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Northwest names Brandon Masters as cross country/track & field coach

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Northwest Missouri State Director of Athletics Andy Peterson has announced the hiring of Brandon Masters as the head coach for cross country and track and field for the Bearcats.

“I’m ecstatic that Brandon and his family have decided to join us at Northwest Missouri State and lead our Bearcat cross country and track and field programs,” Peterson said. “He has proven success as a head coach in developing student-athletes, not only as individuals, but as a team that performs both on the track and in the classroom. I’m excited for the holistic future of our track and field and cross country programs under Coach Masters’ leadership.”

“I’m truly honored to take on this challenge as the head coach at Northwest Missouri State,” Masters said. “This is a one of a kind opportunity to be part of opening the brand new 300-meter track in the state-of-the-art Hughes Fieldhouse. I know this track & field and cross country program has the potential to be great. I promise to bring leadership and a work ethic that will match the success already achieved by this school and athletic department. This team will be a family defined by hard work, a team-first culture, and a desire to be the best, together. I want to thank Andy Peterson and the administration for believing in me and giving me the support to make this program special. I am ready to get to work.”

Masters led an expansion of the track and field programs at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in the fall of 2015. He has served as co-head coach for the Mountain Lions in each of the previous two seasons. In 2017-18, UCCS won the women’s indoor RMAC title and the men’s indoor squad placed second at the RMAC championship.

Masters and co-head coach Ross Fellows captured Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference coach of the year honors in indoor women’s track and field in 2018. The Mountain Lions women’s indoor team placed 13th in the 2018 NCAA Div. II national championship meet.

One of Masters’ student-athletes, Skylyn Webb, became the first women’s outdoor track and field student-athlete at UCCS to win a national championship. As national champion, Webb set a new meet and championship record in the 800m with a time of 2:02.47 while also qualifying for the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Championships. Webb placed 15th overall at the U.S. Championships.

The Mountain Lions carried a 3.22 cumulative grade point average, while posting 24 NCAA Div. II national qualifying marks and notching 15 NCAA Div. II All-America awards in the 2017-18 season. Masters oversaw 11 all-RMAC indoor performances and 23 all-RMAC outdoor accolades. The Mountain Lions captured the RMAC freshman of the year, RMAC athlete of the meet and RMAC indoor track athlete of the year honors in 2017-18. The Mountain Lions set 25 school records under Masters’ direction.

In 2016-17, Masters coached two All-Americans, who earned the status two times each, with a total of four national qualifiers over the indoor and outdoor seasons.

Prior to coaching at UCCS, Masters was a successful coach at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. Masters spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Missouri S&T and was a part of back-to-back men’s outdoor Great Lakes Valley Conference team championships.

Masters coached the GLVC men’s indoor and outdoor pole vault champion at Missouri S&T. The vaulter went on to a No. 12 finish at the national outdoor championships. He coached 10 student-athletes at the national championships in pole vault at Missouri S&T.

Masters was an assistant coach at UCCS for four seasons before his position at Missouri S&T. He coached the Mountain Lion jumpers to four All-America performances, 106 All-RMAC performances, 10 conference champions, 14 All-USTFCCCA region selections and two USATF Junior National Qualifiers.

Masters was a three-time All-American in the pole vault and a national qualifier in the decathlon at Emporia State. He earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors for the Hornets all four seasons. Masters was a graduate assistant at Emporia State in 1999 and was a member of the coaching staff that won the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association men’s and women’s outdoor team championships. The Hornets went on to finish fourth at the women’s outdoor national championships.

— Northwest Athletics —

Royals get blanked by the Cubs 5-0

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mike Montgomery allowed five hits over six-plus innings, David Bote drove in a career-high three runs and the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 Tuesday night.

Montgomery (4-4), who the Royals drafted in the first round in 2008, picked up his first win since June 29. Montgomery is 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA in four appearances against the Royals.

Bote’s first career triple with two out in the first scored Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward. His fifth inning single scored Javier Baez.

Victor Caratini, who led off the inning with a single, scored on Zobrist’s sacrifice fly. Zobrist left in the bottom of the inning with left hip tightness.

Ian Happ’s sacrifice fly in the eighth scored Bote with the final run.

Royals rookie Brad Keller (4-5) was removed after six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks.

The Royals had only one runner past second base, when Adalberto Mondesi swiped third in the seventh.

The Royals have lost six straight and are 14-43 since May 30. They are tied with Baltimore for the worst record, 34-79, in the majors.

BRYANT UPDATE

Cubs 3B Kris Bryant took grounders and played catch, but has not picked up a bat since going on the disabled list on July 24 for the second time with left shoulder inflammation. “I’m really bored, not fun at all,” Bryant said. “But you gotta do what you gotta do to get healthy and hopefully it never happens again. It’s frustrating. It’s not fun to go in the trainer’s room every day. I feel like I’m normal but it’s only when I’m swinging the bat.” No timetable has been set on when the 2016 NL MVP player will return. “I’m not going to get ahead of myself,” he said.

HEYWARD BATS FOURTH

RF Jason Heyward batted cleanup for the first time this season for the Cubs.

ROYALS MAKE TRADE

The Royals acquired RHP Jon Perrin from the Brewers in a minor league trade. Perrin, 25, went to Olathe East, a suburban Kansas City high school, and Oklahoma State. He was assigned to their Double-A Northwest Arkansas club. The Royals sent Lexington RHP Sal Biasi to the Brewers.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: RHP Anthony Bass (right mid-thoracic strain) tossed a flawless inning Tuesday for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs against Las Vegas. Bass threw eight pitches, all strikes, in his second rehab appearance since going on the DL on July 21.

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy (left oblique strain) threw a bullpen session for the first time since going on the DL on July 11. . OF Brian Goodwin (left groin strain) is eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday, but manager Ned Yost said he would not. “I’m not sure what their timeline is,” Goodwin said. “I just keep getting better every day.”

UP NEXT

Cubs: LHP Jose Quintana, who is 3-9 versus the Royals, will start the series finale.

Royals: RHP Heath Fillmyer is looking for his first big league victory.

— Associated Press —

Carpenter’s HR in 8th inning lifts St. Louis past Miami 3-2

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MIAMI (AP) — Streaking Matt Carpenter hit his 30th home run, a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning that lifted the St. Louis Cardinals over the Miami Marlins 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Carpenter connected for the fourth time in five games and increased his career high for home runs. He also extended his streak of reaching base safely to 26 games, the longest active string in the majors.

Carpenter, who has won two of the last three NL Player of the Week awards, sent a shot off Elieser Hernandez (2-6) into the Cardinals bullpen in right field. Several St. Louis relievers celebrated with their arms in the air.

Paul DeJong hit a tying, two-run homer in the seventh for the Cardinals, who have won eight of 12. Marcell Ozuna had a pair of hits and is 5 for 8 in his first two games at Marlins Park since being traded by Miami to St. Louis in the offseason.

Miles Mikolas (12-3) pitched seven innings, allowing two runs and five hits.

Dakota Hudson pitched the eighth for St. Louis and was aided by an impressive defensive play when center fielder Harrison Bader charged in and made a diving catch to take a hit away from Martin Prado. Bud Norris worked around a walk and a wild pitch in the ninth for his 22nd save in 25 chances.

Pablo Lopez allowed two runs in seven innings, and Derek Dietrich had three hits for the Marlins, who have lost seven of eight.

Justin Bour hit an RBI single in the Miami first after Dietrich led off with a hit. JT Riddle tripled to begin the fifth and scored on a single by Miguel Rojas.

BARRACLOUGH NO LONGER THE CLOSER

After being removed in the ninth of Monday’s win, Marlins manager Don Mattingly announced before the game that struggling reliever Kyle Barraclough will no longer be the team’s closer. Barraclough has blown his last three save opportunities and has a 23.14 ERA in his previous six outings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (elbow) threw a bullpen session of about 40 pitches. “Positive, I got just initial feedback that his bullpen went well today,” interim manager Mike Shildt said. “He’s going up to the complex in Jupiter and getting some more work and see where it goes, but he’s very optimistic and is taking steps in the right direction.”

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP John Gant (3-4, 4.12 ERA) is slated to start Wednesday’s series finale and will be looking to bounce back after allowing six runs in four innings at Pittsburgh in his last start.

Marlins: RHP Trevor Richards (3-6, 3.92) is 1-1 with a 0.76 ERA in his last four starts.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs’ safety depth takes hit ahead of preseason opener

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs were missing both starting safeties for the final practice ahead of their preseason opener with Eric Berry getting a planned day off and Daniel Sorensen leaving with a knee injury.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid is being cautious with Berry after the star safety missed nearly all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon. The extent of Sorensen’s injury was still being evaluated.

There is little depth behind the starters, especially with rookie Armani Watts missing part of camp with an injury. He got first-team reps Tuesday alongside Eric Murray.

The Chiefs play their preseason opener against Houston on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.

— Associated Press —

Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic coming to St. Joseph

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – With much excitement, Small College Basketball (SCB) announces that the 2018 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Hall of Fame Classic will move to St. Joseph, MO.  After spending the inaugural two years in Evansville, IN, Small College Basketball has partnered with Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring these marquee events within college basketball to St. Joseph.

The SCB Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 2, while the SCB Hall of Fame Classic will take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4.  The Induction Ceremony will take place at the Stoney Creek Inn and Conference Center, while the Hall of Fame Classic will take place at the St. Joseph Civic Arena.

Additionally, St. Joseph-based Hillyard, steeped in basketball history, will serve as the primary sponsor of the event.  As such, the Classic will be dubbed the “Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Presented by Hillyard.”

“This opens a new era for Missouri Western men’s basketball, and what a way to usher it in by bringing one of the premier small college basketball events to St. Joseph!”, said Missouri Western Athletics Director Josh Looney. “The Hall of Fame Classic is a perfect fit for our community’s rich basketball history, a history in which Hillyard has played a significant role. We look forward to hosting a tournament field packed with premier NCAA D-II programs alongside some of the all-time greats visiting St. Joseph for their Hall of Fame induction.”

The game schedule for the 2018 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Presented by Hillyard, is as follows:

Saturday, November 3
1:00 p.m.  William Jewell vs. Queens (NC)
3:15 p.m.  Fairmont State vs. Ferris State
5:30 p.m.  Missouri Western vs. Tarleton State
7:45 p.m.  Northwest Missouri State vs. Northern State

Sunday, November 4
1:00 p.m.  William Jewell vs. Tarleton State
3:15 p.m.  Missouri Western vs. Fairmont State
5:30 p.m.  Northwest Missouri State vs. Ferris State
7:45 p.m.  Northern State vs. Queens (NC)

“Small College Basketball is excited to move to St. Joseph, MO, for the Hall of Fame Induction and Hall of Fame Classic,” said SCB Founder John McCarthy. “We are proud to partner with Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring the national spotlight to their community.  Additionally, we are very excited that Hillyard has agreed to serve as the lead sponsor for the events.  With their deep history in basketball, this is a logical fit, and we are truly grateful.”

“For a variety of reasons, St. Joseph is an excellent fit for the Hall of Fame Induction and Hall of Fame Classic. There is a wonderful sense of enthusiasm in the community, and we anticipate that they will fully embrace Small College Basketball in St. Joseph. I am grateful for all of the time, effort and enthusiasm from Missouri Western Athletic Director Josh Looney and Senior Associate Athletic Director Brett Esely, as they have been instrumental in this move to St. Joseph.”

“With our rich heritage in the game of basketball, Hillyard is honored to be the sponsor for the 2018 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic,” said Hillyard President Jim Carolus. “We’re excited to bring the Classic to St. Joseph. It’s a great opportunity for the community to get to see some great basketball and to honor the great players, coaches and contributors of the game.”

Tables and tickets will be available through the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau shortly.

“It is always exciting to bring new events to St. Joseph,” said Lindsay Bernard, from the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “The Small College Basketball (SCB) Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Hall of Fame Classic will be very special and will leave a lasting impression on our community.  We appreciate the work of Missouri Western Athletics, as they truly understand the importance of showcasing our beautiful city and the impact of sports tourism.  The estimated economic impact for this weekend event is $278,550.”

“The 2018 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Presented by Hillyard, features some of the finest programs in all of NCAA Division II,” said McCarthy. “We are very grateful to the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association for awarding the exemption, and for showing their support for the Hall of Fame Classic. We feel that, with the combination of the Hall of Fame Induction, the support of the Conference Commissioner’s Association, the support of the St. Joseph’s community, the right-sized arena, and of course, the high-quality participating teams, the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic is the finest in-season men’s basketball event in the country.”

The third installment of the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame will include the following inductees:

John Barnhill (Tennessee A&I), ML Carr (Guilford), Pat Douglass (Cal State Bakersfield), Philip Hutcheson (Lipscomb), Earl Jones (District of Columbia), Charles Oakley (Virginia Union), John Pierce (Lipscomb), Terry Porter (Wisconsin-Stevens Point), Leonard “Truck” Robinson(Tennessee State), Clarence Walker (Indiana State), Marvin Webster (Morgan State), John Wooden (Coach).

“This is an incredibly impressive Hall of Fame Class,” said McCarthy. “Each inductee is highly accomplished and has truly earned this honor. Our Hall of Fame Committee did a tremendous job of identifying a Hall of Fame Class that is worthy of induction into this highly prestigious Hall of Fame. This is only the third class of Hall of Famers, so these inductees are among only 39 players, coaches and contributors in the history of our game at the small college levels to be elected to the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame. I sincerely congratulate each inductee, as this is a tremendous honor.”

John Barnhill, Tennessee A&I
John Barnhill of Tennessee A. & I. was the point guard of the NAIA National Championships teams in 1957, 1958 and 1959, and was named to the All-Tournament teams in 1958 & 1959.  The 1957 team was the first all African American team to win a major American basketball tournament. He was a three-time All-American (’57,’58,’59).  He scored 1,253 career points, second behind All-American Dick Barnett.  He’s a member of the NAIA’s 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams.

ML Carr, Guilford
NAIA Hall of Fame & member of the 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams; Won the 1973 NAIA National Championship; Member of the NAIA All-Tournament teams in 1970 & 1973. Scored 1,993 points at Guilford despite playing in only 13 games his junior season. He was a freshman when the Quakers placed fourth in the NAIA tournament and as a senior led Guilford to a 29-5 record that included a 99-96 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore for the title. He averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds a game his senior year and was named NAIA First Team All-American.
Member of the NAIA’s 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams.

Pat Douglass, Cal State Bakersfield
Three NCAA Div. II Championships (1993, 1994, 1997); NCAA Runner-up, 1990; NCAA Third Place (1987); NCAA Final Four (1991, 1992); Three-time NABC Division II Coach of the Year 1993, 1994, 1997; 10 seasons at Cal State Bakersfield, Douglass compiled a 257-61 record, won three Division II national championships, and reached the Elite Eight seven times; Only one of three coaches to win three or more NCAA Division II Championship; Led Cal State-Bakersfield to a perfect season in 1993 (33-0)

Philip Hutcheson, Lipscomb
Four-time NAIA All-American 1987 (3rd Team), 1988 (Second Team), 1989 (First Team), 1990 (First Team); finished career as college basketball’s all-time leading scorer with 4,106 points (later surpassed by former Lipscomb teammate John Pierce); 1990 NAIA Player of the Year; Named the CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year for 1988-89 and 1989-90 (finished with a perfect 4.0 GPA for his career);  Basketball Times College Division Player of the Year in 1988-89 and Co-Player of the Year in 1989-90; scored in double figures every single game of his career (155 games);  Selected to the All-Tournament team in every single tournament, for all four years; Won NAIA’s Emil S. Liston Award; Member of the NAIA’s 75th Anniversary Team; Inducted into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the Lipscomb Hall of Fame.  First player to ever have his number retired at Lipscomb.

Earl Jones, District of Columbia
First two-time NABC Division II National Player of the Year 1983, 1984; Three-time First Team NABC All-American 1982, 1983, 1984; Won 1982 NCAA Division II Championship; 1983 NCAA Division II Runner-up; Two-time NCAA Championship All-Tournament 1982, 1983; Scored 2,256 career points for a 20.7 average in 109 games; Grabbed 1,168 career rebounds for a 10.7 average; Career shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 77.6 from the free throw line

Charles Oakley, Virginia Union
Arrived at Virginia Union in 1981. 6’8 known as The Oak.
Played under former Virginia Union coach Dave Robbins (Robbins won 713 games in 30 years at VUU and coached 3 Division II NCAA championship teams). Oakley accumulated 2,273 points and grabbed 1,664 rebounds in four brilliant All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) seasons.
Oakley in his senior season averaged 24.3 PPG & 17.3 RPG. As a Virginia Union senior in 1984-1985, Oakley led the NCAA Division II in rebounding and was named National Player of the Year while helping VUU to a 30-1 record in which The Panthers were ranked #1 in Division II throughout the regular season.
He is also a member of the VUU and CIAA Hall of Fame and also was inducted in to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. His induction was the fifth VUU person to be inducted in to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
From Virginia Union Oakley became a National Basketball Association (NBA) first round draft choice (9th overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers who immediately traded him to the Chicago Bulls, he then became an impact player for the New York Knicks for 10 seasons.  He finished his NBA career after 19 seasons with the Houston Rockets in 2004.

John Pierce, Lipscomb
David Lipscomb University (1990-94); College basketball’s all-time leading scorer, tallied 4,230 during a 4-year career that included four NAIA All-America honors (three first-team selections) and 2 NAIA Player of the Year picks (’93 & ’94) … Averaged 31.9 points as a 1993 Junior … Appeared in 148 games with the Bison … Selected No. 28 among the all-time Top 50 college players as chosen by Chuck Klosterman of Grantland … Led the Bison to three-straight NAIA Tournaments …Member of the Lipscomb (2003), NAIA (2003) and Tennessee Sports (2015) Halls of Fame … Jersey is retired from Lipscomb; Played for Hall of Fame coach Don Meyer. Member of the NAIA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

Terry Porter, Wisconsin-Stevens Point
NAIA Hall of Fame; member of the NAIA’s 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams; two-time NAIA All American (1983 & 1984); NAIA Tournament MVP in 1984 (team was national Runner-Up); 1983 NAIA Player of the Year (junior season); Two-time NAIA All American; only NAIA player invited to the Olympic Trials; as a junior, averaged 18.8 ppg on 65% shooting; averaged 19.7 ppg & 4.3 apg as a senior.  Had a stellar NBA career with the Portland Trailblazers and was selected to two NBA All-Star games. Was also the former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.

