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Month: October 2014
Royals beat Angels to finish off ALDS sweep
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Almost an hour had passed, and the postgame party had moved from the field to the Kansas City clubhouse, where victory champagne was once again flowing. Yet as sheets of rain fell at Kauffman Stadium, thousands of celebrating Royals fans refused to leave.
They had waited 29 years to soak in moments like these.
“This is a special time in the city right now and they’re enjoying this as much as we are,” winning pitcher James Shields said. “This is the best atmosphere I’ve ever been a part of.”
Alex Gordon hit a bases-clearing double in the first inning, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas each homered and the wild-card Royals finished off a three-game sweep of the mighty Los Angeles Angels with an emphatic 8-3 victory Sunday night in the AL Division Series.
The scrappy team with the unorthodox manager, popgun offense, dynamic defense and lights-out bullpen will open the AL Championship Series against the Orioles beginning Friday night in Baltimore. Kansas City went 4-3 against the O’s this year.
“I’ve never seen this group of kids so confident on the big stage,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “It’s really fun to see their development and watch them come into the postseason and just really take their game to the next level.”
The power-hitting Angels, 98-64 in the regular season, became the second team in the divisional era that began in 1969 to have the best record in the majors and get swept out of the playoffs, STATS said. In no small coincidence, the Royals dealt the same humiliating fate to the New York Yankees in the 1980 ALCS.
Stalking around the mound amid an electric atmosphere, Shields lived up to his “Big Game James” billing. The Royals’ ace gave up homers to Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, but otherwise held in check a suddenly punchless Los Angeles lineup
Shields was helped, too, by diving grabs by center fielder Lorenzo Cain on back-to-back plays. All told, the highest-scoring team in baseball managed six runs in the entire series.
“Anything happens in the playoffs,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “You don’t go in with any badge saying you won the most games, and you’re certainly not going to get any points for that going into the playoffs.”
Kansas City showcased great glovework in every game, especially by its fleet outfielders. In this one, Cain’s catches in the fifth inning preserved a five-run lead.
The Royals coasted the rest of the way to their seventh straight postseason victory dating to Game 5 of the 1985 World Series, the last time they were in the playoffs. George Brett, the star of that team, watched from an upstairs suite and raised his arms when ace closer Greg Holland fanned Trout for the final out.
“We feel like we belong,” Cain said, “that we can play with anyone.”
The Royals are certainly proving it.
Kansas City played a 12-inning thriller against Oakland in the wild-card game, and a pair of 11-inning games in Los Angeles before returning home to a raucous, adoring crowd.
Trout staked his team to a first-inning lead, but Angels starter C.J. Wilson quickly got into trouble. The left-hander with the $16 million price tag this season gave up consecutive singles and a four-pitch walk in the bottom half to load the bases for Gordon, whose slicing two-out double gave Kansas City a 3-1 lead.
Sensing the game already slipping away, Scioscia immediately marched to the mound and turned the game over to his bullpen. It didn’t fare a whole lot better.
The Royals kept the pressure on, and even plodding designated hitter Billy Butler got in on the act, stealing second base to another roar. It was his fifth career steal and first in two years, but it typified the way the Royals have been winning this postseason.
Dazzling pitching, daring baserunning and some dogged determination.
“They were just up there trying to put the ball in play,” Wilson said. “Then they went into damage mode and started swinging for homers. They’re hot right now. That’s what happens.”
After swiping seven bases and playing small-ball against the A’s, the club that hit the fewest homers in the regular season pounded out four long balls against Los Angeles.
Moustakas hit the first of them in the 11th inning of the opener, Hosmer hit the second in the 11th inning the next night, and both of them went deep to finish off the sweep.
Hosmer’s two-run shot came in the third inning. Moustakas connected in the fourth.
By that point, the Angels — their high-priced offense having fizzled and pitching having failed them — were slumped over the railing of their dugout. They spent the final five innings bundled up against the October chill, periods of rain making their night miserable.
But hardly putting a damper on thousands of Royals fans.
“Everyone knows how long it’s been since we’ve been in the postseason, and you can tell because of all these people out here,” Hosmer said. “They’ve got our backs on every pitch, and we’re feeding off the energy. To do this in front of our home crowd, it couldn’t be any better than coming and celebrating with all these people out here.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals RHP Kelvin Herrera pitched a scoreless seventh inning. He left Thursday night’s series opener after five pitches with a strained forearm.
