Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/190281
2B Daily News – Thursday, October 10, 2013 Kobe still weeks from playing EL SEGUNDO (AP) — Although Kobe Bryant is making steady progress in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, he's still a few weeks away from playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant is back with the Lakers after a short trip to Germany to get treatment on his right knee, another trouble area for the 35-year-old guard. He sat on Los Angeles' bench for an exhibition game Tuesday night, and he'll travel with the team to China later this week. But the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history isn't committing to any return date until he gets in shape and figures out how his legs will hold up when he's back in uniform. ''I haven't said anything (about a return date),'' Bryant said. ''I just keep it all open right now. I don't know why you guys are so hell-bent on deadlines. It's like the most ridiculous thing to me. It's entertaining. When I'm ready, I'm ready.'' Bryant is running with his full body weight on a special treadmill, and he has done light jogging and calf exercises recently. His repaired Achilles tendon appears to be holding up fine, but six months of relative inactivity — and donuts and sugar cookies — have taken a toll. ''It's the explosiveness, the muscle,'' Bryant said. ''It takes a little time, and then I've got to get my fat (rear) in shape. I was eating whatever the hell I wanted to eat and not running, stuff like that. Caught up to me a little bit.'' Bryant said he'll need roughly three weeks of conditioning to get into game shape, his usual allotment for a return from any extended layoff. The Lakers' season begins Oct. 29 against the Clippers. With time to spare in the preseason, Bryant seized the chance to travel to Germany for another round of the platelet-rich plasma treatment designed to stimulate recovery in aging joints. He has had at least three surgeries on the knee over the past decade. Bryant posted a photo of his German treatment on Instagram, complete with acupuncture needles protruding from the joint. His recovery time from the procedure has been short in the past. ''I'm starting to move a little bit more,'' Bryant said. ''I'm just trying to pick up the pace a little bit more. I'm not where I was the first time I had the (German) procedure done, being able to run as much, but I can do some things.'' Bryant has been in near-constant rehabilitation on his Achilles tendon since he had season-ending surgery last April. He's grateful the finish line is in sight, even if he might not be ready when the Lakers open the regular season. ''I'll be happy when I'm able to get out on the floor and do what I do best,'' he said. ''All this right now is just all a process to try to get to that point.'' Girardi signs 4-year extension with Yankees NEW YORK (AP) — Joe Girardi's return as manager of the New York Yankees was all about family. Girardi signed a four-year contract that could be worth up to $20 million Wednesday to stay with New York through 2017. With the Yankees missing out on the playoffs this season for the second time in 19 years, the 48-year-old Girardi got an early start on determining his future. He went over several possible scenarios with his wife, Kim, and three children that included taking a year off, pursuing a broadcasting job or managing somewhere else. But they quickly came to the conclusion that six years in New York was not enough. ''It wasn't ever a lot of thought that I might not possibly come back. I just had to make sure that everyone was still on board,'' Girardi said on a conference call. Girardi was in the final month of his second three-year contract (worth $9 million) with the Yankees since taking over for Joe Torre after the 2007 season, and he asked for a fourth year in the new deal. The contract includes $16 million guaranteed and up to $4 million in bonuses, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because financial details were not announced. ''Our lives have been here for six years,'' Girardi said. ''I think stability is important.'' The pull of returning to his native Illinois to manage the Chicago Cubs, the team he grew up rooting for, did not factor greatly into his decision because once his family agreed he should manage it was set on New York. ''Chicago is special to me. And I think it'll always be special to me,'' Girardi said. ''But this place is really special to me, too. Because of what I've experienced here. ... And my kids and my wife are established in the community here. We just thought it was important to stay.'' In a 15-year career as a catcher, Girardi won three World Series titles with the Yankees from 1996-99. As manager, he has led New York to the playoffs in four of his six seasons, winning the World Series in 2009. Under Girardi, the big-spending Yankees have gone a major league-best 564-408 (.580) since 2008. Even though New York finished tied for third in the AL East at 85-77, Girardi had what many believed was his best season as a manager. He kept the Yankees in the playoff chase until late September despite significant injuries to stars Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson. ''I wouldn't have come back if I didn't think we could win a championship,'' Girardi said. ''I know there's a lot of work to be done. I know there's a lot of holes that we have to fill. There's people leaving and people retiring. But I have faith in our organization.'' Girardi is sticking with a team that places the utmost premium on winning championships but is entering the offseason with uncharacteristic uncertainty. Girardi thinks it may be the most uncertain time during his tenure in New York. ''It was something that I definitely thought about. What would the New York Yankees look like in 2014, and beyond?'' he said. Quite different, it turns out. Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte just retired, Jeter played only 17 games this year after breaking his ankle last October and A-Rod is appealing a 211-game suspension. All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano is a free agent, as are pitcher Hiroki Kuroda and Granderson. Cano could be seeking a 10-year contract worth up to $305 million. Also, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner has said the team is determined to get under next year's $189 million luxury tax threshold — which includes about $177 million for player salaries. General manager Brian Cashman, though, recently said it's unclear if staying within that limit is possible. ''I think $189 million's still an awful lofty number,'' Girardi said. He acknowledged the Yankees will have to mix in players from their minor league teams to help remake the roster. Steinbrenner has expressed disappointment in the farm system after several players failed to produce when thrust into major league roles this year. But Girardi, the NL Manager of the Year in 2006 when he led a young Florida Marlins team to a 78-84 record in his first year as a manager, is hopeful. ''We want to see these guys move, and move quickly,'' Girardi said. ''And you'd like to be able to say you have a core again of young players, which I think would be important to this organization.'' CARDS and the single by Alvarez that looked to be a harmless inning-ending groundout before it hit the bag. Freese was a hometown hero in 2011, both the NLCS and World Series MVP. He singlehandedly got the Cardinals to Game 7 of that World Series with a two-run triple with two outs and two strikes in the ninth and then ended Game 6 with a leadoff homer in the 11th. The snapshot moment from the title run came when Freese joyously flung his helmet between the legs a few steps from the celebration waiting at the plate. At 23 years, 31 days, Cole was the youngest NL pitcher to start Game 5 of a division series and the fifth-youngest NL pitcher to start a winner-take-all postseason game, according to STATS. Counting the postseason, Cole didn't allow a homer in six straight starts. That ended when Freese connected for a 2-0 lead in the second. Starling Marte robbed Matt Carpenter of a hit with a diving catch near the left-field line in the third. Neil Walker drew a one-out walk in the first off Wainwright, who issued just 35 walks in the regular season for third-best in the majors and none in Game 1, but went no farther. Carpenter was perfectly positioned at second base to snare a soft liner by Alvarez, flipping to first for an easy double play. (Continued from page 1B) time even though his fastball hit 100 mph in the first inning against Matt Holliday. Freese made the kid pay for a full-count walk to Jon Jay with two outs in the second, lining a 1-2 pitch into the visitors' bullpen in left. The Pirates had the bullpen up in the fourth after Yadier Molina's infield hit and a throwing error put runners on second and third. Cole gave up just three hits over five innings, but was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the sixth. Freese struggled this season to overcome a back injury in spring training and had nine homers and 60 RBIs. But just like teammate Carlos Beltran, he's an October star with seven homers, 29 RBIs and a .325 average in 36 career postseason games. Adams' power hitting helped the Cardinals overcame a mid-foot sprain to cleanup man Allen Craig in early September and he hammered a first-pitch fastball from Melancon well over the right-field wall for his first RBIs of the series. The Pirates scratched out their lone run on two infield hits GRAY (Continued from page 1B) pitched him Game 2 so we'd have an option,'' Leyland said. ''We were in a pretty good comfort zone to pitch Verlander if necessary, and it was necessary because we had to win (Tuesday). We're comfortable any time Verlander goes out there.'' Both clubs chose to use Wednesday as a full day off without on-field workouts after two long flights in four days. Who to start was quite a choice for 2012 AL Manager of the Year Melvin, whose team is trying to avoid having the season end at the hands of Detroit for the third time in as many postseasons — last year and also a fourgame sweep by the Tigers in the 2006 AL championship series. The last time the A's won a winner-take-all postseason game was in Game 7 of the 1973 World Series against the New York Mets. Oakland has lost its last five Game 5s in the AL division series since 2000. The AL West champion A's know what's at stake — and realize full well the challenge of facing Verlander again. Last fall's frustrating finish is still fresh for everybody. ''We feel like this time we have a better chance to turn the tide,'' Melvin said. ''It's awfully tough to go out there each and every time and consistently beat a team in the fashion that he has with us.'' Verlander has hardly had the kind of dominant season like he had the past two years, including 2011 when he won both AL MVP and Cy Young Award honors. Yet that hardly affected Leyland's decision-making as he insisted Verlander's 13-12 record was hardly indicative of how well he pitched much of the season aside from a couple of rough stretches. Oakland rookie Stephen Vogt delivered a walk-off single in Saturday's win once Verlander was out of the game. But he also had a wild 10-pitch at-bat with Verlander in which the left-handed hitting catcher fouled off the first five pitches and seven in all before striking out to end the seventh. ''We can expect pretty much what we saw from him the other night. Hopefully he makes a couple mistakes and we're able to capitalize,'' Vogt said. ''It's a tough loss but