knock-on.When Ellia Green and Charlotte Caslick scored to lift Australias lead to 24-5, the final was as good as

DETROIT -- James Shields and Danny Duffy were too much for the Detroit Tigers offence. Shields allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings and was part of a combined four-hit shutout in Kansas Citys 3-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night to give the Royals a sweep of a day-night doubleheader. Kansas City won the first game 2-1 as Duffy took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and pitched a combined two-hitter. "Huge day for us. Shields came back and, basically, matched the outing that Duffy had," said Eric Hosmer, who homered in each game. Royals pitching held the Tigers to a run and six hits combined in the two games. "You play 18 innings against a team like that and give up one run, youre doing something special," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he isnt worried about his AL Central-leading club. "Its not a concern. We got what we got. Its pretty simple," he said. "Both teams got great pitching, and we didnt must enough offence." The Royals gained two games on Detroit to move within 6 1/2 games of the Tigers. "We wanted to come in here and make a statement against these guys," Yost said. Shields (8-8) won his fourth game in his past five starts. He walked four and struck out one. "Tonight I was pounding the strike zone but just missing with some of my pitches," Shields said. " ... Ive been pitching well all season. Ive got a lot of quality starts. Thats what I care about, not wins and losses." The Tigers threatened against Shields in the second and third innings. In the second, a walk to Andy Dirks and Brayan Penas single gave Detroit runners on first and second with one out. But Shields got both Ramon Santiago and Jose Iglesias to hit pop-ups to the shortstop to get out of the inning. But the biggest potential rally came in the third when the right-hander walked Austin Jackson to lead off the third inning and Torii Hunter singled him to second. But Shields retired the next three hitters, using mostly his change-up. Miguel Cabrera was retired on weak roller to Shields between the mound and first base on which the runners moved up to second and third. But Prince Fielder hit a short fly ball to left fielder Alex Gordon. Despite Jacksons speed, it wasnt nearly deep enough for him to score. Shields then got Victor Martinez to line out to right to end the inning. "Its huge, especially with their lineup and who was coming up," Shields said. "Youve got Miggy, Fielder and Victor, whose one of the hottest hitters in the league ... and Miggy, the best hitter in the league." Luke Hochevar pitched a perfect eighth and Greg Holland worked the ninth, allowing a hit, for his 34th save. He had saves in both games of the doubleheader. Jose Alvarez (1-3), called up from Triple-A Toledo to make the start, took the loss. He gave up two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out five. Alvarezs only big mistakes came in the third with two outs. He walked Jamey Carroll and Hosmer followed with his second home run of the day, that gave the Royals a 2-0 lead. Hosmer blasted Alvarezs 1-1 change-up deep into the right-field stands for his 14th homer. "I felt good, but I made one big mistake," Alvarez said. "Im here to win games for this team, and I didnt do that, so Im disappointed." Alvarez was replaced by Jeremy Bonderman with two outs in the sixth. Bonderman got the final out of that inning and the first two outs of the seventh before being replaced by Phil Coke and Al Alburquerque. Carrolls sacrifice fly in the seventh made it 3-0. It was an unearned run off Bonderman, whose throwing error on an attempted pickoff throw sent Chris Getz from first to third. He scored on the sac fly. Duffy (1-0) beat Justin Verlander in the opener. Duffy was called up from Triple-A Omaha to make his second big league start of the season, and didnt allow a hit until Cabreras hard-hit, two out single in the sixth. "I was glad that they finally got one, honestly, because I just wanted to pitch," said Duffy, who underwent Tommy John surgery. "I wanted to protect this arm." Kelvin Herrera replaced Duffy in the seventh and retired the side in order. Aaron Crow worked the eighth and allowed Santiagos pinch-hit home run leading off the inning. Crow got the next three batters. "Would have liked to have been able to accomplish two things, win and keep the bullpen fresh," Verlander said. "Just didnt happen that way. Felt like I threw the ball well. Just their guys pitched extremely well, which is theyve done all year." Verlander (12-9) allowed two runs and seven hits in eight innings. He struck out five and didnt walk a batter. "Our pitching was terrific tonight, both of them," Leyland said. "Im certainly not going to nitpick what they did." Kansas City made it 2-0 on consecutive doubles leading off the seventh by Justin Maxwell and Emilio Bonifacio. NOTE: With two outs in the second inning of the first game, Bonafacio hit a soft liner that Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias reached to his right to catch on the backhand. The ball popped out of his glove back over Iglesias head, but he twisted his body to catch it for the innings final out. ... In the eighth, Bonifacio, playing centre field, and right fielder David Lough collided after Bonifacio made a running catch of Cabreras long drive on the warning track in deep right-centre. ... It was the Royals first doubleheader sweep in Detroit since Aug. 5, 1984. ... Royals manager Ned Yost said third baseman Mike Moustakas, who has been out since leaving Mondays game with a tight calf, would do some work on the field on Friday to assess his progress. ... The Royals Billy Butler continued his mastery of Verlander in the first game. Butler was 2 for 3 to run his career mark against the Tigers star to 27-for-62 (. 435). ... Saturdays scheduled starters are Wade Davis (6-9, 5.29 ERA) for Kansas City against Doug Fister (10-6. 3.60) for Detroit. Miguel Cabrera was retired on weak roller to Shields between the mound and first base on which the runners moved up to second and third. But Prince Fielder hit a short fly ball to left fielder Alex Gordon. Despite Jacksons speed, it wasnt nearly deep enough for him to score. Shields then got Victor Martinez to line out to right to end the inning. Luke Hochevar pitched a perfect eighth and Greg Holland worked the ninth, allowing a hit, for his 34th save. He had saves in both games of the doubleheader. Jose Alvarez (1-3), called up from Triple-A Toledo to make the start, took the loss. He gave up two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out five. Alvarezs only big mistakes came in the third with two outs. He walked Jamey Carroll and Hosmer followed with his second home run of the day, that gave the Royals a 2-0 lead. Hosmer blasted Alvarezs 1-1 pitch deep into the right-field stands for his 14th homer. Alvarez was replaced by Jeremy Bonderman with two outs in the sixth. Bonderman got the final out of that inning and the first two outs of the seventh before being replaced by Phil Coke and Al Alburquerque. Carrolls sacrifice fly in the seventh made it 3-0. It was an unearned run off Bonderman, whose throwing error on an attempted pickoff throw sent Chris Getz from first to third. He scored on the sac fly. Duffy (1-0) beat Justin Verlander in the opener. Duffy was called up from Triple-A Omaha to make his second big league start of the season, and didnt allow a hit until Cabreras hard-hit, two out single in the sixth. "I was glad that they finally got one, honestly, because I just wanted to pitch," said Duffy, who underwent Tommy John surgery. "I wanted to protect this arm." Kelvin Herrera replaced Duffy in the seventh and retired the side in order. Aaron Crow worked the eighth and allowed Santiagos pinch-hit home run leading off the inning. Crow got the next three batters. "Would have liked to have been able to accomplish two things, win and keep the bullpen fresh," Verlander said. "Just didnt happen that way. Felt like I threw the ball well. Just their guys pitched extremely well, which is theyve done all year." Verlander (12-9) allowed two runs and seven hits in eight innings. He struck out five and didnt walk a batter. Kansas City made it 2-0 on consecutive doubles leading off the seventh by Justin Maxwell and Emilio Bonifacio. NOTE: With two outs in the second inning of the first game, Bonafacio hit a soft liner that Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias reached to his right to catch on the backhand. The ball popped out of his glove back over Iglesias head, but he twisted his body to catch it for the innings final out. ... In the eighth, Bonifacio, playing centre field, and right fielder David Lough collided after Bonifacio made a running catch of Cabreras long drive on the warning track in deep right-centre. ... It was the Royals first doubleheader sweep in Detroit since Aug. 5, 1984. ... Royals manager Ned Yost said third baseman Mike Moustakas, who has been out since leaving Mondays game with a tight calf, would do some work on the field on Friday to assess his progress. ... The Royals Billy Butler continued his mastery of Verlander in the first game. Butler was 2 for 3 to run his career mark against the Tigers star to 27-for-62 (. 