Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
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The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -England defender Joleon Lescott preserved Manchester City's two-point lead in the Premier League by scoring a second-half winner in a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on Sunday.
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The Cardinals regained the lead in the 10th when Albert Pujols had a leadoff double off Dan Wheeler before consecutive bunts, the second a squeeze by Rodriguez. Pujols was charging home when Rodriguez placed the bunt between the mound and third base.
Isringhausen again couldn’t hold the lead, allowing Ausmus’ second homer of the season in the 10th.
After skipping his last start because of a stiff neck, Mulder struck out eight and walked two. He didn’t allow a runner after Lance Berkman drew a two-out walk in the third.
Yadier Molina homered for the Cardinals (85-50), who still have the best record in the major leagues. His solo homer came in the second, and Edmonds’ 23rd came after Pujols led off the sixth with a single to put St. Louis up 3-2.
Houston remained a half-game behind Philadelphia, which beat Washington, in the wild-card standings. The Astros are 12½ games behind the first-place Cardinals.
“It was just a much more important game for us than them,” Ausmus said. “I don’t think they are worried about making the playoffs. We’re fighting for our lives.”
Mulder was supposed to start last Saturday at Washington, but his neck tightened up in the clubhouse the previous night. His start was then pushed back to Sunday, but the Cardinals decided to skip his turn rather than risk further injury.
The only trouble Mulder had against Houston was in the second when he walked Berkman to start the inning and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek bobbled a potential double play grounder for an error. Chris Burke then singled to load the bases before Adam Everett’s RBI grounder and Ausmus’ run-scoring single.
Ezequiel Astacio struck out six over 5 1-3 innings and allowed three runs and eight hits. The rookie right-hander has allowed a team-high 21 home runs.
Notes: St. Louis is 39-18 against the NL Central, winning 24 of the last 29 games against division foes. The Cardinals are 9-3 against Houston. ... Ensberg’s homer produced his 95th RBI, matching Sean Berry’s team record by a third baseman. ... Astros RHP Brandon Backe threw five shutout innings Friday night as he continued his injury rehabilitation in Double-A Corpus Christi. Backe, recovering from a strained left ribcage, threw 40 of his 62 pitches for strikes with seven strikeouts and no walks. He is expected to start in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
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Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.