MINNEAPOLIS -- Jim Johnson struggled again. Donte Jackson Jersey . The Oakland Athletics picked up their new closer with a strong finish. Derek Norris hit a three-run homer in the 11th inning, and the As bounced back from another blown save by Johnson to beat the Minnesota Twins 7-4 on Wednesday. "When someone doesnt come through the next guy comes up and fills in for him. ... Its a nice chemistry we have here for that to happen," Norris said. Jared Burton (0-1) gave up the one-out drive by the backup catcher Norris, who went deep on Tuesday night, too. Dan Otero (1-0) got the last eight outs for the victory in relief of Johnson, who has given up seven runs, nine hits and six walks in five appearances with the As. Hes simply been falling behind in too many counts. "Whatever hes got to do to change that he will," Norris said, adding: "Hes going to go on a roll, and this isnt going to be a matter any longer I dont think." Minnesota trailed 4-0 after a rocky first inning by Phil Hughes, who needed 40 pitches to get his first out. Jason Kubel homered in the second and Brian Dozier went deep in the eighth. Johnson, who had 50 saves for Baltimore last season, gave up the third of four hits by Kubel to start the ninth. With the bases loaded and one out, Johnson nearly had Eduardo Escobar struck out, but a foul tip was ruled on his two-strike swing. Escobar then poked a single into to left field to cut Oaklands lead to 4-3. A one-hop throw to third baseman Josh Donaldson nearly forced out Kurt Suzuki, who was ruled safe, and a video review ruled the call stood -- meaning there was not "clear and convincing" evidence to overturn it. Donaldson said he closed his glove on the ball before Suzukis foot hit. But As manager Bob Melvin didnt waste time arguing, instead replacing Johnson with Otero. "I just had to go get him. I didnt feel great about it, but I had to do it. Keep working to get him right," Melvin said, declining to speculate on whether Johnsons closer job was in jeopardy. Dozier hit a sacrifice fly to right field, just deep enough for Suzuki to race home and sneak a hand onto the plate in front of the tag by Norris. Another umpire-initiated review confirmed the safe call, and the crowd of 22,973 cheered loudly when the video board provided the proof. There was more drama before Norris came up again. Glen Perkins struck out Donaldson to end the 10th inning, and the Twins closer shouted some obscenities and pointed at Donaldson, who gestured and "started to red line," as Donaldson put it afterward. Donaldsons path to Perkins was cut off by the Twins, and after the dugouts mostly emptied the tension de-escalated. Donaldson nearly homered during that at-bat, but the ball drifted foul. Perkins said he thought Donaldson was admiring his drive too long. "I dont feel like I disrespected him at all. Im up there trying to win a game for our team, and hes trying to win a game for his team. Juices are flowing," Donaldson said. Said Perkins: "There were things that happened in that at-bat that we both could have done differently. So well leave it at that." Donaldson hit an RBI double after Hughes walked the first two batters of the game. Brandon Moss tacked on a two-run single, and Alberto Callaspo added an RBI single. None of the hits were particularly hard, but the damage was done. Hughes walked three and struck out three in five innings, with five hits surrendered. Twins starters have one win in eight turns, with a collective 6.43 ERA. Oakland starter Jesse Chavez pitched seven smooth innings with no walks and nine strikeouts. As starters have allowed three runs or fewer in each of their first eight games, for a 2.02 ERA. NOTES: The As held CF Coco Crisp out again following a cortisone shot he had in his left wrist and likely will do so again on Thursday. ... The Twins honoured Gardenhire before the game for his 1,000th career victory by giving him a hand-crafted humidor filled with, yep, 1,000 cigars. ... Oakland has eight straight wins over Minnesota, all with at least seven runs. ... The As will send RHP Dan Straily (0-1, 4.50 ERA) to the mound for the series finale, and RHP Mike Pelfrey (0-1, 5.06 ERA) is set to pitch for the Twins. Daeshon Hall Jersey . Charlottetown scored four times in the third period en route to a 5-2 win over the defending champion Halifax Mooseheads on Friday. Panthers Jerseys . Ghoulam has put pen to paper on a four and a half year deal, tying him to Napoli until 2018. The 22-year-old Algeria international, who played for France at Under 21 level, has made 87 league appearances in four seasons at Saint-Etienne. http://www.thepanthersofficialstore.com/authentic-marquis-haynes-panthers-jersey/ . -- The Kelowna Rockets earned their 16th straight win with a 7-2 rout of the Portland Winterhawks in Western Hockey League action Thursday. TORONTO -- Tyler Bigg scored 10 seconds into the first period and Jerry DAmigo added another near the midway mark as the Toronto Marlies edged the streaking San Antonio Rampage 2-1 in American Hockey League action. Entering Saturday, the Rampage had won six straight and earned points in 16 of 17 games while spending the entire month of February on the road due to the Stock and Show Rodeo taking over the AT&T Center in San Antonio. "Statistically, what theyve been able to do on the road since theyve had an event in their building, theyve been fantastic," said Marlies coach Steve Spott. "We knew they were going to be hot. We knew we had to be good defensively today and we were." Bobby Butler had the lone goal for the Rampage at 15:04 of the third. The Marlies (30-17-4) improved to 4-2-0 on their current 10-game home stand, which continues Sunday against the Oklahoma City Barons, and swept the four-game season series with the Rampage (23-22-8). Drew MacIntyre made 22 saves for his league-leading 23rd win of the season. Biggs scored 10 seconds in to the first period, jamming home a loose puck off a scrum in front of Rampage starter Michael Houser for his sixth of the season. "I think its a good story, when you look at the (Jerred) Smithson, Biggs and (Mike) Duco line, youre going head-to-head against Drew Shore, a very good player in this league and the National Hockey League," Spott said. DaNorris Searcy Panthers Jersey. "To get that early goal, especially from our checking line, I thought that was the bonus goal we were looking for and we were able to hold on for 60 minutes." DAmigo gave the Marlies a 2-0 lead at 10:24 of the opening period, beating Houser glove side for his 14th of the campaign. DAmigo, who was checked on the play and went into the boards heavily, came up favouring his left hand and went directly to the Marlies dressing room, but later returned. "(Spencer) Abbott seems to be finding me on those little breakaways there and Im just skating right into it," said DAmigo, who had his left hand wrapped in ice post-game. "Trying to just get the puck on net someway, somehow and I saw the glove open up and put it in." San Antonio defenceman Alex Petrovic was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for slashing on the play. "He hacked me down and you cant really stop yourself so you try to put your hands up to stop yourself and obviously it didnt work," added DAmigo of the play. Houser, who allowed two goals on nine shots, was replaced by Jacob Markstrom. He finished with 23 saves. Note: The Toronto Maple Leafs assigned forward Peter Holland to the Marlies on Saturday. Spott said Holland would centre the teams top line Sunday. Marlies forward Sam Carrick (upper body) is expected to miss another 7 to 10 days, but is practicing with contact Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Braves Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap White Sox Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Indians Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Tigers Jerseys Cheap Astros Jerseys Cheap Royals Jerseys Cheap Angels Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys ' ' '