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Daily ClipsAugust 10, 2017LOCALRoyals can't hold late lead vs. CardinalsAugust 10, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan and Alaina Getzenberg/ Struggles continue to mount for CahillRighty has an 8.18 ERA since joining team in JulyAugust 10, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/ Royals hoping Salvy can return in 2 weeksAll-Star catcher making progress with intercostal strainAugust 10, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/ Hammel looks to get on a roll vs. CardsAugust 10, 2017By Alaina Getzenberg/ KC already buzzing over Players WeekendNew event to take place during all games from Aug. 25-27August 10, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/\ After kitten frolics, the Royals fall to the Cardinals 8-5 at Busch StadiumAugust 10, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star After additional evaluation, Royals expect Salvador Perez to miss two to three weeksAugust 10, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star I-70 Series trophy for the Royals-Cardinals winner? Danny Duffy says no thanksAugust 10, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star Sledge, Papo, Bear among nicknames Royals chose for custom Players Weekend jerseysAugust 10, 2017By Maria Torres/KC Star The story behind some Royals nicknames. (It’s not the bear suit, Joel)August 10, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star MINORSBinford & Lenik Strong, but Chasers Fall in Extras, 3-2Redbirds walk off in 10th to edge game in MemphisAugust 10, 2017Omaha Storm Chasers Lopez, Dini deliver Naturals a fourth straight home winJack Lopez homered while Nick Dini had a game-winning two-run double in the 6-4 victory over MidlandAugust 10, 2017Northwest Arkansas Naturals Rocks Rally Late But Can't Hold OnWilmington Has Dropped Nine of Last Ten Away From Frawley StadiumAugust 10, 2017Wilmington Blue Rocks Asheville edges Legends in 10, 3-2August 10, 2017Lexington Legends Mustangs back in first after 14-9 shootout winAugust 10, 2017Billings Mustangs Royals Drop Series Opener to YankeesBurlington holds Pulaski to four hits in lossAugust 10, 2017By Matt Krause/Burlington Royals MLB TRANSACTIONSAugust 10, 2017 ?. can't hold late lead vs. CardinalsAugust 10, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan and Alaina Getzenberg/ Suddenly, the Cardinals are a lot closer to the cat-bird seat in the top-heavy National League Central.In a wildly entertaining chain of events that featured a stray cat delay, the Redbirds continued their red-hot ways against cross-state rival Kansas City. Yadier Molina belted a grand slam in the sixth inning that catapulted St. Louis from a 5-4 deficit to an eventual 8-5 victory.The Cardinals, who pounded Royals pitching for 21 runs in a two-game set in Kansas City, have won five in a row and pulled within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Cubs in the National League Central. The sliding Royals, who have lost eight of 10, remained four games behind the Indians in the American League Central, but fell one game behind the Mariners for the second Wild Card spot.Cardinals starter Mike Leake wobbled through five innings, giving up 11 hits and five runs, four earned. He walked one and struck out five."Leake did a nice job keeping it to two [in the first]. [It] could have snowballed for sure," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "They were finding holes on him for sure. Typically you're watching when he's at his best, it's on the corners and down. … He's had a nice season, but when he attacks the bottom of the zone usually it gets great results."Royals right-hander Trevor Cahill was wild from the start, walking the leadoff man. He lasted only 21/2 innings, giving up four hits and three runs while walking five."Last four starts I've been battling command," Cahill said. "Sinker hasn't been there and curveball hasn't been there. The curveball is not even close. I'm left trying to get through with just changeups."I didn't even make it through the third which is embarrassing."Whit Merrifield had four hits for the Royals."Offense was really good," Royals manager New Yost said. "We jumped out early. Offense did a great job. We need to pitch better."MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDCat-astrophic for Royals: Royals reliever Peter Moylan appeared on the verge of escaping a jam in the sixth. Reliever Brandon Maurer had given up a single and a walk to open the inning, but Moylan got two quick outs before he intentionally walked Dexter Fowler. After a first-pitch sinker to Molina, the feral cat raced onto the field. It took several minutes before the cat was captured. Moylan's next pitch was a sinker that wound up middle-middle, and Molina didn't miss, rocketing it into the seats in left for his fifth career grand slam. Moylan came into the game having inherited a Major League-leading 47 baserunners and only allowing eight to score."I heard the crowd erupt and I thought it was the scoreboard or something," Moylan said of the cat. "I turned around and it was a kitten. That's a first for me."Moylan said he wanted the sinker down and away."Mentally, once you get that second out, one more and you're a hero," Moylan said. "Instead, Yadi's a hero."Melk Man delivers: The Royals, after giving up a 3-0 lead early, rallied back to take a 5-4 lead in the fifth inning. Eric Hosmer led off with a single to left, and Melky Cabrera followed a two-run shot into the right-field bullpen. Statcast? estimated it traveled 407 feet. It was Cabrera's 15th home run this season. He also added an RBI single.QUOTABLE"You know when you see some animal coming through a field, you expect people to jump on the field, but you never expect animals. It was fun." -- Molina on the cat that across the fieldSOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDSMolina's grand slam tied him with Tim McCarver for second all-time among Cardinals catchers with five. He needs just two more to tie Ted Simmons for first place..WHAT'S NEXTRoyals: Right-hander Jason Hammel (5-9, 4.73 ERA) gets the start for the Royals on Thursday against the Cardinals in the series finale at 6:15 p.m. Hammel will make his team-leading 23rd start. He gave up three runs in 6 1/3 innings last Friday against Seattle.Cardinals: Lance Lynn (10-6, 3.12 ERA) will take the mound for the final game of the I-70 series on Thursday at 6:15 pm CT. The right-hander has given up two runs or less in his last six starts and is 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA over that stretch.Struggles continue to mount for CahillRighty has an 8.18 ERA since joining team in JulyAugust 10, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/ The Royals search for a serviceable No. 5 starter may be on again soon after yet another disappointing outing from right-hander Trevor Cahill.Cahill, acquired in a pre-Trade Deadline deal with the Padres last month, lasted only 2 1/3 innings, giving up three runs while walking five in an 8-5 loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday. Once again, Royals manager Ned Yost had to go to his beleaguered bullpen early.Afterward, Yost searched for something positive to say but came up empty."He just labored from the first inning on," Yost said. "I thought his last start was better than his first start. But I thought he labored [tonight]."The Royals even staked Cahill to a 3-0 lead. That lead was gone by the third inning."I didn't even make it through the third, which is embarrassing," Cahill said.In three starts since the trade, Cahill has yet to make it through the fifth inning. With the Royals, he has given up 10 runs in 11 innings while walking nine and has an 8.18 ERA.The culprit, Cahill said, is his inability to command his sinker or his out pitch, his curveball."Last four starts, I've been battling command," Cahill said. "Sinker hasn't been there and curveball hasn't been there. The curveball is not even close. I'm left trying to get through with just changeups."And the Royals are left looking for solutions as they now have lost eight of 10 and remained four games out of first in the American League Central.One internal solution could be right-hander Jakob Junis, who pitched well Sunday, giving up one run and four hits over eight innings. Or the Royals could still deal for another arm that has cleared waivers.Whatever it is, Yost knows the sense of urgency is there."Offense was really good (tonight)," Yost said. "We jumped out early. Offense did a great job. We need to pitch better."Royals hoping Salvy can return in 2 weeksAll-Star catcher making progress with intercostal strainAugust 10, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/ Royals All-Star and Gold Glove catcher Salvador Perez appears to be making progress in his recovery from a right intercostal strain he sustained Friday.Royals manager Ned Yost said Perez was examined again Wednesday night by team physician Dr. Vincent Key, and Yost indicated Perez could be back a little sooner than expected, perhaps within two weeks."[Perez) ]is getting better," Yost said. "[The swelling] is diffusing. It was a pretty big area [softball size] and it's getting smaller, about half that."The intercostal is a series of muscles within the rib cage that serve to support the chest wall. Perez sustained the injury while swinging and missing on a ball in the dirt.Perez is on this road trip that continues in Chicago on Friday and concludes in Oakland."[Trainer Nick Kenney] is hoping to have him pain-free in seven to 10 days," Yost said. "It might be a little quicker, like seven days. He's making progress."[Kenney] said the worst-case scenario was four weeks originally, but it looks more like two or three weeks. It's what we kind of expected."The key, Yost said, is to make sure Perez doesn't push his recovery to the point he doesn't heal properly."We all want to push it," Yost said. "But we got to do it right."Hammel looks to get on a roll vs. CardsAugust 10, 2017By Alaina Getzenberg/ The Cardinals and Royals are in the midst of close playoff races and both teams will look to keep pace in their respective leagues with the final game of their home-and-home series set for St. Louis on Thursday.Taking the mound for the Cardinals will be Lance Lynn (10-6, 3.12 ERA) who has given up two or fewer runs in his last six starts. Over those games, Lynn is 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA, which is the lowest ERA among big league pitchers since July 8.Lynn is coming off a six-inning performance against the Reds in which he allowed just one run on three hits in a 4-1 Cardinals win. Lynn is 0-1 in three career starts against the Royals with a 6.38 ERA.Jason Hammel will get the start for the Royals to finish up the I-70 series. The right-hander is coming off a loss, his first since July 7, in which he allowed three runs on six hits to the Mariners through 6 1/3 innings pitched.Hammel (5-9, 4.73 ERA) has held opponents to three or fewer runs in six straight starts, but has only one win during that stretch. He has also recorded quality starts in three of his last four outings.The 11-year veteran is 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA in 12 career starts vs. St. Louis.Things to know about this game? Few would have predicted back in Spring Training that Jose Martinez would be hitting in cleanup for the Cardinals (and in the equally important No. 2 spot he was in Wednesday) this late into a playoff chase. But the fact is Martinez deserves to be there because he's been hitting the ball as hard as any Redbird. The second-year outfielder has posted the team's highest hard-hit rate -- or balls hit at or above Statcast's 95-mph baseline for hard contact -- at 47.2 percent since the calendar flipped to July. That's a good margin higher than second-place Randal Grichuk at 40.7 percent in that span.? Hammel has a .154 career average as a hitter, and recorded his last hit against St. Louis on Sept. 24, 2016, as a member of the Cubs.? Lynn has won 10 or more games in all five seasons he has played as a starting pitcher. He ranks eighth among all NL pitchers with 70 wins since 2012, despite missing a year to injury.KC already buzzing over Players WeekendNew event to take place during all games from Aug. 25-27August 10, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/\ Royals players already are anticipating the inaugural "Players Weekend" to be held Aug. 25-27 when all players will wear colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs.And what really has Royals players buzzing is the opportunity to put nicknames instead of their surnames on the back of their jerseys made by Majestic Athletic.For example, outfielder Melky Cabrera will use "Melk Man" as his nickname. First baseman Eric Hosmer will use "Papo," a Latin term of endearment and affection. Mike Moustakas, of course, will use "Moose."Players Weekend is a joint collaboration between MLB and the Players' Association."It's great because it's just another way to connect the fans closer to the players," right-hander Jason Hammel said. "I think it's pretty cool."Hammel will use his nickname, "Hammer."Left fielder Alex Gordon, who will use "Gordo" as his nickname, thinks the alternative uniforms will provide a fun atmosphere."I like it," Gordon said. "But you know that by the time the game starts, it's back to business and we won't think about it."Players also will wear a special patch on their sleeves showing the progression of a child evolving into a Major Leaguer. Under that logo is white space, and every player will mark a name of a person who they are grateful to for helping them advance their careers, such as a family member or a coach.Almost every Royals player will use their mother or father, or both.Some other fun nicknames Royals players will use:Right-hander Peter Moylan will use "Sledge," which is Australian slang for trash talking and also part of the name of his famous "Sledge-iatto" espressos that he brews for his teammates. Left-hander Danny Duffy will use "Bear," which his parents called him as a child. It also is tied to his famous line from 2014 when he showed up for a postgame interview with Fox Sports Kansas City's Joel Goldberg in a bear suit and deadpanned, "It's a bear suit, Joel," a line that went viral on Twitter. Second baseman Whit Merrifield will use "Whit Bird," which is what his father called him as a youth. And, of course, first-base coach Rusty Kuntz will use his signature phrase, "Player!"Players also will don uniquely colored and designed spikes, batting gloves, wristbands, compression sleeves, catcher's masks and bats.Players will wear specially designed caps by New Era and unique socks from Stance. During pregame workouts and postgame interviews, they will wear T-shirts highlighting a charity or cause of their choice.Game-worn, Players Weekend jerseys will be auctioned at auctions with 100 percent of net proceeds donated to the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, a joint effort established in July 2015 by MLB and the MLBPA with an initial commitment of $30 million focused on improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the U.S. and Canada.The uniforms will first be worn by the Pirates and Cardinals during the MLB Little League Classic to be played in Williamsport, Pa., on Aug. 20 during the 2017 Little League World Series. That game will take place at Bowman Field, home of the Williamsport Crosscutters, a Phillies affiliate in the Short-Season Class A New York-Penn League.Here's a list of nicknames that some Royals are expected to sport on the back of their jerseys on Players Weekend:? Alex Gordon: "GORDO"? Lorenzo Cain: "LO CAIN"? Mike Moustakas: "MOOSE"? Eric Hosmer: "PAPO"? Alcides Escobar: "ESKY"? Drew Butera: "THE DON"? Brandon Moss: "MOSS DOGG"? Danny Duffy: "BEAR"? Neftali Feliz: "NEFFI"? Kelvin Herrera: "H"? Melky Cabrera: "MELKMAN"After kitten frolics, the Royals fall to the Cardinals 8-5 at Busch StadiumAugust 10, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star The rogue kitten appeared in center field at just past 9:35 p.m. here on Wednesday, after the Cardinals had loaded the bases in the sixth inning against the Royals at Busch Stadium, but minutes before another night unraveled and a bullpen came apart in an 8-5 loss.In the moment, a baseball game stood still as reliever Peter Moylan stood atop the mound and Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina dug in at the plate, only to pause and point out at the kitten frolicking around center fielder Lorenzo Cain.The disturbance caused a baseball stadium to erupt, and the noise startled Moylan, and for close to two minutes, the action was delayed as a member of the staff at Busch Stadium jogged out toward center field to retrieve the cat.