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(SportsNetwork.com) - The Toronto Blue Jays have blown two late leads to open up a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates, who play their third game of a nine-game homestand today, aim to put the Blue Jays out of their misery with a sweep at PNC Park. Pittsburgh won Fridays opener 6-5 and took the series with an 8-6 triumph on Saturday. They scored four runs in the seventh inning to tie the game and Neil Walkers two-run double in the eighth put Pittsburgh ahead for good. In Saturdays loss, Jose Bautista belted his ninth home run, Brett Lawrie collected three hits and Josh Thole went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. R.A. Dickey got the start for the Jays and did not record a decision with six innings of three-run ball. Todd Redmond gave up the go-ahead runs and Aaron Loup was reached for three runs in relief. "I felt pretty strong tonight," Dickey said. "But Loup is really good. He had a tough night tonight ... I thought it was a good call. It just didnt work out." Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro hasnt played since Thursdays win at Kansas City because of a right quadriceps issue and could return Sunday. The Jays will visit Philadelphia for two games after their trip to Pittsburgh and will start a nine-game homestand later in the week. Taking the hill for the Blue Jays Sunday will be Dustin McGowan, who is 1-1 in five starts to go along with a 5.87 ERA. McGowan hasnt registered a decision in his last three outings and previously toed the rubber in Tuesdays 10-7 loss at Kansas City, where he permitted three runs, two of which were earned, in six innings of work. McGowan had allowed nine runs in his past two starts (8 IP). The right-hander won his only career start against Pittsburgh back on June 22, 2008, as he lasted five innings and gave up four runs (3 earned) in an 8-5 victory in the Steel City. The Jays and Pirates are tangling for the first time since 2011, when Pittsburgh took two of three games north of the border. "Part of the reason I think you pull it off is you keep pushing and you keep believing," said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. "The guys keep rooting each other on, keep going up there trying to get something done." Jordy Mercers two-run double highlighted the seventh inning, while Josh Harrison ended 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored and Clint Barmes finished with a pair of hits. Pittsburghs late heroics made a winner out of relief pitcher Bryan Morris, who improved to 3-0 with a scoreless top of the eighth inning. Mark Melancon worked around a hit in the ninth for his first save and starter Francisco Liriano struggled through 3 2/3 innings, allowing five runs -- four earned -- and six hits. San Francisco and St. Louis are scheduled to visit the Steel City as well. The Pirates will hand pitching duties to Edinson Volquez on Sunday and he has lost his last two trips to the mound. He allowed two runs in seven innings of a 4-1 loss to Cincinnati on April 22, then was pounded for six runs and seven hits through 5 2/3 frames in last Sundays 7-0 loss at St. Louis. Volquez dropped to 1-2 on the season with a 3.21 earned run average in six games (5 starts) after the loss to the Cardinals. He has allowed 10 runs over his last three appearances. The right-hander has made three career starts against Toronto, going 0-2 with a lofty 8.16 ERA. Opposing batters are hitting just .230 against Volquez. Toronto looks to avoid the sweep and has lost eight of its last 10 games. Discount Air Max 1 . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. Cheap Air Max 1 For Sale . It led to his downfall on Tuesday. The Major League Soccer club fired Rennie after a second straight up-and-down season that saw the Whitecaps start strong before limping across the finish line. http://www.cheapairmax1sale.com/. "First, I would like to offer my deepest and sincerest apologies for any harm I have inflicted on University of Missouri defensive lineman, Michael Sam," the statement read. Authentic Air Max 1 Shoes . -- Michael Phelps is 0 for 1 in his comeback to the pool. Air Max 1 From China .Martin Caceres marked his return from injury by scoring in the 3-1 win at Napoli and he believes Juventus sent out a warning to the rest of the league with that result.We go out on the pitch every game looking to give our all, Caceres said.TORONTO – The Blue Jays recent stretch of winning baseball has fans thinking of the possibilities, dreaming big, about the summer – perhaps the autumn – thats to come. It was difficult, watching Royals ace and long-time Toronto tormentor James Shields work on Thursday night, not to consider how good he would look as a front-end of the rotation rental for the playoff push about which the organization, its players and its supporters has long dreamed. Using a July acquisition of Shields as a hypothetical example, nothing more, the Blue Jays would have to take on the pro-rated portion of his $13.5-million. If the club, say, was to acquire Shields on July 31, it would be on the hook for approximately $4.5-million. What isnt clear is whether the money would be available. "We have a number that we work with and I always have the ability to have that conversation," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "We came into the season at the number we expected to be at and as the year goes on, we have needs. Depending on how were playing and whats available, if we have a need come the trade deadline, I have every confidence well have the resources to do that. I have no doubts about that at all." Shields is exactly what Toronto needs. He has an expiring contract and would test the free agency waters for the first time in his career this winter. He has won at least 11 games in seven-straight seasons and pitched no fewer than 203 1/3 innings in each year of that span. Hes pitched in the playoffs three times, for the Rays each year from 2008 to 2010 and is notorious for his work ethic. Ownership stepping up in response to a group of players that have given the city its first tangible hope of watching a Major League Baseball playoff game live for the first time in more than two decades surely wouldnt go unnoticed in the clubhouse, either. This run of nine consecutive wins and 17 in 22 games has helped in more than just the standings. On some occasions, the home run has been the difference. On others, speed and defence. The starting pitching and vastly improved bullpen have been major contributors. Put together, it has created belief in a clubhouse a year removed from stunning disapppointment.dddddddddddd "Its just being a complete baseball team," pitcher Drew Hutchison told TSN.ca. "We can do the little things. You can do everything. You can beat them with speed. We saw that so much with Reyes scoring from second. Youve got a guy like Gose putting down bunts and making diving catches. Youve got the power of Eddie and Francisco and Bautista. There are so many ways, the way this team is, we can beat you." According to baseball-reference.com, the Blue Jays have $134.4-million committed to player payroll for 2014. Earlier this season, Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal reported that a group of high-salaried Blue Jays had agreed to defer salary in order to allow for the club to sign then-free agent pitcher Ervin Santana. When the deal fell through, Santana signed with the Braves, the National Posts John Lott reported that five players – Mark Buehrle, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Reyes and R.A. Dickey – had pooled together $14-million in the failed bid to bring Santana aboard. Last week, Peter Gammons reported on his website, gammonsdaily.com, quoted Anthopoulos suggesting the payroll was maxed out. One would infer there isnt much wiggle room for a payroll increase; that a dollar in, dollar out scenario would be most likely in any deal. "Were at a number to start the year. I think thats fair. I dont think it varies from anything weve ever said. Its always fluid," said Anthopoulos. "Even when we did the deals last year, we were supposed to be in an area and then something came up." With the annual June draft set to begin next Thursday night, trade talk is virtually non-existent. Consider, too, that with the two wild card system in each league there arent many teams that believe themselves to be completely out of contention at the moment. "We are having no dialogue whatsoever," said Anthopoulos. "If there is any (rumours) out there that were engaged with players, were not having any active talks at all. Were really immersed in the draft right now. I expect that when that draft is over, the Monday after, thats when everyone is going to start making their calls again." ' ' '