Die Allianz T-D-P » Desmond Jennings (strained left hamstring) ran the

In A-League history, there cant have been too many better 3-0 losers than Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.Tony Popovics side were extremely hard done by to leave Etihad Stadium on the wrong end of the lopsided scoreline.The Wanderers bossed the match in the first half, and finished the match with more possession, shots and more time in the opposition half than the victors.Perhaps thats why Popovic spared his players the blowtorch after the match, instead focussing on the positives.To come to Melbourne and play the way we did in the first half, were delighted with that, Popovic said.I wouldnt say the second half was poor either. Our first 15 minutes were excellent.Even at 2-0 we had some fantastic opportunities to get it back to 2-1.Overall were disappointed. Were getting punished for mistakes which is clear. Our football is excellent.But we need to do better in our final third, the final pass and shot, to get rewarded for our good play.The man who drew Popovics ire was referee Jarred Gillett.Gillett decided against awarding a penalty to Western Sydney when Jason Geria crudely tackled Jumpei Kasakumi in the box.Replays showed the young full-back missed the ball and clattered the Japanese attacker.The Wanderers boss made pointed reference to the clubs record with Gillett in the middle - just one win in the last 11 games - suggesting maybe its just a coincidence.But he couldnt contain himself when discussing the incident - which Victory coach Kevin Muscat agreed was worthy of a spot kick.If thats not a penalty, they should book him for diving, Popovic said.It was a clear penalty. There will not be a clearer one this year in the A-League.Theyre game-changers (but) we have to move on. Theyll explain themselves and move on as well. Well do what we can do better and hopefully they will too.Popovic will wait to see if Brendon Santalab, who was substituted with calf tightness at half-time, can play in next Friday nights match with Melbourne City.Either way, he expects his players to carry themselves as if they were the winners against Victory.There wont be a dent in confidence and belief because of the result, he said.We know that in six weeks we will be a lot better. In 12 weeks it will be a lot better.To be playing the way we are after six rounds is fantastic. Mike Bullard Jersey . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. Kevin Stevens Jersey . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. https://www.cheappenguinsjersey.com/541q-marc-andre-fleury-jersey-penguins.html .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. Marcus Pettersson Jersey . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. Rob Brown Jersey . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. OAKLAND, Calif. -- With a little more playing time these past few days, Athletics slugger Billy Butler is finally getting comfortable at the plate -- even in a rare appearance against a right-hander.It might not be enough to get him out of a part-time role in Oakland. Still, its a step in the right direction for the former All-Star first baseman.Butler hit a tiebreaking home run off Erasmo Ramirez with one out in the eighth inning and the As held on to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Sunday.Ive shown it my career, I can come through in those situations day in and day out, Butler said after helping the As complete a 7-3 homestand. Its one of those things where I really havent had any opportunities to be frustrated. I just havent had my number called a lot. Coming through in those situations, maybe Ill get my number called more.Oakland lost the first game of this series then won the next two on walkoff hits. The As led 2-0 in the finale until Logan Forsythes tying two-run homer in the top of the eighth.Ramirez (7-8) retired Khris Davis on a fly ball before Butler hammered an 0-1 pitch over the wall in center. Its Butlers third home run of the season and first since June 7.Butler also had an RBI single in the first, giving him 18 RBI over his last 35 games.Its tough for a guy that plays every day to try to get himself into a rhythm if hes not, but thats a big hit today, As manager Bob Melvin said. Hes staying positive . but this has been a tough year for him, based on the fact hes asked to do something hes not used to doing.Davis added two hits while Jake Smolinski doubled twice and scored for the As.Ryan Dull (4-2) retired two batters for the win despite giving up Forsythes home run. Ryan Madson pitched the ninth for his 21st save.Home runs have beat us up a lot this year, Rays manager Kevin Cash said. Obviously when you give up that many, theyre coming at the wrong time.Forsythes home run in the eighth ruined an otherwise stellar day for As starter Jesse Hahn.Called up from the minors before the game, Hahn faced just two over the minimum through six innings and allowed only one runner to reach second base before leeaving with a 2-0 lead with two outs in the eighth.dddddddddddd. The right-hander walked one and matched his season-high of five strikeouts.Oakland jumped on Tampa Bay rookie left-hander Blake Snell early and strung together four consecutive one-out hits in the first. Davis had an RBI double and Butler added a run-scoring single to put the As up 2-0.Snell allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.THIN BENCHWith only one fully healthy player (Matt McBride) available off the bench Melvin was asked if he had any pitchers hed consider using as positional players if the need arose. Ive got a couple of guys that would like to do it, Melvin said, specifically mentioning Sonny Gray and Kendall Graveman. I hope I dont get to that point. Position players always think they can pitch . and pitchers who are athletic always think they can play positions.TRAINERS ROOMRays: Desmond Jennings (strained left hamstring) ran the bases and took batting practice without a setback during a minor league rehab appearance. ... RHP Brad Boxberger threw 22 pitches in a rehab outing and is hopeful of rejoining the big league club in Los Angeles.Athletics: Coco Crisp was a late scratch because of neck soreness. He joined Josh Reddick (lower back soreness) on the bench. ... Rich Hill threw 30 pitches while wearing a protective covering on the middle finger of his left hand. Hill, who left his last start after five pitches because of a blister, will continue to throw bullpens for conditioning until the blister heals. ... Arismendy Alcantara was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.UP NEXTRays: RHP Chris Archer (5-13) pitches against the Dodgers in the opener of a two-game series on Tuesday. Archer entered the weekend leading the AL with 147 strikeouts.Athletics: RHP Daniel Mengden (1-1) returns to his native Texas to face the Rangers on Monday. Mengden was born in Houston and attended Texas A&M.- -- -This version correctly shows that the As took three of four games and did not sweep the series. ' ' '