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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- James Shields picked up his first home win in more than three months and the Kansas City Royals have won seven consecutive series for the first time in 22 years. Shields pitched seven strong innings, Alex Gordon homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 on Sunday. The Royals improved to 18-5 since the All-Star break, winning every series. The last time they won seven straight series was 1991. "Its huge," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "You cant understate it. The fact of the matter is thats nice, but it doesnt mean anything tomorrow. " Its big, but youve got to keep plugging. I wouldnt classify it as a statement (series) win. But its still the team with the best record came in and we won three out of four. Were playing great baseball right now. We just have to maintain our focus on that." Shields (7-8), who had not won at Kauffman Stadium since an April 30 victory over Tampa Bay, limited the Red Sox to three runs and seven hits over seven innings. He struck out five and walked three. "I feel like ever since the All-Star break, weve been making a statement," Shields said. "Were here to stay and compete. Our bullpen has been phenomenal. Our defence has been great. Were getting some good timely hitting." Gordon hit a 2-2 pitch from John Lackey (7-10) out to right in the third inning for his third homer in five games. "He went through a little down period about a week ago, but the last week hes been really swinging the bat really, really well," Yost said. "The thing about Alex is when he gets hot, he can carry you for a while." Lackey, who is 0-4 in his past five starts, walked David Lough and Eric Hosmer to lead off the first. Gordons two-out single scored Lough to tie it at 1. Shane Victorino scored Bostons first run when he doubled in the first, stole third and came home on catcher Salvador Perezs errant pickoff throw. The Royals scored two runs in the third, with Jarrod Dyson and Lough delivering RBI singles. Dysons hit drove home Mike Moustakas, who doubled to start the inning. Dyson stole second and scored on Loughs flare to shallow right. After a rocky start, Lackey lasted seven innings, giving up four runs and seven hits and two walks, while striking out five. "It was a grind early," Lackey said. "I wasnt feeling really great. I had a couple of 3-2 counts and didnt make my pitch. I was lucky to get the ground ball for the double play in the first and then I found my groove and started to make my pitches." "For me to walk two in one inning let alone to lead off the game is hard to believe. I didnt execute and I lost the game." Ryan Lavarnways two-out single in the sixth scored Daniel Nava and Stephen Drew, trimming the Kansas City lead to 4-3. Drew went 2 for 4 and is hitting .422 in his season-high, 12-game hitting streak. Nava is convinced the Royals are a playoff contender. "Of course," Nava said. "Everyone realizes with their offence and pitching its just a matter of time before they click." Royals relievers Tim Collins, Aaron Crow and Greg Holland, who earned his 32nd save in 34 opportunities, worked two scoreless innings to protect the one-run lead. The bullpen has allowed one run in 20 innings on this homestand. Notes: The Royals obtained IF Jamey Carroll from the Minnesota Twins in a trade after the game for a player to be named or cash considerations. Yost said Carroll would platoon with Chris Getz, when he returns from the disabled list, at second base and backup third and shortstop. ... IF Miguel Tejada, 39, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right calf as the Royals made seven roster moves. Perez came off the concussion list, while RHP Wade Davis was removed from the family emergency leave list and will start Monday against Miami. IF Irving Falu was recalled from Triple-A Omaha. LHP Donnie Joseph was optioned to Omaha, while C Brett Hayes was designated for assignment. ... Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz, who was 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA before going on the disabled list June 9 with a neck strain, threw another side session Sunday and is scheduled to throw again Tuesday. "Well get through Tuesday before we determine that," Red Sox manager John Farrell said of sending Buchholz out on a rehab assignment. ... Royals 2B Elliot Johnson is hitless in his past 27 at-bats and 1 for 49 since June 19. Stromile Swift Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Grizzlies Jerseys 2020 . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. https://www.cheapgrizzlies.com/224p-jason-williams-jersey-grizzlies.html . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Jonas Valanciunas Jersey . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. Earl Watson Jersey . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed.RECIFE, Brazil -- On a hot and humid tropical evening, Italy sweated out a 4-3 victory over Japan. And by their own account, the Azzurri were fortunate to come out on top. Italy rallied from a two-goal deficit Wednesday to overcome a passionate Japan squad coached by one of their countryman and reach the Confederations Cup semifinals. First-half substitute Sebastian Giovinco scored the winner in the 86th minute of a wild match at the Arena Pernambuco, pounding home a cross from Claudio Marchisio. After a dismal start for the Azzurri that saw Japan score twice in the opening 33 minutes, Daniele De Rossi pulled one back with a header in the 41st, Japan defender Atsuto Uchida scored an own-goal in the 50th and Mario Balotelli converted a penalty in the 52nd to give Italy a 3-2 lead. Japan had taken the lead with a penalty from Keisuke Honda in the 21st. Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa made it 2-0 in the 33rd after a defensive error. Shinji Okazaki later made it 3-3 in the 69th. In all, Japan produced 17 shots, 11 of them on goal and three off the woodwork. "That shows how fortunate we were tonight," Italy goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon said. "We won a match we probably shouldnt have won." Italy put seven of its 12 shots on goal. "They had fewer opportunities but they were better at scoring," Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said. "The difference in international experience was clear." The offensive outburst was surprising considering the stifling conditions. On an evening with intermittent rain, the temperature hovered at 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) but it felt much warmer with the humidity ranging from 75 to 100 per cent. "The climate was incredible," De Rossi said. "This was one of the toughest matches of my career." Italy moved level with Brazil at the top of Group A with six points each. Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 earlier Sunday and has now also advanced courtesy of Italys win. In the final round of group matches, Italy will face host Brazil in Salvador on Saturday and Japan meets Mexico in Belo Horizonte. Buffon suggested that Italy play some reserves against Brazil. "We usually go down to the 90th minute of the third match," he said. "This is one of the few times we have this advantage and we should take advantage of it." Compared to 2009, when Italy was eliminated in the first round of the Confederations Cup in South Africa, this tournament is already a success. "Tonight we really, really struggled," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. "We need to deal with the climate,, its really difficult.dddddddddddd ... But I liked the way we suffered. We could have felt satisfied with ourselves but instead we wanted the win." Making things more difficult for Italy was that most of the fans inside the stadium, which was about three-quarters full with mainly Brazilians, were supporting Japan. For the first half hour, Italy struggled with defensive errors while Japan controlled the majority of the play. "We fell behind 2-0 because we didnt understand what we should have done," Prandelli said. "We didnt have any energy." Zaccheroni, an Italian who took over as coach of Japan three years ago, seemed to know just how to contain Italy. "They ran three times as much as we did," Italy defender Andrea Barzagli said. First, Mattia De Sciglio made a poor backpass to set up Hondas penalty. The pass forced Buffon to tackle Okazaki inside the area. Buffon protested vehemently that it was a clean tackle but Argentine referee Diego Abal thought otherwise and pointed to the penalty spot and showed Buffon a yellow card. Italy also struggled with penalties in its last two matches, allowing Mexico an equalizer in its tournament opener and a late penalty in its 2-2 draw against Haiti in a warm-up game last week. Next, Giorgio Chiellini mistimed a clearing attempt on a bouncing ball inside the area and Kagawa took advantage by firing in an acrobatic strike. The 24-year-old Kagawa is quickly becoming Japans most talented player. In March, he became the first Asian to score a hat trick in the English Premier League when he led United to a 4-0 win over Norwich. Italy didnt really threaten at all until De Rossi scored by meeting a corner from Andrea Pirlo with a textbook header. However, De Rossi will miss Italys next match after picking up his second yellow card in two games. The goal energized Italy and Emanuele Giaccherini nearly levelled the score when his shot hit the post in first-half injury time. The own-goal that made it 2-2 came when Giaccherini attempted to pass to a wide open Balotelli and Uchida intercepted and knocked it into his own net. Italy went ahead 3-2 from Balotellis penalty following a hand ball by Japan captain Makoto Hasebe. Using his usual stutter-step technique, Balotelli easily fooled the Japan goalkeeper and improved to 18 for 18 on penalty kicks in his career, both with clubs and Italy. Okazaki then shocked the Italians when he beat Riccardo Montolivo to a header to make it 3-3. Even after Giovincos goal, Japan refused to give up and got the ball in the net in the 89th only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. ' ' '