pite Torontos recent rocky road, man

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NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez had a day off to think about the "overwhelming" reception he received in his season debut at Yankee Stadium. A-Rod did not play Saturday in the New York Yankees 9-3 loss to Detroit, a game that began about 13 hours after Rodriguez struck out three times in four at-bats during a 10-inning victory over the Tigers. "Just a day, its a quick turnaround and hes coming off an injury," manager Joe Girardi said. "If we dont have that late night maybe I play him today." Rodriguez left the ballpark Friday night without talking to the media, but he was upbeat and smiling throughout a chat in front of his locker before Saturdays game. The one topic he wouldnt discuss: a report that said he was given a letter by the Yankees stating that they are thinking of fining him for violating the collective bargaining agreement in late July. Citing anonymous sources, ESPNNewYork reported the Yankees could fine him for seeking an unapproved second opinion on his strained quadriceps. He can also be penalized for failing to show up for work July 12 after meeting with Major League baseball officials conducting the investigation into Biogenesis, the now-closed Florida anti-aging clinic. "Maybe they sent it to my lawyers, but Im not really going to talk about that," Rodriguez said. A call to general manager Brian Cashman on Saturday was not returned. Coming off January hip surgery, Rodriguez played his first game in New York since a horrendous post-season and since appealing the 211-game doping suspension he was given last week. He received a mix of cheers and boos throughout the pregame and a good number of fans stood and applauded during his first at-bat against Detroits Rick Porcello. But any good vibes quickly turned to jeers when he struck out. "I was having a hard time keeping my emotions in check," Rodriguez said of the welcome. "So much better than I even dreamed of. I just felt the love walking around the city. What people are screaming, pretty incredible. This city is the greatest city in the world." Rodriguez was booed throughout his first three games of the season in Chicago. And he expects to hear plenty for the rest of the year. "For the last 14 years theres always been a mix. Do you ever get 100 per cent of anything?" Rodriguez asked. "Even Chicago was a mix. Bostons going to be a mix -- well, maybe not Boston. But I was overwhelmed. Yesterday was a day Ill never forget." After going 0 for 4, A-Rod was lifted for defence in the ninth inning. He had no problem with the move, saying he trusts Girardi. Girardi insisted hes only trying to manage a player returning from a serious injury. And he has experience. Girardi already has seen star shortstop Derek Jeter return to the disabled list twice since coming back in July from off-season ankle surgery. Out with a right calf strain, Jeter played catch on the field and said he might ride a stationary bike. He thinks he could starting running in the next couple of days. A 14-time All-Star with 647 career homers, Rodriguez is 3 for 15 with two walks and a hit by pitch in his first four games. He thinks hell need about a dozen games to know where he is in his recovery. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . LOUIS -- St. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No.TORONTO -- Fresh from a weekend off and sporting player reinforcements, struggling Toronto FC returns to action Saturday against the visiting Columbus Crew. In recent days, Toronto has added Scottish defender Steven Caldwell, American midfielder Bobby Convey and New Zealand forward Jeremy Brockie. They join 21-year-old Argentine midfielder Matias Laba, who already has two league games under his belt. Caldwell, formerly of Birmingham City, is expected to start in central defence, possibly alongside Doneil Henry with captain Darren ODea shifted to left back and Ryan Richter at right back. Brockie and Convey could see action from the bench. Both teams need a change of fortune. Columbus (3-4-3) has lost its last two league matches and has just one win in its last six starts. Toronto (1-5-4) has lost four straight in all competitions during which it has been outscored 11-2. And it is suffering through an eight-game winless streak in MLS play. The struggling club has just two wins in 12 outings in all competitions this season and is 1-15-8 in its last 24 MLS matches dating back to July 28, 2012. "The next four games are massive now for us and theyre all against teams around us," ODea said of upcoming games against Columbus, New England, Philadelphia and D.C. United. "It starts with (Saturday). Its early in the season but it looks like a must-win game for us." "This team is going forward," said Welsh striker Robert Earnshaw. "Were not thinking about going sideways and thinking about whats happened in the last few weeks. Its about getting better all the time." Toronto has dropped nine points in six matches due to goals conceded after the 80th minute. In three instances, the goals came in stoppage time. Despite Torontos recent rocky road, manager Ryan Nelsen says the size of the challenge of remaking the franchise has not been as big as he expected. The coach says his club has been in almost every single game, save the season opener in Vancouver. "You could probably say we competed and were in the game or we could have won or drawn. I didnt think I would be able to say that after 10 games," said the former New Zealand international. "When I first came in, I knew it was a huge job.dddddddddddd But (look at) the improvements that these guys have made over a couple of months," he added. "And this takes time. When youve had seven years of mediocrity, its very hard to just flip it like a light switch." But asked if Toronto is a better team than the record suggests, ODea said no. "The table doesnt lie. You are where you are and thats it," said the Irish international. "But the confidence and self-belief in the team has to remain ... We just need to cut out stupid errors and well be higher up in the table. Both teams come into the game with injury problems. The Crew are missing stud defender Chad Marshall while midfielder/defender Danny ORourke and midfielder Agustin Viana are questionable. Columbus will also be without forward Jairo Arrieta, suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount by the league for violent conduct against Colorado Rapids defender Drew Moor in a May 11 game. Arrieta got a yellow card for a swinging arm that connected with Moors head. Toronto, meanwhile, is missing defenders Richard Eckersley, Logan Emory, Gale Agbossoumonde and Darel Russell, and midfielders Hogan Ephraim and Terry Dunfield. The good news is Dutch striker Danny Koevermans, a long-term injury absence after knee surgery, is due to take apart in a reserve match Saturday. Toronto will have excellent intel on the visitors given that former Crew assistant Duncan Oughton is now on Nelsens coaching staff. Nelsen says the revolving door on personnel moves will keep turning if the club can improve its roster. There has been talk of the signing of a designated player in midfield in the summer. "My job is to make this team better," the coach said. NOTES -- Columbus has never lost at BMO Field, posting a record of 1-0-5 there. Toronto has beaten the Crew just once in 16 career meetings, a 4-2 decision in September 2011 at Columbus Crew Stadium. TFCs all-time record against the Crew is 1-8-7 ... Saturdays game marks Italian Heritage Night ... Toronto FC has Brazilian centre back Gleason Pinto dos Santos on trial. Known as Santos, he has played in Brazil, Greece and Italy ... Ephraim has confirmed he will be returning to Queens Park Rangers. ' ' '