September 2014 – Page 77 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Wacha struggles as St. Louis gets rolled by Reds

Posted on September 9, 2014

CINCINNATI (AP) — Even the lopsided ones come with last-inning frights for the Cincinnati Reds.

Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in three runs, and Mike Leake pitched into the seventh inning and doubled home a run, leading the Reds to a 9-5 victory on Tuesday night that ended their six-game losing streak against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Reds held on in the ninth, needing their closer to finish off only their third win in the last 11 games. They are 17-33 since the All-Star break, sliding out of contention.

“The good thing was we stayed resilient,” manager Bryan Price said.

The Cardinals lost for only the second time in 11 games but maintained their 4 1/2-game lead over Pittsburgh in the NL Central. St. Louis is 10-4 against the Reds and 40-25 overall in the division.

Leake (11-11) was coming off his worst start of the season, giving up a season-high seven runs and three homers during a 9-7 loss in Baltimore last Thursday. Against the Cardinals, Leake allowed three runs and eight hits.

He also doubled home a run in the fourth off Michael Wacha (5-6) for a 3-1 lead. His fifth double of the season was his 68th career hit, the most by any pitcher in the majors since his debut in 2010.

Aroldis Chapman relieved with two on and two outs in the ninth and fanned Mark Ellis on a 101 mph fastball to end it, getting his 31st save in 33 chances.

Mesoraco hit his 23rd homer in the first inning, a two-run shot. He also doubled home a run in the fifth as Cincinnati scored four times, knocking Wacha out of the game.

“That’s the first time I’ve faced Wacha, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect,” Mesoraco said. “On 3-2 he threw me a curveball in the middle of the plate. I wasn’t sure it was going to be a home run, but the ball was carrying tonight.”

Wacha made his second start since returning from a shoulder problem that had sidelined him since mid-June and gave up six hits, six runs and three walks.

Down 7-1, the Cardinals sent nine batters to the plate in the seventh inning. Tony Cruz and Jon Jay had RBI singles, and Jumbo Diaz walked Jhonny Peralta with the bases loaded, cutting it to 7-4. First baseman Brayan Pena made a diving stop of A.J. Pierzynski’s line drive to end the rally.

“We had some diving plays,” Leake said. “This was one of the best games we’ve played so far.”

Chris Heisey’s two-run single in the eighth let Cincinnati pull away.

STAR PLAY

Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong saved a run in the fourth when he sprinted into right field and made an over-the-shoulder catch of Billy Hamilton’s fly, holding onto the ball as he tumbled on the ground.

MESORACO AND BENCH

Mesoraco has hit 22 of his 23 homers while catching, the most by a Reds catcher since Johnny Bench hit 23 in 1980. His other homer came as a designated hitter.

STATS

Wong extended his hitting streak to six games. … Wacha allowed five earned runs for the first time this season. … RHP Sam Tuivailala made his big league debut and gave up two runs and retired two batters. … Xavier Scruggs got his first career hit. … Reds SS Zack Cozart snapped an 0 for 16 slump. … It was the first time this season that the Reds won a game when they allowed 14 hits.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Manager Mike Matheny is gradually increasing Wacha’s pitch counts. Matheny says getting him back is “like getting a new player” for down the stretch. He threw 70 pitches on Tuesday, 44 for strikes.

Reds: Starter Dylan Axelrod is likely done for the season with a strained right oblique, sustained on his seventh pitch Monday night. … 1B Joey Votto took ground balls for a second straight day on Tuesday. The Reds are trying to get him ready to play the final week of the season. He has been on the disabled list since July 8 with strained muscles above his left knee.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: St. Louis is 10-4 against the Reds this season. John Lackey (13-9) starts the third of their four-game series on Wednesday.

Reds: Alfredo Simon (13-10) is 1-7 with a 5.27 ERA in 10 starts since his first All-Star game.

— Associated Press —

Nebraska doctors: Ebola patient improving

Posted on September 9, 2014September 9, 2014

Inside the Biocontainment unit at the University of Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska doctor treating an American who became infected with Ebola while working in Liberia says the man’s condition is improving.

The patient, Dr. Rick Sacra of Massachusetts, arrived at the Nebraska Medical Center on Friday for treatment in the hospital’s specialized 10-bed isolation unit.

Dr. Phil Smith said in a written statement Tuesday that doctors at the Omaha hospital are pleased with Sacra’s progress, adding that Sacra is becoming more alert and interactive.

Smith said doctors “continue to be encouraged by what we’re seeing up to this point.”

The 51-year-old Sacra was the third American aid worker with the Ebola virus to be flown to the U.S. for treatment. A fourth worker, whose identity has not yet been revealed, arrived Tuesday morning at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Chiefs announce many roster moves Tuesday

Posted on September 9, 2014September 10, 2014

The Kansas City Chiefs announced roster moves on Tuesday, including the signing of defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe will return to the 53-man roster from reserve/suspension and the team has elevated linebacker Jerry Franklin to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. The Chiefs have placed linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive end Mike DeVito on injured reserve. The club has waived defensive back Daniel Sorensen.

Vickerson (6-5, 328) has played in 71 games (43 starts) in seven NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos (2010-13) and Tennessee Titans (2007-09). His career numbers include 153 tackles (111 solo), 6.5 sacks (-31.5 yards), 17 tackles for loss, 21 pressures and two forced fumbles. He owns one fumble recovery and one interception. Vickerson originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft selection (216th overall) of the Miami Dolphins in the 2005 NFL Draft. In his first season with the Dolphins he was placed on injured reserve and in 2006 was inactive for all 16 games. He played collegiately at Michigan State and prepped at Martin Luther King High School in Detroit, Michigan.

Additionally, the team announced several practice squad transactions. The Chiefs have waived fullback Jordan Campbell, center Ben Gottschalk, defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo and wide receiver Darryl Surgent. Kansas City has signed wide receiver Armon Binns, tackle Curtis Feigt, tight end Adam Schiltz, cornerback Robert Steeples and defensive tackle Jerel Worthy to the practice squad.

— Chiefs Media Relations —

S.W. Missouri spice company growing

Posted on September 9, 2014September 9, 2014

REPUBLIC, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri company that makes bottled spices and seasonings is moving to larger quarters about 20 miles away.
Red Monkey Foods originally operated from a small building in Golden City. The company has operated from a plant in Mount Vernon for the past eight years, but founder Jeff Brinkhoff says it’s outgrown that space as well.
KOLR-TV reports Red Monkey is now preparing to move to a new, 60,000-square-foot plant in Republic. Construction in Republic’s Brookline Business Park is scheduled to begin this fall.
Red Monkey produces bottled spices and seasonings, including private-label gourmet spices, that are sold in supermarkets around the country.
Brinkhoff says 128 jobs will be transferred from Mount Vernon to Republic, with an additional 40 employees to be hired over 18 months.

Report: Kansas wheat quality down

Posted on September 9, 2014September 9, 2014

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A government report shows the quality of this year’s Kansas wheat crop down from 2013, with just 73 percent of samples graded by grain inspectors getting the top No. 1 grading.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service said Tuesday that 85 percent of last year’s Kansas crop was graded as No. 1 wheat.

Determinations of test weights, protein content, grade and defects were made by the Kansas Grain Inspection Service based on 8,036 samples from 49 counties.

The report says about 26 percent of the wheat was graded this year as No. 2 wheat, compared with 14 percent last year. One percent this year was graded No. 3 or below.

Average test weight was 60.5 pounds per bushel. Protein content averaged 13.4 percent, an improvement from last year.

Mo. teacher tenure campaign measure dead

Posted on September 9, 2014September 9, 2014

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Supporters of a Missouri proposal to link teachers’ job evaluations to student performance say they won’t be campaigning for the question on the November ballot.

The Teach Great group that has been backing the measure said Tuesday it had realized that now is not the right time to pursue it.Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3 will remain on the Nov. 4 ballot, but the group said it won’t be pouring money into an effort to pass the initiative.

The measure would limit tenure protection for newly hired staff members. It also would require teachers’ evaluations to be based largely on student performance data that would be used in decisions about pay and retention.
The measure had been financed largely by political activist Rex Sinquefield and opposed by public school teacher and administrative groups.

Rotation Reported In Severe Storm Near Rock Port

Posted on September 9, 2014September 9, 2014

(Update) The tornado warning in Atchison County has been extended until 6:30pm. Fire personnel in Atchison County reported a possible tornado, with flying debris and at least 70 mile per hour winds.

