Kommandozentrale » lot of love between now and the first game

CHICAGO -- After nine seasons in Japan and three years in the minor leagues, Cubs starter Tsuyoshi Wada finally picked up that elusive first major league victory. Wada (1-1) left little doubt to Monday nights outcome, pitching seven strong innings as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-1. "Im so happy for him," catcher John Baker said about Wadas first win. "Its great, when youre having a tough season like were having, to have little victories like that." In only his third career start in the majors, Wada cut through the Colorado lineup, allowing one run and five hits. It was a far cry from his last outing, when he lasted just four innings and gave up five runs in a loss to San Diego. The sole blemish on Wadas performance came in the sixth when the Rockies got three hits, capped by Nolan Arenados RBI single. "He executed pitches, got some big outs when he needed to and got out of traffic that developed late," manager Rick Renteria said. "He did a nice job and gave us some innings." The 33-year-old Wada won 107 games over nine seasons in Japan. He signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles two seasons ago but injured his elbow soon after joining the club and underwent undergo Tommy John surgery in May 2012. He signed with the Cubs in December 2013. "Its the second time I pitched in Chicago, so it was a little more relaxed," Wada said through a translator. "Im happy about this first win." Pedro Strop worked out of a jam in the eighth inning and Hector Rondon worked a perfect ninth for his 13th save in 16 chances. Yohan Flande (0-3) struck out eight in 6 2-3 innings. Those were his career bests in his fifth start. "Flande put us in position to win that game," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "We just couldnt put together a big inning." Flande faced the minimum through three innings, but the Cubs got to the Rockies starter for two runs in the fourth. Emilio Bonifacio led off with a single and Arismendy Alcantara doubled, setting up Rizzos RBI grounder and Justin Ruggianos sacrifice fly. Chicago added two more runs in the eighth against Nick Masset. Baker scored on an errant pickoff throw and Rizzo singled for his 58th RBI this season. TRAINERS ROOM Rockies: SS Troy Tulowitzki (left hip) underwent an acupuncture-like procedure in Philadelphia. ... 1B Justin Morneau (strained neck) was scheduled to a make a rehab start with the Triple-A Colorado Springs. Manager Walt Weiss said Morneau could return as soon as Tuesday, the first day hes eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list. ... LHP Boone Logan (intestinal condition) was also scheduled to make his first rehab appearance with Colorado Springs. Cubs: Renteria is encouraged by left-handed reliever Kyuji Fujikawas rehab assignment in Triple-A Iowa. "I can say that hes responding well after his outings," Renteria said. "Well continue to monitor and see where hes at. All indications, I can say that hes doing fine." Fujikawa, 34, underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2013. UP NEXT In the second game of the four-game series, Edwin Jackson (5-11, 5.68) starts for the Cubs on Tuesday night, looking for his first win since June 20. He will face Jorge De La Rosa (11-6, 4.19). GLOVEWORK The Rockies produced two phenomenal defensive plays. Third baseman Arenado showcased his skills in the sixth inning. On a hard hit ball by Alcantara, Arenado dived to his right, gloved the two-hopper and made a quick throw from his knees to get the speedy Alcantara at first. In the eighth inning with runners at the corners, shortstop Charlie Culberson made a diving stop up the middle, flipped the ball from his glove to second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, who then threw to first to complete the inning ending double play. Patrick Corbin Jersey . The Pope greeted Klose at his general audience Wednesday and the pair had a long chat. 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Price also posted the longest shutout sequence since 1960 at 164:19 minutes. He stopped a combined 55 shots in Canadas final two games and 70 of 71 shots in Canadas three elimination games, allowing only a breakaway goal to Lauris Darzins of Latvia. For his efforts, Price was named best goalkeeper by the tournament directorate. Prices outstanding play is marred only by the extremely strong defensive play of Canadas top six defencemen; Shea Weber, Duncan Keith, Drew Doughty, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester.Ladies and Gentlemen, start your printing presses. Now that the World Cup draw is complete, millions of words will be typed in previewing the tournament and thousands of publications will print previews. These are always enjoyable to read but can easily sway your opinion one way or the other. It really is amazing what can happen over time, how a team can go from nobodies to contenders just by certain people talking up their chances. With that in mind, it is important to remember how you feel about these teams today. Things will change, players will get hurt and their form will change, for better or worse, so now is not the time to marry yourself to your picks but it is a very good idea to stick to the majority of what you think today. With that in mind, here are my picks from each group to progress, with a few other predicitions thrown in there too. GROUP A – Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon Initial thoughts on the draw – Brazil will have wanted this kind of group where they can (and will) win it but be challenged and, in Mexico and Croatia, they have teams that will not be cannon fodder. The problem for