couver 1 Vancouver, BC (SportsNetwork.com) - Mats Zk Rangers used a three-goal

ARLINGTON, Texas -- These Pittsburgh Pirates keep saying their goal this season was always bigger than just having a winning record. The American League better watch out if they are able to make it to their first World Series since 1979. Clint Barmes homered and drew a bases-loaded walk as the Pirates completed a three-game series sweep in an interleague matchup of wild-card leaders with a 7-5 victory Wednesday over the slumping Texas Rangers. "You see how close this race is, so thats the way weve been taking it every day," Barmes said. "And I dont see that changing." The Pirates (84-61), who ensured their first winning season since 1992 with a victory in the opener at Texas, finished the series with their ninth consecutive interleague road victory. They were 15-5 overall during the regular season against AL teams. "Thats a big-time record," manager Clint Hurdle said. "Theyre challenging because theyre like pop quizzes. You got to watch video and maybe youve seen them. I had a little history here with a few of the hitters. Its just been the way weve been able to show up." Swept in three games at St. Louis last weekend, the Pirates remained a game behind the NL Central-leading Cardinals, who beat Milwaukee 5-1 on Wednesday night. "The thing Im most impressed with is our consistency, our focus and our preparation," Hurdle said. "It doesnt waver. We didnt come here with sweep on our mind. We came in here to win the first game." Texas (81-64) has dropped nine of its last 12 games, a stretch in which the Rangers have lost four consecutive series. They have gone from a three-game lead in the AL West to three behind Oakland after the Athletics won 18-3 at Minnesota on Wednesday night. Oakland finishes its series against the Twins on Thursday, when the Rangers have their last scheduled day off, before a three-game weekend series in Texas between the AL Wests top two teams. "Well be fine," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "Weve got an off day and then come back ready to play. Its all we can do." In the NL wild-card standings, the Pirates are two games ahead of Cincinnati, which is holding the second wild card. For the AL wild card, the Rangers are 2 1/2 games ahead of No. 2 Tampa Bay. Justin Morneau, acquired from Minnesota less than two weeks ago, snapped an 0-for-14 slump with four hits while scoring twice for Pittsburgh. " We got outplayed in every aspect of the game in St. Louis," Morneau said. "To come back and have a short memory and forget about that, I think thats a sign of a good team when you can bounce back." A.J. Burnett (8-10) struck out seven in 6 1-3 innings, though he faded late after retiring the first 13 batters he faced. Kyle Farnsworth, the fourth Pittsburgh reliever, worked the ninth for his first save since 2011. Matt Garza (3-4 with Texas, 9-5 overall) needed 89 pitches to get through four innings and left down 3-0. He struck out six, but also walked four and gave up five hits. Garza, acquired July 22 from the Chicago Cubs to bolster the Rangers rotation, is 0-2 his last four starts. "I feel fine, just didnt have location and paid for it," Garza said. Felix Pie had a leadoff walk in the third, stole second and scored on Neil Walkers single. The Pirates loaded the bases in the fourth before Barmes drew a walk, and another run came home on a fielders choice after shortstop Elvis Andrus bobbled a likely double-play grounder. Barmes solo homer in the eighth that made it 7-5 was the only home run hit by either team in the series. With his breaking ball working, Burnett struck out five the first two innings and didnt allow a base runner until A.J. Pierzynskis one-out double in the fifth. "Thats about the only time it was effective. I started to lose it toward the end," Burnett said. "My arm started dragging a little bit. But I just wanted to come out and set the tone and keep it going." That first hit by Pierzynski might have been caught if Gold Glove centre fielder Andrew McCutchen wasnt getting a day off. The ball went over the outstretched glove of Pie. Burnett gave up five hits and walked two over the last 10 batters he faced. After the bottom two batters in the Rangers lineup walked to start the sixth, they scored when Andrus got a single that ricocheted off shortstop Barmes glove into short left as he tried to make a backhanded stop. Notes: Texas was 10-10 in interleague play. ... Suspended Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz started workouts Wednesday at the teams spring training complex in Arizona with full defensive drills and batting practice. Instructional league games begin next Wednesday. Cruzs 50-game suspension, through the end of the regular season, came after Major League Baseballs investigation into the Biogenesis clinic in Florida accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs. Cruz could be eligible for the post-season. Green Bay Packers Jerseys .com) - Even on the day his New Hampshire football team became the nations top-ranked team two weeks ago, coach Sean McDonnell conceded something about the team they replaced at No. Jaire Alexander Jersey . Judging