Professional – Page 98 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Diaz’s homer helps St. Louis defeat Miami and Fernandez 5-4

Posted on July 28, 2016

MIAMI (AP) — The first time Jose Fernandez faced Aledmys Diaz on Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals’ slugger fouled the first pitch off with a mighty swing.

“I told him, `Really? You’re going to swing first pitch like that?” Fernandez said. “That swing had a lot of bad intentions.”

It was a sign of things to come. Diaz homered, doubled and drove in three runs in the first-ever meeting between the two childhood pals from Cuba, helping the Cardinals beat the Miami Marlins 5-4.

Fernandez fell behind 5-0, departed after five innings and dropped to 26-2 at Marlins Park.

“I made some mistakes and they took advantage. That’s on me,” he said. ” Every time you get four runs and have your ace on the mound, you should expect to win.”

Miami’s Dee Gordon, the 2015 NL batting and stolen bases champion, returned from an 80-game suspension for failing a drug test and went 0 for 4. Ichiro Suzuki doubled as a pinch hitter in the seventh for Miami and needs two hits for 3,000.

Michael Wacha (6-7) allowed three runs in six innings, and three relievers completed an eight-hitter. Seung Hwan Oh pitched around a one-out single in the ninth for his seventh save.

Diaz and Matt Holliday homered in the third inning against Fernandez (12-5), who had never previously given up more than one homer in a home game.

“That was a lot of fun to compete against my buddy,” Diaz said. “I just tried to be aggressive with him, he’s such a great pitcher.”

Fernandez’s only other loss at Marlins Park came on opening day this year against Detroit.

Diaz and Fernandez were neighbors growing up in Santa Clara, Cuba, and the Cardinals enjoyed their reunion. Fernandez walked Jeremy Hazelbaker to start the third inning, and Diaz followed with his 14th homer.

“This guy wants to hit it 10,000 feet,” Fernandez said. “He’s helping his team win. You can’t get mad about that.”

Two batters later, Holliday hit his 18th homer just inside the right-field foul pole, prompting a rueful grin from Fernandez. The outing was his shortest since May 4.

The Cardinals homered in 17 consecutive games before being blanked in that department Wednesday.

Hazelbaker tripled and Diaz drove in a run with a double, his 25th, in the Cardinals’ two-run fifth.

UNDER SIEGE

Marcell Ozell hit comebackers off Wacha (right foot) and Oh (left buttocks). Both stayed in the game. It’s the third game in a row Wacha has been hit on the right foot.

“It’s got a bull’s-eye on it,” Wacha said.

BALK REVERSAL

The umpires said they erroneously reversed a balk call, taking a Cardinals run off the board in the second inning.

With runners at second and third and two out, Fernandez was about to intentionally walk No. 8 hitter Kolten Wong when third base umpire D.J. Reyburn called a balk. Fernandez protested, and after the four umpires conferred, they reversed the call and decided there was no balk.

Wacha struck out to end the inning and keep the game scoreless. After the game, crew chief John Hirshbeck reviewed video and decided Reyburn’s balk call had been correct.

“D.J. called it from third, and I thought I saw (Fernandez) step off with his right foot,” Hirshbeck said. “I overruled D.J. with what I thought I saw. He was right, I was wrong.”

SUZUKI UPDATE

Suzuki received a standing ovation when he pinch-hit, and he responded with his 350th career double, raising his season average to .335. He has started only one of seven games on the homestand.

“I don’t think he’s searching to make this about him,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “I think he’s comfortable with the way we’re playing it.”

CARDINALS ROTATION

Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia will start Saturday on four days’ rest, manager Mike Matheny said. Garcia threw 77 pitches Tuesday, when he gave up two earned runs in five innings and lost to the Mets.

TRAINER’S ROOM

RHP Lance Lynn, who underwent Tommy John surgery in November, threw to hitters again Thursday, and the Cardinals haven’t ruled out his return this season.

