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Author: Dave Riggert

Bearcat golfers win second tournament in three days

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The Northwest Missouri State golf team picked up their second tournament win in three days, and third title of the fall season late Monday at the Nebraska-Wesleyan Invitational and the Pioneer Golf Club.

The Bearcats, who have participated in three tournaments this fall, have taken home first-place trophies at each one. The golfers will have the weekend of before heading to Fort Hays State next Monday for the Fort Hays St. Invite, a two-day event.

Northwest was led by Steph Charteris, who followed up Sunday’s 78 with a 75 (+1) and a third place finish. Charteris started the day in second place, but despite going even lower on Monday, the freshman could not make up the five strokes to champion Mel Buxton of Iowa Western Community College who shot a, 76-72 for a two-day total of 148.

Three Bearcats finished in the top 10 including Cassie Lowell, who also fired a second round 79 (162) to tie for fifth.

Tess Edwards rounded out the Bearcat trio in the top 10 at ninth after a second round 84 (166).

Kristina D’Angela finished in tied for 14th to round out the Bearcat scores with a consistent two-day score of 86-86 for a total of 172.

All five Northwest golfers finished in the top 20 as Jacy Gasper finished tied for 18th.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Cards beat Halladay, Phillies to move within 2.5 games of Wild Card

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The celebration in the St. Louis clubhouse showed just how excited the surging Cardinals are to be in the thick of the playoff chase.

Kyle Lohse outpitched Roy Halladay, and St. Louis held off the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Monday night to gain ground on Atlanta in the NL wild-card race.

Lance Berkman homered and had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who moved within 2½ games of the wild card-leading Braves.

Moments after Octavio Dotel closed out the Cardinals’ victory, Atlanta lost 6-5 at Florida on Omar Infante’s two-run homer off Craig Kimbrel with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Cardinals, who were watching the game on television, burst into loud cheers that reverberated around the clubhouse.

“To win our game we’re already pretty happy, and to see that, that was big,” Lohse said.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who was tuned to the Rams-Giants NFL game in his office, smiled when he heard the news.

“This is what the pennant race is all about,” La Russa said. “This is what you try to sell in spring training. This is the fun of it. It’s part of the fun of being in contention in September.”

St. Louis, which took three of four in the series, has won 10 of 12 overall.

Despite the loss, the NL East champion Phillies clinched home-field advantage throughout the postseason when Milwaukee lost to the Chicago Cubs 5-2.

Lohse (14-8) tossed 7 1/3 strong innings, allowing an unearned run and seven hits while striking out five and walking one.

“I thought Lohse was outstanding,” La Russa said. “You just can’t give him enough credit. We had our best defensive team out there and we kicked it around. He picked everybody up all day.”

The Cardinals, who made a pair of errors, have nine games remaining and return to St. Louis for a six-game homestand that begins Tuesday against the Mets.

Atlanta has eight games left, including the final three against the Phillies in Atlanta.

“We’ve had our backs up against the wall for a long time now,” Lohse said. “Every series has been tough. We knew coming in here was going to be really tough. To take three out of four was huge. We’ve just got to keep it going.”

The Phillies scored a pair of runs in the ninth off reliever Jason Motte. Carlos Ruiz doubled with one out and scored on Jimmy Rollins’ triple. Rollins scored on Shane Victorino’s groundout.

Arthur Rhodes relieved Motte and gave up a two-out single to Chase Utley. Dotel followed and retired Hunter Pence to earn his second save with the Cardinals. He also had one for Toronto this year.

The Phillies lost their second straight since clinching their fifth consecutive NL East title on Saturday. Philadelphia played most of its regulars, with only Ryan Howard getting the day off after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection in his left ankle. Howard is expected to miss a couple of days.

The Phillies (98-54) remained four victories shy of setting a franchise record for wins in a season.

“We came out a little flat, but that’s not going to last,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “We’ll be ready.”

Phillies hitters have been in a bit of a lull lately. Philadelphia has scored three runs or fewer in 10 of its last 11 games, averaging 2.5 runs while going 5-6.

“I’m looking for our offense to pick up,” Manuel said. “We’ve got to start scoring some runs before we go into the playoffs.”

Halladay (18-6) had won seven straight September decisions and was 9-0 with a 1.97 ERA in his last 10 September starts dating to 2009. But he failed in his bid for his 19th victory and 40th over the last two seasons, which would’ve marked the first time a Philadelphia pitcher accomplished that since Steve Carlton won 42 games combined in 1979-80.

Halladay tossed eight innings and allowed four runs on six hits with six strikeouts and a season-high four walks (two intentional).

“Hopefully we’ll get things going and finish on the right foot,” Halladay said. “We’ve won all year and there’s no doubt we’ll continue that. There’s no cause for concern. Naturally there’s a little lull after you clinch.”

Berkman’s solo homer and Nick Punto’s RBI groundout in the first helped the Cardinals take a 2-0 lead. It was Berkman’s 31st homer, but first since Aug. 26.

The Phillies got a run back in the second on Ruiz’s single.

St. Louis regained a two-run lead in the third when Lohse, after hitting his second double of the season to lead off the inning, scored on Berkman’s two-out single.

Philadelphia had a chance for a big inning in the bottom half, loading the bases with one out on a pair of singles and an error, but Lohse struck out Raul Ibanez and Placido Polanco to end the threat.

Albert Pujols’ two-out double to left in the seventh drove in Punto and gave the Cardinals a 4-1 lead. The slugger, who had been 1 for 10 against Halladay, has reached safely in 35 straight games.

Philadelphia lost a four-game series for the first time this season after winning its previous eight. The Phillies have scored three runs or fewer in 10 of their last 11 games, averaging 2.5 runs while going 5-6.

Rafael Furcal went 3 for 4 with two doubles for St. Louis.

— Associated Press —

Kansas State releases 2012 baseball schedule

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A nine-day road trip in California to open the year and 30 home games – including three against in-state rival Kansas – highlight the 2012 baseball schedule released by head coach Brad Hill on Monday.

The Wildcats, who are coming off their third-straight NCAA Regional appearance, will play 16 games against teams that made the NCAA tournament a year ago, including six against College World Series participants.

“We were able to put together another competitive schedule that will challenge us from the beginning,” head coach Brad Hill said. “A nine-day road trip to open up the season will be a tough task, especially against the competition we will face in Cal State Bakersfield, San Diego, San Diego State and Oregon State. It doesn’t get any easier when you go through March, April and May against the always-tough Big 12 Conference and difficult midweek contests against Big Ten opponents Nebraska and Minnesota, as well as Missouri Valley foes Creighton and Missouri State. When you add in non-conference games against in-state rivals Wichita State and Kansas, it makes the schedule even tougher.

“We also assembled another solid 30-game home schedule,” Hill continued. “Our fans have been a big help to our success over the past few seasons, and we’re proud of the record number of season tickets sold last year. We appreciate the K-State family coming out to support us and look forward to playing in front of them yet again in 2012.”

The 2012 campaign begins with a seven-game, nine-day road trip to the Golden State beginning on Saturday, February 18, when K-State begins a three-game series at Cal State Bakersfield. It will be the third series between the two teams in the last two years as the Cats swept a two-game series in Bakersfield, Calif., last April before splitting a two-game home series with CSUB two weeks later.

Following its date with Cal State Bakersfield, Kansas State will travel 240 miles south to San Diego, Calif., to participate in the San Diego Tournament, an event in which the Wildcats went 3-1 in 2009. The Wildcats will face San Diego State on Thursday, Feb. 23, and Saturday, Feb. 25, at Tony Gwynn Stadium. On Friday, Feb. 24, the Cats will take on the University of San Diego at Cunningham Stadium, while they conclude their time in California on Sunday, Feb. 26, against 2011 NCAA Regional team Oregon State at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Kansas State opens its home slate on Friday, March 2, with a three-game series against Pacific. The series marks the first games to be played on the new AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60 field laid at Tointon Family Stadium this summer. The Wildcats were a perfect 4-0 against the Tigers last year as they swept a three-game series at Pacific to open the 2011 season before winning a neutral-site contest the next week in Conway, S.C.

On Tuesday, March 6, the Wildcats will play their first of three games in 2012 against Nebraska as they travel to Lincoln, Neb., for an afternoon tilt. K-State returns to Lincoln for a game on March 27, before hosting the Huskers on April 3.

After its day trip to Nebraska in early March, K-State hosts Hartford for a four-game weekend series beginning on Friday, March 11. The Wildcats will then travel to Minneapolis, Minn., to take on the University of Minnesota, March 13-14, at the Metrodome for their first game at Minnesota since 1994. The series was originally scheduled for the 2011 season, but was delayed one year after the collapse of the Metrodome roof.

K-State opens up Big 12 Conference play on the road when it travels to College Station, Texas, to take on 2011 College World Series participant Texas A&M, March 16-18. After a home contest against Creighton on Tuesday, March 20, the Cats welcome another College World Series team in Texas, March 23-25.

The Wildcats will be back out on the road, March 30-April 1, as they play a three-game series at Oklahoma. That precludes a stretch of nine home games in the next 10 contests as the Wildcats host Nebraska on Tuesday, April 3, before a three-game series against Sacred Heart, April 5-7.

Following a game at Missouri State on Wednesday, April 11, the Cats host 2011 NCAA Regional team Baylor for three games beginning on Friday, April 13, before two games against Northern Colorado, April 17-18.

After a three-game series at Missouri, April 20-22, the Wildcats have two non-conference games against in-state opponents. On Tuesday, April 24, K-State plays host to Wichita State before traveling to Lawrence, Kan., the next day to take on Kansas in a non-conference tilt.

K-State will take on its final opponent that advanced to the NCAA Tournament a year ago when it hosts Oklahoma State, April 27-29.

The Wildcats conclude the non-conference portion of their schedule the next week when they make the return trip to Wichita State on Tuesday, May 1. K-State then returns home to take on Nebraska-Omaha, Friday, May 4, through Sunday, May 6.

The stretch run of the 2012 season begins on Friday, May 11, when the Wildcats host KU for a three-game home series. It marks the first time since 2001 that all three conference games are scheduled for the same stadium as the two schools have played a split-series over the last 10 years.

The regular season concludes with a three-game series at Texas Tech, Thursday through Saturday, May 17-19.

The 2012 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship will be held Wednesday, May 23, through Sunday, May 27, at RedHawks Field in Oklahoma City, Okla. The event will use a double-elimination format for the second-straight season.

Every home game throughout the 2012 season that is not picked up for television will be seen live across the globe in high-definition on K-StateHD.TV. Additionally, K-State Gameday, K-StateHD.TV’s pregame show featuring former Wildcat great Craig Wilson, will air 45 minutes prior to first pitch for every Saturday home conference game and the Wichita State contest on April 24.

— KSU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State ranked No. 1 in latest AFCA Top 25

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Ten top 25 teams lost over the weekend propelling the Northwest Missouri State football team to the No. 1 spot as announced by the AFCA on Monday.

The Bearcats took a blowout, 73-7 win over Lincoln on Saturday to stay perfect on the season at 3-0 and extend their MIAA record winning streak to 48 games. Northwest has also won 12 straight regular season games the most in the nation after Albany State (Ga.) and Abilene Christian each lost.

ACU fell, 23-17 in a battle of top five teams to then No. 4 North Alabama who moved up two spots to No. 2. Behind the Lions, who received two first-place votes, was Shepherd (W. Va.) moving from No. 7 to No. 3, followed by Bloomsburg at No. 4 and Valdosta State at No. 5.

Along with the Bearcats three other MIAA schools are ranked in the top 25 including Washburn who moved to No. 8 after a come from behind win at Missouri Southern. Pittsburg State moved to No. 15 after narrowly escaping with a, 27-26 win at Truman, while No. 20 Central Missouri also needed late game heroics to pull a, 45-38 win over Emporia State.

Last year’s runner-up, Delta State moved back into the top 10 at No. 6 and picked up the final first-place tally followed by Nebraska-Kearney at No. 7 and MIAA rival Washburn. At is No. 8. Wayne State (Mich), who knocked off then-No. 22 Michigan Tech while Abilene Christian rounds out the top 10. Former No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth was shutout, 7-0 by Wayne State (Neb.) dropping the Bulldogs to No. 11.

The Bearcats have now been ranked 17 weeks at No. 1 in the AFCA top 25 poll. Northwest was last ranked in the top spot opening the 2010 season, which was the first time the Bearcats were ranked No.1 since the 2000 season.

Northwest returns home to host Fort Hays State this Saturday at 1 p.m. in the first ever Blackout at Bearcat Stadium.

Click here for the entire AFCA Top 25.

Mizzou’s Josey named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week

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Missouri sophomore tailback Henry Josey has been named co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday morning. Josey was recognized for his unbelievable performance against Western Illinois, where he ran for 263 yards on just 14 carries. It’s the first career Big 12 award for Josey.

With Missouri’s backfield ravished by injuries, Josey put the Tiger offense on his back with a per-carry average of 18.79, while also totaling three scores in just one half of action. He broke off scores of six yards and 21 yards in the first quarter, before closing out the first half with a 68-yard scamper with 52 seconds left on the clock to give the Tigers a 42-0 halftime lead.

His 263 yards is the highest single-game output by anyone in the NCAA so far this season, while his two quarters of work produced the fourth-highest single-game total in Missouri history, trailing only Devin West in 1998 (319 vs. Kansas), Brad Smith in 2003 (291 vs. Texas Tech) and Tony Temple in the 2008 Cotton Bowl (281 vs. Arkansas).

Josey’s outburst propelled him to first in the Big 12 and sixth nationally with a per-game average of 133.33. His per-rush average of 13.8 through three games leads the nation amongst those with at least 15 carries on the year. Josey is the first Missouri tailback since West won the award on Oct. 10, 1998 for his play against Iowa State.

Josey and the Tigers open up Big 12 action this weekend with a date against the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners. Action will get underway at 7 p.m. CT and can be heard on ESPN 1550.

— MU Sports Information —

MIAA hands out weekly football honors

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Jamar Howard (Central Missouri), Nate Dreiling (Pittsburg State), and Jon Thomas (Pittsburg State) have been named MIAA Football Student-Athletes of the Week for the week of Sept. 17 as selected by a conference SID panel.

MIAA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jamar Howard, WR, Central Missouri

Howard had a career day catching nine passes for a UCM school-record 230 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 2:33 to play in the game as the Mules passed for over 400 yards and racked up 532 yards in total offense. The senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, averaged 25.6 yards per catch. He set-up UCM’s first score of the game with a 71-yard catch and run to the ESU 13-yard line. With the Mules trailing 21-10 just before halftime, he broke free from the defense for a 40-yard touchdown reception to pull UCM to within 21-17 at the break. Howard had two key catches on the game-tying drive, including a 12-yarder on 3rd and 7 as UCM tied the game at 38-38. On the game-winning drive, he hauled in a 36-yard catch to set UCM up at the ESU 33. On 2nd and 5 from the ESU 9, he pulled down his second touchdown of the game to give UCM the 45-38 lead. Howard’s 230 yards broke the 42-year old school-record of 228 receiving yards, which was set by Eddie Coates in 1969.