UP NEXT
The Orioles beat Detroit 2-1 on Sunday to finish off their series sweep. They are back in the ALCS for the first time since 1997.
Kansas senator plans event with U.S. Chamber leader
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Sen. Pat Roberts plans to have an event with a U.S. Chamber of Commerce leader as his race for re-election in Kansas heats up.
The event Monday afternoon is at the Kansas Chamber of Commerce offices in Topeka. U.S. Chamber Senior Vice President Rob Engstrom also is participating.
The Roberts campaign said the national business group would make an announcement but was not more specific.
The 78-year-old Roberts is seeking his fourth, six-year term but is in a tight race with independent candidate Greg Orman. The 45-year-old Orman is an Olathe businessman and co-founder of a private equity firm.
The two candidates had a debate scheduled Wednesday in Overland Park, and Roberts planned to kick off a four-day bus tour Thursday in Wichita with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Fake punt helps 49ers beat Chiefs
By ANTONIO GONZALEZ
AP Sports Writer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The day began with another round of questions about the relationship between Jim Harbaugh and his players. It ended with him putting a lot of trust in them to make a big play.
And just as Harbaugh’s teams usually do, the San Francisco 49ers delivered.
The 49ers converted a gutsy fake punt from deep in their territory and leaned on five field goals from Phil Dawson to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 22-17 on Sunday, quieting the drama around Harbaugh’s future for at least one more week.
“The football team has done good. And the better you do and the more you do, the more people try to trip you up,” Harbaugh said. Later, he added: “My destiny lies between these walls with these men.”
Reports have appeared since the offseason that players aren’t particularly happy with Harbaugh, and the latest caused 49ers CEO and acting owner Jed York to speak out.
About three hours before kickoff, York posted on Twitter: “Jim is my coach. We are trying to win a SB (Super Bowl), not a personality or popularity contest. Any more questions?”
Harbaugh and his players helped answer some of them with a critical call late, spoiling the return of former franchise quarterback Alex Smith in the process.
The 49ers (3-2) turned to a trick play on fourth-and-1 from their 29 early in the fourth quarter, giving a direct snap to Craig Dahl for a 3-yard run up the middle. Colin Kaepernick directed the offense downfield, and Phil Dawson kicked a 27-yard field goal with 8:42 to play for the go-ahead score.
“It doesn’t matter where they’re called on the field. You just have to execute,” Dahl said. “See the ball, catch it, tuck it away and go.”
Dawson also connected from 55, 52, 35 and 30 yards. He credited Harbaugh and the coaching staff for having confidence in him to make the kicks, particularly the two long ones.
Kaepernick threw for 201 yards and a touchdown, and Frank Gore ran for 107 yards to offset the absence of injured tight end Vernon Davis.
The 49ers smothered Smith and the Chiefs (2-3) after a slow start, including twice in the closing moments. Smith threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns, but Perrish Cox intercepted his overthrown pass to end any chance Kansas City had to rally.
“It’s tough, you’re competitive, you want to win the game. Some of those guys I played a long time with,” said Smith, who completed 17 of 31 passes.
San Francisco sparked the offense with the fake punt, and even more big plays followed. Brandon Lloyd made a leaping 29-yard catch over 6-foot-3 Sean Smith — “basketball’s version of the alley-oop,” Lloyd said — to extend San Francisco’s drive again and set up Dawson’s fourth field goal.
Dawson also lined up for a 54-yard field goal with 4:19 remaining after San Francisco stopped Kansas City. But the Chiefs were penalized for having 12 players on the field, handing the 49ers a first down. Dawson finished the drive with a 30-yard field goal.
Smith and Kansas City took over with 2:12 left and another chance to come back. But Smith sailed a pass to tight end Anthony Fasano, and Cox swooped in for an easy interception.
“I thought he handled (the environment) like a champ,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of Smith.
Smith completed six of eight passes for 61 yards on the game’s opening drive, capping it with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce. Jamaal Charles ran for 80 yards to eclipse Larry Johnson (6,015 yards) for second place on Kansas City’s career rushing list, but was mostly a nonfactor late.
San Francisco scored on all three of its possessions in the first half, though the first two ended with Dawson’s big right leg. Kaepernick finished off the third drive where he wanted, rolling to his right and lofting a 9-yard pass to a wide-open Stevie Johnson to give the 49ers a 13-10 lead.
The Chiefs stopped San Francisco to start the third quarter, and De’Anthony Thomas ran his first punt return 28 yards, then caught a short screen and sprinted 17 yards for a score to put the Chiefs back in front, 17-13.
But San Francisco stayed focused and never lost its cool.
Sunny, mild Monday
There are increasing precipitation chances mid to late week, and cooler temperatures heading into the weekend.
Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 7 to 17 mph.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 50. West wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 8 to 13 mph.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 7 mph.
Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 78. Southeast wind 6 to 14 mph.
Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Thursday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
HPD activity log, Oct. 3 to 5
The Hays Police Department conducted 31 traffic stops on Friday, 22 on Saturday and 18 on Sunday, according to the HPD activity log. The department also received 19 animal calls over the three-day period.
Oct. 3
Animal At Large, 100 block East 22nd, 8 a.m.
Unwanted Person, 300 block West 18th, 8:08 a.m.
Animal At Large, 1300 block Felten, 9:44 a.m.
Animal At Large, 2200 block Pine, 10:34 a.m.
Mental Health Call, Hays, 11:03 a.m.
Abandoned Vehicle, 300 block East 12th, 11:39 a.m.
Suicidal Subject, 100 block East 15th, 3:13 p.m.
Assist, Hays, 3:22 p.m.
Shoplifting, 4300 block Vine, 4:21 p.m.
Welfare Check, Hays, 4:35 p.m.
Theft, 1400 block East 27th, 8 a.m.
Unattended death, 2700 block Hall, 7:04 p.m.
Animal At Large, 1100 block Downing, 8:36 p.m.
Drug Offenses, 300 block Ash, 10:44:34 p.m.
Liquor Offense, 300 block Seventh , 11:45 p.m.
Oct. 4
Motor vehicle accident, 300 block East Seventh, 6:30 p.m.
Driving Under the Influence, 200 block West Ninth, 2:03 a.m.
Unlawful Use of Weapon, 400 block Ash, 2:11 a.m.
Disturbance, 200 block West 10th, 2:14 a.m.
Intoxicated Subject, 200 block West 10th, 2:27 a.m.
Driving Under the Influence, 1200 block Vine, 2:55 a.m.
Disturbance, 500 block East 12th, 3 a.m.
Domestic Disturbance, 500 block West 14th, 3:16 a.m.
Unwanted Person, 500 block Vine, 3:44 a.m.
Wildlife Incident, 1700 block Dechant, 8:28 a.m.
Warrant Service/Fail to Appear, 100 block East 14th, 9:23 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 1300 block Canterbury, 11 a.m.
Found/Lost Property, 200 block East 13th, 11:44 a.m.
Traffic/Driving Complaint, Hays, 1:12 p.m.
Theft, 500 block East Sixth, 3 p.m.
Found/Lost Property, Hays, 4:37 p.m.
Driving While Suspended/Revoked, 100 block West Ninth, 4:48 p.m.
Found/Lost Property, 2700 block Hall, 5:35 p.m.
Abandoned Vehicle, 200 block West 21st, 7:26 p.m.
Disturbance, 1300 block Marshall, 9:36 a.m.
Urinating in Public, 100 block East 12th, 9:19 p.m.
Liquor Offense, 100 block East Sixth, 10:20 p.m.
Driving Under the Influence, 2900 block Vine, 10:56 p.m.
Liquor offense, 700 block Elm, 11:10 p.m.
Arson, 100 block East 11th, 11:13 p.m.
Underage Possession of alcohol, 300 block East Sixth, 11:31 p.m.
Oct. 5
Warrant Service/Fail to Appear, 100 block West 12th, 12:35 a.m.
Fire, 100 block Ash, 12:34 a.m.
Drug Offenses, 900 block Ash, 1:08 a.m.
Driving Under the Influence, Fifth and Fort, 2:17 a.m.
Noise Disturbance, 300 block West Sixth, 5:10 a.m.
Mental Health Call, 2600 block Augusta, 5:57 a.m.
Animal At Large, 400 block West Seventh, 7:36 a.m.
Wildlife Incident, 3300 block Thunderbird, 9:22 a.m.
Warrant Service/Fail to Appear, 2200 block Canterbury, 9:11 a.m.
Bicycle Incident, 500 block Ash, 11:13 a.m.
Motor Vehicle Accident/DUI, 3300 block Vine, 12:35 p.m.
Unattended Death, 1600 block Oakmont, 2 a.m.
Criminal Damage to Property, 400 block West Fifth, 4:30 p.m.
Found/Lost Property, 200 block West 10th, 5:16 p.m.
Motor Vehicle Accident, 2600 block Donald, 5:19 p.m.
Motor Vehicle Accident/Private Property, 700 block West 12th, 6:42 p.m.
Motor Vehicle Accident-, 3200 block Canal, 7:51 p.m.
Disturbance, 800 block Ash, 8:54 p.m.
Assist, 700 block Main, 9:13 p.m.
Trooper: Kansas teenager dies in single-car wreck
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Troopers say a northeast Kansas teenager has been killed in a single-vehicle accident.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says 18-year-old Jonah Wheeler of Gardner died Sunday after losing control of his car while driving on Interstate 35. Troopers say Wheeler was driving south when his Honda Civic spun into the median and struck a pole.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers say he wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
Police: Kan. man robbed during Craigslist sale
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police are searching for two men who they say robbed a man at a Pizza Hut who was trying to sell electronics through Craigslist.
Sgt. John Ryan says the robbery was reported Saturday night. The victim tells police that the men threatened him with a knife when he arrived. The electronics and $200 were reported stolen.
Police haven’t said what types of items were stolen or how much they’re worth. They also haven’t released identifying information about the suspects or the victim.
Ryan says similar thefts have happened before, but not recently.
Kan. woman critically injured in home fire
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita authorities say a 40-year-old woman has been critically burned in a mobile home fire.
Authorities say a man and a woman were outside of the home Sunday when they responded to the fire. The man was treated at the scene for unknown injuries. The woman was hospitalized in critical condition.
Acting battalion chief Chad Winton says the home was destroyed and estimates the fire caused $90,000 in damage. He says the fire started in the living room and its cause is unclear. He says the home had working smoke detectors.
A witness tells KAKE-TV the woman was cooking when her dress caught on fire.
Two Kansas men hospitalized after rollover crash
GREENSBURG, Kan.- Two Kansas men were injured in an accident just before 7 p.m. on Sunday in Kiowa County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Monte Carlo driven by Morales, Eddie J. Morales, 30, Wichita, was southbound on 59th Avenue just south of U.S. 54.
The driver lost control of the vehicle. It went into a sideways skid, entered the east ditch and rolled.
Morales and a passenger in the vehicle Jose R. Herrera, 28, Garden City, were transported to Kiowa County Hospital.
The KHP reported they were properly restrained at the time of the accident.
Police: Kansas man shot in face after argument
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a Wichita man has been hospitalized in critical condition after being shot in the face during a dispute about marijuana.
Sgt. John Ryan says the shooting happed Saturday night in southeast Wichita. The say a police helicopter helped locate a suspect, who was taken into custody later that night.
No charges were reported.
Ryan says the victim was shot in the right cheek and hospitalized at the Wesley Medical Center.
Police didn’t provide other details about the alleged dispute before the shooting. They haven’t identified the suspect or the victim.
KU Greeks form sexual assault focused task force
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — University of Kansas fraternity and sorority members have formed a task force to raise awareness about sexual assault amid recent allegations.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the group released a video Thursday challenging fraternities and sororities to have an honest discussion about consent and responsibility.
The U.S. Department of Justice conducted a study in 2007 of campus sexual assaults and found that sorority membership is a risk factor because members are more apt to associate with fraternity men. The study says fraternity men are more likely to commit sexual assault or aggression than non-Greek men.
Interfraternity Council president Kevin Simpson says it’s crucial that members are held accountable. Just last week, the school placed the Kappa Sigma fraternity on interim suspension over a sexual assault report.
Journalist with Ebola on way to Nebraska hospital
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An American photojournalist who contracted the deadly Ebola virus while working in West Africa has begun his journey home for treatment.
Ashoka Mukpo will be the second Ebola patient to be treated at the Nebraska Medical Center’s specialized isolation unit. Hospital officials said they expected an Ebola patient to arrive Monday, but declined to provide a name.
The 33-year-old Mukpo was working as a freelance cameraman for NBC in Liberia last week when he became ill. NBC reported Sunday that Mukpo is en route to Nebraska for treatment. Mukpo’s family said Friday he is going to Omaha.
Mukpo is the fifth American to be evacuated to the United States for treatment since the start of the Ebola outbreak, which the World Health Organization says has killed more than 3,400 people.