CHICAGO -- The Pittsburgh Pirates chances of winning the NL Central were dealt a huge blow when the Chicago Cubs rallied for a 4-2 victory on Wednesday behind a three-run homer by Darnell McDonald. [url=https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/]Fake Soccer Jerseys[/url] . Still, the postgame mood in the Pir

CHICAGO -- The Pittsburgh Pirates chances of winning the NL Central were dealt a huge blow when the Chicago Cubs rallied for a 4-2 victory on Wednesday behind a three-run homer by Darnell McDonald. Fake Soccer Jerseys . Still, the postgame mood in the Pirates clubhouse was anything but sombre. "This is nothing new, the way our season has played out," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "Well continue to battle, to go play. When we get the result we want, we put that one aside and try to go get another one. When we dont get the result we want, we wash that one and get ready for the next game. "We have a day off in Cincinnati and well be ready to hit the gas pedal again on Friday," he said. With three games remaining in the regular season for each team, the Pirates trail division-leading St. Louis by three games. The Pirates, who already have clinched a playoff spot, hold a one-game lead over Cincinnati for the first wild-card slot. The Reds, who also are assured a post-season slot, host Pittsburgh for three games to finish up. McDonald had three hits, including his homer in the sixth inning that put the Cubs ahead 4-1. "Thats one of the things that all of us can learn from right now, is were trying to get where these teams are at that were playing down the stretch," McDonald said. "I think every one of us in here wants to finish the season strong." Pirates starter Francisco Liriano (16-8) certainly wanted a stronger finish. He was over 100 pitches when McDonald came to the plate in the sixth and already had surrendered a pair of doubles to him. Hurdle thought about making a change, but never really gave it much serious consideration. "He wasnt able to get the ball where he wanted on McDonald," Hurdle said. "Theres never a time I dont like Frank on the mound. You always hate to have to go get a guy after the runs are given up. Thats the walk of shame. Thats on me." Jake Arrieta (4-2) allowed one run and four hits for the Cubs. Kevin Gregg allowed an unearned run in the ninth for his 33rd save. The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Darwin Barney hit a one-out double and scored on a single by Anthony Rizzo. The Pirates tied it in the third when Justin Morneau walked with the bases loaded to score Starling Marte. Arrieta avoided a bigger inning by getting the next batter, Garrett Jones, to ground out. The Pirates wasted other scoring chances. They had a runner on second with two outs in the fifth. Morneau hit a leadoff double in the sixth and advanced to third with one out, but was stranded when Pedro Alvarez grounded out and Tony Sanchez struck out. "If we make three good outs, its a 4-4 game going into the ninth," Hurdle said. "Just by getting outs. Runners on third base with less than two outs is one of the challenges weve had all season. We have to find a way to cash in in those situations. Its tough to keep pitching without a safety net." While the Pirates slipped back in the division race, they do have the safety net of knowing theyll be in a playoff game next week regardless of what happens in Cincinnati. "We just have to go there and play," Liriano said. "Were not going to try to do too much or change anything. We just have to go out there and play, game by game." NOTES: Dale Sveum doesnt know if hell be coming back for a third season as manager of the Cubs. Sveum is under contract to return for 2014, but team president Theo Epstein has said all jobs will be evaluated after another losing season. "Im not going to sit here and lie that youre not wondering whats going to happen in four to five days from now. Thats just human nature," Sveum said Wednesday before the game. Sveum expects to hear about his future shortly after the season ends Sunday. "Thats part of the gig," he said, "is knowing the day after the season." ... Marte stole three bases, the most by a Pirates player since Andrew McCutchen on June 15, 2010. ... The Cubs are off Thursday before opening a three-game series Friday in St. Louis with LHP Travis Wood (9-11) facing RHP Lance Lynn (14-10). ... Pirates RHP A.J. Burnett (9-11) takes on Cincinnatis Homer Bailey (11-11) on Friday. Clearance Soccer Jerseys . We wonder if the price of a Roberts rookie card has at least gone up a few cents? Tribute Tweets #Padres Tony Gwynn had 287 career plate appearances against #Braves trio of Maddux, Glavine, & Smoltz, he hit . Replica Soccer Jerseys . Vettel only needs to finish fifth or better Sunday to wrap up the championship with three races remaining, and bettered his own lap record to claim his third straight pole at Buddh International Circuit. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ . The midfielder had an operation on Saturday, and is set to miss seven Premier League games, the third round of the FA Cup and the semifinals of the League Cup. LISBON, Portugal -- Cristiano Ronaldo has two Champions League winner medals to show off along with his two world player of the year awards. That is, when hes done showing off his ripped physique. Ronaldos penalty at the end of extra time Saturday sealed a 4-1 victory for Real Madrid over Atletico Madrid, which led deep into stoppage time after 90 minutes. The 29-year-old Portuguese star then ripped off his shirt in celebration and struck a pose showing off his muscles. Soon, Ronaldo was being hugged by Portugals state president, Anibal Cavaco Silva, and patted on the back by Spains King Juan Carlos before collecting his medal from UEFA President Michel Platini -- who also hugged him. Just another night of Ronaldo being soccers biggest showman and undisputed current best player. "Since day one at the club Ive felt ready for this," said the Madrid star after helping end the clubs wait since 2002 for a coveted 10th European title in his fifth season there. "The pressure is making me a better player. It was worth risking (my injury) since were champions," Ronaldo told reporters. The Madrid star now heads to Brazil to cap his stellar season at the World Cup, where Group G rivals Germany, the United States and Ghana await him. Ronaldo will arrive with confidence peaking, even if his finishing fell from his own absurdly high standards Saturday. His 51st goal of the season came from his ninth attempt, including two trademark free kicks which tested Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois within his limits. One missed second-half chance seemed scripted for Ronaldo: hanging high to meet a Sergio Ramos cross, neck muscles tightening to drive his forehead at the ball. An untypically tame connection glanced tthe ball wide. Stitched Soccer Jerseys. Six years ago, in his first Champions League final, Ronaldo met the moment and ball to arrow his header into Chelseas goal and give Manchester United the lead in Moscow. The eventual manner of victory in 2008 was as dramatic as Saturdays proved. Then, Ronaldo was the only Man United player to have his penalty saved in a shootout, before Chelsea captain John Terry struck a post with the potentially decisive kick. When Edwin van der Sar sealed victory with a save, Ronaldo lay crying in the centre circle alone as teammates raced toward the goalkeeper. Still, Man Uniteds European title helped propel Ronaldo over great rival Lionel Messi in January 2009 to win his first FIFA world player award. Messi beat Ronaldo in the next Champions League final, scoring in Barcelonas 2-0 win. That night in Rome announced Messis rise above Ronaldo in footballs firmament. Confirmation came with Messis election to the FIFA honour for an unprecedented four straight years. Ronaldo stopped the streak in January on another tearful evening. His young son Cristiano stood beside him on stage and Pele also wept at this shoulder. The accolade was acclaimed as reward for hard work to hone his body and raise an already prolific scoring record. There were no tears Saturday, and Ronaldo was at the heart of the party. It was in the same Stadium of Light in Lisbon that Ronaldo lost in his first major final -- a stunning 1-0 upset for Greece over host Portugal in the 2004 European Championship. With this measure of redemption, Ronaldo closed on the three Champions League titles held by 26-year-old Messi. The World Cup stage offers Ronaldo the stage to show he can also close the gap in world player honours. ' ' '