ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. practiced with the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday for the first time since they blew a big halftime lead to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC championship game.

Brown signed his franchise tender on Monday after skipping the entire offseason program in the hopes of agreeing with the Chiefs on a long-term deal. When that didn't materialize by the mid-July deadline, Brown declined to sign a deal worth about $16.7 million for this season until the Chiefs had concluded the first week of training camp.

“There's no hard feelings, period. I appreciate everyone in this building. They gave me an opportunity to play football at the highest level, and play left tackle,” Brown said. “I pride myself in being a team guy. I want to be there for these guys.”

Brown is the first of two crucial pieces due in Chiefs camp this week. Veteran pass rusher Carlos Dunlap, who agreed last week to a deal worth up to $8 million for this season, reports Wednesday and should be on the field soon afterward.

The Chiefs offered to make Brown the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league with a final offer of six years and nearly $140 million. But after getting advice from a new agent, Michael Portner, and Jammal Brown, a former NFL lineman who has served as his mentor, the 26-year-old Brown decided there were not enough guarantees in the deal.

Now he's left with no guarantees beyond this season, making it a crucial year if Brown wants a big deal next offseason.

“I always feel like I got something to prove,” said Brown, a Pro Bowl selection each of the past three seasons. “I was a third-round pick. I had the worst combine in history. The chip has always been really big. What does this mean? I don't know if this is that much different from the past.”

Brown said he's not sure when the Chiefs will have him going full speed in practice; the pads came on for the first time on Monday and they had another padded workout Tuesday. But he insisted an offseason spent playing tennis and swimming helped his cardio and his trainers in Miami have him in football shape.

The Chiefs play their preseason opener Aug. 13 in Chicago.

“I missed a lot of ball up to this point. I missed the locker room, the coaches, everyone here in the building,” Brown said. “I know how important this five-day stretch is to Coach Reid and everybody here in Kansas City. It didn't feel right sitting at home. I was brought here to help win Super Bowls and this week is important to our progression.”

Brown acknowledged that some might view his decision to turn down the Chiefs' offer — and skip summer workouts and the first week of camp — as selfish. But he reiterated his desire to play his entire career in Kansas City, and while his focus is on the upcoming season, he is hopeful that a long-term contract can be worked out next offseason.

“I'm sure there are questions out there but with the contract situation. There just weren't enough guarantees," he said. “I want to be here for the rest of my career in Kansas City. That's really important to me.”

Notes: Rookie WR Skyy Moore, who is being counted upon to help cover the loss of Tyreek Hill, left practice early after getting hit on the hip. He later tweeted that he was OK. ... QB Patrick Mahomes appeared to have more tape on his foot and ankle after tweaking it late in Monday's workout. ... TE Jody Fortson (quad) worked with trainers for the second straight practice after getting hurt Saturday.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. practiced with the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday for the first time since they blew a big halftime lead to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC championship game.Brown signed his franchise tender on Monday after skipping the entire offseason program in the hopes of agreeing with the Chiefs on a long-term deal. When that didn't materialize by the mid-July deadline, Brown declined to sign a deal worth about $16.7 million for this season until the Chiefs had concluded the first week of training camp.“There's no hard feelings, period. I appreciate everyone in this building. They gave me an opportunity to play football at the highest level, and play left tackle,” Brown said. “I pride myself in being a team guy. I want to be there for these guys.”Brown is the first of two crucial pieces due in Chiefs camp this week. Veteran pass rusher Carlos Dunlap, who agreed last week to a deal worth up to $8 million for this season, reports Wednesday and should be on the field soon afterward.The Chiefs offered to make Brown the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league with a final offer of six years and nearly $140 million. But after getting advice from a new agent, Michael Portner, and Jammal Brown, a former NFL lineman who has served as his mentor, the 26-year-old Brown decided there were not enough guarantees in the deal.Now he's left with no guarantees beyond this season, making it a crucial year if Brown wants a big deal next offseason.“I always feel like I got something to prove,” said Brown, a Pro Bowl selection each of the past three seasons. “I was a third-round pick. I had the worst combine in history. The chip has always been really big. What does this mean? I don't know if this is that much different from the past.”Brown said he's not sure when the Chiefs will have him going full speed in practice; the pads came on for the first time on Monday and they had another padded workout Tuesday. But he insisted an offseason spent playing tennis and swimming helped his cardio and his trainers in Miami have him in football shape.The Chiefs play their preseason opener Aug. 13 in Chicago.“I missed a lot of ball up to this point. I missed the locker room, the coaches, everyone here in the building,” Brown said. “I know how important this five-day stretch is to Coach Reid and everybody here in Kansas City. It didn't feel right sitting at home. I was brought here to help win Super Bowls and this week is important to our progression.”Brown acknowledged that some might view his decision to turn down the Chiefs' offer — and skip summer workouts and the first week of camp — as selfish. But he reiterated his desire to play his entire career in Kansas City, and while his focus is on the upcoming season, he is hopeful that a long-term contract can be worked out next offseason.“I'm sure there are questions out there but with the contract situation. There just weren't enough guarantees," he said. “I want to be here for the rest of my career in Kansas City. That's really important to me.”Notes: Rookie WR Skyy Moore, who is being counted upon to help cover the loss of Tyreek Hill, left practice early after getting hit on the hip. He later tweeted that he was OK. ... QB Patrick Mahomes appeared to have more tape on his foot and ankle after tweaking it late in Monday's workout. ... TE Jody Fortson (quad) worked with trainers for the second straight practice after getting hurt Saturday.

Chiefs' Brown makes practice debut; Dunlap due to arrive

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Whit Merrifield said last month he might be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if it meant playing for a team in contention, even though he had refused to get the shot while playing for the last-place Kansas City Royals.

In a unique and potentially unprecedented situation, the Royals traded Merrifield to the Toronto Blue Jays just minutes before the trade deadline Tuesday. And if the two-time All-Star wants to play any games in Canada down the stretch, Merrifield will be required to get one of the approved vaccines to enter the country.

“We'll let him work through that with his family,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said, while declining additional comment on the matter. “We felt like we made a very good team better today.”

Merrifield was among 10 players on the Royals who were unvaccinated last month, preventing them from making their trip to Toronto. When asked about his decision, Merrifield drew the ire of Kansas City fans by saying: "Something happens and I happen to get on a team that has a chance to go play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that changes.”

Many took that to mean Merrifield was unwilling to get vaccinated for his current team but would for someone else.

“The extent of our conversation with Whit and his vaccination status ended when we were going to Toronto because after that it didn't effect us,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “The conversations we had with Toronto, I'm going to keep private. There's no need for me to talk about a player on another team."

The Royals received in the deal speedy youngster Samad Taylor and right-hander Max Castillo, both of whom could help their big league team as early as this season. The 24-year-old Taylor is hitting .258 with nine homers and 23 stolen bases in 70 games for Triple-A Buffalo while the 23-year-old Castillo has a 3.05 ERA in nine appearances for Toronto.

The deal also creates more opportunities for the Royals' young core to play together.

The 33-year-old Merrifield was hitting just .240 with 30 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases in 95 games this season. But he has proven to be dependable, playing every game for Kansas City each of the past three seasons, and he’s twice led the league in hits, led the league in stolen bases three times and had an AL-leading 42 doubles last season.

Merrifield is making $7 million this season and is due $2.75 million next season along with a $4 million bonus for spending fewer than 110 days on the injured list in 2022. He has an $18 million mutual option for 2024 with a $500,000 buyout.

“I like Whit. I like him as a player. I like him as a person,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said before their game against the White Sox in Chicago. “But I also realize that it’s not a shock. This conversation started a long time ago.”

Toronto, which began Tuesday with a three-game lead over Tampa Bay for the AL's top wild card, was missing outfielder George Springer in the lineup for the third time in the last four games against the Rays due to a right elbow injury.

Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider said Springer will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

“He’s going to do some stuff on the field today and then kind of revisit it," Schneider said, "but it’s not anything concrete right now. You definitely want to put him in a spot to be good, have success and help us, so we’re hopeful that everything goes good. We hope it’s not anything crazy where it’s going to hinder him and his performance and us.”

It was a busy day for the Blue Jays, who got relievers Anthony Bass and Zach Pop along with a player to be named later from Miami for shortstop prospect Jordan Groshans; right-hander Mitch White and infielder Alex DeJesus from the Dodgers for right-hander Nick Frasso and left-hander Moises Brito; sent right-hander Jeremy Beasley to Pittsburgh for cash; recalled left-hander Matt Gage from Buffalo; and designated left-hander Anthony Banda for assignment.

Bass is 2-3 with 1.41 ERA in 45 games for Miami while Pop is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA over 18 outings.

“Two guys that throw hard,” Schneider said. “Anything to kind of compliment what we have is awesome.”

The Royals were less busy than many expected ahead of the deadline, though they did swing a late trade with the Padres by sending backup catcher Cam Gallagher to San Diego for minor league outfielder Brent Rooker.

Gallagher played in just 18 games for Kansas City this season, ceding the job behind Salvador Perez to rising prospect MJ Melendez. The 27-year-old Rooker was hitting .272 with 19 homers in 61 games for Triple-A El Paso this season.

“I was shocked. It’s a business. I love the Royals. I’ll remember all the memories, and I’ll be rooting for them,” said Gallagher, who spent parts of six seasons in Kansas City. "But at the end of the day, it’s a new opportunity for me.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Whit Merrifield said last month he might be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if it meant playing for a team in contention, even though he had refused to get the shot while playing for the last-place Kansas City Royals.He'll have to make that decision now.In a unique and potentially unprecedented situation, the Royals traded Merrifield to the Toronto Blue Jays just minutes before the trade deadline Tuesday. And if the two-time All-Star wants to play any games in Canada down the stretch, Merrifield will be required to get one of the approved vaccines to enter the country.“We'll let him work through that with his family,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said, while declining additional comment on the matter. “We felt like we made a very good team better today.”Merrifield was among 10 players on the Royals who were unvaccinated last month, preventing them from making their trip to Toronto. When asked about his decision, Merrifield drew the ire of Kansas City fans by saying: "Something happens and I happen to get on a team that has a chance to go play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that changes.”Many took that to mean Merrifield was unwilling to get vaccinated for his current team but would for someone else.“The extent of our conversation with Whit and his vaccination status ended when we were going to Toronto because after that it didn't effect us,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “The conversations we had with Toronto, I'm going to keep private. There's no need for me to talk about a player on another team."The Royals received in the deal speedy youngster Samad Taylor and right-hander Max Castillo, both of whom could help their big league team as early as this season. The 24-year-old Taylor is hitting .258 with nine homers and 23 stolen bases in 70 games for Triple-A Buffalo while the 23-year-old Castillo has a 3.05 ERA in nine appearances for Toronto.The deal also creates more opportunities for the Royals' young core to play together.The 33-year-old Merrifield was hitting just .240 with 30 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases in 95 games this season. But he has proven to be dependable, playing every game for Kansas City each of the past three seasons, and he’s twice led the league in hits, led the league in stolen bases three times and had an AL-leading 42 doubles last season.Merrifield is making $7 million this season and is due $2.75 million next season along with a $4 million bonus for spending fewer than 110 days on the injured list in 2022. He has an $18 million mutual option for 2024 with a $500,000 buyout.“I like Whit. I like him as a player. I like him as a person,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said before their game against the White Sox in Chicago. “But I also realize that it’s not a shock. This conversation started a long time ago.”Toronto, which began Tuesday with a three-game lead over Tampa Bay for the AL's top wild card, was missing outfielder George Springer in the lineup for the third time in the last four games against the Rays due to a right elbow injury.Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider said Springer will be re-evaluated Wednesday.“He’s going to do some stuff on the field today and then kind of revisit it," Schneider said, "but it’s not anything concrete right now. You definitely want to put him in a spot to be good, have success and help us, so we’re hopeful that everything goes good. We hope it’s not anything crazy where it’s going to hinder him and his performance and us.”It was a busy day for the Blue Jays, who got relievers Anthony Bass and Zach Pop along with a player to be named later from Miami for shortstop prospect Jordan Groshans; right-hander Mitch White and infielder Alex DeJesus from the Dodgers for right-hander Nick Frasso and left-hander Moises Brito; sent right-hander Jeremy Beasley to Pittsburgh for cash; recalled left-hander Matt Gage from Buffalo; and designated left-hander Anthony Banda for assignment.Bass is 2-3 with 1.41 ERA in 45 games for Miami while Pop is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA over 18 outings.“Two guys that throw hard,” Schneider said. “Anything to kind of compliment what we have is awesome.”The Royals were less busy than many expected ahead of the deadline, though they did swing a late trade with the Padres by sending backup catcher Cam Gallagher to San Diego for minor league outfielder Brent Rooker.Gallagher played in just 18 games for Kansas City this season, ceding the job behind Salvador Perez to rising prospect MJ Melendez. The 27-year-old Rooker was hitting .272 with 19 homers in 61 games for Triple-A El Paso this season.“I was shocked. It’s a business. I love the Royals. I’ll remember all the memories, and I’ll be rooting for them,” said Gallagher, who spent parts of six seasons in Kansas City. "But at the end of the day, it’s a new opportunity for me.”

Royals send Whit Merrifield to Blue Jays for 2 players

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox would have liked to complete a few more trades prior to the deadline to give themselves the jolt they need to make a jump in the AL Central.

It didn't work out that way. They'll have to pick themselves up and deliver more performances like this.

Eloy Jiménez set season highs with three hits and four RBIs, José Abreu homered and Chicago pounded the Kansas City Royals 9-2 on Tuesday night.

The White Sox made no major moves before the trade deadline and will bank on improvement from within as they try to overtake Minnesota and Cleveland to win their second straight AL Central championship. This one wasn’t exactly pristine, but they'll take the lopsided win.

“We come out playing like we did today, then we're gonna be in a good spot,” starter Lucas Giolito said.

The White Sox have been getting a big boost lately from Jiménez following a slow start and a right knee injury that caused him to miss six weeks. He has been on a tear since the All-Star break, going 14 for 33 with three homers in 10 games. That's sent his batting average soaring from .197 to .273.

Jiménez singled and scored in a three-run first inning and smacked a two-run double in the fourth to bump Chicago’s lead to 5-2. He added a long sacrifice fly in the sixth before Abreu chased Royals starter Brad Keller (5-12) with a two-run homer off the left-field foul pole, making it 8-2.

Gavin Sheets hit a solo homer in the seventh. Andrew Vaughn added three hits and scored twice, helping Chicago move back above .500 at 52-51. The White Sox are 24-29 at home.

“We are one of the teams that can do that,” Jiménez said. “It's been up and down. But this is not over."

Giolito (7-6) went five innings, allowing two runs and five hits in his first win at home since beating Boston on May 25. The right-hander struck out seven and walked three after posting a 6.75 ERA in his previous nine outings.

Keller got tagged for eight runs and 13 hits — both career highs — in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander lost his third straight start.

The Royals were busy prior to the deadline, sending utility player Whit Merrifield to the Blue Jays with just minutes to spare. The two-time All-Star will have to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if he’s going to play in Toronto, after missing Kansas City’s trip there last month.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn hoped to be more active at the deadline. Chicago’s lone move was acquiring left-handed reliever Jake Diekman from Boston on Monday.

“At no point do I feel through this process that we were prospect clutching, being unreasonable,” Hahn said. “We were asked for many of our premium prospects in exchange for rentals. That didn’t exactly line up from our perspective about what made sense for not only this team, but also the future.”

Diekman struck out two in a scoreless sixth.

Royals: Bobby Witt Jr. started at shortstop for the first time since July 24. He missed five games because of hamstring tightness and did not play Monday after starting as the DH the previous two games.

White Sox: CF Luis Robert was activated from the 10-day injured list after the slugger and Gold Glove winner was sidelined because of blurred vision and lightheadedness. Robert exited Chicago’s win at Minnesota on July 15. He was having trouble seeing from a distance and getting jumps on balls. Hahn said the symptoms have subsided and were likely brought on by a virus that led to vitamin deficiencies. He said “it’s possible” the symptoms crop up again, though the White Sox have “far more confidence that this will be behind him.” ... Chicago reinstated 3B Jake Burger (right hand) from the 10-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. ... The White Sox sent RHP Vince Velasquez (right index finger blister) on an injury rehabilitation assignment to Charlotte.

The three-game series wraps up with the White Sox sending RHP Lance Lynn (1-4, 6.42 ERA) to the mound and the Royals going with RHP Brady Singer (4-3, 3.51). Lynn is coming off a loss to Oakland. Singer went seven innings, striking out 10, in Kansas City’s 1-0 loss Thursday at Yankee Stadium that ended with Aaron Judge’s homer off Scott Barlow.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox would have liked to complete a few more trades prior to the deadline to give themselves the jolt they need to make a jump in the AL Central.It didn't work out that way. They'll have to pick themselves up and deliver more performances like this.Eloy Jiménez set season highs with three hits and four RBIs, José Abreu homered and Chicago pounded the Kansas City Royals 9-2 on Tuesday night.The White Sox made no major moves before the trade deadline and will bank on improvement from within as they try to overtake Minnesota and Cleveland to win their second straight AL Central championship. This one wasn’t exactly pristine, but they'll take the lopsided win.“We come out playing like we did today, then we're gonna be in a good spot,” starter Lucas Giolito said.The White Sox have been getting a big boost lately from Jiménez following a slow start and a right knee injury that caused him to miss six weeks. He has been on a tear since the All-Star break, going 14 for 33 with three homers in 10 games. That's sent his batting average soaring from .197 to .273.Jiménez singled and scored in a three-run first inning and smacked a two-run double in the fourth to bump Chicago’s lead to 5-2. He added a long sacrifice fly in the sixth before Abreu chased Royals starter Brad Keller (5-12) with a two-run homer off the left-field foul pole, making it 8-2.Gavin Sheets hit a solo homer in the seventh. Andrew Vaughn added three hits and scored twice, helping Chicago move back above .500 at 52-51. The White Sox are 24-29 at home.“We are one of the teams that can do that,” Jiménez said. “It's been up and down. But this is not over."Giolito (7-6) went five innings, allowing two runs and five hits in his first win at home since beating Boston on May 25. The right-hander struck out seven and walked three after posting a 6.75 ERA in his previous nine outings.Keller got tagged for eight runs and 13 hits — both career highs — in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander lost his third straight start.MERRIFIELD TRADEDThe Royals were busy prior to the deadline, sending utility player Whit Merrifield to the Blue Jays with just minutes to spare. The two-time All-Star will have to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if he’s going to play in Toronto, after missing Kansas City’s trip there last month.QUIET SOXWhite Sox general manager Rick Hahn hoped to be more active at the deadline. Chicago’s lone move was acquiring left-handed reliever Jake Diekman from Boston on Monday.“At no point do I feel through this process that we were prospect clutching, being unreasonable,” Hahn said. “We were asked for many of our premium prospects in exchange for rentals. That didn’t exactly line up from our perspective about what made sense for not only this team, but also the future.”Diekman struck out two in a scoreless sixth.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: Bobby Witt Jr. started at shortstop for the first time since July 24. He missed five games because of hamstring tightness and did not play Monday after starting as the DH the previous two games.White Sox: CF Luis Robert was activated from the 10-day injured list after the slugger and Gold Glove winner was sidelined because of blurred vision and lightheadedness. Robert exited Chicago’s win at Minnesota on July 15. He was having trouble seeing from a distance and getting jumps on balls. Hahn said the symptoms have subsided and were likely brought on by a virus that led to vitamin deficiencies. He said “it’s possible” the symptoms crop up again, though the White Sox have “far more confidence that this will be behind him.” ... Chicago reinstated 3B Jake Burger (right hand) from the 10-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. ... The White Sox sent RHP Vince Velasquez (right index finger blister) on an injury rehabilitation assignment to Charlotte.UP NEXTThe three-game series wraps up with the White Sox sending RHP Lance Lynn (1-4, 6.42 ERA) to the mound and the Royals going with RHP Brady Singer (4-3, 3.51). Lynn is coming off a loss to Oakland. Singer went seven innings, striking out 10, in Kansas City’s 1-0 loss Thursday at Yankee Stadium that ended with Aaron Judge’s homer off Scott Barlow.

Jiménez drives in 4, Abreu homers, White Sox beat Royals 9-2

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, whose dulcet tones provided the soundtrack of summer while entertaining and informing Dodgers fans in Brooklyn and Los Angeles for 67 years, died Tuesday night. He was 94.

Scully died at his home in the Hidden Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to the team after being informed by family members. No cause of death was provided.

“He was the best there ever was,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said after the Dodgers game in San Francisco. “Just such a special man. I’m grateful and thankful I got to know him as well as I did.”

As the longest tenured broadcaster with a single team in pro sports history, Scully saw it all and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6e4856f479fac9779c9e1956e4347088">called it all.</a>&nbsp;He began in the 1950s era of Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson, on to the 1960s with Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax, into the 1970s with Steve Garvey and Don Sutton, and through the 1980s with Orel Hershiser and Fernando Valenzuela. In the 1990s, it was Mike Piazza and Hideo Nomo, followed by Kershaw, Manny Ramirez and Yasiel Puig in the 21st century.

“You gave me my Wild Horse name. You gave me love. You hugged me like a father,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/YasielPuig/status/1554702784561197056?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">tweeted Puig,</a>&nbsp;the talented Cuban-born outfielder who burned brightly upon his Dodgers debut in 2013. “I will never forget you, my heart is broken.”

The Dodgers changed players, managers, executives, owners — and even coasts — but Scully and his soothing, insightful style remained a constant for the fans.

He opened broadcasts with the familiar greeting, “Hi, everybody, and a very pleasant good evening to you wherever you may be.”

Ever gracious both in person and on the air, Scully considered himself merely a conduit between the game and the fans.

After the Dodgers' 9-5 win, the Giants posted a Scully tribute on the videoboard.

"There’s not a better storyteller and I think everyone considers him family,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He was in our living rooms for many generations. He lived a fantastic life, a legacy that will live on forever.”

Although he was paid by the Dodgers, Scully was unafraid to criticize a bad play or a manager’s decision, or praise an opponent while spinning stories against a backdrop of routine plays and noteworthy achievements. He always said he wanted to see things with his eyes, not his heart.

“We have lost an icon," team president and CEO Stan Kasten said. "His voice will always be heard and etched in all of our minds forever.”

Vincent Edward Scully was born Nov. 29, 1927, in the Bronx. He was the son of a silk salesman who died of pneumonia when Scully was 7. His mother moved the family to Brooklyn, where the red-haired, blue-eyed Scully grew up playing stickball in the streets.

As a child, Scully would grab a pillow, put it under the family’s four-legged radio and lay his head directly under the speaker to hear whatever college football game was on the air. With a snack of saltine crackers and a glass of milk nearby, the boy was transfixed by the crowd’s roar that raised goosebumps. He thought he’d like to call the action himself.

Scully, who played outfield for two years on the Fordham University baseball team, began his career by working baseball, football and basketball games for the university’s radio station.

At age 22, he was hired by a CBS radio affiliate in Washington, D.C.

He soon joined Hall of Famer Red Barber and Connie Desmond in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ radio and television booths. In 1953, at age 25, Scully became the youngest person to broadcast a World Series game, a mark that still stands.

He moved west with the Dodgers in 1958. Scully called three perfect games — Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series, Sandy Koufax in 1965 and Dennis Martinez in 1991 — and 18 no-hitters.

He also was on the air when Don Drysdale set his scoreless innings streak of 58 2/3 innings in 1968 and again when Hershiser broke the record with 59 consecutive scoreless innings 20 years later.

When Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth’s record in 1974, it was against the Dodgers and, of course, Scully called it.

“A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol,” Scully told listeners. “What a marvelous moment for baseball.”

Scully credited the birth of the transistor radio as “the greatest single break” of his career. Fans had trouble recognizing the lesser players during the Dodgers’ first four years in the vast Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

“They were 70 or so odd rows away from the action,” he said in 2016. “They brought the radio to find out about all the other players and to see what they were trying to see down on the field.”

That habit carried over when the team moved to Dodger Stadium in 1962. Fans held radios to their ears, and those not present listened from home or the car, allowing Scully to connect generations of families with his words.

He often said it was best to describe a big play quickly and then be quiet so fans could listen to the pandemonium. After Koufax’s perfect game in 1965, Scully went silent for 38 seconds before talking again. He was similarly silent for a time after Kirk Gibson’s pinch-hit home run to win Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that year, and also had the stadium’s press box named for him in 2001. The street leading to Dodger Stadium’s main gate was named in his honor in 2016.

That same year he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

“God has been so good to me to allow me to do what I’m doing,” Scully, a devout Catholic who attended mass on Sundays before heading to the ballpark, said before retiring. “A childhood dream that came to pass and then giving me 67 years to enjoy every minute of it. That’s a pretty large thanksgiving day for me.”

In addition to being the voice of the Dodgers, Scully called play-by-play for NFL games and PGA Tour events as well as calling 25 World Series and 12 All-Star Games. He was NBC’s lead baseball announcer from 1983-89.

While being one of the most widely heard broadcasters in the nation, Scully was an intensely private man. Once the baseball season ended, he would disappear. He rarely did personal appearances or sports talk shows. He preferred spending time with his family.

In 1972, his first wife, Joan, died of an accidental overdose of medicine. He was left with three young children. Two years later, he met the woman who would become his second wife, Sandra, a secretary for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. She had two young children from a previous marriage, and they combined their families into what Scully once called “my own Brady Bunch.”

He said he realized time was the most precious thing in the world and that he wanted to use his time to spend with his loved ones. In the early 1960s, Scully quit smoking with the help of his family. In the shirt pocket where he kept a pack of cigarettes, Scully stuck a family photo. Whenever he felt like he needed a smoke, he pulled out the photo to remind him why he quit. Eight months later, Scully never smoked again.

After retiring in 2016, Scully made just a handful of appearances at Dodger Stadium and his sweet voice was heard narrating an occasional video played during games. Mostly, he was content to stay close to home.

“I just want to be remembered as a good man, an honest man, and one who lived up to his own beliefs,” he said in 2016.

In 2020, Scully auctioned off years of his personal memorabilia, which raised over $2 million. A portion of it was donated to UCLA for ALS research.

He was preceded in death by his second wife, Sandra. She died of complications of ALS at age 76 in 2021. The couple, who were married 47 years, had daughter Catherine together.

Scully’s other children are Kelly, Erin, Todd and Kevin. A son, Michael, died in a helicopter crash in 1994.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659497855884.png" alt="photo courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, whose dulcet tones provided the soundtrack of summer while entertaining and informing Dodgers fans in Brooklyn and Los Angeles for 67 years, died Tuesday night. He was 94.Scully died at his home in the Hidden Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to the team after being informed by family members. No cause of death was provided.“He was the best there ever was,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said after the Dodgers game in San Francisco. “Just such a special man. I’m grateful and thankful I got to know him as well as I did.”As the longest tenured broadcaster with a single team in pro sports history, Scully saw it all and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6e4856f479fac9779c9e1956e4347088">called it all.</a>&nbsp;He began in the 1950s era of Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson, on to the 1960s with Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax, into the 1970s with Steve Garvey and Don Sutton, and through the 1980s with Orel Hershiser and Fernando Valenzuela. In the 1990s, it was Mike Piazza and Hideo Nomo, followed by Kershaw, Manny Ramirez and Yasiel Puig in the 21st century.“You gave me my Wild Horse name. You gave me love. You hugged me like a father,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/YasielPuig/status/1554702784561197056?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">tweeted Puig,</a>&nbsp;the talented Cuban-born outfielder who burned brightly upon his Dodgers debut in 2013. “I will never forget you, my heart is broken.”The Dodgers changed players, managers, executives, owners — and even coasts — but Scully and his soothing, insightful style remained a constant for the fans.He opened broadcasts with the familiar greeting, “Hi, everybody, and a very pleasant good evening to you wherever you may be.”Ever gracious both in person and on the air, Scully considered himself merely a conduit between the game and the fans.After the Dodgers' 9-5 win, the Giants posted a Scully tribute on the videoboard."There’s not a better storyteller and I think everyone considers him family,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He was in our living rooms for many generations. He lived a fantastic life, a legacy that will live on forever.”Although he was paid by the Dodgers, Scully was unafraid to criticize a bad play or a manager’s decision, or praise an opponent while spinning stories against a backdrop of routine plays and noteworthy achievements. He always said he wanted to see things with his eyes, not his heart.“We have lost an icon," team president and CEO Stan Kasten said. "His voice will always be heard and etched in all of our minds forever.”Vincent Edward Scully was born Nov. 29, 1927, in the Bronx. He was the son of a silk salesman who died of pneumonia when Scully was 7. His mother moved the family to Brooklyn, where the red-haired, blue-eyed Scully grew up playing stickball in the streets.As a child, Scully would grab a pillow, put it under the family’s four-legged radio and lay his head directly under the speaker to hear whatever college football game was on the air. With a snack of saltine crackers and a glass of milk nearby, the boy was transfixed by the crowd’s roar that raised goosebumps. He thought he’d like to call the action himself.Scully, who played outfield for two years on the Fordham University baseball team, began his career by working baseball, football and basketball games for the university’s radio station.At age 22, he was hired by a CBS radio affiliate in Washington, D.C.He soon joined Hall of Famer Red Barber and Connie Desmond in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ radio and television booths. In 1953, at age 25, Scully became the youngest person to broadcast a World Series game, a mark that still stands.He moved west with the Dodgers in 1958. Scully called three perfect games — Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series, Sandy Koufax in 1965 and Dennis Martinez in 1991 — and 18 no-hitters.He also was on the air when Don Drysdale set his scoreless innings streak of 58 2/3 innings in 1968 and again when Hershiser broke the record with 59 consecutive scoreless innings 20 years later.When Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth’s record in 1974, it was against the Dodgers and, of course, Scully called it.“A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol,” Scully told listeners. “What a marvelous moment for baseball.”Scully credited the birth of the transistor radio as “the greatest single break” of his career. Fans had trouble recognizing the lesser players during the Dodgers’ first four years in the vast Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.“They were 70 or so odd rows away from the action,” he said in 2016. “They brought the radio to find out about all the other players and to see what they were trying to see down on the field.”That habit carried over when the team moved to Dodger Stadium in 1962. Fans held radios to their ears, and those not present listened from home or the car, allowing Scully to connect generations of families with his words.He often said it was best to describe a big play quickly and then be quiet so fans could listen to the pandemonium. After Koufax’s perfect game in 1965, Scully went silent for 38 seconds before talking again. He was similarly silent for a time after Kirk Gibson’s pinch-hit home run to win Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that year, and also had the stadium’s press box named for him in 2001. The street leading to Dodger Stadium’s main gate was named in his honor in 2016.That same year he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.“God has been so good to me to allow me to do what I’m doing,” Scully, a devout Catholic who attended mass on Sundays before heading to the ballpark, said before retiring. “A childhood dream that came to pass and then giving me 67 years to enjoy every minute of it. That’s a pretty large thanksgiving day for me.”In addition to being the voice of the Dodgers, Scully called play-by-play for NFL games and PGA Tour events as well as calling 25 World Series and 12 All-Star Games. He was NBC’s lead baseball announcer from 1983-89.While being one of the most widely heard broadcasters in the nation, Scully was an intensely private man. Once the baseball season ended, he would disappear. He rarely did personal appearances or sports talk shows. He preferred spending time with his family.In 1972, his first wife, Joan, died of an accidental overdose of medicine. He was left with three young children. Two years later, he met the woman who would become his second wife, Sandra, a secretary for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. She had two young children from a previous marriage, and they combined their families into what Scully once called “my own Brady Bunch.”He said he realized time was the most precious thing in the world and that he wanted to use his time to spend with his loved ones. In the early 1960s, Scully quit smoking with the help of his family. In the shirt pocket where he kept a pack of cigarettes, Scully stuck a family photo. Whenever he felt like he needed a smoke, he pulled out the photo to remind him why he quit. Eight months later, Scully never smoked again.After retiring in 2016, Scully made just a handful of appearances at Dodger Stadium and his sweet voice was heard narrating an occasional video played during games. Mostly, he was content to stay close to home.“I just want to be remembered as a good man, an honest man, and one who lived up to his own beliefs,” he said in 2016.In 2020, Scully auctioned off years of his personal memorabilia, which raised over $2 million. A portion of it was donated to UCLA for ALS research.He was preceded in death by his second wife, Sandra. She died of complications of ALS at age 76 in 2021. The couple, who were married 47 years, had daughter Catherine together.Scully’s other children are Kelly, Erin, Todd and Kevin. A son, Michael, died in a helicopter crash in 1994.

Vin Scully, Dodgers broadcaster for 67 years, dies at 94

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604721033329.jpeg" alt="22 Football Schedule" />
 <figcaption>22 Football Schedule</figcaption>
 </figure>9/2 @ Ness City9/9 Macksville9/16 Lacrosse9/23 @ Victoria9/30 Sylvan-Lucas10/7 @ Otis-Bison10/14 @ Bucklin10/21 Wilson10/28 District Playoffs

2022 Central Plains Football Schedule

MANHATTAN, Kansas – The Rotary Lombardi Award listed two Kansas State football players among its 77-man watch list, as defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah and offensive lineman Cooper Beebe were named candidates for the award on Monday.

The Lombardi Award, which is presented by the Rotary Club of Houston, goes to the top college football down lineman on either side of the ball or a linebacker. Anudike-Uzomah and Beebe are the first Wildcats to be candidates for the award since current Chicago Bear offensive lineman Cody Whitehair was on the preseason watch list in 2015. A K-State player has been a candidate 11 other times, while defensive tackle Tim Colston was a semifinalist in 1995.

It was the second watch list designation for Anudike-Uzomah on Monday as he was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list earlier in the day, while it was his third of the preseason after also being named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list last Tuesday. The inclusion on the Lombardi Award watch list is the second for Beebe, who was on the Outland Trophy watch list last Tuesday.

Anudike-Uzomah earned All-America honors last season in addition to being the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and a First Team All-Big 12 performer. He tied for the national lead in forced fumbles per game (0.46), ranked 11th nationally in sacks per game (0.85), and his 11.0 total sacks tied for fifth in school history. Additionally, he totaled six forced fumbles to tie the school record.

Beebe, a product of Kansas City, Kansas, was a 13-game starter at left tackle last year who picked up First Team All-Big 12 honors from both the league's coaches and Associated Press, the youngest offensive lineman to be named to the first team by either organization. Beebe was the first Wildcat freshman or sophomore offensive lineman to be named a First Team All-Big 12 performer since Dalton Risner in 2016, while he also earned votes for the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year Award from the league's coaches.

