Sports – Page 589 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Wacha wins 13th, St. Louis beat Reds 3-0 to take series

Posted on August 6, 2015

CINCINNATI (AP) — The mound was slippery, the rain was steady, the bullpen was exhausted. Michael Wacha overcame all of it for another win.

Wacha gave St. Louis’ tired bullpen a respite by throwing seven innings in the rain Thursday, and the Cardinals pulled away to a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, taking yet another series from their NL Central rival.

The Cardinals improved to 30 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2013 season. They have the best record in the major leagues at 69-39.

“It’s August already,” Wacha said. “This is the time we start pushing and play the way we have been all year.”

They took two of three in Cincinnati and have won 15 of their last 18 series together. The Reds were shut out for the last 18 innings.

St. Louis pulled out the second game of the series on Randal Grichuk’s homer in the 13th inning for a 4-3 win on Wednesday night. Wacha (13-4) overcame a 68-minute rain delay at the start of Thursday’s game, and then gave his used-up bullpen a rest.

“Absolutely had to happen,” manager Mike Matheny said. “There’s a couple of things we could have done, but that was the best.”

The right-hander allowed four hits and a pair of walks, allowing only two runners to reach second base as he beat the Reds for the third time this season. It was impressive considering the start of the game got pushed back twice and there were long delays between innings while the grounds crew worked on the field.

“It’s pretty tough pitching in that kind of stuff, but we’ve got to deal with it,” said Wacha, who threw 102 pitches.

Trevor Rosenthal gave up an infield single and a walk in the ninth while getting his 32nd save in 34 chances and completing a five-hitter.

Tony Cruz snapped his 0-for-15 slump with an RBI single, and Kolten Wong singled home two more off Michael Lorenzen (3-7) as the teams played through intermittent, sometimes heavy rain. There was a long delay after the sixth inning to spread a drying compound around the infield.

Lorenzen, one of five rookies in the Reds’ rotation, gave up three runs in five innings. He hasn’t won since June 21, going 0-5 in seven starts. In his last four starts, he’s allowed 20 runs in 18 innings.

STREAKS

Grichuk went 0 for 4, ending his hitting streak at eight games. Cincinnati’s Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to seven games.

A LOT OF ZEROES

It was the Cardinals’ 11th shutout of the season, fourth-most in the NL. Last year, they had 23 shutouts. … The Reds’ streak of 18 innings without a run matches their longest of the season — they also did it in June. … Wacha has given up only two runs in 20 1/3 innings against the Reds this season.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY …

It was the 13th rain delay at Great American Ball Park this season, totaling 18 hours, 41 minutes.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: LF Stephen Piscotty was hit in the left thigh by one of Lorenzen’s pitches while trying to bunt in the fifth inning. He stayed in the game.

Reds: CF Billy Hamilton got a day off. He has one hit in his last 15 at-bats.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: St. Louis goes to Milwaukee for a three-game series. Lance Lynn (8-6) is 7-3 career against the Brewers with a 2.53 ERA. The seven wins are his most against any opponent.

Reds: Cincinnati starts a 10-game trip against the Diamondbacks, the Padres and the Dodgers. Raisel Iglesias (2-3) tries for his first back-to-back wins in the majors, making his first appearance against Arizona.

— Associated Press —

Mustangs suffer walk-off loss to Haysville at NBC World Series

Posted on August 6, 2015August 6, 2015

Click to listen to Manager Matt Johnson’s postgame interview

The St. Joseph Mustangs’ season came to an end Wednesday night as they lost to the Haysville (KS) Aviators 4-3 in an elimination game at the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kansas.

St. Joe’s summer college baseball team finishes 37-17 and they were seventh at the NBC World Series.

The Mustangs jumped out to a 3-0 lead with single runs in each of the first three innings. They held a lead the entire game and led 3-2 in the ninth inning when Haysville rallied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth for a walk-off win.

The Aviators got a one-out single from Cody Maack to tie the game in the ninth inning and then, with the bases loaded, Dan Holst hit a ground ball to second and Jerry Houston’s throw home was in the dirt and Haysville scored the winning run.

Austin Aspegren suffered the loss for St. Joseph as he gave up one hit and two unearned runs. He walked two and Mustangs’ pitchers walked a total of nine batters in the game.

Trent Kinney started and allowed two runs on four hits in five innings of work.

Orencio Fisher led the Mustangs’ nine-hit attack as he finished 4-for-5 with one run and one RBI. Francisco Alvarez added two hits, while Jacob Richardson and Ramsey Scott had one RBI each.

Haysville improves to 32-15 and they advance to the Super Six at the NBC World Series.

Kansas City loses to Detroit 2-1 in Cueto’s second start

Posted on August 6, 2015August 6, 2015

DETROIT (AP) — When the Detroit Tigers traded star pitcher David Price to the Blue Jays last week for three young left-handers, it was designed as a move for the future.

Turns out, it’s working well in the present.

Three days after Daniel Norris dominated Baltimore, it was Matt Boyd’s turn to pitch seven strong innings in a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.

Boyd received a standing ovation from the crowd of 34,628 after the seventh inning, and couldn’t stop a grin from spreading across his face.

“That was awesome — that’s a moment that I’m never going to forget,” said Boyd, moments after receiving the lineup card in honor of his first career win. “I told Daniel in the dugout that we’re home here.”

As a fly-ball pitcher, Boyd is already enjoying pitching at cavernous Comerica Park instead of the smaller Rogers Centre.

“I love this place already,” he said with a laugh. “Not only is it bigger, but it looks like a real baseball stadium with all that iron and the ivy.”

Boyd only allowed one run on seven hits and didn’t walk a batter in a career-long seven innings.

“He was great out there,” said Tigers catcher James McCann. “It has been exciting to see these new guys pitch — the results are obvious, but these are two young guys showing a ton of poise and pitching with a game plan. Matt is a guy who can live up in the zone, because he’s mixing three breaking balls in with a riding fastball.

“Once I catch these two a few more times, it will be even better.”

Bruce Rondon pitched the eighth before Blaine Hardy and Alex Wilson combined to finish off the Royals. Hardy got the first two outs, helped by a running catch by J.D. Martinez, before Wilson retired Alex Rios for his second save.

After the game, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus confirmed that Wilson will be the closer to replace Joakim Soria, who was traded to Pittsburgh. Wilson has been the team’s long man, set-up man and even made a spot start earlier in the season.

“We would be in a lot of trouble without Alex Wilson,” Ausmus said. “Given everything he’s done for us this year, he has earned the chance to finish out games.”

Johnny Cueto (7-7) couldn’t pick up his first win for Kansas City despite only allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings. Cueto walked two and struck out two.

“That’s part of the game,” Cueto said through an interpreter. “I know that I just have to do my job and my team will take care of the rest.”

The Tigers broke a scoreless tie in the third when Gose’s two-out triple over the head of Lorenzo Cain brought home Tyler Collins.

“We had a plan of playing Gose shallow, and it just backfired on us,” Cain said.

Kansas City got its own RBI triple in the fourth, this one off the bat of Kendrys Morales. It was his first triple since 2012 — also against Detroit — and just the fifth of his nine-year career.

Yet another triple let the Tigers regain the lead in their half of the fourth. Kinsler hit it into the right-centerfield gap and scored on Victor Martinez’s groundout.

Rios singled and moved to third on a bad pickoff throw in the fifth, but Boyd got out of the jam.

“He was pitching up in the zone, but we couldn’t catch up with his fastball,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Alex Gordon (groin strain) took indoor batting practice at Comerica Park on Tuesday and hit soft tosses outside on Wednesday. Gordon, who has been out since July 8, is hoping to progress to shagging balls and full batting practice later this week with an eye to returning in late August.

Tigers: 1B Miguel Cabrera (calf strain) has been told to back off on his rehab work, now that the Tigers are falling out of the postseason race. Cabrera, who had been hoping to return in mid-August, now is only saying that he expects to be back this season. . LHP Kyle Lobstein (shoulder) made a rehab outing with Single-A Lakeland, allowing two runs in three innings in his first outing since going on the disabled list in May.

UP NEXT

The teams finish a three-game series Thursday afternoon with Yordano Ventura (6-7, 4.98) facing Anibal Sanchez (10-9, 4.77). Ventura is 5-2 with a 3.97 ERA in day games this season, compared with just 1-5 with a 6.11 ERA in night games.

