Greensboro, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Jason Brown held on to capture his first national title as the U.S. Figure Skating Championships concluded with Sundays mens free skate. Brown posted the second overall score in the free skate after placing first following Fridays short program, and finished with 274.96 overall points to edge Adam Rippon for the gold. The Illinois native was the runner-up to four-time U.S. champ Jeremy Abbott at the 2014 nationals. Rippon vaulted from fifth following the short program to second after winning the free skate segment and ended 2.5 points behind Brown, with Joshua Farris placing third. Abbott, who sat third after the short program, finished fifth both overall and in the free skate. Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - The Kansas City Royals officially announced Tuesday that the club has agreed to terms with first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales on a two-year contract with a mutual option for the 2017 season. The contract is reportedly worth $17 million. Morales will fill the void left by Billy Butler, who signed a three-year, $30 million free-agent contract with the Oakland Athletics. Morales split last season with the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners, who acquired him right before the non-waiver trade deadline. However, he only hit .218 in 98 combined games with eight home runs and 42 RBI. The 31-year-old switch-hitter had declined a qualifying offer from Seattle last offseason, but found no takers in free agency, as noo team was willing to surrender a draft pick to sign him.dddddddddddd Morales did not sign with the Twins until June 8 when compensation was no longer a factor. Morales broke into the majors with the Angels in 2006 and spent the next six years with the club. He is a career .271 hitter with 110 homers and 387 RBI in 718 games. Following a career-best season in 2009, in which he recorded 43 doubles, 34 home runs and 108 RBI, Morales was limited to 51 games in 2010 and missed the entire 2011 season because of a severe leg injury. He suffered a fractured lower left leg celebrating a walk-off grand slam on May 29, 2010 against Seattle. To make room for Morales on the 40-man roster, the Royals designated outfielder Moises Sierra for assignment. ' ' '