Dein erstes Forum » Montreals Eugenie Bouchard fought off fo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals exercised their $13.5 million option on right-hander James Shields on Thursday after he anchored one of the leagues best starting rotations last season. Shields, acquired last off-season in a trade from Tampa Bay, went 13-9 with a 3.15 ERA and an AL-leading 228 2-3 innings. Shields was especially strong after the All-Star break, going 9-3 with a 3.06 ERA to help the Royals get into playoff contention. Kansas City went 43-27 after the break to finish 86-76, its best record since 1989. "The second half, we pretty much figured it out -- figured out how to win and what it takes on a daily basis," Shields said. "I think going into next spring training, we all have that good frame of mind, that good attitude, and hopefully well have a good season next year." The decision Thursday to exercise Shields option was mostly a formality. The Royals sent top prospect Wil Myers and a package of other minor leagues to the Rays to acquire him, and they werent about to let him go after just one season in their rotation. Especially the way he pitched this season, giving the Royals the kind of bona fide ace that they havent had since Zack Greinke was plying his trade a few years ago. "I feel good about it. I feel like I pitched well for them last year," Shields said. "Im just excited to be back and be a Royal and have a good season next year." Shields, who earlier Thursday won the Joe Burke Special Achievement Awarded presented by the Kansas City chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, said he hasnt discussed a new contract with Royals general manager Dayton Moore. He did say he was open to remaining in Kansas City beyond next season. "When that times comes, Ill definitely be focused on it," Shields said. "The one thing I do know is I love the city. The organization is great. Ive been here for one year and weve made tremendous strides. Their willingness to want to win is what intrigues me." In the meantime, Shields just might become the Royals best recruiter. Ervin Santana and Bruce Chen, who both pitched well this past season, became free agents on Thursday, and Shields said that he will stay in touch with them through text messages. Santana in particular figures to be among the most coveted starters on the free-agent market after going 9-10 with a career-best 3.24 ERA. He threw 211 innings this season. "You have to understand the business of the game," Shields said, "but we would love to have them back. Bruce brings veteran leadership, Magic brings veteran leadership, and both of those guys had phenomenal years. Magic was lights-out. We counted on him every five days." The Royals are also in need of help in right field and at second base, so they might be reluctant to give Santana the kind of money that hell demand on the open market. They also have several promising arms in the minor leagues, including flamethrower Yordano Ventura and youngster Kyle Zimmer, who expect to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. "Its been amazing, just the transformation, how this organization has been working the last four or five years," Shields said. "Just to see all the guys that went through the system and how they did this year, and the year we had, was truly amazing." Teemu Selanne Jersey .com) - The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics both entered Wednesday nights game riding lengthy losing streaks. Teppo Numminen Jersey . Pironkova, who was ranked outside the top 100 despite reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 2010, beat three top 10 players in Sydney, 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani, 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Kerber. http://www.jetsauthentic.com/authentic-l...an-jets-jersey/. After Mariota was pushed around by Stanford on Thursday, finishing 20/34 with 250 yards and two touchdowns in Oregons Title hope-crushing defeat, hes going to need a poor performance or two from the remaining frontrunners to have a shot at the most coveted individual trophy in college sports. Custom Winnipeg Jets Jerseys . Cleveland released the troubled wide receiver on Wednesday, an expected ending after Bess was arrested in January for assaulting a law enforcement officer at an airport and other bizarre behaviour. Dale Hawerchuk Jersey .Y. -- It was as if Matt Moulson never left the New York Islanders. NEW YORK -- Milos Raonic is the lone Canadian left in singles at the U.S. Open. Raonic advanced to the third round with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Spains Pablo Andujar on Thursday. The 10th-seeded Thornhill, Ont., native fired a modest nine aces, with Andujar saving match points in the last two games. Raonic served it out a game later to take the win on his sixth winning opportunity with a deep forehand to the corner after just over two hours. The 22-year-old is quietly looking ahead to what he hopes will be continual improvement at the final major of the season. "Im playing really well. I created a lot of opportunities for myself, especially on his serve," said Raonic. "But I can serve better, so that gives me a day to work on it. It gives me a lot of confidence and a lot of belief in myself." Raonic will next face Feliciano Lopez after the Spaniard defeated American Bradley Klahn 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-5. Raonics best results at a major were a pair of fourth-round exits at the Australian Open and in New York in 2011. Earlier in the mens side, Spains Tommy Robredo defeated Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., 6-4, 6-4, 6-1. There were no survivors for Canada on the womens side. Montreals Eugenie Bouchard fought off four match points before losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to eighth-seeded Angelique Kerber. Bouchard was unable to match her third-round Wimbeldon showing last month. The teen, ranked 59th in the world, finished with 41 winners and 43 errors against Kerber. Bouchard broke six times on 14 chances but lost her own serve on seven occasions and committed seven double-faults. Bouchard saved four match points through winners as she served trailing a set and 3-5 in the third. But a serving error handed Kerber a fifth winning chance, with the German taking the victory on Bouchards wide forehaand.dddddddddddd "Its always disappointing to lose, Im a bit down about that," Bouchard said . "I felt I played well, I tried to be aggressive. But shes a good counter-puncher, every time I came to the net she passed me. "My first serve was nowhere as good as it can be, but I made up for some of it with my second serve. But I need to work on my fitness as well as my mental strength. This match showed that Im close, I was dictating and competing. But I need to get a bit more consistent." Aleksandra Wozniak of Blainville, Que., playing only her second match since March after last autumns shoulder injury, faced a huge task against double Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka and lost 6-3, 6-1. "Shes a Grand Slam winner and Ive not played much tennis," Wozniak said. "This was only my third match and 10 and a half months." Wozniak said her shoulder is better but it will take time to return to form. "The shoulder is now 100 per cent," she said. "But I need more match play to get back my game and my rhythm. "I tried to play like I used to, fast and aggressive. But I need to work on my anticipation, judging the ball. I waited too long today and made errors. But I did return well, I just need to work on the serve." Wozniak is working to get her match feel back after almost a year of injury hell. She is playing the Open with a protected ranking as she works her way back on the WTA and plans a return to her home event in Quebec City where she suffered her injury. Canada is still competing in mens doubles. Torontos Daniel Nestor and Vasek Pospisil combined for a first-round win, beating Indias Mahesh Bhupathi and German Philipp Petzschner 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). Its Nestors first Grand Slam since splitting from Swede Robert Lindstedt this month. 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