Konsolen Treiber » coach, Chauncey Billups offered a preview

CLEVELAND -- Chris Colabello isnt taking a single moment in the majors for granted. After spending seven seasons playing independent ball in Canada, Colabello has finally made the big time and hes savoring every pitch, every swing and every game. And so far, hes made the most of each one. Colabello drove in four runs to raise his AL-leading total to 11, Brian Dozier scored three times and the Minnesota Twins outslugged the Cleveland Indians 10-7 on Sunday to take two of three games in the series. Colabello, who spent 2005 to 2011 paying his dues in the Canadian-American Association before signing with the Twins in 2012, broke a 6-6 tie with a three-run double in the sixth inning off Blake Wood (0-1). The 30-year-old Colabello also had an RBI single in the fourth as the Twins concluded a season-opening road trip before playing their home opener Monday. "Its awesome," Colabello said of his fast start. "Every day I get to spend in the big leagues is awesome, regardless of how many hits I get or production. Obviously, its nice to help the team and contribute. Its been exciting. Its fun to wake up every morning and do my job." Joe Mauer had three hits and scored twice for the Twins, who took advantage of wildness by Cleveland pitchers. Of Minnesotas 10 runs, seven were set up by either a walk or hit batter. Anthony Swarzak (1-0) picked up the win in relief of Twins starter Ricky Nolasco, and Glen Perkins worked a perfect ninth for his second save. "It was a crazy game," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "A lot of stuff happened. Im glad we won." David Murphy had four hits, Jason Kipnis had three RBIs and Yan Gomes hit a two-run homer for Cleveland. Indians starter Justin Masterson didnt get through four innings, but got his second straight no-decision. He pitched seven shutout innings at Oakland on opening day. After the Indians rallied from a 6-2 deficit on Kipnis three-run double in the fourth and Murphys RBI double in the fifth, the Twins loaded the bases in the sixth when Wood walked Dozier, put Mauer on intentionally and then hit Jason Bartlett. Colabello, who turned down a $1 million offer this winter to play in Korea, then cleared the bags. Gardenhire is impressed with how well Colabello, who was the International League MVP and played in 55 games for the Twins last season, has adapted. "Coming into the spring he had a chance to go overseas and make some pretty good money," Gardenhire said. "He elected to stay here because he wanted to play in the big leagues. Its worked out for him. Hes taken full advantage. Its a good story. " Masterson lasted only 3 2-3 innings, allowing five runs and seven hits. He walked three, hit two and needed 97 pitches to get 11 outs. It wasnt the type of performance the Indians are accustomed to from their No. 1 starter, who couldnt reach agreement on a long-term contract during talks with the club during spring training. "It seemed like it was one of those days in general," Masterson said. "You want to make some adjustments, but it just didnt happen." Bartlett was forced to play in the outfield for just the second time as a pro, and a had rough day. Bartlett, who was brought in after Josh Willingham was hit in the wrist by Masterson, misplayed the carom off the angled outfield wall on Kipnis double, couldnt handle a sinking liner to left-centre and was hit by a pitch. "Goodness gracious, the wind was brutal out there in left field," Gardenhire said. "It was a tough one for him, but we had no choice. Weve got a couple of infielders who have to play the outfield in those situations. We have to figure something out." NOTES: Gardenire received dozens of text messages after getting his 1,000th career win on Saturday. Former players such as Joe Nathan, Torii Hunter and Jim Thome all checked in, but Gardenhire joked he was disappointed not to hear from the First Fan. "The President didnt call," he said. "But I know Mr. Obama is a White Sox fan." ... X-rays on Willinghams wrist were negative. The Twins were already down one outfielder because Oswaldo Arcia missed his second straight game with a sore wrist. Gardenhire said Arcia will be evaluated Monday. ... Mauer was 4 for 21 entering the day. Ken Daneyko Jersey . So far, so good: Gonzalez has allowed one run through 12 innings this season. His second start came Tuesday night, when he gave up only three singles over six innings to lead the Nationals to a 5-0 victory over the Miami Marlins. New Jersey Devils Jerseys . -- Hal Steinbrenner says Alex Rodriguez is "a great player" and "obviously an asset," but the New York Yankees managing general partner wouldnt discuss the third basemans possible return to the team following a season-long suspension. http://www.devilssale.com/authentic-martin-brodeur-devils-jersey/ . In his first game with Boston University, the 17-year-old Eichel picked up five assists as his Boston University Terriers thumped St. Jamie Langenbrunner Jersey . Colorado came up big against Chicago last spring, and repeated that performance Tuesday night. Varlamov stopped 36 shots and Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche in a 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks. Custom New Jersey Devils Jerseys . Still, Inter moved one point ahead of Parma in the race for fifth place and the final Europa League spot. Udinese remained 14th, 11 points above the relegation zone. Inter was beaten 2-1 by Atalanta at home on Sunday and has won only seven of 16 matches at the San Siro this season, as the squad seems to still be searching for its identity under new owner Erick Thohir and first-year manager Walter Mazzarri.AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Hours before John Loyer made his debut as Detroits interim coach, Chauncey Billups offered a preview. "Hes always very energetic at all times," Billups said. "I dont know what were going to do in second halves because he wont have a voice. He always loses his voice in the first half." Billups assessment was spot on, at least through one game. Loyer coached the Pistons to a 109-100 win over San Antonio on Monday, yelling out instructions in a raspy voice from the sideline on a night his team led comfortably for the entire second half. It was an immediate contrast to the mild-mannered Maurice Cheeks, the coach the Pistons fired a day earlier. Of course, sideline demeanours can be deceiving -- and Loyer was careful not to take too much credit for the teams sharp performance against the Spurs. "Its not about me," he said. "Im just glad our guys played hard." Loyer was in his third season as an assistant for the Pistons when he was abruptly promoted after Cheeks dismissal. He was a holdover from Lawrence Franks staff, remaining in the fold after Cheeks was hired last off-season. Loyer has also been an assistant for the New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers. The Pistons scored 26 points off turnovers against San Antonio and led by as many as 23. "Certain events happened that are beyond our control, but we were able to come out and focus on playing basketball," forward Josh Smith said. "We came out with a big win against a great team." Loyer takes over the Pistons at a time when patience is growing thin. Detroit signed Smith and traded for Brandon Jennings in the off-season, bbut the results have been mixed at best.dddddddddddd Even after beating San Antonio, the Pistons are 22-29. They were tied for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference entering Tuesday night. Detroit had won four of six when Cheeks was let go, so its hard to tell if the win Monday could be attributed at all to the coaching change. Jennings played well for Loyer -- just as he did in the last couple games under Cheeks. "The last four out of six, weve still been playing the same way," Jennings said after the win over San Antonio. "Were just trying to keep it going." Cheeks, a former point guard, was given the task of mentoring Jennings, but Jennings says he can still look to Billups for veteran guidance. Jennings performance down the stretch may make or break Detroits playoff chances. Jennings made a point of saying that Cheeks was like a father figure to him, but he hopes to stay in the offensive groove hes found over the past few games. "Im back to having fun, instead of just taking everything so personally and thinking about too much," Jennings said. "Im just hooping." Detroit hosts Cleveland on Wednesday, then plays a home-and-home with Charlotte -- another team in the mix for the post-season in the East. So the Pistons will have a chance to build on their recent success and create some positive vibes right away for their new coach. "Change for changes sake doesnt do much," Loyer said. "Anybody can change. We need positive change, and I thought our guys came out and had great effort (Monday night), great determination. You try to set a little bit of a tone every day. Thankfully, our guys, they set the tone." 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