ATLANTA -- There were mixed results in the first week of Georgia Techs offensive healing.After coach Paul Johnson assumed direct supervision during practice, the spread-option attack moved closer to its usual production in last weeks 35-21 loss to No. 10 Miami -- at least when quarterback Justin Thomas and the Yellow Jackets were protecting the ball.But Thomas had two fumbles in less than one minute, and each was returned for a touchdown. Thomas, a senior better known for his usually reliable pitches and runs on option plays, knows he has to avoid mistakes when Georgia Tech tries to end a two-game losing streak on Saturday at Pittsburgh.You take away those turnovers and its a totally different ballgame, Thomas said Monday.Thomas lost his first fumble when he was hit from behind while looking to make a pass. He was looking to make a pitch to running back Clinton Lynch two plays later but fumbled when he tried to pull the ball back. The two quick touchdowns allowed Miami to stretch its lead from 14-7 to 28-7.The first turnover was where we dont protect him, Johnson said Tuesday. Thats not his fault. Youd like for it not to happen, but you cant hold him accountable for that. I think hed be the first to tell you the other one was probably a poor decision.Thomas also threw an interception late in the game for his third turnover.After being held to 124 total yards in a 26-7 loss to No. 3 Clemson, the Yellow Jackets (3-2, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) produced 361 yards, including 267 on the ground, against Miami.Johnson said he is continuing to take a hands-on role with the offense in practice this week as he looks for more improvement.I think there were some positives, but are we playing the way Id like to play? No, he said. We could be more efficient and not turn the ball over. We left at least two touchdowns out there on play-action if we had protected it better.Thomas is in his third year as a starter. He had too little help on offense in last seasons 3-9 finish.This seasons results have earned Thomas only lukewarm reviews from Johnson, but the quarterback has had a tough schedule. Each of Georgia Techs first three ACC opponents -- Boston College, Clemson and Miami -- rank among the top 12 nationally in total defense.Johnson said Thomas still needs more help, especially from his blockers.I think overall hes played OK, Johnson said. Weve got to help him, protect him a little better. Wed like for him to be a little more involved in the run game, but if we could get it sealed off better I think he could do that.I think hed be the first to tell you he hasnt played his best game, but I think hes been OK.Thomas said back-to-back losses havent sapped players confidence.Nobody is down right now, he said. Of course were upset we lost, but we felt like if we take care of our business we should have won.Thomas needs 41 yards rushing against Pitt to become the third quarterback in school history with 2,000 career yards. Josh Nesbitt (2,806) and Tevin Washington (2,225) also reached the milestone under Johnson.---AP college football website: http://collegefootball.ap.org Gregory Polanco Pirates Jersey .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. Jordan Lyles Jersey . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. http://www.pittsburghpiratesprostore.us/Francisco-Cervelli-pirates-jersey/ . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. Felipe Vazquez Jersey . JOHNS, N. Lonnie Chisenhall Jersey . Ronaldo produced a spectacular individual performance on Tuesday, scoring all three goals and guiding Portugal into the next years World Cup in Brazil with a 3-2 victory in Sweden. The Real Madrid forward has scored 66 goals in 2013, but the last three may be the boost he needs to upstage Messi after FIFA unexpectedly extended the voting period for the Ballon dOr to Nov. PHILADELPHIA -- Chad Kuhls fan club brought the noise.Andrew McCutchen hit two solo homers, Kuhl pitched six effective innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Philadelphia Phillies 15-2 Thursday night.Jordy Mercer hit a three-run homer and John Jaso and Sean Rodriguez also went deep to help the Pirates split a four-game series.Kuhl (4-3) allowed two runs and four hits, striking out five. He retired the first 12 batters before Tommy Joseph lined a double to right-center in the fifth.The righty grew up in nearby Delaware and more than 100 of his family, friends and acquaintances turned out to show their support. Many of them sat behind Pittsburghs dugout.It was loud, Kuhl said.Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was amused to see so much enthusiasm on the road.Now we know what it sounded like when Chad played Little League, Hurdle said. It was very entertaining. They were cheering every pitch. It was fun.Kuhl hid his emotions well.I was definitely amped up, seeing people I hadnt seen since I was maybe 12 years old, he said. I was nervous. I tried to block it out.Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff (10-14) gave up six runs -- three earned -- and five hits (four homers) in 6 2/3 innings.I feel like I let the guys down in here, he said. These guys are fighting. I have to live with that. Thats the most frustrating thing.Jaso led off the game with his sixth homer. McCutchen drove one out to center in the fourth. Rodriguez connected in the fifth to make it 3-0.Mercers shot increased the Pirates lead to 6-2 in the seventh. McCutchen hit his 23rd homer off Frank Herrmann in the eighth.ddddddddddddUSTING OUTThe Pirates had seven hits and eight runs in the ninth to put the game way out of reach.BARRYS NEXTMcCutchen has 174 career homers with the Pirates. He trails Barry Bonds by two for fourth place on Pittsburghs all-time home run list.MINOR SHAKEUPDusty Wathan, who led Double-A Reading to the best record in the Eastern League this season and a second consecutive Eastern Division championship, will manage Philadelphias Triple-A affiliate, Lehigh Valley, in 2017. Wathan replaces Dave Brundage.PROPER GOODBYEPhillies manager Pete Mackanin plans to start Ryan Howard all three games of the season-ending home series vs. the Mets on Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The 2006 NL MVP is the last player remaining from Philadelphias 2008 World Series championship team. The Phillies will exercise a $10 million buyout after the season ends, so Howard is down to his final games in red pinstripes.HEY A.J.Former Pirates and Phillies pitcher A.J. Burnett drove from Maryland to Philadelphia to see two of his former teams. He watched the Pirates take batting practice on the field and chatted with many of his old teammates.UP NEXTPirates: RHP Ryan Vogelsong (3-5, 4.66 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at Cincinnati. RHP Robert Stephenson (2-1, 4.43) goes for the Reds.Phillies: LHP Adam Morgan (2-10, 5.73) takes the mound in the start of a three-game series vs. Miami. RHP Tom Koehler (9-11, 3.97) pitches for the Marlins. ' ' '