Professional – Page 144 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Chiefs to celebrate home opener with Red Thursday festivities

Posted on July 27, 2015July 27, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs announced that for the first time in the 24-year history of the event, the tradition of Red Friday will become Red Thursday on September 17, in conjunction with the team’s 2015 home opener against the Denver Broncos on CBS’s Thursday Night Football.

“This year, Red Thursday is going to capture all of the annual Red Friday excitement from around the city and match that with the energy and vigor that our fans and all of Chiefs Kingdom feel on gameday,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “This tradition is a highlight for the organization every year, and we are looking forward to sharing an exciting day of Chiefs events with our fans, culminating in our primetime contest against the Broncos at Arrowhead.”

To honor the long-standing tradition of selling special-edition newspapers started by Chiefs Founder Lamar Hunt and the Chiefs Red Coaters more than two decades ago, Chiefs executives, former Chiefs players, Chiefs Cheerleaders, Red Coaters, local business leaders, dignitaries, media personalities and hundreds of volunteers will be selling “This is Chiefs Kingdom” flags at select street corners throughout the greater Kansas City area for the second year in a row.

A minimum donation of $5 is encouraged for fans wishing to obtain the official 2015 edition “This is Chiefs Kingdom” flag, which will be available at more than 170 locations, including all Kansas City and St. Joseph-area McDonald’s restaurants. Through a partnership with McDonald’s, the net proceeds from this year’s flag sales will again benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City.

Since the inception of Red Friday, newspaper and magazine sales have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities, with an emphasis on assisting youth in need. Last year alone, the sales of “This is Chiefs Kingdom” flags resulted in a donation of $135,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, the largest Red Friday donation in the history of the event.

In addition to purchasing a “This is Chiefs Kingdom” flag at participating locations, fans are also encouraged to show their Red Thursday spirit by wearing Chiefs gear all day in preparation for the team’s 2015 home opener at 7:25 p.m. vs. the Denver Broncos. For fans who are unable to attend the game at Arrowhead, the AFC West showdown will be broadcast locally on KCTV (CBS) and nationally on both CBS and NFL Network. Additional information, including a map of all sale locations, will be available in the coming weeks on www.chiefs.com/redthursday.

To celebrate the home opener, there are a number of game entertainment elements scheduled to showcase both the Chiefs and Kansas City on the national stage. Highlighting the overwhelming sense of Kansas City pride during the nationally televised game, the Kansas City Symphony will lead Arrowhead Stadium in the National Anthem.

In addition, the Chiefs will recognize players from the club’s two Super Bowl teams (I and IV) during a special halftime ceremony as part of the NFL’s celebration of 50 years of the Super Bowl in 2015. The Chiefs represented the American Football League in two of the first four Super Bowl games, including Super Bowl I, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015-16.

Additional game entertainment details will be announced closer to the start of the season.

— Chiefs Media Relations —

Ventura bounces back as Royals takes series against Astros

Posted on July 26, 2015July 26, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — This was one nice day for Kansas City’s rotation.

The Royals traded for Johnny Cueto, and then used Yordano Ventura’s seven sharp innings to beat Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Astros 5-1 on Sunday.

“I wanted to see the old Ventura out there and we saw it,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “That’s good for us and bad for everybody else.”

Ventura (5-7) allowed one run and six hits in just his second win in his last seven starts. The right-hander, who won 14 games last year, was demoted to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday and then recalled the next day after the Royals learned left-hander Jason Vargas would miss the rest of the year with an elbow injury.

“My confidence is a lot better after today,” Ventura said through a translator. “I feel I pitched similar to last year. I was getting in a rhythm.”

The Royals announced during the game they had acquired Cueto from Cincinnati for minor league left-handers Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed, drawing a big cheer at Kauffman Stadium.

Cueto was one of the top starters on the market. He won 20 games last season and is 7-6 with a 2.62 ERA in 19 starts this year.

