nd I thought there was tremendous [upside]. Our last

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Oakland Athletics are in position to win another series due to a simple formula.Our pitchings been better, and our lineups doing things we really havent done in the past, Josh Reddick said after Tuesday nights 6-3 at Texas. Were just stringing hits together, and we used the long ball effectively tonight.Its just about getting our lineup going one through nine and not relying on our 3-4-5 guys every night. Weve got guys who can pick up this team at any given moment.The three-game set at Texas is tied 1-1 going into the finale Wednesday night at Globe Life Park. The As (46-55) are 8-4 since the All-Star break.The latest victory was especially gratifying for manager Bob Melvin after Oakland lost the series opener in walk-off fashion. The bullpen finished out Tuesdays game with three shutout innings.That was a really good win for us coming back from a difficult game last night, he said. There were a lot of ingredients tonight. Guys getting big outs they normally dont have to get in those situations. Good stuff tonight.Standing in the way of an Oakland series win is Yu Darvish. The Texas right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.12 ERA in five starts, but is winless in two starts since returning from the disabled list on July 16.The As counter with lefty Sean Manaea (3-5, 4.61), who has not allowed a run in three of his four starts since being reinstated from the DL on June 29.The American League West-leading Rangers (58-43) lost for the first time in four games, but they did receive a boost from call-up Joey Gallo. The power-hitting Gallo crushed a 448-foot home run in his first start at first base.I feel like I can help this team, bring some power to the team, said Gallo, who needed a police-escort to make it to the stadium on time after driving into town from Triple-A Round Rock in central Texas. I want to stay here and I dont want to go back.Gallos appearance is significant on several levels. Not only does he add a much-needed power bat with Prince Fielder sidelined for the season and Shin-Soo Choo on the disabled, Gallo can be showcased on the Major League level.With the trade deadline fast approaching, other clubs can take a closer look at the top prospect in the Texas system. Banister has made it clear that Gallo would be in the lineup.Hes coming to play, Banister said.Gallo, 22, has spent the majority of the year at Triple-A, compiling a batting line of .246/.381/.557/.939 (60-244) with 19 home runs and 47 RBI. He ranks fourth in the Pacific Coast League in home runs. Gallos .939 OPS figure is seventh among all Triple-A qualifiers.He has struck out 91 times, while walking 53 times in 70 games.Theres still the strikeout numbers there, but home run hitters strike out, Banister said. Hes got walks. Guys with power, theres some give-and-take there. We still want guys with power potential to be aggressive in nature, too. Its the ability in those underneath-count situations to still mount a fight within the at-bat. Hes shown improvement in that. Javier Hernandez Mexico Jersey . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. Hector Herrera Jersey . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. http://www.mexiconationalshop.us/Jesus-Manuel-Corona-Mexico-Jersey-Soccer/ . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Giovani dos Santos Mexico Jersey . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. Miguel Layun 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. CANTON, Ohio -- Brett Favre wants his induction speech at Saturdays Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement to mirror his career.Its why the former gun-slinging Green Bay Packers quarterback said he wont go in with any written remarks. He knows hell talk extensively about his father, Irv, who died in 2003 on the eve of one of his greatest performances. After that, it could be a free-for-all.My speech will be much like the way I played; it will be, Who in the hell knows? Favre said Friday.But it worked out pretty well in my career.Favre will be the last of the eight inductees to address the crowd.I say that not to scare anyone, but we may be here til 3 in the morning, Favre said. With my dad, I think what I want to get across, and its no big secret, is about [how] important he was to my life and my career, which was extremely important. Theres a lot of people who are important to my career and my success, but none more important than my dad, and I want to make sure I get that across.Favres free-wheeling style helped turn him into a beloved figure, especially during his 16-year run with the Packers.However, theres no ignoring his final stop -- the 2009 and 2010 seasons with the rival?Minnesota Vikings. That part of his career was commemorated in a Hall of Fame exhibit that includes both Packers and Vikings jerseys.The artifacts were selected by the museum curators with no input from Favre, who finally saw the display Friday while touring the Hall of Fame with one of his former coaches, Steve Mariucci.He kind of poked fun at Green Bay and Minnesota being in the same locker together, Favre said. But theres no doubt how I will be remembered, and thats as a Packer, as it should be. I wouldnt trade my 16 years in Green Bay for anything.Even the New York Jets got a mention Friday.dddddddddddd Favre played one season for the Jets after the Packers traded him in 2008. A promising start to the season ended in disappointment and injury; Favre struggled through a torn biceps in his throwing arm.Well, I threw six touchdowns in one game, and yippee, Favre said with a laugh. But its the only time I ever did it. Ill say, and Im [no] excuse guy, but before I tore my biceps, I was playing pretty good and we were 9-3, I think, and not hitting on all cylinders, and I thought there was tremendous [upside]. Our last good game was against New England on a Thursday night, and it went downhill from there as my biceps got worse and ultimately ended up in surgery. I would have liked to have seen how it have ended up if I had not had a torn bicep.Favre said hes now at peace with how his career ended and his renewed relationship with the Packers. He said there are no longer any scars with the Packers, who inducted him into their hall of fame and retired his No. 4 last year.I feel like theyre 100 percent healed, he said.Favre said he doesnt miss the game, even though he admitted its hard to find anything that compares to the competitive drive of playing in the NFL.I retired three times; youd think Id be an expert, which I was at that part, Favre said. But I never really got away. It didnt last long. I really never knew what it would be like when I was not out there.You cant cut grass and get the same feeling as throwing a touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe, but the good news is, when the first regular-season game was underway the following year after I retired, I didnt feel like I needed to be there. ' ' '