Join us » Madison Bumgarner of San Francisco (2.49) in the ERA race

France, a full-brother to Group One winner Peeping, has shaken off a bump in the straight to score a maiden win at Canterbury.The three-year-old colt won Wednesdays Schweppes Maiden Plate (1200m), hanging on to win by a half head after a tense battle in the closing stages.France, an $8 chance, locked horns with leader El Venetian ($3.50) at the 100m mark and came out on top despite El Venetian shifting out and making contact.Harpers Choice, who was the $2.35 favourite, chased them home into third.Frances co-trainer Peter Snowden said the horse had done a good job to overcome the interference.Hes just a brilliant horse to work with and well-related, Snowden said.These sorts of horses Ive had in the past have gone on and become handy horses.In Frances other start he finished eighth as a two-year-old at Warwick Farm in June.The Snowdens tipped him out for a spell and he returned to win a barrier trial at Gosford on November 11.Hes improved out of sight this preparation, Snowden said.Hes still quite soft and new but definitely got a bit of talent.Jockey Glyn Schofield said Frances mentality was beyond his years.He is like a six-year-old gelding, Schofield said.You cannot buy an attitude and thats what the good horses have.France is by Redoutes Choice out of Miss Marielle, the same parents of the now deceased Peeping who won the Coolmore Classic earlier in the year. Zaza Pachulia Jersey . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. Thon Maker Jersey . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. https://www.pistonsrookiesshop.com/Stanley-Johnson-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. Blake Griffin Jersey . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Deividas Sirvydis Pistons Jersey . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. CHICAGO -- The up-and-down Pittsburgh Pirates need to right their ship and do it rather quickly.Kyle Hendricks threw seven dominant innings of three-hit ball to lower the majors best ERA to 2.09 and Anthony Rizzo homered to lead the Chicago Cubs past the Pirates 3-0 on Tuesday night.After a rare four-game sweep in Milwaukee, the Pirates lost their second straight game to fall 2 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the final wild card berth.I dont look (at the scoreboard), manager Clint Hurdle said. I gave up a long time ago. It doesnt help.Instead, Hurdle watched Hendricks (13-7) give up three or fewer runs in his 18th straight start. He didnt allow a hit until Gregory Polancos bloop to left-center in the fifth and faced the minimum 17 batters until John Jasos two-out double in the sixth.All you got to do is look at (Hendricks) overall numbers, the command, the execution, Hurdle marveled. I thought I was back in 1987 with Greg Maddux on the mound.Rizzo belted a two-run homer off starter Chad Kuhl (3-2) in the first and Miguel Montero added an RBI single an inning later as the Cubs improved to 84-47.It was tough for me in the early going to get in rhythm for whatever reason, but I found myself (later), Kuhn said.Carl Edwards Jr. worked the eighth and Aroldis Chapman finished the four-hitter for his 31st save as the Cubs improved to 21-6 this month, one win shy of the best August in franchise history set in 1932.Hendricks, who began the season as the No. 5 starter, is well ahead of No. 2 Madison Bumgarner of San Francisco (2.49) in the ERA race. He mixed his below-average 90 mph fastball with a dominant changeup and sinker to strike out four.It has to be Cy Young contention, manager Joe Maddon said of Hendricks season. Put the radar gun in your back pocket and look at what hes doing. That has to be strong considerration, not just consideration.dddddddddddd. Its been very, very impressive.Andrew McCutchens one-out single in the seventh was the other hit off the right-hander. Hendricks is seeking to become the first Cubs pitcher to win the major league ERA title since Bill Lee in 1938.Since Sept. 1, 2015, Hendricks is 18-7 with a 2.25 ERA.Kuhl, in his ninth major league start, allowed three runs and four hits in five innings as the Pirates lost their second straight after winning four in a row.Jordy Mercer doubled with two outs off Edwards in the eighth before pinch-hitter Matt Joyce flied deep to center to end Pittsburghs best threat.Chapman hit 103 mph while striking out one in a perfect ninth.TRAINERS ROOMPirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (elbow inflammation) played catch, a day after being put on the 15-day disabled list. He could return as soon as Sept. 9. Hopefully, (the rehab) will go quickly, Cole said. . INF Jung Ho Kang (shoulder), working out with Indianapolis, is expected to begin an official rehab stint with the Triple-A team this week.Cubs: RHP John Lackey (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Thursday. If it goes well, he could start Sunday vs. San Francisco.SUSPECT FIELDA large chunk of the outfield in center and right fields was re-sodded and looks chewed up after Wrigley Field hosted Pearl Jam and Billy Joel concerts while the Cubs were away.Its like a field after a concert, RF Jason Heyward said.UP NEXTRHP Jason Hammel (13-7, 3.21) was moved up to start Wednesday nights series finale against RHP Ryan Vogelsong (3-3, 3.02). LHP Mike Montgomery was pushed to Thursday. Hammel was lifted after allowing three runs in 2 1/3 innings Saturday. He wants to get back out there, manager Joe Maddon said. ' ' '