Dave Riggert – Page 404 – St. Joseph Post Archive

MWSU soccer earns 1-0 OT win over Minnesota-Crookston

Posted on September 11, 2016

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western soccer team had chance after chance after chance. It just took the team 96 minutes to take advantage of one of them.

Cassidy Menke’s goal off a rebound in the sixth minute of overtime was Missouri Western’s only goal, and the only one her team needed in a 1-0 overtime win over Minnesota Crookston on Sunday afternoon. Missouri Western, again, dominated the action. The Griffons ended the contest with a 24-3 shot advantage, 11-2 for shots on frame. Missouri Western just couldn’t find the back of the net until Ashlyn Powers took a shot from the right wing that deflected off Minnesota Crookston goalkeeper Olivia Puttin’s diving hand, right to Menke, who hesitated then rolled one in from inside the box for the win.

Lexie Martin earned her second career victory in goal for the Griffons, moving to 2-0 on the season with her first career shutout. Martin’s back line stepped up and limited Minnesota Crookston to just two shots on goal and Martin did her part by saving both. Menke led the Griffons in shots with six, three coming on goal. Maddy Cowell took five shots with one on goal. Powers had four shots with three on goal.

The Griffons improved to 3-1 in the season and will move later this week into conference opponents, though the games will not count toward the MIAA standings. Missouri Western travels to Northwest Missouri Stat, Friday for a non-conference tilt, then it’s across Missouri for the Griffons to Lindenwood on Sunday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Cardinals lose to Milwaukee on Braun’s 9th inning home run

Posted on September 11, 2016

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun fouled off the pitch he liked before coming through for the Brewers.

Braun hit a solo home run in the ninth inning and the Brewers beat St. Louis 2-1 on Sunday, dropping the Cardinals back in the NL wild-card race.

The Cardinals are a half-game behind the Mets for the second wild-card slot.

Braun connected on a 3-2 fastball off Kevin Siegrist (5-3) for his 27th homer of the season and 19th in his career against the Cardinals.

“The 0-1 pitch was the best pitch to hit,” said Braun, who fouled it off. “It was better than the one I hit. The one I hit out was on the black in.”

Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell liked Braun’s approach in the at-bat.

“He hit a couple of foul balls there where he took really good swings,” Counsell said. “He’s (Siegrest) tough on righty’s, always has been. Braun got himself back in the count and he made a mistake. It was a no-doubter.”

St. Louis had tied it in the eighth when Matt Carpenter doubled and scored on Stephen Piscotty’s sacrifice fly off Tyler Thornburg (6-5).

Thornburg struck out three in the ninth.

“We only used Thorny once in the last week so he was well rested,” Counsell said. “We gave him the extra outs. He’s got a great mentality in this role.”

The Cardinals fell to 32-39 at home this season.

“It’s always disappointing,” St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. “In these close games, you feel like you got a real shot and they’re always hard to swallow when it doesn’t work out.”

The Brewers’ other run came in the first on singles by Scooter Gennett and Braun and a sacrifice fly from Chris Carter.

Milwaukee had just four hits in the game, with Braun getting the only one after the fifth inning.

Zach Davies pitched 7 1/3 innings and gave up one run on five hits while striking out seven and walking one.

“This is a game where you have to battle even harder,” Davies said. “Every pitch counts.”

Cardinals rookie Luke Weaver allowed three hits in six innings. He struck out eight with one walk.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha, who has missed 29 games with shoulder inflammation, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday. He threw one Friday.

ACTIVATED

The Cardinals activated All-Star shortstop Aledmys Diaz from the disabled list. Diaz, 26, had missed 36 games since he broke his right thumb when he was hit by a pitch from the Marlins’ Andrew Cashner. At the time he was injured, Diaz was hitting a team-leading .312 with 14 homers and 57 RBI in 96 games.

ATTENDANCE

The Cardinals eclipsed the 3 million mark in attendance for the 13th consecutive year and joined the Los Angeles Dodgers as the second team to pass the figure this season. It is the 20th time overall St. Louis has passed the 3 million total.

UP NEXT

Brewers: Wiley Peralta (6-9) will face Cincinnati’s Keyvius Sampson(0-1). Peralta, the opening day starter, earned a win in his last start Sept. 6 in a 12-5 victory over the Cubs.

Cardinals: Mike Leake (9-9) will face Chicago’s Kyle Hendricks (14-7) on Monday night at Busch Stadium. It will be Leake’s 199th career start. He was activated from 15-day DL (shingles) before his last start on Sept. 7 and allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings for no-decision in a 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

— Associated Press —

Griffons move to 2-0 with dominate win at Missouri Southern

Posted on September 11, 2016

JOPLIN, Mo. – The opponent and location were different, but the script was much the same as week one as the Missouri Western football team defeated Missouri Southern 51-14 on Saturday night. It was the Griffons’ fourth-straight win in Joplin and the largest margin of victory in Joplin for the Griffons in the 47-year history of the rivalry.

For the second straight game, Missouri Western dominated the ground game, out rushing Missouri Southern 262 yards to 30. The Griffon offense totaled 525 yards and limited Missouri Southern to 284. The 51 points in Joplin combined with the 44 scored last week are the most points for a Griffon Football team through the first two weeks since scoring 117 combined against Mesa State and Lincoln in 2010.

Skyler Windmiller had one of his best games in a Griffon uniform, completing 83-percent of his passes (15-18) for 229 yards and two touchdowns. The junior signal caller also rushed 10 times for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Much like last week, Windmiller spread the football around, completing passes to eight different Griffons, nine total caught passes on the night. Brock Broughton and Terry Jackson Jr. caught the touchdown passes. Broughton led the Griffons in receiving yards with 83. Patrick Bolton led the team with four receptions for 46 yards.

On the ground, Josh Caldwell led the way again, rushing 12 times for 92 yards and a touchdown. Kendall Short carried it 16 times for 77 yards and Derek Gray added his second career touchdown on six carries for 24 yards.

Missouri Western overcame three first half turnovers to take a 28-6 lead to halftime. The Griffons also once again won despite some special teams hiccups. Missouri Southern blocked a Griffon punt for a safety. Dijuan Ussery also fumbled on a kick return and the Griffons missed their third field goal of the season.

The win sets up the game of the week in the MIAA next Saturday as the Griffons host Central Missouri at 6 p.m. in St. Joseph. The Griffons and Mules are both 2-0 with Central Missouri ranked No. 16 in last week’s AFCA poll and No. 8 in the D2Football.com poll. It’s Family Weekend and Military Appreciation night at Spratt Memorial Stadium.

— MWSU Athletics —

Lock leads Missouri past Eastern Michigan 61-21

Posted on September 11, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Saturday morning, Missouri coach Barry Odom woke up to a text message informing him of something he did not know; since 1957, only one Missouri coach-Bob Stull in 1989-won in their home debut.

Make that two.

Drew Lock tied a school-record with five touchdown passes as Missouri ran away with its home opener, defeating Eastern Michigan 61-21 Saturday.

Odom, who was a linebacker for Missouri from 1996-99, discussed the surreal nature of earning his first home win as coach of his alma mater.

“It got to me a little bit tonight. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t…I feel the responsibility to do it right, because there are so many people that have worked so hard to put this program where it is.”

Lock completed 24 of 37 pass attempts for 450 yards, only 30 yards shy of the school record.

“He did some really good things tonight,” Odom said of Lock. “He is doing a great job of running our offense, and things are slowing down tremendously for him. I think he will continue to grow by learning from his mistakes, while learning from the good things he does as well.”

The Tigers (1-1) amassed 647 yards of total offense, the most since Sept. 17, 2011. Running backs Demarea Crockett and Ish Witter combined for 25 rushes, 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Ray Wingo led Missouri in receiving yards with 125 on just three catches, one of which was a 52-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter. Johnathon Johnson caught five passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, and Emmanuel Hall had three catches for 90 yards.

“Their passing attack proved to be too strong,” said Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton, who is now 4-22 in three seasons with the school. “The long balls, and even just the quick game, would eat up yards. They did a really good job of that.

“We just got run by on some of those long balls, and some well-placed balls, and some speed and size at receiver that we just weren’t able to combat.”

On the final play of the first quarter, Johnson bobbled a high-arcing punt near midfield, but recovered and took it 54 yards for a touchdown. He finished with 210 all-purpose yards.

“It was scramble mode,” Johnson said of the circus play. “I had to pick it back up. I knew I had muffed it, so I was just trying to get it back up, and I just cut it across the field.”

Odom said he’s seen this type of playmaking ability from Johnson before.

“The things he did on the field tonight, he does in practice on Tuesday’s and Wednesdays. It’s important to him that he is a total package player, having the ability to not only play out wide, but to return punts and block. He is only going to get better.”

Eastern Michigan quarterback Todd Porter was 23 of 45 for 287 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed 13 times for 46 yards and one touchdown.

The Eagles (1-1) struggled offensively, especially in the first half. Their first seven drives consisted of five punts, an interception and a 1-yard touchdown run. They converted 11 of 21 third down attempts and were 0 for 1 on fourth down.

Missouri cornerback Aarion Penton broke up three passes, made two tackles and had an interception, but left the game with a sprained shoulder and did not return.

Eastern Michigan cornerback Juan Giraldo was ejected early in the fourth quarter for a targeting hit on Missouri receiver Keyon Dilosa.

TAKEAWAYS

Missouri: In a 26-11 loss at West Virginia last week, Missouri’s offense ran 100 plays, more than any team in the nation. That tempo slowed somewhat Saturday, as the Tigers ran 78 plays. However, they nearly doubled their average yards per play, from 4.6 against West Virginia to 8.3 against the Eagles, and scored the most points since a 62-10 win against Southeast Louisiana Sept. 1, 2012.

Eastern Michigan: Starting running back Shaq Vann was limited to just one carry for 10 yards. Vann injured his shoulder early in the first quarter and did not return. Ian Eriksen became the Eagles’ primary ball carrier with Vann on the sidelines, rushing 23 times for 90 yards and a touchdown.

UP NEXT

Missouri: The Tigers host Georgia (2-0) next Saturday night. The Bulldogs defeated Missouri 10-9 last season in Athens.

Eastern Michigan: The Eagles travel to UNC Charlotte (1-1) next Saturday in the first meeting between the schools. The 49ers football program began in 2013.

— Associated Press —

Royals hold off White Sox 6-5, remain 4 back of wild card

Posted on September 11, 2016

CHICAGO — The Kansas City Royals want to wait a week before deciding whether to shut down Lorenzo Cain. The outfielder may or may not agree.

The Royals’ 6-5 comeback victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night was overshadowed by the unknown future of their former All-Star.

Whit Merrifield hit a go-ahead two-run double in a three-run seventh inning and closer Wade Davis barely made it hold up in the ninth. The 2015 World Series champions remained four games back of Baltimore for the second AL wild card.

But being without Cain could dampen those postseason hopes.

Cain returned Friday from a sprained wrist, but was basically swinging one-handed. He was back sidelined Saturday, and while manager Ned Yost said before the game Cain will likely have to play through pain, Cain told Fox Sports Kansas City that it was “highly likely” he was finished for the season.

After the game, a team spokesman said Cain had received a stem cell shot that didn’t work and they wanted to wait a week to see if his wrist gets better.

At his locker after the game, the spokesman repeated that news to Cain before he addressed reporters.

Cain said nothing for a few seconds before declining to answer whether he thought he would return.

“I’ve go to talk to some more people because we talked about something earlier,” Cain said. “I’ll have to get back to you.”

Davis gave up a single to Tyler Saladino and a double to Adam Eaton to lead off the ninth before Melky Cabrera’s infield single cut the deficit to one.

With the tying run on third and one out, Davis struck out Jose Abreu and Justin Morneau for his 23rd save.

“He got himself into a little bit of trouble, but that what he does best,” Yost said. “He just buckles down when he needs to and got big outs.”

Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer in the first and Alex Gordon a solo shot in the fourth off White Sox starter James Shields. The struggling righty exited after six innings leading 4-3 before the Chicago’s bullpen faltered.

Chris Beck (2-2) was charged with three runs while giving up two hits and a walk and getting one out.

Davis was the last of five relievers after Edinson Volquez, who allowed four runs and nine hits over five innings.

Kevin McCarthy (1-0) got the last out of the sixth for his first major league win.

“I still haven’t wrapped my head around the whole being up here yet,” McCarthy said. “My head is still spinning.”

Shields, who helped the Royals reach the 2014 World Series, allowed three runs and four hits. He avoided his 18th loss despite moving into the major league lead with 37 home runs allowed.

“I gave up two homers, but the other two hits were kind of just really weak hits,” Shields said.

Morneau doubled twice and drove in a run in a two-run fifth as the White Sox went ahead 4-3.

Abreu drove in his 90th run and Saladino went 3 for 4 to leave him 9 for 12 in the past three games.

Volquez allowed the leadoff batter to reach in all five innings, but the Royals overcame Chicago’s 12 hits for their fourth win in 10 games.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: C Salvador Perez (wrist) returned after a two-game absence and went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.

White Sox: Manager Robin Ventura said it’s unlikely 2B Brett Lawrie, who last played July 21, returns this season. Lawrie remains in Arizona dealing with nagging knee pain after originally being sidelined with a hamstring injury. “It’s become a long shot at this point just because he’s been out so long,” Ventura said.

MERRIFIELD’S YEAR

Merrifield, a 27-year-old rookie forced into duty thanks to Kansas City’s numerous injuries, has driven in 21 runs in 60 games.

“It was big,” Merrifield said. “Happy I came through right there.”

MORNEAU’S FUTURE

Morneau, signed in June to a one-year deal, will decide after the season whether to try to play in 2016. He’s 35.

“Oh, he’s got something left,” Ventura said. “He can play next year if he wants to.”

UP NEXT

White Sox ace Chris Sale (15-7, 3.07 ERA) faces RHP Ian Kennedy (10-9, 3.76) in the series finale Sunday.

— Associated Press —

Kansas gets beat at home by Ohio 37-21

Posted on September 11, 2016September 11, 2016

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Ohio’s Greg Windham played like a fifth-year senior rather than a quarterback making just his second career start, though Kansas certainly did everything it could to help him out.

Two fumbled punt returns. Inopportune penalties. An interception. A safety.

The result was a 37-21 victory for the Bobcats on Saturday that went a long way toward erasing the memory of a triple-overtime defeat to Texas State in their season opener.

“I’m proud of our guys the way they came back,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “I thought it showed our resolve. They practiced well this past week. I think the signs were there that they were going to have an opportunity to play well, and to play to our potential hopefully.”

Windham threw for 167 yards and a touchdown while running for 146 and another score. Dorian Brown added 122 yards rushing, Louie Zervos was 5-for-5 on field goals, and Papi White and Mason Morgan scored against a Kansas team coming off its first win in more than a year.

LaQuvionte Gonzalez had a 99-yard kickoff return for the Jayhawks (1-1), but he also muffed those two punt returns. Montell Cozart threw for 198 yards and hit Steven Sims Jr. for a pair of TDs, but the dual-threat quarterback also struggled to deal with constant pressure.

“Offensively we have to do a better job early in the game to help our defense out,” Kansas coach David Beaty said. “The defense, every time I looked up, they were out there.”

The Bobcats blitzed to a 25-0 lead and led 28-7 after a first half as lopsided as they come: They had a 359-21 edge in offense, 18 first downs to one, and controlled the ball for 22 minutes, 56 seconds.

“We just couldn’t get off the field,” Jayhawks safety Fish Smithson said. “It doesn’t matter how long we were out there, we still have to get stops.”

The Jayhawks still managed to make it interesting.

Cozart connected with Sims on a 74-yard touchdown pass on the second play out of the locker room, and then hit Sims from 22 yards out a few minutes later to trim a 28-7 halftime lead to 31-21.

But an Ohio defense that allowed 630 yards to Texas State held the Jayhawks to three straight punts, deflating a crowd that began to dwindle. And Windham showed the poise of a fifth-year senior rather than a quarterback making his second career start, scrambling for a crucial first down midway through the fourth quarter that kept the clock moving and the Kansas offense on the sideline.

“I feel like we have a run game,” Solich said, “and if you have a run game you have a chance.”

The outcome at Memorial Stadium was nothing new for Solich, who went 6-0 against the Jayhawks when he was with former Big 12 rival Nebraska. But it was all-too-familiar for Beaty, who hoped to build on a win over Rhode Island last week that ended the Jayhawks’ 15-game losing streak.

“We are still in that process of building this program,” he said. “We’ve talked to them until we’re blue in the face, one win doesn’t make you special. You have to go back to what got you there.”

STAT DISPARITY

Ohio had the ball for 43:38 while Kansas had it for 13:56, a massive disparity in time of possession. The Bobcats also went 6 for 7 in the red zone while the Jayhawks failed to drive inside the 20.

JAYHAWKS’ HURT WING

Cozart took a shot along the sideline late in the game, hurting his shoulder. Cozart said he could have returned to the game while Beaty said he was being cautious by turning to Ryan Willis. “I didn’t want to take a chance on it,” Beaty said, “because I saw the way he fell.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Ohio: The Bobcats ran for 329 yards without top running back A.J. Ouellette, who hurt his foot the previous week. He was on crutches when the captains went on the field for the coin toss.

Kansas: The Jayhawks were 0 for 8 on third down, failed to pick up both fourth downs, which in turn kept their defense on the field far too long. They were ultimately gassed by the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT

Ohio: Tries to beat another power-five opponent when it visits Tennessee on Saturday.

Kansas: Heads to Memphis on Saturday to face a team that beat the Jayhawks 55-23 a year ago.

— Associated Press —

Huskers capitalize on 6 Wyoming turnovers in a 52-17 rout

Posted on September 11, 2016September 11, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Bring on Oregon.

Nebraska tuned up for the No. 24 Ducks with a 52-17 victory over Wyoming, which trailed by seven points late in the third quarter but saw the game get out of control because of Josh Allen’s six turnovers, all in the second half Saturday.

Now a Nebraska program trying to regain national relevance can turn its full attention to one of the most anticipated games in Lincoln in years.

“Oregon, they’re no joke,” said Jordan Westerkamp, who caught two of Tommy Armstrong Jr.’s three touchdown passes and had 105 yards on four receptions. “They’re a top program in the entire nation. This will be our first big test. We have to take them extremely serious and have a great week of practice because they’re going to come ready to play.

“If we can get a win against Oregon, that’ll be huge for our program. On a national level, just beating a team like that should propel us forward in a lot of people’s minds.”

Nebraska (2-0), which ran on 51 of 64 plays in last week’s 43-10 win over Fresno State, relied on the pass against Wyoming (1-1). Armstrong was 20 of 34 for 377 yards, and the Huskers finished with 412 yards through the air after backup Ryker Fyfe played the last two series.

Armstrong set the school career record for touchdown passes, with his 57th coming on a 9-yard pass to Westerkamp in the fourth quarter. The fourth-year starting QB was presented the game ball in the locker room for his accomplishment.

“I couldn’t do it without those guys,” Armstrong said. “They did a great job making plays — a bunch of catches and yards after contact. We have a lot of season left, and I’m excited about those guys out wide.”

Six of Wyoming’s last seven second-half possessions ended with turnovers — five interceptions and a bad lateral by Allen that was counted as a fumble — and the Huskers scored 28 points in the fourth quarter.

“There was a tipping point in the game, and sometimes they get away from you. That one did,” Cowboys coach Craig Bohl said. “I don’t know where the exact tipping point was, but it was after one of those interceptions. The score started getting tough.”

Kieron Williams ran back an interception 23 yards for a touchdown, and Nate Gerry picked off two passes.

“I think it’s great to be 2-0 going into this game,” Nebraska coach Mike Riley said. “The more you win, the more exciting the next game gets. This one, being who they are and what they mean nationally and where we want to go, this is exciting.”

THE TAKEAWAY

WYOMING: The Cowboys hung with the Huskers for three quarters, but there was no way Wyoming was going to survive six turnovers — all in the second half. Allen did show flashes, like when he rolled right and threw a perfect strike on a 35-yard pass to Gentry for touchdown on a fourth-and-12 late in the first half.

NEBRASKA: The Huskers put up some big offensive numbers, but they struggled again with personal fouls and other penalties, which could come back to bite them against better opponents. The defense shut down Wyoming star running back Brian Hill — good preparation for Oregon’s Royce Freeman next week.

KEY NUMBERS

WYOMING: Gentry had seven catches for 124 yards with one touchdown and now has five career 100-yard games, including two straight.

NEBRASKA: Alonzo Moore had three catches for a career-high 109 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown. The Huskers’ five interceptions were the most since they picked off five passes against Idaho in 2010.

UP NEXT

WYOMING: The Cowboys return home to play UC Davis of the FCS Big Sky Conference for the first time. The teams have a one-game contract, with Wyoming paying a $400,000 guarantee.

NEBRASKA: The Huskers’ game against Oregon is especially meaningful to Riley, the former Oregon State coach who was 4-10 against the Ducks with his usually-outmanned Beaver teams (1997-98, 2003-14).

LAST WORD

“We went into the fourth quarter down seven. It was within reach. It just didn’t happen… Everyone’s hurting. I’m hurting. I take this one completely on myself. I didn’t put our team in a position to win,” Allen said.

— Associated Press —

Week 4 Area High School Football Scores

Posted on September 10, 2016September 10, 2016

CITY
Park Hill South 35, Central 24 4TH Q – PPD to SAT 11 AM

Smithville 29, Benton 6

Lafayette 35, Savannah 0

Maryville 50, Bishop LeBlond 3

Stanberry 62, St. Joseph Christian 42

AREA
MEC
Chillicothe 55, Cameron 6

KCI
East Buchanan 32, Plattsburg 13

Hamilton 40, Mid-Buchanan 12

Lathrop 53, West Platte 0

Lawson 47, North Platte 19

GRC
Polo 36, Gallatin 21

Maysville 48, South Harrison 14

Trenton 40, Princeton 21

Putnam County 36, Milan 7

8-MAN
GRC
Worth County 56, Albany 14

King City 66, Pattonsburg 16

275
East Atchison 62, DeKalb 14

Rock Port 56, North-West Nodaway 0

South Holt / Nodaway Holt 66, Platte Valley 12

NON-CONFERENCE
Stewartsville 56, Braymer 28

Kansas City drops series opener against White Sox 7-2

Posted on September 10, 2016

CHICAGO (AP) — While the Chicago White Sox face a near impossible task to reach the postseason, they have made life miserable this week for division rivals with better odds.

Carlos Rodon struck out a season-high nine over six innings, Adam Eaton doubled twice and scored two runs and the White Sox downed Kansas City 7-2 on Friday night.

The Royals lost for the sixth time in nine games and remained four games out of the second AL wild card. Detroit beat Baltimore to pull even with the Orioles for the final postseason berth.

The White Sox took two of three against the Tigers earlier this week.

“When you can beat division rivals and good, quality teams, it kind of shows the quality of team that we have here that we really haven’t produced on a consistent basis,” Eaton said. “I know I’ve been preaching consistency, but it’s truly what has lacked within our game.”

Rodon (7-8) ran into trouble in the sixth when he loaded the bases. Manager Robin Ventura kept him in, and he fanned Paulo Orlando on his 116th pitch for the third out and move to 5-0 in his last seven starts.

“It’s huge. It helps me build my confidence as well,” Rodon said. “I’m glad he trusts in me to get that last guy out. No matter how many pitches I’m at, I always want to get that last out.”

Eaton doubled to lead off the first and fifth innings off Yordano Ventura (10-10) and scored each time on Melky Cabrera RBI. Tyler Saladino had three hits and drove in two runs in Chicago’s third straight win.

Kendrys Morales had a two-run single in the first inning for Kansas City. Lorenzo Cain started for the first time since Aug. 30 following a wrist injury and reached base three times with a single and two walks despite pain when he squeezes the bat.

“That shows his value,” manager Ned Yost said. “He finds a way to produce.”

The 23-year-old Rodon struggled early this season and went on the disabled list after he sprained his left wrist slipping on the dugout steps. But the lefty has been sharp since returning.

“He was great,” Ventura said. “Innings where they started to get guys on and it got a little dicey, he’s finding a way to reach and find something else, another level.”

In his career-high 24th start, Rodon allowed two runs — one earned — and six hits while lowering his ERA to 1.85 ERA in his past seven outings, all quality starts.

Jose Abreu and Justin Morneau added RBI singles as Chicago had 13 hits.

Ventura allowed five runs — four earned — and 10 hits over seven innings in taking his first loss in seven starts.

Dan Jennings got five outs and Tommy Kahnle worked the ninth for the White Sox, who have won five of seven. They remain four games under .500, though, and eight games out of the final playoff spot.

“When you take three games from division rivals that are atop the division, it’s fun to do,” Eaton said. “It should instill confidence in us.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: C Salvador Perez (bruised right wrist) sat out a second straight game. “He still feels it a little bit when he swings,” Yost said. “We’ll shoot for tomorrow.” … LHP Matt Strahm left to attend his grandfather’s funeral and was expected back Saturday.

White Sox: Struggling RHP James Shields was cleared to start Saturday after complaining of a sore back in his last outing. Shields hasn’t missed a start since 2007. “I just want to post every five days and throw 200 innings,” Shields said. “I’m obviously not going to get (200 innings) this year for the first time in nine seasons, which is disappointing.”

HOT SOX

Abreu went 2 for 4 to improve to 22 for 50 (.440) with 16 RBI in his past 11 games. Saladino is 6 for 8 in the past two games.

TIRED SORIA

Yost said he’s been overusing struggling reliever Joakim Soria and planned to limit his appearances. Soria has six blown saves and eight losses.

UP NEXT

Shields (5-17, 6.07 ERA) will face Royals RHP Edinson Volquez (10-10, 5.02) on Saturday night.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western volleyball splits two home matches Friday

Posted on September 10, 2016September 10, 2016

Game One
ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western Volleyball team swept Oklahoma Baptist 3-0 (25-21 25-15 25-12) to open the Gold & Green Challenge at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons fought off 8 straight Bison points in the first set before finishing on a 6-2 run to win the opening set. Rachel Friedrichs had six of her team high 13 kills in the first set. Missouri Western raced out to an 8-3 second set lead and never looked back from there. The Griffons finished the set with 4 straight points capped by an ace from Tiana Butler. MWSU never trailed at any point in the third set and a Shellby Taylor kill would start a 9-1 run to close out the match for the Griffons.

Missouri Western finished with 47 kills and six aces as a team. The Griffons will play their second game of the Gold & Green Challenge at 6 p.m. against Missouri S&T in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Game Two
ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Volleyball lost to Missouri S&T 3-1 (25-20 23-25 21-25 30-32) in the Gold & Green Challenge at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons only allowed the Miners one lead in the first set and that was after the match’s first point. Missouri Western closed the first set with back to back kills from Rachel Friedrichs and Shellby Taylor. Second set saw the Griffons break out of the gates earlier with a 7-1 lead. S&T countered with an 11-1 run of their own to tie the match at 15. The Miners carried that momentum to win the second and third set.

Early in the fourth set, both teams traded multiple 4-0 runs. S&T had opportunities to put away the match but the Griffons bought back with kills by Ashley Mainord, Kelsey Olion and Rachel Friedrichs.

Friedrich led MWSU with 18 kills with Blair Russell adding 12. The Griffons split the day’s matches and will open play tomorrow at 9 a.m. against East Central and finish the day at 6 p.m. against Minnesota State.

— MWSU Athletics —