The City of Tarkio was without power after a 5-to-7 minute period of very high winds. Nickel to golf-ball sized hail was also reported.

At 5:30 Emergency Management officials reported strong rotation in a storm between Rock Port and Watson. Radar images also appear to show rotation. The storm system was moving southeast at 10 miles per hour. (Update)

Earlier reports indicated winds ranging from 50-60 mph north of Watson. Emergency management officials report quarter sized hail along Route-AA north of Rock Port.

$21 million awarded for Mo. transportation projects

Posted on September 9, 2014September 9, 2014

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Three grants worth more than $21 million combined have been awarded for transportation projects in Missouri.

Missouri’s U.S. senators, Republican Roy Blunt and Democrat Claire McCaskill, announced separately Tuesday that the grants were awarded under the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, program.

The biggest Missouri grant is $10.3 million to the Cortex project in mid-town St. Louis. The money will be used by Metro Transit to build a new MetroLink light rail station.

Another $10 million was awarded to the Missouri Department of Transportation for a new Missouri River Bridge project at the eastern Missouri town of Washington.

The Kansas City Workforce Connex Project is getting $1.2 million.

Obituaries for September 9, 2014

Posted on September 9, 2014September 9, 2014

DEL RAY BEACH, Fla. – Clyde Puett, Jr., 75, formerly of St. Joseph, died Monday, September 8, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He was born July 7, 1939 to Clyde and Goldie (Steinhauer) Puett in Falls City, Neb.
He married Janice Lee Corwin on April 2, 1960. She survives of the home.
Mr. Puett was a 1959 graduate of Central High School and attended St. Joseph Junior College. Clyde proudly served in the United States Army from 1958-1966.
He was a Master Plumber, Welder and Steamfitter for the Local #45 from 1959 until he retired in 1999. He was also a Past Master of the King Hill Lodge #376, A.F. & A.M., 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, York Rite Bodies, Moila Shrine and Legion of Honor and a Past Member of Elks Lodge in Del Ray Beach, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers, William, Robert, Earl and Kenneth Puett.
Additional Survivors: son, Brian Puett (Chris), St. Joseph; daughters, Joni Stendebach (John), St. Joseph, and Deborah Brandt (Shawn), Des Moines, Iowa; four grandchildren, Adam Camp (Kristin), Zach and Jacob Brandt and Nicolas Puett; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Evan Camp; numerous nieces and nephews; and one sister, Wanda Billington (Clair).
Memorial Services: 10 a.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 4 p.m., Wednesday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to the American Heart Association. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Sherwood “Stan” Stanley Grossman, 69, passed away Tuesday September 9, 2014 at his home.
He was born February 22, 1945 in Roswell, N.M., son of Annabell and Sherwood Grossman. He graduated from high school and then served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.
He was an insurance investment-broker for Mutual of Omaha, he also worked for 12 years at 1st Street Graphics in sales and marketing. Stan’s passion was Barber Shop Quartet singing, he traveled through out the United States singing with his quartet, and won four district championship, he also sang with the Jewish community choir. He was a member of the Barbershop Quartet association since 1966.
Stan was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Sean Grossman.
Survivors include his companion, Melody Moore of home; daughter, Jerusha K Dixon of Decatur, Ill.; step son, Damon (Gwynne) Fisher of Kansas City, Mo.; brothers, Maxjoe Grossman, and Michael Grossman; and a sister, Maryann Grossman; close friend and neighbor, Nellie Hatcher.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., on Friday, and a Celebration of Stan’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday at Rupp Funeral Home. He will be cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Stan Grossman memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Court Appearance For Accused Bank Robber

Posted on September 9, 2014

A preliminary hearing is scheduled next month for a local homeless man accused of trying to rob a US bank branch in St Joe. Mark Pieron made his first court appearance on the charge of 2nd Degree Attempted Robbery, a class-C felony.

According to court documents, Pieron presented a note stating “robbery” to a teller at the US bank at 800 North Belt on September 3. Investigators say Pieron is homeless and has no ties to the city of St Joseph. A police detective says Pieron said he thought he was facing life in prison.

Officials say the defendant has prior convictions for 1st Degree Robbery, 1st and 2nd Degree Burglary, drug violations, and Stealing.

In court Tuesday, Judge Ronald Taylor scheduled a prelminary hearing October 2. Pieron will apply for a court-appointed lawyer.