THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017 SPORTS NFL James ready to take over as Steelers’ top tight end LATROBE: Jesse James has prepared the the Steelers really gave me a chance to my game’s at and what I need to do to be “They must’ve liked what they saw in and create space for All-Pro running back last two offseasons to be the starting come into that role, and now that’s the ready for the season.” those 10 games we didn’t have Ladarius. Le’Veon Bell. tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers even expectation, so that’s what I’m going to Green, who signed a four-year, $20 We have a young group, so they know The plan helped carry the Steelers to as the team explored its options follow- do.” While Green struggled to stay million contract in free agency, was what to expect from us and they know the AFC Championship game. Pittsburgh ing Heath Miller’s unexpected retirement healthy in his only season in Pittsburgh, placed on the physically unable to per- we’re going to grow.” reeled off nine straight wins and aver- in 2015. Pittsburgh splurged in free James flourished. He appeared in all 19 form list in training camp and didn’t James played high school football at aged 144 rushing yards per game, up agency a year ago, signing Ladarius games last season for the AFC North appear in a game until November, the nearby South Allegheny and starred in from an average of 82 yards for the first Green to a four-year deal. It lasted only champions, finishing with 39 receptions 10th week of the regular season against college at Penn State. He grew up watch- 10 games. Expect to see more of the one. When the Steelers released Green in for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Dallas. He played in five games before a ing Miller and the Steelers. James, a fifth- same in 2017 from James and the the spring, James found himself in the Heady territory for a kid who grew up in season-ending concussion in week 14. round draft pick in 2015, spent a year Steelers’ tight ends. “I see Jesse getting spot he believed he could be in all along: suburban Pittsburgh. Yet he hardly thinks The Steelers released Green after he under Miller’s tutelage and now he leads better each year because that’s the type a starter on one of the NFL’s most potent he’s arrived. “I’ll have to step it up and be failed his physical in May. a group that includes evolving pass- of player he is,” Grimble said. offenses. more reliable and more prepared to help The team didn’t draft or sign another catcher Xavier Grimble and veteran “He’s always working hard and he’s “I knew I had a chance to be the guy the team in every situation,” James said. “I tight end, allowing James to take over blocking specialist David Johnson. The really good with the offense, especially last year. Things didn’t work out for feel great and obviously I’m in a better the starting role. “It shows a lot that the Steelers added offensive lineman Chris with another year under his belt. I would Ladarius early in the season, so I had that position than I was last year, mentally coaching staff didn’t go out and get Hubbard to the tight end group last sea- expect nothing less than a breakout sea- opportunity,” James said. “This summer, and physically. I feel better about where somebody in free agency,” James said. son in an effort to boost the run game son from him.” — AP SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Crawford, bottom, scores past Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras during the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday. — AP BASEBALL Lamb’s slam gives D-backs 6-3 win over Dodgers PHOENIX: Jake Lamb hit his second career INDIANS 4, ROCKIES 1 homer of the season and drove in three Drew Robinson on a groundout for his 21st right field in the fifth inning, Herrera reached grand slam in the seventh inning and the Yan Gomes hit a three-run homer off runs. Stanton crushed a first-pitch fastball save. Texas’ A.J. Griffin (5-3) allowed four runs down to pull a low pitch from Julio Teheran Arizona Diamondbacks rallied to beat Los Greg Holland with two outs in the ninth from A.J. Cole (1-2) deep into the center- and four hits in five innings. (7-10) into the restaurant behind the right- Angeles 6-3 on Tuesday night, handing the inning, lifting Corey Kluber and Cleveland to field stands in