Monster High » - The NFL Players Association thinks Tampa B

CLEVELAND -- After 158 games of highs, lows, losing streaks and walk-off wins, the Cleveland Indians can almost touch the post-season. October is right in front of them. "Were in control of our own destiny," designated hitter Jason Giambi said. "Thats all you can ask for at this time of year." Rookie Danny Salazar gave Cleveland a much-needed quality start and Nick Swisher hit a two-run homer as the Indians tightened their grip on one of the ALs two wild-card playoff spots with their 14th straight win over the Chicago White Sox, 7-2 on Wednesday night in their home finale. Salazar (2-3) struck out eight in 5 1-3 innings for the Indians, who won their final six home games to stay with the wild-card leaders. Theyll hit the road for four games in Minnesota with a lead over Texas in the wild-card chase. Cleveland is also one game behind Tampa Bay for the top spot with just four games left. "We did what we needed to do," manager Terry Francona said. "Its very exciting to go play games that are this meaningful. This is as good as it gets." Swisher homered in the fifth inning off Dylan Axlerod (4-11) as the Indians finished the season 17-2 against Chicago. Cleveland hasnt made the playoffs since 2007 but its closing in on a berth under Francona, who guided Boston to two World Series titles and has helped the Indians to 20 more wins than they had a year ago. A spray-painted bedsheet in the upper deck of Progressive Field said: "Playoff Bound." The Indians, who already have 20 more wins than last season, have some work to do before that can happen. They havent won it all since 1948, but if they can win their next four games in Minnesota, the Indians will give themselves a chance to end the drought. "Weve just got to play baseball, thats all we gotta do," said Giambi, who may have saved Clevelands season with a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the ninth inning Tuesday night. "We dont have to worry about anybody else beating anybody else. Weve just get to go out and play baseball, which is the fun part of the game." Asivail Garcia homered for the White Sox, 6-19 since Aug. 30. Chicago is just 25-47 against AL Central teams, and were overmatched against the Indians. "Theyre better than us this year," Ventura said. "They had our number. They outplayed us. We had leads late, but they seemed to fight and come back. They had a few walk-offs." Swishers two-run shot in the fifth gave the Indians a 4-1 lead and allowed 30,942 fans to breathe a little easier following the emotional rollercoaster of Tuesday night, when Giambis majestic homer bailed out closer Chris Perez, who gave up two homers in the top of the inning. With the Indians leading 2-1 in the fifth, Brantley, who has been using one of Carlos Santanas bats, doubled with one out and Swisher, who was 0 for 13 against Axelrod, followed with a shot into the Indians bullpen in centre. After rounding the bases, Swisher saluted the crowd by raising his hands and forming an "O" and "H". The Indians packed their travel bags for a four-game series against the Twins not knowing if theyll play again this season after Sunday. They could be coming back to Cleveland for the winter, playing a one-game playoff just to get to into the wild-card game or maybe headed to either Tampa Bay or Texas for one game with the winner advancing to the division series. "The ball is in our court," said Brantley, who is batting .514 (18 of 35) during a nine-game hitting streak. "As long as we handle what we need to take care of, well be just fine. We took care of business at home and now we just have to go on the road and continue to do what were doing." Indians ace Justin Masterson, sidelined since Sept. 2 with an oblique injury, pitched the ninth. Its possible the All-Star right-hander could start again this season if the Indians get in the playoffs. One night after Giambis breathtaking homer, the Indians had to scrap again to get past a team with 96 losses. Leading 4-1 in the sixth, Salazar gave up a pair of singles and was replaced by Bryan Shaw. Dayan Viciedo followed with an RBI single, and after the Indians botched a rundown, Shaw was in a jam. But the right-hander struck out Jordan Danks and Marcus Semien. The Indians got the run back in the sixth on Drew Stubbs sacrifice fly and went up 7-2 in the seventh on Asdrubal Cabreras two-run single. Cleveland took advantage of Chicago miscues to score two unearned runs in the second and take a 2-1 lead. Lonnie Chisenhall reached on a fielders choice and moved up on Axelrods wild pitch with two outs. Drew Stubbs hit a high hopper toward third baseman Semien, who should have handled it but let it bounce off his glove for an error, allowing Chisenhall to score. Brantley, who has been Clevelands best hitter in the clutch, followed with an RBI single to centre. He entered batting .349 with two outs and runners in scoring position. The White Sox played their final road game without Paul Konerko, who was kneecap was sore and swollen after fouling a pitch off it Tuesday. NOTES: Indians CF Michael Bourn didnt start because of a sprained right wrist. Francona wanted to give his leadoff hitter a day of rest and treatment. Bourn pinch-ran for Giambi in the sixth. ... Giambi has two pinch-hit walk-off homers this season, both against the White Sox. Hes the first player to hit two pinch-hit walk-offs against the same team in a season since 1968, when Detroits Gates Brown did it twice against Boston. Giambi was overwhelmed by the standing ovation he got in the second. "Speechless," he said. "To have that opportunity last night, a dream come true." ... White Sox DH Adam Dunn was given the night off, though it appears hes been idle for several weeks. After striking out four times Tuesday, hes batting .115 (12 of 104) in his last 29 games. Cheap Detroit Lions Jerseys . "Its embarrassing what were doing here," leading scorer Phil Kessel said Wednesday. The most recent failed season came with even more pain than the six that preceded it. There was no hint of an impending implosion when the Leafs came roaring out of the all-star break with back-to-back games against Pittsburgh -- a 5-4 shootout loss followed by a 1-0 win the next night. T.J. Hockenson Jersey . According the CSNBayArea.com, the 31-year-old suffered an ACL injury in his right knee on Friday when he collided with Anaheims Emerson Etem during a pre-season game. http://www.cheapdetroitlionsjerseysauthe...yant-jersey.com) - The NFL is investigating whether the New England Patriots intentionally deflated balls during Sundays AFC Championship Game against Indianapolis. Cheap Authentic Lions Jerseys . The hard-serving 22-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., became the first Canadian to be ranked in the Top 10 on the ATP World Tour thanks to his runner-up performance at Rogers Cup in Montreal. Lions Jerseys China . The Maple Leafs handed their embattled head coach a two-year contract extension on Thursday, while at the same time announcing that assistants Dave Farrish, Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon will not be back.(SportsNetwork.com) - The NFL Players Association thinks Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano leaked confidential information about former Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freemans inclusion in the NFLs substance-abuse program, according to a report. The union wants the league to participate in a joint investigation of Schiano so it can question him, USA Today reported Sunday, citing a correspondence it had obtained. Previously, NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith said the union would investigate if the Buccaneers leaked information about the quarterback. The union says it doesnt have confidence in the leagues separate probe partly because it is unaware of any previous NFL investigation into such a confidentiality breach that has yielded discipline, according to the report. After ESPN reported the quarterbacks inclusion in the drug program, Freeman said in a statement he never tested positive for an illegal drug but takes ADHD medication and said he accidentally took Ritalin innstead of Adderall last year, which triggered a positive test.dddddddddddd As a result, he was placed in Stage 1 of the NFLs substance-abuse program and submitted to frequent drug tests. Freeman was released by the Buccaneers after being benched by Schiano and now plays for the Minnesota Vikings. Schiano was asked by reporters if he was the source of the leak and replied, "absolutely not." The NFLPA says it has information Schiano discussed Freemans inclusion in the drug program with other Buccaneers players, according to USA Today. An NFL spokesman told the paper the league takes the confidentiality provision of the drug policy "as seriously as the union and will vigorously pursue any leads the union provides." "However, such information should be shared confidentially with our office rather than inappropriately leaked to the media before the investigation has been concluded," spokesman Brian McCarthy said. 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