SEATTLE -- Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels dodged another disastrous moment when the 25-year-old MVP candidate came out of a Wednesday night traffic accident unscathed.For the Seattle Mariners, who host the Angels in a three-game series beginning Friday night, a recent road trip also felt like a car wreck.While Trout and the Angels (59-64) let go of their postseason hopes a long time ago, the surprising Mariners have found a way to stay in the wild-card race for most of the season. Eight losses in nine games have put Seattle (68-65) four games back in a crowded race for the final American League wild-card spot, so it probably wont be long before the Mariners are just playing for pride again.Coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of AL West-leading Texas, the Mariners saw their slim hopes of a division title go up in smoke and are calling in the firetrucks in terms of the AL wild-card race. Wednesdays 14-1 loss to the Rangers in the series finale felt like a splash of gasoline on a fire that had been burning for most of Seattles 1-6 road trip.It was a rough trip, Mariners manager Scott Servais said after the loss and a series that saw Texas outscore Seattle 29-11. There is no doubt.Ace Felix Hernandez got touched up in the finale, another hit to a pitching staff that has seen veteran Hisashi Iwakuma fall on hard times and southpaw James Paxton get slowed by a torn fingernail.No Seattle starter has had a rougher recent stretch than rookie Ariel Miranda, a 27-year-old left-hander who was acquired for veteran Wade Miley at the trade deadline but wasnt officially added to the full-time rotation until last week. Seattles decision to DFA veteran Wade LeBlanc left Miranda, who is listed as Fridays probable starter, as a permanent member of the rotation -- then he struggled in four innings of work during a 9-3 loss to the White Sox over the weekend.Thursdays roster expansion didnt provide much help to the struggling rotation, as Seattle activated veteran reliever Evan Scribner and added outfielder Ben Gamel in a trade with the Yankees.The Angels could also make a series of post-Sept. 1 moves, but the most important one was the move Los Angeles didnt have to make. Trout was reportedly involved in a three-car accident after Wednesdays game but came away injury-free.Angels general manager Billy Eppler said in a prepared statement late Wednesday night that he had spoken with Trout, who said he feels fine, but no update Thursday was available as to Trouts status for the upcoming series.That Trout was not seriously hurt comes as a huge sigh of relief to an Angels team thats well out of the postseason hunt but could still end up having the AL MVP. Trout, despite his teams struggles, is having another banner year as he ranks among the ALs top five in batting (.319), runs (102) and stolen bases (21). His .999 OPS ranks second to Bostons David Ortiz (1.022), while Trout has the ALs best WAR at 8.9.His Angels have actually been playing pretty well as of late, as they carry a five-game winning streak into Seattle. Left-hander Brett Oberholtzer (3-2, 5.165 ERA) is scheduled to make his second start as an Angel on Friday after being claimed off waivers from Philadelphia. The former Houston Astros pitcher has a 4-0 record and a 0.75 ERA in four career appearances against Seattle, including an inning of relief for the Angels last month.Los Angeles could also be using a new closer in this series, as Fernando Salas was traded to the Mets on Thursday. Salas had taken over for Joe Smith, who had taken over for injured closer Huston Street before being dealt to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. Andy Dalton Jersey . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Michael Jordan Youth Jersey . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Drew-Sample-Jersey/ . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Andy Dalton Bengals Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Renell Wren Womens Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Barry Hall has hailed the coaching style of Western Bulldogs mentor Luke Beveridge as Hall deals with his own conflicting emotions of having to watch two of his former clubs contest the AFL grand finalKey forward Hall played in the 2005-06 Sydney grand final teams , but left the club under a cloud after eight seasons, spending his last two years at the Bulldogs.Hall said he supported the Bulldogs as a child and it would be a great story if they won the flag, but described himself as a Swans man.The whole (Bulldogs) story has just captured everyone, so, I want them to win for that reason but if the Swans win, Ill be quite happy too, Hall said on Wednesday.He felt the caring man management approach of Beveridge who this week won the AFL coaches award for a second straight year, was a major factor in the Bulldogs rise.Hes almost changed the way coaching is, Hall said.He gives them a bit of a hug and a rub on the back and a bit of support, rather than hit them over the head.Its probably where coaching is going.Hall said the Swans would be happy the success-starved Bulldogs made it throuugh to the season decider as they would attract all the pre-match focus, allowing the Swans to slip under the radar.ddddddddddddThey slide into Melbourne Thursday and train and theres not a lot of talk about the Sydney Swans, Hall said.Its probably a perfect preparation, for them. Theyve been there, theyve done it before.All the talk is about the Bulldogs, all the buzz.They are a young side. Can they handle it?Hall experienced a similar situation in 2005, when the Swans attempted to end a 72-year premiership drought.We didnt speak about it in 2005, we knew about it, because we spoke about it earlier in the season, Hall said.But its not something that in grand final week you speak about.Hall noted Sydneys sizzling seven-goal efforts in the first quarter of their last two finals and said the Bulldogs had a chance if they could hang in there in the early stages.I think the Swans will get ahead by halftime and its going to be hard work for the Dogs, he said. ' ' '