News » o, who backed Canada to a gold medal in Vancouver in 2010, for Cana

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Shortstop Yunel Escobar and the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a two-year contract extension covering 2015 and 2016 worth a guaranteed $13 million. The deal announced Saturday also includes a club option for 2017. The extension replaces a 2015 club option. The 31-year Escobar played in a career-high 153 games and made 149 starts last season for the Rays. After establishing club records with a .989 fielding percentage and 53 consecutive errorless games at shortstop, he was a finalist for the American League Gold Glove Award. "Hes a really, really good player at a position thats extremely scarce around the game," Tampa Bay executive vice-president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. Escobar brought up the idea of an extension with Friedman during spring training. "I really do feel happy here," Escobar said through an interpreter. "I think its one of the best things that ever happened in my career. Fortunately we were able to do something and get this contract." Over the previous three seasons, Escobars .982 fielding percentage at short ranks third in the majors -- with at last 400 starts -- behind Baltimores J.J. Hardy (.988) and Philadelphias Jimmy Rollins (.983). Last season Escobar hit. 256 with nine home runs, 56 RBIs and a career-high 27 doubles. He was acquired from Miami on Dec. 4, 2012, for infielder Derek Dietrich. Hakeem Olajuwon Rockets Jersey . Im very excited about the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference with amazing match-ups, as well as the wonderful local story in the Toronto Raptors. It should be a blast. Here are my predictions, but based upon my lousy prognostications during the NCAA Tournament, you might be better off going the other way on some of mine - particularly with the Raptors, who I hope and pray are able to win an incredibly difficult match-up. Clyde Drexler Rockets Jersey . Not because it was right, but because referees werent allowed to determine it was wrong. http://www.therocketsofficial.com/Authen...Rockets-Jersey/. -- Jacksonvilles offensive makeover is just getting starting. Austin Rivers Jersey . Mike Babcock has turned to the Montreal Canadiens goalie over Roberto Luongo, who backed Canada to a gold medal in Vancouver in 2010, for Canadas final preliminary round game against the ailing Finns. Steve Francis Rockets Jersey . Unfortunately for Toronto, that surge was too much to handle as the Stars scored six straight goals and ended the Marlies season with a 6-2 victory on Tuesday. Toronto had built a 2-0 lead on goals by Frazer McLaren and Peter Holland, but Texas charged back with a wild rally late in the second period to spark its trip to the Calder Cup final.NEW YORK -- Ruben Tejada singled home the winning run with two outs in the 11th inning, Curtis Granderson hit a tying homer in the eighth and the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Monday night. David Wright went deep early, Travis dArnaud had an RBI double and Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched seven shutout innings for the Mets, who have won three of four. They took the opener of a four-game series after getting swept by the NL East leaders in Atlanta last week. New York nemesis Freddie Freeman had three hits and a walk for the Braves, who won nine in a row before Sundays 3-1 loss to Arizona. Andrelton Simmons singled twice for his sixth straight multihit game. Carlos Torres (4-4) pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Mike Minor allowed only two hits in seven innings on a 91-degree night, an encouraging outing for the Atlanta left-hander after he had a 5.21 ERA in his previous eight starts. He was in line for his first win since May 19 before Granderson connected off lefty Luis Avilan with two outs in the eighth to tie it at 3. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez was ejected in the bottom of the ninth for arguing a call that was overturned on replay. After much discussion, Eric Campbell was ruled safe at second when replays showed Simmons came off the bag too soon as he took a throw and relayed to first. Shae Simmons pitched out of the jam for Atlanta. Juan Lagares doubled off Anthony Varvaro (3-2) with one out in the 11th, and Lucas Duda was intentionally walked before Lagares went to third on dArnauds long fly to centre. Tejada lined the next pitch up the middle and tossed his helmet aside after rounding first. His jubilant teammates chased him down to celebrate in shallow centre field. Matsuzaka was lifted after 100 pitches, a move that backfired on manager Terry Collins when Atlanta rallied for three runs with two outs in the eighth. Freemman doubled off Vic Black with one out and scored from third when reliever Josh Edgins first pitch sailed just over Jason Heywards head.dddddddddddd The ball kicked hard off the backstop and caromed up the third base line, allowing Freeman to come home easily on the wild pitch. Heyward then singled to centre, ending an impressive streak for Edgin. He had retired his first hitter in all 23 outings -- a club record to start a season. Collins went to closer Jenrry Mejia, and Chris Johnson doubled off the top of the centre-field fence to tie it 2-all. After an intentional walk to Tommy La Stella, fellow rookie Christian Bethancourt punched a go-ahead single to right. New Yorks improving bullpen had a 1.97 ERA in the previous 21 games. NOTES: It appears Braves RHP Julio Teheran wont get to pitch in his first trip to the All-Star game. Teheran is scheduled to start Tuesday night at Citi Field and then Sunday at the Chicago Cubs, two days before the July 15 showcase in Minnesota. He will likely be replaced on the active NL roster by a fresh arm. ... Teheran is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four career starts against the Mets. ... Freeman batted .407 with 18 RBIs in his previous 15 games against Mets. ... Atlanta C Evan Gattis (bulging thoracic disk) probably wont be ready to come off the 15-day DL right after the All-Star break, Gonzalez said. ... Mets RHP Dillon Gee (strained right lat) will be limited to 90-95 pitches when he comes off the disabled list Wednesday night, Collins said. Gee will start in place of LHP Jonathon Niese, put on the 15-day DL last weekend with a left shoulder strain. ... Collins and GM Sandy Alderson called 2B Daniel Murphy into the office Sunday to tell him he made the All-Star team. "He thought he got traded," Collins said, drawing chuckles. ... New York wore camouflage caps and jerseys as part of its Military Mondays theme. ' ' '