NEU » All of my starts since Ive coming back up have given m

MADRID, Spain -- Not even an injury to Lionel Messi in the 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday could dampen Barcelonas celebrations at winning its 22nd Spanish league title. Messi started his first match in six rounds because of a recurring right hamstring injury, but he left the field in the 68th minute with Barcelona trailing 1-0 to Radamel Falcaos 52-minute goal and having made all three substitutions. However, Alexis Sanchez levelled in the 72nd and Atletico midfielder Gabi Fernandez scored an own goal in the 80th to restart Barcelonas party for winning the title that was clinched when Real Madrids title defence ended with a draw late Saturday. Barcelonas hard-fought win keeps it on pace to match Madrids record haul of 100 points from last season. The Catalan club needs to win its remaining three matches to reach the mark. "This title has more merit and maybe we value it more because we didnt win it last year," said Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. "Its juicier and we are enjoying it more. Reaching 100 points would be special, but well have to fight to win the final three games." While the team savored the comeback, the real festivities with its fans will be back in Barcelona on Monday when the players and staff are paraded through the city centre. On the down side, Barcelona said Messi had re-injured his hamstring and would undergo tests. Messis early finish to the match meant he finally failed to find the net after having scored in a record 21 consecutive Spanish league appearances, smashing the old milestone of 10. Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova took time to thank his players for continuing to win without him this winter when he had to step aside to treat a throat tumour. "Its quite remarkable what my players have done this season," the first-year head coach said. "I have already said that this could have only happened in this club, spending two months without a head coach and not letting it affect anything. Thats because all these players feel at home here, they feel like the club belongs to them." Atleticos players lined up to pay tribute to Barcelona with a guard of honour before the match. But with coach Diego Simeone declining to rest his starters for the Copa del Rey final against Madrid on Friday, it was clear they were aiming to spoil the visitors title celebrations. True to style, Barcelona controlled possession in the first half, but it was unable to convert any chances. Forward Cristian Tello went the closest when he picked up a loose ball on the left side of the area and flashed a curling strike just past the far post in first-half injury time. Messi also threatened with his dribbling through the middle, but the Argentina forward sent his best chance on goal sailing high over the bar. Barcelona lost right back Dani Alves to an apparent injury in the 42nd minute, with Marc Bartra replacing him. Bartras poor pass led to Atletico going in front. Gabi set up Falcao after falling to the ground, leaving the Colombia striker to size up goalkeeper Jose Pinto and drive the ball under him for his 27th league goal this season. When Messi walked off, seemingly to be checked by team doctors in the changing room, Atletico looked poised to seal the win as it had an extra man, the lead, and no Messi to worry about. "Messi left the pitch with pain in the same area he hurt last month," Vilanova said. "He felt something strange and had to leave. Monday we will do tests and know the days or weeks he will be out, but before the game he felt fine." But Alexis linked up with Cesc Fabregas after a harmless throw-in, working a one-two combination to break down Atleticos defence before poking the ball home. Messi returned to the bench in street clothes to watch his teammates complete their comeback with a little bit of luck, David Villas off-target strike taking a deflection off Gabi and squeezing into the net. Elsewhere on Sunday, Roberto Soldado scored twice to lead Valencia to a 4-0 win at Rayo Vallecano, provisionally lifting the team into fourth place and giving it control of Spains final Champions League berth. Valencia moved one point ahead of Real Sociedad before the Basque club hosts Granada on Monday. Barcelona, Madrid, and Atletico Madrid have already locked up the other three Champions League berths. Malaga and Sevilla drew 0-0, while Real Betis kept Celta Vigo in the relegation zone with a 1-0. Saints Jerseys 2020 . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Stitched Saints Jerseys . Pence singled in the winning run with no outs in the ninth inning to give the Giants a 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. https://www.saintsjerseyssale.com/ . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. New Orleans Saints Store . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making. Custom New Orleans Saints Jerseys . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers quickly solved Jason Hammel on Tuesday night.Jonathan Villar homered to start a five-run first inning, and the Brewers cooled off the Chicago Cubs with a 12-5 victory.We havent had a first inning like that, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. Hes been tough against us. You get to him before they get in that rhythm and take advantage of it.The NL Central-leading Cubs had won seven of eight and were 41 games over .500 after winning Mondays series opener.But Milwaukee rallied from a 1-0 deficit as its first seven batters reached against Hammel (14-8). Villar homered on Hammels second pitch, Ryan Braun had an RBI single, Domingo Santana singled in two runs and Martin Maldonado added a sacrifice fly.Hammel allowed more runs to the Brewers in the first inning Tuesday than he had in any of his 14 previous career outings against them; he entered with at 10-1 with a 2.50 ERA against Milwaukee.Wily Peralta (6-9) gave up four runs and six hits in 7 2/3 innings, leaving after Anthony Rizzos second home run of the game, a two-run drive. Peralta became the first Brewers starter to pitch into the eighth since Junior Guerra on July 29.Peralta retired 11 consecutive batters after Ben Zobrists single in the third. He recorded the first two outs of the eighth before Zobrist kept the inning alive for Rizzo with a double.Optioned to Triple-A after compiling a 6.31 ERA in his first 10 starts, Peralta has a 3.35 ERA in six starts since his Aug. 8 recall.All of my starts since Ive coming back up have given me confidence because Im throwing the ball better, Peralta said. Ive been executing my pitches better.Given a lead on Rizzos first-inning homer, Hammel allowed nine runs -- eight earned -- and 13 hits in 5 2/3 innings.Just too many pitches up in the zone, Hammel said. I didnt reallyy set the tone for us early.dddddddddddd This one is on me. Obviously, it doesnt sit well, but were fortunate have a very comfortable lead right now. Ill just brush this one off and move on.After allowing the five runs in the first, Hammel allowed just an unearned run over the next four innings, then gave up the three-run home run to Braun in the sixth.Usually if they are going to get him it is going to be early in the game, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. When he gets deeper into the game he usually settles in. I thought he did settle in. Obviously, the three looks bad at the end.Hernan Perez had a career-high four hits for the Brewers. Milwaukee had 16 hits, including three each by Villar and Santana.Braun hit a three-run homer in the sixth for a 9-2 lead.FAMILIAR FOERizzo is 16 for 32 with seven homers and 14 RBI against Peralta.Im going to try to find a way to get him out, Peralta said. I feel like I made two good pitches to him. You have to tip your hat to him. Hes been killing me.TRAINERS ROOMCubs: Activated from the disabled list prior to Tuesdays game, RHP Hector Rondon allowed a run in his first inning since Aug. 16.Brewers: Milwaukee recalled RHP Damien Maginfico and C Andrew Susac from Triple-A Colorado Springs and RHP Taylor Jungmann from Double-A Biloxi on Tuesday.UP NEXTCubs: LHP Mike Montgomery (1-1, 4.09 ERA) will start the series finale against the Brewers. He has a 4.01 ERA in five starts and a 2.29 ERA in 37 relief appearances for Seattle and Chicago this season.Brewers: RHP Matt Garza (5-6, 4.57) will pitch against his former team for the second time this season. He has allowed just one earned run over 12 1/3 innings in his past two starts. ' ' '