ikely to replace Mathews and Chandimal in Sri Lankas line-up.

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. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Cheap MLB Jerseys From China . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. https://www.mlbjerseys2020.com/ .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Nike MLB Jerseys For Sale . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. Stitched Nike MLB Jerseys . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. Match factsOct 29-Nov 2, 2016, Harare Start time 9.30 am (0730 GMT)Big pictureThe last time Sri Lanka played Tests against Zimbabwe was in 2004, when Marvan Atapattu was in his first full series as captain. Kumar Sangakkara made 270 in that Bulawayo Test, his second double-hundred. Between then and now Sangakkara improved his high score twice and retired with only one less double-hundred than Don Bradmans twelve. No Sri Lankans from that tour are on this one.Elton Chigumbura and Tinashe Panyangara made their debuts during that series and remain Zimbabwes only active cricketers from that tour. Unlike several of those Sri Lankans, who had storied careers, Chigumbura played only 14 Tests and Panyangara nine. The Harare Test beginning this Saturday will only be Zimbabwes 25th since then, and neither player will feature in it.Between 2004 and 2016, cricket in Zimbabwe has suffered because of the boards financial trouble and a talent exodus as players and coaches sought better opportunities with other teams. Both issues fed off each other.There is a sense of optimism now, though. Heath Streak, one of Zimbabwes finest cricketers, is back - this time as coach - and has a plan that puts players first. With Tatenda Taibu, who is now a selector and development officer, Streak aims to create a structure that nurtures budding cricketers. And thats whom this match will be about for Zimbabwe.Their next Test series is a return tour to Sri Lanka in June 2017, but Streak has vowed to have plenty of cricket before then, which might mean these fixtures are not make or break for players like the uncapped youngsters Tarisai Musakanda and Carl Mumba, and the returning Malcolm Waller, who hasnt played a Test since 2014. That breathing space could facilitate a positive approach from Zimbabwe instead of being wary of embarrassment, a theme that had crept into their cricket according to Streak.Sri Lanka have a young side of their own. A combination of injuries and player management issues have deprived them of their captain Angelo Mathews, vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal, and fast bowlers Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep and Dushmantha Chameera. However, the stand-in captain Rangana Herath was not worried, especially after the recent 3-0 whitewash of Australia.Herath, at the age of 38, was at the forefront of that victory with 28 wickets, and he was supported by fellow spinners Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan. However, Sri Lanka were able to play three spinners because Mathews provided a medium-pace option, which they will now be without. Their batting is also inexperienced, with only Dimuth Karunaratne and Upul Tharanga, a late inclusion in the squad, having played more than five away Tests.Heraths story of leading Sri Lanka for the first time 17 years after making his debut adds to the significance of this fixture. It is also Zimbabwes 100th Test, and they will hope to end their winless record against Sri Lanka.Form guideZimbabwe LLLLL (completed matches, most recent first) Sri LankaWWWDLIn the spotlightBrian Chari and Peter Moor scored centuries in the games against Paakistan A earlier this month.dddddddddddd. Its likely they will feature in this game to strengthen the Zimbabwe batting. Malcom Waller will also be hoping to claim his spot after returning to the Test squad; he made four fifties across formats against Pakistan A recently.Sri Lanka have persisted with Dimuth Karunaratne, despite the general feeling back home that he doesnt belong at the highest level. Hes coming off a series against West Indies A in which he made 131, 39 not out, 68 and 3. As the most senior batsman in this side, he has a point to prove, especially with eight of his 12 most recent Test innings ending in single digits.Team newsZimbabwes strength is their batting. Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine will form the core, and Peter Moor is certain to play. Moor has occasional back issues, and Regis Chakabva keeping wicket could mean no place in the team for Sikandar Raza. Carl Mumba is likely to make debut, but Musakanda might have to wait.Zimbabwe (probable) 1 Tino Mawoyo, 2 Brian Chari, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Craig Ervine, 5 Sean Williams, 6 Peter Moor, 7 Regis Chakabva/Sikandar Raza, 8 Graeme Cremer, 9 Donald Tiripano, 10 Carl Mumba, 11 Chris MpofuUpul Tharanga and the uncapped Asela Gunaratne are likely to replace Mathews and Chandimal in Sri Lankas line-up. Teenage fast bowler Lahiru Kumara could also make a debut depending on Sri Lankas combination.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Kaushal Silva, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kusal Perera, 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Upul Tharanga, 6 Niroshan Dickwella, 7 Dananjaya de Silva, 8 Dilruwan Perera, 9 Rangana Herath, 10 Suranga Lakmal, 11 Lahiru GamagePitch and conditionsThe pitch looked like a typical Harare Sports Club surface, with a consistent layer of grass that should hold the surface together over five days without offering huge assistance to the seamers. October is the hottest month in Zimbabwe and no rain is forecast.Stats and triviaAll of Zimbabwes 11 Test wins have come against subcontinent teams, but have never beaten Sri Lanka in 15 encountersHerath needs 24 wickets to pass Chaminda Vaas 355 and become Sri Lankas second highest wicket-takerHamilton Masakadza needs 269 more to become the fifth Zimbabwean to score 2000 runs. He needs 259 to overtake Heath Streak, who has 1990 runs.QuotesWere still the underdogs, but with them having a few debutants and missing Angelo Mathews - who gives them a lot of balance and is a serious player - they will be weaker by their standards.Zimbabwe head coach Heath StreakWe learnt a little bit from playing Australia, when they came as the No 1 Test nation and we were well down the rankings list, yet we were able to outplay them. So I dont think you can look at an opposition in Test cricket and think it will be an easy ride. Zimbabwe have played quite a bit of good cricket recently so theyre sharp and have probably worked out their best combinations, so were expecting them to be a really good team.Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford ' ' '