BRADENTON, Fla. Tahir Whitehead Jersey . - Coming off their first playoff appearance in 21 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates were eager to start spring training. Several players have been training regularly at the Pirate City complex since early January. When 36 pitchers and catchers held their first official workout on Thursday, a half-dozen position players were there, too. The Pirates won 94 games last season and advanced to the NL division series, their first post-season berth since 1992. They were eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals in the decisive Game 5. "Were still hungry," catcher Russell Martin said. "We did some special things last year, but everybody was disappointed with how it finished. I dont know what all the experts are saying, but I consider myself an expert and I think were going to do better than we did last year." They will have to do it without veteran right-hander A.J. Burnett, who has agreed to a one-year, $16 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Burnett made 61 starts and won 26 games over the past two seasons with the Pirates. After hearing that Burnett chose not to return to Pittsburgh, Martin sent a text message to his former teammate. "I wished him well," Martin said. "I hope he stays healthy and has a good season ... and, hopefully, well meet him in the playoffs and beat him." Many players admitted they were surprised and disappointed about Burnetts departure. Others preferred to look ahead. "Weve got to move on," reliever Mark Melancon said. "You cant live in the past. This is a new year and anything can happen." Even without Burnett, the Pirates have the makings of a solid starting rotation. Left-hander Francisco Liriano, who went 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA, is the likely opening day starter. Gerrit Cole (10-7, 3.22) and Charlie Morton (7-4, 3.26) also return. Wandy Rodriguez missed most of last season due to a sore left forearm. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday and is expected to be ready for the start of the season. "Physically, hes coming along very well," general manager Neal Huntington said. "Were going to take it slow with him this spring, so hes kind of on a different program than the other guys. But, hes healthy and feels good." New arrival Edinson Volquez, who signed a $5 million deal in December, and Jeff Locke could battle for the No. 5 job. The 26-year-old Locke won eight straight starts in the first half of the season and made the NL All-Star team. However, he went 2-5 with a 6.12 ERA over his final 12 starts and was shut down in September. "Making the playoffs last year meant a lot to us," Locke said. "The fans in Pittsburgh and the rest of the baseball world hadnt seen it in a while, but I know the 25 guys in our clubhouse knew it was something we could do. Were not under anybodys radar anymore, but I think the 25 guys this year will be up to the challenge." NOTES: The Pirates signed LHP Yao-Hsun Yang to a minor league contract, which includes an invitation to spring training. Yang, 31, made nine outings last year in the minor leagues in Japan. Marcus Gilchrist Jersey . - Dominika Cibulkova erased three match points in the second set Wednesday and beat Agnieszka Radwanska 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Sony Open. Emmanuel Lamur Raiders Jersey . -- Chad Labelle scored the winner 17:36 into the third period to give Medicine Hat a 2-1 victory over the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday and lift the Tigers into the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs. http://www.shoptheraidersonline.com/Elite-Kyle-Wilber-Raiders-Jersey/ . And though his comeback night didnt quite go to script, Bryant couldnt help reflecting on the work necessary to get back on that court -- and all the months of steady labour ahead to reclaim his game. Bryant had nine points and eight rebounds in his season debut, but Amir Johnson scored a career-high 32 points in the trade-depleted Toronto Raptors 106-94 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday night. LOS ANGELES -- Aaron Hill was having a miserable night at the plate until he got one more chance to redeem himself. A few well-chosen words of encouragement from manager Kirk Gibson didnt hurt. Hill hit a two-run single in the 12th inning and Miguel Montero homered, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. "Gibby told me in the seventh or eighth inning, Youre going to get the game-winning hit tonight," Hill said. "He knew I was frustrated a little bit, so it just picked me up a little bit and I appreciated it. I dont know if I believed him at the time, but it worked out." Arizona snapped a six-game losing streak and improved to 5-14, the worst record in the majors. To do it, the Diamondbacks had to overcome Juan Uribes tying homer in the ninth off closer Addison Reed. "Obviously, the last week or so has been rough," Hill said. "But every day these guys come in with a great attitude, and it doesnt matter if its extra innings or not. It was a beautiful win tonight. It was refreshing, and hopefully we can keep it going." Chris Perez (0-1) gave up a leadoff double to A.J. Pollock in the 12th and plunked pinch-hitter Cliff Pennington on the left foot as he squared to bunt. Gerardo Parra advanced the runners with a sacrifice, and Hill lined an 0-1 pitch to right-centre to break the tie. The second baseman was hitless in five previous at-bats and didnt hit the ball out of the infield. Joe Thatcher (0-1) pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings for the victory and six-year veteran Trevor Cahill got three outs for his first major league save. Cahill was 0-4 with a 9.17 ERA in four starts before he was demoted to the bullpen. "I dont think I was spending all day today thinking I was going to get a save tonight," Cahill said. "Youre out there watching the game, then all of a sudden youre in there and you dont have time to think about it. It was a close game, and I guess I got lonelier down there with everybody leaving. But it was fun. "You dont have to worry about pacing yourself. You can just let it go. Its a lot different than starting, because your adrenaline goes so quick. Then its over, and you dont know what happened." The Dodgers had won the first five meetings with the Diamondbacks this year, including both ends of their season-opening series in Sydney and last weekends three-game set at Phoenix. Jordy Nelson Jersey. The Diamondbacks took a 2-1 lead in the ninth when pinch-runner Tony Campana scored on a wild pitch by reliever Chris Withrow, who was attempting to walk Martin Prado intentionally after falling behind him 2-0. "Ive seen that before, but never been a part of it," Dodgers catcher Tim Federowicz said. "I think if I wouldve jumped a little higher I mightve got it." Uribe responded in the bottom half with a one-out homer on a 2-2 pitch from Reed. Six of Uribes last eight regular-season homers have come against the Diamondbacks -- three in an 8-1 victory last Sept. 9 at Dodger Stadium. Arizona starter Wade Miley took a two-hitter and a 1-0 lead into the seventh in his rematch with Zack Greinke, but Scott Van Slyke drove Mileys 108th and final pitch the other way into the right-field pavilion leading off the inning. "It was a fun game to be a part of," Miley said. "Obviously I wasnt enthused about the walks, but I got through it. I told Gibby I wanted to go out there for the seventh and save the bullpen a little more. It wasnt a terrible pitch, but it caught a little more of the plate than I wanted it to and he did a good job with it." Miley struck out eight and walked five in his third start of the season against Los Angeles. Both of the left-handers losses have come against the defending NL West champions, including an 8-5 victory by Greinke last Saturday in Phoenix. "Miley had better command tonight. He attacked more and threw a lot more strikes early," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "The two games before, we were getting into favourable counts." Montero homered in the sixth off Greinke, who struck out eight over six innings as Los Angeles opened a 10-game homestand. NOTES: The Dodgers havent won their first six meetings against a team in their own division since 1988, when they started 6-0 against Atlanta. The Braves were in the NL West at that time. ... Thatcher has not allowed an earned run in his last 32 appearances against the Dodgers spanning 19 innings. ... Thirteen of the last 14 home runs Greinke has allowed have been solo shots, including the last nine. ... Tommy Lasorda and his wife, Jo, celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary at Dodger Stadium. They were a big hit on the "Kiss-Cam" after the fourth inning. 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