.UP NEXTTigers: Former

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METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints, a half-century-old NFL franchise whose early decades were defined largely by bumbling ineptitude, have seen their share of losses marked by unlikely plays and surreal drama.The latest -a 25-23 loss against Denver decided by a blocked extra-point kick returned for a 2-point conversion -- repeated another scenario that has become all too familiar for the Saints in the past decade.It marked the fifth time since 2007 that the Saints (4-5) have rebounded from a start of 1/3 or worse to get to 4-4, only to lose their ninth game. The previous four times it happened -- in 2007, 2012, 2014 and 2015 -- the Saints never got above .500 and missed the playoffs.But the Saints want to believe this time will turn out differently over their last seven games. Some untimely mistakes may have cost them a narrow loss to the defending champion Broncos, but New Orleans players say there remains plenty of evidence that their turnaround has not by any means been derailed.Against the Broncos, the Saints had arguably their best game defensively this season, especially with their pass rush. They had six sacks after getting 11 combined in the first eight games. Cameron Jordan provided consistent pressure and had a team-high eight tackles, including one sack.I thought he played exceptionally well, coach Sean Payton said. It was probably one of his best games of the year. The pressure was significant. I think that really helped us in a lot of ways -- coverage-wise and obviously with the sudden changes that we had.The Saints twice intercepted Trevor Siemian and twice they forced Denver to settle for field-goal attempts after reaching the red zone.Although New Orleans had four turnovers and a slow start that yielded just three first-half points, Drew Brees was 21 of 29 for 303 yards against the NFLs top-rated pass defense. Brees was sacked just once by a defense that had 28 sacks in its previous nine games.Brandin Cooks finished with 98 yards on three receptions. But fellow wide receiver Michael Thomas, a rookie second-round draft choice, lost two fourth-quarter fumbles, the first of which set up a tying touchdown and the second of which led to a field goal that gave the Broncos a 23-17 lead shortly before Brees and Cooks connected on a 32-yard TD that briefly tied the game at 23.A No. 1 pick in 2014, Cooks has emerged as the Saints leading receiver the last two seasons. He said he called Thomas, who has been the most productive rookie receiver in the NFL, on Sunday night to check on him.Hes doing good, Cooks said. Stuff happens and you learn from it. As young guys we learn to bounce back. Im going to continue to push him and be there for him.The Saints have a quick turnaround as they prepare to visit NFC South rival Carolina on Thursday night.We lost a game that left a bad taste in our mouth, Jordan said. Its good that we get a fast chance at redemption.The Saints beat the Panthers 41-38 on Oct. 16 in the Superdome.The best thing that can happen for us is the next game coming up in four days, Cooks said. The best thing for this team is to get back to doing what we need to do, especially against a division opponent.---For more NFL coverage: Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! and Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. TORONTO -- J.A. Happ got hit hard the last time he faced Detroit.This time around, he tamed the Tigers with an effective high fastball.Happ and two relievers combined on a seven-hit shutout, Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run home run and the Toronto Blue Jays extended their season-high winning streak to seven games with a 6-0 victory over Detroit on Friday night.Happ did an excellent job against us, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. We have a lot of trouble with him.In his final start before the All-Star break, Happ (12-3) matched his career-high in wins by giving up six hits, striking out nine and walking none in 5 2/3 innings. The left-hander, who went 12-4 for Philadelphia in 2009, has won six consecutive starts.Its definitely nice, Happ said of his 12th victory. Its a testament to the team and our bullpen. I feel good about how this first half has gone.Happ allowed six runs in five innings in an 11-0 defeat at Comerica Park on June 6. He hasnt lost since.He did make a few adjustments, Detroits James McCann said. He used his fastball up in the zone a little bit more than he did at our place.Jesse Chavez worked 1 1/3 innings and Bo Schultz finished as Toronto won for the seventh time in nine meetings with Detroit.Tigers right-hander Mike Pelfrey (2-8) allowed one run and six hits in six innings. He has won just once in seven starts.My command wasnt really that great tonight, Pelfrey said. I was pretty excited to pitch and I know how good of a lineup that is so I knew I had to bring it. I probably had too much adrenaline.Torontos only run against Pelfrey came in the fifth. Darwin Barney hit a leadoff double, advanced on Ezequiel Carreras single and scored when Josh Donaldson grounded into a double play.The Blue Jays added four more in the seventh against relievers Kyle Ryan and Bobby Parnell. Kevin Pillar hit an RBI double off Ryan, who left after walking Carrera. Parnell came on and got Donaldson to pop out before Encarnacion drilled his 23rd home run, a blast into the center field party deck.ddddddddddddddie is having a heck of a year, manager John Gibbons said. He crushed that ball.Encarnacion leads the majors with 80 RBI.Detroit has lost four of five.NIFTY FIFTYToronto (50-39) won its 50th game before the All-Star break for the first time since 1992. Its the fourth time the Blue Jays have hit 50 wins before the break.MAN OF THE PEOPLEBlue Jays OF Michael Saunders became an All-Star after winning the AL Final Vote contest. Saunders collected 17.7 million votes.ROSTER SHUFFLEToronto optioned RHP Drew Hutchison to Triple-A Buffalo and recalled INF Andy Burns from the Bisons. Hutchison started against Detroit Thursday in place of RHP Marco Estrada (back).TRAINERS ROOMTigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann, on the 15-day DL since July 4, has been diagnosed with a strained muscle in his neck and expects to resume throwing over the All-Star break.Blue Jays: INF Ryan Goins, who went on the DL with a strained forearm after pitching an inning of relief in Torontos 19-inning loss to Cleveland on July 1, is taking ground balls but has yet to resume throwing.UP NEXTTigers: Former Blue Jays farmhand Matt Boyd will start for Detroit Saturday. The left-hander was acquired in the July, 2015, deal that sent David Price to Toronto. Boyd is 0-2 with a 6.44 ERA in six games, five starts, for the Tigers this season. Parnell was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to make room for Boyd.Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (9-1, 2.94) has allowed one run in eighth innings in each of his past two starts, posting victories over Colorado and Kansas City. Sanchez allowed two runs in eight innings in a 3-2 defeat at Detroit on June 7. He has not lost a decision since April 22 against Oakland. ' ' '