Parkers strained left hamstring could be a major problem

BALTIMORE -- Miguel Gonzalez was desperate for a win. So were the Baltimore Orioles. Both got what they needed against the skidding Chicago White Sox. Gonzalez allowed one run over seven innings and Baltimore got solo home runs from Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy and Brian Roberts in a 3-1 victory Thursday night. The Orioles were coming off a 3-6 road trip that left them four games off the pace in the AL wild-card race. Although its probably too early to talk about must-win games, this one was pretty close. "Its definitely a good way to start the homestand," Hardy said. "Our backs are kind of against the wall and we need to win. We need to get on a streak, and this is a good start." After losing series in Boston, New York and Cleveland, Baltimore was delighted to come home for a four-game series against the last-place White Sox. "We need wins," Jones said. "Thats all its about. We need a win." Jones shot in the first inning gave him 30 home runs for the season and 100 RBIs for the first time. Hardy and Roberts connected in the fifth, increasing Baltimores major league-leading home run total to 188. "We didnt put together a ton of hits, but the way the pitching and defence was tonight, three was enough," Hardy said. Gonzalez (9-7) gave up four hits -- all singles -- walked one and struck out six to earn his first win in seven starts since July 20. He was 0-4 in that span. "It was a long time since I got a win," he said. "It was fun to be out there and be able to go a little bit deeper than in other games and getting a win that was important for us." Tommy Hunter allowed a single in the eighth and Jim Johnson worked a perfect ninth for his 42nd save. "Theyre all significant from here on out just because of the opportunities that are not there," manager Buck Showalter said. "If we take care of business, it will be an interesting last week of the season. Youll usually like the outcome if you just try to stay in the moment. Its difficult to do. It takes a lot of discipline." Dayan Viciedo had two hits for the White Sox, who have dropped seven straight as they stagger to the conclusion of a losing season. Chicago is an AL-worst 24-49 on the road and 32-48 in games decided by one or two runs. "Weve played that type of game a lot this year and just couldnt score enough runs to win," said Paul Konerko, who went 0 for 4. "We try not to think about how other games have gone, but the end result is you can lump this in with the rest of them." Jose Quintana (7-6) allowed seven hits in seven innings, but three of them were homers. The right-hander had allowed only four long balls in his previous 10 starts. "He was all right," manager Robin Ventura said. "The three homers are the ones that got him, but other than that he was pretty sharp." Down 1-0, the White Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the third but got only one run, on a double-play grounder by Alejandro De Aza. "That was our spot," Ventura said. "I mean Gonzalez pitched well, really pitching from behind well. He spotted off-speed stuff and hit his counts. We got him in that situation, he gets a double play to really give himself a breather and get out of it." Hardy put Baltimore in front for good in the fifth with a leadoff homer on a 2-2 pitch, and with two outs Roberts homered on a full count. Hardys drive made him the ninth player since 1901 to have three seasons with at least 25 home runs as a shortstop. NOTES: The Orioles activated RHP Jason Hammel (flexor strain) from the DL, recalled RHP Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned LHP Zach Britton to Single-A Aberdeen. ... Chicago C Tyler Flowers underwent shoulder surgery Thursday to clean up his rotator cuff and labrum. No structural damage was found. Recovery time is approximately 2-3 months. ... Baltimore RF Nick Markakis did not start after going 6 for 36 on the road trip, but he entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning. ... Scott Feldman starts for the Orioles on Friday night against John Danks (4-11), who earned one of his four wins this season against Baltimore on July 2. ... Ventura on being the spoiler: "Theres no extra incentive that youre a spoiler but I think we do have guys that are looking toward next year, trying to do something just to get noticed or send a positive note out there." ... The crowd of 17,383 pushed attendance at Camden Yards over 2 million on the 68th home date. Yeezy Boost 350 Deals . Nikolaos Kounenakis has been hired as an assistant coach, the team announced on Monday. Adidas Nmd r1 China . Yet heading to New York, the Habs remain positive as it all comes down to the one main ingredient that the organization has built its team on - character. http://www.nmdsneakerssale.com/ .com) - The Toronto Raptors are paying Rudy Gay a visit on