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MINNEAPOLIS -- After three consecutive years of 90-plus losses, Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan is hoping a rare in-season, free-agent signing will keep his team in contention the rest of the summer. Minnesota signed first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales to a one-year, prorated, $12 million contract on Sunday. The Cuban-born slugger, who hit .277 with 23 homers and 80 RBIs in 156 games with the Seattle Mariners last season, has been in Miami working out while waiting to sign. "Why not the Twins?" Ryan asked during a press conference announcing the signing. "I read there were probably a handful of clubs that were chasing Kendrys. We were ahead of many of those clubs in the standings." The Twins have lost 291 games the last three seasons, but are 29-31 this year, five games back in the AL Central and 2 1/2 back in the wild card standings. Morales, who turns 31 on June 20, had been unsigned because teams were hesitant to surrender a compensatory first-round pick to sign him. Since the Twins signed him after the MLB draft, they do not have to give up a coveted pick. The prorated portion of Morales contract will total slightly more than $7.4 million. "It just made sense," said Ryan, who is back in the GM chair after stepping away during spring training to battle skin cancer. For Morales, the deal gives him an opportunity to provide some power to an inconsistent Twins offence in desperate need of a full-time designated hitter. "It wasnt easy for a baseball player to watch baseball games when he knows he can play," Morales said through an interpreter. "But you have to be mentally tough and be prepared so when this opportunity does come around, youre ready to do what you gotta do." In 620 career games, Morales has 102 home runs and 345 RBIs. He also missed 1 1/2 years after breaking his leg celebrating a game-ending home run on May 29, 2010, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. Since Morales is out of options and not injured, the Twins cant send him to the minors to shake off the rust from missing the seasons first 60 games. Hell work out with the team and take the field when hes ready. "Its a day to day thing, Ill be working out and talking to (manager Ron Gardenhire) and the coaching staff," Morales said. "When Im ready, Ill be in there. We just want to do it the right way." Morales greeted his new teammates in the clubhouse before Sundays game against the Houston Astros and spent some time with Tony Oliva, Minnesotas most famous Cuban-born player. Since the Twins arent known for making splashy moves, especially during the season, players viewed the signing as a signal from management that theyre serious about contending. "Its a good signing. A lot of us are real excited right now," Joe Mauer said. "It tells you how close this division is and us adding is definitely a great thing." To make room on the 25-man roster, Minnesota released Jason Kubel, who appeared in 798 games over parts of eight seasons with the Twins. He was hitting .224 this year, but just .158 since April. Nike Sb Shoes Discount . Torres calmly stroked a 51st-minute spot kick down the middle with goalkeeper Romel Quinonez diving right to convert a penalty earned by Javi Martinez. Spain controlled play at the Sanchez Pizjuan but found it hard to convert against a well-organized Bolivian team before Iniesta charged forward to curl around Quinonez in the 84th to seal victory. Nike Sb Shoes Sale Online . Jacob Jacques, Andrew Ryan and Jonathan Drouin also scored for Halifax (37-18-3), who outshot the Islanders 40-26. Kevin Darveau stopped 25 shots. Bradley Kennedy had the lone goal for Charlottetown (18-33-5), which has nine losses in its last 10 games. http://www.cheapnikesb.net/. -- Phil Mickelson came to the St. Nike Sb China Wholesale .I shared with him how much I appreciated all he had done for us, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said of that Thursday night farewell. Cheap Wholesale Nike Sb Shoes .J. - Pete Carroll is in support of the NFL looking further into whether medicinal marijuana could beneficial for players.Birmingham, AL (SportsNetwork.com) - RaShawde Myers recovered a fumble in the end zone with 7:35 remaining and No. 18 Marshall remained undefeated with a 23-18 win over UAB on Saturday. With its offense struggling, Marshall overcame an 18-17 deficit with big plays on special teams and defense. The Thundering Herd downed Tyler Williams punt at the 1-yard line and Arnold Blackmon stripped UAB quarterback Cody Clements in the end zone on third down. The ball ended up with Myers, whose touchdown gave Marshall (11-0, 7-0 C-USA) its 12th straight win dating back to last Decembers Military Bowl. Marshall coach Doc Holliday said there was no question the defense won the game for his team. When they had to make a play they did, he said. We punted them down there and they got the touchdown off Arnold Blackmon down there and they ended up having to make a stop (at the end of the game) and they did. Ive said it a lot of times, its hard to go 11, 12 games and not have to grind one out. Thats unusual, Ive never had that. Rakeem Cato passed for 284 yards and two touchdowns for Marshall, but threw an interception in the fourth quarter then led to a go-ahead touchdown for UAB. Devon Johnson rushed for 171 yards and Tommy Shuler had 10 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown in the win. Angelo Jean-Louis scored Marshalls other touchdown on a tipped pass in the first half. Jordan Howard had 168 yards rushing and two touchdowns for UAB (5-6, 3-4), which has one more game left to attempt to become bowl eligible for the second time in program history. Clements threw for 141 yards and Shaq Jones had the interception that led to Howards go-ahead 10-yard score in the fourth quarter. UABs final 17-play drive ended on the Marshall 10-yard line with a failed fourth-down try. We talked before about moral victories and that is not us, saaid UAB coach Bill Clark.dddddddddddd That is not what we are about. I am so proud of (our players). With all the adversity and turmoil that has been surrounding them, to come out here and fight like they did today was unbelievable. That is what I expected. Thats how we practiced this week. A 1-yard touchdown by Howard capped UABs opening drive in the second half and drew the Blazers within 17-12 after a two-point conversion attempt failed. The next four Marshall drives ended in a punt, a fumble, a failed fourth-down try and the interception by Jones. The Thundering Herd are fighting to earn the College Football Playoffs guaranteed berth in one of the six New Years bowls for a team outside the traditional five power conferences. They have yet to be included in the CFBs weekly top-25 rankings even though they were one of just two unbeaten teams entering this week, the other being reigning national champion Florida State. Justin Haig missed a 23-yard field goal try at the end of Marshalls first drive and Ty Long kicked a 36-yarder for UAB later in the first quarter. Catos 28-yard touchdown pass to Shuler gave the Thundering Herd a 7-3 lead with 3:46 remaining in the quarter. Cato spun out of a sack and got lucky on his second touchdown throw, which went off the hands of UAB cornerback Jimmy Jean near the 15-yard line and caught by Jean-Louis for a 43-yard score in the second quarter. The play came after Long hit a 40-yard field goal for UAB. Haigs 33-yarder as time ran out in the first half gave Marshall a 17-6 lead. Game Notes Marshall finishes the regular season on Friday against Western Kentucky ... UAB ends the regular season next Saturday at Southern Mississippi. The Blazers played in their only bowl game in 2004, losing to Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl. ' ' '