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strained his right hamstring,
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PHOENIX -- Nine days past his 26th birthday, Craig Kimbrel is the Atlanta Braves career leader in saves. Jeff Francis Jersey Online . That number figures to get a lot bigger before hes through. Kimbrel got the final four outs in the Braves 5-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night, earning his 16th save of the season (in 18 tries) and 155th of his career. Thats one more than John Smoltz. Those 155 saves have come in 172 opportunities. "Ive been a part of a lot of good teams and had a lot of opportunities," Kimbrel said. "Having the chance my first full season to be a closer, that doesnt happen very often and thats why were sitting here talking today, because I had that opportunity a lot of guys dont have. "I feel blessed and grateful for it." Kimbrel had one save in 2010, 46 in 2011, 42 in 2012 and 50 in 2013. "Ive played with him for four years and some change and hes already the franchise leader in saves," teammate Jason Heyward said. "Thats pretty cool." Hayward drove in three runs, two with a home run, and Andrelton Simmons doubled in a run for the Braves. Julio Teheran (6-3) gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings to win his fourth straight decision. Didi Gregorius became the first Diamondback to hit leadoff home runs in consecutive starts. He did it Wednesday in Colorado, sat out Thursdays game, then did it again Friday. Arizonas Brandon McCarthy (1-8) allowed three runs and nine hits in 6 1-3 innings, striking out nine and walking one. McCarthy singled in the tying run in the fifth, his first career RBI. Kimbrel entered the game with two outs and a runner at first in the eighth inning and got his former Atlanta teammate Martin Prado looking to end the inning. With a three-run lead in the ninth, Kimbrel got Aaron Hill and David Peralta to fly out, then Tuffy Gosewich popped out to end it. It was just his third career four-out save. "He hadnt pitched since last Saturday," manager Fredi Gonzalez said, "so we were able to do that." The Braves broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh when, with one out, Heyward drew the only walk McCarthy allowed. Simmons lashed a double to the corner in left, scoring Heyward from first. The Atlanta leadoff hitter used his long arms to connect with a ball that was high and outside and drove it to the opposite field. "It was a pitch I dont expect to get hit at all," McCarthy said. "It was right where I wanted it. It was a hard four-seamer up and away and I wanted to use it to establish something else. He took a good swing at it and hit a home run. I was pretty surprised." They added another run in the ninth on Heywards RBI single. Right fielder Gerardo Parra robbed Simmons of an extra-base hit and probably saved a run with a diving grab in the ninth. Atlanta took the lead in the fifth when Jordan Schafer doubled over third base to start the inning. He scored on Heywards home run to left that made it 2-1. Gregorius, called up from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, opened the game with a shot just over the fence in right. Teheran didnt allow another hit until Peralta, another recent arrival from the minors, led off the fifth with a ground-rule double. Teheran retired the next two batters, but McCarthy -- 2 for 23 for the season to that point -- slapped a single between shortstop and third to bring Peralta home and tie it 2-2. Ex-Diamondback Justin Upton, greeted with a mix of boos and cheers, struck out three times against McCarthy, then flied out to the fence in right and drove in a run with a bloop single in the ninth. NOTES: In the second day of the amateur draft, Arizona chose OF Matt Railey of North Florida Christian Academy. Hes committed to Florida State. ... Braves RHP Jordan Walden, recovering from a strained left hamstring, began a rehab assignment Thursday night for Triple-A Gwinnett against Columbus, facing four batters in two-thirds inning, giving up a run and two hits. He struck out the first three batters, but the third reached on a wild pitch. The next batter homered. ... On Saturday night, the Braves have RHP Ervin Santana (5-2, 4.10 ERA) facing LHP Wade Miley (3-6, 4.85). Mike Whittington Jersey Online . Nat Borchers headed in the sole goal in the 54th minute, getting on the end of a Kyle Beckerman free kick. The defeat cost Sporting top spot in the Eastern Conference. Even a draw would have moved the Kansas City club above Columbus. Norm Bass Jersey Online . With the suspension, Nigeria is unable to take part in any kind of international fixtures. FIFA had issued a warning to the NFF last week after the federation was served with court proceedings from the government that prevented the NFFs president from running the NFFs day-to-day affairs.OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jon Lester took the mound in a different uniform and, for the first time in his major league career, felt just slightly out of place. Quickly enough, he put aside the newness of pitching for Oakland -- and the expectations that hell help lead baseballs winningest team on a deep run in October. Lester worked into the seventh inning to win his Athletics debut and Gomes produced two timely hits during an eight-run burst in his Bay Area return for an 8-3 victory against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. Two days after being traded from the sagging World Series champion Boston Red Sox, Lester and Gomes teamed up on a nice win out West. "After warming up it felt a little more normal, getting back to the pitching performance and worrying about that and not worrying about living situations or moving or anything like that," Lester said. "It was a little different at first." Lesters parents flew down from the Seattle area for his start. The 6-foot-4 lefty instantly became an imposing presence in the pitcher-friendly Coliseum. Fans in the crowd of 30,097 cheered as he went through his warmup routine in left field, then Lester (11-7) tipped his cap to a roaring ovation when he left after 6 2-3 innings and 104 pitches. "To walk off to the ovation was great," Lester said. "It kind of makes you feel welcome." Lester gave up three runs and nine hits, striking out three and walking one. Manager Bob Melvin joked about being scared to take him out. "I said, Nice going, big fella. He is a big fella," Melvin said. Back with the AL West-leading As, Gomes delivered like old 2012 times. He singled and scored off Jason Vargas (8-5), then added a hit a two-run single off Aaron Crow. "Every once in a while some new blood, some new energy can help out," Gomes said. Pitching on seven days rest after being scratched Wednesday ahead of the trade deadline, Lester improved to 8-3 with a 2. John Gerak Jersey Online. 20 ERA in 12 career starts against the Royals. He hasnt lost in nine starts overall since June 7 at Detroit. "Jonny Lester is one of the best pitchers in the American League," Royals manager Ned Yost said. The As went ahead with their planned promotion, passing out 10,000 Yoenis Cespedes T-shirts reading "La Potencia" -- it pays tribute to his power. The two-time Home Run Derby champ was traded to Boston in the big swap and made his Red Sox debut Saturday. Vargas came off the disabled list to make his first start since undergoing an appendectomy July 9. After the first 12 As batters were retired in order, the next 12 produced eight hits and eight runs. Oakland lost second baseman Nick Punto when he strained his right hamstring, and he will require a disabled list stint. He rounded third on Jed Lowries RBI single in the fifth, but slid toward the coachs box and grabbed the back of his leg before hobbling back to the bag. REPLAY REVIEW: In the fourth, the umpires went to replay to determine whether As catcher Derek Norris improperly blocked the plate when he tagged a sliding Alex Gordon. The out call was confirmed, with newly acquired centre fielder Sam Fulds throw resulting in a sensational double play. "I knew I had a chance," Fuld said. "Its hard to throw guys out at home, especially with the new rules." TRAINERS ROOM Royals: First baseman Eric Hosmer went on the 15-day disabled with a stress fracture of the third finger on his right hand. Athletics: Center fielder Coco Crisp missed his sixth straight game with a strained neck. Melvin said the As arent putting him on the DL because Crisp has shown he can make quick progress once back doing baseball activities, which could be Sunday. ON DECK Kansas City right-hander James Shields (9-6, 3.50 ERA) makes his team-leading 24th start. Scott Kazmir (12-3, 2.37) opposes him. ' ' '