UP NEXT

Cardinals RHP Mike Leake (7-8, 4.24), who is scheduled to start Friday, is 3-0 with an 0.44 ERA in three starts at Marlins Park. RHP Jose Urena (1-2, 5.34) will start for Miami.

— Associated Press —

Mondesi’s bunt single helps Royals beat Angels 7-5

Posted on July 28, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Raul Mondesi celebrated an unforgettable 21st birthday.

Mondesi had two infield singles, leading to four runs and two pitchers throwing errors — plus a protest by the Los Angeles Angels — as the Kansas City Royals rallied for a 7-5 victory on Wednesday night.

Mondesi had a bunt single for his first big league hit, with two runs scoring on the play on pitcher Matt Shoemaker’s throwing error in the seventh inning.

“This one I enjoy,” Mondesi said of his birthday. “Playing with these guys, this is amazing.”

Shoemaker, who did not allow a base runner until the fifth inning, yielded singles to Alex Gordon and Paulo Orlando to start the seventh. Mondesi, called up Tuesday, put down a bunt and beat the throw to first as the throw by Shoemaker (5-11) sailed into right field.

Both runners scored and Mondesi wound up on third.

“That’s part of my game,” Mondesi said of bunting. “I like it. I enjoy bunting and with that throw we score two runs.”

Angels manager Mike Scioscia came out claiming interference, that Mondesi was not running within the lines, and after a 6 minute, 15 second review the call on the field was not changed. Scioscia officially protested the game.

Royals manager Ned Yost said there is no way the protest would be upheld.

“You can’t protest a judgmental call,” Yost said. “I’ve never protested a game. I’ve never been part of a game that was protested.”

Scioscia had a completely opposite viewpoint, saying he is “100 percent” certain the protest would be upheld.

“It’s not a judgement call,” Scioscia said. “I would not have protested if I was not 100 percent correct on this. This is a misinterpretation of a rule. It was very clear. Phil Cuzzi, the home plate umpire, had Mondesi running inside the line in jeopardy the whole way, and stated that it’s okay because he was stepping back toward the bag, which is wrong.”

Jarrod Dyson rifled a triple to right, scoring Mondesi and making all the runs earned. Dyson scored on Alcides Escobar’s sacrifice fly.

Mondesi added a run-scoring infield single in a two-run eighth. The second run scored on pitcher Jose Alvarerz’s throwing error.

Joakim Soria (4-4) pitched a scoreless inning for the win after replacing left-hander Danny Duffy in the seventh. Duffy allowed three runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out five.

Shoemaker was charged with five runs on eight hits in six-plus innings.

Albert Pujols walked with the bases loaded with one out in the ninth and Andrelton Simmons singled in another run before Wade Davis struck out Jett Bandy to end the game.

Gordon and Orlando each contributed three hits. Orlando had two doubles and a fifth-inning RBI.

Jefry Marte had two doubles and a RBI for the Angels, while Johnny Giavotella had his second consecutive three-hit game.

ROYALS MEETING

With several Royals names surfacing in trade rumors, Yost addressed it in a team meeting. “These guys are a real, real close group,” Yost said. “They know that this trade deadline (Monday) is bearing down on them. They don’t want to see anybody leave that room. They want to see us all continue to stay together. That’s adding a little bit of anxiety and urgency to their game. But sometimes it can be a little too much. They’re trying to make things happen, instead of letting things develop. Just catch your breath.”

OUTFIELD DEBUT

Gregorio Petit, who had only played the infield professionally, started in left field for the Angels. “We’re trying to get another right-handed bat in there and get Greg some at-bats,” Scioscia said. “He’s been working out there for the last two months.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: OF Shane Robinson (sprained right ankle) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Class-A Inland Empire in the California League.

Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain (strained left hamstring) went 1 for 4 with a single and a strikeout while playing seven innings in right field.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Jered Weaver will start Thursday at Anaheim against the Red Sox, who will counter with LHP David Price.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura, who lost to the Rangers on Saturday, will face them again Thursday in the opener of a four-game series at Arlington. LHP Cole Hamels will be the Texas starter.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs place RB Jamaal Charles on PUP list as camp begins

Posted on July 28, 2016

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs placed running back Jamaal Charles on the physically unable to perform list Wednesday, though coach Andy Reid said it should not be considered a setback in his return from a knee injury.

Charles tore the ACL in his right knee in Week 5 last season. He had surgery soon afterward and was far enough along in his recovery that he participated in some drills during mandatory minicamp.

“He’s on track and he’s played a lot of downs, so he knows what he needs to do to be ready, and I think we’ll be fine there,” Reid said. “The important thing is that we are patient with him in bringing him back. He knows what to do to be ready and when he’s ready, we’ll bring him back.”

This is the second time that Charles has undergone surgery to repair an ACL. He missed most of the 2011 season after hurting his other knee but ran for 1,509 yards the following season.

Still, Charles is older now — he turns 30 in December — and has many more hits on his body.

The Chiefs can afford to take their time with him, though. They re-signed Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware in the offseason, bringing back the speed-and-power combination that filled in well for Charles when he was hurt while making a cut in a game against the Bears.

“We’re just going to take our time,” Reid said. “We’re just going to make sure he’s good.”

The Chiefs can take Charles off the PUP list whenever he is medically cleared, but that likely will not happen anytime soon. Veterans do not report for the start of training camp until Friday.

Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines also tore an ACL early last season, but he is already close to full speed. He is expected to compete for one of the starting jobs opposite Marcus Peters.

“I thought he moved around great,” Reid said after the first practice involving rookies, select veterans and quarterbacks. “He took a lot of reps and it looks like he’s put on some weight and some strength. I was happy with what I saw today. He competed.”

Gaines said he still has some rust to knock off, but he is “close to 100 percent.”

“I’m definitely climbing toward that way,” he said. “It’s the first time playing football since the Green Bay game (on Sept. 28), so just feels good to be able to have the opportunity to play.”

Gaines said there is no pain in his surgically repaired knee, just a bit of stiffness from time to time. He praised the work of Dr. James Andrews, who also operated on Charles and repaired linebacker Justin Houston’s torn ACL in February, and said that he trusts his knee to hold up.

“I mean, Dr. Andrews is one of the best surgeons in the world, he’s world-renowned,” Gaines said, “and everybody knows him. So if he says my knee’s good, then I have all the confidence in the world.”

Wide receiver Mike Williams, who was signed to provide some depth, also made it onto the practice field Wednesday after dealing with a hamstring injury during the offseason program.

Williams starred for Tampa Bay before injuries and a suspension derailed his career.

“It feels real good. That’s what I’ve been training for to get back out there, so it’s kind of good that I got an early start,” he said. “It feels really good to be back out here again.”

— Associated Press —

Cardinals rally past Mets as Jeurys Familia blows first save of season

Posted on July 28, 2016July 28, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) — Just shy of a year. That’s how long Jeurys Familia’s saves streak lasted — until Yadier Molina ended it with one perfectly timed swing.

Molina and pinch hitter Kolten Wong each stroked an RBI double in the ninth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals snapped Familia’s string of 52 straight saves in rallying to beat the New York Mets 5-4 on Wednesday night.

“A huge boost,” Wong said. “We needed this.”

Yoenis Cespedes hit a go-ahead homer off Adam Wainwright to cap a three-run comeback in the seventh that gave the Mets a 4-3 lead. But then Familia, who hadn’t blown a regular-season save opportunity since July 30, 2015, finally faltered.

Jedd Gyorko drew a four-pitch walk with one out in the ninth and was replaced by pinch runner Randal Grichuk. Molina hit the next pitch to deep center field, and Grichuk scored standing up to tie it.

Molina was thrown out at third by Familia (2-2) on pinch hitter Jeremy Hazelbaker’s comebacker. But Hazelbaker stole second, then he scored when Wong lined a double just inside the left-field line.

