na and Seattle.Theyre built to play in this ballpark, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. Youve got some guys who hit fly balls,

The New Zealand Breakers have been handed some unwanted pre-Christmas news with experienced campaigner Tom Abercrombie ruled out of the NBL for up to six weeks.The swingman fractured his right hand in training, and scan results on Tuesday showed the extent of the injury and the need for him to have time out to allow the bone to heal.Coach Paul Henare says he feels for Abercrombie, describing him as one the Breakers most consistent players this season and nearing his best form.Henare says the silver lining is that Breakers arent in action again until they meet the Kings in Sydney on December 30, so have time to make adjustments.While Tom gets the right medical attention and support, our concentration has to be on the players we have available, he said.I have every faith in their ability to get the job done while Tommy is out. We are a resilient group and have great depth in the roster.The Breakers, who are fifth in the eight-team league, are continuing their search for an injury replacement for guard Corey Webster.With the new recruit ideally arriving in time to face the Kings, Henare said the club would not seek a replacement for Abercrombie. Joe Crede Jersey . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. James Shields Jersey . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. http://www.whitesoxteamshop.com/White-Sox-Bobby-Jenks-Kids-Jersey/ . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Ozzie Guillen Jersey . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Carlos Rodon Jersey . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. BALTIMORE -- For the Baltimore Orioles, home is where the victories are.Coming off another series win at Camden Yards, this time over the AL West-leading Texas Rangers, the Orioles boast a major-league best 39-17 record at home.Their power-laden lineup leads the big leagues with 89 homers at home, including 31 by Mark Trumbo -- who tallied 22 all last season with Arizona and Seattle.Theyre built to play in this ballpark, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. Youve got some guys who hit fly balls, who hit it out of the ballpark. They dont hit too many ground balls.Most teams play better at home. However, the Orioles have taken it to a higher level. Theyre 13-2-3 in 18 series at Camden Yards compared to 8-10 on the road.They seem like they really enjoy playing in their own ballpark, Banister said.It begins with the pleasure of sleeping in a familiar bed, then driving the usual route before walking into a cozy, spacious clubhouse.Maybe its just a comfort level, shortstop J.J. Hardy said.The Camden Yards experience includes the loud O! (for Orioles) screamed by the crowd when the national anthem reaches the point, OH, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave.Thats when the visitors know theyre in a hostile environment.Think about the unity their fans have when they yell, `O! Its a tradition you learn by coming to the ballpark, Rangers outfielder Ian Desmond said. That comes with time. Its part of home-field advantage.A young rookie thats never been here before playing the Orioles, hes standing out there for the national anthem and hes like, `Whoa, what was that? Its like, theyre reeady.dddddddddddd Theyre on-point today.They dont sell out the place every night anymore, but Camden Yards remains a mecca for baseball enthusiasts with deep ties to the hometown team.Ill give the fans a lot of the credit, Orioles catcher Matt Wieters said.Desmond was far more adamant about the role played by the boisterous backers in orange and black.The Orioles are an old organization that has fans that understand the game. They know when to cheer. They get it. Players feed on that, he said. Home-field advantage is like a bond between the players and the fans.Baltimore stands atop the AL East because of its success at home. But if the Orioles are to remain in the playoff hunt they will likely have to improve on the road, where they were 22-29 through Thursday.The team was to begin a 10-game road swing Friday, facing the White Sox, Oakland and San Francisco.I look at it as, we havent been good on the road so hopefully thats due to turn around on this trip, Wieters said. At the end, if you win 93 games and its 81 at home and 12 on the road, it doesnt matter. Its just about getting to that number you need to make the playoffs, and then getting hot at home or away.The way theyve been playing at Camden Yards, the Orioles would like nothing more than to secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason.Its huge, Wieters said. In the playoffs, its all about momentum, and if you can get the crowd behind you it can influence the game by a couple of runs. ' ' '