having thrown his only no-hitter against Baltimore last August

Phil Taylor won twice to remain top of the Premier League but what did we learn in Sheffield? REPORT: Taylor stays top All the details from PL Darts in Sheffield Judgement Night is behind us and the Premier League has been trimmed to eight players and they all have the play-offs in their sights. But is that a realistic goal for everyone?Heres five talking points... Powering into play-offs Phil Taylor describes his win against Gary Anderson Phil Taylor is virtually assured of returning to the O2 Arenas play-offs after surprisingly missing the cut last year. Playing twice in one evening has caused chaos for some players this season, most notably for Michael Smith whose campaign looked doomed after a pair of opening-night defeats, but Taylor took full advantage.Where his rivals had the chance to earn a maximum two points, Taylor took home four to extend his advantage at the top of the Premier League. He said: A step closer to getting into the Play-Offs - I think another one or two wins will put me through and thats what Im after.Is Taylor being overly cautious? Before Thursday he claimed he only needed two wins, and achieved them instantly, so its difficult to foresee the play-offs occurring without the six-time Premier League winner.Barneys hopes ended James Wade is still in the play-off hunt after beating Barney Raymond van Barneveld sensationally roared back from a poor start last season, qualifying for the play-offs then finally ending as a semi-final loser to Michael van Gerwen. This year, he requires an even bigger miracle as he sits second-bottom in the eight-man table.Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle said: Mathematically [he] can still do it I think but [he has] to rely on so many other results that it is not going to happen.Defeat to James Wade after a 10th leg break of throw means Barney will only be going through the motions for the remainder of the season with almost no chance of adding to his 2014 title. But one special occasion will act as a light at the end of the tunnel. In May Barney will be the star of the show when the Premier League heads to Rotterdam for the first time. He has openly confessed his main desire was to avoid elimination before the tournament heading to his home country, so he has achieved that, at least. MVG back to winning ways Michael van Gerwen reacts to beating Robert Thornton After a three-win winless run, Michael van Gerwen was perhaps happy to be pitted against bottom-of-the-table Robert Thornton. He ended his unsuccessful streak with a 7-5 win that was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.Van Gerwen averaged 117.95 and was leading 6-2 until a brave Thornton fightback, but the Dutchman did enough to maintain the chase of Taylor at the top of the league. He is three points behind Taylor - but also just two points ahead of fifth-placed Wade so Van Gerwen must string some results together to avoid a shock exit.The battle for fourth intensifies Peter Wright and Adrian Lewis drew 6-6 Much like our football cousins, there is always a Premier League subplot with a host of players chasing the No 4 berth that results in a play-off visit. From there, anything is possible - or so they say.Gary Anderson, on 13 points, currently holds the position despite losing to Taylor in Sheffield. Wade has played one game more but sits on the same points. The third likeliest contender seems to Peter Wright who has 11 points after mustering a draw against third-placed Adrian Lewis last Thursday. All to play for…Thornton scrapping off the bottom Robert Thornton is bottom but is improving Three weeks ago Robert Thornton appeared doomed for elimination but an unlikely fightback, coupled with favours from Michael Smith and Dave Chisnall, has resulted in the Scot living to throw another dart.But Thornton, albeit in defeat to Van Gerwen, showed the spirit to indicate that he wont settle for eighth-place in the Premier League. Should Van Barneveld be looking over his shoulder nervously?Watch Premier League Darts from Belfast next Thursday at 7pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD. Also See: Taylor extends PL advantage Mardle: Barney hopes over Fixtures/Results On Sky TV Darts betting Get Sky Sports Raymond Clayborn Jersey .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey. 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The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. SEATTLE -- Baltimore Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez was on the ropes two weeks ago, when another short outing in a 13-3 loss to Toronto left him with a 7.34 ERA and a shaky future. Jimenezs spot in the rotation was in jeopardy, and it was going to take a solid start or two for the Orioles to keep relying on him.Jimenez delivered with solid outings in back-to-back outings, so hell be on the mound again when the Orioles close out the Seattle series on Sunday afternoon.Ubaldos had two good outings in a row, manager Buck Showalter said, so we hope that continues.Baltimores rotation could get a facelift around the All-Star break, and Jimenez isnt the only Orioles starter on thin ice. Right-hander Tyler Wilson endured the worst start of his young career Saturday night, when he got tagged for eight runs off nine hits, three of which were homers, over three innings in a 12-6 loss to Seattle.The Orioles, who came into the Seattle series on the high of a seven-game winning streak, have fallen on hard times to the tune of three losses in a row. The good news was that Baltimores offense started to show signs of life after the fourth inning Saturday night.Showalter was more concerned with his over-taxed pitching staff, which had to use four pitchers to get through the win after Wilson only got nine outs.Weve just not been able to get deep in games with our starters, Showalter said.Seattle is hoping veteran starter Hisashi Iwakuma (7-6, 4.34 ERA) can ccontinue Baltimores offensive struggles.dddddddddddd Iwakuma has history with the Orioles, having thrown his only no-hitter against Baltimore last August.It was a significant game in my career, Iwakuma told The News Tribune of Tacoma (Wash.) through an interpreter on Saturday. But thats in the past, and (Sunday) is a different ball game.Iwakuma has given up 10 home runs over his past six starts, so there is reason for the Orioles to believe that their late offensive awakening Saturday might continue into the series finale.Baltimore (47-33) has only been swept once all season, and that came in a three-game series at Houston in late May. The last time the Orioles lost every game of a four-game series came last August, when the Minnesota Twins swept them in Baltimore.Seattles three-game winning streak has given the Mariners renewed hope after a rough June. Saturdays win pulled Seattle (42-39) within 9 1/2 games of Texas in the AL West and 1 1/2 back in the wild-card standings.This is a time we need to win some games and finish the first half on a good note, said Mariners left fielder Seth Smith, who has homered in each of the first three games of the series.Seattle has won three in a row for the first time since May 19-22. A win Sunday would match the Mariners longest winning streak of the season, at four games. ' ' '