“That was probably one of the top, top things I’ve experienced in a while,” said Wong, who lost his everyday job at second base this season and got demoted to the minors last month. “To see some kind of light at the end of the tunnel was definitely something I needed and something that I’ve been wanting for a long, long time.”

Familia’s franchise-record saves streak was the third longest in major league history, behind Tom Gordon (54) and Eric Gagne (84).

“They made good contact on my sinker, and I walked a guy and Molina came and jumped on the first pitch, and that’s it,” said Familia, who was charged with three blown saves in last year’s World Series loss to the Kansas City Royals.

Jonathan Broxton (3-2) tossed a scoreless eighth for the Cardinals, and Seung Hwan Oh got three quick outs for his sixth save.

Including a split of Tuesday’s doubleheader, St. Louis took two of three from the Mets in a matchup of National League wild-card contenders.

Logan Verrett pitched seven efficient innings, and slumping Neil Walker went 3-for-3 with a base on balls for the third-place Mets, who dropped 5½ games behind the NL East-leading Washington Nationals.

“This is a really tough one to take,” said Mets manager Terry Collins.

Matt Holliday hit a two-run double off Verrett with two outs in the third, and Matt Adams followed with an RBI double that made it 3-1.

Wainwright, who entered 3-0 in July with a major league-low 0.93 ERA, nursed that lead until the seventh after repeatedly pitching out of trouble. He nearly did so again after striking out Curtis Granderson and Asdrubal Cabrera with runners at the corners.

But then Travis d’Arnaud scored on a wild pitch, and Cespedes, who fouled off three full-count offerings, socked a two-run home run off the facing of the second deck in left center.

The homer came on the 117th and final pitch from the 34-year-old Wainwright, who had not allowed a home run in just more than 66 innings, since Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman connected on May 28. That was the longest such streak in the majors this season.

“It was almost heartbreaking. For a moment, it was. I was at my lowest of lows this season,” Wainwright said. “It was almost really bad, but the team saved me tonight.”

COMING ATTRACTION?

Because of Tuesday’s doubleheader, St. Louis needs a fill-in starter on Saturday night in Miami. But Cardinals manager Mike Matheny would not say whether the team was leaning toward promoting RHP Alex Reyes to make his major league debut. The 21-year-old Reyes, one of baseball’s premier prospects, was removed from his Triple-A outing after three innings on Tuesday — perhaps to keep him available for Saturday. Left-handed reliever Tyler Lyons, who made 20 major league starts from 2013-15, also could be a candidate. “We’re not ruling out anything at this point,” Matheny said.

POWER OUTAGE

Cardinals hitters were kept in the ballpark after the club homered in 17 consecutive games — its longest streak since a team-record run of 19 in 2006.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: 1B-OF Brandon Moss (sprained left ankle) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday at Double-A Springfield, with All-Star INF Matt Carpenter (strained right oblique) not far behind. But neither has a defined timetable to return, Matheny said.

Mets: 3B Jose Reyes received an injection and treatment for the rib cage strain on his left side. He is likely to be sidelined until at least Friday, Collins said, and Wilmer Flores will continue to fill in.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha (5-7, 4.37 ERA) starts Thursday night in Miami against RHP Jose Fernandez (12-4, 2.54), who is 26-1 with a 1.47 ERA at Marlins Park.

Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (6-5, 2.73 ERA) looks to rebound from his worst start of the season on Thursday afternoon against Colorado Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (3-3, 3.56) in the opener of a four-game series.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs’ quarterbacks/rookies report to MWSU for start of training camp

Posted on July 26, 2016July 26, 2016

Click to listen to Andy Reid’s Press Conference
Click to listen to QB Alex Smith’s Press Conference

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Tyler Bray and Kevin Hogan strolled side-by-side toward Scanlon Hall, their home for the next few weeks of training camp, almost as if they had already formed some sort of alliance.

Maybe they intend to vote Aaron Murray off in the Chiefs’ version of “Quarterback Survivor.”

