until July 23. . Right-hander Gerrit Cole (triceps strain) also pitched a simulated game prior to the series opener with Oakland. The Pirates are encouraged but havent determined what the nex

RENTON, Wash. -- Russell Wilson believes joining an investment group looking to build a new NBA/NHL arena in Seattle is the first step toward his goal of eventually owning a piece of a professional sports franchise.The Seattle Seahawks quarterback talked at length Thursday about joining Chris Hansen in the attempt to get a new arena constructed in Seattles stadium district.He spoke for nearly 10 minutes before addressing a single football-related question as his involvement in the project has drawn nearly as much interest as his production on the field.Its one of those things that we need to make it happen, just because its a special thing. It will be for years and years to come, Wilson said. I want my kids to have that opportunity. Nothing better than going to an NBA basketball game and being able to see basketball players -- NHL game, theres so many great athletes. Theres so many other great things you can do in the new facility, too, as well. I think that will be really special.Wilson announced he was joining Hansens investment group on Monday. He said hes known Hansen for a couple of years and the timing was right for Wilson to formally join.It certainly doesnt hurt that Wilson signed a contract extension worth up to $87 million before the 2015 season, giving him the financial clout to be an investor. And his name gives an instant and significant public relations boost to a project that has faced road blocks from political figures.Ive been really authentic about wanting to own a team one day and being a part of something really special and doing that and even though Im young and that I definitely have a business mindset and I want to be able to help people and give back and help change this community, continue to change this community for the better, Wilson said.Hansen last month announced his intention to privately finance the proposed project in exchange for tax breaks. The offer would erase the public investment that was part of the original 2012 memorandum of understanding between Hansen and the city.The city has acknowledged Hansens intent while also opening a request for proposals for a possible renovation of KeyArena, the former home of the SuperSonics. The proposals are due in 2017.Wilson said the important task now is getting city approval to close down a street near where the proposed arena would be constructed. Wilson said he would lobby city officials if asked to try to build support for the project. He acknowledged the investment in the arena is the first step to someday having an ownership stake in a franchise.Those guys knew that I really wanted to be a part of owning a team one day. And obviously I cant own a team until we have a team. I cant be a part of that, Wilson said. So like I said, the first step was the arena part. And thats our focus right now. And then once we have an arena, then the goal is to obviously own a basketball team as part of it and have great people, great individuals, a great organization that helps change peoples lives, do great things in the community and hopefully win a lot of championships, too.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys . 10 Texas Rangers jersey for one last time. Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. Cheap China NFL Jerseys . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. http://www.cheapjerseysali.com/ . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. 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OAKLAND, Calif. -- A rare full day off turned out to be just what the Pittsburgh Pirates needed to keep Jeff Lockes winning streak going.Getting six hits and six RBI from the bottom four batters in the lineup certainly helped, too.Jody Mercer homered and had an RBI single and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied from three runs down to beat stumbling ace Sonny Gray and the Oakland Athletics 7-3 on Friday night.Matt Joyce added two hits, Josh Harrison drove in two runs while Andrew McCutcheon doubled and scored on a wild pitch to help the Pirates to their first win in their history at the Coliseum and just their second in 13 games between the two franchises.Its kind of what we saw the first two months of the season when we were connecting all dots, top to bottom in the lineup, Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. June was hard. The lineup has played much more consistent . than any other time here.The Pirates beat the As in their first meeting since 2013 by taking advantage of another shaky outing by Gray (3-7).He gave up seven runs, hit a batter and threw two wild pitches in six innings while losing his sixth consecutive decision. The right-hander, third in the 2015 AL Cy Young voting, is winless since April 22.Marcus Semien hit his 17th home run of the season for Oakland.Hell figure it out and hell get better as the year goes on, As manager Bob Melvin said. Theres always going to be a year thats not as good as others. So fa this is the one for him.Pittsburghs 5-6-7 hitters combined for six hits, five RBI and four runs scored. Chris Stewart, the No. 9 hitter, drove in the go-ahead run with a fielders choice grounder in the fifth.Thats what makes our team us, Harrison said. It can be anybody, and thats what we have to get back to.Mercer homered in the third and added an RBI single as part of a two-run fifth.Harrisons two-out, two-run double in the sixth put the Pirates up 7-3.LOCKED INPirates starter Jeff Locke (8-5) also struggled early but retired the final nine batters he faced to win his third sstraight.dddddddddddd He gave up three runs over five innings with three walks and three strikeouts. Three relievers combined to retire the final 12 batters and complete the four-hitter. It was a strong finish, Hurdle said. His fastball wasnt of the quality that we had seen the last two times out . but he stayed in the hunt, made pitches, battled and finished very strong. Thats a sign of maturity.LINEUP SHUFFLEJed Lowrie had decent results while batting leadoff for the first time this season. He drew a walk from Locke in the first before Semien homered on a 3-2 pitch. Oaklands second baseman added an RBI double in the second to make it 3-0.TRAINERS ROOMPirates: Ryan Vogelsong faced hitters while throwing off the mound in the latest step of his recovery after getting hit in the face with a pitch on May 23. Vogelsong, who underwent surgery on June 2 to repair the multiple fractures he suffered, remains on the 60-day disabled list and isnt eligible to return until July 23. . Right-hander Gerrit Cole (triceps strain) also pitched a simulated game prior to the series opener with Oakland. The Pirates are encouraged but havent determined what the next step is. . Francisco Cervelli (broken hamate in left hand) continues to make progress and could catch the next round of sim games for Vogelsgong and Cole.Athletics: Infielder Tyler Ladendorf was recalled from Triple-A Nashville before the game. Left-hander Dillion Overton, the losing pitcher against San Francisco on Thursday, was optioned down. Overton went 1-1 with an 11.42 ERA in two starts.UP NEXTPirates: Right-hander Chad Kuhl (1-0) pitches against Oakland on Saturday in his second career start in the majors after beating Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers in his debut.Athletics: Rich Hill is expected to come off the disabled list to start against Pittsburgh. The left-hander had been out since May 30 with a strained groin. Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jersyes Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '