Dein erstes Forum » Broncos defied expectations not only to get themsel

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Danny Duffy almost never missed a game when he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. Sometimes hed be watching on TV from the teams spring training complex in Arizona. Other times, hed be watching on television between rehab starts at some minor league outpost. He finally made his return on Wednesday night and laboured through 3 2-3 innings against the Minnesota Twins. He left with the Royals trailing by a run, but this time had a front-row seat to watch as his scrappy bunch of teammates clawed their way back for a 5-2 victory. The Royals bullpen held the Twins off the scoreboard the final 5 1-3 innings. "Im not satisfied with this at all. It wasnt where I wanted to be today," Duffy said, "but we gutted it out, we got the win and the bullpen was amazing." Duffy was electric for as long as he was in the game. He struck out seven with an overpowering fastball that at times reached 97 mph, and then used his changeup to keep the Twins off balance. But he struggled through the same command issues that often plagued him prior to his injury, and needed 93 pitches to last as long as he did. "When he got hurt, he was still learning how to harness his adrenaline," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "Once he learns how to harness his adrenaline, hes going to be a pretty nice pitcher." Once Duffy left the game, Louis Coleman (2-0) and three more Kansas City relievers managed to navigate the next 4 1-3 innings. All-Star closer Greg Holland worked around a single by pinch-hitter Joe Mauer in the ninth to wrap up his 30th save and the series win. "We feel really comfortable when we give them the lead," first baseman Eric Hosmer said, "and any time we give them insurance runs, we feel really good about them closing it out." Alex Gordon homered off Samuel Deduno (7-5) to tie the game once Duffy left. Alcides Escobar hit a go-ahead single later in the fourth, Lorenzo Cain hit an RBI single in the fifth, and Gordon drove in another run in the seventh with the 200th double of his career. Deduno, who hadnt lost in his last four starts, allowed four runs on 12 hits in 5 2-3 innings. He didnt walk a batter for the first time this season. "He was battling pretty hard and they were shooting balls the other way on him," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He battled through the best he could." Minnesota made sure that Duffy would work hard in his first time on a big league mound since May 2012. Brian Dozier, whose leadoff homer set the tone in a 7-0 win Tuesday night, opened the game with a triple off the young left-hander. Brian Colabello worked a two-out walk before Ryan Doumit delivered an RBI single to give the Twins a 1-0 lead. Doumit would leave the game in the fourth inning after feeling nauseous, and the Twins said afterward that he would likely land on the seven-day concussion list. "I felt like mentally in a fog. I was nauseous. I was dizzy," the catcher said. "If you cant concentrate on the pitches you are calling, you shouldnt be back there." The Royals answered in the third when Brett Hayes, whos filling in at catcher while Salvador Perez is out with his own concussion, lined a double off the third-base bag. Deduno recovered to retire the next two Royals, but Escobar drove in Hayes with a tying single. The Twins pulled back ahead in the fourth on Doziers two-out double, but Gordon answered again in the bottom half when he snapped a 1-for-23 skid with his homer. Escobars run-scoring single later in the inning gave the Royals the lead for good. Cains RBI single and Gordons run-scoring double took some of the pressure off the Royals bullpen, which entered the game with the best ERA in the American League. Coleman retired five batters to run his streak of scoreless innings to 16 1-3, and Tim Collins struck out the only three he faced. Aaron Crow escaped a jam of his own creation in the seventh, and Kelvin Herrera left runners on second and third to end the eighth. Holland ensured there would be little drama in the ninth. "We got into the fourth inning and looking at those guys down there, I felt really good about protecting a one-run lead," Yost said. "It wasnt pretty at times but they got it done." Notes: The Royals optioned LHP Will Smith to Triple-A Omaha. ... RF David Lough (left quad tightness) was back in the KC lineup. ... Perez began light workouts and could return from the seven-day concussion DL on Sunday. ... Minnesota RHP Liam Hendricks will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester and start the second game of doubleheader Friday at the White Sox. The Twins are off Thursday. ... The Royals open a four-game set Thursday against Boston. Curry 6 Shoes For Sale . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. Curry 2 For Sale . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. http://www.curryshoesclearance.com/ua-curry-3-shoes.html . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Curry Shoes Clearance . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Curry 6 Cheap . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes.Weve taken a look back at the AFC season which provided Super Bowl winners the Denver Broncos, but who had a season to remember or forget? The Broncos defied expectations not only to get themselves to the AFC final, but also to then win it and go on to represent the Conference in a landmark Super Bowl which gave Peyton Manning a day to remember.But what of the rest of the AFC - who exceeded expectations? Who underachieved? And who were the players on which franchises could rely?Weve put all 16 members of the Conference under the microscope and come up with our verdict on their seasons and dished out the all important end-of-term grades... AFC NORTH - IN FOCUS Bengals, Steelers, Ravens, Browns reviewed AFC SOUTH - IN FOCUS Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Titans reviewed AFC EAST - IN FOCUS Patriots, Jets, Bills and Dolphins reviewed AFC WEST - IN FOCUS Broncos, Chiefs.ddddddddddddRaiders, Chargers reviewed Also See: AFC North: In Focus AFC South: In Focus AFC West: In Focus AFC East: In Focus ' ' '