CHICAGO -- Even though Jared Weaver still isnt pitching the way he wants to, he thinks hes now progressing instead of regressing.Thats something he couldnt say back in spring training when he was diagnosed with degenerative changes in the vertebrae of his neck.Its getting better, Weaver said following the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Every time I go out it feels different, but definitely my body is feeling a lot less restrictions.One day its all gonna click, he added.This wasnt the day, though.Kris Bryant hit his 28th home run, John Lackey outpitched his friend and former teammate, and Chicago won its eighth consecutive game.Willson Contreras also homered and Ben Zobrist added an RBI double for the major league-leading Cubs, who improved to 70-41.Los Angeles (49-63) dropped its fifth straight and fell into last place in the AL West.Kole Calhoun homered in the first inning, but that was all the offense the Angels produced. Lackey (9-7) allowed three hits over eight innings, and all six of his strikeouts were looking.He was really good, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. Thats how he pitches. Hes aggressive. He went after them.Weaver (8-9) gave up four earned runs and another one that was unearned when he dropped a throw to first base for an error. He permitted eight hits in five innings.I dont think he pitched as poorly as his linescore indicates, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. We let some things get away from us a little bit. But a couple of mistakes he made and those guys hit it out.The matchup of veteran right-handers was as one-sided as their teams seasons in the opener of Chicagos 10-game homestand.The 37-year-old Lackey and 33-year-old Weaver were teammates a decade ago with the Angels. They had split their previous two meetings when Lackey pitched for Boston.Its still a little weird because I root for him when hes not facing us, Lackey said. Hes a good friend. I really respect the way hes still competing and still getting after it with stuff thats a little less than he used to have. But hes still grinding, still trying to help his club win.Calhoun struck first, sending Lackeys third pitch into the left-field bleachers for his first homer since June 25. Contreras tied it with a shot to left-center in the third.Weaver had the Cubs off balance early with his 83 mph fastball and 70 mph curve. But Chicago started to pounce the second time through the order, with Anthony Rizzo doubling in a two-run fourth and again in a two-run fifth.The second hit came after Bryant sent Weavers slider onto Waveland Avenue.Its one of those lineups where you cant really breathe while youre out there. Theres no leeway, Weaver said.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: New closer Cam Bedrosian was placed on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right middle finger. RHP A.J. Achter was called up from Triple-A. . 1B C.J. Cron (hand) plans to take live batting practice in Arizona this week. . RHP Nick Tropeano will undergo Tommy John surgery next Tuesday in Los Angeles.SOTO ACTIVATEDAngels C Geovany Soto was activated from the 15-day DL following the game and C Carlos Perez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. Scioscia said Soto will be in the lineup Wednesday night.CALL REVERSEDThe Cubs Dexter Fowler was ruled out after 3B Yunel Escobar had a foul pop knocked out of his glove by a fan in the fifth. Umpires initially ruled it no play before huddling and changing the call without a replay review.UP NEXTThe series concludes Wednesday night with Chicago RHP Jason Hammel (11-5, 3.07 ERA) returning from the bereavement list to face right-hander and former Cubs draft pick Ricky Nolasco (4-8, 5.23). Wholesale Jerseys . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Cheap Jerseys Throwback .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. http://www.cheapnfljerseysfastshipping.com/ .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Cheap Jerseys China . PAUL, Minn. Wholesale Stitched Jerseys .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. Over a two-week span, were answering the following question for college basketballs 10 best conferences: Which venue in each conference is the toughest place to play? A number of factors, not just capacity and attendance, could affect a venues place in the order. Where does your school fall??15. Boston College Eagles: Conte Forum, opened in 1988 In the pro-sports-centric landscape of Boston, youd better have a pretty tough team to get folks to pay attention. The problem for the Eagles is they havent had said team since Al Skinner was fired in 2010. One thing opponents do appreciate at the forum is the spacious locker rooms that are close to the court.Fun fact: Conte Forum was set to be used as the judo and wrestling arena in Bostons 2024 Olympic pitch until the city withdrew its bid.14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: McCamish Pavilion, opened in 2012When the Yellow Jackets are rolling, McCamish Pavilion can live up to its old nickname, the Thrillerdome, which was coined in the mid-80s pre-renovation. Back then, it was called Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Theres something about those engineers at Tech and the acoustics in the building. No arena in the ACC gets louder, and if new coach Josh Pastner can rebuild them into a contender, the Jackets will reshape the pavilion back into an intimidating place.Fun fact: After a tornado damaged the Georgia Dome, the SEC played the remaining four games of its 2008 conference tournament at McCamish, including the title game.13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, opened in 1989 The arena with the longest name in the ACC is sometimes referred to as the Joel. Pregame introductions feature the Deacon mascot rolling in on a Harley-Davidson and revving the engine to ear-irritating levels. The Jeff Bzdelik years soured fans from turning out like they once did, and the Deacs did not have any sellouts last season. But third-year coach Danny Manning has endeared himself to the fanbase and appears to have the program headed back in the right direction.Fun fact: The arena, originally owned by the city of Winston-Salem until Wake Forest purchased it in 2013, was named after the citys only veteran to ever receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.12. Florida State Seminoles: Donald L. Tucker Center, opened in 1981 When Seminoles fans are engaged, they can turn the center into an intimidating place (some opponents say its because they serve beer). The problem is consistency. When its not a top-ranked North Carolina or Duke team venturing into town, the casual fan doesnt seem to care much. That apathy does not extend to the administration, which has invested more than $20 million in upgrades for the arena over the past two years, including a two-floor locker room that will debut this season.Fun fact: For a time, the Tucker Center had bats nesting in the rafters, and occasionally they would swoop down onto the court. A game between the Seminoles and Maryland on Jan. 12, 2014, even had play suspended because of it.11. Clemson Tigers: Littlejohn Coliseum, opened in 1968 Clemson has long been regarded as the leagues football school in a basketball conference, but the fans also support hoops when the team has potential. The Tigers will be glad to return home after playing home games last season in Greenville, South Carolina, while Littlejohn was being renovated. The nearly $63.5 million project reduced seats in the arena down to 9,000 but added much-needed upgrades to the facility.Fun fact: The Tigers biggest comeback at home came when they erased a 13-point deficit against Wake Forest on Feb. 28, 1970. Clemson trailed 56-43 before rallying for a 105-95 win.10. Miami Hurricanes: BankUnited Center, opened in 2003 Miamis opponents used to have a sizeable cheering section because tickets were readily available. Not anymore. The Canes have taken steps to make basketball games an event on campus, practicing dormstorming to get students involved. Their efforts have also paid off in the community; last season marked the first in program history in which they sold out their season ticket allotment. They now have a wait list for the 2016-17 season. Fun fact:?As one might expect in the city of Miami, the BankUnited Center is known throughout the league for having the loudest sound system. The fact that South Beach is only a short drive away is always a cause for celebration.9. NC State Wolfpack: PNC Arena, opened in 1999 Reynolds Coliseum, the old on-campus home of the Pack, was a much tougher place to play with the noise level and proximity of fans surrounding the floor. When NC State moved to PNC, capacity went up by 7,000 seats and the Wolfpack lost a bit of their edge. It did not stop Wolfpack fans from losing their sharp tongues. State fans have a dubious honor around the league for being the most vulgar.Fun fact: Stephen Curry held the record for most points scored in the building with 40 against Gonzaga in the 2008 NCAA tournament until States T.J. Warren went for 42 against Boston College on March 9, 2014.8. Virginia Tech Hokies: Cassell Coliseum, opened in 1962 Cassell Coliseum is often compared to an old barn. Thing is, with that structure, it doesnt take a lot for the crowd to make it noisy. Its darker than most gyms, and the angle of the seats gives it a sense that the fans are right on top of their opponents.dddddddddddd Its quietly one of the more dreaded places to play in the ACC.Fun fact: Third-year coach Buzz Williams recent contract extension put his salary at $2.6 million for 2016. When construction was completed