the fifth for a 4-1 lead follow- field wall. Freddie Freeman hit a first-inning major league-leading Dodgers their eighth the victory. After Austin Jackson tied it with ing singles by Miguel Rojas and Dee PADRES 7, REDS 3 homer off Eflin, who was recalled from loss in the last 52 games. Lamb, who also a two-out bloop RBI single, Gomes connect- Gordon. Derek Dietrich also homered and Jose Pirela had four hits and Yangervis Triple-A Lehigh Valley before the game and connected for a solo homer in the sixth, ed on the first pitch from Holland (2-3), driv- drove in three runs for the Marlins. Gordon’s Solarte had a homer among his three hits, earned his first win of the season. Eflin (1-3) was hitting .143 against left-handers this ing it into the seats in center field to touch RBI double and Dietrich’s two-run single put powering the Padres to the victory. San allowed two runs and seven hits. The Phillies season when he drove Tony Watson’s 1-2 off a wild celebration in Progressive Field. Miami up 7-1 in the seventh. Vance Worley Diego’s Luis Perdomo (6-6) escaped threats have won 10 of 12 against Atlanta this sea- pitch off the right-field foul pole to put Gomes flung his helmet and skipped (2-2) beat the Nationals for the second time by inducing three ground-ball double plays son. Hector Neris pitched a perfect ninth for Arizona up 6-3. Justin Turner homered around the bases as the Indians players in nine days. He allowed one run in six his specialty - while pitching into the sev- his 12th save in 15 chances. twice for the Dodgers, who led 3-2 enter- danced out of their dugout at the improba- innings after holding Washington to two enth. Cincinnati catcher Tucker Barnhart hit ing the bottom of the seventh. Watson (5- ble walk-off win. Kluber (10-3) struck out 11 hits while pitching seven innings in Miami’s a three-run homer off Jose Torres. The Padres ANGELS 3, ORIOLES 2 4) was charged with the loss. David in his second straight complete game. He 7-0 win on July 31. improved to 4-1 against the Reds, who Parker Bridwell, a right-hander the Angels Hernandez (2-0) got one out for the win allowed three hits and walked none. Charlie haven’t won a season series from them since picked up simply for cash in mid-April from and Fernando Rodney worked the ninth for Blackmon homered for the Rockies. CARDINALS 10, ROYALS 3 2012. The Reds have gone 7-18 since the All- the Orioles, came back to haunt his former his 26th save in 31 tries. Yadier Molina, Jedd Gyorko and Randal Star break. San Diego piled up nine hits and team in a victory for Los Angeles over BLUE JAYS 4, YANKEES 2 Grichuk homered, leading St. Louis to its five runs off Sal Romano (2-4), who was in Baltimore. Bridwell (6-1) went seven strong RED SOX 2, RAYS 0 Josh Donaldson hit two two-run homers fourth straight win. Michael Wacha (9-4) trouble in each of his six innings. Austin innings, holding the Orioles to one run and Chris Sale struck out 13 in eight innings, for the Blue Jays, and J.A. Happ won his allowed a three-run double to Cheslor Hedges homered for a 5-0 lead in the sixth. six hits. He struck out four and did not walk a and the Red Sox earned their seventh sixth straight decision against the Yankees. Cuthbert but otherwise kept the Royals in Solarte connected for a two-run shot an batter. The Angels are 10-1 this season in straight victory. Sale (14-4) reached double Donaldson connected twice against CC check, surrendering six hits over six innings inning later. games started by Bridwell. Jeremy Hellickson digits in strikeouts for the 15th time this Sabathia (9-5), who came in with an AL-best to win for the sixth time in seven decisions. (7-6) was matching Bridwell until running into season. He allowed two hits, and Craig 2.29 ERA in 10 road starts. The 2015 AL MVP Molina connected against Jason Vargas (13- TWINS 11, BREWERS 4 trouble in the seventh. He had retired 10 Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for hit a drive to right-center in the first, and 6) in the fourth and Grichuk and Gyorko con- Brian Dozier hit his first career grand slam straight in the 1-1 game when the Angels his 28th save. The win pushed Boston’s AL hooked one down the left field line in the nected to highlight the six-run fifth, when and Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario each chased him with four consecutive hits.