s what the NFL season is about. Its about overcoming challenges, adversities.Brady,

CHICAGO -- Journeyman Cody Ransom may have finally found a home. Ransom hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the seventh inning and Jackson pitched the Cubs to a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. "Hes doing everything and more than what we expected when we picked him up," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of Ransom, who has been with eight teams in 11 seasons. Ransom connected off reliever Justin Wilson (5-1) for his sixth home run of the season. Darwin Barney and Julio Borbon were on base after the Cubs were held hitless for 5 2-3 innings by Pirates starter Jeff Locke. "Im playing a little more consistently than I ever have," Ransom said. "Last year with the Brewers I got to play a little bit but that was the most Ive ever played. "I know if theres a lefty pitching Im going to be in there more times than not. Dale has made it kind of easy for me preparing." The Cubs right-handed hitting, platoon third baseman had alertly taken an extra base in the sixth, leading to a game-tying run after he had been picked off in the third following a walk. His run tied the game for Jackson, who was trying to avoid the frustration of a ninth loss. Edwin Jackson (2-8) had his best and longest outing of the season, striking out eight in seven innings. He allowed four hits and a walk as the Cubs salvaged the finale of a three-game series. "Sometimes we take the game too serious and we are kind of confined in a bubble," Jackson said. "Today I was just able to come out of that bubble and have some fun out there. "Maybe taking it too serious is kind of a way to describe it." Kevin Gregg pitched the ninth for his seventh save in seven chances, completing a six-hitter as the Cubs avoided a sweep of the three-game series. Chicago manufactured a game-tying run in the sixth before Dioner Navarro got the teams first hit on a two-out single to left. Ransoms alert baserunning led to the tying run. He went from first to third on an infield grounder and later scored on Scott Hairstons sacrifice fly. "Hes a gamer," Jackson said about Ransom. "When hes out there hes playing to win. Hes an aggressive player. "He took advantage of the situation to go from first to third. Thats the kind of player he is." Locke issued a leadoff walk to Ransom in the sixth. Pirates second baseman Neil Walker fielded Anthony Rizzos grounder in the hole and had to race to the bag to get the putout because first baseman Garrett Jones was out of position trying to field the ball. No one covered third on the play and Ransom took the extra base. After Alfonso Soriano walked, Hairstons sacrifice fly to centre made it 1-all. Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Andrew McCutcheon doubled and Jones followed with an RBI single. Locke was wild all game, walking a season-high seven while striking out six. He left with a one-hitter and the game tied at 1 after 100 pitches in 5 2-3 innings. "I didnt really know that I didnt give up any hits because there was somebody on base every inning," Locke. "Multiple people the whole time. I was pitching from the stretch no matter what. "Good and bad at the same time. Ill take the things I did good and push forward." Wilson allowed Ryan Sweeneys single in the seventh, and pinch-hitter Borbon bunted into a force at second. Barney singled and Ransom followed with his three-run drive. "I just have to make a better pitch there," Wilson said. "Good job of hitting. "I didnt get it far enough in there and he got the barrel to it and it got up in the jet stream and the ball went out." The Pirates pitched well otherwise throughout the series. They held the Cubs to two earned runs through the first 23 2-3 innings of the series. NOTES: Navarro reached base four times, walking twice and singling twice. ... The Cubs failed to get a hit in each of the series three games until at least the fifth inning. ... Barney moved back into the leadoff spot. He had batted eighth from the seasons second game until three games ago, hit leadoff twice and then returned to eighth Saturday. ... Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said pitcher Charlie Morton could soon be considered for a return to the team after throwing 96 pitches in 6 1-3 innings Saturday during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis. Morton had elbow surgery and has been on the disabled list since March 22. Hurdle called it the right-handers "best outing to date." ... Pittsburgh right-hander Gerrit Cole makes his major league debut when the Pirates return home for six games starting Tuesday. The first pick in the 2011 draft will square off against San Franciscos Tim Lincecum (4-5, 4.75 ERA). ... The Cubs host Cincinnati on Monday, with Scott Feldman (5-4, 2.84) opposing Reds RHP Homer Bailey (3-4, 3.84).Christian Jaros Jersey . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Mikkel Boedker Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http://www.senatorssale.com/authentic-bobby-ryan-senators-jersey/ . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. Thomas Chabot Senators Jersey . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. Thomas Chabot Jersey . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front.The New England Patriots and Rob Gronkowskis family released a joint statement Thursday night confirming that the star tight end will undergo back surgery Friday, while saying, We do not expect that he will be able to play for the remainder of the 2016 season, but will await the results of tomorrows surgery before making a final determination.The statement further clarified Gronkowskis injury status, which initially was traced to the big hit he absorbed from Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas on Nov. 13.Rob sustained a hit to the chest that resulted in a pulmonary contusion to his lung. Rob was examined by several specialists at Massachusetts General Hospital as directed by the team, as well as an independent physician, the sides said in the statement.He received medical clearance to return to play two weeks later for the New York Jets game on November 27. After a hit early in the Jets game, Rob began to experience significant back and leg pain. This injury forced him to leave the game, and he did not return.This marks the second straight season that the team and Gronkowskis family have released a joint statement on his injury status. The club has seldom, if ever, done so with other players.The statement also said, With the help of the Patriots medical staff, along with the consultation of several medical experts, it has been determined that it is in Robs best long-term interest to undergo surgery to address his lower back injury.Rob has always been one of our hardest workers and was voted captain for the leadership he provides on our team. We are deeply saddened any time a player is lost to injury. We are committed to assisting Rob throughout his recovery and look forward to his return to playing football for the New England Patriots.Earlier Thursday, a source told ESPNs Adam Schefter that Gronkowski has been diagnosed with a herniated disk. The need for surgery was first reported by The Buffalo News.This will be Gronkowskis third back surgery. He has had two previous surgeries to repair herniated disks in his back -- in 2009, when he was at the University of Arizona and missed the entire season, and in 2013, his fourth season with the Patriots, when he underwent surgery in June and didnt return until Week 7.This season, Gronkowski returned to action Sunday after missing the teams game against thee Niners the week before because of a chest injury.ddddddddddddObviously were all disappointed, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday. Nobody has worked harder than Rob and been a better teammate. So hopefully things will work out positively as possible with him. All the information we gave you is really all we have for now. Im sure there will be more coming in as we go through the next few days. So well just take it as it comes. Its an unfortunate situation for him.Gronkowski played seven snaps in the 22-17 win over the Jets, leaving the game late in the first quarter as he walked off under his own power while accompanied by members of the teams medical staff. The team later announced he had sustained a back injury during the game and would not return.It was unclear on what play Gronkowski was hurt. It could have happened on a third-and-7 with 9:04 remaining in the first quarter; Gronkowski was the intended receiver on a deep pass down the middle of the field as he dived for the ball. But Gronkowski played one more series after that play, and he was the intended receiver on an incomplete pass down the right sideline on a third-and-4 before walking off.The Patriots are nearly two-touchdown favorites for Sundays home game against the Los Angeles Rams.It doesnt help losing great players, and to not have Gronk out there -- one of our best players and one of our most dependable, consistent players -- makes things challenging for us, quarterback Tom Brady told Westwood One Radio on Thursday night. But thats what the NFL season is about. Its about overcoming challenges, adversities.Brady, who is listed as having a knee injury, returned to the field Thursday after missing practice the previous day. He told Westwood One, Im feeling so much better today. Im excited about this weekend, going out there and playing against a great Rams defense ... Ill be feeling a lot better than I was feeling last week.The Patriots used their injured reserve/return designation on quarterback Jacoby Brissett on Wednesday, so the team wouldnt be able to place Gronkowski on injured reserve and activate him if it makes a deep playoff run. Each team is allowed to designate only one player to return. ' ' '