player.WORTH NOTINGThe Pirates traded

BORDEAUX, France -- In the end, it was a tale of two penalties for Leonardo Bonucci.The Italy defender coolly converted the first one to level against Germany in their European Championship quarterfinal on Saturday. But he saw his second spot-kick saved by Manuel Neuer in the shootout after the match had finished 1-1 following extra time.Germany went on to win 6-5 on penalties and defeat Italy for the first time in a competitive match, sealing a spot in the semifinals against either France or Iceland.We showed that we are at the top level, Bonucci said. I am proud of what we have done. There is just the regret that we missed a penalty more than them.For the rest, I applaud my teammates and the coach because even though we have only been together about a month and a half, it feels like they have been my teammates for years and years in the dressing room.Bonucci had never taken a penalty before, apart from during shootouts. But he showed determination to step up and fire into the bottom right corner with 12 minutes remaining.In the subsequent shootout, Bonucci attempted to put his penalty in the opposite corner and his shot was saved by Neuer.When I struck my first penalty, during the match, Neuer stood still right until the end, even though I stopped during the run up, Bonucci said. I could have done better with the second penalty, but he was good in reading me.Bonucci has been a rock in the Italy defense throughout the tournament. Along with Juventus teammates Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini -- Italys so-called BBC -- he provides a solid back line for both club and country.At Euro 2016, he anchored a defense that didnt concede a goal against Belgiums Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne, or Swedens Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He also helped Italy shut out two-time reigning European Champions Spain in the round of 16.Bonucci showed his skill in launching attacks from the back as well during Italys five matches, notably with a 40-meter pass for the Azzurris first goal in the 2-0 win over Belgium.Against Germany, Bonucci once again stood tall as another sterling performance restricted Italys opponent to just three attempts on target.We said at the start of this adventure that we had to go out with our heads held high, he said. Throughout the 120 minutes we matched the world champions.It hurts, there is a lot of disappointment. But these men -- from the coach, to the president, and all the players -- have been great men.... I am proud to have been part of this group.Muggsy Bogues Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Alonzo Mourning Jersey .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. https://www.hornetslockerroom.com/Robert-Franks-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Robert Franks Hornets Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Nicolas Batum Jersey . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007.CHICAGO -- On most days, Kris Bryants three solid plays at third base would have covered the defensive highlights for the Chicago Cubs.This time, Bryant had to settle for a perfect view of Addison Russells sliding grab in the seventh inning.I had a front-row seat and that was one of the best catches Ive seen, Bryant said.Bryant hit his 36th homer and Russell drove in two runs to help the Cubs to a 6-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, completing a series sweep. But it was the defense by the left side of Chicagos All-Star infield that stole the show.Andrew McCutchens bases-loaded walk trimmed Chicagos lead to 5-2 with two outs in the seventh before Gregory Polanco hit a flare down the third-base line that looked like trouble for the Cubs.Russell sprinted over from shortstop and made a terrific catch near the home bullpen, drawing a huge ovation from the crowd of 38,137 at Wrigley Field and several swear words from his incredulous teammates.It was an awesome moment for us, Russell said.And a downer for the Pirates (67-64), who closed out a 4-3 trip that began with a sweep in Milwaukee. They trails the Cardinals by 2 1/2 games for the second NL wild card.The play by Russell down the line was fantastic, Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. If that ball gets in the corner you get a couple more runs.Jason Hammel pitched six innings of one-run ball as Chicago equaled the best August in franchise history with a 22-6 record, also accomplished in 1932. It was the Cubs first time with 22 wins in a month since it went 22-10 in September 1945.Heading into the final stretch of the season, the Cubs (85-47) are rapidly closing in on their first division title since 2008. They begin September with the majors best record at a season-high 38 games over .500 and a whopping 15-game lead over second-place St. Louis in the NL Central.You never even could imagine that you would have this kind of a lead at this particular point in the season, manager Joe Maddon said.Hammel (14-7) allowed three hits and struck out six in his first start since he was pulled in the third inning of a 3-2 loss at the Dodgers on Saturday, prompting the frustrated right-hander to meet with Maddon to discuss what he felt was a quick hook by the manager.Jordy Mercer had two hits and two RBI for Pittsburgh, which dropped to 3-12 against Chicaago this year.dddddddddddd Josh Harrison had two hits and drove in a run.Pitching for the third straight day, Aroldis Chapman worked a rocky ninth inning for his 32nd save in 35 chances. He threw three wild pitches and yielded Francisco Cervellis two-out RBI single before striking out Mercer with two on with his 11th pitch of the at-bat.I wasnt going down without a fight, thats for sure, Mercer said. What do you got to lose, right? He throws the hardest ball ever, so just battle and hope for the best.Bryant went 2 for 4 and reached base three times while extending his hitting streak to 13 games. The second-year slugger is tied with Colorados Nolan Arenado for the NL lead in homers and tops the majors with 111 runs scored.A brisk wind blowing in from left field was no match for Bryant, who drove an 0-1 pitch from Ryan Vogelsong (3-4) into the bleachers in left in the first. It was Bryants 10th homer in August.Bryant made a diving grab to rob Sean Rodriguez of an RBI single in the second. He went behind the bag to take a hit away from Harrison in the third and reached into the stands to retire Josh Bell on a foul popup in the fourth.He just plays well wherever you put him on defense, Maddon said. Hes just a good baseball player.WORTH NOTINGThe Pirates traded LHP Kyle Lobstein to the Baltimore Orioles for LHP Zach Phillips. The 29-year-old Phillips was 9-3 with one save and a 4.45 ERA in 49 appearances for Triple-A Norfolk this season. He will be assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.TRAINERS ROOMCubs: RHP Joe Smith (left hamstring strain) and OF Chris Coghlan (right rib contusion) likely will be activated from the DL when major league rosters expand on Thursday.UP NEXTPirates: Following a day off, the Pirates begin a 10-game homestand with a weekend series against the Brewers. RHP Jameson Taillon (3-3, 3.39 ERA) takes on Milwaukee RHP Junior Guerra (7-3, 2.93 ERA) in the opener on Friday night.Cubs: LHP Mike Montgomery (1-1, 3.50 ERA) gets the ball when Chicago hosts San Francisco in the opener of a four-game set on Thursday night. RHP Jeff Samardzija (11-9, 4.50 ERA), who played for the Cubs for seven years, pitches for the Giants.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap ' ' '