still vulnerable if their lineup slumps. Last year in the World S

PHILADELPHIA -- The new rule designed to protect catchers helped the Philadelphia Phillies gain a victory. Ryan Howard homered in his second game since a three-game benching and scored the go-ahead run on an overturned call at the plate in Philadelphias 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Arizonas Miguel Montero was called for blocking the plate before he had the ball and leaving Howard no path, a violation of an experimental rule put in place this season. "What am I supposed to do? Leave the ball go and get it, or stand still?" Montero recalled telling umpires. "The throw took me there. I went and got the ball. I have no clue where to go on this kind of a play. Id much rather be run over. Its an awkward rule. Let the game alone. Its been this way for 100 years. Its kind of not fun anymore." With the score 2-2 in the sixth, Howard walked with two outs against Vidal Nuno (0-2). Marlon Byrd popped up to short right field, where second baseman Didi Gregorius backpedaled slowly, settled under the ball and allowed it to kick off his glove and bounce toward centre. Ender Inciarte picked up the ball and threw to the plate, where Montero was blocking Howards path, grabbed the throw on the fly and tagged the runner as Howard tried to get around him on the infield side. Umpire Dale Scott signalled out, but after a review of 2 minutes, 55 seconds, Howard was ruled safe. "This year thats a run," said Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg, who called his team "very fortunate." "In the last 100 years, its not a run," he said. Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson, who came onto to the field to speak with Scott after the video review, said "the rule has to be reevaluated." "I didnt think they got the play right," Gibson said. In the first season of expanded video review, the plate-blocking rule has been among the most contentious of the innovations. "Theres a lot of judgment there and a little bit of confusion," Sandberg said. "Even 3 1/2 months into the season, here the catcher did not know that he couldnt stand there the whole time. And then, ultimately, Howard didnt know his responsibilities as he got to home plate." Howard hit a two-run homer in the first, his 16th of the season but second since June 19. He is 3 for 8 since his benching. "These are a couple of games he can build on and continue to contribute and improve and help the team out," Sandberg said. Philadelphia added a run in the seventh when left fielder David Peralta dropped Ben Reveres fly to the warning track, and Montero was given an error for dropping shortstop Nick Ahmeds throw and allowing Wil Nieves to score. Montero admitted the earlier play at the plate had an effect on him in the seventh. "I thought, What should I do?" he said. "They make it very hard." Roberto Hernandez (5-8) allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings. He had been 0-5 in seven home starts since beating Washington 1-0 on May 4. "He got groundballs when he needed them, and he threw enough pitches around the zone and got some hitters to swing the bat," Sandberg said. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a two-hit ninth for his 25th save in 28 chances. Nuno, making his fourth start since he was acquired from the New York Yankees, gave up four runs -- two earned -- four hits and three walks in 6 2-3 innings. Nick Ahmed doubled in a run for Arizona in the second, and Paul Goldschmidt hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth. NOTES: Arizonas Aaron Hill didnt play after being hit on the right hand on Saturday night. ... Arizona first-base coach Dave McKay wasnt with the team in order to attend the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for Tony La Russa. McKay served on La Russas staff for 27 straight seasons. ... RHP Chase Anderson (6-4, 3.58) starts for Arizona on Monday in the opener of a three-game series at Cincinnati, which starts RHP Homer Bailey (8-5, 4.22). ... Philadelphia starts RHP A.J. Burnett (6-9, 3.86) in the opener of a three-game series at the New York Mets, who start RHP Bartolo Colon (9-8, 4.03). Marquis Haynes Panthers Jersey . -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with safety Brock Vereen and QB David Fales on four-year contracts. DJ Moore Jersey . Hes still nowhere close to throwing yet. The four-time MVP was in good spirits when he made his first public appearance on the field since having neck surgery Sept. http://www.footballpanthersstore.us/Blac...Moore-Jersey/.Y. - Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs didnt flinch in the face of adversity. Dontari Poe Panthers Jersey . -- The Denver Broncos are shuffling their offensive line this off-season and Orlando Franklin provided some insight into their plans Monday by tweeting that hes moving from right tackle to left guard. Marquis Haynes Jersey . - All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked spry enough in pregame warmups Sunday for Green Bays divisional playoff game against Dallas.DETROIT -- From All-Star starter to post-season headliner -- Max Scherzer is Jim Leylands pick again. Detroits 21-game winner will start the AL division series opener Friday night at Oakland, with star Justin Verlander following in Game 2. Leyland announced the Tigers rotation Tuesday, putting an end to any speculation about who would start Game 1. "I truly feel that I could start any one of my guys and I would feel comfortable," Leyland said. "I think that the kind of year Scherzers had ... Im sure somebody will find something wrong with this choice, but I think thats kind of hard to argue." Scherzer (21-3) was baseballs lone 20-game winner this year and started for the American League in the All-Star game, which Leyland managed. But Verlander (13-12) was the 2011 AL MVP and has been one of the top pitchers in the game over the last few seasons, so Leyland could have picked either. "Its awesome," Scherzer said. "Were going up against a great team, and I have a shot to go out there and pick up the win, first time. What more can you want?" The Tigers won the AL Central for a third straight year, thanks to an exceptionally deep rotation. Anibal Sanchez, the ALs ERA leader, wont pitch until Game 3 against the Athletics. Doug Fister starts Game 4. Leyland said relievers Bruce Rondon and Phil Coke will likely miss the series due to elbow problems. Scherzer is a favourite to win his first Cy Young Award, and its not just because of his lofty win total. He finished fifth in the AL in ERA and second in strikeouts while holding opponents to a .198 average. No wonder Verlander was deferential to his teammate after Leylands announcement. "If it was me, Id probably make the same decision," Verlander said. "Max has had a magical season, and when a guy has a season like that and everythings going right, why not ride it?" Verlander was the Cyy Young winner in 2011 and finished a close second last year to David Price.dddddddddddd This season has been more of a struggle. His 3.46 ERA was his highest since 2008. Verlander pitched six scoreless innings in each of his final two starts, and if he can provide more of the same in the playoffs, the Tigers should be dangerous. "I put in a ton of work, and I really feel like the last couple starts were a whole lot better," Verlander said. "Im pretty doggone close to right where I need to be." Scherzer will face Bartolo Colon (18-6) in the opener. Colon was second to Sanchez in the ERA race. Leyland said the final decision on a Game 1 starter came in the last few days, and he decided Tuesday was a good time to announce it. "Im doing this so I didnt get bugged by you guys for another three or four days," Leyland said. "It gives you guys some time to play with it, it gives your readers time to second-guess it, enjoy it, agree with it, whatever they want to do. So we figured we owed that to you." Rick Porcello, Detroits No. 5 starter, will move to the bullpen. The Tigers can use some help in relief if Rondon and Coke cant pitch. Rondon looked good recently, but it sounds as if his arm problems will kee help in relief if Rondon and Coke cant pitch. Rondon looked good recently, but it sounds as if his arm problems will keeir impressive pitching, the Tigers areeries, Detroit was shut down by San Francisco in a four-game sweep. After clinching the division last week, Detroit lost three straight in Miami against the lowly Marlins, scoring only three runs in three games. Henderson Alvarez threw a no-hitter against the Tigers in the finale. "Im not as concerned as the fans and everything, because I know this is the way it is -- we either hit or we dont," Leyland said. "That simple. Im not going to sit around and worry about it." ' ' '