“I thought it must have been something with the scoreboard,” Moylan said. “I turned around and there’s a kitten running around. Which is the first time that’s happened to me.”The member of the grounds crew arrived in center field, snatched the kitten by the torso and turned back toward the left-field line, surviving the wrath of its claws along the way. For close to two minutes, Moylan stood ready to make the most important pitches of the game.The inning had begun with the Royals leading 5-4 and manager Ned Yost sending reliever Brandon Maurer out to face the pitcher’s spot, which he anticipated would be a pinch hitter. It was, and the sequence started in earnest, with a single from Greg Garcia and a walk issued to Matt Carpenter.Yost had seen enough from one of his newly-acquired arms from San Diego and Moylan was summoned to put out the fire. He coaxed a line-out from former Royals farmhand Jose Martinez before striking out Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong on three pitches.Moments later, Moylan issued an intentional walk to Dexter Fowler to set up a matchup with the right-handed hitting Molina. All season long, the Australian reliever had dominated right-handed hitters with confounding submarining stuff. On this night, he needed one more out to preserve a one-run lead.“You don’t like to [pitch to Molina with the bases loaded] because he’s really hot right now,” Yost said. “You make a mistake and he’s going to hit it hard.”On the first pitch, Moylan missed with a slider. As he prepared to go back to work, the kitten slipped onto the field and interrupted the at-bat. Two minutes and one pitch later, Moylan hurled a side-arm fastball that was supposed to be down and away. It came back toward the middle of the zone. Molina put his barrel on the baseball and poked a grand slam over the wall in left field.“Once you get that second out, you think: ‘OK, one more, and you’re a hero,’ ” Moylan said, standing in a quiet clubhouse. “But unfortunately, Yadi’s the hero.”The swing delivered the Royals (57-56) their third loss in three days against the cross-state Cardinals. When the night was over, Kansas City had lost eight of 10, fallen out of the second American League wild card spot and remained four games behind first-place Cleveland, which lost against Colorado.The performance of Maurer and Moylan had wasted a go-ahead, two-run blast from Melky Cabrera in the top of the fifth inning. The Royals had led 3-0 after 1 1/2 innings before falling behind 4-3 in the bottom of the fourth.Making his third start, Trevor Cahill procured just seven outs and issued five walks before departing. He surrendered three runs in 2 1/3 innings, the outing taxing the bullpen for another night.In three outings since being acquired from the Padres, along with Maurer and reliever Ryan Buchter, Cahill has failed to survive five innings. In 11 total innings, he has allowed 10 earned runs while walking nine.“The last four starts, really,” Cahill said, trying to identify the issue. “I’m just kind of battling command. The sinker hasn’t been there and the curveball hasn’t been there. That’s kind of been my recipe for success this year.”The Royals, of course, traded for Cahill believing that even a major-league-average starter would be an upgrade over what they had been trotting out at the No. 5 spot. In 11 starts for the Padres, Cahill had posted a 3.69 ERA and struck out 10.6 batters per nine innings. But thus far, the gambit has not paid off.“I thought he really labored today,” Yost said, when asked if he saw any positives from Cahill. “I thought his last start was better than his first start. But I thought he labored.”Before the loss, and before the kitten, the Royals settled inside the visitors clubhouse here at Busch Stadium and prepped for the second leg of a four-game home-and-home series against the Cardinals.The clubhouse remained quiet at just past 4:15 p.m. Wednesday as a collection of players inspected their phones. Yost sank into a chair inside his office, donning a T-shirt dedicated to Moylan’s “Sledge-iatto” espresso drink.For more than two months, Yost had grabbed the wheel of this bus and held on as it cruised for miles and skidded for others. First came six victories in seven games as the calendar flipped from June to July. Then came a 1-7 stretch sandwiched around the All-Star break. Then a nine-game winning streak in late July, and another 3-8 stretch entering Wednesday night in St. Louis.As Yost sat, his mind drifted to the streaks and to the standings in the American League Central. At the least, he said, he looked at the final months of the season in simple terms.“The thing you always fall back on is we have a month and a half to the season and we’ve got to win four more games than Cleveland,” Yost said. “That’s basically what we’ve got to do.”Nearly seven hours later, Whit Merrifield matched his career high with four hits. Cabrera came through with a clutch homer. And then a kitten had appeared on the field and the Royals lost again.For now, they are streaking in the wrong direction. There are 49 games left.“You just think that tomorrow is going to be the day you get on the right track,” Moylan said. “No one in here has lost faith.”After additional evaluation, Royals expect Salvador Perez to miss two to three weeksAugust 10, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star In the days after Royals catcher Salvador Perez landed on the disabled list with a strained intercostal muscle in his right side, club officials were hesitant to offer an official public timetable for his return.Five days after the injury, Royals manager Ned Yost said Wednesday that Perez would likely miss two to three weeks.