Hundemarkt » development consultant Jason Smith will now

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Danny Valencia was not about to let a sore left hand keep him from finishing his at-bat in the 13th inning. He gutted it out and came up with a key hit to help the Kansas City Royals outlast the Los Angeles Angels. Valencia ignited a three-run rally with a leadoff double, before Jarrod Dyson replaced him on the bases and scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by rookie reliever Mike Morin. The Royals went on to beat the Angels 7-4 Saturday night. "Were trying to win games and lay it all out there. Anybody else would have done the same thing," Valencia said. "Fortunately I got a hit there, because it would have looked even worse if I didnt." Valencia felt discomfort on two earlier swings and was checked out by manager Ned Yost and a trainer. After convincing them he was all right, he lined Morins 3-2 pitch off the fence in left-centre and slid headfirst into second. "There was a 3-1 pitch I fouled off and my hand slipped off the bat a little weird," Valencia said. "I told Ned: Theres no way Im coming out right now. He said: This is a big at-bat, and I said: I know its a big at-bat, but Ive got this. The first thought on my mind was not making someone come off the bench with a 3-2 count after sitting on the bench for four hours." Dyson scored when Morin (0-1) fielded Alcides Escobars sacrifice bunt and threw the ball past first base as second baseman Howie Kendrick ran over to take the throw. "I got to it quick and Howie was still getting to first base," Morin said. "I had more time than I thought I did, and I was trying to guide the ball to meet him at the bag, but it sailed on me." Nori Aoki then hit an RBI single and Billy Butler capped the scoring with his second sacrifice fly. Aaron Crow (2-1) pitched two innings for the victory and Greg Holland got three outs for the save, ending the 4-hour, 53-minute marathon. Eric Hosmer tied a season high with four hits. The Royals tied it in the seventh when Hosmer scored on a double-play grounder by Salvador Perez with the bases loaded. The run was charged to Sean Burnett, who faced only one batter and gave up Hosmers leadoff single through the box. It was Burnetts second appearance since his comeback from elbow surgery last August. Royals right-hander James Shields pitched six innings, giving up four runs and nine hits, including solo homers by Mike Trout and Erick Aybar. "Thats a good hitting team over there. They grind out at-bats and they worked up my pitch count quite a bit today," Shields said. "But our bullpen did a phenomenal job. Its been good all season long, and today they showed why theyre as good as they are." Angels rookie Matt Shoemaker was charged with three runs -- two earned -- and eight hits in five innings while striking out six. The right-hander was making his third start since he was inserted into the rotation on May 13. The Angels were trailing 3-0 when Aybar got them on the board in the fourth inning with his third homer of the season, a line drive that just made it into the first row of seats in the right field corner after a leadoff double by Raul Ibanez. Los Angeles pulled ahead 4-3 with two runs in the fifth. Trout led off with a towering drive into the rock pile beyond the fence in left-centre, and Albert Pujols followed with another deep flyball that looked like it was going out as well. Left fielder Alex Gordon leaped above the bullpen fence and got his glove on it before it bounced off his cap, shoulder, chin and arm -- then landed in his glove while he was on the seat of his pants. Third base umpire Andy Fletcher ruled it a catch, but manager Mike Scioscia challenged the call and Pujols ended up with a double after a video review. "Somebody must have seen something on one of the angles," Yost said. "But on the replays we saw on the big screen, I sure couldnt tell if it hit the fence or not." It was the 2,400th career hit for Pujols, who took third on a groundout and scored the go-ahead run on Shields wild pitch to Aybar. A two-out error by Trout in centre field led to an unearned run during Kansas Citys two-run third. Aoki and Hosmer opened the inning with singles, and Aoki scored on Butlers first sacrifice fly. One out later, Perez hit a sinking liner that broke off Trouts glove as he charged the ball on the dead run, and Lorenzo Cain hit an RBI single. NOTES: Trouts error was his second this season, matching his total in 148 games in the outfield last year. ... Escobar has been successful on 43 of his last 44 stolen base attempts, including all 22 last season. ... For the second straight year, Trouts 10th homer of the season came against the Royals in his 47th game. ... Neither starting pitcher had a 1-2-3 inning. Jim Thome White Sox Jersey . However, it wasnt a problem on Monday night. Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for his 56th career shutout in the New York Islanders 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night. Thyago Vieira White Sox Jersey . - The New Orleans Saints have re-signed receiver Joseph Morgan for one year and have agreed to a four-year deal with free agent fullback Erik Lorig. https://www.cheapwhitesox.com/3444e-weli...