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On paper - at least you would think - the 2013 edition of the Blue Jays was better than last years version. I know I still think player for player this years team is better. But on July 5 a year ago, John Farrells Blue Jays were 42-41, sitting four games back of the Angels and the first Wild Card spot and only two-and-a-half behind the Angels and the second Wild Card position. The 2012 squad had scored 417 runs and given up just 393 for a plus-24 runs differential. But of course we all know it went completely downhill after that as the Jays went 31-48 the rest of the way. The interesting thing about last years races in the American League is that Detroit and Oakland both had identical 41-42 records on July 5, yet both ignited shortly after that and went on to win the Central and West divisions, respectively. The 2013 Jays under John Gibbons as mentioned are three games under .500 heading into game action on July 5. They have only scored 390 runs, 27 fewer than a year ago and have given up 400, seven more than last season. Certainly losing the left half of their infield, Jose Reyes and Brett Lawrie, has factored in and having just two starting pitchers in R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle who have avoided the disabled list plays a part but the Yankees have suffered even more injuries and are still holding their own at 46-39, five games up on Toronto. If the Blue Jays stay roughly where they are, dont look for any salvation at the non-waiver trade deadline. It would make no sense to give up any more of the future for a quick fix. The more likely scenario would be to see a couple of veterans dealt off to contenders. Casey Janssen has done an incredible job as the closer. But with the depth of the pen, and the development of Brett Cecil into a standout set-up man, you wonder if Janssen might not indeed by dangled in front of a top contender in need of a closer, such as Detroit or Boston, or even the Dodgers, who have crept back into the race in the NL West. L.A. dealt for the Cubs Carlos Marmol earlier this week so they have to be desperate. Unusual Streak Arizonas lead in the NL West has shrunk to three games over Colorado and three-and-a-half on L.A. Thats in large part because of a bizarre run by their starting rotation. The D-Backs didnt get a single victory from a start from June 5 through Wednesday of this week when Randall Delgado pitched seven strong innings in a 5-3 win over the Mets. The next day, the 4th of July, they needed 15 innings to beat the Mets 5-4 and again the starter did not get the victory. So a new streak begins. Thomes Farewell This story didnt get much mention this week, and that surprised me. One of the great home run sluggers of all-time, Jim Thome, joined the front office of the Chicago White Sox as a special assistant to general manager Rick Hahn. Thome never officially retired and in fact wanted to play, at least as a DH this season at age 42 if anyone had called. If Thome never plays another game, he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer and winds up his career with 612 homers, No. 7 on the all-time list. There will always be two home runs hit by Thome, that I witnessed in person, that I will never forget. The first was a titanic blast off Pat Hentgen at Rogers Centre (SkyDome then) that went into Windows Restaurant in dead centre. The other came last season when he was with the Phillies. Thome was playing first base that day because Ryan Howard was hurting. It was June 18 and Brett Cecil was making his first start of the season for the Jays after getting called back up from triple-A Las Vegas. Thome hit a solo shot early in the game, ripping one to right field as I recall for his 608th career dinger. It also made him just the fourth player to hit 100 homers for three different teams - joining Alex Rodriguez, Reggie Jackson and Darrell Evans. I remember at the time thinking maybe this will be the last homer he ever hits. But it wasnt. He slugged four more by the time he wound up last season with Baltimore. Definitely, Thomes most memorable homer last season came a few days after that shot in Toronto. He hit a walk-off pinch-hit homer, the first of his career to give the Phillies a 7-6 win over Tampa Bay. It was his 609th dinger and tied him with Sammy Sosa on the all-time list. It also provided his manager and good friend Charlie Manuel with his 900th career victory. There was a little side bar story to this as well. Jonathan Papelbon blew a save in that game. Just before Thome was due to bat, Papelbon told him he would give him $5000 right then and there if Thome hit a home run to win the game. Thome delivered and Papelbon cut him the cheque right after the game. As mentioned, that was Jim Thomes 13th walk-off homer. That is the all-time Major League record, one more than Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle and Frank Robinson who all had 12. Not only a great player, but a great man, and its great to see him stay in the game. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Free Shipping .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Wholesale NFL Jerseys . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. http://www.cheapwholesalejerseysnfl.com/ .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . The 28-year-old from Calgary matched his career best after missing just one shot in his two rounds of shooting in the mens 10-kilometre sprint competition. Smith finished in 23 minutes 15. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys For Sale . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league.Baltimore Ravens scored 25 unanswered points to beat the Cleveland Browns 28-7 and maintain top spot in the AFC North. After taking the lead in the second quarter, the Browns were shutout by the Ravens number two ranked defence, and Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco added three second-half touchdowns to give his side their fifth win of the season. The worst team ever? The 2016 Cleveland Browns are 0-10, but how do they compare to the worst of all time? In 140 Characters... History repeats itself as Ravens comeback to beat Browns. Cleveland open season with 10 losses for first time in franchise history.MVPBaltimore captain C.J Mosley led the team in tackles with five, as the defence contained Cleveland to just 33 yards rushing. It was the linebacker who, when they met in week two, made a fourth-quarter interception to win the game. Inside linebacker C.J. Mosley had another good game as the Ravens improve to 5-4 Game-changerThe benching of quarterback Cody Kessler didnt change the game for the positive tonight, but it may affect the rookies confidence for the rest of the season.Head coach Hue Jackson said he needed a spark, but the timing seemed odd with the Browns less than a score down. The spark never came, and Josh McCowns showing did nothing to improve the fortunes of this franchise. Josh McCown was brought in to create Stat of the night119 - Since the start of his career, Kessler has thrown just one interception, in week four against Washington. Since then, the QB has gone 119 passes without a pick. McCown registered two within just eight pass attempts after coming on tonight. Graves predictions v Panthers This week Sky Sports News HQ reporter Richard Graves takes on our resident Carolina Panthers fan. Scoring Summary 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter CLE 0-3 BAL FG - J. Tucker 25 yd CLE 7-3 BAL TD - S. DeValve 25 yd pass - C. Kessler CLE 7-6 BAL FG - J. Tucker 40 yd 3rd Quarter CLE 7-13 BAL TD - D.dddddddddddd Waller 4 yd pass - J. Flacco Extra point - J. Tucker CLE 7-21 BAL TD - S. Smith Sr. 11 yd pass - J. Flacco Two point conversion - K. Juszczyk 4th Quarter CLE 7-28 BAL TD - B. Perriman 27 yd pass - J. Flacco Extra point - J. Tucker The gameIt was a slow start for both sides with neither offence able to put together a drive longer than 48 yards in the first quarter. Baltimore came closest when, at the Browns 34-yard line, Flaccos pass intended for Steve Smith was intercepted just short of the end zone.The Ravens opened the scoring with a field goal before Cleveland responded, Kessler throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to fourth-round rookie tight end Seth DeValve.With time expiring at the end of the first half, Justin Tucker scored his second field goal of the night, to leave the Ravens trailing 7-6. However, they took the lead on their first drive of the second half, Darren Waller completing a 64-yard drive to give Flacco his mannequin challenge opportunity. Quarterback Joe Flacco showed off his mannequin challenge attempt after a touchdown pass to Darren Waller Rookie QB Kessler was benched following a three and out, but veteran McCown failed to improve the Browns fortunes, throwing an interception on his first drive. Steve Smith added an 11-yard touchdown score, before McCown threw another interception to Ravens safety Eric Weddle, who returned the pick for 38 yards. This time Flacco took advantage of the poor throw, driving downfield before a 27-yard touchdown pass to Breshad Perriman sealed the game. Wide receiver Breshad Perriman scored the games third touchdown, putting the game beyond Cleveland It was a tough loss to take for Browns head coach Hue Jackson, who saw his team give up 25 points to the Ravens in week two. The coach also has a decision to make about his quarterback, after saying he didnt want to play musical chairs at the position.The Ravens strengthen their case for a post-season spot and put the pressure on Pittsburgh, who face the Dallas Cowboys this weekend. It wasnt the most convincing performance from Flacco and the offence, but the defence limited Clevelands anaemic attack to just 144 total yards. 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