LHP Jason Vargas threw a simulated game and manager Ned Yost

Australia halfback Cooper Cronk maintains New Zealand deserve to be viewed as the best team in the world ahead of Sundays Four Nations final at Anfield.Australia have improved ominously as the tournament has progressed and produced their most complete display in the second half of Sundays 38-16 win over England in London.David Kidwells Kiwis have only played well in patches in their three games and were held to a shock draw by minnows Scotland on Friday.However, it was enough to seal their spot in the decider having beaten the English 17-16 in their opening match before losing to Australia in their second.A win for the Kangaroos will see them usurp New Zealand as the worlds No.1 team and also regain the Four Nations title they surrendered in 2014, but contrary to the form book, Cronk maintains Kidwells men are still the team to beat.If they had won by 50 points or drawn, youre not really concerned because theyre the best team in the world at the moment, theres no doubt about that, Cronk said.They have class across the field. Theyve got the best player in the NRL from this season (Jason Taumalolo), theyve got the best prop in Jesse Bromwich and theyve got Shaun Johnson who is electric on his day.New Zealand will be without experienced five-eighth Thomas Leuluai, who has a fractured jaw, but Cronk believes his Melbourne teammate Tohu Harris would be the perfect replacement if hes switched from the back row.Harris is in a battle for the position with Penrith youngster Te Maire Martin who made his debut from the bench against the Scots.Tohu has the ability to play in a different position and hes an elite player no matter what number he has on the back of his jersey, Cronk said.I also think they have some depth in their squad. So well cater for whatever team New Zealand throw at us. Air Max 270 Canada Mens . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Air Max 270 Cheap Online Canada . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. http://www.wholesaleairmax270canada.com/ .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. Buy Nike Air Max 270 Canada . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta. Nike Air Max 270 Canada Womens .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Salvador Perez picked a perfect time for his first pickoff of the season.The star catcher homered, then helped protect the lead by trapping Kyle Seager off first base in the eighth inning to lead the Kansas City Royals over the Seattle Mariners 5-3 Saturday.Perez hit a solo home run off the foul pole in the seventh that gave the Royals a two-run lead. Moments later, the World Series MVP made the defensive play of the game.With runners at the corners and one out, Perez threw down to first baseman Eric Hosmer for his 18th career pickoff.That was Hosmer, Perez said He gives me a sign and I throw the ball right to him. I think he knows more than me.In turn, Hosmer credited the catcher.Thats all him, Hosmer said. Just knowing hes behind the plate youve got to stay close to the bag at all times because hes so quick back there.The pitch takes him that way and he just throws it right back over there, just an unbelievable play and thats why Salvys the best. He changes the game, just completely took all the momentum away from them right there. First and third with one of their big hitters up, it was a huge play.Even Seager had to compliment Perez.You cant get picked off in that situation, but hes pretty special back there. But, I obviously got off too far.Edinson Volquez (8-8) gave up three runs and six hits in six innings.Kelvin Herrera pitched a perfect ninth for his first save since April 10, 2013.Wade Miley (6-6) gave up 10 hits. He left affter Cheslor Cuthberts RBI single made it 4-3 in the sixth.dddddddddddd.Cuthbert also doubled and finished with two RBI.Seager hit his 18th homer, tying it at 3 in the fourth. Nelson Cruz added two hits for Seattle.TRAINERS ROOMRoyals: LHP Jason Vargas threw a simulated game and manager Ned Yost was encouraged by the progress he showed. Looked good, really good, he said. Three pitches, good changeup, fastball with life. Good breaking ball, good first step. Yost anticipates Vargas could make a return in September.ROSTER MOVEThe Cleveland Indians claimed LHP Tyler Olson off waivers from the Royals and will be sent to Triple-A Columbus. Olson was designated for assignment by the Royals on July 5.UP NEXTIn Sundays finale, former Royals draftee LHP Mike Montgomery (2-3) will get the start for the Mariners against RHP Dillion Gee (3-2). Montgomery was selected in the first round in 2008 and was part of the December 2012 trade with Tampa Bay that brought pitchers Wade Davis and James Shields to Kansas City. Probably cool for Mike, Mariners manager Scott Servais said. I know he was drafted by the Royals, was a high prospect there. The anxiety of going back and pitching against your friends, your teammates, your former teammates, but hes been away long enough now, I hope that its kind of gone away and Im sure hell give us a good effort. ' ' '