Professional – Page 160 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Chiefs put four on waivers, including QB Terrelle Pryor

Posted on May 5, 2015May 5, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs placed four players on waivers Tuesday, including former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who had been signed in the offseason and was trying to earn a backup job.

The Chiefs did not choose a quarterback in last week’s draft, but they already have Alex Smith, Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray on the roster. They are also expected to add a couple of undrafted quarterbacks as free agents in the coming days.

Pryor was 3-7 as a starter over three seasons in Oakland. He has not played since 2013.

The Chiefs also waived linebacker JoJo Dickson, wide receiver Corbin Louks and long snapper Jorgen Hus on Tuesday.

— Associated Press —

Kansas City to debut “Los Reales,” Spanish-language jerseys

Posted on May 5, 2015

The Kansas City Royals announced the Club’s newest specialized jersey featuring the Spanish name “Los Reales” on the front. The Royals will wear the new jerseys on Saturday, July 25 when they host the Houston Astros at 6:10 p.m.

At a news conference Tuesday, reporters heard from All-Star catcher Salvador Perez and catching coach Pedro Grifol.

“We’re proud to add this new jersey to celebrate the multicultural heritage of baseball, our players and fans across the region,” said Perez.

In conjunction with the announcement, fans will have the opportunity when gates open Tuesday night to get a white t-shirt featuring the blue “Los Reales” script as a part of this season’s first T-Shirt Tuesday. Jerseys and licensed player t-shirts by Majestic will also be available for purchase in early July in the Majestic Team Store at the ballpark.

The Royals, who currently have 15 players who were born in Latin American countries and two others who were born in the United States but grew up in Latin America, are wearing the jerseys as a salute to players and fans of Hispanic heritage. The Royals join other Major League Baseball clubs using an alternate Hispanic jersey.

The jersey will look similar to the Royals home white jerseys with “Los Reales” written across the chest in the signature blue script. They will debut as a part of Viva Los Reales, a celebration of Hispanic culture featuring live music and a salsa showdown with local restaurants. In addition, the Yordano Ventura bobblehead, the fourth of the Royals postseason bobblehead series, will be distributed to the first 15,000 fans.

Chiefs use nine draft picks on just six positions

Posted on May 4, 2015

The Kansas City Chiefs used all nine of their draft picks this year on players at only six positions — cornerback, inside linebacker, receiver, defensive tackle, tight end and center.

The team supplied these notes in its final media draft packet.

Rd. Overall Pos. Player Ht. Wt. College
1. 18 CB Marcus Peters 6-0 197 Washington
2. 49 C Mitch Morse 6-6 305 Missouri
3. 76 WR Chris Conley 6-3 205 Georgia
3. 98* CB Steven Nelson 5-11 194 Oregon State
4. 118 LB Ramik Wilson 6-2 237 Georgia
5. 172* LB D.J. Alexander 6-2 233 Oregon State
5. 173* TE James O’Shaughnessy 6-4 245 Illinois State
6. 217* DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches 6-2 307 Southern Miss.
7. 233 WR Da’Ron Brown 6-0 199 Northern Ill.
*compensatory selections

POSITION BREAKDOWN
(2) CB – Marcus Peters, Steven Nelson
(2) LB – Ramik Wilson, D.J. Alexander
(2) WR – Chris Conley, Da’Ron Brown
(1) OL – Mitch Morse
(1) TE – James O’Shaughnessy
(1) DL – Rakeem Nunez-Roches

Marcus Peters was the third of four cornerbacks taken in the first round of the 2015 NFLDraft and was the third of five defensive backs (cornerbacks and safeties) selected.

Peters becomes the ninth player from the University of Washington to be drafted by Kansas City and the seventh in the modern era (1970‐present). He is the first Husky to be selected by the Chiefs since RB Rashaan Shehee was selected with the 88th overall pick (third round) in the 1998 NFL Draft. He becomes the 11th player in team history to join the Chiefs from the University of Washington.

Peters is the first Chiefs player drafted from the Pac‐12 since the club took Oregon RB/WR De’Anthony Thomas in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Since General Manager John Dorsey and Head Coach Andy Reid joined the Chiefs in 2013, the duo has selected two Pac‐12 players in the NFL Draft (Thomas, ’14).

Peters becomes the second cornerback selected in the first round by a Reid‐coached team since Philadelphia selected Lito Sheppard 26th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He is
the fifth first‐round cornerback selected by a Dorsey organization since Green Bay picked Ahmad Carroll 25th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft.

With tonight’s selection of Peters, the Chiefs have now selected four cornerbacks in thefirst round of the NFL/AFL Draft. Peters is the first CB taken in the first round by the
Chiefs since Dale Carter was taken 20th overall in 1992. The Chiefs also selected Gary Green 10th overall in 1977 and Jim Marsalis 23rd overall in 1967.

The last time the Chiefs had the 18th overall pick was in 1993, which they sent to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for QB Joe Montana, S David Whitmore and San Francisco’s
third‐round pick (96th overall) in the 1994 NFL Draft, which was used to select WR Chris Penn.

Peters is the first player Kansas City has drafted with the No. 18 overall selection in the first round of either the AFL/NFL Draft.

Peters becomes the first cornerback selected by the Chiefs since CB Phillip Gaines was drafted out of Rice in the third round (87th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Since 1967, Peters becomes the 19th player in Washington history to be drafted in the first round.

He was one of three Washington Huskies to be selected in today’s first round, joining NT Danny Shelton (12th overall pick to Cleveland) and LB Shaq Thompson (25th overall pick to Carolina).

Washington’s three first‐round selections were the most of any college in Thursday’s opening round. It marks the first time in school history that three players were selected in the first round of an NFL Draft and is the third time in the Draft’s modern era that Washington had at least two first‐round picks (1992 and 1995).

Prior to last weekend, the last Washington player to be picked in the first round was CB Desmond Trufant who went to the Atlanta Falcons with the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Peters is the only player from the University of Washington currently on Kansas City’s roster.

Kansas City loses to Detroit Sunday to split four-game series

Posted on May 3, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Anibal Sanchez could have thrown his fastball into a knothole on Sunday.

The Kansas City Royals are getting used to it, too.

The Tigers’ starter once again breezed through the American League champions Sunday, carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning. Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer, Alex Avila also drove in three runs and the Tigers went on to a 6-4 victory for a split of the four-game series.

“I guess I just know them really well,” Sanchez said when asked why he continually confounds the Royals. “We’ll see. I face them again in my next start.”

Good news for the Tigers. Not so much for the Royals.

Detroit dropped the first two games of the series before squeaking out a 2-1 victory behind David Price’s masterpiece Saturday night. Sanchez (2-3) then held the Royals without a baserunner until Paulo Orlando dribbled a single up the middle leading off the sixth inning.

Sanchez wound up allowing three runs and four hits over 7 1/3 innings.

“When his stuff is on,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus aid, “he can be electric.”

Kansas City nearly bailed out Jeremy Guthrie (1-2) by scoring two runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth. But Tom Gorzelanny struck out Eric Hosmer to leave a runner aboard, and Joakim Soria shut down his former team in the ninth for his 10th save.

“I thought we could have won three out of the four, quite honestly,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “I felt we had a great opportunity to win that game last night.

Guthrie didn’t give them much of a chance on Sunday. After giving up an RBI single to Avila in the second inning and loading the bases for him in the fourth, Avila hit a two-run single that ultimately cleared the bases when Orlando fumbled the ball.

Ian Kinsler added a single in the fifth before Cabrera hit his sixth homer this year.

Guthrie ended up allowing all six runs and 11 hits in six innings. The poor outing came after a dazzling start to the series by Kansas City pitchers, who had allowed Detroit’s potent offense to score just four runs total in the first three games.

“It was kind of a strange day,” Yost said. “He commanded the ball. His strike to ball ratio was good. He was changing speeds well. The one hit that hurt was the two-run homer by Cabrera.”

Sanchez has struggled early this season — the Tigers had lost his last four starts — but he’s owned the Royals his entire career. He had been 5-2 with a 1.07 ERA in his previous seven starts against the Tigers’ biggest rival for division supremacy.

With a crowd of 38,326 packed inside Kauffman Stadium, the third straight sellout, the right-hander calmly mowed through the Royals lineup for most of the afternoon.

