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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Hiroki Kuroda got a couple extra days between starts and it looked as if it paid off. Kuroda pitched neatly into the seventh inning, Brett Gardner drove in two runs and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Sunday. Kuroda (8-8) retired 17 straight batters after allowing consecutive one-out singles to Ben Zobrist and Matt Joyce in the first. "I was able to physically get refreshed as well as mentally," Kuroda said through a translator. Kuroda gave up two runs and four hits in 6 2-3 innings. After Shawn Kelley and Dellin Betances combined for 1 1-3 scoreless innings, David Robertson closed for his 33rd save. "He had everything in his arsenal today," New York manager Joe Girardi said of Kuroda, who lasted just 4 2-3 innings in his previous start. New York has won two in a row after losing five straight. "We won our last two, and hopefully go home and win five or six and keep on going," Gardner said. Jeremy Hellickson (1-2) didnt allow a hit until there were two outs in the fifth. After a walk to Stephen Drew, Martin Prado doubled and Gardner followed with a two-run single. Jacoby Ellsbury, hitless in his previous 17 at-bats during a five-game road trip, made it 3-1 with an RBI single on New Yorks fourth straight hit. "The walk to Drew really set the game the other way," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. Hellickson made his sixth start after right elbow surgery in January. He left after the fifth. Mark Teixeira reached 20 homers for the 11th time in his career with a solo shot in the Yankees eighth. The slugger tied Joe DiMaggio for 80th place on the all-time list with 361. Evan Longoria had two RBIs for the Rays. He hit a run-scoring grounder in the first and drove in Joyce with a seventh-inning single that pulled Tampa Bay within 3-2. Prado also made several strong defensive plays at second base during Kurodas long run of consecutive outs. Tampa Bay had its club record of holding opponents to three runs or less end at 12 consecutive games. The Rays were just 7-5 over the stretch. "Thats like mid-60s baseball," Maddon said. "Wed like to take a little more advantage than 7-5." TRAINERS ROOM Yankees: Derek Jeter was the DH for the second straight game and sixth time this season. Jeter fouled a ball off his lower left leg Saturday, but Girardi said giving Jeter a break from the turf at Tropicana Field was behind the decision. ... C Brian McCann was hitless in four at-bats in his return after missing six games with a concussion. Rays: RF Wil Myers (broken right wrist) could return this week. OF David DeJesus (broken left hand) will not play in a rehab game Monday due to hand soreness. KURODAS HOMEWORK Joyce is 9 for 23 with three homers off Kuroda, which is something the right-hander has taken notice of. "If I knew what causes it, Im sure Id be able to get him out," Kuroda said. "Thats something that I have to take home and study." UP NEXT Yankees: LHP Chris Capuano (1-3) is scheduled to start against Houston LHP Brett Oberholtzer (4-8) Tuesday night. Rays: Tampa Bay and Detroit begin a three-game series Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. Former Rays ace David Price is scheduled to face Tampa Bay for the first time Thursday. Craig Stammen Jersey . LOUIS -- The St. Freddy Galvis Jersey . Mark Van Guilder, Austin Watson and Colton Sissons also scored for the Admirals (22-13-10), who are 2-0-2 in their last four outings, while Roussel tacked on an assist for a two-point night. Greg Pateryn scored once for the Bulldogs (20-22-4), who lost their fifth straight contest, and also assisted on Gabriel Dumonts goal. http://www.padresrookiestore.com/Padres-...on-Kids-Jersey/. A rainy day saw the former champion Djokovic handle 14th-seeded Frenchman Jo- Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) under the roof on the famed Centre Court. Cory Spangenberg Jersey . Englands only win in the four most recent trips north had been tight, and Scotland was expected after losing 28-6 to Ireland six days ago to show some venom against its archrival. Clayton Richard Jersey . Rodgers was ruled out on Friday by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Matt Flynn will make his second consecutive start for the Packers.ARLINGTON, Texas - Dallas ended a four-year playoff drought Sunday in a dominating 42-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, with Tony Romo throwing four touchdown passes and breaking Troy Aikmans franchise record for yards passing.The Cowboys (11-4) emphatically ended a three-game home losing streak, scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions.Dallas had an opening for its first NFC East title and