All three of them arrived at Missouri Western on Tuesday, along with rookies and some other select veterans, to begin the true audition to be Alex Smith’s backup. Murray may enter the race as the slight favorite, but all of them will have an opportunity to get on the field.

“This is a great three days for the quarterbacks to get re-acclimated to the offense, the terminology, the situational offense,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “It’s a great week for them.”

Reid acknowledged that training camp is a better barometer in the quarterback race than the voluntary workouts and minicamp that marked the summer. But he also said that nothing is likely to be decided until his young quarterbacks get on the field for some preseason games.

The first of those isn’t until Aug. 13, when Seattle visits Arrowhead Stadium.

Smith has been a durable starter during his time in Kansas City, somewhat assuaging the fear of an unproven youngster under center. But the Chiefs had also had the comfort of a veteran in Chase Daniel if something should go awry, and that security blanket left for the Philadelphia Eagles.

It’s possible the Chiefs could still add a veteran quarterback in camp, especially once the first round of cuts happen. But they are strapped for salary cap space, so it’s likely that one of the three quarterbacks who arrived at Missouri Western will have to earn the job.

Handicapping the race is about as difficult as learning Reid’s offense.

Bray has the strongest arm and biggest frame of the bunch, and the former undrafted free agent out of Tennessee has been in the system the longest. But he has also dealt with a number of injuries that have held him back the past few years, and he has yet to take a meaningful snap.

Asked to judge the competition, he replied: “You know as much as I know.”

“It’s what you have to live for in the NFL,” Bray continued. “There’s always going to be a guy coming in that’s going to be just as good as you are.”

Murray was the first person brought in after Bray, a fifth-round draft pick a couple years ago out of Georgia. He may be the most polished off the three options, but he is somewhat undersized and some wonder whether he has enough arm strength to make the deep throws.

Still, he did have last season to absorb the offense, and the meticulous notes that he took while serving as the third backup behind Smith and Daniel will no doubt have paid off.

“It’s a big, open competition,” he said. “I have to keep showing the coaches what I can do. I didn’t sit back the past couple of years. I paid attention and learned a lot from Alex and Chase.”

Then there is Hogan, the biggest wild card. The Chiefs thought enough of him to select him in the fifth round of this year’s draft, despite a somewhat funky throwing motion, and he played in a similar-style offense at Stanford that could help him with the steep NFL learning curve.

“I think competition is good,” Hogan said, “no matter where. It’s healthy.”

In other news, Reid said that star pass rusher Justin Houston would attend camp but would not participate in any of the football activities. Houston has surgery in February to repair the ALC in his left knee, and the Chiefs hope he will be able to play at some point this season.

Reid also said he was unsure how much Jamaal Charles will participate after surgery on his ACL last season. Charles attending the mandatory minicamp in July and should be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 11 against San Diego.

The biggest question heading into Friday’s full-squad report day is whether safety Eric Berry will show up. Negotiations on a long-term contract broke down and Berry, who was designated Kansas City’s franchise player, does not need to report until he signs his contract. The one-year deal, at about $10.8 million, would make him the NFL’s highest-paid safety.

“There’s our feeling for him as a football player and there’s a business side of it, and they are two different things,” Reid said. “I’m hoping he’s here. If he’s not, I understand that, too.”

— Associated Press —

Royals drop fourth straight as they get blown out by Angels 13-0

Posted on July 26, 2016July 26, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tyler Skaggs pitched seven innings in his first big league start in two years and Yunel Escobar went 5 for 5 to help the Los Angeles Angels pound the Kansas City Royals 13-0 on Tuesday night.

Kole Calhoun drove in four runs and Carlos Perez had four hits, including a home run. Mike Trout drove in three runs, and Johnny Giavotella had three hits, including two doubles, and scored three runs.

Escobar matched a career high for hits and the Angels collected 22 overall, equaling their season best.

Skaggs allowed three singles, struck out five and walked one. The 25-year-old left-hander, who had elbow surgery in August 2014, had his fastball clocked in the 91-95 mph range in his return to the majors.

