KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals signed right-hander Seth Lugo to a two-year extension worth $46 million guaranteed on Monday, a signal they intend to push for a second consecutive playoff appearance rather than sell ahead of this week's trade deadline.

The 35-year-old Lugo is in the second year of a two-year, $20 million deal that included a player option for next season. Now, he will make $20 million each in 2026 and the following season. Lugo also received a $3 million signing bonus, and the extension includes a vesting option for 2028 that also is worth $20 million or a $17 million club option with a $3 million buyout.

Lugo made his first All-Star Game and won his first Gold Glove last season, when he went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA. And he has been arguably better this season, going 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA through his first 19 outings.

Rumors surfaced of several contenders interested in trading for Lugo ahead of Thursday's deadline, and the fact that the Royals have been hanging on the fringe of contention themselves left many wondering whether they would be buyers or sellers.

The first sign that Kansas City was committing to the stretch run came when it&nbsp;acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk&nbsp;from the Diamondbacks for reliever Andrew Hoffmann late Saturday, shoring up a weakness in the lineup by adding a right-handed bat.

Now, the Royals have indicated that Lugo remains big a part of their future with his extension — an especially timely one given it was agreed to late Sunday, the same day that All-Star pitcher Kris Bubic went on the injured list.

Kansas City also is missing starters Cole Ragans and Michael Lorenzen because of injuries. Both are expected back at some point in August, and the Royals are hopeful that their return to the rotation will propel them down the stretch.

The Royals were four games back of the final AL wild-card spot as they opened a series against Atlanta on Monday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747010399609.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals signed right-hander Seth Lugo to a two-year extension worth $46 million guaranteed on Monday, a signal they intend to push for a second consecutive playoff appearance rather than sell ahead of this week's trade deadline.The 35-year-old Lugo is in the second year of a two-year, $20 million deal that included a player option for next season. Now, he will make $20 million each in 2026 and the following season. Lugo also received a $3 million signing bonus, and the extension includes a vesting option for 2028 that also is worth $20 million or a $17 million club option with a $3 million buyout.Lugo made his first All-Star Game and won his first Gold Glove last season, when he went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA. And he has been arguably better this season, going 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA through his first 19 outings.Rumors surfaced of several contenders interested in trading for Lugo ahead of Thursday's deadline, and the fact that the Royals have been hanging on the fringe of contention themselves left many wondering whether they would be buyers or sellers.The first sign that Kansas City was committing to the stretch run came when it&nbsp;acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk&nbsp;from the Diamondbacks for reliever Andrew Hoffmann late Saturday, shoring up a weakness in the lineup by adding a right-handed bat.Now, the Royals have indicated that Lugo remains big a part of their future with his extension — an especially timely one given it was agreed to late Sunday, the same day that All-Star pitcher Kris Bubic went on the injured list.Kansas City also is missing starters Cole Ragans and Michael Lorenzen because of injuries. Both are expected back at some point in August, and the Royals are hopeful that their return to the rotation will propel them down the stretch.The Royals were four games back of the final AL wild-card spot as they opened a series against Atlanta on Monday night.

Seth Lugo signs 2-year extension worth $46 million guaranteed with Kansas City Royals

The stream of lawsuits across the country from college athletes trying to grab another season of eligibility appears ready to fizzle out for a bit.

With fall football practice cranking up this week, players still hoping for a judge allowing them to take the field may be left waiting for a ruling that likely won't help them compete again.

"We’re at a point in the summer where I think any athlete out there is going to know that it’s probably too late to file a case and be able to get relief on it,” said Sam Ehrlich, a professor of legal studies at Boise State studying the 2021&nbsp;Alston ruling's&nbsp;effect on college athletics.

Relief on a larger question surrounding eligibility may be a while coming, too: In cases from California to Wisconsin, judges have provided inconsistent results for players seeking legal help for another season, and it may very well be a topic settled for good by a higher court.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is perhaps the highest-profile athlete to win his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vanderbilt-diego-pavia-preliminary-injunction-2025-029ed63d2520a2930be197d31ccc0e5f">court fight.</a>&nbsp;The New Mexico State transfer sued the NCAA last fall, arguing that his junior college years should not count against his eligibility, citing the potential losses in earnings from name, image and likeness deals. U.S. District Judge William Campbell Jr. in Tennessee granted a preliminary injunction, ordering the NCAA to allow Pavia to play.

The NCAA is&nbsp;appealing Campbell’s decision&nbsp;but granted a blanket waiver that will allow an extra year of eligibility for Pavia and other athletes who played at non-NCAA Division I schools before enrollment if they were going to exhaust their eligibility this year.

Pavia won. Others, such as Wisconsin cornerback&nbsp;Nyzier Fourqurean,&nbsp;have lost or are in limbo.

Practice starts Wednesday for Southeastern Conference members Vanderbilt and Tennessee. Chris Bellamy and Targhee Lambson are among four football players waiting on the same federal judge who gave&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vanderbilt-diego-pavia-preliminary-injunction-2025-029ed63d2520a2930be197d31ccc0e5f">Pavia</a>&nbsp;another season of football last December.

Some schools have helped by filing waivers. Others wait and hold a spot, letting the athlete fight the legal battle.

“They're just kind of in limbo in the transfer portal because schools don’t really know whether they’re going to have eligibility," Ehrlich said. "It’s a really weird situation right now.”

The NCAA would like Congress&nbsp;to grant limited liability protection to help address all the lawsuits over eligibility. NCAA President Charlie Baker noted in June that athletes had five years to play four seasons for about a century, a situation that changed recently. Baker told The Associated Press then that the NCAA has won more of these cases than the association lost.

“But the uncertainty it creates, the consequences of this for the next generation of young people if you play this thing out, are enormous,” Baker said. "Moving away from an academic calendar to sort of no calendar for college sports is hugely problematic.”

Duke coach Manny Diaz thought such eligibility issues would be addressed after&nbsp;the House settlement,&nbsp;which took effect July 1.

“All I have been told is once they got House out of the way they are going to double back on a lot of these oddities and make sure eligibility is tied into a college career," Diaz said at ACC media days. "We don’t want&nbsp;nine-year guys&nbsp;playing the sport.”

Thanks to the extra season added to careers for the coronavirus pandemic, the college eligibility calendar has been scrambled a bit. Pavia will be playing&nbsp;his sixth season&nbsp;after starting with two at New Mexico Military Institute, a junior college, then two more at New Mexico State.

Fullback Hayden Large played three NAIA seasons at Dordt before transferring to Iowa, where he will be playing his sixth season this fall after being granted another year.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz sees a simple solution in giving players five years to play five seasons. He's also in favor of players who start in junior college having an extra year, even as he sees the need for a limit even if he doesn't know what that should be.

“If a guy during his first year ends up being able to play five or six games, why not let him play?” Ferentz said. “It’s all about creating opportunity, in my mind. I’ve never understood the rationale for not doing that.”

Ehrlich is attempting to track&nbsp;all lawsuits&nbsp;against the NCAA, ranging from&nbsp;the House settlement; name, image and likeness&nbsp;litigation; college athletes as employees; and&nbsp;Title IX lawsuits, along with other cases. Ehrlich has tracked more than a dozen lawsuits involving eligibility, and common factors are hard to come by.

He saw three very different&nbsp;rulings&nbsp;from judges appointed by President Donald Trump. Standards of evidence for a preliminary injunction also have varied from judge to judge. Three cases have been appealed, with other motions helping delay some waiver requests.

Ehrlich said there remains the chance a case lands before the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I don’t see these cases drying up anytime soon,” Ehrlich said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735047916096.jpeg" alt="Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) looks to throw a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)" />
 <figcaption>Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) looks to throw a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)</figcaption>
 </figure>The stream of lawsuits across the country from college athletes trying to grab another season of eligibility appears ready to fizzle out for a bit.With fall football practice cranking up this week, players still hoping for a judge allowing them to take the field may be left waiting for a ruling that likely won't help them compete again."We’re at a point in the summer where I think any athlete out there is going to know that it’s probably too late to file a case and be able to get relief on it,” said Sam Ehrlich, a professor of legal studies at Boise State studying the 2021&nbsp;Alston ruling's&nbsp;effect on college athletics.Relief on a larger question surrounding eligibility may be a while coming, too: In cases from California to Wisconsin, judges have provided inconsistent results for players seeking legal help for another season, and it may very well be a topic settled for good by a higher court.Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is perhaps the highest-profile athlete to win his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vanderbilt-diego-pavia-preliminary-injunction-2025-029ed63d2520a2930be197d31ccc0e5f">court fight.</a>&nbsp;The New Mexico State transfer sued the NCAA last fall, arguing that his junior college years should not count against his eligibility, citing the potential losses in earnings from name, image and likeness deals. U.S. District Judge William Campbell Jr. in Tennessee granted a preliminary injunction, ordering the NCAA to allow Pavia to play.The NCAA is&nbsp;appealing Campbell’s decision&nbsp;but granted a blanket waiver that will allow an extra year of eligibility for Pavia and other athletes who played at non-NCAA Division I schools before enrollment if they were going to exhaust their eligibility this year.Pavia won. Others, such as Wisconsin cornerback&nbsp;Nyzier Fourqurean,&nbsp;have lost or are in limbo.Practice starts Wednesday for Southeastern Conference members Vanderbilt and Tennessee. Chris Bellamy and Targhee Lambson are among four football players waiting on the same federal judge who gave&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vanderbilt-diego-pavia-preliminary-injunction-2025-029ed63d2520a2930be197d31ccc0e5f">Pavia</a>&nbsp;another season of football last December.Some schools have helped by filing waivers. Others wait and hold a spot, letting the athlete fight the legal battle.“They're just kind of in limbo in the transfer portal because schools don’t really know whether they’re going to have eligibility," Ehrlich said. "It’s a really weird situation right now.”The NCAA would like Congress&nbsp;to grant limited liability protection to help address all the lawsuits over eligibility. NCAA President Charlie Baker noted in June that athletes had five years to play four seasons for about a century, a situation that changed recently. Baker told The Associated Press then that the NCAA has won more of these cases than the association lost.“But the uncertainty it creates, the consequences of this for the next generation of young people if you play this thing out, are enormous,” Baker said. "Moving away from an academic calendar to sort of no calendar for college sports is hugely problematic.”Duke coach Manny Diaz thought such eligibility issues would be addressed after&nbsp;the House settlement,&nbsp;which took effect July 1.“All I have been told is once they got House out of the way they are going to double back on a lot of these oddities and make sure eligibility is tied into a college career," Diaz said at ACC media days. "We don’t want&nbsp;nine-year guys&nbsp;playing the sport.”Thanks to the extra season added to careers for the coronavirus pandemic, the college eligibility calendar has been scrambled a bit. Pavia will be playing&nbsp;his sixth season&nbsp;after starting with two at New Mexico Military Institute, a junior college, then two more at New Mexico State.Fullback Hayden Large played three NAIA seasons at Dordt before transferring to Iowa, where he will be playing his sixth season this fall after being granted another year.Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz sees a simple solution in giving players five years to play five seasons. He's also in favor of players who start in junior college having an extra year, even as he sees the need for a limit even if he doesn't know what that should be.“If a guy during his first year ends up being able to play five or six games, why not let him play?” Ferentz said. “It’s all about creating opportunity, in my mind. I’ve never understood the rationale for not doing that.”Ehrlich is attempting to track&nbsp;all lawsuits&nbsp;against the NCAA, ranging from&nbsp;the House settlement; name, image and likeness&nbsp;litigation; college athletes as employees; and&nbsp;Title IX lawsuits, along with other cases. Ehrlich has tracked more than a dozen lawsuits involving eligibility, and common factors are hard to come by.He saw three very different&nbsp;rulings&nbsp;from judges appointed by President Donald Trump. Standards of evidence for a preliminary injunction also have varied from judge to judge. Three cases have been appealed, with other motions helping delay some waiver requests.Ehrlich said there remains the chance a case lands before the U.S. Supreme Court.“I don’t see these cases drying up anytime soon,” Ehrlich said.

Football season looms with no clear guidance in athlete battles to win more eligibility from NCAA

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Saturday, two days after having&nbsp;two stents inserted&nbsp;to treat blocked arteries.

“I want to thank all the amazing doctors and nurses at LMH Health for the excellent care I received during my stay there,” Self said in a statement released by the university. “I feel strong and am excited to be home. Our team has had a productive summer and look forward to our batteries being recharged and prepping for this upcoming season.”

The 62-year-old Self felt ill Thursday after having run Kansas’ final practice of its summer session earlier in the day. He missed the 2023 Big 12 and NCAA tournaments because of a heart condition, getting a standard catheterization and having two stents inserted to help treat blocked arteries.

Self led Kansas to national titles in 2008 and 2022 and is the school’s career victory leader with a 609-156 record. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member is 831-261 overall, also coaching Oral Roberts (1993-97), Tulsa (1997-2000) and Illinois (2000-03).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707833592901.jpeg" alt="Kansas head coach Bill Self leaves the court after his second technical foul during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas head coach Bill Self leaves the court after his second technical foul during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Saturday, two days after having&nbsp;two stents inserted&nbsp;to treat blocked arteries.“I want to thank all the amazing doctors and nurses at LMH Health for the excellent care I received during my stay there,” Self said in a statement released by the university. “I feel strong and am excited to be home. Our team has had a productive summer and look forward to our batteries being recharged and prepping for this upcoming season.”The 62-year-old Self felt ill Thursday after having run Kansas’ final practice of its summer session earlier in the day. He missed the 2023 Big 12 and NCAA tournaments because of a heart condition, getting a standard catheterization and having two stents inserted to help treat blocked arteries.Self led Kansas to national titles in 2008 and 2022 and is the school’s career victory leader with a 609-156 record. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member is 831-261 overall, also coaching Oral Roberts (1993-97), Tulsa (1997-2000) and Illinois (2000-03).

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self released from hospital after heart procedure

KUAthletics.com LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas football started fall training camp at Murfin Family Practice Fields on Thursday morning. Presented by Country Financial, fall camp will be a one month build up to the grand opening of the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium vs. Fresno State on Aug. 23.

"Very pleased, great attitude," head coach&nbsp;Lance Leipold&nbsp;said of the first day of practice. "They've been anxious to get out there and play for real. I love the attitude and the hustle so far, but we've thrown a lot at them. It's a good first day, a good first step, got a lot to work on yet, but I like where it's trending.&nbsp; 

The first practice of the season featured KU's 112 players running through individual drills and team-related work.&nbsp; 

The Jayhawks are just under a month away until the start of the 2025 season with the grand opening of the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23 when Kansas hosts Fresno State.&nbsp;The season-opener serves as the first of seven games coming to Lawrence in 2025, with a full schedule and single-game non-conference tickets and season tickets still&nbsp;available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753708186900.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KUAthletics.com LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas football started fall training camp at Murfin Family Practice Fields on Thursday morning. Presented by Country Financial, fall camp will be a one month build up to the grand opening of the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium vs. Fresno State on Aug. 23."Very pleased, great attitude," head coach&nbsp;Lance Leipold&nbsp;said of the first day of practice. "They've been anxious to get out there and play for real. I love the attitude and the hustle so far, but we've thrown a lot at them. It's a good first day, a good first step, got a lot to work on yet, but I like where it's trending.&nbsp; The first practice of the season featured KU's 112 players running through individual drills and team-related work.&nbsp; The Jayhawks are just under a month away until the start of the 2025 season with the grand opening of the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 23 when Kansas hosts Fresno State.&nbsp;The season-opener serves as the first of seven games coming to Lawrence in 2025, with a full schedule and single-game non-conference tickets and season tickets still&nbsp;available.

Kansas Football Begins 2025 Fall Training Camp

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and right-hander Seth Lugo have agreed to a two-year extension that includes a vesting option for the 2028 season, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday night.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal, which presumably takes one of the most talked-about names on the trade market off the table ahead of this week's deadline, had not been officially announced.

The 35-year-old Lugo made his first All-Star Game and won his first Gold Glove last season, when he went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA in the first year of a two-year, $30 million deal that included a player option for next season. Lugo has followed that up with an even better start to this season, going 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA through 19 outings for Kansas City.

It appears that they are going to make a push for a second consecutive playoff appearance.

The Royals&nbsp;acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk&nbsp;from the Diamondbacks for reliever Andrew Hoffmann late Saturday, shoring up a weakness in the lineup by adding a right-handed bat. Now, they have indicated that Lugo remains big a part of their future with his extension — an especially timely one given it came the same day that All-Star pitcher Kris Bubic went on the injured list.

Kansas City also is missing starters Cole Ragans and Michael Lorenzen due to injuries. Both are expected back at some point in August, and the Royals are hopeful that their return to the rotation will propel them down the stretch run.

After&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-guardians-kansas-city-royals-score-cf3459c3ca24ed86af37d3574c01c5b4">beating the Guardians</a>&nbsp;on Sunday, the Royals were four games back of the final American League wild-card spot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752948483531.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, July 18, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, July 18, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and right-hander Seth Lugo have agreed to a two-year extension that includes a vesting option for the 2028 season, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday night.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal, which presumably takes one of the most talked-about names on the trade market off the table ahead of this week's deadline, had not been officially announced.The 35-year-old Lugo made his first All-Star Game and won his first Gold Glove last season, when he went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA in the first year of a two-year, $30 million deal that included a player option for next season. Lugo has followed that up with an even better start to this season, going 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA through 19 outings for Kansas City.Rumors surfaced of several contenders interested in trading for Lugo ahead of Thursday's deadline, and the fact that the Royals have been hanging on the fringe of contention themselves left many wondering whether they would be buyers or sellers.It appears that they are going to make a push for a second consecutive playoff appearance.The Royals&nbsp;acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk&nbsp;from the Diamondbacks for reliever Andrew Hoffmann late Saturday, shoring up a weakness in the lineup by adding a right-handed bat. Now, they have indicated that Lugo remains big a part of their future with his extension — an especially timely one given it came the same day that All-Star pitcher Kris Bubic went on the injured list.Kansas City also is missing starters Cole Ragans and Michael Lorenzen due to injuries. Both are expected back at some point in August, and the Royals are hopeful that their return to the rotation will propel them down the stretch run.After&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-guardians-kansas-city-royals-score-cf3459c3ca24ed86af37d3574c01c5b4">beating the Guardians</a>&nbsp;on Sunday, the Royals were four games back of the final American League wild-card spot.

The Kansas City Royals and pitcher Seth Lugo agree to 2-year extension, AP source says

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Noah Cameron escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first before tossing five innings of three-hit ball, Maikel Garcia homered for the second time in three games, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 on Sunday.

Garcia finished with two RBIs, and Vinnie Pasquantino and Luke Maile also drove in runs, while the Kansas City bullpen allowed only Gabriel Arias' homer amid four hits over the final four innings.

Carlos Estévez worked around a leadoff double in the ninth for his 27th save.

Cameron (5-4) was stingy after the first, when Steven Kwan, Angel Martínez and José Ramírez began the game by loading the bases with nobody out. Cameron rebounded to retire David Fry, Carlos Santana and Arias, then allowed only two baserunners in the next four innings. He also struck out six in another dominant performance.

The 26-year-old left-hander from nearby St. Joseph, Missouri, lowered his ERA to 2.44 and has not lost a game since June 27.

Joey Cantillo (2-1) lasted only four innings for Cleveland on a hot, humid day in Kansas City. He allowed three runs and three hits and four walks while striking out four in his fifth start since joining the Guardians' rotation.

Cantillo had twice faced Kansas City in relief this season, retiring all six he faced and striking out four of them.

The fruitless first proved to be pivotal for Cleveland, when Fry flied out to right, Santana struck out and Arias grounded out to end the inning. Kansas City proceeded to coax across two runs in the bottom half and never trailed.

The Royals won despite going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

The Guardians return home to face Colorado on Monday night with RHP Slade Cecconi (5-4, 3.76 ERA) starting the opener. The Royals welcome the Braves on Monday night with LHP Rich Hill (0-1, 1.80) on the mound first for the three-game series.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753707954397.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals pitcher Noah Cameron delivers to a Cleveland Guardians batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals pitcher Noah Cameron delivers to a Cleveland Guardians batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Noah Cameron escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first before tossing five innings of three-hit ball, Maikel Garcia homered for the second time in three games, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 on Sunday.Garcia finished with two RBIs, and Vinnie Pasquantino and Luke Maile also drove in runs, while the Kansas City bullpen allowed only Gabriel Arias' homer amid four hits over the final four innings.Carlos Estévez worked around a leadoff double in the ninth for his 27th save.Cameron (5-4) was stingy after the first, when Steven Kwan, Angel Martínez and José Ramírez began the game by loading the bases with nobody out. Cameron rebounded to retire David Fry, Carlos Santana and Arias, then allowed only two baserunners in the next four innings. He also struck out six in another dominant performance.The 26-year-old left-hander from nearby St. Joseph, Missouri, lowered his ERA to 2.44 and has not lost a game since June 27.Joey Cantillo (2-1) lasted only four innings for Cleveland on a hot, humid day in Kansas City. He allowed three runs and three hits and four walks while striking out four in his fifth start since joining the Guardians' rotation.Cantillo had twice faced Kansas City in relief this season, retiring all six he faced and striking out four of them.<h2>Key moment</h2>The fruitless first proved to be pivotal for Cleveland, when Fry flied out to right, Santana struck out and Arias grounded out to end the inning. Kansas City proceeded to coax across two runs in the bottom half and never trailed.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Royals won despite going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.<h2>Up next</h2>The Guardians return home to face Colorado on Monday night with RHP Slade Cecconi (5-4, 3.76 ERA) starting the opener. The Royals welcome the Braves on Monday night with LHP Rich Hill (0-1, 1.80) on the mound first for the three-game series.

