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Author: Dave Riggert

St. Louis’ skid continues as they lose series opener at Pittsburgh

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CardsClint Hurdle grabbed the brim of his cap and ducked his head. When pressed about what pleased him the most about Pittsburgh’s 9-2 win over St. Louis on Monday, a romp that propelled the resilient Pirates within a half-game of the NL Central lead, the manager thought for a moment and sighed.

”Getting a little picky aren’t we?” he asked with a smile.

Hurdle isn’t. Neither is his team as it tries to shrug off two decades of misery and mediocrity.

Francisco Liriano allowed one run over seven dominant innings, Pedro Alvarez hit his NL-leading 27th home run and the Pirates kicked off a pivotal series by sending the Cardinals to their season-high fourth straight loss.

Liriano (11-4) continued his midcareer renaissance by striking out eight and walking just two to win his fifth consecutive start.

”It’s been a good run for him being able to watch, and that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing,” Pittsburgh center fielder Andrew McCutchen said. ”I don’t get a lot of action when he’s on the mound. It makes it a lot easier for the defense.”

Having some help from an underachieving offense helps. The Pirates came in hitting just .221 with runners in scoring position, the worst mark in baseball. Clint Barmes smacked two doubles and drove in two runs and McCutchen added two hits as Pittsburgh went 5 for 13 with runners on second or third to continue its mastery over St. Louis starter Jake Westbrook.

The veteran right-hander fell to 1-8 against Pittsburgh in his otherwise solid resume. The Pirates touched Westbrook (7-5) for four runs in the first inning, capped by Alvarez’s three-run homer into the first row of seats in right field.

”It was a battle from pitch 1 — and it showed early on,” Westbrook said. ”It’s not really how you draw it up with a walk and a hit batsmen and a single and a homer. Put us in a bad spot against a good team and against a guy who’s throwing the ball really well.”

Hurdle stressed the need to not place too much focus on a late-July series, pointing out two more months remain after the five-game set wraps up on Thursday.

Maybe, but with the Pirates chasing their first playoff berth in 21 years and a chance to make inroads on the team with the best record in baseball, the game had an electricity typically reserved for early fall in cities far away from the one that hasn’t fielded a winner since 1992.

Lower-lever tickets were fetching $100 or more hours before the first pitch, and Liriano did not disappoint the largest Monday-night crowd (32,084) since the park opened.

The left-hander, whose path to stardom veered off track after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2007, had little trouble with the most explosive offense in the majors. He retired the first 10 batters he faced and kept the best-hitting team in the National League on its heels while dropping his ERA to 2.16.

”Frankie can answer,” Hurdle said. ”He’s been in big matchups before.”

So has Westbrook, who still hasn’t figured out a way to handle the Pirates. He was touched for four runs in the first inning of his previous start at PNC Park in April. The game was eventually washed out.

The weather couldn’t save him this time. Neither could Westbrook’s usually solid control. He issued three walks and hit three batters and never appeared comfortable.

”He’s going to go out there and give us whatever he’s got every time and for whatever reason this team’s just given him a tough time and he’s had a hard time in this stadium,” St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said.

Westbrook survived a bases-loaded jam in the second to stay close, but by then Liriano had all the support he would need. His only real mistake came in the sixth, when pinch-hitter Tony Cruz led off with a triple and scored on Carpenter’s single up the middle. A strikeout and a double play followed, and the Pirates broke it open in the seventh against relievers Marc Rzepczynski and Fernando Salas.

Garrett Jones started it with Pittsburgh’s first sacrifice fly to the outfield since May 27 and Barmes clubbed a two-run double as the Pirates batted around.

Even with its best offensive showing since the All-Star break, Hurdle isn’t so sure the Pirates made a statement.

”We’re a confident team,” he said. ”I think we’re a team whose confidence isn’t built on its last game. It’s not shattered by a losing streak. You continue to push through and that’s what we’ve done from Opening Day until now.”

— Associated Press —

Kansas opens against Wake Forest in Battle 4 Atlantis

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riggertKUKansas will square off against Wake Forest in the team’s first appearance in the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas, announced by tournament officials Monday.

Villanova, Tennessee, Iowa, UTEP, Xavier, USC join Kansas and Wake Forest to fill out the tournament field that will travel to the Bahamas, Nov. 28-30. Slightly less tropical, the Jayhawks will welcome Towson to Allen Fieldhouse for their first game of Battle 4 Atlantis on Nov. 22.

On Monday, the remainder of the bracket was released, unveiling that KU will play three games in the Bahamas, beginning with Wake Forest on Thursday, Nov. 28 at 2:30 p.m. CT on AXS TV. The Jayhawks will square off next against either Villanova or USC on Friday, Nov. 29. Tip-off times will be 8:30 p.m. CT with a KU victory against Wake Forest or 2:30 p.m. CT should the Jayhawks lose to Wake. The third day of the Battle 4 Atlantis is slated for Saturday, Nov. 30, with four games starting at noon CT and the championship contest beginning at 8:30 p.m. CT.

NBC Sports Network and AXS TV will televise the tournament field which boasts a combined 191 NCAA Tournament appearances, 25 Final Four appearances and five NCAA Championships.

Kansas went 31-6 in 2012-13 and won its unprecedented ninth-straight Big 12 and NCAA-leading 56th overall conference regular-season championship. Head coach Bill Self brings back 10 letterwinners, but no starters, from the team that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2012-13.

Reloading in a hurry, Self and his staff welcome eight newcomers to the 2013-14 roster – including the nation’s No. 1 recruit in guard Andrew Wiggins. Together, the class of 2013 comprises the second-ranked recruiting class in the country. KU is ranked as high as fifth in the 2013-14 national preseason polls.

Battle 4 Atlantis First Round Schedule – Thursday, Nov. 28
Game 1: Villanova vs. USC (live at 12 p.m. CT on AXS TV)
Game 2: KANSAS vs. Wake Forest (live at 2:30 p.m. CT on AXS TV)
Game 3: Xavier vs. Iowa (live at 6 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Network)
Game 4: Tennessee vs. UTEP (live at 8:30 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Network)

Battle 4 Atlantis Second Round Schedule – Friday, Nov. 29
Game 5: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser (live at 12 p.m. CT on AXS TV)
Game 6: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser (live at 2:30 p.m. CT on AXS TV)
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner (live at 6 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Network)
Game 8: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner (live at 8:30 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Network)

Battle 4 Atlantis Final Round Schedule – Saturday, Nov. 30
7th-8th Place: Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser (live at 12 p.m. CT on AXS TV)
5th-6th Place: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner (live at 2:30 p.m. CT on AXS TV)
3rd-4th Place: Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 loser (live at 6 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Network)
1st-2nd Place: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner (live at 8:30 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Network)

— KU Sports Information —

Kansas State athletics announces 2013 Hall of Fame Class

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riggertKStateK-State Athletics will honor a group of 10 outstanding individuals with induction into its Athletics Hall of Fame this October, school officials announced today.

The 2013 class of the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame, the first since 2008, includes former student-athletes Roy DeWitz (men’s basketball), Yana Dorodnova (women’s tennis), Lauren Goehring (volleyball), Steve Henson (men’s basketball), Jaime Mendez (football), Tammie Romstad (women’s basketball) and Austra Skuyte (track and field), former Athletics Director Bebe Lee as well as long-time supporters Dr. Richard Baker and Jack and Joanna Goldstein.

“Re-engaging our hall of fame process has been an important goal and is an integral step in our vision of a model intercollegiate athletics program,” said Kenny Lannou, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications and K-State Athletics Hall of Fame Chairperson. “Each of these 10 inductees has made a lasting impact on K-State Athletics and Kansas State University, and we look forward to welcome them back to Manhattan this fall for a special weekend.”

The class is the 10th in the history of the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame, including the charter class of 1990, and will be honored during the weekend of K-State’s football game vs. Baylor on Oct. 12.

The official induction of the 2013 class will take place during ceremonies on Friday, Oct. 11. The class will also be recognized at halftime of the football game against Baylor the following day.

More ceremony details, including ticket information, will be announced in the coming weeks.

K-State Athletics Hall of Fame – Class of 2013 Biographies

Roy DeWitz, men’s basketball (1956-58)
A first team All-American and first team All-Big 8 selection in 1958… Helped lead K-State to the 1956 and 1958 Big 7 titles and a berth in the 1958 Final Four… Averaged 9.0 points and 5.6 rebounds in 68 career games… Captained the 1957-58 team that posted a 22-5 overall record and captured the Big 7 title and a trip to the Final Four… Drafted by Detroit in the third round of the 1958 NBA draft.

Yana Dorodnova, women’s tennis (1996-98)
Advanced the farthest of any Wildcat in school history in the NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Singles Championships, as she reached the quarterfinals of the 1998 event… 1998 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American, concluded her senior season with a 25-10 record… Completed career with a 57-30 singles record and ranks fourth in school history for career singles winning percentage at .655… The product of Moscow, Russia, ended her career as a two-time All-Big 12 singles honoree and a two-time All-Big 12 doubles recipient… Two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete… Two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team.

Lauren Goehring, volleyball (2000-03)
2003 AVCA All-America First Team… 2003 Big 12 Player of the Year… Led the 2003 squad to the Big 12 Championship, a No. 3 national ranking and a berth in the Sweet 16… 2002 AVCA All-District Second Team… All-Big 12 First Team: 2003, 2002… Academic All-District Second Team: 2003… Academic All-Big 12 First Team: 2003, 2001 (second team in 2002)… Career Rankings: 1st hitting percentage (.354); 7th kills (1212); 8th block assists (380)… Single Season records: 1st hitting percentage (.409, 2003); 5th hitting percentage (.370, 2002); 7th hitting percentage (.354, 2000)… 1212 career kills are the most by a middle blocker in school history… Has two seasons in the Triple-Triple Club: 100+ kills, digs, blocks (or assists).

Steve Henson, men’s basketball, track & field (1987-90)
A two-time honorable mention All-American and the only player in school history to play in four NCAA Tournaments… Helped lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament in 1987-88-89-90, including an Elite Eight appearance in 1988… Earned first team All-Big 8 honors and averaged 18.5 points per game to lead the Cats in scoring in 1989… Led K-State in scoring in 1990, averaging 17.4 ppg… Still ranks No. 5 all time in scoring (1,655 points) and field goals (527) and is the school’s all-time assist leader with 582… Also holds Kansas State career records for three-point field goals (240), games played (127), starts (118) and minutes played (1,243)… Converted 90 percent (361 of 401) of his career free throw attempts and is K-State’s all-time percentage leader… In all, broke 21 school records and etched his name among K-State’s top 10 performers in 41 different statistical categories during his career… A member of K-State’s 10-man All-Century team… Also competed on the K-State track and field team as a decathlete three seasons… Selected in the second round of the 1990 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.. Went on to play six seasons in the league… Coached in both the college and professional ranks following his NBA career.

Jaime Mendez, football (1990-93)
A consensus first team All-American in 1993 (AP, Kodak, FB News, Athlon’s, NFL Draft Report)… Earned second team All-America honors from UPI in 1993… A three-time All-Big 8 selection at safety, including first team honors in 1992 and 1993… K-State’s 1993 defensive MVP… One of eight semifinalist for the 1993 Thorpe Award (nation’s top defensive back)… Played in both the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl all-star games in January 1994… Owns K-State records for both interceptions in a game (4 vs. Temple, 1992) and career (15)… Had six interceptions in both 1990 and 1992, third most on K-State’s single-season chart… Ranks third all-time at K-State in passes defended with 48… Member of K-State’s Football Ring of Honor.

Tammie Romstad, women’s basketball (1978-82)
Ranks seventh on K-State’s career scoring chart with 1,548 points… K-State jersey has been retired… A two-time Wade Trophy finalist in 1981 and 1982… Named to the Kodak All-Region VI team… A third team All-American… Earned WBL region VI All-America honors in 1980… Once held both K-State single-season scoring (686) and rebounding (337) marks… Served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at K-State during the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons… Coached Independence Community College to a third-place finish in the 1993 NJCAA Tournament… Selected as both the Kansas Coaches Association and Region VI Coach of the year.

Austra Skuyte, women’s track and field (2001-02)
Only woman in history to compete at four Olympic Games in heptathlon… Only woman in school history with multiple NCAA Championships… 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist: heptathlon, 2012 Olympics: 5th place… Key to women’s team winning back-to-back Big 12 outdoor championships… 2002 Big 12 outdoor champion: long jump… Competed in 7 different events at 2002 Big 12 Outdoor Championship to tally 25 points toward team total… 2001 Big 12 outdoor champion: heptathlon… Back-to-back Big 12 Indoor Champion: pentathlon 2001, 2002 – score from 2001 is a Big 12 Championship record… 2001 Big 12 Outdoor Champion: heptathlon (6,150 pts is still Big 12 record)… 2002 Big 12 Performer of the Year Indoors… 2002 Big 12 Championship High Point Scorer Indoors… 2001 and 2002 Big 12 Performer of the Year Outdoors… 2001 and 2002 Big 12 Championship High Point Scorer Outdoors… Named to Big 12 10th Anniversary Team… Helped team to 5th place finish at 2002 NCAA Championship… Heptathlon champion and shot put runner-up to score 18 points for team total of 30… Score of 4439 pts in pentathlon at 2002 Big 12 Championship was a collegiate record at the time and held the record until 2008… 4-time All-American… Still ranks in top 10 in school history in nine events… 4-time European Cup Champion in heptathlon – 2002 title was immediately following her senior year.

H.B. ‘Bebe’ Lee, administrator
Athletics Director from 1956-1968… Became the youngest AD in the Big Seven upon his arrival at K-State… The K-State men’s basketball team, under the direction of hall of fame coach Tex Winter, advanced to six NCAA tournaments and Final Four appearances in 1958 and 1964 with Lee at the helm of the department… The Stanford graduate was instrumental in the growth and development of K-State Athletics which included the acquisition of land to build a new football stadium (Bill Snyder Family Stadium) and the eventual location of the Wildcats’ current baseball, track and field, basketball and indoor practice facilities… Hired Vince Gibson as K-State’s football coach… Lee left K-State to start his own business in 1968, as Ernie Barrett stepped in as the Wildcats’ next athletics director.

Jack and Joann Goldstein, contributor
The couple has assisted in a number of K-State athletics facility projects including: Bramlage Coliseum, Vanier Complex renovation, Colbert Hills Golf Course, Football Practice Field renovation and the Academic Learning Center… Also made contributions to the reserve funds of the Athletic Director, Football and Men’s Basketball… One of the most philanthropic families in Manhattan, contributing to but not limited to: K-State Foundation, Mercy Hospital, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, Manhattan Rotary, Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community, Manhattan Arts Council, Manhattan Public Library and the Beach Museum of Art… After  Jack’s passing in 2010, family left a legacy of giving through their company Steel and Pipe… Steel and Pipe has made significant contributions to recent facility projects such as the Basketball Training Facility and the West Stadium Center.

Dr. Richard Baker, contributor
Considered the pioneer of K-State Athletics sports medicine… Served as team physician for K-State student-athletes for four decades (1979-2002)… He personally provided medical coverage for all athletics teams from 1979-1982… He and his wife, Shirely, have been Ahearn Fund members and K-State supporters for 35 years… Donated more than 20,000 hours to Wildcat student-athletes during his tenure.

— KSU Sports Information —

KU-Texas football game to be broadcast on Jayhawk Television Network

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riggertKUThe Jayhawk Television Network will broadcast the Kansas-Texas football game on Nov. 2 in Austin, Texas. The game will be produced by Time Warner Cable’s Metro Sports alongside the Longhorn Network. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m., at UT’s Darrell K. Royal-Texas Stadium.

In addition to the game broadcast, Metro Sports will also be adding a pre- and post-game show for this game, like those scheduled around all home games during the 2013 season.

The Kansas-Texas game will be the second telecast of the 2013 football season for the Jayhawk TV Network as it is also broadcasting the KU season-opener against South Dakota on Saturday, Sept. 7. Game time for the KU-USD game is slated for 6 p.m., at Memorial Stadium.

Statewide coverage plans for the Jayhawk Television Network games will be released soon. JTV is currently available in the Kansas City area on Metro Sports via Time Warner Cable and Comcast, and on WOW in Lawrence.

Kansas opens its 2013 fall camp on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

— KU Sports Information —

Royals defeat White Sox in 12 innings for sixth straight win

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RoyalsIt’s down to the last couple days of July, and the Kansas City Royals have an equal amount of wins and losses.

It’s a small step, but it’s somewhere to start.

Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning and the Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Sunday for their sixth consecutive victory.

”This is a lot of fun,” Gordon said. ”We have a lot of guys that are playing well and picking each other up and just a good team right now.”

Kansas City (51-51) matched its longest winning streak of the season and got back to .500 for the first time since it beat Cleveland 2-1 on June 17 to improve to 34-34.

It’s the best record for the Royals this late in the year since they finished the 2003 season with an 83-79 mark, according to STATS.

”To get here was big,” manager Ned Yost said. ”Now we got to get past it and just stay focused day to day.”

With no outs and Jarrod Dyson on third in the 12th, the White Sox brought their infield in, but it didn’t matter one bit.

Gordon drove a 2-2 pitch from Donnie Veal (1-1) over the wall in center for his first homer since July 7 and No. 10 on the year.

Gordon went 1 for 6 and is batting .121 (4 for 33) over his past eight games, but it hardly mattered to him after coming up with the clutch swing.

”One hit’s fine with me as long as it wins the game,” the All-Star outfielder said.

Aaron Crow (7-3) tossed a scoreless inning to get the win and Greg Holland finished for his 27th save in 29 chances. Holland has converted each of his past 20 opportunities.

The White Sox had a chance to win the game in the 10th, but Dyson threw out pinch runner Blake Tekotte at the plate to end the inning. Tekotte was trying to score from second on Alejandro De Aza’s sharp single to center field.

Adam Dunn homered for last-place Chicago, which closed out a 3-7 homestand with its ninth loss in 12 games overall. Paul Konerko also had an RBI single.

The White Sox had three runs and 21 hits in the series sweep.

”I think pitching-wise, our guys gave us every opportunity,” manager Robin Ventura said. ”We just didn’t come up with much. That’s frustrating and all that stuff going with it. Just has to be better if you’re going to win games.”

David Lough, who made a terrific catch in the ninth inning of Kansas City’s 1-0 victory on Saturday night, helped the Royals get off to a fast start in the series finale. He singled in Alcides Escobar with two out in the first, then walked and scored on Miguel Tejada’s double in the fourth.

Dunn responded in the sixth, driving a 1-1 pitch from Bruce Chen over the wall in center to tie it at 2. It was Dunn’s 25th homer of the season and No. 431 for his career, tying Cal Ripken for 43rd on the all-time list.

Dunn also helped set up Chicago’s first run with a two-out walk in the first that moved Alex Rios into scoring position. Konerko followed with a run-scoring single into left field.

Chen allowed three hits, struck out five and walked two in six innings. The crafty left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts since joining the rotation.

”It’s one of those things. You want to help the team in any way you can,” said Chen, who is 4-0 with a 2.09 ERA in 22 appearances on the year, ”and I’m glad that I was able to help this team and we got the victory today.”

White Sox left-hander Hector Santiago struck out seven in 6 2-3 innings. He allowed five hits and walked four.

”Yeah, it’s just been the story the whole year,” Santiago said. ”Try to keep us in the game and keep it close enough where we have a chance and for the most part that’s what we did.”

— Associated Press —

St. Louis gets swept by Atlanta with 5-2 loss Sunday

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CardsJason Heyward homered and drove in two runs to help the Atlanta Braves beat St. Louis 5-2 on Sunday night, capping their first three-game sweep of the Cardinals at home in 10 years.

The Braves broke a 2-all tie with two runs in the sixth inning off rookie Shelby Miller (10-7) and two relievers. Pinch-hitter Joey Terdoslavich drove in Chris Johnson with the go-ahead run. Heyward added another run-scoring single.

Heyward has nine homers this season, including two in the series between NL division leaders.

Kris Medlen (7-10) allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk in six innings to snap his three-game losing streak.

— Associated Press —

Davis outpitches Sale as KC hangs on to beat Chicago 1-0

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RoyalsKansas City manager Ned Yost thought it was a hit. Greg Holland was preparing for a tie game. David Lough had other ideas.

Lough made a terrific diving catch to rob Jeff Keppinger of a tying RBI single in the ninth inning, helping Wade Davis and the Royals beat Chris Sale and the Chicago White Sox 1-0 Saturday night for their fifth consecutive victory.

Lough’s grab in right was part of a terrific defensive performance for Kansas City. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain and shortstop Alcides Escobar also chipped in with two nice plays apiece.

”We play great defense every night,” manager Ned Yost said. ”I mean it was a great play by David Lough, but we play solid, solid good defense every single night for the most part.”

Davis (5-9) allowed four hits – all singles – and walked three in a season-high 7 1-3 innings. The right-hander, who came over with James Shields in Kansas City’s big offseason trade with Tampa Bay, was 0-4 with a 10.91 ERA in his previous four starts.

”I got ahead of a lot more guys tonight,” Davis said. ”I got some early swings to help me get deeper in the ballgame, too, and defense was pretty good today.”

Louis Coleman came in after Alejandro De Aza’s single in the eighth and got Alexei Ramirez to ground into a double play. Holland then worked a shaky ninth for his 26th save in 28 chances.

The White Sox had runners on the corners with one out when Lough scrambled in to grab Keppinger’s liner. Alex Rios did not tag up on the play, and pinch hitter Conor Gillaspie struck out to end the game.

”No-doubles (defense), so I was a little deeper than what I normally would be on Keppinger,” Lough said. ”He kind of hit it pretty hard out there, thought I had a chance at it so I went for it and I was able to make the catch.”

It was another hard-luck loss for Sale (6-10), who allowed seven hits and struck out seven in his fourth career complete game. The All-Star left-hander is 1-8 with a 2.84 ERA in his last 10 starts.

”Just keep grinding. Stay on top and keep your head up,” Sale said. ”Things will turn around.”

Billy Butler and Eric Hosmer had two hits apiece for the Royals, who have won seven of nine overall. Butler went 2 for 3 with a walk and is batting .450 (18 for 40) in his last 11 games.

Hosmer and Butler started the sixth with consecutive singles. Hosmer advanced to third on Salvador Perez’s fly ball to deep center and came home when Cain doubled down the third-base line.

Cain’s hit put runners on second and third with one out, but Sale retired Lough on a harmless comebacker and struck out Miguel Tejada to end the inning.

”He pitched great tonight,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. ”There’s no question about it. You can’t be perfect, but he’s pretty dang close.”

The White Sox threatened in the bottom half, putting runners on the corners with two out. Paul Konerko then hit a drive to center, forcing Cain to make a nice running catch.

Davis waited on the dirt outside of the dugout to congratulate Cain as he hustled in from the outfield, but he was only getting started. Cain made an even better catch for the first out of the seventh, crashing into the wall while taking a hit away from Keppinger.

The second play prompted a few of the Royals to wave their hats toward center while Cain got himself together for the next pitch. He came out in the eighth due to tightness in his left groin, but the Royals said it was precautionary.

”He’s got a little bit of a groin strain, why we took him out,” Yost said. ”He’s day to day. Probably rest him tomorrow because we’ve got an off day on Monday, grab him two days right there.”

It was more than just Cain on a nice defensive night for both teams.

Escobar ranged up the middle and made a spinning throw to retire Keppinger in the second. Then he got Josh Phegley with another strong throw in the fifth after his grounder deflected off the glove of third baseman Tejada.

Second baseman Gordon Beckham and shortstop Ramirez each had a defensive gem for the White Sox. Beckham nearly misplayed Tejada’s second-inning popup, but recovered in time to make a tumbling grab in short center field. Ramirez made a diving stop on Perez’s grounder up the middle in the fourth, and then managed to shovel the ball to Beckham at second for the forceout.

— Associated Press —

Cardinals come up short and lose second straight to Braves

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CardsAndrelton Simmons and the Braves haven’t said much about last year’s NL wild-card loss to the Cardinals.

Beating the Cardinals in July won’t make up for that playoff defeat. But Simmons said it’s a start.

Simmons hit a two-run double in the eighth inning and the Braves, boosted by Julio Teheran’s sharp outing, beat the Cardinals 2-0 Saturday in a matchup of NL division leaders.

The Braves have won the first two games of the first series between the teams this season. The Cardinals beat the Braves 6-3 at Turner Field in last season’s wild-card game.

”They’re a great team,” said Simmons of the Cardinals. ”They got us last year in a pretty big game. We owe them some. It’s good to see this team beating them.”

Teheran allowed two hits in seven innings, striking out six and walking one.

Simmons’ bases-loaded, two-out double came on a 99 mph fastball from Trevor Rosenthal. With the count at 2-1, Simmons was looking for a fastball.

”I know he was behind in the count and I know he’s comfortable with his fastball,” Simmons said. ”He throws pretty hard. I was ready for it. … I was just looking for something over the plate and he threw it somewhere I could reach it.”

Randy Choate (1-1) walked Freddie Freeman to open the eighth. Evan Gattis struck out and Brian McCann singled. Rosenthal relieved and struck out Dan Uggla before walking Chris Johnson to load the bases.

Luis Avilan (3-0) pitched a perfect eighth and Craig Kimbrel recorded three outs to earn his 30th save.

Cardinals starter Joe Kelly pitched 6 1-3 scoreless innings, allowing seven hits and walking three in only his fourth start of the season and first appearance since July 12.

”Very, very impressive,” said Cardinals manager Mike Matheny. ”It was maybe the best I’ve ever seen him throw. Everything. His aggressiveness, his slider, breaking ball, changeup, all of them were as good as I’ve seen.

”That was exactly what we were asking for, and then some.”

Kelly may have earned himself another opportunity as the Cardinals’ No. 5 starter.

”I like pitching, period,” he said. ”To be in the rotation would be awesome but I just take the ball when they tell me and take the opportunity when I get out there.

”I’m pitching right now in the moment. I feel like my stuff is there, in the zone.”

Kelly matched Teheran through the sixth before finding trouble in the seventh.

With one out, Simmons singled and moved to third on pinch-hitter Joey Terdoslavich’s soft double to the left-center gap.

Kelly issued an intentional walk to Jason Heyward to load the bases. Right-hander Michael Maness replaced Kelly and got Justin Upton to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Teheran allowed a two-out double to Matt Holliday in the first and then walked Allen Craig. The right-hander permitted only one baserunner – Jon Jay doubled in the fifth – through the next six innings.

”I think that’s the best game I’ve ever pitched,” Teheran said. ”The command I had today, I think that’s the best I’ve had this year.”

Holliday was activated off the 15-day disabled list before the game. He had been out since July 12 with a strained right hamstring.

Simmons hit eighth as Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez juggled his lineup. Heyward hit leadoff for only the second game this season. Upton, normally the No. 3 hitter, batted second for the first time in 2013.

Simmons had two hits. He ranks second on the team with 14 go-ahead RBIs, but said he was overdue to deliver the clutch hit.

”I know I’ve been struggling with runners in scoring position this year,” Simmons said. ”I’ve been trying, but it’s nice to see results.”

— Associated Press —

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