Die Macht » Pedroias RBI single gave the Red Sox a 1-0 lea

HOUSTON -- The Rockets delivered the type of defensive performance on Monday night against the Nets that left them scoffing for only so long, one chalked up to a lack of focus that sometimes accompanies the rigors of a grueling 82-game schedule.Even after the Nets torched the Rockets for 75 second-half points on 65.9 percent shooting and 68 points in the paint, Houston entered Tuesday ranked fifth in the NBA in the month of December with a 99.4 defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions).The Rockets defense had been exceptional for the most part as they won their first six games this month, so after they improved to 7-0 in December with their 122-118 victory, the Rockets didnt spend too much time lamenting the defense.It was one of those games, but once again we will count it, Rockets guard James Harden said. We will use it and just watch film and try to get better.There are 82 games and every game isnt going to be perfect. Youve got to figure out ways to win and thats what we did.That the Rockets (18-7), who will host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night at Toyota Center, can sidestep one hiccup and point to their defensive improvement represents a significant positive. Houston ranks fifth in the NBA this month in offensive rating (112.9) and second to the Toronto Raptors in net rating (13.4).And, after spending most of the first month attempting to play at a faster pace to better augment their high-powered offense, the Rockets have done exactly that thus far in December. The Nets entered Tuesday leading the league in pace for December at 104.7 possessions per 48 minutes. The Rockets were second at 103.0.That macro view allows the Rockets room to disregard a bad night at the office defensively. Lessons were learned, but Houston didnt marinate too long on the bad stuff.Every night is not going to be pretty. Every night is not going to be easy, said Rockets guard Patrick Beverley. We enjoy games like this because we can learn from it.The Kings (9-15) won for just the second time in seven games on Monday night, blasting the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 116-92.The victory came at a cost, however, with guard Ben McLemore (left quad) and forward Rudy Gay (right hip flexor) landing on the injured list. Both were listed as day-to-day on Tuesday. The Kings recalled rookies Skal Labissiere and Malachi Richardson from D-league affiliate Reno to add bodies to their roster in advance of their second meeting with Houston.The Kings allowed an NBA-record 50 3-point attempts in their 117-104 home loss to Houston on Nov. 25. While the Rockets lead the league in 3-pointers per game (14.2) and 3-point attempts (37.4), the Kings are allowing 10.5 3-pointers per game.Those numbers alone are foreboding for the Kings. That Houston has made at least 10 3-pointers in an NBA-record 24 consecutive games represents a greater concern.Were not defending the basketball very well, Kings coach Dave Joerger said to the Sacramento Bee. So when we reach or we gamble ... it always seems like somebodys open. Those are the shots you practice. You get open 3s, youve got to knock them down, and thats what teams have done. Hydro Flask 40 Oz Sverige . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Hydro Flask Vattenflaska . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. http://www.hydroflasksverige.se/ . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. Hydro Flask 32 Oz Sverige . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid Sverige . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Boston Red Sox pulled out of an offensive funk to help Jon Lester stay unbeaten. Lester pitched seven solid innings and Stephen Drew hit his second career grand slam during an eight-run third inning that keyed a 9-2 victory over AL Cy Young winner David Price and the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night. "Its bound to turn around," Drew said after the Red Sox won for just the third time in their last 12 games. "We know the past couple games havent been too good with runners in scoring position, so tonight was a great night to have and hopefully we can keep it going." Price (1-4) departed from the marquee pitching matchup because of a left triceps strain during Bostons eight-run third inning, which Drew finished with his towering homer off Jamey Wright. Rays manager Joe Maddon said Price had a MRI and that the injury doesnt appear to be serious. Price said he hasnt ruled out the possibility of making his next scheduled start on Monday, although Maddon said thats unlikely. "Its just something I take pride in, being available every fifth day and being out there for my team," Price said. "I dont know how thats looking right now, but Ill just get re-evaluated (Thursday). The biggest thing is going to be how I feel. Hopefully I can come in and play catch. Thats what I have on my mind right now, so well see." Coming off a one-hit, complete game shutout of Toronto, Lester (6-0) allowed two runs and eight hits to help end the Rays season-high six-game winning streak. The Red Sox, meanwhile, stopped a three-game losing streak thats been part of a May slide. They are 5-9 this month after going a major league-best 18-8 in April. "We havent been scoring a bunch of runs lately and (the 8-run inning) takes a lot of pressure off so I could just go out and execute pitches," Lester said. "We broke out with eight runs in the one inning, and it gave Jon a cushion to pitch," Boston manager John Farrell said. "It goes back to us controlling the strike zone, putting up quality at-bats," Farrell added. "When were right and were clicking offensively, thats when we grind deep into each at-bat, and I thought we did that multiple times tonight. ... We had a good offensive approach." Price left with one out in the third inning after giving up an RBI single to David Ortiz. The left-hander walked toward the plate after delivering the pitch to the Red Sox designated hitter and appeared to grimace. Maddon, pitching coach Jim Hickey, a team trainer and the entire Rays infield joined Price on the mound. Price walked off the fiield after a brief consultation and was replaced by Wright.dddddddddddd "I didnt see exactly when it happened. I saw him motion to come on out to the mound," Maddon said, adding that he wasnt sure if Price was injured on his final pitch to Ortiz or earlier in the inning. "We had him checked out, had the MRI done," the manager said. "Nothing seems to be serious, but well make a better call (Thursday)." A 20-game winner last year, Price has struggled this season. Tampa Bay has lost seven of his nine starts, and Price uncharacteristically has given up eight leads over his last seven outings. The Rays ace has been bothered by allergies since before the start of spring training, but Price said this week hed never use that as an excuse for his performance. He gave up two-out doubles to Dustin Pedroia in the first and Will Middlebrooks in the second without allowing further damage. The Rays werent as fortunate in the third, when Price walked Drew and gave up a single to Jacoby Ellsbury to begin Bostons biggest inning of the season. Pedroias RBI single gave the Red Sox a 1-0 lead. Ortizs opposite-field single that just eluded diving third baseman Evan Longoria made it 2-0. Mike Napoli doubled and Jonny Gomes singled off Wright to drive in the final two runs charged to Price, who allowed four runs and five hits in 2 1-3 innings. Jarrod Saltalamacchia walked with two outs to load the bases for Drew, who lifted a 1-1 pitch into the half-filled right-field stands at Tropicana Field. Pedroia has a seven-game hitting streak, and hes had multiple hits in six of those games. Middlebrooks hit a solo homer off Kyle Farnsworth in the eighth. Desmond Jennings tripled to drive in Tampa Bays first run, then scored when Ben Zobrist grounded out. NOTES: Price has not won at Tropicana Field since July 19, 2012, a stretch covering eight starts. ... Boston RHP Andrew Bailey (right biceps strain) felt fine one day after a bullpen session and will pitch in a simulated game Thursday. A decision on whether he will be activated from the 15-day disabled list or pitch in a minor league game will be made after the outing. ... Red Sox LHP Franklin Morales (lower back strain) is scheduled to make his fourth minor league appearance Saturday with Triple-A Pawtucket. ... Tampa Bays Alex Cobb (4-2) will start Thursday nights series finale, his first outing since striking out 13 in 4 2-3 innings against San Diego to become the first pitcher in major league history to fan that many batters in an appearance lasting fewer than five innings. The Red Sox will counter with LHP Felix Doubront (3-1). ' ' '