RALEIGH, N.C. -- The NBA All-Star Games exit from North Carolina because of a law limiting protections for LGBT people represents some of the worst publicity yet for Republican Gov. Pat McCrorys re-election campaign, even as he dismisses the move as political correctness gone too far.The 2017 events departure from Charlotte deprives the state of an estimated $100 million economic impact and comes after the law prompted PayPal and Deutsche Bank to cancel plans to add hundreds of jobs. The law known best for its restrictions on transgender bathroom access looms large in an election season that includes one of the nations most closely watched governors races.On Friday, McCrory told Charlotte radio station WFAE that the NBAs decision was total P.C. B.S.Its an insult to our city. Its an insult to our state. And I think it sets a dangerous precedent of the corporate sports and entertainment elite basically asking for a quid pro quo on legislation or else theyll deny their service, he said.Shortly after the NBAs announcement Thursday night, the governor who promotes himself as pro-business issued a statement lashing out at the sports and entertainment industries, the liberal media and his opponent in the fall race, the states Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper.Cooper has refused to defend the law in court, while McCrory filed a federal lawsuit seeking to uphold it.The law enacted in March requires transgender people to use restrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates in many public buildings. It also excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from statewide antidiscrimination protections.Republicans including McCrory are likely to maintain their rhetoric surrounding the law known as HB2, banking on conservative voters in rural areas who support the law, said Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College.If you are seen as compromising or trying to find some way out of this, you will simply get hammered by your core base supporters, he said.Still, Bitzer said that if more events pull out of the state, it will be hard for voters to ignore the laws impact. The NCAA, which has 2017 basketball tournament games scheduled in Greensboro, issued a policy shortly after the North Carolina law passed requiring host sites to demonstrate that they are free of discrimination.When it comes to these kinds of events, maybe future NCAA basketball tournaments, I just have to wonder when that breaking point is over ones partisanship, Bitzer said.Local tourism officials estimated that the NBA All-Star Games economic impact would likely have ranked second in Charlottes history behind the $164 million brought in by the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The annual exhibition basketball game showcasing the leagues stars draws visitors from around the country and is held in a different city each year.Its definitely going to hit us pretty hard, said Morgan Conroy, marketing director for The Bottle Cap Group, which owns several bars and restaurants in Charlotte.Cancellations of special events booked at the groups Slate Billiards and Oak Room for the week of the All-Star Game are expected to deprive the company of an estimated $300,000 in sales, Conroy said. Conroy compared that amount to the $20,000 to $100,000 in sales at the companys venues on the day of a home NFL game.Around the state, entertainers including Bruce Springsteen have canceled concerts to protest the law, while 68 businesses signed an amicus brief urging a federal judge to block the provision on bathroom access.Lawyers for the companies -- including General Electric Co., Microsoft Corp. and United Airlines Inc. -- wrote that the law is already damaging their ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce and is imposing a substantial disincentive to investment and commerce in the State, directly impacting their bottom line.Coopers campaign was quick to criticize McCrory over the NBAs move, issuing a statement saying: While the economic consequences of HB2 grow, Governor McCrory continues to pass the blame onto others while refusing to take any action to stop the bleeding.State Sen. Jeff Jackson, a Democrat whose district includes part of Charlotte, put the blame for the NBAs move squarely on McCrory, saying the governor is so closely tied to the issue.There is a very good chance the All-Star Game just cost him the election, he said.However, Republican strategist Dee Stewart said polling data suggests McCrorys position on the LGBT law wont hurt him because other issues are more important to voters.With so many issues on voters minds today like national security, our economic recovery and the need to take care of our vets ... I dont believe that HB2 will sway many votes either way, said Stewart, who is not involved with McCrorys campaign.---Follow Jonathan Drew on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jonldrewBoomer Esiason Womens Jersey . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. 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PITTSBURGH -- Josh Harrison watched his long drive hit off the wall in right-center field leading off the bottom of the ninth of a tie game against Milwaukee on Tuesday night and one thought kept running through his head: keep going.So the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman did, racing around second and diving into third before strolling home when the relay from Milwaukee second baseman Scooter Gennett bounded by the bag and out of play as the Pirates escaped with a 3-2 victory Tuesday night.I saw (Milwaukee center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis) jump for the wall, and from there I never broke stride, Harrison said. I was going to make (Gennett) make a perfect relay.Gennett didnt, and Harrisons Little League homer off Tyler Thornburg (3-4) allowed the Pirates to start a crucial stretch against National League also-rans with a victory despite a second straight blown save by All-Star closer Mark Melancon (1-1) and a scary moment in the second inning when rookie pitcher Jameson Taillon took a line drive to the head.Taillon, making his return from a stay on the disabled list to deal with right shoulder fatigue, was pitching to Hernan Perez with one out in the second when Perez sent a shot right back to Taillon that hit the 24-year-old in the back of the head and rolled out into left field. Taillon lay on the ground for several minutes while being tended to by medical staff before being cleared to stay in the game.I saw it coming at me, turned from it and remember going down, Taillon said. I could feel it on my head a little bit, but I remained conscious. I saw where the play went. I answered all the questions they asked me. I wanted to get up quicker than I was able to. I remember it pretty clearly.Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle admitted his thoughts went to Taillons parents watching on television but decided to trust the recommendation of the medical staff that Taillon was OK to continue.This is one area that Im not really comfortable with, he said. I have to trust our people. They do know what theyre doing, how to follow protocol to test the player and the things to do.The near miss hardly seemed to faze Taillon, who allowed one run and five hits, striking out three without a walk before being removed after throwing 65 pitches.I felt like I deealt with it pretty well, Taillon said.dddddddddddd I definitely had some adrenaline after. I thought some of my pitches were up afterwards. Its tough to control the emotions right after that. I was able to keep the team in the game.Chris Carter doubled leading off the fourth and scored on a groundout by Perez but otherwise Taillon kept the Brewers in check as he outpitched Junior Guerra, a fellow rookie who has been one of the bright spots for the struggling Brewers, who have dropped five of six.Guerras only wobble came in the first, when two walks and a single by Andrew McCutchen loaded the bases with one out. David Freese loped a soft single to right field and Francisco Cervellis fly to left easily scored McCutchen to give Taillon an early lead. Guerra surrendered one more hit through six innings, walking three and striking out six.Taillon was solid during his first month in the majors before the team shut him down briefly due to concerns about his workload. He was fresh in his first start in three weeks, working quickly and retiring the last nine batters he faced before turning things over to a bullpen that rounded into form following a rocky start.The only hiccup lately has come from Melancon, who blew his third save of the season and second in three days. He issued a leadoff walk to Ryan Braun in the ninth and Jonathan Lucroy followed with a single. Melancon then struck out Carter and Nieuwenhuis before Perezs grounder to center tied the game.TRAINERS ROOMPirates: RF Gregory Polanco went 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored while showing no ill effects from a sore left hamstring that kept him sidelined since July 8.UP NEXTBrewers: Chase Anderson (4-10, 5.44 ERA) will try to get a handle on his control issues on Wednesday night when he makes his second start of the season against the Pirates. Anderson has issued a career-high five walks in each of his last two starts, both losses to St. Louis.Pirates: Jeff Locke (8-5, 5.26 ERA) will try to win his fourth straight decision on Wednesday night when he makes his 18th start of the season. Locke is 5-5 with a 3.76 ERA in 13 career starts against the Brewers. ' ' '