MIAA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Nate Dreiling, LB, Pittsburg State

Dreiling led a Pitt State defense that forced four turnovers and limited Truman to 53 net rushing yards in a 27-26 victory Saturday (Sept. 17).  The Gorillas allowed just a pair of field goals and a fourth-quarter touchdown in the contest, as the Bulldogs also recorded a pair of defensive scores with an interception return and a blocked punt return.  Dreiling, a Hutchinson, Kan., native, recorded a pair of drive-halting interceptions while logging a team-leading 10 tackles.  The Gorillas limited reigning MIAA Offensive Player of the Week J.B. Clark to 16-for-40 passing with two QB sacks and four interceptions.

MIAA SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jon Thomas, RS, Pittsburg State

Thomas sparked the Pitt State offense with a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, just seconds after the No. 19 Gorillas had fallen behind 13-0 to Truman Saturday (Sept. 17).  The senior from Raytown, Mo., returned three kickoffs for a 48.0-yard average in the contest.  He also caught three passes for 42 yards in the game, including a pair of grabs on Pitt State’s final possession as the Gorillas drove 65-yards for the game-winning score in a 27-26 victory over the Bulldogs.

— MIAA News Release —

ABC to televise K-State game with Baylor on Oct. 1

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Kansas State’s Big 12 Conference opener against 17th-ranked Baylor will be among the nation’s most showcased contests on October 1 as the matchup between the Wildcats and Bears at Bill Snyder Family Stadium will be broadcast by ABC Sports, beginning at 2:30 p.m., K-State and Big 12 officials announced today.

K-State’s game against Baylor will be the 37th appearance all-time on ABC and will also mark the 17th time in the last 18 years that at least one Wildcat football game will air on ABC. Last season, the Wildcats knocked off UCLA, 31-22, in the season opener on the network.

Tickets still remain for the matchup with Baylor but are going fast following two sellout crowds for the Eastern Kentucky and Kent State games. Bowl and sideline level tickets are available for $55, while reserved view level tickets are available for just $35. Additionally, military personnel and veterans can purchase tickets for just $20 for Fort Riley Day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

— KSU Sports Information —

Western soccer defeats Emporia in home opener

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The Missouri Western soccer team used two first half goals to pick up a 2-1 victory over the Emporia State Lady Hornets in non-conference action in Emporia, Kan. The Griffons took eight shots with nine on goals improving to 2-2 on the season. With the victory the Griffons have tied their win total from a season ago.

The Griffons had five shots in the opening frame with two finding the back of the net. Freshman Katie Kempf had a great game for the Griffons scoring her first goal of the game in the 28th minute putting Western up 1-0. Western went up 2-0 when Ashley Juravich took a Kempf pass beating Katrina Goscha in the right corner in the 43 minute of action.

The Lady Hornets did not give up as Hannah Carlson scored her first goal in the 45th minute of play cutting the Griffon lead to 2-1 just before the half.
The Griffons played good defense in the second half allowing three of Emporia’s nine second half shots on goal. Western had four shots in the second half with two on goal. Western goalie Kelly Voigts improves to 2-2 making five saves on the day.

K.C. Ramsell had three of the Griffons nine shots with two on goal while Juravich had two with two on goal. Both teams had 12 fouls while Emporia State had two corner kicks to the Griffons zero.

Emporia falls to 0-3-3 on the season despite out shooting the Griffons 17-9. Jessica Decker, Hannah Carlson, Ashleigh Harris and Jordan Foutch each had three shots in the game.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Chiefs get embarassed at Detroit; Charles injured

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The Detroit Lions are off to a fast start that has them looking as if they could be the breakout team some expect this season.

Matthew Stafford threw two of his four touchdown passes to Calvin Johnson and Detroit routed the Kansas City Chiefs 48-3 Sunday, the largest margin of victory in franchise history.

Detroit broke its record set with a 44-0 win over the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995.

The Lions (2-0) led Kansas City 20-3 at halftime and 41-3 early in the fourth quarter after turning two fumbles into TDs.

The Chiefs (0-2) lost more than just the game, coming off a 34-point loss at home to Buffalo.

Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles was carted off the field midway through the first quarter with an injured left knee. Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry and tight end Tony Moeaki are already on injured reserve with knee injuries.

The Chiefs also set a team record, one they’re not proud of after winning 10 games and the AFC West last season.

Kansas City lost its first two games by a combined margin of 79 points, the worst scoring differential to start a season for the Chiefs since losing the first two games of the 2007 season by 27 points, according to STATS.

Matt Cassel was 15 of 22 for 133 yards with three interceptions and a fumble. Dwayne Bowe had five receptions for 101 yards, providing the only offensive spark the team had without its star running back, who ran for 1,467 yards last season.

Detroit, meanwhile, had plenty of options on offense.

Stafford was 23 of 39 for 294 yards and four TDs — one short of his career high — and avoided mistakes after throwing an interception on the opening drive.

Jahvid Best accounted for 123 yards and two scores. Johnson caught two touchdown passes for the second straight week and Nate Burleson had seven receptions for 93 yards.

Detroit’s Jason Hanson kicked two field goals in the first half, playing in his NFL-record 297th game with the same team.

Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews played 296 games with the Houston-Tennessee franchise and Darrell Green was in 295 with the Washington Redskins.

Royals lose series finale against White Sox

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A.J. Pierzynski went on the disabled list for the first time in his career when he was hit by a pitch from Bruce Chen on Aug. 12 and broke his left wrist.

Pierzynski got a measure of revenge Sunday against Chen and the Kansas City Royals, homering twice among his four hits and driving in four runs as the Chicago White Sox snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 10-5 victory over the Royals.

“It’s still stinging and bothers me a bit,” Pierzynski said. “It was nice to have a good day and get a win. It feels like its been a while. That gives us a chance to relax a bit. You feel like every day you’re grinding, grinding, grinding and now we’re going towards the offseason.”

Paul Konerko and Pierzynski had back-to-back homers leading off the seventh against rookie reliever Louis Coleman. It was Konerko’s 30th home run. Konerko, who also singled home Juan Pierre in the eighth for his 103rd RBI, has reached 30 home runs and 100 RBIs for the fifth time in his career.

“It’s one of those things that when I came into the season that I kind of felt like that’s my job, to drive in runs,” Konerko said. “The last couple of years I’ve been kind of in a mode of switching up goals. I feel like if I can stay healthy and get in 150 games, the by product will be the numbers.”

The White Sox took an early 4-0 lead in ending the Royals’ seven-game winning streak, Kansas City’s longest run since notching seven in a row Sept. 13-18, 2008.

“I’m kinda like bummed out that I lost the game because we’re on a roll and playing really good,” Chen said. “I was mixing in my pitches well, but unfortunately we didn’t come out with a win. We’re playing good and I wanted to keep it going.”

Pierzynski’s three-run homer off Jesse Chavez in the eighth struck the right-field foul pole. It was Pierzynski’s fourth career multihomer game — the past two have been at Kauffman Stadium, his previous coming July 9, 2010.

Brent Morel’s double in the second scored Pierzynski and Dayan Viciedo, who had both singled.

In the fourth, Adam Dunn doubled home Alex Rios for his first extra-base hit against a left-hander, in his 89th at-bat this season. Dunn stopped at third on Viciedo’s single and scored on Gordon Beckham’s sacrifice fly.

The Royals scored a pair of runs in the fifth with Yamaico Navarro and Billy Butler getting the RBIs. Johnny Giavotella’s triple in the sixth scored Jeff Francoeur, cutting the White Sox lead to 4-3. Giavotella’s third hit in the ninth scored Eric Hosmer.

Hosmer, who had three hits, had an RBI single in the seventh. The Royals collected 15 hits.

“And we still lost,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Left-hander John Danks (7-12), who was 0-3 with a 10.91 ERA in his previous three starts allowed 10 hits and four runs in six-plus innings.

“He wasn’t perfect, but he made the pitches when he had to and that’s what you want to see,” Pierzynski said.

Chen (11-8) took the loss and is 1/3 in four September starts. He allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings.

— Associated Press —

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