Die Macht » reliever Boone Logan to lead off the ni

CINCINNATI -- No points in the second half.More penalties than first downs.The Bengals playoff chances were extinguished with a fitting meltdown.A 24-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday took care of the defending division champions. Cincinnati (5-8-1) had its club-record streak of five playoff seasons snapped.They lost in the first round each season, and still havent won a playoff game since the 1990 season, the sixth-longest stretch of futility in NFL history.Were so used to the past five years of going to the playoffs every year, defensive tackle Domata Peko said. Its the first time we havent in a long time, and it hurts. It really hurts me.How they faded hurt the most.The Bengals matched the club record with 12 wins last season, only to lose at home to Pittsburgh in the opening round of the playoffs.Jeremy Hills fumble and penalties on Vontaze Burfict and Adam Pacman Jones moved the Steelers in range for the winning field goal in the final seconds, one of the biggest meltdowns in playoff history.They melted down again in the second half on Sunday.After scoring on their first four possessions for a 20-9 halftime lead, they managed only 38 yards in the second half. They had more penalties (seven) than first downs (four).Chris Boswell tied the club record with six field goals for Pittsburghs first 15 points, and the Bengals drew penalties on four consecutive plays -- including Pat Sims personal foul -- that set up Ben Roethlisbergers decisive touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.Burfict and Jones got flagged again during the game -- the linebacker for tackling Roethlisberger after he got rid of the ball, and the cornerback for taunting. The Bengals were left fuming.They let Pittsburgh do whatever they wanted to, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick said. They shouldve been calling stuff on them, too.The Bengals had one take-that moment while building the lead. Hill scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, saw a Terrible Towel that a fan had thrown onto the field, picked it up and tried to tear it. Unable to do that, he threw it to the ground again.It was just lying there, Hill said. Spur of the moment.The Bengals were good at finishing off games last season, until they met Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Theyve been unable to do it this season, preventing them from reaching the playoffs.We just havent been able to find the finishing touches, left tackle Andrew Whitworth said. We just havent found what it takes there at the end.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Juan Bernat Bayern Munich Jersey . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. Gianluca Gaudino Jersey . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. http://www.soccerfcbayernshop.com/kids-philipp-lahm-bayern-munich-jersey/ . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Javi Martinez Bayern Munich Jersey . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead. Arjen Robben Jersey . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. WASHINGTON -- Two poorly placed fastballs created plenty of problems for Lucas Giolito and the Washington Nationals on Sunday.The rookie right-hander gave up consecutive home runs in the third inning to Colorados Nolan Arenado and David Dahl on fastballs as the Rockies earned a series victory with a 5-3 triumph.Giolito (0-1), one of baseballs top prospects, gave up four runs in five innings after his recall from Triple-A Syracuse earlier in the day. It was his fourth start of the season for Washington, and first since July 24.He was getting it over better today than he had in the past, said manager Dusty Baker, whose team has dropped six of eight. They didnt miss his fastball. That was the key. The two home runs were fastballs.Trea Turner, Wilson Ramos and Bryce Harper each hit solo home runs for the Nationals. But they could muster little else against Colorado starter Chad Bettis (11-7), who allowed two runs and five hits and struck out six over seven innings in his longest start since April 10. Adam Ottavino earned his second save.Both teams scored a run in the first inning, and the Rockies took the lead for good in the third when Arenado lined an 0-2 pitch to left for a two-run homer. Arenado, who went 4 for 4, has 35 home runs this season.I missed the spot pretty bad with the fastball, Giolito said. Its supposed to go up and in and I missed right over the plate. That happens with these hitters. I just have to be better about getting ahead of guys and finishing guys off with the pitch I want to throw and make sure I hit my spots.Dahl sent Giolitos next pitch into the stands in left-center to make it 4-1.Giolito said he was pitching better at Syracuse over the last month, but struggled with his command against Colorado. He departed after throwing 100 pitches.I was putting guys away a lot more efficiently than I did today, Giolito said. A lot of 0-2, 1-2 counts turned into 3-2, 2-2. I kind of let some at-bats get awway from me when I was in the drivers seat and I could have made something happen.dddddddddddd When Im 100 pitches-ish through five innings, then Im not pitching the way I should be pitching.Colorado added a run in the eighth inning when Washington reliever Koda Glovers wild pitch landed flush on the left shoulder of home plate umpire Mike Muchlinksi. As Nationals catcher Ramos checked on the crumpled umpire and searched for the ball, Daniel Descalso scored from second base for a 5-2 lead.I heard the impact and it was very hard and loud, so my initial reaction was to turn around and catch the umpire and see if he was all right, Ramos said. When I picked up my eyesight to look for the ball, I looked in the wrong direction and could not find it.Muchlinksi remained in the game.Harper homered off Colorado reliever Boone Logan to lead off the ninth, but Ottavino retired all three hitters he faced to end the Nationals rally.DIFO OPTIONEDTo make room for Giolito, the Nationals optioned INF Wilmer Difo to Double-A Harrisburg. Difo was hitting .257 with no homers and five RBI in 18 games with Washington.TRAINERS ROOMRockies: RHP Tyler Chatwood (10-8, 3.75), on the disabled list with a mid-back strain since Aug. 16, will have a rehab start Monday for Double-A Hartford at Richmond. Chatwood is expected to go five innings or about 75 pitches.Nationals: RHP Joe Ross (right shoulder inflammation) allowed one run on three hits in one inning Sunday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Syracuse.UP NEXTRockies: Colorado returns home to begin a three-game series against the Dodgers. RHP Jon Gray (8-6, 4.61) gets the nod for the Rockies.Nationals: RHP Tanner Roark (13-7, 2.99 ERA) faces Phillies rookie Jake Thompson (1-3, 9.78) in the first of 22 straight games for Washington against NL East opponents. ' ' '