in Marseille before kick-off were being taken very seriously.

Yordano Ventura tries to pitch the Kansas City Royals to a commanding two games to none lead over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Ventura was almost the goat of Kansas Citys wild card win over Oakland, as he came out of the bullpen and promptly served up a go-ahead three-run homer to the As Brandon Moss. The Royals, though, took him and manager Ned Yost off the hook in that one with a thrilling 12-inning win. Weve got a lot of confidence in (Venturas) ability, Yost said. When you throw a 100-mph fastball and 95-mph two-seamer and 94-mph cutter and a nice curveball and nice changeup -- I think everybody has confidence in him. The 23-year-old flame-thrower, though, won five of his final six decisions in the regular season and ended his rookie campaign 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA. Ventura faced the Angels once this season -- a rain-shortened start in June in which he allowed two runs in four innings and took the loss. Everybody knows they do have a very potent lineup and a lot of guys out there that can hurt you, Ventura said. But I think my main concern is to know that I go out there and make some pitches. Making some pitches means Ive got to put it in good spots against very dangerous people. Kansas City continued to ride a wave of momentum on Thursday, as Mike Moustakas first home run in over a month propelled the Royals to a 3-2, 11- inning win in Game 1. Angels pitchers retired 16 straight hitters at one point, but the hosts wasted a bevy of scoring chances throughout, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and leaving eight on base. Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Howie Kendrick and Josh Hamilton combined to go 0-for-18 in the setback. We had some guys in scoring position, we just couldnt get that one hit, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. I think we swung the bats a little bit better than what the numbers are going to show. We hit some balls hard and they made some terrific defensive plays. Their only runs came on solo shots from Chris Iannetta and David Freese in the third and fifth innings, respectively. The light-hitting Royals countered with a long ball of their own, as Moustakas got just enough of a Fernando Salas (0-1) offering to barely send it over the right-field wall for the first extra-inning home run in Royals history. Kansas City, of course, hit the fewest amount of home runs (95) of any team in the league this season. Greg Holland (1-0) set down the side in order in the bottom half to cap Kansas Citys second dramatic win in three days. Now the Angels will turn to rookie right-hander Matt Shoemaker, who has not pitched since Sept. 15 due to rib cage and chest injuries. Shoemaker won his final seven decisions and was 9-1 over his final 11 games with a 1.49 ERA. In all, Shoemaker made 20 starts, going 14-3 with a 2.89 ERA in those games. He also won twice in relief, and his 16 total victories set an Angels rookie record. Matt Shoemaker saved our season, Scioscia said. Hes got to be the story of the year for our team, and it might be the biggest surprise in the league. Matts been a guy who has always had to prove himself. Even this year he had to prove himself. But he got the opportunity and hes made the most of it. The news wasnt all good for the Royals on Thursday, as reliever Kelvin Herrera exited with a strained right forearm after walking the only batter he faced in the seventh inning. He will have an MRI on Friday. Los Angeles split six games with the Royals during the season with each team taking two of three in their ballpark. This is the first postseason meeting between the Angels and Royals, former division rivals in the American League West from 1969-93. Erik Palmer-Brown Jersey .C. United on Saturday night and boost the Unions playoff hopes. Nick DeLeon scored in the 36th minute for United (3-23-6), which had ample opportunities to build on its lead but went its 10th straight match without a victory. Geoff Cameron Jersey . Rodgers was ruled out on Friday by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Matt Flynn will make his second consecutive start for the Packers. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/sacha-kljestan-usa-jersey/ . On Wednesday night, they showed that stellar defence and a little small ball can get the job done too. With pinch-runner Kevin Pillar aboard after Dioner Navarro opened the bottom of the ninth with a single, Anthony Gose dropped down an excellent bunt along the first-base line. Matt Besler Jersey .5 million contract with the right-handed reliever. Ziegler revealed the agreement via Twitter, saying hes "really excited to stay in Arizona for a couple more years, at least. Jozy Altidore Jersey . TSN 1290s Jordan Cieciwa, Big Marv and Toby are here to give their predictions on who will leave with the belt and who will take some of the other key bouts on the card. Johny Hendricks vs.LONDON -- Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney led Manchester United to a convincing 3-1 victory at Fulham and their teams first back-to-back wins in the Premier League under coach David Moyes on Saturday. Goals from Antonio Valencia, Van Persie and Rooney put the game beyond Fulhams reach with just over 20 minutes on the clock at Craven Cottage. After a series of knocks and perhaps an eye on Tuesdays Champions League game with Real Socieded, the commanding lead also allowed Moyes to make wholesale changes at halftime -- with Rafael, Jonny Evans and Tom Cleverley being replaced by Chris Smalling, Shinji Kagawa and Marouane Fellaini. Alexander Kacaniklic pulled a goal back for Fulham with a shot that deflected in off Rooney in the 65th minute. But there was little prospect of a comeback in a game that will keep the pressure on Fulham manager Martin Jol, whose side was beaten by second-tier Leicester in the League Cup in midweek. For Moyes, it was an encouraging fourth consecutive win in all competitions. United spent the early stages looking clumsy -- but not quite as ponderous as Fulhams Swiss defender Philippe Senderos. A through ball from Van Persie caught out the centre-back and found Rooney, whose squared ball from the left was directed home by Valencia. The hosts soon hit back and only a fine challenge by Rafael denied them the chance of an equalizer. Scott Parker sent a superb ball to former United striker Dimitar Berbbatov, only for the Brazilian right-back to thwart the Bulgarian as he prepared to pull the trigger.dddddddddddd Fulham duly paid for the missed opportunity. Parker looked to have been fouled by Adnan Januzaj but the referee allowed play to continue. The teenager played through Van Persie and, despite looking to have been offside, continued to lash the ball past countryman Maarten Stekelenburg. Two minutes later, United moved even further ahead. This time Fernando Amorebieta was the guilty offender, with Van Persie getting behind his man and squaring for Rooney to slot home from close range. Fulham looked rejuvenated after the restart, with Pajtim Kasami drilling a shot just wide as the Whites pushed for a goal that came in the 65th minute. After Fellaini headed into the side-netting at the other end, Kacaniklic, four minutes after coming on, saw his strike from the edge of the box turned past David De Gea by Rooney. Januzaj saw a penalty appeal waved away seven minutes later, before Smalling headed away an effort from Berbatov. Kacaniklic scooped the ball over the top as the match entered the final 10 minutes, with chants of You dont know what youre doing from disgruntled Fulham aimed at Jol after he replaced Parker with Darren Bent. The on-loan striker soon hushed those fans up with a header that hit the crossbar, while Adel Taarabt forced De Gea into a late save and Kieran Richardson headed just wide. 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