Forenregeln » Giants put together a few hits this time,

Four days after being praised as a hero for helping Russia win its first gold at the Sochi Olympics, Evgeni Plushenko was taking criticism Friday for dropping out of the mens figure skating. Plushenkos strong performance in the team event brought wide accolades for his determination to overcome injury. But on Thursday he withdrew before the mens short program, complaining of severe spinal pain during the warmup. Plushenko was Russias only men singles skater in Sochi. He won the slot in a closed exhibition skate that cut out Maxim Kovtun, who beat him in the Russian nationals. Among his critics was longtime rival Alexei Yagudin, the 2002 Olympic gold medalist. He told the R-Sport news agency he supports "people who go to the end." "I think Zhenya will understand my words," he said, using the familiar version of Plushenkos name. "We always competed through the pain." The choice of Plushenko as the sole Russian man was debatable. Although he was the dominant skater the past 15 years, with an Olympic gold and two silvers before coming to Sochi, he is 31-years-old and underwent back surgery a year ago. When he was selected, advocates argued his long international experience made him a stronger choice than the 18-year-old Kovtun. Decision comes under fire But that came under sharp questioning Friday. "You should go when its time," Ruslan Nugmatullin, a former Russian national soccer goalkeeper said on Twitter. "Kovtun earned the right to participate in Sochi2014." Alexei Urmanov, the 1994 Olympic gold-medal winner, suggested that Plushenkos hubris backfired. "Its on the conscience of Zhenya, the team and the federation," he was quoted by R-Sport. To some politicians, Plushenkos withdrawal was a blow to Russias national pride. "Perform through the pain for the honor of the country," Igor Lebedev, a parliament member from the nationalist Liberal Democrats, said on Twitter. Elena Vaitsekhovskaya, the figure skating correspondent for Russias Sport-Express newspaper, seemed weary not only of the intrigue behind Plushenkos selection but also of the appearances of his flamboyant wife, Yana Rudkovskaya, in the mixed zone to support him. "All of this was reminiscent of an incompetently directed stage show," she wrote. "It became harder and harder to sympathize with the athlete." "The one-man show in Sochi has concluded. Real sport has begun," she said in the newspapers Friday edition. But more complaints may still come. "After Sochi, the federation will have to answer for its choice," nationalist lawmaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky said. Shoes Black Friday Deals 2020 .ca presents a week long look at some of the teams and stories that will shape the up coming campaign. Discount Shoes Black Friday . Brooks replaces right-hander Yordano Ventura, who left his last outing with a sore elbow. Ventura is expected to miss one start. Brooks has made one relief appearance for the Royals this season, allowing six runs in two innings in a May 3 loss to Detroit. https://www.cheapshoesblackfriday.com/ . Brazilian striker Brandao opened the scoring with a header in the 55th minute before winger Franck Tabanou volleyed home from close range to double the lead in the 61st. China Shoes Black Friday . DeGrom outpitched Jake Peavy in a tantalizing hitless duel that carried into the seventh inning Saturday night before the New York Mets broke loose and beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2. Fake Shoes Black Friday . Unfortunately for Toronto, that surge was too much to handle as the Stars scored six straight goals and ended the Marlies season with a 6-2 victory on Tuesday. Toronto had built a 2-0 lead on goals by Frazer McLaren and Peter Holland, but Texas charged back with a wild rally late in the second period to spark its trip to the Calder Cup final.SAN FRANCISCO -- Doug Fister said he never thought about what played out his last time in San Francisco once he took the mound again at AT&T Park, except for how to approach the familiar foes at the plate. The right-hander turned in a solid performance each game -- and this time he got the result he wanted. Fister flipped the script from his previous start in San Francisco during the 2012 World Series, tossing seven scoreless innings to help the Washington Nationals beat Madison Bumgarner and the Giants 2-1 on Tuesday night. "Its still part of how I attack a hitter or two," Fister said. "There are some of the same guys that are over there now. Some of that experience came through and determined what I chose to throw." Bumgarner and the Giants foiled Fister and the Detroit Tigers 2-0 in Game 2 of their World Series sweep. The rematch, albeit on a regular-season stage with a different team, played out in Fisters favour. Jayson Werth and Denard Span each drove in a run during a two-run fifth to snap Bumgarners career-best, six-game winning streak. Werth also threw out a runner at the plate from right field in the sixth. Fister (5-1) allowed eight hits, struck out three and walked one for his fifth straight win. "It was a constant battle tonight," Fister said, "but we were able to do what we wanted to do." Brandon Crawford tripled leading off the ninth and scored on Brandon Hicks groundout for San Franciscos only run. Tyler Clippard escaped a jam in the eighth and Rafael Soriano rebounded in the ninth for his 13th save. Washington has won three in a row and nine of 11. "The Giants have certainly made a habit of coming back and coming back late," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "They put together some pretty good at-bats late and gave themselves a chance. We were able to get it tonight, but you dont want to mess with that too much." The Nationals stopped San Franciscos five-game winning streak with a 9-2 victory in Mondays series opener. And they continued to slow down the team with the best record in baseball by beating its hottest pitcher on a windy, chilly night in San Franciscos waterfront ballpark. Sppan drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Werth singled home another against Bumgarner in the fifth.dddddddddddd That was all Washington needed to end Bumgarners winning streak. Bumgarner (8-4) allowed eight hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked one intentionally. The tall left-hander with the deceptive fastball was selected NL player of the month for May after going 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA. He hadnt lost since April 28 against San Diego. "Theyve got a well-rounded team," Bumgarner said. "It comes down to whether they execute or not, but theyve definitely got the talent over there." It was a far better feeling for Fister than his last start in San Francisco, which came on a warm October evening in 2012. He was struck squarely in the head by Gregor Blancos line drive in the World Series, a ball hit so hard it caromed into shallow centre field, though the 6-foot-8 pitcher appeared unhurt and stayed in the game. Every time the Giants put together a few hits this time, Fister flexed his best stuff -- and so did his new club. In the third, San Francisco put two runners on before Buster Posey struck out. Pablo Sandoval, who finished with three hits and a walk, and Michael Morse singled to start the fourth before Fister induced three consecutive flyouts. In the sixth, Sandoval doubled and tried to score on Crawfords two-out single to right. Instead, Werth charged in to field the hard-hit ball and easily threw out the portly Sandoval at the plate. Clippard allowed two baserunners with one out in the eighth before completing his 20th consecutive scoreless inning. NOTES: Nationals C Wilson Ramos left in the eighth with right hamstring tightness. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday. ... Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon returned to the lineup after sitting out the past three games with a sore right hand. He singled twice, struck out and flied out. ... Giants RHP Santiago Casilla, on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, is scheduled to toss one inning at Class-A San Jose on Thursday and two innings Saturday. ... Matt Cain (1-3, 3.52 ERA) starts for San Francisco against Washingtons Tanner Roark (4-4, 2.91) on Wednesday night. ' ' '