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Mustangs dominate Sedalia to advance to MINK League Championship Series

The St. Joseph Mustangs dominated Sedalia Thursday 11-0 in the MINK League North Division championship game inside Phil Welch Stadium.

St. Joe’s collegiate summer baseball team improves to 35-13 and they advance to the MINK League Championship series beginning Saturday at either Ozark or Nevada. The South Division championship game was postponed Thursday and will be played Friday night. It’s the fifth championship series for the Mustangs in the last seven seasons and they’ve won the MINK title in their previous four times.

St. Joseph scored single runs in the first and third innings to take an early lead and then they broke the game open with two runs in the sixth and a seven-run seventh inning.

That was more than enough for Mustangs’ starter Steve D’Amico as he threw a complete-game shutout. He struck out eight, walked two and allowed just five hits as D’Amico is now 6-1 this season.

Colton Pogue and Brady Anderson had two hits each, while Pogue drove in four runs and Anderson added two RBI. Pogue, Brody Santilli and Matt Wollnik each scored two runs.

The best-of-three championship series begins at the South Division winner Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and then will shift to St. Joseph for game two Sunday at 7:00 p.m. If necessary game three will be played Monday at Phil Welch Stadium at 7:00 p.m. Games one and three will be broadcast on ESPN 1550 and game two will air on 680 KFEQ.

St. Louis gets blanked by Arizona in series opener

ST. LOUIS (AP) — J.D. Martinez hit a grand slam and Zack Godley pitched seven innings as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 on Thursday night.

The Diamondbacks won their third game out of four, improved to 59-43 and snapped the Cardinals’ three-game winning streak.

Godley (4-4) reversed a trend of two poor outings, in which he allowed 10 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings, with the best performance of his 14-start career. Only three Cardinals advanced into scoring position as Godley struck out seven.

Archie Bradley and Fernando Rodney each pitched an inning in relief for the Diamondbacks, who had their first shutout since May 30 at Pittsburgh.

Martinez’s blast, his fourth homer as a Diamondback in four days and 20th overall, gave Arizona a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning. It was the fourth grand slam of his career for Martinez, who was acquired from the Detroit Tigers on July 18.

Paul Goldschmidt had two singles, walked and scored on the grand slam.

With the loss the Cardinals, who were shut out for the first time since May 26 at Colorado, missed the opportunity to reach the .500 mark for the first time since June 2. St. Louis fell to 50-52.

Cardinals starter Luke Weaver (0-1), who was recalled from Triple-A Memphis after Adam Wainwright (back) was placed on the disabled list, was burned by two walks immediately in front of the Martinez grand slam, which were the only runs he gave up in his five innings.

Paul DeJong was the only Cardinal to reach safely more than once, with two singles and a walk. DeJong extended his hitting streak to seven games and is hitting .379 (11 for 29) with four homers and seven RBI during that span.

WEB GEMS

Diamondbacks 3B Jake Lamb made an over the shoulder basket catch on Randal Grichuk’s foul ball a step before his momentum took him over the wall and into the stands in the fourth inning. Lamb was not injured and stayed in the game.

Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong ranged far into right field to make his own over the shoulder basket catch on Chris Iannetta’s pop up in the seventh.

MOTHER NATURE

The start of the game was delayed for 62 minutes by rain.

TRAINING ROOM

Diamondbacks: OF Yasmany Tomas (right groin tendinitis) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list from the 10-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for minor league C John Ryan Murphy, who acquired in a trade with Minnesota.

Cardinals: OF Stephen Piscotty (right groin strain) went 0 for 3 in the first of four scheduled rehab assignments at Single-A Peoria.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray (9-5, 3.15 ERA) is fourth in the National League with 149 strikeouts. In nine road starts (eight quality) he is 5-1 with a 1.51 ERA.

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha (7-4, 3.93 ERA) has a 2.20 ERA in his last five starts. He is 0-1 with a 4.37 ERA in four career starts against Arizona.

— Associated Press —

KU’s Mason named Big 12 Co-Athlete of the Year

IRVING, Texas – Kansas basketball player Frank Mason III has been named the 2016-17 co-Big 12 Men’s Athlete of the Year, the conference announced Thursday. Mason shared the honor with Texas swimmer Will Licon, while West Virginia soccer defender Kadeisha Buchanan was the female recipient.

Nominees were submitted by Big 12 institutions and selected based on athletic performance, academic achievement and citizenship by a media panel as well as fan voting conducted through Big 12Sports.com.

