Professional – Page 88 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Royals get blanked 8-0, drop third straight to A’s

Posted on September 14, 2016September 15, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yonder Alonso’s doubles are spoiling the Kansas City Royals’ postseason hopes.

Alonso and Marcus Semien hit two-run doubles as the Oakland Athletics beat Kansas City 8-0 for the third straight game on Wednesday night to further ruin the Royals’ postseason chances.

The 2015 World Series champion Royals are five games out in the American League wild card with 17 games left and would have to climb over five teams.

“I think our guys were really fired up coming into today,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “There was some anger in that locker room today before the game, so I don’t feel any deflation. Guys are upset that we lost those games. They’re not pointing any fingers because they know that we win as a team and lose as a team. They’re not happy with it.”

Alonso’s two-run eighth inning laser pinch double Tuesday lifted the A’s to victory. Alonso’s broken-bat double in the first scored Danny Valencia and Stephen Vogt.

“A totally different swing in a totally different situation, but it got the job done and that’s what matters,” Alonso said. “In this game, sometimes you’d rather by lucky than good. It worked out for me yesterday. Today was a new day and it worked out. The bat died a hero.”

A’s rookie left-hander Sean Manaea (5-9) picked up his first career road victory, retiring 13 of the final 14 batters he faced in five scoreless innings, striking out five and walking one. Manaea, who had not pitched since Aug. 29 when he left in the fourth inning with a strained left rhomboid, was removed after 67 pitches. The A’s acquired Manaea from the Royals in July 2015 as part of the Ben Zobrist trade.

“I don’t think about those things,” Manaea said of facing his former club. “It was great seeing those guys again and doing well against them makes everything better.”

Yordano Ventura (10-11) threw 39 pitches, 28 after two outs, in a three-run third. Ventura retired the first two batters and then gave up five consecutive hits, two of them doubles. Semien’s double scored Alonso and Ryon Healy. Bruce Maxwell’s single scored Semien.

“I was trying to be a little too fine and I was falling behind in the count,” Ventura said through an interpreter.

Ventura was pulled after 4 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits, four walks, a hit batter and two wild pitches. He has yielded 17 hits and nine runs in 11 1/3 innings in losing his past two starts.

Khris Davis delivered a two-out two-run eighth inning single and scored on Healy’s single to cap off the scoring.

Oakland relievers John Axford, Liam Hendriks and Chris Smith held the Royals to one single the final four innings. The A’s bullpen has restricted the Royals to one run and three hits over 12 1/3 innings in the first three games.

“Manaea did a great job of pitching, as did their whole staff,” Yost said. “You know, Ventura was out there competing his tail off. He just struggled to command the secondary stuff and his fastball.”

The Royals, who have lost seven of their past eight home games, did not have a runner reach third base.

STICKING WITH SORIA

While RHP Joakim Soria is 0-3 with three blown saves and a 9.00 ERA in seven games since August 30, Royals manager Ned Yost said he is not forsaking him. “Jack’s had great outings and he’s had bad outings,” Yost said. “Yeah, he’s had a rough year. The thing that is so puzzling to him is he feels good. It’s just one of those things.”

FUENTES RELEASED

The Royals asked for unconditional release waivers on Rey Fuentes, who was their opening day starting right fielder after hitting .386 in spring training. Fuentes hit .317 in 13 games and 44 plate-appearances with Kansas City. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Omaha, where he hit .254 and swiped 17 bases in 22 attempts.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: RHP Sonny Gray (strained forearm) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session and could appear in a game before the season ends. “The look on his face and the intensity in which he threw suggests that he wants to pitch,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “Obviously, we’ll be careful and make sure that every step along the way he’s healthy, but there’s a good chance, at this point, we’ll get him in a game or two.” . RHP J.B. Wendelken (forearm tightness) was unavailable.

UP NEXT

Athletics: RHP Daniel Mengden, who is 0-2 with a 10.57 ERA in two September starts, faces the Royals for the first time.

Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez, who has won his past three decisions against the A’s, starts the series finale.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs release third-round pick KeiVarae Russell

Posted on September 14, 2016September 15, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have released third-round pick KeiVarae Russell and brought back linebacker Dezman Moses on Wednesday in a surprise move just one week into the regular season.

Russell, a cornerback, had been passed over by sixth-round pick D.J. White and recent acquisition Kenneth Acker on the depth chart. Russell was the Chiefs’ second player chosen in the draft.

