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Solid pitching, timely hitting leads Larks to win over Liberal

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HAYS – The Hays Larks thin pitching staff received a solid outing from starter Michael Gilliland as they held off a ninth inning rally to beat the Liberal Bee Jays 7-4 Sunday night at Larks Park. The Larks (20-5, 19-4 KCLB) have won two of the first three games in the four-game series to take a one-game lead over the Bee Jays (16-9, 14-9 KCLB) in the KCLB Jayhawk West Division.

Frank Leo Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Gilliland walked the game’s first batter which led to a run then threw five scorless innings before allowing a run in the seventh. Gilliland ended his night with a strikeout of Cayde Ward with the bases loaded to preserve a 6-2 lead. The Jacksonville State product who’s coming off a lat strain, allowed two runs on nine hits with six strikeouts and one walk over seven innings for his first win of the season.

Drew Marrufo worked a scoreless eighth but issued a leadoff walk and hit a batter to start the ninth. After giving up two runs and with two runners on base, he struck out Corbin Truslow to end the game.

The Larks scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead for good. George Southerland hit a one-out double and scored on Alex Strachen’s infield single. Jerrod Belbin drove in Justin Lee with a base hit to right. Brook Brannon’s groundout drove in Strachen for the third run of the inning.

The Larks pushed their lead to 5-1 on Southerland two-run single to right field in the second

The lead grew to 6-1 on Strachen’s two-out RBI double which scored Jimmy DeLeon in the fourth.
Liberal scored in the seventh with a two-out single from No. 9 hitter Aiden Shepardson then loaded the bases before Ward struck out to end the threat.
Jon Sotto (1-1) went four innings and suffered the loss for Liberal. He allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

The Lark and Bee Jays close out their season series Monday night at 7 p.m. Pregame at 6:45 p.m. on KAYS (94.3-FM, 1400-AM).

Soler homers, drives in two as Royals beat Blue Jays

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TORONTO (AP) — Jorge Soler homered and had two RBI, Brad Keller pitched five innings to win for the first time since May 22 and the Kansas City Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-6 Sunday.

Soler reached base three times as the Royals snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the first time in six games north of the border.

Justin Smoak homered twice for the Blue Jays, who had won 14 of their previous 17 home meetings with the Royals. It was the 10th multihomer game of Smoak’s career. The home runs were his 13th and 14th of the season.

Smoak hit a two-run homer in the second and a solo homer in the fifth but ended the game by fouling out against Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy in the ninth, stranding the tying run at second base.

Whit Merrifield reached base three times and Alex Gordon drove in a pair as Kansas City answered Toronto’s five-run second inning with a five-run third against struggling Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez (3-11).

Keller (4-9) allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings to end a streak of six straight losing decisions. The right-hander has allowed six or more runs twice in his past three outings.

Kevin McCarthy worked two hitless innings and Jake Diekman struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 eighth before Kennedy finished for his 11th save in 13 opportunities.

Royals DH Lucas Duda opened the scoring with an RBI double in the second but the Blue Jays scored five times in the bottom half. Soler lost Luke Maile’s fly ball in the sun, leading to a two-run triple, Eric Sogard hit an RBI single and Smoak followed with a two-run homer.

Handed a four-run cushion, Sanchez promptly allowed the first six batters to reach safely in the third. Humberto Arteaga and Merrifield walked, Nicky Lopez loaded the bases with a single and Gordon’s single brought home two runs. Hunter Dozier and Soler hit RBI singles and a fifth run scored when Cheslor Cuthbert grounded into a double play.

Sanchez allowed six runs and seven hits in three-plus innings to lose his 10th straight decision. It’s the longest such run by a Toronto pitcher since Ricky Romero lost 13 consecutive decisions in 2012.

Soler made it 7-5 with a solo homer off Nick Kingham in the fifth, his 22nd, but Smoak replied with a leadoff blast in the bottom half.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Adalberto Mondesi (strained right groin) went 1 for 5 as the DH in a rehab game at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday night. Mondesi has been out since June 18.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Glenn Sparkman (2-3, 4.07) surrendered a season-worst three home runs in his previous start, June 25 at Cleveland and has allowed seven homers in his past four outings.

Blue Jays: LHP Clayton Richard (0-4, 6.89) has allowed at least one home run in six of his seven outings this season, including a season-worst three in his previous start, June 25 at Yankee Stadium.