by his performance Saturday night, Cotto has plenty left in the tank. Cotto became the first Puerto Rican fighter to win world championships in four weight divisions, stopping Sergio Martinez in their WBC world middleweight title fight Saturday night. http://www.officialgreenbaypackerspro.com/Dave-robinson-packers-jersey/ . Warren made six birdies and a bogey for a 5-under total of 139 to sit one shot ahead of Felipe Aguilar of Chile, who carded a 69. David Horsey of England was also on 5 under through 15 holes to join Warren atop the leaderboard before play was stopped. Aaron Rodgers Jersey . The Canucks figured to be active prior to Wednesdays trade deadline, getting a jump on things the previous day when they dealt goaltender Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers for netminder Jacob Markstrom and forward Shawn Matthias. Clay Matthews Jersey Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Wayne Simmonds, Scott Laughton and Jakub Voracek each posted a goal and an assist as the Philadelphia Flyers thumped the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-1, on Saturday. Michael Raffl and Sean Couturier each scored while Steve Mason made 25 saves for the Flyers, who have won the first two games of a four-game homestand. Eric Staal had the lone goal of the game for the Hurricanes, who have lost five straight. Anton Khudobin allowed all five goals on 23 shots in the loss. Final Score: Ottawa 3, Boston 2 (SO) Boston, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - Bobby Ryan scored the shootout winner in the Ottawa Senators 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins Saturday. New Senators coach Dave Cameron earned his first win with goals from Mika Zibanejad and David Legwand, along with 29 saves by Robin Lehner. Ottawa has won two of its last three games. Tuukka Rask also made 29 saves, including two in overtime, but it wasnt enough for the Bruins, who have lost five out of their last six. Craig Cunningham scored his first NHL goal, and Loui Eriksson tallied the other Boston goal. Final Score: NY Islanders 3, Chicago 2 Uniondale, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Kyle Okposo and Lubomir Visnovsky tallied 51 seconds apart midway through the third period and the New York Islanders brought the Chicago Blackhawks win streak to an end thanks to a 3-2 final at Nassau Coliseum. Cal Clutterbuck added a second-period strike for the Islanders, who put the brakes on a three-game skid. Jaroslav Halak turned aside 23 shots for the win. Dan Carcillo and Patrick Kane scored for the Blackhawks, who had won eight in a row since Nov. 26 to reach the top of the Central Division. Scott Darling took the loss despite making 38 saves. Final Score: Washington 4, Tampa Bay 2 Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Nicklas Backstrom notched his first career hat trick to lead the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Braden Holtby stopped 26 shots, Eric Fehr scored an empty-net goal and Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson each supplied two assists for the Capitals, who have won four of their last five games. Tyler Johnson and Matt Carle each scored late in the third period and Ben Bishop made 24 saves for Tampa Bay, which has dropped three of its last four. Final Score: Columbus 4, Pittsburgh 3 (SO) Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Ryan Johansen was credited with the game winner in the shootout, and Columbus recovered from a Pittsburgh rally late in regulation to post a 4-3 victory at Nationwide Arena. Nick Foligno, Boone Jenner and Jack Johnson scored for the Blue Jackets, who extended their season-high win streak to six games. Sergei Bobrovsky made 33 saves, then turned away Brandon Sutter in the games final segment to lock up the win. Kris Letang tallied twice, including the tying marker with less than 11 seconds to play for the Penguins, who also received a goal from Blake Comeau. Thomas Greiss stopped 24 pucks in 65 minutes of play, but allowed two of three Columbus shooters to best him. Final Score: Anaheim 4, Winnipeg 1 Winnipeg, MB (SportsNetwork.com) - Ryan Getzlaf scored the go-ahead goal during a big second period for the Ducks, and Anaheim posted its seventh straight win, 4-1 over the Winnipeg Jets. Jakob Silfverberg and Nate Thompson also lit the lamp in the second period for the NHL-leading Ducks, who equaled their season-best winning streak. They also ended Winnipegs eight-game points streak (5-0-3) by beating the Jets for the second time at MTS Centre in less than a week. On Sunday, Kyle Palmieris tally with 53 seconds elapsed in overtime lifted Anaheim to victory. This time, it was Anaheim capitalizing on the power play and also in short-handed situations. Thompson and Andrew Cogliano scored short-handed, with Coglianos going into an empty net with 1:15 left. Silfverbergs goal came on the man-advantage. Frederik Andersen turned aside 27 shots for Anaheim. Bryan Little scored on the power play for the Jets, who have lost two in a row. Michael Hutchinson made 27 saves. Final Score: Buffalo 4, Florida 3 (OT) Buffalo, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Nikita Zadorov