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Missouri Western volleyball sweeps Arkansas-Fort Smith

WICHITA, Kan. – The 25th-ranked Missouri Western volleyball team (6-3) began its weekend in Wichita with a 3-0 sweep of Arkansas – Fort Smith (5-4) Friday. It was the first of three matches the Griffons will play at the 2018 Jet Classic hosted by Newman University.

After comfortably winning their first set with a .324 team hitting percentage, the Griffons’ second set was the most competitive. After three straight points by the Lions, Marian Carbin called a timeout with the Griffons down 19-17 in the second set. The two point deficit would end up being the largest deficit of the day for the Griffons, as they went on to score four straight points and secure the 25-23 set win. Missouri Western completed the sweep with a 25-21 win in set three that saw the Griffons limit Arkansas-Fort Smith to a .190 hitting percentage, .161 in the match.

Stephanie Doak continued her impressive early season play, leading the Griffons in kills once again with 13 and added a team-high two blocks. Sam Duncan recorded 10 kills. Lauren Murphy led all players with 36 total assists. Murphy also led all players with three service aces. Audrey Keim led Missouri Western with 15 digs to add her to her 147 total digs on the season.

Missouri Western will play its remaining two matches of the tournament on Saturday. The Griffons next match will be against host Newman, Saturday at noon.

— MWSU Athletics —

St. Louis loses opener at Detroit on Candelario’s walk-off HR

DETROIT (AP) — Jeimer Candelario left the St. Louis Cardinals with a sinking feeling.

Candelario connected on a 102 mph sinker from Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks, hitting a two-run homer in the ninth inning Friday night that gave the Detroit Tigers a 5-3 victory.

“There are guys who throw a soft 100 mph fastball — you can see it coming and you can time it,” Tigers catcher James McCann said. “Hicks is throwing a hard 103. It is right on top of you, and it moves. It’s tough to make contact, and he barreled it up.”

Hicks, who was facing his sixth batter, gave Candelario most of the credit.

“I was sharp and I was trying to pound the strike zone,” he said. “He just got good wood on it and the ball left the yard. I can’t mourn a mistake. I just have to get better.”

Candelario’s second career game-ending homer was made more special by the presence of his family.

“This is a blast,” he said in a postgame television interview. “To do this, not just in front of the fans, but in front of my family.”

Marcell Ozuna homered twice for St. Louis, which has lost four of six. The Cardinals hold a slim lead for the second NL wild-card spot.

“I’m trying to be more aggressive,” Ozuna said. “When my shoulder was hurting, I couldn’t stay inside, but now I feel better and I can hit that pitch.”

The Tigers won their third in a row.

“That’s a lot of fun,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Those guys are in a pennant race and we’re not, but we stepped up and got a victory. Those are the moments you enjoy.”

Hicks (3-4) retired the first five batters he faced, but rookie Victor Reyes slapped a 102 mph fastball to left with one out in the ninth, and Candelario hit his 18th homer on the next pitch.

“Candy is still learning at this level, but he’s a strong young man,” Gardenhire said. “He has some tough at-bats, but he can also do that.”

Detroit closer Shane Greene (3-6) worked a scoreless ninth.

Tigers starter Daniel Norris allowed three runs on four hits and a walk in five innings. He struck out seven and gave up both of Ozuna’s homers.

“I learned not to throw him a fastball over the plate,” he said.

Norris was making his second start after missing four months with groin surgery and was starting at home for the first time since April 20.

“It was great to be out there in front of our fans, wearing our white jerseys and feeling healthy,” he said. “It’s been a long road back.”

Cardinals starter Austin Gomber gave up three runs on six hits and three walks in six-plus innings, striking out six.

Ozuna led off the second with a home run, much to the delight of the large contingent of Cardinals fans. The Tigers made it 1-all in the bottom of the inning on Dawel Lugo’s RBI groundout.

Ozuna connected for his 20th homer to begin the fourth. He also hit two home runs against Washington on Tuesday.

The Cardinals took a 3-1 lead in the fifth when Kolten Wong doubled, took third when Norris balked and scored on Francisco Pena’s sacrifice fly.

Gomber retired the first two batters in the bottom half, but Reyes beat out a bunt single and the Tigers loaded the bases on Candelario’s base hit and Goodrum’s walk. Nicholas Castellanos lined a tying, two-run single.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: C Yadier Molina is expected to miss the three-game series in Detroit with a hamstring injury.

REYES KEEPS IMPROVING

Reyes, a Rule 5 pick who had never played above Double-A ball before this season, was hitting .118 with no walks or extra-base hits after the first 25 games of his career. Since then, playing more regularly, he is batting .261 in 60 games and hit his first career homer last week in New York.

“Once I gave him a chance, he’s worked hard to become a major league player, and we expect him to stay here next year,” Gardenhire said.

THROWBACK WEEKEND

The Tigers are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their 1968 World Series win over the Cardinals during the weekend series. Five players from the 1968 team threw out first pitches on Friday, and a ceremony will be held before Saturday’s game.

UP NEXT

The teams continue the series Saturday night. Matthew Boyd (9-12, 4.24) will start for the Tigers against Jack Flaherty (8-6, 2.83).

— Associated Press —

Northwest volleyball defeats Ouachita Baptist in three sets

WICHITA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team scored a 3-0 sweep over Ouachita Baptist at the Jet Classic. Northwest won by set scores of 25-20, 25-22, 25-22.

Northwest (6-3 overall) got a match-high 13 kills from Maddy Bruder. Maddy Ahrens recorded her third double-double of the season with 29 assists and 13 digs. Olivia Nowakowski posted a team-best 14 digs. Hallie Sidney was credited with four blocks.

The opening set featured 12 ties and five lead changes before Northwest closed it out on a 5-0 run. The run was begun when Nowakowski notched a pair of service aces. Sofia Schleppenbach got a solo block for the clinching point to give the Bearcats a 25-20 victory.

Northwest held an 18-13 lead in the second set before Ouachita Baptist rallied to knot it at 18-18. But Northwest refused to yield and answered with a 4-0 spurt that led to a 25-22 triumph.

The Bearcats trailed 10-7 early in the third set before a 5-0 run gave Northwest its first lead of the final set. The run was keyed by a pair of blocks from Sidney and Elkins. Northwest would go on to take the third set, 25-22.

Northwest will return to the court on Saturday for a pair of matches against St. Edward’s (10 a.m.) and Newman (6 p.m.).

— Northwest Athletics —

Mizzou’s Porter selected to attend NCAA Elite Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete Symposium

COLUMBIA, MO. – Mizzou sophomore forward Jontay Porter is one of 14 Division I players selected to attend the NCAA Elite Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete Symposium from Sept. 7-9 at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis. He’ll be joined by his father, Mizzou assistant coach Michael Porter Sr., at the event.

This is third annual symposium, which is designed for men’s basketball student-athletes who have an interest in continuing their playing careers professionally. Porter is the first Mizzou Basketball representative to attend the symposium since its inception.

“I’m honored­ to be selected to attend the Elite Student-Athlete Symposium and represent Mizzou,” Porter said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to continue preparing for the next level and life after college. I’m excited to grow and bring back what I learn to my teammates.”

An important piece of the NCAA Leadership Development program, the symposium is intended to educate college players on the expectations and responsibilities of being a professional athlete as well as planning post-professional career opportunities. The weekend will include a former student-athlete panel session, agent and players’ union discussions, engagement with professional leagues and a seminar on personal branding.

Porter appeared in all 33 games as a freshman last season for Mizzou and earned a share of the 2017-18 SEC Sixth Man of the Year Award after averaging 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Porter ranked sixth in all of the SEC in rebounding while leading the league’s freshmen.

After an impressive rookie campaign, Porter tested his NBA Draft stock earlier this spring before withdrawing his name and returning for his sophomore season at Mizzou. Porter returns as a key piece for a team coming off its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State soccer gets blanked by Truman State

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

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

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

— Northwest Athletics —

Griffons upset No. 5 Fort Hays State 23-13

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

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

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

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

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

— MWSU Athletics —

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Northwest Athletics —

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— MWSU Athletics —

Royals drop series finale at Cleveland 3-1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jason Kipnis had a sacrifice fly and two hits.

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

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

DONALDSON PLAN

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

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

TRAINER’S ROOM

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

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

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

UP NEXT

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

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

— Associated Press —

Adams homers twice, Cardinals hold off Nationals 7-6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carpenter later scored to make it 5-0.

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

TRAINER’S ROOM

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

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

UP NEXT

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

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

— Associated Press —

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