“I’m excited about my next chapter,” Cueto said in Colorado, with Reds catcher Brayan Pena serving as his translator. “I know they play baseball very good. I’m excited because I know it’s going to be good for my career and good for the team.”

Keuchel (12-5), who started for the American League in the All-Star Game, was tagged for a season-high 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings. He also allowed five runs, matching a season high.

The Royals got off to a fast start, scoring four times in the first inning. Keuchel allowed a total of four first-inning runs in his first 20 starts of the year.

Kansas City opened with three straight singles to load the bases. After consecutive grounders led to a pair of forceouts at home, Omar Infante hit a two-run single and Cheslor Cuthbert doubled home two more runs.

Cuthbert has hit in all five of his games in the majors.

“I really didn’t feel like the bases were loaded, just based on some of the contact that was being made,” Keuchel said. “I felt like there were only a few hard hits all day. That’s just the way it goes sometimes. You know as a ground-ball pitcher they’re going to find holes. I feel like they were finding every hole in the first inning, but it’s my job to kind of shore up some things and sure enough, I did. It’s one of those days I’d like to have the first inning back, but I battled.”

Lorenzo Cain added a two-out drive in the second for his 11th homer. He had two hits after going 3 for 21 in his previous five games.

“I told Dallas on the mound in the seventh, to get us into the seventh the way he did showed a lot of perseverance,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “I think it’s easy when you get singled to death, so to speak, it’s easy to cave. And Dallas didn’t cave. He kept us in the game.”

Houston got its only run in the second. Evan Gattis led off with a triple and scored on Colby Rasmus’ single.

SUNSHINE ROYALS

The Royals have won five straight day games and are 10-1 in their past 11 afternoon encounters.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: INF Jed Lowrie (right thumb ligament tear) is 2 for 7 in three games with Double-A Corpus Christi. “He hasn’t fielded a ground ball yet in rehab, which I’m very frustrated with,” Hinch said. After having Sunday off, Lowrie will play Monday and Tuesday and then be re-evaluated.

Royals: LF Alex Gordon (left groin strain) is throwing and hopes to take swings off the tee this week. “Baby steps,” Gordon said.

UP NEXT

Astros: After an off day, RHP Collin McHugh (11-5, 4.25 ERA), who is 5-2 with a 2.85 ERA in his past seven outings, starts Tuesday against the Angels.

Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez (9-5, 3.15 ERA) starts Monday at Cleveland as the Royals open a 10-game trip.

— Associated Press —

St. Louis falls short of sweep as they lose to Atlanta Sunday

Posted on July 26, 2015July 26, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — More than four years after Adonis Garcia defected from Cuba, he hit his first major league home run.

His timing could not have been much better for the Atlanta Braves.

Garcia broke a 2-2 tie when he led off the sixth inning by homering on a 1-0 fastball from Michael Wacha that carried the Braves to a 3-2 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday.

“I accomplished my dream by getting to the big leagues,” Garcia said through an interpreter. “I’m twice as happy now that I hit my home run and was able to help the team win.”

“The ball was up in the zone and he put a good swing on it,” Wacha said.

A 30-year-old who was released this spring after three years in the New York Yankees’ organization, Garcia was promoted Friday when Atlanta traded Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson to the New York Mets. He went 1 for 3 Saturday and added his biggest hit yet to help the Braves avoid a three-game sweep.

“I like the at-bats he’s given us,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “He’s made some nice plays at third base so that’s a nice addition. We’ve just got to find a way to keep him in the lineup somehow.”

Another Braves rookie, right-hander Matt Wisler (5-1), allowed seven hits and walked three in seven innings, his longest outing since beating the Mets in his debut last month. Wisler struck out only two but was able to take advantage of a Cardinals’ lineup that rested regulars Yadier Molina, Jhonny Peralta and Mark Reynolds.

“I was a little nervous,” Wisler said. “I mean it’s the best team in baseball. They’ve got a very good lineup, very talented. I had good command of my fastball and my slider was a good pitch as well.”