”Listen, we felt that was best for the Chiefs right now,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. ”He’s a good young man and I think he has a good future, but for right now, that’s what we needed.”

The move helps to shore up special teams while providing depth at linebacker, a position group that struggled often in a 33-27 overtime victory over San Diego.

The Chiefs are already without pass rusher Justin Houston because of ACL surgery and have to limit Tamba Hali’s time to keep him healthy.

Moses was cut last week when the Chiefs needed to reach the NFL’s 53-man roster limit.

Still, it was a surprise the Chiefs gave up on Russell given how highly he was drafted. Kansas City did not have a first-round pick, so he was one of the prime selections in this year’s draft.

The Chiefs have also had success in that particular round: running backs Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis, wide receiver Chris Conley, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive lineman Allen Bailey and cornerback Philip Gaines were all third-round draft picks.

Reid characterized the move as strictly a ”personnel decision.”

”I think he’s a smart kid,” he said of the former Notre Dame standout. ”Again, this was just a matter of we felt for right now, this was the best move to help us out where we’re sitting.”

In other news, running back Spencer Ware sprained his toe and missed practice Wednesday, though Reid said he expects the breakout star of last week’s win to play Sunday in Houston.

Ware had 70 yards rushing and 129 yards receiving in place of Charles.

Speaking of Charles, Reid said the four-time Pro Bowl running back continues to make progress from his ACL surgery last season, though he did not say whether Charles will get on the field this week.

”Every day he gets a little bit better,” Reid said. ”He’ll work in a bit with the starting group but again, we have to make sure he’s set there. We don’t want another surgery.”

Also banged up were linebacker Sam Barrington, who strained his hamstring in the opener, and right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff, who is dealing with a high ankle sprain.

”We’ll just have to see how bad that is,” Reid said.

— Associated Press —

St. Louis gets shutout by Cubs in series finale

Posted on September 14, 2016September 15, 2016

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jon Lester gave the Chicago Cubs a much-needed boost.

Anthony Rizzo hit a pair of home runs and Lester pitched eight dominant innings as the Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-0 on Wednesday to clinch a playoff berth.

The Cubs improved their major league-best record to 93-52, and their magic number is one to clinch their first NL Central title since 2008. They can wrap up the division crown Thursday night with a win at home over Milwaukee or a St. Louis loss in San Francisco.

Chicago secured at least a wild card because the four-game series between the Cardinals and Giants makes it impossible for both to catch the Cubs in the standings.

“I’ll tell you, if you were in that dugout at the beginning of the game, the guys were dead on their feet,” Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. “To play the kind of game we did today — really hot, last game of a long road trip — I give them a ton of credit. (Lester) really played into all that.”

The Cardinals remained a half-game behind the New York Mets and one game behind the Giants for the two NL wild cards.

Lester (17-4) allowed four baserunners, none of which got past first. Cubs catcher David Ross threw out two Cardinals trying to steal second and Lester faced just two batters over the minimum.

Cardinals outfielder Brandon Moss called Lester one of the best in the game.

“Today was one of those days were he had both working and he wasn’t missing over the middle and he was even throwing some curveballs and change-ups to keep you off of everything,” Moss said.

Lester improved to 7-0 with a 1.02 ERA in his last nine starts. He also helped his cause at the plate with an RBI single in the third.

“I’m just trying to give a good at-bat,” Lester said. “He elevated a changeup for me and I got it far enough out there to give us a run.”

Rizzo’s two-run homer in the ninth gave him 31 homers and 101 RBI on the season. He is the second Cubs left-handed hitter in franchise history to post multiple 30 home run and 100 RBI seasons (Billy Williams did it in 1965, 1970 and 1972).

“Billy Williams, his numbers speak for himself and he’s done it so many years, so it’s a really good feeling,” Rizzo said.

Ross’ two-run homer in the fifth snapped a 0-for-8 streak and it was his first home run since Aug. 17.

St. Louis starter Carlos Martinez (14-8) gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings.

Martinez started off strong, striking out the side in the first and four of the first six batters he faced. Five of his nine strikeouts came on called third strikes. He entered the game having allowed just 12 homers this season and his home run per nine innings average of 0.63 was second in the National League to the Mets’ Noah Syndergaard (0.52).

Ross’ home run was just third by a right-handed batter against Martinez, who had his four winning decisions streak snapped.

The loss dropped the Cardinals’ home record to 33-41, assuring St. Louis of its first losing record at home since 1999 when it played in Busch Stadium II.

While clinching at least a wild card spot is nice, the Cubs look forward to wrapping up the division at home this weekend, preferably tomorrow.

“Let’s do it,” Maddon said. “The sooner, the better. Then we can make our appropriate plans going forward and really set things up to make our best push.”

TRAINERS ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha (right shoulder inflammation) was activated from the disabled list and will pitch out of the bullpen … OF Matt Holliday (fractured right thumb) is expected to take live batting practice later this week. . RHP Trevor Rosenthal (right shoulder inflammation) could be activated from the DL tomorrow.

UP NEXT

Cubs: LHP Mike Montgomery (1-1, 3.67 ERA) will kick off a four-game series as Chicago hosts Milwaukee on Thursday. The Brewers counter with RHP Jimmy Nelson (14-7, 4.42 ERA)

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (11-8, 4.45) will look to build on a one run, eight inning performance in his last start as St. Louis travels to San Francisco for a four-game series Thursday. RHP Johnny Cueto (15-5, 2.90) will start for the Giants.

— Associated Press —

Soria blows another save as KC loses second straight to Oakland

Posted on September 13, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Joakim Soria blew another save and the Kansas City Royals’ chances to return to the postseason took another hit.

Pinch hitter Yonder Alonso delivered a two-run double in the eighth inning and the Oakland Athletics rallied past Kansas City 5-4 Tuesday night.

The defending World Series champion Royals dropped five games out of the wild-card race with only 18 games left.

“That’s a really hard situation to come in to,” Alonso said. “I think early on, I knew I was going to have an opportunity, a meaningful opportunity obviously, with the game on the line to come up with a big at-bat.”

Soria blew his seventh save chance in eight opportunities. He was summoned with two outs in the eighth and the Royals clinging to a 3-2 lead.

On his second pitch, Soria gave up a double to Alonso over the head of center fielder Jarrod Dyson, scoring Brett Eibner and pinch runner Joey Wendle.

Soria then yielded an RBI single to Marcus Semien.

“It’s a difficult position when you’re not used to that,” said Soria, who has 203 career saves. “This season has been really, really different to me. I guess in 10 years it can happen sometimes.”

“Unfortunately for me and my team, it happened this year. They need me the most and I’ve been having poor results,” he said.

Rookie Matthew Strahm (2-1), who gave up an infield single to Chad Pinder before Soria replaced him, took the loss.

Royals manager Ned Yost said he did not to use Kelvin Herrera for a four-out save and Wade Davis was unavailable after throwing nearly 50 pitches in back-to-back saves Saturday and Sunday.

“I had confidence in Jack,” Yost said. “I thought it was a good situation for him. I didn’t mind the matchup with Alonso. Jack’s had two days off.”

“Ultimately, it’s my plan. I’m responsible for my plan. And that was my plan and it didn’t work,” he said.

Will he continue to use Soria in those pressure situations?

“I don’t make decisions after games like this,” Yost said. “I haven’t even thought about. I’m not even going to speculate on what I’m going to do, without thinking about it and sleeping on it.”

“Jack’s that guy right now that everybody is on. Jack’s had some really good outings this year and he’s had some poor outings. How do you determine from one day to the next if I put him out there if it’s going to be a good outing or a bad outing? It very easily could have been a good outing. It wasn’t,” he said.

John Axford (6-4) pitched one inning. Ryan Madson balked home Dyson with two outs in the ninth before closing for his 30th save in 36 tries.

Royals starter Danny Duffy, who has not won since Aug. 21, limited the A’s to three hits, but two were home runs, in 7 1/3 innings.

Duffy gave up a home run to Khris Davis on his first pitch in the fifth. Davis has homered in back-to-back games and hiked his season total to 37, which is the most by an Athletics player since Frank Thomas hit 39 in 2006.

Ryon Healy homered to lead off the eighth. After Duffy walked Eibner with one out, he was replaced by Strahm.

Paulo Orlando hit a two-run single in the fourth to score Cheslor Cuthbert, who had doubled, and Alcides Escobar, who reached on Semien’s error.

Semien has committed 11 errors in the past 53 games and tops major league shortstops with 19 fielding miscues.

Escobar’s two-out single in the sixth scored Salvador Perez and chased Jharel Cotton, who was making his second big league start since being acquired in an Aug. 1 trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cotton allowed three runs, only one earned, in 5 2/3 innings, while walking one and striking out two.

“I’m just going out there and pitching the way I know how to pitch,” Cotton said. “I’m not trying to do anything special, just go out there and give my team a chance to win every time I get the ball.”

ROOKIES GALORE

The A’s started five rookies — 2B Pinder, RF Eibner, 3B Healy, DH Renato Nunez and RHP Cotton — matching a season high.

FOOTBALL VISIT

A’s manager Bob Melvin stopped by the Chiefs’ practice Tuesday. He is a friend of Chiefs coach Andy Reed. The manager’s cousin, Tom Melvin, coaches the Chiefs tight ends.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (right biceps tendinitis) is eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday. “I don’t think it will be tomorrow, but he’s definitely making progress,” Yost said. … Perez returned to the lineup after missing the game Tuesday for the birth of his second son, Johan Salvador.

UP NEXT

Athletics: LHP Sean Manaea will make his first start since Aug. 29 when he left after 3 1/3 innings with strained left rhomboid muscles in the shoulder blade.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura gave up a season-high 10 hits over seven innings in a loss Friday to the White Sox.

— Associated Press —

Moss, Diaz hit home runs, Cardinals stall Cubs with 4-2 win

Posted on September 13, 2016

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Brandon Moss broke out of a lengthy slump with a tiebreaking home run and Aledmys Diaz connected in his return to the starting lineup, leading the St. Louis Cardinals over the Chicago Cubs 4-2 Tuesday night.

The Cardinals ensured that the runaway Cubs won’t clinch the NL Central at Busch Stadium. Chicago’s magic number is three, and the series in St. Louis wraps up Thursday.

St. Louis remained a half-game behind the New York Mets for the second wild-card spot.

Moss entered the game mired in a 1-for-41 skid. He hit a two-run homer in the sixth off Jason Hammel (14-9).

Dexter Fowler led off the game with a home run against Jaime Garcia.

Alex Reyes (2-1) won with 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Kevin Siegrist got his second save.

Moss singled in the second and scored on Diaz’s 15th homer of the season. Diaz started for the first time since July 31, when the All-Star shortstop broke his thumb.

Garcia, who lasted just 1 2/3 innings, the shortest outing in his 146-start career. Garcia gave up two runs on three hits, including Fowler’s seventh leadoff homer of the season.

Hammel allowed four runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked two.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: INF Matt Carpenter was in the starting lineup after leaving Monday’s game with back tightness. … RHP Trevor Rosenthal threw batting practice. He has missed 46 games with shoulder inflammation. … RHP Michael Wacha is expected to be activated off the disabled list tomorrow and could be headed to the bullpen. He has been out since Aug. 9 with shoulder inflammation.

UP NEXT

Cubs LHP Jon Lester (16-4, 2.51) takes on RHP Carlos Martinez (14-7, 3.05) in the final game of the three-game set. Lester has allowed one run or less in each of his last five starts. He is 6-0 with a 1.17 ERA in his previous eight starts. Martinez is 6-3 in 11 day starts this season. He has induced an NL-leading 32 double plays.

— Associated Press —

Royals get trounced by Oakland in series opener 16-3

Posted on September 12, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics looked like a team battling for a playoff spot Monday night, and the Kansas City Royals looked like a team checked out and ready for the offseason.

It was supposed to be the other way around.

Khris Davis and Marcus Semien hit three-run homers, the lowly Athletics matched a season high with 17 hits while drawing 10 walks, and they trounced the Royals 16-3 in their series opener.

“It’s great to have a game like that,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “For a team that struggles to score runs, it’s nice to have a positive mood in the dugout.”

In the opposite dugout, the reigning World Series champions could only rue another game slipping away. The Royals (74-69) began the day four back of the final wild-card spot with 20 games to go, and hoped an eight-game stand against Oakland and the White Sox would allow them to gain ground.

But with five teams standing in their way, time is running out.

“These games are easy to turn the page, a lot tougher is losing a one-run game,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “We just got beat. We didn’t play good, we didn’t pitch good and we got beat.”

Daniel Coulombe (3-1) earned the win in relief of Ross Detwiler, though it was the Oakland offense that led the way. The A’s scored their most runs this season for their largest margin of victory.

Royals starter Dillon Gee (6-8) was battered for five runs on five hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings, though he wasn’t the only pitcher to melt down. He was followed by three relievers in a span of four batters in the fourth inning, when the A’s marched nine to the plate and scored three times.

