into the weekend at Albatross Golf Resort at six under, four sho

Englands Matthew Fitzpatrick kept himself well in contention to secure his spot on the European Ryder Cup team as he fired a second consecutive 69 on day two of the D+D REAL Czech Masters in Prague.The 21-year-old currently occupies the last of the nine qualifying places for the biennial showpiece at Hazeltine in September and he headed into the weekend at Albatross Golf Resort at six under, four shots behind leaders Thomas Pieters and Jeff Winther.The qualifying period ends at next weeks Made in Denmark but Fitzpatrick is eager to get the job done with a tournament to spare by securing a good finish in the Czech Republic.Its a great start to the week for me, he told Sky Sports 4. I think everyone in the world knows its a big week this week, as is next week, so to start like that is very pleasing.At the minute, its in my hands, he added on www.europeantour.com. If I have a good week here and a good week next week then Ill close it up. It would be nice to do it here if Im honest.Theres still two weeks to go. A couple of boys are playing over in the States and a couple are playing here so Ill just focus on my own game and see where we end up.Defending champion Pieters shot a 67 with Dane Winther signing for a 66 as they opened a four-shot gap to Fitzpatrick, his three fellow Englishmen Steven Brown, Tommy Fleetwood and David Howell, and Swedish pair Peter Hanson and Robert Karlsson.Two more Englishmen - Ryan Evans and Richard McEvoy - were then at five under alongside Scottish duo Craig Lee and Marc Warren.Andy Sullivan will have to wait another week to try to secure his Ryder Cup place after missing the cut, while captains pick hopeful Lee Westwood was at two under. Discount Soccer Jerseys . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Free Shipping . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. http://www.stitchedsoccerjerseys.com/ . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Cheap Authentic Soccer Jerseys . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Stitched Soccer Jerseys . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Howard finally figured out Max Scherzer. The same could not be said for his teammates.Scherzer didnt allow a hit until the sixth inning and he was dominant through eight as the Washington Nationals continued their mastery of the Philadelphia Phillies with a 3-2 victory Tuesday night.One of the aces only blemishes came in the seventh when Howard, who got the start despite being 1 for 18 with 11 strikeouts against Scherzer coming in, hit an opposite-field two-run home run to break up the shutout and pull the Phillies within 3-2.But Scherzer closed the door from there, striking out three more in the seventh and eighth en route to his 15th win of the season.Thats Scherzer, man, Howard said. Hes one of the best pitchers in the game for a reason. Hes got basically four-plus pitches that he can throw any time, any count, and throw them for strikes. He does a great job of keeping hitters off balance, mixing it up really. And hes got kind of a pit bulls mentality when hes out there on the mound, wanting to shove it to the other team.Scherzer (15-7) allowed three hits and struck out 11 while walking one. He was perfect through the first four innings, striking out five consecutive batters -- all swinging -- between the second and third innings.He has taken a no-hitter into the sixth in nine of his 61 all-time starts with the Nationals, and has allowed just five hits in his last two starts.Hey man, I mean thats why hes Max, Washington manager Dusty Baker said. You know we had a good chance to win when Max pitches, and theres a good chance of him going deep in the game.Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 37th save, getting a strikeout and inducing a big game-ending double play after issuing a leadoff walk.Freddy Galvis and Odubel Herrera collected the only other hits for the Phillies, who have lost six of eight to fall 12 games below .500. They have dropped their last eight games to first-place Washington, which matches the team record for consecutive losses vs. the Nationals/Expos franchise.We need to improve our plate discipline, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. Were just not getting hits. But Scherzer was dominant, youve got to give him credit. Hes a tough cookie.Scherzer, who pitched two no-hitters last season, didnt allow a runnerr to reach base until Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp walked with one out in the fifth.ddddddddddddGalvis ripped a double to right-field to lead off the sixth to break up Scherzers no-hit bid, but was picked off second base by Scherzer to end the scoring threat.The Washington ace also had a sacrifice-bunt RBI in the fourth after Ryan Zimmerman walked and Danny Espinosa ripped a single.The Nationals staked Scherzer to an early lead in the first inning. With two outs and nobody on, Daniel Murphy doubled before scoring on a double by Bryce Harper, his 19th RBI in the last 19 games. Wilson Ramos brought Harper home with an RBI single to put the Nats ahead 2-0.Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff (9-13), who walked just six batters in his last eight starts coming in, issued three walks and allowed five hits and three earned runs through six innings.The Murphy at-bat was kind of unfortunate, Eickhoff said. I thought I had him beat and he just got enough on it. That kind of started it.Scherzers double-digit strikeout game was the 12th of the season, setting a Nationals record. He improved his career record to 7-1 against the Phillies, including a 6-0 mark since he joined the Nats in 2015.HOWARDS STILL GOT POPHowards homer was the 20th of the season and the 377th of his career, tying him with Jeff Kent and Norm Cash for 73rd on MLBs all-time list. His next home run will tie him with Matt Williams for 72nd place.He has 10 career 20-homer seasons, the second most in Phillies history behind only Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (14).Its cool, Howard said. I mean, it just goes to show to just keep trying to plow away, keep swinging, keep doing what you do. Even though its a lot less at-bats, hopefully it shows something.OWNING PHILLYThe Nationals, who opened their six-game road trip with a 4-0 victory over the Phillies on Monday, are 7-1 at Citizens Bank Park this season.TRAINERS ROOMPhillies: Peter Bourjois missed his second straight game after getting hit in the left wrist by a pitch Sunday.UP NEXTThe Phillies and Nationals wrap up their three-game series Wednesday night with Philadelphia LHP Adam Morgan (1-8, 6.50) opposing LHP Gio Gonzalez (9-9, 4.25). ' ' '