MIAMI -- Chicago White Sox right-hander James Shields nine-year streak of double-figure wins is in serious jeopardy.Sheilds, who starts Saturday night against Miami Marlins left-hander Adam Conley, is 5-14 with a 5.43 ERA this season.Perhaps Shields, who turns 35 in December, has gotten old all of a sudden, and his days as an ace are over. Perhaps that is the answer, but its still a bit odd because Shields has been so consistent for so long ... only to unravel this year.Shields, who started the season with the San Diego Padres, was acquired by the White Sox on June 4. Thats when things went from bad to worse -- in 12 starts with the White Sox, he has a 6.68 ERA.Things have been really bad for Shields in his two previous starts as he has allowed 14 runs on 15 hits in a combined total of 6 1/3 innings. He got just four outs in his most recent start, against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing eight runs.I was pretty much bad all-around, Shields told the media after his most recent loss. I wasnt in my spots, and they were capitalizing.So what happened to Shields?The short answer is that Shields is giving up too many walks and too many homers.Shields has always been a fly-ball pitcher. For example, he gave up the most homers in the league, 34, in 2010, but still managed to win 13 games that year for the Tampa Bay Rays.Last year, he again led the league by allowing 33 homers, this time for the Padres. But again, he won 13 games.In fact, entering this season, Shields had an impressive 127-97 career record.But Shields, who prides himself on a deluxe changeup that he can throw on any count and a fastball that ranges between 89 and 94 mph with movement, has allowed an alarming 2.2 homers per nine innings since his trade to Chicago. His career average is 1.1.Shields control has also been an issue. His walks have gone from a career mark of 2.4 per nine innings to 4.2 this season.Whatever it is that is ailing Shields, the White Sox hope he can be fixed because he is under contract through the end of the 2018 season on a four-year, $75 million deal.The Marlins, meanwhile, dont have nearly as much invested in Conley, a rookie who is 8.6 with a 3.70 ERA. Conley was Miamis second-best starting pitcher in the first half of the season, trailing only All-Star Jose Fernandez.But Conley is averaging just 5 1/3 innings per start in the second half of this season and has eclipsed the 100-pitch mark just once. His 4.00 ERA and 5.6 walks per nine innings are also signs of decline from his first-half numbers.His ERA was 3.65 in the first half of the season when he won six games.The Marlins, who dropped to 60-55 after Fridays 4-2 loss to the White Sox (55-60), are fortunate to be a half-game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals in the battle for the second and final NL wild-card playoff berth.At least, that is the view of Marlins manager Don Mattingly.Somebody is going to get hot, Mattingly said of the teams that are chasing that wild-card spot. Somebody is going to win 10 of 12 or 11 of 14 and put you in harms way. So we are going to have to get going.It may happen in time for Saturdays game or it could happen later or not at all, but the Marlins are reportedly considering signing Alex Rodriguez, who is due to be released by the New York Yankees after playing his final game for the club Friday.The Marlins would use Rodriguez at first base as a replacement for injured Justin Bour, who wont return until September at the earliest, according to Miami manager Don Mattingly.Rodriguez, 41, hasnt played in the field much, and he may not have much left. But he would spark interest in the team at the very least, and he may be able to supply some power. Ron Greschner Jersey . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Joe Kocur Rangers Jersey . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. http://www.rangershockeyonlineshop.com/martin-st-louis-hockey-jersey/ . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Jesper Fast Rangers Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Mike Gartner Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. SEATTLE -- Edwin Diaz allowed a run in the 10th inning, and the Seattle Mariners playoff hopes ended with a 9-8 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday night.Joey Wendle snapped an 8-8 tie with a one-out RBI double in the 10th.Nelson Cruzs comebacker with a man on in the bottom of the inning deflected off pitcher Ryan Madson (6-7) almost directly to first base, preventing Ben Gamel from scoring from second base.Madson also escaped a bases-loaded situation in the ninth.Seattle needed to win out to have a chance at an AL wild card.dddddddddddd.The Mariners were hoping to take their playoff chances to the final day of the regular season for the second time in three years. After rallying for three runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to tie it 8-8, the Mariners couldnt make game No. 162 count.Bruce Maxwell opened the 10th with a double off Diaz (0-4) and Wendles fourth hit of the night put Oakland in front. ' ' '