Leonard “Truck” Robinson Tennessee State
Tennessee State (1971-74); Was a two-time United Press International All-American (’73 & ’74) Led Tennessee State to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances … As a 1973 junior, guided the Tigers to the NCAA national championship game (lost 78-76 to Kentucky Wesleyan in OT) by averaging 25.7 points and a school single-season record 17.6 rebounds … Averaged 25.2 points and 17.3 rebounds over his final 2 seasons (58 games) … Finished 3-year college career with 2,249 points and 1,501 rebounds while leading the Tigers to a 70-16 record … Drafted in the second round by the Washington Bullets in 1974… Inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 … Given the nickname “Truck” by teammate Dennis DuVal to annoy him during his 1975 NBA rookie season.

Clarence Walker, Indiana State
In March of 1948, Clarence Walker became the first African American player to play in a collegiate basketball National Championship when he played in the NAIB National Championship at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, playing for Coach John Wooden’s Indiana State Sycamores. During that tournament, Indiana State advanced to the National Championship game, falling to Louisville. During Clarence’s senior season (two years after Coach Wooden departed for UCLA), the Sycamores won the 1950 NAIB National Championship. During his time at Indiana State, Walker kept a diary, of which he titled “Jim Crow”, outlining the hardships of being the only African American player on his college basketball team – and one of the rare players in college basketball at a non-historically black college – in the 1940’s. Walker broke the color barrier in college basketball national championships, helping to further desegregate college basketball in America.

Marvin Webster, Morgan State
1975 NABC All-America first team; Won 1974 NCAA College Division Championship; 1974 NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player; Chosen to NCAA Elite Eight 50th Anniversary Team; NCAA’s second all-time leading rebounder with 2,267 for a 19.6 average in 116 games; Blocked 722 shots for a 6.2 average; Scored 1,990 career points for a 17.1 average; Grabbed a single game career-high 32 rebounds; Career shooting 45.50 percent from the field and 65.8 from the free throw line

John Wooden
1948 NAIB National Runner-up (27-7); Compiled a 44-15 record for a 74.6 winning percentage in two seasons; 2012 NAIA 75th Anniversary All-Star Team honoree; coached the first black player to play in a collegiate national championship (Clarence Walker); famous for sticking to his morals by refusing to play in the 1947 NAIB National Championship because Clarence Walker wasn’t permitted to play (because of the color of his skin); In March of 1948, Clarence Walker stepped onto the court at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, thus breaking the color barrier in collegiate basketball national championships; beyond the game, made a great contribution to the game and to the world with his Pyramid of Success; Leadership classes today use his material and words of wisdom and are modeled after his principals; went onto great fame at UCLA, winning 10 NCAA Division I National Championships, including seven in a row; won 88 straight games and 38 straight NCAA Tournament games.  Voted by the Sporting News as America’s Coach of the Century, in any sport.

Royals lose opener to Cubs 3-1, drop fifth straight game

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Javier Baez went deep, Cole Hamels pitched six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Monday night.

Baez hit the first pitch from reliever Kevin McCarthy (4-4) in the sixth inning to center for his 25th home run, putting the Cubs ahead 2-1.

Baez doubled in the eighth to score Jason Heyward, upping his RBI total to an NL-leading 88.

Hamels (7-9) is 2-0 since the Cubs acquired him in a July 27 trade with the Texas Rangers. He allowed one run and seven hits.

Alcides Escobar’s two-out second-inning single scored Rosell Herrera for the first earned run Hamels allowed at Kauffman Stadium in four career starts, covering 21 2/3 innings.

Royals starter Jakob Junis worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fifth. Ben Zobrist and Heyward hit ground ball outs to end the inning.

The Royals loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but Hamels retired Hunter Dozier on a grounder to first baseman Anthony Rizzo on a full-count pitch.

Junis was removed after five innings and 87 pitches, allowing one run and five hits while striking out eight, one shy of his career high.

Zobrist led off the fourth with a triple and scored on Junis’ wild pitch.

Cubs relievers Steve Cishek, Brandon Kintzler and Pedro Strop limited the Royals to one single over the final three innings. Strop earned his eighth save in 11 chances, working a spotless ninth.

The Royals have lost five straight and are tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the worst record in the majors at 34-78.

Rain delayed the game 22 minutes in the fourth.

ZOBRIST RETURNS

Zobrist, who hit .303 with two home runs in 16 postseason games for the Royals in 2015, was back in Kansas City for the first time since the club won the World Series. He received a standing ovation before his first at-bat.

