Dein erstes Forum » stopped short of saying

NEW YORK -- Curtis Granderson had a lot to live up to when he signed a $60 million, four-year contract with the Mets in the off-season. For much of this year, though, its been a struggle for the three-time All-Star after moving across town. He came through on Monday night, hitting a tying triple off former-Met LaTroy Hawkins and scored two pitches later on Wilmer Flores sacrifice fly to give New York a 3-2 win that stopped the Colorado Rockies four-game winning streak. Things may be looking up for Granderson, who has seven RBIs over his last four games -- hitting .400 during that stretch. Manager Terry Collins believes that the pressure of changing leagues and trying to fulfil a big contract may have gotten to him for a good portion of the season. "It is a little different game, different pitchers and a lot of other things he is not used to," Collins said. "He is swinging the bat good right now and that is good for us." After Lucas Dudas RBI double in the first, Jordan Lyles, Tommy Kahnle, Brooks Brown and Christian Friedrich pitched shutout ball through the eighth. Travis dArnaud doubled leading off the ninth against Hawkins (3-3), who blew a save for the third time in 25 chances. Grandersons triple past right fielder Charlie Blackmon scored pinch-runner Eric Young Jr. Granderson then scored easily ahead of Drew Stubbs off-line throw on Flores fly to centre. Carlos Torres (7-5) pitched a perfect ninth for the Mets, who wore camouflage jerseys as they started a 10-game homestand. Michael Cuddyer tied the score in the second with his seventh home run. Activated before the game, Cuddyer had been on the disabled list since Aug. 24 because of a strained left hamstring, his third DL stint this season. "I was able to get a good pitch to hit and fortunately I didnt miss it," said Cuddyer. Nolan Arenado homered off Vic Blacks changeup on an 0-2 pitch leading off the eighth for a 2-1 lead. "I just threw a bad breaking ball to a guy that is a good hitter," said Black. Mets starter Jonathon Niese allowed one run and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings, struck out seven and walked one. His curveball was hit or miss at times, but the 6-foot-3 left-hander made pitches when he needed to. "There was some that were good and some that were not so good," said Niese. "Fortunately the good ones I was able to get outs on, and the bad ones they did not crush like they probably should have." Lyles gave up one run and three hits in six innings. Mets centre fielder Juan Lagares ran into left-centre and extended to make an outstanding backhand catch to rob Arenado of an extra-base hit with a runner on in the first. Kahnle, a 25-year-old rookie from Latham, New York, pitched a perfect seventh for Colorado. TRAINERS ROOM Rockies: C Wilin Rosario, activated Sunday after a stint on the DL caused by left wrist inflammation, pinch hit in the seventh and remained in the game at catcher. He was 0 for 2. "Im going to ease him in this series," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said before the game. "I look at his situation a little bit different as a catcher." ... Blackmon and 1B Justin Morneau, who leads the NL with a .316 batting average, were not in the starting lineup. "Theyve been going at it pretty good," Weiss said. "It seemed like a good time to give them a day." Mets: 2B Daniel Murphy (strained right calf) is expected to be activated from the 15-day DL on Tuesday, according to Mets general manager Sandy Alderson. UP NEXT Rockies: Rookie RHP Christian Bergman (2-2) starts Tuesday and will be looking to win for the third time in four outings since returning from a broken left hand on Aug. 24. Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (7-6) faces Colorado for the first time. He has not allowed an earned run in 14 innings. EXTRA, EXTRA The Mets had six hits in the game, all for extra bases, marking the first time in franchise history that they had five or more hits and no singles. KEEPING SCORE According to the Elias Sports Bureau, tonights matchup was Howie Karpins 900th regular season game as official scorer -- dating back to September 13, 1998, at Yankee Stadium. A long-time fixture in New York-area press boxes, Karpin has also been the official scorer for three World Series games as well as the 2013 All-Star Game held at Citi Field. Wholesale Shoes USA . But history aside, theyre still happy to participate in the Par 3 contest, traditionally held on the day prior to the first round of the Masters. Air Max 90 Sale . -- D. J. Williams finally has his packing strategy down. https://www.wholesaleshoesforcheap.com/air-max-sale/. Fielder has been out with a herniated disk in his neck, and surgery was recommended after a follow-up exam and