The Braves took advantage of Wacha’s wildness to take a 2-0 lead in the second. Ryan Lavarnway grounded a double into the left-field corner to score Eury Perez, who had worked a one-out walk after falling behind 0-2 in the count. Following a two-out walk to Jace Peterson, Cameron Maybin singled on an 0-2 changeup to drive in Lavarnway. Wacha needed 51 pitches to get through the first two innings.

The Cardinals evened the score with runs in the fourth and fifth. Rookie Stephen Piscotty, in his first start at home, drove in the first St. Louis run with a single that scored Jason Heyward. Heyward, scoring for the first time against his former team, initially was ruled out but the call was overturned following a 5-minute-8-second review that showed he slid in ahead of Lavarnway’s tag.

Matt Holliday’s double into the right-field corner scored Kolten Wong, who also had doubled, to tie the game in the fifth and set the stage for Garcia’s heroics.

FREEMAN’S BACK

Braves cleanup hitter Freddie Freeman went 1 for 3 and walked in his return to the lineup. Out since June 17 with a right wrist injury, Freeman pinch-hit Saturday after he arrived during the game following a one-game rehab stint in Florida. Freeman said after got to the visitors’ clubhouse, he hopped in a hot tub, then warmed up on a stationary bicycle before making his way to the dugout.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: CF Randal Grichuk left after the sixth inning with what manager Mike Matheny called a minor groin injury. Grichuk suffered the injury when he was running the bases after singling in the fourth inning.

UP NEXT

Braves: LHP Alex Wood (7-6, 3.78 ERA) will face RHP Kevin Gausman (1-2, 5.18) in the opener of a three-game series as Atlanta continues a three-stop trip. The Braves are not scheduled off until Aug. 10.

Cardinals: RHP Lance Lynn (7-5, 2.80) will make his first start this season against Cincinnati when he opposes rookie RHP Raisel Iglesias (1-2, 5.45). The division rivals have not met since April 19.

— Associated Press —

Kansas City trades for Reds’ Johnny Cueto

Posted on July 26, 2015July 26, 2015

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto works against the Colorado Rockies in the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 25, 2015, in Denver. Cincinnati won 5-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals acquired Johnny Cueto in a trade with Cincinnati on Sunday, sending three prospects to the Reds for a legitimate ace for the front of their beleaguered rotation.

Kansas City has the best record in the American League after it lost to San Francisco in Game 7 of the World Series last October. But Yordano Ventura has underperformed this year and Jason Vargas will miss the rest of the season after he injured his elbow last week — increasing the need for pitching help.

The Royals last won the title in 1985, and the trade was greeted with a loud ovation when it was announced during the third inning of Kansas City’s home game against Houston on Sunday afternoon.

“I’m excited about my next chapter,” Cueto said with Reds catcher Brayan Pena serving as his translator. “I know they play baseball very good. I’m excited because I know it’s going to be good for my career and good for the team.”

Cueto, who is eligible for free agency after the season, had spent his entire career with Cincinnati. But the fourth-place Reds are looking to the future and could trade several more significant pieces before Friday’s non-waiver deadline, including right-hander Mike Leake and All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman.

Cincinnati got minor league left-handers Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed in the trade for Cueto, who was one of the top starters on the market. The Reds also are sending money to the Royals to help pay Cueto’s remaining salary for the year.

“There is a lot interest in Johnny and we felt that this was the best value we could get,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “Johnny is going to a great situation there. He has people that he’ll know. He’s on a team that has a chance to go to the World Series.”

Finnegan and Lamb were assigned to Triple-A Louisville, and Reed went to Double-A Pensacola.

Finnegan was selected by the Royals in the first round of last year’s draft. He made seven playoff appearances in 2014, but has split time between Triple-A Omaha and Kansas City this year.

The 25-year-old Lamb, a fifth-round pick in 2008, is 9-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 17 starts for Omaha.

Cueto, 29, won 20 games last season and is 7-6 with a 2.62 ERA in 19 starts this year. He pitched eight scoreless innings in Cincinnati’s 5-2 victory at Colorado on Saturday night.

The right-hander made his major league debut with Cincinnati in 2008 and is 92-63 with a 3.21 ERA in eight seasons.

“It’s a very emotional time for me,” Cueto said. “But I understand it’s part of the game and I’m just excited about my next step.”

The deal for Cueto is indicative of the new reality for Kansas City, which used to trade away its top players for prospects at the deadline. Not so much right now, and the Royals are trying to take full advantage of their window for contention.

Several top young players, such as first baseman Eric Hosmer and All-Star third baseman Mike Moustakas, are eligible for arbitration and becoming more expensive by the year.

While Royals owner David Glass has been willing to increase their payroll to franchise-record levels, Kansas City may have only a couple of years to make another run at a title before finances force them into a rebuilding mode.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore is not thinking about Cueto’s future — now.

“We acquired Johnny Cueto to help us compete and win the division and hopefully get back to the playoffs and win a World Series,” he said. “That’s where our focus is.”

The deal also reunites Edinson Volquez and Cueto after the pitchers spent four years together in Cincinnati.

The close friends are from the Dominican Republic, and Volquez, who signed a $20 million, two-year deal with the Royals this past offseason, served as a mentor to Cueto when he broke into the big leagues in 2008. They have even spoken of their desire to play together once again.

— Associated Press —

Escobar’s RBI single in 10th lifts Royals past Houston

Posted on July 25, 2015July 25, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alcides Escobar singled home Paulo Orlando with two outs in the 10th inning to lift the Kansas City Royals to a 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

Orlando singled off Will Harris (4-3) with one out and stole second before Escobar’s game-winning looper to shallow right gave the Royals the win and snapped the Astros’ five-game winning streak.

Kelvin Herrera (2-2) pitched a scoreless 10th to pick up the victory.

Eric Hosmer tripled high off the left-field fence with two out in the ninth, but was stranded when Harris retired Alex Rios on a grounder.

The Astros grabbed a 1-0 lead in the sixth when Jose Altuve singled and stopped at third on Marwin Gonzalez’s double into the left-field corner. Rookie Carlos Correa hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Altuve.

Houston right-hander Scott Feldman took a one-hitter into the seventh inning before the Royals tied it. Escobar’s led off with an infield single and moved to third on Kendrys Morales’ ground-rule double to center.

After Hosmer was walked intentionally to load the bases, Salvador Perez’s sacrifice fly scored Escobar, snapping the Royals’ 15-inning scoreless drought.

Feldman, who was making his second start since having right knee surgery in late May, left after 7 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and one run, while walking one intentionally and striking out two.

Pat Neshek replaced Feldman and stranded Orlando at second base to end the eighth. He has permitted just one of 15 inherited runners to score this season.

Royals left-hander Danny Duffy was pulled after six innings and 101 pitches, allowing one run and three hits, while walking one and striking out three.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: INF Jed Lowrie (right thumb ligament tear) went 2 for 3 with a double and a RBI, while starting at third base Friday in a rehab game with Double-A Corpus Christi. He got the hits swinging right-handed. “That’s the side of the plate we were most concerned about him adjusting to after the injury,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.

UP NEXT

Astros: LHP Dallas Keuchel, who leads the American League with a 2.12 ERA, goes for his 13th victory.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura, who got a reprieve Wednesday, will start Sunday. Ventura was optioned Tuesday to Triple-A after a succession of poor outings, but was recalled the next day with LHP Jason Vargas going down with a season-ending elbow injury.

— Associated Press —

Martinez outduels former teammate Miller as Cardinals beat Braves 1-0

Posted on July 25, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez contended Shelby Miller had a better night than Carlos Martinez and the numbers almost backed up that case.

“He outpitched Martinez,” Gonzalez said. “He really did.”

The Cardinals made the most of two hits and beat the Atlanta Braves 1-0 on Saturday night for their fifth straight win. They lead the majors with a 63-34 record.

Pinch-hitter Stephen Piscotty got his first career RBI with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and Martinez worked eight innings of six-hit ball against his former team.

Manager Mike Matheny said Martinez had perhaps the best sinker “we’ve ever seen from him,” and it led to three of St. Louis’ four double plays. Through an interpreter, Martinez said his sinker was “nasty.”

“Tonight was big, a fun night to compete against (Miller),” Martinez said. “The defense was outstanding.”

Martinez (11-4) made his first post-All-Star break start and had six strikeouts and one walk, which was intentional. He worked the last four innings and took the loss in an 18-inning setback to the Mets on Sunday.

Randy Choate got the last two outs for his first save. Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal has gotten two games off after working three straight.

Miller (5-7) got a standing ovation from a sellout crowd before his first at-bat and allowed a run and two hits in 7 1/3 innings. The right-hander is 0-6 in his last 12 games, the longest winless slump by a Braves starter since Kenshin Kawakami went 14 games between victories in 2010.

“It was everything you expected it to be, it was a lot of fun,” Miller said.

Miller shrugged off the winless slump, saying “That’s not a big deal. I’m going to come back every five days and try to do my job.”

The Braves have not scored a run in nine of his starts this season.

“How much more can he do other than drive in a couple of runs himself?” Gonzalez said.

Kolten Wong had a leadoff double in the first and St. Louis didn’t get another hit until Yadier Molina opened the eighth with a single.

Randal Grichuk then walked, and Pete Kozma pinch-ran for Molina and advanced on a fly out. Kozma beat the throw home from Nick Markakis on Piscotty’s flyball to medium right field.

“It was just a cool moment and I’m just really glad it came through,” Piscotty said.

Miller retired 12 straight ending the seventh. The former first-round draft pick of the Cardinals spent his first three seasons with St. Louis before getting dealt to Atlanta in the offseason for outfielder Jason Heyward.

The trade came after the death of promising Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras. Martinez inherited Miller’s spot in the rotation, dedicating the season to Taveras.

The Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the second before Martinez struck out Miller.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: Freddie Freeman, activated from the 15-day DL from a wrist injury, flied out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh and finished the game at first base. He had been scheduled to play a second rehab game in Double-A Orlando but that was rained out, so he flew to St. Louis and arrived in the second inning.

“Hand doesn’t hurt at all,” Freeman said. “I was on the phone all morning pleading my case. Happy they obliged.”

Cardinals: One sterling rehab start, five innings of no-hit ball, was enough for LHP Jaime Garcia to show he’s ready to rejoin the rotation early next week. He’s been out with a strained left groin since July 4 and will start either Tuesday or Wednesday against Cincinnati.

UP NEXT

Braves: Just like Miller, rookie Matt Wisler (4-1, 3.60) will be facing the Cardinals for the first time. Michael Wacha (11-3, 3.20) has 93 strikeouts and needs one more to set a career best.

NOTABLE

The Cardinals won with just two hits for the first time since Sept. 4, 2004, against the Dodgers in a 5-1 win. They won 1-0 on a sacrifice fly for the first time since July 21, 2004, by Edgar Renteria against the Brewers. … The Braves have been shut out nine times.

— Associated Press —

Kansas City gets shutout by Kazmir, Astros in series opener

Posted on July 25, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Scott Kazmir made a strong first impression on his new teammates.

Kazmir pitched seven strong innings in his Houston debut, leading the Astros to a 4-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

Kazmir, 31, limited the Royals to three singles, and only one runner — Mike Moustakas in the fourth — got past first base. Kazmir (6-5), who lowered his ERA to 2.24, retired the final nine batters he faced.

“It’s nice to get the first one out of the way,” Kazmir said. “When you have a defense like I had behind me, especially what you see the first couple of innings, you have a lot of confidence out there. I just pitched to contact.”

Kazmir was acquired by the Astros from Oakland on Thursday for two minor leaguers. He hasn’t lost a July start since July 10, 2010, going 7-0 in his past 14 starts.

Kazmir met his catcher, Jason Castro, for the first time just before batting practice.

“He’s going to be huge for us,” Castro said. “Obviously, the reason we went out and got him is exactly what he did tonight, to give us solid innings. We can’t expect him to throw a shutout every time, but that would be nice. That’s exactly what we were hoping to get out of him; to have another arm like that in our rotation is going to be huge.”

Preston Tucker had three of the Astros’ hits, including his fourth home run in five games — a solo shot in the third inning. Colby Rasmus singled home Carlos Correa later in the inning to make it 2-0.

“I hadn’t got a chance to see him pitch this year,” Tucker said of Kazmir. “I knew he was good. I didn’t know what to expect. That was awesome. That’s just what we needed.”

Correa, a 20-year-old rookie who extended his hitting streak to nine games, and Jose Altuve each singled home a run in the fourth inning.

Left-hander Tony Sipp walked Moustakas and gave up a single to Eric Hosmer in the ninth, which prompted manager A.J. Hinch to summon closer Luke Gregerson for the final two outs. Gregerson logged his 21st save in 24 opportunities, getting Kendrys Morales to ground into a game-ending double play.

Royals right-hander Jeremy Guthrie (7-6) gave up four runs and 11 hits, matching his season high, and two walks in seven innings. It was the eighth time this season and third straight start Guthrie allowed at least eight hits.

Kazmir was too much for the Royals to overcome.

“He really handled us with fastballs and changeups,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “But changing speeds … his fastball was 93-95. His changeup was 74 to 80. A lot of variation there. Really commanded the ball well, kept the ball down. Busted us in when we started looking away and off-speeded us down and away when we were looking in.”

The Astros won their fifth straight and are 6-1 since the All-Star break. The Royals are 0-4 against the Astros this season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: INF Jed Lowrie (ligament tear in right thumb) has begun a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Royals: LF Alex Gordon (left groin strain) has started a throwing program, but manager Ned Yost said Gordon is a ways off before returning.

UP NEXT

Astros: RHP Scott Feldman will be making his second start since May 26 and going on the disabled list after knee surgery.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy lost to the Astros on June 30, allowing four runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings.

— Associated Press —

Grichuk, Cooney lead Cardinals over Braves 4-2

Posted on July 25, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — On a 90-degree night, the shower St. Louis rookie left-hander Tim Cooney received in the locker room after recording his first major league win was almost as enjoyable as his performance on the hill.

“It was ice cold, just what I needed,” Cooney after throwing seven solid innings, leading the Cardinals to a 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

Randal Grichuk hit a two-run homer, his second in as many nights, and Mark Reynolds and Jhonny Peralta added run-scoring hits to help the Cardinals improve to 6-1 since the All-Star break. They are an MLB-best 35-12 at home.

Meanwhile, the Braves have lost their last six road games.

Cooney (1-0) gave up five hits and two earned runs in an efficient 74-pitch stint. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. He faced four batters over the minimum.

“I think my command has been getting a little bit better each start,” Cooney said. “This was the best for my fastball command. When you are able to locate the ball, good things are going to happen.”

Cooney said the importance of the moment did not sink in until he looked up at the scoreboard right after the final out.

“When it ended and I saw my name in win column, it was pretty cool,” he said.

Cooney had a successive scoreless string stopped at 12 innings when the Braves scored twice in the sixth.

St. Louis manager Mike Matheny has been impressed with Cooney’s composure in all six of his starts. The last five were no-decisions.

“He was very unpredictable with what he was going to throw tonight,” Matheny said. “He made the pitches in tough counts. He had a feel for everything.”

St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina did a solid job of guiding the rookie through the little trouble he encountered.

“It’s always good to see someone get their first win, or first homer, or RBI,” Molina said. “I’m happy for him.”

Grichuk’s homer came in the second inning. He also hit a two-run homer in the second on Thursday in a 4-3 win over Kansas City. His 11th of the season came off rookie Manny Banuelos (1-2), who gave up six hits and four earned runs in five-plus innings. He had allowed one earned run or less in all three of his previous starts.

“I just went up there trying to be aggressive in the strike zone,” Grichuk said. “I got some pitches I thought I could handle and I swung at them.”

Kevin Siegrist retired the Braves in the ninth for his fifth save in eight opportunities. He struck out Jonny Gomes with two on to end the game. St. Louis closer Trevor Rosenthal was given the night off after appearing in the previous three games.

Peralta brought in Matt Carpenter with a run-scoring single in the third for a 3-0 lead. Reynolds drove in Grichuk in the fourth.

The Braves parlayed a double by Cameron Maybin and a single by Andrelton Simmons into two runs.

Atlanta was able to stay close, but could not come up with a big hit down the stretch.

“I thought our bullpen did a terrific job coming in, keeping it right there,” manager Fredi Gonzalez. “With Jonny Gomes at the plate, who historically wears out left-handed pitching, you feel pretty good in that situation.”

Banuelos struggled to the worst outing of his short career.

“It was a tough game,” Banuelos said. “I (made) a couple of mistakes in tough situations.”

The Braves, who were opening a 10-game road trip, have lost nine of their last 12 overall.

TRAINER’S ROOM:

Braves: 1B Freddie Freeman began a rehabilitation assignment with the Rookie League Gulf Coast team in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Friday. Freeman, who has missed 29 games, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 23 with a bruised right wrist.

Cardinals: Rookie OF/INF Stephen Piscotty did not start on Friday after being a late scratch on Thursday due to a stiff neck. He reached on an error as a pinch hitter in the seventh.

UP NEXT:

Former Cardinals RHP Shelby Miller (5-6, 2.33) will face RHP Carlos Martinez (10-4, 2.51) in the second game of the three-game series on Saturday. Miller was acquired from the Cardinals on Nov. 17, 2014, along with RHP Tyrell Jenkins in exchange for OF Jason Heyward and RHP Jordan Walden. Martinez had recorded 10 successive quality starts.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs CB Sean Smith suspended three game for DUI arrest

Posted on July 24, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith will miss the first three games of the regular season, including matchups against the Broncos’ Peyton Manning and Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, after he was suspended Friday for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Smith, who was arrested last year on a drunken driving charge, pleaded guilty earlier this year. The 28-year-old paid a fine and received two years of probation.

Smith will miss games against Houston, Denver and Green Bay before returning Week 4 against Cincinnati. That means the Chiefs will have to fill his spot with an unproven rookie or backup for matchups with a couple of the game’s prolific quarterbacks.

“We respect and support the league’s decision in this matter and will have no further comment on the situation,” the Chiefs said in a brief statement Friday.

The timing is far from ideal for Smith, too. He is entering a contract year after one of the best seasons of his career. He started all 16 games and was part of a stingy defense that did not allow a 300-yard passer, and finished second to NFC champion Seattle in scoring.

Under the NFL substance abuse policy, first-time offenders generally receive two-game suspensions. But there can be additional discipline depending on the circumstances, and Smith was pulled over by police last year after his car struck and broke a light pole.

When asked during workouts last month whether Smith expected to be suspended, he replied: “I don’t know. I have no control over that. I just wake up, come to work and do my job.”

Rookies report to training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Tuesday, with the full squad due to report July 31. The Chiefs play their preseason opener Aug. 15 at St. Louis, though it remains to be seen how much Smith plays in their four exhibition games. The Chiefs may use those reps to get his replacement ready for the opener.

The Chiefs were already headed to training camp next week trying to settle the cornerback position opposite Smith, where Phillip Gaines appeared to make the biggest move in the offseason.

Jamell Fleming and Marcus Cooper have some experience, and Ron Parker could fill the spot, though he is more suited for safety. That leaves a pair of rookies, first-round pick Marcus Peters and third-round choice Steven Nelson, in the mix for the starting job.

