Daily Clips

August 9, 2017

LOCALVargas, 'pen roughed up by Cards in lossAugust 8, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan and Robert Falkoff/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/247168258/cards-ride-six-run-fifth-inning-to-rout-royals/

Breaks go against KC in Cards' 6-run 5thSt. Louis benefits from few lucky bounces, pair of HRsAugust 9, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/247288712/royals-fall-victim-to-another-six-run-inning/

Yost: Scuffling Gordon to sit 'more than a day'KC's Gold Glove outfielder to work with hitting coach SveumAugust 9, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/247195028/alex-gordon-to-sit-awhile-amid-prolonged-slump/?topicId=27118382

Cuthbert comes off DL; KC options TorresAugust 8, 2017 By Oliver Macklin/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/247160700/royals-activate-cheslor-cuthbert-off-10-day-dl/

Cahill faces Cards, seeks 1st win with RoyalsAugust 8, 2017 By Robert Falkoff/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/247168396/royals-cards-shift-i-70-series-to-st-louis/?topicId=26688836

Cardinals spoil Cheslor Cuthbert’s big return, rout Royals 10-3August 8, 2017 By Maria Torres/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article166187167.html

The Royals’ inevitable, significant, and sad benching of Alex GordonAugust 8, 2017 By Sam Mellinger/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article166181787.html

Royals manager Ned Yost benches Alex Gordon in effort to hit the reset button on seasonAugust 8, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article166129182.html

Royals reinstate Cheslor Cuthbert, option Ramon Torres to OmahaAugust 8, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article166065062.html

Why the Royals need to be the best defensive team in the American LeagueAugust 8, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/judging-the-royals/article166003607.html

MINORSChasers Drop Doubleheader in Memphis, 3-1 & 4-2Omaha take opener in Memphis, win 5th out of 6August 8, 2017 By Omaha Storm Chasershttps://www.milb.com/storm-chasers/news/chasers-drop-doubleheader-in-memphis-3-1--4-2/c-247238918/t-196093384

Escalera Powers Naturals To Series Opening WinAlfredo Escalera goes 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs in the 11-5 victory over MidlandAugust 9, 2017 By Naturals PR Departmenthttps://www.milb.com/naturals/news/escalera-powers-naturals-to-series-opening-win/c-247282828/t-196093316

Rocks Start Road Trip With LossWilmington Has Dropped Eight of Last Nine Away From Frawley StadiumAugust 9, 2017 By Wilmington Blue Rockshttps://www.milb.com/blue-rocks/news/wilmington-has-dropped-eight-of-last-nine-away-from-frawley-stadium/c-247295878/t-196097164

Asheville overcomes early deficit for 9-7 winAugust 8, 2017 By Lexington Legendshttps://www.milb.com/legends/news/asheville-overcomes-early-deficit-for-9-7-win/c-247256614/t-196097274

Hunter Greene Triples In Pro Debut, Mustangs Lose 10-7 To ChukarsAugust 9, 2017 By Billings Mustangshttps://www.milb.com/mustangs/news/hunter-greene-triples-in-pro-debut-mustangs-lose-10-7-to-chukars/c-247322518/t-196096832

Royals Split Twinbill With AstrosBurlington falls 6-5 in game one; pitching leads to 3-1 win in nightcap

August 8, 2017 By Matt Krause/Burlington Royalshttps://www.milb.com/b-royals/news/royals-split-twinbill-with-astros/c-247250448/t-196097136

MLB TRANSACTIONSAugust 9, 2017 •.CBSSports.comhttp://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

LOCALVargas, 'pen roughed up by Cards in lossAugust 8, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan and Robert Falkoff/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/247168258/cards-ride-six-run-fifth-inning-to-rout-royals/

Right-hander Michael Wacha pitched six serviceable innings and the Cardinals put up a six-run inning for the second straight game on their way to another romp over the intrastate-rival Royals, this time 10-3 on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium.

The Cardinals, who beat the Royals, 11-3, on Monday, pulled within 2 1/2 games of the National League Central-leading Cubs. The Royals, who have lost seven of nine, fell four games behind the American League Central-leading Indians, though the Royals remained tied for the second AL Wild Card spot.

Wacha gave up six hits and three runs while walking two and striking out five. Yadier Molina, Jedd Gyorko and Randal Grichuk all homered for the Cardinals.

Royals starter Jason Vargas wobbled through 4 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits and six runs.

"I thought up until the fifth, Vargy was just Vargy," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "Good changeup, dropping his curve in. But then that weird inning came in the fifth."

The Cardinals matched a club record by scoring double-digit runs in a third straight game. They last accomplished that feat April 9-11 of last season.

"If we could figure out what the key is, we'd never put that key away," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "I think it's contagious. There's a positive vibe."

Wacha had only the fourth-inning glitch when he allowed three runs. But the Cardinals bounced right back with the six-run inning and have explosive innings of nine, six and six runs in their past three games.

on six hits while striking out five batters against the Royals"Michael was terrific today," Matheny said. "He established the curveball early and the cutter was good for him."

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDGame, set, match: Trailing 3-1, the Cardinals bounced right back when Grichuk opened the fifth with a home run to left. A hit batter, an infield single and another walk then loaded the bases with one out. Molina then chopped a grounder off the bag at third and the ball caromed into short left field as two runs scored. Jose Martinez was thrown out at third on Molina's hit, then a double by Dexter Fowler ended Vargas' night. The Royals, still in the game down 4-3, went to left-

hander Mike Minor to face Gyorko, who promptly hit a three-run blast to left, tracked by Statcast™ at 420 feet.

"Right now, we're finding holes," Molina said.

"I liked the power [from Minor]," Yost said on why he opted for the left-handed Minor over right-hander Peter Moylan. "Mike has got that 94-mph fastball. He's been really good in that situation all year long.

"Peter was available. But I was saving Peter for the 2-3-4 hitters down the line, trying to get a little length there. I could have brought him in for one out, but I didn't mind Minor in that spot."

Welcome back, Cheslor: Backup third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert, just activated from the disabled list earlier Tuesday, gave the Royals a jolt of life in the fourth. Trailing 1-0, Kansas City loaded the bases on a walk to Eric Hosmer, a bloop single by Melky Cabrera, and another walk to Jorge Bonifacio. Cuthbert, who singled in the third, then ripped a fastball into the left-field corner, clearing the bases and giving the Royals a brief 3-1 lead.

"I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit," Cuthbert said. "He gave me a heater and it's a good pitch for me. It feels good to be back playing with the boys and trying to get to the playoffs."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

The Cardinals finished a three-city trip at 5-3. It's the first time they've had a multi-city winning road trip since May 5-10, when they went 6-0 at Atlanta and Miami.

WHAT'S NEXT

Cardinals: Right-hander Mike Leake (7-10, 3.34 ERA) will take the ball as the Cardinals return home for the 7:15 p.m. CT game. Leake worked against the Royals once in Interleague Play last year, going seven innings and allowing three runs (two earned) in a 4-2 St. Louis loss.

