Dein erstes Forum » appearances against the Angels and 2

Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen says a little bit of adversity isnt always a bad thing and tough times can make a team better.If thats the case, the Bulldogs hope the results come sooner rather than later.Theres no denying its been a rough first half of the season for Mississippi State (2-4, 1-2 Southeastern Conference), which has lost three of its last four games, including last weeks 28-21 double overtime loss at BYU.The BYU setback was undeniably frustrating -- especially since Mississippi State led for a big chunk of the evening -- but at least there was some reason for optimism. The Bulldogs were much more competitive than the week before, when they fell behind 35-0 at home before losing to Auburn 38-14.Mullen said the team played physical and hard in the BYU loss, but crucial mistakes -- including personal foul penalties and missed assignments -- are keeping the Bulldogs out of the win column.Some of the silly penalties we had overshadowed some tremendous efforts we had on the defensive side of the ball, but you see some young guys start to make plays and play a little better, Mullen said.Mississippi State appears to have a few winnable games ahead of it, starting with a road matchup against Kentucky (3-3, 2-2) on Saturday. The Bulldogs have won seven straight games in the series dating back to 2009.But Kentucky has played better of late, winning three of its last four.Mississippi State hasnt had nearly as much to celebrate lately.Mullen said he hopes the Bulldogs will do a better job in the passing game against Kentucky after an up-and-down week against BYU. Sophomore Nick Fitzgerald continued his inconsistent play, completing 17 of 36 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.One bright spot was Fitzgeralds short pass to freshman Keith Mixon, who ran 44 yards down the sideline for the Bulldogs first touchdown against BYU. Other than that, Mississippi State struggled to create big offensive plays.Mullen says hes willing to take shots downfield. Its up to his players to execute.I dont think weve decreased the number of shots we have taken down the field, Mullen said. I think weve decreased the efficiency of our shots downfield. I think we have to hit a couple of those.Mississippi States offense is working around the absence of starting running back Brandon Holloway. The senior missed the BYU game because of an ankle injury and his return for the Kentucky game is in doubt.Thats meant larger roles for others like sophomore Aeris Williams, who ran for a team-high 82 yards against BYU. Mixon, who has scored a touchdown in two straight games, and sophomore Malik Dear have also become a bigger part of the offense.Its just opportunities for someone else to take and step up, Dear said. Brandon (Holloway) is a great player and we are going to try to do what he does best and to fill his role. But Brandon can only be Brandon, Keith can only be Keith and Malik can only be Malik. So we are going to go out there and do what we can do.-----Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP . AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org .Kaka Jersey . 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Lucas Lima Brazil Jersey . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- With the score tied in the ninth inning, Albert Pujols simply relied on experience.Pujols hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Los Angeles Angels an 8-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.In a situation like that, you try to do a good job to get on base, Pujols said. Ive had so many at-bats in that situation where, maybe earlier in my career, you try to do too much. But as I was getting older and learning from experience, I realized that if you just go out there and try to start a good swing and start a rally with a base hit or whatever, thats the main goal.Mike Trout had three hits and reached on a throwing error to start the ninth, diving headlong into first base to avoid a tag. Pujols also finished with three hits to go with three RBI.After his game-ending drive, Pujols slid feet first into home plate before a swarm of excited teammates helped tear off his jersey.Jefry Marte and Cliff Pennington homered in the fourth for the Angels, who won for the 10th time in 12 home games and extended Oaklands losing streak to five.Stephen Vogt tied it 6-all with an RBI single in the top of the ninth, but Mike Morin (2-1) relieved Cam Bedrosian and got pinch-hitter Danny Valencia to bounce into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded.It was the second time the As grounded into an inning-ending double play with runners in scoring position.Those were two key spots where were talking about situational at-bats and getting an extra run, maybe two, manager Bob Melvin said. Late in games, when you have runners on and you get two outs in one at-bat, it ends up being a factor.Trout led off the bottom half and hit a grounder to third baseman Ryon Healy, who threw high and wide of first. Pujols then drove a 3-1 pitch from Ryan Dull (5-3) far over the left-field fence for his 581st home run.The slugger is two behind former St. Louis Cardinals teammate Mark McGwire for 10th on the career list. Pujols has 1,192 extra-base hits, passing Lou Gehrig for sole possession of ninth place, and his 20th walk-off plate appearance tied him for third-most since 1969, behind Dusty Baker and Rickey Henderson.Guys like Albert, it seems like late in the game, those guys want to be up there, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Theyre going to give you a good at-bat.One night after earning his first save, Bedrosian, filling in for injured closer Hustonn Street, blew an opportunity when he allowed the tying run in the ninth.dddddddddddd Bedrosian put the first five batters of the inning on base before being removed in favor of Morin.Bedrosian said the outing reminded him just how short his memory has to be as a closer.It was just one of those nights where I suppose I didnt have my best stuff, he said. I wanted to be the guy that goes back out there and gets another save after the first one, but its a learning experience.After the As scored once in the eighth on Jed Lowries bases-loaded walk to cut the Los Angeles lead to 6-5, Coco Crisp singled leading off the ninth. Max Muncy walked and Vogt tied the game with a single to left-center. Muncy was tagged out in a rundown between second and third, but Bedrosian walked Khris Davis and Yonder Alonso to load the bases.Morin got Valencia to ground into a 1-2-3 double play.Jered Weaver limited Oakland to four runs (three earned) and nine hits in six innings. Weaver gave up runs in the second, third and fourth, but the Angels tied it in the bottom of each inning before taking a 6-4 lead in the fifth.TRAINERS ROOMAthletics: Lowrie is playing with a bunion on his left foot. The team has ordered him orthotics in hopes of easing the pain but acknowledged that surgery might be an option. Lowrie is trying to avoid the disabled list.Angels: RHP Nick Tropeano has opted for Tommy John surgery to repair his torn ulnar collateral ligament. General manager Billy Eppler announced the decision but said Tropeano doesnt yet have a date or a doctor chosen. ... RHP Garrett Richards saw significant healing of his torn UCL from stem cell therapy at an imaging appointment. He plans to continue the treatment and will have more images taken in 10-14 days.UP NEXTAthletics: RHP Jesse Hahn will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Thursday for his fourth start with Oakland this season. Hahn is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in two appearances against the Angels and 2-4 with a 5.53 ERA in eight major league games this year.Angels: RHP Ricky Nolasco will make his Angels debut in the series finale. Nolasco was acquired from Minnesota on Monday along with RHP Alex Meyer in exchange for LHP Hector Santiago. Nolasco, who grew up 50 miles northeast of Angel Stadium in Rialto, is 4-8 with a 5.13 ERA. ' ' '