Gonzalo Higuain scored twice as Napoli came from behind to beat AC Milan 3-1 and reinforce its bid for a Champions League place after Fiorentinas earlier victory over Atalanta in Serie A on Saturday. Third-place Napoli remained three points ahead of Fiorentina, which won 2-0. "We played with high intensity and skill, at a very high level," Napoli coach Rafa Benitez said. "Higuain is making the difference but his teammates helped him a lot. "It happens that you make mistakes in some matches but today we saw a team that is growing." Adel Taarabt took less than eight minutes of his Serie A debut to fire Milan in front, racing half the length of the pitch before curling a wonderful finish into the bottom right corner. Gokhan Inler levelled three minutes later with a deflected effort into the top right corner. Higuain had an effort ruled marginally offside and Cristian Maggio hit the post as Napoli threatened to take the lead on several occasions. The home side finally made the most of its opportunities 11 minutes after halftime when Higuain, who had been threatening all night, headed home a delightful cross from Inler. The Argentine doubled his tally eight minutes from time to take his season tally to 16 in all competitions. Shortly beforehand, Mario Balotelli broke down in tears on the bench after being substituted off following a below-par performance from the Italy striker. "Everyone expresses emotions in that way," Milan coach Clarence Seedorf said. "Its not the first time its happened to a player. It was a particular moment for him. Its happened to me before, too." It was Seedorfs first league defeat of his fledgling managerial career. Also, Udinese beat Chievo Verona 3-0 in a relegation battle. Josip Ilicic broke the deadlock in Florence in the 16th minute when he curled a superb free kick into the near top right corner from 25 metres. Atalantas hopes of getting anything from the match all but evaporated when it was reduced to 10 men nine minutes from time following Luca Cigarinis second booking. Substitute Rafal Wolski sealed the match in the 86th, racing almost half the length of the pitch and holding off defenders before firing across into the bottom left corner for his first Serie A goal. Udinese had lost four of its past five Serie A matches, while Chievo was without a win in its past seven, scoring only four goals during that period. Chievo almost took the lead on the half hour when Cyril Thereaus back-heeled effort crashed off the base of the upright. Udinese went in front in the 56th when Antonio Di Natale brought down Dusan Bastas pass and volleyed across into the bottom left corner for his third goal in as many matches. Substitute Bruno Fernandes tapped home Roberto Pereyras cross in the 74th and Emmanuel Badu added a third shortly before fulltime. Udinese moved provisionally nine points clear of the relegation zone and eight points ahead of Chievo. Blake Griffin Jersey . After Mondays comments by Coach Claude Noel that its work first and skill second, and that more “A” games are needed, the Jets responded with a 47-shot effort. If not for terrific goaltending by Braden Holtby the Jets would have had two points in regulation. DeAndre Jordan Jersey ., climbed from seventh to fifth spot in womens competition Sunday at the ISU world junior figure skating championships. http://www.clippersnbateamshop.info/sam-...lippers-jersey/. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the league hasnt announced the award. Crawford was the Clippers third-leading scorer and the NBAs top-scoring reserve with 18. Custom Clippers Jerseys . The club was unable to retain hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, who is bound for Atlanta. Seitzer replaces Greg Walker, who was assisted by Scott Fletcher this season as the Braves finished 79-83. Louis Williams Jersey . Sociedad remained in sixth place with Villarreal a point behind in seventh, both in Europa League spots and in striking distance of fourth place and the final Champions League berth. Sociedad forward Carlos Vela chipped goalkeeper Jaime Jimenez after receiving an equally exquisite lobbed pass from Ruben Pardo to set him up in the 23rd minute at Anoeta Stadium.The Kansas City Royals try to punch their ticket to the World Series for the first time since 1985 on Wednesday, as they attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series. Kansas City has won all seven of its playoff games this October and is now one victory away from appearing in the Fall Classic for the first time since beating the St. Louis Cardinals 29 years ago. Should it close out the series on Wednesday, KC will become the first team to open a single postseason with eight straight wins. Dating back to that wonderful 1985 season, the Royals have now won 10 straight playoff games. Those 10 straight wins are tied for third all-time with the San Francisco Giants (2012, 14), Oakland Athletics (1989-90) and the New York Yankees (1937-39, 41). The Yankees own the top postseason win streak with 12, having accomplished it twice (1927-28, 32 and 1998-99). Kansas City has gotten as far as it has thanks to some timely hitting and outstanding relief pitching. It was more of the same on Tuesday, as Billy Butlers sixth inning sacrifice fly scored Jarrod Dyson and the Royals held on for a 2-1 win. Four Kansas City relievers combined for four perfect innings in the win, as Jason Frasor (2-0) worked a perfect top of the sixth in relief of Jeremy Guthrie before the three-headed monster of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland protected the one-run lead and gave the Royals a 3-0 advantage in this best-of-seven set. To be in this position right here, its tremendous, because theres times you feel like you dont know if (success) going to happen, Butler said. (General manager) Dayton (Moore) has done a great job of drafting tremendous players, and the citys been reaping the benefits of that and so are we. Lorenzo Cain followed up a four-hit performance in Saturdays Game 2 by going 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Eric Hosmer also had two hits for the Royalls.dddddddddddd Cain is 8-for-12 (.667) with five runs scored, two doubles, an RBI and two walks in the ALCS. Cain sits one hit shy of Willie Wilsons 1985 franchise record for hits in a single ALCS. I told the guys to get ready to go, make sure your head is on right, get locked in and try to win another ballgame, Cain said. The Orioles managed just three hits as a team, with J.J. Hardy knocking in their lone run with a second-inning double. (The Royals) have been getting that big hit, that big timely hit that we havent been able to get, said Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce. Of course, there has only been one team to rally from three games down to win a best-of-seven series and that was the 2004 Boston Red Sox, who stunned the Yankees. You never know what can happen when youre playing with house money, Baltimores Adam Jones said. Were both franchises who werent supposed to be here, but were here and were grinding it out. Hoping to close it out for the Royals this afternohasnt pitched since starting Game 1 of the ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels back on Oct. 2. Vargas overcame a rough September and pitched well in that one, allowing just two runs in six innings. Ive never had this much rest, so I couldnt give you a good guideline on what Ill bt Ill be ready to go and be ready to try to execute my game plan and execute pitches. Baltimore, meanwhile, will have an equally rested hurler in right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who will get the call for the first time since Sept. 28. Gonzalez was 10-9 this year with a 3.23 ERA this season for the Orioles. Im excited. Im excited to go out there and give my team a chance to win a ballgame, Gonzalez said. The Royals won four of seven from the Orioles during the regular season, outscoring Baltimore 26-18. If necessary, Game 5 will be played on Thursday in Kansas City. ' ' '