Wednesday night when they head into the Sleep Train Arena to take on the Sacramento Kings. Adidas Nmd Us Outlet .com) - Jimmie Johnson won Sundays AAA Texas 500 while championship contenders Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski as well as their teams were involved in a post-race fight on pit road after the two clashed in the closing laps at Texas Motor Speedway. Adidas Nmd White Wholesale .Y. -- As if the worst start in franchise history isnt bad enough, Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black braced his teams win-starved fans for potentially more tough times.OKLAHOMA CITY -- When asked about the oldie-but-goodie San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma Citys Kevin Durant inquired about Tony Parkers age. "Thirty-two," a reporter answered. "He is old," Durant quipped, drawing laughter. "He doesnt play like hes 32 years old." Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are even older. Duncan just turned 38 and Ginobili is approaching 37. The trio won its first NBA title together in 2003 and fought back Father Time to reach the NBA Finals last year. They will play in their seventh Western Conference finals together, starting with Game 1 Monday night in San Antonio. Durant, the leagues MVP, said theres more to San Antonios success than some mythical fountain of youth. It starts with the genius of Gregg Popovich, the leagues Coach of the Year. "Their system, they plug guys in and out," Durant said. "They always stick to their same system. They get guys who fit. And theyve got a great coach who gets those guys prepared." Even with an aging core and numerous injuries throughout the season, the Spurs finished with the leagues best record. They did it with consistency and teamwork that has continued in the playoffs. San Antonio is shooting 49 per cent from the field as a team in the post-season, with no player averaging 20 points. Oklahoma City counters with dynamic individual play from a pair of 25-year-olds. Durant is averaging 31.4 points and 9.5 rebounds in the playoffs. Russell Westbrook is averaging 26.6 points, 8.4 assists and 8.0 rebounds in post-season play. Westbrook, in particular, has San Antonios attention. While Durants play has been typical, Westbrook has improved significantly as a floor general during the playoffs. "Hes an incredible talent having a great playoff run," Duncan said. "Some incredible numbers. Just an impressive athlete when you try to stay in front of him. His confidence is there." The Thunder will be without Serge Ibaka, who led the league in blocked shots. The mobile, athletic forward injured his left calf in Game 6 of the conference semifinal against the Los Angeles Clippers. "Its hard, but were going to move on," Thunderr centre Kendrick Perkins said.dddddddddddd "Were a very prideful organization and team. Were going to move on." Here are five things to watch in the series: THUNDER DOMINANCE: Oklahoma City won all four regular-season meetings with San Antonio this season, so the Spurs will take nothing for granted, even with Ibaka out. "You never get overconfident in that situation, especially against a team that we havent beat this year," Ginobili said. "We know how talented they are. They can really score in bunches. Very athletic, strong, play good defence. So, no, were not going to get overconfident for sure." IBAKAS REPLACEMENT: Oklahoma City rookie Steven Adams is the most likely to see a spike in minutes. Veteran Nick Collison will play more, too. The Thunder could go with a smaller lineup at times and play Durant as a power forward. Coach Scott Brooks still wouldnt say Sunday who would start in Ibakas place. PARKERS HAMSTRING: San Antonio was likely to have significant help on Westbrook anyway, but Parkers strained left hamstring could be a major problem against Westbrook and Reggie Jackson, two of the most athletic point guards in the league. Parker said Sunday that the hamstring was still tight, but he plans to play. Jackson said the Thunder will test Parker early. LEONARD vs. DURANT: Brooks said Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard is an All-Star in the making. The Spurs feel Leonard is the best equipped player in the league to bother Durant because of his length and energy. "As good as anybody can do it," Ginobili said. "We are lucky to have him. Nobody can guard him (Durant) 1-on-1. Thats been proven -- hes the MVP -- but you can put him in some trouble, and then the team has to respond." SPURS OTHER GUYS: One thing that makes the Spurs dangerous is their depth. Though Parker, Duncan and Ginobili are the best-known players, Leonard, Marco Belinelli, Danny Green, Boris Diaw, Tiago Splitter and Patty Mills all play their roles well and are capable of being difference makers in the right situation. Oklahoma City will need to prevent the other guys from having breakout nights. ' ' '