Brazil is how tough group B is and thats who they will be paired with in the last 16. Most anticipated game – Brazil vs Croatia: Opening game of the World Cup. Pressure is incredible on a host starting a tournament (I am surprised so many hosts want to start the tournament off) but in Croatia, they have an opponent who they can beat. Group Winner – Brazil Runner-up – Mexico GROUP B – Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia Initial thoughts on the draw – I am not a fan of the term Group of Death but if you are looking for the strongest group, this is it – by a mile! Chile were the team no seeded team wanted to face and Spain, much like four years ago, get them again. Throw in the Dutch and you have an absolutely fantastic group. Spain are a wonderful side but their style of winning tight, narrow games could come back and cost them in this very competitive group. Most anticipated game – Spain vs Netherlands: it is the first match and anyone who loses with Chile still to play will be in massive trouble. Spain cannot afford to start slow again and the road back from an opening game loss is even tougher in 2014 than it was in 2010 with Chile playing in South America. Group Winner – Chile Runner-up - Netherlands GROUP C – Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan Initial thoughts on the draw – On paper, this does not look like a group to get excited about but we should see some wonderful football on display in this group, featuring three teams who can be expansive and easy on the eye (sorry Greece). For Colombia, this is a dream group to help them build confidence as they move towards the knock-out rounds. Most Anticipated Game – Ivory Coast vs Greece: The Africans have been harshly treated in each of the last two World Cup draws but now they have a real shot at qualifying. Their final group, up against Greece, will be a stern test to see if they can climb a hurdle theyve never jumped before. Group Winner - Colombia Runner-up - Ivory Coast GROUP D - Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy Initial thoughts on the draw – You will read in the next few months how Uruguay are old and past their prime, finished fifth out of nine in qualifying and can be beaten but this team is built for tournaments like this and they get to play Costa Rica first. Enngland, however, play Costa Rica (which is not an easy game for them either) last and could be out of the tournament by then.ddddddddddddItaly need a group where they can be tested early (like 2006, not 2010) and although this is a tough one for them, they are more than good enough to win it. Most anticipated game – England vs Italy in Manaus: The latest kick off in the tournament will help, but the weather will be hot in the Amazon region. Hopefully, it wont be a tense 0-0 with so much to come afterwards but dont bet against it! Group Winner – Italy Runner-up - Uruguay GROUP E – Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras Initial thoughts on the draw – France have been dealt a hand they wanted. Questions around their mental state are warranted but these three games, against teams they can beat, will go along way to helping restore the confidence they need to show their talents. Honduras, ironically, gets the E4 slot that a European team so wanted for climate purposes. Seeds Switzerland get a chance to show why they deserved their ranking. Most anticipated game – Switzerland vs Ecuador: The first match of the group is a true match of confederations that will likely help one team advance over the other. Group Winner – France Runner-up - Ecuador GROUP F – Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria Initial thoughts on the draw – Lost on all the debates of what the group of Death is, is the fact that Argentina were handed a fantastic path towards the final stages. Not only were they given an easy group they should win, they were paired with second in E for the last 16 and winner of H or second in G for the last 8. They also went on to the opposite half of the draw than the winner of group A, likely arch-rivals Brazil. Most anticipated game – Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Nigeria: Another game of contrasting styles that is likely to be a playoff to make the last 16. Group Winner – Argentina Runner-up - Nigeria GROUP G – Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA Initial thoughts on the draw – Klinsmann vs Germany; Ronaldo vs Ozil, so many storylines in this group but lost in it all will be how Africas strongest nation got a very difficult draw once again (much like Ivory Coast in 2006 and 2010). For the Americans, it is a nightmare draw, placed in G4, forced to play all three games in the heat of northern Brazil, and against three very good nations. Most anticipated game – Germany vs Portugal: Forget the Klinsmann Derby, another opportunity to see Cristiano Ronaldo against the Germans (like in Euro 2012) will be magnificent. Group Winner – Germany Runner-up - Portugal GROUP H – Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic Initial thoughts on the draw – Absolutely perfect for Belgium. Handed H1, they avoid any games in the tropical north and get three opponents that they will be comfortable with. Russia, against Algeria and Korea Republic, will also be happy but dont rule them out for failing to deliver on the biggest stage once again. Most anticipated game – Belgium vs Algeria: Marc Wilmots side are going to get a lot of love between now and the first game. They were already many peoples sleeper pick and that will intensify with this draw and the game against Algeria finally gives the world a chance to see what Belgium do on the big stage. 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