ANNANDALE, Minn. -- In a year of firsts for the Saunders family, this one may have been the toughest.Family members gathered at their cabin for the July Fourth holiday that patriarch Flip Saunders, the late president and coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, cherished over any other.Trepidation hung in the air as they made the one-hour drive from their home outside Minneapolis to Clearwater Lake. They had gotten through the first Christmas without Flip. Feb. 23, what would have been his 61st birthday, had come and gone. So had the first Fathers Day since his death last October from complications of Hodgkin lymphoma.But the Fourth, that was always Flips favorite. It was his time to bring together so many of the people he loved -- but rarely got to see during the hectic NBA season- for some good food, good company and a whiffle ball game between his Old Timers and son Ryans Young Guns. The cabins yard would be turned into a field, complete with an outfield fence, bleachers and a sound system for introductions.Somewhere between 80 and 100 people returned last weekend for another game, another cookout, another celebration of family and friendship. They came to try to continue the healing process, to move forward but never move on, following Flips death.This was the hardest one, said Debbie, Flips wife of 37 years. I cant believe Im saying that without crying. But I think because we did it the way we always did, it is exactly how he would have wanted it.But it was ... different.There was no sound system this year. Flip usually had a Wolves staffer bring speakers from the weight room at Target Center.There were no sixth-inning rules changes that could abruptly shift the balance of power. Flip was the one who always stopped the game for that.And the banter between the two teams was cordial. Flip was the one who got under Ryans skin and got the competitive juices flowing.Ryan, an assistant coach with the Wolves, could feel it. As he squatted down to play catcher, he turned to his fiancee, Hayley Dulin.Hayles, you have no idea how it was, he said. It was back and forth.Just two days earlier, Ryan proposed to Hayley in the gazebo near the field. One of the reasons he chose this weekend to pop the question was to try to turn a potentially somber occasion into a joyous one.Theres so many things I try to tell her, Ryan said. She helped me through the toughest time. She saved me through everything. I knew her in college. And then we reconnected in the last year. I feel like the nudge that she needed after me being persistent for about three months was my dad telling her, `You gotta go save my son.The Young Guns prevailed this time around, 3-0, but it wasnt quite as intense as previous games. It wasnt like the time when longtime family friend Jeff Vint, now father-in-law to one of Flips daughters, carried the championship belt given to the winner into the Hitching Post bar the night before a game a few years ago with Flip right behind him. The two barked at the young guys, got them all fired up, and may have snookered them into a few extra drinks.The next day we just hammered em, a giggling Vint said. It was like 20-2 or something.This year family friend Steve Stinski had every jersey made with the No. 14 -- Flips college number -- on the back. They wore hats with Flip written across the Timberwolves logo, and there was plenty of sheet cake and Mountain Dew -- two of his favorites -- on hand.Everyone smiled, or tried to. Everyone laughed, or tried to. Everyone hasnt moved forward but is trying to.People have no idea how hard it is, Ryan said. They look around and see healing, but every time I walk into that building ... Ryan and his sister Rachel still work for the Timberwolves, and there are reminders everywhere. Pictures of Flip in the practice facility. Pins that say Flip worn by team employees at Target Center. Opposing players who stop to offer their condolences.I think every first that we go through, those are hard enough. But its almost the in-betweens, the unexpected ones, said Mindy Vint, the eldest of three daughters. Its never going to be the same without him. But my dad would want us to always keep going and to celebrate and care for each other and carry on any part of him that we can.It took a while for Debbie to get back to the arena after Flip died.I didnt know if I could do it, she said. Maybe youre numb a little bit, but the arena always felt like home. ... It felt like it always was and Flip was on vacation or maybe a scouting trip or something. It always kind of felt right to be there, even though it was hard.She eventually became a fixture again next to her daughters at the games. She found comfort in watching the team her husband assembled grow up before her eyes while mourning the loss of a coach who was universally respected.I think theres a little bit of pretending going on, she said. If I see my kids doing OK, I feel OK. And vice versa. Weve just been kind of bolstering each other up and leaning on our friends and trying to get through it.Ryan and Rachel could have left the Wolves to get out of the shadow, but there is a collective determination to finish what Flip started.I see the potential in these guys. I want so bad for them to be good because I know Flip was a big part of that, Debbie said. I hope that that carries on with what (coach Tom Thibodeau) and (general manager Scott Layden) do. Basketballs always been our world. Ive always been that support there, the person behind the scenes that makes it right so he can go do his thing.Thats why last Sunday was so important.As folks started walking to their cars to head back to the Twin Cities, a woman stood by her SUV and relayed the news of the day on her cellphone.The Young Guns won. They were just a little too much for the Old Timers, she said. It was a good day.Everybody was happy. Scarpe Air Max 270 Nere . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Air Max 270 Uomo Saldi . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. http://www.airmaxscarpescontate.it/scarpe-air-max-plus-prezzo-basso.html . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. Air Max 90 Uomo Scontate . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Air Max 95 2019 Scontate . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. ARLINGTON, Texas -- Derek Holland has been a model of consistency for the Texas Rangers since coming off the disabled list.Even though hes only made two starts, the left-handers performance so far is a positive sign for the American Leagues top team as it tries to solidify its rotation behind Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish over the final five weeks of the season.Holland allowed a run and four hits with five strikeouts in six innings, the same as in his return five days earlier. The Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 2-1 on Sunday, taking three of four games in a series between division leaders.What we always talk about is being consistent and I want to make sure Im showing that, Holland said. I know its two games in a row. The way Im going to look at that is, whoop-de-do. ... Its good to live in that moment. Ive got to continue to worry about staying consistent.Ian Desmond and Jonathan Lucroy each had an RBI single for Texas, which has an 8 1/2-game lead over Houston and Seattle after both those AL West rivals lost Sunday. New left fielder Carlos Gomez made two highlight-reel catches, including a runs-saving grab to end the sixth against the last batter Holland faced.Holland (6-6) had missed two months because of shoulder inflammation before starting Tuesday at Cincinnati, a 3-0 loss. He threw 62 of his 84 pitches for strikes against the AL Central-leading Indians.When Derek throws strikes, Derek has success, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. He had a great mix today.Cleveland loaded the bases in the ninth against closer Sam Dyson, who allowing a single and then consecutive one-out walks before striking out pinch-hitter Tyler Naquin and retiring Abraham Almonte on a fly ball to end it. It was Dysons 29th save in 33 chances.Danny Salazar (11-6) lost his third consecutive decision in four August starts despite matching his season high with 10 strikeouts and allowing just two runs in 5 1/3 innings.In the sixth, with two Indians still on base and two outs after Jason Kipnis RBI single cut the margin to 2-1, Mike Napoli hit a hard liner to left. Gomez was sprinting back and reaching over his head when he made the catch.We had a few chances, Indians manager Terry Francona said. (Napoli) hit his ball and Gomez made a nice play, but we didnt have a ton of chances.That was an inning after Gomez made a leaping catch with his glove extended as his body crashed into the left-field wall to rob Jose Ramirez of a hit.ddddddddddddGomez played his fourth game for Texas after playing in 85 earlier this season for the Houston Astros, who designated the two-time All-Star for assignment Aug. 10.He was the hero today, Holland said. I may have pitched a fairly good game ... those are two big, huge catches.RUN AFTER REVIEWDesmonds run-scoring single in the second came on the first pitch after Elvis Andrus had been initially called out on a stolen base. The Rangers challenged and Andrus, who went to second while Nomar Mazara struck out, was ruled safe on a replay review that extended the inning.NOTHING EXTRAThe Indians finished with six hits, and the Rangers had five. All of them were singles. It was only the third game in the 22-year history of the Rangers ballpark that didnt include any extra-base hits. The previous one was against the Los Angeles Angels three years ago.SCORING SLUMPThe Indians won 12-1 on Friday night, their only win in Texas. Cleveland scored four runs total in its other six games the past week, and was shut out twice in Texas.TRAINERS ROOMIndians: Just before the deep fly Gomez caught, Ramirez fouled a pitch off his right leg, just above his knee. ... LF Brandon Guyer was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning. It was the third time in this series and MLB-high 28th time this season he was plunked.Rangers: There was a short delay in the fourth inning when team photographer Kelly Gavin was struck on the back of the head by a foul ball hit into the photographers well at the far end of the Rangers dugout. Gavin got the rest of the day off, and team officials said she would be OK.UP NEXTIndians: Start a 10-game homestand Monday night with right-hander Trevor Bauer (9-6) on the mound against Minnesota, which has the ALs worst record.Rangers: Darvish (4-3, 2.91) makes his third major league start against fellow Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma in the opener of a three-game series against Seattle on Monday night. Darvish and Iwakuma both came to the majors before the 2012 season. They have split their first two MLB matchups, with each winning at home. ' ' '