Peters ultimately could land the spot, but starting a rookie in Week 1 is hardly ideal.

“No pressure at all,” Peters said during minicamp. “I’m going to come out here and compete the best that I can, and take these three days as a learning (process), being around the vets, and get some more information about the playbook. Once it’s time for training camp, it’s on.”

— Associated Press —

Royals’ rally comes up short at St. Louis

Posted on July 24, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — John Lackey wore a Cardinals 1985 World Series T-shirt as a 6-year-old growing up in Abilene, Texas, courtesy of an aunt then living in St. Louis.

The 36-year-old right-hander was a Rangers fan back then, but had no trouble adding the Cardinals to his short list of favorites. No doubt, he enjoyed beating the Kansas City Royals wearing a throwback uniform the teams wore in the I-70 Series.

“I have a picture of me in a World Series ’85 T-shirt,” Lackey said after the Cardinals won 4-3 Thursday night. “I’m kind of an old-school guy.

“I like the old uniforms — they’re sweet. They’re a little bit hotter than the ones we have now, that’s about the only thing.”

Lackey threw seven strong innings after a shaky beginning and Trevor Rosenthal escaped his own jam in the ninth as the Cardinals won in the makeup of a rainout last month. Randal Grichuk and Matt Carpenter hit two-run homers.

“You try to stay out of those situations,” Rosenthal said after pitching for the third straight day. “When we don’t think too far ahead, I think that’s when we all have our best stuff.”

As in the originally scheduled game, St. Louis and Kansas City led their league in wins and Lackey (9-5) and Chris Young (8-6) were the scheduled starters.

Rosenthal took over to begin the ninth with a 4-2 lead. Alex Rios led off with a single and Omar Infante followed with a triple.

The Royals went on to put runners on second and third with no outs and twice baserunners were allowed to take second without a throw before Rosenthal held on for his 30th save in 32 chances. Mike Moustakas grounded out to end it.

“That’s a controversial philosophy,” manager Mike Matheny said. “Mine was I wanted to win it with my closer right now.”

Royals manager Ned Yost couldn’t deny his surprise.

“Anytime you’re going to let the winning run waltz to second base …” Yost said. “They’ve got a lot of confidence in their closer. It shows you how good he is.”

The paid attendance of 46,003 was the 24th sellout for St. Louis, which took the season series 4-2, but there were several thousand no-shows for the opener of an elongated 11-game homestand.

Salvador Perez and Alex Rios had consecutive RBI singles in the first for the Royals, but they managed just two more hits in Lackey’s final six innings. The 36-year-old right-hander is 5-1 with a 1.75 ERA in his last eight starts, working seven or more innings in all but one of them.

“That’s my whole career,” Lackey said. “I get deep in games, that’s why I’m still doing it.”

Carpenter’s 10th homer, and just his second in two months, put the Cardinals ahead 4-2 in the third. Grichuk, who also singled and flied out to the wall in right, has a team-leading 13 RBI this month.

The Cardinals are 61-34 overall and 34-12 at Busch Stadium, both major league bests.

Young gave up four runs in three innings, his shortest outing since he allowed five runs while getting just two outs for Seattle last Sept. 1 at Oakland.

“It just wasn’t good enough. Made some bad pitches and they both got hit out of the park,” Young said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Young has been hindered by back tightness and is 1/3 in his last five starts.

Cardinals: Jaime Garcia threw five hitless innings in his first rehab start for Class A Peoria, the only blemish on his line a hit batter. … Rookie 1B Stephen Piscotty was a pregame lineup scratch with neck stiffness.

UP NEXT

Royals: Jeremy Guthrie (7-5, 5.36) faces the Astros to open a three-game series at home. He’s 20-12 with a 3.68 ERA post-break the last four seasons.

Cardinals: Rookie Tim Cooney (0-0, 3.33) faces the Braves, making his sixth career start in search of a first decision. The lefty threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings his last time out, an 18-inning loss to the Mets on Sunday.

— Associated Press —