Off-Topic » by converting seven of his 10 break points.

DETROIT -- James Shields was acquired two offseasons ago to pitch in games like this for Kansas City. With the Royals trying to avoid a sweep in their biggest series in years, the 32-year-old right-hander delivered. "You dont earn a nickname like Big Game James for nothing," manager Ned Yost said. "Games dont come much bigger than this." Shields allowed two hits over seven innings in another terrific performance, and Kansas City edged Detroit 3-0 on Wednesday night to take a one-game lead over the Tigers atop the AL Central. Detroit had won the first two games of the series to pull into a virtual tie for first in the division. The teams have a three-game series in Kansas City that starts Sept. 19. "Its definitely a game that we needed, for sure, but I think every game from here on out is pretty crucial," Shields said. "We took a couple tough losses there, the last couple days, but were having fun right now and enjoying the moment." Shields (14-7) gave up a single to Ian Kinsler leading off the first. Then he picked off Kinsler -- and retired every other batter he faced until another Detroit single in the seventh. The Tigers put two on that inning, but Shields worked out of the jam. Kelvin Herrera pitched the eighth and Wade Davis finished for his third save. Rick Porcello (15-11) pitched well for the Tigers, but Kansas City pushed across two runs in the fourth on RBI singles by Salvador Perez and Lorenzo Cain. Alcides Escobar added a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Shields was acquired in December 2012 in a trade that sent top prospect Wil Myers to Tampa Bay. Myers won Rookie of the Year honours last season, but now Shields has helped put the Royals in contention for their first post-season appearance since 1985. "The only thing Ive been telling guys is just stay relaxed and have fun," said Shields, who pitched in the post-season for Tampa Bay in 2008, 2010 and 2011. "This is why we play the game." He came within two outs of a shutout in New York on Friday in a 1-0 win over the Yankees, and the Tigers didnt fare any better against him. Shields struck out eight and walked one on Wednesday, throwing 98 pitches. Torii Hunters comebacker hit Shields in the back of his right leg in the first, but the Kansas City starter was able to continue. The game was delayed 42 minutes by rain at the start, and in the fourth it was raining hard enough to send fans toward the concourse, but there were no more delays. RALLY HALTED In the seventh, Hunter managed a single and Miguel Cabrera walked, but Shields retired Victor Martinez on a deep fly and struck out J.D. Martinez. "Thats pretty typical of him. He goes out and he pitches like that for 200 innings every year. Thats what he does," Kinsler said. "Rick threw the ball really well, but we didnt create any offence, and thats the game." TOUGH LOSS Porcello struck out four of the first five Kansas City batters. He allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings, striking out seven without a walk. He allowed consecutive singles to Josh Willingham, Eric Hosmer and Perez with one out in the fourth, and Cains two-out single made it 2-0. TRAINERS ROOM Royals: All-Star closer Greg Holland sat out again, despite the tight score in the late innings. He hasnt pitched since Sept. 3 because of a triceps issue. "Greg felt fine today," Yost said. "My whole mindset was, I was going to go up to the point where Greg said, OK, I dont feel anything -- and then give him another day." Tigers: RHP Joakim Soria (left oblique strain) was activated from the disabled list before the game. He allowed a run in the ninth. ... Left-handed reliever Phil Coke left in the eighth with a muscle spasm in his lower back after being unable to field Hosmers bunt. UP NEXT Royals: RHP Liam Hendriks (1-1) starts against Bostons Clay Buchholz (7-8) on Thursday night. Kansas City LHP Danny Duffy is missing that turn in the rotation because of a sore shoulder. Tigers: Detroit has an off day Thursday, followed by a home series against Cleveland. Tigers LHP David Price (13-11) starts against Cleveland RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-4) on Friday night. Cheap Jerseys China . Braves reliever David Carpenter was also fined for throwing at Rockies outfielder Corey Dickerson in the same game, which featured several ejections, including Colorado manager Walt Weiss. Wholesale MLB Jerseys . -- Antoine Bibeau bought the Val-dOr Foreurs valuable time at the Memorial Cup with his 51-save shutout Friday. http://www.baseballjerseyscheap.com/ . The Brazilian-born strikers brace drew him level with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo as the leagues leading scorers with 17 goals apiece through 16 rounds. "The important thing is to help the team win, not the goals," Diego Costa said. After a first half dominated by defence, Atletico pressed Valencia into its area and Diego Costa did the rest. Cheap MLB Jerseys China . -- The defending Canadian womens curling champions squandered an opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the standings Tuesday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Cheap Los Angeles Dodgers Jerseys Wholesale . Everton Preview West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been around the game long enough to not get too high when things are going well and not get too low when they arent.Zlatan Ibrahimovic learned how to be more ruthless in front of goal by watching videos of Marco van Basten, according to his former coach Fabio Capello. Former England boss Capello coached the Manchester United striker at Juventus, where the pair won successive Serie A titles between 2004 and 2006.Capello signed Ibrahimovic from Ajax and admitted he was not initially impressed with the former Sweden international, who has gone on to score 308 league goals throughout his career. Ibrahimovic watched videos of Van Basten to help his finishing At the beginning of his first spell at Juventus…I noticed that he was weaker than I thought when he had to kick the ball and was not very strong in the air, Capello told Premium Sports. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Ibrahimovic loved making assists more than scoring goals. I wanted him to become more ruthless in front of goal and improve his finishing.He had the same technical skills as Van Basten and I made him watch some videos of him to improve his finishing. Man Utd vs Arsenal November 19, 2016, 11:30am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Ibrahimovic did not initially impress Fabio Capello at Juventus I told him to watch Van Bastens movements inside the area and the way he used to score goals.dddddddddddd Ibra got it straight away. I think results are out there to prove it.Ibrahimovic scored twice against Swansea to end a run of six games without a goal as Manchester United moved to sixth in the Premier League table. Next up for Jose Mourinhos side is a clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford, live on Sky Sports. Also See: Fergie: The hairdryer truth Rooney coming back into form Man Utd a social media religion Sir Alex: Axing stars tough ' ' '