Big inning carries Liberal to run-rule win over Larks

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HAYS – The Liberal Bee Jays raced out to an early 4-1 lead then scored seven runs in the seventh inning for an 11-1 seven inning run-rule victory of the Hays Larks Saturday night at Larks Park. With the win the Bee Jays evened the four-game series at one win apiece and pulls the Bee Jays into a first place tie with Hays atop the KCLB Jayhawk West Division.

Frank Leo Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Bee Jays (16-8, 6-4 Jayhawk West) used a triple, single, error and hit batter to score two runs in the first inning.

The Larks (19-5, 6-4 Jayhawk West) loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning but failed to score. They used two walks and a single from Drake Angeron to score a run in the second.

Liberal added two more on the third to go up 4-1 then opened the seventh with three straight singles and a walk. Colton Quinn’s bases loaded triple scored three to cap the seven-run frame.

The Larks were retired in order in the bottom of the inning to end the game.
Hays starter Ryan Ruder (3-1) allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts and not walks and suffered his first loss of the summer.

The Bee Jays Trevor Pruitt (1-1) held the Larks to one run on six hits with four walks and three strikeouts over five innings for the wins.

The two teams play game three of the four-game series Sunday night. Pregame at 6:45 p.m. on KAYS.

Jansen homer in 9th lifts Blue Jays past Royals

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TORONTO (AP) — More than halfway through the season, Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen finally went deep at home.

He couldn’t have picked a better moment.

Jansen hit a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, Cavan Biggio launched his first career grand slam and Toronto beat the Kansas City Royals 7-5 Saturday after starter Marcus Stroman exited early with a cramp in his non-pitching shoulder.

Jansen’s fourth home run of the season was his first game-ending shot at any level.

“There’s no better feeling,” Jansen said. “That was the first time I’ve ever done that in my life. It was pretty awesome.”

Toronto won in its final at-bat for the fourth time, while the Royals lost in their opponent’s last turn for the fifth time.

Jansen’s three previous homers this season all came on the road. He connected twice against the White Sox in May and went deep at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added a solo home run for the Blue Jays, who recovered after blowing a one-run lead in the top of the ninth.

With closer Ken Giles unavailable after finishing Friday’s game, Toronto gave right-hander Daniel Hudson (5-2) his third save opportunity of the season.

Billy Hamilton led off with a single, Whit Merrifield walked and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt before Alex Gordon tied it with a sacrifice fly. The blown save was Hudson’s second.

Giles rejoined the Blue Jays on June 19 after missing 10 games because of a sore elbow. He has yet to pitch on consecutive days since his return.

Randal Grichuk drew a leadoff walk against right-hander Scott Barlow (2-3) in the bottom half. One out later, Jansen lined a two-run homer to left field, his fourth.

Stroman left two pitches into the fifth with a cramp in his left pectoral muscle, just below the shoulder.

Guerrero homered in the third and fellow rookie Biggio hit a go-ahead slam in the fifth for his sixth home run. Guerrero’s homer, his eighth, was his first since June 5, snapping an 18-game drought.

Both drives came off right-hander Homer Bailey, who was making his first career start against the Blue Jays.

A 12-year National League veteran, Bailey faced both Craig Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero Sr. earlier in his career, allowing just one hit in six at-bats to the two Hall of Famers.

Stopping their sons proved more difficult.

Bailey is from La Grange, Texas, about 100 miles west of Houston. He grew up rooting for the Astros and was a big fan of the elder Biggio.

“I think he’s still the only opponent I’ve ever sent over a ball,” Bailey said about once requesting an autograph from Biggio. “It was really close to one of my best friend’s birthdays and it was his favorite player growing up.”

The younger Biggio said he didn’t ask his dad for a scouting report on Bailey.

“I think he was throwing a lot harder back then,” Cavan Biggio said. “I didn’t think it would be accurate.”

Bailey came in having won three straight starts but couldn’t extend his streak. He allowed five runs and five hits in five innings.

Stroman motioned to the dugout after missing high to Whit Merrifield in the fifth. Toronto trainer Nicky Huffman and manager Charlie Montoyo came to the mound and, following a brief discussion, Stroman walked off and went straight to the clubhouse.

“I’m not worried about it,” he said. “I’m going to be back out there. I’m a warrior, I’m a dog, always. I’ll be back out there.”

Stroman allowed three runs and four hits in four-plus innings. The right-hander was replaced by Sam Gaviglio.

