Archiv » second half of the season Thursday, when two of the ma

PITTSBURGH -- The Milwaukee Brewers invested $50 million on Matt Garza three years ago to be their staff ace. Theyve been rewarded with 15 victories since then, just one this season.The Pittsburgh Pirates, never one to throw money around, are paying left-hander Francisco Liriano $13 million to be their staff ace this season. Theyve been rewarded with only five victories, and just one in his last nine starts dating to May 24.The NL Central rival Brewers and Pirates wrap up the first of their five series over the second half of the season Thursday, when two of the majors most disappointing starting pitchers match up only 10 days before the trading deadline.The Brewers, of course, would love to see Garza pitch well -- something hes done infrequently while going 15-25 overall since signing his big contract. And not just to benefit them on the field.Garza, 32, has pitched so little this season due to a lat problem that landed him on the 60-day disabled list -- and pitched so ineffectively when hes been on the mound -- that hes significantly reduced his value. If they could swing a deal, the Brewers no doubt would pay much of the money still due Garza through the end of the 2017 season.Garza has made only one quality start in six games, and the Brewers are 1-5 in those -- including a 5-4 loss Friday at Cincinnati in which he gave up four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. Opposing hitters are batting .328 against the right-hander.Lirianos struggles are more pronounced because he has been in the Pirates rotation all season, making 19 starts. But hes lasted at least six innings only once since June 11 -- during a 5-1 loss in Washington on Friday.And the problems he developed early in the season with his mechanics, and with throwing strikes, arent going away.Once the protege of Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage, Liriano and Searage havent seemed to be on the same page as Lirianos uneven first half of the season has carried over into the second half. And with the Pirates searching for a reliable starting rotation down the stretch -- theyd probably like to add a starter -- it becomes even more important for them to get Liriano untracked.Im more focused on throwing strikes right now, not thinking about the hitters and whether they can put the ball in play or not, Liriano said after the Nationals loss, in which he walked at least three for the ninth time in 10 starts. Im just making sure Im executing pitches and throwing everything down in the zone.Each team will be looking for a series win Thursday following the Pirates 3-2 win on Tuesday and the Brewers 9-5 decision on Wednesday, when Jonathan Lucroy drove in three runs and Scooter Gennett and Chris Carter had two RBI each.Every time those guys came up, they were in RBI situations. What you want in your lineup is for the first two guys to set up your big run producers, and Brauny and Luc came through, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.Pirates starter Jeff Locke and four relievers aided the Brewers offense by combining to walk nine.He (Locke) will be the first to tell you he walked too many guys -- when you walk guys and they get a big hit, that can hurt you in a hurry, Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer said.The Brewers kept the pressure on the Pirates by twice executing double steals, one involving leadoff hitter Jonathan Villar, who reached base four straight times on two singles and two walks.Well pick spots to run and try to capture bases, and just push it and keep pressure (on), Counsell said.Thats a strategy theyll try to employ Thursday against Liriano, who has lost his last three decisions at PNC Park. Clearance NFL Jerseys Australia . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. http://www.cheapnfljerseysaustralia.com/ . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. NFL Jerseys Outlet .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Australia . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Will Minson is the old Bulldog learning new AFL tricks as he tries to force his way back into the senior team.The 31-year-old is on the verge of a recall as the Western Bulldogs prepare for Saturday nights big match against Sydney at the SCG.Minson has not played in the AFL since last years elimination final loss to Adelaide.He has languished in the VFL as teammates such as Tom Campbell and Jordan Roughead have shared the ruck duties.But coach Luke Beveridge is impressed with Minsons form, saying he has shown some form in attack as well as rucking well.Beveridge is admamant that his AFL ruckmen must also be dangerous as resting tall forwards.As soon as we feel like he deserves a spot in front of someone, well play him, Beveridge said.To his credit, you can always teach an old dog new tricks and hes learning a few.Hell come in very soon, if its not this week.Saturdays twilight match will be the third time this season that the Bulldogs have gone on the road and one of the leagues toughest away matches comes at a crucial time.The Bulldogs suffered the worst loss of the year so far in roundd 13, with Geelong opening them up by 57 points.ddddddddddddIt left the Bulldogs a game outside the top four as they come off their mid-season bye, while the Swans are second and will go top if they win.The Bulldogs have shown mixed interstate form this season - a 25-point loss to GWS in round nine, but then an outstanding three-point win over Port Adelaide two games ago.The last time they played Sydney was in round five last year, also at the SCG, when the Bulldogs stirring four-point win was an early indicator of their re-emergence.Meanwhile, Minson is among five players in the selection mix this week, with defender Easton Wood certain to return from a hamstring injury.Dashing half-back Jason Johannisen could come straight back into the senior side, despite his nasty hamstring tear sidelining him since round four.Tom Boyd and Koby Stevens are on the verge of recalls, but will have to convince the Bulldogs this week that they are over their injury problems. ' ' '