Kansas City did not have its second baserunner until Sanchez walked Kendrys Morales with one out in the seventh. The Royals went on to score on Erik Kratz’s sacrifice fly and Omar Infante’s single, then added runs in the eighth on a single by Morales and Mike Moustakas’s groundout.

“We know the Royals pretty well. They know us pretty well,” Ausmus said, when asked to sum up the first series of the season between AL Central contenders. “I don’t think there was any eureka moments. Just two pretty good teams.”

BIG CROWDS

The Royals welcomed 143,609 fans, the seventh-best mark for a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium. It was a record for a four-game set since the 2009 renovation decreased capacity.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: SS Jose Iglesias left in the sixth inning with tightness in his left groin, and is listed as day to day. Andrew Romine replaced him in the lineup.

Royals: All-Star closer Greg Holland (strained pectoral muscle) is expected to come off the disabled list Tuesday. He reported no problems after a simulated game Saturday.

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Shane Greene will take the mound after a day off to open a three-game set against the White Sox. The series beginning Tuesday night wraps up a 10-game trip.

Royals: LHP Jason Vargas tries to solve his early season struggles in the opener of a three-game series against Cleveland on Tuesday night. Kansas City is off Monday.

— Associated Press —

Wong’s walk-off HR lifts Cardinals to third straight extra inning win

Posted on May 3, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kolten Wong went up there hacking. Starting a rally wouldn’t satisfy.

“I didn’t want to bloop something in or anything like that,” Wong said after he homered in the 14th inning and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Pittsburgh in extra innings for the third straight time, 3-2 on Sunday.

“I wanted to drive something and either score myself or get in scoring position,” he said.

Starter Michael Wacha, who’d been three outs away from becoming the majors’ second 5-0 pitcher, returned to the dugout just in time to watch the winner.

“Myself and all the other relievers that had already thrown, we were like, `We’ve got to go out there and support these guys,” Wacha said. “Sure enough, Wong comes through.”

The Cardinals swept a three-game series all in extra innings for the first time in franchise history. They’re the first team to do it since June 4-7, 1925, when the Cincinnati Reds beat the Boston Braves, according to STATS.

The Cardinals posted three extra-inning wins in a row for the first time since July 2006, when they twice beat Houston before the All-Star break and then won at Dodger Stadium when play resumed.

“Wow. I think that’s all I’ve got,” manager Mike Matheny said. “I love how they keep playing.”

The NL Central leaders are a major league-best 18-6, matching the franchise’s best 24-game start since 1900. They had the same record in 1941 and 1944.

“We’re playing arguably the team that’s playing the best baseball in the league,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “And we went with them for three straight days. We came up one run short each day.”

Pedro Alvarez homered in the Pittsburgh 12th inning before the Cardinals tied it on a bases-loaded single by Peter Bourjos in the bottom half. St. Louis left the bases loaded in the 11th and again in the 12th.

The finale of a three-game series that totaled 35 innings lasted 4 hours and 28 minutes. The Cardinals scored seven runs, the Pirates four.

Wong hit his second homer with one out, sending a pitch from Radhames Liz (1-2) into the home bullpen in right. Both of his game-winning homers have come against Pittsburgh, the other on July 8, 2014 off Ernesto Frieri.

“It’s pretty special, especially against the Pirates because they’re in our division,” Wong said. “I guess I’m lucky against them.”

Rookie Miguel Socolovich (1-0) worked a perfect 14th to earn his first career victory.

After walking in four straight at-bats, Alvarez hit his fifth homer, connecting against rookie Sam Tuivailala.

Bourjos’ infield hit against Liz ticked off the glove of diving third baseman Josh Harrison. He’s 6 for 12 his last five games.

Jung Ho Kang’s first homer came on the first pitch of the ninth from Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal. It’s the first blown save in nine chances for Rosenthal and first homer allowed.

Pirates starter Vance Worley gave up a run on four hits in six innings. Wacha allowed five hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings.

Matt Carpenter hit his fourth homer leading off the fourth. He was removed in a double switch after seven innings after experiencing light-headedness.

Center fielder Andrew McCutchen’s glove popped off as he attempted to reach over the wall for Carpenter’s fourth homer. The shot ended a run of 95 consecutive innings in 11 games by Pirates pitchers without allowing a longball.