post-season berth since 2009, and first under coach Jason Garrett, because of Philadelphias 27-24 loss at Washington on Saturday. The Eagles were eliminated with the Cowboys win.The Colts (10-5) didnt have much to play for with the AFC South title secured, and looked like it while barely avoiding their first shutout loss in 21 years.The Cowboys had already ended their three-year rut of 8-8 finishes that included losses in finales that kept them out of the playoffs. But they had to keep winning to make sure they got in.NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray played with a broken left hand, but the Cowboys didnt need much from him. He finished with 58 yards, with a 1-yard score.Seahawks 35, Cardinals 6GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Russell Wilson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, Seattle set a franchise record with 596 yards of offence and the streaking Seahawks closed in on another NFC West title.Seattle (11-4) moved into a tie with Arizona (11-4) for first in the NFC West and the Seahawks hold the tiebreaker by virtue of two wins over the Cardinals. Both already have clinched playoff berths.Wilson had the longest run of his career (55 yards) and matched the longest pass of his career (80) in the Seahawks fifth straight victory.Marshawn Lynch sat out the first quarter with what the team called an upset stomach, then came in to score on a 6-yard run in the second quarter and a spectacular, multiple tackle-breaking 79-yarder in Seattles 21-point fourth quarter.Steelers 20, Chiefs 12PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger passed for 220 yards and a touchdown, LeVeon Bell added a score and the Steelers locked up a post-season berth.Pittsburgh (10-5) faces Cincinnati next week for the AFC North title. Either way, the Steelers will be playing January football for the first time since Tim Tebow and Denver stunned the defending AFC champions in the wild-card round three years ago.Antonio Brown caught seven passes and a touchdown for Pittsburgh, which has won seven of nine.Kansas Citys Alex Smith passed for a season-high 311 yards but was sacked six times. The Chiefs (8-7) have lost four of five and need to beat San Diego next Sunday and receive plenty of help to make it back to the playoffs for a second straight year under coach Andy Reid.Falcons 30, Saints 14NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Julio Jones returned from a hip injury to catch seven passes for 107 yards, and the Falcons remained in playoff contention.Matt Ryan completed 30 of 40 passed for 322 yards and a touchdown, and Devonta Freeman ran for a 31-yard score for Atlanta (6-9), which can win the NFC South by beating Carolina next week.The Saints (6-9), who committed three turnovers in the fourth quarter, lost their fifth straight at home and were eliminated.Jimmy Graham fumbled inside the Atlanta 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter. The Saints had a chance to drive for a winning score inside the final three minutes, but Robert McClains interception of Drew Brees in Saints territory set up a field goal, and Osi Umenyiora returned Brees fumble for an 86-yard TD as time expired.Panthers 17, Browns 13CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton threw for one touchdown and ran for another as Carolina (6-81) took over sole possession of first place in the NFC South. The victory sets up the winner-take-all showdown next Sunday at Atlanta.The winner will join the 2010 Seattle Seahawks as the only teams in NFL history to reach the post-season in a non-strike-shortened season with a losing record.Newton threw for 201 yards and ran for 63 yards just 12 days after the quarterback suffered two fractures in his lower back following an automobile accident. Jonathan Stewart ran for 122 yards and caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Newton.Johnny Manziel made his second NFL start for Cleveland (7-8) but left with 1:49 remaining in the first half with a hamstring injury and did not return.Packers 20, Buccaneers 3TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw for 318 yards and one touchdown to help the Packers clinch a wild-card playoff berth.Eddie Lacy scored on a 44-yard run, Jordy Nelson caught a 1-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter and had nine receptions for 113 yards, while Randall Cobb finished with 11 catches for 131 yards.A 21-13 loss to Buffalo a week ago cost Green Bay (11-4) sole possession of first place in the division. It also hurt its chances for earning home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Green Bay closes the regular season at home against Detroit, and a victory will give the Packers another NFC North crown.ddddddddddddThe Bucs (2-13) have lost