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K-State’s Iwundu taken by Orlando in second round of NBA Draft

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BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Kansas State senior forward Wesley Iwundu was selected with the No. 33 pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2017 NBA Draft presented by State Farm on Thursday night at the Barclays Center.

Iwundu is the first player to be drafted out of K-State since Michael Beasley (Miami Heat) and Bill Walker (Washington Wizards) were taken in the 2008 NBA Draft with the second and 47th selections, respectively. He is third-highest draft pick for the Wildcats in the Lottery era, following Beasley (No. 2) and Mitch Richmond (No. 5 in 1988). He is the sixth consecutive K-State player selected in either the first or second round dating back to 1987.

Overall, Iwundu is the 50th Wildcat selected in the NBA Draft dating back to 1947.

Iwundu becomes the first K-State player to ever be drafted as well as the first to play for the Orlando Magic. He was joined in the Magic draft class by Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac (No. 6), Latvia’s Anzejs Pasecniks (No. 25), California’s Ivan Rabb (No. 35).

“I couldn’t be happier for Wes and his family for realizing the dream of playing in the NBA,” said head coach Bruce Weber. “I’m so very proud of him for not only developing into an NBA caliber player, but also into a quality person off the basketball court. He made tremendous strides on the court and in the classroom during his time at K-State. Wes had a dream and he went after it. This is a proud moment for me and the coaching staff.”

Iwundu is the sixth draft pick developed by Weber in his head coaching career, joining former Illinois players Deron Williams (2005), Luther Head (2005), James Augustine (2006), Dee Brown (2006) and Meyers Leonard (2012).

Iwundu was the third of six Big 12 players selected in the draft, joining Kansas’ Josh Jackson (No. 4, Phoenix Suns), Texas’ Jarrett Allen (No. 22, Brooklyn Nets), Kansas’ Frank Mason III (No. 34, Sacramento Kings) and Oklahoma State’s Jawun Evans (No. 39, Philadelphia 76ers), Iowa State’s Monte Morris (No. 51, Denver Nuggets). It marks the second straight year that six Big 12 players went in the NBA Draft.

Iwundu developed into one of the top all-around players in school history, becoming the first Wildcat to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals in a career as he finished with 1,249 points, 618 rebounds, 366 assists and 121 steals. He is one of six Wildcats to tally 1,200 points and 600 rebounds, joining Rolando Blackman, Bob Boozer, Thomas Gipson, Rodney McGruder and Ed Nealy. The school’s all-time starts leader, he finished his career in the Top 15 in seven career categories, including scoring (1,249/14th), rebounding (618/12th), assists (366/4th), steals (121/5th), minutes played (3,728/3rd), games (132/5th) and starts (124/1st).

Iwundu was the fourth college senior to be selected in the NBA Draft and one of just nine taken in the draft’s two rounds, joining Colorado’s Derrick White, Villanova’s Josh Hart and Miami’s Davon Reed. He is the first four-year K-State player selected in the draft since Steve Henson in 1990.

Iwundu is one of just six Wildcats in the Big 12 era to earn All-Big 12 First, Second or Third Team honors twice in a career, earning recognition to the Coaches’ Third Team in both 2016 and 2017.

In his 132-game career, Iwundu averaged 9.5 points on 46.3 percent shooting (425-of-917), including 33.8 percent (51-of-151) from 3-point range, with 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 28.2 minutes per game.

Iwundu saved his most productive season for his senior year in 2016-17, as he led the Wildcats in 15 categories, including scoring (13.0 ppg.), double-digit scoring games (26), field goals made (151), free throws made (122), free throw percentage (76.7), double-doubles (5) and rebounding (6.3 rpg.). He joined Mitch Richmond (1987-88) as the only Wildcats in school history to tally 400+ points, 200+ rebounds and 100+ assists in a single season.

Iwundu was the only Big 12 player to rank in the league’s Top 15 in scoring (15th), field goal percentage (10th), free throw percentage (11th), rebounding (9th) and assists (12th) in 2016-17, while he joined West Virginia’s Jevon Carter as the only Big 12 players to rank in the Top 15 in all 5 categories in league-only games.

