Gesundheit » Halaks agent - released the f

CHICAGO -- The Kansas City Royals think this is only the beginning. Wait until next year comes around. Bruce Chen pitched four-hit ball into the seventh inning and Kansas City beat the Chicago White Sox 4-1 on Sunday in the finale of the Royals best season in 24 years. "Its a good start. I think were making progress as an organization," said manager Ned Yost, who completed the final season of his contract but is expected to return next year. "Ten games over .500, its a significant first step and we need to continue to build on it." Kansas City won three of four in Chicago and went 17-10 in September for its most successful month of the season. The Royals 86-76 record was their best mark since they went 92-70 in 1989. "This team came out every game and expected to win every game regardless of what happened the night before," said Greg Holland, who got three outs for his 47th save. "We got to grind it out that way; thats how you get in the playoffs. We came up short but I think going into next spring were going to be pretty happy with where were at." Chens sharp outing put a damper on what might have been the last major league game for White Sox captain Paul Konerko, who is eligible for free agency and isnt sure if he will play again next year. The veteran first baseman is second in franchise history with 427 homers and 1,361 RBIs, and third with 2,249 hits. Konerko was greeted with loud cheers when he was introduced with the starting lineup, and the crowd of 22,633 saluted the slugger with a standing ovation when he came to the plate in the first. He was replaced by Conor Gillaspie with one out in the top of the second, and he stopped to shake pitcher Jose Quintanas hand as he left the field to more cheers. "It always feels good. The fans here have treated me great over the years," said Konerko, who tweaked his back during Saturday nights 6-5 victory, leading to the quick hook in the finale. "In a year like this, they treated me better than probably I deserved, really the whole team when you think about it." Konerko waved his hat to the crowd as he made his way to the dugout. With the Royals also standing and clapping on the other side, the six-time All-Star acknowledged the long ovation with a brief curtain call. "Well see how I feel in a month or a month and a half from now," Konerko said about his future, "and try to come to grips with whats what." Chen (9-4) allowed one run, struck out four and walked three in 6 2-3 innings. The crafty left-hander went 6-4 with a 3.61 ERA in 15 starts after he joined the rotation in July. "I feel like I helped the team in the second half," Chen said. "I feel like I was a major contributor on a team making a run on the playoffs and it was fun." Alexei Ramirez homered for the White Sox, who left seven runners on base. Konerko fouled out to first with two on in his only plate appearance. Chicago loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but Holland struck out Gordon Beckham and Marcus Semien to end the game. It was a fitting end for Chicago (63-99), which had one of the majors worst offences this year. Hitting coach Jeff Manto was let go on Saturday, and the White Sox finished with their most losses since they had a franchise-record 106 in 1970. "Nobody is happy with losing," Quintana said. "We obviously didnt get to the goal as a team, but the positive thing is to learn from it and come back the very next year and see what we can do." Quintana (9-7) pitched seven innings to reach 200 for the season. He was charged with four runs and six hits. The lefty issued two walks, and each of them was costly. Johnny Giavotella got one before Salvador Perez hit his 13th homer in the fourth, and Justin Maxwell got the other before Brett Hayes first homer of the year in the seventh. Perez misplayed a popup in his first career start at first base, but finished with three hits. The usual catcher went 6 for 12 with two homers and four RBIs in the series. "What a day he had offensively," Yost said. "Salvys going to be a producer all the way around, defensively, offensively." NOTES: White Sox 2B Gordon Beckham made a great diving stop to rob Irving Falu of a hit in the seventh. ... It was Hayes first homer since Sept. 21, 2011, for the Marlins against Atlanta. ... Sundays crowd brought the season total for U.S. Cellular Field to 1,765,544, an average of 21,833 per game. ... Holland finished with 103 strikeouts, tying Jim York (1971) for the franchise record for a reliever. Jaroslav Halaks agent has his back. Halak did not get the start in the Washington Capitals Tuesday night game against the St. Louis Blues amid reports that he had asked not to face his former teammates. Allan Walsh - Halaks agent - released the following statement on Halak Wednesday: "Jaro never at anytime said he didnt want to start against St. Louis. A private conversation between a player and coach should stay private and not be discussed with the media." "I am bewildered that a coach would break that trust especially when those comments the coach publicly attributed to Jaro are not accurate," the statement continued. "Its the coach who makes the decision on who plays in the games, not the players." Halak has beenn with the Capitals since the Mar.dddddddddddd 5 trade deadline when the team acquired him from the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres acquired him from the Blues on Feb. 28 in the trade that sent goaltender Ryan Miller to the Blues, though Halak did not see any ice time as a member of the Sabres. The 28-year-old netminder had spent the previous four seasons as a member of the Blues. St. Louis acquired him from the Montreal Canadiens in 2010 in exchange for Ian Schultz and Lars Eller. The Canadiens originally selected Halak in the ninth round (271st overall) at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In 51 games with the Blues and Capitals this season, Halak has posted a 28-13-7 record with a 2.29 goals-against average and a .919 save perentage. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '