Offtopic/fun » start a road trip in Oakland on Friday.MA

The WTA Finals have become a tournament crying out for a heroine after Serena Williams pulled out. After four days, the call has been answered by perhaps the last person anyone might have predicted -- 31-year-old Svetlana Kuznetsova.On Wednesday in Singapore, Kuznetsova played the lead role in an epic that rivaled her dramatic three-set win two days earlier against Agnieszka Radwanska. Kuznetsova outlasted US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova in another agonizingly close tug-of-war lasting 2 hours, 17 minutes, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6). Just as importantly, she has so enthralled and energized the crowd, that anyone planning to ask for a ticket refund because of Williams absence probably decided to hang on to those seats.As long as I got here at the last moment, I decided I wouldnt let myself -- or anybody else -- down, Kuznetsova told the on-court interviewer as the crowd unleashed another roar of approval following her last win.Kuznetsova came to these championships like a guest mistakenly showing up at a dinner party to which she wasnt invited, featuring people who arent exactly her crowd. But coming out of nowhere is Kuznetsovas default mode of arrival. Thats how she won singles trophies at the French and US Opens. It also helps explain why Kuznetsova has never been to the the semifinals of the WTA Finals before. Consistency and surprise are incompatible.Beyond that, Kuznetsova has always been something of a misfit on the tour. Her family is athletic royalty in Russia (brother Nikolay was an Olympic silver medalist in cycling), but her talent has always been bundled in a sensitive, introspective sensibility. To some, Kuznetsova is a textbook example of the proverbial soulful Russian, winning major events to take a place among the worlds tennis elite while sustaining a love-hate relationship with the sport.Kuznetsova qualified for these championships with a desperate, late-season push. She was obliged to win the Kremlin Cup (where she was defending champ) during the final week of the regular WTA Tour season in order to displace Johanna Konta at No. 8. Kuznetsova arrived in Singapore the day after she won in Moscow, and barely 24 hours before, she would play her first round-robin match. She was jet-lagged and in a group that included talented, highly touted youngsters Madison Keys, Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza.Whats easily forgotten, though, is that Kuznetsova is one of those people who will always surprise you. When inspiration strikes, she sloughs off the negativity that sometimes haunts her and is nothing less than brilliant. When inspiration strikes, she is capable of anything. That includes taking scissors to her own hair during a changeover, as the Singapore crowd witnessed Monday.Irritated by the way her French braid lashed her eyes and face every time she hit a forehand, Kuznetsova asked the umpire to have scissors delivered and then proceeded to cut off a few inches of her braid. Either she isnt familiar with the biblical tale of Samson, or she just figured its a guy thing.It was bothering me a lot, she told the press later. When I was hitting the forehands, I hit a good shot and it would hit my eyes. I thought, Whats more important? My hair, which can grow, or the match?How do you argue with that logic? Moreover, it was classic Kuznetsova, in that she was at the very end of the line when they handed out vanity.Few imagined that Kuznetsova could rebound from that debilitating, 2-hour, 48-minutes effort against Radwanska. But she produced another gem of consistent ball-striking and unrivaled court coverage. Theres isnt a quicker, more mobile player on the WTA Tour. What a point guard she would make.After Kuznetsova advanced, the emcee asked her where her extraordinary stamina and energy came from. From my heart, she replied. Something changed this year. I enjoy my game, and I enjoy the crowd.Once again, Kuznetsova is showing up where shes least expected. On this occasion, shes certainly welcomed.Air Jordan 1 Italia . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Saucony Outlet . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. http://www.scontatescarpenikeoutlet.it/italia-vapormax-offerte.html . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. Air Force 1 Outlet . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. Saucony Scontate . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records.BOSTON -- Rick Porcello had a simple answer to why he cant think about his current success.He knows there are a lot more important things hes helping the Boston Red Sox chase.Porcello became the majors first 18-game winner and the first Red Sox pitcher in 70 years to open a season 13-0 in Fenway Park, going seven solid innings in Bostons 9-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.When you look at the standings were still chasing so theres nothing to be complacent about. You still have to gain ground on Toronto. Were not in first place right now, the right-hander said. Thats how I kind of view it. I dont look at it as a personal level: `Im doing well so I can relax. Were still fighting so we can get where we have to be.Mookie Betts hit his 30th homer, a solo shot, and drove in two runs for the Red Sox, who hold the ALs first wild-card spot but had lost four of five.Brock Holt had three hits and drove in two runs, Travis Shaw had three hits and Chris Young added a tiebreaking two-run double for Boston.The Rays, buried in last in the AL East, have lost three of four.Porcello (18-3) allowed three runs and six hits, striking out seven without issuing a walk to become the first Boston pitcher since Dave Boo Ferriss finished 13-0 at home in 1946 to start a season by winning his initial 13 decisions in Fenway.Rick has been a model of consistency, Red Sox manager John Farrell said.Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia missed the game after a death in the family, but hes expected back Tuesday.Matt Andriese (6-6) took the loss, giving up a season-high seven runs in four-plus innings. Evan Longoria had two sacrifice flies for the Rays, who split a four-game series against the Red Sox at home last week.I just wasnt at my best, so its kind of what happens when you leave some elevated pitches up there, Andriese said of facing the majors top scoring team. Its a good hitting lineup and they made me pay.The game was tied 2-2 after three innings before Boston took charge with three runs in the fourth and two in the fifth.Really iimpressed with the offense that they came right back and got two quick runs to tie it back up, Rays manager Kevin Cash said.dddddddddddd But after that Porcello seemed to kick it in gear and they kind of had Matts number a little bit.Young lined his two-run double past third baseman Longoria, moving the Red Sox ahead 4-2. Longoria seemed to mistime the speed of the liner, raising his glove a bit late. Holt added an RBI double.After the Rays cut it to 5-3, Betts lined a run-scoring double into the left-field corner. He scored on Shaws infield hit.Betts homered over the Green Monster, hitting a billboard with the ball bouncing onto the field.TRAINERS ROOMRays: Cash has decided to go with six starters when RHP Aex Cobb returns to the rotation this weekend against Toronto after being sidelined since Tommy John surgery in May 2015. We have six guys, all with the reason to be starters, Cash said.Red Sox: Farrell said RHP Koji Uehara (strained chest muscle) had another strong bullpen session. The next steps are for him to have bullpen on Wednesday before facing live hitters Saturday. .Farrell also said C Ryan Hanigan (left ankle tendinitis) is expected to come off a rehab assignment and join the team when they start a road trip in Oakland on Friday.MAGICIAL MOOKIEThe 23-year-old Betts joined Ted Williams (1939, 1941) and Tony Conigliaro (1965) as the only Red Sox with 30 homers in a season before turning 24.It feels pretty good. It affected the game. Thats what I set out to do, he said. Its pretty cool hitting 30.UP NEXTRays: RHP Jake Odorizzi (9-5, 3.53 ERA) is set to start Tuesday. He pitched seven innings at home against the Red Sox last Thursday, his longest outing in a month.Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz (2-3, 4.06) is looking to build on his strong start last Thursday against the Rays when he struck out a career-best 11, but got the loss despite giving up only two runs in six innings. ' ' '