导出博客文章PITTSBURGH -- The bye week looks like it landed at a perfect time for the
Pittsburgh Steelers.The Steelers suffered their second straight lopsided defeat
on Sunday, this one at home against the New England Patriots. But Pittsburgh
played without five regular contributors because of injury, including
quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and defensive end Cameron Heyward.The Steelers
are hopeful for rest and recovery before a road game at AFC North rival
Baltimore on Nov. 6.We need to get all the pieces back together, offensive
lineman Marcus Gilbert said Monday. We have a lot of bodies dinged up. We have
to get some rest, heal up and really take advantage of this bye week.Gilbert
missed the previous three weeks with an ankle injury. He said he wanted to
return against New England, but the ankle didnt respond the way he had hoped.
Gilbert expects to be back after the bye against the Ravens.Its unclear when
Roethlisberger will return.Roethlisberger underwent surgery and was expected to
miss four to six weeks after he injured his left knee against Miami.
Roethlisberger didnt speak to reporters on Monday, but he was spotted in the
locker room walking without a limp. He also jogged onto the field Sunday to
greet his defensive teammates prior to the game against New England.Thats
encouraging to Gilbert, who prefers to see Roethlisberger return when hes 100
percent so he doesnt suffer a setback.I see him walking around and hes been
looking good, Gilbert said. Well see how hes progressing. Whenever hes ready, Im
sure hell be out there, first thing, because we need him.The defense could use a
boost from Heyward, who missed the previous two weeks with a hamstring injury.I
feel good one day and take a step back the next, Heyward said. I have to be
smart and keep progressing. I have to take it day by day because I dont know how
Ill be feeling in two days. I just have to make sure Im pushing myself to the
extent where Im ready to go when I get back.Its a frustrating situation for
Heyward, who previously played in 85 consecutive regular-season games.Im just
doing everything possible, Heyward said. I want to get back for my teammates
because I feel like I can contribute and help out.The Steelers could also
potentially see a boost offensively from tight end Ladarius Green, who signed a
four-year $20 million contract in the spring, but started the season on the
physically unable to perform list and continues to work his way back from
offseason ankle surgery.Green said Monday that he has been medically cleared to
return to practice, but he hasnt been cleared by head coach Mike Tomlin. The
team has 21 days once Green begins practicing to determine whether to put him on
the 53-man roster.Green would like to return to practice, but he will follow the
coachs decision.It would be nice to get a little practice under my belt, Green
said. (Tomlin) knows I want to be out there, but its up to him to do whats best
for the team.The Steelers anticipate extra rest from the bye could help wide
receiver Markus Wheaton return to the lineup against Baltimore. Wheaton is
dealing with a lingering shoulder injury sustained in the preseason.Wheaton
missed the first two games of the season, but returned to catch passes in the
next three. He suffered a setback and missed the previous two games against
Miami and New England.Anytime you take a step backwards its frustrating, Wheaton
said.---AP NFL websites:
http://pro32.ap.org and
http://twitter.com/AP-NFL
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them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine
seasons in the making. SAN FRANCISCO -- Jeff Samardzija is going to prepare as
if he might pitch a potential wild-card playoff game Monday and stay ready in
case he might be needed sooner if San Franciscos season is on the line.The
Giants wasted Samardzijas latest stellar start with a chance to grab momentum
after a big offensive outburst a night earlier, yet instead the playoff-hopeful
Giants ended up with a costly dud in a 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies on
Wednesday night.As long as they know Im ready, thats all that counts, Samardzija
said. ... This is the time of year, man, this feels great to be out there
pitching when the weather turns a little bit and the season comes to an end. I
always love being able to see the finish line and it always allows me to go a
little harder. I enjoy staring down the tube when its about to be done and just
let it all hang out. Hopefully we get a chance to do that here a handful more
times.The bats had better be ready the rest of the way, too.Rockies right-hander
Tyler Chatwood (12-9) struck out nine in eight innings and outdueled Samardzija
(12-11), shutting down San Francisco a day after the Giants pounded 19 hits in a
12-3 win.San Francisco dropped 1 1/2 games behind the Mets for the top wild card
and remained a game up on St. Louis for the second spot after the Cardinals lost
to Cincinnati.In a game that began with a hovering mist above the field on a
cool Bay Area night -- with first-pitch temperature 55 degrees -- Samardzija
struck out a season-high 11 in six-plus innings of his final regular season
start. He allowed seven hits and two runs, walking one.Pinch-hitter Kelby
Tomlinson doubled leading off the ninth against Rockies closer Boone Logan, who
then allowed Brandon Belts two-out infield single. Adam Ottavino retired Buster
Posey on a groundout to third to end it for his sixth save.The Giants lone
runner to reach second before the ninth was Angel Pagan on a wild pitch in the
second. What a contrast from San Franciscos free-swinging performance Tuesday,
when it produced 10 extra-base hits with three home runs, four triples and three
doubles.Two different teams, manager Bruce Bochy said of his club from one night
to the next. Chatwoods been tough on us. He was good tonight. We just couldnt
figure him out. We had a runner on second base one time through eight innings.
Thats going to work. We pitched well, we played well, this offense couldnt get
it going,, couldnt figure him out.ddddddddddddwice baserunners were caught
stealing and the Giants grounded into two double plays. They know they have
serious work to do in order to keep alive a streak of World Series championships
in even years this decade: 2010, 12 and 14.Samardzija has struck out nine or
more in each of his past three starts against the Rockies. With runners on first
and third and one out in the sixth, Samardzija induced an inning-ending double
play by Nolan Arenado.Chatwood dazzled -- and that has been the norm for him
away from Coors Field. He allowed three hits and walked two as the Rockies
snapped an eight-game road losing streak.He is 8-1 with a majors-best 1.69 ERA
in 13 road starts, and he is 3-1 with a 2.12 ERA in six career outings at
AT&T Park. Chatwoods road ERA is the lowest in franchise history for
pitchers with at least 80 innings.After allowing Conor Gillaspies leadoff single
in the third, Chatwood retired the next 11 batters in order before Belt drew a
leadoff walk in the seventh.He can put the ball on the ground with the best of
them. He got two huge double plays. To shut that team down for eight innings,
that was impressive, manager Walt Weiss said.Arenado and Gerardo Parra hit RBI
singles for the Rockies.In Thursday nights series finale, San Francisco will try
to win just its second home series since the All-Star break and fourth series
overall in 22 over the second half.San Francisco was shut out for the 13th time,
nine coming after the All-Star break.TRAINERS ROOMRockies: NL batting leader DJ
LeMahieu, hitting .349, had the night off as Weiss went with Daniel Descalso.
Weiss will pick his moments when to use LeMahieu over the final week.Giants:
While INF Eduardo Nunez still hopes to return from a hamstring injury this
weekend for the season-ending series against the NL West champion Dodgers, Bochy
considers it questionable. Nunez has a mild right hamstring pull. ... RHP Johnny
Cuetos strained left groin felt fine a day after his bullpen session and he is
set to start Thursdays series finale.UP NEXTRockies: RHP Jon Gray (10-9, 4.45
ERA) has struck out 26 batters his past two starts, most in a two-game span in
club history.Giants: Cueto (17-5, 2.79) is 2-0 with a 0.77 ERA in three starts
against the Rockies this season. ' ' '
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