WASHINGTON -- Late in the summer of 2015, Rich Hill made two starts for the Long Island Ducks in the independent Atlantic League.He was lights out. He was unbelievable, Long Island manager Kevin Baez said. I couldnt believe we had him, really. He was a pleasure to watch.Earlier that year, the well-traveled left-hander pitched 25 games for Triple-A Syracuse -- the top farm team of the Washington Nationals.Hills journey takes him to Nationals Park, where he starts Game 2 of the National League Division Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers against host Washington on Saturday afternoon.I just didnt see it working out here in Washington, Hill said Friday, adding that he was impressed with the Nationals organization.The year for Hill included a trade from the Oakland Athletics, dealing with a blister that put him on the disabled list and being pulled by manager Dave Roberts while he was tossing a no-hitter. Now he tries to give his team a 2-0 lead in the NLDS after a 4-3 victory Friday in which Clayton Kershaw pitched only five innings but earned the victory.I think looking back on it and really is just -- and Ive said this over and over again, is staying in the moment, Hill said of his season. Taking each day as it is and being as productive as I can be within the time I have for every day that I get to play this game. And really, thats the best way that I can sum it up.Hill did not pitch against Washington this year. He last faced the Nationals in 2012 with the Boston Red Sox.The last time the Massachusetts native pitched at Nationals Park was is in 2009 with the Baltimore Orioles.Saturday, he will have to deal with speedy leadoff hitter Trea Turner.Obviously hes an explosive runner and he can do damage on the basepaths, Hill said. This is obviously a very good lineup. Keeping Turner off the basepaths would be a positive.Hill is 1-1 with a 4.34 ERA in four games (three starts) against the Nationals with 17 strikeouts and six walks in 18 2/3 innings.I think the thing thats impressed me most about Rich are two things, Roberts said Friday. One thing is his intent; everything he does every day is for a purpose, and I didnt appreciate that not knowing him. And how intense he is on his pens, not only his start days, but his pens.The other thing I appreciate is admitting his growth as a player, as a person, in the sense that as a young player ... a lot of distractions got to him and things were out of his control. But I think that now when you watch Rich and talk to Rich, he lives in the moment. And I think that lends itself to just pitching with conviction on every single pitch.His only postseason appearance came in Game 3 of the 2007 NLDS as a starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was tagged with the loss after giving up six hits and three runs in three innings while striking out three with two walks as the Cubs lost 5-1.Hill, 36, becomes the oldest Dodgers pitcher to start in the playoffs since 40-year-old Greg Maddux took the mound against the New York Mets in the 2006 NLDS.Hill will be opposed by Washington right-hander Tanner Roark, who has also had a nomadic existence as he prepares for his postseason start.He has good stuff, Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner said.Roark, a 25th-round pick by the Texas Rangers, was used out of the bullpen in 2014 in the NLDS by the Nationals after he won 15 games as a starter.Its definitely a dream come true, Roark said Friday. You know, to get your first start in the postseason. But youve got to go out there and be in confident in everything that I do, and you know, be aggressive and keep doing what I did all during the season. Not change anything and just be myself.Roark was 16-10 with a 2.83 ERA in 34 games (33 starts) this year. He was tagged with the loss against the Dodgers on June 21 as he gave up three runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won that game 3-2 during a stretch when the Nationals lost a season-high seven straight games during a West Coast swing.Roark is 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA in three games (one start) in his career against the Dodgers.The University of Illinois native was told Thursday he would start Game 2.You know, I was obviously very excited to get the Game 2 start at home, he said. And to pitch in front of 42,000 people, its always a good feeling.Roark faces a Dodgers lineup with several left-handed hitters, including prohibitive NL Rookie of the Year favorite Corey Seager, Chase Utley and Adrian Gonzalez.I mean, they have faced me before and Ive faced them before and Ive faced them in previous years, Roark said. So go back and definitely watch a little video and read the scouting report, because obviously weve come a long way since June. So they have made adjustments and Ive made adjustments myself. Cheap Air Max 720 Womens . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. Air Max 270 Wholesale . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. http://www.airmax720wholesale.com/air-max-270-wholesale/air-max-270-pink.html .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. Air Max 720 Womens Sale . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Air Max 2019 Clearance . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. NEW YORK -- Can serenity come from suffering?For that matter, can serenity be found in New York City, specifically, in this case, the Bronx?Those are the questions I pondered as I ran the back hills of Van Cortlandt Parks famed cross-country trails. I was in the middle of a race put on by the Van Cortlandt Park Track Club, a 5K run that began with a sprint across the flats and a dash into the hills of New York Citys third-largest park, which sprawls for more than 1,000 acres across the northeast corner of the Bronx.Looking out to the edge of the park from some spots, you can see tall apartment buildings. But in other places, youre running on trails that seem so green and wild, lined with so many trees, that you might as well be in the woods.The park has been a mecca for cross-country runners for over 100 years. Its courses opened in 1913. Famed athletes whove competed here include Alberto Salazar, Alan Webb, Edward Cheserek, Marty Liquori and Matt Centrowitz, who won the gold at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the 1,500-meter race.I first raced here in high school, a skinny lad unaware of the suffering and false rabbit tactics of rival teams. I soon learned to embrace the suck -- just deal with it! -- and with time I also learned to fly. Theres a trick to cross-country, you seee.dddddddddddd Of course you have to have the strength to power up and defeat your opponent on the ascent, but the race can be won on the downhill. If you can give in to gravity, to almost fall, youll fly down. With arms out for balance, you can speed away from even your toughest opponent.The courses are the same as in my heyday, with flats, a cowpath, a bridge and back hill loop, as well as Cemetery Hill (also known as Vault Hill), which is part of a route used for college races. Race distances are 5K, 8K or 10K. For hill training, Van Cortlandt is a must. For runners and racers, it should be on your bucket list.But take your cue from metal signs along the courses depicting the turtle and the hare. While I like to try to race fast here (and re-live my youth), I suppose the hare suggests that you can also take it easy. You can run or jog, but you can also stroll or just meander through a park that is one of New York Citys emerald treasures.The Van Cortlandt Park Track Club sometimes gives winners carrot cake muffins from Lloyds Carrot Cake shop (6087 Broadway in the Bronx), across from the start/finish line. Whatever your pace, you can seek your rewards there as well. ' ' '