Dein erstes Forum » rt-Haas Racing and will continue to race all over

CHICAGO -- Its down to the last couple days of July, and the Kansas City Royals have an equal amount of wins and losses. Its a small step, but its somewhere to start. Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning and the Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Sunday for their sixth consecutive victory. "This is a lot of fun," Gordon said. "We have a lot of guys that are playing well and picking each other up and just a good team right now." Kansas City (51-51) matched its longest winning streak of the season and got back to .500 for the first time since it beat Cleveland 2-1 on June 17 to improve to 34-34. Its the best record for the Royals this late in the year since they finished the 2003 season with an 83-79 mark, according to STATS. "To get here was big," manager Ned Yost said. "Now we got to get past it and just stay focused day to day." With no outs and Jarrod Dyson on third in the 12th, the White Sox brought their infield in, but it didnt matter one bit. Gordon drove a 2-2 pitch from Donnie Veal (1-1) over the wall in centre for his first homer since July 7 and No. 10 on the year. Gordon went 1 for 6 and is batting .121 (4 for 33) over his past eight games, but it hardly mattered to him after coming up with the clutch swing. "One hits fine with me as long as it wins the game," the All-Star outfielder said. Aaron Crow (7-3) tossed a scoreless inning to get the win and Greg Holland finished for his 27th save in 29 chances. Holland has converted each of his past 20 opportunities. The White Sox had a chance to win the game in the 10th, but Dyson threw out pinch runner Blake Tekotte at the plate to end the inning. Tekotte was trying to score from second on Alejandro De Azas sharp single to centre field. Adam Dunn homered for last-place Chicago, which closed out a 3-7 homestand with its ninth loss in 12 games overall. Paul Konerko also had an RBI single. The White Sox had three runs and 21 hits in the series sweep. "I think pitching-wise, our guys gave us every opportunity," manager Robin Ventura said. "We just didnt come up with much. Thats frustrating and all that stuff going with it. Just has to be better if youre going to win games." David Lough, who made a terrific catch in the ninth inning of Kansas Citys 1-0 victory on Saturday night, helped the Royals get off to a fast start in the series finale. He singled in Alcides Escobar with two out in the first, then walked and scored on Miguel Tejadas double in the fourth. Dunn responded in the sixth, driving a 1-1 pitch from Bruce Chen over the wall in centre to tie it at 2. It was Dunns 25th homer of the season and No. 431 for his career, tying Cal Ripken for 43rd on the all-time list. Dunn also helped set up Chicagos first run with a two-out walk in the first that moved Alex Rios into scoring position. Konerko followed with a run-scoring single into left field. Chen allowed three hits, struck out five and walked two in six innings. The crafty left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts since joining the rotation. "Its one of those things. You want to help the team in any way you can," said Chen, who is 4-0 with a 2.09 ERA in 22 appearances on the year, "and Im glad that I was able to help this team and we got the victory today." White Sox left-hander Hector Santiago struck out seven in 6 2-3 innings. He allowed five hits and walked four. "Yeah, its just been the story the whole year," Santiago said. "Try to keep us in the game and keep it close enough where we have a chance and for the most part thats what we did." NOTES: Kansas City is 7-1 in extra-inning games this season, including a 4-0 mark on the road. ... White Sox RHP Jake Peavy brought a couple of big suitcases into the clubhouse before the game. He is scheduled to start on Tuesday in Cleveland, but he also is one of the top pitchers on the market ahead of Wednesdays non-waiver trade deadline. "I dont think he wants to go. I dont want him to go," Ventura said. "But he has to be prepared. Thats part of where were at right now." ... Royals CF Lorenzo Cain got the day off after he left Saturday nights 1-0 win with tightness in his left groin. Kansas City is off Monday before beginning a three-game series at Minnesota, allowing Cain to rest for consecutive days. ... Chicago begins a four-game series against the Indians on Monday night. White Sox LHP John Danks (2-8, 4.81 ERA) opposes RHP Zach McAllister (4-6, 3.57 ERA) in the opener. ... Royals RHP Ervin Santana (6-6, 3.06 ERA) faces RHP Mike Pelfrey (4-8, 5.15 ERA) on Tuesday in Minnesota. Nikita Zadorov Jersey . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. Patrick Roy Jersey . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. 