ROYALS LONG TRIP

The Royals were home for the first time since July 25, after a 3-7, three-city, 11-day trip to New York, Chicago and Minnesota. It included a rainout in New York, which was made up with a day-night doubleheader, plus two rain delays in Minnesota. “It seemed like it was a year,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: 3B Kris Bryant (left shoulder inflammation) threw before the game for the first since going on the disabled list on July 24. “It was good to get him out there doing some baseball stuff. It was good for him and for his head, too,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “There’s no regress, but there’s no finish lines attached.” … RHPs Brandon Morrow (right biceps inflammation) and Yu Darvish (right triceps tendinitis) played catch before the game. Darvish is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Wednesday.

Royals: OF Brian Goodwin (left groin strain) took batting practice. He is eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Cubs: LHP Mike Montgomery, who was a 2008 Royals’ first-round pick, starts the middle game of the series.

Royals: Rookie RHP Brad Keller is 3-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 11 starts since moving into the rotation on May 30.

— Associated Press —

St. Louis comes up short at Miami Monday 2-1

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MIAMI (AP) — Javy Guerra cleaned up a ninth-inning mess created by struggling closer Kyle Barraclough, getting Yadier Molina to hit into a double play to end the Miami Marlins’ 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night.

After Wei-Yin Chen pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-hit ball, Miami led 2-0 going into the ninth and handed the game off to Barraclough.

Paul DeJong and Harrison Bader opened the inning with hard-hit singles, then Yairo Munoz walked. Pinch-hitter Kolten Wong struck out swinging, but Matt Carpenter drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 2-1 and end Barraclough’s night.

Guerra got Molina to bounce into a double play for his first save since Sept. 27, 2014 while with the Chicago White Sox.

Barraclough had blown his last three save chances, allowing 10 runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Starlin Castro had two hits, including his ninth home run for the Marlins, who returned home after a six-game winless road trip.

Former Miami All-Star Marcell Ozuna returned for his first game at Marlins Park after being traded to St. Louis in the offseason and went 3 for 4.

Luke Weaver (6-10) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings for St. Louis.

Chen (4-8) struck out four and walked two.

Derek Dietrich doubled to begin the game for the Marlins and scored on a hit by Brian Anderson. Castro’s home run to left in the fourth gave Miami a 2-0 lead.

With one on and one out in the seventh, Munoz grinded out a 14-pitch at-bat, but Tayron Guerrero prevailed with a groundout. Pinch-hitter Greg Garcia struck out to end the inning.

Ozuna beat out an infield hit in the eighth, giving Jedd Gyorko an at-bat with runners on first and second with two outs. Drew Steckenrider was able to get out of the jam as Gyorko flew out to deep center.

OZUNA TRIBUTE

Ozuna was given a video tribute during the game, and he tipped his cap to acknowledge the appreciation.

Before the game, Ozuna said it was “emotional” to be back.

“I’ve seen everyone,” Ozuna said. “They say they miss me and I miss them, too, but it’s a business.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: OF Tyler O’Neill (groin) was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 4. … RHP Adam Wainwright (elbow) is planning on throwing a bullpen session either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (armpit) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (11-3, 2.75 ERA) is scheduled to start the second game of the series Tuesday night. Mikolas has allowed three runs or fewer in eight consecutive starts.

Marlins: RHP Pablo Lopez (2-2, 4.67) allowed one run in six innings his last start, a no-decision at Philadelphia.

— Associated Press —

Missouri finalizes men’s basketball non-conference schedule

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball will begin head coach Cuonzo Martin’s highly anticipated second season at the helm with its home opener vs. Central Arkansas on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The matchup is one of seven games at Mizzou Arena during the Tigers’ 2018-19 non-conference slate.

Mizzou then hits the road Nov. 9 to finish a home-and-home series with Iowa State. It will be the 235th all-time meeting between the former Big 12 rivals, with Mizzou owning a 150-84 edge in the series after a convincing 74-59 homecourt victory over the Cyclones last November. The Tigers have won 10 consecutive games over Iowa State, including the last four matchups at Hilton Coliseum.

Martin’s squad will then compete at the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam tournament from Nov. 16-19, which features Kansas State, Oregon State, Northern Iowa, Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Penn and Eastern Kentucky. The Tigers face Kennesaw State in the opening round (Nov. 16), either Oregon State or Old Dominion in their second game (Nov. 17 or Nov. 18), and a to-be-determined opponent in their final game (Nov. 19).

Mizzou returns to Columbia for a five-game homestand, beginning with a matchup vs. Temple on Nov. 27. It will be the first meeting between the Tigers and Owls since 1983 and the fourth all-time. Mizzou faces UCF at Mizzou Arena on Dec. 2 before hosting UT Arlington and Oral Roberts on Dec. 4 and Dec. 7, respectively.

The Tigers wrap up the homestand on Dec. 18 by squaring off with Xavier for the fourth time since 2014 and the eighth time in program history. Mizzou then heads to St. Louis for the annual Braggin’ Rights Game vs. Illinois on Dec. 22 at the Enterprise Center before rounding out nonconference play vs. Morehead State in Columbia on Dec. 29.

Full Non-conference Schedule
Tuesday, Nov. 6 vs. Central Arkansas
Friday, Nov. 9 at Iowa State
Friday, Nov. 16 – Monday, Nov. 19 Paradise Jam
Tuesday, Nov. 27 vs. Temple
Sunday, Dec. 2 vs. UCF
Tuesday, Dec. 4 vs. UT-Arlington
Friday, Dec. 7 vs. Oral Roberts
Tuesday, Dec. 18 vs. Xavier
Saturday, Dec. 22 vs. Illinois
Saturday, Dec. 29 vs. Morehead State

— Mizzou Athletics —

Royals’ rally comes up short as Twins sweep series

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins’ blueprint for 2018 included a dynamic young center fielder making great plays on defense and coming up with big hits. Of course, that role was supposed to be filled by Byron Buxton, once considered the top prospect in baseball.

Instead, the Twins are rallying around Jake Cave.

Cave hit his first career grand slam and closer Fernando Rodney survived a chaotic ninth inning as the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Sunday.

Buxton’s 2018 has been mostly a washout due to injuries. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 draft was optioned to Triple-A Rochester and is currently on the minor league disabled list with an injured wrist. That opened the door for Cave, a 25-year-old rookie the Twins acquired in a minor league trade with the Yankees this spring.

“This is my dream,” said Cave, who’s more or less been the Twins’ everyday center fielder since late June. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Cave homered in his major league debut on May 19, and he established himself with a number of highlight-reel catches along the way, earning him the trust of manager Paul Molitor. The latest step in that process is came Sunday as Molitor started the left-handed hitting Cave against a hard-throwing lefty in Kansas City’s Danny Duffy (7-10), who had been tough on the Twins in three prior starts this season.

That trust was rewarded with two outs in the second inning when Cave jumped on a full-count fastball for his first career grand slam and fourth homer of the season to put the Twins on top 4-2.

“I know Duffy’s got good stuff, I know he’s a competitor, and I know he’s going to come right at me at some point with the heater,” Cave said. “I got it, just stayed short, didn’t try to do too much, and I was rewarded.”

Cave fell behind 1-2 in the at-bat and then laid off some tough pitches, including a curveball that just missed inside at 1-2 and a fastball just below the knees one pitch before the grand slam.

“I had him punched out twice, and it’s tough to see the ball go out of the yard,” Duffy said. “But you still have to keep pitching.”

Molitor likes what he’s seen so far from the Twins’ second choice in center field.

“He’s got a little moxie to his game. He’s not afraid to take some chances on the bases and defensively, which is good because when he got up here we said, `Don’t play tentative.’ If you play timid, the game will bite you,” Molitor said. “I think he’s taking advantage so far. Hopefully it’s a good step for him as he tries to get himself established up here.”

RODNEY WALKS THE TIGHTROPE

Rodney came on to protect a one-run lead and promptly gave up Whit Merrifield’s fourth hit of the game leading off the ninth. But catcher Mitch Garver threw out Merrifield trying to steal second. Alex Gordon then struck out. Big sigh of relief, right?

Hold that thought. Salvador Perez lined a single to center. Pinch runner Adalberto Mondesi stole second, then took third as Lucas Duda walked on a full-count pitch. Duda even stole second, his first stolen base since 2014.

But with the tying run 90 feet away, Rodney retired Rosell Herrera on a ground ball to earn his 24th save in 30 chances.

“I thought that we were going to find a way to score a run there,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “We just couldn’t muster it.”

QUOTABLE

“It’s easy to get frustrated, which I did. I came back to the dugout and I had my little 30 seconds of being upset. But I know we’re winning this game, we’re up by one and we’ve got our big man (Rodney) coming in in the ninth. I’ve got no choice but to give my best for him.” — Garver, on refocusing after he grounded into a rally-killing double play in the eighth inning

SHORT START

Twins starter Ervin Santana lasted just 4 1/3 innings in his third start since spending half of the season on the disabled list. Santana gave up three runs on seven hits and left after throwing 78 pitches.

Lefty Gabriel Moya (2-0) got out of the two-on, one-out jam and earned his second career victory. He picked up career win No. 1 in Friday’s series opener.

