Inland Waterways » allowing three straight Orioles to reach

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nelson Cruz took a slow trot around the bases after hitting a towering three-run homer in his return to Texas. The Baltimore Orioles slugger wasnt really savoring the moment. He was cramping so bad that he almost didnt even take that final at-bat in the eighth inning. Cruz hit the first pitch thrown by Shawn Tolleson, the fourth Rangers reliever, an estimated 404 feet deep into the left field seats to cap a tiebreaking six-run outburst as the Orioles won 8-3 on Tuesday night. "We were debating, he and I were," manager Buck Showalter said. "He go about halfway down the first, and that was a cramp trot." Likening his first game against the Rangers to one of his first days in the big leagues, when everything went so fast, Cruz said he just tried to stay in the moment and stay focused. "Kind of weird. Going from the other side of the plate is totally different than coming around like I used to," Cruz said. "It was overall a good day." Cruz was the 2011 AL championship series MVP on the way to the Rangers second consecutive World Series. When introduced before drawing a walk in the first, Texas fans responded with an extended ovation. While there were some boos, those seemed to be outnumbered by fans who called "Cruuuuuzz!" like they used to do when the left fielder was on their side the previous eight seasons. Heading into free agency last year, Cruz missed the final 50 regular-season games for the Rangers for violating baseballs drug agreement. Cruz turned down a $14.1 million qualifying offer in November from the Rangers, who likely would have used him primarily as a designated hitter if he had accepted. He went through the entire off-season before signing an $8 million, one-year deal with the Orioles early in spring training. "I havent seen him in a while and I got to see him and talk to him, playing around a little bit. It was a great feeling. I didnt like anytime he popped one," Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said. "Ive seen too many when he was on this side, but hes a talented guy. Whenever hes on, he can carry a team." Through 55 games with the Orioles, Cruz is hitting .313 and leads the majors with 21 homers and 55 RBIs. Adam Jones matched a career high with four hits, including a homer off the right-field pole leading off the Baltimore fourth. Rookie catcher Caleb Johnson had a tiebreaking RBI double in the eighth. Brian Matusz (2-1) went 1 2-3 innings in relief of Ubaldo Jimenez, who held Texas to one run and four hits while striking out five over 5 2-3 innings. Alexi Ogando (2-3), the second Texas reliever, got a popup to start the eighth before allowing three straight Orioles to reach. He was gone after the double by Joseph, whose two hits matched his total in his first 11 games. The Rangers, coming off a 7-4 record in their longest road trip this season, got two inning-starting homers: Adrian Beltre in the fourth, and Robinson Chrinos in the seventh. Joe Saunders, the winning pitcher for Baltimore in the 2012 AL wild card game at Texas, allowed two runs and 10 hits over six-plus innings in his first home start for the Rangers. The left-hander was signed during spring training and he made the season-opening rotation before missing more than seven weeks with a stress fracture in his left ankle after being struck by a liner in his first start. Notes: Three-time AL All-Star first baseman Jim Gentile, who played in the majors from 1957-66, attended the game on his 80th birthday. With Baltimore in 1961, he finished third in the AL MVP voting behind Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. ... Orioles closer Tommy Hunter, on the DL since May 22 with a left groin strain, was encouraged with how he felt after a bullpen session before the game. He will do some fielding drills Wednesday, and could go out on a rehab assignment as early as Thursday. Carolina Panthers Jerseys China .ca has you covered for whos in, whos out and what to expect from all 30 teams. Cheap Carolina Panthers Jerseys Online . Josh Mazzola drove in five runs to lead the Goldeyes (20-12) past the Capitales 11-5 Friday night at Le Stade Municipal in Quebec City. http://www.cheappanthers.com/ . - The Detroit Lions have 13 takeaways this season — three less than all of last season — and the defence isnt the only unit pleased with the performance. Custom Carolina Panthers Jerseys . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the New York Rangers winger skated with extras and goalies today. Authentic Carolina Panthers Jerseys . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, it doesnt appear the offer was warmly received by the team. Blue Jackets director of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said on Wednesday the team has made offers of $6 million for two years, $32 million for six and $46 million over eight years but each one was refused by the restricted free agent centre and agent Kurt Overhardt.QUEBEC - Marie-Michele Gagnon grabbed centre stage on Thursday as she, Brittany Phelan and Larisa Yurkiw were named to the womens ski team heading to the Sochi Olympics next month. The native of Lac-Etchemin, Que., ended a 30-year drought for Canadian women in World Cup combined events last weekend by earning her first-ever victory. Gagnon, 24, doesnt seem to care if that victory means higher expectations in Sochi. "Im not worried about pressure," she told a news conference in Quebec City. "People can say what they want because Ill continue to do things my way. I know its the right way and I will continue to favour my relaxed approach." Gagnon is particularly happy with her consistency this season, which she believes has allowed her to take more risks on the slopes. "Even when I finish in the top 10, I know I can go faster," she said. "Im on a gradual progressive curve. The idea is to go full out in Sochi." Phelans spot on the team was never really in doubt after a breakthrough 2012-13 season that featured six topp-30 finishes, including one top-10 performance.dddddddddddd The 22-year-old native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., has had a tougher 2013-14 but remains confident shell come through in the slalom event in Russia. "If I have two good runs, a top-10 is possible," she said. "But you never know in slalom, anything is possible. "I want to gain experience because at the next Games, in four years, Id like to take part in technical and speed races." Yurkiw, from Owen Sound, Ont., suffered a horrible leg injury in 2009 but returned to competition two years later. She clinched her Olympic spot last weekend when she finished sixth in a downhill World Cup event in Austria. Thursdays news conference came on the heels of part of the mens contingent being named last week. The group, dubbed the three "Canadian Cowboys", are Erik Guay of Mont-Tremblant, Que., Jan Hudec of Calgary, and Manny Osborne-Paradis of North Vancouver, B.C. Others could still qualify in advance of the Games as qualifications remain open until Jan. 26. 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