four batters in Baltimores two-run third to reach. But he retir

CHICAGO -- The first two happened in a single game in Colorado. There was a fly ball that barely cleared the wall, and then a screaming drive to right-centre. Jose Abreu quickly hit two more home runs against Cleveland. He beat Tampa Bay with a game-ending grand slam, an absolute laser for his second shot of the game. Some 6,000 feet of homers in just six weeks, another successful mile in a well-travelled bridge from Abreus native Cuba to the Chicago White Sox. The big first baseman is punishing major league pitching while making a difficult transition to the United States look almost routine. "I come from a place where there is very good baseball, but theres nowhere you can compare that baseball to this one," Abreu said through a translator. "This is the best baseball in the world. But the only way to achieve this, to come here and be successful, is to be disciplined, to have a lot of discipline, thats the way you improve." Abreu looks right at home. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound slugger connected in Oakland on Wednesday to become the fourth player in major league history to hit 15 homers in his first 42 games, joining Wally Berger, Kevin Maas and Wally Joyner. He is batting .271 with 41 RBIs heading into a weekend series at Houston. Abreu, who defected in 2012 and finalized a $68 million, six-year deal with the White Sox in October, is among the major league leaders in several offensive categories. Playing at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field, he is a legitimate threat to become baseballs first rookie home run king since Mark McGwire for the Athletics in 1987. "Its just his strength, his power," White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham said. "I mean hes just strong. You can do what he does with how strong he is, because he doesnt do a lot with his swing, his body to get ready to hit. He just drops the head of the bat on it and its gone." All that power has captured the attention of baseball fans across the country, but it is Abreus appreciative attitude that has quickly endeared him to his teammates. No small feat considering Abreus arrival pushed franchise icon Paul Konerko into a reserve role. "Hes such a good team person and you like to see stuff like this happen to people like him," manager Robin Ventura said. Abreu is the latest in a new wave of Cuban stars finding success all over baseball, and part of a long history of successful Cuban players in Chicago. Sluggers Yoenis Cespedes of Oakland and Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers are two of the majors most dangerous bats. Cincinnati left-hander Aroldis Chapman has blossomed into an All-Star closer. Miami right-hander Jose Fernandez was the NL Rookie of the Year last season. There were a record 19 Cuban players on opening-day rosters and inactive lists this year. "I think clubs are learning more and more how to do it," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. Cuban players often travel a dangerous road to the majors. According to court documents in a federal lawsuit in Miami, smugglers who helped Puig leave his country on a speedboat have made death threats against him and against a boxer who says he defected with Puig. When they make it to the U.S., they face what can be an isolating transition to a completely different culture and the rigours of the majors. One of the biggest challenges is the language barrier, but they also have to work through changes brought on by a level of wealth and fame far beyond what they could have experienced in their home country. Major league teams are more careful than ever these days about creating a positive atmosphere for the Cuban players, making sure there is a translator in the clubhouse and help nearby when it comes to challenges on and off the field. The 27-year-old Abreu has three Cuban teammates; shortstop Alexei Ramirez, outfielder Dayan Viciedo and catcher Adrian Nieto. Lino Diaz, the manager of cultural development for the White Sox, also is around if Abreu needs any assistance. The White Sox have had 18 Cuban-born players in franchise history, tied with the Los Angeles Angels for fourth among all major league franchises, according to STATS. Minnie Minoso, regarded as baseballs first black Latino star, played 12 of his 17 seasons in Chicago and remains a team ambassador. Orlando Hernandez helped the White Sox win their last World Series title in 2005. Abreus fast start is drawing interest back home. The slugger is followed as closely as possible in a country where, despite the appearance of recorded major league games on state TV starting in March 2013, games featuring Cuban defectors are still not shown. Cubans with access to the Internet and bootleg versions track his career and often discuss it at the "hot corner," a spot in Havanas Parque Central where baseball fans gather to discuss international and Cuban players. "Abreu is a powerful hitter, he was really good here, but personally I think that with his major league results hes really exceeded expectations," said Jose Estrada, 55. "All over Cuba were following him much more than before because hes Cuban and he represents Cuba in the country with the best baseball in the world, the major leagues, and hes showing everyone the level of Cuban baseball." That level looks better than ever right now. Wholesale Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . Green-Ellis was Cincinnatis leading rusher each of the last two seasons. His role was reduced last year when Giovani Bernard was added to the backfield. Green-Ellis ran for 756 yards and a career-low 3. Stitched Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . For the first time all night, as the Raptors were on the clock to make the 20th overall selection, no one had the slightest idea what was about to happen. No leaks, no whispers, nothing. http://www.cardinalscheap.com/ . Sterling was banned for life and fined US$2.5 million by the NBA on Tuesday for racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation. Nash, who plays for the rival L.A. Lakers, spoke as a representative of current NBA players at a press conference assembled by Sacramento mayor and National Basketball Players Association adviser Kevin Johnson. Authentic Arizona Cardinals Jerseys . 