Cameron escapes bases-loaded jam in first, Garcia homers to lead Royals to 4-1 win over Guardians

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — If you want someone for your next celebrity roast, Ichiro Suzuki could be your guy. Mixing sneaky humor with heartfelt messages, the first Japanese-born player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame stole the show Sunday in Cooperstown. Morning showers and gloomy skies delayed the ceremonies by an hour, but the moisture gave way to bright skies and warm temperatures. The sun seemed its brightest during Suzuki’s acceptance speech. The outfielder was joined by pitcher CC Sabathia, also elected in his first year of eligibility, and closer Billy Wagner, who made it in his final try on the writers' ballot. Suzuki fell one vote shy of being a unanimous selection and he took a jab at the unidentified sports writer who didn't vote for him.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bubba Wallace became the first Black driver to win a major race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval, surviving a late rain delay, two overtimes, concerns over running out of fuel and a hard-charging Kyle Larson on Sunday in the Brickyard 400. The third NASCAR Cup victory of Wallace’s career was also his most significant — his first win at one of the series’ four crown jewel races. It snapped a 100-race winless streak that dated to 2022 at Kansas. He also won at Talladega in 2021, but this milestone victory also gave him a playoff spot. No Black driver has won the Indianapolis 500, and Formula 1 raced on the track’s road course. And while the final gap was 0.222 seconds, Wallace didn’t reach victory lane without some consternation.

NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan McMahon sparked a comeback with a tying, two-run double in a four-run second inning against Zack Wheeler, and the New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 to salvage the finale of a three-game series. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto made a spectacular leaping grab and tag of Cody Bellinger at the plate for an inning-ending double play that denied the Yankees a run in the third Austin Wells hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly and Trent Grisham an RBI single against Wheeler, who tied his career high with three hit batters. Rookie Otto Kemp had his first big league multi-homer game and Nick Castellanos also went deep.

BOSTON (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to start on the mound Wednesday as he continues his buildup from elbow surgery that kept him from pitching all last season. Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday before the series finale in Boston that the plan is for Ohtani to work four innings at Cincinnati, with an off day to recover before hitting in a game. With Ohtani working his way back along with left-hander Blake Snell, who pitched 4 2/3 innings Saturday in his fourth rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, the Dodgers will be using a six-man rotation.

Shaquille O'Neal knows the impact of refurbishing basketball courts on communities. Over the past three decades, he's helped rebuild many, including one recently in Rockwall, Texas, where he has a home. O'Neal learned the significance of these courts firsthand. Marquis Daniels, a former teammate, once told him how a court dedication in Orlando changed his life. Renovating the Rockwall court was suggested by Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale. It's part of Comebaq Courts, a project by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. O'Neal also donated basketball shoes to local kids at the event.

The wave of lawsuits from college athletes seeking another season of eligibility seems to be slowing down. With fall football practice starting this week, players hoping for a judge's approval to play may be left waiting. Legal expert Sam Ehrlich says it's likely too late for athletes to file cases and get relief. Judges have provided inconsistent rulings, and the issue might end up in a higher court. Some athletes, like Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, have won their cases. Others remain in limbo. The NCAA wants limited liability protection from Congress to address these eligibility lawsuits.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Athletics have moved to a Triple-A ballpark in Sacramento for three years, leaving behind mixed feelings. While some fans still support the team, many have moved on, embracing the new Oakland Ballers. The A's plan to relocate to a new ballpark in Las Vegas by 2028. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred acknowledged the current setup isn't ideal. Players and fans are adjusting to the temporary situation. Meanwhile, Las Vegas is preparing for the A's arrival, hoping to replicate the success of other sports teams. The move raises questions about the team's future fan base and success.

The Toronto Blue Jays have a comfortable lead atop the AL East, a year after trading away several established players. Despite being sellers at last year's deadline, they kept key players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Guerrero signed a 14-year, $500-million contract in April. The Blue Jays lead the majors in batting average and on-base percentage. They have won 21 of their last 27 games and have already clinched the season series against the second-place New York Yankees.

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — England beat Spain in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to win a thrilling Women’s European Championship final on Sunday. Chloe Kelly lashed in her spot kick after goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two saves to lift England to a 3-1 win in the shootout. It’s the second straight Women’s Euros final decided by Kelly scoring. The game was tied 1-1 after extra time and the regulation 90 minutes. England leveled the score in the 57th on Alessia Russo’s header from a cross by Chloe Kelly after Mariona Caldentey had given Spain the lead in the 25th finishing Ona Battle’s cross.

PARIS (AP) — The roads were dangerously slippery after heavy rain. A fourth Tour de France title was all but won anyway, so finishing safely in the pack would do fine for Tadej Pogačar. Especially considering Sunday's final stage had already been neutralized for safety reasons. Surely there was no need to launch a seemingly pointless attack and risk crashing? But holding back or being cautious rarely appeals to Pogačar. The 26-year-old cycling star from Slovenia finished fourth in the stage but clinched his fourth Tour title in inimitably daring style and further cemented his place among cycling's greats. Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard was overall runner-up again and Florian Lipowitz was third for his first major-race podium. Finals

INTERLEAGUE Final Baltimore 5 Colorado 1 Final Cincinnati 2 Tampa Bay 1 Final N.Y. Yankees 4 Philadelphia 3 Final Boston 4 L.A. Dodgers 3 Final Washington 7 Minnesota 2 Final Chicago Cubs 5 Chicago White Sox 4 Final Texas 8 Atlanta 1

AMERICAN LEAGUE Final Detroit 10 Toronto 4 Final Kansas City 4 Cleveland 1 Final Athletics 7 Houston 1 Final L.A. Angels 4 Seattle 1

NATIONAL LEAGUE Final Pittsburgh 6 Arizona 0 Final Milwaukee 3 Miami 2 Final San Diego 9 St. Louis 2 Final N.Y. Mets 5 San Francisco 3

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739459822020.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — If you want someone for your next celebrity roast, Ichiro Suzuki could be your guy. Mixing sneaky humor with heartfelt messages, the first Japanese-born player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame stole the show Sunday in Cooperstown. Morning showers and gloomy skies delayed the ceremonies by an hour, but the moisture gave way to bright skies and warm temperatures. The sun seemed its brightest during Suzuki’s acceptance speech. The outfielder was joined by pitcher CC Sabathia, also elected in his first year of eligibility, and closer Billy Wagner, who made it in his final try on the writers' ballot. Suzuki fell one vote shy of being a unanimous selection and he took a jab at the unidentified sports writer who didn't vote for him.INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bubba Wallace became the first Black driver to win a major race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval, surviving a late rain delay, two overtimes, concerns over running out of fuel and a hard-charging Kyle Larson on Sunday in the Brickyard 400. The third NASCAR Cup victory of Wallace’s career was also his most significant — his first win at one of the series’ four crown jewel races. It snapped a 100-race winless streak that dated to 2022 at Kansas. He also won at Talladega in 2021, but this milestone victory also gave him a playoff spot. No Black driver has won the Indianapolis 500, and Formula 1 raced on the track’s road course. And while the final gap was 0.222 seconds, Wallace didn’t reach victory lane without some consternation.NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan McMahon sparked a comeback with a tying, two-run double in a four-run second inning against Zack Wheeler, and the New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 to salvage the finale of a three-game series. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto made a spectacular leaping grab and tag of Cody Bellinger at the plate for an inning-ending double play that denied the Yankees a run in the third Austin Wells hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly and Trent Grisham an RBI single against Wheeler, who tied his career high with three hit batters. Rookie Otto Kemp had his first big league multi-homer game and Nick Castellanos also went deep.BOSTON (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to start on the mound Wednesday as he continues his buildup from elbow surgery that kept him from pitching all last season. Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday before the series finale in Boston that the plan is for Ohtani to work four innings at Cincinnati, with an off day to recover before hitting in a game. With Ohtani working his way back along with left-hander Blake Snell, who pitched 4 2/3 innings Saturday in his fourth rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, the Dodgers will be using a six-man rotation.Shaquille O'Neal knows the impact of refurbishing basketball courts on communities. Over the past three decades, he's helped rebuild many, including one recently in Rockwall, Texas, where he has a home. O'Neal learned the significance of these courts firsthand. Marquis Daniels, a former teammate, once told him how a court dedication in Orlando changed his life. Renovating the Rockwall court was suggested by Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale. It's part of Comebaq Courts, a project by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. O'Neal also donated basketball shoes to local kids at the event.The wave of lawsuits from college athletes seeking another season of eligibility seems to be slowing down. With fall football practice starting this week, players hoping for a judge's approval to play may be left waiting. Legal expert Sam Ehrlich says it's likely too late for athletes to file cases and get relief. Judges have provided inconsistent rulings, and the issue might end up in a higher court. Some athletes, like Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, have won their cases. Others remain in limbo. The NCAA wants limited liability protection from Congress to address these eligibility lawsuits.WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Athletics have moved to a Triple-A ballpark in Sacramento for three years, leaving behind mixed feelings. While some fans still support the team, many have moved on, embracing the new Oakland Ballers. The A's plan to relocate to a new ballpark in Las Vegas by 2028. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred acknowledged the current setup isn't ideal. Players and fans are adjusting to the temporary situation. Meanwhile, Las Vegas is preparing for the A's arrival, hoping to replicate the success of other sports teams. The move raises questions about the team's future fan base and success.The Toronto Blue Jays have a comfortable lead atop the AL East, a year after trading away several established players. Despite being sellers at last year's deadline, they kept key players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Guerrero signed a 14-year, $500-million contract in April. The Blue Jays lead the majors in batting average and on-base percentage. They have won 21 of their last 27 games and have already clinched the season series against the second-place New York Yankees.BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — England beat Spain in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to win a thrilling Women’s European Championship final on Sunday. Chloe Kelly lashed in her spot kick after goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two saves to lift England to a 3-1 win in the shootout. It’s the second straight Women’s Euros final decided by Kelly scoring. The game was tied 1-1 after extra time and the regulation 90 minutes. England leveled the score in the 57th on Alessia Russo’s header from a cross by Chloe Kelly after Mariona Caldentey had given Spain the lead in the 25th finishing Ona Battle’s cross.PARIS (AP) — The roads were dangerously slippery after heavy rain. A fourth Tour de France title was all but won anyway, so finishing safely in the pack would do fine for Tadej Pogačar. Especially considering Sunday's final stage had already been neutralized for safety reasons. Surely there was no need to launch a seemingly pointless attack and risk crashing? But holding back or being cautious rarely appeals to Pogačar. The 26-year-old cycling star from Slovenia finished fourth in the stage but clinched his fourth Tour title in inimitably daring style and further cemented his place among cycling's greats. Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard was overall runner-up again and Florian Lipowitz was third for his first major-race podium. FinalsINTERLEAGUE Final Baltimore 5 Colorado 1 Final Cincinnati 2 Tampa Bay 1 Final N.Y. Yankees 4 Philadelphia 3 Final Boston 4 L.A. Dodgers 3 Final Washington 7 Minnesota 2 Final Chicago Cubs 5 Chicago White Sox 4 Final Texas 8 Atlanta 1AMERICAN LEAGUE Final Detroit 10 Toronto 4 Final Kansas City 4 Cleveland 1 Final Athletics 7 Houston 1 Final L.A. Angels 4 Seattle 1NATIONAL LEAGUE Final Pittsburgh 6 Arizona 0 Final Milwaukee 3 Miami 2 Final San Diego 9 St. Louis 2 Final N.Y. Mets 5 San Francisco 3

Monday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor made his training camp debut after missing their first four practices because of a knee injury, and he was right in the mix with the starters Sunday as they put on pads for the first time.

