situation. This is the first time theyve stayed up aft

DENVER -- Ichiro Suzuki nearly got his 3,000th hit and Giancarlo Stanton hit a record-long home run. It should have been a night to celebrate for the Miami Marlins, but the Colorado Rockies relentless offense spoiled the party.Suzuki grounded out in his first try at 3,000 hits and the Marlins, despite a 504-foot home run by Stanton, lost to the Colorado Rockies 12-6 on Saturday night.Charlie Blackmon homered among his four hits and drove in four runs for the Rockies, who moved within three games of the Marlins and St. Louis for the second NL wild-card spot on a night when history was nearly made.I dont know if Ive ever been in a game where Ive seen 3,000 hits, Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. Its a big deal.It didnt seem like Suzuki would have a chance after the Rockies took a 12-3 lead in the seventh, but he had a pinch-hit infield single to lead off the eighth inning for No. 2,999, just beating the throw by Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado. Suzuki stayed in the game to play right field.When I threw it I thought I had him, but like I said, hes too fast, Arenado said. Thats why hes so good.In the ninth, with many in the crowd at Coors Field standing, Suzuki hit a comebacker to Scott Oberg. The 6-foot-2 pitcher reached high to get the ball before it went up the middle and, after dropping the transfer, quickly gathered it to barely throw out Suzuki.I was trying to turn a double play on that, but once I bobbled it, I was just trying to get the out at first base, Oberg said. What hes done in his career has been an outstanding accomplishment. Hes been an inspiration to a lot of players.The 42-year-old Japanese star will become the 30th player in major league history to reach 3,000 with his next hit.You put him in the game when we did theres a little thought that he might get two (at-bats), Miami manager Don Mattingly said. Once he gets that first one, as that inning gets extended, you know hes going to get another AB. The guys were excited to have a chance to see it.Rookie David Dahl had three hits to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and Daniel Descalso drove in three runs for Colorado, which is 15-7 since the All-Star break.Stantons 23rd homer was the longest in the major leagues this season and the longest in Coors Field history. Suzuki batted for the All-Star Home Run Derby champion in the eighth.Stanton, who flew out on a 3-0 pitch in the third, connected in the fifth on an 89 mph changeup from Chad Bettis (10-6), sending a drive into the seats in left-center field for a 3-2 lead.I wasnt happy with my 3-0 swing, Stanton said. It was a good swing but not the type of attack you should have with that so I said if he throws me that again Im going to do what I should have done 3-0 and he did.Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza held the record for the longest homer at Coors, hitting a 496-footer in 1997 when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers.This was the second time Stanton crushed a ball in Denver. He hit a home run 494 feet in 2012.It put us in a good place but didnt seem to work out, Stanton said.Andrew Cashner (4-8) retired 10 straight after Dahls leadoff triple in the second, but faltered in Colorados seven-run sixth. The Rockies got five straight hits and a walk off the righty to take a 7-2 lead, and they tagged reliever Mike Dunn for three more runs.The Rockies sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning, which ended with reliever Nefi Ogando striking out Carlos Gonzalez with the bases loaded.We want to play out front and our offense is helping us do that, Weiss said. At the same time were getting good starting pitching. We got a long way to go. We got a lot more games to win, but its been nice seeing our guys fight their way back in the mix here.STILL STREAKINGDahls streak is the second longest by a Rockies rookie to begin a career. Juan Pierre reached 16 in 2000. ... Gonzalez also had two hits to reach 17 straight games. His is the longest current streak in the majors.UP NEXTThe Marlins will send LHP Adam Conley (7-6, 3.41) against Colorados Jon Gray (8-4, 3.77) on Sunday. Kenny Clark Super Bowl Jersey .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. David Bakhtiari Super Bowl Jersey .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. http://www.packersonlineteamstore.com/marcedes-lewis-youth-jersey.html . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. Oren Burks Super Bowl Jersey . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Aaron Rodgers Super Bowl Jersey . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July.Sky Sports Paul Merson is back to look ahead to another crucial round of Premier League fixtures. Following Leicesters capture of the title, the Foxes coronation takes place live on Saturday Night Football as Everton travel to the King Power Stadium.With the title wrapped up thoughts turn to the race for the top four and the battle to stay in the division, and nowhere is this more evident than at Carrow Road where relegation-threatened Norwich host Manchester United in Saturdays early kick-off. Pick your team Aguero? Ozil? De Bruyne? Pick your Fantasy Six-a-Side team for the chance to win ￡10,000 Our Super Sunday double bills gets underway at White Hart Lane where Spurs look to secure second spot behind Leicester when they host Southampton.All eyes will then turn to the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City and Arsenal will try to cement their respective positions in the top four.Read on to see who the Magic Man is backing... Last weeks predictions Result Merses prediction Arsenal 1-0 Norwich 3-0 Everton 2-1 Bmouth 2-1 Newcastle 1-0 Palace 2-1 Stoke 1-1 Sunderland 1-1 Watford 3-2 Aston Villa 1-1 West Brom 0-3 West Ham 1-2 Soton 4-2 Man City 1-1 Man Utd 1-1 Leicester 2-1 Swansea 3-1 Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea 2-2 Spurs 3-2 Leicester v Everton - Saturday Night Football, from 5pm, Sky Sports 1 HD This is a big game for Roberto Martinez. I dont think he can go there, roll over and watch Leicester win the trophy. I think itll be a very, very entertaining game, but I do think Leicester will win it. With their momentum, and everything about the game, I can see them winning it, just to finish the party off. Martinez is getting a lot of criticism. I think hes a very good manager abroad, I think his teams play good football but I think it suits La Liga and not the Premier League.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)Tottenham v Southampton - Super Sunday, from 1pm, Sky Sports 1 HD All of a sudden Tottenham have gone from title chasers to wondering if theyre going to finish above Arsenal. For me, theyve got to give their all for this game if they can. If they dont finish above Arsenal, thats a double blow after not winning the league, for the fans especially. Theyve had a great season, but I think this will be a difficult game. Im going to go 2-2, I think Southampton are a decent team, and Tottenham may just have a hangover. Ronald Koeman has done a brilliant job at Southampton, and Id like to see him at Arsenal if Im honest. Hes a top, top manager.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)Man City v Arsenal - Super Sunday, from 3.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD I think Arsenal win this game. Man City will have a hangover, although Ive never seen anything like that game at the Bernabeu. I had to watch the game and remind myself it was a Champions League semi-final. After 15 minutes, Sergio Aguero is getting the ball off the centre-half. Ive never seen anything like it. If theres ever a chance for Arsenal to win at the Etihad again, this is the game. If they dont win this game, youd have to ask serious questions. Man City are there for the taking, all day long.PAUL PREDICTS 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1) Paul Merson runs through his Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side team as he takes on Phil Thompson for Man City v Arsenal Norwich v Man Utd - Saturday, 12.dddddddddddd45pm I think this will be a good game, its one of those that both teams have to win. Theres no point playing like Man City, theyre both going to come out and have a go, and Ill go Man United to pip it in a high-scoring game. Itll be entertaining, Norwich are fighting for their lives and so are United but in a different context. I just dont see this one being a boring game.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-3 (Sky Bet odds 28/1)Aston Villa v Newcastle - Saturday, 3pmI think theres more of a twist than people think in this. Newcastle are odds of 1/2 here. Theyve taken one point away from home in 2016, how can you justify being 1/2? I know Villa havent been great, but you cant be backing a team at 1/2 away from home with a record like that. Im going 1-1 here, because Newcastle will have to come out and have a go, and Villa will cause a few problems. Newcastle went down at Villa in 2009 and will be out for revenge but the Villa fans wont want to lie down either. I just think people see this as nailed on, but I dont.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)Bournemouth v West Brom - Saturday, 3pmWest Brom have done the job by staying up. There could be three huge football clubs going down this year, and West Brom are staying up, that just tells you everything about the job Tony Pulis has done there. Fans might want more as the years go by with Pulis, but Charlton wanted a bit more when Alan Curbishley kept them up every year, where are they now? Be careful what you wish for.Eddie Howe is up there among the managers of the year. Bournemouth have done a good job, but next season they might not be riding on that wave after promotion.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)Crystal Palace v Stoke - Saturday, 3pmI knew Stoke wouldnt lose last weekend after being beaten badly three on the trot, and I was impressed with Palace giving it a right go at Newcastle. Palace wont start resting players for the FA Cup final just yet, and its the last home game of the season so I think theyll try and put on a bit of a show. Theres not a lot between these two sides. Some would say Stoke have been indifferent this season with Mark Hughes, but its only really been the last few games. Other than that I think theyve been very entertaining. Everybody is being judged compared to Leicester it seems, so for everyone else its a bit of a benchmark, but theyve finished above teams they probably didnt think they would at the start of the season.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)Sunderland v Chelsea - Saturday, 3pmThis is massive, and Im predicting Sunderland to win this. I say that because Chelsea had their cup final on Monday, and now a lot of players will have their eyes on the Euros. If Sunderland can come out and start getting stuck in early on, make it a real cup tie if you like, a lot of the Chelsea players will have one eye on the summer. Sunderland should have more fight about them, Chelsea put most of theirs into Monday, and I wouldnt be surprised if a few players are rested. Its so much more important for Sunderland.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)West Ham v Swansea - Saturday, 3pmI can see West Ham winning this easily - 3-0. Swansea go to Leicester and lie down, and then host Liverpool and theyre like the Harlem Globetrotters, and that sums it all up for them this season. West Ham can still creep into the top four, and I really think theyll win their last three games. Even if they dont, this is a superb season for them going into the Olympic Stadium. Theres a buzz around Upton Park, and they should carry that down the road. The last game will be emotional, but I see them romping to a win here.PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)Liverpool v Watford - Sunday, 4pmAfter their Europa League win, surely Liverpool have to rest their key players until the final, its their chance of getting through to the Champions League. Football has gone mad with this Quique Sanchez Flores situation. This is the first time theyve stayed up after being promoted to the Premier League, and he got them to the semi-final of an FA Cup. They got promoted last year and sacked the manager, so nothing surprises me. The problem is, they dont get it wrong too often, so you cant be too judgmental. Well have to see, they just want to keep improving.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 13/2)PLAY SUPER 6!Theres another £250,000 jackpot up for grabs in the latest round of the Soccer Saturday Super 6 game. All you have to do is predict the scores of the six selected matches. Its free to play so get your entries in before 3pm GMT on Saturday for the chance to win.PLAY NOW... Also See: Race for the top four Survival scrap analysed Pochs five-year plan VOTE: Leicester 16/17? ' ' '