Neo Workxx » second, and Cabrera had to position himself awkwardly at f

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Former Oakland coach Dennis Allen once described defensive tackle Stacy McGee as a potential foundation piece for the Raiders.For his first three seasons, McGee gave Oakland little production and the Raiders enjoyed almost no success. McGee is now emerging as a key contributor for Oakland just as the team appears on the way to a turnaround.McGee is coming off his most disruptive game as a professional, getting 1 1/2 sacks last Sunday in a 34-31 win over the San Diego Chargers. The game helped Oakland get off to its first 4-1 start in 14 years and move into a tie for first place in the AFC West with Denver.We all push each other to be good, McGee said. Ive been pushing myself a lot harder this past year, probably a lot harder than I have in the past to be better and help this team win.McGee has played a key role in Oaklands success after recording just a half-sack in 42 games. He played mostly as a reserve his first three years after being picked in the sixth round in 2013.McGee entered this offseason as a bit of an afterthought. But he earned a starting role with a strong training camp and has gotten more opportunities as a pass rusher with Mario Edwards Jr. sideline by a hip injury.Stacy has done some good thing for us, coach Jack Del Rio said. Hes flashed some rushes and been really close on a couple this year, so it was nice to see him finish on the two.Del Rio has seen a change in McGees confidence this season and compared the hump move he used on one of his sacks Sunday to Hall of Famer Reggie White.McGee said hes been working on that move for a few years since former teammate Antonio Smith taught it to him.I guess it took a couple of years to really figure it out and get it done, he said.McGee has been one of the few early bright spots on a defense that is allowing 7.0 yards per play -- more than any team has given up in a full season since the 1970 merger -- and 27.4 points per game.He provided the inside pressure that had been missing with Edwards hurt. With more production from McGee up the middle, edge rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin should get more opportunities to get to the quarterback and allow the defense to thrive.It really is everything, Del Rio said about the inside rush. Were going to get a lot of attention on the outside guys. We really look forward to getting Mario back here, which we will. But in the meantime, guys like Stacy and (Jihad Ward) have to step up and be a presence in the middle for us to really have the kind of rush were looking for.McGee said despite the strong start personally and for the team, now is not the time to get comfortable. The three years of losing to start his career, when Oakland went just 14-34, still weigh heavily on him -- especially after spending his college career at a school with as much success as Oklahoma.Its hard to deal with, especially coming from schools where Im winning and to come here, McGee said. Im just glad we turned it around and figured it out.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Javier Aquino Jersey . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Carlos Vela Jersey . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. http://www.soccermexicojerseysteamstore.com/jesus-manuel-corona-mexico-jersey/ .com) - Yankee Stadium is the home of the Bronx Bombers, but on Sunday afternoon it will open its gates to host the latest addition of the Hudson River Rivalry. Custom Mexico Jerseys . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Alfredo Talavera Jersey . Fellow centre Pavel Datsyuk remains out because of a concussion. Zetterberg has 11 goals and 19 assists for a team-high 30 points, and Datsyuk has a team-high 12 goals and 11 assists. DETROIT -- Chris Tillman is back from the disabled list -- and looks ready to help the Baltimore Orioles in their push for the playoffs.Tillman pitched six impressive innings, and Michael Bourn and Jonathan Schoop homered off Justin Verlander to lead the Orioles to a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. The Baltimore right-hander hadnt pitched since Aug. 20 because of right shoulder bursitis.He didnt look very rusty, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. Its a really good lineup, too, he went through.Baltimore and the Toronto Blue Jays are now tied in the standings and occupy both wild-card spots in the American League. Theyre two games behind first-place Boston in the AL East, and the Orioles are now headed to Fenway Park for a three-game series with the Red Sox.Detroit fell two games behind the wild cards. The New York Yankees are also two back of the Orioles and Blue Jays.Tillman (16-5) allowed a run and four hits after being activated before the game. He struck out four and walked one.It was definitely a little bit of rust there, but I feel like we were able to work through it, Tillman said. You get kind of bored and frustrated sitting on the bench that long, and not being able to help the team.Three relievers finished for the Orioles, with Zach Britton pitching the ninth for his 41st save in 41 chances. Britton retired pinch-hitter Casey McGehee with two on for the final out, taking sole possession of the AL saves lead.Verlander (14-8) lasted only five innings, ending his streak of 11 straight quality starts.The Orioles lead the majors with 226 home runs, but Bourn has only two of them. His two-run shot off Verlander in the third opened the scoring.Bourn is 14 for 37 (.378) in his career off Verlander, but this was the first time hed gone deep against the Detroit rigght-hander.dddddddddddd.Schoops 23rd homer of the season made it 3-0 in the fourth, and Detroits only run came on Ian Kinslers RBI single in the fifth.The Tigers put runners on first and second in the eighth before Miguel Cabrera bounced into an inning-ending double play against Mychal Givens. They had runners at first and second in the ninth when James McCann struck out and McGehee grounded out to end it.Cabrera went 0 for 4 and failed to hit the ball out of the infield.Verlander allowed three runs and seven hits in his second loss since the All-Star break.BACK AND FORTHMark Trumbo grounded out to the shortstop to lead off the second, and Cabrera had to position himself awkwardly at first to receive a bouncing throw from Jose Iglesias. Trumbo and Cabrera appeared to exchange words after the play.Miggy was like, `What am I supposed to do? His job is to catch the ball and be on the base, Verlander said. I dont really know what their issue was on that.Trumbo didnt have much to say about it after the game.He had given me a restaurant recommendation, Trumbo said.TRAINERS ROOMTigers: Jordan Zimmermann, hit hard Saturday in his return from a neck injury, will not make his next start Thursday against Minnesota. Manager Brad Ausmus said hell throw an 80-pitch simulated game Wednesday.I definitely understand the reasoning, Zimmermann said. We cant afford to lose games right now.UP NEXTOrioles: Baltimore heads to Boston, and LHP Wade Miley (8-12) starts Monday night for the Orioles against David Price (15-8).Tigers: Detroit hosts a four-game set against Minnesota. LHP Daniel Norris (2-2) takes the mound for the Tigers on Monday night against Ervin Santana (7-10). ' ' '