Off Tropic » e Rangers will recall outfielder Ryan Rua from Triple-A Round

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Although E.J. Gaines had to wait nearly two years to get back into the Rams lineup, hes getting the chance to make up for that lost time.Gaines seems likely to get major playing time at cornerback for Los Angeles (3-1) on Sunday at home against Buffalo, finally returning at full strength from the injury woes that slowed his career just when it was taking off.Gaines played in his first game since Dec. 21, 2014, last Sunday as the Rams rallied to beat the Arizona Cardinals, 17-13. The third-year pro missed all of last season with a foot injury, and a thigh injury kept him out of the first three games of their homecoming season in Los Angeles.If Gaines reclaims the starting job that he improbably won in 2014 as a rookie, he will be happy -- but the real thrill is just running onto the Coliseum field for the first time.If thats me starting or me not starting, if its special teams or whatever, just getting out there with the defense, its a feeling I havent felt for a while, Gaines said. But Im excited to do it.The Rams move to the West Coast uprooted Gaines, a born-and-raised Missourian from Independence who played four seasons at the University of Missouri before the Rams drafted him in 2014. The sixth-round pick immediately earned a key role in the Rams secondary, starting 15 games and making 70 tackles with two interceptions and 14 pass breakups as a rookie.He was in competition last year with Trumaine Johnson for a starting cornerback job opposite Janoris Jenkins in training camp, but that foot injury ended his season. Johnson went on to earn a $13.95 million contract for this season on the franchise tag, while Jenkins got a lavish free agent deal with the New York Giants.Gaines wasnt bitter about his bad break, and he didnt sulk when he got hurt again in training camp in California. He kept working for a return, and he finally made it three weeks into the season.He just went out there and played like he did a year ago, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. (He has) a year of starting experience at the position in our defense. Thats whats helpful for him.While Gaines return was uncertain this summer, the Rams attempted to patch the hole left by Jenkins with free-agent signee Coty Sensabaugh. While Fisher hasnt directly criticized Sensabaugh, he wasnt active against the Cardinals, apparently due to his inexperience with special teams.The Rams instead put veteran journeyman Troy Hill in the starting lineup for the past two games, but Gaines entered the game in Arizona in the second quarter as a slot defensive back. He eventually slid into the key job on the outside of Los Angeles defense.Gaines got back into the game rhythms gradually, but he appeared to fit in flawlessly on a defense that hasnt actually changed extensively since late 2014. The Rams, who forced five turnovers by the Cardinals, still have a dominant front seven, including a defensive line that helps the secondary in multiple ways.I think just getting after the quarterback, pushing the pocket back and then trying to make plays on the outside in the secondary, and thats what we need, Gaines said.Gaines familiarity with third-year defensive coordinator Gregg Williams schemes has been a boost to his preparation, and hes eager to show everything he learned to the Rams new fans at the Coliseum, which was packed for the home opener last month.For me, itll be exciting to get out there in front of the home (crowd) and try to make some plays, Gaines said. For this football team, its exciting to get two road wins and come back home. Hopefully the stands will be rocking and the fans will be ready for us to come back home.---AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Devon Hall Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Dennis Schroder Thunder Jersey . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. https://www.thunderrookiesshop.com/Nerlens-Noel-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Kevin Hervey Jersey . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Dennis Schroder Jersey . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. ARLINGTON, Texas -- Adrian Beltres decisive grand slam came shortly after the Texas Rangers ended a 24-inning scoreless streak -- and three batters after Shin-Soo Choo was possibly lost for the season with a fractured left forearm when he was hit by a pitch.The news on Choo, who is headed to the disabled list for the fourth time this season, dampened a 5-2 win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night following consecutive shutout losses at home to Detroit.Hes such a key part of this ballclub, this organization, manager Jeff Banister said of his right fielder, who started this game as the designated hitter in his regular leadoff spot. You feel terrible for him personally and obviously its a gut punch but one that were going to be challenged with.Martin Perez pitched seven strong innings for his first win since late June.Beltres 100th home run at Globe Life Park, which went about a dozen rows above the 14-foot wall in left field, came against former teammate Ross Detwiler (1-1) in the fifth inning with Texas trailing 2-1.Following the pitch from Detwiler that hit Choo, Ian Desmond and Carlos Beltran singled to set up the 10th career slam for Beltre.Choo checked his swing as the ball hit an area near his left wrist, and he immediately dropped to one knee. He left after spending several minutes talking to an athletic trainer and was replaced by Nomar Mazara.The 34-year-old Choo has been limited to 45 games by calf and hamstring strains and lower back inflammation. Team spokesman John Blake said the injury was similar to one sustained in April by catcher Robinson Chirinos, who missed two months.Somebody you played with last year, somebody thats your friend, you hate for that pitch to get away from you, said Detwiler, who opened 2015 in the Texas rotation but was let go after starting 0-5. Its not a good sign when you get pulled out of the game.The AL West-leading Rangers -- the first AL team to 70 wins -- were an out shy of 25 straight scoreless innings when Elvis Andrus lined a single to right in the fourth.Perez (8-8) ggave up five hits and two runs -- one earned -- with six strikeouts in seven innings.dddddddddddd. He had gone 0-4 over eight starts since a 6-2 win against Boston on June 26.The left-hander set a Texas record with his 32nd groundball double play, an inning-ender by Brett Eibner in the fourth. C.J. Wilson had the previous mark of 31 in 2011. Perez got another one to end the sixth.Matt Bush struck out two in a perfect eighth, and Sam Dyson got another double play in the ninth for his 27th save.Coming off eight shutout innings in a 1-0 win over Baltimore in his first big league start this season, Detwiler held the Rangers scoreless for three innings but didnt make it out of the fifth. He gave up seven hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings.Ryon Healy led off the second with his sixth homer to give Oakland a 2-0 lead.REPLACING CHOOThe Rangers will recall outfielder Ryan Rua from Triple-A Round Rock to take Choos spot on the roster. Mazara, a rookie who emerged the first time Choo got hurt this season, will see time in right. The leadoff spot was mostly a mix of Jurickson Profar and Delino DeShields during Choos third DL stint with the back injury.BELTRES BLASTThe homer was Beltres 19th of the season and gave him 432 for his career, breaking a tie with Cal Ripken on the career list. It was Beltres first slam since April 2, 2011, his second game with the Rangers. John Lackey was pitching for Boston, Beltres team the previous year.UP NEXTAthletics: RHP Andrew Triggs (0-1, 5.50 ERA) is in his eighth stint with Oakland this season. He has two starts among his first 20 appearances, including a 9-6 loss to Baltimore last week.Rangers: RHP Lucas Harrell (3-2, 4.20 AL/NL) is scheduled for his fourth start with Texas while facing the prospect of being replaced in the rotation by Derek Holland, who is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list Saturday following a bout with left shoulder inflammation. ' ' '