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ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The text came from the back of the bus. The Sky had lost two straight games in the WNBA semifinals and were on the ride from OHare to practice Monday after a four-hour red-eye flight from Los Angeles.Can we talk? Sky rookie Imani Boyette texted coach Pokey Chatman. I promise, I dont want to suck this bad.The sixth-year Sky coach smiled as she relayed the story Sunday night, minutes after her teams 70-66 Game 3 victory over the Sparks at Allstate Arena.Thats difficult for anyone to do, to admit when theyre not up to the level they expect for themselves, Chatman said. But for a rookie in crunch time, that was the first thing on her mind. We only talked for three or four minutes, and it wasnt about the message I gave her because it didnt change.It was just about that moment for her, and I just reminded her, Listen, we trust. We believe. Relax. Dont overthink it. Be instinctive. And do what youre capable of doing.Boyette did exactly that by tallying 13 points and 11 rebounds to force Game 4 (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET Tuesday) in the best-of-five series. She had six points and five rebounds in the fourth quarter and six points, three rebounds and a block in the final 2:18 of regulation.I just felt I hadnt shown up in this series yet. The lights have been kind of bright, said the 6-foot-7 center, who was named to the WNBAs all-rookie team last week. Ive been guarding two of the best players, so yeah, I was very much a rookie this series.Those two players -- Nneka Ogwumike, the leagues MVP, and Candace Parker, a two-time MVP playing minutes from where she grew up -- had been a force this series. On Sunday, Ogwumike scored 14 of her 22 points in the first quarter as the Sparks charged to a 13-point lead five minutes into the game.Thats when the Skys zone defense kicked in and shaved the deficit to nine points at the half. Chicago took its first lead since 2-0 on a driving layup by Courtney Vandersloot with 2:11 left in the period and held Los Angeles to just eight points in the third quarter.That is just unheard of for a team that skilled and with that many offensive threats, said Vandersloot, who led the Sky in scoring with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting and five assists. Thats going to be the key. Offense has kind of been our thing all season, and this game was low-scoring for us, but we got it done on the defensive end.For the second consecutive season, Chicago led the WNBA in scoring. But playing without Elena Delle Donne the last five games of the regular season and all of the playoffs, after she suffered a thumb injury that required surgery Sept. 13, the Sky had to look for various sources to extend their season.Boyette was the difference-maker on Sunday.Chatman praised Boyettes aggressiveness in the paint. After picking up her fifth foul while trying to block a shot from Ogwumike with 4:46 remaining, Boyette blocked Parkers layup a little more than 2 minutes later with the Sky up 60-59. Five points from Kristi Toliver helped stretch the Sparks lead to 64-62 with 1:30 left in regulation. Then back-to-back putbacks by Boyette gave the Sky a lead they would not relinquish.Shes a body down there, and she cant go ignored. And I think that we werent prepared for that, Ogwumike said. I think this is the first time were really seeing her in the series, and someone has to be on her at all times, especially when the shot goes up. Thats a huge adjustment were going to have to make.For Boyette, pep talks by teammates and coaches were instrumental.My coaches were just kind of like, Dont worry about it. Youre playing timid because youre scared of foul trouble. Weve got somebody to replace you. Just go out there, be aggressive and play your game. If you foul out, you foul out, she said. Its a lot easier to play that way.The Sparks, who lost for the first time in six games against the Sky this season, had to endure hearing their coach praise Chicago for its spirited play.Not that I like to be on the other side of it, Sparks coach Brian Agler said, but its good to see a team compete like that.The Sparks said they will be ready for Game 4 on Tuesday in Chicago, especially after a motivating speech from Toliver in the locker room.This is what champions strive for. Youre not going to sweep everybody. This is the semifinals, Ogwumike said in echoing Tolivers sentiment. And I think thats a little bit reflective of how we responded today. We got up by a lot, and we got a little frazzled. We need to relax, calm down and understand that in games, there are going to be ups and downs. Norm Standlee Jersey .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Kevan Barlow Jersey . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. http://www.custom49ersjersey.com/custom-j-d-smith-jersey-large-888d.html . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. R. C. Owens Jersey . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Kyle Nelson Jersey . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers couldnt figure out Boston knuckleballer Steven Wright, and Scott Kazmir couldnt stop the Red Sox.Justin Turner doubled in the first inning, and the Dodgers didnt get another hit until the eighth inning in a 9-0 loss to the Red Sox on Friday night.Kazmir (9-5) was roughed up for four runs and five hits by a Boston lineup that was missing slugger David Ortiz.I didnt approach it any different. I feel like I would have been in a good position if I was able to be effective with my pitches, Kazmir said. I just didnt pitch well. I was erratic. When I tried to throw inside, it was way inside. I was trying to pull it, and I just wasnt effective on the outside of the plate.Kazmir has lost two straight since a 13-start unbeaten streak.I was trying to get some outs with my cutter in and my changeup away, but as far as getting ahead of hitters, just throwing consistently quality pitches, it just wasnt there.The Dodgers have lost three of their last four games but still remain two games behind the Giants in the NL West.,Mookie Betts, Sandy Leon and Travis Shaw homered for the Red Sox. Wright, who was born in Torrance, Calif., pitched a three-hitter, striking out nine in his third complete game of the season.Wright (13-5) was greeted with a big bear hug from Ortiz after he put the finishing touches on his first career shutout.Its definitely nice to do it in a homecoming, said Wright, whose mom, dad, sister, brother and wife were in attendance. Watching Dodgers games is what I did growing up. To have an opportunity to pitch here was fun. To be able to throw my first complete-game shutout was icing on the cake.Newly acquired outfielder Josh Reddick has yet to get a hit as a Dodger. He was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.I think that they all want to make an impression, and it seems like Josh (Reddick), tonight aside, the at-bats have been very good, Dave Roberts said. Very quality, hitting the ball hard, and still getting on base. I think he wants to get that first hit as a Dodger.It was a rough day for Reddick as he got his first taste of driving in Los Angeles traffic going to the stadium from Glendale, a Los Angeles suburb.For me it took four entrances and three wrong turns to get here, but I made it, Reddick said. Ill learn eventually.Hell surely get that first hit eventually, ttoo.ddddddddddddThe Dodgers did well in how they honored Ortiz on his farewell tour in a pregame ceremony. Legendary broadcaster Vin Scully narrated a video tribute while Ortiz stood with former teammates Nomar Garciaparra, Adrian Gonzalez and Roberts.I think any time Vin is going to tell a story, its going to be impactful and its going to be meaningful, Red Sox manager John Farrell said. To highlight David the person, not so much the player.The Dodgers presented Ortiz with a $10,000 check to his foundation, The David Ortiz Childrens Fund. Gonzalez and his wife, Betsy, matched the donation.I dont want to say we take it for granted, but Davids impact in the community and the Dominican Republic is so far-reaching, Farrell added. Hes always there to help people and through the foundation hes impacted so many lives.Ortiz is expected back in the lineup Saturday. Hell play first base.Pedroia was hit by Kazmirs pitch in the shin in the third inning and is day-to-day. X-Rays on his shin were negative.TRAINERS ROOMRed Sox: Ryan Hanigan was forced to leave Thursday nights game against the Mariners after taking a pitch off his left ankle. For Friday night, he was available only in the case of an emergency. Boston claimed Bryan Holaday off waivers from the Texas Rangers to solidify its catching corps.Dodgers: Ace Clayton Kershaw (back) and outfielder Trayce Thompson (lower back) will both be out until at least September. ... Bud Norris (mid-back strain) will be placed on the disabled list to make room for Ross Stripling, who will start in his place on Saturday.MINOR LEAGUE WATCHDodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has yet to report to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Roberts said he hadnt reported yet because hes still got some loose ends to tie up, but hell be there. When asked what those were, Roberts said: I dont know. Thats his business, right?UP NEXTRed Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.91 ERA) has a 2.63 ERA in four starts since being recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on July 16.Dodgers: RHP Ross Stripling (2-3, 4.14 ERA) gets his first start since May 19. He had a 1.54 ERA in four appearances as a reliever since and has also made five starts and one relief appearance in Triple-A. ' ' '