DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers waited out another patch of rain in the AL championship series Wednesday, finally starting Game 4 after a delay of 2 hours, 13 minutes. Jo Brazil Jersey . The game was supposed to begin at 4:19 p.m. EDT, but the rain didnt let up until around 5:30. Fans then began filling the seats closest to the field and, about 20 minutes later, the grounds crew came out to remove the tarp. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, baseball officials kept an eye on the weather before Game 3 of the NL championship series between the Cardinals and Milwaukee. "Their concern is they do not want the starting pitcher to start this game, and then pitch an inning or two and then have an hour-and-some delay," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "So they have brought in a bunch of people to look at the radar." Roenicke said officials will try to make a determination if the game will begin on time about a half-hour before the 8:05 p.m. start. Game 1 of the ALCS at Texas was interrupted twice by rain, and Game 2 was postponed from Sunday to Monday. Detroits playoff opener against the New York Yankees in the division series was also halted by rain and suspended for a day. Tigers ace Justin Verlander has had two of his three starts this post-season ended by bad weather, including Game 1 against the Rangers. Verlander isnt scheduled to pitch again until Game 5 on Thursday, but he was already anticipating more precipitation when asked about the forecast for his next start. "Im sure it involves rain," he joked. Wednesdays rain delay didnt affect Verlander. Manager Jim Leyland decided against bringing the right-hander back on three days rest for Game 4, starting Rick Porcello instead with the Tigers trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Verlander won 24 games during the regular season and also led the American League in ERA and strikeouts, but he hasnt been as dominant in the playoffs. "I think hes a little tired. Thats why hes not pitching today," Leyland said. "He wants the ball. I admire that. But when I had a meeting with my coaches, we sat down and talked. We really, truly believed that this is the best way to go because we think this is the best thing for Justin Verlander, and in turn that means its the best thing for the team." Verlander said he told Leyland he would be ready to pitch Wednesday, but the manager didnt take him up on the offer. "I feel good," Verlander said. "Its just a matter of getting my mechanics right." Omar Gonzalez Los Angeles Galaxy MLS Jersey . Not with Ryan Tannehill throwing and running like a guy who enjoys the white stuff. Not with Charles Clay muscling through the arm tackle of a likely Hall of Famer for the winning score. Diego Godin Atletico Madrid Jersey .C. -- Cam Newton wasnt flawless on Sunday.DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Jeff Gordon is prepared to retire if he can win a fifth NASCAR championship. The 42-year-old Gordon won championships in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001. He won all of them when NASCARs top series ran under the Winston Cup banner. He wants to win a Sprint Cup championship. With a family at home, a fifth title could convince him to call it quits. "If that happened, that would be all the reasons I need to say, this is it. Im done," Gordon says. "Go out on a high note." Gordon said recently he was "jokingly serious" about retiring after another championship. At Daytona, he insisted he was serious. "I go home and I look at my trophy room. I see four trophies, championship trophies," he said Thursday at Daytona 500 media day. "But they say Winston Cup on them. You can name me a four-time Sprint Cup champion for technical reasons all you want, but to me, Im still not. I want that before my careers oveer. Paolo De Ceglie Juventus Jersey. ." He would love to make a push in the No. 24 in the revamped Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Gordon was added to the Chase last season when NASCAR chairman Brian France used his power to make an unprecedented expansion to the field after two separate investigations into radio chatter revealed numerous instances of race manipulation at Richmond. France determined Gordon did not have a fair chance to race his way into the 12-driver field because of the actions of at least three organizations over the closing laps. Gordon was sixth last season in the standings, his best finish since he was third in 2009. He has 88 Cup victories, third on the career Cup list, and has had only two winless seasons since 1993. "Ive put in 20-plus great years," he said "I do this now because I love it, because I like being competitive, and because I want another championship. I want to get a Sprint Cup championship." cheap nfl jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
