Gallerie » as the Rockets improved to 2

CHICAGO -- White Sox manager Robin Ventura declined to address a report that he will step down from the job and be replaced by bench coach Rick Renteria next season.In an odd scene after Chicagos 6-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night, general manager Rick Hahn declined interview requests and White Sox players claimed they hadnt heard about the report or Venturas status.The Chicago Sun-Times reported during the game that Ventura, who is in the last year of his contract, would not return after five seasons and that Renteria, a former manager of the Chicago Cubs, would take over.Weve been over this, Ventura said. Ill talk at the end of the year.Hahn relayed a message through a team spokesman that he would answer questions at a press conference Monday scheduled by the team.You guys are telling me something I havent even heard about, third baseman Todd Frazier said, adding that I love Robin. I love him to death. Hes a good manager, for sure.Right-hander James Shields, who allowed two-run homers to Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco to lose his major league-tying 19th game, had high praise for the 49-year-old Ventura.Hes one of the better managers Ive been around, and Ive been around some really good ones, Shields said. To be honest with you, thats the first time Im hearing this. But Robin is a good man, a good manager.Earlier this season, Ventura said he wanted to return in 2017 despite a fourth straight losing season and five years without a playoff berth. But Ventura then backtracked on that statement after USA Today reported Wednesday that the front office wanted to retain him but Ventura hadnt committed.Ventura sidestepped numerous questions about the issue after the game and said he hadnt discussed his future with the players.No, I havent talked to them about anything. Were still playing, Ventura said. All the conversations I have with them are about playing.Frazier praised the 54-year-old Renteria, who went 73-89 in one season with the Cubs in 2014. The White Sox hired him before this season.Ricks a great guy, man, Frazier said. Hes bilingual, which is great. Hes been a manager before. But like I said, its not my right to say anything. I havent heard anything and thats basically up to our brass so Im not going to get in trouble.Saturdays listless defeat continued a theme of inconsistency surrounding this years team, which started 23-10. Theyre 55-73 since.I feel bad that I wasnt able to do more for him. I know guys in here feel the same way, catcher Alex Avila said. We were a team that was expected to win coming into spring training and we didnt do that.The Twins lost their 103rd game on Friday night, the most since the franchise moved to Minnesota. On Saturday, they got 6 1/3 innings of three-hit ball from Hector Santiago (13-10) in their third win in 14 games.Buddy Boshers, J.T. Chargois and Brandon Kintzler completed the four-hitter.Shields (6-19) concluded a career-worst season split between San Diego and Chicago by allowing five runs and four hits over seven innings. His 40 home runs and 118 earned runs allowed are the most in the majors. Only Tampa Bays Chris Archer has as many losses.The 34-year-old Shields was an All-Star in Tampa Bay, helped Kansas City to the World Series in 2014 and entered the year with a major league-high nine straight 200-inning seasons. That streak ended as Shields finished with 181 2/3 innings and a 5.85 ERA.Thats just the kind of year Im having, Shields said. I make two bad pitches, and it costs me.TRAINERS ROOMWhite Sox: Tyler Saladino (herniated disk) will be evaluated by doctors before leaving for the offseason. He hopes to avoid surgery.LOT OF HOMERSShields is the first pitcher to allow 40 home runs in a season since Cincinnatis Bronson Arroyo gave up 46 in 2011.UP NEXTAmid speculation he could be traded in the offseason to accommodate a rebuild, White Sox ace Chris Sale (17-9, 3.21 ERA) seeks his career-best 18th win in Sundays season finale. RHP Jose Berrios (2-7, 8.61) starts for the Twins. Nate Thurmond Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Cleveland Cavaliers Shirts . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. https://www.cheapcavaliers.com/1522q-ante-zizic-jersey-cavaliers.html . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. John Johnson Jersey . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Derek Anderson Jersey . LOUIS -- St. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills running back LeSean McCoy injured his hamstring during Wednesdays practice and did not return.The team is awaiting further evaluation before determining whether McCoy can play Sunday against the Dolphins.He was tight in the hamstring, so well see what happens with our medical evaluation and all that, Bills coach Rex Ryan said after practice. Im not going to look into [his availability Sunday], but well see how he comes back.Quarterback Tyrod Taylor said he did not recall when McCoys injury occurred but said he noticed the running backs reps sseemed limited during practice.ddddddddddddMcCoy ranks second in the NFL this season with 587 rushing yards. He has averaged 6.4 yards per carry over the Bills current four-game winning streak, amassing 470 rushing yards during that span.If McCoy cannot play Sunday, backup Mike Gillislee would be expected to take most of the carries.We feel good about the guys that we do have, but thats assuming he wont play, Ryan said. Well see how it goes. ' ' '