Lob und Kritik » in because you cant do any more than he did — he did the

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After a spotless stretch for 18 days earlier this month, the Oakland Athletics bullpen is struggling a bit. Starter Jeff Samardzija left with a one-run lead in the seventh inning, but Ryan Cook failed to hold it in a 7-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday. Cook allowed two inherited runners to score and three of his own without retiring a batter. Cooks streak of 21 consecutive scoreless innings came to an abrupt halt. "I have all the faith in the world in those guys," Samardzija said. "The best thing is to stay out of these situations altogether and go out and get them 1-2-3." The As relievers set a club record with a 29 2-3 scoreless innings streak from July 23-Aug. 9. But in the past six games, the bullpen has allowed 10 runs in 12 1-3 innings. "Our bullpen is the best in baseball I really believe that," said Stephen Vogt, who had three hits and scored a run. "They have given us so many great innings. To have one hiccup, Im not worrying about it. We have all the confidence in our bullpen." Nori Aoki and Billy Butler each drove in two runs in a five-run seventh as the Royals have won 18 of 22 to move 12 games above .500 for the first time since July 20, 2003. The Royals took the season series, winning five of seven against the Athletics, who have the best record in the majors. The As could face the Royals, who lead the AL Central, in the playoffs. "I dont think there is a playoff team that anybody wants to face," Vogt said. "There are about eight teams that nobody wants to face in October and some of them are new teams. These guys (Royals) are one of them." Aokis two-run triple put the Royals ahead 5-3. Butlers single scored Aoki and Alcides Escobar. Jarrod Dyson fouled off four consecutive pitches before hitting an RBI single to right for the first run of the inning. Samardzija (3-2) took the loss, giving up four runs, three earned, and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings. Aaron Crow (6-1), the third of six Kansas City pitchers, picked up the victory, retiring the only batter he faced. Starter James Shields gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings and has a 1.94 ERA in his past eight starts. Greg Holland earned the final two outs for his 36th save in 38 opportunities. The As scored two runs in the sixth when Dyson lost Josh Reddicks high fly in the sun for a triple, which scored Vogt. Alberto Callaspo drove in two Oakland runs with a single and a sacrifice fly. ON DECK Athletics: RHP Jason Hammel will start the opener of a weekend series at Atlanta. The As last played at Atlanta in 2008, losing two of three. Royals: LHP Danny Duffy will start Friday at Minnesota, where the Royals have lost four of six this season. The Royals play their next nine on the road, all against clubs in last place in their division — Minnesota, Colorado and Texas. TRAINERS ROOM Athletics: SS Jed Lowrie was placed on the disabled list after the game with a broken right index finger. Lowrie, who injured it Aug. 4, returned to San Francisco to have his finger checked. Royals: 1B Eric Hosmers MRI of his broken finger showed progress, but he will not be allowed to swing a bat for at least another week. ROOKIE SENSATION Royals IF Christian Colon had his second three-hit game, including a double, stole his first base in the majors and scored a run. He is hitting .444 in five career starts. PARRINO RECALLED The As recalled IF Andy Parrino from Triple-A Sacramento, where he was hitting .286 with 28 extra-base hits and 52 RBIs in 90 games. He will take Lowries roster spot. New York Mets Gear . Footballs governing body said Tuesday that of the 2,577,662 tickets allocated for this years tournament, 1,041,418 have gone to people in Brazil. The U. Stitched Mets Jerseys .com) - Colorado forward P. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/ . Nikolaos Kounenakis has been hired as an assistant coach, the team announced on Monday. Mets Jerseys 2020 . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Mets Jerseys China . Granada goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez saved Morenos first two headers from corner kicks taken by Sergio Garcia, but the defender beat him on his third try after Garcia found Moreno unmarked at the near post in the 78th minute.TORONTO - Don Cherry thinks there was someone more deserving of this years Lou Marsh trophy than Olympic bobsled champion Kaillie Humphries.The hockey commentator used his segment of Coachs Corner on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday to argue that the award, given annually to Canadas top athlete, should have gone to Los Angeles Kings defencemen Drew Doughty instead.Heres the deal, Kaillie Humphries, good luck to her, congratulations and everything, but youre telling me Drew Doughty shouldnt have got the Lou Marsh trophy? Cherry said. He went through two months ... and he was the guy, lets face it. L.A. won the Cup, he was the guy. Then he goes over and was absolutely fantastic when (the Canadian mens hockey team) won the gold in the Olympics.The 29-year-old Humphries became the first female in her sport to win back-to-back Olympic gold when she captured her second title in Sochi. The Calgary native also carried Canadas flag along with brakeman Heather Moyse into the closing ceremonies in Russia.A month earlier, Humphries had claimed her second consecutive overall World Cup title for Canada.But Cherry believes that Doughty — whos from London, Ont. — accomplished more in 2014.Everybody knows thhe most important thing in the Olympics is the hockey, Cherry said.dddddddddddd. Its come to the point now, no hockey player can ever win the Lou Marsh trophy from here on in because you cant do any more than he did — he did the Stanley Cup and the Olympic gold medal.Kaillie, I love you, but you shouldnt have done it.Humphries is the first bobsledder to win the Lou Marsh trophy, which is voted upon by representatives of Canadas leading news organizations. The vote was announced last Thursday.She will be piloting a Canadian four-man team in what would have been the mens competition on the World Cup circuit this season. Humphries has long lobbied for the chance to race against men, and the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation decided this year to make the four-man event gender neutral.Penguins forward Sidney Crosby was the last hockey player to win the Lou Marsh, taking the award in 2009, when Pittsburgh won the Stanley Cup. Crosby also won in 2007. Hockey great Wayne Gretzky has won the trophy four times, more than any other athlete. The sport of hockey has the most Lou Marsh wins, with 12 players earning the trophy. Figure skating is the next closest sport, with nine. ' ' '