gone hitless in consecutive games since June 15-1

Sam Groth has survived a five-set slog on the opening day of the Australian Open playoff but Marinko Matosevic wasnt as lucky, falling to talented teenager Omar Jasika.Groth struggled to find rhythm but finally cracked spirited opponent Dayne Kelly 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 10-8 in a match that went into a fourth hour at Melbourne Park on Monday.The 2015 Newcombe Medallist saved a match point before finally finding a fifth-set break in the 17th game, ripping a stunning cross-court backhand to break Kelly to love.He gave away break points in the following game before closing out the match against the unheralded world No.311.That was a bit tougher than I wanted but I didnt get broken all match, which is a pretty good effort, he said.Groth joined other first-day winners John-Patrick Smith, Marc Polmans and top-seeded Andrew Whittington in the last eight.The 16-man field is competing for a sole wildcard into Januarys Australian Open.Jasika caused the upset of the day with a stunning turnaround against Matosevic, ranked 12 years and 147 places his senior.The 31-year-old faces a stay in the tennis wilderness after blowing a two-set lead and a break in the third set, losing 4-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4.Matosevic, 31, will now have to struggle through Januarys qualifying tournament to gain entry into the first grand slam of 2017, which would be his first major since Wimbledon 2015.The combustible former top-40 talent didnt shake hands with the chair umpire after his loss, reacting angrily to a series of line calls as the match fell from his grasp.Buoyed on by Omars Army in the crowd, Jasika drew error after error out of his opponent in the third and fourth sets before triumphing in the decider.I think they got into his head, Jasika said of his boisterous cheer squad.I think he was trying to get them out of his head but he couldnt.They were just chirping away ... and then he started to get tired and fatigued because I kept him out there in the sun.Whittington survived a major scare and a breathing problem to win his first-round match, outlasting teenage talent Max Purcell 6-3 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-2.The Melburnian coughed between points and sought medical assistance through the three-hour match in hot conditions.The womens tournament gets under way on Tuesday.AUSTRALIAN OPEN WILDCARD PLAYOFF RESULTS - DAY ONE1-Andrew Whittington def Max Purcell 6-3 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-22-Sam Groth def Dayne Kelly 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 10-8Omar Jasika def 3-Marinko Matosevic 4-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-44-Marc Polmans def Scott Jones 6-2 6-4 6-05-John-Patrick Smith def Maverick Banes 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-16-Chris OConnell def Alex De Minaur 6-2 7-6 (7-3) 6-2Gavin van Peperzeel def 7-Luke Saville 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-1 2-1 (ret)8-Blake Mott def Harry Bourchier 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 6-1 Y.A. Tittle Jersey . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Cheap 49ers Jerseys Authentic . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. http://www.cheap49ersjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-deion-sanders-jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Roger Craig Jersey . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. Cheap San Francisco 49ers Jerseys .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. MINNEAPOLIS -- When your starting pitcher gives up three home runs, you need to take advantage of every offensive opportunity you create. The Kansas City Royals blew a big chance Saturday night.Brian Dozier hit his 25th home run of the season and the 100th of his career, leading Tyler Duffey and the Minnesota Twins over the Royals 5-3.Tied 1-1 in the fifth inning, the Royals got a leadoff walk to Alex Gordon and a single by Alcides Escobar. But No. 9 hitter Raul Mondesi popped up a sacrifice bunt attempt, and the Twins turned a double play on a hard-hit grounder by Paulo Orlando to get out of the inning.That was a big play because if we get the bunt down, Paulos ball -- probably, if they play the infield in -- goes through for two runs, Royals manager Ned Yost said. Hes an excellent bunter. It just shows you though theres nothing in this game that is a sure thing no matter how good you are at it.For the second time this season, the Twins homered three times off Royals starter Dillon Gee (4-6), who gave up five earned runs on 11 hits and one walk in 5 1/3 innings.The first five innings ... we were battling pretty good and the curveball was good, Gee said. We were able to battle our way through five, and in the sixth it just fell apart.Robbie Grossman homered in the fifth inning to put Minnesota ahead 2-1. In the sixth, Kurt Suzuki hit a one-out single and Eddie Rosario drove a belt-high fastball into the bullpen in left-center for his eighth home run of the season.Dozier then hit the same pitch deep into the second deck in left, ending Gees night.The ball just started elevating and I wasnt commanding it very well, Gee said. TThey put good swings on mistakes.ddddddddddddDuffey (8-8) won for the third time in three starts this month. He allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings, striking out six. His outing was especially timely given the recent troubles of Minnesotas starting staff. In the previous three games, Twins starters lasted a combined 10 innings.The more that the short outings get compounded, the more that it taxes your team collectively, Molitor said. You need a little relief. Long starts are right up there with off days.Ryan Pressly pitched a scoreless eighth and Brandon Kintzler allowed an unearned run in the ninth but held on for his 11th save in 12 chances.Cheslor Cuthbert hit his 10th home run of the season in the third inning to tie the game 1-1. But Grossman hit a leadoff home run in the fifth to put the Twins on top for good.CUTHBERT CRUSHINGCuthbert took over third base for the injured Mike Moustakas in late May, and the rookie has been on a tear since the All-Star break. After going 1-for-4 on Saturday hes hitting .336 since July 15. He also had four straight multi-hit games earlier this week and hasnt gone hitless in consecutive games since June 15-16.UP NEXTLHP Hector Santiago will try to earn his first victory for the Twins on Sunday. Santiago (10-6), acquired from the Angels in a four-player trade on Aug. 1, has allowed eight earned runs in 10 1/3 innings in his first tle Baseball Jerseys[/url] ' ' '