Infos » Rios made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays

MADRID, Spain -- Diego Costa and David Villa delivered again for Atletico Madrid, whose Spanish league title charge continued to gain strength Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao. Villa enjoyed Atleticos best opportunities at the Vicente Calderon Stadium and put the hosts ahead after 32 minutes by volleying Juanfrans headed-on cross through the crowded area into goal. Nine minutes later, Koke delivered a perfect ball to Costa, who the cut back to dribble around Erik Moran and fire a low shot beyond goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz for his joint league-leading 13th goal of the season. Bilbao rarely threatened and was reduced to 10 men in the 81st when Moran was shown a second yellow. "The team showed great rhythm right from the start and from the first 15 minutes on we dominated the game," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. Atleticos 11th win in 12 rounds left it one point behind leader Barcelona, which has 34 points following its 1-0 win over Espanyol on Friday. Real Madrid, which beat Rayo Vallecano 3-2 on Saturday, is third in the standings with 28 points. "Were not frustrated that Barcelona keeps winning. Were just happy to keep competing with them after so many rounds," Simeone said. Also on Sunday, Valencia lifted some of the pressure of coach Miroslav Djukic with its first win in five rounds, a 1-0 victory at Getafe. Granada scored in stoppage time for a 1-0 win at Levante, while Malaga also needed an injury time winner from a late substitute to beat Real Betis 3-2. Costa, the Brazilian-born, naturalized Spaniard, has spearheaded Atleticos title credentials so far this season. But it was captain Gabi who first tested Iraizoz in the 18th, and the Basque goalie made an outstanding reaction save to a low drive. Costa then showed how dangerous he is when given space in front of goal as he moved freely down the left side to poke a shot past Iraizoz, but also beyond the far post. Atletico controlled a physical game and was inching closer to an opener as Iraizoz made another reaction save to deny Villas powerful half-volley in the 26th. But Iraizoz couldnt keep up with the Spanish strikers shot from almost the same spot moments later, as Villas sixth goal of the season made it 1-0. Koke has been instrumental in Costas scoring run and the Spain midfielder again set up the striker to add the second, putting him even with Cristiano Ronaldo atop the scoring chart. "Hes such a great player who is growing in every area," Simeone said of Costa, who had chances to score several more over the closing stages. "Hes getting better in every aspect, from recovering the ball, controlling it, his movement, and that is helping the team play better." Valencia had lost three straight before the game at the Alfonso Perez Stadium but an impressive first-half strike from Dorlan Pabon sealed the morale-boosting victory. The Colombian striker unleashed a powerful shot from 30 metres in the 40th minute that flew beyond goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya into the left corner. Athletic is fifth with 20 points, one more than Getafe. Levante is on 17 points, while crosstown club Valencia has 16. Levante had a penalty in the 25th, but midfielder Nabil El Zhar saw his spot kick saved by Roberto Fernandez. That left the game scoreless until Keylor Navas was beaten by Pitis free kick, although Granada teammate Manuel Iturra likely distracted the Levante goalkeeper as he stood alone between him and the defensive wall as the ball spun over and in. Meanwhile, Roque Santa Cruz and Eliseu put Malaga ahead in each half only for Joan Verdu to cancel out the opener with a 33rd-minute free kick, and Jordi Figueras to equalize again with an angled header in the 61st. But Malaga substitute Samuel Sanchez scored in the fourth minute of added time by volleying in a rebound after Francisco Portillos effort came off the crossbar. Six minutes of added time were added after Betis defender Damien Perquis was taken from the field in an ambulance after colliding with Fabrice Olinga in the 55th. New England Patriots Gear . - All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked spry enough in pregame warmups Sunday for Green Bays divisional playoff game against Dallas. Patriots Jerseys 2019 . - Dominika Cibulkova erased three match points in the second set Wednesday and beat Agnieszka Radwanska 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Sony Open. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/. The 49ers announced the deal Tuesday. San Francisco selected Lloyd in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. Patriots Jerseys China .The law passed on Friday, in a 128-62 vote in the lower chamber of parliament, was prompted by FIFA bribery scandals in recent years.Switzerland-based sports leaders such as FIFA President Sepp Blatter and IOC President Thomas Bach are now classed as politically exposed persons in wider legislation covering money-laundering. New England Patriots Pro Shop . -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with safety Brock Vereen and QB David Fales on four-year contracts.The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly interested in bringing outfielder Alex Rios back into the fold. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Blue Jays are amongst a handful of teams interested in the 33-year-old veterans services. The Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners are reportedly also among the other clubs with interest in Rios. This season, Rios is hitting .302 with four home runs, 41 runs and 42 RBI in 96 games with the Rangers. Rios made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 22004 and finished his rookie season hitting .dddddddddddd286 with one home run, 55 runs and 28 RBI in 111 games. He played with the Jays through the 2009 season before the team put him on waivers. The Chicago White Sox claimed him off waivers and Rios spent just over four seasons in the Windy City. In 2013, the White Sox traded him to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Leury Garcia. Rios is earning $12.5 million this season and has a team option for $13.5 million next year. ' ' '