“When you’re out there trying to find something in a big league game against big league hitters, it makes it real tough,” Gee said. “They scored a lot of runs, but it’s just one game.”

By the end, everybody in the A’s starting lineup had a hit. Stephen Vogt was 3 for 3 with two walks and two RBI, while Joey Wendle, Arismendy Alcantara and Ryon Healy drove also drove in two apiece.

“We were swinging at a lot of good pitches,” said the A’s Brett Eibner, who began the season with Kansas City. “We swung at pitches we want to hit and when you do that, the runs seem to pile up.”

Davis delivered the first big blow in the third inning when he splashed his 36th homer into the fountains in left field, a shot estimated at 447 feet.

When the Royals matched him with three runs in the bottom half, the A’s bounced right back to score three more: Bruce Maxwell and Eibner opened the fourth with back-to-back singles, Wendle hit a sacrifice fly, and the A’s churned out four hits and two walks in taking a 6-3 lead.

It was 8-3 when Semien went deep in the sixth, and Oakland merely piled on from there.

“There’s not much to say,” Yost said. “Just one of those nights.”

BIG LEAGUE DEBUTS

Royals OF Hunter Dozier and A’s INF Renato Nunez and OF/INF Matt Olson made their major league debuts. Nunez and Olson were brought up from Triple-A Nashville prior to the game, with Olson taking the spot of departed DH Billy Butler on the 40-man roster.

“In Olson’s case his parents were here,” Melvin said, “so it was nice to get him in the game.”

SALVY’S BABY BOY

Royals C Salvador Perez was scratched from the starting lineup after his fiance gave birth to a boy on Monday. His name is Johan Salvador and the Royals said mother and baby are doing well.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals RHP Kris Medlen (right rotator cuff inflammation) will not return this season, manager Ned Yost said. LHP Jason Vargas (Tommy John surgery) is also unlikely to pitch for Kansas City this season after making three rehab outings for Triple-A Omaha.

UP NEXT

RHP Jharel Cotton makes his second career start for the A’s after beating the Angels in his debut last week. LHP Danny Duffy goes for his eighth win since the All-Star break for Kansas City.

— Associated Press —

St. Louis gets one-hit, loses to Chicago 4-1

Posted on September 12, 2016

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kyle Hendricks was so good Monday night he even surprised himself.

The right-hander took a no-hitter into the ninth inning before giving up Jeremy Hazelbaker’s leadoff home run, and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 to close in on the NL Central crown.

“I never thought I’d get that close to one,” Hendricks said. “A guy who throws to contact and doesn’t throw hard, you don’t think about it. You can run into one of those special days and you think, why not?

“My pregame bullpen was probably the worst I’ve had all year. Hopefully it clicks once the game starts, and it did.”

All the way until the ninth inning.

Hazelbaker drove an 0-2 pitch into the right-field stands for his 12th homer before Hendricks (15-7), the major league ERA leader at 2.03, was relieved by Aroldis Chapman.

“If you’re going to give it up, at least it’s that way and not a cheap hit,” Hendricks said. “I just left the ball up and he got it. It was just a changeup and I wanted to throw it in the dirt and get him to chase.”

Hazelbaker was looking for a changeup.

“I wasn’t surprised by it,” he said. “He’d been throwing that pitch all night. It was a good pitch he threw me. I was able to handle it like I wanted to.”

Ben Zobrist and Dexter Fowler homered for the Cubs, who lowered their magic number to three for clinching the division crown. They lead the second-place Cardinals by 17 games and can wrap up the NL Central with a three-game sweep in St. Louis.

The Cardinals remained a half-game behind the Mets for the league’s second wild card. New York lost 8-1 at Washington.

Soon after Hazelbaker’s shot cleared the fence, teammates went to the mound to talk to Hendricks — leading to an animated argument between Cubs manager Joe Maddon and plate umpire Joe West.

Maddon was ejected for the third time this season, and Chapman entered to finish the one-hitter. He got three outs for his 14th save with Chicago, and is 34 for 37 overall this year with the Cubs and Yankees.

After the pitching change, Maddon argued some more with West before leaving.

“It was a misinterpretation there,” Maddon said. “We needed more time there. I needed the catcher to go to the mound. We were denied. I made my stand.

“I truly believe I was proper in that, but this is not about that. This is Kyle’s night.”

Hendricks, who threw 96 pitches, struck out seven and walked two.

“Pretty special night all around,” he said. “It was fun, man.”

It was the fourth no-hit bid broken up in the ninth inning this season. Cubs teammate Jake Arrieta tossed the lone no-hitter in the majors this year, winning 16-0 at Cincinnati on April 21.

Hendricks got some help from his defense, especially in the sixth.

Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, deep in the hole, went to his knees on the outfield grass for a sliding stop of Jhonny Peralta’s sharp grounder and made a strong throw to first.

Right fielder Jason Heyward then reached into the stands to catch Hazelbaker’s foul fly, practically wrestling with a fan in a Cardinals jersey for the ball.

“He was unbelievably great,” Maddon said about Hendricks. “Unfortunately, he didn’t get the no-hitter. They didn’t have good swings against him all night. He was in charge the entire game. It was a spectacular performance. Kyle was the star.”

Hendricks’ control made him tough to hit, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.

“He was pushing the corners all day long and he’s been doing that most of the season and didn’t give us a whole lot,” Matheny said.

Mike Leake (9-10) pitched six innings before being lifted for a pinch hitter. Leake, making his second start since a stint on the disabled list due to shingles, allowed six hits and four runs (three earned).

Anthony Rizzo had an RBI single for the Cubs.

The last time the Cubs won a division title was 2008. They did it by beating St. Louis on Sept. 20 at Wrigley Field.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha (right shoulder) threw batting practice to Brayan Pena, Jose Martinez and Alberto Rosario. Wacha said he hopes to come off the disabled list Wednesday. … LF Matt Holliday took batting practice on the field for the first time since breaking his right thumb Aug. 11 against the Cubs. … Cardinals closer Seung Hwan Oh, who has 17 saves and a 1.87 ERA, was unavailable Saturday and Sunday against Milwaukee because of a sore groin. Speaking through translator Eugene Koo, the reliever said he would not be available Monday but should be Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: LHP Jaime Garcia (10-12, 4.58 ERA) makes his 29th start of the season Tuesday night, his most since 2011 when he made 32. He has started seven games against the Cubs and is 3-2 with a 2.27 ERA.

Cubs: RHP Jason Hammel (14-8, 3.50) allowed nine runs — eight earned — and a career-high 13 hits over 5 2/3 innings in a 12-5 loss at Milwaukee last time out. He is 4-4 with a 4.80 ERA in 10 starts against the Cardinals.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs overcome 21-point deficit, beat Chargers 33-27 in OT

Posted on September 11, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith squirmed out of the pile in the end zone, got to his feet and let out a roar.

All it took was the largest comeback in the 56-year history of the Kansas City Chiefs for the stoic quarterback with the California cool to finally let some emotion show.

Smith threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns to rally his team from a three-touchdown hole, then scored on third-and-goal on the first possession of overtime for a heart-stopping 33-27 victory over the San Diego Chargers in their season opener Sunday.

“Lot of emotion at the end of the game,” Smith said with a smile.

The Chiefs trailed 24-3 in the second half before mounting their charge, and it really kicked into gear when Smith hit Jeremy Maclin with a back-shoulder fade to get within 27-17 with 9 minutes to go.

Cairo Santos added a 33-yard field goal a few minutes later. Then, after forcing a three-and-out, Spencer Ware finished a four-play drive with a touchdown plunge to knot the game at 27.

It took Kansas City 10 plays to march 75 yards in overtime. Smith finished it with his plunge from the 2-yard line, keeping the ball rather than pitch when the smallest of creases opened.

By the time Smith reached his feet, the Chiefs had flooded onto the field to celebrate.

“You’re going to have games like this that show your character, show your grit,” coach Andy Reid said. “I’m proud of the way they handled it. They had confidence in each other.”

Philip Rivers threw for 243 yards and a touchdown, and Melvin Gordon scored the first two TDs of his career. But the Chargers were unable to keep any drives going in the fourth quarter, when the Chiefs were charging to their NFL-leading 11th consecutive regular-season victory.

“You just can’t let them back in. We’ve got to close it,” Chargers offensive tackle Joe Barksdale said. “Everybody with eyes who saw the game has got to know, we have to close it. It’s not acceptable to be up by 24-3 and lose the game. We know that.”

The collapse came after San Diego wide receiver Keenan Allen left in the second quarter with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. He already had six catches for 63 yards.

Even without Allen, the retooled Chargers and their improved offensive line managed to build a 21-3 halftime lead. And it looked as if their eight-game skid against AFC West rivals would finally end.

That all changed once the fourth quarter began.

Josh Lambo missed a 54-yard field goal with San Diego leading 27-10, and the momentum swung toward Kansas City. Smith calmly completed six passes and marched his team 56 yards to the end zone, Santos hit his field goal and Ware his touchdown run, and the game was headed to overtime.

The Chiefs carried their newfound momentum all the way to the finish.

BLACK POWER

Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters held a black-gloved fist aloft during the national anthem in a salute reminiscent of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. It was his way of standing beside 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s stance on social injustice.

“I’m supporting Colin and what he’s doing, as far as raising awareness with the justice system,” said Peters, who grew up in Oakland, California. “Coach said it was OK if I wanted to express my thoughts about what I wanted to do, so I just expressed it.”

Peters did link his left arm with his teammates as country singer Trace Adkins performed the anthem. The Chiefs said in a statement they decided to lock arms in a show of solidarity.

MISSING NAMES

The Chiefs played without star pass rusher Justin Houston , who could be out until November as he recovers from ACL surgery in February. The Chargers were without defensive end Joey Bosa, the third pick in April’s draft, who remained on the exempt list after a lengthy holdout.

RUNNING IT: Ware finished with 70 yards rushing and had seven catches for 129 yards, giving the Chiefs a big boost without Jamaal Charles. The four-time Pro Bowl running back is still recovering from surgery last season to repair his ACL and was inactive Sunday.

INJURY REPORT

Allen missed the final eight games last season with a lacerated kidney , and now could be out the rest of this season. He never put weight on his right knee after going down Sunday.

“There is speculation about an ACL,” coach Mike McCoy said, “but we’ll run tests when we get back home.”

Chiefs linebacker Sam Barrington left in the second half with a hamstring injury.

— Associated Press —

Royals combine to two-hit White Sox in 2-0 victory Sunday

Posted on September 11, 2016

CHICAGO (AP) — Ian Kennedy wanted to talk about Chris Sale’s outing more than his own performance.

“What did he go, eight innings, 12 punchouts?” Kennedy said. “You know you’re going up against one of the best pitchers in the American League. I just wanted to go out there and try to give our team a chance.”

Kennedy did a lot better than that, combining with three relievers on a two-hitter and helping the Kansas City Royals edge Sale and the Chicago White Sox 2-0 on Sunday.

The key for Kansas City was swinging early. Kendrys Morales homered on Sale’s first pitch of the second and Eric Hosmer did the same in the fourth.

“Honestly, I just try to get out of that box as quick as I can without getting embarrassed,” Hosmer said.

The Royals won their second straight to stay four games behind Baltimore for the final AL wild-card spot. They have to jump five teams over the final 20 games to reach the playoffs for the third straight year.

“We needed this,” Hosmer said.

Kennedy (11-9) walked four, but Adam Eaton’s leadoff single was the only hit off the right-hander in six innings. He improved to 5-0 in his last six starts.

Peter Moylan and Kelvin Herrera each threw a perfect inning before Wade Davis worked around Eaton’s single and a walk in the ninth for his 24th save.

Sale (15-8) struck out 12 in eight innings while becoming the first White Sox pitcher with four consecutive 200-strikeout seasons. It was his third game of 10 or more strikeouts this season and No. 34 for his career.

Sale also went over 200 innings for the second straight season.

“I think more than anything, it’s the innings,” Sale said. “I was told very early on when I got here 200 innings was the benchmark for a starting pitcher.”

But Sale, who has gone at least eight innings in five straight starts, has just one win since starting for the AL in the All-Star Game. It has fueled speculation Sale could be traded in the offseason to help a rare rebuilding project for the struggling franchise.

“I don’t worry about that stuff. It’ll shake out on its own,” Sale said. “I wear this uniform with a lot of pride and I hope I can continue to do that.”

Kennedy, who struck out six, stymied Chicago despite occasional control issues amid his late-season turnaround.

He walked the bases loaded in the third with two out before Melky Cabrera flied to right. Kennedy worked around another walk in the fifth when Tyler Saladino lined to the mound to start a double play.

Davis got Jose Abreu to line to right and struck out Justin Morneau with two on to close the Royals’ fourth win in six games.

“It’s hard to bunch offense against Chris Sale,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “You have to hope you can get a pitch and not miss it. That’s what Mo did. That’s what Hos did and you just hope that your pitching matches.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Yost said OF Lorenzo Cain (sprained left wrist) will see a specialist and they’ll decide in a week if he’ll be shut down for the season. “We’re just doing everything we can right now,” Cain said. “Hopefully, I can get back on the field.” … C Salvador Perez started a second straight game in his return from a wrist injury. “Salvy is a different scenario, it’s just a bone contusion,” Yost said.

White Sox: Sale stayed in after taking a liner off his knee in the third. He recovered to throw out Paulo Orlando at first.

MEMORIES

The 15-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks hit home for both managers. Chicago’s Robin Ventura was playing for the Mets and Yost was with the Braves then. The teams faced off in the first game in New York after the attack.

Both men brought up the significance of Mike Piazza’s game-winning home run.

“People could cheer, people could hug each other and laugh and root for their team again,” Ventura said.

UP NEXT

Royals: Oakland comes to Kansas City for four games, with Royals RHP Dillon Gee (6-7, 4.34 ERA) facing LHP Ross Detwiler (1-3, 5.15 ERA) on Monday.

White Sox: AL Central-leading Cleveland visits for four games starting Monday, with RHP Miguel Gonzalez (3-6, 3.81 ERA) facing RHP Carlos Carrasco (11-7, 3.15 ERA).

— Associated Press —

Cardinals lose to Milwaukee on Braun’s 9th inning home run

Posted on September 11, 2016

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun fouled off the pitch he liked before coming through for the Brewers.

Braun hit a solo home run in the ninth inning and the Brewers beat St. Louis 2-1 on Sunday, dropping the Cardinals back in the NL wild-card race.

The Cardinals are a half-game behind the Mets for the second wild-card slot.

Braun connected on a 3-2 fastball off Kevin Siegrist (5-3) for his 27th homer of the season and 19th in his career against the Cardinals.

“The 0-1 pitch was the best pitch to hit,” said Braun, who fouled it off. “It was better than the one I hit. The one I hit out was on the black in.”

Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell liked Braun’s approach in the at-bat.

“He hit a couple of foul balls there where he took really good swings,” Counsell said. “He’s (Siegrest) tough on righty’s, always has been. Braun got himself back in the count and he made a mistake. It was a no-doubter.”

St. Louis had tied it in the eighth when Matt Carpenter doubled and scored on Stephen Piscotty’s sacrifice fly off Tyler Thornburg (6-5).

Thornburg struck out three in the ninth.

“We only used Thorny once in the last week so he was well rested,” Counsell said. “We gave him the extra outs. He’s got a great mentality in this role.”

The Cardinals fell to 32-39 at home this season.

“It’s always disappointing,” St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. “In these close games, you feel like you got a real shot and they’re always hard to swallow when it doesn’t work out.”

The Brewers’ other run came in the first on singles by Scooter Gennett and Braun and a sacrifice fly from Chris Carter.

Milwaukee had just four hits in the game, with Braun getting the only one after the fifth inning.

Zach Davies pitched 7 1/3 innings and gave up one run on five hits while striking out seven and walking one.

“This is a game where you have to battle even harder,” Davies said. “Every pitch counts.”

Cardinals rookie Luke Weaver allowed three hits in six innings. He struck out eight with one walk.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha, who has missed 29 games with shoulder inflammation, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday. He threw one Friday.

ACTIVATED

The Cardinals activated All-Star shortstop Aledmys Diaz from the disabled list. Diaz, 26, had missed 36 games since he broke his right thumb when he was hit by a pitch from the Marlins’ Andrew Cashner. At the time he was injured, Diaz was hitting a team-leading .312 with 14 homers and 57 RBI in 96 games.

ATTENDANCE

The Cardinals eclipsed the 3 million mark in attendance for the 13th consecutive year and joined the Los Angeles Dodgers as the second team to pass the figure this season. It is the 20th time overall St. Louis has passed the 3 million total.

UP NEXT

Brewers: Wiley Peralta (6-9) will face Cincinnati’s Keyvius Sampson(0-1). Peralta, the opening day starter, earned a win in his last start Sept. 6 in a 12-5 victory over the Cubs.

Cardinals: Mike Leake (9-9) will face Chicago’s Kyle Hendricks (14-7) on Monday night at Busch Stadium. It will be Leake’s 199th career start. He was activated from 15-day DL (shingles) before his last start on Sept. 7 and allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings for no-decision in a 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

— Associated Press —