Royals: Right-hander Trevor Cahill (4-3, 4.13 ERA) takes the mound as the Royals as the home-and-home series switches to St. Louis on Wednesday. Cahill went 4 2/3 innings Thursday against Seattle, giving up six hits and two runs.

Breaks go against KC in Cards' 6-run 5thSt. Louis benefits from few lucky bounces, pair of HRsAugust 9, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/247288712/royals-fall-victim-to-another-six-run-inning/

For the second straight game, the Royals fell victim to a big inning that seemingly could have been prevented.

On Monday, a booted double-play ball aided a six-run outburst by the Cardinals in an 11-3 win. On Tuesday, a couple of strange and lucky singles, a hit batter, a couple of wild pitches and a couple of homers led to another six-run inning that led to a 10-3 Royals loss.

The Royals had just taken a 3-1 lead in the fourth on Cheslor Cuthbert's three-run double.

But Kansas City starter Jason Vargas served up a home run to Randal Grichuk in the fifth, then hit a batter, then made a perfect pitch to Tommy Pham, only to give up a cue-shot swinging bunt for a single. With one out, Vargas walked Jose Martinez.

Then Yadier Molina tapped a three-hopper down the third-base line that caromed off the base into short left field. Two runs scored, and the Cards had a 4-3 lead.

"You don't want to use it as an excuse, but perfect swinging bunt, and then perfect pitch to Molina and he rolls over and it hits the bag," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "When you're not going good, you're not getting the breaks, and we're definitely not going good."

After Vargas left, Yost opted for left-hander Mike Minor to face right-handed-hitting Jedd Gyorko, who blasted a three-run homer and it was 7-3.

Yost said afterward that Peter Moylan was available.

"Peter was available," Yost said. "But I was saving Peter for the 2-3-4 hitters down the line, trying to get a little length there. I could have brought him in for one out, but I didn't mind Minor in that spot."

Vargas was disappointed, bad luck and all, that he let the Cards back in it.

"That was one I felt I let get away," Vargas said. "I feel like I let it get away from the team. Some weird things happened. But with Cheslor coming up big the inning before, I just got to put a stop to that inning regardless of what happens. Frustrating one to let get away."

The Royals only a couple of weeks ago had a nine-game winning streak. They've now lost seven of nine.

"I think that looking at the standings is not that big of a deal," Vargas said. "We had some really good momentum. We have run into some speed bumps. But the guys in here have been through way bigger lows and way bigger highs, so I don't think anyone is too concerned. We just need to get back to doing some fundamental things and get momentum back in our direction."

Yost: Scuffling Gordon to sit 'more than a day'KC's Gold Glove outfielder to work with hitting coach SveumAugust 9, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/247195028/alex-gordon-to-sit-awhile-amid-prolonged-slump/?topicId=27118382

Royals manager Ned Yost said he will sit struggling Gold Glove left fielder Alex Gordon for an undisclosed period of time.

"He's scuffling," Yost said. "I'm going to give him more than a day."

Gordon entered Tuesday's game -- a 10-3 loss to the Cardinals -- hitting .197 with a .580 OPS. He has five home runs and 34 RBIs.

"I always try to give them as much rope as you can," Yost said of handling veteran players in a slump. "It's just been a struggle for him. This will give him time to reboot."

Rookie Jorge Bonifacio, hitting .256 with 14 home runs and 33 RBIs entering Tuesday, started in right field against the Cardinals while Melky Cabrera switched to left field, taking Gordon's place.

"Boni is obviously playing well," Gordon said quietly before Tuesday's game. "So I'd probably do it if I was the manager, too. I just need to go figure it out and start playing better. And don't put myself in these situations."

Yost said Gordon will spend the next couple of days working with batting coach Dale Sveum, searching for answers.

Gordon said he wouldn't elaborate on the plans.

"I'm not going to discuss it," Gordon said. "No point in going into details. Just do it and get it done."

Gordon entered Tuesday's game in the eighth, playing center field, and reached on a hit-by-pitch in his lone at-bat.

Cuthbert comes off DL; KC options TorresAugust 8, 2017 By Oliver Macklin/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/247160700/royals-activate-cheslor-cuthbert-off-10-day-dl/

The Royals activated third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert from the 10-day disabled list and optioned infielder Ramon Torres to Triple-A Omaha, the club announced Tuesday.

Cuthbert, who went 2-for-4 with a three-run double in Tuesday night's 10-3 loss to the Cardinals, had not appeared in a game for the Royals since June 25 while dealing with a left wrist sprain. The 24-year-old is batting .208 with one home run and 13 RBIs in 34 games for Kansas City this season.

Torres was hitting .242 with three doubles and three RBIs in 23 games for the big league club in 2017. He returns to Omaha, where he's hit .327 with five homers and 34 RBIs in 53 games for the Storm Chasers.

Cahill faces Cards, seeks 1st win with RoyalsAugust 8, 2017 By Robert Falkoff/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/247168396/royals-cards-shift-i-70-series-to-st-louis/?topicId=26688836

After challenging each other for two games using designated hitters, the Cardinals and Royals will move across the state Wednesday to begin a two-game set in which the pitchers will have an opportunity to impact the outcome with a bat in their hands.

The I-70 Series continues, National League style, at Busch Stadium on Wednesday. Cardinals right-hander Mike Leake hasn't received a lot of offensive support this season, so St. Louis hitters will attempt to turn that around. Leake has the third-lowest run support average (4.14) in the NL. But Leake has been durable with 22 starts and his 3.34 ERA ranks 10th in the NL.

Meanwhile, Royals right-hander Trevor Cahill is looking to make an impression after being acquired from San Diego in a July 24 trade. Cahill will be making his third start for Kansas City. He took a no-decision in his last outing, working 4 2/3 innings in a 6-4 Royals win over the Mariners.

Three things to know about this game

• Cahill is 1-3 with a 3.55 ERA in 13 outings (five starts) against the Cardinals. He has held opponents to a .224 batting average this season. He threw about 41 percent of his pitches to the upper two-thirds of the strike zone or above with the Padres. But that has climbed to more than 60 percent in two starts for the Royals. Twelve of the 14 hits Cahill has allowed in those games have come on those high pitches.

• Leake will be facing the Royals for the second time. Last year at Busch Stadium, Leake allowed three runs (two earned) over seven innings, but took the loss.

• The Royals won both their games at Busch Stadium last year, 3-2 in 12 innings and 4-2. Both games drew more than 44,000 fans.

Cardinals spoil Cheslor Cuthbert’s big return, rout Royals 10-3August 8, 2017 By Maria Torres/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article166187167.html

For the briefest moment, Cheslor Cuthbert’s return to the Royals’ 25-man roster appeared to be the solution to team’s recent malaise.

After missing a month and a half of major-league action due to a left wrist sprain, Cuthbert was recalled before Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals and immediately penciled in at third base. He went 2 for 4 with a three-run double, giving the Royals their first lead of the I-70 series in the fourth inning.

