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Author: Dave Riggert

St. Joseph’s win streak ends with loss to Sedalia

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The St. Joseph Mustangs had their six-game winning streak snapped Friday night at home as they lost to Sedalia 6-2.

St. Joe’s collegiate summer baseball team falls to 18-6 and they’re 13-6 in the MINK League.

The Mustangs got a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning from Brady Anderson, but that was all they’d get and they only had four hits after the first.

Sedalia scored one run in the fifth inning and took the lead for good with a five-run sixth.

Jake Van Vacter suffered the loss as he allowed six runs and eight hits in 5.1 innings. He struck out 10 and walked just one.

Anderson finished the game 2-for-4, while Joshua Lincoln, Colton Pogue, Drew Standifer and Jacob Richardson added one hit each.

The Mustangs will try and get back in the win column Saturday as they host Clarinda inside Phil Welch Stadium. The first pitch is at 7:00 p.m. and it’ll be broadcast on 680 KFEQ AM.

Royals get walk-off win against Blue Jays, reach .500 for 1st time since April

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals had been 0-29 when trailing after eight innings. That changed Friday night.

Whit Merrifield hit a two-run, two-out double that capped a four-run rally in the ninth inning, and the Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Friday night to reach .500 for the first time since April.

“You always want to be up with the game on the line,” Merrifield said. “That’s why you play the game. It’s not always going to happen the way it did tonight, but it is fun when it does.”

With their 10th win in 12 games, the Royals improved to 36-36. They were 6-6 before play on April 20, then went on a nine-game losing streak that night and dropped as low as 10-20, seven games out of first place. They trail AL Central-leading Cleveland by three games.

Toronto took a 2-1 lead into the ninth and extended it when Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak hit RBI singles off Joakim Soria (4-2).

Salvador Perez doubled with one out in the bottom half against Ryan Tepera, took third on a wild pitch, and Brandon Moss walked with two outs.

Alcides Escobar greeted Aaron Loup (2-1) with an RBI single, and Alex Gordon hit a run-scoring single on the first pitch from Jason Grilli. Ahead 3-1 in the count, Merrifield doubled on a hop to the left-field wall, and Gordon scored easily from first, crossing the plate with a headfirst slide.

“It’s frustrating,” Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin said. “It hasn’t happened too often in my career, but every time it happens it stings. You’re almost like standing there saying ‘I can’t believe that just happened.’ But, they earned it.”

The Royals have 21 comeback victories this season.

“We’ve said all year we have a team that is definitely capable of making a run,” Moss said. “I don’t think we pay attention to come-from-behind or whether we get out to a lead earlier or whatever. We’re just trying to win a ball game.”

Royals rookie Jake Junis gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ allowed one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings.

“This game can rip your heart out and tonight was one of those nights,” Happ said.

Toronto opened a 2-0 lead in the fourth when Troy Tulowitzki hit an RBI double and scored on a wild pitch. Perez singled in a run in the seventh.

ROYALS MOVES

RHP Chris Young, an integral part of the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship team, was designated for assignment with a 7.50 ERA in 14 appearances. The Royals signed RHP Neftali Feliz, who was released Monday by Milwaukee. He was 1-5 with a 6.00 ERA for the Brewers and eight for nine in save chances.

BLUE JAYS MOVES

Toronto selected the contract of OF Ian Parmley from Triple-A Buffalo, where he was hitting .289 with 11 stolen bases, and started him in right field. He went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice bunt in his debut. They optioned RHP Cesar Valdez to the Bisons. … 2B Devon Travis (right knee damaged cartilage) was transferred to the 60-day DL.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: Donaldson, scratched Thursday with a sore left knee, was back at third base and went 1 for 5 with three strikeouts. … LF Steve Pearce, who bruised his right knee banging into the wall Wednesday, did not play for the second consecutive game.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (right oblique strain) is to begin a minor league rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Omaha.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays RHP Marco Estrada and Royals LHP Jason Vargas, both Long Beach State alums, are scheduled to start Saturday.

— Associated Press —

St. Louis loses opener to Pittsburgh 4-3

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates super-utilityman John Jaso usually has one chance to make an impression in a game. On Friday night, he made the most of a rare second chance.

Josh Bell and Jaso homered as the Pittsburgh Pirates broke their Busch Stadium hex with a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Jaso, who entered as part of a double switch in the eighth inning, drove a 3-2 pitch from Seung Hwan Oh (1-4) over the wall in right-center to break a 3-3 tie in the ninth as the Pirates broke a seven-game losing streak in St. Louis.

The eventual game-winning homer came one pitch after Jaso checked his swing on a possible strike three, but third base umpire Alan Porter ruled Jaso’s bat did not break the plane of the plate.

“I definitely held up on that swing,” Jaso said. “I think it was just an intense situation so everybody was jumping around, including the crowd and everything, but, no, I didn’t go.”

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny thought the pitch itself was strike three.

“As I saw it with the naked eye it didn’t necessarily look like it, but what I’m hearing that the strikes called showed it for a strike, but it’s a strike when they call it a strike,” Matheny said.

Four of Jaso’s five home runs have come in the seventh inning or later and four broke ties.

“I try and keep everything exactly the same that way there’s no ups and downs,” Jaso said.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that consistency has made Jaso into one of baseball’s best pinch-hitters.

“A lot of people get caught up in the hair,” Hurdle said referring to Jaso’s hair style. “There’s a baseball player in there. He’s a free spirit but he’s a very controlled free spirit as far as working well with the team.”

Jameson Taillon threw 104 pitches in six innings, both highs since coming back from testicular cancer surgery on June 12. Only one of the four hits the Pirates righty allowed left the infield.

“I can be a little better about pounding the zone early in counts,” Taillon said. “When I’m efficient that’s where I have success just going middle down, power sink.”

Felipe Rivero (3-1) pitched the Pirates out of a two-on, one-out jam in the eighth. Rivero worked around a ninth-inning walk to secure the win.

Bell’s homer gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Bell’s 14 home runs are the second-most by a Pirates rookie before the All-Star break since Ralph Kiner’s 15 in 1946.

David Freese walked and scored to tie it 2-2 in the fourth. Freese advanced to third on a throwing error by second baseman Paul DeJong, the seventh by the Cardinals in their last three games which have led to seven unearned runs.

Freese’s two-out RBI single off Trevor Rosenthal in the eighth tied the game 3-3. Freese has hit safely in 13 of 14 games against his former team.

Adam Wainwright got through seven innings for the third time this season and the first time since May 27. Only one of the two runs Wainwright allowed was earned after he had allowed 18 runs in his previous 5 1/3 innings.

Jose Martinez’s two-run homer, his second in three games, gave the Cardinals a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second.

DeJong’s solo home run gave the Cardinals a 3-2 lead in the seventh. It was DeJong’s fourth homer in his last seven games.

WEB GEMS

Matt Carpenter made a diving stop in the first and Tommy Pham made a diving catch in the second for the Cardinals, each saving would-be singles.

Gregory Polanco made a diving catch to start a 9-3 double play for the Pirates in the sixth.

TRAINING ROOM

Pirates: C Francisco Cervelli is on the seven-day concussion DL for the second time this month.

Cardinals: OF Dexter Fowler (quadriceps) missed his second straight game. … C Yadier Molina was a late scratch after taking a foul tip off his knee on Thursday.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Gerrit Cole (5-6, 4.28 ERA) has pitched at least six innings while allowing two earned runs or less in seven straight starts. He is 5-4 with a 2.84 ERA in 11 career starts against St. Louis.

Cardinals: RHP Lance Lynn (5-4, 3.33 ERA) has not allowed a run to Pittsburgh in his last 12 innings, including seven shutout innings on April 17. He is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in seven starts against NL Central opponents this season.

— Associated Press —

St. Joseph wins sixth straight with 20-5 victory at Jefferson City

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The St. Joseph Mustangs won at Jefferson City Thursday 20-5 for their sixth consecutive victory.

St. Joe’s collegiate summer baseball team improves to 18-5 and 13-5 in MINK League play.

There were no statistics available Thursday night, but the 20 runs match the most the Mustangs have scored this season. It’s also the seventh game this season in which St. Joe has scored in double figures.

The Mustangs return home Friday as they host Sedalia. The first pitch is at 7:00 p.m. inside Phil Welch Stadium.

KU’s Jackson, Mason selected in the 2017 NBA Draft

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BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Kansas guards Josh Jackson and Frank Mason III were among the 60 players selected in the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Thursday night. Jackson was the overall No. 4 choice of the Phoenix Suns, while Mason was taken in the second round by the Sacramento Kings and was the No. 34 selection.

Historically, Jackson is the 17th KU lottery selection and the 11th in the Bill Self era. Jackson is the 79th player to be drafted in Kansas men’s basketball history and the 21st in the Self era which began in 2003-04.

“I’m really happy for Josh,” Self said. “I think Phoenix got a great pick and to be honest I think they got a steal at four, if that’s possible. He’ll be a guy that helps with their culture, not that it needs to be changed, but he’ll definitely add to it in a positive way from day one.”

In his lone season at Kansas, Jackson became one of the most decorated freshman school history. The Detroit native became only the fourth KU freshman to be named first-team all-conference. A Wooden All-America selection and named to numerous All-America teams, Jackson averaged 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in 2016-17. The 2017 Big 12 Freshman of the Year set three KU frosh records, including rebounds (258), double-doubles (13) and field goals made (220). He also set the school career record for conference weekly honors with nine — seven newcomer of the week and two player of the week — in 2016-17.

“I’m excited to be a Phoenix Sun,” Jackson said. “I know they’re a pretty young team. I think that’s really special, though, because coming in I think we can learn a lot together, and over the years we can be something really special and just being able to grow together, I think that’ll make our team chemistry a lot better.”

Mason became the most distinguished player in Kansas basketball history following his senior season. The Petersburg, Virginia, native was named the 2016-17 national player of the year by 10 different entities: Wooden, Naismith, NABC, Associated Press, USBWA Oscar Robertson, Sporting News, CBS Sports, USA TODAY, Bleacher Report and NBC Sports. He was the first Jayhawk to be named Associated Press Player of the Year and the first KU recipient of both the Oscar Robertson Trophy presented by the USBWA and the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award.

Kansas’ 29th Consensus All-America First Team selection, Mason became the first player in KU and Big 12 history to average more than 20 points (20.9) and five assists (5.2) in a single season in 2016-17. The 2017 Big 12 Player of the Year ranked first in the league in scoring (20.9), including a 21.0 average in conference play.

“I think its (Sacramento) is a great place for Frank,” Self said. “His value will be even more so than what he does on the court because he’ll bring a toughness to their culture that will be a positive. I think he and De’Aaron Fox will be great for their franchise together.”

Kansas posted a 31-5 overall record in 2016-17 and won its13th-straight, 17th Big 12 and NCAA-leading 60th overall conference regular-season championship with a 16-2 league record. KU’s 13 consecutive titles ties for the most in NCAA history with UCLA (1967-79). KU also won the 2016 CBE Hall of Fame Classic and entered the NCAA Tournament as the overall No. 1 seed for the second-straight year.

— KU Athletics —

K-State’s Iwundu taken by Orlando in second round of NBA Draft

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BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Kansas State senior forward Wesley Iwundu was selected with the No. 33 pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2017 NBA Draft presented by State Farm on Thursday night at the Barclays Center.

Iwundu is the first player to be drafted out of K-State since Michael Beasley (Miami Heat) and Bill Walker (Washington Wizards) were taken in the 2008 NBA Draft with the second and 47th selections, respectively. He is third-highest draft pick for the Wildcats in the Lottery era, following Beasley (No. 2) and Mitch Richmond (No. 5 in 1988). He is the sixth consecutive K-State player selected in either the first or second round dating back to 1987.

Overall, Iwundu is the 50th Wildcat selected in the NBA Draft dating back to 1947.

Iwundu becomes the first K-State player to ever be drafted as well as the first to play for the Orlando Magic. He was joined in the Magic draft class by Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac (No. 6), Latvia’s Anzejs Pasecniks (No. 25), California’s Ivan Rabb (No. 35).

“I couldn’t be happier for Wes and his family for realizing the dream of playing in the NBA,” said head coach Bruce Weber. “I’m so very proud of him for not only developing into an NBA caliber player, but also into a quality person off the basketball court. He made tremendous strides on the court and in the classroom during his time at K-State. Wes had a dream and he went after it. This is a proud moment for me and the coaching staff.”

Iwundu is the sixth draft pick developed by Weber in his head coaching career, joining former Illinois players Deron Williams (2005), Luther Head (2005), James Augustine (2006), Dee Brown (2006) and Meyers Leonard (2012).

Iwundu was the third of six Big 12 players selected in the draft, joining Kansas’ Josh Jackson (No. 4, Phoenix Suns), Texas’ Jarrett Allen (No. 22, Brooklyn Nets), Kansas’ Frank Mason III (No. 34, Sacramento Kings) and Oklahoma State’s Jawun Evans (No. 39, Philadelphia 76ers), Iowa State’s Monte Morris (No. 51, Denver Nuggets). It marks the second straight year that six Big 12 players went in the NBA Draft.

Iwundu developed into one of the top all-around players in school history, becoming the first Wildcat to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals in a career as he finished with 1,249 points, 618 rebounds, 366 assists and 121 steals. He is one of six Wildcats to tally 1,200 points and 600 rebounds, joining Rolando Blackman, Bob Boozer, Thomas Gipson, Rodney McGruder and Ed Nealy. The school’s all-time starts leader, he finished his career in the Top 15 in seven career categories, including scoring (1,249/14th), rebounding (618/12th), assists (366/4th), steals (121/5th), minutes played (3,728/3rd), games (132/5th) and starts (124/1st).

Iwundu was the fourth college senior to be selected in the NBA Draft and one of just nine taken in the draft’s two rounds, joining Colorado’s Derrick White, Villanova’s Josh Hart and Miami’s Davon Reed. He is the first four-year K-State player selected in the draft since Steve Henson in 1990.

Iwundu is one of just six Wildcats in the Big 12 era to earn All-Big 12 First, Second or Third Team honors twice in a career, earning recognition to the Coaches’ Third Team in both 2016 and 2017.

In his 132-game career, Iwundu averaged 9.5 points on 46.3 percent shooting (425-of-917), including 33.8 percent (51-of-151) from 3-point range, with 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 28.2 minutes per game.

Iwundu saved his most productive season for his senior year in 2016-17, as he led the Wildcats in 15 categories, including scoring (13.0 ppg.), double-digit scoring games (26), field goals made (151), free throws made (122), free throw percentage (76.7), double-doubles (5) and rebounding (6.3 rpg.). He joined Mitch Richmond (1987-88) as the only Wildcats in school history to tally 400+ points, 200+ rebounds and 100+ assists in a single season.

Iwundu was the only Big 12 player to rank in the league’s Top 15 in scoring (15th), field goal percentage (10th), free throw percentage (11th), rebounding (9th) and assists (12th) in 2016-17, while he joined West Virginia’s Jevon Carter as the only Big 12 players to rank in the Top 15 in all 5 categories in league-only games.

For his senior season, Iwundu averaged 13.0 points on 48.1 percent shooting (151-of-314), including 37.6 percent (32-of-85) from 3-point range, with 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 31.4 minutes per game. In Big 12 play, he averaged 13.3 points on 47.8 percent shooting (77-of-161), including 40 percent (16-of-40) in 3-point range, with 7.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.5 minutes per game.

A Third Team All-Big 12 selection, Iwundu led the Wildcats in scoring a team-best 10 times, including a career-best 24 points in the NCAA First Four win over Wake Forest on March 14 – which was the school’s first NCAA Tournament victory since 2012. He averaged 21.5 points in NCAA Tournament action on 57.9 percent shooting (11-of-19), including 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from long range, with 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 31 minutes per game.

With Iwundu leading the way, K-State posted strong offensive statistics in 2016-17, including Top 10 single-season marks for points (2,523), scoring average (72.1), field goal percentage (46.1), 3-point field goals made (247), 3-point field goal perentage (36.2) and assists (522).

K-State collected 73 wins and earned a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances during Iwundu’s four-year career, which included a 21-win campaign and trip to the NCAA South Regional First Round as a senior in 2016-17. The 21 wins were the most since the 2012-13 season, while the 8 in Big 12 play were the most since 2013-14.

— KSU Athletics —

Chiefs sign Andy Reid to extension, part with GM John Dorsey

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid and John Dorsey arrived with the Kansas City Chiefs within weeks of each other, the coach and general manager given the massive undertaking of turning around a 2-14 franchise.

Reid will head into Year 5 by himself.

The Chiefs announced Thursday they had signed their coach to a contract extension, and then revealed less than an hour later that they parted ways with their GM. Those were massive decisions handed down by chairman Clark Hunt in a pair of statements on what is typically a quiet week in the offseason.

“My family and I have been very pleased by the success the franchise has sustained over the last four seasons under Coach Reid,” Hunt said. “He has already established himself as one of the best coaches in the league, and he is well on his way to solidifying a place among the all-time greats.”

It wasn’t just Reid that got the Chiefs on the winning track, though.

Dorsey arrived from Green Bay with a reputation for being a savvy scout, his track record working in the front office of the Packers seemingly impeccable. And over the past four seasons, he managed to turn a roster with a few big names but little depth into one of the strongest in the league.

It still wasn’t enough to keep his job with the Chiefs.

Just like Reid, Dorsey was entering the final year of a five-year contract. But unlike his close friend, he was informed by Hunt that his contract would not be extended. So the two agreed to part ways now rather than wait until next offseason, leaving a significant void in the front office.

Hunt did not say who will handle the GM duties on an interim basis, though Reid juggled coaching and personnel decisions in Philadelphia with varying levels of success.

“This decision, while a difficult one, allows John to pursue other opportunities as we continue our preparations for the upcoming season and the seasons to come,” Hunt said.

Hunt did not say why he thought the organization needed to move in a different direction, nor was he made available to answer questions. But he said in a letter to season ticketholders later Thursday he will conduct a search for a new GM in the coming weeks that includes internal and external candidates.

“I believe that we have a strong foundation in place,” Hunt wrote, “and we will continue to work tirelessly to build on the success we’ve sustained over the last four seasons.”

Dorsey made many wise decisions in revamping the once-downtrodden franchise, particularly when it came to the waiver wire, but he also made numerous moves that left him open to criticism.

The large contract given to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was a failure. The move to sign linebacker Tamba Hali to a $21 million deal was made worse by an administrative error that resulted in $4 million in additional dead money. Then there was the signing of wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, during which the Chiefs were found guilty of tampering, docked draft picks and levied a substantial fine.

Maclin was given a $55 million, five-year deal, but injuries, productivity and salary cap woes forced Dorsey to release Maclin this offseason — in a voicemail, no less.

That situation also demonstrated a problem that has plagued Reid and Dorsey since their arrival: management of the salary cap. The Chiefs have been consistently strapped for cash, and that led to the ouster of salary cap guru Trip MacCracken from the front office.

Still, Dorsey uncovered plenty of gems during his tenure. He also swung the deal for quarterback Alex Smith to stabilize the most important spot on the field, and boldly moved up in this year’s draft to take Patrick Mahomes II and give Kansas City its quarterback of the future.

“I want to thank Clark, the Hunt family and the Chiefs fans for the opportunity to be a part of Chiefs Kingdom over the last four seasons,” he said in a statement. “I believe this team is well positioned for the future and I wish Coach Reid, the players and the entire organization all the best.”

While Dorsey mulls his future, Reid heads into a season filled with expectations.

Most of the team that went 12-4 and won its first division title since 2010 returns intact, and there is reason to believe the Chiefs could be even better. Top linebacker Justin Houston will be healthy after dealing with knee trouble last season; the secondary has been solidified after safety Eric Berry signed a long-term extension; and rookie running back Kareem Hunt gives the offense another weapon.

Smith is also entering what could be a make-or-break season. His contract next year makes it pricey to keep him and cheap to let him go, so the veteran quarterback has even more incentive for a career year.

“”We’ve made quite a bit of progress over the last four seasons, but we are not done yet,” Reid said in a statement. “We are going to continue to work toward our ultimate goal of winning championships. I’ve been blessed by the support of the community, our fans, the Hunt family and the entire Chiefs staff. I’m looking forward to the years ahead as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.”

— Associated Press —

Cardinals drop series finale at Philadelphia 5-1

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Aaron Nola felt like himself again.

Nola pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning, Freddy Galvis and Tommy Joseph homered, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 Thursday to stop a five-game losing streak.

Nola (4-5) allowed one run, four hits and two walks in 7 1/3 innings and struck out eight.

“I know what I’m capable of and know what I can do,” Nola said. “Today was me. I felt confident in all of my pitches.”

The 24-year-old right-hander had a promising start to his career, but he did not pitch after July 20 last season because of right elbow trouble. He has been inconsistent this season.

“That looked like the old Nola, and that was great to see,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. “That’s the Nola we have come to love. He was outstanding, hitting paint on both sides.”

Joseph drove in three runs as Philadelphia, a major league-worst 23-48, won for just the second time in 15 games.

“Positive vibes, right?” Joseph said. “You have to keep your heads up. It’s a long season. It’s easy to get lost in the record, but we have the opportunity to make a personal difference and team difference every day.”

Paul DeJong homered on a hanging curveball leading off the eighth, pulling the Cardinals to 3-1, and Matt Carpenter walked with one out. Pat Neshek relieved and got Tommy Pham to ground into an inning-ending double play, and Luis Garcia followed with a perfect ninth.

Carlos Martinez (6-6) gave up three runs — two earned — and six hits with four strikeouts in six innings. The Cardinals, who made three errors, had won their previous five games against the Phillies.

“He was making pitches on the corners, getting a little help early and a lot of early outs so that kept hit pitch count down,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said of Nola. “His breaking ball was good.”

Galvis homered in the first and Joseph leading off the fifth. With two on and two outs, Andres Blanco scored from second on an errant flip to second by shortstop Aledmys Diaz after his fine grab of Galvis’ liner up the middle.

Left fielder Jose Martinez dropped Odubel Herrera’s fly ball in the eighth for a two-base error, and Joseph followed with a two-run, two-out single.

BASERUNNING GAFFE II

Herrera was picked off third base in the fourth inning. In Wednesday’s 7-6 loss, Herrera ran through third-base coach Juan Samuel’s stop sign in the ninth and was out by 10 feet.

“I can’t say I was happy,” Mackanin said. “You have to be aware. He didn’t take that hard step back. I’m not pleased about it.”

GOING DEEP

St. Louis has homered in 11 straight games and has 20 home runs since June 16. The Cardinals had scored four or more runs in their previous 11 games.

STREAKING I

Cardinals’ Yadier Molina extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a seventh-inning single. He is batting .293 over the stretch.

STREAKING II

Neshek extended his scoreless innings streak to 15 innings while making it 18 straight innings at home without allowing a run.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: OF Dexter Fowler did not play, a day after experiencing left quadriceps tightness.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (7-5, 5.75) is to start for St. Louis as the Cardinals open a three-game home series against the Pirates. Wainwright set career highs for earned runs (nine) and home runs allowed (three) over 1 2/3 innings in a 15-7 loss Saturday at Baltimore, the shortest start of his big league career.

Phillies: Philadelphia opens a nine-game trip at Arizona on Friday night. Mark Leiter (0-0) was in the clubhouse Thursday and is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make his first big league start. The 26-year-old right-hander, who made 12 relief appearances for the Phillies earlier this season, is a son of former big league pitcher Mark Leiter and the nephew of former pitcher Al Leiter.

— Associated Press —

Mustangs stay hot with 10-3 win over Chillicothe

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The St. Joseph Mustangs won their fifth consecutive game Wednesday as they defeated Chillicothe 10-3 inside Phil Welch Stadium.

St. Joe’s collegiate summer baseball team is now 17-5 this season and 12-5 in MINK League play.

The Mustangs scored four two-out runs in the second inning and led 5-1 after three. The Mudcats pulled to within two runs, 5-3, in the top of the seventh inning, but St. Joseph pulled away with five runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Brady Anderson led the Mustangs’ 12-hit attack as he went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Brody Santilli had two hits and four runs batted in, while Drew Standifer, Colton Pogue and Jacob Richardson scored two runs each.

St. Joe starter Osvaldo Raya moved to 4-0 this season as he allowed just one earned run and seven hits in six innings of work. Nikko Pablo threw three scoreless innings of relief to cap off the win.

The Mustangs are back on the road Thursday as they play at Jefferson City. The first pitch is at 7:00 p.m. from Vivion Field.

Perez grand slam in 8th rallies Royals past Red Sox 6-4

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez borrowed a Miguel Cabrera bat from Kansas City Royals teammate Drew Butera for the first time Wednesday.

“It’s a magic stick,” Butera said.

It was magic for Perez, who hit his first career grand slam, connecting in the eighth inning to rally the Royals over the Boston Red Sox 6-4.

“Miggy gave the bat to Butera when Detroit was playing here,” Perez said. “Drew doesn’t use it. It’s too heavy for him. Today, coming into the clubhouse, I put it in my locker. I like the bat.

“Today was the first day I used it and I’ll use it Friday, too, before you ask me. I don’t want to break that one. I’ve got to call Miggy and say, `You’ve got to send me some more bats.”

The Royals have won nine of 11 and moved within a game of .500.

Perez homered over the Kansas City bullpen in left field on the ninth pitch from Robby Scott (0-1). With Boston leading 4-2, reliever Matt Barnes started the inning by walking Jorge Bonifacio and Lorenzo Cain on 12 pitches.

“We uncharacteristically lost the strike zone,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “For a group that has been so good at not issuing too many walks over the course of the year, we had an inning that got away from us. Matt was up in the zone. He couldn’t get the ball down.

“This one stings because that group has been so good, so consistent for the better part of the whole season.”

Scott was summoned to face Eric Hosmer, but walked him on four pitches to load the bases for Perez. The All-Star catcher fouled off three full-count deliveries before hitting his 15th home run of the season.

“I was happy with where the pitch was, but it was too good,” Scott said. “There’s not much else to say about it.”

According to ESPN Stats and Information, Perez was the first Kansas City player to hit a grand slam in the eighth inning or later with the Royals trailing since Frank White in 1986. Perez went 3 for 3 in the win.

Jorge Soria (3-2) worked a spotless eighth. Kelvin Herrera pitched the ninth for his 17th save in 19 chances.

Andrew Benintendi and Xander Bogaerts hit successive home runs in the Boston fourth off Ian Kennedy.

Benintendi’s drive was estimated at 454 feet and landed in the right-center waterfall. The leadoff homer was Boston’s first hit, and the 100th of Benintendi’s career.

Five pitches later, Bogaerts went deep to left, tying the score at 2. It was the fourth time this season the Red Sox have hit back-to-back home runs.

“I tried to go inside and the ball just ran back over,” Kennedy said of the homers.

Red Sox lefty Drew Pomeranz worked 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and six hits.

Kennedy was removed after 4 2/3 innings, giving up four runs, two earned, three hits and three walks. He has just one victory in his past 17 starts.

Errors by Kennedy and first baseman Cheslor Cuthbert helped Boston score twice in the fifth.

ORTIZ’S CEREMONY

The Red Sox will retire David Ortiz’s No. 34 in a pregame ceremony Friday at Fenway Park. “When you consider the careers that are on that fa�ade, the numbers that are up there and the fact that his being done so soon after retiring, I think speaks volumes,” Farrell said. “What he’s meant to the city, what he’s meant to the organization. To see him at the ballpark, see the smile, to hear the booming voice, it will be a good day for us.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia missed his third straight game with rib soreness after being hit by a pitch Sunday. “When he went down to swing in the cage, there’s still some restriction,” Farrell said. “Hopefully he’ll be back in the lineup Friday.” … LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (right knee subluxation) will throw a 30-pitch two-inning simulated game Saturday.

Royals: RHP Nathan Karns (forearm strain) threw off a flat surface, his first time tossing since having a setback 11 days ago. … LHP Danny Duffy (oblique strain) will throw a bullpen session Friday and could begin a minor league rehab stint next week.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: After a day off Thursday, RHP Rick Porcello will start Friday against the Angels.

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis will start Friday against the Blue Jays.

— Associated Press —

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