CHICAGO -- Anthony Rizzo was annoyed as he faced a sea of microphones before the Chicago Cubs first game following the All-Star break.The only people that are panicking about this team is the media, Rizzo said. Its been pretty negative all the comments coming out of everyones mouth, except in this clubhouse.A few hours later, the Cubs put together one of their best games of the season.Kyle Hendricks and four relievers combined on a five-hitter, Addison Russell had a two-run single to key a five-run sixth inning, and the Cubs beat the Texas Rangers 6-0 on Friday in a matchup of slumping division leaders.We pitched and really played defense today, manager Joe Maddon said. It was outstanding.The Cubs won for the seventh time in 22 games, while the Rangers lost their eighth in 10 games thanks to a rough sixth that included Prince Fielders throwing error.As Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester have struggled lately, Hendricks (8-6) has remained sharp. The former Rangers draft pick allowed three hits in six innings, lowering his ERA to 2.41.Only stars Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner have lower ERAs in the majors.Kyles one of the best pitchers in the National League right now and nobody is talking about it, Maddon said.Carl Edwards Jr. struck out two in a perfect seventh and Travis Wood, Pedro Strop and Justin Grimm combined for the final six outs in Chicagos eighth shutout.Russells bases-loaded hit in the sixth was followed by pinch-hitter Matt Szczurs two-run single against Martin Perez (7-6).One of the runs was unearned after Fielder fired a throw high and wide of third in a rare start at first base due to interleague play.The sixth inning got away from us, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. I felt like Martin was still making good pitches, still had life on his pitches. We just didnt help him out.The Cubs, who entered percentage points ahead of Texas for the second-best record in the majors behind San Francisco, had seven hits on an unseasonably cool, drizzly day with the wind blowing in.The breeze kept Rizzos drive to right in the park in the sixth that helped load the bases and extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Two batters later Russell came through.Took a few days off and came back and felt great, Russell said.Albert Almora Jr. added two fine catches in center field, Ben Zobrist made a nifty play at third and catcher Willson Contreras threw out Rougned Odor stealing second.We played poorly the last three weeks or so and showed our vulnerability and humanity as a team, Cubs president Theo Epstein said. In the long run that might be a good thing because it means we know how hard we have to work and how well we have to play to get where we want to go.TRAINERS ROOMRangers: LHP Jake Diekman, who cut his left index finger on a beer mug earlier this month in Boston, was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Its retroactive to July 6. ... RHP Keone Kela (elbow) was activated. ... LF Shin-Soo Choo (back) was out of the lineup. Ryan Rua replaced him, while Odor led off.Cubs: OF Dexter Fowler (hamstring) isnt expected back before the end of next week. ... C David Ross was activated off the seven-day concussion list. ... RHP Trevor Cahill (right knee tendinitis) was placed on the 15-day DL. ... OF Jorge Soler (hamstring) could start a rehab assignment soon. ... RHP Adam Warren returned to the bullpen, but could make another spot start.PHONES BUSYEpstein said they had a few things going on, but didnt get anything done regarding trades during the All-Star break. The Cubs are seeking bullpen help, while the Rangers want starting pitching.PEREZS HITPerez recorded his first major league hit with a swinging bunt toward third base in the second. He had been 0 for 9. Perez was charged with five runs in 5 2/3 innings.NICE LOOKFormer Cubs and Rangers pitcher Ryan Dempster sported giant glasses and a white wig in an impressive Harry Caray impersonation while leading the crowd during the seventh inning stretch.UP NEXTRangers RHP Yu Darvish (2-0, 2.87 ERA) returns from the disabled list and starts Saturday against Cubs RHP Jason Hammel (7-5, 3.46). Darvish is expected to throw 85-90 pitches. Dominik Hasek Gear . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. Gilbert Perreault Gear . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. http://www.buffalosabresgear.com/ . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. Rene Robert Gear . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. Thomas Vanek Gear . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. Always B Miki broke the tie with Wiggle It Jiggleit in dramatic fashion to win the $421,000 Breeders Crown for older pacers on Friday night at The Meadowlands.The race played out mostly as expected with Wiggle It Jiggleit gunning off the wings of the gate to make an easy lead ahead of Always B Miki. Driver Montrell Teague was able to rate through a 27-1/5 opening quarter and 55-1/5 half before Always B Miki pulled the pocket and the race truly began.In a 27-second third quarter, Wiggle It Jiggleit and Always B Miki locked up in a fierce battle. Wiggle It Jiggleit appeared to have the advantage having rated the fractions and having saved the ground along the inside, but Miki was resilient. The pair were in tight quarters through the lane as Wiggle It Jiggleit was clearly bearing out into his foe and had some trouble pacing a straight line. Ultimately it didnt matter.As the wire approached, Always B Miki surged past Wiggle It Jiggleit and clearly stamped himself as the top older pacer in North America for at least a couple of weeks.Im speechless, said trainer Jimmy Takter in the winners circle. People here at the Meadowlands, for entertainment, to see two great horses fighting side by side down the stretch, for me it was one of the best races Ive seen.Driver David Miller heaped ppraise on Always B Miki.dddddddddddd Hes a tough horse. He shows up and hes determined to get his head up there.Teague was happy with his horses effort but admitted to have some issues on the track. I was happy with my horse, said the driver. My horse got on the left line a little bit and the wind played a factor. Even with all those problems, my horse put in a big effort.Always B Miki returned $3.20 to win and keyed a short $4.80 exacta with the second choice Wiggle It Jiggleit. Shamballa finished third.For Always B Miki, owned by Bluewood Stable, Roll The Dice Stable and Christina Takter, it was his 11th win in 17 starts this year. The son of Always A Virgin-Artstopper has now earned $1.29 million on the year. The 5-year-old, who also won the Crown for older horses last year, will retire to stud duty at Diamond Creek Farms when his season ends.While Always B Miki took a four-to-three head-to-head lead over Wiggle It Jiggleit with this victory, both horses are expected to renew their rivalry on November 12 at the Meadowlands in the TVG Final.Two weeks from now, I hope everybody will come back to see his last appearance in the TVG, said Jimmy Takter. Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jersyes Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '