SEATTLE -- Making his first big league start at first base and just his third appearance in the majors in nearly 13 months, Jesus Montero made strides in proving that he belongs with the Seattle Mariners. Montero hit his first big league home run in more than a year, played error-free in the field and helped the Mariners sweep a two-game set over the San Diego Padres with a 6-1 victory Tuesday. The former top catching prospect was suspended 50 games for his connection to the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug investigation last year and began the season at Triple-A Tacoma. "I really appreciate the opportunity that the Mariners are giving me again," Montero said. "Its really hard for me, what I was going through last year -- very tough year. Little by little, was in Triple-A working hard to be here and they gave me an opportunity again, and I feel really happy that they were paying attention to me. Now Im here. "I just want to appreciate that opportunity that they give me again and I want to just help them, help them to win." Montero, who said he was using a heavier bat than usual as he normally does against left-handers, showed the power that has made him a top prospect by reaching out of the zone to pull a low pitch for a two-run homer to left in the second and give the Mariners a 2-1 lead. The two runs would prove to be enough for starter Roenis Elias, who pitched seven strong innings. Elias (6-5) allowed three hits and struck out six without a walk while facing the minimum in five innings. After failing to win a game for nearly a month, Elias has won three of his last four. The only mistake Elias made turned into a solo home run by Rene Rivera in the second. "It was a good day for me," Elias said through an interpreter. "I had control of it and went out and did what I was capable of doing. Thank God it worked out well for us." "He has a good, live, young arm," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "He threw some secondary pitches as the game went on when he was behind the count, which I think helped him." Robinson Cano added two more insurance runs in the fifth with his fourth home run of the season to give the Mariners a 4-1 lead and it was enough to chase San Diego starter Eric Stults. Stults (2-9) allowed four runs, six hits and a walk. The left-hander struck out five, but had trouble finding the strike zone consistently and needed a season-high 102 pitches. The Padres bullpen was unable to keep the game close, as reliever Tim Stauffer loaded the bases and then gave up a two-run double to Kyle Seager. The Seattle third baseman leads the team with 47 RBIs, the most by a Mariner through 71 games since Raul Ibanez had 49 in 2007. The Padres have scored two runs or less 10 times in the last 15 games and have recorded four hits or less 13 times this season. NOTES: The teams travel to San Diego for another two-game set. Seattle RHP Felix Hernandez and San Diego RHP Andrew Cashner are slated to pitch in the opener on Wednesday. ... Black said INF Jedd Gyorko (plantar fasciitis) is not close to returning from the 15-day DL, despite being eligible to be reinstated on Friday. Gyorko, though, may be able to shed his walking boot on Friday. Marcus Foligno Jersey .The law passed on Friday, in a 128-62 vote in the lower chamber of parliament, was prompted by FIFA bribery scandals in recent years.Switzerland-based sports leaders such as FIFA President Sepp Blatter and IOC President Thomas Bach are now classed as politically exposed persons in wider legislation covering money-laundering. Mikko Koivu Jersey . No, the San Antonio star didnt announce retirement plans during an off day at the NBA Finals on Wednesday. http://www.authenticwildpro.com/Matt-dumba-wild-jersey/. He wants to seize that opportunity. The trouble is, Firus has had more bumps on the road to Sochi than most. Last year, Firus had the skate of a lifetime in the short program at the Canadian championships when he landed his first triple Axel in competition and finished third in a stacked field. Jared Spurgeon Jersey . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. Ryan Suter Jersey .com) - Eric Fehr and Marcus Johansson each registered a pair of goals, as Washington spoiled the head coaching debut of Peter Horachek by picking up a 6-2 victory in Toronto on Wednesday.BALTIMORE -- In his first year with the Baltimore Orioles, Brian Roberts played shortstop alongside third baseman Cal Ripken, Jr., who was in the final year of what turned out to be a Hall of Fame career. Now in his first season with the New York Yankees, Roberts is lining up next to shortstop Derek Jeter -- whos putting the finishing touches on what appears to be a Hall of Fame career. "Ive definitely been extremely blessed to take part in both of their last years," Roberts said. "They have so many similarities: the way they go about the game, the way they go about their business on and off the field, so professional in both ways, so respected by everyone. When you play with each of them you see why. They both do just do everything the right way, treat people the right way. Its something that all of us can learn from." The 36-year-old Roberts wont soon forget the experience. "We all take things from every place that weve been and people that we play with, but certainly when you play with guys of that calibre and that stature in the game, I think its special for all of us to have the opportunity to do that," he said. Roberts played 51 games at shortstop in 2001, his first year with the Orioles, and has been at second base ever since. After spending 13 years with the Orioles, he signed as a free agent with the Yankees in January. He returned to Camden Yards on Friday for the first time since his departure. "Its crazy," he said in the New York clubhouse. "I dont know if I walked in here one time in my career. Its definitely strange tto walk by the home clubhouse and come over here but its kind of a new chapter of life.dddddddddddd Im certainly excited to be back. Spent the night in my house. Good to sleep in your own bed sometimes." Roberts was extremely popular in Baltimore, but during the later stages of his career he played sparingly because of a variety of injuries -- most notably a concussion that impacted his 2011 and 2012 seasons. Being healthy with the Yankees was just what he wanted when he opted to play another year. "Its been great. Thats all I was hoping for this year was to have the opportunity to get out and play on a consistent basis and feel healthy and feel like I was contributing," Roberts said. "From that standpoint, its certainly been a year Ive been pleased with." Playing with the Orioles, however, was tough to beat. "Certainly the 13 years that I had in Baltimore were the best years of my life," Roberts said. "No one can take that away from us. Very appreciative to have those years. And now, to do this is just something new." New York manager Joe Girardi expected Roberts to get a warm reception from the fans at Camden Yards. "He put up a lot of big numbers here, did a lot of great things here," Girardi said. "He was a fan favourite for a long time here, so I would hope they would greet him well." When Roberts got to the plate in the second inning, he received a smattering of applause. He then drove the first pitch from Miguel Gonzalez over the right-field scoreboard for his fifth home run of the year. 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