade. “No, no, not at all,” said Anthopoulos. “Hes a very accountable guy. He knows he hasnt pitched to his ability. He knows he can be a dominant closer, set-up guy, whatever is needed. Like anybody, he has all the belief in the world in himself, hell be fine. Hell get it back. He has way too much talent.” Chances are Santos gets it back somewhere else. Cheap Air Jordan 6 Sale . Yoenis Cespedes proved he can play through a hurting right heel, giving Scott Kazmir and the As a spark with a pair of RBIs that helped spoil the Minnesota Twins home opener with an 8-3 victory on Monday. Air Jordan 6 Sale Cheap . -- Down to 10 men and behind on the scoreboard, Toronto FC displayed its perseverance. http://www.cheapairjordan6.us/ . The Blue Jackets play Thursday night at New Jersey in their first game after the NHLs Olympic hiatus. A native of Trencin, Slovakia, Gaborik has represented his country at the 2006 and 2010 Olympics but was unable to play in Sochi because of his injury.AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Kyle Lowry picked up his fifth foul at around the midway point of the fourth quarter -- then was called for his sixth 20 seconds later. It was the type of mistake that could prove costly for Toronto in the playoffs, but this time the Raptors were able to overcome it. DeMar DeRozan scored 14 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, and the Raptors tied a franchise record for victories with a 116-107 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Lowry scored 28 points before fouling out with 5:51 remaining. "I was just glad the guys won it without me," Lowry said. "DeMar was rested going into the fourth quarter, and he really took over down the stretch. Thats what happens when he is aggressive -- he can take over a game." The Raptors (47-33) had already clinched the Atlantic Division, and the victory over Detroit was their 10th in 14 games. Toronto has reached the 47-win mark for the third time. The Raptors went 47-35 in 2001 and 2007. Andre Drummond had 14 points and 17 rebounds for the Pistons in the final home game of their dismal season. Detroits Josh Smith missed a fourth straight game with tendinitis in his left knee. Detroit trailed by as many as 18 in the first half but rallied to take the lead late in the third quarter. But no matter what the Pistons did, DeRozan always seemed to have an answer in the fourth. "I understood if we were going to win the game, then I had to step it up," DeRozan said. "I just tried to make plays for us and get a couple of easy baskets." DeRozans three-point play put the Raptors ahead 97-95 and started an 11-2 run. His emphatic, right-handed dunk made it 107-99 and thrilled the vocal contingent of Toronto fans who were in attendance. "The fanss were unbelievable," Lowry said. Cheap Air Jordan 6 Wholesale. "Ive never heard anything like that, especially not here." The Raptors shot 74 per cent from the field during a brilliant first quarter and looked headed for a blowout. A three-point play by Terrence Ross put Toronto up 20-5, and an alley-oop to DeRozan made it 28-12. It was 42-26 at the end of the quarter, and DeRozans four-point play early in the second made it 46-28. "We had no rhythm early on and we didnt guard. You give a team 42 points in the first quarter, I dont know what your chance of winning is, but I would think in this league its pretty low," Pistons interim coach John Loyer said. "Then you really have to fight uphill the whole way. But to our guys credit, they fought an uphill battle." The Pistons trailed 63-49 at halftime but made a game of it by outscoring Toronto 37-24 in the third. Detroit dominated the boards, finishing with 21 offensive rebounds. Greg Monroe had 23 points and 10 rebounds. Lowrys fifth foul came with 6:11 remaining. He then fouled out going after a rebound on a missed shot by DeRozan. The Pistons couldnt take advantage, though. After a free throw by Drummond cut Detroits deficit to two, Jonas Valanciunas answered with a free throw and Ross made a 3-pointer for the Raptors. A layup by Patrick Patterson made it 105-97. NOTES: Detroits Tony Mitchell had four fouls in 6:16 of playing time in the first quarter. Then he didnt play again until the final minute of the fourth. ... The Pistons werent thrilled with the officiating early. Monroe was called for a technical foul in the first, and Detroit was charged with a team technical in the second. ... Toronto has scored at least 100 points in six straight games. ' ' '