BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona was unfazed by the recent departure of its club president amid a lawsuit as it eased to a 3-0 win over Malaga on Sunday to reclaim its share of the Spanish league lead.
https://www.philadelphiafootballshop.com/48-Jersey . Lionel Messi didnt score but he played a part in two goals, setting up Pedro Rodriguez to make it 2-0 in the 55th after Gerard Pique had opened the scoring five minutes before halftime. Pedro then took Messis pass and crossed for Alexis Sanchez to tap in the hosts third in the 61st. Atletico Madrid stayed level with Barcelona at the top of the standings by romping to a 4-2 win at Rayo Vallecano as Diego Costa scored his 20th league goal of the season. Both title rivals ended a run of two straight draws to restore a one-point advantage over Real Madrid. The match at Camp Nou came just three days after Sandro Rosell stepped down to fight a lawsuit alleging that he misappropriated funds by hiding the true cost of signing of Brazil star Neymar. He and the club deny the accusations. Josep Bartomeu attended his first match as the Catalan clubs 40th president in the Camp Nou stands. Pique said that although he didnt know if Rosells exit was good for the club, he was sure the administrative turmoil hadnt affected the squads focus on defending its Spanish league title. "We continue competing the same way we have in recent years," said Pique. "Off the pitch, it is something people talk about, but on the pitch it affects us very little. "After all the bad moments we have had in these recent years we have maintained the league lead and that shows this group is strong and that we can stay on top," Pique said in a possible reference to the team dealing with former coach Tito Vilanovas and player Eric Abidals illnesses. Far from distracted, Gerardo Martinos team played one of its best games of the season, bombarding Malaga with 18 shots on-target of all types and from all angles. Martino, in fact, said he was more concerned about "not winning by a wider margin" than the clubs leadership. Pique broke through when he used his stomach to control a corner kick flicked on by Alexis, sized up Willy Caballero and then drove the ball under the Malaga goalie. Pique headed another corner kick against the woodwork moments before Pedro slotted inside the far post. Messi then dribbled at the Malaga defence to draw them in before laying off for Pedro, who found Alexis alone to score. Barcelonas Ibrahim Afellay went on as a late substitute after recovering from a six-month injury layoff. It was his first appearance for Barcelona since May 2012. Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz scored two goals and set up another in a 5-1 rout at 10-man Osasuna as the Basque club strengthened its grip on fourth place. Almeria edged Getafe 1-0 courtesy of striker Jonathan Zongos second-half header to escape the relegation zone. Diego Costa only trails Madrids 22-goal Cristiano Ronaldo as the leagues leading scorer, and the Brazilian-born players passing was key to Atleticos first two goals at Vallecas Stadium. "It was important to win after two draws," said Atletico striker David Villa, who downplayed the move back to the top. "We had to win, thats the important thing, going ahead game by game. We cant think about the rest." However, Atleticos win was tarnished by a shoulder injury to young midfielder Oliver Torres in the second half. Villa got Atletico rolling in the eighth minute after he stole the ball deep in Rayos territory and worked a one-two with Diego Costa before firing in his 10th league goal of the season. After Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved Jonathan Vieras penalty, Arda Turan took his first of two goals in the 30th to finish off a collective effort, with the ball flowing from Diego Costa through a generous Jose Sosa for Turan to roll in. Viera made up for his miss by scoring in the 40th, but Turan struck again in the 44th. Diego Costa found the net for the first time in 2014 when he redirected Filipe Luis cross in the 74th before Joaquin Larrivey responded almost immediately for Rayos second.
https://www.philadelphiafootballshop.com/93-Jersey . -- Navy football player Will McKamey, who has been hospitalized since collapsing at practice three days ago, has died while in a coma.
https://www.philadelphiafootballshop.com/49-Jersey . -- David Price didnt think he would be in Port Charlotte this spring.TORONTO - R.A. Dickey is still searching for the winning formula at Rogers Centre as he prepares to make his 13th home start of the season on Sunday. "I think I possess the tools to do it here," said Dickey. "I just might have to utilize some things that I seldom have to utilize on the road. I dont think it would cause me out of who I am. It just means I have to make an adjustment and this game is all about adjustments." As detailed below, Dickeys home and road splits are out of whack. HOME: 5.97 ERA, .842 opponents OPS, 18 home runs against. ROAD: 3.08 ERA, .666 opponents OPS, 7 home runs against. "In particular, in this park, for whatever reason, my elevated knuckleball seems to not have the movement that it does in other places," said Dickey. "Just lowering my sights, trying to get my knuckleball kind of to dance lower than I ordinarily would. So thats just release point. Thats a mechanical adjustment that shouldnt be very difficult to make but just being conscientious that I need to do that in this park." Dickey faced the Athletics in his second-to-last start at the O.co Coliseum. In that game he threw six innings and allowed two runs, though neither was earned. He didnt get a decision in a game the Blue Jays eventually won 5-2 in 10 innings. REYES PLAYING THROUGH PAIN Jose Reyes has started each of the Blue Jays 39 games since his return from a severely sprained left ankle. "My ankle is still bothering me a little bit," said Reyes. "Its not quite there 100 per cent yet. Thats something that maybe I can get 100 per cent in the offseason with some rest. But for right now, Im able to play like that." Reyes says his left ankle is noticeably weaker than his right anklee.
https://www.philadelphiafootballshop.com/55-Jersey. Its still sore and feels, at times, stiff. He says hes most affected moving to his left for ground balls and when hes forced to leap. While Reyes initially experienced pain rounding the bases, he says thats no longer an issue. LAWRIE WORKING WITH EDDIE Much has been made of Brett Lawries friendship with veteran and team leader Mark DeRosa but when it comes to hitting the 23-year-old picks the brain of Edwin Encarnacion. "Ive turned more my book towards, in that department, Eddie," said Lawrie. "I go with Edwin Encarnacion. We look at video together. We do our thing." Lawrie could do a whole lot worse than Encarnacion. Encarnacion, whos become one of the games elite power hitters, is on pace for a second consecutive season with 40-plus home runs and a better than .900 OPS. However, success didnt immediately find him. After three productive seasons with the Reds, Encarnacion was acquired by the Blue Jays, for Scott Rolen, at the trade deadline in 2009. The next season, he was designated for assignment and outrighted to the minor leagues. In the 2010-2011 offseason, Encarnacion was lost to the Athletics on waivers but when Oakland didnt tender him a contract, the Blue Jays brought him back. It was in 2011, after he was moved from third base to designated hitter/first base, that Encarnacions numbers spiked significantly. PEREZS SEASON IS OVER Reliever Juan Perez, 34, wont pitch again in 2013 and is questionable for next season after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow in Friday nights game against Oakland. Perez requires Tommy John surgery. In 19 appearances this season, all in relief, Perez posted a 3.69 ERA and averaged 9.64 strikeouts per nine innings. ' ' '