32 tries. Seattle had won 12 of its previous 16 games. The Mariners f

TORONTO - Speaking at an event for season ticket holders before the season began, Masai Ujiri urged Raptors fans - and by extension the team itself - to help make the Air Canada Centre a daunting place for opponents to visit. "We have to make this place a living hell for [opponents] to come play here," the Raptors general manager pleaded. So far its been anything but. "We have far more focus on the road than we do at home and that is a concern," coach Dwane Casey said after his team dropped to 4-8 at the ACC, losing another heartbreaker, 104-102 to the Bobcats in overtime Wednesday. With a record of 5-6 outside of Toronto, the Raptors are one of three Eastern Conference teams with more wins on the road than at home. Wednesdays loss to the Bobcats, a team theyve had difficulty with in the past, was an especially bitter pill for them to swallow. After coughing up a 16-point lead in the third quarter, the Raptors were able to hold it together long enough to force overtime. In the extra frame, DeMar DeRozan - seemingly exhausted after playing over 40 minutes - split a pair of free throws to tie the game up with one second remaining. A second overtime period seemed imminent. As Josh McRoberts inbounded, Kemba Walker curled off a screen set by Al Jefferson. Freed up for just a moment before Jonas Valanciunas closed out hard on the Bobcats leading scorer, Walker drained the dagger that handed the Raptors yet another unsettling loss in their own building. "It hurts," admitted Kyle Lowry, whose three-pointer sent the game into overtime. "Everyone loses a game [to] a buzzer-beater but youd rather get blown out by 50 than lose on a buzzer-beater." The building went silent as the buzzer sounded, keeping in mind the noise level rarely exceeded a dull roar on the night. Attendance was listed at a generous 15,201 Wednesday evening, shy of the teams 17,774-season average, 12th best in the association according to ESPN.com. Many of those fans - the ones still rooting for this team to win - left shaking their heads, disappointed but not in the least bit surprised. It was awfully quiet for most of the game, but its hard to blame the fans in attendance. They havent been given much to cheer about. "Weve got great fans, great crowd, warm building, hot building so theres no reason why we cant come out with that type of fire and intensity [we have on the road]," Casey said. Offensively, the teams numbers are almost identical at home as they are on the road. The drop off, at least statistically, is on the defensive end where the Raptors are allowing 100.4 points per game, 4.1 more than they surrender away from the ACC. A home-court disadvantage is nothing new. Last season Toronto was one of four teams in the NBA to average more points and shoot a higher field goal percentage on the road than at home. Still, no one can seem to pinpoint whats causing it. "I have no idea, I really cant explain it," said Lowry, who had 17 points and six assists in the loss. "I think weve just got to figure out a way to turn it around." "Weve got to start to use our home court to our advantage and not feel too comfortable or think were going to be able to pull it out in late-game situations," added DeRozan after a 30-point performance. DeRozan, who is fourth in the league in minutes played per contest, appeared to be gassed by the end of the game, going 1-of-4 from the field in overtime and missing a crucial free throw down the stretch. He was quick to dismiss the suggestion of fatigue after the loss. "No I was good, I was good," he insisted. "I could have played four more overtimes if we had to." As a team, the Raptors shot just 3-of-11 in the extra period, missing their first six shots. Valanciunas, who had 10 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes, played most of overtime after sitting out the entire fourth quarter. For Casey, it was a decision made with the match-up in mind. "We were mixing it up, we had to mix it up," Casey said of the teams coverage on Jefferson, the Bobcats crafty and undersized centre. "Jonas did as much as he could with Jefferson. Jefferson is one of the most potent low-post scorers in the league but for [Valanciunas] to learn those are the guys hes going to have to guard." "I thought he fought and battled him and used his height as much as he could and I thought Jonas did a good job on the other end, taking it to him in the paint and scoring on him." Still, Casey maintains that its a give and take with Valanciunas on the floor in these scenarios. Although you have a theoretical advantage offensively with Valanciunas against the smaller Jefferson, its understood that you are giving something up on defence. Is one worth the other? Instead, Casey rotated the more experienced, more versatile trio of Amir Johnson, Tyler Hansbrough and Patrick Patterson in the fourth. For now, the Raptors will have to put their home-court conundrum on hold as they focus on what lies ahead. On Friday theyll begin a challenging four-game road trip in Dallas before visiting Oklahoma City, San Antonio and New York. Junior Seau Chargers Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs have trade offers on the table for the 26-year-old, but none have been deemed acceptable by the team. Melvin Ingram Chargers Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.prochargersteamstore.com/Youth-Nasir-Adderley-Elite-Jersey/ . The club announced on Wednesday that Malhotra signed a 25-game professional tryout contract. The 33-year-old suffered a serious eye injury when struck by a puck during a game versus Colorado in March of 2011. Drue Tranquill Youth Jersey . - Kevin Labanc and Joseph Blandisi were a potent combination for the Barrie Colts on Friday night. Joey Bosa Chargers Jersey . On Monday night, many fans in this city placed the blame squarely on the captain for his role in the James Neal overtime winner against the Pittsburgh Penguins.PHILADELPHIA -- Jerome Williams took a three-hitter into the eighth inning, Andres Blanco hit his first homer in three years, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 in an interleague game Monday night. Making his second start since joining the Phillies, Williams (1-0) allowed one run and three hits in seven-plus innings. Mariners rookie Roenis Elias (9-10) gave up one run and three hits in four innings. The left-hander constantly pitched out of jams because he walked six and hit one batter with a pitch. Blanco connected for a three-run shot off reliever Dominic Leone in the fifth to give the Phillies a 4-0 lead. It was his first home run since July 1, 2011, for Texas against Florida. The Phillies claimed Williams off waivers from Texas to fill a spot in the rotation after Roberto Hernandez was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Williams was 2-5 with a 6.71 ERA for the Rangers and Houston this season. But he has a 2.19 ERA in 12 1-3 innings with Philadelphia. Marlon Byrds RBI double in the third gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead. Elias escaped further trouble by striking out Cody Asche with the bases loaded. Elias also left the bases full in the fourth by retiring Ryan Howard on a grounder. Williams left after hitting Chris Taylor with a pitch leading off the eighth. Ken Giles entered and allowed an RBI double to Dustin Ackley with one out.dddddddddddd Giles then struck out Robinson Cano and Kendrys Morales to leave runners on second and third. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 29th save in 32 tries. Seattle had won 12 of its previous 16 games. The Mariners fell into a tie with Detroit for the second wild-card spot in the AL. Theyre seeking their first post-season appearance since 2001. The last-place Phillies, who are heading toward their second straight losing season, opened a nine-game homestand with just their third win in the last 10 games. TRAINERS ROOM Mariners: RHP Felix Hernandez is fine after an early exit and plans to start at Boston on Friday night. The five-time All-Star left after five innings because he was hit by a one-hopper off Ian Kinslers bat in the fourth inning of his most recent start Saturday in Detroit. Phillies: OF John Mayberry Jr. is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. Mayberry has been sidelined since July 21 because of an injured left wrist. Hes batting .213 with six homers and 21 RBIs. UP NEXT Mariners: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (11-6, 2.72 ERA) goes Tuesday night. Hes 3-1 with a 1.27 ERA in his last four starts. Phillies: RHP A.J. Burnett (6-13, 4.35 ERA) tries to snap a five-game losing streak. Burnett hasnt won since July 11. Hes 0-5 with a 6.54 ERA in his last six starts. ' ' '