— Associated Press —

Grichuk’s solo homer in 13th rallies Cardinals over Reds

Posted on August 6, 2015August 6, 2015

CINCINNATI (AP) — Rookie Randal Grichuk knew that in homer-friendly Great American Ball Park, all it takes is one decent swing to end a game.

Matt Carpenter tied it with a solo homer in the eighth, and Grichuk connected in the 13th inning, rallying the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night.

Grichuk was moved up to second in the Cardinals’ struggling batting order. He doubled home a run in the sixth inning and hit his 15th homer in the 13th off Dylan Axelrod (0-1), Cincinnati’s eighth pitcher.

He knew the ballpark’s reputation for yielding homers that would be outs in most other places.

“You know the ball flies here,” Grichuk said. “It’s in the back of your mind.”

So far, Grichuk has shown a propensity to hit balls hard and strike out a lot.

“Two big swings for us,” manager Mike Matheny said. “He’s got the potential. You might see some swings-and-misses sometimes, but you also see what he does tonight.”

Seth Maness (4-1) gave up a pair of walks in two innings, completing an impressive night by the bullpen. Cardinals relievers blanked the Reds over the final eight innings.

“The way they’ve been throwing the ball this year, we know that if we can scratch a few runs — not many — we’ve got a chance to win,” Carpenter said. “Today was a good example of that.”

Matheny changed the batting order — Grichuk went from batting eighth on Tuesday to second — to try to spark his struggling offense, but the Cardinals didn’t get much going until late in the game.

Left-hander David Holmberg allowed two runs, including Grichuk’s RBI double off the top of the wall in center that cut it to 3-2 in the sixth.

Carpenter tied it with a homer in the eighth off J.J. Hoover, only the third that the reliever has allowed this season. It was Carpenter’s fifth homer in his last six games.

The Reds strung together walks and infield hits while scoring three times off Carlos Martinez.

They loaded the bases in the third with a walk, an infield single and a fielding error by shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Brayan Pena’s opposite-field double landed just inside the left-field line and made it 2-0.

The Reds loaded the bases again in the fourth with a pair of walks — one to Holmberg — and Brandon Phillips’ single just out of the reach of second baseman Kolten Wong. Todd Frazier’s soft groundout got in another run.

EXTRA, EXTRA

The Cardinals have played 15 extra-inning games, going 7-8. Their longest was an 18-inning loss to the Mets. The Reds have played 13 extra-inning games, going 4-9. They’ve gone as long as 13 innings five times.

STREAKS

Grichuk extended his hitting streak to eight games. Stephen Piscotti’s streak ended at eight games. Jason Heyward’s streak ended at seven games. … Phillips extended his hitting streak to six games. Jay Bruce’s streak ended at six games.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Yadier Molina got hit in the facemask by Phillips’ foul tip in the fourth inning. Phillips checked to see if the catcher was all right as he shook off the hit.

Reds: LH Sean Marshall threw off a bullpen mound for the first time since surgery on May 20 to remove scar tissue in his pitching shoulder. He’ll throw every three days.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Michael Wacha (12-4) has won both of his starts against the Reds this season, allowing only two runs in 13 1/3 innings.

Reds: Michael Lorenzen (3-6) tries for his first win since June 21. He’s 0-4 in his last six starts and has been hit hard in his last three, giving up 17 runs in 13 innings.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs look to Maclin to get to end zone

Posted on August 5, 2015August 5, 2015

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, left, catches a pass while covered by cornerback Marcus Cooper (31) during NFL football training camp in St. Joseph, Mo., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Click the links below to hear post-practice audio from the Chiefs at MWSU.
AHead Coach Andy Reid
LT Eric Fisher
RB/WR De’Anthony Thomas
DB Ron Parker

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — On the first day of training camp, Alex Smith dropped back in a full-squad drill and lofted a pass toward Jeremy Maclin, who pulled it in and sprinted to the end zone.

Just like that, Maclin had scored more touchdowns — ONE — than all of the Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receivers combined last season.

He had also showed why the Chiefs were so eager to sign him in free agency.

Without question, their pass-catching corps was among the least productive in the NFL last season, a big reason the Chiefs failed to make the playoffs. Tight end Travis Kelce led the team in receptions and yards receiving, and five of the top six in receptions were either fellow tight ends or players listed as running backs.

The only wide receiver to crack that top six? Dwayne Bowe, who was jettisoned along with his massive contract after catching just 60 balls for 754 yards — and no touchdowns.

The Chiefs signed Maclin as an upgrade, one that fits their system better. Andy Reid traded up to draft him when Reid was running the show in Philadelphia, and the two remained in touch when the coach moved on to Kansas City and Maclin was rehabbing a torn ACL two years ago.

Last year, Maclin bounced back with 85 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns, proving not only that he was healthy but — at least to the Chiefs — that he was a No. 1 wide receiver.

“I consider myself to be an all-around receiver, doing a little bit of everything,” Maclin said. “Being able to go downfield, run intermediate routes, run show routes — be able to take 1-yard passes and be able to take them to the house. I’m excited about that.”

Take them to the house? That would make the Chiefs excited, too.

To put Maclin’s season a year ago into perspective, consider this: Only once has a Chiefs wide receiver ever had more catches in a season (Bowe with 86 in 2008), and Derrick Alexander and Carlos Carson are the only ones to have more yards receiving in a season.

No wonder just about everyone on the field, and the fans in the stands, where whooping it up when Maclin took that pass from Smith to the end zone on the first day of camp.

“We were just getting work in. It was part of what we installed today; me and Alex just happened to hit,” Maclin said. “Every day is going to be a different story. We’ll continue to go out here and get work in. if it’s down the field, it’s down the field. If it’s anything else, it’s anything else. All we can do is go out there and execute the plays that are called.”

Maclin acknowledged there is some familiarity in those plays that are called. It’s been a couple years since he’s been in Reid’s system, and there have been tweaks to it along the way. But it’s not as if he’s learning a foreign language, or even a different dialect.

“You know, he didn’t skip a beat coming back into this,” Smith said. “He’s really smart and sees coverages, and when you go through receivers like that, they can anticipate when the ball is coming and you kind of like that. They know the little adjustments to make.”

Maclin will be counted on for more than just production. The Chiefs still have a young and relatively unproven wide receiver corps. So despite turning 27 in May, Maclin is one of the elder statesmen.

“He understands defenses, complexity of defenses, and what they’re trying to do to stop him,” said Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, who also worked with Maclin in Philadelphia. “He brings a level of competitiveness that group needs and a veteran leadership within that room.”

So far, Maclin has embraced the burden that comes with his five-year, $55 million contract. He realizes that all eyes will be on him this season, especially if the Chiefs have any hopes of returning to the playoffs. He knows defenses will key on him. He is fully aware that fans expect him to not only catch passes, but score touchdowns.

One in training camp was a good start.

NOTES: S Eric Berry, back in camp after dealing with lymphoma, made a nice interception of a tipped pass in practice. Berry has been working mostly with the No. 2 defense while he gets back up to speed. … The Chiefs have their first day off from camp on Thursday. They resume practices Friday leading up to next week’s exhibition opener at Arizona.

— Associated Press —

Perez leads Royals past Verlander, Tigers

Posted on August 4, 2015

DETROIT (AP) — Salvador Perez can’t explain his success against Justin Verlander. He just hopes it continues.

Perez had three hits off Verlander, including a homer, and drove in three runs as the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 5-1 Tuesday night.

Perez is now hitting .474 (18-for-38) in his career against Verlander.

“He’s a great pitcher, and I don’t know any secret,” Perez said. “I’m just up there trying to do my job and he’s trying to do his job. Today he left a couple fastballs up, and I was able to hit them.”

Verlander (1-4) struggled in his ninth start of the season, allowing five runs on 10 hits in seven innings. He didn’t walk a batter for a career-best third straight start, but the Tigers are now 1-8 in his outings this year.

The game was overshadowed by an afternoon announcement that Dave Dombrowski was being replaced as Detroit’s general manager by his top assistant, Al Avila. In 14 years with the Tigers, Dombrowski took one of the worst franchises in the game and took it to six postseason appearances including World Series losses in 2006 and 2012.

Detroit came into the season looking for a fifth straight AL Central title, but now trail the Royals by 12 1/2 games.

“It is strange to come here and see some of their big guys gone and then to hear about Dave Dombrowski,” said Eric Hosmer, who scored twice, both on Perez RBI. “That has to be really tough for them, especially after the last few years.”

Danny Duffy (5-5) allowed one run on five hits and four walks in seven innings, only striking out two.

“Danny was outstanding tonight,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. ”

After Perez drove in Kansas City’s first three runs, former Tiger Omar Infante doubled to lead off the fifth, took third on Alcides Escobar’s sacrifice fly and scored on Ben Zobrist’s sacrifice fly to deep right.

Detroit loaded the bases with one out in their half of the fifth, but Anthony Gose grounded into a force at the plate and Rajai Davis popped out.

“That was huge,” Yost said. “With that offense, you don’t want to give them anything that lets them get back into the game.”

Alex Rios increased the Royals lead to 5-0 with a bloop double in the sixth, scoring Kendrys Morales, but the Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the inning on Victor Martinez’s RBI single.

Detroit threatened again in the seventh, as Nick Castellanos led off with a triple and Jefry Marte followed with a walk. Gose grounded to third baseman Mike Moustakas, who looked Castellanos back to the base before throwing to second for the force.

Castellanos then broke for the plate, and Omar Infante threw home to easily retire him and end the threat.

“My initial reaction was that if he wanted to go to the plate I was a sitting duck,” Castellanos said. “Then when I saw that he was turning two, then I decided to go. I should have just taken off as soon as he hit it.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Duffy continued to pitch very well since returning from the disabled list with biceps tendinits. Duffy is 3-2 with a 2.66 ERA in eight starts since returning from the injury in late June.

Tigers: LHP Kyle Lobstein (shoulder) threw on the side with Triple-A Toledo. Lobstein, who has been out since May 24, is expected to begin a rehab stint with the Mud Hens this week. … Tigers manager Brad Ausmus did not have any update on Miguel Cabrera (calf), who has begun agility drills in advance of an expected return later this month.

UP NEXT

The teams play the second of their three-game series Wednesday afternoon, with both teams pitching deadline acquisitions. Johnny Cueto (7-6, 2.70) makes his second start for the Royals, while Matt Boyd (0-2, 14.85) will make his Tigers debut after being acquired for David Price. In Boyd’s last major-league start — the second of his career — he faced seven Red Sox without retiring a batter.

RARE LOSS

Verlander came into the game with a 31-1 record in 37 career starts where he didn’t walk a batter. His only previous loss came to the White Sox on August 11, 2006.

— Associated Press —

Western picked 4th by media, 5th by coaches in preseason MIAA football polls

Posted on August 4, 2015August 4, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After finishing in a tie for fourth last year in the MIAA, the Missouri Western football team has been picked fourth by the media and fifth by the coaches in the 2015 MIAA Preseason Polls.

The Griffons return 15 starters and 36 letter winners from a squad that went 7-4 one season ago. Those returners include the 2014 team’s top passer (Skyler Windmiller) and rusher (Raphael Spencer) along with team leaders in sacks (Cody Lindsay) and interceptions (Michael Jordan) and receiving yards (Dee Toliver). Jordan and Spencer join Travis Anderson as 2014 first team All-MIAA selections returning for 2015. Jordan was also named to four All-American teams in 2014 and Spencer and Anderson were both third team Don Hansen All-Region selections last season. Overall, the team returns eight players named All-MIAA last season.

Offensively, eight starters return from the 2014 squad. Windmiller started nine games after winning a quarterback battle and finished the year with 1,799 yards passing and nine touchdowns. Spencer is back and enters his senior year third on the MWSU career rushing chart with 3,069 yards. He needs 330 yards to move into second and is 1,900 yards behind career leader Michael Hill. Four starters on the offensive line return, including Anderson and 2014 All-MIAA honorable mention tackle Leonard Wester. Tight end Alek Ferbet was also honorable mention All-MIAA last year with 15 catches for 196 yards. Dee Toliver is the leading, returning receiver. The senior was second on the team in 2014 with 31 catches and led the team with 457 yards and four touchdowns.

Seven starters and 17 lettermen return to a defense that allowed the fifth fewest points in MWSU history. One of the MIAA’s best units last season will again be highlighted by Jordan. Lindsay had an outstanding first year with the Griffons, leading the team with seven sacks. Yomi Alli and Lindsay were honorable mention All-MIAA last year and returning defensive lineman Arbanas Elliott was a second team All-MIAA pick. All three starters up front return, with Lindsay and Alli returning as starting linebackers. Jordan and Sam Brown will again form one of the MIAA’s most formidable corner back duos. The defense will have to replace both of 2014’s starting safeties but have a handful of experienced defensive backs to choose from.

Maybe the biggest battle in the 2015 preseason will be in the kicking game. The Griffons must replace an All-American punter (Scott Groner) and an All-American kicker (John Schmiemeier). Groner is now on the coaching staff after breaking nearly every MWSU punting record in his four-year career. Schmiemeier led the MIAA in 2014 on his way to an honorable mention Don Hansen All-American nod. The team added two punters and three kickers in the offseason to battle for those two positions. They won’t have to worry about inconsistent snapping as Cameron Glenn returns for his third year as the Griffons’ long snapper. Brandyyn Clark led the team with 13 punt returns and 91 punt return yards and is back for the 2015 campaign. Clark returned three kicks for 74 yards last season, the most of any returning player.

2015 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (8)                118
2. Pittsburg State (4)                      114
3. Central Missouri                           92
4. Central Oklahoma                        91
5. Missouri Western                         82
6. Fort Hays State                           71
T7. Emporia State                           59
T7. Washburn                                 59
9. Nebraska-Kearney                       39
10. Lindenwood                               34
11. Missouri Southern                      17
12. Northeastern State                     16

2015 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (28)          478
2. Pittsburg State (13)               455
3. Central Oklahoma                  382
4. Missouri Western                   350
5. Central Missouri                     344
6. Fort Hays State                      284
7. Emporia State                        226
8. Washburn                              213
9. Nebraska-Kearney                  153
10. Missouri Southern                 144
11. Lindenwood                           122
12. Northeastern State                  47

— MWSU Athletics —

St. Louis drops series opener at Cincinnati

Posted on August 4, 2015August 4, 2015

CINCINNATI (AP) — Anthony DeSclafani has figured out how to handle the Cardinals — go right at them.

The rookie handled St. Louis for the second straight start, striking out a career-high nine, and the Cincinnati Reds turned a big first inning off John Lackey into a 3-2 victory Tuesday night.

DeSclafani (7-7), the most experienced member of Cincinnati’s all-rookie rotation with 20 starts, gave up seven hits and two runs in six innings. Last Wednesday in St. Louis, DeSclafani gave up only three hits in seven innings of a 1-0 win over the NL Central leaders.

“Same approach,” manager Bryan Price said. “He has good stuff and he trusts it. It’s more attitude than anything. I don’t think he has any fear.”

Aroldis Chapman fanned two in the ninth — his fastball topping out at 101 mph — for his 23rd save in 24 chances. The lefty has converted 56 consecutive save opportunities at Great American Ball Park since his last failure in September 2012.

The Reds scored three runs in the first inning off Lackey (9-7), who hadn’t allowed that many runs in any of his last nine starts. He went six innings, giving up six hits.

The Cardinals have dominated the Reds in recent years, winning 14 of their last 17 series. The Reds had a bit of a breakthrough in St. Louis last week, taking two of three — their first series win at Busch Stadium since 2001.

“It’s fun playing the Cards and Pirates,” center fielder Billy Hamilton said, referring to the last two opponents. “We get so motivated playing those guys. DeSclafani did a good job pitching and the defense had his back.”

They got a good start on extending that success with the big first inning. Jay Bruce had an RBI double — his fifth double in the last six games — and Marlon Byrd followed with another double as Cincinnati sent eight batters to the plate.

After that five-hit, 30-pitch inning, Lackey settled in and allowed only an infield single through the next five innings, retiring the last 14 batters he faced.

Randal Grichuk tripled off the wall in center field and Matt Carpenter hit his 14th homer in the third inning, cutting it to 3-2. It was Carpenter’s fourth homer in the last five games.

“I didn’t do anything different,” DeSclafani said. “Any time you can pitch with that early cushion, you’re more relaxed. You don’t have to nibble as much.”

GREAT CATCH

Hamilton initially misjudged Jason Heyward’s fly to center in the eighth, but made a stretching, over-the-shoulder catch and slid on his stomach on the warning track to make up for his late break on the ball.

“It’s a game changer,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.

STREAKS

Heyward extended his hitting streak to seven games (10 for 22). Grichuk stretched his to seven games (11 for 25). Stephen Piscotty had his snapped at eight games.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: Hamilton rammed his right leg into the outfield wall while trying unsuccessfully to catch Grichuk’s triple in the third inning. He came up wincing and stretched his leg, but stayed in the game.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Carlos Martinez (11-4) allowed five runs and a season-high 10 hits in five innings of a 9-8 win over Colorado last Thursday. He’s 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 13 career appearances against the Reds.

Reds: LHP David Holmberg (1-0) makes his second start since he was called up from Triple-A to take Johnny Cueto’s spot in the rotation. Holmberg gave up two runs and five hits in six innings of a 15-5 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs prove willingness to give players second chances

Posted on August 4, 2015August 5, 2015

Click the links below to hear post-practice audio from the Chiefs at MWSU.
Defensive Coordinator Bob Sutton
Special Teams Coach – Dave Toub
OL Mitch Morse
WR L’Damian Washington
K Cairo Santos

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have demonstrated a willingness under general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid to give players who have run into trouble a second chance.

They’ve also proven there’s no such thing as a third.

Take the case of Justin Cox, a defensive back from Mississippi State. He went undrafted after missing the final three games and the Orange Bowl last season following a domestic violence arrest — a charge that was ultimately dropped — and the Chiefs gave him a shot. But when Cox was arrested again this summer, it took them less than 24 hours to send him packing.

“I wouldn’t say there’s a hard and fast policy because every situation is different,” Chiefs Chairman Clark Hunt said. “It’s up to John and his staff to do the research when a player has an incident and make a judgment call whether it’s going to work out. That particular situation, it didn’t, but John is very aware we don’t want guys who are going to be a problem.”

The Chiefs do want players who can help them win, though, and therein lies the balancing act that all NFL teams face: Who do you take a risk on? When do take a pass?

In the three years since Dorsey and Reid have been in charge, the Chiefs have added numerous players with checkered pasts, and so far they’ve mostly steered clear of trouble.

Tight end Travis Kelce was their third-round pick a couple years ago, even though he had been suspended in college for violating team rules. Not only has Kelce developed into one of the most dynamic tight ends in the game, he has also matured into a locker room leader.

“A little bit more accountability,” Kelce replied, when asked how he’s changed.

The Chiefs also took a chance on cornerback Phillip Gaines in last year’s draft. He had run into trouble at Rice, but his size and speed made him an intriguing prospect. Fast-forward to this year’s training camp and Gaines is competing for one of the starting jobs.

But perhaps never have the Chiefs taken on so many players with spotty pasts as this past season, beginning with the draft and continuing right on through free agency.

Their first-round pick, Marcus Peters, was thrown off his team at Washington because he could not get along with new coach Chris Peterson. But the Chiefs insist that they researched the star cornerback, who might’ve been a top-10 pick had he stayed out of trouble, and came away confident that Peters had learned from his mistakes and was unlikely to repeat them.

“It was an emotional situation and he didn’t handle it the right way. I think he’s learned from it, just from our experience with him,” Reid said. “He was up front with us. He said, ‘I goofed,’ and that’s half the battle.”

Defensive lineman David Irving has also acknowledged his mistakes, a big reason Kansas City was willing to give him a shot as an undrafted free agent.

The former Iowa State standout was suspended after he was charged with domestic abuse against the mother of his child, a charge that was later dropped. Then, during a riot near campus during a student-run festival, Irving was photographed holding a stop sign that he argued was handed to him by another person. He was charged with theft, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

When he did make it onto the field, Irving was one of the best defensive linemen in the Big 12, and he could help the Chiefs absorb the loss of nose tackle Dontari Poe to injury.

“We knew he was a good football player,” Reid said. “He had some issues, obviously. John Dorsey and his crew, I thought, did a nice job getting in there and making sure with him that he would fit in here and that he kind of had things going in the right direction.”

Dorsey and Reid also thought that Cox was headed in the right direction, only to proven wrong. But that is the tightrope they are willing to walk — star potential on one side of a very thing line, and more trouble looming just on the other.

“John and I talk about it, and he knows that we want to be a leader in the NFL,” Hunt said, “not a team that has a lot of guys that are getting in trouble.”

NOTES: Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Suttons said Tuesday that LB Derrick Johnson “is back to where he was” before his season-ending Achilles injury. … Gaines left practice early with an injury. It did not appear to be serious. … WR L’Damian Washington, who signed with the Chiefs on Monday, participated in his first practice.

— Associated Press —

K-State’s new Vanier Family Football Complex ready for 2015 Season

Posted on August 4, 2015August 4, 2015

MANHATTAN, Kan. – With the Kansas State football team set to report on Wednesday for the 2015 season, K-State Athletics has officially opened the new Vanier Family Football Complex as Wildcat coaches and staff have moved into the building and football student-athletes were provided initial access to the facility.

“It is a great day for K-State as the beautiful new Vanier Family Football Complex is operational and open for our football staff and student-athletes,” said Athletics Director John Currie. “This new facility is another example of our commitment to a World-Class Student-Athlete Experience and being a Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program while furthering our position as a leader at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. We appreciate the flexibility of our staff during this process and also the hard work and hustle of our design and construction management teams as well as all of our donors who helped make this project a reality. It was truly a team effort, and I know this is a facility that the K-State Nation will be proud of and will be the envy of all other programs.”

The 132,000 square-foot building, completed in just seven months by the construction management team of Mortenson & GE Johnson Construction and in conjunction with world-renowned sports design firm Populous ahead of schedule and under budget, will provide all Wildcat student-athletes and the entire K-State Nation one of the finest and most efficient facilities in all of college athletics.

“Our ability to finish early and under budget was predicated on a “project first” mentality,” said Adam Hardy, Senior Project Manager, Mortenson/GE Johnson Construction. “Nearly 1,700 craft workers worked through freezing temperatures, torrential downpours, and 60-hour work weeks to make sure the K-State Family would return to a new-and-improved stadium.”

The facility provides a new Student-Athlete Enhancement Center, an 18,000-square-foot Olympic-quality Strength and Conditioning Center and a new sports medicine and recovery facility with state-of-the-art hydrotherapy and recovery pools. The football program will now benefit from new individual position meeting rooms and offices for the coaching staff that overlook Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The team will also benefit from an impressive new football-shaped locker room which is more than twice the size of the previous space.

The new north seating bowl includes enhanced sightlines, ADA seating, the new Carl and Mary Ice Video Board and is connected to the current west-side stadium concourse for access to entrance gates and stadium concessions and restrooms.

“The Vanier Family Football Complex represents K-State’s commitment to excellence in athletics, academics and the student-athlete experience,” said Ben Stindt, Principal at Populous. “The design combines an efficient design with state-of-the-art technology and high-end amenities that will make the complex feel like home for student-athletes, staff and fans. This is the next generation of the training experience and fan experience in collegiate athletics.”

Members of the football team were provided their first access to the facility on Tuesday and were all smiles after the tour.

“It’s incredible,” said senior wide receiver Kyle Klein. “We had very good facilities before, but this takes it to a whole new level. I feel like we can compete facility-wise with anyone in the country.”

“It’s amazing,” added junior running back Charles Jones. “I’m happy to be able to see it, and we’re all excited to move in and get to work.”

Also on hand for the team’s first look were members of the Vanier family, the namesake of the new complex and lead contributors to the facility.

“The facility is absolutely incredible and something that the student-athletes and fans deserve,” said John Vanier. “I had the opportunity to travel around the country touring other facilities when this process began, and I did not see any other that even compares to this one. It is absolutely the perfect facility and one that every school in the nation would aspire to have.”

With the new building now operational on a daily basis as the football staff begins preparations for the season, public tours and visits will not be permitted. Information regarding an open house will be announced following the completion of the football season. In the meantime, fans should stay tuned for more video and photo coverage in the weeks ahead. Details regarding a dedication ceremony of the new Vanier Family Football Complex, which will take place on September 5, will be announced at a later date.

K-State opens its 120th season of football on Saturday, September 5, by hosting South Dakota. The game will kickoff at 6:10 PM.

— KSU Athletics —