scored his first goal of the season 29 seconds into overtime to send the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-3 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Brian Giontas third-period goal tied the game for the Sabres and ended a run of three straight Panthers goals. Buffalo also got goals from Cody Hodgson and Marcus Foligno to win its third straight game. Jhonas Enroth made 25 saves in the win. Sean Bergenheim and Jimmy Hayes sccored second-period goals to erase a 2-0 deficit for Florida, which lost two of three games on its road trip.dddddddddddd Al Montoya made 28 saves for the Panthers but did not stop the only shot he faced in OT. Final Score: Toronto 4, Detroit 1 Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Jonathan Bernier made 27 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs scored four unanswered goals for a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. The goals from James van Riemsdyk, Richard Panik, Morgan Rielly and an empty-netter from Nazem Kadri gave the Maple Leafs their first four-game winning streak of the season. It includes back-to-back victories over the Red Wings, who fell to Toronto 2-1 in a shootout on Wednesday. Saturday marked the fifth and final meeting of the season between the Atlantic Division foes. The Maple Leafs won the last three after the Red Wings swept a home-and-home in October. Niklas Kronwall scored and Petr Mrazek gave up three goals on 40 shots in Detroits third straight loss. Final Score: Minnesota 4, Arizona 3 (SO) Glendale, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu both scored in the shootout to lead the Minnesota Wild to a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. Parise, Minnesotas first shooter, beat Devan Dubnyk with a wrist shot, but Antoine Vermette answered back for Arizona by firing the puck under the arm of Niklas Backstrom. Koivu skated up the left side, cut across the slot, and roofed the puck over Dubnyk. Tobias Rieders shot was wide to seal the win for the Wild. Parise netted the game-tying goal late in regulation, Nino Niederreiter and Jason Zucker also scored and Backstrom made 26 saves for the Wild, who bounced back from a 2-1 loss to San Jose on Thursday. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Lauri Korpikoski and Vermette all lit the lamp for the Coyotes, who lost their ninth straight home game. Dubnyk made 32 stops in defeat. Final Score: Dallas 4, New Jersey 3 Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Shawn Horcoff scored the deciding goal late in the second period as the Dallas Stars held off a late New Jersey push for a 4-3 victory on Saturday. Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza each finished with a goal and an assist, Trevor Daley also scored and Antoine Roussel supplied two helpers for the Stars, who entered the game with five losses in their previous six games. Kari Lehtonen stopped 28-of-31 shots in the win. Jon Merrill, Eric Gelinas and Scott Gomez all lit the lamp for New Jersey, which dropped its third straight game. Cory Schneider allowed four goals on 33 shots over the first two periods and Keith Kinkaid made three saves in relief during the third. Final Score: St. Louis 3, Colorado 2 (OT) Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - T.J. Oshie scored 63 seconds into overtime to give the St. Louis Blues their fourth straight win, 3-2 over the Colorado Avalanche. Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk also lit the lamp for the Blues, who received 23 saves from Jake Allen. Erik Johnson scored twice and Calvin Pickard stopped 39 shots for Colorado, which have dropped five of its last six games. Barret Jackman delivered a pass from the left boards to the slot area, where Oshie used a defenseman as a screen before firing the puck into the upper right corner of the net. Final Score: NY Rangers 5, Vancouver 1 Vancouver, BC (SportsNetwork.com) - Mats Zuccarello scored a pair of goals and the New York Rangers used a three-goal first-period blitz to subdue Vancouver, 5-1, at Rogers Arena. J.T. Miller, Marc Staal and Ryan McDonagh also lit the lamp for the Rangers, who kicked off a four-game road trip with their second straight victory. Derick Brassard and Rick Nash each added a pair of assists, while Henrik Lundqvist turned in a 29-save effort. Nick Bonino supplied the sole offense for the Canucks, losers of four in a row including the final three of a seven-game road trip. Ryan Miller was on the hook for all five goals on just 23 shots. Final Score: San Jose 2, Nashville 0 San Jose, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Antti Niemi made 29 saves for his second shutout of the season and the red-hot San Jose Sharks beat the Nashville Predators 2-0 on Saturday night. Niemi had 18 of his 29 saves in the third period to pick up his 29th career shutout and first since the season-opener against Los Angeles on Oct. 8. Tomas Hertls goal 5:01 into the game stood up as the winner and Joe Thornton added an empty-netter late as the Sharks improved to 7-1 in their last eight games. Pekka Rinne played well in net, stopping 32 of 33 shots, but took the loss as the Predators finished a 2-1 road trip. ' ' '