435). ... Saturdays scheduled starters are Wade Davis (6-9, 5.29 ERA) for Kansas City against Doug Fister (10-6. 3.60) for Detroit. Cheap Lakers Jerseys Authentic . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Wholesale Lakers Jerseys . 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RIO DE JANEIRO -- The first Olympic rugby gold medal in 92 years has gone to a group of Australian women that includes a mechanic, an elite former sprinter and a 21-year-old newcomer who has traveled around Rio de Janeiro carrying an inflatable kangaroo.Australia absorbed an expected early battering from New Zealand and conceded an early try before responding with four consecutive tries to win the womens rugby sevens final 24-17 on Monday.It was a typical trans-Tasman battle, Australia co-captain Shannon Parry said, referring to the intense sporting rivalry between her country and neighboring New Zealand. Very excited, very elated with what weve achieved.The sevens world series-winning Australian women extended their streak to five straight wins against 2013 World Cup winner New Zealand, quite a change in fortune in the broader rugby context.Australias mens team, the Wallabies, have struggled against New Zealands famous All Blacks for more than a decade in the traditional 15-a-side game. The All Blacks have not only retained the Bledisloe Cup, theyve also won two World Cups -- beating Australia in the final last year.The womens sevens team usurped New Zealand in the rankings, winning the world series for the first time last season. The Australian Rugby Union put them on contracts, set up an academy for sevens and allowed them to train as professional athletes.When I started the game, womens rugby in Australia wasnt very big, Parry said. It was very much a minority sport.To think, eight years down the track, Im an Olympian, I play rugby as a full-time job. I just think how far the game has gone.Rugby is back in the Olympics for the first time since 1924, but in the condensed sevens format and with women competing for the first time. Canada beat Britain 33-10 for bronze, avenging a 22-0 loss the previous day at the end of the pool stage. The United States beat France 19-5, after a come-from-behind 12-7 win over Fiji, to secure fifth place.The mens tournament kicks off Tuesday, with Fiji the favorite for gold.Each tournament is played across three days and involved 12 tteams.dddddddddddd The top eight from the pool stage advance to the quarterfinals, and the winners of those matches go into the playoff for medals.Australia beat Canada 17-5 and New Zealand beat Britain 25-7 in the womens semifinals to set up the long-anticipated decider.It was all going New Zealands way when Kayla McAlister scored the first try, but the Australians rallied with tries from Emma Tonegato and Evania Pelite before halftime.Tonegatos early equalizer was contentious as she crashed over near the corner flag, but referee Alhambra Nievas awarded the try after checking with both assistant referees.A yellow card for New Zealand star Portia Woodman resulted in a significant momentum swing for the Australians.Pelite ran on to a long, floating pass from Alicia Quirk and scored out wide on the stroke of halftime, moments after Woodman was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.When Ellia Green and Charlotte Caslick scored to lift Australias lead to 24-5, the final was as good as won. New Zealand cut the margin with a second try for McAlister and another for Woodman, her 10th of the tournament.Its an international fact that New Zealand and Aussie are just really good at competing against each other, Woodman said. They love it, and rugbys in our genes, and we knew they were going to bring it.Shes targeting Olympic gold in Tokyo, saying Im not feeling like this again.Until then, the Australians have gold. Pelite, who has to carry around the boxing kangaroo and place it beside the field for each game because shes the youngest member of the touring squad, will probably get to turn over the rookie duties to somebody else.The Aussies expect to keep the squad together and keep promoting the sport for another generation, meaning co-captain Sharni Williams wont have to go back to working as a mechanic -- unless she wants to -- and Green may stick around as the fastest women in world rugby instead of trying to become an Olympian in track and field. ' ' '