-white-sox.html. But defending champion Elena Vesnina of Russia held off a strong challenge to beat Shuai Peng of China 6-3, 6-4, and there was another hard-fought victory for 2012 runner-up Angelique Kerber of Germany, who defeated Alison Riske of the United States 7-6 (6), 6-4. Steve Carlton Jersey . Amare Stoudemire had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Carmelo Anthony scored 21 and the New York Knicks won their eighth straight game, 93-92 over Philadelphia on Friday night, sending the Sixers to their 23rd straight loss. Hoyt Wilhelm Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla.OTTAWA -- Expectations are nothing new for Curtis Lazar and he has every intention of living up to them. The Senators first overall pick -- 17th overall -- in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft is expected to make a strong case for himself to remain in the NHL this season, and the challenge starts Saturday with the Senators rookie tournament in London, Ont. "Theres been a lot of speculation this summer, but Im just happy to come here and play," said Lazar, as Ottawas rookies took part in some testing. "Wherever I go, I try and have as much success as possible, but at the same time if things dont go my way its a learning curve. You dont want to get down on yourself." The Senators are of a similar mindset. While its clear they have high hopes for the 19-year-old, they want to ensure that in the end they make the best decision for not only the player, but also the organization. Lazar has already earned an invitation to the Senators main camp and assistant general manager Randy Lee says Lazar will be given every opportunity to prove he belongs in the NHL. "We just want Curtis to be Curtis," said Lee. "Hes a very competitive guy. He always plays right; hes always in the right spot. Hes good defensively, hes good without the puck and can contribute offensively." Lazar will need to be at his best to earn a full-time position with the Senators as they have few options for the young star. Its either make the Senators or be returned to the Western Hockey Leagues Edmonton Oil Kings. "We want to see whats best for him down the road," said Lee. "We dont want to look back in three years or five years and say we did a disservice to him. "You want to put him in a position to succeed to make sure at the end of the year hes a better player." Lazar says he will accept whatever decision the Senators make, but theres no denying he has little left to prove on the junior stage. Last season Lazar led the Oil Kings in goals, with 41, was second in team scoring with 76 points, and was instrumental in leading Edmonton to a Memorial Cup. In addition, he was a member of Canadas world junior team. If the Senators have any question regarding Lazar its how he will find the ability to shine after an exhausting year and a half of commitments. Since being drafted Lazar has gone through two conditioning camps, a rookie camp and one main camp with the Senators. Hes also been through two world junior summer evaluation camps and played a significant role at the world junior tournament. Thats in addition to a full season with the Oil Kings as well as four rounds of playoffs and a trip to the Memorial Cup.dddddddddddd "Thats a lot of games for a young player, for any player," said Lee. "He needs to make sure to take some days off. He needs to manage his recovery so he can be at his best." Knowing he would be facing the pressures of the NHL Lazar made a conscious effort to add some muscle to his six-foot frame. "Im about 10 to 15 pounds heavier and it just makes me comfortable in my body and getting to play in Edmonton the last couple of weeks has helped me get used to myself and Ill see how I can do against the pros in the next few weeks," he said. Lazar lives in Vernon, B.C., but spent most of the time training in Kelowna, B.C., at the same facility as Josh Gorges. The Buffalo Sabres defenceman took the young centre under his wing and offered some sound advice. "A big part of it is just to try and enjoy it," said Lazar. "Theres so much going on and people say theres pressure, but I dont like to see it that way. Its a great opportunity and Im looking forward to thriving in this situation and just being myself. Whatever Ive been doing its gotten me in this situation so why change it. Im going to go out there and keep on smiling." While he plans on enjoying the experience, Lazar did admit to feeling a little nervous knowing whats at stake. "Ive felt quite a few emotions over this summer," admitted Lazar. "Im nervous, Im excited, but ultimately Im quite happy and proud of myself for putting myself in this situation. Theres not much left to do but just go out on the ice and not give them an excuse to send me back down." Lazar has played the majority of his career at centre, but should he make the Senators it would likely be as a right-winger. "We think it would be best suited for us if he was a winger," admitted Lee. "Hes really good along the walls, but the fact that he can play both is great. The fact that he can take face-offs is great, but he is very good along the walls and hes always in the right position. Hes a very dependable player so hell have no problem playing on the wing. "If a centre position opened up we would have no problem putting him there." NOTES: After three seasons working in scouting and as a development consultant Jason Smith will now be part of the Senators coaching staff working primarily with the teams defencemen. Former Senator Shean Donovan was hired as a player development consultant and will work with the Senators, the AHLs Binghamton Senators and the ECHL Evansville IceMen coaching staff. ' ' '