keouts. Dustin Pedroia hit a ninth-inning triple and score

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Omar Infante walked past the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium, where he dressed so many times as a member of the Detroit Tigers, and slipped on a crisp, new Kansas City Royals jersey. It was the latest sign of that the Royals intend to compete for the AL Central this season. The Royals introduced their new second baseman Tuesday, one day after announcing they had agreed to a $30.25 million, four-year contract that includes a club option for 2018. "I really got to see this team up close and I was very impressed by what they did last year," Infante said, "and I think theyre close to taking the next step." Infante will make $5 million next season, $7.5 million in 2015, $7.75 million in 2016 and $8 million in 2017. His option is $10 million with a $2 million buyout, and if Infante wins Silver Slugger or is picked for the All-Star game, his salary increases by $250,000 for each remaining season. Infante, who turns 32 next week, fills perhaps the most glaring hole that remained in the Royals lineup. Kansas City used six different options at second base last season, and none did enough to make the club feel comfortable about them in what could be a pivotal season for the franchise. The Royals are coming off an 86-76 season, their best record since 1989, and were in contention until the final week. But with star pitcher James Shields entering the final year of his contract, the window to break through to the playoffs for the first time since 1985 may be closing soon. Thats why the Royals have been aggressive this off-season. Theyve already sign left-hander Jason Vargas to a $32 million, four-year deal to make up for the likely loss of right-hander Ervin Santana in free agency, and traded reliever Will Smith to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Norichika Aoki. Royals general manager Dayton Moore said following the season that three most pressing needs were to add a starting pitcher, upgrade in the outfield and solidify the second base position. Infante appears to be the final major item on the off-season shopping list. "We like our club going forward," Moore said Tuesday. "Weve made a lot of improvements, but we fully expect and understand that were going to have to massage our roster and keep making adjustments throughout the year, and hopefully stay injury free." Infante has had some injury troubles in the past, including an ankle injury that he picked up during a collision at second base that limited him to 118 games last season. But he still hit .318 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs, far better production than Kansas City got from its second basemen. Emilio Bonifacio, Jamey Carroll, Chris Getz, Johnny Giavotella, Elliot Johnson and Miguel Tejada combined to hit just .243 with four home runs last season. Moore said earlier this off-season that he expected payroll to be about the same as it was in 2013, which ended at $86,614,795. But the signing of Infante combined with expected raises for arbitration-eligible players means the payroll for next season will shoot past $90 million, a franchise record. Thats led to speculation that the Royals may have to trim salary, and rumours that designated hitter Billy Butler -- who is owed $8.5 million next season with a club option for 2015 -- may become available for a trade. Moore said such rumours amounted to "hot stove rhetoric." "Its no different than you hear other players throughout the league that potentially are going to be moved," Moore said. "Billys a terrific hitter, and hes going to hit. Thats what Billy does." As for the payroll, Moore said that "were not under any directive to cut," and that team owner David Glass has been supportive and flexible when it comes to signing players such as Infante. "We all understand this makes really good sense, this type of deal," Moore said, "and putting Omar on this team, Mr. Glass has always been supportive." Infante also received interest from the New York Yankees, who are searching for a replacement for Robinson Cano. But they were lukewarm about going beyond three years, allowing Kansas City to seal the deal by offering a fourth year to a player who will be 35 by the end of the contract. "We think he can play," Moore said. "The players that play in the middle of the diamond for a long time, they all have some commonalities. Theyre very smart, theyre hard workers, good teammates, they know how to play, and thats why those guys have long careers." Dejan Lovren Jersey . Follow all the action live on TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto, TSN Radio 690 in Montreal, TSN Radio 1260 in Edmonton and TEAM 1410 on Friday at 3pm et/Noon pt. 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Although Spain could still advance out of the group stage, the game may have signalled the end of the run by a generation of Spanish stars whose quick passing, "tiki-taka" style delighted the world and helped them win the last three major tournaments.SAN FRANCISCO - Jon Lester pitched into the ninth for his first victory in four tries this month, and the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox beat the San Francisco Giants 7-0 on Monday night after flying cross-country earlier in the day. Stephen Drew and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit RBI doubles, Shane Victorino added an RBI single and Will Middlebrooks had a sacrifice fly for Boston. The Red Sox chose to travel first thing Monday rather than late Sunday night after a 9-6 loss to the Yankees at Fenway Park. Lester (11-7) allowed six hits, struck out three and walked two in Bostons seventh shutout. He outpitched two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum (6-13) to snap a three-start winless stretch since a victory at Baltimore on July 28. Lester gave way to Brandon Workman after allowing a pair of one-out singles in the ninth. Lincecum was done after five-plus innings and lost for the fourth time in his last five decisions. Two of his four walks were intentional free passes to Middlebrooks. Giants pitchers had a balk, wild pitch and hit batsman in the same home game for the first time since April 10, 2010, against Atlanta. The two clubs faced off for just their fourth series and first since Boston took two of three at AT&T Park in an injury-plagued stop. In a lengthy tribute to the Boston Marathon bombing victims before the game, players from both sides walked out of their dugouts and stood on their respective baselines in a show of solidarity and support. Lester retired the first nine Giants in order before Andres Torres lined a single to left leading off the fourth. The Boston left-hander tossed a complete game in his lone other start against San Francisco, a five-hitter on June 27, 2010, at AT&T Park. He nearly did it again. Boston staked Lester to an earrly lead with three runs in the second — showing no signs of being weary from a 4-hour, 12-minute game Sunday night and then the travel.dddddddddddd Will Middlebrooks hit a sacrifice fly and a balk by Lincecum forced in another run. Torres also singled in the sixth and eighth innings to finish with three of San Franciscos six hits and his first multihit game since June 29 at Colorado. The Giants were blanked for the 10th time. Red Sox slugger David Ortiz went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts. Dustin Pedroia hit a ninth-inning triple and scored on Saltalamacchias two-out double. Boston manager John Farrell reiterated he didnt think Ryan Dempster hit Alex Rodriguez on purpose a night earlier — and Farrell doesnt foresee any punishment from Major League Baseball. "I dont expect them to do anything," he said. "My view is that it was not intentional." Notes: A moment of silence and a video slideshow of still photos were held before the national anthem. The Giants wore Boston Strong patches. ... Lester is 12-5 in 24 career interleague outings. ... Giants CF Angel Pagan, recovering from left hamstring surgery, could join Triple-A Fresno for a rehab assignment in the next few days. ... LHP Jeremy Affeldt, on the DL since July 21 with a strained left groin, is slated to throw off the mound in the coming days. ... Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli missed his third straight game with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Manager John Farrell is optimistic he will play Tuesday. "Hes responding well to treatment hes getting on his foot," Farrell said. ... Lester, Tuesday starter Jake Peavy and newly activated catcher David Ross flew out ahead of the team to the Bay Area. ... The Giants dropped to 4-11 in interleague play. 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