qualifying final at GIO Stadium.ddddddddddddJames Maloney slotted the resulting penalty goal for a 16-14 lead and eventual win; forcing the Raiders to play Penrith this Saturday in a sudden death s

CHICAGO -- White Sox ace Chris Sale?said he felt like he was out on an island for five days. He was back in more comfortable terrain Thursday: on the pitchers mound at Wrigley field. And now Sale is anxious to put his recent controversy to bed.This is what I signed up for, is to play baseball, Sale said Thursday night. So it was nice to get out there and pitch again.Sale, considered the front-runner in this seasons chase for the American League Cy Young Award, overcame early command problems Thursday to hold the Cubs to two runs over six innings. Nevertheless, Sale (14-4) took the loss in the Cubs 3-1 win and missed out on a chance to become the first 15-game winner in the AL this season.I thought he pitched a good game, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. You know, he had a walk and a hit by pitch that ends up costing us. But he pitched a good game.Of his outing, Sale said, Felt good. First couple, I was knocking the rust off a little bit. [Catcher] Dioner [Navarro] really did a great job of getting me through that.The rust was most evident in one regard: a lack of strikeouts. Even though Sale punched out four Cubs looking, none of those Ks occurred during the first three innings. According to ESPN Stats & Info research, that hadnt happened to Sale in any of his previous 135 career starts.Of course, the focus before, during and after Sales outing was not on his performance on the mound. He returned to the White Sox on Thursday after serving a five-day suspension for a much-publicized incident in which he cut up some throwback jerseys that were to be worn Saturday in a game against Detroit.Sales postgame news conference marked his first time addressing the general media, and although he spoke for 10 minutes, he didnt want to delve into specifics about the incident.Listen guys, I dont want to get too far into it, Sale said. It is what it is. Its in the past. Just look to the future and try to make things right, make things better and win ballgames.Regrets?I regret not being there for my guys. Im a pitcher, called upon every fifth day. If I cant go out there for my guys, for the fans, that gets to me, he said.Sale said that while he was away from the team, teammates, former teammates and other players around the league sent him text messages to boost his spirits. The gestures did not go unnoticed.There is a lot of crap that was going on this week, no doubt about it, Sale said. But for them to do what they did today, and the previous four or five days, it says a lot about who they are and how much they care about me.Sale was received warmly in the clubhouse before the game after arriving at Wrigley Field, exchanging hugs with teammates as he made the rounds in the cramped visiting clubhouse at the old ballpark.I have a group of unbelievable guys in there, my teammates, Sale said. I knew who they were before this, but I found out who they really are and what theyre about. I have unbelievable teammates, I really do.Sale said he did not address his teammates as a group before the game but planned to talk with them individually.Get to them on a personal level, Sale said. I want to let them know where my heads at, where my hearts at. And let them know how much I appreciate them.Sales return comes just four days before the trade deadline. His name has come up often, and the uniform controversy added an extra layer of intrigue to the situation. Nevertheless, even with a lot of extra time on his hands, Sale said he paid no attention to the rumor mill.I dont read the newspapers, Sale said. I dont have Twitter. I stay out of all that. That stuff is for other people. Im a pitcher. I get ready to pitch and play baseball.Sale also dismissed suggestions that his relationship with the White Sox front office is irreparable.I think everyone is making a little bit bigger deal of this than it really is, Sale said. Were here to win games. And from this point forward, I think thats our main focus.Im here to win. Im happy exactly where Im at.Cheap Jordan From China . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. Air Jordan 19 For Sale . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. https://www.wholesalejordanshoeschina.com/ . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. Cheap Retro Jordan . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Wholesale Air Jordan . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.Todd Carney just cant help himself.Ever since he suggested to Elliott Whitehead he move to Canberra, the former NRL bad boy likes to remind the Englishman of the advice.He keeps telling me I told you so, said Whitehead ahead of Saturdays semi-final against Penrith.Carney, who was dumped by the Raiders in 2008 following a series off-field incidents, played with the athletic backrower with the Catalans Dragons in the English Super League.He told Whitehead that the Raiders and coach Ricky Stuart would perfectly suit him, as did the Raiders star hooker and fellow Englishman Josh Hodgson.I speak to Todd quite often, Whitehead said.Its pretty hard with different timezones and that but when I get a chance well Whatsapp each other and stuff.Whitehead has been immense in his debut season for the Green Machine.Hes played the most minutes of any player in the NRL - a total of 2019, missing just two minutes over 25 games.The workload has taken some toll on his body, but not enough to stop the 102kg from inflicting damage.I feel good and Ive really enjoyed my first season here, he said.That joy, though, disappeared for a short while last Saturday night.Whitehead drew a penalty foor a swinging arm across the face of Cronulla fullback Ben Barba late in the qualifying final at GIO Stadium.ddddddddddddJames Maloney slotted the resulting penalty goal for a 16-14 lead and eventual win; forcing the Raiders to play Penrith this Saturday in a sudden death semi-final.I felt sick, Whitehead admitted.I was very disappointed when I heard the whistle because I knew all the boys had done all the hard work. To give that away just five minutes from time it was pretty disappointing.At least weve got another chance this week and hopefully we get the result this week.Whitehead received plenty supportive messages from teammates post-match, which helped him get over the guilt.It was nice of them to text me and reassure me, but I still felt a bit bad, he said.Ill just have to keep my head up and help the team this week.I wouldnt say Ive got a point to prove - Ive worked hard every week for the boys and feel like Ive been doing my job pretty well the last couple of weeks.Hopefully I can just keep that form and take it into this weekend. ' ' '