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WASHINGTON -- Speaking to reporters moments after losing his opening match at the Citi Open, John Isner swore, gave clipped answers and complained that he and fellow American Steve Johnson played on a secondary court instead of in the main stadium. Isner, a two-time runner-up at the hard-court tuneup for the U.S. Open, hit 29 aces but failed to earn a single break point and was beaten by the 68th-ranked Johnson 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-6 (6) on Wednesday night. Seeded No. 5 in Washington and ranked No. 12 overall -- the highest American man by nearly 50 spots -- Isner bowed out quickly after winning a hard-court title in Atlanta last week. "I didnt like playing out there," Isner said of being placed on Grandstand 1, instead of the nearby larger arena, where he contested the finals in 2007 and last year. "I just didnt think I deserved to play on that court," he added. "Simple as that." Asked what about the main stadium helps him, Isner replied: "Its just a better court." "I like my chances better on centre court, but he beat me fair and square," said Isner, who had a first-round bye. Johnson only converted 1 of 2 break points, but that was enough to reach the third round. Isner erased one match point at 6-5 in the third-set tiebreaker, but at 6-all, he double-faulted, then smacked a ball out of the court. Given a second opportunity to close it, Johnson did. As for the court assignment, Johnson said the tournaments international TV partners chose to have higher-seeded men from other countries -- No. 1 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, No. 2 Milos Raonic of Canada and No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan, who all beat American opponents Wednesday -- play in the 4, 6 and 8 p.m. time slots on the Stadium Court. Isner was given the option of playing there in the days last match -- probably starting at about 10 p.m. -- or instead shifting to the smaller court, but with an earlier start time. "Its a pretty intimate court. People are right on you," Johnson said. "I thought it was kind of a bummer, because (Isner) deserves to be on the big stage. But Im not in control of that." In a statement relayed via a spokesperson, tournament director Jeff Newman said: "Many factors are at play in scheduling decisions, including domestic and international television, and many more. As a player who has played so well here in the past, we can appreciate its a tough loss (for Isner), but credit to Steve Johnson for the win." Raonic, a Wimbledon semifinalist from Thornhill, Ont., was tested by 60th-ranked Jack Sock but took the last six points of the first set, and the last five points of the second to win 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3). Vancouvers Vasek Pospisil is also moving on by eliminating American Rajeev Ram 6-0, 7-6. Nishikori edged Sam Querrey 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, while Berdych beat qualifier Robby Ginepri 6-1, 6-4. Two seeded men lost when Victor Estrella Burgos of the Dominican Republic beat No. 8 Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (5), 6-4, and Donald Young of the United States eliminated No. 17 Julien Benneteau 6-4, 6-3. In womens action, Kristina Mladenovic beat American qualifier Taylor Townsend 6-3, 6-4, and Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan stopped playing against Kurumi Nara of Japan because of a right elbow injury. Wholesale Tigers Jerseys . Top-seeded Djokovic, who is making only his second appearance this year after reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, was a 6-3, 6-3 winner over 54th-ranked Istomin of Uzbekistan. "It wasnt as easy as the scoreline indicates," said Djokovic, who has won in Dubai on four occasions. Cheap Alan Trammell Jersey . "We were left with the overall impression that the team wasnt trending toward being able to compete for a Stanley Cup," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in a news conference at the clubs arena. "And that was just a clear signal and why it was time to make those changes. http://www.cheaptigersjerseys.com/?tag=c...gibson-jersey.J. -- Omar Cummings helped the Houston Dynamo advance to the MLS Eastern Conference finals. Cheap Jack Morris Jersey .Brady threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman midway through the fourth quarter, and New England beat the San Diego Chargers 23-14 for its eighth win in nine games. Cheap Tigers Jerseys . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries.TORONTO – You know a baseball team is red hot when its rolling out different heroes each day. Edwin Encarnacion carried the torch for two days at Fenway Park this week; Melky Cabrera and Jose Bautista have had their moments; lately Anthony Gose has contributed. In Friday nights edge-of-your-seat, 3-2 victory over Oakland, the heroes were different. One of them made his Blue Jays debut, Liam Hendriks, a 25-year-old who grew up on the other side of the world in Australia. Just up from Triple-A Buffalo, hed managed to fly his wife, Kristi, up from Fort Myers, Florida. His mother, Debbie, was home watching him pitch, sipping a Saturday morning coffee while he toiled on a Friday night. Another, Steve Tolleson, is playing for his third major league team and in his sixth big league organization. Oh, and theres still Encarnacion, although it was his defence Blue Jays fans would celebrate on this night, his home run bat tucked away but likely to reemerge at any moment. Hendriks pitched 5 2/3 innings of one run ball. He allowed three hits and walked three Athletics. At times he was hit hard, needing almost every inch of the 375 feet to the power alleys and the 400 feet to dead centerfield. But, as is the case when a team is rolling, things seem to go its way. "I felt really good early," said Hendriks. "I kind of got away from my game plan a little bit in the last couple of innings but the defence picked me up big time. I mean, when youve got guys like this behind you it gives you that much extra confidence that you can go out there and youre not having to strike everybody out. Its fantastic." Entering the game Hendriks had two career wins and an ERA north of six spread over parts of three seasons with Minnesota. He won his third career game. His ERA came down. The 30-year-old Tolleson contributed the big offensive blow, a two out, two-run home run in the second that broke the scoreless tie and gave Toronto a lead it wouldnt relinquish. The less talked about part of his game were the two big double plays turned in the third and seventh innings. On both occasions, Oaklands Nick Punto slid hard and fair into Tolleson. Each time, he made the turn. "Thats what a second baseman is here to do," said Tolleson. "The main goal is to get the ball turn. On this turf it allows us to play a little bit deeper but when you play deeper it also gives you time to get on you a little bit more. We got some big ones turned today and it was great to come out with that win." Encarnacion made two great defensive plays. Holding on a runner with two out in the sixth, he came off the bag and dived to his right to snag Josh Reddicks hard hit ground ball. Encarnacion sprung to his feet and slid into first, beating a hustling Reddick to the bag by a couple of steps. Then in the eighth, Oakland had two on and one out. The Jays led, at the time, 3-1. Yoenis Cespedes hit a flare to shallow right field. Encarnacion tracked the ball, making an over-the-shoulder, basket catch for the second out. "The last week or so I think hes played as good as Ive ever seen play over there," said manager John Gibbons. "That ball over his head today, I dont know if thats going to hit fair or foul but thats huge at that moment. Eddie, hes a big guy but hes a pretty good athlete." The Jays have won four in a row, nine of 11 and 14 of 19. R.A. Dickey will make the start on Saturday afternoon and with the forecast calling for a clear day and 23C, the roof may be open. Oakland will counter with former Blue Jay Jesse Chavez. REYES DEFENCE There have been times, since his return from tightness in his right hamstring, that Jose Reyes has had trouble getting to ground balls which require a number of strides to either his left or his right. Reyes disputes any suggestion hes struggled defensively. "I think Ive been playing very good defence," Reyes told TSN.ca. "I feel like everything is there. Last year I had a tough time going to my left side because my ankle but this year my ankle has been 100-percent. I feel like Im moving around the field very good. I have no problem." Reyes is right on both counts. Hiss defence is much better than last year and he can blame his ankle injury for decreased range.dddddddddddd According to fangraphs.com Reyes Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR), a mathematical equation which calculates the number of runs saved or given up by a defender, is -1.1 so far this year. Thats a big improvement over his -5.3 of 2013. Still, the calculation suggests Reyes is an average to below-average defender. The great equalizer is Reyes plus arm. Typically, if he gets to the ball he will throw the runner out. Reyes insists hes healthy. The way hes running the bases, hes stolen seven and been caught only once and has appeared comfortable stretching base hits into doubles, reflects his claim. Running the bases and playing shortstop make different demands on the body. "When you run the bases you just run the bases but when you go side to side there are different steps you have to make," said Reyes. "I think its a little different. But like I said, everything feels good. My hamstring now, thank God, is 100-percent. I can go full out no problem." JANSSEN BACK IN FORM Casey Janssen is a perfect six-for-six in save opportunities since his return from an oblique strain on May 12. He hasnt thrown more than 19 pitches in any of his six appearances – that number reached in his first outing – and hes had a runner in scoring position only once. For a guy who missed most of spring training due to shoulder discomfort and then didnt throw for most of April thanks to the oblique problem, Janssen hasnt missed a beat. Dont expect a cake and balloons celebration, though. "Im not satisfied unless Im darn near perfect," said Janssen. "Thats the expectation I put on myself. I havent thought of it as Oh, Im doing so great, Im just doing what I hope and expect to do." Janssen picked up his fourth and fifth saves on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in Boston. Manager John Gibbons said after the game on Wednesday he wouldnt use Janssen on a third-straight day. Then, on Thursday afternoon, Gibbons suggested Janssen had asked not to be ruled out. Turns out there was no save situation in the series finale, a 7-2 Blue Jays win, but would Janssen have been available? "Do I think I could have? Yes. Do I think that in a smart, perfect world, do they need to push that right then? Probably not," said Janssen. "Its a long year. Weve got hopefully a lot of wins to come if we continue to play like were going to play were going to be in a race in August and September. I think thats when you push guys a little bit more to their limits." With an inning under his belt in Fridays 3-2 win, Janssen has pitched on three of the last four days and on four of the last seven. Time will tell how he holds up but since his return, hes answered the call each time hes been needed. ROGERS DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT The Blue Jays are loathe to expose pitching depth to waivers but thanks to his poor start and the need to create a roster spot for Friday nights starter, Liam Hendriks, reliever Esmil Rogers was designated for assignment. "Hed been scuffling," said manager John Gibbons. "We had to make a move with somebody. We want to get a look at Rasmussen and see what he can do." After a solid 2013 season, his first in Toronto, which saw Rogers pitch effectively in relief and make 20 starts to cover injuries in the rotation, he never got on track this year. In 16 relief appearances, 20 2/3 innings, Rogers posted a 6.97 ERA and a 5.34 FIP. Most egregious was the home runs against number. The five Rogers allowed was the most on the pitching staff, starters included. Rogers final appearance came on Wednesday at Fenway Park. He entered the game in the eighth with the Blue Jays leading 6-1. He was touched for three runs on three hits and turned a comfortable lead into a nailbiter. "I dont think you can pin it on one outing," said Gibbons. "Its been a struggle for him." Rogers, 28, was acquired from Cleveland for Yan Gomes and Mike Aviles on November 3, 2012. He was, indirectly, the asset the Blue Jays had from John Farrells departure to the Red Sox. Rogers is owed $1.85 million this season. 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