the Safety Car.After a breatheless afternoon,

MIAMI -- Miami Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez had thrown only 72 pitches after six shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates when manager Mike Redmond yanked him for a pinch-hitter. The game was scoreless, the bases were loaded, and Redmond figured Miami might not muster another threat. His move paid off when pinch-hitter Placido Polanco put the Marlins ahead with an infield single, and they went on to win 2-0 Friday night. "Its always a tough decision when somebody is pitching as well as Alvarez was," Redmond said. "But thats the best pitching staff in the National League that were going against, and I wasnt sure we were going to get another chance. We went for it, and it worked out." Lowly Miami beat the Pirates at their own game, combining dominant pitching with just enough offence. Alvarez earned his first National League victory, and four relievers completed a five-hitter. The shutout was only the third by the Marlins, but their starters have an ERA of 2.44 since the All-Star break. Theyre 4-4 over that stretch even though they have totalled only 15 runs. "Its unreal going in knowing you have a chance even though the bats havent been there, and knowing one run may be enough," slugger Giancarlo Stanton said. "You can go about the game completely differently." Stanton provided an insurance run in the seventh with his 12th homer. Jeff Locke (9-3) allowed two earned runs in 6 2-3 innings and had a career-high nine strikeouts, but he lost for the first time in his past 10 road starts. He walked six, and his ERA rose to 2.15. "Kind of sloppy," the left-hander said. "I felt really good, but just command wasnt there." Alvarez (1-1) hit 98 mph on the radar gun, gave up just two hits in six innings, and lowered his ERA to 2.64. "That was a great performance," Redmond said. "Thats the hardest Ive seen him throw. You could tell he was pumped up. When youre playing a playoff team, its good to see guys take it up a notch." The start was Alvarezs fifth after he sat out the first half of the season because of right shoulder inflammation. "He just had explosive stuff," the Pirates Russell Martin said. "His fastball was electric." Steve Cishek, Miamis fifth pitcher, gave up a pair of two-out singles in the ninth inning but earned his 21st save in 23 chances, including 16 in a row. He retired pinch-hitter Jose Tabata on a groundout with two on to end the game. Pittsburgh managed only six baserunners, including one erased on a double play, and went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. The Pirates struck out six times in the final three innings against Marlins relievers. The game was scoreless until the sixth, when Locke gave up two walks sandwiched around a single by rookie Jake Marisnick, his first major-league hit. With the bases loaded and one out, Polanco batted for Alvarez and tapped a dribbler toward third for an RBI infield hit. Third baseman Pedro Alvarez charged to field the ball but made no throw. "We went for it," Redmond said. "It wasnt pretty, but it worked." Stanton went 2 for 2 with two walks in four trips to the plate. He led off the seventh inning with a homer off Locke. "I got the sense he was like, All right, he hasnt seen anything all day. Im going to see what he can do with it," Stanton said. "Youve got to make sure you take advantage of that." The Marlins had a hit in each of the first five innings, but during that stretch they grounded into a double play and had two runners thrown out. Catcher Martin absorbed a blow when he tagged out Jeff Mathis, who was trying to score from first on Alvarezs two-out double in the second inning. Martin said he tweaked his left knee on the play, and he left the game in the seventh, but said the injury was minor. Jordy Mercer extended his hitting streak to a career-best 11 games with a single in the third. That was the Pirates lone hit until Starling Marte reached on a bunt single with two out in the sixth. Notes: RF Tabata (right forearm) was held out of the starting lineup for the second game in a row. ... Pittsburgh 1B Gaby Sanchez, a Miami native and former Marlin, had 25 friends and relatives at the game in a suite provided by the Marlins. ... RHP Charlie Morton, scheduled to start Saturday, is 2-3 with a 5.06 ERA in six starts against the Marlins. Custom Sharks Jerseys . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. Evander Kane Jersey Large . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. http://www.customsharksjersey.com/ . 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. Cheap Custom Sharks 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. Custom Sharks T-shirts . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Getting the passing game going in Green Bay means paying more attention to the details for the Packers.The results have been spotty this season. The solution sounds simple from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.You know, weve just got to throw it and catch it better. Ive got to be as accurate as I know I can be, and weve got to make sure were as detailed as we can be in the routes so were on the same page more consistently, Rodgers said Tuesday.Maybe the game Thursday night against the NFC North-rival Chicago Bears will be the one that gets the Packers passing attack clicking consistently again.Rodgers is completing 60.2 percent of his passes, which ranks an uncharacteristically-low 23rd in the league. Its also 4.7 points below Rodgers career average.In the loss to the Cowboys on Sunday, Rodgers threw an out-of-character interception on second-and-8 from the Dallas 46 to Barry Church after saying that he never saw the Cowboys safety. Rodgers overthrew open receiver Randall Cobb in the end zone early in the fourth quarter.Rodgers also fumbled on first-and-goal from the 1. Unwinding after the tough game, the quarterback poured himself a scotch and watched the film.The scotch was great. You know, I saw things that weve been seeing throughout the year. Were close. Weve been making some plays at times, but not good enough consistently, Rodgers said Tuesday.And what specifically would Rodgers like to be doing better after reviewing film?I just think its accuracy. Ive missed a couple that Im used to hitting. And you hit those and you take away the throwaways, being able to hit some things on some of those plays instead of extending and throwing the ball away and were right where we need to be, Rodgers said.Taking better care of the ball was a priority for the team overall after the season-high four turnovers against Dallas. Drops have also been an issue at times for receivers.The Packers the last couple weeks have started using more personnel packages after relying primarily on a three-wide receiver set. Theyve used jumbo packages with offensive lineman Jason Spriggs lined up as an eligible recceiver.dddddddddddd Last week, they went with five receivers on the field at times.Conversely, the Cowboys also at times dropped eight defenders in coverage, a scheme that could make it more difficult for receivers to get open.Coach Mike McCarthy has been honed in on details and sticking with a tried-and-true focus.But at the end of the day, its about connecting, taking advantage of those opportunities, McCarthy said. Were well aware of it, but you just stay in tune with the fundamentals.Rodgers remains a master of buying time in the pocket and using his legs when needed. The offensive line has given Rodgers time to throw, but deep shots down the field havent been available consistently.Well, hes a pain to get down on the ground, Bears coach John Fox said. I think hes pretty true to form, extending plays. Just looking at tape, Im not looking forward to watching it live there in Lambeau.Injuries to running back Eddie Lacy (ankle) and James Starks (knee) have compounded the problems for the Packers offense, especially with a short week. Starks will miss a couple more games.General manger Ted Thompson addressed the depth by trading a conditional draft pick to Kansas City for fourth-year back Knile Davis, who was buried on the Chiefs depth chart behind Jamaal Charles and two other backups.INJURY REPORTTop cornerback Sam Shields was placed on injured reserve to make room on the roster for Davis. Shields has been out since the season opener with a concussion, his second in 10 months. If healthy enough, Shields could possibly return in two months. Im making great progress and hope to come back in (eight) week and play this season. I will make a full recovery within that time frame, Shields posted on Instagram. ... Starting CB Damarious Randall (groin) did not practice. ... RT Bryan Bulaga, who left the Cowboys game late with a back injury, was limited in practice. ... WR Randall Cobb (back) was also limited.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '