Mikroskopie » Melvin said he is hopeful SS Jed Lowrie

MADRID - Serena Williams brushed aside Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 6-2, 6-1 to open her defence of the Madrid Open title on Sunday, while Maria Sharapova beat Klara Koukalova 6-1, 6-2 in the first round. In the mens tournament, Novak Djokovic withdrew before the start of the event because of a right wrist injury that had already affected his play at Monte Carlo last month. "I did everything possible in order to play in Madrid," Djokovic said. "But unfortunately my right arm injury has flared up again." The top-ranked Williams, who has won the clay-court tournament the past two years, hit 11 aces and broke Bencic five times to advance in less than an hour. Williams will play Peng Shuai of China in the second round. Sharapova, who lost to Williams in last years final, converted six of eight break points to take advantage of Koukalovas eight double-faults. The eighth-seeded Sharapova will play Christina McHale of the United States next. Also, Ana Ivanovic beat Madison Keys of the United States 6-1, 7-6 (4) to set up a meeting with fellow Serb Bojana Jovanovski. The 11th-seeded Ivanovic overcame her shaky serve by saving three of four break points. Brian Downing Angels Jersey . Sam, who joined the Cowboys in early September, has spent the entire season on the practice roster. Los Angeles Angels Pro Shop .com) - Chris Kreider tallied a goal and an assist as the New York Rangers capped a successful California road trip with a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. https://www.cheapangels.com/2143j-whitey...ngels.html.Just like old times.Only this time, just one got to enjoy a victory.James return to Miami as an opponent was a success — for the Heat, that is. Wade scored 24 of his 31 points in the first half, Luol Deng had 25 points and dogged James defensively all night, and the Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 in a hyped Christmas matchup Thursday. Fred Lynn Jersey . A groundswell for raising the number of playoff qualifiers to seven in each conference figures to get plenty of support from the 32 owners. Most notably, Arizonas Bill Bidwill, who saw his Cardinals go 10-6 and not get in, while Green Bay (8-7-1) qualified by winning the NFC North. Dillon Peters Angels Jersey .The 24-year-old quarterback spent four seasons at Northern Illinois and in 2013 was a finalist for the Heisman, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in U.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- This is how well things are going for the Oakland Athletics: They had only one hit -- and won. "Sometimes thats all you need," said manager Bob Melvin after the As won for the 11th time in 12 games, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 Wednesday night. Brandon Moss hit a solo homer for Oaklands only hit and the Athletics took advantage of walks and two errors to win their fifth straight. "Its not the easiest way to win a baseball game," said Moss, who hit his 10th homer. "But its better than getting one hit and losing." Oakland scored twice on two errors and a pair of walks in the second inning, helping the As win a regular-season game for the first time since at least 1914 while getting only one hit, according to the team. Moss 11th extra-base hit in seven games came off Erik Bedard in the fourth inning. Oaklands fifth straight victory, coupled with Detroits loss earlier Wednesday, gave the As the best record in the major leagues at 30-16. Tommy Milone (2-3) gave up two runs in 5 2-3 innings for the As. Bedard (2-2) pitched 5 1-3 innings for the Rays. Four Rays relievers finished the one-hitter, but the Rays gave up seven walks, one reason the As didnt need much hitting. "Its pretty remarkable. You dont hear about that too often, but we did walk a lot," said Milone. "We worked the count, got on base and put pressure on them. I guess its not that surprising when you look back." The homer by Moss was the first off Bedard since Sept. 16, 2013, breaking a homerless streak of 49 1-3 innings. Throwing errors by Rays shortstop Yunel Escobar and second baseman Sean Rodriguez and two walks in the second inning helped the As score their first two runs off Bedard. "Its really one of the more unusual games to lose," ssaid Rays manager Joe Maddon.dddddddddddd. "We pitched extremely well. Its just an awkward game to give up one hit and lose. The one hit is a home run, and that was the deciding point." After Moss sixth homer in 16 games made it 3-0, singles by Wil Myers, James Loney and Escobar produced two runs for Tampa Bay in the sixth and chased Milone. The Rays, who have lost four straight, loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, but reliever Fernando Abad got Escobar to hit into a double play. "That won us the ballgame right there, in my opinion," said As catcher Derek Norris. Sean Doolittle pitched the ninth for his fourth save. Logan Forsythe was credited with a hit off Doolittle when his infield popup caromed off a Tropicana Field catwalk and landed near the pitchers mound. The umpires ruled the ball had struck the catwalk in fair territory. NOTES: The Rays will activate RHP Alex Cobb (strained left oblique) from the 15-day disabled list Thursday to pitch against Oakland RHP Sonny Gray (5-1). Cobb (1-1) went on the 15-day disabled list April 13. The Rays optioned OF Kevin Kiermaier to Triple-A Durham to create Cobbs roster spot. . . . Tampa Bay RHP Jeremy Hellickson, coming back from arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in January, will throw batting practice for the first time Thursday. He hopes to be back before the All-Star break. ... Melvin said he is hopeful SS Jed Lowrie will play Thursday after missing two games with a strained neck. ... RHP Ryan Cook (right forearm strain) might pitch a bullpen session when the As return home next week. ... LHP Eric OFlaherty (Tommy John surgery) will throw one inning in a sim game at extended spring training Saturday. He is eligible to come off the disabled list May 29. ' ' '