MILWAUKEE -- The Pittsburgh Pirates Jameson Taillon may have a few extra thoughts running through his head when he faces Milwaukees Hernan Perez on Saturday night.Just 11 days earlier in Pittsburgh, Perez lined a pitch off the back of Taillons head in the second inning. Fortunately, Taillon wasnt seriously injured. Even more remarkable, he remained in that game to pitch six strong innings, allowing just five hits and one earned run.To be honest, I was waiting for it to hurt when I was down, Taillon told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. I really felt good the whole way through.Taillon knew he was extremely fortunate, saying on Twitter that night: Not exactly how I imagined today going when I got out of bed. But going to bed feeling extremely lucky.Taillon will make his eighth big-league start Saturday when he faces the Milwaukee Brewers.The No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft, Taillon took six full years to reach the majors. Hell turn 26 in November. Hes 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in seven starts with the Pirates this season.Taillon showed no ill effects from the close call and made his next start last Sunday against Philadelphia. He went six innings and allowed eight hits and four runs (3 earned) but did not get a decision in a 5-4 victory.The Pirates will be looking to avenge a 3-1 loss to the Brewers on Friday night.Milwaukee counters with right-hander Chase Anderson, who snapped a four-game losing streak in his last outing. Milwaukee is just 7-12 in games started by Anderson.The Brewers hope left fielder Ryan Braun will return to the lineup.Braun has missed the last two games with stiffness in his right side.It is day-to-day, Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said before Fridays game. Hes improved today. Im hoping hes back in there tomorrow. It is improving for sure and not deemed serious.Braun is hitting a team-leading .321 with 14 homers and 46 RBI.Pretty good, Braun said when asked how he felt before Fridays game. A little bit better than yesterday. Just a little bit tight; waiting for it to loosen up.Obviously the danger becomes when its really tight it wont loosen up. So were just trying to avoid hurting it badly. Ill get some treatment on it today and hopefully get back out there tomorrow.Braun has dealt with similar problems in the past.Its not fun, and obviously thats what were trying to avoid, he said. Whenever it gets to the point where it gets tight and it wont loosen up...I felt it for a few days but yesterday it just wouldnt loosen up so obviously it made sense to not take the chance to do something worse to it.At 52-49, the Pirates are three games out of the National Leagues second wild-card position. They have earned a wild-card playoff berth in each of the previous three seasons after a 20-year playoff drought.The Pirates appear likely to be without catcher Francisco Cervelli, who took a pitch off his right ankle Friday night behind the plate. Cervelli had just returned 10 days ago from a five-week stint on the disabled list because of a broken bone in his left hand.Pirates manager Clint Hurdle could only term the injury right-foot discomfort after the game, although Cervelli appeared to be in significant pain. Nike Clearance Store . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. Cheap Nike Shoes China . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. http://www.clearancenikeshoes.com/ . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Nike Shoes On Sale . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Nike Shoes Outlet Clearance . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Friday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EST:- The college basketball season begins Friday night, highlighted by four ranked teams in a Honolulu doubleheader: No. 10 Arizona vs. No. 12 Michigan State (7 p.m.) and No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 11 Indiana (9 p.m.).- College basketball teams set a high last season by taking 35 percent of their shots from beyond the 3-point line, a number that could rise this season.- With TV ratings down for the NFL this season, its been popular to point to a supposedly decreased quality of product. The AP talks to current and former players about what changes theyd like to see.- College football features only one game this weekend matching ranked teams -- No. 25 Baylor at No. 9 Oklahoma. But possible upsets abound.- TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In Friday nights lone Top 25 game, No. 20 Florida State plays at home on a Friday night for the first time since 1957. The Seminoles face Boston College and running back Dalvin Cook. Game starts 7:30 p.m.- COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The United States plays Mexico in a World Cup qualifier with political overtones days after the presidential election. This is an opener of the final round of qualifying from CONCACAF. Game starts 8 p.m.- The oldest rivalry in soccer resumes when England plays Scotland in a World Cup qualifier. Other notable mmatches on a busy night across Europe include France vs.dddddddddddd Sweden and World Cup champion Germany vs. San Marino.- NEW YORK -- UFC 205 boasts Conor McGregor on a Madison Square Garden card Saturday night that brings one of the biggest mixed-martial arts events to New York.- AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Joe Gibbs Racing lays it all on the line this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, where three of its drivers are vying for two spots in the championship race.- OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Los Angeles Clippers, with an NBA-best 7-1 record, play Russell Westbrook and the Thunder. Oklahoma City is 6-2 and the only team to beat the Clippers this season. Game starts 8 p.m.- There was a time when the NBA Development League was viewed as an outpost to be avoided at all costs. The D-League opens its 16th season Friday and has grown dramatically.- CHICAGO -- Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals visit Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks for a marquee matchup. The Capitals and Blackhawks split two games last season. Game starts 8:30 p.m.- PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- Chris Kirk leads by a stroke entering the second round of the OHL Classic. The former University of Georgia player has two top-10 finishes in three starts in the new PGA Tour season. ' ' '