and going only 1-of-3 from 3-point range all season. He also exhibited

SAN FRANCISCO -- Just like two years ago as a wild card going to Pittsburgh, the San Francisco Giants will hit the road to begin what they believe can be another special, even-numbered-year postseason run.Even after the surprising second-half struggles and bullpen blunders that threatened their chances.The every-other-year Giants found their way back to the playoffs.San Francisco made it on the final day of the regular season, securing the second NL wild card with a 7-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep of their rival.We found a way to get back to where we need to be, ace left-hander Madison Bumgarner said. If we play like we have been the last three days, well be tough to beat.Denard Span hit a two-run triple among his three hits, and Buster Posey drove in three runs and had three hits as the club finished with its first four-game winning streak of the second half.San Francisco, which won World Series titles in 2010, 12 and 14, plays at the defending NL champion New York Mets on Wednesday night in the NL wild-card game, with the winner advancing to a Division Series against the Chicago Cubs. Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, will face Noah Syndergaard.Everybody realizes this is do-or-die. This is playoff time for us already, first baseman Brandon Belt said. We knew we needed to step our game up a little bit if we wanted to get in the postseason, and everybody did. ... I dont think it bothers anybody that we go on the road to win these games. Its actually a lot of fun. With Bumgarner on the mound, were going to have a good shot.Los Angeles, the NL West champion, plays Washington in the Division Series.Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully ended his 67-year career, calling his final game 80 years to the day after he fell in love with baseball while walking home from school.Midseason acquisition Matt Moore (6-5) allowed one run and three hits in eight innings as San Francisco (87-75) reached the playoffs for the fourth time in seven seasons. The Giants began the day one game ahead of St. Louis.The Dodgers got a scare when center fielder Joc Pederson came up slowly after diving and landing on his right shoulder trying for Brandon Crawfords RBI single in the eighth.San Franciscos fate came down to Game No. 162, just as it did in 2010. That year, Jonathan Sanchez pitched the Giants past San Diego for the division title. San Francisco went on to win the franchises first World Series since moving West in 1958.The Giants led the majors with a 57-33 record at the All-Star break. After an up-and-down second half and a series of bullpen meltdowns since the break, San Francisco delivered an impressive offensive performance against Kenta Maeda (16-11), who surrendered five runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings.This is what makes this as special as whats happened in the past, manager Bruce Bochy said. We had two different halves. If we wouldnt have gotten to the postseason, this would have been really hard to take, sitting in our position at the All-Star break.San Francisco has won 16 of its last 20 home meetings against the Dodgers.Third baseman Conor Gillaspie went over a railing and TV camera and into the photo well to snag Chase Utleys foul popup to begin the third.A superior catch, tumbling over the railing, declared 88-year-old Scully. Gillaspie refused to quit, eyes riveted on the ball ... alls well that ends well. The Giants are pumped.BAGS PACKEDThe Giants loaded their suitcases in the players parking lot early Sunday for the possibility of being gone a week.If they beat the Mets on Wednesday, they would head straight to Chicago to begin the best-of-five NL Division Series.Were hitting the road regardless, Bochy said. Its a case where youre definitely hitting the road, so get your packing done early. For a possible long trip, pretty much the message to everybody. How else would you think?SLUMPING DODGERSThe Dodgers lost five of six to end the season.I think weve covered everything this year with the 2016 Dodgers, manager Dave Roberts said beforehand. Just to see the way that our guys have kind of come together, its amazing to look back. ... To be in the position were in, its a good thing. Although weve lost three or four out of five, whatever it is, I still think the clubhouse, the mojo, the vide, energy, its still good.TRAINERS ROOMDodgers: Roberts confirmed Josh Reddick and Andre Ethier will be on the playoff roster, with Charlie Culberson still in the mix. The Dodgers hadnt determined how many pitchers they will carry.Giants: INF Eduardo Nunez missed his sixth straight game since straining his right hamstring last Sunday at San Diego. Hes unlikely to be available for the wild card round of the playoffs.UP NEXTDodgers: Los Angeles will work out on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium before flying to Washington on Wednesday ahead of Fridays NL Division Series Game 1 with the Nationals and having a session in the nations capital upon arrival.Giants: San Francisco will travel east on Monday morning. Cheap Yeezy Powerphase Ireland . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. Wholesale Adidas Nmd Mens . JOHNS, N. http://www.cheapnmdsneakersireland.com/adidas-basketball-shoes.html . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Adidas Nmd Cheap Ireland . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. "Its about time," St-Pierre told reporters at a promotional event in Montreal on Friday. "I think its a good thing. Adidas Basketball Shoes Discount . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Ben Simmons has a broken bone in his right foot and its unknown how long the No. 1 overall pick will be sidelined for the Philadelphia 76ers.Simmons was injured Friday during the final training-camp scrimmage at Stockton University in New Jersey.The Sixers said Simmons rolled an ankle, and X-rays and an MRI revealed a fractured fifth metatarsal bone.In almost all cases, the fracture of the foots fifth metatarsal is known as a Jones fracture, according to ESPN medical analyst Dr. Mark Adickes. Athletes with this injury typically undergo surgery.The estimated time frame for a full recovery from surgery is around eight weeks, according to Adickes.The Australian forward played at LSU last season. He missed time early during his stay with the Tigers while waiting for an ankle injury to heal, and he also left an NBA Summer League contest in July after suffering cramps in both legs.Simmons injury is the latest blow to a franchise that has been beset in recent years by injuries to their players. Joel Embiid, the No. 3 overall pick in 2014, has yet to play because of surgeries on his right foot. Nerlens Noel missed his rookie year in 2013 with a torn ACL. Jahlil Okafor had his rookie season cut short with season-ending knee surgery on his right knee. He sat out practices this week because he still experienced soreness in the knee.Its become a bit of a theme in Philly the past few seasons, ending with last seasons 10-72 mark that earned them the No. 1 pick.Embiid took to his Twitter account Friday night to reference the teams mantra under former Sixers GM Sam Hinkie, who abruptly stepped down from his post in April.Simmons became an instant fan favorite before he ever played a game, and expectations were high that he was the cornerstone player that could eventually help turn the Sixers into playoff contenders.It means a lot, just to see people wearing my jersey around Philly -- its kind of weird, he said this week. Im just looking forward to hopefully giving back to Philly.Hell have to wait.Simmons was scheduled to start for the Sixers in their preseason opener Tuesday against Boston.ddddddddddddSimmons, a 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward, was Philadelphias first No. 1 pick since they drafted Allen Iverson in 1996. He led the Sixers to their last NBA Finals appearance in 2001.Coach Brett Brown planned to use Simmons all over the court, even at point guard. Simmons impressed his teammates with just one week of NBA training camp.I never played with somebody [like him], forward Dario Saric said at training camp. Everybody puts pressure on him, but I think hell handle this.Simmons averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists at LSU, the only SEC player ever to finish in the top five in all three categories. But the Tigers were only 19-14, failing to make the NCAA tournament.Simmons, who grew up in Australia before moving to Florida for three years of high school at Montverde Academy, signed a $20 million sneaker deal with Nike before the draft.He never demonstrated he could make jump shots consistently, rarely shooting from outside and going only 1-of-3 from 3-point range all season. He also exhibited an inclination to pass rather than create his own shot in the late stages of close games.Simmons also had academic issues that made him ineligible for the Wooden Award, which is presented to the nations top college player.On Monday, Simmons spoke with reporters at 76ers media day about his new strength regimen that saw him gain around 33 pounds since leaving LSU.Im a lot stronger [now], said Simmons, who was listed at 240 pounds while at LSU but said Monday that he weighed 217 before the June 23 draft. Im at the point where I want to cut down a little bit and play at a nice weight. Physically just being out there, guys are a lot stronger than in college, but Im also a lot stronger than I was in college, so its just about taking hits and bumps or whatever it is and finishing at the rim.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '