ST. [url=https://www.cheaporioles.com/2158i-mike-flanagan-jersey-orioles.htm l]Mike Flanagan Jersey[/url] . PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Pedro Alvarezs first homer in almost three weeks helped the Pittsburgh Pirates improve to .500 for just the second time in more than two months. The slumping 2013 co-NL home

ST. Mike Flanagan Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Pedro Alvarezs first homer in almost three weeks helped the Pittsburgh Pirates improve to .500 for just the second time in more than two months. The slumping 2013 co-NL home run champion backed Edinson Volquezs pitching with a three-run shot, keying an 8-1 victory over the sputtering Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night. "It always helps, obviously, when I can contribute to a team victory," said Alvarez, whos hitting .232 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs. "Ive always said sometimes results arent indicative of how you may feel at the plate, and I feel like Im a good place," the slugger added. "Im just going to continue to work." Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 5, drove in two runs and stole two bases for the Pirates in a homecoming of sorts for last years NL MVP, who grew up in nearby Fort Meade and had never played before at Tropicana Field. He also scored twice in Pittsburghs first appearance in St. Petersburg since 2003. Alvarez, who hadnt homered since June 3, went deep off Alex Cobb (2-6) during a four-run fourth inning that also featured the first of McCutchens two RBI singles. The first-pitch, 419-foot drive over the wall in centre field snapped a season-high 16-game stretch without a homer -- Alvarezs longest since a 22-game drought that began in September 2012 and extended into last season. "A lot of times people have been taking their chances with Pedro, and hes an important part of our offence," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We need him to fire, we need him to drive in runs and that was very good to see. Three-run homers always play well." Volquez (5-6) allowed five hits in a season-high eight innings. James Loney drove in Tampa Bays only run with a two-out, first-inning single, and the Pirates supported their starting pitcher by turning three double plays. "I got a lot of help," Volquez said. The Pirates climbed to .500 (38-38) for just the second time since April 17, when they were 8-8. They have won four of five following a three-game skid and are a NL-best 26-18 since May 6. Tampa Bay has dropped 19 of its past 27 and is saddled with the worst record in the major leagues at 31-47. "I feel like with every loss its an opportunity missed," Cobb said, adding if the Rays are going to turn their season around theyve got to get on a roll soon. McCutchen, who is batting .366 in June, boosted his average in 11 interleague games to .425 with nine walks, four doubles and seven RBIs. His run-scoring single off Cobb moved him ahead of Brian Giles for the Pirates career record for RBIs in interleague action with 52. He added another in the ninth off Kirby Yates. Alvarez, meanwhile, is hitting .317 with two home runs and eight RBIs against AL teams this season. Cobb, making his seventh start since spending five weeks on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, allowed six runs and six hits in five innings. Volquez won for the third time in his last five starts. The right-hander walked two, struck out one and didnt allow a hit after the fourth inning. Three of Tampa Bays six hits were infield singles, including Kevin Kiermaiers second-inning bunt. Jeanmar Gomez pitched the ninth for the Pirates, yielding a two-out single to Loney. NOTES: Pirates OF Starling Marte was back in the lineup after missing two games tending to a personal matter at home in the Dominican Republic. ... Pittsburgh RHP Gerrit Cole (right shoulder fatigue) threw 83 pitches over six innings in a simulated game and could rejoin the rotation this weekend. ... Pirates 2B Neil Walker (appendectomy) is expected to be reinstated from the DL Tuesday. ... The Rays havent announced if RHP Jeremy Hellickson (elbow) will need one more minor league start before returning. .. Tampa Bay 1B-OF Jerry Sands has a wrist injury, which Rays manager Joe Maddon said could require surgery. Luis Aparicio Jersey . The 33-year-old Spaniard, who held the lead since the second round, turned in a solid final round that featured six birdies and two bogeys to finish on 22-under 266. The victory is Garcias first this year with his last win coming at the Johor Open, an Asian Tour event in Malaysia last December. Dave Philley Jersey . The group of Slava Fetisov, Igor Larionov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Sergei Fedorov, & Slava Kozlov were a dominant force for The Wings at one point in the 90s. https://www.cheaporioles.com/548i-jim-thome-jersey-orioles.html . 1 overall pick in the draft by the Houston Texans, is recovering from sports hernia surgery.GLASGOW -- Canada enjoyed a successful first day at the Glasgow Sevens rugby tournament, finishing on top of Pool B with wins over Japan and France and a draw with England. Canada opened Saturdays play with a 52-0 thumping of Japan, and followed with a 28-12 win over France. That was enough to guarantee them a spot in the quarter-finals of the Cup competition. In a battle for top spot in Pool B, Canada and England fought to a 7-7 draw. Philip Mack converted his own try in the first half to give Canada an early lead, but Tom Powell replied with a converted try in the second to draw England level. Both Canada and England, which is currently fourth in the IRB Sevens World Series overall standings, finished with eight points in three matches, but the Canadians took top spot in the pool with a superior point differential. "I thought we had chances to score but so did they," Canada coach Geraint John said of England. "Its important for us to top the group. Weve come close in recent tournaments but we have shown the depth here, as well as the big players stepping up." Canada will play Kenya in Sundays quarter-final. The Kenyans advanced after a surprising 33-19 win over Argentina. England will face Fiji, ranked third on the circuit. Canada reached a fifth straight quarrter-finals for the first time. Asher Wojciechowski Jersey. Earlier, Canada routed Japan behind three tries by Mike Scholz. Sean White, Connor Braid, Mike Fuailefau, John Moonlight and Harry Jones also crossed the line, while Mack booted four conversions. Moonlight, Conor Trainor, Sean Duke and Scholz scored tries against France, while Mack kicked four conversions. Canada entered the tournament seventh in the overall series standings, one point behind Samoa. The Glasgow Sevens is the second-last stop on the Sevens World Series circuit. The schedule concludes with the London Sevens next weekend. Elsewhere, New Zealand underlined its tournament ambitions with a 19-5 win over South Africa in an uncommon pool matchup of the world series two leading teams. New Zealand and South Africa previously met only in finals this season, with the Africans winning two of three. But New Zealands consistency has it leading the series by seven points. Despite resting stars DJ Forbes and Tim Mikkelson, New Zealand dominated the pool decider physically, but struggled to score. New Zealand will face Australia in the quarter-finals, while South Africa lined up host Scotland, which topped a pool for the first time in more than a year thanks to comfortable wins over Australia, the United States and Spain. ' ' '