Try as he might, Cuthbert couldn’t save the Royals.

All-Star starter Jason Vargas was unable to make it out of the fifth inning, the defense suffered a few more malfunctions and the Royals ended a six-game homestand with a 10-3 loss to the Cardinals.

“When things aren’t going good, you’re not getting breaks, and that’s part of the reason why you’re not going good,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “We’re definitely not getting breaks, but we’re not really making our own breaks either.”

The most common denominator among the Royals’ mishaps on Tuesday evening was Jorge Bonifacio. The rookie right fielder made a late jump on a ball hit by the Cardinals’ Dexter Fowler in the fifth inning, allowing it to drop over his head and dribble toward the warning track for a two-out double.

“He broke in and then went back,” Yost said. “He misplayed that ball.”

Fowler would then score on a three-run homer off the bat of Jedd Gyorko, who drilled reliever Mike Minor’s fifth pitch of the game 420 feet to left field for a 7-3 Cardinals lead.

In the seventh inning, Randal Grichuk hit a two-out single to right field with runners on first and second. Bonifacio sailed a throw over jumping reliever Neftali Feliz, who was supposed to back up home plate but tried to cut off the play, and past catcher Drew Butera at the third base line.

A second run scored as Butera scurried after the errant throw. Grichuk then came home on a Matt Carpenter double.

The error was charged to Bonifacio, but officials after the game said that Butera might have had a play at the plate if Feliz hadn’t deflected the ball. Feliz took the error instead.

Grichuk had set the Cardinals up in the fifth inning, dooming the Royals with a leadoff home run. Three of the next four batters reached base safely, including Tommy Pham, who softly hit a ball up the first base line.

Butera went after the ball but made no play, allowing Matt Carpenter to reach third and Pham to reach first.

“That ball was more than halfway down the line. By the time he got to it, the runner was right there at the bag anyway,” Yost said. “It was just a really weird inning.”

Later, Yadier Molina, who hit a leadoff home run the previous inning, chopped a ground ball up the third base side that skipped high over the bag. It landed beyond Cuthbert, who dove into foul territory trying to trap the bases-loaded hit.

Shortstop Alcides Escobar corralled the ball just outside the infield dirt and rocketed a throw to Cuthbert at third to get the Cardinals’ Jose Martinez as he slid into the bag.

Still, two runs scored on the play. All three runs Cuthbert had driven in against the Cardinals’ Michael Wacha to give Vargas room to breathe went for naught, for Wacha allowed only two more hits and the Cardinals’ bullpen shut the Royals’ offense down.

“I feel like I just let it get away from the team right there in that fifth inning,” Vargas said. “Some weird things happened. But with Cheslor coming up big the half-inning before, there’s just got to be a stop put to that inning regardless of what happens. It’s just a frustrating one to let get away.”

Vargas was immediately replaced for Minor. The All-Star who was 12-3 with a 2.62 ERA in the first half suffered his third loss since the break. He was charged with six runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.

As they dropped to 57-55, the Royals could at least take an ounce of comfort in the American League Wild Card race. The Boston Red Sox beat Tampa Bay 2-0, keeping the Royals and Rays tied for the second spot.

The Royals will try to salvage the series with the Cardinals when it relocates to Busch Stadium in St. Louis for the final two games of the set starting Wednesday.

“We were in a really good spot, had a lot of really good momentum going for us, and we’ve run into a couple of speed bumps,” said Vargas, who has only lasted more than five innings once since throwing seven frames on June 30. “But the guys in here have been through way bigger lows and way higher highs than this. I don’t think anybody is too concerned. I think we just need to get back to doing some fundamental things and getting some momentum going in our direction.”

The Royals’ inevitable, significant, and sad benching of Alex GordonAugust 8, 2017 By Sam Mellinger/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article166181787.html

The end is almost always ugly, and that’s as true in sports as it is in love. The best times never last forever. If they did, they wouldn’t be the best times. We get older, change too much, or don’t change enough, and one day you’re packing your bags or listening as the boss tells you why you’re benched.

“I’d probably do it if I was the manager, too,” Alex Gordon told reporters in the clubhouse.

The Royals star — I’m not ready to write former yet — took the news like an adult which was as unsurprising as the news itself. Gordon stinks. He said he stunk last year, and he’s been measurably worse this season.

He is hitting .197 with a .294 slugging percentage. His .580 OPS is the 158th among 159 everyday hitters in baseball, and now he’s no longer an everyday hitter. Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals star pitcher, has a .680 OPS this year.

Royals fans will not be surprised to read that shortstop Alcides Escobar is 159th in OPS, and in a world that made more sense he wouldn’t have made his club record 283rd consecutive start on Tuesday. Some combination of Escobar’s defense and the team’s alternatives give him a Supreme Court justice’s job security.

The calculus on that second part — the alternatives — changed for Gordon exactly a week ago when the Royals traded for Melky Cabrera.

Cabrera has played all three outfield positions in his career, but has primarily been a left fielder in seven of the last eight seasons. The lone exception, notably, was when he set career highs in hits, homers, doubles, runs, and steals as the Royals’ center fielder in 2011.

That was the year before Lorenzo Cain became a full-time big leaguer, and the year Gordon backed up his “dominate” line with one of the franchise’s best individual seasons ever — .303 with a .376 on-base and .502 slugging percentage, 23 homers, 45 doubles, and the first of four consecutive Gold Gloves.

That was the Gordon who more than anyone else personified the Royals’ rise from trash to trophies. He was drafted second overall in 2005, a full year before owner David Glass hired Dayton Moore as general manager and gave him the money to professionalize the place.

Gordon was the college player of the year, then the next year the minor league player of the year, then the next year received two standing ovations before he ever took a swing in the big leagues. Somewhere in the middle of all that people started comparing him to George Brett — shaggy blonde hair, blue eyes, third base, left-handed swing — but it didn’t get absurd until the guy with 3,154 hits said he was honored by the comparison.

Gordon was, basically, a certifiable bust his first four years in the big leagues. He was alternately hurt and overmatched.

Failing in baseball for the first time in his life wore on him. People came to take his stoicism as apathy, which could not have been further from the problem. He took every out like a referendum on his worth, and there were a lot of outs. To compensate, he’d overwork himself to the point of fatigue, which just worsened the cycle.

In May 2010, the Royals were out of ideas, but also running out of time with Gordon. They weren’t good enough to release him. Their alternatives weren’t any better. But the next third baseman was making his way to Kansas City, a slugger they called Moose, so someone came up with the idea of moving Gordon to left. He was always a good athlete, moved well, and maybe the switch would unlock something in his brain.

He came back as an outfielder, promised to dominate, and did. He got MVP votes in 2011, signed a $37.5 million contract extension before the 2012 season and then outperformed it.

