Dein erstes Forum » his third MLS title in four seasons

DENVER -- His team-record hitting streak halted, Michael Cuddyer went in the other day for a much-needed haircut and shave. A new look for a new streak. Sure, this one is only in its infancy -- a mere two games -- but coupled with his 27-game streak that was snapped on Tuesday, hes now hit in 29 of his last 30 games. Cuddyer remains in a groove at the plate, hitting a solo homer and driving in three runs to help the Colorado Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-5 on Thursday night. The only pitcher to silence his bat was Clayton Kershaw, when he kept Cuddyer hitless in four plate appearances. "Ran into the best pitcher in baseball and he pitched like it," said Cuddyer, who added a two-run double on Thursday as the Rockies avoided being swept by Los Angeles in the three-game series. "Throughout that whole streak, the whole season, really, Ive treated each at-bat the same, every pitch the same. Ive really been keeping my focus. Just because the streak ended, doesnt mean my focus went anywhere." Manager Walt Weiss couldnt agree more. "Cuddy keeps on rolling," he said. "He keeps on plugging away." As for his other outfielder, Weiss remains optimistic that Carlos Gonzalez will be fine after he left the game in the sixth inning with a strained upper back. Gonzalez apparently hurt his back while striking out in the fifth. "He said hes done it before. Were not too concerned," Weiss said. "It was enough of an issue to get him out of there." The Dodgers struggled to drive in runners against Jhoulys Chacin (8-3), a night after setting season highs in runs (10) and hits (17). The hard-throwing righty pitched out of trouble time and again, giving up four runs in 5 2-3 innings. "Wasnt my better game," Chacin said. "But the team picked me up, scored runs for me." Yasiel Puig was in the lineup a day after leaving the contest early with a bruised hip after crashing into the wall. He finished 1 for 5 with an RBI as the Dodgers had their four-game winning streak halted. Matt Kemp had a two-run homer, Adrian Gonzalez contributed four hits, including a solo homer in the ninth, and Hanley Ramirez extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the last inning. Chris Capuano (2-6) had an uncharacteristic rough outing on the road, giving up six runs, five earned, and seven hits in 4 1-3 innings. Capuano had a 1.35 ERA away from Dodger Stadium before Thursday. "Its frustrating," Capuano said. "I felt I was a pitch or two away from containing it." Mixing a four-seam fastball with a swooping slider, Chacin got off to a rough start before finding his rhythm to win his fifth straight start. He was taken out after allowing an RBI single to Puig in the sixth. Colorado got to Capuano in the third, scoring four times to grab a 5-2 lead. Cuddyer had the big hit in the inning, a two-run double over Kemps head in deep centre. But it wasnt without some theatrics. With Josh Rutledge holding in between second and third to see if Kemp caught the ball, Gonzalez nearly passed his teammate before applying the brakes. Gonzalez then followed closely on the heels of Rutledge all the way to the plate, sliding in at home just under the tag. Kemp put the Dodgers up 2-1 in the second, when he hit an 80-mph slider over the fence in centre. It was his second straight night with a homer. For Chacin, the homer to Kemp ended a career-best streak of 16 scoreless innings. Los Angeles had a chance for more damage, but Chacin struck out Mark Ellis and Puig to end the threat. Chacin also wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the third, striking out Nick Punto to end the inning. Punto threw down his helmet and bat in frustration. "That was a big strikeout," Weiss said. "We were at the point of the game, where it couldve gone either way right there." The night before, Los Angeles received a momentary scare when Puig jumped up to make a catch in right and smacked his left hip on a padded column below the scoreboard. Puig stayed down on the warning track for several minutes before jogging around the outfield. He remained in the game, but was taken out as a precaution the next inning. "When you play like that, youll end up getting banged up," manager Don Mattingly said. "You anticipate some of that stuff." Puig is hitting .430 with eight homers since his debut on June 3. The 22-year-old has energized his teammates with his energy. "Every day he impresses me," Ellis said. "Hes been so big for us." NOTES: Dodgers RHP Carlos Marmol may soon report to Triple-A Albuquerque. Marmol was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. ... Los Angeles will play in San Francisco on Friday night, with Hyun-Jin Ryu (6-3) starting for the Dodgers. ... Colorado begins a 10-game road swing on Friday in Arizona. ... Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki went through a light round of batting practice on Thursday with minimal pain from his broken rib and thinks he could be back soon, maybe even before the All-Star break. Tulowitzki leads the fan voting at his position for the All-Star Game and will attend, even if he cant play. Patrick Omameh Jersey . The Broncos quarterback earned the offensive award Wednesday after passing for 374 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-21 win over the Raiders Monday night. Manning completed 32-of-37 passes and had a passer rating of 135. Cody Latimer Giants Jersey . Jeter doubled high off the left-field wall and scored on Jacoby Ellsburys first hit in pinstripes in the fifth. Hiroki Kuroda (1-1) pitched 6 1-3 sharp innings in the Yankees 112th opener in New York. In what manager Joe Girardi said would be a season-long lovefest for Jeter, the shortstop was cheered every step of the way by an adoring crowd of 48, 142 -- even when his double-play grounder back to Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez (0-2) scored Solarte in the third inning for the first run. http://www.nygiantsfanatic.com/c-84-gian...meh-jersey.aspx. -- Maxence Parrot of Bromont, Que. Riley Dixon Jersey .Impact president Joey Saputo confirmed Thursday that he is part of a group of investors whose offer to buy the 105-year-old Italian club was accepted by the teams board of directors. Saquon Barkley Giants Jersey . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China.LOS ANGELES, Calif. - While Robbie Keane was grateful to accept Major League Soccers MVP award on Wednesday, he never stopped thinking about the other trophy he intends to raise a few days later.The Irish strikers first MVP selection is another highlight in his dynamic year with the LA Galaxy, who face the New England Revolution in the MLS Cup this weekend. Keane is chasing his third MLS title in four seasons stateside, a desire that dwarfs his interest in individual awards.Its been a great season for me personally, but it would be even better if we won on Sunday, Keane said. To get this award is a great privilege. Its so nice to be recognized. It could have gone to the other two lads.New Englands Lee Nguyen and Seattles Obafemi Martins were the other finalists, but Keane beat them out with his most impressive season since arriving in Southern California in 2011.The 34-year-old Keane had 19 goals and 14 assists in 29 games while leading the Galaxys MLS-best offence, providing dangerous attacking and steady leadership for the MLS Cup finalists.With speed, skill and a daredevil flair for big moments, Keane scored or assisted on 33 of the Galaxys 69 goals this season. Only Chris Wondolowski ever managed more in MLS history, contributing to 34 goals during his 2012 MVP season with San Jose.We think Robbie is special because of his consistency, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. He sets the tone for our team each and every day. Ive watched Robbie for years, and I always (thought) this is the kind of player we want in this league, and on my team.Keane accepted the award at a posh restaurant in the downtown Los Angeles luxury apartment building where he lives with his wife, Claudine, and their son, Robert, during the Galaxys season.The Irish national team captain and longtime Tottenham Hotspur star has been a hit ever since he joined the Galaxy as their third star alongside David Beckham and Landon Donovan on the U.S. leagues glamour franchise. Keane could have treated his move to Hollywood as a break from the high-pressure European grind, but he followed Beckhams philosophy about MLS.I mentioned in my first press conference that Im not here for a holiday, Keane said. Its about winning. Its about championsships.dddddddddddd Were going for three of four now, so thats not too bad.The trio led the Galaxy to MLS Cup championships in 2011 and 2012. Keane then turned in an outstanding season in 2013, scoring 16 goals and 11 assists in just 23 games, despite Beckhams departure, Donovans early sabbatical from soccer and Keanes two serious Achilles injuries, which required surgery and weeks of off-season rehabilitation.Keane remained a force this season during Donovans slow start. They nearly led LA all the way back to the top of the MLS table before finishing just behind Seattle, but the Galaxy eliminated the Sounders from the playoffs last Sunday.Keane has done it all in the past four seasons while frequently travelling between continents for his duties with Ireland, including a trip last month during the playoffs. Keane became the worlds leading active goal-scorer in international play this year with the retirement of Germanys Miroslav Klose.The Galaxy re-signed Keane to a long-term deal earlier this year, and he will be their clear leader going forward with Donovans impending retirement and their possible addition of a new, high-profile designated player in the off-season.He bought into our league right away, Arena said. It wasnt a fight. He fully accepted what our league was about.The Dublin native began his pro career with Wolverhampton Wanderers at 17 years old in 1997. After stops with Coventry City, Inter Milan and Leeds, Keane moved to Spurs for the 2002-03 season, eventually scoring 93 goals in 138 appearances for the North London club.Keane had stints with Liverpool, Celtic and West Ham before deciding to head stateside with the Galaxy. Beckham and Donovan hadnt managed to win MLS biggest trophy together before Keane arrived, but the Irish striker immediately helped them become champions together.Nguyen carried the Eastern Conference champion Revolution offensively throughout the season, scoring 18 goals as a midfielder. He scored in eight of the last 11 games while New England closed out the regular season, forming a stellar tandem with Jermaine Jones.Martins was an offensive force throughout his second season with the Sounders, getting 17 goals and 13 assists in 31 matches. ' ' '