hand, there will be few chances for those Heisman

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Danny Salazar has no idea why he seems to handle the Kansas City Royals so easily.Perhaps its because hes such an aggressive pitcher and they have such an aggressive lineup.The Indians right-hander went right after the Royals in his third outing against them this season, shutting them down into the seventh inning in leading Cleveland to a 7-3 victory.They like to swing a lot, said Salazar (11-3), who tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings against Kansas City in a 7-1 victory in early May, and allowed one run over eight innings in a 6-1 win last month.You really have to mix your pitches.He did that nicely, striking out seven and walking one over 6 2/3 innings.He did a really good job of keeping them off the scoreboard, for the most part, Indians manager Terry Francona said. We really needed that bounce-back win.Mike Napoli hit a two-run homer in the first off Brian Flynn (1-1), and Carlos Santana drove in two runs off long reliever Dillon Gee, as the Indians snapped a five-game skid at Kauffman Stadium.Francisco Lindor added a solo shot in the ninth for Cleveland.Youre facing an All-Star pitcher in Salazar, said Royals manager Ned Yost, who skippered the winning club last week. Hes not an All-Star for nothing. Hes tough.The Flynn-Gee combo got the call for the Royals in place of ineffective fifth starter Chris Young. Flynn lasted 2 2/3 innings in his first start since August 2014, while Gee went the next 5 1/3 innings.Then again, Cy Young would have had a tough time matching Salazar on another hot, humid night.He didnt allow a runner past first base through the first five innings, striking out Alex Gordon twice along the way. He seemed to falter in the oppressive weather in the sixth, when Salvador Perez drove in a run and Kendrys Morales scored on a wild pitch, but managed to escape the inning.He gave up a sacrifice fly in the seventh before Kyle Crockett finished the inning.Salazar pitched with the lead the entire way after Napolis homer in the first inning, his 21st of the year just skirting inside the left-field foul pole. But the rest of the Indians offense came from the same kind of small ball that carried the AL Central-rival Royals to the World Series title last season.They scored a run in the second on a single, a walk and two sacrifices. The division-leaders added three more in the fifth on a double, three singles, a walk and a fielders choice.It was a nice way to rebound after Cleveland blew a late lead in a 7-3 loss the previous night,I was really pleased the way we handled it, Francona said.STATS AND STREAKSIndians OF Erik Gonzalez had a single in the third for his first career hit. ... Salazar has won seven straight, a career best. ... Lindor has hit 24 career homers. Nineteen have been solo shots. ... Gee matched the longest relief outing of his career.HOT SEATSYost and Francona both said they may change up their lineups for the series finale on Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to approach 100 degrees for the afternoon start with a heat index well into triple digits. Were going to see tonight who needs a break, Yost said.TRAINERS ROOMIndians: OF Michael Brantley will have an MRI on Wednesday after experiencing pain in his right shoulder. He had surgery last November and played in only 11 games this season before landing back on the DL. Brantley has been on a rehab assignment at Double-A Akron since July 11.Royals: RHP Kyle Zimmer, one of the clubs top prospects, has been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and will miss the rest of the season. The former first-round draft pick will have surgery in the coming weeks. The Mets Matt Harvey had surgery for the same condition Monday.UP NEXTThe Royals Ian Kennedy is 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA in daytime starts this season. He goes against fellow right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who is 4-2 with a 1.94 ERA in seven road starts. Cheap Custom Suns Jersey . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. Cheap Custom Suns Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. http://www.customsunsjersey.com/ . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. Custom Suns Jerseys .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Penny Hardaway Jersey Large .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The challenge for Lamar Jackson as he chases the Heisman Trophy is to maintain front-runner status while playing games that will not be drawing a lot of attention.No. 7 Louisville and its star quarterback get back into action this week for the first of five straight games in which they will be big favorites. On one hand, Jackson and the No. 1 offense in the country have a chance to put up some big stats and lopsided victories. On the other hand, there will be few chances for those Heisman moments that usually come in marquee matchups -- such as the Cardinals last game at No. 3 Clemson.For now, Jackson is still the overwhelming leader in The Associated Press Heisman Watch, receiving the first-place votes from all seven AP sports writers polled. Only four players made each voters top three.The AP prohibits its journalists from voting for awards such as the Heisman so none of those polled are actual Heisman voters. Three points are given for a first-place vote, two for second and one for third.1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville (21 points)Last week: Off.Next: Duke, which ranks seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference in defense at 5.09 yards per play.2. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson (11 points)Last week: Watson threw four touchdown passes and no interceptions in a rout of Boston College. He already has seven picks so keeping that number down the rest of the way will be important. He ran for only 28 yards against the Eagles, mostly because he didnt have to do much running.Next: North Carolina State, which ranks fifth in the ACC in defense at 4.47 yards per play. Watson threw for 383 yards and five touchdowns and ran for a score against the Wolfpack last season.3. Jake Browning, QB, Washington (8 points)Last week: The sophomore made his Heisman statement, accounting for eight touchdowns in a blowout of Oregon. He leads the nation in touchdown passes (23) and efficiency rating (204.86). Could be the latest Pac-12 starr to test the East Coast bias theory in Heisman voting.ddddddddddddext: Oregon State, Oct. 22.4. Greg Ward Jr., QB, Houston (2 points)Last week: Ward threw two interceptions, including a pick six, in the Cougars first loss with him as a starting quarterback since 2014. He also had 359 yards passing, 94 rushing and was in on four touchdowns. Still, it will be hard for Ward to stay here as Houstons playoff hopes fade.Next: Tulsa, which ranks fifth in the American Athletic Conference in defense at 5.07 yards per play.FIVE MORE TO WATCH:- Jabrill Peppers, LB/RB/PR, Michigan. If the Wolverines continue using Peppers on offense the way they did against hapless Rutgers, he could make a serious run at Jackson. If that was just a showcase for Peppers in his home state, he is a fringe candidate.- J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State. Could get usurped by versatile teammate Curtis Samuel, who is pace to make a run at 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving.- Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State. The junior surged against Miami and still has potential marquee games left against No. 2 Clemson and No. 18 Florida.- Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State. The nations leading rusher probably needs to reach 2,000 yards to get an invite to New York.- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech. The numbers are crazy (454 yards passing per game), but the Red Raiders defense is crazy bad and its hard to overcome the system-QB label on a mediocre team.---Poll panel: AP Heisman watch panel: National Writer Paul Newberry, Georgia; Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins, Texas; Sports Writer John Marshall, Arizona; Sports Writer Joedy McCreary, North Carolina; Sports Writer Eric Olson, Nebraska; Sports Writer Steve Megargee, Tennessee; College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo, New York.---Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP ' ' '