“He’s getting better,” Yost said before a two-game set against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.The recovery timeline remains fluid, yet it comes after additional evaluations in recent days. The Royals are hopeful that Perez will be pain free in seven to 10 days. The next phase would include a return to baseball activities.Perez sustained the intercostal strain last Friday in a loss against the Seattle Mariners. After an eight-game road trip through St. Louis, Chicago and Oakland, the Royals will open a home series against the first-place Cleveland Indians on Aug. 18 — 14 days after the initial injury. One week later, they will travel to Cleveland for a three-game series starting Aug. 25.“We all want to push it,” Yost said, stressing that the club will be cautious.In the days after the injury, Yost estimated that Perez would be out two to four weeks. He later clarified that four weeks was the worst-case scenario. The timeline of two to three weeks was close to original estimations, Yost said.I-70 Series trophy for the Royals-Cardinals winner? Danny Duffy says no thanksAugust 10, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star Did you know that in Chicago, the winner of the annual Cubs and White Sox interleague series gets the Crosstown Cup?You’re not alone if you answered no. Some players were unaware that piece of hardware exists. But it’s not the only interleague series in baseball that has a trophy.The “Lone Star Series” between the Astros and Rangers features a Silver Boot that goes to the victor, along with a big check to charity.Now the “Battle of the Bay” between the Giants and A’s is going to add a trophy made from steel from the old Bay Bridge, according to Brodie Brazil of NBC Sports Bay Area.The Bay Bridge connects San Francisco and Oakland.So how about an I-70 Series trophy?**Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: The Royals already have the original trophy given to the winner of the first I-70 Series: the 1985 World SeriesRoyals second baseman Whit Merrifield was indifferent about the idea.“Um, sure,” said Merrifield, who was born in South Carolina. “I’m not from the Midwest. But trophies are cool.”Left-hander Danny Duffy, on the other hand, has a definite opinion.“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” Duffy said sternly. “It’s just another game. I wouldn’t feel any sort of victory, any more than beating, say, Chicago. It doesn’t have anything to do with anything.”Sledge, Papo, Bear among nicknames Royals chose for custom Players Weekend jerseysAugust 10, 2017By Maria Torres/KC Star Just what you want — another excuse to spend money on Royals paraphernalia.The Royals, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, will debut untraditional jerseys during the inaugural Players Weekend on Aug. 25-27. Instead of wearing last names on their backs, players across the league will don jerseys with nicknames.The nicknames were revealed Wednesday, and most of the Royals’ choices are obvious ones. As the Royals play in Cleveland that weekend, Mike Moustakas will wear a “Moose” jersey, Lorenzo Cain will be “Lo Cain” and Alex Gordon will just hack off the “n” for a simple “Gordo.”Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez, however, did not go with “Hos” and “Salvy.”These are some of the nicknames players chose:Papo: Hosmer’s chosen nickname is a term of endearment, a play off the Spanish word for father (papá), that teammates use for him.El Ni?o: Perez identifies himself on his social media accounts as “El Nino,” a meteorological phenomenon associated with unusually warm ocean waters in the winter and an increase in storms.Bear: Danny Duffy, naturally, went with a classic.Sledge: Peter Moylan’s Sledge-iatto will make a public reappearance. “Sledge” is also Australian slang for trash talking, specifically during cricket matches according to the very reputable Urban Dictionary.The Don: May be tough to justify messing with Drew Butera and his Italian heritage.Hammer: Jason Hammel, of course.H: Kelvin Herrera. ’nough said.Jerseys for all players are available for perusal on . A few others: Book (Ryan Buchter), Whit Bird (Merrifield), Big Trev (Trevor Cahill), Melkman (Melky Cabrera).The story behind some Royals nicknames. (It’s not the bear suit, Joel)August 10, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star When the Royals were fêted at the White House last summer for their 2015 World Series title, then-President Obama couldn’t resist a jab.“You’ve got an offense led by homegrown guys like Alex ‘Gordo’ Gordon and Mike ‘Moose’ Moustakas. Eric ‘Hos’ Hosmer. World (Series) MVP Salvador ‘Salvy’ Perez,” Obama said at the time. “These guys are all great players. Can I say, though, the nicknames aren’t that creative. It’s like, Barack ‘Barack’ Obama. You know? I mean, listen to this — Hos, Moose, Gordo — we’re going to have to work on these.”It’s fair to say that Obama’s speechwriter swung and missed with that joke, because there actually is more to some of these Royals nicknames.On Wednesday, the Royals announced the nicknames that will be on the player jerseys during the series at Cleveland from Aug. 25-27. It’s part of the “Players Weekend.”Bear: The thinking is that starting pitcher Danny Duffy chose this because of the bear suit he wore after the Royals clinched the division title in 2015. (“It’s a bear suit, Joel” is a quote almost every Royals fan remembers).However, he chose Bear for his uniform because it’s a term of endearment.“My mom used to call me when I was little,” Duffy said. “Since I was like 2, she called me bear. I actually has nothing to do with that (the suit).”Sledge: Relief pitcher Peter Moylan says he’s been called that for years and, obviously, the way the “Sledge-iotto” coffee drink has taken off makes sense for that to be his choice.“I’ve been called Moylo every now and then,” Moylan said. “In Australia, if you Sledge someone it means you’re talking (smack), and I’m usually pretty good at that. I’ve been called Sledge since about 2012.”Whit Bird: Second baseman Whit Merrifield has been hearing that name all his life.“That’s something my dad has called me ever since I was young,” Merrifield said. “That’s the only nickname I could think of. Whit is technically a nickname.”Papo: First baseman Eric Hosmer explained this is what he heard when he arrived in Kansas City in 2011.“One the coaches when I first came up, Eddie Rodriguez, and (catcher) Brayan Pe?a when I was a rookie, they would call me Papo,” Hosmer said. “It’s something we always used down in South Florida. It’s a Latin thing. It’s like saying, ‘what’s up, dude?’ or ‘what’s up bro?’ or something like that. It’s just something that’s stuck with me.”By the way, Hosmer remembered what Obama said last summer.“He didn’t get any of the nicknames right,” Hosmer said. “He called Salvy ‘Sal,’ and Salvy is ‘Ni?o.’ He called me ‘Hos’ ... he kind of abbreviated it. Whoever wrote that speech for him should have cleaned that one up a little bit.”MINORSBinford & Lenik Strong, but Chasers Fall in Extras, 3-2Redbirds walk off in 10th to edge game in MemphisAugust 10, 2017Omaha Storm Chasers Christian Binford and Kevin Lenik kept Omaha in the game for 9 innings, but Memphis prevailed in the bottom of the 10th to defeat the Chasers 3-2 on Wednesday night at AutoZone Park.Memphis came right back with 2 runs in the home half of the 1st inning. Rangel Ravelo singled, Nick Martini walked, and back-to-back singles by Tyler O'Neill and Alex Mejia brought home both runners for a 2-1 Redbirds lead.It stayed that way until the top of the 5th, when Omaha tied the score. Dean Anna again began the rally with a single, and Raul Mondesi followed with a bunt single. Jorge Soler drew another walk to load the bases, and Frank Schwindel drove home his 2nd run of the game by grounding into a fielder's choice, making it 2-2.Christian Binford recovered from a rough 1st inning to record a strong outing. He pitched 6 innings, allowing 2 runs, scattering 8 hits, and striking out 6 while walking 1.John Gant matched Binford for 6 frames; he was charged with 2 runs, 7 hits, and 3 walks. He struck out 7.Kevin Lenik worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the 7th, and stranded a runner in the bottom of the 8th. Mike Mayers matched him for Memphis.Mike Montgomery tossed a scoreless top of the 9th, and Lenik remained on the mound for the bottom of the inning, sending the game to extra frames with his 3rd scoreless inning.Montgomery (W, 4-1) kept Omaha off the board in the top of the 10th, and Jake Newberry (L, 0-1) made his Triple-A debut in the bottom of the 10th. Rangel Ravelo drew a leadoff walk, and Nick Martini also walked. After a strikeout, Alex Mejia singled to load the bases. That brought Harrison Bader to the plate, and Bader ended the game with a single to left field, giving Memphis the 3-2 victory.The Storm Chasers will conclude the series in Memphis tomorrow night. LHP Eric Skoglund (4-5, 4.50) will face RHP Dakota Hudson (0-0, 6.30). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35.Lopez, Dini deliver Naturals a fourth straight home winJack Lopez homered while Nick Dini had a game-winning two-run double in the 6-4 victory over MidlandAugust 10, 2017Northwest Arkansas Naturals Jack Lopez hit a three-run home run and Nick Dini came through with a game-winning two-run double as the combo delivered the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (18-28/57-59) a fourth straight home win on Wednesday night. With the 6-4 win over the Midland RockHounds (20-26/55-61), the Naturals have clinched their second consecutive home series win.After spotting the RockHounds the first four runs of the game, the Naturals began to fight back in the bottom of the fifth. It happened in a flash as the first three batters strung together hits against LHP A.J. Puk , the highly touted pitching prospect for the Oakland Athletics, as Dini singled and moved to third on a Cody Jones double to set the stage for Lopez. Northwest Arkansas' leadoff hitter followed by jumping on the first fastball he saw for a three-run homer and a brand new ballgame at 4-3.The game remained 4-3 into the home half of the eighth. With one out in the frame, Hounds' reliever LHP Brandon Mann (L, 3-5) hit Mauricio Ramos and Donnie Dewees, Jr. in consecutive plate appearances. Midland then turned to the bullpen and RHP Tyler Sturdevant to try and work out of the jam but the plan did not come to fruition. They intentionally walked Humberto Arteaga after a wild pitch to load the bases. The Naturals would then tie the game on a RBI fielder's choice by Anderson Miller before Dini delivered the clutch, two-out game-winning double to give the Naturals a 6-4 advantage and ultimately the win.Northwest Arkansas received 3.0 stellar innings out of their bullpen on Wednesday as RHP Yunior Marte (W, 1-1) earned his first Double-A win with 2.0 terrific frames before giving way to closer RHP Mark Peterson (S, 2) in the ninth to secure the win.LHP Jake Kalish made his ninth start of the year and pitched well enough to keep the Naturals in the game throughout. He limited the RockHounds