we battled and we only gave up two runs, one unearned and on

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OSTRAVA, Czech Republic -- Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek won the doubles for the defending champion Czech Republic to take a 2-1 lead over the Netherlands in the Davis Cup first round on Saturday. The Czechs defeated Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Rojer 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4) in almost four hours on an indoor hard court at CEZ Arena to improve to a 15-1 record in the cup doubles. The Dutch were trailing 2-0 in the fourth set before coming back and saving three break points at 5-5 after Haase double-faulted twice but the home pair converted their second match point in the tiebreaker with Haase sending a volley too long. "It was the toughest game we have played," Berdych said. "It was extremely hard for us. They were excellent." It was the first defeat in the cup doubles for Haase and Rojer following four victories. "We had our chances but our opponents were unbelievable," Stepanek said "We had to fight till the end." The Czechs, seeking their third straight Davis Cup title, are one win away from the quarterfinals while the Dutch must win both reverse singles on Sunday to reach the quarters for the first time since 2005. On Sunday, Berdych plays Haase then Stepanek faces Igor Sijsling. The winner of the best-of-five series will face either Canada or Japan in April. Berdych and Stepanek saved five set points in the 10th game of the opening set before they broke Haase, and Stepanek served the set out. The Dutch pair wasted 10 break opportunities in the set. In the second set, Stepanek failed to hold his serve in the fourth game and Berdych double-faulted to do likewise, allowing the Dutch to race to a commanding 5-1 lead. Haase hit an ace on the first set point. Berdych was broken again in the seventh game of the third set when his forehand volley hit the net but the Dutch let the Czechs come back after wasting three set points and Haase failed to serve the set out in the 10th game. The Dutch still forced a tiebreaker after saving three set points. Haase became furious when the Czechs jumped to 4-1 for no clear reason, hitting the net three times with his racket before the Czechs prevailed 7-2 with Berdychs backhand volley winner. Berdych had to be treated for a back problem when trailing 5-4 in the third set but said it was not serious. Dave Cash Jersey . -- For one night, Nick Calathes provided a big reason to believe the Memphis Grizzlies might be able to withstand the loss of Mike Conley on a short-term basis. Tim McCarver Jersey . Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization. http://www.philliesbaseballshop.com/jer ... es-jersey/. -- Wes Welker is unlikely to suit up for Denvers game Thursday against San Diego after leaving Sundays win over Tennessee with his second concussion in four games. Pete Rose Phillies Jersey . The Toronto Maple Leafs forward and Nashville Predators goaltender highlighted Mondays waiver transactions, with Calgarys Chuck Kobasew and Edmontons Philip Larsen also being placed on waivers. Greg Luzinski Jersey . -- Kyle Busch edged teammate Joey Logano at the Bristol Motor Speedway finish line Friday night to become the all-time winningest driver in Nationwide Series.MIAMI - Henderson Alvarez was a bit rusty. That didnt last long. Alvarez made a successful return to the mound after missing two starts and pitched seven innings for the Miami Marlins who beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 on Saturday. "He did a great job today and hes a unique player for sure," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "This guy competes and the beauty of Hendu is that, and I hope and think this is true, hes realized how good he is this year. This guy has great stuff and you saw that tonight." Alvarez (9-5) allowed one run and five hits while striking out six after being reinstated from the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. He lowered his home ERA to a National League-best 1.46 among qualifiers. "Im just thankful that everything went well today and I was able to go out there and help my team," Alvarez said. "Were in the middle of the (playoff) hunt so this is an important stretch for us." Alvarez threw 58 of 89 pitches for strikes. Two offerings were his Eephus pitch — one registered 58 mph on the radar gun — before he was pulled after the seventh inning. "Chuck (Hernandez) and I sat there and, believe me, we fought the urge to throw him back out there for the eighth, but decided that he did his job and knowing that was his first start back after being a little bit sore was the right thing to do," Redmond said. Steve Cishek pitched the ninth for his 31st save in 34 opportunities. The Diamondbacks made five errors, their most since recording six on July 3, 2010, against the Dodgers. "Through all the mistakes we battled and we only gave up two runs, one unearned and one earned," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. Wade Miley (7-9) struck out nine in seven innings for Arizona. He allowed two runs — one earned — and four hits. "Its a little frustrating, but thats baseball," Miley said. "Alvarez threw a great game." The Marlins scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning on the Diamondbacks fifth error. Shorrtstop Cliff Penningtons throw home on a grounder went wide of catcher Miguel Montero, allowing Marcell Ozuna to score from third base.dddddddddddd Ozuna moved into scoring position after a dropped pick-off attempt by first baseman Mark Trumbo. Trumbos sacrifice fly gave the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead in the first, but Alvarez was able to escape further damage after the first three batters singled. Ozuna, the centre fielder, threw out Ender Inciarte at home to help. Arizona racked up three errors in the second inning, but the Marlins were unable to take advantage of the miscues. It was the first time in nearly four years a team (Oakland on Aug. 24, 2010) committed three errors in an inning without allowing a run. Jeff Baker hit an RBI triple in the fourth for the Marlins. TRAINERS ROOM Diamondbacks: SS Chris Owings (left shoulder strain) will begin a rehab assignment with the Arizona League (rookie) Diamondbacks on Sunday and the plan is for him to play for Triple-A Reno on Friday. ... CF A.J. Pollock (right hand surgery) will begin hitting on Monday. ON DECK Marlins RHP Tom Koehler (8-9, 3.86) takes the hill in Sundays series finale against Diamondbacks RHP Josh Collmenter (8-6, 4.09). Koehler has allowed eight runs in nine innings over two starts, both losses, against the Diamondbacks. Collmenter is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA over his last three starts. ROTATION SHUFFLE Redmond has decided to start RHP Jarred Cosart on Tuesday and RHP Nathan Eovaldi on Wednesday in a two-game set with the Texas Rangers. With two off days next week, the Marlins will not need a fifth starter until Aug. 24 and a decision has not been made whether LHP Brad Hand or RHP Brad Penny will assume that role. STREAKS CONTINUE Inciartes career-long 16-game hitting streak is the longest active streak in the National League. He is hitting .314 (22 for 70) during that stretch. ... Trumbo also continued his streak of reaching base safely in 15 consecutive games, which is the second-longest streak of his career. China Jerseys ' ' '