another scan Thursday with Dr. Wholesale Shoes From China .J. - The New Jersey Devils know the odds are against them as they chase a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Wholesale Shoes Website . - Olympic champion Marielle Thompson accomplished her mission of defending her skicross World Cup title at Nakiska Ski Area on Saturday.SACRAMENTO, Calif. - DeMarcus Cousins has the statistics. He has the stature. And he has the support of several high-profile peers calling for him to get his first All-Star nod.What he doesnt have is a winning team.Just about everybody around the NBA agrees that the Sacramento Kings franchise centre has blossomed into one of the leagues best big men. Based on ballot returns the past few years, though, many still dont believe hes done enough with the Kings to earn All-Star status in the deep Western Conference.Fans left Cousins out of the mix again when the starters were announced last week. The reserves, voted on by the coaches, will be revealed Thursday night, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select any injury replacements before the marquee game at New Yorks Madison Square Garden on Feb. 15.Count Cousins among those wondering if he finally has the right resume — and reputation — in his fifth season to trump Sacramentos shortcomings.To be totally honest, it is what it is, Cousins said. If I make it, I make it. If I dont, I dont.Coaches must vote for three frontcourt players, two guards and two wild cards. Cousins main competition in the frontcourt is Portlands LaMarcus Aldridge, Oklahoma Citys Kevin Durant, San Antonios Tim Duncan, Dallas Dirk Nowitzki and Houstons Dwight Howard.The biggest thing hurting Cousins campaign — besides the competition — is his teams worsening record.After starting 9-5 this season, the Kings (16-27) have collapsed since Cousins came down with viral meningitis in late November. They went 2-8 during his sick leave — which coincided with Michael Malones stunning firing as coach — and have failed to pick up the pieces under short-term replacement Tyrone Corbin.Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players, but Corbin believes Cousins shouldnt be penalized because of all the chaos around him.Its the All-Star game. Its about individual performances, Corbin said. You look at (team records) sometimes, but I think most cases on the All-Star performance they look at the guy and his numbers and what hes doing for this year. Hes certainly having a great year where we havent won the number of games that we would like to win.Cousins began to reepair his volatile image when he helped Team USA win gold at the FIBA World Cup in Spain over the summer, and his game has continued to rise during another disappointing season in Californias capital city.dddddddddddde entered Wednesday averaging career highs of 24.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 blocks per game, staggering statistics by most traditional metrics. He was also eighth in the NBA in player efficiency rating at 25.78.Perhaps most importantly, his emotional and often unpredictable behaviour has improved — at least by his standards. After compiling a league-most 33 technical fouls the last two years, Cousins has just four this season.You can tell theres been a lot of growing on his side as a player, Bulls centre Joakim Noah said. He is playing more efficiently. I feel sometimes he gets frustrated and that works in our favour. I feel this year hes the one getting guys frustrated and its worked for them.Clippers coach Doc Rivers said hes noticed a difference, too.Hes grown up emotionally, Rivers said. His game has grown up. I think hes the best low-post player in the league, and hes doing it every night. Hes doing more than just scoring. Hes doing everything. Im just very proud of him.Rivers later said Cousins is an All-Star in his mind, and so have most coaches this season. Of course, many have said such things publicly in the past.How they vote will be the true test of their resolve.Golden States Steve Kerr, who is coaching the Western Conference in the All-Star game, said most coaches will side with the player on the better team when making a close call. The same reasoning is why Kerr is confident Klay Thompson will join Stephen Curry on the West team and represent the NBA-leading Warriors (36-7).Asked specifically about Cousins, Kerr said hes one of the few players in the league that his staff centres its game plan around. But he stopped short of saying whether hed select Cousins on the crowded ballot.There is no doubt that he is an All-Star-calibre player, but its musical chairs in the West, Kerr said. There are only so many spots. I dont know how it will play out.___Antonio Gonzalez can be reached at: www.twitter.com/agonzalezAP ' ' '