to only four runs on 11 hits, with the majority being of the infield variety, to go along with three strikeouts through 6.0 innings before giving way to the bullpen. Puk, meanwhile, lived up to his prospect billing early on but the offense of Northwest Arkansas was able to get to him for three runs on seven hits through 5.0 complete innings. Midland out-hit the Naturals by a 13-to-9 tally as the visitors got a hit from nine different players including a three RBI night from Viosergy Rosa , whom leads the Texas League in that offensive category with 94. However, at the end of the day the combination of Lopez and Dini were too much for Midland as the duo combined to go 5-for-8 with five RBIs in the contest. Northwest Arkansas will continue their current 6-game homestand by going for the series sweep against the Midland RockHounds (Double-A Oakland Athletics) tomorrow night - Thursday, August 10 - with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on a Buck Night & Thirsty Thursday presented by Foghorn's. In the series finale, the Naturals send RHP Corey Ray (6-9, 5.11 ERA) to the bump and he'll be opposed by RHP Grant Holmes (8-11, 4.90 ERA) of the RockHounds. Catch all of the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket, your home for Naturals baseball, at 6:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch against the Double-A Oakland Athletics at Arvest Ballpark.Rocks Rally Late But Can't Hold OnWilmington Has Dropped Nine of Last Ten Away From Frawley StadiumAugust 10, 2017Wilmington Blue Rocks A wild eighth inning left the Wilmington Blue Rocks on the wrong side of a see-sawing 7-5 decision with the Down East Wood Ducks on Wednesday at Grainger Stadium. Wilmington erased a three-run deficit in the top of the penultimate frame, but Down East answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning to hand Wilmington a bitter defeat. The Blue Crew lost for the ninth time in their last 10 road affairs and fell three games below .500 in the season's second half.The Rocks mounted their rally against the Down East bullpen in the eighth. Tyler Ferguson let four straight batters to reach to start the inning. Jonathan McCray walked, Nick Heath singled and then both runners moved to second and third base on a wild pitch. That allowed Jecksson Flores' single to left plate a pair. Brandon Downes was then hit by a pitch to move the potential tying run into scoring position. One out later, Chris DeVito plated that run on a bloop-single to right. Downes went to third on the play, but was gunned down at the plate on Nate Esposito's subsequent fly ball to right.Down East wasted little time authoring a response against Wilmington reliever Jose Veras (1-1), as three straight batters reached to plate a pair. Josh Morgan hit a soft liner into shallow right for a lead-off single. Yanio Perez followed with a go-ahead double to the gap in left-center and then Carlos Garay added an insurance tally with an RBI single.The Rocks had staked to an early lead by scoring twice in the opening frame. Heath got things started with a single and came home one batter later on Downes' double to the left-field corner. Downes moved to third on a wild pitch and scored courtesy of Wander Franco's sacrifice fly to right.Down East used a couple of long innings early to touch up Wilmington starter Colin Rodgers . The Wood Ducks sent eight batters to the plate and scored three runs on five hits in the second inning. Perez plated the first score on an RBI grounder to short, while Elio Castilo and Matt Lipka added RBI-singles to put Down East on top, 3-2. The Wood Ducks sent six more men to the plate in the fourth, scoring a pair thanks to run-scoring knocks by Preston Scott and Luis La O.Rodgers was pulled after 3.2 frames. He allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks. Righty Jacob Bodner tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of relief and struck out three. Southpaw Wes Benjamin tossed a gem for the Wood Ducks. The lefty allowed just the two first-frame runs in seven innings. The Kansas product fanned seven, walked none and yielded just six hits, but the bullpen could not preserve the lead.Wilmington wraps up its three-game series at Down East on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. as right-hander Scott Blewett (5-9, 4.11) gets the ball for the Blue Rocks against Down East righty Jonathan Hernandez (1-5, 4.40). Fans can listen to the game as Matt Janus and Cory Nidoh will have the call on 89.7 WGLS-FM. PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:This series has bucked the trend for the Blue Rocks at historic Grainger Stadium in Kinston, North Carolina. Wilmington went 6-1 in their first seven games against Down East, but have lost each of the last two nights to the Wood Ducks. The Rocks entered the three-game set 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 continue to hit well against the Wood Ducks, posting a .301 batting average (102-for-339) through the first nine contests of the head-to-head matchup. Thursday's game will be Wilmington's last of the season at Grainger Stadium. The clubs will square off three more times this year, when Down East makes its first and only visit to Wilmington in 2017 during the season's penultimate series.One night after Chris DeVito finally broke out of his extended slump, Brandon Downes did the same on Wednesday. Downes roped an RBI-double in the opening inning which gave his team an early, but short-lived lead. He was also hit by a pitch in the eighth inning. Downes entered the contest in the midst of a 2-for-31 slump that had