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HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Tony Stewart slid out of his car in a NASCAR race for the final time and was swarmed by cameras, friends and rivals who wanted a piece of the retired champion.Jeff Gordon, another retired great, walked over to make the loosest of plans for their free time.Were gonna have fun, Gordon said.Damn right we are, Stewart replied.Stewarts final NASCAR race was pure fun -- and even a bit emotional for the notoriously gruff driver known as Smoke. But for all the accolades heaped and R-rated tales spun this week, Stewart made it clear he was simply a race car driver at heart to the end.I didnt think of anything else other than just racing the race, Stewart said.Stewart finished 22nd on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the finish a mere footnote that capped a two-decade career stuffed with controversy and championships. He walked off with final memento: Jimmie Johnson gave his race helmet to Stewart moments after he won his seventh NASCAR championship.The gesture was the ultimate sign of respect toward a guy known as the ultimate pure driver.This is probably the biggest honor you can have as a driver, to get a guy that just won his seventh championship, to get his helmet like that, Stewart said.Earlier, Stewart sounded at peace heading into his final NASCAR race.Guys, its been a hell of a ride for 18 years, he said over the radio. Lets go out here and have one more good day.Hes had plenty of great ones through the years.Stewart had steeled his emotions in the lead-up to his final start and kept distractions at bay and close friends nearby before the race.His No. 14 Chevrolet was barricaded and protected by armed police officers before the season finale. His race car was essentially sitting in Turn 4, well away from the rest of the field. A banner flew nearby to tell fans where they could get a glimpse of the three-time Cup series champion.Its time. Lets go. Im ready, Stewart said.Stewart was feted with tributes all weekend by fellow drivers, fans, colleagues and every person who felt connected to him in even the smallest ways. He shed the gruff, prickly mood and became an almost happy-go-lucky guy. Stewart, clean-shaven, was all smiles as he posed for photo after photo, and hugged or wrapped his arm around crew members, and even the troops.Homestead saluted Stewart with a coordinated Thank you, Tony! yell from the grandstands as the photo ops stayed on sschedule.ddddddddddddMy last photo with the boys, a Chevy employee shrieked.Gordon stopped by for a quick chat with Stewart. A year ago, Gordon was mobbed by so many fans that he struggled to get to his car before the finale.IndyCar driver Marco Andretti lingered near Stewarts car, and three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves called Smoke one of racings greatest drivers. Joe Gibbs, Stewarts former car owner, hugged Stewart on pit road after the race.NASCAR added a ceremonial pace lap with Stewart leading the field before the race. There was a Ford truck that flew a Thank you, Smoke. 14 banner in front of him.His Chevrolet -- with dates of each of his 49 career wins etched into the paint scheme on the bumper -- took a lap down pit road, and Stewart slapped hands with crew members for all NASCAR teams.It made me think back to the moment when Dale Senior won the Daytona 500, Stewart said.NASCAR vice chairman Mike Helton thanked Stewart for the character and passion you brought to NASCAR all throughout your career.Stewarts career was given the highlight reel treatment in the pre-race drivers meeting with a colorful video of his biggest wins, playful banter and snippy one-liners. NASCAR drivers and crew members gave Stewart a rousing standing ovation. Stewart eventually stood and smiled, waiving in acknowledgment at the outpouring of affection.Stewart is just retiring from NASCAR driving. He has an ownership stake in Stewart-Haas Racing and will continue to race all over the country next year at the grassroots level. He may not be done yet poking NASCARs leaders.You understand, we still invite owners to the haulers sometimes, too, Helton quipped.Stewarts helmet was a weathered throwback that looked as if it had been hanging in a barn on his Indiana farm for decades. It appeared rusted, said Smoke. Unlimited Speed, and was a gritty symbol of one of the last true racers. The hood of Stewarts No. 14 Chevrolet is emblazoned with photos from his championship years next to the slogan Always a Racer, Forever a Champion.Stewart has yet to have his final ride.Hell go off-road riding Monday during his annual ATV trip.But when is his next official race?Stay tuned, he said, smiling. It wont be long.---More AP auto racing: www.racing.ap.org ' ' '