in 1964, Cassell cost a total of $2.7 million.7. Pittsburgh Panthers: Petersen Events Center, opened in 2002 The Panthers student section, affectionately referred to as the Oakland Zoo, is arguably the best in the league outside of Cameron Indoor Stadium. They use a lot of the same tactics with prepared scouting reports passed out before games to ensure the proper antagonizing of opposing players.Fun fact: Pitt hasnt enjoyed the same home-court advantage it once had in the Big East. The Panthers have already lost 11 home ACC games in three seasons. From a stretch of the 2007-08 to 2012-13 seasons in the Big East, they lost a total of 12 league games at home.6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Purcell Pavilion, opened in 1968 If you dont believe in home-court advantage before visiting South Bend, Indiana, you might after leaving. The Irish have historically taken down highly ranked teams in big games here -- they snapped UCLAs record 88-game win streak in 1974 -- in what was formerly known as the Joyce Center. The basketball portion of the center was renamed in 2009 after undergoing a $26 million renovation.Fun fact: The Irish have posted more undefeated seasons at home (five) than they have losing records (three).5. Syracuse Orange: Carrier Dome, opened in 1980 Its never a good thing for an opponent to know that 30,000-plus fans clad in Orange can pack the Carrier Dome. Theres a festive feel at tipoff when the band pounds a drum until Syracuse scores its first basket. For most teams, it is the only domed stadium they will play in during the regular season. The spacious feeling can cause opponents to be disoriented.Fun fact: The Carrier Dome, the largest on-campus basketball arena in the nation, took the naming rights of an air conditioning company. The dome itself, however, does not have air conditioning.4. North Carolina Tar Heels: Dean E. Smith Center, opened in 1986 The wine and cheese crowd description Sam Cassell gave for UNC fans back in the 90s has always been a bit of a misnomer. When its the annual game against Duke or a marquee matchup with a top-ranked opponent, the nations fourth-largest venue can be as loud and electric as any. But when its a middle-of-the-pack league opponent in a middle-of-the-week game ... it can be as dry as white wine.Fun fact: In order to win in Chapel Hill, its best to have the lead before halftime. Carolina is 316-14 when leading at the half in the Smith Center.3. Louisville Cardinals: KFC Yum! Center, opened in 2010 The Yum! Center is often referred to as a pro arena with a college atmosphere. The youngest arena in the ACC also happens to be the most complete. It has amenities that could turn the game into an afterthought with premium lounges on the east and west stands of the lower tier, a bar overlooking the Ohio River and plenty of monitors to not miss any of the game. Fortunately for the Cardinals, their fans are among the most basketball savvy in the league, so theyre generally in their seats and engaged throughout the game.Fun fact: The eventual national champion has played in the KFC Yum! Center in every season of its existence: Duke (2015) and Connecticut (2011, 2014) played there in the regular season; Villanova (2016) and Kentucky (2012) won NCAA tournament games there; the Cardinals themselves cut down the nets in 2013.2. Virginia Cavaliers: John Paul Jones Arena, opened in 2006 A decade ago, a trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, was nowhere near the toughest in the league. But things have changed under eighth-year coach Tony Bennett. In the past three seasons, the Cavaliers have lost three games at home and only one in ACC play. Three of last seasons Final Four participants (Villanova, North Carolina and Syracuse) all ventured into John Paul Jones Arena and all three left with a loss, by an average margin of eight points.Fun fact: The grand opening of JPJ included two performances by the Dave Matthews Band, which is comprised of Charlottesville natives.1. Duke Blue Devils: Cameron Indoor Stadium, opened in 1940 Some of Dukes old-timers -- and by old-timers, I mean players from the 90s -- say the Cameron Crazies arent what they used to be. And maybe they arent as creative as the group that once threw Twinkies at Georgia Techs Dennis Scott for being overweight or even produced Speedo Guy in 2003 -- he stripped down to his briefs and danced his way into North Carolinas Jackie Manuels head at the free throw line. But the Crazies still set the standard for making one of the leagues smallest venues into a house of horrors. Opponents believe Duke gets all the calls and have quietly complained that too many clock issues occur during crucial parts of the game.Fun fact: Dukes student section is credited for creating the airball chant back in 1975. 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