Baugebiete » rookie outfielder in the starting lineup.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Yordano Ventura, who starts Sunday for the Kansas City Royals in the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, can be exasperating -- excellent one start, mediocre the next.Examine Venturas home record. He won his first four decisions this season at Kauffman Stadium, posting a 3.75 ERA. However, hes lost his past three home starts, allowing 13 earned runs in 17 1/3 innings for a 6.75 ERA.Ventura is 0-5 with a 5.40 ERA in his past seven starts. He has not picked up a victory since June 17, when he defeated the Detroit Tigers 10-3. The Royals are averaging 2.7 runs per game in his starts since the W.The numbers do not equate to a right-arm that can throw a 100 mile per hour fastball and average 96 mph.There can be some comparisons between Ventura and Royals left-hander Danny Duffy, who started the season in the bullpen and has developed into clubs best starter. Duffy won his seventh straight decision in beating the Blue Jays 4-2 on Saturday night.Theres no frustration there because you know hes grown into it, Royals manager Ned Yost said. Its the same way with Ventura. You cant get frustrated. Theyre growing. Theyre getting better. Theyre learning what it takes to be successful. The light bulb is just starting to go on. You can see him getting a little better, a little better and understanding a little more and understanding a little more.Ventura had some unkind twitter words for Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista after a dugout clearing shouting match last August at the Rogers Centre. Ventura tweeted out to Bautista: Well meet again later, and called him a nobody who steals signs. The remarks were later removed and Ventura apologized.Ventura made two no-decisions starts against the Blue Jays in the postseason last October, allowing four runs in 10 2/3 innings on 12 hits, while striking out 11, walking four and hitting four.The Blue Jays counter with Marcus Stroman, who is 2-1 with a 3.72 ERA in his past seven starts. Stroman struck out 13 Houston Astros in a Monday start.With closer Roberto Osuna unavailable Friday after pitching in three of the four previous games, manager John Gibbons used Joaquin Benoit, who was acquired in a late July trade with Seattle, in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead.Benoit has allowed two hits and no runs over six innings since joining the Blue Jays.I like everything Ive seen, Gibbons said of Benoit. I dont know how they let him go. We really didnt know what to expect. Hes been around a while. He came in against us when he was with Seattle and his arm was still there; you could tell that. And hes been perfect since hes been here. It seems like he enjoys it. I think hes happy to come over here.With the additions of Benoit and Jason Grilli, who was acquired May 31 from Atlanta, plus Osuna, Gibbons has at his disposal three veteran right-handers who have closed games.Everybody knows Osunas the guy, Gibbons said. Now the key is weve got to be able to use them all because were one less guy than we usually carry (in the bullpen) and youve got to watch those guys and get some innings out of the starters or it could blow up on us, like some of those extra-inning games. Cale Makar Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. A.J. Greer Avalanche Jersey . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-nathan-mackinnon-avalanche-jersey/ . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. Peter Forsberg Jersey . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Patrick Roy Jersey . JOHNS, N. DETROIT -- A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that the Detroit Pistons have agreed to a one-year contract with guard Ray McCallum.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal had not been announced. McCallums deal is for the league minimum, which is about $1 million for a player with his service time.McCallum averaged 3.3 points per game last season in 41 appearances for San Antonio and Memphis. HHe played the previous two seasons for Sacramento.ddddddddddddMcCallum played college basketball at Detroit, averaging 18.7 points during his final season there in 2012-13.The 25-year-old McCallum should add depth to Detroits backcourt. The Pistons signed Ish Smith this offseason to back up point guard Reggie Jackson. ' ' '