Bayern Trupp » Former All-Star closer

MIAMI -- Former All-Star closer Brian Wilson acknowledged feeling butterflies in the bullpen as he warmed up Thursday, which was understandable since he hadnt pitched in 16 months. Once on the mound, he took a deep breath and was ready to go. "I only have a brief moment out there, and I can either crumble or rise to the occasion," he said. "I can tell you crumbling isnt something Id like to do." Instead, Wilson took the biggest step yet in his comeback from Tommy John surgery, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to seal the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0 victory over the Miami Marlins. Wilson gave up a two-out double, struck out two and looked a lot like the pitcher who saved 171 games for the Dodgers rivals, the San Francisco Giants. "It felt normal," the bearded right-hander said. "It was long overdue, a very arduous process, but Im glad I went through it so I could appreciate baseball even more. I felt comfortable. I felt like I hadnt skipped a beat." Wilson threw 19 pitches, 11 for strikes, and reached 94 mph on the scoreboard radar gun. "Pretty impressive," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "He comes out throwing strikes. His stuff seemed sharp. It was good." The game was Wilsons first since April 12, 2012, with the Giants. He underwent reconstructive elbow surgery later that month, and the Dodgers signed him after he was non-tendered by San Francisco last winter. When Wilson struck out Justin Ruggiano to complete the Dodgers 17th shutout this year, he celebrated with his familiar crossed-arm, finger-pointing gesture. "I was very impressed with his stuff and the way he threw the ball and his confidence," Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said. "Hes going to help us out. The guy has gotten last outs in World Series games, so hes somebody we can count on who wont get rattled in tough situations, which is another great piece to have." Wilson joins a deep bullpen that has the second-best ERA in the NL since the All-Star break. He said his role will be to "get outs," and hes looking forward to pitching in the important games to come for the NL West leaders. "Theres going to be no lack of fun," he said. "This team is playing well and is just a great group of guys having a lot of good laughs. When you feel comfortable in the clubhouse, it only correlates to success out on the field, and thats how everyones playing. Theres energy coming from all sorts of players here right now. Were on a good run." Jason Spezza Senators Jersey . Giants manager Bruce Bochy told The Associated Press of the decision before NL West-leading San Francisco opened a 10-game homestand Monday night with the first of three games against second-place Arizona. Christian Jaros Jersey . - New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has an agreement to bring back outside linebacker Parys Haralson on a one-year deal. http://www.senatorssale.com/authentic-cr...enators-jersey/. The 20-year-old Inoue landed a series of combinations and the bout was stopped 2 minutes, 54 seconds into the sixth round. Inoue, the first Japanese boxer to claim a world title in just his sixth professional fight, improved to 6-0 with five knockouts. Jason Spezza Jersey . With Washington teammate Nene drawing double-teams coming off his big game against the Lakers, Gortat scored 25 points on 11-of-12 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Wizards to a 100-92 win in overtime over Milwaukee on Wednesday night. Chris Tierney Jersey . 17.A string of English Premier League teams, most in the lower end of the standings, has been linked to the 32-year-old forward but most have seemingly balked at the cost given his wages and transfer fee.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Hornets are back. The NBA franchise announced Tuesday at a press conference it has officially changed its name back to the Hornets after 10 years of being known as the Bobcats. The change comes nearly one year after owner Michael Jordan indicated he wanted to change the name back to the Hornets. The league approved the change last July. Jordan didnt attend the press conference, but issued a statement saying its a "historic day for our franchise, our city and our fans." The Hornets resided in Charlotte from 1988-2002 before George Shinn moved the team -- and name -- to New Orleans after a messy divorce from the city. The name became available again when New Orleans owner Tom Benson changed his teams name from the Hornets to the Pelicans. Several hundred fans showed up at the downtown arena for the formal announcement. Hornets president and CEO Fred Whitfield said the goal is restore the energy the Hornets brought to the city when they were in Charlotte 12 years ago playing at the Charlotte Coliseum, which was known by fans simply as "The Hive." It was there the Hornets were consistently among the league leaders in attendance. "For me this day is almost surreal because I was a Hornets season ticket holder," Whitfield said. "I know what it felt like in the old Hive and the energy and excitement that happened to be there. Michael talks fondly about the days he came in and played against the Hornets and what a challenge it was not only to battle a good team, but also the fans." Whitfield also announced that in collaboration with the NBA and the Pelicans, all of the statistical information, records and history of the Charlotte NBA basketball will be resttored to the franchise.dddddddddddd. That means the Hornets will now own and have access to all of the historical elements from the recent Bobcats era (2004-14) as well as the original Hornets teams that played in Charlotte -- including stats from stars such as Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning and Muggsy Bogues. All of the Hornets records from their years in New Orleans will revert to the Pelicans history, Whitfield said. "That was a piece that was really important to us because we knew how important that was to our fans," Whitfield said. "Being able to have the old Hornets alumni back and be a part of family was important. We can say to them, Hey, you are welcome back and you are a part of the family." Whitfield estimates the name change will cost Jordan more than $4 million before all is said and done. The team is still working through the tedious process of rebranding the arena. But Hornets logos have begun to spring up inside and outside of the arena. "Its been well worth it," Whitfield said. "And it couldnt have happened without the financial commitment of our owner." The Hornets unveiled their new logos in December. Theyll unveil their new uniforms on June 19 and the playing floor design on June 26. The Hornets name will return to NBA action at the 2014 Summer League in Las Vegas. The popular Hugo the Hornet mascot will make his official return on June 5. Pete Guelli, the teams executive vice-president and chief sales and marketing officer, said fans have embraced the name change. He said 90 per cent of last years season ticket holders have renewed for the 2014-15 season. He also said the Hornets are currently No. 1 in the league for new season tickets sales. ' ' '