Recreation Association president Carol Fox said Paynes inspirational

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Salvador Perez got the pitcher and the pitch he wanted in the seventh inning Tuesday night, and he hit a two-run home run that carried the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.With the Royals down 2-1, Perez faced left-hander Xavier Cedeno with one out and Eric Hosmer on first base.Yes, I did (expect to face a right-hander). I dont why he left (Cedeno) in, but Ill take it, said Perez, who hit his 16th homer.Rays manager Kevin Cash brought in right-hander Kevin Jepsen two batters later, but it proved to be too late.Thats probably a decision that Ill lose a little sleep over tonight, for sure, Cash said.The Royals won a second straight game for the first time since the end of June, but they are still 10 games behind first-place Cleveland in the AL Central.Were just coming out here trying to do everything we can do to win each game, Perez said. Whatever happens is going to happen, and we need to focus every day, and not worry about what happened yesterday.Chris Young (3-8) got the win in relief and Kelvin Herrera pitched the ninth for his third save. The Royals also got two big strikeouts with runners on base from left-hander Matt Strahm in his second major league appearance.Strahm was called up from Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Sunday after Kansas City placed Wade Davis on the disabled list with a flexor strain.With Wade being down, its kind of audition time here now, manager Ned Yost said. Its about opportunity, man. Take advantage of it.The Rays scored twice in the fifth off starter Yordano Ventura without hitting the ball to the outfield. Logan Forsythe walked and later scored on Kevin Kiermaiers bunt single. After Brad Millers infield single, Desmond Jennings scored Kiermaier with a groundout to shortstop.Forsythe had three hits for the Rays, who left 11 on base and went 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position.Ventura pitched five innings, giving up two runs, six hits and four walks.Rays starter Matt Andriese pitched four innings in his first start since June 25, giving up one run on three hits while striking out three. Andriese returned to the rotation following Mondays trade of Matt Moore to the San Francisco Giants.Perez has 20 RBI in his last 20 games and a 14-game hitting streak against Tampa Bay, a team the Royals have beaten 12 times in their last 13 meetings. He hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning or later for the sixth time in his career and the third time this season.DISAPPOINTED LONGOTampa Bay slugger Evan Longoria said it was disappointing to see Moore, INF Steve Pearce and OF Brandon Guyer traded in separate deals Monday that netted SS Matt Duffy from San Francisco and five prospects.You see three guys like those three guys leave sometimes its a little tough to stomach, Longoria said. Well move forward and hopefully the guys we got in return will be the players that we expect.TRAINERS ROOMRoyals: RHP Luke Hochevar had season-ending surgery to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome. The Royals expect him to be recovered by spring training. ... LHP Mike Minor, coming back from left shoulder surgery, struck out five and allowed two hits over 3 1/3 scoreless innings in his second rehab start for Triple-A Omaha.Rays: OF Mikie Mahtook (fractured left hand) went 1 for 3 with a walk in his first rehab game with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Rays. ... Touted shortstop prospect Daniel Robertson has been placed on the disabled list with Triple-A Durham.UP NEXTEdinson Volquez (8-9) will make his team-leading 23rd start for the Royals on Wednesday night against Jake Odorizzi (5-5), who is working on a steak of 14 2/3 scoreless innings for the Rays. Marc Gasol Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Mike Bibby Grizzlies Jersey . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.grizzliesbasketballpro.info/Kyle-Anderson-Grizzlies-Jersey/ .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Marc Gasol Grizzlies Jersey . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Dillon Brooks Grizzlies Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne, along with Olympic gold medallists Kim Brennan, Chloe Esposito and the rugby sevens team, have been honoured at the Women in Sport Awards.Rower Brennan, the current world and Olympic single sculls champion, was named sportswoman of the year while Rio pentathlon winner Esposito took out the moment of the year award.And Australias inaugural womens Olympic rugby sevens champions took out the team of the year at the Womens Health I Support Women in Sport Awards in Sydney on Wednesday night.But it was Payne - who declared after her 2015 Cup victory that everyone else could get stuffed because women can do anything and we can beat the world - who dominated the night with two awards.Payne took out the Outstanding Woman in Sport gong and a peoples choice award.Australian Womensport and Recreation Association president Carol Fox said Paynes inspirational Cup win on Prince of Penzance seemed to ignite a new golden era for Australian womens sport.ddddddddddddMichelle is a gracious and eloquent role model and a national treasure, Fox said.Other winners included world and Olympic cycling champion Anna Meares and seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley.The Women in Sport Award winners:Hall of Fame - Layne Beachley AO, former professional surferSportswoman of the Year - Kim Brennan, rowingMoment of the Year - Chloe Esposito, pentathlonMoment of the Year (Readers Choice) - Michelle Payne, horseracingA-Team of the Year - Australian womens sevens, rugbyLeadership Legend - Anna Meares, cyclingFair Fighter - Liesl Tesch, Paralympic sailing and Ruan Sims, rugbyLocal Heroine - Josie Janz-Dawson, netballOne to Watch - Ella Nelson, athleticsPerson of Sporting Influence - Moya Dodd, FFA and FIFA officialAustralian Federal Government Award for Outstanding Woman in Sport - Michelle Payne. 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