For his senior season, Iwundu averaged 13.0 points on 48.1 percent shooting (151-of-314), including 37.6 percent (32-of-85) from 3-point range, with 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 31.4 minutes per game. In Big 12 play, he averaged 13.3 points on 47.8 percent shooting (77-of-161), including 40 percent (16-of-40) in 3-point range, with 7.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.5 minutes per game.

A Third Team All-Big 12 selection, Iwundu led the Wildcats in scoring a team-best 10 times, including a career-best 24 points in the NCAA First Four win over Wake Forest on March 14 – which was the school’s first NCAA Tournament victory since 2012. He averaged 21.5 points in NCAA Tournament action on 57.9 percent shooting (11-of-19), including 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from long range, with 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 31 minutes per game.

With Iwundu leading the way, K-State posted strong offensive statistics in 2016-17, including Top 10 single-season marks for points (2,523), scoring average (72.1), field goal percentage (46.1), 3-point field goals made (247), 3-point field goal perentage (36.2) and assists (522).

K-State collected 73 wins and earned a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances during Iwundu’s four-year career, which included a 21-win campaign and trip to the NCAA South Regional First Round as a senior in 2016-17. The 21 wins were the most since the 2012-13 season, while the 8 in Big 12 play were the most since 2013-14.

— KSU Athletics —

Chiefs sign Andy Reid to extension, part with GM John Dorsey

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid and John Dorsey arrived with the Kansas City Chiefs within weeks of each other, the coach and general manager given the massive undertaking of turning around a 2-14 franchise.

Reid will head into Year 5 by himself.

The Chiefs announced Thursday they had signed their coach to a contract extension, and then revealed less than an hour later that they parted ways with their GM. Those were massive decisions handed down by chairman Clark Hunt in a pair of statements on what is typically a quiet week in the offseason.

“My family and I have been very pleased by the success the franchise has sustained over the last four seasons under Coach Reid,” Hunt said. “He has already established himself as one of the best coaches in the league, and he is well on his way to solidifying a place among the all-time greats.”

It wasn’t just Reid that got the Chiefs on the winning track, though.

Dorsey arrived from Green Bay with a reputation for being a savvy scout, his track record working in the front office of the Packers seemingly impeccable. And over the past four seasons, he managed to turn a roster with a few big names but little depth into one of the strongest in the league.

It still wasn’t enough to keep his job with the Chiefs.

Just like Reid, Dorsey was entering the final year of a five-year contract. But unlike his close friend, he was informed by Hunt that his contract would not be extended. So the two agreed to part ways now rather than wait until next offseason, leaving a significant void in the front office.

Hunt did not say who will handle the GM duties on an interim basis, though Reid juggled coaching and personnel decisions in Philadelphia with varying levels of success.

“This decision, while a difficult one, allows John to pursue other opportunities as we continue our preparations for the upcoming season and the seasons to come,” Hunt said.

Hunt did not say why he thought the organization needed to move in a different direction, nor was he made available to answer questions. But he said in a letter to season ticketholders later Thursday he will conduct a search for a new GM in the coming weeks that includes internal and external candidates.

“I believe that we have a strong foundation in place,” Hunt wrote, “and we will continue to work tirelessly to build on the success we’ve sustained over the last four seasons.”

Dorsey made many wise decisions in revamping the once-downtrodden franchise, particularly when it came to the waiver wire, but he also made numerous moves that left him open to criticism.

The large contract given to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was a failure. The move to sign linebacker Tamba Hali to a $21 million deal was made worse by an administrative error that resulted in $4 million in additional dead money. Then there was the signing of wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, during which the Chiefs were found guilty of tampering, docked draft picks and levied a substantial fine.

Maclin was given a $55 million, five-year deal, but injuries, productivity and salary cap woes forced Dorsey to release Maclin this offseason — in a voicemail, no less.

That situation also demonstrated a problem that has plagued Reid and Dorsey since their arrival: management of the salary cap. The Chiefs have been consistently strapped for cash, and that led to the ouster of salary cap guru Trip MacCracken from the front office.

Still, Dorsey uncovered plenty of gems during his tenure. He also swung the deal for quarterback Alex Smith to stabilize the most important spot on the field, and boldly moved up in this year’s draft to take Patrick Mahomes II and give Kansas City its quarterback of the future.

“I want to thank Clark, the Hunt family and the Chiefs fans for the opportunity to be a part of Chiefs Kingdom over the last four seasons,” he said in a statement. “I believe this team is well positioned for the future and I wish Coach Reid, the players and the entire organization all the best.”

While Dorsey mulls his future, Reid heads into a season filled with expectations.

Most of the team that went 12-4 and won its first division title since 2010 returns intact, and there is reason to believe the Chiefs could be even better. Top linebacker Justin Houston will be healthy after dealing with knee trouble last season; the secondary has been solidified after safety Eric Berry signed a long-term extension; and rookie running back Kareem Hunt gives the offense another weapon.

Smith is also entering what could be a make-or-break season. His contract next year makes it pricey to keep him and cheap to let him go, so the veteran quarterback has even more incentive for a career year.

“”We’ve made quite a bit of progress over the last four seasons, but we are not done yet,” Reid said in a statement. “We are going to continue to work toward our ultimate goal of winning championships. I’ve been blessed by the support of the community, our fans, the Hunt family and the entire Chiefs staff. I’m looking forward to the years ahead as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.”

— Associated Press —

Cardinals drop series finale at Philadelphia 5-1

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Aaron Nola felt like himself again.

Nola pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning, Freddy Galvis and Tommy Joseph homered, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 Thursday to stop a five-game losing streak.

Nola (4-5) allowed one run, four hits and two walks in 7 1/3 innings and struck out eight.

“I know what I’m capable of and know what I can do,” Nola said. “Today was me. I felt confident in all of my pitches.”

The 24-year-old right-hander had a promising start to his career, but he did not pitch after July 20 last season because of right elbow trouble. He has been inconsistent this season.

“That looked like the old Nola, and that was great to see,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. “That’s the Nola we have come to love. He was outstanding, hitting paint on both sides.”

Joseph drove in three runs as Philadelphia, a major league-worst 23-48, won for just the second time in 15 games.

“Positive vibes, right?” Joseph said. “You have to keep your heads up. It’s a long season. It’s easy to get lost in the record, but we have the opportunity to make a personal difference and team difference every day.”

Paul DeJong homered on a hanging curveball leading off the eighth, pulling the Cardinals to 3-1, and Matt Carpenter walked with one out. Pat Neshek relieved and got Tommy Pham to ground into an inning-ending double play, and Luis Garcia followed with a perfect ninth.

Carlos Martinez (6-6) gave up three runs — two earned — and six hits with four strikeouts in six innings. The Cardinals, who made three errors, had won their previous five games against the Phillies.

“He was making pitches on the corners, getting a little help early and a lot of early outs so that kept hit pitch count down,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said of Nola. “His breaking ball was good.”

Galvis homered in the first and Joseph leading off the fifth. With two on and two outs, Andres Blanco scored from second on an errant flip to second by shortstop Aledmys Diaz after his fine grab of Galvis’ liner up the middle.

Left fielder Jose Martinez dropped Odubel Herrera’s fly ball in the eighth for a two-base error, and Joseph followed with a two-run, two-out single.

BASERUNNING GAFFE II

Herrera was picked off third base in the fourth inning. In Wednesday’s 7-6 loss, Herrera ran through third-base coach Juan Samuel’s stop sign in the ninth and was out by 10 feet.

“I can’t say I was happy,” Mackanin said. “You have to be aware. He didn’t take that hard step back. I’m not pleased about it.”

GOING DEEP

St. Louis has homered in 11 straight games and has 20 home runs since June 16. The Cardinals had scored four or more runs in their previous 11 games.

STREAKING I

Cardinals’ Yadier Molina extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a seventh-inning single. He is batting .293 over the stretch.

STREAKING II

Neshek extended his scoreless innings streak to 15 innings while making it 18 straight innings at home without allowing a run.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: OF Dexter Fowler did not play, a day after experiencing left quadriceps tightness.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (7-5, 5.75) is to start for St. Louis as the Cardinals open a three-game home series against the Pirates. Wainwright set career highs for earned runs (nine) and home runs allowed (three) over 1 2/3 innings in a 15-7 loss Saturday at Baltimore, the shortest start of his big league career.

Phillies: Philadelphia opens a nine-game trip at Arizona on Friday night. Mark Leiter (0-0) was in the clubhouse Thursday and is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make his first big league start. The 26-year-old right-hander, who made 12 relief appearances for the Phillies earlier this season, is a son of former big league pitcher Mark Leiter and the nephew of former pitcher Al Leiter.

— Associated Press —

Mustangs stay hot with 10-3 win over Chillicothe

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The St. Joseph Mustangs won their fifth consecutive game Wednesday as they defeated Chillicothe 10-3 inside Phil Welch Stadium.

St. Joe’s collegiate summer baseball team is now 17-5 this season and 12-5 in MINK League play.

The Mustangs scored four two-out runs in the second inning and led 5-1 after three. The Mudcats pulled to within two runs, 5-3, in the top of the seventh inning, but St. Joseph pulled away with five runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Brady Anderson led the Mustangs’ 12-hit attack as he went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Brody Santilli had two hits and four runs batted in, while Drew Standifer, Colton Pogue and Jacob Richardson scored two runs each.

St. Joe starter Osvaldo Raya moved to 4-0 this season as he allowed just one earned run and seven hits in six innings of work. Nikko Pablo threw three scoreless innings of relief to cap off the win.

The Mustangs are back on the road Thursday as they play at Jefferson City. The first pitch is at 7:00 p.m. from Vivion Field.

Perez grand slam in 8th rallies Royals past Red Sox 6-4

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez borrowed a Miguel Cabrera bat from Kansas City Royals teammate Drew Butera for the first time Wednesday.

“It’s a magic stick,” Butera said.

It was magic for Perez, who hit his first career grand slam, connecting in the eighth inning to rally the Royals over the Boston Red Sox 6-4.

“Miggy gave the bat to Butera when Detroit was playing here,” Perez said. “Drew doesn’t use it. It’s too heavy for him. Today, coming into the clubhouse, I put it in my locker. I like the bat.

“Today was the first day I used it and I’ll use it Friday, too, before you ask me. I don’t want to break that one. I’ve got to call Miggy and say, `You’ve got to send me some more bats.”

The Royals have won nine of 11 and moved within a game of .500.

Perez homered over the Kansas City bullpen in left field on the ninth pitch from Robby Scott (0-1). With Boston leading 4-2, reliever Matt Barnes started the inning by walking Jorge Bonifacio and Lorenzo Cain on 12 pitches.

“We uncharacteristically lost the strike zone,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “For a group that has been so good at not issuing too many walks over the course of the year, we had an inning that got away from us. Matt was up in the zone. He couldn’t get the ball down.

“This one stings because that group has been so good, so consistent for the better part of the whole season.”

Scott was summoned to face Eric Hosmer, but walked him on four pitches to load the bases for Perez. The All-Star catcher fouled off three full-count deliveries before hitting his 15th home run of the season.

“I was happy with where the pitch was, but it was too good,” Scott said. “There’s not much else to say about it.”

According to ESPN Stats and Information, Perez was the first Kansas City player to hit a grand slam in the eighth inning or later with the Royals trailing since Frank White in 1986. Perez went 3 for 3 in the win.

Jorge Soria (3-2) worked a spotless eighth. Kelvin Herrera pitched the ninth for his 17th save in 19 chances.

Andrew Benintendi and Xander Bogaerts hit successive home runs in the Boston fourth off Ian Kennedy.

Benintendi’s drive was estimated at 454 feet and landed in the right-center waterfall. The leadoff homer was Boston’s first hit, and the 100th of Benintendi’s career.

Five pitches later, Bogaerts went deep to left, tying the score at 2. It was the fourth time this season the Red Sox have hit back-to-back home runs.

“I tried to go inside and the ball just ran back over,” Kennedy said of the homers.

Red Sox lefty Drew Pomeranz worked 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and six hits.

Kennedy was removed after 4 2/3 innings, giving up four runs, two earned, three hits and three walks. He has just one victory in his past 17 starts.

Errors by Kennedy and first baseman Cheslor Cuthbert helped Boston score twice in the fifth.

ORTIZ’S CEREMONY

The Red Sox will retire David Ortiz’s No. 34 in a pregame ceremony Friday at Fenway Park. “When you consider the careers that are on that fa�ade, the numbers that are up there and the fact that his being done so soon after retiring, I think speaks volumes,” Farrell said. “What he’s meant to the city, what he’s meant to the organization. To see him at the ballpark, see the smile, to hear the booming voice, it will be a good day for us.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia missed his third straight game with rib soreness after being hit by a pitch Sunday. “When he went down to swing in the cage, there’s still some restriction,” Farrell said. “Hopefully he’ll be back in the lineup Friday.” … LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (right knee subluxation) will throw a 30-pitch two-inning simulated game Saturday.

Royals: RHP Nathan Karns (forearm strain) threw off a flat surface, his first time tossing since having a setback 11 days ago. … LHP Danny Duffy (oblique strain) will throw a bullpen session Friday and could begin a minor league rehab stint next week.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: After a day off Thursday, RHP Rick Porcello will start Friday against the Angels.

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis will start Friday against the Blue Jays.

— Associated Press —

Cardinals rally from 5-0 deficit, beat Phillies in 10 innings

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Cardinals used the long ball to rally and small ball to win.

Tommy Pham’s second solo homer off Hector Neris in the ninth inning tied it and the St. Louis Cardinals came back from a 5-0 deficit to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-6 in 10 innings Wednesday night.

Jedd Gyorko hit a two-run homer and pinch-hitter Jose Martinez also connected for St. Louis.

“Any time you come back like that, it feels real good, shows we have a lot of character,” Pham said.

The game went to extra innings after Freddy Galvis lined a double down the left-field line with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Odubel Herrera ran through a stop sign, around third-base coach Juan Samuel and was thrown out by 10 feet. He didn’t even attempt to slide and was pulled from the game in a double switch.

“I was playing aggressive, I wanted to win the game, I put my head down and kept running,” Herrera said through a translator. “I saw (the stop sign) late. It’s my mistake.”

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said Herrera let his “emotions get the best of him.”

Martinez led off the 10th with a double to right off Edubray Ramos (0-6). He advanced to third on a balk and scored when Ramos made a throwing error on a pickoff attempt at first base after Dexter Fowler was intentionally walked. Yadier Molina added an RBI single.

Phillies starter Nick Pivetta had a career-high 10 strikeouts and allowed three runs and four hits in six innings. The rookie right-hander fanned nine in seven scoreless innings in his previous outing against Boston — also a no-decision. The Cardinals won their second straight extra-inning game after losing five of six.

The Phillies have lost 13 of 14 and 39 of 50. They have the worst record in the majors (22-48).

Cardinals starter Michael Wacha gave up five runs — two earned — and nine hits in four innings. Brett Cecil (1-2) got two outs to earn the win. Seung Hwan Oh allowed a run but finished for his 16th save in 18 tries.

The Phillies jumped ahead 3-0 in the first inning. The runs were unearned because of a fielding error by second baseman Greg Garcia.

After Garcia booted a double-play grounder, Maikel Franco drove in the first run with a fielder’s choice grounder and Herrera ripped a two-run double to right-center.

Garcia made a throwing error in the fourth that allowed another run as the Phillies took a 5-0 lead.

Pham hit his eighth homer in the fifth. Gyorko went deep in the sixth for his 11th homer. Martinez hit one off Joaquin Benoit in the eighth to cut it to 5-4. Pham drove one out to straightaway center to tie it in the ninth.

“He’s a dangerous hitter to any part of the field,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said of Pham. “An exciting player.”

GOING DEEP

The Cardinals have hit three or more homers in five consecutive games. They have 19 homers since June 16.

FREE BASEBALL

The Phillies have played three straight extra-inning games and 11 this season, going 4-7.

SIGNED AND READY

Outfielder Adam Haseley, selected eighth overall in last week’s amateur draft, agreed to a minor league contract with the Phillies that includes a $5.1 million signing bonus.

The 21-year-old, a left-handed hitter, batted .390 with 14 homers and 56 RBI in 58 games at Virginia this year. Haseley could begin his pro career at Single-A Clearwater.

“Wherever they want me to go,” Haseley said. “I’m just looking forward to getting going.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: CF Fowler left the game with left quad tightness after scoring from second base on a single for the seventh run.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (6-5, 2.86 ERA) starts the series finale Thursday afternoon. He’s 3-0 with 20 strikeouts in 23 innings in three starts vs. the Philadelphia.

Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (3-5, 4.76) goes against the Cardinals. He’s 1-1 against them.

— Associated Press —

St. Joseph youth weightlifters heading to national championships

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St. Joseph, Mo. – Ten Wesley Weightlifters have posted qualifying totals to participate in the 2017 National Youth Weightlifting Championships, to be held June 24-26 at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Team Wesley members include:

WOMEN
13-under – Maddie Gable – 44 kilos
13-under – MaKenzie Leake – 48 kilos
13-under – Chloe Crooks – +58 kilos
14-under – Olivia Carriger – 58 kilos
16-17 – Alexa Burks – 63 kilos
14-15 – Emma Nye – 48 kilos

MEN
13-under – Layne Mason – 44 kilos
13-under – Quenton Leake – 35 kilos
13-under – Bailey Morse – 44 kilos
14-15 – Ethan Crooks – 69 kilos

Alexa Burks, Emma Nye and Layne Mason are all previous gold medalists. Nye will be attempting numerous national records at the event.

St. Joseph defeats KC Monarchs to extend win streak to four

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The St. Joseph Mustangs rolled to their fourth consecutive victory Tuesday as they defeated the Kansas City Monarchs 5-1.

St. Joe’s collegiate summer baseball team is now 5-0 against non-league opponents this season and 16-5 overall.

The Mustangs scored single runs in the first two innings to take an early lead. They added two runs in the fourth and one more in the sixth inning.

Joshua Lincoln had two hits for St. Joseph, while Drew Standifer scored twice. Louis Mele and Mike Foley each had one RBI.

Josh Monson earned the win as he threw seven scoreless innings and he allowed only three hits. Monson struck out three and walked two.

The Mustangs get back into MINK League play Wednesday as they host Chillicothe for the first time this season. The first pitch is at 7:00 p.m. inside Phil Welch Stadium and it’ll be broadcast on 680 KFEQ AM.

Royals struggle against Sale, lose to Red Sox 8-3

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chris Sale had just shut down one of the hottest teams in baseball, helping the banged-up Boston Red Sox take over sole possession of first place in the AL East for the first time all season.

And he looked as if he wanted to punch a wall.

Sale was two outs shy of his second consecutive complete game when Boston manager John Farrell trundled to the mound Tuesday night. But the left-hander’s pitch count had already reached 110 on the way to an 8-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, so Farrell’s decision to summon a reliever was relatively easy.

If a bit hard to swallow for his competitive ace.

“A little frustrating,” Sale said, “but at the end of the day we got the win. We’re good.”

Sale (9-3) gave up a homer to Mike Moustakas in the second inning and a two-run shot to Jorge Bonifacio in the ninth before leaving the game. The five-time All-Star allowed two other hits and a walk while pushing his major league-leading strikeout total to 146.

More importantly, he got a win after going the distance in a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia last week.

“We scored a bunch of runs today. That takes a lot of pressure off a pitcher,” Sale said. “You can make mistakes and not have to worry about it. You can just pound the strike zone.”

Xander Bogaerts and Sandy Leon each drove in a pair of runs for Boston, which got plenty of production from a lineup missing Pablo Sandoval, Dustin Pedroia and Mitch Moreland to various injuries.

First baseman Sam Travis and third baseman Deven Marrero, recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket earlier in the day, drove in early runs to get the Red Sox off and running. Mookie Betts and Chris Young also had RBI as the new division leaders kept piling on.

Boston jumped a half-game ahead of the rival New York Yankees, who have lost seven in a row for their longest slide in a single season since April 2007.

“It’s good to see the way guys have responded when guys have been down,” Farrell said. “To do it on the road, to continue to win, that’s a sign this team is becoming special.”

Most of Boston’s damage came against Royals youngster Matt Strahm (2-4), who struggled to follow up his dazzling first career start. The left-hander with a delivery eerily similar to Sale’s was hammered for five runs on seven hits and a walk before exiting with nobody out in the fourth.

Strahm allowed one unearned run in five innings last week against the Angels.

“Just mistakes. I’ve just got to do better with more quality pitches,” he said. “Just making quality two-strike pitches was my nemesis today.”

Sale dominated a Royals lineup that had slugged its way to eight wins in nine games, striking out the side in the fifth for good measure. The long, lean lefty was finally lifted after Bonifacio’s homer and a base hit by Brandon Moss.

The dominant performance came after Sale twirled a complete game in his last start at Kansas City, allowing two earned runs while striking out 10 in a 7-4 victory last Sept. 16 for the White Sox.

“He locates all his pitches, throws hard and has great stuff,” Moustakas said. “You just try to put the ball in play, try not to get to two strikes. I was able to do that in that first at-bat.”

PAINFUL PANDA

Sandoval went on the disabled list before the game with an inner ear infection. The pain began for the Red Sox third baseman a few days ago, but Farrell said Sandoval’s temperature kept climbing. The DL stint also gives Sandoval a mental break after a rough start to the season.

ROSTER MOVES

Along with putting Sandoval on the DL, the Red Sox optioned RHP Austin Maddox to Triple-A Pawtucket.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: Pedroia (ribs) still felt discomfort while swinging in the cage before the game, though Farrell said it’s possible the second baseman could play Wednesday. … LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (right knee) went through fielding practice before the game. He plans to throw to hitters on Saturday.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (right oblique) threw about 40 pitches off the mound to hitters before the game and reported no problems. He plans to throw a side session Friday and could begin a rehab assignment next week. “Felt great, looked great,” manager Ned Yost said.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz tries to build on a solid start at Houston in the series finale Wednesday afternoon. Pomeranz allowed one run while pitching into the seventh inning against the Astros.

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy will be coming off his first win since Sept. 11 when he starts for Kansas City. Kennedy retired the first 17 hitters he faced in a 3-1 victory over the Angels.

— Associated Press —

Cardinals score seven runs in 11th to beat Philadelphia

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tommy Pham wasn’t going to let another cutter get by him.

Pham hit a two-run homer as part of a seven-run 11th inning to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-1 on Tuesday night.

Stephen Piscotty had a two-run double off Casey Fien after Edubray Ramos (0-5) started the inning with two walks. Yadier Molina and Pham followed with homers as the Cardinals had their biggest output of the season in an inning.

“(Fien) threw me a cutter first pitch and I said if he throws me another one I’m going to crush it,” Pham said. “He threw it again and that normally never works, but it worked there. I wish I could predict stuff like that but I can’t. I’m not that good.”

Fien gave up both homers and then a single to Chad Huffman and double to Carpenter before the pitcher was removed. Philadelphia has now lost 12 of its last 13 games.

“Ramos didn’t record an out and he didn’t throw strikes,” said Phillies manager Pete Mackanin. “Then we threw balls that were hit. It’s a tough way to lose a game after we had good pitching for 10 innings.”

Mike Leake started the game for St. Louis and allowed one run and three hits in six innings.

Jeremy Hellickson gave up six hits and a run in seven innings. His only blemish was a solo homer for Jedd Gyorko in the second inning.

Both bullpens pitched well until the Phillies’ imploded in the 11th inning. Kevin Siegrist (1-1) pitched one inning in relief for St. Louis to earn the win. The Cardinals relievers pitched five shutout innings allowing just four singles.

Philadelphia scored its lone run of the game on a Maikel Franco RBI single after Leake walked the first two batters in the fourth inning.

“(Leake) was good,” said Cardinals manager Mike Matheny. “He trusted his sinker and kept it down and got the outs when we needed it. It’s really hard to complain about anything when he only gives up three hits.”

The Cardinals improved to 4-0 against the Phillies this month. St. Louis is 3-12 against everyone else in June.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Alex Reyes, the top pitching prospect for the Cardinals, is making good progress in his recovery from a UCL tear in his right elbow and could begin a throwing program in about four weeks. Reyes had Tommy John surgery in February and is hoping to be back competing for a rotation spot at the beginning of the 2018 season.

Phillies: RHP Jerad Eickhoff was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with an upper back strain. Eickhoff has struggled this season and is the only pitcher in the majors with at least 10 starts and no wins. However, he is coming off his best start of the season in which he allowed just one run on six hits against Arizona. 1B Brock Stassi was recalled from Double A Reading to take his spot on the roster.

END OF THE LINE

Phillies 1B Tommy Joseph had his 14-game hitting streak come to an end Tuesday. He was 0-for-5. He entered the game tied with Los Angeles Dodgers 3B Justin Turner for the longest active streak in the majors.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha (3-3, 4.78) had six quality starts in his first seven outings, but has had only one in his last five starts — it came against the Phillies.

Phillies: RHP Nick Pivetta (1-3, 4.46) is coming off the best start of his young career. He threw seven shutout innings against the Boston Red Sox and struck out nine in what was a no decision.

— Associated Press —

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