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A32 sports
Diasabra 12 september 2020

Left out: Rays' all-left-handed-hitting order historic

(AP) — Tampa Bay Rays 19. The 31-year-old allowed
became the first major one run, three hits and two
league team since at least walks in a no-decision against
1901 to start a batting or- Toronto last Sunday. “We
der with all left-handed knew we were left-handed
batters. heavy coming into the sea-
son. We’ve added a couple
Rays manager Kevin Cash of left-handed hitters,” Cash
stacked his lineup with left- said. “Thinking about it last
ies on Friday night against night after the game, we
Boston Red Sox right-hander don’t know their pitcher very
Andrew Triggs. “I hope they well, Triggs.
all get hot, right now it would
be nice,” Cash said. We’re not even sure how
While some teams have start- deep he’ll go in the game, but
ed a lineup in which all bat- we know we have plenty of
ters hit from the left side the right-handers that if they de-
first time up, all previous oc- cide to go left-handed at cer-
casions since 1901 included tain points, we have options.”
at least one switch-hitter. Boston manager Ron Roe-
nicke said when bench coach
Triggs was making just his Jerry Narron gave him the
second start for the Red Sox, Rays lineup, he thought it
who claimed him off waivers was wrong.
from San Francisco on Aug.

LeBron, Lakers on the cusp of reaching West finals

NBA campus and will not the weekend is over. “We conference finals for the 11th
participate with the Rockets know what we have to do,” time in his career.
team in additional games said Russell Westbrook, — Keep an eye on: Harden.
this season," the league said. who led Houston with 25 Game 4 was just the eighth
House averaged 11.4 points points in Game 4. “It’s going time in his career — and the
in nine playoff appearances. to take a lot of effort. It’s first since 2015 — when he
He didn't play in Games 3 or going to take everyone being played at least 39 minutes in
4 against the Lakers while the uncomfortable in their role a game and made no more
matter was investigated. The and making sure that we than two field goals. The
Lakers dropped Game 1 and understand that we all have Rockets need him to have
trailed going into the fourth to sacrifice some of the things a bounceback game in the
quarter of Game 2. They we may love to do, but we got worst way.
outscored the Rockets by 10 to scramble. That gives us the — Injury watch: The Lakers
points in the final period of best chance to win games.” were missing two players
that game to even the series, Thursday. JaVale McGee
beat them by 10 points again A look at Saturday’s game: missed Game 4 with an ankle
in Game 3 and 10 points yet Rockets vs. Lakers problem and Dion Waiters is
again in Game 4. LeBron Los Angeles leads 3-1. Game out with a groin issue.
(AP) — The Houston see what happens.” Whatever James is on the brink of 5, 8 p.m. EDT, ESPN. — Pressure is on: Houston.
Rockets didn’t show up happens for Houston, it'll another conference finals, — need to know: The Lakers All on Houston. There has
for Game 4 against the happen without Danuel and said he’s seeing a Lakers have taken away Houston’s been tons speculation about
Los Angeles Lakers until House. team that is in its first playoff biggest weapon — the deep D’Antoni’s future with the
it was too late. They can’t run together continuing to ball. The Rockets have taken team going forward for
do that again Saturday in The Rockets' situation got grow. He thought the Lakers a total of 63 3-pointers in the much of this season, and a
Game 5 or else. worse Friday, when House played 43 good minutes in most recent two games of this five-game loss in the second
was told to leave the bubble Game 4; a five-minute stretch series, a very low number for round typically leads to big
For the second time in these for the remainder of the of the fourth where Houston a team that took 61 in a single changes when a franchise has
playoffs, the Rockets’ season season because an NBA outscored Los Angeles by 16 game earlier this season. If championship aspirations.
is on the line. The Lakers lead investigation showed he points and made it a two- Houston doesn’t get on track,
Houston 3-1 in their Western had a guest in his room possession game was the James will be headed to the
Conference semifinal series “over multiple hours" this omission from his tally.
and could clinch their spot week. The NBA said the
in the West finals with a guest “was not authorized “We want to strive for
win on Saturday night at to be on campus" and that something better than that,”
Walt Disney World. It is the its investigation showed James said. “We want to work
only game on Saturday’s no evidence that other the game plan for 48 minutes.
NBA schedule. Houston has players or staff were ... We’re still a team that’s
won an elimination game involved in the matter. A growing. We’ve got some guys
already; it beat Oklahoma person with knowledge of who have not been part of the
City in Game 7 of the first the investigation told The postseason. This is our first
round. Rockets coach Mike Associated Press that the run together.” NBA scoring
D’Antoni doesn’t want his Rockets initiated the decision champion James Harden
club thinking about trying for House to leave. That was just 2 for 11 from the
to win three games now, person spoke on condition of field in Game 4 for Houston,
preferring instead to simply anonymity because neither and D’Antoni said the team
focus on getting one. “We’ve the Rockets nor the league played without “spirit” for
got to win the next game,” confirmed that detail publicly. much of that game. If they
D’Antoni said. “It’s a one- do that on Saturday, they’ll
game series and then we’ll “Mr. House is leaving the be leaving the bubble before