Clanregeln » ond half, outshooting Tulsa 14-4.Texas

ST. LOUIS -- The New York Mets signed Rick Ankiel and started him in centre field on Monday night against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team that converted him from wild lefty to outfielder. The 33-year-old thought it a bit comforting that he returned to the majors in St. Louis, where he arrived as a hard-throwing lefty starter in 1999 but couldnt control his pitches. Hes been an outfielder since 2005 and hit a career-best 25 homers with 71 RBIs with St. Louis in 2008. "Obviously, Ive played here in Busch Stadium quite a bit, and its just kind of ironic the first game back is here in St. Louis," Ankiel said. "But itll be fun and Im excited to get out there." Also, the Mets said three days rest was prescribed for closer Frank Francisco, who had been close to returning from rehabilitation before getting scratched from a bullpen session Saturday. Francisco was diagnosed with a mild strain of the flexor pronator in his surgically-repaired right elbow. "I guess you could say its a mild setback," assistant general manager John Ricco said. Ankiel said hed been in contact with the Mets the last two days while at home in Fort Pierce, Fla., and admitted he hadnt been sure hed get another shot. He hit .194 with five homers and 11 RBIs for Houston, which had signed him to a $750,000, one-year deal. He struck out 35 times in 65 at-bats with "You dont know, you really dont," Ankiel said. "I figured I would, and I was hoping I would and it did." Ankiel was designated for assignment by the Houston Astros last week and cleared waivers on Sunday. "I thought it was quick but it is what it is," Ankiel said. "I wasnt happy about the inconsistency, but my power was there. But it was early and I hope I get that turned around." The Mets made the somewhat surprising move given theyd struck out 28 times the previous two games and manager Terry Collins had expressed concern about the lack of contact. They lost the last three games of a 4-6 homestand in which they went 7 for 40 with runners in scoring position. Ankiel was the choice as an above-average defensive outfielder with a veteran presence when "youre looking at whats available," Ricco said. "Obviously, youd like to hit on everything," Ricco said. "I think hes going to work with our guys and we have a lot of confidence ... he can cut strikeouts and still provide power." Collins thought getting a fresh start might click for Ankiel, as it has catcher John Buck. He planned on platooning the left-hand hitting Ankiel with Juan Legares, and planned on talking to Ankiel about his approach at the plate and point out the Mets already have plenty of power. "Maybe a change of scenery right now is good for him and will get him going," Collins said. "Certainly his bat can be dangerous at times, so were anxious to get him in the lineup. Were hoping he helps us out." Outfielder Andrew Brown was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas and right-hander Jenrry Mejia was transferred to the 60-day disabled list from the 15-day DL to make room on the 40-man roster. Ankiel arrived at Busch Stadium about 3 1-2 hours before gametime and joked about meeting reporters before speaking with Collins. "Certainly, coming here we dont have to worry about him not knowing the field, thats for sure, "Collins said. "Obviously, hes a great defender, we all know that, and if he doesnt have the strongest arm in the league hes got one of the top arms in all of baseball." Ankiel was the Cardinals centre fielder in May 2009 when he slammed into a fence at full speed on a running catch and ended up with whiplash and a shoulder injury. Manager Tony La Russa kept Ankiels hat, bent in half, on a shelf in his office. Ankiel is among four players in major league history to make at least 40 starts as a pitcher and hit 40 homers, with Babe Ruth the standout of that group. Hes also a .315 hitter against the Mets, much better than his career average of .243. "Anytime you play against a guy you cant get out, you want him on your team," Collins said. "We cant get him out, never could." Custom Dave Concepcion Jersey .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. Custom Reds Jersey China . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. http://www.customredsjersey.com/ . 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. Dave Concepcion Jersey Large . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Tony Perez Jersey Large . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The No. 11 Texas A&M Aggies dictated terms for most of the match and came out with a 2-0 decision over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane Sunday evening at Ellis Field.In a match which was 15 minutes late starting due to inclement weather and featured rain off-and-on, the Aggies held an overwhelming edge in shots (35-12), shots-on-goal (13-6) and corner kicks (8-2).Texas A&M broke the scoring seal with Brittany Crabtree notching her first goal of the season in the 35th minute. Ashlynn Harryman was the catalyst on the goal, booming a clearance from the top of the defensive penalty box. The service split two defenders and took the first bounce 15 yards on the offensive side of the center stripe. Crabtree tracked it down just outside the other penalty box and found herself one-on-one with goalkeeper Rebecca Defer. Shooting with a defender clawing at her back, Crabtree fired to the right of Defer from the penalty spot for the lid-lifter.The halftime margin belied the Aggies dominance in the first half as the Maroon and White owned a 21-8 edge in shots and an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks.Tulsa fought off several first-half barrages. In the 26th minute, Haley Pounds sent in a corner kick from the right arc. The offering settled at the feet of Sarah Shaw who hit the right post with a rocket from 12 yards.dddddddddddd The carom found Grace Cory who had her shot from 10 yards punched over the crossbar by Defer.In the 39th minute, Defer had to make two saves in a span of eight seconds as Mikaela Harvey and Jordan Hill peppered her with shots. The ball eventually came back to Harvey who sent the Aggies third shot in the combination just north of the crossbar from 10 yards.The Aggies kept the pressure on in the second half, outshooting Tulsa 14-4.Texas A&M finally broke through with an insurance goal in the 81st minute. Cienna Arrieta sent in a free kick from five yards off the endline and two yards off the right touchline. Her service was headed back to her by a Tulsa defender 10 yards off the right touchline and she sent another cross towards goal. The ball took a bounce inside the six-yard box and skirted past the goalkeeper for her second goal of the season and the 2-0 lead.Danielle Rice made six saves in goal, including five in the first half, to record her first shutout of the season.Texas A&M returns to action Friday when they host the Little Rock Trojans in a 7:30 pm contest at Ellis Field. ' ' '