Stroman is 5-9 with a 3.18 ERA in 18 starts and is expected to be traded to a contender before the July 31 deadline. He’s eligible for arbitration for the final time next year and can become a free agent following the 2020 season.

Toronto’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had his second straight multihomer game in Friday’s 6-2 win but was unable to prolong his power surge another day. Gurriel went 1 for 3 with a single and a walk.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: 2B Devon Travis (left knee surgery) has resumed light baseball activity. … RHP Clay Buchholz (right elbow) has been throwing at 90 feet and will progress to long toss. … OF Dalton Pompey (concussion) could begin a minor league rehab assignment next week.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The Blue Jays won for the first time in eight games with the roof open at Rogers Centre.

TURNING IT AROUND

Jansen has seven hits in his past 17 at-bats after going hitless in the previous 17.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Brad Keller (3-9, 4.32 ERA) is winless in his past six starts. He’s 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA in four career games against Toronto.

Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (3-10, 5.89) has lost nine straight decisions. He hasn’t faced the Royals since 2016.

Larks take series opener with Liberal

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HAYS – The Hays Larks raced out to a 6-0 lead then held off a ninth inning rally by Liberal to beat the Bee Jays 6-5 in the opening game of their key four-game KCLB series at Larks Park Friday night.

Matt Cavanagh doubled home George Southerland to give the Larks a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Southerland and Jerrod Belbin added RBI singles and inning later to make it 3-0.

Wyatt Divis bases loaded double in the eighth doubled the lead to 6-0.

Following a line drive out to start the top of the ninth, the Baa Jays strung together three straight singles with a walk to score their first run of the game. Following a groundout, another single and a double scored four to cut the lead to one but Tommy Garcia came in to get the final out and secure the win.

Rustin Hays went 8 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and four walks for the win.

The Larks are now 19-4 overall and 6-2 in the KCLB Jayhawk West Division where they hold a game lead over the Bee Jays. Game two of the four-game series is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. and can be heard on KAYS (94,3-FM, 1400-AM)

Gurriel homers twice, Blue Jays snap skid, beat Royals

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TORONTO (AP) — Just over a month ago, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was toiling in Triple-A after being demoted in mid-April.

Since returning to Toronto on May 24, he’s leading the major leagues in home runs.

Eric Sogard hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning, Gurriel Jr. homered twice for his second straight multi-homer game and the Blue Jays snapped a three-game losing streak with a 6-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday.

Randal Grichuk added a two-run homer for Toronto, which won its second straight at home following a seven-game losing streak.

“I feel like the team is going through a very good moment offensively,” Gurriel Jr. said through a translator.

No one more so than he. Gurriel Jr. has 14 homers in 125 at-bats since being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo. He’s batting .352 (44 for 125) in that span.

San Diego’s Hunter Renfroe has hit 13 homers in the same time, doing so in 28 games to Gurriel’s 32.

Gurriel Jr. hit a two-run homer off Danny Duffy in the sixth and added a solo shot off Wily Peralta in the eighth, the fourth multi-homer game of his career. Gurriel Jr. also homered twice in Wednesday’s loss at Yankee Stadium.

He’s the fourth player in Blue Jays’ history with consecutive multi-homer games. The others were Josh Donaldson (2017), Edwin Encarnacion (2014), and Jesse Barfield (1983).

Duffy said Gurriel Jr. is “going to be a star” with the way he’s hitting right now.

“He has an approach well beyond his years,” Duffy said. “I heard he was demoted early on in the year and I just can’t fathom it with the way he looks now. I’m really impressed with the kid and I think he’s got a bright future. I need to make less mistakes to him.”

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo opened his post-game remarks by campaigning for Gurriel to get an All-Star selection.

“He’s done great,” Montoyo said. “It’s been fun to watch.”

Sogard broke a 2-2 tie with a two-out homer to right off Duffy (3-4). The homer was Sogard’s ninth, extending his career-high. Sogard began the season with 11 homers in eight seasons, and had never hit more than three in a season before this year.

Grichuk capped the scoring with a two-out homer off Tim Hill in the eighth, his team-leading 15th.

Right-hander Daniel Hudson (4-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win.

Duffy allowed three runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. He’s winless in seven starts since beating the Los Angeles Angels on May 19.

“He made two mistakes and had to pay for both of them,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Six of the 10 homers hit off Duffy this season have come in his last three starts.

Kansas City has lost five of seven.

