Tolkiens Welt » matches so weve dispelled that myth, Germany defen

MINNEAPOLIS -- Byron Buxton flashed both the potential that made him baseballs top prospect in recent years, and the struggles that has observers questioning whether hes ready for the majors.Buxton factored in two of Minnesotas runs in the Twins 6-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night, including an exciting sequence in the third in which the speedy outfielder scored from first. But he also finished the night hitless and drew boos in the ninth on a bunt pop-up in foul territory.Still working on the little things he needs to do, Twins manager Paul Molitor said.Michael Ynoa (1-0) walked the bases loaded three batters after Buxtons pop out, but got Brian Dozier on a pop out to third. Avisail Garcia hit a leadoff double against Fernando Abad (1-4) in the 10th, and then scored easily when Dioner Navarro drove a fastball from Abad to the left-field corner for his third hit of the night.Buxton helped account for both of Minnesotas runs off Chicago starter Miguel Gonzalez, who frustrated Twins batters all night.Gonzalez scattered six hits, struck out five and lasted seven innings for third time this month. Minnesotas first run against him the first six innings came in a three-error third that saw Buxton flash his impressive speed on the bases. He reached when Jose Abreu failed to make a play at first. Throwing and tagging errors by Navarro allowed a leaping Buxton to score and bring the crowd to its feet.Hes electric, steal a base and turn it into a run just with a little bit of bobbling in the outfield there, Molitor said. It was exciting and certainly a pick-me-up for our club.Then, in the seventh, the Twins made it 4-2 on Buxtons RBI groundout.Buxton also made an impressive catch in center. Hes still batting .199 though, and continues to struggle with bunts.That cant happen, especially late in the game, Buxton said. Ive got to get the bunt down.Minnesota was one out from completing a comeback win when Melky Cabreras two-out single in the ninth scored Tim Anderson to make it 5-all heading into the bottom half. The Twins nearly pulled off their second walkoff win in two nights when Ynoa walked Max Kepler to load the bases for Dozier.Eduardo Escobar hit a two-out, three-run homer in the eighth off Matt Albers to put the Twins up 5-4. But Brandon Kintzler blew his first save opportunity in nine chances on Cabreras third RBI of the night.Its a disappointing game, but its entertaining, Molitor said.MILONES NIGHTTwins starter Tommy Milone worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs and nine hits. He looked solid early, but yielded hits to five of the last seven batters he faced. The White Sox scored two runs with two outs in the fifth.Its kind of been my M.O. the whole year it seems like, Milone said. Get those first two quick outs and then you know they string a few hits together, a couple runs, and its definitely frustrating. Ive got to do a better job of making my pitch with two outs there.UP NEXTWhite Sox: LHP Carlos Rodon (2-7) is expected to be activated Sunday and start his first game since July 5. Rodon went on the DL earlier this month after hurting his wrist when he stumbled on dugout steps.Twins: Ervin Santana (3-9) goes for his first win in three tries against the White Sox this season. Santana lost his previous start despite throwing a complete game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. Fake Soccer Jerseys .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. Cheap Soccer Jerseys China . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. https://www.fakesoccerjerseys.com/ .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Soccer Jerseys China .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left knee. Fake Soccer Jerseys For Sale . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. MILAN -- Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura said that while its evident his players will be out for revenge in Tuesdays friendly against Germany, hes more concerned about what they can learn from playing the world champion.Germany defeated Italy on penalties in the quarterfinal of the European Championship in July after the match had finished 1-1. It was coach Antonio Contes final match in charge before taking over at Chelsea.They havent spoken about revenge, but they have it inside them, its clear enough, Ventura said on Monday. Even those who didnt play at the Euros. But this is certainly not a match where you need extra motivation.Even if it is a friendly, in reality, it is a match of top billing. Italy versus Germany is always Italy versus Germany. It gives its own motivation.Italy beat Liechtenstein 4-0 on Saturday in World Cup qualifying and remains second in Group G, behind Spain on goal difference.Ventura is not expected to make many changes for Tuesday, although there are doubts over the fitness of Inter pair Antonio Candreva and Eder, both of whom have slight injuries.On one side, we want to keep the same structure. On the other, there are the youngsters. Then, we have to win against Germany, Ventura said. Its a really standout friendly -- important and weighty, but its still a friendly.Our future is not just tomorrow, but just behind it. Italy versus Germany has to be the window into the future that we want. As were growing and planning, its important what the match tells us. Were playing against the most organized national team of them all. We have to test ourselves in that aspect.Germany crushed Italy 4-1 in Munich in March and then followed it with the victory in the Euro 2016 quarterfinal in Bordeaux.dddddddddddd. Until then, Germany had not claimed a victory over the Azzurri in anything but a friendly -- and it is now looking for its first three-game winning streak in the 34 matches between the sides.The two also drew 1-1 in a friendly in Milan in 2013, their last match before this year.We havent lost in the last three matches so weve dispelled that myth, Germany defender Mats Hummels said. They are always difficult matches. Its a very tough opponent, but were not talking about a curse or a nemesis -- just a squad that can trouble us, like other strong teams.Germany won a World Cup qualifier 8-0 in San Marino on Friday and is top of Group C, five points ahead of Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan.Serge Gnabry had a hat trick in that match, his international debut, while Benjamin Henrichs also made his first appearance for Germany.The other newcomer in the group, Wolfsburg midfielder Yannick Gerhardt, will get his chance in Milan.Its a right mix between new faces and players with more experience, Hummels said. Weve had the same group since September and weve started qualification well.There is a great team spirit, a great working spirit, so that can only make us hopeful for a rosy future.Eight of Germanys 25 players are 21 or younger.We are fortunate that we can count on a lot of experienced players who act as mother hens, Germany coach Joachim Loew said. They guide these youngsters off the pitch as well as on it. ' ' '