ard for the final out in the 10th, and struck out in the 13th before driving in the go-ahead run.SO UNUSUALThe last time a Cubs pitcher pl

Weve all been talking about the importance of bowling quicker on a slow Indian pitch like Kanpur. The importance of bowling quicker in the air cant be overstated because once the pitch gets slower, its considerably easier for the batsman to negate deviation off the surface. So much so that even if you misread the length and go forward to a short ball or go back to the full ball, theres time to change your shot and offer a defensive stroke. But how easy or tough is it to bowl quicker? Also, how quick must you bowl without compromising the guile in the air and accuracy on the pitch? Talking to Ashwin at the end of third day, he said while its critical to bowl quicker, its more important to know your optimum pace and how quick is not too quick for you. For Jadeja, bowling quicker isnt an issue because his action and body are tuned to bowling at a much faster pace. Thats not the case with Sodhi or Craig and therefore their attempt to bowl quicker leads to bowling either too full or too short too often.56.1 and 56.2 - Santner v VijayWe witnessed a new tactic from Williamson on day four. He had always placed a midwicket for Mitchell Santner but on the fourth day, he chose to leave the area vacant. Theres enough turn available on the pitch to challenge the batsmen to go against spin but for this plan to work, the line must stay within the stumps. In fact, it wouldnt have been a bad idea to pitch a little outside leg occasionally but keeping it on a good-length area - too short or too full would make it easier for the batsman to work it in that area. In the first 30 balls that Santner bowled, Indias batsmen left alone 11 deliveries, which shows that the line was a little outside off. But two balls changed it all: first ball of the 57th over pitched on the leg stump and spun viciously. Vijay defended the ball well but the doubts arose. Next ball was a little outside off but the turn off the previous ball prompted Vijay to plant the front foot slightly across. This one didnt spin. The ball that didnt take Vijays wicket was more important than the one that did, and it happens very often in Tests.70.3 - Pujaras dismissal On the fourth day, Sodhi went around the stumps for the first time and immediately got the scalp of Pujara. The ball pitched outside leg stump - in the footmarks of the bowlers, spun and found the outside edge of Pujaras defensive bat. The dismissal brought to the fore another interesting aspect of modern day batting. The law states that if the ball pitches outside the leg stump, you cant be given out irrespective of the fact if youve offered a shot or not. Kicking balls pitching outside leg is also a habit, which gets developed if you do it quite often. Since Pujaras defensive shot wouldnt have produced a run, there wasnt any harm in just offering the pad. Incidentally, Pujara isnt alone - no one has employed this tactic in this match thus far. In the first three and a half days, spinners from both sides have bowled a fair amount of deliveries in the rough outside the batsmans leg stump but only three of those were offered the pad.88.4 and 88.5 - Santner to RahaneThe same sequence that happened with Vijay repeated itself but in the opposite order: straight ball followed by the one that spun. The straighter one hit the pads that led to a vociferous appeal, almost forcing Rahane to plant the leg straighter and push with hands off the following ball. Once again, the ball that led to the wicket was more important than the one that fetched the wicket. Just that its really difficult to stitch such deliveries together.The futility of yorkers without paceSince reverse swing has been missing, yorkers have been rare too. Theres been 93 overs from seamers in this match so far but weve seen only three yorkers. Wagner has bowled all three. The batsman in me was wondering the futility of such a tactic. After all, a yorker will take the pitch out of the equation completely. Thats when a chat with Zaheer cleared my doubts. He was of the opinion that unless theres reverse swing available, most medium-pacers are likely to stay away from yorkers. Only the fast bowlers - who bowl in the high 140s - are expected to use their extra pace as a weapon in spite of the lack of swing in the air. Verdict: For a yorker to be effective, you either need the extra pace or some lateral movement in the air.Guptills mental skepticismThe way a batsman approaches the innings on a turning pitch is a good indicator of his mindset. While its advisable to have a positive outlook, its imperative to give yourself some time. Guptill had played only four balls before attempting a heave off R Ashwin, a shot that suggested that he was a little too concerned about the impending turn and bounce. When you walk into bat on a rapidly deteriorating pitch, you tend to feel that its unlikely to get easier and therefore you try to force the pace yourself. And it happens more often on a dust bowl than on a green top, even though both pitches pose the same threat. Its a little tough to remind yourself that it does get easier if you manage to stick around (youd need some luck to do so) for a few overs. Since homegrown Asian batsmen dont react in the same hasty manner, its fair to assume that it has something to do with the confidence you have in your own game against spinners. Patrick Kane Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Tony Esposito Jersey . Louis Blues teammates who would also be participating in the Olympics, Alex Pietrangelo felt right at home, no different in some ways to the travel experience of any old road trip – save for the length of the journey, that is. http://www.officialblackhawksfanstore.com/authentic-bobby-hull-blackhawks-jersey/ . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. Martin Havlat Blackhawks Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Clark Griswold Blackhawks Jersey . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. CINCINNATI -- Manager Joe Maddons move was so wacky that even his own players laughed. And when it worked better than anyone could have imagined, the Cubs were celebrating again.Kris Bryant singled home the tiebreaking run in the 15th inning, and Maddon used three pitchers in left field while Chicago beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-2 on Tuesday night in the longest game of the season for both teams.With the Cubs out of position players, relievers Travis Wood and Spencer Patton (1-0) alternated between left field and the mound in the 14th inning, which ended with Patton getting the final out. Wood then finished it off with reliever Pedro Strop in left.When I went out there to do it originally, the infielders were kind of giggling, said Maddon, who had never done anything like it as a manager.It worked perfectly as things started falling in place for the Cubs again.Bryants only hit on Tuesday -- a single off J.J. Hoover (1-2) -- snapped the tie. Javier Baez added a grand slam in the 15th, the sixth career allowed by Hoover, which is a Reds record. Then it was just a matter of figuring out how to finish it off.For the left fielder to pitch to one batter and then go back -- yeah, thats crazy, Baez said. But we had fun.The National Leagues top team went 1-6 last week but has pulled out of the downturn by winning the first two games of a series against the Reds. The Cubs hit five homers -- three by Bryant -- while taking the opener 11-8.Eugenio Suarez singled home the tying run with two outs in the ninth off Hector Rondon, his third blown save in 16 chances, setting the game on its meandering course.There were a lot of instances that suggest things were going to go our way, but we werent able to get it done, Reds manager Bryan Price said. Thats a tough one, a really tough one.Maddon had talked to Wood about playing left field in such a circumstance. The reliever hadnt played outfield since high school, but takes fly balls during batting practice to stay ready. None of the Reds hit the ball to left field with a Cubs reliever out there, which was a disappointment for Wood.It was definitely interesting, a lot of fun, Wood said.dddddddddddd. I would have liked to have recorded an out.Ben Zobrist led off the game with a homer off left-hander John Lamb. Left-hander Jon Lester singled home another run and allowed only one hit until the eighth inning, when Billy Hamilton homered. The Cubs closer couldnt hold on.A lot of the focus Tuesday was on Bryant, who was coming off a historic performance.Bryant became the first major league player to hit three homers and two doubles in a game on Monday night. He set a Cubs record with 16 total bases and became the youngest Cubs player to hit three homers in a game since Ernie Banks did it in 1955, also at the age of 24.Bryant broke his three-homer bat the first time up on Tuesday, cracking it on a groundout. The bat boy retrieved it and took it to the Major League Baseball authenticator, who labeled the bat and safely stored it. Bryant flied out, walked twice, fouled out with two runners aboard for the final out in the 10th, and struck out in the 13th before driving in the go-ahead run.SO UNUSUALThe last time a Cubs pitcher played the outfield was 2009 when Sean Marshall was in left.TRAINERS ROOMReds: RHP Homer Bailey felt fine a day after throwing an inning in his first rehab start. Bailey, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery 13 months ago, is expected to pitch again on Saturday. ... 2B Brandon Phillips fouled a ball off the inside of his left foot in the first inning. He fouled another pitch off the same foot in his next at-bat and got hit in the left side by a pitch from Rondon in the ninth.UP NEXTCubs: Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 2.76) is 1-5 with a 3.79 ERA in seven road starts this season. Hes 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA in seven home games.Reds: Cody Reed (0-1, 6.75) makes his third career start. In his first appearance at Great American Ball Park last Friday, he gave up five runs in five innings of a 13-4 loss to the Padres.---Follow Joe Kay on Twitter: http://twitter.com/apjoekay ' ' '