Globale News » Theo Epstein told reporters

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jon Lester rediscovered his curveball last year, and it has been a helpful addition to an already impressive repertoire. Coco Crisp had two hits and drove in a run, supporting another strong outing by Lester, and the Oakland Athletics defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 on Friday night to regain the top spot in the chase for AL wild cards. "Its been a solid pitch for me all year," Lester said of the curve. "It has been in the past but I lost it. During the second half last year I kind of figured out how it works and have been able to drop it in there." Derek Norris and Eric Sogard also drove in runs for Oakland, which moved a half-game ahead of the Kansas City Royals, who were beaten by the Detroit Tigers earlier Friday. Ryan Howard hit a home run for the Phillies, who have lost five of six. Lester (16-10) allowed one run and five hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out seven en route to his third consecutive win. Sean Doolittle, who blew a save on Wednesday, pitched the ninth for his 22nd save. "When you have something like that happen you want to get back out there as soon as possible and get back to feeling good," Doolittle said. "It was so bad last time out, it was easy to throw it out." Lester has pitched at least six innings in his past 18 games, including all 10 with the As. He hasnt allowed more than three earned runs during that span. "He pitches with a lot of emotion," Doolittle said. "Guys pick up on that and feed on that. They see how committed he is to what he does." Phillies starter David Buchanan (6-8) gave up three runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings. He walked two and struck out six. "He got on a pretty good roll. His aggressiveness was really evident," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "Hes shown very good improvement. Hes really making the most of this opportunity. Hes come a long way in a lot of ways." Buchanan had allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his previous six starts. Howard jumped on Lesters first pitch of the fourth inning for his 22nd homer, a blast that sailed well over the centre field fence. TRAINERS TABLE: Phillies: INF Jimmy Rollins is getting closer to returning to action after missing nearly two weeks with a left hamstring strain. Rollins needs to show he can run sprints as a final test. ... OF Domonic Brown was scratched from the starting lineup, though no reason was provided. Grady Sizemore replaced him in left field. Athletics: OF Josh Reddick missed his second game because of a sore neck, sustained when he tripped over first base on Wednesday. As manager Bob Melvin thinks he will be ready to play on Saturday. ... INF Stephen Vogt (hamstring strain) returned to the lineup after missing 11 games. NEXT UP: Phillies: Jerome Williams (3-2, 2.84) will make his fifth appearance -- and second start -- against the Athletics this year on Saturday. He is 5-5 vs. the As in 17 games, including 10 starts. Athletics: Drew Pomeranz (5-4, 2.53) makes his first start since a spot outing Aug. 27 at Houston when the As used a sixth starter to line up their pitchers for a series at the Angels. He is in the rotation for the first time since June 16, when he fractured his right hand. Pomeranz is taking Jason Hammels spot in the rotation and will be facing the Phillies for the first time since 2012. HIT BY FOUL: An Oakland security guard was hit in the head by a batted ball during Athletics batting practice. Stationed near the centre field gate, he wobbled after being hit and then sank to the ground. He was carried off the field on a cart and taken to a hospital, where he received several stitches. As coach Ariel Prieto handed him a ball as he was carried off and exchanged a few words with him. Nike Air Max 270 Sale . Like a magic trick, the puck popped out behind Stalock in the San Jose net. 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PETERSBURG, Fla. - Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin and former major league outfielder Doug Glanville were added Monday to the list of candidates the Tampa Bay Rays are considering for their next manager.The team announced on Twitter that Larkin and Glanville were the final additions to the Rays initial round of interviews, expanding the group to 10.Tampa Bay began searching for Joe Maddons replacement on Oct. 24, when he opted out of the final year of his contract after leading the Rays to four playoff berths in the past seven seasons. Maddon was hired to manage the Chicago Cubs.Larkin was a 12-time All-Star and the 1995 NL MVP during a 19-year career with his hometown Cincinnati Reds. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012.Glanville played for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers during a nine-year career that ended in 2004. He batted .277 with 168 stolen bases.Both former players have been working as baseballl analysts on television.ddddddddddddThe Rays revealed a preliminary list of eight candidates last Thursday: bench coach Dave Martinez, longtime major leaguer Raul Ibanez, former Washington and Cleveland manager Manny Acta, Milwaukee special assistant Craig Counsell, minor league manager Charlie Montoyo, Giants bench coach Ron Wotus, former Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu and Indians coach Kevin Cash.In a related story, Cubs President Theo Epstein told reporters at the general managers meetings in Arizona that the team welcomes a Major League Baseball probe into Maddons hiring.The New York Post reported Monday that MLB was looking into whether the Cubs contacted Maddon while he was still under contract with the Rays.There was no tampering whatsoever. Id rather they investigate so we can clear our name and move on from this quickly. Were giving our full co-operation and we welcome it, Epstein said, according to ESPNChicago.com. ' ' '