we're not done. We still got one more game. We're not done.'' Neither are those 48,000plus fans with their swirling yellow rally towels packing the Coliseum. They are sure to be even more hyped up and fiery Thursday night after watching a disputed home run at Comerica Park in Tuesday's loss. On that play, a pair of fans reached out to grab the ball as right fielder Josh Reddick was leaping for it at the wall. The homer went to replay review and stood as a solo shot for Victor Martinez in the seventh. ''We just do it like we have been doing it all season long, we end up winning a pretty good ballgame and it's over, turn the page,'' Martinez said. ''We go to Oakland now and play another game. We all know it's a tough place to play ... we go to the next day and play a brand new ballgame and see what happens.'' McFadden, Jennings back at practice ALAMEDA (AP) — Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. McFadden practiced for the first since getting hurt in the first half of a game against Washington on Sept. 29. Jennings was also back at practice after hurting his hamstring in the first half Sunday night against San Diego. Both players were limited, but it was a good sign that they could get back on the field so early in the week. ''That was good,'' coach Dennis Allen said. ''I thought both of them looked pretty good in practice today in the reps that they took and hopefully we'll be able to have both of those guys during the game.'' Getting the running game going this week against Kansas City (5-0) will be a priority for the Raiders (2-3). The Chiefs are 30th in the league allowing 5.3 yards per carry while ranking tops in sacks with 21. The Chiefs have the top third-down defense in the NFL, allowing just 23.5 percent to be converted into first downs and have been particularly stingy in long yardage situations, allowing just 5 of 47 conversions on third and at least 6 yards. ''We've got to be able to stay ahead of the sticks,'' quarterback Terrelle Pryor said. ''You start getting into third-and-long situations against these guys and it's been tough sledding for a lot of teams this year, when you get in third-and-long situations. ''So we've got to be able to stay on schedule offensively, stay ahead of the sticks, and when we do get to third down, we've got to be able to convert.'' The Raiders want to be careful with McFadden, considering he has missed 24 games in five-plus seasons with a variety of injuries. With a week off next week, Oakland could choose to rest McFadden to make sure this hamstring injury doesn't linger. McFadden had good success against the Chiefs last season, rushing for more than 100 yards in each meeting. McFadden has been inconsistent this season. More than half of his 215 yards rushing have come on four carries against lowly Jacksonville on Sept. 15. On his other 49 attempts, McFadden is averaging 2.2 yards a carry. But the Raiders still want that big-play ability on the field. ''If I have the sidekick D-Mac with me we'll be good to go,'' Pryor said. ''I'd love to have D-Mac playing with me. That would take a lot of load off of me and the guys will be guessing.'' Jennings played well in McFadden's place against the Redskins, rushing for 45 yards and catching eight passes for 71 yards. He had 10 carries for 41 yards last week against the Chargers before the injury. ''We really can't wait to have us two as a one-two punch, both of us going,'' Jennings said. ''It will be fun.'' The Raiders have been one of the league's top rushing teams so far this season, ranking ninth with 130.8 yards per game and fourth with 4.7 yards per carry. They are also tied for the league lead with nine runs of at least 20 yards. Much of that success has been helped by the running of quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who leads the team with 229 yards rushing and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Pryor's proficiency running the read-option game makes it difficult for defenses to key on the running back, leading to holes for big gainers. ''I think having Terrelle Pryor back there helps our running game because he's a guy that teams have to account for; whether he's got the ball in his hands or not, teams have to account for him,'' Allen said. ''So, I thought that helped our run game.'' NOTES: RT Tony Pashos (groin) was back at practice after missing last week's game, while C Stefen Wisniewski (knee) remains sidelined. ... The Raiders signed DT Daniel Muir, who has played 46 career games with the New York Jets, Indianapolis and Green Bay. ... Oakland also re-signed OL Jack Cornell to the practice squad two days after cutting him from the active roster. ... Safety Charles Woodson was the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after tying the NFL record with his 13th career defensive TD on a fumble return and getting his 56th career INT. 49ERS (Continued from page 1B) undergoing surgery. Manningham is expected to return to practice next week while coach Jim Harbaugh hinted Crabtree could be back sometime in November. The drop-off without the two has been clear, however. Over the past three games only one wide receiver — Anquan Boldin — has caught more than two passes in a single game. Tight end Davis had three receptions against the Texans, but had just five for 38 yards in the three previous weeks. ''I think our guys are coming along fine,'' Harbaugh said when asked about the receivers. ''I feel good about the way they're working, the way they're preparing. When you work that hard, good things are going to happen.'' Note: The 49ers claimed QB McLeod Bethel-Johnson off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings and released journeyman backup quarterback John Skelton. A native of San Francisco, Bethel-Thompson has not played in an NFL regular-season game.