Sean Reid-Foley made his first start for the Blue Jays since April 1. The right-hander allowed two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Kansas City’s Martin Maldonado opened the scoring with a two-out homer off Reid-Foley in the fifth, his fourth. Maldonado went 3 for 4 with three extra-base hits.

David Phelps replaced Reid-Foley in the sixth after Nicky Lopez doubled and Alex Gordon followed with an RBI single.

Toronto tied it in the bottom half on Gurriel’s first homer.

Kansas City loaded the bases against Joe Biagini in the seventh, but Hudson came on and got the Blue Jays out of the jam. First baseman Justin Smoak made a backhanded stop on Nicky Lopez’s grounder, then won the race to the bag to end the inning.

Gordon hit a leadoff double against Hudson in the eighth, but Hudson struck out the next three batters.

“We had opportunities, we just couldn’t capitalize on some of them,” Yost said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: INF Adalberto Mondesi (strained right groin) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday. Mondesi has been out since June 18.

Blue Jays: Smoak was activated off the injured list after missing 11 games because of a strained left quadriceps. OF Billy McKinney was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

JUST MISSED IT

Gurriel Jr. flied to center in his first at bat, and Duffy felt fortunate not to have given up a home run.

“I definitely got lucky,” Duffy said. “He got under that ball.”

Gurriel Jr., who was behind in the count 0-2 when he flied out, said he shortened up and didn’t swing as hard.

“I hit it good,” he said. “For a moment, I thought it was gone but it just didn’t happen.”

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Homer Bailey (7-6, 4.61) makes his first career start against the Blue Jays. Toronto is the only major league team Bailey has yet to face.

Blue Jays: RHP Marcus Stroman (5-9, 3.04) pitched six shutout innings to beat Boston in his previous start, June 23 at Fenway Park.

Former FHSU standout named to USA 3×3 team for 2019 Pan American Games

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FHSU Athletics

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Former FHSU men’s basketball standout Dominique Jones was selected by the USA Basketball 3×3 National Team Selection Committee to represent the United States in the upcoming 2019 Pan American Games in July, located in Lima, Peru. An NABC Division II All-America selection as a senior for FHSU in 2011, Jones is now one of the top FIBA 3×3 players in the world.

Jones is a member of the four-player men’s team for USA that includes Kareem Maddox, a former standout player at Princeton University and recent gold medal member of Team USA at the 2019 FIBA 3×3 World Cup, and NBA G-League members Sheldon Jeter and Jon Octeus. Jeter played at both Vanderbilt University and the University of Pittsburgh in his collegiate days, while Octeus played at both Colorado State University and Purdue University. The women’s 3×3 team includes Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Christyn Williams from the University of Connecticut and Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard from the University of Oregon.

Jones has enjoyed a tremendous professional career on the FIBA 3×3 World Tour. He is currently holds a No. 2 national ranking in the FIBA points system for players from the United States on the World Tour, and sits among the top 30 players in the world. Jones has helped his 3×3 team from New York/Harlem to several team titles in FIBA World Tour tournaments over the past few years. His NY Harlem team won the 2019 OPAP Limassol Challenger in Cyprus earlier this month and was a member of tournament champion teams in 2018 at the Edmonton Challenger in Canada and the 3BALL USA Showcase in California. He was a member of nine tournament winning teams on the World Tour from 2014-2017.

Jones was a two-year standout player at Fort Hays State, helping the Tigers to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2009-10 and 2010-11 as the team’s point guard. He nearly scored 1,000 points in his two years, finishing with 983. He also averaged 5.1 assists per game in his career, good for fifth-best in program history with a total of 324. Tiger fans also remember him for his unique one-handed free-throw shooting style, as he shot 80 percent at the line in his career at FHSU. He shot 40.2 percent from beyond the 3-point line, draining 132 shots from long range.

Jones was an NABC All-America selection as a senior in 2010-11 with 592 points and 207 assists for the season (17.9 ppg, 6.3 apg). He was a two-time All-MIAA First Team selection and helped guide the Tigers to an MIAA Tournament Championship in 2011. He helped the team to a record of 49-14 over the two years, reaching No. 3 in the NABC national rankings both seasons. He is one of four players to earn All-America honors under current FHSU head coach Mark Johnson. Prior to his time at FHSU, Jones was a two-time all-region performer at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, a member of the NJCAA.

Following his time at FHSU, Jones went on to play professional basketball in Europe before returning to the United States. He enjoyed a brief stint with the Harlem Globetrotters in the summer of 2015 before turning his focus to traveling the world playing in FIBA 3×3 World Tour events. See some of Jones’ highlights on the FIBA World Tour below.

Pan American Games Tournament Schedule – PDF of Schedule
The USA men begin play on July 27, facing Venezuela at 4 pm and Brazil at 8 pm. On July 28, the U.S. men complete preliminary round play against Puerto Rico at 3 pm, Argentina at 6 pm, and Dominican Republic at 9:30 pm.

The first men’s semifinal on July 29 will feature the No. 1 and No. 4 placed teams at 10 am, and the second semifinal will include the No. 2 and No. 3 finishing teams at 10:30 am. The bronze medal game is set for 12:30 pm, and the gold medal game will be at 1:30 pm. The No. 5 and No. 6 men’s teams will play for fifth place at 11:30 am on July 29. All times listed are Central Time.

This year is the first time 3×3 basketball will be included at the Pan American Games, and the men’s and women’s tournaments will feature six teams each from July 27-29 at the Coliseo Eduardo Dibo in Lima, Peru. Similar to the Pan American Games, 3×3 basketball will make its Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

3×3 basketball is played on a half court with a 10-minute clock, and a 12-second shot clock, the first team to 21 points, or the team in the lead at the end of regulation.

Former Tiger, Oberlin native accepts position at Texas Tech

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Colby Community College Athletics

Colby Community College men’s basketball coach Rusty Grafel submitted his resignation after accepting a position with the Texas Tech University men’s basketball program. He notified the Board of Trustees at the June 17 meeting.

“Everything in life starts with a foundation,” Grafel said. “And without a foundation, it’s not possible to build anything special. The foundation of this program was laid far before me, and I’m beyond honored I could be part of adding to it and passing it on.”

Grafel came to Colby in 2009 and served as an assistant before being named head coach in 2012. He hired his brother Egan as the associate head coach, and over the next seven seasons compiled the most wins in program history with a record of 104-116.

“To all the Trojan fans, there is not a community and support system that is better,” he said. “You have opened your wallets, doors to your home, and hearts to a small town man from Oberlin. It’s been a dream come true to coach in front of family and friends, have Egan along side of me, and call Colby home!”

Grafel played at Hutchinson Community College and helped the Blue Dragons to a Jayhawk West championship in 2004. He transferred to Fort Hays State where he played three years for the Tigers and was part of the 2006 Rocky Mountain Athletic Association championship team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation. After graduating, he stayed at Fort Hays State and began his coaching career as an assistant in the men’s program until he joined the Trojans staff in 2009.

“I never thought I would have been back in northwest Kansas after college,” he said. “To say it was a blessing when Dustin Pfeifer called and asked me to be a part of the Trojan family is an understatement. What this college, community, athletes, and people of Colby gave me can’t be put in words, and I will forever be grateful.”

Interviews for the vacated position are complete, and CCC expects to announce a new head coach by the end of the week.

Eagles Senior Legion sweeps Abilene

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HAYS – The Hays Eagles Senior American Legion ran their win streak to five Thursday night with a doubleheader sweep of Abilene at Larks Park.

Cody Petersen, Willie Sennett and Brady Kreutzer combine on a three-hit shutout in the Eagles 7-0 game one win. The Eagles score seven in the fourth for a 13-3 run-rule victory in game two.

The Eagles scored three in the first inning then gradually pulled away in game one. Palmer Hutchison and Brady Kreutzer both had two hits.

Petersen worked around four walks to throw three scoreless innings for the win.

Brock Lummus, Jamison Martin and Colby Dreiling all drove in two runs in the second game.

Tate Garcia gave up three in the first then pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

The Senior Eagles improve to 19-5-1 and off until next week’s Wild West Fest Tournament.

Hays Junior Legion picks up two run-rule wins over Abilene

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HAYS – The Hays Junior American Legion used a couple of big innings to pick up a pair of run-rule wins over Abilene Thursday evening at the Hays High Field.

After giving up three runs in the top of the first, the Junior Eagles scored seven in the second then added four in the third and took the opener 12-3 in five innings. They plated 12 in the first and won the second game 16-0 in three innings.

Remington Cox and Wyatt Crain both went 3-for-3 and combined to drive in five runs in the first game as the Eagles took advantage of seven Abilene errors.

Dawson VonFeldt allowed one earned run on three hits and worked around four walks for the win.

Cox three-run homer highlighted the big first inning in game two.

Noah Wiemer allowed only one hit over three innings for the win. He also drove in three runs at the plate as the Junior Eagles move to 9-11-1.

They play a doubleheader in Salina Monday then will open play in the Wild West Fest Tournament next Thursday.

Monarchs 17U sweeps Hill City

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HAYS – The TMP-Marian 17U Monarchs baseball team swept Hill City 3-1 and 2-1 in a couple of five inning games Thursday night at the TMP Field.

The Monarchs rallied with three runs in the fourth inning in the first game. Kade Harris tied the game on a fielders choice to the shortstop scoring Michael Hale. Noah Gibson broke the tie on a ground out to short. Ben Pfeifer drove in the third run on a ground out.

Carter Newell pitched two scoreless innings of relief and picked the win after starter Jace Wentling allowed one run on two hits over the first two innings. Both pitchers struck out three Hill City batters.

The Monarchs jumped out early with two runs in the top of the first in the second game. Mark Rack drove in Jace Wentling with a two-out single then Nick Helget scored on a wild pitch.

Hill City scored their line run in the top of the third.

Kade Harris allowed one run on two hits over three innings for the win

The Monarchs have won five of their last six and improve to 8-8.

Bauer strikes out season-high 12; Indians top KC 5-3

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CLEVELAND (AP) – Trevor Bauer struck out a season-high 12 in 6 2/3 innings, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Wednesday.

Bauer (6-6) had the 23rd double-figure strikeout game of his career and his fourth this season. The right-hander gave up one run and didn’t allow a hit until rookie Humberto Arteaga singled with two outs in the fifth.

Bauer matched a career high by throwing 127 pitches and held the Royals to three hits. He got a standing ovation and tipped his cap on the way to the dugout after being removed with two on in the seventh.

Jake Bauers and Tyler Naquin homered off Jakob Junis in the fourth. Bauers had gone 15 at-bats without a hit before his leadoff blast.

Jason Kipnis, Oscar Mercado and Jordan Luplow also drove in runs for Cleveland. Francisco Lindor was 3 for 4 and scored two runs.

Junis (4-7) allowed four runs in six innings and hasn’t won since May 30.

Lucas Duda homered in the ninth for Kansas City off Nick Wittgren. Pinch-hitter Alex Gordon singled in a run before Wittrgren struck our Billy Hamilton and Whit Merrfield to end the game. The Royals struck out 16 times.

Hunter Dozier, whose ninth-inning grand slam off closer Brad Hand gave the Royals an 8-6 win on Tuesday night, struck out in all four at-bats.

Bauer hit Cam Gallagher with a 3-2 breaking pitch with one out in the third. Bauer also hit Jorge Soler in the left shoulder to lead off the seventh, prompting the Royals right fielder to stare at the pitcher before he slowly walked to first

Bauer was removed after Gallagher drew a two-out walk, but Nick Goody retired Billy Hamilton on a popup.

Arteaga hit a sharp ground ball under the glove of first baseman Bobby Bradley, who made a diving attempt in the fifth. After Gallagher singled to right, Hamilton’s bloop double scored Arteaga.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: C Salvador Perez (right elbow) has been cleared to resume catching on the side, but is still not permitted to throw a baseball. The six-time All-Star underwent Tommy John surgery on March 6 and is not expected to play this season.

Indians: RHP Corey Kluber will undergo tests on his broken right arm Thursday. He’ll begin playing catch if the results show the bone is still healing properly. … RHP Carlos Carrasco, who was diagnosed with a blood condition, has been playing catch with his teammates. “It’s not gonna hurt him in any way and they’ve encouraged him to have activity,” manager Terry Francona said.

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (3-3, 4.48 ERA) opens a four-game series Friday at Toronto. He pitched a season-high eight innings against Minnesota in a no-decision on June 22.

Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger (1-1, 2.70), who sprained his left ankle on June 17 at Texas, will be activated off the 10-day injured list to start Friday at Baltimore.

Royals reinstate Skoglund after 80-game suspension

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CLEVELAND (AP) – The Kansas City Royals have reinstated Eric Skoglund after the left-hander served an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drug use.

Skoglund was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old was suspended in January after his positive drug test. Skoglund was 1-6 with a 5.14 ERA in 14 games with the Royals last season.

Right-hander Brad Boxberger was designated for assignment. He went 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA and one save in 29 appearances.

Left-hander Tim Hill was recalled from Omaha for the third time season. He has made six appearances with the Royals and has a 6.75 ERA.

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