Wilkommen bei den Schatten » for the Wizards at the morning shootaround

ATLANTA -- Freddie Freeman likes how the Atlanta Braves are finishing the season.The Braves own the NLs worst record, as they have for most of the year, but theyve won 11 of 13 heading into the last game at Turner Field.A close-to-capacity crowd gave Freeman a big emotional lift Saturday night.Its been a while since weve felt that energy in this park the last couple years, he said. I know what it felt like. Its been a rough couple of years.Freeman hit a two-run homer off Jordan Zimmermann, rookie Aaron Blair had a career-high 10 strikeouts and the Braves damaged the Detroit Tigers playoff hopes with a 5-3 victory.Trying to return to the postseason after missing out last year, Detroit dropped 1 1/2 games out of the second AL wild-card spot.The Tigers will have ace Justin Verlander on the mound Sunday. But they need a win over Atlanta and a loss by Baltimore or Toronto to avoid elimination.Atlanta took a 5-2 lead in the seventh on Adonis Garcias two-run single, but reliever Mauricio Cabrera loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth. Chaz Roe struck out Miguel Cabrera and got J.D. Martinez to ground into a double play.When youve got Miggy coming up with bases loaded, no outs, you know youre in a tough spot, Freeman said. But Chaz Roe did a heck of a job.Tigers manager Brad Ausmus credited Braves rookie shortstop Dansby Swanson with an exceptional play on Martinezs sharp grounder.Tip your hat to Swanson, Ausmus said. He makes a great play on a line drive in the hole to his backhand and was able to turn two on it. It just wasnt happening for us.Braves closer Jim Johnson gave up a run in the ninth on Jose Iglesias infield single but retired pinch-hitter Victor Martinez on a grounder to earn his 19th save in 22 chances.Freemans 34th homer put the Braves up 2-1 in the fourth. Nick Markakis 13th made it 3-1 in the sixth.Blair (2-7) entered with an 8.02 ERA but gave up four hits, two runs and one walk in five innings. He kept the Tigers off balance early with a sharp curveball, striking out five of the first six batters he faced.Zimmermann (9-7) allowed three hits, two runs, three walks and struck out two in four innings. In four starts since June 24, the right-hander is 0-4 with an 11.64 ERA.Zimmermann, who left Washington to sign a $110 million, five-year contract last December, has struggled with groin and upper-body injuries in his first season with the Tigers. He threw 37 pitches in the fourth, getting the third out with the bases loaded.Detroit led 1-0 in the third after Ian Kinslers RBI double and cut the lead to 3-2 in the seventh on Justin Uptons 31st homer.Blairs previous high was five strikeouts in a win at Miami on May 28.CANT THANK YOU ENOUGHThe Braves made a big point to acknowledge the man who steered their move to a new ballpark next year.Tim Lee, who lost a re-election bid in July as Cobb County Commission chairman, threw out the ceremonial first pitch and then was greeted with a handshake from every player and coach. Team executives John Schuerholz, Bill Bartholomay, Mike Plant and Derek Schiller gave him a hug.Lee secretly negotiated with the team for Cobb County to spend approximately $400 million in public money and build SunTrust Park, the Braves new home after concluding their tenure at Turner Field on Sunday.FAREWELL TO THE TEDThe Braves announced that the finale is sold out. Turner Fields capacity is 49,586.UP NEXTTigers: Verlander (16-8) leads the AL with 246 strikeouts and ranks second with a .206 opponents batting average. Hes 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two career starts against the Braves, each of them at Turner Field.Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (6-10) did not get a decision in his last start, giving up 10 hits and six runs over four innings. The All-Star is 1-6 with a 3.84 ERA in 17 home starts. David Bingham USA Jersey . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. Eric Lichaj USA Jersey . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/justin-morrow-usa-jersey/ . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Jesse Gonzalez Jersey . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Bill Hamid USA Jersey . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. WASHINGTON -- DeMar DeRozan wouldnt let a little ankle injury keep him from carrying the Toronto Raptors.DeRozan shook it off and scored 40 points, outdueling John Wall in a showcase of All-Star guards as the Raptors beat the winless Washington Wizards 113-103 on Wednesday night. Despite leaving the game briefly to get his ankles re-taped, DeRozan was 14 of 23 from the floor and cracked the 30-point mark for the fourth time in four games to start the season.Hes playing on another level right now, said backcourt mate Kyle Lowry, who scored 18. Hes making my life a lot easier and making I think everybody on our teams life a lot easier. Hes saving possessions, hes creating possessions. Hes creating offense.DeRozan tied Mike James 2005 franchise record with four consecutive 30-point games after previously dropping 40, 32 and 33 in games against Detroit, Cleveland and Denver. He said he didnt care about Sports Illustrated ranking him the 46th-best player in the NBA but tries to improve each night.Im just a student of the game, DeRozan said. I just try and put everything together, be a student of the game while working, always feeling like Im new to the game so I can soak up as much as possible. I try to release it once I get out there on the court.DeRozan released enough that the Raptors (3-1) withstood a dominant performance from Wall, who scored 33 points in 13 of 19 shooting and dished out 11 assists. Otto Porter also shot 11 of 13 and had 23 points for the Wizards (0-3), who committed 21 turnovers that turned into 30 Toronto points.Thats hard to overcome, Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. Theres a few things that we have to correct.A CUT BELOWLowry needed three stitches to close a cut below his right eye. Coach Dwane Casey knnew DeRozans ankle was OK but was concerned because he didnt know how bad Lowrys cut was.dddddddddddde bounced back, Casey said. Hed be probably a pretty good hockey player if thats the case. He came back. I thought that got his attention a little bit to say, `Hey this is for real tonight.BENCH BOSSESWhen DeRozan and Lowry were out early in the second quarter, the Raptors climbed back into the game thanks to a big showing from reserves Terrence Ross, Patrick Patterson and Cory Joseph. Torontos bench combined for 34 points to Washingtons 11.They played great, DeRozan said. They got us the momentum back.MUST-WIN?Center Marcin Gortat called this a must win for the Wizards at the morning shootaround, an ultimatum that didnt make much sense three games into a season.Were all right, were fine, just three games, Wall said. I dont know why he said its a must win. You want to win a home opener, yeah, but its not a must win.TIP-INSRaptors: Toronto has won eight consecutive regular-season meetings and 11 of the past 12. ... DeRozan tied Jose Calderon for the second-most games played in Raptors with his 525th. Hes 18 away from tying Morris Peterson for first.Wizards: The Wizards fell to 0-3 for the fourth time in six seasons. ... Rookie Tomas Satoransky checked in late in the third quarter after playing just 6 minutes in the first two games. He finished with two points in just under 10 minutes.UP NEXTRaptors: Host the Miami Heat on Friday in whats already their fourth home game of season.Wizards: Host the Hawks on Friday for the second meeting in 10 days after opening with a 114-99 loss at Atlanta last week. ' ' '