McCutchen lost his mitt again just missing a diving catch on Jhonny Peralta’s bloop single in the seventh.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: Pitcher Charlie Morton, rehabbing from offseason hip surgery, threw 93 pitches in extended spring training on Saturday.

Cardinals: Set-up man Jordan Walden was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right biceps inflammation.

UP NEXT

Pirates: Jeff Locke (2-1, 4.76) didn’t make it out of the fourth inning in his last game. On Tuesday, he’ll oppose the Reds to open a six-game homestand.

Cardinals: Carlos Martinez (3-0, 1.73) is among the league leaders in ERA and has won his last three starts, surrendering three runs in 19 innings.

FREE PASSES

Alvarez drew a career-high four walks the previous four at-bats before homering. He has 16 homers against St. Louis, topped only by 17 against Milwaukee among opponents.

LONG DAY

Harrison was 0 for 7 with two strikeouts and only two balls hit to the outfield. Shortstop Jordy Mercer flubbed two popups that dropped in for gift singles, the first perhaps lost in the sun but the second after shadows had descended on Busch Stadium.

— Associated Press —

Royals lose to Price, Tigers 2-1 Saturday

Posted on May 2, 2015May 2, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — David Price lost his shutout bid in the ninth inning, but still had enough to finish off the Kansas City Royals.

Price threw a five hitter for his 12th career complete game — the first by Detroit this season — in the Tigers’ 2-1 victory over the Royals on Saturday night.

Price (3-1) limited the Royals to four singles until Lorenzo Cain’s homer with two out in the ninth spoiled his bid for his second career shutout.

“I’ve done that before where I get two outs in the ninth (but not finish the shutout),” Price said. “That was a really good pitch to Cain. He’s turned himself into a star, not because he hit a homer off me. He’s one of the top players in baseball. It’s tough to get that guy out four times.”

Price struck out three and walked none. His only shutout was April 24, 2012, against the Los Angeles Angels.

He threw 106 pitches, 75 for strikes, retiring 16 on three pitches or fewer.

“I always want to get 27 outs,” Price said. “I want that every fifth day.”

The Royals had only one runner reach second base before Cain’s home run and that was after Price committed a fielding error in the sixth inning. He quickly got out of that by coaxing Mike Moustakas to ground into a double play.

“I guess I thought it was hit a little bit harder and didn’t take the hop I expected it to take,” Price said of Alex Gordon’s comebacker he failed to pick up. “That’s a play I’ve got to make.”

Other than that and Cain’s home run, Price was nearly flawless.

“Price just pitched a fantastic game,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He was really on top of his game with a 96 miles per hour fastball and command. He had a 2-to-1 strikeout-to-ball ratio.”

Anthony Gose, who was 1 for 10 on this trip, had three of the Tigers’ seven hits, including a double in the fifth. He scored on Ian Kinsler’s RBI single to make it 2-0.

“When he gets on base in a leadoff position he can take a little pressure off the guys behind him,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.

Kinsler and Yoenis Cespedes each had two hits.

The Tigers took the lead in the third on Christian Colon’s throwing error. Rajai Davis, who led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a Gose single, score on the miscue.

Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez (2-3) returned to the rotation after serving a five-game suspension and gave up the two runs and five hits, while walking three and striking out four in six innings.

“He (Price) was better than me,” Volquez said. “We all know what he can do. It’s not a surprise.”

Price had a rough outing against the Yankees on April 22, when he gave up eight runs and 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings. Other than that, he has allowed eight runs and 24 hits over 37 2/3 innings (1.91 ERA) spanning five starts.

SPA DAY

OF J.D. Martinez, who is on a 1-for-13 slide with eight strikeouts, was not in Tigers lineup for the first time. “Just sit back for a day and watch the game until you are called upon,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “It’s almost like going to a spa for a day. It’s mentally relaxing.”

TIGERS LOSE CHALLENGE

The Tigers challenged Gose’s out call in the seventh inning on a double play. After a 3-minute, 21-second review delay, the call was not reversed. “My last move was towards third base and I needed to go back and touch second,” Gose said was the umpires explanation to him.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (right triceps strain) will get his third MRI this week in Chicago to learn if inflammation is subsiding enough to increase his throwing program.

Royals: RHP Greg Holland said he felt no discomfort after throwing 25 pitches in a simulated game Saturday. “I felt sharp especially after not throwing to live hitters in almost two weeks,” Holland said. “I’m really glad the way it went.” Manager Ned Yost said Holland would come off the disabled list “hopefully Tuesday.”

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez is 5-2 with a 1.07 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals.

Royals: RHP Jeremy Guthrie is 9-7 with a 4.63 ERA in 22 appearances against the Tigers.

— Associated Press —

St. Louis defeats Pittsburgh in extra innings again

Posted on May 2, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Carpenter takes pride in giving St. Louis baseball fans their money’s worth.

The Cardinals’ third baseman hit a game-ending sacrifice fly in the 11th inning Saturday and the Cardinals once again beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 in extras.

The Cardinals, who have won five in a row, beat the Pirates 2-1 Friday night on Matt Adams’ single in the 10th.

Pittsburgh left a season-high 18 runners on base and the Cardinals stranded just four. St. Louis has won 15 of its last 18 against the Pirates at Busch Stadium.

Thrilling walkoff endings are getting to be the norm for St. Louis, especially against NL Central rival Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals’ last three home wins over the Pirates came in walkoff fashion. Five of their last eight wins over Pittsburg ended that way as well.

“Both teams really want to win so bad and you can see it in the way they play,” Carpenter said. “It seems like every time we play them, we give the fans free baseball.”

It was the case again Saturday as St. Louis got its 14th walkoff win since the start of the 2013 season, and the seventh against the Pirates.

Peter Bourjos doubled to start the St. Louis 11th. He was trapped off second by Jared Hughes (0-1) and caught stealing third. Pete Kozma and Jon Jay singled and Carpenter hit a deep fly to left that easily scored the winning run.

“Every time we play these guys it’s like a chess match,” Pittsburgh infielder Josh Harrison said. “It always comes down to a big hit, a big play. We just need to get one in our favor every once in a while.”

St. Louis manager Mike Matheny was pleased with the way his club took advantage of its limited opportunities.

“I’m really happy about how the guys have been playing. Somebody is always coming up big,” Matheny said. “It’s fun when you can pull these out like this.”

Carlos Villanueva (3-1), the seventh St. Louis pitcher, went one inning. He induced Francisco Cervelli to ground out with two on to end the 11th.

St. Louis starter John Lackey gave up one run and six hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked three.

“My arm felt as good as it has all season,” Lackey said.

Pittsburgh started Francisco Liriano was even better. He gave up one run on three hits over eight innings. He did not allow a hit until the sixth.

“The whole key is not to try to do too much and stay calm,” Liriano said. “Location-wise everything was (good).”

Harrison hit an RBI single in the third that put Pittsburgh ahead. Gregory Polanco began the inning with a single, stole second and went to third on a throwing error by catcher Yadier Molina.

St. Louis tied it in the sixth on a run-scoring ground out by Jay. Bourjos and pinch-hitter Jason Heyward led off the inning.

“When you play the game every day for six months, you’re going to go through some stretches where you get challenged,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “You either meet the demands of the game or you don’t. When you don’t, you can’t really expect (good) results.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: OF Andrew McCutchen was in the starting lineup after he appeared to hurt his leg while breaking up a double play in the ninth inning Friday night.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Vance Worley (2-2, 4.50) will make his fifth start of the season in the final game of the series on Sunday. The Pirates have been shut out in each of his losses.

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha (4-0, 2.42) allowed five hits and one run in each of his first four starts this season. He is 9-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 21 career appearances at home.

— Associated Press —

Young throws five no-hit innings in Royals’ 4-1 win over Detroit

Posted on May 1, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chris Young pitched five no-hit innings and the Detroit Tigers didn’t break through until the eighth in a 4-1 loss Friday night to the Kansas City Royals

Young, making his first start of the year after five relief appearances, struck out nine and walked three before exiting with his pitch count reaching 81.

Young (2-0) walked the bases full with one out in the fourth, but recovered to strike out J.D. Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes on seven pitches to end the inning.

Ryan Madson pitched two perfect innings after Young was pulled. Kendrys Morales drove in three of the Royals’ runs.

Nick Castellanos laced a clean single to left off right-hander Kelvin Herrera after Alex Avila walked in the eighth for the first Detroit hit. Jose Iglesias had reached on an infield single to load the bases. Avila scored on an Anthony Gose ground out for the lone Tigers run.

Herrera, however, walked Ian Kinsler to again load the bases.

In a 10-pitch battle, Herrera struck out Miguel Cabrera, who fouled off four pitches with two strikes. Herrera, who threw 30 pitches in the eighth, retired Victor Martinez on a fly ball to left fielder to end the inning.

The Tigers threatened again in the ninth off Wade Davis with a Cespedes double and an Avila single. Davis struck out Castellanos and retired Iglesias on a comebacker to earn his fifth save in as many chances.

The Royals’ 3-4-5 hitters, Lorenzo Cain, Hosmer and Morales combined to go 7 for 12 with all four runs.

Left-hander Kyle Lobstein (2-2) took the loss, yielding four runs on 10 hits in 7 1/3 innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: RHP Bruce Rondon (bicipital tendinitis) faced hitters Thursday at the spring training complex in Lakeland, Florida. Manager Brad Ausmus said Rondon would probably have one more session in Lakeland before going out on a minor league rehab assignment.

Royals: SS Alcides Escobar went on the seven-day concussion disabled list, backdated to Thursday. Escobar failed to pass a concussion test Friday as required. He was hurt when hit in the face by a Danny Salazar pitch Wednesday in Cleveland.

UP NEXT

Tigers: LHP David Price, the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner, is 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four games against the Royals, permitting but 12 hits in 22 innings.

Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez returns Saturday to the rotation after completing a five-game suspension. He has a 1.43 ERA in his past 10 starts.

— Associated Press —

Duffy throws gem as Kansas City pounds Detroit in series opener

Posted on April 30, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — While the Kansas City Royals have been notorious slow starters in past seasons, they enter May in first place.

Danny Duffy pitched shutout ball into the eighth and Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer as the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 8-1 on Thursday night.

The Royals lost 13 of 19 to Detroit last year to finish a game behind the Tigers, who have won the past four AL Central titles.

“We’re a different team than the last time we faced them,” Hosmer said. “We said it would be a good test for our team to see where we’re at. It’s only one game, but these games are important.”

The Royals finished April with a 15-7 record, the second highest win total for the month in franchise history

“It’s a great way to start the season,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “I’m just pleased with everything. I’m pleased with the approach at the plate, our defense and our base running. Our bullpen has been absolutely almost unhittable for the most part all month long. Our starting rotation has done a very solid job. I’m just pleased with all phases our game right now.”

Duffy gave up his first run when Rajai Davis’ single scored Jose Iglesias, who led off the inning with a triple. Duffy (2-0) struck out seven and walked two, while allowing seven hits before being replaced by Jason Frasor with no outs in the eighth.

“I need to get my team innings especially right now we need to get deep into games,” Duffy said. “Dave (Eiland, pitching coach) came up to me yesterday and just said I want to see seven from you tomorrow when we were in Cleveland.”

Hosmer, who also homered Wednesday at Cleveland, drove an Alfredo Simon pitch to center with Mike Moustakas aboard in the Royals’ three-run third. Moustakas doubled home Alex Gordon with the first run.

The Royals batted around in a five-run fifth, which included a Gordon two-run single and Kendrys Morales and Salvador Perez hitting successive RBI doubles. Christian Colon also drove in a run with a single.

Jarod Dyson had three singles as the Royals banged out 14 hits. Every Royal starter collected at least one hit.

“They’ve got a very athletic lineup,” Tigers catcher James McCann said. “They’ve got speed and hitting. That’s why they’ve got the record they’ve got. It’s just the way they take advantage. It’s what you saw last year and why they went to the World Series. They’ve got confidence.”

Simon (4-1) had allowed five runs and 22 hits in winning his first four starts, but the Royals knocked him out after 4 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on nine hits.

“I just tried to confuse them, but these guys right now are swinging the bats well,” Simon said.

BEATING THE SHIFT

With the Tigers shifting to the right side with Moustakas at the plate in the first inning, he put down a bunt just inside the third base bag for an easy single. Moustakas has four straight multi-hit games, raising his average to .356.

WALKING MAN

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera walked in his first two plate-appearances, bringing his total to 15.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: RHP Joe Nathan underwent season-ending elbow surgery. He registered just one save this year before going on the disabled list. . RHP Justin Verlander will have his third MRI early next week in Chicago to establish how much inflammation remains in his sore right triceps. He reported no discomfort after light toss Thursday.

Royals: SS Alcides Escobar was not in the lineup with concussion-like symptoms after being hit in the cheek by a Danny Salazar pitch Wednesday in Cleveland. Escobar will be tested again Friday. . RHP Greg Holland had his second bullpen session since going on the disabled list April 18 with a pectoral strain.

UP NEXT

Tigers: Rookie LHP Kyle Lobstein, who has held left-handed hitters to .229 average, starts the second game of this series.

Royals: RHP Chris Young makes his first start after a 1-0 record and a 1.86 ERA in five relief appearances.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs select Washington CB Marcus Peters with the No. 18 pick

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs were willing to take a chance on Marcus Peters.

He intends to prove the gamble was worth it.

The Chiefs selected the former Washington cornerback with the No. 18 pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, fully confident that Peters has matured after repeated run-ins with new Huskies coach Chris Petersen that led to his dismissal midway through last season.

“I didn’t handle the coaching change well and I took full responsibility for that,” Peters said. “I just owned up to it. I told them, ‘If you take me, I’m going to give you my all.'”

The 6-foot, 190-pound Peters was considered one of the top defensive backs in the draft, but his situation at Washington resulted in red flags going up all around the league.

With that in mind, his agent Doug Hendrickson encouraged Peters to visit any team that wanted to meet him. The result was a whirlwind tour of the league — and countless questions about his past — that included a stop in Kansas City with Reid and general manager John Dorsey.

As the draft approached, Dorsey dispatched on of his top lieutenants, Chris Ballard, to meet with Peters and his family at their home in Oakland. With any lingering character questions put to rest, the Chiefs decided to go forward with the pick when they were put on the clock.

“We all make mistakes at times in life. Marcus realizes that,” Reid said. “We feel comfortable he realizes that. 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.”

Off-the-field issues aside, Peters’ ability is undeniable.

He started the last eight games of his freshman season, became the Huskies’ regular cornerback by his sophomore year and had three interceptions in his first eight games as a junior. All told, Peters made 129 tackles and picked off 11 passes in just 34 games.

Peters was the third cornerback taken in the first round, going two spots after the Houston Texans chose Kevin Johnson out of Wake Forest. He fills an immediate need for the Chiefs, who face losing Sean Smith to a suspension for a drunken-driving arrest and were planning to have unproven cornerbacks Phillip Gaines and Jamell Fleming competing for the other starting job.

“Not only is it an important position from a defensive standpoint, but we also don’t have a lot of numbers there,” Reid said. “You take that also into consideration.”

Since arriving in Kansas City a few years ago, Reid and Dorsey have earned a reputation for their willingness to give players with checkered backgrounds a second chance.

Tight end Travis Kelce had been suspended at Cincinnati before the Chiefs chose him in the third round two years ago, while defensive back Sanders Commings had run into problems at Georgia before they picked him in the fifth round. Gaines was taken in the third round a year ago, despite an arrest for possession of marijuana that led to a suspension at Rice.

Reid said that each of those situations was unique and the fact that none of them have gotten into trouble since arriving in Kansas City proves the Chiefs had done their due diligence.

“As much times as you can spend with these guys, that’s what you want to do,” he said. “Then come out and let your instincts take over, how you feel about that player.”

Dorsey said that the Chiefs followed their mantra of taking “the best player available,” and that they received three calls from teams trying to move up and one to move down.

“We feel we got a really quality player,” said Dorsey, who estimates the Chiefs spoke with about 20 people about Peters. “I think it’s an example of us doing our extensive research in terms of what his person is all about. But as a player, there is no doubt in my mind.”

The Chiefs still have nine picks in this year’s draft to address a host of other needs, among them wide receiver, the offensive line and inside linebacker. Three of those picks come Friday — a second-rounder and two third-round picks, one of them a compensatory selection.

Dorsey may have even dropped a hint about the Chiefs’ plans going forward.

“Actually, we were just talking about that,” he said with a grin. “I was looking at the list of wide receivers and said, ‘Huh, there’s some still there.'”

— Associated Press —