Talk » State a 30-20 lead, but the Wolfp

CINCINNATI -- The Arizona Diamondbacks continue their weekend series against the Reds at Great American Ball Park with manager Chip Hales job status looming over the club.Hale led Arizona to a 15-win improvement in 2015, his first season at the helm. After a busy offseason highlighted by the signing of Zack Greinke, the D-backs came into this year expecting to make a run at a National League West title.But, injuries and overall inconsistent play led to a 40-56 start and last-place standing in the division, leading to rumblings that Hale might be replaced by Triple-A Reno manager Phil Nevin.Im not going to make any comments about any rumors, said Hale, prior to Friday nights game. Nothing ever surprises me in this game, about anything.Following Friday nights 6-2 loss at Cincinnati, the Diamondbacks have dropped 16 of their last 20.Greinke is the latest Arizona injury. The right-handed ace threw off the mound on Wednesday for the first time since being placed on the disabled list with a strained left oblique in mid-June. He will throw again on Saturday after which Hale hopes to define the next step in his rehab.The D-backs also are without infielder Chris Owings and outfielder David Peralta, both rehabbing with the Triple-A Reno.Arizona is hoping to continue its recent success against CincinnatiLast season, the D-backs won six of seven meetings against the Reds who posted their lowest victory total against Arizona since 2002. Arizona had won the last five games at Great American Ball Park prior to Friday night.Right-hander Keyvius Sampson gets a spot start for Cincinnati on Saturday. Hell be making his eighth appearance of the season but his first start. Its the second time hes faced Arizona as a starter. He last faced the Diamondbacks on Aug. 8, 2015 when he allowed one earned run and four hits in six innings in a 4-1 Reds win.Sampson tossed four scoreless innings in his last outing in relief, allowing three hits with two walks and five Ks. It was the longest relief outing of his career and the longest by a Cincinnati reliever since 2013.Left-hander Robbie Ray will start on Saturday for Arizona. Ray threw seven shutout innings in his last start on July 17 against the Dodgers. He has struck out five or more batters in 18 consecutive starts.Ray last faced the Reds on Aug. 8, 2015 when he allowed three earned runs in six innings, the same game in which Sampson last faced the D-backs.Hell likely have to contend with the one-two punch at the top of Cincinnatis batting order in Billy Hamilton and Zack Cozart who on Friday combined to 3-for-8 with a double, two walks and three runs scored.Cozart and I are two different players, Hamilton said. Hes a doubles machine. Im not too much of a doubles machine. If I can get on base in front of him, we can score a lot of runs.Detroit Pistons Gear . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Wholesale Pistons Jerseys . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. https://www.cheappistonsonline.com/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Fake Pistons Jerseys . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Cheap Pistons Jerseys . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said.RALEIGH, N.C. -- It was supposed to be Dennis Smith Jr.s coming-out party, but his fellow starters joined him as guests of honor.Terry Henderson scored 23 points to help North Carolina State beat Georgia Southern 81-79 on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.All five starters scored in double figures for the Wolfpack, who won despite shooting 4 of 24 from 3-point range.We all made key plays down the stretch that we needed to win, N.C. State guard Torin Dorn said.Maverick Rowan scored 17 points for N.C. State and Abdul-Malik Abu had 15 points and 11 rebounds.Dorn added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Wolfpack. He scored in the lane with 3:47 left to put N.C. State ahead for good at 68-67.It can be anybodys night, Henderson said. It doesnt just have to be my night. It can be Torins night, Dennis night. Weve got so many weapons.Tookie Brown had 26 points and a career-high 10 rebounds to lead Georgia Southern. Ike Smith added 20 points for the Eagles.Smith, the highly touted freshman point guard, scored 11 points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field for N.C. State.Georgia Southern led 66-60 with just over six minutes to play, but N.C. State answered with a 10-1 run to seize control.BIG PICTUREGeorgia Southern: It was an impressive effort by the Eagles, who scrapped their way to 20 offensive rebounds and appear ready to improve on their 14-17 record from last season.N.C. State: The Wolfpack are off to a nice start after A rough beginning a year ago, when they dropped their opener and lost Henderson to a season-ending ankle injury just six minutes into the game.SHOOTING BLANKSThe Eagles missed the shooting touch of guard Mike Hughes, who is suspended for the first three games after finishing second on the team in scoring last season. They made just 5 of 22 3-point attempts and 20 of 32 free throws.ddddddddddddStill, Georgia Southern, which set a school record for 3-pointers a year ago, almost pulled the upset. That was encouraging, coach Mark Byington said. We were close to winning in a different way than our normal recipe.N.C. State was even worse from 3-point range. The Wolfpack missed their final 16 3-point attempts, including all nine in the second half.HIGHLIGHT REELSmith threw a no-look lob over his shoulder to Abu for a two-handed dunk in the first half. The alley oop brought rap star J. Cole, a close friend of Smith, out of his courtside seat for a brief celebration. The play gave N.C. State a 30-20 lead, but the Wolfpack went without a basket for the next five minutes.QUICK COMPAREBrown, the reigning Sun Belt rookie of the year, provided a stiff test for Smith, the favorite to win the award in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Both guards wear No. 4, and both played 36 minutes. In addition to his efforts chasing down rebounds, Brown finished with three assists and no turnovers. Smith, who briefly left the game in the second half after taking a knee to his thigh, added five assists and just one turnover.ELIGIBILITY WATCHN.C. State freshman Ted Kapita has been ruled eligible for competition by the NCAA. N.C. State learned of the decision before the game. Kapita, a 6-8 forward from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is eligible to play on Sunday.UP NEXTGeorgia Southern hosts NAIA opponent Coastal Georgia on Monday. Its one of just two home games that the Eagles play in their first 12 contests.N.C. State hosts St. Francis on Sunday in the season opener for the Terriers. ' ' '