MINNEAPOLIS -- Jason Vargas threw seven scoreless innings, Raul Ibanez homered in his second game for Kansas City and the Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 4-0 Wednesday. Vargas (8-3) allowed four singles and two walks while striking out five, allowing only two runners from a diluted Twins lineup to reach second base. Mike Moustakas and Jarrod Dyson hit RBI singles in the second inning against Kevin Correia (4-10), and that was all Vargas needed. With Joe Mauer missing, placed on the disabled list before the game because of a strained muscle on his right side, the Twins didnt cause Vargas any trouble. They were shut out for the sixth time this season and lost for the seventh time in their last nine games. The 42-year-old Ibanez signed Monday with the Royals, the team that first gave him a regular spot in the lineup all the way back in 2001. He had two hits and two runs in this game, including the solo shot to right field in the eighth. Ibanez was released by the Los Angeles Angels last month. Eric Hosmer, who walked three times, added an RBI single in the ninth inning for insurance. With rookie Yordano Ventura and now Danny Duffy joining the veteran trio of Vargas, James Shields and Jeremy Guthrie, who are all in the top 10 in the league in innings pitched, the Royals have a deep rotation that can keep them in the post-season chase all summer. Vargas improved to 4-1 in his last eight starts, seven of which have counted as quality: six innings or more and three runs or less. Vargas also became the first Royals left-hander to win eight games or more before the All-Star break since Chris George in 2003. Correia lowered his ERA to 4.95, the only time hes had that mark under 5.00 since his first start of the year, after surrendering six hits and two walks in six innings while striking out three. The right-hander completed exactly six innings for the fifth consecutive turn, and he has allowed two runs or fewer in four of those starts. But the second inning was the one that hurt, when five batters reached. He struck out Billy Butler to finish the frame with the bases loaded. NOTES: The Royals swapped RH relievers Wednesday, calling up Casey Coleman from Triple-A Omaha and sending down rookie Michael Mariot, who gave up five runs Tuesday in his second appearance in as many days. ... Chris Parmelee played 1B and batted third for Mauer. He had two hits and stretched his hitting streak to a career-long 12 straight games. ... One of the runners to reach second base for the Twins was Sam Fuld, who was originally ruled out on a steal attempt to end the fifth inning. Manager Ron Gardenhire challenged the call, which was overturned. Gardenhire is 9 for 19 on challenges this season. ... With a rest day for Royals CF Lorenzo Cain, SS Alcides Escobar batted leadoff for the first time this season. Jim Plunkett Youth Jersey . Before that, Rousey needed a total 23 minutes and 26 seconds to take care of her last eight opponents - and one of those fights lasted 10 minutes and 58 seconds. Hunter Renfrow Jersey . Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization. http://www.footballraidersmall.com/Youth-George-Blanda-Elite-Jersey/ . 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. Jerry Rice Womens Jersey .Jeff Green, playing in his second preseason game after missing the first four because of a calf strain, had 18 points. The Celtics (3-3) shot 47.2 per cent from the floor and made 15 of 37 3-point attempts. Jim Otto Youth Jersey . a€“ All signs point to the Maple Leafs having their top offseason acquisition in the lineup on opening night.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Dez Bryant couldnt stop smiling at the luxury watches that are more expensive than some cars, far removed from his days as a troubled rookie facing a lawsuit over unpaid jewelry bills. The Dallas Cowboys were giving their star receiver the fancy timepiece as a reward for being among just four players chosen to attend a news conference announcing a partnership with the Swiss manufacturer Hublot. Bryant beamed for the cameras during Monday nights ritzy event at the $1.2 billion home of the Cowboys, and then offered one more illustration of his transformation. While reiterating that he wants to be paid like a big-time receiver, he wants negotiations to stop before the Sept. 7 opener against San Francisco with or without deal. Why? Because a player who was the king of distractions four years ago doesnt want to be "distracted" once the regular season starts. "I dont want to talk about it anymore," Bryant said. "Put it behind me. I love this game. Either way, I feel like I cant be distracted once Im on the football field." The fifth-year receiver is entering the final year of his rookie contract after Tyron Smith, drafted a year later and one of the teammates joining him for the watch presentation, recently got an eight-year extension that pushed the value of his deal to more than $100 million. Bryant has a base salary of $1.8 million in 2014, and the average of the highest-paid receivers is around $12 million per year. The 25-year-old believes he belongs in that company. "I believe a player should get paid what he deserves," said Bryant, who is tied for the league lead with 25 touchdowns over the past two seasons. "If Im top five, Im top five. If Im top threee, Im top three.dddddddddddd If Im top two, Im top two." Owner Jerry Jones, not one to offer many details on negotiations, didnt reject Bryants suggestion that there was a "big chance" a deal could be done by the end of next week. Bryants agent, Eugene Parker, didnt return a call seeking comment. "Hes got a good sense of it," Jones said at Mondays event, which was also attended by tight end Jason Witten and running back DeMarco Murray. "He obviously feels in the right circumstances he wants to get something done. We do, too." Bryants tumultuous first two years with the Cowboys included jewelry lawsuits that were settled, a baggy pants incident at an upscale Dallas mall and a domestic disturbance charge over an incident with his mother. Hes also created stirs with a variety of sideline antics. While the sideline shows are more recent, the brushes with the law are now at least two years old. And he says a big contract wont change him. "Im here to take care of my family," says Bryant, who has two young sons. "Thats all I ever wanted to do, is take care of my family. I know how to survive with nothing." NOTES: QB Caleb Hanie was among 11 players waived or released to get the Cowboys to the 75-player limit. S Matt Johnson, who battled chronic hamstring problems after getting drafted in the fourth round in 2012, and LB DeVonte Holloman were among the injured players waived. Doctors told Holloman last week he should quit football because of a neck condition. ... Rookie DE Ben Gardner (shoulder) was placed on season-ending injured reserve, and DT Amobi Okoye will spend the first six weeks of the season on the non-football illness list. ' ' '