“I just kind of felt we were at a little bit of a crossroad there,” Molitor said about pulling Santana in the fifth inning. “My gut told me we wanted to go ahead and try to get those last two outs with Moya, and thankfully he got it done.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Mondesi got a second day off to rest his right shoulder, which he strained while diving for a ball on Friday.

Twins: Grossman was replaced by a pinch runner after hitting a one-out single in the seventh. After initially listing him as day-to-day with a mild right hamstring strain, the team announced after the game that Grossman would be placed on the 10-day disabled list.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis (6-11, 5.12 ERA) takes the mound on Monday to open a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Kansas City. In his last start, Junis pitched into the sixth inning and struck out five White Sox to pick up his first victory since May 18.

Twins: RHP Kyle Gibson (5-8, 3.47) will face the Indians for the second straight outing as the Twins open a three-game series in Cleveland on Monday. Gibson pitched six innings and allowed three earned runs while fanning six in a 6-2 loss to the Indians last Tuesday.

— Associated Press —

Cardinals win series finale at Pittsburgh 2-1

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Matt Carpenter homered in two straight games entering Sunday. By contrast, Jack Flaherty had allowed at least one home run in each of his previous three starts.

Carpenter kept his streak going while Flaherty brought his to an end to lift the St. Louis Cardinals to a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Flaherty (5-6) allowed three hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in six innings. It marked the first time he completed six innings since July 3, when he surrendered four runs in six against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Carpenter hit a solo home run in the fifth inning — his career-high 29th of the season, tying him with Colorado’s Nolan Arenado for the NL lead — and Jedd Gyorko singled to drive in a run later that inning to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.

“(Leading the National League in home runs) is definitely not something I’ve ever really thought about,” Carpenter said. “It’s just a crazy stretch. There’s not much thought behind it other than I’m just trying to hit the ball hard. I’m really not trying to hit home runs. It just happens.”

St. Louis took the final two games of the three-game series to move past Pittsburgh into third place alone in the NL Central.

“Just good baseball,” interim Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “It started on the mound. Jack was really, really tough through six innings. Offense competed well. … Some tough at bats, good at bats, and good pitching all the way through.”

Bud Norris retired the side in order with two strikeouts in the ninth for his 21st save.

Flaherty recovered after giving up four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies in his last start.

He got out of trouble twice on Sunday, first when the Pirates had runners on second and third with one out. Corey Dickerson struck out and Starling Marte grounded out to end the third inning. With runners on first and third two innings later, Flaherty forced Jordan Luplow into an inning-ending double play.

“That was more where I kind of wanted to be at,” Flaherty said. “It was nice to make adjustments from the last time out, the last few times out, just to try to get ahead. Once it was get ahead, it was stay ahead.”

Carpenter’s home run to right with one out in the fifth ended Trevor Williams’ streak of 21 1/2 innings without allowing a run. That stretched back to July 6, when Williams (9-8) gave up three runs in the third inning of a 17-5 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

“At that point of the game, you are upset they are up 1-0. That’s what I was worried about,” Williams said. “Knowing how good Flaherty was throwing and how well he was executing his pitches, it was tough. It’s unfortunate that that one blink cost the game today, but that’s kind of how baseball is right now.”

After the homer, Williams surrendered consecutive singles to Yadier Molina and Jose Martinez before Gyorko scored Molina with a single to left. Williams allowed those two runs on nine hits with three strikeouts in five innings.

Adam Frazier hit a home run off reliever Chasen Shreve to make it 2-1 in the seventh.

“Now we go on the road and it’s (against) good teams,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “I just love the fact that we are in the hunt. Time to go. We would have loved to won more games here. We did not. Now, it’s time to go put a better package together on the road.”

ROSTER MOVES

Cardinals: RHP Tyson Ross was claimed off waivers from the San Diego Padres and will join St. Louis in Miami. He was 6-9 with a 4.45 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 22 starts for the Padres this season.

Pirates: RHP Casey Sadler was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. RHP Alex McRae, who allowed three runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings of relief Saturday, was optioned to Indianapolis.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: Dickerson started in left field for the first time since missing eight games with left hamstring discomfort. He hit leadoff and was 0 for 3 with one walk. … INF David Freese did not play because of a right forearm contusion suffered Friday.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Luke Weaver (6-9, 4.75) will attempt to keep his string of impressive performances going when he faces the Miami Marlins on Monday. He has surrendered three runs or fewer in five straight starts since giving up eight in an 11-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves on June 30.

Pirates: RHP Joe Musgrove (4-5, 3.63) will look for a third straight quality start when he takes the mound against the Rockies on Monday. In his last two starts, Musgrove has allowed three combined runs on 10 hits in 14 innings.

— Associated Press —

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