Sonstiges » It’s been nearly two decades since Barry

ALLEN PARK http://www.texansauthorizedshops.com/authentic-kahale-warring-jersey , Mich. (AP)Sanders last took the field for the Lions, and it feels like Detroit’s running game has been flailing ever since.The latest potential solution to that problem -second-round draft pick Kerryon Johnson of Auburn – was 1 year old when Sanders played his final season.”I wish I was alive during that time to really get to watch him in person,” Johnson said. ”He’s a fantastic, fantastic running back. And just going to the same organization as him is awesome, it’s like a dream come true.”The Lions selected Johnson on Friday night after trading up to the No. 43 pick in a deal with New England. Detroit hopes Johnson can boost a running game that ranked last in the NFL last season. The Lions haven’t had anybody rush for 100 yards in a game since 2013.Detroit took safety Tracy Walker of Louisiana-Lafayette in the third round.”Really great to add a powerful runner in the second round and a versatile defensive back, primarily a safety, in the back end of the defense,” general manager Bob Quinn said. ”We’re very excited about both of those guys.”Johnson ran for 1,391 yards and 18 touchdowns last season despite missing two games with an injury Cullen Gillaspia Jersey , and the talented running back decided to skip his senior season to enter the draft. The Lions drafted offensive lineman Frank Ragnow of Arkansas in the first round Thursday night, and the addition of Johnson could add balance to Detroit’s Matthew Stafford-led offense.The Lions also added free agent running back LeGarrette Blount earlier in the offseason.”As you guys know better than anybody, I don’t think we’ve been the most balanced offense here the last few years, right?” Quinn said. ”So I think that was a priority in the offseason, to improve the running game.”The Lions have been down this road before. Sanders played his final season in 1998. Since then, Detroit has picked five running backs in the first two rounds of the draft: Kevin Jones, Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure, Ameer Abdullah and Johnson. The last four of those players have been taken since 2010 Tytus Howard Jersey , but none has been able to add a consistent running threat to complement Stafford and the passing game.”I’m happy to be a piece of anybody’s puzzle,” Johnson said. ”I’m ready to come in and work. That’s what I feel like this organization loves to do is work. That’s what everybody knows Detroit for, being a hard-working city.”Detroit sent second-round (No. 51) and fourth-round (No. 117) picks to New England for the pick used to take Johnson.The Lions took Walker at No. 82. He led the Ragin’ Cajuns in tackles as a senior and is third on the school’s career list in tackles by a defensive back. Walker is from Brunswick, Georgia. He went to Brunswick High School – the same school as Lions cornerback Darius Slay. Walker says he and Slay are second cousins.Walker said he expected to be picked around the fifth round.”I’m the type of person, I’m very conservative and I expect the worst,” Walker said. ”I was blessed to be drafted in the third round.”NOTES: Ragnow’s job is now to protect Stafford from pass rushers, and he’s already treating his quarterback with quite a bit of reverence. ”He texted me earlier today and I was just in awe. Matt Stafford texted me,” Ragnow said. ”I actually responded saying, `Mr. Stafford.’ He said Rock Ya-Sin Jersey , `I’m not that old.’ I learned my lesson quick there, but it’s incredible.”— Aaron Nola was the man Gabe Kapler wanted on the mound with Manny Machado at the plate and the tying run on third base.

It was the right move.

Nola stuck out nine in seven splendid innings, Nick Williams hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 Wednesday to sweep a two-game interleague series.

Nola (11-2) gave up one run and seven hits to win his fifth straight decision.

He escaped a jam on his 103rd pitch when second baseman Cesar Hernandez made an outstanding, over-the-shoulder running catch on Machado’s shallow fly to right with two outs and runners on first and third.

”That’s awesome,” Nola said of the play.

Kapler, who was heavily criticized for pulling Nola after 68 pitches in the season opener at Atlanta, visited the mound before letting his ace face Machado with a 2-1 lead.

”We knew he was the best option,” the first-year manager said. ”He always makes us feel confident.”

Nola said he would’ve lobbied to stay in but didn’t have to say anything other than he felt fine.

”I want to go deep in the game,” he said. ”I want to get through that inning.”

After five consecutive losing seasons http://www.coltsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-ben-banogu-jersey , the Phillies are on the rise under Kapler. They pulled within 1 1/2 games of NL East-leading Atlanta and moved 10 games over .500 for the first time since finishing the 2011 season with a franchise-record 102 wins.

”It’s a nice milestone, one we can celebrate,” Kapler said.

Making his second career start and third appearance, Orioles right-hander Yefry Ramirez (0-2) retired 13 of his first 14 batters before running into trouble in the fifth. Ramirez gave up two runs – one earned – and one hit in five innings.

”I was really proud of Yefry. You couldn’t ask for much better,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

Williams connected off David Hess in the seventh, sending a 409-foot shot into Philadelphia’s bullpen in right-center and extending the lead to 4-1.

Victor Arano tossed two scoreless innings for his first career save.

Ramirez didn’t allow a hit until Scott Kingery ripped a one-out double to left in the fifth. Williams, who walked, advanced to third on the hit.

Jorge Alfaro followed with a grounder down the first-base line. Chris Davis moved a few steps to his left, took his eyes off the ball to look at Williams running halfway down the line Khari Willis Jersey , and the ball knuckled under his glove. Both runners scored on the error.

Adam Jones lined an RBI double to left-center in the third, giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

WELCOMING MANNY

For the second straight day, fans clapped each time Machado was introduced. They also chanted ”We want Manny!”

The three-time All-Star is set to become a free agent after the season and the Phillies are among the teams interested in acquiring him before the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31 or signing him in the offseason.

Machado told reporters before the game he wants to play shortstop wherever he goes and he wouldn’t be surprised if Philadelphia aggressively pursued him. Phillies team president Andy MacPhail held the same position in Baltimore when the Orioles selected Machado No. 3 overall in the 2010 amateur draft.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Orioles: OF Joey Rickard was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to replace OF Colby Rasmus, who was placed on the restricted list before Tuesday night’s game.

Phillies: RHP Jerad Eickhoff was scheduled to throw another live batting practice at Single-A Clearwater. Eickhoff has nerve issue in fingers and hasn’t pitched this season.

UP NEXT

Orioles: RHP Andrew Cashner (2-8, 4.48 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at Minnesota on Thursday night. Cashner had a 3.21 ERA in five starts in June but didn’t earn a win.

Phillies: Nick Pivetta (5-7, 4.66 ERA) takes the mound at Pittsburgh for the start of a three-game series on Friday. Pivetta earned the win in a scoreless inning of relief in Philadelphia’s 13-inning victory over Washington last Sunday.

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