Calhoun doubled home Escobar in the first inning. The Royals have been outscored 73-51 in the first inning after allowing only 68 first-inning runs last year.

Calhoun drove in another run in the fourth with a groundout. He also had a sacrifice fly in the sixth and another run-scoring grounder in the ninth.

Perez led off the sixth with his fifth homer.

Royals right-hander Dillon Gee (3-4) was charged with five runs and 10 hits in five-plus innings.

The Angels sent 13 men to the plate in a seven-run ninth. Reserve catcher Drew Butera got the final out in his second pitching appearance of the season.

The Royals have dropped six of seven to fall three games below .500 for the first time this season.

MONDESI CALLED UP

Raul Mondesi, the first player to make his major league debut in the World Series, was called up and inserted into Kansas City’s lineup at second base. He went 0 for 3.

Mondesi, who turns 21 on Wednesday, struck out as a pinch hitter in Game 3 of the World Series against the New York Mets.

Mondesi hit .400 in his final nine games with Triple-A Omaha with seven RBI and five stolen bases. He began the season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, but was suspended for 50 games in May for testing positive for a banned substance.

The Royals optioned utilityman Whit Merrifield to Omaha. Merrifield hit .317 in his first 34 games, but only .169 in his last 19 games, including going 1 for 17 after the All-Star break.

CUNNINGHAM CUT

The Angels designated outfielder Todd Cunningham for assignment to make room for Skaggs. Cunningham hit .148 with one RBI in 20 games.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: Dr. David Altchek confirmed the initial diagnosis of RHP Nick Tropeano’s ligament tear in his right elbow. The Angels are discussing options with Tropeano, who went to New York for the second opinion.

Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain (left hamstring strain) will play his first rehab game Thursday with Triple-A Omaha. “We’ll monitor it day to day and see how he’s feeling,” manager Ned Yost said. “Soon as feels like he’s good to go, he’ll be back.”

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker starts for Los Angeles on Wednesday. He has allowed two or fewer runs in seven starts without getting a win.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy goes for Kansas City. He has won his past five decisions and is 3-0 with a 3.70 ERA at home.

— Associated Press —

St. Louis splits doubleheader at New York Tuesday

Posted on July 26, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) — Bartolo Colon pitched three-hit ball for seven sharp innings and the New York Mets overcame another home run by Jedd Gyorko to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 Tuesday night for a doubleheader split.

Gyorko homered in both ends and has connected seven times in nine games. His two-run shot helped St. Louis win the opener 3-2.

Colon (9-5) struck out eight and walked none. After Gyorko homered in the second and Alberto Rosario doubled in the third, Colon set down 14 of his final 15 batters.

Addison Reed worked the eighth and Jeurys Familia closed for his 36th save this year and 52nd in a row during the regular season.

Asdrubal Cabrera ended his 0-for-32 rut with runners in scoring position with an RBI double and added a sacrifice fly off Jaime Garcia (7-7). Wilmer Flores doubled and singled twice, and manager Terry Collins helped, too, winning his third replay challenge of the day.

The Mets have alternated wins and losses for the last 12 games. They returned to Citi Field for the first time since the All-Star break, facing their fellow NL wild-card contenders.

A rainout Monday forced the first doubleheader between the Mets and Cardinals since 1999.

Gyorko hit his 14th homer for an early edge in the nightcap. The Cardinals lead the NL with 138 home runs, one more than last year’s total.

St. Louis has homered in 17 straight games, its best streak since a team-record string of 19 games in 2006.

Cabrera tied it with a double in the third, and the Mets took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on a double by Flores, a dropped flyball by right fielder Randal Grichuk and a double-play grounder.

Juan Lagares beat out an infield hit in the fifth, with Collins winning a challenge, and that set up Cabrera’s sacrifice fly.

In the opener, Gyorko homered off Noah Syndergaard (9-5) for a 3-0 lead in the third.

Carlos Martinez (10-6) gave up a two-run homer to Rene Rivera and left after the fifth inning. Three relievers finished, with Seung Hwan Oh getting his fifth save in six chances.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets 3B Jose Reyes went to the hospital with a strain in his side after getting hurt on a swing in his last at-bat of the opener. Collins said Reyes will be out “a couple of days.”

26TH MAN

The Cardinals recalled RHP Sam Tuivailala as the 26th player for the second game. He pitched a scoreless inning. The Mets brought up 27-year-old lefty Josh Smoker — he’s made 43 relief appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas, and has never been in the majors. He didn’t get into the game.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (9-5, 4.09) is 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA in four July starts.

Mets: RHP Logan Verrett (3-6, 4.14) starts Wednesday night vs. St. Louis. No one on the Cardinals’ active roster has batted against him.

— Associated Press —

Kansas City drops opener to Angels 6-2 as Pujols drives in four

Posted on July 25, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Albert Pujols drove in four runs, Hector Santiago won his fifth consecutive start and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Monday night.

Pujols drove in two with a bases-loaded single during a four-run first, then added RBI singles in the seventh and ninth innings. He leads the majors with 26 RBI in July, including 16 in his past eight games.

The Angels batted around in the first, which also included Daniel Nava’s sacrifice fly and Carlos Perez’s RBI infield single with two outs.

Santiago (9-4) is 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA in July. He held the Royals to two runs on five hits with four walks and five strikeouts.

Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer in the fourth for the only Royals runs. It was the sixth straight game the Royals have scored four or fewer runs.

The Royals loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth but failed to score when Santiago struck out Kendrys Morales on three pitches.

Ian Kennedy (6-9), who did not give up a home run for the first time in 10 starts, is 0-3 in five starts since a victory June 26. He allowed four runs on six hits, three walks and a hit batter in five-plus innings.

The Royals did not have a baserunner off four relievers. Cam Bedrosian struck out Eric Hosmer, Morales and Perez on 13 pitches in the eighth inning. Bedrosian has not permitted a run in his past 22 games, covering 20 2/3 innings.

The Royals have lost 14 of 20 July games to fall two games below .500.

DAVIS TRADE POSSIBLE

With the Yankees dealing closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, several contending clubs have reportedly talked to the Royals about the availability of Wade Davis, who has 21 saves in 23 chances with a 1.10 ERA. Davis is under contract through the 2017 season.

“I wouldn’t classify or characterize any player as untouchable,” Royals manager Dayton Moore said Monday. “I never have. We always evaluate somebody’s level of interest and what their level of interest may mean to the improvement of our team as far as players that they would be willing to part with. That’s what you do. That’s what we continually do especially this time of year.

“Whether we make a move or not, we are evaluating the landscape, which potentially puts us in a better position this offseason to improve our roster.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: RHP Nick Tropeano, who has been diagnosed with a medium to high grade UCL right elbow tear, traveled to New York for a second opinion from Dr. David Altchek.

Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain (left hamstring strain) took batting practice and ran before the game. “It sounds like it’s all good,” manager Ned Yost said.

UP NEXT

Angels: LHP Tyler Skaggs, who has not thrown in the majors since July 31, 2014 after elbow surgery and shoulder tendinitis, will start Tuesday. In his past two starts with Triple-A Salt Lake, he allowed no runs and two hits while striking out 26 in 12 2/3 innings.

Royals: RHP Dillon Gee makes his first start against the Angels since April 11, 2014 while with the Mets.

— Associated Press —

Cards and Mets to play two Tuesday after Monday’s rainout

Posted on July 25, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals’ game at the New York Mets on Monday night was postponed because of rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Tuesday starting at 3:10 p.m.

Showers started just before batting practice was scheduled to start, and the rainout was announced just before the scheduled 7:10 p.m. start.

Both games Tuesday will be broadcast on ESPN 1550. Coverage begins at 2:15 p.m.

— Associated Press —

Royals fall below .500 with 2-1 loss to Texas

Posted on July 25, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Delino DeShields is known for his speed, stealing 101 bases in 2012 in the minors, not for his power.

DeShields homered in the seventh inning to break a tie and the Texas Rangers defeated the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Sunday.

DeShields, who was recalled Thursday from Triple-A Round Rock, walked and doubled before leading off the seventh with his third home run. DeShields hit a 2-1 pitch from Luke Hochevar out to left.

“It so happened that today I was the guy that got us the go-ahead run,” DeShields said. “I was just trying to hit the ball hard. I wasn’t looking for anything specific. I wanted to get on base. Before I had gotten on base in every at-bat.

“With the game tied and if I get myself in scoring position, there’s a good chance for me to touch home plate. I got into it pretty good and got it over the fence, but the main focus was just putting the barrel on the ball and try to get on base.”

The loss dropped the Royals to 48-49, the first time the World Series champions have been below .500 since May 15 when they were 18-19. The Royals have lost 13 of 19 games in July.

Left-hander Alex Claudio (2-1) picked up the win, pitching a scoreless sixth.

Hochevar (2-3) took the loss and has allowed six runs in 6 1/3 innings in July.

“It was a four-seam fastball and it just took off and ran back over the plate,” Hochevar said of DeShields’ home run. “Trying to go down and away with that and it just ran middle.

Rangers relievers Claudio, Keone Kela, Jake Diekman and Sam Dyson held the Royals scoreless the final four innings.

Dyson earned his 20th save in 22 opportunities, but not before allowing two singles and taking Paulo Orlando’s liner off his right shoulder.

After stranding runners at third base in the third, fourth and fifth innings, the Rangers broke through with a clutch hit in the sixth when Mitch Moreland’s two-out single scored Adrian Beltre, who began the inning with a single.

Royals starter Edinson Volquez left after six innings and 91 pitches, allowing one run and seven hits, while walking three and striking out three. It was Volquez’s fifth straight start pitching at least six innings and he has a 2.87 ERA in that span.

There were scouts watching Volquez, who is eligible for free agency after this season and could be traded at the deadline.

“He pitched in and out of trouble all day long, a fantastic job,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Rangers right-hander A.J. Griffin left after allowing four hits in five innings, including Kendrys Morales’ home run in the fourth inning. Morales had three of the Royals’ seven hits.

“I tried to keep them off balance as well as I could,” Griffin said. “It’s a good team win. Delino had a great day. I think it was good step forward for the whole team and something to build on.”

The Rangers won back-to-back games for the first time since June 27-28.

PEREZ RESTED

C Salvador Perez was not in the Royals lineup for the first time since July 3 with Drew Butera behind the plate with a day game after a night game. Perez was in a 2-for-23 skid with eight strikeouts and no walks over six games before delivering a pinch single in the ninth.

RETURNING HOME

The Rangers wrapped up a nine-game, 10-day trip Sunday and play their next seven at Globe Life Park. They have played only four home games in the past 28 days from June 27 to July 24.

RANGERS SIGN BRESLOW

Left-hander Craig Breslow, who was released Monday by the Marlins, has signed a minor league contract with the Rangers and assigned to Triple-A Round Rock. Breslow, 35, is 22-29 with a 3.35 ERA in 539 games in the majors with San Diego, Boston, Cleveland, Minnesota, Oakland, Arizona and Miami.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: General manager Jon Daniels said he anticipates LHP Derek Holland and RHP Colby Lewis will return to the rotation on Aug. 20 and 21, the dates they are eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list.

Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain (left hamstring strain) ran before the game. “He’s making progress,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “We’ll evaluate it tomorrow.”

UP NEXT

Rangers: LHP Martin Perez, who has lost his past three starts, will start against the Athletics at Arlington.

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy, who starts the series opener against the Angels, allowed four home runs in a Wednesday loss to the Indians and is tied with teammate Chris Young in allowing a major league-high 26 homers.

— Associated Press —