ve in and continue to fight just as the player

CLEVELAND -- Corey Kluber moved the Cleveland Indians one step closer to the AL Central title while eliminating the reigning World Series champions from the race.Kluber allowed two runs and struck out nine in 6 1/3 innings, and the Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Wednesday night.The Indians, who lead Detroit by 7 1/2 games, reduced their magic number for clinching the Central to five.Its what we work for all offseason, spring training play games early on to have this chance come September, Kluber said. We know were in a good spot, but were not looking ahead. We have a lot of work to do.Carlos Santana was 4 for 5 with an RBI single in the eighth. Jose Ramirez drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth with his third double of the game.Kluber (18-9) matched his career high in wins and is 10-1 in his last 14 starts, strengthening his case to win his second AL Cy Young Award in three years.Cody Allen allowed Salvador Perezs leadoff homer in the ninth, but recorded his 28th save in 31 opportunities. Catcher Roberto Perez threw out pinch-runner Terrance Gore trying to steal second for the first out and Allen retired the final two batters.Perez pumped his fist after throwing out Gore, who was successful on all 17 of his career regular season stolen base attempts going into the game.I was excited, said Perez, who credited Allen for making a quick delivery to the plate. You know nobody has thrown him out.That was huge, Allen said. He bailed me out. That changes the whole dynamic of the inning. That was a big-time play.Ian Kennedy (11-10) allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings and lost for the first time since July 25.The Royals reached the World Series in each of the last two years and defeated the Mets in five games to win their first title since 1985 last season.Kansas City was favored to repeat as division champions, but dealt with injuries to key players all season.We cant do anything about it now, Salvador Perez said. Were going to continue to play hard until the end, no matter what happens.Lonnie Chisenhalls RBI single put Cleveland ahead in the second. Run-scoring singles by Kendrys Morales and Perez gave Kansas City the lead in the third when the Royals strung together four straight two-out hits.Santana doubled to start the fifth and scored the tying run on Jason Kipnis double. Ramirezs double to center broke the tie.Klubers hot stretch has come at an opportune time for Clevelands rotation, which is without Carlos Carrasco (broken right hand) and Danny Salazar (strained right forearm).Hes so consistent that hes the same guy every five days, Indians manager Terry Francona said. I mean that as the biggest compliment you can give somebody.ROAD BACK?Salazar, who hasnt pitched in a game since Sept. 9, played catch at 75 feet Tuesday. He could be used in the bullpen if the Indians make the postseason.Im feeling better -- way better, he said. It feels good just to be able to throw a little bit. Im really positive about it.TRAINERS ROOMIndians: Carrasco has been fitted with a soft cast. He was struck by Ian Kinslers line drive Saturday.UP NEXTRoyals: LHP Jason Vargas returned from Tommy John surgery and pitched three innings Saturday against the White Sox -- his first appearance since July 21, 2015 -- allowing one run.Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger, who will be in the rotation down the stretch, starts the series finale. The rookie is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA in seven games, including four starts, at Progressive Field.Zach Randolph Jersey . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Jaren Jackson Jr. Jersey . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. http://www.grizzliesbasketballpro.info/Dillon-Brooks-Grizzlies-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Shareef Abdur-Rahim Grizzlies Jersey . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. Jaren Jackson Jr. Grizzlies Jersey . Klitschkos management company says the bout will be the Ukrainian fighters 25th world championship fight. The 1.83-meter (6-foot) Leapai defeated the previously unbeaten Denis Boytsov in November to become the WBOs mandatory challenger.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady sounded a rallying cry to players across the NFL on Thursday night, calling for them to band together in the coming years during negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.I actually think its a great opportunity for the players to come together and the players to recognize all the things we have negotiated, and as we negotiate hopefully a CBA extension, that we as players come together to really stand up for the things we believe in and continue to fight just as the players who fought before us, Brady told host Jim Gray in a pregame radio interview on Westwood One before Thursday nights NFL opener.Bradys remarks came when he was asked about the current system and if any part of him was upset about certain rights being negotiated away.?With five more seasons under the current CBA, there hasnt been any movement toward an extension att this time.ddddddddddddI have great respect for the guys that fought to stand up for the rights of the players, just as myself and certain players did in 2011, he said on the program. I know there will need to be great leadership from the players moving forward. It definitely is a business. The players need to understand whats collectively bargained and put all the issues on the table to make for a better game. I think thats what all the fans would want.Brady said he thinks the system can always be improved.Not just for my situation, because my situation is obviously in the past. But for everybodys situation in the future, I think we as players need to stand together, so collectively we can be as strong as possible, and the NFL can continue to thrive and be the great game it is. ' ' '