KISSIMMEE, Fla. [url=https://www.chinajerseysnfl.us/]Cheap NFL Jerseys China[/url] . -- Roger Clemens tried to get across a sense of urgency to Houston Astros pitchers Wednesday. "If its working for you, stay with it. If its not, you need to change something. Thats something I said," Clemen

KISSIMMEE, Fla. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . -- Roger Clemens tried to get across a sense of urgency to Houston Astros pitchers Wednesday. "If its working for you, stay with it. If its not, you need to change something. Thats something I said," Clemens said. "Obviously its not working for some of you so you need to re-evaluate what youre doing." In his capacity as special assistant to the general manager, Clemens addressed a group of young pitchers who were often overmatched last season. With a staff significantly different from the one assembled this spring, the Astros posted a 4.79 ERA while losing 111 games. "If you need to stay and do some extra work, conditioning, whatever it might be, that will make you mentally tougher than the next guy," Clemens said. "I think with all the conditioning I did throughout my career, that made me feel like I had an edge." On the eve of the teams first full-squad workout, the Astros brought in the 51-year-old, seven-time Cy Young Award winner for a morning pep talk. "I think these guys have got to realize that its not only just about them, that everybodys rooting hard and they want em to do well," Clemens said. "Obviously when they do that, a lot of people are going to start coming through the turnstiles again to watch em." Clemens pitched three of his 24 major league seasons in Houston, winning the National League ERA title in 2005 when the Astros won the pennant. The years since have been lean, especially the past three in which the Astros lost 106, 107 and 111 games. Thats one of the reasons Clemens was brought back last year, according to general manager Jeff Luhnow. "He really understands our philosophy as an organization," Luhnow said. "Hes been a part of this organization for a long time and he sees eye-to-eye with everything that were doing and is able to communicate the messages." One of the messages is to no longer accept defeat. "Theres more than a handful of guys that have an opportunity and they need to take a big step forward," Clemens said. "In spring training everybodys all giddy right now, and then you start the season and everybody gets punched in the face. Its not a lot of fun. I think theyre kind of taking the kid gloves off em a little bit and asking a lot of em to step up." The catchers, too. "I asked those guys today to step up a little bit when the pitchers not doing very well, and to get after him a little bit, see if you can stroke his emotions, get his attention so hes not lethargic out there," Clemens said. "Theres a fine line there, but its time for some of these guys to really take a giant step forward." Veteran Chad Qualls, brought in to compete for the closer job, said Clemens got his points across. "Anytime somebody with his presence steps into a room, he just kind of demands your attention," Qualls said. "You always open up and listen to what he has to say because hes been through everything, the ups and the downs. He knows exactly what hes talking about." And at some point in the spring, it will go behind talking. "At my advanced stage, I still enjoy putting the cleats on and demonstrating when I can. I like the teaching aspect, and then to turn em loose and for them to get after it," he said. "I enjoy rooting for the underdog and trying to motivate guys and answer their questions when they have them." Notes: Relief pitcher Jesse Crain strained his right calf while exercising in a gym Tuesday. The Astros are awaiting the result of an MRI. "That will be some sort of setback; I dont know how many days," Luhnow said. ... First baseman Japhet Amador, who hit .368 with 36 home runs in the Mexican League, will not report to spring training until further notice because of a family emergency. Wholesale NFL Jerseys China . -- James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, and the Houston Rockets dug out of a double-digit, first-half hole to beat the Orlando Magic 101-89 on Wednesday night. NFL Jerseys China .com) - Nino Williams posted 18 points and seven rebounds, as Kansas State edged No. https://www.chinajerseysnfl.us/ . The 22-year-old slugger, who is no stranger to adversity, made up for it at the end.(SportsNetwork.com) - After an up-and-down start to the season, the Chicago Blackhawks are finally resembling their old dominant selves. The Blackhawks will aim for a fifth straight victory when they host the struggling Montreal Canadiens in Fridays battle at United Center. Chicago began the season with a 7-6-1 record, but the 2013 Stanley Cup champions have won nine of 11 games since that mediocre start. The Blackhawks have outscored the opposition by a combined 15-5 margin during their current four-game winning streak. Joel Quennevilles club has won each of its the last three outings by identical 4-1 scores. After capping a 5-1-0 road trip with consecutive 4-1 wins in Anaheim and Los Angeles, the Hawks returned home to win Wednesdays game against St. Louis by the same margin. It marked the first meeting between the Blackhawks and Blues since Chicago claimed last springs first-round playoff series in six games. Kris Versteeg scored and also set up Patrick Kane for two goals, all in the first 5:19 of Wednesdays third period, to lead Chicago to the win. Marcus Kruger had a first-period goal for the Blackhawks before Ian Cole tied the game for St. Louis in the second period. It was the fourth straight home win for Chicago, pushing the clubs record in the Windy City to 8-3-1. Antti Raanta made 40 saves in his first start since a 3-2 loss at St. Louis on Oct. 25. Raanta will see his workload increase with No. 1 goaltender Corey Crawford sidelined 2-to-3 weeks with a left foot injury he suffered when he missed a step leaving a recent concert. I like how he challenged. I think he was comfortable meeting pucks. I thought he was good finding pucks, Chicago head coach Joel Quennneville said about Raanta. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Free Shipping. Raanta will go again tonight for the Blackhawks in what will be his first career appearance against the Canadiens. Chicago has won two straight and three of the last four meetings against Montreal. The Blackhawks routed the Habs 5-0 in Montreal on Nov. 4 with Jonathan Toews and Versteeg each posting a goal and an assist for Chicago and Crawford making 28 saves for a shutout. The Canadiens have lost four in a row at the United Center. Their last win in Chicago was on Feb. 27, 2002. Montreal enters Friday having lost four of its last five games. The Habs are 1-1-0 so far on a four-game road trip, beating Colorado on Monday before losing Wednesday in Minnesota. The Canadiens dropped a 2-1 decision to the Wild after getting outshot by a 35-19 margin in the game. Alex Galchenyuk scored Montreals only goal, beating Darcy Kuemper with 58 seconds left in regulation. Carey Price stopped 33 pucks in defeat, as the Habs fell to 8-5-1 as the road team. With Montreal closing its road trip tomorrow night in Dallas, Price is expected to get a rest from backup Dustin Tokarski either tonight or Saturday against the Stars. Price is 3-2-0 with a 2.19 goals against average in his career against Chicago, while Tokarski has never faced the Blackhawks. In other news, Chicago forward Patrick Sharp returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering an injury to his right knee on Nov. 4. Sharp, who has three goals and six assists in 13 games this season, is considered day-to-day and isnt expected to play until next week when Chicago is on the road. The Blackhawks kick off a four-game road trip tomorrow in Nashville. ' ' '