He led the league in doubles in 2012, and was the best player on the team that broke a 29-year playoff drought and went all the way to Game 7 of the 2014 World Series. Some use revisionist history to say his decline started in 2015, and he was injured for two months, but his OPS was actually 26 points higher than the year before and 60 points higher than the year before that.

The homer in the bottom of the ninth in the first game of the 2015 World Series is one of the franchise’s most iconic moments. Someday, the point to the sky as he rounded first base could be a statue around the ballpark.

That all feels like so long ago now, doesn’t it?

The Royals signed Gordon to a four-year, $72 million contract about two months after the parade. It was the richest contract in franchise history. An anonymous stranger spotted him at a restaurant the day the deal was announced, and bought Gordon lunch, one of the most Kansas City moves of all-time.

When the deal was done, the front office felt a collective combination of relief and pride. Ned Yost had called Gordon “the perfect ballplayer,” losing that guy in the afterglow of a world championship would’ve felt unacceptable.

Club officials knew the risk. Gordon was about to turn 32, and contracts that big for players that age rarely turn out well. But Gordon has always stayed in impeccable physical shape. There were no personal vices to get in the way, no risk of the money changing how he worked. His diverse set of skills matched the profile of players who tend to age relatively well.

Internally, club officials generally felt he’d continue to be one of the game’s best all-around corner outfielders for two years, then begin the natural decline in years three and four.

None of them could’ve guessed the drop would be this steep, or this immediate. He is hitting .210 with a .301 on-base and .343 slugging percentage since signing that contract. He has 22 home runs and 30 doubles in 228 games. In 2011 alone, he had 23 and 45.

Theories to explain are everywhere, and what they lack in in certainty they make up for in variety. Some scouts think he’s too stubborn, unwilling to accept he can no longer do what he did as a younger man. Some see his struggles against

fastballs — he used to crush fastballs — as a sign of slower bat speed.

Yost occasionally talks of Gordon showing the power of his youth during batting practice, and he’s still very good defensively, so maybe it’s more mental than anything.

If anyone knew for sure, or even had more than a guess that so far hasn’t worked, we wouldn’t be here. Gordon won’t start for a few days, in hopes that extra time with the hitting coach will “reset” something and drag out production as the Royals chase a playoff spot.

If we’re honest, there is no particularly compelling reason for optimism. The last week has been especially ugly — one for his last 18, with eight strikeouts. The Royals are out of ideas, and the so-called 10-and-5 clause protecting veterans in the CBA limits the Royals’ options.

What they’re doing now is familiar to any of us who’ve had a crashed computer or cable box, turned it off, unplugged the thing, and then restarted in hopes of improvement. It works with consumer technology. Aging outfielders are a different challenge.

The Royals were out of ideas once before with Gordon, and in desperation sent him to Omaha to learn a new position. That worked to spectacular results, but that was a very different man. He was 26. Now he’s 33, a full 22 months removed from baseball success, with around $48 million left on a backloaded contract.

If Gordon is not done as a productive ballplayer, his career has at least one more inspiring and surprising twist. There can be no doubt about how hard he will work to find it, and how many both in and out of the organization are rooting for him.

He’s been tested professionally as much as an athlete can be, with impossible expectations, serious injuries, a rotten franchise that needed his help. He’s met every turn with honesty, work, class, maturity, and occasionally humor. These are the traits he’ll need for the next biggest challenge of his baseball life.

Yes, the end is almost always ugly. Maybe this isn’t the end, not yet, but if Gordon’s productive years are all in the past he’s changed a franchise and city for the better. Maybe Gordon reinvents himself, once more.

Hopefully that’s how he’s remembered here, no matter how the rest of his time in Kansas City goes. That homer off Familia really was the best of times.

Royals manager Ned Yost benches Alex Gordon in effort to hit the reset button on seasonAugust 8, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article166129182.html

His batting average back under .200 and his season-long slump deepening, left fielder Alex Gordon will sit for the next few days in an attempt to hit the reset button on a frustrating year, Royals manager Ned Yost said on Tuesday.

“[He’s] scuffling,” Yost said. “I’m going to give him more than a day. We’ll see. Kind of just reset a little bit.”

The benching of the former All-Star and Gold Glove winner came nine days after the club acquired outfielder Melky Cabrera from the Chicago White Sox before the non-waiver trade deadline. It came just one week after Yost stressed that Gordon’s premium defense in left field still offered value. The Royals, though, appeared to hit a breaking point as Gordon plunged into another deep rut as the calendar turned to August.

Gordon entered the day batting .197 with a .580 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) after a 2-for-20 stretch this month. Since July 23, he was just 6 for his last 46 with two extra-base hits.

The Royals are hopeful that some time off will allow Gordon to find his stroke while working in the batting cage with hitting coach Dale Sveum. On Tuesday, Yost inserted Melky Cabrera in left field as the Royals continued a four-game home-and-home series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Rookie outfielder Jorge Bonifacio returned to the lineup in right field.

“Boni is obviously playing well,” Gordon said. “So I’d probably do it if I was the manager, too. I just need to go figure it out and start playing better.”

Gordon declined to elaborate when asked what he might focus on during his pregame sessions with Sveum. Yet he has made no excuses for his struggles at the plate. Nearly 19 months after signing the richest contract in franchise history, a four-year, $72 million deal to stay in Kansas City, Gordon is suffering through the worst offensive season of his career. His OPS (.580) is nearly 200 points below his career average. His power has essentially disappeared. He has struggled against fastballs and off-speed stuff.

“It’s just been a battle for him,” Yost said.

The struggles at the plate come one season after he batted .220 with a .312 on-base percentage and 17 homers in an injury-plagued 2016. That kind of production, while significantly below Gordon’s career marks, would be a welcome sight in 2017.

The mystery of Gordon’s declining offense has confounded rival scouts and executives alike. His bat speed has remained mostly steady. His power shows up during batting practice, scout says. He is 33 years old now, an age when many players begin to slow down. Yet his work ethic is unrivaled inside the Royals clubhouse, teammates say.

His defense has also remained elite. He entered Tuesday leading all American League left fielders in Defensive Runs Saved. Among all outfielders in baseball, he trailed only Boston’s Mookie Betts in Ultimate Zone Rating, another advanced metric.

The defensive performance, in part, allowed the Royals to put up with his declining bat. On Tuesday, however, the Royals (57-54) sat just three games behind first-place Cleveland in the American League Central and tied with Tampa Bay for the final American League wild card spot. Bonifacio, a 24-year-old rookie, has batted .256 with a .327 on-base percentage and 14 homers in 85 games. The addition of Cabrera offered another alternative in the corner outfield spots.

“We need Gordy being productive,” Yost said. “The calendar doesn’t have anything to do with it right now. We need

Gordy to be productive. Boni has done a nice job for us up here right now. We’ll just see if we can’t give Gordy a couple of days off and get him going. Simple as that.”

So for the moment, Gordon, the franchise cornerstone, will head to the bench with his team in a pennant race. The Royals are hopeful the days off will offer a reboot of sorts, a restart in a season of disappointing production. For now, Gordon is hopeful the answer will come soon.

“We’ll take some days off here and see if he can’t hit the reset a little bit, get in to do some work with Dale,” Yost said. “It gives you a chance to focus more intently in the batting cage and see if they can’t figure something out to help him get going.”

Royals reinstate Cheslor Cuthbert, option Ramon Torres to OmahaAugust 8, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article166065062.html

In an effort to add cover for a hobbled Mike Moustakas, the Royals reinstated infielder Cheslor Cuthbert from the disabled list on Tuesday.

Moustakas is battling a buildup of fluid around his right knee after getting hit by a 99 mph fastball from Detroit reliever Bruce Rondon on July 26. The pitch struck Moustakas in the hip and created a deep bruise that has drained down his leg over the last week, Royals manager Ned Yost said.

“It’s draining down his leg and the fluid … makes it a little less flexible,” Yost said. “The trainers work real hard to get the fluid out, but by the end of the day, it’s still draining down in there.”

Moustakas, who has moved gingerly on the base paths in recent days, was in the lineup at designated hitter on Tuesday, while Cuthbert started at third base. Moustakas will likely return to third base on Wednesday when the Royals lose the DH during a two-game series in St. Louis. But the club could opt to give him more time at DH this weekend in Chicago if the issue lingers.

“He’s battling through it,” Yost said.

Cuthbert returned from the disabled list following a rehab assignment at Class AAA Omaha.To create a spot on the 25-man roster, the club optioned backup infielder Ramon Torres back to Omaha.

Cuthbert was 9 for 26 with three homers since re-starting a rehab stint on Aug. 1. He originally went on the disabled list in late June with a wrist sprain. His first rehab assignment was interrupted after he fouled a ball off his foot on July 25.

Torres was batting .242 with a .299 on-base percentage in 62 at-bats since being called up from Omaha in early June.

Why the Royals need to be the best defensive team in the American LeagueAugust 8, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/judging-the-royals/article166003607.html

Generally speaking, baseball fans care more about offense than defense. Offense is easier to measure and understand and that makes the numbers more compelling.

Unless the play is spectacular — and spectacular plays are often the result of poor positioning or lousy pitch location — good defense is much more subtle.

Just look at Monday night’s game against the Cardinals:

In the second inning, Mike Moustakas hit his 32nd home run and everybody noticed.

But in the fourth inning, before the game was out of hand, Lorenzo Cain turned a Jose Martinez double into a Jose Martinez single by cutting the ball off in the gap; few fans cheered Cain’s outstanding play and half of those fans were probably cheering Martinez’ single.

Fans may not notice good defense, but baseball teams do.

In the big leagues, teams don’t care if a player puts runs on the board or keeps them off; both lead to winning.

And the Royals, more than most teams, rely on good defense.

Kauffman Stadium requires good defense

When Dayton Moore took over the Royals and looked at the size of Kauffman Stadium’s outfield, he knew his team would never hit a lot of home runs; the K is just too big. The Royals could invest in a home-run hitter, but they wouldn’t get what they paid for.

People who ridicule Steve Balboni’s single-season record of 36 home runs miss the point; it’s not an embarrassment, it’s physics.

Even now — with the team and Mike Moustakas on their way to breaking the single-season records for home runs — the Royals only rank eighth in the American League when it comes to the long ball. The Royals at their home-run best are still in the middle of the pack.

So if home runs aren’t going to put a lot of runs on the board, good defense needs to keep runs off the board.

The Royals needed outfielders who could cover Kauffman Stadium’s spacious outfield and turn doubles into singles, or better yet, doubles into outs. Compared to home-run hitters, good outfielders are a bargain.

The 2015 World Champion Royals were second-to-last in American League home runs, but made that work because only two teams allowed fewer runs.

The Kansas City Royals depend on good defense and in Game 1 of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Mariners and on Monday night against the Cardinals, we all saw what happens when they don’t get it.

Walks and errors: how big innings are built

If the Royals allow four runs or less, they have a winning record; if the Royals allow five runs or more, they have a losing record.

On most nights, the Royals have to keep the score low to have a chance; this season they’re 12th in runs scored, so if the opponent has a big inning the Royals will have a tough time matching it.

So how do the Royals avoid big innings?

Limit the walks and errors.

There are always exceptions, but it’s difficult for a team to build a big inning by getting hit after hit.

On Sunday, in the second inning of the first game of a doubleheader, the Mariners scored four runs on just two hits; a walk, a botched rundown and a passed ball kept the inning going.

On Monday, in the fourth inning, the Cardinals scored six runs on just three hits; two walks and two errors kept the inning alive.

If big innings were brick walls (and I’m about to stretch a metaphor here) hits are the bricks; walks and errors are the mortar that holds those bricks together.

The Mariners’ team batting average is .258; St. Louis’ is .256. If the Royals avoid walks and errors — easier said than done — the Mariners and Cardinals would still score, but they wouldn’t score runs in bunches.

Why we take good defense for granted

When a player makes a diving catch, it’s often the result of one of two things; the player wasn’t standing in the right spot to begin with or the pitcher missed location with a pitch.

Those spectacular plays make the game highlights, but the best defensive plays are boring; the pitcher makes a good pitch and the ball is hit right at a defender.

Watching good defense is like having a car that starts every morning; we tend to take it for granted ... until the car doesn’t start.

The 2017 Royals are currently ninth in team batting average, 15th in on-base percentage and 12th in runs scored. If they’re going to make those numbers work, they have to play good defense.

Even though we might not notice.

MINORSChasers Drop Doubleheader in Memphis, 3-1 & 4-2Omaha take opener in Memphis, win 5th out of 6August 8, 2017 By Omaha Storm Chasershttps://www.milb.com/storm-chasers/news/chasers-drop-doubleheader-in-memphis-3-1--4-2/c-247238918/t-196093384

Despite taking the lead in both games, the Storm Chasers fell to defeat in both ends of a doubleheader on Tuesday night, losing 3-1 and 4-2 at AutoZone Park.

In the opener, Brian Flynn and Kevin Herget matched zeroes for 3 innings, until Omaha scored the first run in the top of the 4th. Jorge Soler and Frank Schwindel walked, and with 1 out, Logan Moon doubled home Soler to give the Chasers a 1-0 lead.

But Memphis turned the game in their favor with 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th. Alberto Rosario, Wilfredo Tovar, and Rangel Ravelo collected consecutive singles to tie the game and chase Flynn. Seth Maness was summoned to the mound, but Tyler O'Neill greeted him with an RBI single. Aledmys Diaz later hit into a fielder's choice, scoring Ravelo for a 3-1 Redbirds advantage.

Flynn (L, 4-3) was charged with 3 runs, 5 hits, and 3 walks in 4+ innings. He struck out 3.

Herget (W, 4-1) worked 6 innings, allowing 1 run, 4 hits, and 2 walks, while striking out 5.

Josh Lucas (S, 12) tossed a scoreless 7th for the save, closing out a quick Memphis victory.

************************************

In the second game of the night, the Chasers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the 3rd. Corey Toups singled, Billy Burns bunted for a hit, Dean Anna sacrificed them to 2nd and 3rd, and Jorge Soler walked. Frank Schwindel then hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Toups, and when left fielder Tyler O'Neill threw errantly to the infield, Burns also came around to score on the same play.

Memphis cut the lead in half in the bottom of the 5th on a walk to Breyvic Valera and a double by Nick Martini. However, Emilio Ogando stranded Martini at 3rd to keep Omaha ahead 2-1.

Ogando, who was making his Triple-A debut, worked 5 innings, and limited Memphis to 1 run on 4 hits. He struck out 2 and walked 3.

Again, however, the Redbirds staged a rally to earn victory. Eric Stout (L, 5-1) entered the game in the bottom of the 6th, and issued walks to Tyler O'Neil and Aledmys Diaz. After a sacrifice bunt by Harrison Bader, Stout struck out power-hitting Patrick Wisdom, then issued a walk to Breyvic Valera, loading the bases with 2 out. Gabriel Lino followed with a 3-run double, giving Memphis the lead, 4-2.

Matt Pierce (W, 2-1) worked through 6 innings, scattering 7 hits and 2 runs. He struck out 4 and walked 1.

Ryan Sherriff (S, 6) locked down the 7th for the save, consigning Omaha to a frustrating night.

The Storm Chasers will continue the series in Memphis tomorrow. RHP Christian Binford (5-8, 7.93) will toe the rubber for Omaha, while RHP Jon Gant (4-5, 4.33) will counter for the Redbirds. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35.

Escalera Powers Naturals To Series Opening WinAlfredo Escalera goes 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs in the 11-5 victory over MidlandAugust 9, 2017 By Naturals PR Departmenthttps://www.milb.com/naturals/news/escalera-powers-naturals-to-series-opening-win/c-247282828/t-196093316

Locked in a 5-5 game in the seventh, Alfredo Escalera clubbed a two-out, three-run home run to put the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (17-28/56-59) in front for good as they beat the Midland RockHounds (20-25/55-60) in the series opener by a final of 11-5. The win snaps a four game losing streak and gives the team a three game winning streak at home.

Northwest Arkansas used some clutch, two-out hitting to take the lead for good on Tuesday night at Arvest Ballpark. Paulo Orlando began the two-out rally with a single and advanced to second on a walk by Samir Duenez . That set the stage for Escalera, whom capped his big night, with his seventh big fly of the season to power the Naturals to a commanding 8-5 lead.

The home team would go on to tack on three more runs in the eighth to secure an 11-5 win over the Double-A Oakland Athletics as Jack Lopez had a RBI single while Cody Jones chipped in a two-run single. The 11 runs by Northwest Arkansas marked the first time that they've scored double-digit runs in a ballgame since a 10-9 win over the Travelers on June 11.

After the RockHounds took an early 3-0 lead with two runs in the first and another tally in the second, the Naturals stormed back with three runs of their own in the home half of the second to tie the game at 3-3. Escalera got the frame going with a single and advanced to third base on a double by Donnie Dewees, Jr. With runners at second and third, Humberto Arteaga came through with a two-run single back up the middle to cut the deficit to 3-2. Then after Arteaga stole second, Nick Dini delivered a big two-out RBI single to right field to plate Arteaga to knot the score at 3-3 after two complete innings.

Northwest Arkansas would claim their first lead at 4-3 in the bottom of the third. Nicky Lopez worked a leadoff walk and advanced to third base on a single by Orlando before Escalera brought Lopez home with a sacrifice fly to left field.

The Naturals extended their lead to 5-3 on a RBI fielder's choice by Dewees Jr. in the fifth only to see the RockHounds come back and tie it at 5-5 in the top of the sixth as Jordan Tarsovich and B.J. Boyd each collected RBI singles in the two-run frame.

Coming off a league-wide day off, the offense looked refreshed for Northwest Arkansas as they cranked out 13 hits in the game. Escalera led the way with three while nine different hitters recorded a knock with Orlando and Miller having two hits apiece.

In a battle of bullpens after the fourth inning, it was LHP Richard Lovelady (W, 3-1) that earned the win in relief with 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball for the Naturals before RHP Andrew Edwards fired a perfect ninth to close out the game. RHP James Naile (L, 1-2) of the RockHounds took the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits in 3.1 innings out of the Midland pen.

RHP Josh Staumont made his sixth start of the year for Northwest Arkansas in the series opener on Tuesday night; however, control was a bit of an issue for the hard-throwing righty. Staumont threw 77 pitches, 40 of which for strikes, through 3.0 complete innings of work as he allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and five walks while registering three strikeouts.

While the Northwest Arkansas pitching staff gave up nine hits and six walks in the game, the did a great job of limiting the damage against the RockHounds as they held their opponent to only 2-for-15 hitting with runners in scoring position.

Rocks Start Road Trip With LossWilmington Has Dropped Eight of Last Nine Away From Frawley StadiumAugust 9, 2017 By Wilmington Blue Rockshttps://www.milb.com/blue-rocks/news/wilmington-has-dropped-eight-of-last-nine-away-from-frawley-stadium/c-247295878/t-196097164

Wilmington Blue Rocks' (60-54/21-23) pitcher Cristian Castillo failed to make it through the fifth inning and the Down East Wood Ducks (46-68/22-23) took full advantage as they handed the Blue Rocks an 11-3 loss on Tuesday at Grainger Stadium. Castillo suffered his fifth consecutive defeat and the Blue Crew fell for the eighth time in their last nine road games. Nick Heath led the Blue Rocks offense with four hits, while Roman Collins drove in a pair in the losing cause.

Castillo allowed at least one base runner in all five of his trips to the mound. The southpaw helped his own cause by picking two guys off of first, but it was not enough. He surrendered a run in the second on a run-scoring single to shallow left by Carlos Garay. After Wilmington took a 2-1 lead in the top of third, Castillo yielded a game-tying RBI single by Luis La O in the third. Down East would again tie the game against the Blue Crew starter in the fourth on back-to-back two-out hits, including an RBI single from LeDarious Clark.

The Wood Ducks took the lead for good in the fifth. After La O drew a one-out walk, Josh Morgan singled and both runners advanced an extra base on Jose Sanchez' error in right field. Yanio Perez poked a two-run single down the right field line to give the Wood Ducks a 5-3 lead. Ti'Quan Forbes followed with a double to score another run to make it a 6-3 deficit for the Rocks. Down East blew the game open in the eighth inning when they tacked on four more runs and sent eight men to the plate to make it out of reach for Wilmington.

Kyle Cody got the win in his Advanced-A debut for Down East, holding the Blue Rocks to three runs on seven hits in five frames. The right-hander fanned six, walked two and hit one.

Wilmington scored its runs courtesy of Collins' two-run double to right-center in the third inning and Jecksson Flores' RBI-single in the fourth. That knock gave the Rocks a 3-2 lead at the time, but they squandered a golden opportunity for insurance when they left the bases loaded in that same frame. The Blue Crew also stranded a pair in scoring position in the sixth, while in the eighth, the Blue Crew loaded the bases again but was unable to capitalize.

Wilmington continues its three-game series at Down East on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. as left-hander Colin Rodgers (2-3, 3.66) gets the ball for the Blue Rocks against Down East southpaw Wes Benjamin (8-6, 4.45). Fans can listen to the game as Matt Janus and Cory Nidoh will have the call on 89.7 WGLS-FM.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

The Blue Rocks have had Mother Nature wreak havoc on their schedule in the last three weeks. Wilmington has endured rain delays seven times in the last 18 days. The Blue Crew had a game rained out at Frederick on July 22 and then endured two separate rain delays during the next day's doubleheader against the Keys. On July 29 Wilmington waited almost two hours before rain forced the postponement of their game at Carolina. It set up a doubleheader 24 hours later, which light rain delayed the start of by 30 minutes as well. Wilmington then had a scheduled game against Buies Creek cancelled on August 2 before Tuesday's 35-minute delay prior to first pitch.

Cristian Castillo's struggles continued on Tuesday. The Carolina League All-Star departed after just 4.1 frames, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks. The outing marked Castillo's fifth straight start allowing at least three earned runs. He did that only five times total in his first 17 outings. Since the All-Star break Castillo is 2-6 with a 5.37 ERA in nine starts. He was 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA in 17 first-half outings.

Tuesday bucked the trend for the Blue Rocks at historic Grainger Stadium in Kinston, North Carolina. Wilmington lost for only the second time in eight tries this season. The Rocks entered the series with a five-game winning streak against the Wood Ducks and outscored Down East 46-26 entering play on Tuesday. Despite the loss, the Rocks pounded out 12 hits and continue to hit well against the Wood Ducks, posting a .302 batting average (92-for-305) through the first eight contests of the head-to-head matchup.

Roman Collins continues to be a run-producer for Wilmington. The second-year Blue Rock registered two more RBIs on Tuesday, padding his team-leading total to 45. Collins also clubbed two doubles on Tuesday, which also makes him the team leader in that category with 24. Collins has 36 extra-base hits so far this season for the Blue Rocks. He managed just 29 extra-base hits all of last season during his time with both Wilmington and Low-A Lexington.

Chris DeVito finally broke out of his extended slump on Tuesday. The Wilmington slugger worked his way on base four times, thanks to a pair of walks and two singles. Entering the night, DeVito was just 2-for-his-last-43 with 22 strikeouts. Tuesday marked the first game without a whiff for DeVito since July 18. Overall on the season the California native has hit 19 home runs (11 at Low-A Lexington)

THEY SAID IT: JAMIE QUIRK

"I really think it's the inability to score early on the road. (On recent struggles on the road) For a long time, we were a good road team because we would go out there and score in the first inning and get things going. We haven't scored in the first inning, maybe even the second inning, in a long time on the road. We're always playing catch up. They get the lead, we get runs in the second and third. We could've had a lot more and break the game open but we didn't. We had chances, but we didn't do it. We also didn't pitch well, which didn't help.

Heath's speed is great. (On outfielder legging out infield single for fourth hit) He is starting to make contact and when he makes contact, good things happen. He has to avoid strikeouts, which he did (Tuesday). But when you put the ball in play and with his speed, good things happen.

(Devito) was much better tonight. (On first baseman's approach at the plate). The two walks were as good as anything. He's been swinging at those pitches and he wouldn't have had those two walks prior to today. It's a positive for him to have the two walks and two hits. Hopefully we can go from there."

Asheville overcomes early deficit for 9-7 winAugust 8, 2017 By Lexington Legendshttps://www.milb.com/legends/news/asheville-overcomes-early-deficit-for-9-7-win/c-247256614/t-196097274

A five-run fifth inning put Asheville in front, and the Tourists went on to a 9-7 win over the Lexington Legends Tuesday night in Asheville.

After the Tourists scored a run in the first inning, the Legends took the lead on Joe Dudek's two-run homer in the top of the second, and opened up a 7-1 lead with five runs in the fourth. Gabriel Cancel drew a leadoff walk to start the fourth. After Dudek flied out, Nick Hutchins and Max Bartlett singled, loading the bases. Marten Gasparini's sacrifice fly scored one run, and Vance Vizcaino's single brought home another. Khalil Lee, who had three hits in the game, singled, scoring Bartlett, and Emmanuel Rivera's single scored Vizcaino and Lee.

Asheville answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Tyler Nevin led off with a single and moved to third on Bobby Wernes' double. Infield outs by Vince Fernandez and Joel Diaz each drove in a run, cutting the Legends' lead to four at 7-3.

Legends' starter Ofreidy Gomez retired the first two hitters in the bottom of the fifth, but Max George and Willie Abreu walked, and Nevin's single scored George. Wernes followed with a single, scoring Abreu, and Vince Fernandez capped the inning with a three-run homer, putting the Tourists in front 8-7.

Manny Melendez' solo homer in the bottom of the seventh provided the final Asheville run.

Asheville reliever Kenny Oakley (4-3), who entered the game at the start of the fifth inning, got the win. Reid Humphreys worked a scoreless ninth to earn his eighth save.

Gomez (5-10) was the losing pitcher.

Asheville has won the first two games of the series, which concludes Wednesday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Hunter Greene Triples In Pro Debut, Mustangs Lose 10-7 To ChukarsAugust 9, 2017 By Billings Mustangshttps://www.milb.com/mustangs/news/hunter-greene-triples-in-pro-debut-mustangs-lose-10-7-to-chukars/c-247322518/t-196096832

The Billings Mustangs (3-4, 21-23-1) lost their second straight game to the Idaho Falls Chukars (4-4, 21-25) on Tuesday night, falling 10-7 at Dehler Park to drop the three-game series.

Hunter Greene made his professional debut in the game for the Billings Mustangs. The second overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft would be the night's designated hitter and fill the six spot in the lineup.

Idaho Falls delivered five runs in the top of the second inning to take an early lead. They would lead for the entirety of the game. In the eventful second inning four hits and three walks would be accrued by the Idaho Falls offense to knock Luis Alecis (4-4) out of the game before completing two innings. Travis Jones singled in a run for his first of five hits on the night. Jones finished 5-for-5 with three runs and two RBI. He has hits in seven consecutive at-bats dating back to Monday.

Jeter Downs then got the Mustangs on the board in the bottom of the second with a two-RBI double. Downs hit in three batters in the game as a part of his two-hit performance. It was a new high for the shortstop in RBI.

Billings' offense would be active all evening, totaling 13 hits for their seven runs, but could not get the defensive backing. Stuart Fairchild also added in a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run.

Greene would be retired in the first three at-bats of his professional debut, grounding out to second on the very first pitch he saw in the game. Going 0-for-3 into the seventh inning, Greene would come up for his final at-bat with men on second and third and one out. He got ahold of a 2-2 pitch that he would line deep into center field for a 2-RBI triple, the first hit of his professional career. It would be his final at-bat of the game. Greene finished 1-for-4 in front of the Dehler Park faithful.

That is where the scoring would end for the Mustangs as they could never quite overcome the deficit. Idaho Falls added another run in the ninth on Jones' RBI double, his fifth and final hit, to seal the win.

The Mustangs and Chukars will face off in the final game of their three-game series Wednesday at Dehler Park. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Royals Split Twinbill With AstrosBurlington falls 6-5 in game one; pitching leads to 3-1 win in nightcapAugust 8, 2017 By Matt Krause/Burlington Royalshttps://www.milb.com/b-royals/news/royals-split-twinbill-with-astros/c-247250448/t-196097136

The Burlington Royals and Greeneville Astros split a doubleheader on Tuesday night at Pioneer Park in Greeneville. The Astros won a back-and-forth affair in game one by a 6-5 final, then Burlington responded for a 3-1 win in the nightcap.

Game One

Burlington (21-25 at night's end) raced out to a fast start with a three-run first inning. LF Cal Jones hit a one-out double, and quickly scored on another double from DH Reed Rohlman . Rohlman scored on an RBI single from 1B

Dennicher Carrasco to extend the lead to 2-0. The inning's final run scored when SS Jeison Guzman legged out a triple, plating Carrasco.

Greeneville (24-20 at night's end) trimmed into the lead against Burlington RHP Nathan Webb in the fourth. RF Patrick Mathis drew a leadoff walk, and moved up to second on a single from 3B Brody Westmoreland . The duo executed a double steal to put two in scoring position, and both came across on a two-RBI single by C Ruben Castro .

The Astros took the lead in the fifth. DH Gilberto Celestino hit a one-out single, and stole second. Mathis was hit by a pitch to put two aboard, and Westmoreland walked to load the bases. 1B Reid Russell laced a two-RBI double, scoring Celestino and Mathis, and putting Greeneville up 4-3.

That lead would be short-lived. 2B Jose Marquez reached on an error to begin the top of the sixth for Burlington, and 3B Oliver Nunez followed him with a walk. CF Michael Gigliotti dropped down a bunt single to load the bases, and a walk to Jones that scored Marquez tied the game. RF Seuly Matias hit a sacrifice fly to put Burlington ahead, plating Nunez and making the score 5-4.

Celestino played the hero role for Greeneville in the bottom of the sixth. CF Wilson Amador led off the frame with a single, stole second and took third on a balk. With one out and Amador at third, Celestino launched his fourth homer of the year and put the Astros back ahead 6-5.

Burlington was held off the board in the seventh, and the Astros earned the win.

Jones, Rohlman, and Guzman had two hits apiece in the win, as Burlington pounded out 12 hits to Greeneville's nine.

Game Two

Royals RHP Connor Mayes set the tone in a pitcher's duel. The former University of Texas Longhorn scattered just four hits over his five innings of work, did not walk a batter, and struck out six.

The Burlington offense helped him out with a run in the top of the second. SS Jeison Guzman drew a two-out walk, and moved up on a single from C Jesus Atencio . An error on the play allowed Guzman to motor from first to home and score.

The Royals added another run in the sixth. LF Cal Jones hit a leadoff single, and RF Seuly Matias walked to put two aboard. 3B Dennicher Carrasco followed with a walk of his own, and the bases were loaded. 2B Oliver Nunez hit into a force out that retired Jones and kept the bases loaded, allowing Atencio draw a bases-loaded walk. The walk plated Matias, and the Royals led 2-0.

LHP Felix Familia entered for the home half of the sixth for the Royals. He allowed a leadoff single to SS Cody Bohanek , and walked 1B Reid Russell. With two out, C Martin Figueroa hit an RBI single to score Bohanek to trim the lead to 2-1.

Burlington answered right back in the top of the seventh. CF Michael Gigliotti hit a one-out bunt single, and advanced to third on an error. Gigliotti scored soon after on an RBI groundout by Jones.

RHP Tyler Zuber retired the Astros 1-2-3 in the seventh to preserve the win.

Atencio had two of the Royals' four hits in the game.

MLB TRANSACTIONSAugust 9, 2017 •.CBSSports.comhttp://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Detroit Tigers José Iglesias

Reinstated from Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency List

Tampa Bay Rays

Jake Odorizzi

Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Tampa Bay Rays

Jake Odorizzi

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Lower back strain)

Texas Rangers Tyler Smith Called Up from Minors

Texas Rangers

Nick Martinez Sent to Minors

Toronto Blue Jays

Nick Tepesch Purchased From Minors

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2017

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Boston Red Sox Ben Taylor Sent to Minors, For

Rehabilitation

Boston Red Sox

Blaine Boyer

Placed on 10-Day DL, (Neck strain)

Boston Red Sox

Dustin Pedroia

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Left knee inflammation)

Chicago White Sox

Avisail Garcia

Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Chicago White Sox

Avisail Garcia

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Sprained right thumb)

Detroit Tigers Jeimer Candelario Sent to Minors

Kansas City Royals

Cheslor Cuthbert

Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Kansas City Royals

Cheslor Cuthbert

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Left wrist sprain)

Kansas City Royals

Ramón Torres Sent to Minors

Los Angeles Angels

Yunel Escobar

Placed on 10-Day DL, (Strained right oblique)

Los Angeles Angels

Eduardo Paredes Called Up from Minors

Los Angeles Dodgers Luis Avilán Placed on Paternity Leave

List

Los Angeles Dodgers

Brock Stewart Called Up from Minors

Miami Marlins Javy Guerra Purchased From Minors

Miami Marlins

Chris O'Grady

Placed on 10-Day DL, (Strained right oblique)

Milwaukee Brewers

Chase Anderson

Sent to Minors, For Rehabilitation

New York Yankees

Bryan Mitchell Called Up from Minors

Oakland Athletics Matt Olson Called Up from Minors

Philadelphia Phillies Zach Eflin Called Up from Minors

Seattle Mariners

David Phelps

Placed on 10-Day DL, (Right elbow impingement)

Seattle Mariners

Ernesto Frieri

Traded From from Rangers, Texas (for cash considerations)

Tampa Bay Rays Alex Cobb Placed on 10-Day DL, (Turf

toe, right big toe)

Tampa Bay Rays Blake Snell Called Up from Minors

Tampa Bay Rays

Ryne Stanek Sent to Minors

Texas Rangers Keone Kela Placed on 10-Day DL,

(Right shoulder soreness)

Texas Rangers

Ricky Rodríguez Purchased From Minors

Toronto Blue Jays

Leonel Campos Called Up from Minors

Toronto Blue Jays

Matt Dermody Sent to Minors

Toronto Blue Jays

Cesar Valdez

Placed on 10-Day DL, (Right shoulder impingement)