RIO DE JANEIRO -- Abby Johnston set her alarm for 5:45 a.m. Friday, intent on getting in an early morning warm-up before the first individual diving event of the Rio Olympics.When she arrived at the pool, it was closed.I was a little frustrated, to say the least, the American diver said. A little cranky, because it was early too.In another embarrassment for the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center, a planned practice session had to be called off to give officials more time to clean the green-tinged water -- a four-days-and-counting scenario that prompted Johnson to dub it the Swamp.Its always changing, she said.At least the pool appears to be heading in the right direction. After reopening in the early afternoon, the pool was a lighter shade of green and appeared to be much closer to its normal color.Its not as green, Johnston said. But its a little murkier. Underwater, I just try to keep my eyes closed.The water suddenly changed color Tuesday, midway through the synchronized diving events. Officials insisted the water was safe for competing, even after a larger, adjacent pool used for water polo and synchronized swimming also turned green.Mario Andrada, chief spokesman for the local organizing committee, stressed that the pool was safe for competition, clearing the way for the preliminaries of womens 3-meter springboard.He conceded that some athletes had been bothered by the water, but said that was a result of efforts to clean the pool.We reiterate what we have been saying all along -- the water does not offer any threat to the health of the athletes, he said. In the first day of this water situation, one or two athletes complained about their eyes being itchy. This was a result that the first reaction when we saw the water turning green was to use one of the chemicals -- chlorine -- that is very common in swimming pools. We reduced immediately the quantity. We retested the water and it was totally within the parameters.Andrada said officials were caught off guard by the pools deteriorating condition.Chemistry is not an exact science, he said. Some things, as you can see, went longer than expected.Rain the past couple of days made it even tougher to get the water color back to normal.The rain doesnt help, Andrada said. He added that athletes had access to dry-land training in the morning, but conceded that was not ideal.He explained that the changing color of the pool was the result of increased alkaline levels, much like aquarium water can turn green when not monitored properly.When we went to fix the green, there was a discussion about the best chemicals. We cant use too much chemicals in the water because athletes are training in it, Andrada said. We certainly could have done better in the beginning to prevent the water from turning green. Once it turned green, we again made another bit of a mistake.The second American diver, Kassidy Cook, said the water wasnt a problem during the competition.Its just a different color. It doesnt really change anything, she said. I actually kind of like it because it makes spotting easier. When the skys blue and the waters blue, you can get them confused.Johnston, who still managed to qualify for Saturdays semifinals with the sixth-highest score, wasnt concerned about competing in green water.Well, except for one little matter.Im worried about my hair, she said, smiling as she brushed back her locks. If my hair turns green, I will send my hair-dye bill to the Olympics.Babe Herman Youth Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. 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Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2.SAN DIEGO -- Fighting for a postseason berth, Jeff Samardzija and the San Francisco Giants finally figured out the pesky San Diego Padres.Angel Pagans single broke a scoreless tie in the eighth and Samardzija struck out nine in seven innings for the Giants, who beat the Padres 2-1 on Thursday night to keep pace with the New York Mets for the NL wild card lead.The Mets and Giants took a half-game lead over the idle St. Louis Cardinals in the wild card race. New York beat Philadelphia 9-8 in 11 innings.San Francisco continues to trail Los Angeles by six games in the NL West, but the Dodgers reduced their magic number to four by beating Colorado 7-4.The Giants faced a Padres lineup that included five rookies, three making their big league debut. The Giants snapped a six-game losing streak to the Padres, who have been their nemesis during their second-half skid. The Padres swept the Giants at San Francisco last week and in San Diego in the first series after the All-Star break. The Giants had swept the Padres three times in the first two months of the season.Samardzija joined the Giants as a free agent so he could pitch in games like this.Its great, thats why I signed up to come over here and play, was to be playing in September, important games in September, he said. Thats why we play this game, to compete at the highest level, and with the most on the line.I tried to hang in there in the game long enough and then we squeaked on through there in the eighth. It was a nice way to end it.Samardzija (12-10) allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings, and walked none.Hes a horse, manager Bruce Bochy said. Thats obviously part of the deal, what intrigued us about him, his stuff and how strong he is. Hes really good, throwing the ball well right now, all his pitches locating. Gave us what we needed.Joe Panik, who had been in an 0-for-24 slump, doubled to right-center opening the eighth against Christian Friedrich (5-11). His fly ball ticked off the end of rookie Hunter Renfroes glove, hit the ground and bounced over the fence. Kelby Tomlinson, pinch-hitting for Samardzija, singled to left to put runners on the corners and chase Friedrich. Brad Hand came on and induced Eduardo Nunez to hit into a force, with Panik holding at third. Pagan then hit a blooper that landed just fair and brought in Panik.dddddddddddd.Renfroe fielded Paniks blooper and made a strong throw, but first baseman Wil Myers cut it off.Since there was no other play there, Wil probably wants to let that ball go, manager Andy Green said. I think hed say that right now. I dont think were accustomed to Hunter Renfroes arm yet. That is a very unique play to see a ball drop on the line like that and see a guy coming up firing like that. I dont know how far up the line it was going to be to Hedgy (Austin Hedges), but I thought it was going to be close enough to be an interesting play at the plate. ... Theres some arm strength there.Hunter Pence doubled with two outs to bring in Nunez.Padres pinch-hitter Alex Dickerson homered off Derek Law with one out in the eighth.Sergio Romo pitched the ninth for his second save in as many chances. Schimpf doubled with one out before Renfroe popped up to first base and fellow rookie Carlos Asuaje grounded to short to end it.Padres outfielders Renfroe and Manual Margot, and second baseman Asuaje were making their first big league starts.Renfroe, Margot, Asuaje and Hedges were called up Wednesday from Triple-A El Paso. Renfroe and Asuaje made their big league debuts as pinch-hitters on Wednesday night while Margot made his as a pinch-runner. Hedges made his big league debut last year.Renfroe singled to left for his first career hit in the second and then singled to center in the fifth.Padres reliever Jose Torres made his big league debut when he started the ninth.TRAINERS ROOMGiants: Bochy said RHP Johnny Cueto, who was forced out of his start Tuesday night with a strained groin, is improving and will try to throw on Friday. ... Bochy said SS Brandon Crawfords dislocated pinky on his glove hand was doing a lot better. Yesterday he had a tough day. It was really sore. Hes throwing to keep in shape.Padres: Green said RHP Colin Rea has begun throwing. Hes been shut down with an elbow injury.UP NEXTGiants: Rookie RHP Albert Suarez (3-4, 4.16) is scheduled to start Friday night.Padres: RHP Edwin Jackson (4-6, 6.00) gets the start Friday night.Cheap Jerseys[/urt Friday night.Padres: RHP Edwin Jackson (4-6,ll JerseysWholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '