d have been much better.I wish hed have run slower, Indians manager Terry Francona lamented.NEWCOMERThe Indians signed LHP Joe Thatcher to a minor league contract Saturday. The 34-year-old played in spring training with Cleveland but did not make the team. He pitched in the minors for the Dodgers unti

CINCINNATI -- The highest preseason ranking in Xaviers history was met with a shrug in the locker room. These Musketeers have gotten accustomed to the breakthroughs.No. 7 Xavier put together one of the finest seasons in its history, one that ended with one of its biggest disappointments. A second-round loss to Wisconsin during the NCAA Tournament ended the run prematurely. And now, the Musketeers are back for an encore.We talked about it as a team, guard J.P. Macura said. We figured were going to come back stronger this year and kind of put it past us.Xavier returns the nucleus of a team that went 28-6, was ranked No. 5 for five weeks -- the highest ranking in school history -- and finished second behind Villanova in the Big East. The Musketeers went 6-1 against Top 25 teams and 3-0 against Top 10 teams, and got the first NCAA No. 2 seed in school history.Their burst into national prominence prepared them for more of the same.Weve already had that experience, going through it for a year, junior guard Trevon Bluiett said. Its kind of like we know what to expect rather than just running around like chickens. I think last year definitely prepared us for this year.The Musketeers return four of their top six scorers in Bluiett (15.1 points per game), Myles Davis (10.8), point guard Edmond Sumner (11) and Macura (9.4). Davis, a senior guard, is suspended indefinitely while facing misdemeanor charges alleging he damaged his former girlfriends property.Their biggest loss is on the front line. Forwards James Farr and Jalen Reynolds combined for more than 14 rebounds per game last season. Itll be more of a group effort this time around.Were going to look different, coach Chris Mack said. Thats what college basketball is all about. We may not have one or two guys like a year ago who average close to double figures.Some things to watch:QUICKER BLUIETT: The 6-foot-6 guard dropped his weight from 217 pounds to 194 in the offseason, trying to add quickness and strength. His teammates and coaches have noticed a difference in practice.Whats changed is his ability to sustain his level of play, Mack said. It does make him quicker, so Id like to see him add an ability to get to the rim more than he has in years past. If anything, it should give Trevon the ability to sustain the level of play.SUMNER GROWS UP: Sumner averaged 3.6 assists as a redshirt freshman last season. He showed an ability to dash past defenders for acrobatic moves to the hoop but too often took a difficult shot instead of passing. His charging call set up Wisconsins winning shot in the tournament. Hes more of a vocal leader in practice and showing a more rounded game.When he gets to the rim, he makes better decisions, Mack said. He doesnt force shots. Hes finding those (open) guys really, really well.GATES REHAB: The Musketeers are looking for 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Kaiser Gates to grow into a big role after averaging 10 minutes, 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds last season. He tore cartilage in his left knee and had surgery on Oct. 21. Hes expected back on the court in about two weeks.NEWCOMERS: Senior forward RaShid Gaston sat out last season after transferring from Norfolk State. Forward Malcolm Bernard, a graduate student from Florida A&M, also will help. Freshman guards Tyrique Jones and Quentin Goodin will ease into playing time.I would say Tyrique Jones has kind of stood out because hes a freshman but hes not playing like a freshman, Bluiett said. We need him to play a big role for us. One other guy that stands out to me is Malcolm. Hes completely transformed his game.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.orgDragan Bender Jersey . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. Charles Barkley Jersey . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. http://www.officialsunsfanstore.com/richaun-holmes-suns-jersey/ . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. Richaun Holmes Suns Jersey . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. George King Suns Jersey . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed.BALTIMORE -- In a duel between first-place teams, the most notable performances were turned in by Mark Trumbo, who hit his major league leading 30th home run, and Kevin Gausman, who pitched seven shutout innings.Chris Davis was the difference-maker, however, in the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night.Though Davis is known for his mammoth home runs, the hustle of the 230-pound slugger helped propel the Orioles past the AL Central leaders.With runners at the corners and one out in the first inning, Davis hit a potential double-play grounder to second base. After the force at second, Davis beat the relay by a step to get an RBI and keep the inning alive.Thats a play that needs to be made, Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis said. Tip your hat to Chris Davis for running so hard down the line.Trumbo followed with a no-doubt shot to left off Josh Tomlin (10-3) for a 3-0 lead.Davis has eight fewer homers than Trumbo and is batting just .228, but his 59th RBI was pivotal for the AL East-leading Orioles.Huge, Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. Chris runs balls out.Pedro Alvarez also homered for the Orioles, who will seek to complete a three-game sweep Sunday. Cleveland has scored three runs in 18 innings thus far.Trumbo has homered in each of the first two games. Playing in his first season with Baltimore, the 2016 All-Star already has eight more home runs than last year and is just four short of matching his career high, set in 2013 with the Angels.Hes been very valuable, a real consistent human being, Showalter said.After earning only one win in his first 16 starts, Gausman (2-7) struck out seven and allowed only one runner past first base. The right-hander gave up four hits and walked three but was backed by three double plays.Brad Brach surrendered a two-out, two-run single to Lonnie Chisenhall in the ninth before Zach Britton got the final out for his 32nd save. Britton tied Willie Hernandez of the 1984 Detroit Tigers for the longest save streak to start a season by a left-hander, according to STATS.Thee Orioles improved to 35-14 at home and 18-6 against the AL Central.ddddddddddddAlthough Tomlin settled down after the rocky first inning, Alvarez chased the right-hander with a leadoff homer in the seventh, and Jonathan Schoop added an RBI single off Jeff Manship for a 5-0 lead.Tomlin struck out eight, walked none and allowed seven hits in falling to 6-1 on the road. He has given up 24 homers this season, matching his career high.Were it not for Davis, his line would have been much better.I wish hed have run slower, Indians manager Terry Francona lamented.NEWCOMERThe Indians signed LHP Joe Thatcher to a minor league contract Saturday. The 34-year-old played in spring training with Cleveland but did not make the team. He pitched in the minors for the Dodgers until opting out of his contract in early June.TRAINERS ROOMIndians: 3B Juan Uribe was not in the starting lineup after being plunked on the batting helmet above the left ear Friday night. He pinch hit in the ninth. ... RHP Zach McAllister (hip) pitched for Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, was to throw on the side Saturday and pitch again on Monday. He says he feels really good, manager Terry Francona said.Orioles: C Matt Wieters (foot) missed a fifth straight game. Manager Buck Showalter hopes to have him back Monday. ... RHP Darren ODay (hamstring) will likely be activated from the DL on Sunday or Monday, Showalter said. ... RHP Ubaldo Jimenez was placed on the paternity leave list. His wife is due to give birth on Aug. 21 but could deliver early. ... OF Hyun Soo Kim (hamstring) is slated to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie next week.UP NEXTIndians: RHP Corey Kluber (9-8. 3.42 ERA) makes his 20th start of the season in the series finale Sunday. Hes got three of Clevelands five complete games.Orioles: RHP Vance Worley (2-1, 3.16) gets his fourth start for Baltimore. He didnt make it out of the fifth inning in his last outing, a loss to the Yankees. ' ' '