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Author: Dave Riggert

Northwest Missouri State soccer gets blanked by Truman State

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The Truman State Bulldogs defeated the Northwest Missouri State women’s soccer team 2-0 at Chillicothe High School Friday.

The Bulldogs first goal came from Chance Douglass in the 35th minute of the first half which was assisted by Chloe Hollander, shortly followed by a goal from Hanna Hickey, from Douglass in the 41st minute.

The Bulldogs move to 3-0 on the season, while the Bearcats fall to 1-2. The Bearcats will be in action again next Friday, September 14 at the University of Central Missouri.

— Northwest Athletics —

Griffons upset No. 5 Fort Hays State 23-13

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ST. JOSEPH – Turnovers, big-time defensive and special teams plays along with opportune offensive plays led the Missouri Western football team (1-1) to its first win over a top-5 ranked team since 2012 on Thursday night, 23-13 over No. 5 Fort Hays State (1-1). It was Fort Hays State’s first regular season loss since Nov. 5, 2016.

The Missouri Western defense picked off Fort Hays State quarterback Jacob Mezera three times, all ending what appeared to be scoring opportunities for the defending MIAA champions. Griffon defenders also broke up nine Fort Hays State passes on the night. The Griffons never trailed, but were tied twice, and always managed to get the plays or drives they needed to stay in control. Derek Gray Jr.’s six-yard touchdown run with 14:22 left in the game put Missouri Western up 17-10, a lead too great for Fort Hays State to overcome. James Huskey iced the game when a rugby-style punt when right to the senior linebacker who dove past the pylon 27 yards later to give the Griffons a 23-13 lead with 8:58 to go.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Griffon defense held a usually potent Fort Hays State run game to just 32 total yards on 17 carries. Missouri Western’s efforts stopping the run forced the Tigers to pass. Mezera threw for 338 yards and a touchdown, but had the three interceptions and was sacked twice. The Griffons rushed for 224 yards, spreading the wealth. Dom Marino led the rushing attack again with 74 yards on 13 carries and 13-yard first quarter touchdown run that put MWSU up 7-0. Missouri Western’s punt return team helped the offense with 117 yards on five returns. Huskey had the non-traditional punt return TD, the first by a Griffon since Brandynn Clark in 2015. Brandin Dandridge returned three punts for 86 yards, including a 58-yard return that set up a short field for Marino’s eventual touchdown run.

TOP PERFORMERS
The Griffons spread the love offensively. Six players registered at least one rush in the game. Gray and Marino each had rushing touchdowns. Brock Broughton was the only Griffon with more than one catch in the game as Marino needed just 78 yards passing on 7-of-17 attempts on the night, but he spread the ball to six different receivers. Luke Theis split punting duties with Jack Rasmussen and shined. Theis averaged 44 yards per punt with two inside the 20. His 53-yard punt with 4:38 left pinned the Tiger offense at its own 8-yard line down by 10. Jabbar Miles had two interceptions deep in Griffon territory, broke up another pass and was tied for second on the team with seven tackles. Anthony Williams led the Griffons with eight stops.

UP NEXT
The schedule doesn’t get much easier next week for Missouri Western as the Griffons will face a ranked opponent for the third-straight week. Next up is No. 21-ranked Central Missouri (1-1) in Warrensburg. The Mules bounced back from a heartbreaking season opening loss at Fort Hays State with a 62-10 win over Northeastern State, Thursday night. Central Missouri put up 608 yards of offense.

— MWSU Athletics —

No. 6 Bearcats use big second half to defeat Washburn 38-17

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TOPEKA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State football team used a second-half surge to post a 38-17 win over the Washburn Ichabods Thursday night at Yager Stadium.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Braden Wright rushed for a game-high 118 yards and two touchdowns. Wright added 233 yards passing and a score through the air.

The Bearcat defense limited the Ichabods to four first downs in the second half after allowing 14 in the opening 30 minutes of action.

Northwest recorded 17 tackles-for-loss and five quarterback sacks in the victory. Northwest had nine different players tally a tackle-for-loss and five different players record sacks.

Northwest (2-0 overall) jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 15-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Strayhorn. His score capped a 9-play, 59-yard drive that took 3:19 off the clock.

Washburn (1-1 overall) evened it up at 7-7 on its next drive with a 24-yard scoring strike from Blake Peterson to James Letcher Jr. with 5:35 left in the first quarter.

The Ichabods took a 14-7 advantage with 10:09 remaining in the second quarter on a 39-yard pass from Peterson to James Brania-Happ. The drive included seven plays and went for 77 yards in 2:55.

Northwest knotted the score up at 14-14 on a 27-yard scamper by Braden Wright with 7:11 left in the second quarter. Wright drove the Bearcats 62 yards in eight plays in 2:51.

The Bearcats turned the ball over twice in the opening half. Northwest was able to force a turnover when Chance Hall intercepted a pass on the five-yard line to end a Washburn drive in the second quarter.

Washburn opened the scoring in the second half with a 35-yard field goal by Perry Schmiedeler.

Northwest answered back with an 11-play, 77-yard drive that was finished off by Wright, who carried a handful of Ichabod defenders into the end zone. Wright’s 17-yard touchdown run gave Northwest a 21-17 advantage.

Wright added a 33-yard scramble to put Northwest in field goal position late in the third quarter. After the drive stalled, placekicker Parker Sampson banked in a 39-yard field goal off the right upright to give Northwest a 24-17 lead with 2:38 left in the quarter.

Chase White caught a 14-yard scoring strike from Wright with 12:42 left in the fourth quarter to give Northwest a 31-17 advantage.

Josh Caldwell capped the scoring when he plowed in from 17 yards out on a 4th and 2 with 2:01 left in the game. Caldwell’s score gave Northwest a 38-17 lead over Washburn.

The Bearcats will return home for Family Weekend on Sept. 15 against Missouri Southern. Kick is set for 1:30 p.m. at Bearcat stadium.

NOTES: Northwest has defeated Washburn 14 straight times … Northwest has won 24 of the last 25 meetings between the two teams … Northwest has not allowed a rushing touchdown in 15 consecutive games … theBearcat defense has not allowed an opposing rusher reach 100 yards for the 44th straight game.

— Northwest Athletics —

Griffons get set for No. 5 Fort Hays State in home opener Thursday

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ST. JOSEPH – The early season gauntlet continues this week for Griffon Football as Missouri Western’s 2018 home opener welcomes the defending MIAA Champions and fifth-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers to Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium.  The game will be broadcast on 680 KFEQ or you can click here to listen.

Missouri Western dropped the season opener at then-No. 5 Northwest Missouri last week, 28-6. A visibly improved Griffon team moved the ball up and down the field against the vaunted Bearcat defense, but saw drives stalled by penalties and missed opportunities. Missouri Western totaled 324 yards of offense against the Northwest defense that limited opponents to 213 yards per game a season ago. A Griffon defense dotted with new names gave up 378 yards to Northwest, but 182 of those yards came on three long touchdown plays, all at least 34 yards and two more than 50. Missouri Western held Northwest to just one third quarter first down on four drives. Fort Hays State trailed Central Missouri for the first 45 minutes of its home opener last week, but a 5-yard touchdown pass with three minutes remaining clinched a 20-16 victory for the Tigers. Down 16-6 late in the fourth quarter, Fort Hays scored two touchdowns in less than two minutes to complete the comeback. The game winning score came three plays after an unforced fumble by Central Missouri’s back-up quarterback at the UCM 3-yard line.

Missouri Western quarterback Dom Marino led the Griffons with 75 rushing yards on 14 carries and passed for 226 yards without turning the ball over. Keylan Mack was Marino’s go-to target for much of the game, pulling in seven catches for 67 yards. Elijah Cunningham caught three passes, but averaged 21 yards per reception, totaling 64 receiving yards. Transfer tight end Luke Vang caught four passes for 50 yards. James Huskey didn’t look like a linebacker playing his first MIAA game since 2016. The redshirt senior led the Griffon defense with eight total tackles, 2.5 for loss. The Griffons also recorded a pair of sacks against the Bearcats. Kwentin Polk got a strip sack in the fourth quarter that ended a Northwest drive in Missouri Western territory. Tyler Basch went 2-for-3 on field goal attempts in week one. The senior was named to the Fred Mitchell Award preseason watch list. After making his last 10 attempts of 2017, Basch missed his first attempt of the 2018 season, but was true on his other two to give the Griffons their only points last week at Northwest.

Fort Hays State gave up 508 yards of offense to Central Missouri, most of it coming in the first half. The Mules rushed for 277 yards and passed for 263. Fort Hays State totaled 327 yards of offense, 134 on the ground and 226 through the air. Charles Tigner leads the Tigers on the ground with 83 rushing yards. Tigner averaged 7.3 yards per carry against Central Missouri. Jacob Mezera was 19-of-40 through the air for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Layne Bieberle caught eight passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Doyin Jibowu led four Tigers with double-digit tackle numbers. Jibowu had 12 total tackles with one sack. Tanner Hoekman had an interception and broke up two other passes.

The game is the second of three-straight against ranked opponents for the Griffons. Next week, Missouri Western travels to No. 21 Central Missouri, pitting the Griffons against the MIAA’s top-three teams from 2017 in the first three weeks of the 2018 season. Missouri Western’s first three opponents this season combined to win 28 games last season, while the other eight teams the Griffons will play this year won a total of 34 games in 2017.

Fans will find a new Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium feature this week as the Bill Snyder Pavilion debuts. On Griffon Football game days, the “Pavilion Party Deck,” is open to all fans with a ticket to the game. Fans will find food provided by VanZinos BBQ and Anheuser-Busch products provided by Hi-Ho Bar and Grill. The pavilion was dedicated this summer in honor of the St. Joseph native and legendary Kansas State football head coach. Snyder also attended Missouri Western, briefly, when it was St. Joseph Junior College. The pavilion was conceptualized and donated by Steve Craig.

— MWSU Athletics —

Royals drop series finale at Cleveland 3-1

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber says the goal each time he takes the mound is to give the Cleveland Indians a chance to win, rather than getting the W himself.

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is doing pretty well in both departments.

Kluber became the first 18-game winner in the majors this season, striking out 10 and pitching the Indians past the Kansas City Royals 3-1 Wednesday.

“I don’t pay attention to it,” he said. “There’s going to be times things are out of your control. You might pitch fairly well and the guy on the other side pitches lights out.”

“More so than actually getting the win, it’s giving our team a chance to win. That’s what I base things on,” he said.

The Indians moved closer to their third straight AL Central title and reduced their magic number for clinching the division to nine.

Kluber (18-7) is a major reason the Indians will be playing again in October. He allowed one run and two hits in 6 2/3 innings. He was pulled after throwing 105 pitches.

Kluber has won six of his last seven decisions and is a leading candidate to be chosen the league’s best pitcher for the third time in five seasons. Luis Severino of the Yankees was set to start Wednesday night at Oakland.

“The last couple times out, seemed like he started to get the feel back. That’s fun to watch,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.

Royals manager Ned Yost watched Kluber retire the first 10 hitters before Kansas City got its only two hits of the game.

Alex Gordon lined a double on a 3-2 pitch in the fourth. Hunter Dozier struck out, but rookie Ryan O’Hearn’s long drive was over center fielder Greg Allen’s head and fell for an RBI triple.

The right-hander struck out Jorge Bonifacio to get out of the brief jam and retired nine of the last 10 hitters he faced.

Cleveland used three relievers to complete the two-hitter. Brad Hand struck out the side in the ninth for his eighth save since being acquired from San Diego and 32nd this season.

The game began in sweltering conditions with the temperature at 91 degrees for the first pitch.

Brad Keller (7-6) allowed three runs — one earned — in seven-plus innings and lost for the first time since Aug. 7.

“I felt like my fastball was pretty good and I hydrated myself all last night, so once the adrenaline kicked in when I got out there, I felt pretty good the whole time,” he said.

Edwin Encarnacion’s RBI grounder broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth. Allen’s RBI single in the second gave Cleveland a 1-0 lead before Kansas City tied it.

Michael Brantley’s one-out single started the go-ahead rally. Shortstop Alcides Escobar couldn’t handle Yandy Diaz’s chopper and Brantley took third when the ball rolled into the outfield on the error. Encarnacion’s grounder put Cleveland ahead.

Jason Kipnis had a sacrifice fly and two hits.

Cody Allen, the Indians’ closer until Hand was acquired, struck out two and retired all three hitters in the eighth. Oliver Perez struck out the only batter he faced and Cleveland’s pitchers combined to fan 16.

Royals right fielder Brett Phillips was out of the lineup after running full-speed into the wall chasing Jose Ramirez’s fly ball Tuesday. He was removed from the game an inning later. Phillips was diagnosed with a bruised right shoulder.

DONALDSON PLAN

Indians 3B Josh Donaldson was scheduled to play for Double-A Akron against Altoona in the first game of the best-of-five Eastern League playoffs on Wednesday. He’s on the disabled list with a strained left calf, which has prevented him from playing in a major league game since May 28.

Donaldson, acquired from Toronto on Friday, is eligible to be activated Sept. 11. It’s unclear how many minor league games he’ll play before joining the Indians.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (sore shoulder) will not pitch again this season after leaving his Tuesday start in the first inning. Duffy was on the disabled list from Aug. 13-23 with a similar injury and recently received an anti-inflammatory shot.

“The doctors said he can’t have another shot for a while, so it makes sense just to shut him down,” manager Ned Yost said.

Indians: LHP Andrew Miller (sore shoulder) is expected to throw a bullpen session on Thursday in Toronto. He’s been on the disabled list since Aug. 29.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Heath Fillmyer (2-1, 4.01 ERA) opens a three-game series Friday in Minnesota.

Indians: RHP Shane Bieber (8-3, 4.66 ERA) starts Thursday at Toronto.

— Associated Press —

Adams homers twice, Cardinals hold off Nationals 7-6

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Adams homered twice against his former team who traded him last month, Marcell Ozuna tied his career-high with four hits and the St. Louis Cardinals held off the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Wednesday night.

One night after bashing five homers against Washington, St. Louis settled for three in the rubber game of the series as Yairo Munoz had a solo shot in the sixth.

Miles Mikolas (14-4) worked 6 2/3 innings and was charged with four runs on 12 hits. Carlos Martinez worked the final two innings for his first save since 2014, getting three straight outs in the ninth after the first two batters reached.

Ryan Zimmerman’s three-run double followed by Wilmer Difo’s RBI single pulled Washington within 7-6 in the seventh.

Bryce Harper had three hits for Washington on a day when general manager Mike Rizzo responded that he hasn’t considered any other scenario when asked if manager Dave Martinez will return in 2019.

Adams was signed by the Nationals in the offseason. The former Cardinal hit .258 with 18 homers for Washington and was traded back to St. Louis on Aug. 21, the same day Daniel Murphy was dealt to the Cubs.

Tuesday’s homers were Adams’ first since the trade. He came into the game 3 for 23 with the Cardinals.

Washington’s Tanner Roark (8-15) was a loser for the third straight start. He gave up six runs on 10 hits over five innings.

It took the Cardinals just seven pitches to take a 3-0 lead off Roark. Following a pair of singles, Adams homered on the first pitch he saw.

Fielding problems helped the Cardinals expand their lead in the second. With two outs, third baseman Anthony Rendon had trouble getting a Mikolas bouncer out of his glove. Then Matt Carpenter launched a flyball to the warning track in center that Harper lost sight of for an RBI double.

Carpenter later scored to make it 5-0.

Adams struck again in fifth, hitting a solo shot into the back of the second deck on Roark’s first pitch.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: C Yadier Molina left in the eighth inning with left hamstring tightness. … 2B Kolten Wong (left hamstring strain) was activated from the 10-day disabled list after missing nine games. Manager Mike Shildt said Wong was available Wednesday in a limited capacity. . OF Harrison Bader started a night after fouling a ball off his ankle. “I said after the game `How are you feeling?” Shildt said. “He said, `Five ounces can’t hurt me’ — the weight of a baseball.”

Nationals: LHP Sean Doolittle (left toe inflammation) threw another simulated game Wednesday. “He felt a lot better today than he did the previous game,” Martinez said. “Hopefully he’ll be back for the weekend.”

UP NEXT

Cardinals: LHP Austin Gomber (5-0, 2.77 ERA) starts Friday at Detroit as St. Louis begins its final interleague series of the season.

Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (7-7, 4.09) starts the opener of a four-game series against the visiting Chicago Cubs. Strasburg is 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA in six career starts versus the Cubs.

— Associated Press —

KU basketball gets four ESPN Big Monday games as 2018-2019 schedule is completed

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the 13th year in a row Kansas men’s basketball will be featured four times on ESPN Big Monday, according to the 2018-19 Big 12 Conference schedule released by the Conference Wednesday. And for the 27th-consecutive season, dating back to 1992-93, every game on the Kansas men’s basketball schedule will be televised.

Kansas will have 31 of its 33 contests televised on the ESPN family of networks. Those 31 games will also be available via the ESPN app. Among those 31 games are the six games (two exhibition, four early-season) produced by the Jayhawk Television Network. KU fans can now see those six games throughout the state of Kansas and in the Kansas City Metro Area on KMCI (38 The Spot, Kansas City), Spectrum Sports, Midco Sports Network, and Cox Cable. They will also be available blackout-free, nationwide on ESPN+.

CBS will broadcast two games – Saturday, Feb. 2, against Texas Tech in Allen Fieldhouse and Saturday, March 2, at Oklahoma State.

The Big 12 opener for Kansas will be against Oklahoma on Wednesday, Jan. 2, in Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas, 14-time defending Big 12 regular-season champion, will play each conference foe twice in the round-robin format that began in 2011-12.

This season’s ESPN Big Monday appearances will start with a home contest against Texas on Jan. 14. KU is 7-3 against Texas on ESPN Big Monday, including a 4-0 mark in Allen Fieldhouse. KU will then host Iowa State the following Monday, Jan. 21. The Jayhawks are 6-2 versus the Cyclones on Big Monday, including 3-1 at home. Kansas will play TCU on ESPN Big Monday for the first time on Feb. 11 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Jayhawks close out their ESPN Big Monday schedule when they host Sunflower Showdown foe Kansas State on Feb. 25. KU is 6-3 versus K-State on ESPN Big Monday, including 1-0 at home.

Since the inception of the Big 12 in 1996-97, Kansas is 65-18 all-time on ESPN Big Monday (37-1 at home and 28-17 on the road), including 45-12 under head coach Bill Self (26-0 at home and 19-12 on the road). Additionally, KU has won 30-straight Big Monday games in Allen Fieldhouse. KU has won its last 10 ESPN Big Monday contests.

Kansas released its non-conference schedule in June. It features contests against perennial powers Michigan State to open the regular season Nov. 6 in Indianapolis in the Champions Classic, Marquette in the Preseason NIT on Nov. 21 in Brooklyn, and either Tennessee or Louisville in the NIT two nights later. Additionally, the Jayhawks will host Stanford Dec. 1, and defending NCAA champion Villanova Dec. 15, in Allen Fieldhouse. KU will play at Arizona State (Dec. 22) and at Kentucky (Jan. 26) in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

KU will officially tip off the 2018-19 season with the 34th annual Late Night in the Phog on Friday, Sept. 28, in Allen Fieldhouse; festivities start at 6:30 p.m.

Preseason top-5 in most outlets, Kansas returns two starters and six letterwinners from last season’s 31-8 team that advanced to KU’s 15th Final Four and won an NCAA-record-breaking 14th-straight regular-season conference title, a streak which started in 2004-05. The 2017-18 Jayhawks also won the Big 12 Tournament and the Hoophall Miami Invitational. KU entered the 2018 NCAA Championship as a No. 1 seed for the third-straight and eighth time in school history.

Senior guard Lagerald Vick (12.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and junior center Udoka Azubuike (13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) are Kansas’ two returning starters from last year’s Final Four team. Azubuike led the nation with a 77.0 field goal percentage in 2017-18. That mark broke the Kansas and Big 12 single-season records, and ranks second all-time in NCAA history.

Other returning regulars include sophomore guard Marcus Garrett (4.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg), sophomore forward Silvio De Sousa (4.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and junior forward Mitch Lightfoot (3.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.4 blocks per game).

Kansas welcomes nine newcomers, three of whom have been in the program for more than a year. Junior forward Dedric Lawson and his brother, sophomore K.J. Lawson, transferred from Memphis following the 2016-17 season, as did sophomore guard Charlie Moore from California. Three other newcomers – guards Devon Dotson and Quentin Grimes, and forward David McCormack – had stellar high school careers in 2017-18, culminating in their being named McDonald’s All-Americans. Additionally, Kansas City standout guard Ochai Agbaji will attempt to have an immediate impact his freshman year at KU.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Former Tiger Frericks signs professional contract in Germany

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Former Mizzou Women’s Basketball player Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) signed a professional contract with Herner Turn Club in Germany, the club announced Sunday. Frericks played a key role in Mizzou’s 2016 and 2018 NCAA Tournament teams, averaging double-digit scoring figures and leading the team in rebounding both seasons.

Frericks, who graduated from Mizzou in May, earned Second Team All-SEC nods twice (2015-16, 2017-18) while playing in the Black & Gold. After missing the entire 2016-17 season due to a knee injury, Frericks returned for her senior campaign in 2017-18, where she was Mizzou’s second-leading scorer with 18.5 ppg and led the team in rebounding with 7.6 rpg. In 2015-16, Frericks earned Second Team All-SEC honors for the first time after scoring 12.1 ppg and leading the team in rebounding with 7.7 rpg. During her sophomore campaign (2014-15), Frericks led Mizzou in points per game (13.2 ppg), total rebounds (327), rebounds per game (9.9 rpg) and blocked shots (46). Her marks of 327 rebounds, 9.9 rpg and 46 blocked shots rank third, fifth and ninth, respectively, on the individual season records list.

“So many people have helped me, supported me, challenged me, coached me and encouraged me along the way,” Frericks said. “It’s pretty cool to look back and see where this journey started and where I am now and all the people that have impacted my life through basketball. I’m so grateful for this experience and so happy I never put a limit to where I wanted to go. There is a lot I can say about what Mizzou and the Mizzou Women’s Basketball program has done for me. I owe a lot to Coach P, the coaching staff, and my teammates. Coach P and her program encouraged and pushed me to grow in my confidence not only as a player, but a person as well. I was challenged to be my personal best in all areas on and off the court. I’m very thankful for everything Mizzou has done to help equip me for this next step as member of the Herner Turn Club.”

Frericks closed her career as one of 35 Mizzou players to score 1,000 points, finishing 11th all-time at 1,433 points. Among program records, she ranks second in rebounds (1,032), fourth in rebounding average (8.1), fifth in blocked shots (132), seventh in field goal percentage (.510) and ninth in free throws made (327).

— Mizzou Athletics —

Royals winning streak end with 9-3 loss at Cleveland

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CLEVELAND (AP) — With one swing, Francisco Lindor shook the Indians from their early September slumber.

The All-Star shortstop homered leading off the first again, Mike Clevinger struck out 10 and Cleveland moved closer to its third straight AL Central title with a 9-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

The Indians ended a three-game losing streak and reduced their magic number for clinching another division title to 10 following Minnesota’s 5-2 loss to Houston.

After a 5-1 loss Monday night, Lindor, who sets the tone for Cleveland with everything he does, talked about the team being flat and needing a spark.

He provided an early one with his sixth leadoff homer — one shy of the club record set by Grady Sizemore in 2008 — as the Indians jumped to a 3-0 lead on Danny Duffy (8-12), whose season is over because of a sore left shoulder.

“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to be a leadoff hitter,” said Lindor, who has 31 homers. “To get things going.”

Yandy Diaz hit his first major league homer and Jason Kipnis added two RBI for Cleveland, which has the most commanding lead of any first-place team in the majors.

Not only did the Royals have their season-high winning streak stopped at six, Duffy’s season came to an end rookie right fielder Brett Phillips bruised his right shoulder on a scary collision into the wall.

Duffy was on the disabled list from Aug. 13-23 with shoulder issues.

“I’m crushed about it,” Duffy said. “I get paid to pay baseball. I take pride that if you have an able body you should go. My body just said it was enough today.”

Staked to a 6-0 lead after two innings, Clevinger (11-7) allowed just three hits in six innings and remained unbeaten in his last seven starts. The right-hander, who could have a big role for the Indians in October, had a little more velocity on his fastball and struck out six of nine in one dominant stretch.

Diaz picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice and Kipnis, who is moving from second base to center field, singled home a run in the inning before Duffy was removed after 26 pitches. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012.

The Indians added three runs in the second off Burch Smith on Jose Ramirez’s double, Edwin Encarnacion’s sacrifice fly and Brandon Guyer’s RBI single.

DON’T DO THAT

Lindor got hit on the right forearm in his second at-bat by Smith, but didn’t think the Royals were throwing at him.

“If he was trying to hit me, it’s OK,” Lindor said. “He hit me in the right spot. We weren’t throwing at each other, if that’s what you guys are trying to get to.”

Clevinger wasn’t so sure, and sent a warning to Kansas City.

“I think that would be very unwise of the whole Royals organization,” he said. “Especially as much as we see them and the arms we have over here. I hope not. And I think for their sake, they’d better hope not either.

The Royals also hit Rajai Davis and the Indians plunked Brian Goodwin and Adalberto Mondesi.

CRASH TEST

Phillips was fortunate he wasn’t more seriously hurt after banging hard into the wall in the second inning.

Breaking back on Ramirez’s drive, Phillips just missed making a catch before barreling full-speed into the wall. His torso twisted awkwardly and he crumpled onto the warning track. His teammates and a trainer rushed to Phillips, who got to his feet and remained in the game after being examined.

Phillips was removed the next inning. He had a sling on his arm following the game.

Manager Ned Yost did not provide any further details on Phillips’ injury.

MOVING TIME

Kipnis isn’t thrilled about having to change positions, but he’s willing to do it as long as Josh Donaldson is healthy.

The Indians acquired Donaldson — the 2015 AL MVP — in a trade with Toronto, and once activated from the disabled list, he’ll take over at third with Ramirez going to second and Kipnis heading to the outfield.

Kipnis did the same thing a year ago.

“Does it take a little wind out of my sails?” he said. “A little bit. But not enough to get me to stop working, stop competing.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: C Salvador Perez (sprained left thumb) was out of the lineup for the sixth straight game. The six-time All-Star was injured Aug. 28.

Indians: LHP Andrew Miller is expected to throw a bullpen session on Thursday in Toronto as he recovers from shoulder soreness that landed him on the disabled list. Miller has been on the DL three times this season, but the reliever isn’t concerned about his latest issue which he has previously dealt with in spring training. The former All-Star left-hander has also been out with hamstring and knee injuries.

UP NEXT

Corey Kluber tries to become the majors’ first 18-game winner as the Indians conclude their three-game series with the Royals, who will start Brad Keller.

— Associated Press —

Cards beat Nats behind Molina grand slam, four other homers

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Yadier Molina hit a grand slam, Marcell Ozuna homered twice and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 11-8 on Tuesday night.

Molina provided a cushion for St. Louis via his sixth career slam, which made it 11-5 with two outs in the ninth.

The Cardinals, who occupy the second NL wild card spot, hit five homers overall as they stopped a three-game skid.

Right fielder Yairo Munoz robbed Ryan Zimmerman of a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, reaching over the fence and pulling it back into the field of play for a two-run double.

Tyson Ross (8-9) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win and Jordan Hicks got the final out for his sixth save in 11 chances.

Ozuna and Paul DeJong homered back-to-back leading off the sixth inning to break a 4-4 tie, and one out later, Patrick Wisdom went deep to make it 7-4.

Making his second major league appearance, reliever Austen Williams (0-1) gave up all three homers. He allowed none in 68 innings this season in Double and Triple A.

The 4-hour, 10-minute game included 16 walks and 20 strikeouts.

Wilmer Difo homered and Bryce Harper had a double and three walks in five plate appearances for the Nationals, who fell one game below .500.

Ozuna gave led off the second with his 17th homer, and Matt Carpenter capped the inning with a two-run single that made it 4-0.

Washington rallied in the fifth when Zimmerman led off with a grounder to second that second baseman Munoz misplayed for an error. Washington ultimately sent 10 men to the plate in the inning against three pitchers.

Harper drove in two with his bases-loaded double, and Trea Turner and Juan Soto drew bases-loaded walks.

Washington starter Erick Fedde allowed four runs in five innings. John Gant of St. Louis was charged with three runs — none earned — in 4 1/3 innings.

WALK OUT

St. Louis picked up a first-inning out when Harper walked on a 3-2 pitch with Turner running from first. Despite the walk, catcher Molina threw to Munoz. The Cardinals appealed the play, and upon review Turner was called out. Though entitled to second base via Harper’s walk, Turner slid past the bag and was tagged out.

ROSTER MOVES

The Nationals recalled a top prospect, OF Victor Robles, from Triple-A Syracuse along with INF Adrian Sanchez and RHP Austin Voth and selected the contract of RHP Kyle McGowin from Syracuse. Robles flied out as a pinch-hitter in the sixth. Washington also reinstated Fedde and RHP Joe Ross from the 60-day disabled list and activated LHP Tommy Milone from the 10-day DL. Milone was then assigned outright to Syracuse.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Manager Mike Shildt said 2B Kolten Wong (left hamstring strain) will be activated tomorrow.

Nationals: LHP Sean Doolittle (left toe inflammation) will throw another simulated game Wednesday. “His (velocity) was a little down in the last one so we just want to make sure he’s not tinkering with his mechanics or anything like that,” manager Dave Martinez said. … RHP Jefry Rodriguez will move to the bullpen to limit his innings and Ross will start Friday against the Cubs.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (13-4, 2.96 ERA), who was originally listed as Tuesday’s starter, will instead go in Wednesday’s finale. He gave up four runs in seven innings to Washington on Aug. 13.

Nationals: RHP Tanner Roark (8-14, 2.96 ERA) makes the second home start of his career against the Cardinals.

— Associated Press —

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