5 Trade Deadline isnt that far away and teams will be making decisions on whether to buy, sell and decide which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Arizona Cardinals Jerseys Outlet . "Its embarrassing what were doing here," leading scorer Phil Kessel said Wednesday. The most recent failed season came with even more pain than the six that preceded it. There was no hint of an impending implosion when the Leafs came roaring out of the all-star break with back-to-back games against Pittsburgh -- a 5-4 shootout loss followed by a 1-0 win the next night.BOSTON -- Shane Victorino homered twice and added a two-run double. He also walked once and got on another time when he was hit by a pitch. He reached base safely five times in all. Four times he scored. And a career-high seven RBIs in all for Victorino in Bostons 13-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night. "I dont think he could do much better," said Red Sox manager John Farrell, whose top three batters had three hits apiece. "Thats why theyre at the top of the order, to have that kind of on-base (percentage) ahead of our power hitters." But that wasnt good enough for Victorino, the No. 2 hitter, who drove in most of Bostons runs on his own. It was the second two-homer game of his career, and his most RBIs in a game ever -- topping his previous high of five. "Hes been playing great all year," second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. "And the plays he made in the outfield -- I dont remember anything like it." Felix Doubront pitched 6 2-3 innings of four-hit ball, and Mike Napoli also homered for AL East-leading Boston. Pedroia and leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits apiece for the Red Sox, who improved to 2 1/2 games ahead of Tampa Bay in the division when the Rays lost to the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 later Tuesday night. "Every game is big from here on out," Pedroia said. "We played great tonight, but it doesnt carry over for tomorrow." J.J. Hardy and Danny Valencia each had two of Baltimores four hits. Wei-Yin Chen (7-7) lasted just 3 2-3 innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits and three walks. He struck out five and hit a batter and allowed three homers to lose for the fourth time in five starts. Chen, who has allowed six homers in his last three starts after allowing six for the rest of the season, called it the worst game of his career. "Its hard to believe we were ahead in this game 2-1," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "Youve got a team playing well over there. Thats why they are where they are. If you make some mistakes, especially in this park, youre going to pay for it." Doubront (10-6) had only one bad inning, allowing the first four batters in Baltimores two-run third to reach. But he retired 14 of the next 16 before leavving to a standing ovation from the Fenway Park crowd of 36,226.dddddddddddd In all, Doubront gave up two runs on four hits, a walk and a hit batsman. He struck out seven and has allowed three or fewer runs in 21 of 24 starts. "We had one opportunity against him and cashed in two, but there was potential for more," Showalter said. "He pitched well and we did not pitch well." Victorino started the scoring in the first when he walked, took third on Pedroias double and scored on David Ortizs sacrifice fly. After Doubront allowed his only runs in the third to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead, Boston came back in the bottom half with two of their own when Will Middlebrooks singled and scored on Victorinos two-run shot -- the 100th homer of his career. Napoli led off the fourth with a homer to spark a five-run inning and chase Chen. Boston added three more in the fifth on Victorinos second homer. The Red Sox started a nine game homestand after playing 16 of the previous 19 on the road. They were 4-2 on their most recent trip, to California to play the Giants and Dodgers. In all, the Red Sox will play 18 of their final 30 games at home. NOTES: Red Sox infield prospect Xander Bogaerts made his Fenway debut as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning. ... To honour their connection with the Jimmy Fund, "God Bless America" was sung during the seventh-inning stretch by a patient at the Dana Farber cancer clinic, 4-year-old Darla Holloway, who has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. ... Red Sox starters have held opponents to two or fewer runs in seven straight games. ... Pedroia is batting .424 (14-for-33) with 6 doubles, a triple, 4 RBIs, and 7 runs over his current eight-game hit streak. ... It was Chens fourth loss in five starts. ... Victorino is the first Red Sox player with four runs and seven RBIs in a game since Dwight Evans in 1988. ... Baltimore INF Wilson Betemit made his 2013 debut after sustaining a knee injury in spring training. He grounded out to third for the final out of the game in his only at-bat. To make room for him, the Orioles optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Single-A Frederick. ... The Red Sox made a minor-league trade, sending RHP Clayton Mortensen to Kansas City for OF Quintin Berry. 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