Mason was the consensus 2017 National Player of the Year as well as a consensus All-America First Team selection while leading the Jayhawks to their 13th-consecutive Big 12 regular-season title. He also captured the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award and was named Big 12 Player of the Year and to the All-Big 12 First Team. Mason became the only player in KU and Big 12 history to average more than 20 points and five assists in the same season. He led the Big 12 in scoring overall (20.9 ppg) and during conference play (21.0 ppg) while averaging 5.2 assists.

A two-time national player of the week, Mason posted 23 games of 20 or more points, including his final seven contests and 10 of KU’s last 11 outings in 2016-17. The Petersburg, Virginia native was KU’s leading scorer in 26 games. Mason concluded his career No. 6 on the Kansas scoring list (1,885 points), No. 6 in assists (576), No. 8 in 3-point field goals (185), No. 13 in steals (165) and tied for third in consecutive starts (110). He is the first Jayhawk in school history to rank sixth or higher in both points and assists. Mason was one of the five ESPY nominees for 2017 Best Male College Athlete.

A May 2017 KU graduate, Mason was also active in the Lawrence community with activities that included Ladies Night Out, a yearly sold-out event that benefits Jayhawks for a Cure with all proceeds donated to Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH) and the KU Cancer Center in an effort to fund cancer research. A Big 12 Champion for Life, Mason was a counselor at the Wilt Chamberlain Special Olympics Clinic, participated in an annual youth holiday clinic in which men’s basketball student-athletes teach youth fundamentals of the game and visited local elementary schools to read to the students.

Mason is the third Jayhawk to be named Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year with all three being from men’s basketball. He joins Jacque Vaughn who won the honor in the first year of the conference in 1996-97 and Nick Collison in 2002-03.

Licon is an 11-time NCAA champion who won NCAA titles in all five of his events at the 2017 NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships. He became just the fourth swimmer in the history of college swimming, and the first in 17 years, to win NCAA titles in four different individual events through his career at the NCAA Championships. Licon’s 2017 national championships were in the events of 200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay. He is the first Texas or Big 12 swimmer to win three individual national titles at a single NCAA Championship meet (athletes are limited to a maximum of three individual events).

Buchanan helped lead West Virginia to four Big 12 regular-season titles and three postseason crowns during her time in Morgantown, as well as a runner-up finish in the 2016 NCAA College Cup. This past season, she claimed national honors as the MAC Hermann Trophy recipient, Honda Sport Award winner for soccer and espnW and TopDrawerSoccer.com Player of the Year. She was also a 2017 ESPY nominee in the category of Best Female College Athlete.

Other female candidates for Big 12 Athlete of the Year included: Lindsey Cargill (Baylor), Jhoanmy Luque (Iowa State), Sharon Lokedi (Kansas), Nina Schultz (Kansas State), Maggie Nichols (Oklahoma), Vanessa Shippy (Oklahoma State), Brenley Goertzen (TCU), Chrisann Gordon (Texas) and Gabriela Talaba (Texas Tech).

Male nominees were: Troy Montemayor (Baylor), Monte Morris (Iowa State), Jordan Willis (Kansas State), Samaje Perine (Oklahoma), Jawun Evans (Oklahoma State), Cameron Norrie (TCU), Trey Culver (Texas Tech) and Jevon Carter (West Virginia).

Big 12 Athletes of the Year

Male
2016-17 FRANK MASON, KANSAS & Will Licon, Texas
2015-16 Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
2014-15 Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
2013-14 Bryce Petty, Baylor
2012-13 Collin Klein, Kansas State
2011-12 Robert Griffin III, Baylor
2010-11 Taylor Jungmann, Texas
2009-10 Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
2008-09 Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
2007-08 Chase Daniel, Missouri
2006-07 Ben Askren, Missouri
2005-06 Vince Young, Texas
2004-05 Derrick Johnson, Texas
2003-04 Jason White, Oklahoma
2002-03 NICK COLLISON, KANSAS
2001-02 Cael Sanderson, Iowa State
2000-01 Josh Heupel, Oklahoma
1999-00 Charles Howell, Oklahoma State
1998-99 Ricky Williams, Texas
1997-98 Grant Wistrom, Nebraska
1996-97 JACQUE VAUGHN, KANSAS

Female
2016-17 Kadeisha Buchanan, West Virginia
2015-16 Paige Parker, Oklahoma
2014-15 Lauren Chamberlain, Oklahoma
2013-14 Odyssey Sims, Baylor
2012-13 Keilani Ricketts, Oklahoma
2011-12 Brittney Griner, Baylor
2010-11 Jessica Beard, Texas A&M
2009-10 Lisa Koll, Iowa State
2008-09 Destinee Hooker, Texas
2007-08 Sarah Pavan, Nebraska
2006-07 Sarah Pavan, Nebraska
2005-06 Cat Osterman, Texas
2004-05 Cat Osterman, Texas
2003-04 Nicole Ohlde, Kansas State
2002-03 Cat Osterman, Texas
2001-02 Stacey Dales-Schuman, Oklahoma
2000-01 Greichaly Cepero, Nebraska
1999-00 Erin Aldrich, Texas
1998-99 Suziann Reid, Texas
1997-98 Vera Ilyina, Texas
1996-97 Nanceen Perry, Texas

— KU Athletics —

Mustangs host Sedalia in postseason opener Thursday

The St. Joseph Mustangs open the postseason Thursday night as they entertain Sedalia in the MINK League North Divisional championship game at Phil Welch Stadium.

St. Joe’s collegiate summer baseball team is 34-13 this season and they won the MINK League North regular season title with a 28-12 record. Sedalia, who is 26-17 this season, advanced to play St. Joe after winning the MINK League North Wild Card game Wednesday at home against Clarinda 7-6.

The Mustangs went 4-2 against the Bombers this season, including a 2-1 mark inside Phil Welch Stadium.

The MINK League South Divisional Championship game will also take place Thursday as Ozark plays host to Nevada. The two winners of the Divisional championship games will meet in a best-of-three championship series starting Friday.

The first pitch Thursday between St. Joseph and Sedalia will be at 7:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on 680 KFEQ.

Hosmer’s five hits, grand slam lead KC to 8th straight win and sweep of Detroit

DETROIT (AP) — Eric Hosmer matched his career high with five hits, including his first major league grand slam, and the Kansas City Royals extended their winning streak to a season-high eight games with a 16-2 rout of the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.

Hosmer entered with 117 homers but had not hit one with the bases loaded until he connected off Warwick Saupold in a nine-run seventh inning. Hosmer had six RBI and scored four runs.

Bruce Rondon was ejected with one out in the ninth after hitting Mike Moustakas on the back with a pitch, which caused both benches to empty. Utilityman Andrew Romine entered in his third big league pitching appearance and faced five batters, allowing a walk, RBI single, sacrifice fly, hit batter and flyout.

Ian Kennedy (4-6) improved to 3-0 in his last six starts, allowing one run and three hits in six innings.

Anibal Sanchez (2-1) had his worst start since returning in mid-June from a month-long demotion to the minor leagues. He allowed four runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Hosmer reached on an infield single in the second, stole second and scored when Alcides Escobar singled on a 66 mph changeup. Kansas City made it 4-0 in the third on run-scoring singles by Jorge Bonifacio, Hosmer and Brandon Moss.

Jose Iglesias doubled in Detroit’s first run in the fifth, and Moustakas’ RBI single off Chad Bell sparked the big inning. Hosmer homered on a changeup, a drive over the out-of-town scoreboard, for a 13-1 lead.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: C Salvador Perez did not play, a day after leaving a game with right-side tightness in his ribs. “Could he have started tonight? Yeah,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “In fact, he fought me about it, but with a day off tomorrow, we can give him two full days of rest.”

Tigers: LHP Daniel Norris (left groin) had a second MRI on an injury that has sidelined him since the All-Star break. The test showed no further damage. He received a cortisone shot and will rest for several days.

ULTIMATE UTILITYMAN

Romine has played every position excepted catcher this season. Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said this week he might let Romine catch an inning on the last day of the season if the Tigers have been eliminated. With a ninth-inning single, Romine became the second player in Comerica Park history to get a hit and pitch in the same game. Shane Halter had four hits on Oct. 1, 2000, a game in which he played all nine positions.

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Jason Vargas (12-4, 3.08) is scheduled to start Friday’s series opener at Boston, which opens with LHP David Price (5-3, 3.82).

Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (6-8, 5.81) is slated to start at home Friday against Houston.

— Associated Press —

Cardinals roll past Rockies 10-5

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Paul DeJong homered and Randal Grichuk had a career-high four hits as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Colorado Rockies 10-5 on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.

St. Louis has won four of five while Colorado has lost four of six.

DeJong’s two-run shot in the first inning was his eighth of the month and set a franchise record for a rookie in July. His 14th homer of the season, in just 49 games, ties him for the team lead with Matt Carpenter, Tommy Pham and Jedd Gyorko.

Grichuk, who went 4 for 5, had four singles in his final four at-bats including hits in three successive innings.

Carlos Martinez (7-8) struck out eight and gave up five runs and seven hits in six innings for his first win since June 16. He also kick-started a five-run fourth-inning outburst with a run-scoring single that tied the game 4-all.

Nolan Arenado hit his 23rd homer for the Rockies who are 18-34 in St. Louis since the start of the 2010 season.

Colorado starter Jeff Hoffman (6-3) allowed seven hits and six earned runs in four innings.

Gerado Parra gave the Rockies a 4-2 lead with a two-run double in the third.

St. Louis took the lead for good at 6-4 on a two-run double by Carpenter in the fourth.

Yadier Molina added a two-run double in the sixth to push the lead to 9-5.

St. Louis outfielder Harrison Bader, in just his second game, added three hits.

The Rockies announced after the game that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Pat Neshek from Philadelphia for minor league pitchers J.D. Hammer, Alejandro Requena and infielder Jose Gomez.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rockies: RHP Tyler Chatwood was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list. He had been bothered by a right calf strain. RHP Greg Holland was placed on paternity leave.

Cardinals: RHP Luke Weaver will be called up tomorrow from Triple-A Memphis to start on Thursday against Arizona. Weaver will take the spot of RHP Adam Wainwright, who was placed on the 10-disabled list on Tuesday with back stiffness. Weaver is 9-1 with a 1.91 ERA in 13 starts at Memphis. … St. Louis recalled RHP Mike Mayers from Memphis before Wednesday’s game. Mayers was 5-6 with a 3.49 ERA in 19 games at Memphis. … Cardinals OF Stephen Piscotty, who is bothered by a groin strain, will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday at Single-A Peoria.

UP NEXT

Rockies: RHP German Marquez (8-4, 4.20 ERA) will start on Friday in the opener of a three-game series at Washington. His eight wins are tied for third among NL rookies behind teammates Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela.

Cardinals: Weaver will open a four-game series at home against Arizona on Thursday. Weaver will be opposed by RHP Zack Godley (3-4, 3.32).

— Associated Press —

Johnson to step down as Mustangs Manager

Matt Johnson
Mustangs Manager
Photo courtesy Nick Ingram

St. Joseph Mustangs Manager Matt Johnson will officially step down at the end of the season.

According to a news release, Johnson has been with the team since its inaugural season in 2009, amassing a record of 317-155 with four MINK League Championships and five MINK North Regular Season Division Titles.  Under his tutelage the team placed 4th in the NBC World Series in 2010 and 2012, along with top 10 finishes in 2011, 2014 and 2015.

The Mustangs said the team was informed of Johnson’s decision on Friday. Johnson said it was important for the team to know, but he didn’t want it to be a distraction as they enter the MINK playoffs. No replacement has been named at this time.

Team Owner and CEO Dan Gerson said they plan to start the search for a new manager in the following weeks after the completion of this season.

The Mustangs host the MINK North Divisional Championship game Thursday evening at Phil
Welch Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 and first pitch is set for 7. Playoff special prices include $5
General Admission, $1 Hot Dogs and $2 12 oz Miller Lite and Coors Lights.

Royals beat Tigers 3-1 for seventh straight victory

DETROIT (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are keeping the pressure on in the AL Central, and manager Ned Yost has no big secrets to offer about their impressive winning streak.

“There’s no key to staying in it. You just keep playing good,” Yost said. “If there was a key to staying in it, then we would stay in it forever. You just play good. That’s all you do.”

Whit Merrifield homered on the first pitch of the game, and the Royals led the rest of the way, beating the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on Tuesday night for their seventh consecutive victory. Kansas City, which was 7-16 at the end of April, is 1 1/2 games behind first-place Cleveland.

Merrifield homered to left-center off Michael Fulmer (10-8) to open the scoring, and the Royals added two runs in the fourth. Danny Duffy (7-6) allowed a run and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Three relievers finished for Kansas City, with Kelvin Herrera pitching a perfect ninth for his 21st save in 24 chances.

Fulmer struck out the next four hitters he faced after Merrifield’s leadoff homer . The All-Star right-hander ended up allowing three runs and eight hits in eight sharp innings. He struck out six without a walk.

“Any time you get three runs early against a guy like Fulmer, you’ve got to make sure you keep the lead,” Duffy said. “He’s a great pitcher, and he’s got really good stuff. His future is super bright.”

The Royals scored eight runs — five earned — off Fulmer in his previous start last week. He was much better this time around, but Kansas City put together a crucial rally in the fourth. Eric Hosmer made it 2-0 with an RBI single, and Mike Moustakas added a sacrifice fly.

Detroit’s Mikie Mahtook hit a triple in the bottom of the fourth and scored on James McCann’s single. The Tigers loaded the bases in the seventh, but Nicholas Castellanos — mired in a 0-for-18 slump — grounded into a forceout against reliever Peter Moylan, ending the threat.

Joakim Soria allowed singles to the first two Detroit hitters in the eighth, but the Tigers blundered their way out of that inning. With men on first and third and one out, Victor Martinez’s line drive to deep right was caught, and Mahtook was doubled off first .

“I knew where the left and center fielders were, but I didn’t turn around to check where the right fielder was,” Mahtook said. “You have to know where the outfielders are.”

Merrifield’s home run was his 11th of the season and the 17th for Kansas City during this winning streak. The Royals have gone deep 13 times in the last four games.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: C Salvador Perez left the game in the fifth inning with right-side rib tightness. Yost said he didn’t think the issue was too serious.

NEW FACES

Kansas City didn’t use newly acquired relievers Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter. They were acquired Monday along with starter Trevor Cahill in a trade with San Diego.

The Royals optioned right-hander Jakob Junis to Triple-A Omaha before the game.

CONSISTENCY

Fulmer has 17 quality starts in 20 outings this season. One sign of his ability to pitch deep into games is the fact that he has only two no-decisions, and none since April 29.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy (3-6) takes the mound at Detroit on Wednesday night, when Kansas City tries for a three-game sweep.

Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (2-0) starts for Detroit. He’s posted a 4.11 ERA in six starts since being recalled from Triple-A Toledo.

— Associated Press —

Bader doubles, scores winning run in debut as Cards top Rockies

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Harrison Bader doubled leading off the ninth inning for his first major league hit and slid across the plate to score the winning run of his debut on Jedd Gyorko’s short sacrifice fly, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals over the Colorado Rockies 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Taken on the third round of the 2015 amateur draft, Bader was brought up before the game when Dexter Fowler was placed on the disabled list with a strained left wrist.

Bader started in center field and hit seventh, and he grounded out, struck out and flied out in his first three at-bats.

With his mother and sister arriving during the game following a flight from New York to join his father in the stands, Bader doubled down the left-field line against lefty Jake McGee (0-1) leading off the ninth. Bader was batting .403 (29 for 72) with 10 homers against lefties at Triple-A Memphis this year.

Greg Garcia sacrificed as Bader took third, and Gyorko hit a fly near the right-field line that Carlos Gonzalez caught 248 feet from the plate. The speedy Bader slid across jubilantly as Gonzalez’s one-hop throw went slightly up the third-base line.

Trevor Rosenthal (3-4) pitched two scoreless innings.

Major League Baseball experimented with 1-minute, 45-second breaks between innings rather than the usual 2:05 for locally televised games, and the game lasted 3:11 — 6 minutes longer than this year’s big league average for nine-inning games.

A 23-year-old from Bronxville, New York, Bader was the 100th overall pick in 2015 and was hitting .297 with 19 home runs and 48 RBI in 97 games for Memphis this season.

He became only the second player from Horace Mann School in New York to make it to the major leagues after Pedro Alvarez, a third baseman who played for Pittsburgh from 2010-15 and was selected an All-Star in 2013. Converted to first base, Alvarez spent last year with Baltimore and has been with the Orioles’ Triple-A team at Norfolk, Virginia, this season.

Lance Lynn, who may be traded before Monday’s deadline, allowed one run and three hits over six innings. The 30-year-old right-hander is eligible for free agency after this season.

Rockies starter Jon Gray gave up two runs and eight hits in five innings.

Cardinals rookie Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer in the first, his 13th of the season and seventh in July.

Gerardo Parra had a sacrifice fly in the seventh off Kevin Siegrist, and Trevor Story tied the score in the eighth against Matt Bowman with his 14th homer.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rockies: RHP Carlos Estevez was recalled from Albuquerque and RHP Jairo Diaz was optioned to the Triple-A farm team. Estevez is 4-0 with an 8.10 ERA in 18 appearances with Colorado. . 1B Ian Desmond (calf) left the game in the fourth inning.

Cardinals: Fowler’s injury is primarily to the forearm, according to Cardinals general manager Mike Girsch. “It’s no swing for a few days and then sort of regroup from there,” Girsch said. RHP Adam Wainwright (mid-back tightness) was placed on the DL, retroactive to July 23. . OF Stephen Piscotty (right groin strain) could start a rehab assignment at Class A Peoria on Thursday. . 1B Matt Carpenter (quad tightness) returned after missing Monday’s game.

UP NEXT

Rockies: RHP Jeff Hoffman (6-2, 5.10 ERA) is to start Wednesday. He allowed seven runs in three innings against Pittsburgh in his last start but is 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA in five road starts this season.

Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (6-8, 3.34 ERA) enters Wednesday 4-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 10 home starts this season.

— Associated Press —

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