K-State is now up to 13 watch list designations this preseason. In addition to Anudike-Uzomah's and Beebe's honors, others to earn nods are running back Deuce Vaughn (Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Doak Walker Award), cornerback Julius Brents (Jim Thorpe Award), punter Ty Zentner (Ray Guy Award), quarterback Will Howard (AFCA Good Works Team, Wuerffel Trophy) and long snapper Randen Plattner (Patrick Mannelly Award).

K-State embarks on the 2022 season when the Wildcats take on South Dakota on Sept. 3, a 6 p.m., contest inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kansas State remains at home for its other two non-conference matchups, a Sept. 10 showdown against former Big 8/12 foe Missouri and a Sept. 17 game against Tulane.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659445934168.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kansas – The Rotary Lombardi Award listed two Kansas State football players among its 77-man watch list, as defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah and offensive lineman Cooper Beebe were named candidates for the award on Monday.The Lombardi Award, which is presented by the Rotary Club of Houston, goes to the top college football down lineman on either side of the ball or a linebacker. Anudike-Uzomah and Beebe are the first Wildcats to be candidates for the award since current Chicago Bear offensive lineman Cody Whitehair was on the preseason watch list in 2015. A K-State player has been a candidate 11 other times, while defensive tackle Tim Colston was a semifinalist in 1995.It was the second watch list designation for Anudike-Uzomah on Monday as he was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list earlier in the day, while it was his third of the preseason after also being named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list last Tuesday. The inclusion on the Lombardi Award watch list is the second for Beebe, who was on the Outland Trophy watch list last Tuesday.Anudike-Uzomah earned All-America honors last season in addition to being the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and a First Team All-Big 12 performer. He tied for the national lead in forced fumbles per game (0.46), ranked 11th nationally in sacks per game (0.85), and his 11.0 total sacks tied for fifth in school history. Additionally, he totaled six forced fumbles to tie the school record.Beebe, a product of Kansas City, Kansas, was a 13-game starter at left tackle last year who picked up First Team All-Big 12 honors from both the league's coaches and Associated Press, the youngest offensive lineman to be named to the first team by either organization. Beebe was the first Wildcat freshman or sophomore offensive lineman to be named a First Team All-Big 12 performer since Dalton Risner in 2016, while he also earned votes for the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year Award from the league's coaches.K-State is now up to 13 watch list designations this preseason. In addition to Anudike-Uzomah's and Beebe's honors, others to earn nods are running back Deuce Vaughn (Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Doak Walker Award), cornerback Julius Brents (Jim Thorpe Award), punter Ty Zentner (Ray Guy Award), quarterback Will Howard (AFCA Good Works Team, Wuerffel Trophy) and long snapper Randen Plattner (Patrick Mannelly Award).K-State embarks on the 2022 season when the Wildcats take on South Dakota on Sept. 3, a 6 p.m., contest inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kansas State remains at home for its other two non-conference matchups, a Sept. 10 showdown against former Big 8/12 foe Missouri and a Sept. 17 game against Tulane.

Two Wildcats Earn Recognition on Lombardi Award Watch List

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals traded third baseman Emmanuel Rivera to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-hander Luke Weaver in the second minor move made by Kansas City on Monday to add organizational pitching depth.

Earlier in the day, the Royals sent cash to the Seattle Mariners for left-hander Anthony Misiewicz.

The 26-year-old Rivera was hitting .237 with six homers and 22 RBIs in 63 games for the Royals this season. But he was mostly used as a backup in Kansas City, and his trade could mean a move back to third base for elite youngster Bobby Witt Jr. and more time in the lineup at shortstop for rookie Maikel Garcia.

Weaver is 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA for Arizona this season. He has a 4.76 ERA across parts of seven big league seasons.

The Royals figure to be prominent sellers ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Two-time All-Star utilityman Whit Merrifield and relievers Josh Staumont and Scott Barlow are among the most likely to be dealt.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals traded third baseman Emmanuel Rivera to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-hander Luke Weaver in the second minor move made by Kansas City on Monday to add organizational pitching depth.Earlier in the day, the Royals sent cash to the Seattle Mariners for left-hander Anthony Misiewicz.The 26-year-old Rivera was hitting .237 with six homers and 22 RBIs in 63 games for the Royals this season. But he was mostly used as a backup in Kansas City, and his trade could mean a move back to third base for elite youngster Bobby Witt Jr. and more time in the lineup at shortstop for rookie Maikel Garcia.Weaver is 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA for Arizona this season. He has a 4.76 ERA across parts of seven big league seasons.The Royals figure to be prominent sellers ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Two-time All-Star utilityman Whit Merrifield and relievers Josh Staumont and Scott Barlow are among the most likely to be dealt.

Royals send 3B Rivera to Diamondbacks for RHP Weaver

By STEVE WEBSTER Great Bend Post


The last time the Great Bend Bat Cats took the field was July 15th
when they lost to the Cheney Diamond Dawgs 9-4 for a split of the
four game series with the eventual Sunflower League Champions.  But
then, the Wichita Lobos forfeited a four game series to the Bat Bats. Liberal then cancelled the final game of the season as Great Bend's regular season came to an end with a record of 30-11.


Now 2 ½ weeks later, the Cats return to action Wednesday when they
begin play in the Summer Ball Showdown in Goddard, an event in it's
second year that General Manager Roger Ward agreed to play in before
the summer season began. 



There are 20-teams who will begin play Wednesday at the Genisis
Sports complex and the Bat Cats have drawn the Dirtbag Baseball Club
for a opening game at 4:00 p.m. Thursday the team will take on the
Wichita Black Sox.


All the teams will play two games before single elimination games
begin on Friday.  


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659438145301.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By STEVE WEBSTER Great Bend Post
The last time the Great Bend Bat Cats took the field was July 15th
when they lost to the Cheney Diamond Dawgs 9-4 for a split of the
four game series with the eventual Sunflower League Champions. But
then, the Wichita Lobos forfeited a four game series to the Bat Bats. Liberal then cancelled the final game of the season as Great Bend's regular season came to an end with a record of 30-11.
Now 2 ½ weeks later, the Cats return to action Wednesday when they
begin play in the Summer Ball Showdown in Goddard, an event in it's
second year that General Manager Roger Ward agreed to play in before
the summer season began. 

There are 20-teams who will begin play Wednesday at the Genisis
Sports complex and the Bat Cats have drawn the Dirtbag Baseball Club
for a opening game at 4:00 p.m. Thursday the team will take on the
Wichita Black Sox.
All the teams will play two games before single elimination games
begin on Friday. 
<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659438253013.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Bat Cats return to action Wednesday

CHICAGO (AP) — Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield hit solo home runs, Daniel Lynch took a shutout into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list and the Kansas City Royals edged the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Monday night for their second straight win.

Perez launched a monster blast for the second straight game and his third homer in four contests after missing 31 games with a left thumb injury and surgery. The seven-time All Star catcher has eight RBIs in the span.

“This guy just continues to amaze us,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “Any injury, especially one that causes a surgery, usually it's not just the strength, it's the timing. That's probably the most amazing thing after he's able to take off five weeks.

“For him to jump right in ... just not many people do that.”

Merrifield’s drive into the left-field bullpen off Michael Kopech (4-7) in the sixth might have been his last with Kansas City. A two-time All Star in seven seasons with the Royals, the second baseman has been the subject of trade rumors heading into Tuesday’s deadline.

“Once the game starts, the game and what happens off the field are two separate parts of my life,” Merrifield said. “I feel like I do a pretty good job of disconnecting.”

Tim Anderson and Andrew Vaughn each had two hits off Lynch, but the White Sox slipped back to .500 (51-51). Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets drove in a run with sac fly in the seventh.

Chicago, 23-29 at home, failed in a bid to win three consecutive games at Guaranteed Rate Field for the first time this season.

Lynch (4-7) allowed six hits, struck out seven and walked none in 5 1/3 innings as he returned from a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha and started in place of Brad Keller. The 6-foot-6 left-hander went on the injured list on July 18 with a blister on his pitching hand, the second time in a month the injury sidelined him.

“It's been a while since I've been able to go out and just have a normal game," Lynch said. “So it was just a lot of fun to be back out there with these guys and get to throw to Salvy (Perez.)"

Scott Barlow got the last six outs for his 17th save in 20 chances. He worked around a single in each of the last two innings.

Kopech allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He struck out three and walked one while throwing a career-high 100 pitches.

“He gets us into the seventh inning,” Chicago manager Tony La Russa said. "He did his part. The ball was coming out his hand good.

“The problem was we just got shut down. We didn't create enough opportunities.”

The White Sox had 10 hits, but nine were singles and Royals pitchers issued only one walk.

Perez’s 14th homer, off Kopech’s 2-1 slider in the fourth, was measured at 452 feet and put Kansas City ahead 1-0. The blast sailed over the multi-tiered center-field batter’s eye and bounced high off the concourse pavement in front of the scoreboard.

“That had to be more than that, c'mon," joked Perez about the distance of his drive, the 23rd of his career against the White Sox.

“No 450, that's a glitch," Merrifield said. “That's as close to 500 as you're gonna' see. That was crazy. He's strong."

It came a day after Perez launched a three-run, 441-foot shot off Yankees All-Star closer Clay Holmes in the ninth inning in New York to lift the Royals to an 8-6 win. It was the first home run allowed this year by Holmes

Merrifield went deep in the sixth to make it 2-0.

After Leury Garcia and Seby Zavala greeted reliever Wyatt Mills with singles in the seventh, Sheets’ deep fly scored Garcia to cut it to 2-1.

Perez has just three hits since coming back, but all have been homers.

The White Sox filled a gap in their bullpen by acquiring LHP Jake Diekman from Boston for catcher Reese McGuire and a player to be named or cash.

Diekman is 5-1 with a 4.23 ERA in 44 appearances this season. The 6-foot-4, 35-year-old is particularly tough on left-handed batters, holding them to a .188 batting average this year.

The Royals, who could be prominent sellers ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, made two minor deals to add organizational pitching depth.

Kansas City swapped 3B Emmanuel Rivera to the Arizona for RHP Luke Weaver, who was 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA for the Diamondbacks. The Royals sent cash to the Seattle Mariners for LHP Anthony Misiewicz, who was assigned to Triple-A Omaha

White Sox: CF Luis Robert was in the team’s clubhouse after a rehab stint at Triple-A Charlotte, but not reactivated from the IL. Manager Tony La Russa said it was unlikely the speedy outfielder would play in the three-game series against Kansas City. Robert exited a game at Minnesota on July 15 with blurred vision and lightheadedness and was placed on the retroactive to July 19. Last weekend, the White Sox said the 2020 Gold Glove winner was suffering from cold symptoms.

Royals: RHP Carlos Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Lynch on the roster.

Kansas City RHP Brad Keller (5-11, 4.18) will start on Tuesday and face struggling Chicago RHP Lucas Giolito (6-6, 5.14). Giolito was 4-2 with a 3.54 ERA in his first nine starts this season, but is 2-4 with a 6.75 ERA in his last nine outings.

CHICAGO (AP) — Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield hit solo home runs, Daniel Lynch took a shutout into the sixth inning in his return from the injured list and the Kansas City Royals edged the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Monday night for their second straight win.Perez launched a monster blast for the second straight game and his third homer in four contests after missing 31 games with a left thumb injury and surgery. The seven-time All Star catcher has eight RBIs in the span.“This guy just continues to amaze us,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “Any injury, especially one that causes a surgery, usually it's not just the strength, it's the timing. That's probably the most amazing thing after he's able to take off five weeks.“For him to jump right in ... just not many people do that.”Merrifield’s drive into the left-field bullpen off Michael Kopech (4-7) in the sixth might have been his last with Kansas City. A two-time All Star in seven seasons with the Royals, the second baseman has been the subject of trade rumors heading into Tuesday’s deadline.It didn't distract Merrifield on Monday.“Once the game starts, the game and what happens off the field are two separate parts of my life,” Merrifield said. “I feel like I do a pretty good job of disconnecting.”Tim Anderson and Andrew Vaughn each had two hits off Lynch, but the White Sox slipped back to .500 (51-51). Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets drove in a run with sac fly in the seventh.Chicago, 23-29 at home, failed in a bid to win three consecutive games at Guaranteed Rate Field for the first time this season.Lynch (4-7) allowed six hits, struck out seven and walked none in 5 1/3 innings as he returned from a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha and started in place of Brad Keller. The 6-foot-6 left-hander went on the injured list on July 18 with a blister on his pitching hand, the second time in a month the injury sidelined him.“It's been a while since I've been able to go out and just have a normal game," Lynch said. “So it was just a lot of fun to be back out there with these guys and get to throw to Salvy (Perez.)"Scott Barlow got the last six outs for his 17th save in 20 chances. He worked around a single in each of the last two innings.Kopech allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He struck out three and walked one while throwing a career-high 100 pitches.“He gets us into the seventh inning,” Chicago manager Tony La Russa said. "He did his part. The ball was coming out his hand good.“The problem was we just got shut down. We didn't create enough opportunities.”The White Sox had 10 hits, but nine were singles and Royals pitchers issued only one walk.Perez’s 14th homer, off Kopech’s 2-1 slider in the fourth, was measured at 452 feet and put Kansas City ahead 1-0. The blast sailed over the multi-tiered center-field batter’s eye and bounced high off the concourse pavement in front of the scoreboard.“That had to be more than that, c'mon," joked Perez about the distance of his drive, the 23rd of his career against the White Sox.Merrifield agreed.“No 450, that's a glitch," Merrifield said. “That's as close to 500 as you're gonna' see. That was crazy. He's strong."It came a day after Perez launched a three-run, 441-foot shot off Yankees All-Star closer Clay Holmes in the ninth inning in New York to lift the Royals to an 8-6 win. It was the first home run allowed this year by HolmesMerrifield went deep in the sixth to make it 2-0.After Leury Garcia and Seby Zavala greeted reliever Wyatt Mills with singles in the seventh, Sheets’ deep fly scored Garcia to cut it to 2-1.ALL OR NOTHINGPerez has just three hits since coming back, but all have been homers.WHITE SOX ADD LEFTYThe White Sox filled a gap in their bullpen by acquiring LHP Jake Diekman from Boston for catcher Reese McGuire and a player to be named or cash.Diekman is 5-1 with a 4.23 ERA in 44 appearances this season. The 6-foot-4, 35-year-old is particularly tough on left-handed batters, holding them to a .188 batting average this year.ROYALS' DEALSThe Royals, who could be prominent sellers ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, made two minor deals to add organizational pitching depth.Kansas City swapped 3B Emmanuel Rivera to the Arizona for RHP Luke Weaver, who was 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA for the Diamondbacks. The Royals sent cash to the Seattle Mariners for LHP Anthony Misiewicz, who was assigned to Triple-A OmahaTRAINER’S ROOMWhite Sox: CF Luis Robert was in the team’s clubhouse after a rehab stint at Triple-A Charlotte, but not reactivated from the IL. Manager Tony La Russa said it was unlikely the speedy outfielder would play in the three-game series against Kansas City. Robert exited a game at Minnesota on July 15 with blurred vision and lightheadedness and was placed on the retroactive to July 19. Last weekend, the White Sox said the 2020 Gold Glove winner was suffering from cold symptoms.Royals: RHP Carlos Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Lynch on the roster.UP NEXTKansas City RHP Brad Keller (5-11, 4.18) will start on Tuesday and face struggling Chicago RHP Lucas Giolito (6-6, 5.14). Giolito was 4-2 with a 3.54 ERA in his first nine starts this season, but is 2-4 with a 6.75 ERA in his last nine outings.

Perez, Merrifield homer, Royals edge White Sox 2-1

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659116426588.jpeg" alt="22 Football Schedule" />
 <figcaption>22 Football Schedule</figcaption>
 </figure>9/2 @ LaCrosse9/9 Kinsley9/16 @ St. John9/23 @ Sylvan-Lucas9/30 Dighton10/7 Central Plains10/14 @ Wilson10/21 Victoria10/28 District Playoffs

2022 Otis-Bison Football Schedule

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. reported to training camp Monday, the same day pads went on for the Kansas City Chiefs, giving Patrick Mahomes his blindside protector with plenty of time before their preseason opener.

Brown and the Chiefs had been working throughout the offseason on a long-term contract, but the sides were unable to come together before the mid-July deadline.

Brown ultimately rejected the Chiefs' final offer of six years and nearly $140 million — with $30.25 million due at signing — and decided to play out this season on the franchise tag.

In effect, Brown is gambling that his play this season will warrant an even bigger deal next offseason.

“It's hard to mimic the game speed and putting the uniform on and so on — the helmet and pads — when you're doing stuff on your own. You have to go through that to get yourself right and he understands that," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after practice on a hot, humid morning. “He will just have to catch up on the new stuff and then the conditioning stuff.”

Brown, who will be due about $16.7 million under the franchise tag, skipped the offseason program and first week of camp, though he was not fined because he was not under contract. He still was not on the field Monday as he checked into camp, but is expected at practice this week; the Chiefs open the preseason Aug. 13 in Chicago.

“You have a right to throw him back in and go,” Reid said. “When he gets here, we'll talk to him and see where he's at.”

Roderick Johnson has been playing left tackle with the first team during the first week of camp, and that could give him the inside track on being the primary backup. He appeared in 29 games with six starts over three seasons in Houston.

While Johnson had earned rave reviews, the importance of having the Chiefs' best offensive line on the field was clear Monday when the pocket got pushed back and Mahomes got his foot stepped on. The Pro Bowl quarterback hobbled off the field and spent time with trainer Rick Burkholder before returning for final jogging and stretching.

Mahomes is not expected to miss any time in camp, but the close call is precisely what the 26-year-old Brown is expected to help prevent from happening. He only allowed four sacks and 37 pressures in his first season with Kansas City, and no sacks over the Chiefs' final five regular-season games.

With the 6-foot-8, 360-pound Brown back on the field, the Chiefs return their entire offensive line from last season.

And given that 29-year-old left guard Joe Thuney is the elder statesman, and 23-year-olds Creed Humphrey at center and Trey Smith at right guard have a year of experience, the group could take a dramatic step forward this season.

“Everybody in this building loves Big O,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said with a smile. “Hopefully we get him here and acclimated as soon as possible. It's been a different locker room (without him in camp). Such a big dude, big personality. He brings a lot of life to the group and I'm happy to have him back.”

Notes: Reid did not sound concerned about Mahomes' ankle. “He got stepped on," Reid said. “He's fine.” ... TE Jody Fortson (quad) did conditioning and rehab work after getting hurt in Saturday's workout. ... Kelce is among numerous players who complained about the new Guardian Caps, which some players are required to wear over their helmets at practice through the first two preseason games. They are designed to minimize the impact of helmet-to-helmet hits. “We're out there wearing these mushroom caps that are just adding weight to our heads,” Kelce said. “Hope we get rid of them.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. reported to training camp Monday, the same day pads went on for the Kansas City Chiefs, giving Patrick Mahomes his blindside protector with plenty of time before their preseason opener.Brown and the Chiefs had been working throughout the offseason on a long-term contract, but the sides were unable to come together before the mid-July deadline.Brown ultimately rejected the Chiefs' final offer of six years and nearly $140 million — with $30.25 million due at signing — and decided to play out this season on the franchise tag.In effect, Brown is gambling that his play this season will warrant an even bigger deal next offseason.“It's hard to mimic the game speed and putting the uniform on and so on — the helmet and pads — when you're doing stuff on your own. You have to go through that to get yourself right and he understands that," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after practice on a hot, humid morning. “He will just have to catch up on the new stuff and then the conditioning stuff.”Brown, who will be due about $16.7 million under the franchise tag, skipped the offseason program and first week of camp, though he was not fined because he was not under contract. He still was not on the field Monday as he checked into camp, but is expected at practice this week; the Chiefs open the preseason Aug. 13 in Chicago.“You have a right to throw him back in and go,” Reid said. “When he gets here, we'll talk to him and see where he's at.”Roderick Johnson has been playing left tackle with the first team during the first week of camp, and that could give him the inside track on being the primary backup. He appeared in 29 games with six starts over three seasons in Houston.While Johnson had earned rave reviews, the importance of having the Chiefs' best offensive line on the field was clear Monday when the pocket got pushed back and Mahomes got his foot stepped on. The Pro Bowl quarterback hobbled off the field and spent time with trainer Rick Burkholder before returning for final jogging and stretching.Mahomes is not expected to miss any time in camp, but the close call is precisely what the 26-year-old Brown is expected to help prevent from happening. He only allowed four sacks and 37 pressures in his first season with Kansas City, and no sacks over the Chiefs' final five regular-season games.With the 6-foot-8, 360-pound Brown back on the field, the Chiefs return their entire offensive line from last season.And given that 29-year-old left guard Joe Thuney is the elder statesman, and 23-year-olds Creed Humphrey at center and Trey Smith at right guard have a year of experience, the group could take a dramatic step forward this season.“Everybody in this building loves Big O,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said with a smile. “Hopefully we get him here and acclimated as soon as possible. It's been a different locker room (without him in camp). Such a big dude, big personality. He brings a lot of life to the group and I'm happy to have him back.”Notes: Reid did not sound concerned about Mahomes' ankle. “He got stepped on," Reid said. “He's fine.” ... TE Jody Fortson (quad) did conditioning and rehab work after getting hurt in Saturday's workout. ... Kelce is among numerous players who complained about the new Guardian Caps, which some players are required to wear over their helmets at practice through the first two preseason games. They are designed to minimize the impact of helmet-to-helmet hits. “We're out there wearing these mushroom caps that are just adding weight to our heads,” Kelce said. “Hope we get rid of them.”

Chiefs LT Brown reports to camp, set to sign franchise tag

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659379072526.png" alt="Monday's chat included a preview of the Summer Ball Showdown in Goddard and also a visit with the voice of the Bat Cats Mark McClure." />
 <figcaption>Monday's chat included a preview of the Summer Ball Showdown in Goddard and also a visit with the voice of the Bat Cats Mark McClure.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/kp2onzav/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>

Bat Cat baseball talk with Roger Ward (8/1)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — New Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is learning the NCAA's issues in real time and during a period of sweeping change and uncertainty.

While Monday is Yormark's first day working full-time out of the Big 12 office, leaving behind Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, the ex-CEO of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets has been steadily involved in conference matters since landing his first job in college athletics.

He was named the Big 12's new leader on June 29. A day later, conference realignment became a pressing issue again when Southern California and UCLA said they would be leaving the Pac-12 in 2024 to join the Big Ten.

Beyond that, Yormark has to get familiar with name, image and likeness compensation for athletes, the transfer portal, FBS conferences potentially splitting from the NCAA with their own governance structure for football, and the future of the College Football Playoff.

“One of his best qualities is he doesn’t pretend to know what he doesn’t know … He asks a lot of questions, and listens,” Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades said of Yormark. “He hasn’t been in the industry, so he’s got to absorb all of that, which is, just under normal circumstances, difficult. But then throw on top of that conference realignment part two.”

When asked during his introduction at Big 12 football media days in mid-July if there were active talks with any Pac-12 schools, Yormark said his league was “open for business” and exploring all options for the future — but gave no specific details.

Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff expressed frustration Friday, saying he has spent the past month “trying to defend against grenades being lobbed in from every corner of the Big 12 trying to destabilize our remaining conference.” He also said his league intends to keep its current members and entertain new additions.

The Big 12 is going through another transition in membership, and its media rights deal with ESPN and Fox Sports expires after the 2024-25 academic year. While Oklahoma and Texas are set to leave for the Southeastern Conference no later than the 2025 season, four new schools will join the Big 12 next summer.

Yormark brings an outside perspective to what has been a resilient conference, as well as a background in building brands.

Before joining Roc Nation in 2019, where he was chief operating officer on the commercial side of the business, Yormark spent almost 15 years with the Nets, overseeing the club’s move from New Jersey and construction of the Barclays Center. He previously worked for NASCAR, where he oversaw a $750 million agreement with Nextel Communications for naming rights to the circuit’s top racing series.

Yormark said he pledged the Big 12 board of directors that he would ensure the league would be “bold and humble, aggressive and thoughtful, and innovative and creative” in growing its brand and business — and becoming a bit more contemporary.

“One thing is crystal clear. There is no higher priority than to best position the Big 12 for its upcoming multimedia rights negotiations,” Yormark said. "Everything we do must create momentum for these negotiations, as well as building the value of the Big 12 brand and business.”

When the Big 12's only football national champions leave, the league will have only half of its original 12 members. Nebraska left for the Big Ten and Colorado went to the Pac-12 in 2011. Texas A&amp;M and Missouri joined the SEC the following season.

The Big 12 added TCU and West Virginia in 2012, the same year Bob Bowlsby became commissioner. The 70-year-old decided earlier this year that he was ready to step out of that role.

Within weeks of the Sooners and Longhorns getting invitations from the SEC last summer, the Big 12 approved membership for football independent BYU and American Athletic Conference schools Cincinnati, Houston and Central Florida.

Yormark plans to visit all 14 campuses in the coming months, including the four schools that will join next summer, as well as departing Oklahoma and Texas.

“He’s the perfect guy for us right now,” TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati said. “He’s going to be aggressive, he’s going to be bold. He’s not going to apologize for it. … We’ve got to just stand behind him and let him do his thing and continue to put us in the best possible positions as we can.”

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — New Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is learning the NCAA's issues in real time and during a period of sweeping change and uncertainty.While Monday is Yormark's first day working full-time out of the Big 12 office, leaving behind Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, the ex-CEO of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets has been steadily involved in conference matters since landing his first job in college athletics.He was named the Big 12's new leader on June 29. A day later, conference realignment became a pressing issue again when Southern California and UCLA said they would be leaving the Pac-12 in 2024 to join the Big Ten.Beyond that, Yormark has to get familiar with name, image and likeness compensation for athletes, the transfer portal, FBS conferences potentially splitting from the NCAA with their own governance structure for football, and the future of the College Football Playoff.“One of his best qualities is he doesn’t pretend to know what he doesn’t know … He asks a lot of questions, and listens,” Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades said of Yormark. “He hasn’t been in the industry, so he’s got to absorb all of that, which is, just under normal circumstances, difficult. But then throw on top of that conference realignment part two.”When asked during his introduction at Big 12 football media days in mid-July if there were active talks with any Pac-12 schools, Yormark said his league was “open for business” and exploring all options for the future — but gave no specific details.Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff expressed frustration Friday, saying he has spent the past month “trying to defend against grenades being lobbed in from every corner of the Big 12 trying to destabilize our remaining conference.” He also said his league intends to keep its current members and entertain new additions.The Big 12 is going through another transition in membership, and its media rights deal with ESPN and Fox Sports expires after the 2024-25 academic year. While Oklahoma and Texas are set to leave for the Southeastern Conference no later than the 2025 season, four new schools will join the Big 12 next summer.Yormark brings an outside perspective to what has been a resilient conference, as well as a background in building brands.Before joining Roc Nation in 2019, where he was chief operating officer on the commercial side of the business, Yormark spent almost 15 years with the Nets, overseeing the club’s move from New Jersey and construction of the Barclays Center. He previously worked for NASCAR, where he oversaw a $750 million agreement with Nextel Communications for naming rights to the circuit’s top racing series.Yormark said he pledged the Big 12 board of directors that he would ensure the league would be “bold and humble, aggressive and thoughtful, and innovative and creative” in growing its brand and business — and becoming a bit more contemporary.“One thing is crystal clear. There is no higher priority than to best position the Big 12 for its upcoming multimedia rights negotiations,” Yormark said. "Everything we do must create momentum for these negotiations, as well as building the value of the Big 12 brand and business.”When the Big 12's only football national champions leave, the league will have only half of its original 12 members. Nebraska left for the Big Ten and Colorado went to the Pac-12 in 2011. Texas A&amp;M and Missouri joined the SEC the following season.The Big 12 added TCU and West Virginia in 2012, the same year Bob Bowlsby became commissioner. The 70-year-old decided earlier this year that he was ready to step out of that role.Within weeks of the Sooners and Longhorns getting invitations from the SEC last summer, the Big 12 approved membership for football independent BYU and American Athletic Conference schools Cincinnati, Houston and Central Florida.Yormark plans to visit all 14 campuses in the coming months, including the four schools that will join next summer, as well as departing Oklahoma and Texas.“He’s the perfect guy for us right now,” TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati said. “He’s going to be aggressive, he’s going to be bold. He’s not going to apologize for it. … We’ve got to just stand behind him and let him do his thing and continue to put us in the best possible positions as we can.”

Big 12's new boss Yormark learning NCAA issues in real time

NEW YORK (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer off All-Star closer Clay Holmes in the ninth inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 8-6 Sunday to avoid being swept in the season series.

Whit Merrifield walked with one out — Holmes’ eighth walk in his last eight games after he issued just five in his first 37 appearances. Bobby Witt Jr. was hit on the right hand with a pitch, forcing him from the game.

Perez, who struck out three times and popped out to the catcher in his first four at-bats, drove a 1-2 sinker 441 feet into Monument Park behind the center-field wall. It was the first home run allowed this year by Holmes, who was facing his 181st batter.

“He’s got such good sink and his numbers are so overwhelming,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “You just don’t see right-handers take a lot of good at-bats against him. Don’t tell that to Salvador Perez.”

Perezis hitting .296 with 33 homers in 686 career at-bats in late and close situations — in the seventh inning or later with the Royals either ahead by one run, tied or trailing with the tying or go-ahead run at the plate, on base or on deck.

“I like to compete — I’m going to do my best, I don’t care who’s on the mound,” Perez said. “He’s got some good stuff, good sinker, good slider, both sides of the plate to righties, to lefties. This is the big leagues. If you make a mistake, someone’s going to get you.”

Holmes (5-2) blew a save for the third time in 20 chances.

“Trying to get a ground ball there and he’s a pretty good fastball hitter and that one probably just got a little much of the plate,” Holmes said. “But I think the two batters before — just a walk and hit by pitch — allowed them to get something going there.”

Kansas City went 1-6 against the AL leading-Yankees, who last swept a season series of seven games or more by going 7-0 against Minnesota in 2009. The win also snapped a five-game losing streak for the Royals, who entered Sunday with the third-worst record in baseball.

“Had a couple tough ones, they start to affect anybody,” Matheny said. “But this team just wants to keep fighting, play the game hard.”

NEW YORK (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer off All-Star closer Clay Holmes in the ninth inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 8-6 Sunday to avoid being swept in the season series.Whit Merrifield walked with one out — Holmes’ eighth walk in his last eight games after he issued just five in his first 37 appearances. Bobby Witt Jr. was hit on the right hand with a pitch, forcing him from the game.Perez, who struck out three times and popped out to the catcher in his first four at-bats, drove a 1-2 sinker 441 feet into Monument Park behind the center-field wall. It was the first home run allowed this year by Holmes, who was facing his 181st batter.“He’s got such good sink and his numbers are so overwhelming,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “You just don’t see right-handers take a lot of good at-bats against him. Don’t tell that to Salvador Perez.”Perezis hitting .296 with 33 homers in 686 career at-bats in late and close situations — in the seventh inning or later with the Royals either ahead by one run, tied or trailing with the tying or go-ahead run at the plate, on base or on deck.“I like to compete — I’m going to do my best, I don’t care who’s on the mound,” Perez said. “He’s got some good stuff, good sinker, good slider, both sides of the plate to righties, to lefties. This is the big leagues. If you make a mistake, someone’s going to get you.”Holmes (5-2) blew a save for the third time in 20 chances.“Trying to get a ground ball there and he’s a pretty good fastball hitter and that one probably just got a little much of the plate,” Holmes said. “But I think the two batters before — just a walk and hit by pitch — allowed them to get something going there.”Kansas City went 1-6 against the AL leading-Yankees, who last swept a season series of seven games or more by going 7-0 against Minnesota in 2009. The win also snapped a five-game losing streak for the Royals, who entered Sunday with the third-worst record in baseball.“Had a couple tough ones, they start to affect anybody,” Matheny said. “But this team just wants to keep fighting, play the game hard.”Taylor Clarke (2-1) threw a perfect eighth, then gave up DJ LeMahieu’s single with one out in the ninth. Aaron Judge flied out to just shy of the track in right field, Rizzo walked and Gleyber Torres hit a game-ending lineout to center.“Don’t give up a homer,” Clarke said dryly of his approach against Judge. “I thought he got it, just because anything to right field goes out.”Judge went 0 for 3 with two walks and ended July with a major league-leading 42 homers and 91 RBIs.New York overcame a 4-0 deficit and took a 6-4 lead when Anthony Rizzo hit a three-run homer into the right field second deck in the seventh off Dylan Coleman, Rizzo’s 25th home run this season.Hunter Dozier homered against Ron Marinaccio leading off the eighth, ending Marinaccio’s 19-inning scoreless streak and run of 56 consecutive batters without allowing a hit.Royals starter Zack Greinke allowed three runs, five hits and two walks with three strikeouts over five innings.Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery gave up four runs, four hits and two walks with six strikeouts in four-plus innings. He has a 6.27 ERA in his last four starts.Kansas City took a 4-0 lead in the fifth on Nick Pratto’s two-run single, Maikel García’s RBI double and Merrifield’s run-scoring groundout.Kyle Higashioka had an RBI single in the bottom half, and LeMahieu hit a two-run homer into the right-field short porch.MARINACCIO STREAKHis streak of consecutive batters without a hit was the second-longest since 1974, according to STATS, behind Dennis Eckersley’s 71 for Cleveland in 1977 and Dwight Gooden’s 57 for the Yankees in 1996.JUDGEJudge’s batting average dipped from .300 to .297. No one has batted at least .300 while hitting at least 50 homers and exceeding 100 RBIs since Alex Rodriguez hit .314 with 54 homers and 156 RBIs for the Yankees in 2007.ZACK’S BIG APPLE DROUGHTRizzo’s home run cost Greinke a chance to earn his win at the Yankees. He is 0-3 with an 8.63 ERA in eight games in the Bronx, including old Yankee Stadium.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: IF Bobby Witt Jr. (right hand) said he felt good and didn’t expect to need X-rays after being hit by a pitch in the ninth inning. Manager Mike Matheny said he was going to pinch-run anyway for Witt, who started his second straight game at designated hitter after missing the previous five games with a hamstring injury.Yankees: RHP Luis Severino (right lat) is expected to begin throwing Monday. … OF/DH Giancarlo Stanton (left Achilles) will begin baseball activities this week. … LHP Zack Britton (left elbow) is scheduled to face batters this week for the first time since he Tommy John surgery last September.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Brad Keller (5-11, 4.18), who leads the AL in losses, is slated to open a three-game series against the host Chicago White Sox.Yankees: RHP Domingo Germán (0-1, 8.22 ERA) will make his third start of the season as a homestand continues with the opener of three-game set against Seattle.