WASHINGTON - Stephen Strasburg unleashed two years of pent-up playoff energy a€” and got nickel-and-dimed out of the game. [url=http://www.nbaknicksauthority.com/]New York Knicks Jerseys[/url] .The radar gun showed mostly 97s and 98s in the first inning of his much-anticipated post-season debut. There

WASHINGTON - Stephen Strasburg unleashed two years of pent-up playoff energy a€” and got nickel-and-dimed out of the game. New York Knicks Jerseys .The radar gun showed mostly 97s and 98s in the first inning of his much-anticipated post-season debut. There was even a 99. His fastball had lost a little bit of sizzle this season, but this was more like the rookie who dazzled the majors in 2010.It felt a lot like opening day, Strasburg said. I felt pretty strong.But the San Francisco Giants had a plan. Make contact. Manufacture a run or two. All eight of their hits against the Washington Nationals ace were singles. Six went to centre field. Two came in one inning and, aided by a poor defensive decision and a passed ball, produced a run. Three came in the next inning and produced another run.The Nationals needed something close to perfection from Strasburg because his San Diego pal Jake Peavy was spinning a masterpiece for the Giants and Washingtons bats managed only six hits all game.Instead, Strasburg was flawed just enough in Fridays 3-2 loss in the opener of the best-of-five NL Division Series.I think what were doing is were not getting too big up there, were not trying to do too much, said Giants outfielder Hunter Pence, who had one of those up-the-middle hits and later scored after reaching on a fielders choice. Were staying within ourselves. Were just doing that old game of getting people on, moving them over, and getting them in.Strasburgs final line looked decent enough: five innings, eight hits, two runs (one earned), one walk and two strikeouts. He threw 58 of his 89 pitches for strikes and was pulled after giving up back-to-back hits a€” yep, both to centre a€” to lead off the sixth.I was getting groundballs, Strasburg said. I was giving up all singles, so it wasnt like they were hitting me all around the yard. ... It was just one of those days where I felt like I made a pitch and they fought it off and hit it where we werent.The Nationals managed only two hits against Peavy and trailed 3-0 before Bryce Harper put one in the third deck to lead off the seventh against reliever Hunter Strickland. Asdrubal Cabrera followed one out later with a shot off Strickland that landed in the home bullpen.But that was it. They went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position. Ian Desmond had a particularly tough game, going hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts and leaving six runners on base.I didnt put my best foot forward, Desmond said. Weve got some games left, and hopefully Im able to bounce back.It wont be easy. The Giants Game 2 starter Saturday is an old Nationals nemesis, Tim Hudson. In Game 3, Washington will have to go on the road and deal with Madison Bumgarner, who pitched a shutout in the wild-card game.We cant go 0-2 into San Fran, Harper said. Thats tough, so weve got to get that W tomorrow.Strasburg didnt pitch when the Nationals made the playoffs two years ago because he was shut down early, having hit an innings limit in his first full season after elbow surgery. He wasnt happy about it, and fans were left to wonder if the outcome would have been different had he been available for what turned out to be a five-game series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.Strasburg went 14-11 this season with a 3.14 ERA and tied for the NL lead in strikeouts with 242, and there was little doubt he would get the Game 1 start vs. San Francisco.Those savvy Giants, who have two World Series titles in the last four years, werent fazed a bit.Dont try to do too much. Dont overanalyze anything, manager Bruce Bochy said. You start thinking too much against a good pitcher, you get yourself in trouble. We try to keep it simple.Strasburg showed some moxie to keep the game close. He threw seven consecutive balls to open the fifth and then hit a batter with an 0-2 pitch, but he got out of the inning by striking out Pablo Sandoval with a 97 mph fastball and getting Pence to pop out to first.He gave us a chance, Nationals first-year manager Matt Williams said. Jake was a little bit better.Strasburg isnt one to revel in the spotlight and would prefer to be treated as just another pitcher. With his playoff debut out of the way, perhaps the next one will be more normal a€” or as close to normal as the post-season can get.Im glad I was able to go out there and get my feet wet, he said. And Im excited for the next opportunity.___Follow Joseph White on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP Tracy McGrady Jersey . The Rangers announced after Thursdays 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees that they would purchase Williams contract from Triple-A Round Rock. The 32-year-old Williams was released by Houston earlier this month after going 1-4 with a 6. John Starks Jersey . "I honestly dont know," he said. Try this: 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds by Rajon Rondo, a 62-37 rebounding advantage by the Celtics and a horrible 4-for-30 shooting performance on 3-pointers by the Nets. http://www.nbaknicksauthority.com/walt-frazier-knicks-jersey-c-14/ . -- Jay Haas and Peter Jacobsen took the second-round lead Saturday in the Champions Tours Legends of Golf, teaming for a 6-under 48 in windy conditions on the par-3 Top of the Rock course. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The agent for wide receiver Steve Smith says the five-time Pro Bowl selection has played his final snap for the Carolina Panthers. Smiths longtime representative Derrick Fox told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Smith "is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that. I just dont know when that transaction is going to take place." Fox said the Panthers have been trying to trade Smith, but expects he will ultimately be released. He said the Panthers have not asked Smith to restructure his current contract which calls for him to make $7 million under this years salary cap. Regardless of whether the Panthers cut Smith or keep him, the club will have to pay him $3 million this season as part of the three-year contract extension he signed in 2012. Smiths current contract runs through 2016. Smith took to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon, writing "God has a plan... sometimes it just hurts (to) find out what it is." "I will always be a Carolina panther No contract can ever change that CLT is my home and will always be my home... I love you .panthernation." Smith also wrote: "But I still have a lil bit of football left in me.... .agent89 Out." Fox said Smith, a 13-year NFL veteran, would have preferred to finish his career with Carolina, the team that drafted him in the third round in 2001. Fox said the 34-year-old Smith was "disappointed and surprised" when Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman talked about the receivers future in uncertain terms at the NFL Scouting Combines last month. "Where we are disappointed is the fact he signed an extension to stay loyal to the club and complete his career as a Panther," Fox said. "That is why we did the long-term team deal. Now we are at a crossroads where the Panthers dont want him anymore." Gettleman did not return phone calls seeking comment. Shortly after the Scouting Combine, Smith met with Gettleman at Panthers headquarrters, but Fox said the receiver left without a clear, defined role in terms of his future with the team. Charles Oakley Jersey. Fox said Smith diligently rehabbed an injured knee leading up to the teams divisional play game against the San Francisco 49ers with loyalty to the team in mind, thinking his long-term future was in Carolina. Smith had four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in Carolinas 23-10 loss. "He spent 12 hours a day working with (trainer) Ryan Vermillion to get ready for that game," Fox said. "His goal has always been to stay a Panther." Smith is Carolinas all-time leading receiver with 836 receptions for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns receiving. Smith is 19th all-time in NFL history in yards receiving and 25th in receptions. Smith had 64 receptions for 746 yards and four touchdowns last season helping the Panthers go 12-4 in the regular season and capture the NFC South championship. Fox said Smith plans to continue his playing career in the NFL when the Panthers cut ties. "At 34, they could have kept him and run him in the slot," Fox said. "Steve wants to play in the slot. But he cant play the slot with the current roster, and he hasnt been able to play in the slot with the rosters in the past." Fox said hes not sure why the Panthers havent released Smith. He said he will be ready when that time arrives. "Its my responsibility to find the best place for him to utilize his skills and passion for the game," Fox said. If the Panthers release Smith he will count $5 million under this years cap. The Panthers could designate him for a June 1 release which would allow them to split that money over the next two seasons. NOTES: Panthers restricted free agent cornerback James Dockery announced on Twitter he has re-signed with the team. "Blessed! Cant be happier to be signing back with the (at)Panthers cant wait to get back with our team," Dockery said. The team has yet to announce the move. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '