2/3 innings, a hallmark of his inconsistency. While he is 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA this month

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettmans reluctance to link hits to the head in hockey with a degenerative brain disease found in several deceased former players has reached Congress.League attorneys have filed Bettmans letter to Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal with U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, whos presiding over a class-action concussion lawsuit against the NHL. Bettmans 24-page response to Blumenthal was dated Friday. He said research on the link between concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy remains nascent.The Connecticut Democrat had written June 23 to Bettman about the leagues stance on CTE.Blumenthal cited in his letter the discovery of CTE in the brains of six former players after their deaths in recent years. He is the ranking member of the Senate subcommittee on consumer protection, product safety, insurance and data security.Bettman angered many former players last year with comments following the death of former NHL defenseman Steve Montador at age 35. Montador suffered from CTE, a diagnosis that can only be made after death. His family filed a lawsuit against the league that was eventually consolidated with the current class-action case.In writing to Blumenthal, Bettman maintained a dismissive stance.The confusion in the press about CTE -- no doubt further fueled by plaintiffs counsel in the NHL litigation -- relates to the simple and incontrovertible fact that none of the brain studies conducted to date can, as a matter of accepted scientific methodology, prove anything about causation, a primary subject of your letter, Bettman said.The concussion lawsuit was formed two years ago. More than 100 former NHL players have sued the league in allegation that it had the resources to better prevent head trauma, failed to properly warn players of such risks and promoted violent play that led to their injuries.Air Jordan 1 Retro For Sale . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. Jordan Retro 17 For Sale . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. http://www.jordanshoescheapsale.com/ . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. Air Jordan Retro 8 For Sale .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Air Jordan 1 Clearance . Oaklands loss to Seattle clinched the ALs best record for the Red Sox with one day to spare in the regular season. "I think everybody was kind of watching," catcher David Ross said. "Demp (Ryan Dempster) came out before he went to the bullpen and was just yelling that they lost.HOUSTON -- Seemingly on the brink of collapse following a pair of interleague home losses to the St. Louis Cardinals last week, the Houston Astros rebounded with a successful swing through Baltimore and Pittsburgh and set the table to remain in the thick of the American League wild card chase with a six-game homestand opening Friday.The Astros (66-61) finished 5-2 during their seven-game stretch against the Orioles and Pirates and are 9-5 over their last 14 road games. Once 10 games above .500, the Astros slipped to 61-60 after dropping the opener in Baltimore on Aug. 18. And while they remain are four games behind the Orioles for the second wild card spot, the Astros recent road run breathed new life into their postseason hopes.Its one that we needed, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said following a 5-4 victory over Pittsburgh in Wednesdays series finale. We played two good teams and came away 5-2. Im really proud of our guys. We have a small margin of error these days and weve responded by playing well.If the Astros are to surpass Baltimore, Detroit and Seattle in the wild card picture, they will need to take full advantage of their upcoming schedule. Houston hosts the Rays (54-72) and Athletics during their upcoming homestand, two teams well below .500 and long since realistically eliminated from playoff contention.Right-hander Mike Fiers (9-6, 4.41 ERA) starts the opener for the Astros seeking to win consecutive decisions for the first time since he defeated the Rays and Reds oon June 11 and June 19.ddddddddddddFiers allowed two runs on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts over seven innings while beating the Rays in his first career start against them.Fiers is 2-1 over his last three starts but has posted a 4.86 ERA while surrendering six home runs over 16 2/3 innings, a hallmark of his inconsistency. While he is 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA this month, opposing batters are slugging .494 against Fiers during August and he has alternated wins and losses over his last seven decisions.Left-hander Drew Smyly (6-11, 4.88 ERA) looks to continue his exceptional run of pitching for the Rays. He is 4-0 with a 2.79 ERA over his last six starts and the Rays have claimed victory in each of his previous five appearances. Smyly has lowered his season ERA by 0.76 runs over his last six outings, with 30 strikeouts against nine walks over 38 2/3 innings while limiting opponents to a .577 OPS.Smyly is 1-2 with a 6.10 ERA over four appearances (two starts) against the Astros.The Rays completed their most successful homestand of the season Thursday with a 2-1 victory over the Red Sox, winning consecutive games to split the four-game series. Tampa Bay finished 7-3 against the Padres, Rangers and Red Sox.We needed a lot of things to come together for us to get that win, Rays manager Kevin Cash told MLB.com. It seemed like they all did today. ' ' '