misses the captains run.A vital cog in the Maroons side, Cr

PHILADELPHIA -- Pirates relievers Zach Phillips and Wade LeBlanc had numbers more notable than four strikeouts and no runs in a combined 2 1/3 innings Wednesday night.Phillips (53) and LeBlanc (54) helped Pittsburgh set a team record for players used in a season.The Pirates added to their loss total, too.Freddy Galvis continued his home run surge, hitting his 19th of the season to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6-2 win over Pittsburgh.The Phillies won two of the first three in the four-game series and all but knocked the Pirates out of the hunt in the NL wild card. The Pirates are six games back and appear set to have their playoff streak end at three seasons. They had the second-best record in baseball behind only the St. Louis Cardinals from 2013-15.Well, we got a record tonight, manager Clint Hurdle said.Hed rather take a winning one over the one set from an inflated roster that helped the Pirates top the 52 players used in 2011.Galvis connected on a two-run shot in the second inning off Steven Brault (0-3) for his 10th homer in the last 32 games. Known more as a defensive whiz since taking over for Jimmy Rollins at shortstop, Galvis has been a bright spot offensively for the Phillies. He already has career highs in doubles, homers, extra-base hits, RBI and stolen bases, though his .239 average and .271 on-base percentage need considerable improvement.I dont know if Im surprised, he said. All I know is, I put in a good workout in my offseason and worked really hard to prove I could play baseball every day.The 26-year-old switch hitter changed his approach early last month after a session with hitting coach Steve Henderson. Galvis kept all his weight on his back leg during his swing and suddenly found the pop that was missing.Galvis had 20 career homers in 322 games entering this season.His newfound power could be enough to overcome his measly OBP.I remember a few years when Jimmy Rollins didnt hit a whole lot, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. You can live with a guy like that.Tommy Joseph hit his 19th homer for the Phillies. Jeanmar Gomez got the final two outs of the ninth for his 37th save.Brault allowed nine hits and five runs in 3 2/3 innings. He remained winless in seven career starts.The Phillies have long been out of the playoff picture and -- like so many teams playing out the string -- are looking for any kind of positive to end the season. Galvis has been one. Joseph showed power in his rookie season. Speedy rookie outfielder Roman Quinn has been solid in September.Quinn even threw out a runner at the plate in the ninth to snuff a Pirates rally.We had two outs to play with, Hurdle said. We made a bad decision there.The Phillies got a rare boost on the mound from righty Jake Thompson (2-5). Thompson, who won for the first time since Aug. 12, allowed six hits and two runs over six solid innings.Against the Pirates, he was sharp enough in front of a small and lifeless crowd to show how he went 11-5 in the minors this season and was considered valuable enough to be included in last years Cole Hamels deal with Texas.Andrew McCutchen hit his 21st homer for the Pirates.OPENING UPThe 2017 schedule was released on Wednesday. The Pirates will open April 3-6 at Boston in their first trip there since 2005. The Phillies open the season April 3 at Cincinnati.UP NEXTPirates: RHP Chad Kuhl (3-3, 4.09 ERA) will make his 11th career start. Hes lost each of his last three decisions, though the Pirates have won seven of his 10 starts.Phillies: RHP Jerad Eickhoff (10-13, 3.73 ERA) has pitched six innings in each of his last five starts and six of seven overall. KD Shoes Outlet . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Wholesale KD Shoes . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. http://www.kdcheap.com/ . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. Cheap KD Shoes Free Shipping Cheap KD Shoes . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night.Widnes end their losing streak, Warrington show their ruthlessness and Summer Bash feature in Set of Six. Ruthless WolvesWarrington showed no mercy as they took full advantage of a low-in-confidence Leeds to destroy them 52-18. It was a definite return to form from Warrington who bounced back from consecutive defeats by Wakefield and Castleford to return to the top of the table.Chris Sandow made a welcoming return and was superb and if the Wolves can keep on producing these performances consistently then they would be hard to bet against for an Old Trafford appearance.Back to winning ways Highlights of Widnes Vikings victory over Huddersfield Giants in the First Utility Super League Well done to Widnes who ended their eight-match losing streak with a very tough win against Huddersfield on Sunday.The Vikings trailed 16-0 until just before the break but then ran in five tries to the delight of their coach Denis Betts.We were the better team, even when we went 16-0 down, said Betts. We just couldnt get over the line but showed plenty of character, fight and desire and we needed a win, its a relief.We havent been playing badly but losing games. Now it will put some belief in our bellies.Bouncing back? Highlights of the Super League game between Salford and Wakefield Wakefield host Hull KR this Friday, live on Sky Sports, and it will be interesting to see how the Trinity Wildcats respond.After their tremendous run they came undone against a rampant Salford who sent Wakey crashing to only their second Super League defeat in nine matches.It will be intrriguing to see how they react and if that loss to Salford would have done any damage to a side playing with such confidence and success.ddddddddddddSummer BashThe Championship certainly entertained us down in Blackpool with some fantastic games. It was a weekend for fightbacks as Swinton fought back from 20-0 down to beat Oldham 25-24 as Matty Beharrell squeezed over a last-gasp drop-goal to seal the dramatic turnaround.Leigh also had to fight hard for their win as they extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches with a thrilling 24-20 victory after coming back from 10-0 down against Bradford.Is Cronk crocked? Cooper Cronk gestures during a Melbourne Storm NRL training session Cooper Cronk faces a race against the clock to be fit in time for the State of Origin opener on Wednesday.The Queensland captain has been icing his ankle round-the-clock since rolling it in training on Friday and will still be considered even if he misses the captains run.A vital cog in the Maroons side, Cronk has missed a game in each of the past two series through injury, with Queensland losing both of those matches, their only other loss in the last eight games came in 2014 when Cronk left the field with a broken arm in the opening minutes.However, it seems not everybody is convinced by the 32-year-olds injury, with New South Wales coach Laurie Daly accusing his opponents of playing mind games to earn the underdog status.Troubles for Wigan? Highlights of Castlefords First Utility Super League match against Wigan On the field, things are going great for the Warriors but it looks like there may be trouble brewing off the field.Wigan Warriors say a player could face disciplinary action following an incident on Friday night.Bosses are investigating reports of fighting outside a gym, which were said to have involved at least two Warriors players.Earlier in the day, several Wigan players posted pictures on social media from Haydock Races, but so far the club are yet to make an official comment on the rumours.The incident came just a day after Shaun Wanes men beat Castleford 33-26 to keep the pressure on at the top of the Super League table. Also See: Widnes end losing streak McDermott: Rhinos lost integrity Follow @SkySportsRL Pundits ' ' '