Andy Dirks walked with one out and moved up on a wild pitch before Masterso

CHASKA, Minn. -- Rory McIlroy didnt think his 10th birthday could get any better.His father took him to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for the first time. He also received a new wedge with a rust finish, popular back in those days. And he was on the chipping green when he got perhaps the best gift of all.All of a sudden, I meet Darren Clarke, McIlroy said Tuesday at the Ryder Cup. It was a great birthday for me.And thats what makes this week even more special at Hazeltine.McIlroy took part in Clarkes foundation at Portrush, which was aimed at developing junior players. Clarke was a star in Northern Ireland, especially after 2000 when he took down Tiger Woods at his best in the 2000 Match Play Championship at La Costa.I remember him saying to me -- I was chipping around the practice green and he was doing the same thing -- and he just said to me, `Practice, practice, practice. And thats always been his motto, McIlroy said. That day has always stuck with me, and even this week, all those memories come rushing back.This is the fourth Ryder Cup for McIlroy, who has yet to experience what its like to lose on Sunday in singles or lose the Ryder Cup as a team. He doesnt want to see that streak end with Clarke as the European captain.I think its special for both of us, that he is now a Ryder Cup Captain and Im a player under him, McIlroy said. Ive always wanted the win for the captain, but probably even more so this year just because of Darren and the relationship that we have.The best thing McIlroy has given Clarke so far is good form.McIlroy was on the verge of falling out of the conversation of top players. He won the Irish Open at home in May, but he wasnt a factor in any of the majors, had slipped from No. 1 in the world a year ago to No. 5, and had yet to win on the PGA Tour, the strongest circuit in golf.So much has changed in the last month.McIlroy struck the ball so purely at the Deutsche Bank Championship that a good week of putting -- finally -- allowed him to rally for a 65 to win by two shots. Then, he had everything fall into place at East Lake on Sunday, playing the final three holes in 3 under and winning the Tour Championship in a four-hole playoff over Ryan Moore. That also made McIlroy the FedEx Cup champion for the first time.He is not lacking for confidence at Hazeltine, where he tied for third in his PGA Championship debut.Im confident in my game, Im confident coming in here and I feel like Im obviously playing pretty well, he said. I dont know how much bearing it will have on the team as a whole. Obviously, Im very excited to get going again and play, but just happy with where my game is.Never experienced a loss before, and thats the goal this week gain to take that cup home.McIlroy has a 6-4-4 record, but he has been particularly strong in singles. He was on the verge of a loss to Stewart Cink at Celtic Manor that might have cost Europe the Ryder Cup. But he won the 15th hole to square the match, and earned a half-point when he got out of a bunker on the second try and saved par.He forgot Chicago was in the central time zone in 2012 at Medinah and nearly missed his tee time, getting a police escort to the course, lacing up his shoes and beating Keegan Bradley as Europe rallied for another victory. Two years ago at Gleneagles, he was in the feature pairing against Rickie Fowler and crushed him from the start, winning 5-and-4 to build momentum early.He does have one tiny piece of history working against him.McIlroy is only the fifth player to win a PGA Tour event the week before a Ryder Cup, and only one of them -- Fred Couples in 1991 -- went on to have a winning record that week. Couples won the B.C. Open and then went 3-1-1 at Kiawah Island.Hopefully, I can continue to play the way Ive been playing and produce quality shots under pressure like you need to in a Ryder Cup, McIlroy said. Thats all Im focused on this week is just trying to play the best possible golf that I can and win the most points, and ultimately that will help the team do what we want to achieve. Fake NFL Jerseys Wholesale . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Fake NFL Jerseys Free Shipping . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. https://www.fakenfljerseys.com/ . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. Fake NFL Jerseys China . Burris threw two TD passes, including a key 15-yard fourth-quarter strike to Bakari Grant that effectively countered a Toronto comeback bid and led Hamilton to a 33-19 victory. Fake NFL Jerseys Cheap . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. CLEVELAND -- Rick Porcello is somewhat of an afterthought on Detroits deep and talented pitching staff. On Friday night, he was second to none. Porcello pitched seven sharp innings, Jhonny Peralta and Victor Martinez drove in two runs apiece and the Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians for the sixth consecutive time, winning 7-0 to extend their lead in the AL Central. Porcello (5-6) allowed five hits and was never really threatened until Carlos Santana flied out to the warning track in centre field to end the sixth. The right-hander set the tone for the Tigers, who dominated the opener of the four-game wraparound series between the divisions top two teams. "His mound presence tonight, with a packed house, on the road and a team right there with you, was the best Ive seen," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. With their fourth straight win, the Tigers moved 2 1/2 games ahead of Cleveland, which returned from an 11-game road trip to just its second sellout crowd at Progressive Field this season. But more than 40,000 fans had to settle for $1 hot dogs and a postgame fireworks show as Porcello overpowered the Indians. Ramon Santiago had a two-run single in the second inning off an ineffective Justin Masterson (10-7), who allowed six runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings. The Tigers improved to 7-2 this season against the Indians, who must figure out a way to slow down Detroit before the defending AL champs pull away. "That ballclub has a lot of fight in them," Porcello said. "At any given time they can come back and beat you no matter how big the lead is. Youve really got to make pitches throughout the game. Theres no easy outs in that lineup." About the only bright spot for Cleveland was Jason Kipnis pushing his hitting streak to 16 games. The matchup between Masterson, a probable All-Star, and Porcello seemed to favour the Indians. However, Detroits No. 5 starter, who had lost his three previous starts and is often overlooked on a staff with Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, silenced the Indians and a sedated a huge crowd that came out to see if this Cleveland team was ready to challenge the defending division champs. At least on this night, the Tigers were too much for the Indians, who are just 18-29 against teams with winning records. Before the game, Leyland and Clevelands Terry Francona both dismissed the idea that this four-game set was critical. "I dont really pay that much attention to the standings until September," Leyland said. "If this was a four-game series in September, Id say its probably a big series but I would not say that on July 5." Porcello took a three-hitter into the sixth when Kipnis and Nick Swisher singled with one out. Porccello could have ended the inning with a double play, but his throw to second was high, allowing Michael Brantley to reach on a fielders choice.dddddddddddd Santana followed with a drive to deep centre that Austin Jackson ran down a few feet short of the wall, ending Clevelands best threat off Porcello. "He worked ahead," Francona said of Porcello, who won for the first time since June 14. "He threw strike one. He reached back for extra velocity when he needed it." Peraltas two-run double in the fifth put Detroit ahead 6-0 and chased Masterson, who had pitched his major league-leading third shutout in his previous start against the White Sox. Andy Dirks walked with one out and moved up on a wild pitch before Masterson retired Miguel Cabrera on a grounder for the second out. However, Prince Fielder drew a four-pitch walk and Martinez followed with an RBI single to make it 4-0. Up came Peralta, who had gone just 1 of 17 (.059) with zero RBIs in his career against Masterson. But he lined a 1-0 pitch into the gap in right-centre to easily score Fielder and Martinez, the Tigers two slowest runners. Cabreras RBI single put the Tigers up 3-0 and continued Detroits trend of quickly jumping ahead of the Indians this season. Dirks doubled leading off and Cabrera followed by grounding a hard single under diving shortstop Asdrubal Cabreras glove and into left-centre for his 86th RBI. Through nine games so far in 2013, the Tigers have outscored the Indians 32-10 in the first four innings. Santiago, who entered the series batting just .169, helped Detroit get off to a fast start. The Tigers loaded the bases in the second on a fielders choice, single and two-out walk before Santiago, with just one hit in 14 career at-bats against Masterson, lined the first pitch to centre, scoring Peralta and Don Kelly. "When the sinker is up, anyone can hit it," Masterson said. "It doesnt matter what the numbers are." NOTES: Kipnis also has reached base safely in 36 games in a row. ... Following the game, the Tigers activated RHP Anibal Sanchez (strained shoulder) to start Saturday. Hell face Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus. To make room for Sanchez, the Tigers optioned LHP Jose Alvarez to Triple-A Toledo. The Indians sent down RHP Joe Martinez. ... Indians RHP Zach McAllister threw a 60-pitch bullpen session, an important step in his recovery from a sprained right middle finger. "This was a big one for me," said McAllister, who plans to throw breaking balls off flat ground Saturday and pitch three innings to minor leaguers Monday. ... Santiago was 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position before his second-inning single. ' ' '