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 Subject :s 0 for 4. ... Francona said an MRI on.. 11-07-2014 07:42:23 
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MANCHESTER, England -- Robin van Persie ushered Manchester United into the Champions League quarterfinals -- and potentially saved his managers job -- with a hat trick in a 3-0 victory over Olympiakos that completed one of the competitions greatest comebacks on Wednesday. cheap jerseys . On one of the memorable European nights at Old Trafford, Van Persie scored three times in a 27-minute span either side of halftime to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg. A slew of brilliant saves by David de Gea were also key to a famous win for the English champions -- and a vital one for their manager, David Moyes. Moyes position had come under intense scrutiny after Uniteds humiliating 3-0 loss to fierce rival Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, the latest in a string of dreadful results in his first season in charge. An early exit in Europe could have stretched the patience of fans and Uniteds hierarchy beyond breaking point -- but Moyes is left hoping this can be a watershed moment in his United career. "I dont want to come out here and say this is the moment," Moyes said, "but at the same time, I really hope it is." A nerve-shredding night ended with Olympiakos captain Giannis Maniatis on his knees and in floods of tears, and Moyes saluting home fans and wearing the broadest grin. The under-fire United manager was saved by the goal-scoring qualities of Van Persie, who converted a penalty in the 25th minute, side-footed home his second goal in first-half injury time and curled in a free kick in the 52nd. And he also had words of praise for Ryan Giggs, who at the age of 40 delivered a tireless performance in midfield. Giggs lasted the full match, despite having played only 81 minutes since Jan. 7, and played a crucial role in Van Persies first two goals. "His all-round play was very good," Moyes said. "He defies his age." Van Persie was carried off on a stretcher in the final minutes after hurting his leg in a challenge but Moyes said he didnt think it was a serious injury. Olympiakos slumped to its 12th straight away defeat in England and missed out on securing a place in the last eight for the first time since 1999. The Greek champions had their chances -- some of De Geas saves were breathtaking -- but defensively they were chaotic and they became only the sixth team to squander a two-goal lead from the first leg of a Champions League match. "We were unlucky," Olympiakos midfielder David Fuster said, "and were pretty upset about it." In Wednesdays other last-16 match, Borussia Dortmund advanced 5-4 on aggregate despite losing the second leg 2-1 at home to Zenit St. Petersburg. The draw for the quarterfinals is held on Friday. "We probably now will go into it as underdogs," Moyes said. "If we play to our capabilities, which we have not done too often, then I think we will be a match for any team." Moyes insisted on the eve of the biggest game of his reign that his position was not under threat, saying Uniteds vision was "long term," the board was still supportive and stressing that he was in a six-year contract. Fans appeared to be starting to waver, although the banner reading "The Chosen One" -- a nickname given to Moyes after he was hand-picked for the job by predecessor Alex Ferguson -- remained hung up high in the Stretford End as Olympiakos kicked off. Initially, United was gripped by panic -- misplacing passes, diving into tackles and showing no shape defensively -- but the nerves were settled by Van Persies penalty. The Netherlands striker tumbled after being barged in the back by Jose Holebas after bringing down a cross-field pass from Giggs, and he got up to convert his penalty unerringly. Giggs was the architect of the second goal, too, floating another pass to Wayne Rooney, who crossed for Van Persie to caress his finish under goalkeeper Robertos dive. The aggregate score was now 2-2 and Moyes greeted the goal with repeated fist-pumps and marched back to the dressing rooms, breaking into a jog at one point. He was celebrating again within six minutes of the second half when Van Persie curled home a free kick from just outside the area, with Roberto earning the wrath of his defenders for not trusting his wall and vacating the area near where the ball crossed the line. With Olympiakos attacking relentlessly in the final 25 minutes, the final whistle was met with relief as much as joy by home fans. Languishing in seventh place in the Premier League, the Champions League remains a potential source of silverware for United this season. nfl jerseys china . Louis Cardinals have agreed on a four-year contract, giving the All-Star a fresh start after his Biogenesis drug suspension last summer. wholesale jerseys . Markus Granlund scored the shootout winner as the Heat defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs 3-2 in the American Hockey League. "It was tough on us, losing the last few games, and with this being our last game before Christmas we will definitely take the win," said Granlund. CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians have shown the ability to bounce back from difficult losses all season. They did it again Saturday night. Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis hit two-run homers, Zach McAllister won his third straight start and the Indians defeated the Minnesota Twins 7-2. The win moved the Indians into third place in the crowded American League wild card race. It also came a night after they were flat in Fridays 5-1 loss in which they managed only six singles. "We needed a nice little offensive day like this," said Kipnis, who had two hits after entering the game in an 0 for 19 slump. "The pitchers have been doing their jobs. We know the offence has been struggling a little bit so this was a good night for us to have." Santanas two-run homer in the first got the Indians started. Kipnis homered in the third and Cleveland put the game away with a three-run fifth, which gave McAllister a comfortable cushion. "Its a good way to play," Indians manager Terry Francona said. The Indians are 2 1/2 games out of the second wild card spot and trail Detroit by six games in the AL Central, but Kipnis isnt placing any special significance on an individual game. "That would be counter productive to look at it that way," he said. "If you get caught up scoreboard watching, it cant really help you out too much." McAllister (7-7) allowed two runs in 7 1-3 innings. Brian Dozier homered in the eighth and hit a sacrifice fly in the third for Minnesotas only success against the right-hander, who has given up four earned runs in 19 2-3 innings in his winning streak. Nick Swisher added a two-run double in the fifth for Cleveland, which won for only the second time in its last nine home games. Both home runs came off starter Liam Hendriks (0-2), who has lost 12 of his 13 career decisions. Kipnis reached in the first on a two-out single and scored when Santana homered to right. Kipnis homer bounced off the roof of Minnesotas bullpen in right field, his first home run since July 21. Santana and Kipnis are tied for the team lead with 16 homers. Kipnis, who failed to get a bunt down and then struck out with two runners on in a crucial situation Friday, was relieved to break out of his slump. "I wanted to take the base and hold it up," he said. "Its a long season. Welcome to the game of baseball, where youre feeling great one day and the next day you dont know how to hold your hands up at the plate." Several Cleveland hitters have been strugggling, including Michael Brantley, who broke an 0 for 22 slump with an RBI single in the fifth.cheap jerseys from china. . Hendriks, who was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to make the start, recorded his only career win at Progressive Field last season. The right-hander, a native of Australia, didnt get the same results this time, allowing seven runs in 4 1-3 innings. The Twins, who were 14-7 against the Indians since last September going into the game, couldnt muster anything else against McAllister, who missed seven weeks earlier in the season because of a sprained middle finger on his pitching hand. He allowed two runs with seven strikeouts in six innings of a 5-2 win at Minnesota on Aug. 13. "I was able to make some adjustments during the time off with my delivery," McAllister said. "I feel a little bit more comfortable." Hendriks was recalled to take the rotation spot of the ineffective Kyle Gibson, who was sent to Rochester earlier in the week. Hendriks only career win came against the Indians on Sept. 19 of last season when he allowed two runs in six innings in a 6-4 victory. That win snapped a string of 17 starts without a victory, the third-longest streak to begin a career in history. Asked about his 1-12 career record Hendriks said, "Its irritating, but I dont let it affect me. I got ahead of guys tonight, but I couldnt throw a strike in the right location. My secondary pitchers just werent working." The Twins announced before the game that catcher Joe Mauer, who was placed on the concussion list Tuesday, has been told by doctors to rest until early next week. NOTES: Twins OF Oswaldo Arcia (left wrist) returned to action missing four games with a bone bruise and was 0 for 4. ... Francona said an MRI on OF Ryan Raburns sore right calf came back clean. Raburn is also bothered by a sore left heel, which according to Francona, came as a result from favouring the right leg. The Indians hope Raburn will be available by Tuesday. ... RHP Corey Kluber (sprained right middle finger) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday. ... The Twins optioned RHP Michael Tonkin to Triple-A Rochester to make room for Hendriks on their 25-man roster. Tonkin made two relief appearances for Minnesota, pitching 2 1-3 innings without allowing an earned run. ... Indians LHP Scott Kazmir (7-6) takes on Twins RHP Mike Pelfrey (5-10) in the three-game series finale Sunday. Kazmir was originally slated to pitch Saturday, but was given an additional day between starts. ' ' '

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