Middlesex 408 for 6 (Gubbins 145, Compton 131, Onions 3-76) lead Durham 204 (Rayner 4-17, Franklin 3-26) by 204 runs Scorecard The hearty cheers that reverberated around Lords told their own tale. Nick Compton had not merely reached a century at HQ, but had helped Middlesex into a position of dominance and, in the process, strengthened his teams hold on the summit of Division One. So as he punched the air in delight at his century, removing his helmet to acknowledge the crowds applause, Compton had much reason to be proud.That recent months have been among the most trying of Comptons professional life hardly needs restating. Indeed, when he brought up his 50, it was his first half-century of the year, and first since his crucial 85 underpinned Englands victory in the Durban Test at the end of 2015.Given these circumstances, and the huge importance of this match to his team, few of Comptons 25 first-class centuries can have been the cause of so much satisfaction. On this evidence, plenty more will be forthcoming in the County Championship. Compton has only just turned 33, retains one of the most resolute defensive techniques in the land and has a ravenous appetite for runs that few can rival in the county game.There seems no reason why, if he has the inclination, he cannot continue to feast in the shires for many years, a little like Marcus Trescothick and Mark Ramprakash, two other players who, for contrasting reasons, enjoyed international careers shorter than they had envisaged.Adhesive defence has been Comptons hallmark, and this innings was no different: he had to summon all of his fortitude to resist Rushwoths swing and the bounce of Mark Wood. And yet Compton revealed plenty more of his game: relentlessly efficient clips through the legside, some imperious hooks, and a succession of meticulously-placed late cuts, including the steer off Scott Borthwick that brought up his century a little before three oclock. While the early stages of his innings had been a little jittery, Compton unobtrusively gained in fluency, using his feet nimbly to spin and outpacing Nick Gubbins during their fertile alliance.Together with Gubbins, Compton added 247 runs in 79.1 overs, and how they fed of each other was highlighted not just by their harrying between the wickets but how Gubbins left his crease so early to laud Compton for his century that Durham might have run him out.This was a match-defining partnership, and a record-breaking one: Middlesexs highest stand for the second wicket against Durham and only one shy of equalling the record for any wicket. Gubbins dismissal also left him one short of being the first batsman to reach 1,000 runs in the County Championship in 2016. Still, he might reflect that 999 runs at 66.60 apiece is not too shabby.Although this was only his third first-class century - Gubbins fell three times in the 90s before reaching his first - it brimmed with not merely assurance and class, but, for those who have witnessed him this season, a certain feeling of inevitability. Given that England are hardly overburdened with proven opening partners for Alastair Cook, it would be a surprise if Gubbins was not rewarded by a England Lions berth.Cricket has always fetishised the grace of the left-hander, and, in his clips through the legside, driving through point and dexterous use of his feet against spin, Gubbins has an elegance in keeping with this tradition. All these shots were in evidence against Durham; more importantly, so was Gubbins grit.How he needed it to withstand Wood. Woods frustration has been palpable all day, and, with Gubbins on 99, he expressed it in an over of short bowling, harassing Gubbins with a short leg and fly slip. Gubbins withstood, and reached his century against Borthwick in the next over, but still Wood returned, a brutal rising delivery from him smashing into Gubbins grill. When Wood eventually found late movement to induce Gubbins to edge to slip and end the second wicket stand, he looked to the sky - less in relief at the wicket, but in exasperation at waiting so long for it.When the second wicket stand was nascent, the previous evening, Gubbins had been spilled behind, off Onions; Compton had also survived two chances to the slips off Chris Rushworth before he has reached 20, one on the first evening and one on the second morning.By the time it finally ended, the alliance between Compton and Gubbins was worth more than the entirety of Durhams first innings and, buttressed by a forceful cameo from Paul Stirling, had secured Middlesex a lead of over 200: a position from which they will expect to win convincingly, in the process extend their lead at the top of Division One.And, as loud as the cheers that greeted Comptons century were, Middlesex can dream of even more boisterous acclaim should they clinch the Championship crown here against Yorkshire in the final game of the season. 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Dave Pacella Jersey Store . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. BOSTON -- Baltimore Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy says hes not worried about his approaching career high in innings pitched.Meanwhile, Boston Red Sox southpaw Drew Pomeranz smashed through his a long time ago.The pair meets in Tuesday nights second game of an important three-game series between the Orioles and Red Sox at Fenway Park.Bundy pitched a total of 103 2/3 innings in the minor leagues in 2012, his first year in professional ball and the year before he underwent Tommy John surgery. He started this year in the Baltimore bullpen -- and enters Tuesdays start with 94 1/3 innings pitched.After lasting just 3 2/3 innings in his last start, at Tampa Bay, Bundy, 5-2 in his last eight starts, obviously wasnt happy with the results but said his arm was fine.I was telling the guys today, I felt better today than I have in a couple of my past starts, Bundy said after his shortest start. I felt great. Arms not an issue anymore.Im just trying to get better and watch video and keep doing what Im supposed to be doing.He faced the Red Sox three times in relief earlier this season and then started on Aug. 17 -- yielding five runs on nine hits, including two home runs in 4 1/3 innings.On Tuesday, he tries to cool off the hot Red Sox bats and pull even in the three-game series.After the outing in St. Petersburg, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said, We take a look every day at it. We look at his work day, his body of work. He had some outings where he didnt command the ball as well. So have all the other guys that have throwwn 200 innings in their career.ddddddddddddnybody who has got some magic formula on that ... and whats happened sometimes when hes had an outing like that, hes bounced back and had a real good one.Pomeranz came to the Red Sox from the San Diego Padres after making the National League All-Star team. He is 2-4 with his new team (10-11 overall) but is 2-2 with a 2.76 ERA over his last seven starts.He has thrown 158 2/3 innings, easily surpassing the 96 2/3 he threw for the Colorado Rockies in 2012.On Monday, Red Sox manager John Farrell, asked if he is considering cutting the innings of any of his starters with the innings piling up and postseason play a strong possibility, said, No, not at this point.We cant even think about October. And honestly, our approach has been much like the way weve gone about the road trips: We dont care where, or when, or when or who were playing. Were going to go play. I dont think even the thought of October is being entertained by our guys.We know that we have a tough stretch ahead and all of our focus is on tonight, not even tomorrow.Pomeranz has pitched three times against the Orioles in his career -- all in relief. Current Orioles are just a combined 3-for-17 against the left-hander, with no homers and no RBI.Current Red Sox hitters are hitting a collective .404 against Bundy, with Brock Holt going 3-for-4, Mookie Betts 3-for-5 and Dustin Pedroia 3-for-6. ' ' '