Backup tight end Tre Watson, who also had been out with a groin injury, passed his physical and joined Taylor on the field.

Taylor has started all 33 regular-season games he has played for Kansas City over the past two seasons. But his blocking metrics coupled with a propensity for penalties mean his job is far from secure. The Chiefs signed backup 49ers tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million deal and used their first-round draft pick on Ohio State standout Josh Simmons.

After the first week of camp, Simmons appears to have the inside track on the left tackle job, which was a problem position for the Chiefs all of last season. So when Taylor returned, it was in a rotation with Moore for first-team snaps on Sunday.

“We're getting back in the swing. He hasn't done anything," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of Taylor, who showed up on the injury report with knee trouble much of last season and had offseason surgery. “But all three are kind of competing there.”

Reid said he was pleased with the way Simmons looked in his first padded practice. There was some question about whether he would even be ready for camp after tearing his patellar tendon in a game with the Buckeyes last season.

“He did some good things. I wasn't focusing on him the whole time, but I thought he did some good things,” Reid said. “He's a work in progress. He has to keep working. Young guy.”

Meanwhile, Reid said cornerback Kristian Fulton had a procedure to “clean out” his knee in the spring, which is why he remains on the&nbsp;physically unable to perform list. The Chiefs gave him a two-year, $20 million deal in March.

Rookie tight end Jake Briningstool also did not practice Sunday because of a hamstring injury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753641748665.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid walks between drills at NFL football training camp Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid walks between drills at NFL football training camp Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor made his training camp debut after missing their first four practices because of a knee injury, and he was right in the mix with the starters Sunday as they put on pads for the first time.Backup tight end Tre Watson, who also had been out with a groin injury, passed his physical and joined Taylor on the field.Taylor has started all 33 regular-season games he has played for Kansas City over the past two seasons. But his blocking metrics coupled with a propensity for penalties mean his job is far from secure. The Chiefs signed backup 49ers tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million deal and used their first-round draft pick on Ohio State standout Josh Simmons.After the first week of camp, Simmons appears to have the inside track on the left tackle job, which was a problem position for the Chiefs all of last season. So when Taylor returned, it was in a rotation with Moore for first-team snaps on Sunday.“We're getting back in the swing. He hasn't done anything," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of Taylor, who showed up on the injury report with knee trouble much of last season and had offseason surgery. “But all three are kind of competing there.”Reid said he was pleased with the way Simmons looked in his first padded practice. There was some question about whether he would even be ready for camp after tearing his patellar tendon in a game with the Buckeyes last season.“He did some good things. I wasn't focusing on him the whole time, but I thought he did some good things,” Reid said. “He's a work in progress. He has to keep working. Young guy.”Meanwhile, Reid said cornerback Kristian Fulton had a procedure to “clean out” his knee in the spring, which is why he remains on the&nbsp;physically unable to perform list. The Chiefs gave him a two-year, $20 million deal in March.Rookie tight end Jake Briningstool also did not practice Sunday because of a hamstring injury.

Right tackle Jawaan Taylor returns to practice as Chiefs put pads on for first time in training camp

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals placed All-Star left-hander Kris Bubic on the 15-day injured list with a rotator cuff strain and outfielder Jac Caglianone on the 10-day IL with a strained left hamstring amid a series of moves before their series finale against Cleveland on Sunday.

The Royals also welcomed outfielder Randal Grichuk, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-diamondbacks-trade-87f6f60e37cd00beaeb9c3924e2c922b">acquired on Saturday night</a>&nbsp;in a deal that shipped reliever Andrew Hoffmann to Arizona, and recalled right-handed reliever Jonathan Bowlan from Triple-A Omaha to help the bullpen.

Bubic walked the first four batters he faced and only managed to last 2 2/3 innings&nbsp;against the Guardians on Saturday, when he started the second game of a split doubleheader. He needed 42 pitches to get through the first inning, and he wound up allowing four runs and three hits in his shortest start since Sept. 18, 2022, at Boston.

“He's getting some further testing and then we'll talk to the doc here and see what we got,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

Bubic said he's experienced some shoulder soreness for much of the season, but he's been able to pitch through it at a break-through level. Even with the rocky start Saturday, he has a 2.55 ERA — the fifth-best mark in the American League.

“I mean, you see how he's performed,” Quatraro said. “Most pitchers when they go out there, they feel something almost every time. The severity of it and his ability to continue to deal with it has been manageable, by his own admission. ... And it's gotten to the point where, you know, he doesn't, and we don't feel like it's best for him to keep fighting through it.”

The Royals rotation has suddenly thinned considerably. Left-hander Cole Ragans remains on the IL with a strained rotator cuff and is not expected back until late August, and right-hander Michael Lorenzen is progressing from his strained left oblique but may need to make a rehab start before he returns to the Royals sometime in August.

The Royals already have had to plug one spot with 45-year-old Rich Hill, who pitched well in his debut for them this past week.

Caglianone, the Royals' 22-year-old power-hitter, felt tightness in his hamstring while running down a double into the gap in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. Then he felt the twinge again while running to first on a groundout later the inning.

The timing of the injury could have been worse: The Royals had been working on a deal to land Grichuk, who nearly signed with them in the offseason but will now help them primarily against left-handed hitting for the rest of the season.

“You've seen our outfield had gotten very heavily left-handed. Something we thought we needed to add was a right-handed bat,” said Quatraro, whose team began the day 51-54 and 4 1/2 games back in the AL wild-card race.

Grichuk was 0 for 2 on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, flying out in the second inning and the fourth, when he was told by the Diamondbacks that he had been traded. He hugged several teammates in the dugout and then headed out, catching a flight first thing Sunday so that he could be in Kansas City in time for the series finale against the Guardians.

He was put in the starting lineup right away, batting sixth and playing right field.

“When they called they said, ‘If you’re willing to be here to play, you know, we want you in the starting lineup,'” Grichuk said, “and yeah, I want to play. That's kind of my M.O. And so I said, ‘Let’s do it. We'll make it happen, even if it's crazy travel.'”

The one hang-up was Grichuk's number: He's always worn 15 and that number was taken by backup catcher Luke Maile. But it turns out the two knew each other from their days together in Toronto, so a quick text message smoothed things out. Maile took No. 17 and gave his old buddy No. 15 — “We'll work something out,” Grichuk said of potential compensation.

“It's pretty cool that he was able to give it to me,” Grichuk said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753641649522.jpeg" alt="Arizona Diamondbacks' Randal Grichuk connects for an inside-the-park home run against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)" />
 <figcaption>Arizona Diamondbacks' Randal Grichuk connects for an inside-the-park home run against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals placed All-Star left-hander Kris Bubic on the 15-day injured list with a rotator cuff strain and outfielder Jac Caglianone on the 10-day IL with a strained left hamstring amid a series of moves before their series finale against Cleveland on Sunday.The Royals also welcomed outfielder Randal Grichuk, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-diamondbacks-trade-87f6f60e37cd00beaeb9c3924e2c922b">acquired on Saturday night</a>&nbsp;in a deal that shipped reliever Andrew Hoffmann to Arizona, and recalled right-handed reliever Jonathan Bowlan from Triple-A Omaha to help the bullpen.Bubic walked the first four batters he faced and only managed to last 2 2/3 innings&nbsp;against the Guardians on Saturday, when he started the second game of a split doubleheader. He needed 42 pitches to get through the first inning, and he wound up allowing four runs and three hits in his shortest start since Sept. 18, 2022, at Boston.“He's getting some further testing and then we'll talk to the doc here and see what we got,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.Bubic said he's experienced some shoulder soreness for much of the season, but he's been able to pitch through it at a break-through level. Even with the rocky start Saturday, he has a 2.55 ERA — the fifth-best mark in the American League.“I mean, you see how he's performed,” Quatraro said. “Most pitchers when they go out there, they feel something almost every time. The severity of it and his ability to continue to deal with it has been manageable, by his own admission. ... And it's gotten to the point where, you know, he doesn't, and we don't feel like it's best for him to keep fighting through it.”The Royals rotation has suddenly thinned considerably. Left-hander Cole Ragans remains on the IL with a strained rotator cuff and is not expected back until late August, and right-hander Michael Lorenzen is progressing from his strained left oblique but may need to make a rehab start before he returns to the Royals sometime in August.The Royals already have had to plug one spot with 45-year-old Rich Hill, who pitched well in his debut for them this past week.Caglianone, the Royals' 22-year-old power-hitter, felt tightness in his hamstring while running down a double into the gap in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. Then he felt the twinge again while running to first on a groundout later the inning.The timing of the injury could have been worse: The Royals had been working on a deal to land Grichuk, who nearly signed with them in the offseason but will now help them primarily against left-handed hitting for the rest of the season.“You've seen our outfield had gotten very heavily left-handed. Something we thought we needed to add was a right-handed bat,” said Quatraro, whose team began the day 51-54 and 4 1/2 games back in the AL wild-card race.Grichuk was 0 for 2 on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, flying out in the second inning and the fourth, when he was told by the Diamondbacks that he had been traded. He hugged several teammates in the dugout and then headed out, catching a flight first thing Sunday so that he could be in Kansas City in time for the series finale against the Guardians.He was put in the starting lineup right away, batting sixth and playing right field.“When they called they said, ‘If you’re willing to be here to play, you know, we want you in the starting lineup,'” Grichuk said, “and yeah, I want to play. That's kind of my M.O. And so I said, ‘Let’s do it. We'll make it happen, even if it's crazy travel.'”The one hang-up was Grichuk's number: He's always worn 15 and that number was taken by backup catcher Luke Maile. But it turns out the two knew each other from their days together in Toronto, so a quick text message smoothed things out. Maile took No. 17 and gave his old buddy No. 15 — “We'll work something out,” Grichuk said of potential compensation.“It's pretty cool that he was able to give it to me,” Grichuk said.

Royals put Kris Bubic, Jac Caglianone on IL; newly acquired Randal Grichuk into starting lineup

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Steven Kwan hit a two-run home run, Tanner Bibee struck out eight in five innings, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4 on Saturday night to earn a doubleheader split.

Kansas City&nbsp;won the first game 5-3&nbsp;with a walk-off homer in the 10th inning. The Guardians have not swept the Royals in a doubleheader since April 24, 2008.

Kwan's 431-foot home run into the right field fountains of Kauffman Stadium gave the Guardians a 6-2 lead.

The Guardians drew four straight walks in the first with Carlos Santana drawing the RBI walk to give Cleveland a 1-0 lead. Johnathan Rodríguez extended the lead with a two-run double in the first. Daniel Schneemann hit a sacrifice fly RBI in the third.

Bobby Witt Jr. and Freddy Fermin each hit two-run home runs for Kansas City.

Bibee (7-9) allowed four runs on seven hits for his third straight win. After taking the loss in game one, Emmanuel Clase earned his 24th save of the season.

Kris Bubic (8-7) gave up four runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings of work with four walks and one strikeout. Bubic got off to a slow start, throwing 42 pitches in the first inning. The four walks matched a season-high.

Kwan's home run was the spark the Guardians needed to get the win. Since July 7, Cleveland has homered in 14 of 16 games.

Santana drew his 133rd career walk against the Royals, which tied Rickey Henderson for most career walks vs. Kansas City.

LHP Joey Cantillo (2-0, 3.91 ERA) will start the series finale for Cleveland. LHP Noah Cameron (4-4, 2.61) is slated to take the mound for Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753641546231.jpeg" alt="Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez runs home to score past Kansas City Royals catcher Freddy Fermin on a two-run double hit by Johnathan Rodriguez during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez runs home to score past Kansas City Royals catcher Freddy Fermin on a two-run double hit by Johnathan Rodriguez during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Steven Kwan hit a two-run home run, Tanner Bibee struck out eight in five innings, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4 on Saturday night to earn a doubleheader split.Kansas City&nbsp;won the first game 5-3&nbsp;with a walk-off homer in the 10th inning. The Guardians have not swept the Royals in a doubleheader since April 24, 2008.Kwan's 431-foot home run into the right field fountains of Kauffman Stadium gave the Guardians a 6-2 lead.The Guardians drew four straight walks in the first with Carlos Santana drawing the RBI walk to give Cleveland a 1-0 lead. Johnathan Rodríguez extended the lead with a two-run double in the first. Daniel Schneemann hit a sacrifice fly RBI in the third.Bobby Witt Jr. and Freddy Fermin each hit two-run home runs for Kansas City.Bibee (7-9) allowed four runs on seven hits for his third straight win. After taking the loss in game one, Emmanuel Clase earned his 24th save of the season.Kris Bubic (8-7) gave up four runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings of work with four walks and one strikeout. Bubic got off to a slow start, throwing 42 pitches in the first inning. The four walks matched a season-high.<h2>Key moment</h2>Kwan's home run was the spark the Guardians needed to get the win. Since July 7, Cleveland has homered in 14 of 16 games.<h2>Key stat</h2>Santana drew his 133rd career walk against the Royals, which tied Rickey Henderson for most career walks vs. Kansas City.<h2>Up next</h2>LHP Joey Cantillo (2-0, 3.91 ERA) will start the series finale for Cleveland. LHP Noah Cameron (4-4, 2.61) is slated to take the mound for Kansas City.

Kwan's two-run homer lifts Guardians to 6-4 win over Royals and doubleheader split

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — England and Spain are going to extra time tied at 1-1 in the Women’s European Championship final. Both goals were scored by Arsenal attackers with perfectly placed headers from accurate crosses. Defending champion England leveled the score in the 57th on Alessia Russo’s header from a cross by Chloe Kelly who was making a big impact off the bench for the third straight game in the knockout rounds. Mariona Caldentey gave Spain a lead in the 25th finishing Ona Battle’s cross.

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin reported to training camp Sunday following a four-day holdout. However, the 2024 second-team All-Pro and the team have yet to resolve a contract dispute. McLaurin is entering the final year of a three-year extension signed in 2022 but has been seeking a new contract. Despite the limbo status, fans were thrilled when McLaurin walked onto the fields following practice, chanting “Terry! Terry!” McLaurin spent roughly 30 minutes signing autographs and taking photos before speaking with reporters. He said it’s been “tough” to watch his teammates practice and acknowledged he is dealing with the “business” side of football.

PARIS (AP) — Tadej Pogačar won his fourth Tour de France title by a comfortable margin after Sunday’s final stage. The 26-year-old Slovenian rider won last year and in 2020 and 2021. Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vinegaard finished the overall race more than four minutes behind Pogačar in second place and Florian Lipowitz was 11 minutes adrift in third. Belgian rider Wout van Aert won the 21st and last stage, which broke with tradition and featured three climbs of Montmartre hill. Pogačar finished the stage in fourth place but it was soon time to celebrate Tour win No. 4.

IRVINE, Scotland (AP) — Lottie Woad hasn't wasted any time making a big impression. The English star won the Women's Scottish Open in her professional debut. And the 21-year-old made it look as though she had been there before. Woad shot a 68 at breezy Dundonald Links for a three-shot victory over Hyo Joo Kim. Woad won the Women's Irish Open as an amateur three weeks ago. Then she missed a playoff in an LPGA major in France. She locked up an LPGA Tour card with that finish and turned pro. And now the former Florida State star is a winner on the LPGA.

President Donald Trump has threatened to block a new stadium deal unless Washington’s NFL team reverts its name to a racial slur. Experts say Native American mascots have long been linked to negative mental health outcomes, especially for children. Advocates have been calling for their removal for generations, and researchers say Native mascots reinforce racial bias. The Washington Redskins changed to the Commanders in 2020. Trump's spokesperson says "He likes to see results on behalf of the American people” and that sports fans would agree with him about restoring the old name. More than 1,500 grade schools across the country still use Native mascots.

The Tour de France is breaking tradition this year by having riders climb Montmartre during the final stage. Organizers aim to build on the success of last year’s Paris Olympics road race, which drew massive crowds. On Sunday, fans gathered early to secure spots on the cobbled Rue Lepic and beneath the Sacré-Coeur basilica. Riders will also pass the Moulin Rouge, where dancers will perform. Traditionally, the final stage is processional until a sprint on the Champs-Élysées. This year, the final climb is less than 7 kilometers from the finish, making a sprint finish unlikely.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge went on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow, but a scan showed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament of the two-time AL MVP. Judge was sent for an MRI on Saturday and missed just his second game this season, a 9-4 loss to Philadelphia. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection and was put on the injured list Sunday. He hopes to return to action in 10 days to two weeks, initially as a designated hitter. Judge's roster spot was taken by Amed Rosario, an infielder and outfielder acquired from Washington on Saturday night.

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki was always known for his meticulous preparation during his 19-year Major League Baseball career. For his induction into the Hall of Fame? Not so much. Suzuki said on the eve of his enshrinement that he spent his morning on the field playing baseball. He is the first Japanese player chosen for the Hall. He will be joined Sunday by CC Sabathia, a six-time All-Star who won the 2007 AL Cy Young Award, and relief pitcher Billy Wagner. Dave Parker, who died a month before he was to be inducted, and Dick Allen will be honored posthumously.

SINGAPORE (AP) — The United States team at the swimming world championships in Singapore is battling a case of “acute gastroenteritis” that compromised performances on the opening day of eight days of competition in the pool. Nikki Warner, the spokeswoman for USA Swimming, confirmed the outbreak to The Associated Press on Sunday and said it had its roots at a training camp the American team held in Phuket, Thailand, before arriving in Singapore. She said all American swimmers had traveled to Singapore.&nbsp;She declined to say how many had been affected. At least three clearly have been impacted: Torri Huske, Luca Mijatovic and Claire Weinstein. Finals

INTERLEAGUEFinal Philadelphia 9 N.Y. Yankees 4Final Cincinnati 6 Tampa Bay 2Final Baltimore 18 Colorado 0Final Chicago Cubs 6 Chicago White Sox 1Final Boston 4 L.A. Dodgers 2Final Texas 6 Atlanta 5Final Washington 9 Minnesota 3

AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Kansas City 5 Cleveland 3Final Toronto 6 Detroit 1Final Athletics 5 Houston 1Final Cleveland 6 Kansas City 4Final Seattle 7 L.A. Angels 2

NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Pittsburgh 2 Arizona 0Final Miami 7 Milwaukee 4Final San Diego 3 St. Louis 1Final N.Y. Mets 2 San Francisco 1

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739459822020.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — England and Spain are going to extra time tied at 1-1 in the Women’s European Championship final. Both goals were scored by Arsenal attackers with perfectly placed headers from accurate crosses. Defending champion England leveled the score in the 57th on Alessia Russo’s header from a cross by Chloe Kelly who was making a big impact off the bench for the third straight game in the knockout rounds. Mariona Caldentey gave Spain a lead in the 25th finishing Ona Battle’s cross.ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin reported to training camp Sunday following a four-day holdout. However, the 2024 second-team All-Pro and the team have yet to resolve a contract dispute. McLaurin is entering the final year of a three-year extension signed in 2022 but has been seeking a new contract. Despite the limbo status, fans were thrilled when McLaurin walked onto the fields following practice, chanting “Terry! Terry!” McLaurin spent roughly 30 minutes signing autographs and taking photos before speaking with reporters. He said it’s been “tough” to watch his teammates practice and acknowledged he is dealing with the “business” side of football.BOSTON (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to start on the mound Wednesday as he continues his buildup from elbow surgery that kept him from pitching all last season. Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday before the series finale in Boston that the plan is for Ohtani to work four innings at Cincinnati, with an off day to recover before hitting in a game. With Ohtani working his way back along with left-hander Blake Snell, who pitched 4 2/3 innings Saturday in his fourth rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, the Dodgers will be using a six-man rotation.PARIS (AP) — Tadej Pogačar won his fourth Tour de France title by a comfortable margin after Sunday’s final stage. The 26-year-old Slovenian rider won last year and in 2020 and 2021. Two-time Tour champion Jonas Vinegaard finished the overall race more than four minutes behind Pogačar in second place and Florian Lipowitz was 11 minutes adrift in third. Belgian rider Wout van Aert won the 21st and last stage, which broke with tradition and featured three climbs of Montmartre hill. Pogačar finished the stage in fourth place but it was soon time to celebrate Tour win No. 4.IRVINE, Scotland (AP) — Lottie Woad hasn't wasted any time making a big impression. The English star won the Women's Scottish Open in her professional debut. And the 21-year-old made it look as though she had been there before. Woad shot a 68 at breezy Dundonald Links for a three-shot victory over Hyo Joo Kim. Woad won the Women's Irish Open as an amateur three weeks ago. Then she missed a playoff in an LPGA major in France. She locked up an LPGA Tour card with that finish and turned pro. And now the former Florida State star is a winner on the LPGA.President Donald Trump has threatened to block a new stadium deal unless Washington’s NFL team reverts its name to a racial slur. Experts say Native American mascots have long been linked to negative mental health outcomes, especially for children. Advocates have been calling for their removal for generations, and researchers say Native mascots reinforce racial bias. The Washington Redskins changed to the Commanders in 2020. Trump's spokesperson says "He likes to see results on behalf of the American people” and that sports fans would agree with him about restoring the old name. More than 1,500 grade schools across the country still use Native mascots.The Tour de France is breaking tradition this year by having riders climb Montmartre during the final stage. Organizers aim to build on the success of last year’s Paris Olympics road race, which drew massive crowds. On Sunday, fans gathered early to secure spots on the cobbled Rue Lepic and beneath the Sacré-Coeur basilica. Riders will also pass the Moulin Rouge, where dancers will perform. Traditionally, the final stage is processional until a sprint on the Champs-Élysées. This year, the final climb is less than 7 kilometers from the finish, making a sprint finish unlikely.NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge went on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow, but a scan showed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament of the two-time AL MVP. Judge was sent for an MRI on Saturday and missed just his second game this season, a 9-4 loss to Philadelphia. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection and was put on the injured list Sunday. He hopes to return to action in 10 days to two weeks, initially as a designated hitter. Judge's roster spot was taken by Amed Rosario, an infielder and outfielder acquired from Washington on Saturday night.COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki was always known for his meticulous preparation during his 19-year Major League Baseball career. For his induction into the Hall of Fame? Not so much. Suzuki said on the eve of his enshrinement that he spent his morning on the field playing baseball. He is the first Japanese player chosen for the Hall. He will be joined Sunday by CC Sabathia, a six-time All-Star who won the 2007 AL Cy Young Award, and relief pitcher Billy Wagner. Dave Parker, who died a month before he was to be inducted, and Dick Allen will be honored posthumously.SINGAPORE (AP) — The United States team at the swimming world championships in Singapore is battling a case of “acute gastroenteritis” that compromised performances on the opening day of eight days of competition in the pool. Nikki Warner, the spokeswoman for USA Swimming, confirmed the outbreak to The Associated Press on Sunday and said it had its roots at a training camp the American team held in Phuket, Thailand, before arriving in Singapore. She said all American swimmers had traveled to Singapore.&nbsp;She declined to say how many had been affected. At least three clearly have been impacted: Torri Huske, Luca Mijatovic and Claire Weinstein. FinalsINTERLEAGUEFinal Philadelphia 9 N.Y. Yankees 4Final Cincinnati 6 Tampa Bay 2Final Baltimore 18 Colorado 0Final Chicago Cubs 6 Chicago White Sox 1Final Boston 4 L.A. Dodgers 2Final Texas 6 Atlanta 5Final Washington 9 Minnesota 3AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Kansas City 5 Cleveland 3Final Toronto 6 Detroit 1Final Athletics 5 Houston 1Final Cleveland 6 Kansas City 4Final Seattle 7 L.A. Angels 2NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Pittsburgh 2 Arizona 0Final Miami 7 Milwaukee 4Final San Diego 3 St. Louis 1Final N.Y. Mets 2 San Francisco 1

Sunday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

The first game of a three-game series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals scheduled for Friday night has been postponed due to inclement weather.

The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Saturday.

Cleveland's Tanner Bibee (6-9, 4.27 ERA) and Kansas City's Kris Bubic (8-6, 2.38) are expected to start the afternoon game, while the Guardians' Joey Cantillo (2-0, 3.91) is scheduled to start against the Royals' Noah Cameron (4-4, 2.61) in the nightcap.

The Guardians took three out of four from the Orioles in their most recent series and have won seven of their last nine games to climb back to .500 (51-51).

The first game of a three-game series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals scheduled for Friday night has been postponed due to inclement weather.The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Saturday.Cleveland's Tanner Bibee (6-9, 4.27 ERA) and Kansas City's Kris Bubic (8-6, 2.38) are expected to start the afternoon game, while the Guardians' Joey Cantillo (2-0, 3.91) is scheduled to start against the Royals' Noah Cameron (4-4, 2.61) in the nightcap.The Guardians took three out of four from the Orioles in their most recent series and have won seven of their last nine games to climb back to .500 (51-51).

Guardians-Royals game postponed due to weather

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jared Allen will be wearing a cowboy hat next weekend in Canton for his&nbsp;Hall of Fame&nbsp;induction, the signature apparel that inspired his celebratory calf-roping act after each sack and still serves as a fitting snapshot of his off-the-field life.

Raised on a horse ranch in Northern California, Allen was audacious enough at age 8 to tell his father he planned to become a professional football player.

He fulfilled that vision with a relentless vengeance on the offensive tackles tasked with blocking him and the quarterbacks who tried to escape, using exceptional quickness, creative moves and pure strength to accumulate 136 sacks and four first team All-Pro selections as a defensive end over a 12-year career in the&nbsp;NFL.

“When you're doing what you love to do, you want to honor the game by being great, not in an arrogant way but in a way to show respect and gratitude for all those who came before you,” said Allen, who will be honored at the ceremony next weekend along with Antonio Gates, Eric Allen and Sterling Sharpe. “I always wanted to go out there and let people know I genuinely loved playing this game.”

First making his mark with the Kansas City Chiefs and then reaching another level with the Minnesota Vikings, Allen was one of the most fun-loving players of his generation.

That went all the way down to his routine of running away from the play, dropping to one knee, twirling his hand as if he had a lasso and pretending to catch a calf in a rodeo before extending both arms outward to the crowd. He was a showman who had&nbsp;plenty to show for it.

The crossroads of Allen's career came upon consummation of the 2008 trade that sent him from the Chiefs to the Vikings, his promising start in the NFL tainted by off-the-field trouble that followed him from Idaho State.

Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson, who drafted Allen in the fourth round in 2004, soured on the prodigious pass rusher after two different citations for drunken driving in 2006 and declared him a “young man at risk.” Allen was irked by the lack of front-office support and asked to be dealt, absent a new contract.

After accumulating 15 1/2 sacks in 14 games in 2007 after serving a two-game suspension, Allen finally got his wish. Having given up alcohol after the second arrest, he redoubled his conditioning efforts in determination to prove his worth.

“I loved Kansas City. I wanted to spend my whole career there. Unfortunately, you learn the business side of the game can be a little ruthless, and I'm just stubborn enough to want to get my way,” Allen said.

The Vikings sent their first-round pick and two third-round picks in 2008 to the Chiefs, then signed Allen to a six-year, $73 million deal that at the time was the largest in history for a defensive player. He earned every penny, too, without any salary reductions or early releases that often follow big-money contracts in a league that has little patience for declining production by players with large cap hits.

“With a contract like that and a trade like that comes a lot of pressure,” Allen said. “It's not in my saddle to rest on my laurels. The most impressive thing was I was able to play it out. I think I represented myself well."

Allen averaged more than 14 sacks per season over six years with the Vikings, including a career-best 22 sacks in 2011 that came within one-half of the record set by Michael Strahan and later matched by T.J. Watt.

Allen is officially 12th on the career sacks list, a statistic the NFL didn’t compile until 1982.&nbsp;Research by Pro Football Reference&nbsp;on all games played before then produced a comprehensive list that has Allen with the 16th-most sacks in history, after winding down his career with the Chicago Bears in 2014 and being traded to the Carolina Panthers the following season.

While he ditched his drinking problem and cleaned up off the field, Allen never lost his thrill-seeking lifestyle, once running with the bulls in Spain, and killing a wild boar in Texas with a knife. He was a joke-cracking, wide-smiling life of the locker room with the Vikings, where he forged lifelong friendships that transcended the bitter disappointment of losing in overtime to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC championship game after the 2009 season.

Picked up at the airport in Minneapolis after the trade by defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and the alpha males of the position group, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, Allen quickly knew he was in the right place.

“I am as competitive as they come, and it was brought to another level walking into that room,” Allen said. “The minute I got into that car, Pat and Kevin started talking trash about how I couldn’t play the run.”

Allen formed the alpha center of those Vikings teams with the Williamses on one of the best defensive lines in the league. He frequently was at his best when the lights were on, including a 4 1/2-sack game on Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers when Brett Favre quarterbacked the Vikings to a 2009 victory in his first revenge matchup against the Packers.

The Vikings have a long history of dominant defensive linemen, with Alan Page, Carl Eller, Chris Doleman and John Randle all enshrined before Allen in Canton. The famed Purple People Eaters — Page, Eller, Jim Marshall and Gary Larsen — helped the Vikings reach four Super Bowls and set a high standard for their successor.

“You’re never going to race ’em, but I wanted people to talk about myself, Pat and Kevin,” Allen said. “We wanted to be the fiercest, nastiest front four you could be, and that was all to pay respect to the guys who did it before us.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753544234043.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs Jared Allen (69) celebrates a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Jared Allen is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2022.(AP Photo/Dick Whipple, File)(Dick Whipple | AP)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs Jared Allen (69) celebrates a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Jared Allen is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2022.(AP Photo/Dick Whipple, File)(Dick Whipple | AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jared Allen will be wearing a cowboy hat next weekend in Canton for his&nbsp;Hall of Fame&nbsp;induction, the signature apparel that inspired his celebratory calf-roping act after each sack and still serves as a fitting snapshot of his off-the-field life.Raised on a horse ranch in Northern California, Allen was audacious enough at age 8 to tell his father he planned to become a professional football player.He fulfilled that vision with a relentless vengeance on the offensive tackles tasked with blocking him and the quarterbacks who tried to escape, using exceptional quickness, creative moves and pure strength to accumulate 136 sacks and four first team All-Pro selections as a defensive end over a 12-year career in the&nbsp;NFL.“When you're doing what you love to do, you want to honor the game by being great, not in an arrogant way but in a way to show respect and gratitude for all those who came before you,” said Allen, who will be honored at the ceremony next weekend along with Antonio Gates, Eric Allen and Sterling Sharpe. “I always wanted to go out there and let people know I genuinely loved playing this game.”First making his mark with the Kansas City Chiefs and then reaching another level with the Minnesota Vikings, Allen was one of the most fun-loving players of his generation.That went all the way down to his routine of running away from the play, dropping to one knee, twirling his hand as if he had a lasso and pretending to catch a calf in a rodeo before extending both arms outward to the crowd. He was a showman who had&nbsp;plenty to show for it.The crossroads of Allen's career came upon consummation of the 2008 trade that sent him from the Chiefs to the Vikings, his promising start in the NFL tainted by off-the-field trouble that followed him from Idaho State.Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson, who drafted Allen in the fourth round in 2004, soured on the prodigious pass rusher after two different citations for drunken driving in 2006 and declared him a “young man at risk.” Allen was irked by the lack of front-office support and asked to be dealt, absent a new contract.After accumulating 15 1/2 sacks in 14 games in 2007 after serving a two-game suspension, Allen finally got his wish. Having given up alcohol after the second arrest, he redoubled his conditioning efforts in determination to prove his worth.“I loved Kansas City. I wanted to spend my whole career there. Unfortunately, you learn the business side of the game can be a little ruthless, and I'm just stubborn enough to want to get my way,” Allen said.The Vikings sent their first-round pick and two third-round picks in 2008 to the Chiefs, then signed Allen to a six-year, $73 million deal that at the time was the largest in history for a defensive player. He earned every penny, too, without any salary reductions or early releases that often follow big-money contracts in a league that has little patience for declining production by players with large cap hits.“With a contract like that and a trade like that comes a lot of pressure,” Allen said. “It's not in my saddle to rest on my laurels. The most impressive thing was I was able to play it out. I think I represented myself well."Allen averaged more than 14 sacks per season over six years with the Vikings, including a career-best 22 sacks in 2011 that came within one-half of the record set by Michael Strahan and later matched by T.J. Watt.Allen is officially 12th on the career sacks list, a statistic the NFL didn’t compile until 1982.&nbsp;Research by Pro Football Reference&nbsp;on all games played before then produced a comprehensive list that has Allen with the 16th-most sacks in history, after winding down his career with the Chicago Bears in 2014 and being traded to the Carolina Panthers the following season.While he ditched his drinking problem and cleaned up off the field, Allen never lost his thrill-seeking lifestyle, once running with the bulls in Spain, and killing a wild boar in Texas with a knife. He was a joke-cracking, wide-smiling life of the locker room with the Vikings, where he forged lifelong friendships that transcended the bitter disappointment of losing in overtime to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC championship game after the 2009 season.Picked up at the airport in Minneapolis after the trade by defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and the alpha males of the position group, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, Allen quickly knew he was in the right place.“I am as competitive as they come, and it was brought to another level walking into that room,” Allen said. “The minute I got into that car, Pat and Kevin started talking trash about how I couldn’t play the run.”Allen formed the alpha center of those Vikings teams with the Williamses on one of the best defensive lines in the league. He frequently was at his best when the lights were on, including a 4 1/2-sack game on Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers when Brett Favre quarterbacked the Vikings to a 2009 victory in his first revenge matchup against the Packers.The Vikings have a long history of dominant defensive linemen, with Alan Page, Carl Eller, Chris Doleman and John Randle all enshrined before Allen in Canton. The famed Purple People Eaters — Page, Eller, Jim Marshall and Gary Larsen — helped the Vikings reach four Super Bowls and set a high standard for their successor.“You’re never going to race ’em, but I wanted people to talk about myself, Pat and Kevin,” Allen said. “We wanted to be the fiercest, nastiest front four you could be, and that was all to pay respect to the guys who did it before us.”

Jared Allen's 136 sacks and fun-loving cowboy style for Chiefs, Vikings have him Hall of Fame-bound

HOUSTON (AP) — Nick Kurtz of the Athletics has become the first rookie in Major League Baseball history to hit four home runs in a game. He also matched the MLB record with 19 total bases against the Houston Astros on Friday night. Kurtz went deep in the second, sixth, eighth and ninth innings. He also doubled and singled on his 6-for-6 night to equal Shawn Green, who had four homers, six hits and 19 total bases for the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 23, 2002 at Milwaukee. It was the 20th four-homer game in major league history and second this season. Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez did it on April 26 against Atlanta.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is out of the lineup against Philadelphia because of an elbow injury. Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Judge went for imaging. The two-time AL MVP was wincing in the outfield at Toronto this week. Boone says Judge struggled to throw a little bit in Friday night's loss to the Phillies. Boone wouldn’t speculate whether the injury involved Judge’s UCL.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jazz Chisholm Jr. criticized the attempted suspension of a Little Leaguer for a bat flip, calling it "ridiculous." The incident involved 12-year-old Marco Rocco from New Jersey, who ejected for unsportsmanlike behavior after a home run on July 16. His father, a lawyer, challenged the suspension in court and won. Marco played Thursday for Haddonfield, New Jersey, on Thursday and ent 0 for 2. Toronto pitcher Max Scherzer and others have weighed in, with Scherzer supporting emotional displays in the game. Baseball has increasingly embraced emotion, with notable moments like José Bautista's 2015 bat flip gaining attention.

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Despite UEFA’s commitment to women’s soccer with a $1 billion strategy through 2030, its president Aleksander Ceferin hasn’t been seen at the Women’s European Championship during the thrilling knockout stages. Čeferin’s expected attendance Sunday at the England vs. Spain final in UEFA’s marquee women’s event will be just his second match in the 31-game tournament. His only other appearance was the opening ceremony game 25 days earlier in the same Basel stadium between host nation Switzerland and Norway. Women’s soccer has never dominated a UEFA presidential election and Čeferin was re-elected unopposed twice since his first victory in 2016.

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — A title game between defending champion England and World Cup winner Spain is the Women’s European Championship final that many wanted. How they got to Basel on Sunday is a whole other story. Spain has mostly cruised through its five games except for a late scare in a tense semifinal against Germany. England has trailed for long periods of three games and survived being on the brink of elimination in both knockout games. Spain coach Montse Tomé has a supremely technical team. Sarina Wiegman's England has incredible will to win. It looks like an ideal final of contrasting styles.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The owner of Inter Miami called Major League Soccer’s suspension of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the All-Star Game a “draconian” punishment. Owner Jorge Mas said Friday that Messi and Alba don't understand the one-game suspensions. Messi and Alba did not suit up for the match between the MLS and Liga MX of Mexico despite being voted to the game. Messi did not play to rest amid a packed schedule and Alba was dealing with a previous injury. Mas said the club made the decision for Messi and Alba to sit out of the All-Star Game.

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle Schwarber reached 1,000 hits with his 319th home run, surpassing Mark McGwire for the most home runs among players with 1,000 hits in major league history. Schwarber hit two two-run homers in a 12-5 win over the New York Yankees. His first homer started a comeback from a 2-0 deficit. Schwarber, who is 32 and eligible for free agency this fall, has been a key player for the Phillies. He has 36 homers this season, just three shy of the major league leader. Phillies fans and management have expressed their desire to keep him.

NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt wishes he had played it differently during the Yankees' game against the Phillies. Instead of attempting an off-balance throw to home plate, he believes he should have gone for the out at first base. His throw not only failed to get the second out but was the Yankees' ninth error in four games. The Yankees committed two errors in their 12-5 loss to Philadelphia, which dropped them 5 1/2 games behind AL East-leading Toronto. Manager Aaron Boone said Goldschmidt was trying to make a play, but it was a mistake.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins added needed help to their secondary on Saturday, signing cornerback Jack Jones to a one-year deal. Jones had 69 tackles, three interceptions— one returned for a touchdown — and 15 pass breakups in 16 starts for the Raiders last season. A fourth-round draft pick by New England in 2022, Jones played two up-and-down seasons for the Patriots before being released and claimed off waivers by Las Vegas in 2023. Also Saturday, the Dolphins waived cornerback Ryan Cooper Jr.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jared Allen was raised on a horse ranch in California and fulfilled his vision of becoming a professional football player with a fun-loving cowboy style. He totaled 136 sacks over 12 seasons in the NFL primarily with the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings. Allen will be inducted in the Hall of Fame next weekend. The crossroad of his career came in 2008 after the trade he requested from the Chiefs sent him to the Vikings. Allen cleaned up his life off the field and took his pass-rushing game to another level as the highest-paid defensive player in the league.

INTERLEAGUEFinal Colorado 6 Baltimore 5Final Cincinnati 7 Tampa Bay 2Final L.A. Dodgers 5 Boston 2&nbsp;Final Philadelphia 12 N.Y. Yankees 5Final Minnesota 1 Washington 0Final Chicago White Sox 12 Chicago Cubs 5Final Texas 8 Atlanta 3

AMERICAN LEAGUECleveland at Kansas City (Postponed)Final Toronto 6 Detroit 2Final Athletics 15 Houston 3&nbsp;Final L.A. Angels 3 Seattle 2

NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Miami 5 Milwaukee 1Final St. Louis 3 San Diego 0Final Arizona 1 Pittsburgh 0Final N.Y. Mets 8 San Francisco 1

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739459822020.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — Nick Kurtz of the Athletics has become the first rookie in Major League Baseball history to hit four home runs in a game. He also matched the MLB record with 19 total bases against the Houston Astros on Friday night. Kurtz went deep in the second, sixth, eighth and ninth innings. He also doubled and singled on his 6-for-6 night to equal Shawn Green, who had four homers, six hits and 19 total bases for the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 23, 2002 at Milwaukee. It was the 20th four-homer game in major league history and second this season. Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez did it on April 26 against Atlanta.NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is out of the lineup against Philadelphia because of an elbow injury. Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Judge went for imaging. The two-time AL MVP was wincing in the outfield at Toronto this week. Boone says Judge struggled to throw a little bit in Friday night's loss to the Phillies. Boone wouldn’t speculate whether the injury involved Judge’s UCL.NEW YORK (AP) — Jazz Chisholm Jr. criticized the attempted suspension of a Little Leaguer for a bat flip, calling it "ridiculous." The incident involved 12-year-old Marco Rocco from New Jersey, who ejected for unsportsmanlike behavior after a home run on July 16. His father, a lawyer, challenged the suspension in court and won. Marco played Thursday for Haddonfield, New Jersey, on Thursday and ent 0 for 2. Toronto pitcher Max Scherzer and others have weighed in, with Scherzer supporting emotional displays in the game. Baseball has increasingly embraced emotion, with notable moments like José Bautista's 2015 bat flip gaining attention.BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Despite UEFA’s commitment to women’s soccer with a $1 billion strategy through 2030, its president Aleksander Ceferin hasn’t been seen at the Women’s European Championship during the thrilling knockout stages. Čeferin’s expected attendance Sunday at the England vs. Spain final in UEFA’s marquee women’s event will be just his second match in the 31-game tournament. His only other appearance was the opening ceremony game 25 days earlier in the same Basel stadium between host nation Switzerland and Norway. Women’s soccer has never dominated a UEFA presidential election and Čeferin was re-elected unopposed twice since his first victory in 2016.BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — A title game between defending champion England and World Cup winner Spain is the Women’s European Championship final that many wanted. How they got to Basel on Sunday is a whole other story. Spain has mostly cruised through its five games except for a late scare in a tense semifinal against Germany. England has trailed for long periods of three games and survived being on the brink of elimination in both knockout games. Spain coach Montse Tomé has a supremely technical team. Sarina Wiegman's England has incredible will to win. It looks like an ideal final of contrasting styles.FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The owner of Inter Miami called Major League Soccer’s suspension of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the All-Star Game a “draconian” punishment. Owner Jorge Mas said Friday that Messi and Alba don't understand the one-game suspensions. Messi and Alba did not suit up for the match between the MLS and Liga MX of Mexico despite being voted to the game. Messi did not play to rest amid a packed schedule and Alba was dealing with a previous injury. Mas said the club made the decision for Messi and Alba to sit out of the All-Star Game.NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle Schwarber reached 1,000 hits with his 319th home run, surpassing Mark McGwire for the most home runs among players with 1,000 hits in major league history. Schwarber hit two two-run homers in a 12-5 win over the New York Yankees. His first homer started a comeback from a 2-0 deficit. Schwarber, who is 32 and eligible for free agency this fall, has been a key player for the Phillies. He has 36 homers this season, just three shy of the major league leader. Phillies fans and management have expressed their desire to keep him.NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt wishes he had played it differently during the Yankees' game against the Phillies. Instead of attempting an off-balance throw to home plate, he believes he should have gone for the out at first base. His throw not only failed to get the second out but was the Yankees' ninth error in four games. The Yankees committed two errors in their 12-5 loss to Philadelphia, which dropped them 5 1/2 games behind AL East-leading Toronto. Manager Aaron Boone said Goldschmidt was trying to make a play, but it was a mistake.MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins added needed help to their secondary on Saturday, signing cornerback Jack Jones to a one-year deal. Jones had 69 tackles, three interceptions— one returned for a touchdown — and 15 pass breakups in 16 starts for the Raiders last season. A fourth-round draft pick by New England in 2022, Jones played two up-and-down seasons for the Patriots before being released and claimed off waivers by Las Vegas in 2023. Also Saturday, the Dolphins waived cornerback Ryan Cooper Jr.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jared Allen was raised on a horse ranch in California and fulfilled his vision of becoming a professional football player with a fun-loving cowboy style. He totaled 136 sacks over 12 seasons in the NFL primarily with the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings. Allen will be inducted in the Hall of Fame next weekend. The crossroad of his career came in 2008 after the trade he requested from the Chiefs sent him to the Vikings. Allen cleaned up his life off the field and took his pass-rushing game to another level as the highest-paid defensive player in the league.Finals INTERLEAGUEFinal Colorado 6 Baltimore 5Final Cincinnati 7 Tampa Bay 2Final L.A. Dodgers 5 Boston 2&nbsp;Final Philadelphia 12 N.Y. Yankees 5Final Minnesota 1 Washington 0Final Chicago White Sox 12 Chicago Cubs 5Final Texas 8 Atlanta 3AMERICAN LEAGUECleveland at Kansas City (Postponed)Final Toronto 6 Detroit 2Final Athletics 15 Houston 3&nbsp;Final L.A. Angels 3 Seattle 2NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Miami 5 Milwaukee 1Final St. Louis 3 San Diego 0Final Arizona 1 Pittsburgh 0Final N.Y. Mets 8 San Francisco 1

Saturday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Trevon Hamer&nbsp;and&nbsp;Celine Riddle&nbsp;of the Barton Community College track and field program have received National Scholar Field Athlete of the Year awards distributed by the U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Each a standout in the horizontal jumps earning National Field Athletes of the Year honors during the 2025 season, in the classroom the duo helped lead their respective men's and women's teams to additional All-Academic Team honors distributed by the USTFCCCA.

Hamer was awarded both the indoor and outdoor academic honor, his third overall, as the Kansas State University signee picked up the indoor distinction last season as a freshman.

Maintaining a term GPA of 3.55, on the runway the native of Georgetown, Guyana was awarded the USTFCCCA's Central Region and National Field Athlete of the Year by piling up 24 points at the national meet winning the triple jump, added a runner-up finish in the long jump, and for go measure took third in the 60 meters.

Hamer followed with an equally impressive outdoor season being named the Central Region Field Athlete of the Year award, capping his Barton career with a 21-point performance on the national stage by defending his triple jump title, taking second in the long jump, and helped his 4x100m squad to a sixth place finish.

Just a freshman, Riddle made a huge splash on the collegiate stage on and off the runway maintaining a 4.0 GPA in being named the Indoor Field Scholar Athlete of the Year while soaring to huge marks in the jumps.

Contributing 18 points towards the squad's national runner-up placing, the native of Ocho Rios, Jamaica, won the long jump crown, to go along with, a second place in the triple jump on a pair of program top ten marks. She would repeat the placings in the outdoor season finale to help the team to its second national runner-up of the year.

Hamer's program record book Top-10 impacts:- 60m (Indoor) – 5th (6.64)- Long Jump (Indoor) – 6th (7.75m, 25-05.25)- Triple Jump (Indoor) – 4th (16.25m, 54-00.50)- 4x100m Relay (Outdoor) – 8th (39.47)- Triple Jump (Outdoor) – 4th (16.77m, 55-00.25)

Riddle's program record book Top-10 impacts:- Long Jump (Indoor) – 6th (6.21m, 20-04.50)- Triple Jump (Indoor) – 7th (12.60m, 41-04.25)

Since the USTFCCCA began awarding Academic honors in the NJCAA division beginning in 2023, the program has earned seven awards. Past award winners are: Men:&nbsp;Trevon Hamer&nbsp;(2024 Indoor, 2025 Indoor, 2025 Outdoor) Women:&nbsp;Celine Riddle&nbsp;(2025 Indoor),&nbsp;Treneese Hamilton&nbsp;(2024 Indoor),&nbsp;Ana Couto&nbsp;(2024 Outdoor and 2023 Indoor)

Todd MooreTrevon Hamer&nbsp;and&nbsp;Celine Riddle&nbsp;of the Barton Community College track and field program have received National Scholar Field Athlete of the Year awards distributed by the U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).Each a standout in the horizontal jumps earning National Field Athletes of the Year honors during the 2025 season, in the classroom the duo helped lead their respective men's and women's teams to additional All-Academic Team honors distributed by the USTFCCCA.Hamer was awarded both the indoor and outdoor academic honor, his third overall, as the Kansas State University signee picked up the indoor distinction last season as a freshman.Maintaining a term GPA of 3.55, on the runway the native of Georgetown, Guyana was awarded the USTFCCCA's Central Region and National Field Athlete of the Year by piling up 24 points at the national meet winning the triple jump, added a runner-up finish in the long jump, and for go measure took third in the 60 meters.Hamer followed with an equally impressive outdoor season being named the Central Region Field Athlete of the Year award, capping his Barton career with a 21-point performance on the national stage by defending his triple jump title, taking second in the long jump, and helped his 4x100m squad to a sixth place finish.Just a freshman, Riddle made a huge splash on the collegiate stage on and off the runway maintaining a 4.0 GPA in being named the Indoor Field Scholar Athlete of the Year while soaring to huge marks in the jumps.Contributing 18 points towards the squad's national runner-up placing, the native of Ocho Rios, Jamaica, won the long jump crown, to go along with, a second place in the triple jump on a pair of program top ten marks. She would repeat the placings in the outdoor season finale to help the team to its second national runner-up of the year.Hamer's program record book Top-10 impacts:- 60m (Indoor) – 5th (6.64)- Long Jump (Indoor) – 6th (7.75m, 25-05.25)- Triple Jump (Indoor) – 4th (16.25m, 54-00.50)- 4x100m Relay (Outdoor) – 8th (39.47)- Triple Jump (Outdoor) – 4th (16.77m, 55-00.25)Riddle's program record book Top-10 impacts:- Long Jump (Indoor) – 6th (6.21m, 20-04.50)- Triple Jump (Indoor) – 7th (12.60m, 41-04.25)Since the USTFCCCA began awarding Academic honors in the NJCAA division beginning in 2023, the program has earned seven awards. Past award winners are: Men:&nbsp;Trevon Hamer&nbsp;(2024 Indoor, 2025 Indoor, 2025 Outdoor) Women:&nbsp;Celine Riddle&nbsp;(2025 Indoor),&nbsp;Treneese Hamilton&nbsp;(2024 Indoor),&nbsp;Ana Couto&nbsp;(2024 Outdoor and 2023 Indoor)

Barton's Hamer and Riddle earn National Scholar Field Athletes of the Year honors

CHICAGO -- With the July 31 Trade Deadline coming up, this week marked an important one for the Royals. If they wanted to pave their way out of being sellers at the Deadline, the team needed to take care of business against the Cubs to begin the week.

Kansas City did just that by taking two of three from one of the best teams in baseball, including an&nbsp;8-4 win&nbsp;to close out the series on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Homers by Vinnie Pasquantino (two), Salvador Perez and Tyler Tolbert, plus a quality start from Seth Lugo powered the victory.

Any time you can go on the road and beat a team of this caliber, that’s a good sign for you as a team,” Pasquantino said. “We had a tough one down in Miami, and we come up here and have a good one in Chicago.”

When the Royals entered the week, they knew the next nine or so games would be important. The first step was playing well on the road against the Cubs. The series win moved Kansas City to just&nbsp;4 1/2 games back of the final American League Wild Card spot.

The next step is to try to move up in the Wild Card standings with an important three-game series at Kauffman Stadium beginning on Friday against the Guardians. Kansas City was 1 1/2 games back of Cleveland for second place in the AL Central, pending the Guardians' result Wednesday night against the O's.

“We believe in this group of guys,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “We’ve had injuries just like everybody else, but at the same time, we believe we can play good baseball and win a lot of games. I mean, this is the best team in the National League we just played, and [we went] toe-to-toe with those guys.”

One Royals player who has been thrown around in potential trade discussions is Lugo. He has been a major part of the team’s success this year, posting a 2.95 ERA across 113 innings.

Despite being mentioned constantly in rumors, Lugo has kept his mind off the whole Trade Deadline speculation. He continues to just focus on his day-to-day routine while preparing for his next start.

“I started today, we got an off-day tomorrow, and then it’s back to work after that,” Lugo said. “Control what I can control and go about my routine, go about my business.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753101597159.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Carlos Estevez, left, and first baseman Salvador Perez (13) walk from the field after defeating the Miami Marlins in a baseball game, Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Carlos Estevez, left, and first baseman Salvador Perez (13) walk from the field after defeating the Miami Marlins in a baseball game, Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)</figcaption>
 </figure>Joey Pollizze MLB.comCHICAGO -- With the July 31 Trade Deadline coming up, this week marked an important one for the Royals. If they wanted to pave their way out of being sellers at the Deadline, the team needed to take care of business against the Cubs to begin the week.Kansas City did just that by taking two of three from one of the best teams in baseball, including an&nbsp;8-4 win&nbsp;to close out the series on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Homers by Vinnie Pasquantino (two), Salvador Perez and Tyler Tolbert, plus a quality start from Seth Lugo powered the victory.Any time you can go on the road and beat a team of this caliber, that’s a good sign for you as a team,” Pasquantino said. “We had a tough one down in Miami, and we come up here and have a good one in Chicago.”When the Royals entered the week, they knew the next nine or so games would be important. The first step was playing well on the road against the Cubs. The series win moved Kansas City to just&nbsp;4 1/2 games back of the final American League Wild Card spot.The next step is to try to move up in the Wild Card standings with an important three-game series at Kauffman Stadium beginning on Friday against the Guardians. Kansas City was 1 1/2 games back of Cleveland for second place in the AL Central, pending the Guardians' result Wednesday night against the O's.“We believe in this group of guys,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “We’ve had injuries just like everybody else, but at the same time, we believe we can play good baseball and win a lot of games. I mean, this is the best team in the National League we just played, and [we went] toe-to-toe with those guys.”One Royals player who has been thrown around in potential trade discussions is Lugo. He has been a major part of the team’s success this year, posting a 2.95 ERA across 113 innings.Despite being mentioned constantly in rumors, Lugo has kept his mind off the whole Trade Deadline speculation. He continues to just focus on his day-to-day routine while preparing for his next start.“I started today, we got an off-day tomorrow, and then it’s back to work after that,” Lugo said. “Control what I can control and go about my routine, go about my business.”Lugo continued his strong season, throwing six innings of two-run ball to earn his 11th quality start. The right-hander has been a valuable piece in Kansas City’s rotation throughout 2025 and could be one of the few pieces moved at the Trade Deadline if the Royals emerge as sellers.The 35-year-old veteran has a player option after this season, but the Royals are hoping it doesn’t come to that.“We talked to the whole team about it,” Quatraro said before the game. “His name is prevalent, especially [in Chicago]. I’m aware of that. We talked about it openly, understanding we like what we have here. Particularly with Seth, he’s been such a huge part of what we’ve done, and we really believe that if we can string some good games together, we can get back in this thing.”The Royals are surely doing everything they can to play their way into being non-sellers at the Trade Deadline. The pitching has carried them for most of the year, and now, the offense is showing signs of breaking out.The team has scored at least seven runs in four of its six games since returning from the All-Star break. Pasquantino did most of the heavy lifting on Wednesday with two home runs and four RBIs, and Perez continued his hot July stretch by launching his fifth home run over the past five games.“This is our team, and I’m part of it,” Lugo said. “I want to be here through the thick and thin. It’s a good clubhouse. It’s a good team. We just got to be more consistent and keep playing like we can.”With the Trade Deadline looming, the Royals know they must continue playing well, otherwise one of their key veterans could be shipped off.“I’d really like to see him with a Royals jersey on [for] his next start, and we’re trying to make that happen,” Pasquantino said while pointing toward Lugo’s locker. “That’s kind of up to us.”