five straight and remain in contention for the first overall pick in the 2015 draft.Patriots 17, Jets 16EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Jonas Gray scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter after the Patriots intercepted Geno Smith, and New England clinched a first-round playoff bye.Tom Brady threw a 3-yard TD pass to Rob Gronkowski for the Patriots (12-3), who could earn home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs if Denver loses at Cincinnati on Monday night.With the Jets (3-12) leading 13-10 late in the third quarter, Smiths pass for Jace Amaro hung in the air for an easy interception by Jamie Collins — and led to Grays score minutes later.Nick Folks 52-yard field goal attempt could have given New York a lead with just over five minutes left, but it appeared to be partially blocked and fell short. Brady and the Patriots then ran out the clock.Lions 20, Bears 14CHICAGO (AP) — Joique Bell scored the go-ahead touchdown on a sweet run in the fourth quarter, and Ndamukong Suh had two sacks.Calvin Johnson added six catches for 103 yards for Detroit (11-4), which came away with a narrow victory over a struggling team after locking up its second trip to the post-season in 15 years. The Bears (5-10) benched quarterback Jay Cutler this week in favour of the undistinguished Clausen.The Lions secured a playoff spot with Philadelphias loss to Washington on Saturday. They were hoping to lock up their first division championship since 1993. But because the Packers beat Tampa Bay, the NFC North race will come down to next weeks game at Green Bay.Matthew Stafford overcame two interceptions and completed 22 of 39 passes for 243 yards. He hit the 4,000-yard mark for the fourth straight year.Texans 25, Ravens 13HOUSTON (AP) — Running back Arian Foster threw a touchdown pass, Randy Bullock made a franchise-record six field goals and Houstons defence dominated to keep slim playoff hopes alive.The Ravens (9-6) now need some help next week to get into the post-season after Joe Flacco threw a season-high three interceptions and the offence struggled all day.Houston (8-7) remains in the hunt with the victory, but needs several teams to lose next week.With three quarterbacks hurt, the Texans started Case Keenum, who got his first win in nine NFL starts.Foster ran for 96 yards. But his highlight came when he took a pitch from Keenum and, with a defender in his face, threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Fiedorowicz to make it 16-0 in the second quarter.Raiders 26, Bills 24OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Derek Carr threw two touchdown passes and Sebastian Janikowski kicked four field goals to help the Raiders knock the Bills from playoff contention.The Bills (8-7) needed to win their final two games and get some help to end the NFLs longest active playoff drought at 14 seasons. But they failed at the easiest part, beating the lowly Raiders (3-12), and will miss the playoffs for a 15th straight season.Oakland has the second-longest active post-season drought at 12 years but has done a good job of playing spoiler in recent weeks, beating Kansas City, San Francisco and Buffalo the past five weeks.Dolphins 37, Vikings 35MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, buoyed by a thrilling comeback win, said Joe Philbin will return as coach next season.Ross made his announcement in the locker room shortly after the Dolphins won on a safety.Rookie Terrence Fede blocked a punt for a safety with 41 seconds left, and Ryan Tannehill threw four touchdown passes. The Dolphins overcame a 14-0 deficit to take the lead, but trailed again after giving up 15 points in an 11-second span in the fourth quarter.Philbins job had been considered in jeopardy because the Dolphins will miss the playoffs for the sixth year in a row. But theyre 8-7 and have a shot at a winning season if not the playoffs.Minnesota fell to 6-9.Giants 37, Rams 27ST. LOUIS (AP) — Odell Beckham Jr. caught two touchdown passes and rolled up 148 yards receiving against a defence that hadnt allowed a TD in three straight games.Beckham set a franchise rookie record with his 10th and 11th TD catches, shattered another rookie mark for receptions and topped 1,000 yards while shrugging off a pair of late hits in the second quarter. The second led to a brawl and three ejections, none of them to starters.The Giants (6-9) had a season-best 514 yards in total offence and have won three in a row heading into their finale at home against the Eagles. They had lost seven straight before the current streak started.Kenny Britt made nine catches for 103 yards and Tre Mason had 13 carries for 76 yards and a score for the Rams (6-9).___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '