Sports – Page 957 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Carpenter and Holliday lift Cardinals over Astros

Posted on July 10, 2013July 10, 2013

Matt Carpenter hit a two-run home run and Matt Holliday drove in two with a two-out hit to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Houston Astros 5-4 on Wednesday night.

Carpenter’s ninth homer of the season in the seventh gave the win to Seth Maness (5-1). Tony Cruz got hit by starter Jordan Lyles’ first pitch of the inning and one out later Carpenter put a 2-1 pitch into the right field stands off reliever Wesley Wright (0-3).

Maness gave up two hits and a run in two innings of relief. He struck out three.

Edward Mujica earned his 25th save in 26 tries. He has appeared in six consecutive games, going 1-1 with four saves.

Lyles gave up four runs and six hits in 6 1-3 innings. He struck out two and walked two. Lyles hasn’t won a game since beating Milwaukee on June 18.

Shelby Miller used 94 pitches to labor through five innings. He gave up three earned runs, walked five and struck out five. He had a total of six full counts, coming back to strike out Jason Castro and getting Brett Wallace to ground out.

Wallace, who had four hits and scored a run, drove in Jose Altuve in the seventh to give Houston a 4-3 lead. His only out was a grounder in the fifth that led to Houston’s third run.

Holliday’s single in the fifth tied the score at 3-3. His slap to right field drove in Cruz and Shane Robinson, who had a pinch hit single in place of Miller.

Allen Craig walked to open the second and scored on Matt Adams’ single. Adams has five RBIs in in his past six games.

After going in order to start the game, the Astros put their leadoff batter on and had a runner reach scoring position in three of the next four innings against Miller.

Chris Carter hit his 18th home run just over the right field fence to open the second. Houston then used a Wallace single, two walks and an error for a 2-0 lead. It took a 3-1 lead after Jason Castro hit a ground rule double and J.D. Martinez drove him in with a single in the fifth.

— Associated Press —

St. Joseph gets blown out at Sedalia Tuesday, 13-1

Posted on July 9, 2013

The St. Joseph Mustangs suffered their second consecutive lopsided loss Tuesday as they fell at Sedalia, 13-1.

The Bombers broke open a scoreless game with 11 runs in a three innings stretch. Sedalia scored four runs in the third inning, three in the fourth and fourth more runs in the fifth inning.

St. Joe’s summer college baseball team scored their only run in the fourth and they had just three hits on the night.

The Mustangs also committed four errors for the second straight game as well.

Colton Howell started for St. Joseph and lasted just 3.1 innings. He gave up seven runs on seven hits, while striking out three and walking two.

The Mustangs fall to 20-15 this season and 16-15 in the MINK League.

St. Joe is on the road for the fourth straight game Wednesday night as they play at Chillicothe. The first pitch is at 7:00 p.m.

Royals rally for second straight win at Yankees

Posted on July 9, 2013July 9, 2013

James Shields caught a break, thanks to Lorenzo Cain and a fleet of Kansas City fielders.

Shields escaped early trouble when Cain ran down a deep drive with the bases loaded, Billy Butler and David Lough backed their ace with home runs and the Royals handed the New York Yankees their third straight loss, 3-1 Tuesday night.

Cain contributed four nifty catches, and Shields appreciated each gem by the speedy center fielder.

”He seemed like he ran a little more than he usually does,” Shields said. ”I told him maybe I’ll pay for a massage.”

Said Cain: ”Sounds good to me.”

Defensive replacement Elliot Johnson ranged a long way for a late grounder and Kansas City backed Shields (4-6) with a pair of double plays. Fittingly, the game ended on a fine, twisting grab by another defensive sub, third baseman Mike Moustakas.

Beset by a lack of run support, Shields had won just once in his previous 12 starts, and came in with a losing record despite a 3.23 ERA and ranking among the AL leaders in several pitching categories.

Shields gave up five hits – including three consecutive singles to start the game, and four in the first overall – in seven innings. He struck out five, walked two and retired his final 13 batters.

”Forget the record. The record has nothing to do with how he’s pitched,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. ”He’s been as good as you would hope a No. 1 starter can be.”

Shields improved to 8-15 against the Yankees after overcoming a rocky start. Brett Gardner led off with a bunt single and Ichiro Suzuki and Robinson Cano also singled for a run. New York loaded the bases with one out, but Shields fanned Lyle Overbay and wiggled out of trouble when Cain ran down Eduardo Nunez’s fly far into the right-center field alley.

If that ball eluded him, Cain agreed, ”the game is out of control.”

CC Sabathia (9-7) gave up seven hits in his second complete game.

Once again, the Yankees had trouble scoring. They’ve managed exactly one run in each of their last three games – not since 2005 had they scored one run or fewer in three straight, STATS said.

”Any time you put four hits in an inning, you think you’ll get more than one run,” manager Joe Girardi said.

As for Sabathia and the Yankees’ staff, ”I think they are pitching pretty good. They’re throwing pretty good ballgames. We’re just not scoring runs for them,” Girardi said.

The hitting slump left the Yankees with a three-game home losing streak for the first time since they dropped four in a row in late July 2012.

Lough led off the sixth inning with a tying home run and Butler opened the seventh with a go-ahead shot. Butler hit 29 homers last year and was an All-Star, but has slumped this season – he came into this series with six homers before connecting in the first two games.

”Got one yesterday, got one today,” Butler said.

Greg Holland worked the ninth for his 22nd save, and second in two nights.

The Royals are trying to win a series at Yankee Stadium for only the second time since the beginning of the 2000 season. Thanks to Shields and the bullpen, they’re 2-0 in this four-game set.

Shields didn’t give up a hit after the second inning, sometimes pitching in rain and even hail.

”It was nice to settle down,” he said.

Sabathia allowed only one hit until Lough homered. Butler’s shot was the 20th homer yielded by Sabathia this season, second-most in the majors to the 21 off Kansas City’s Jeremy Guthrie.

Doubles by Alcides Escobar and Eric Hosmer gave Kansas City an insurance run in the ninth.

— Associated Press —

Wainwright wins 12th in St. Louis’ 9-5 win over Houston

Posted on July 9, 2013July 9, 2013

Adam Wainwright picked up his National League-tying 12th win with seven scoreless innings and Matt Holliday hit his team-high 13th home run to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 9-5 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

Matt Carpenter had three hits and drove in three runs for St. Louis, which has won four in a row and five of six.

Houston dropped its ninth in the last 11 and leads the majors with 58 losses.

Wainwright (12-5) improved to 13-1 in 15 career starts against Houston. His 1.56 ERA against the Astros is the lowest for any opponent. Wainwright allowed five hits, struck out nine and walked one. The right-hander, who will make his second All-Star appearance next week, has won seven successive starts against his former NL Central rival. His lone loss to the Astros was a 2-0 setback on Aug. 2, 2009.

Wainwright is tied with Washington’s Jordan Zimmermann (12-3) for most wins in the NL.

St. Louis closer Edward Mujica struck out J.D. Martinez with two on and two out to pick up his 24th save in 25 opportunities.

The Cardinals, who jumped out to a 7-0 lead, battered former nemesis Bud Norris (6-8) for seven runs and 11 hits in five innings. Norris entered the game with an 8-5 mark and a 2.74 ERA against St. Louis.

Holliday slammed Norris’ seventh pitch of the game over the left-field wall for a 2-0 lead. Carpenter highlighted a three-run rally in the fourth with a two-run double.

David Freese broke out of an 0-for-11 skid with three hits for St. Louis, which has won its last seven home games against Houston. Daniel Descalso chipped in with a pair of doubles.

Freese and Descalso started the fourth with hits. Carpenter pushed the lead to 5-0 with a double that just eluded a diving Carlos Pena at first. Carlos Beltran followed with an RBI single.

Allen Craig added run-scoring hits in the sixth and eighth. He is second in the NL with 71 RBIs.

St. Louis reliever Kevin Siegrist pitched a scoreless eighth inning. He has not allowed a run over the first 12 games of his career, a franchise record.

The Astros scored four times in the ninth. Jake Elmore and Jose Altuve had RBI singles.

— Associated Press —

Missouri learns opponents for Las Vegas Invitational

Posted on July 9, 2013July 9, 2013

Organizers of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational (Nov. 28-29) announced complete pairings for the 2013 event and Missouri Basketball will open against Northwestern on Thanksgiving night (Nov. 28) on ESPNU before facing Nevada on Nov. 29 on ESPN3 and ESPN Full Court.

The Tigers and Wildcats will meet at 9:30 p.m. CST (7:30 PST local) at the Orleans Arena. It will be Missouri’s eighth meeting against Northwestern and first since 1968. Missouri leads the series 4-3 all-time.

The Tigers then face Nevada at 7:30 p.m. CST (5:30 PST local) to complete the event. That game will be televised on ESPN3.com and ESPN Full Court. It will mark Mizzou’s first meeting against the Wolf Pack.

The announcement also identified Mizzou’s opening-round opponents on Nov. 23 and Nov. 25, with both games being played at Mizzou Arena. Missouri will meet Gardner-Webb on Nov. 23 and will then face IUPUI on Nov. 25. Gardner-Webb finished 21-13 last season, which included a 71-59 win over DePaul and a 63-62 loss on the road at Illinois. IUPUI finished 6-26 in 2012-13.

Times and television designations for Missouri’s complete 2013-14 non-conference schedule will be announced at a later date.

— MU Sports Information —

Missouri Western athletics announces 2013 Hall of Fame class

Posted on July 9, 2013

The Missouri Western State University Athletics Hall of Fame Committee is excited to announce the 2013 induction class. This year’s class includes; Brad Nurski – Men’s Golf; Pierre Thomas – Football; Brooks Barkley – Baseball; Shelley Lowery – Volleyball; Lamont Turner – Basketball and the 1971 Griffon Baseball Team.

Brad Nurski · Golf · (1997-2001)

Brad Nurski is a household name in amateur golf in the state of Missouri. Nurski worked hard throughout his time at Missouri Western and has continued his hard work to the present day. He came to MWSU in 1997 and quickly made his mark known. He won the 1998 Spring MWSU Invitational his freshman year, a victory which started his rise to one of the best golfers to ever be a Griffon.

Nurski led his team to the MIAA Championship in the Spring of 2000. That same year, he won the Drury Invitational and became the Central Missouri State Tournament Champion. He also qualified for the 2000 USGA Public Links Championships. Nurski was a three time All-MIAA selection and a three time All-District performer. He qualified for the NCAA Great Lakes/Central Regional his senior year as an individual in 2001.

After his Griffon career, Brad has become one of the most decorated amateur golfers in the state of Missouri. His accolades include; winning the St. Joseph City Championship five times, a record 12 time Fairview Club Champion and he reached the pinnacle of amateur golf in 2010 as he joined elite company in winning the Missouri Amateur Championship.

He has competed in several USGA Championships as he just missed qualifying for the 2008 US Open finishing one stroke out and was the low amateur. He qualified for the 2008 USGA Mid Amateur and played on the USGA State of Missouri Team in 2010.

Currently, Nurski resides in St. Joseph with his wife Danielle and son Jaxon. He works at BNSF and graduated from MWSU in 2001 with a degree in recreation administration/sports marketing management.

Pierre Thomas · Football · (2000-2003)

Pierre Thomas was one of the best safeties to ever strap on a helmet at Missouri Western. Thomas was a 3-time First Team All-MIAA Selection in 2000, 2001 and 2003 and capped off a great senior season by being named an AFCA All-American.

Thomas totaled 274 career tackles in his four seasons at free safety including 139 unassisted and 10 tackles for loss. He had 41 career pass breakups, 6 career fumble recoveries and a Missouri Western record 23 interceptions. Thomas was also dangerous in the return game as he tallied 528 return yards and two touchdowns in his career.

His 2003 season will go down as one of the best ever for a defensive back. Thomas recorded 14 interceptions, a mark which led the nation and is an NCAA, MIAA and MWSU single season record. He had 78 tackles, 17 pass breakups, 25 punt returns with an average of 10.6 yards a return and one touchdown. He also had seven kickoff returns for a net average of 23.4. He finished the season with 1,034 all-purpose yards averaging 86.2 per game.

Brooks Barkley · Baseball · (2001-2003)

Brooks Barkley enters the Hall of Fame 10 years after he graduated. He left his stamp on the Griffon record books in several categories in just his two seasons. He led the MIAA in batting, becoming the MIAA Batting Champion in 2002, while hitting .422 a MWSU record that stood until this season. Barkley was also named First Team All-MIAA and was an All-Central Region selection. In 2002 he was second in the MIAA in doubles with 21, sixth in RBI with 48, eight in triples with six and 16th in hits with 65.

For his career, he is second all-time with a .383 batting average. He graduated in 2003 with a degree in business management and has owned and operated Barkley Floor Service since 2004. He currently lives in Orting, Washington with his wife and two children.

Shelly Lowery · Volleyball · (1994-1995)

Shelly Lowery was a stand-out in her time on the volleyball court at Missouri Western. Lowery, a middle blocker from Independence, Mo. transferred to MWSU from the University of Missouri and had arguably one of the best two year stints ever by a volleyball player in MIAA history. She was named the MIAA’s Most Valuable Player her junior and senior seasons and helped the team advance to the NCAA Division II National Tournament her senior season.

In 1995, she set single season MIAA records which still stand today for kills with 809 and blocks with 361.

She led the team with a kill average of 5.5 and tied for the lead in digs with 3.2. She had numerous 30 kill games in her time at Missouri Western including 33 against Quincy and 32 kills against Northwest Missouri State and Emporia State. Lowery helped the team improve from a 7-26 record prior to her arrival to 29-9 her senior season.

Lowery was a first team NCAA All-American her senior year and earned AVCA All-Region honors.

Lamont Turner · Men’s Basketball · (2000-2002)

Lamont Turner joins the list of 2013 inductees after two seasons at Missouri Western in the early 2000s. One of the leaders on one of the best teams in Missouri Western Basketball history, Turner was named league MVP in 2001-02 as he lead the MIAA in scoring at 21.6 points per game and led his team in rebounding with 7.5 per game. His efforts helped lead the Griffons to the MIAA Regular Season Championship and a birth in the NCAA South Central Region Tournament.

As a senior, he started all 30 games averaging 34.2 minutes per game. He shot 53 percent from the field, 35 percent from the 3-point line and 71 percent from the free-throw line.

Turner had some tremendous single game performances as well. He scored 39 points in a victory against Missouri-Rolla in February 2002, a game in which he knocked down 16 field goals. He pulled down 15 rebounds against Saint Mary’s College in November of 2011.

Turner is just one of four Griffons all-time to score 1,000 points in a two year career as he tallied 1,138 points (19.6 ppg) putting him 9th in Missouri Western history.

1971 Griffon Baseball Team

The 1971 Griffon Baseball team finished with an overall record of 33-8 and won the NAIA District 16 Championship.

At the plate, the Griffs were solid offensively tallying 343 hits, 245 runs, 49 doubles, 26 triples and 12 home runs. The Griffons averaged over six hits and eight runs per game. They had seven players bat over .300 including Ralph Sauceda’s team-high .358 in 134 at bats.

The team had multiple double-digit win margins during the season and in the Area Four Playoffs, it defeated Winona State and Loras College by scores of 8-5 and 3-2 respectively before falling in the elimination round.

On the mound, the Griffon pitching staff was stingy giving up just 236 hits and five home runs on the year. The team’s ERA was 2.52 and all seven starting pitchers finished with a winning record. Greg Kastner led the way with a perfect 7-0 record while Steve Hagan finished 7-1.

This team produced four individual MWSU Hall of Fame members including; Head Coach Doug Minnis, pitchers Greg Kastner and Tom O’Brien and infielder Ralph Sauceda.

2013 Wendy’s Hall of Fame Weekend Schedule of Events:

Reception: Friday, September 27 – 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Stoney Creek Inn

Induction Ceremony Brunch: Saturday, September 28 – 11:00 AM-1:00 PM – Fulkerson Center.

If you would like to attend the Induction Ceremony Brunch please RSVP to 271-4481 by September 20. Cost of the brunch is $25.00.

— MWSU Sports Information —

K-State’s Finney named to Rimington Trophy watch list

Posted on July 9, 2013

For a second-straight year, Kansas State center B.J. Finney has been named to the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s premier center, the Boomer Esiason Foundation announced Tuesday.

Finney’s inclusion on this year’s watch list marks the fifth time a Wildcat has been up for the award, while the Andale, Kan., product is the first two-time candidate in school history. Nick Leckey was a finalist in 2003, while Jordan Bedore (2008) and Wade Weibert (2010) were both preseason candidates. Finney has also been named to the spring watch list for the award each of the last two years.

One of three candidates from the Big 12, Finney is a former walk-on who has turned into a team leader for the Wildcats. During K-State’s Big 12 Championship season in 2012, he was an All-Big 12 First Team selection and a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the nation’s top walk-on. The two-time team captain has started all 26 career games, including the last 25 at center heading into his junior campaign.

Finalists for the 2013 Rimington Trophy will be named on December 9, while the winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show held on December 12.

Since its inception, the Rimington Trophy has raised over $2 million. The 14-year old award is overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and has raised over $100 million for CF Research.

Dave Rimington, the award’s namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the Outland Trophy’s only double winner as the nation’s finest college interior lineman. For more on the Rimington Trophy and a list of past recipients, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com.

K-State opens the 2013 season and the new West Stadium Center against North Dakota State – the two-time FCS National Champion – on Friday, August 30. The sold-out contest kicks off at 7:30 p.m., and will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1.

— KSU Sports Information —

Mistakes cost Mustangs in 11-2 loss at Clarinda

Posted on July 8, 2013July 8, 2013

The St. Joseph Mustangs had their two-game win streak snapped Monday night in Clarinda as they fell the A’s, 11-2.

St. Joe’s summer college baseball team drops to 20-14 this season and 16-14 in the MINK League.

The Mustangs got off to a slow start Monday as Clarinda starter Jake Meloche retired the first 14 St. Joseph batters in the game until Shane O’Connell got a base hit with two outs in the fifth.

The A’s scored their first two runs on two passed balls by O’Connell behind the plate and scored two more runs because of an error at third by Connor Foreman.

In all, St. Joe committed four errors in the game, had two passed ball and gave up five unearned runs.

Clarinda led 6-0 after six innings before the Mustangs finally got on the scoreboard as O’Connell and Kyle Richards each had RBI singles in the seventh.

The A’s answered right back and put the game out of reach with one run in the bottom of the seventh and four more in the eighth inning.

Redmond Floyd suffered the loss as he went five innings and allowed five hits and two earned runs. He struck out eight and walked three.

Richards had the only mulit-hit game for St. Joseph as he finished 2-for-3. Payton Scarbrough and Zac Johnson scored the two runs for the Mustangs.

St. Joe is back on the road Tuesday as they play a 7:00 p.m. game at Sedalia.

Missouri Western baseball signs four junior college pitchers

Posted on July 8, 2013July 8, 2013

Missouri Western head baseball coach Buzz Verduzco announced the signing of four more student-athletes for the 2014 season.

Junior college transfers Matthew Russell (Maple Woods CC) from Bentonville, Ark., Grant Woods (Maple Woods CC) from Smithville, Mo., Derek Rottinghaus (Highland CC) from Seneca, Kan. and Tyler Sanders (Santa Rosa JC) from Rohnert Park, Calif. join freshman Jonathan Temenak and Tyler Tuepker to next seasons squad.

Russell is a 6-1 pitcher who comes to MWSU from Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City, Mo. He played his high school baseball at Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Ark. At Maple Woods he helped MWCC to a Region 16 Championship while appearing and starting in 10 games as a sophomore. He went 5-2 with a 3.53 ERA in 66.1 innings pitched. He gave up 70 hits whiel striking out 48. Overall at Maple Woods he was 10-4 with a 2.50 ERA in 111 innings. In high school he was an two time All-State performer and a three time All-Conference 7A West selection. In high school he had a 3.18 ERA to go along with a 19-8 record. Russell plans on majoring in exercise science at MWSU.

“Matt is very competitive by nature and we are thrilled he has chosen MWSU,” commented Coach Verduzco. “He had a great deal of success at Maple Woods CC as their top starter and we also look for him to fill a starting rotation spot for the Griffons next season.”

Woods is a 6-2 pitcher who also comes to MWSU from Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City, Mo. He played his high school baseball at Smithville High School in Smithville, Mo. He helped MWCC to a Region 16 Championship in 2013 while starting 10 games with a 2.68 ERA. He pitched 57 innings giving up 47 hits and striking out 37. In high school he was a two time All-District and All-Conference selection. He plans on majoring in biology.

“Grant will bring a power arm to our rotation next season.” stated Coach Verduzco. “He knows the game and what it takes to be a top pitcher in the MIAA. We look forward to watching Grant perform at the front end of our rotation.”

Rottinghaus is a 6-3 pitcher who transfers to Missouri Western from Highland Community College in Highland, Kan. He played his high school baseball at Nemaha Valley under John Thomas. Rottinghaus was an honorable mention All-Conference pitcher at Highland and in high school was named his teams Most Valuable Player. His greatest sports moment was when his legion baseball team took second at state. He plans on majoring in business at MWSU.

“Derek is a very talented pitcher who comes to us from Highland Community College,” said Coach Verduzco. “He has the skill and the drive to definitely fill one of the starting rotation spots vacated due to senior graduation. A solid competitor who throws in the upper 80’s and can throw three pitches for strikes. We are very fortunate to have Derek in our program.”

Sanders a 5-11 pitcher transfers to Missouri Western from Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, Calif. He played his high school baseball at Rancho Cotate High School in Rohnert Park, Calif. In his two seasons at Santa Rosa he pitched 100.2 innings with a 7-2 record and six saves. He had a 1.34 ERA with just nine walks. As a sophomore he was named Big 8 First Team as well has helping his team to the Big 8 Championship. In his school he was named First Team All-League as a pitched and helped his team win back-to-back league titles. Tyler plans on majoring in natural sciences at MWSU.

“Tyler is probably one of the most talented relievers we’ve recruited to Missouri Western since I’ve been here,” commented Coach Verduzco. “His ERA numbers were tops in the league. The JC league in which he competes is probably the top JC conference in California. We look for him to be the most important factor in our success next season.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Guthrie, Royals win series opener at New York

Posted on July 8, 2013July 8, 2013

Jeremy Guthrie was on a roll – against the Yankees, no less. Neither hail nor sun shower was going to stop him. No way.

Guthrie neatly handled a nemesis and a 59-minute delay to pitch into the seventh inning, Billy Butler homered and the Kansas City Royals held on to beat New York 5-1 Monday night.

”Tremendous competitor,” Kansas City manager Ned Yost said of Guthrie. ”He showed it today – to endure an hour rain delay and go out and throw at the level that he threw.”

All-Star Alex Gordon, David Lough and Johnny Giavotella each had RBI doubles, and Alcides Escobar added a run-scoring triple to help the Royals end a five-game skid against New York.

”It’s been tough every year I’ve been here to come in and get a win,” Butler said. ”It means a lot.”

Guthrie (8-6) gave up three hits over six innings, albeit to a Yankees lineup that had only four players that were with the team on opening day.

Leading 5-1, closer Greg Holland was needed in the ninth when Lyle Overbay walked and Luis Cruz singled to start the inning against Luke Hochevar. Holland gave up a hit to Chris Stewart to load the bases. But Holland struck out Eduardo Nunez, Brett Gardner and Zoilo Almonte to end it for his 21st save.

”Holly’s been lights out for us,” Yost said.

Guthrie twice struck out the newest member in pinstripes, Travis Ishikawa, before Overbay homered pinch hitting for the first baseman who was claimed off waivers from Baltimore on Sunday. Overbay’s 10th of the year was New York’s first long ball in six games.

”Not an easy lineup to pitch, too,” he said. ”Obviously they have their injuries now and are missing a lot of keys so you go out there and try to attack them as best as you can.”

Entering 4-9 with a 5.15 ERA against the Yankees in 17 appearances – 15 starts – Guthrie left with runners on first and third and two outs in the seventh. Tim Collins relieved and struck out pinch-hitter Nunez to protect a 3-1 lead.

Aaron Crow relieved Collins in the eighth with two on, two out and got Vernon Wells to ground out to second.

The Yankees have lost two in a row after a season-best six straight wins.

With the sun reflecting off the windows of a building beyond center field, rain and hail sent fans scurrying for cover in the bottom of the third inning. The quick moving cloud was gone before Phil Hughes (4-8) threw his first pitch of the fourth. Hughes retired three straight with the faintest of rainbows arcing over the scoreboard, then the rain returned.

After Guthrie got an out with his 37th pitch, crew chief Dana DeMuth called for the tarp. As ”Singin’ in the Rain” blared over the PA system, the grounds crew struggled to cover the increasingly muddy infield, getting stuck halfway then pulling the huge sheet off and starting again. The biggest cheer of the night – until Overbay’s homer in the seventh – came when the crew finished the job.

Guthrie’s previous outing was delayed by rain at the start for over 2 hours, 30 minutes, then for 12 more minutes in the seventh by a power outage. He was better prepared for the break this time.

”After last game I was trying treat it a little bit different, be a little more focused,” he said.

The right-hander threw every 10 to 15 minutes in the batting cage to stay warm, treating the time as if it were a game.

Guthrie completed the fourth on six pitches.

Adam Warren replaced Hughes to start the fifth. Hughes gave up two runs and four hits in his abbreviated outing.

”He had already thrown a lot and with him coming back second, it would have been an hour-and-15-minute break for him,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. ”I wasn’t real comfortable bringing him back after an hour or so.”

Hughes would’ve liked to stay if only because he finally felt as if he had got in a groove after the second.

”It’s tough. I felt like I really found something,” he said. In the third and fourth innings I felt pretty good, but that’s baseball.”

Passed over for the Home Run Derby last year at the All-Star game in Kansas City by AL captain Robinson Cano, Butler sent a drive the opposite way to right field leading off the second. Fans relentlessly booed Cano at Butler’s home field during the competition last July. Captain of the AL home run team again this year, Cano again did not choose Butler – the Orioles’ Chris Davis and Detroit’s Prince Fielder were his first two picks announced Monday. But it would be hard to object this time. Butler’s long ball was only his seventh – and he’s not on the All-Star team.

An out later, Mike Moustakas lined an opposite-field double to left, and Lough made it 2-0 with a shot that just landed fair down the third base line for a double the opposite way.

Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson helped preserve the 3-0 lead in sixth when he made a diving catch of Almonte’s sinking liner in right-center with Gardner on first.

”I think the game was won with the Dyson play,” Guthrie said.

Giavotella drove in a run in the seventh, and Gordon and Escobar had back-to-back RBIs in the ninth.

— Associated Press —