dropped his batting average 31 points (from .282-to-.251). DeVito worked his way on base four times on Tuesday thanks to a pair of walks and two singles, which ended a 2-for-43 rough patch that included 22 strikeouts. Tuesday marked the first game without a whiff for DeVito since July 18.Despite the loss, the Rocks fulfilled their manager's request to swing the bats better early in road games. Wilmington plated two first-frame runs on Wednesday. Entering the contest the Blue Crew had not scored a first-inning run since July 23. On the season Jamie Quirk's offense has been at its best in the opening inning. The Rocks have scored 69 first-inning runs, seven more than in any other inning in 2017. The Rocks suffered a rare loss when scoring first and dropped to 40-18 when getting the game's initial run.Nick Heath continues to rake at the plate for the Rocks. After going hitless 15 times in his first 28 Advanced-A games and batting just .175 during that stretch, Heath has hits in eight of his last nine contests. The outfielder went 2-for-4 and scored twice on Thursday. He is 6-for-9 with three runs scored in this series and is batting .438 (14-for-32) since July 31. THEY SAID IT: JAMIE QUIRK"It was nice to get that rally and tie it up. It looked like we were dead and we just kept coming. That part of it was good. It was good for Chris DeVito to get a big hit. He'd been lacking that and he's going to feel good about it, and maybe we can get him going. But that was obviously a heart-breaking loss.""We had been talking about getting going early on the road as a staff before the game. We addressed with the team because it's been part of our road struggles. It was good to get those two early runs and play with a lead, but (Wes Benjamin) pitched a good game. It turns out I actually know the kid. He went to the University of Kansas and I knew his uncle pretty well. I didn't put two and two together at first.""It's huge (To have DeVito and Brandon Downes provide power). You rely on those guys to drive in runs. You hope for the long ball. It's been a long drought for both of them and you hope to get them going. Hopefully (Wednesday's) game will do that.""It's a little bit of everything. (On the bullpen's struggles the last two nights.) But the big thing is we need the starting pitching to step up and do something like a seven-inning stint so we don't need too many innings out of the bullpen. (Jacob) Bodner did a nice job, Jose Veras had a clean seventh inning, but they ambushed him in the eighth. We need a (better) effort by our starters to calm everything down."(John Brontsema) is advertised as a good hitter. I'm sure there were nerves involved (Tuesday) night. He had a rough night and came back (Wednesday) with a couple of hits and that's what we hope for from him, to help us out offensively."Asheville edges Legends in 10, 3-2August 10, 2017Lexington Legends Brian Serven's single in the bottom of the 10th inning scored Vince Fernandez from third base and gave the Asheville Tourists a 3-2 win over the Lexington Legends Wednesday night in Asheville.Fernandez led off the 10th with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Manny Melendez. Taylor Snyder was intentionally walked and Jacob Bosiokovic struck out before Serven grounded a single into center field to bring home the winning run.The Legends scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Angelo Castellano reached first base on a throwing error by second baseman Max George.Castellano stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. He scored on a double by Khalil Lee.The Tourists claimed the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. Willie Abreu led off with a single and scored on a double by Tyler Nevin. Bobby Wernes was hit by a pitch, and Fernandez walked, loading the bases. Nevin scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Melendez.The Legends tied the game in the fifth when Vance Vizcaino singled, moved to second on a sacrifice by Marten Gasparini, and came around to score on two wild pitches.Asheville reliever Reid Humphreys (1-2), who pitched the ninth and 10th innings, got the win. Matt Wynne (3-3), who entered the game at the start of the eighth inning, was the losing pitcher.The Tourists swept the three-game series.The Legends return home for a four-game series with the Charleston RiverDogs, an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Game time for the opener Thursday night is 7:05 p.m. at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.Mustangs back in first after 14-9 shootout winAugust 10, 2017Billings Mustangs The Billings Mustangs (4-4, 22-23-1) avoided a series sweep by topping the Idaho Falls Chukars (4-5, 21-26) 14-9 in front of 3,173 at Dehler Park on Wednesday. The win would cap a 10-game homestand dating back to before the All-Star break. The first inning would provide plenty of fireworks on both sides as 10 total runs were scored. Idaho Falls started the game by popping five runs on the board in the top of the first. Jhon De Jesus would have to leave the game after facing just eight batters. He would give up five runs on three hits and record just one out. Trailing 5-0, the Mustangs immediately recovered those runs in the bottom of the first off Idaho Falls starter Dillon Drabble (0-2). After Jeter Downs would fly out to start the inning, seven consecutive Mustangs batters would reach as 10 total came to the plate. Mark Kolozsvary started the scoring with a line drive single to center with the bases loaded. Kolozsvary would finish 3-for-4 with three runs. Idaho Falls was able to take the lead back in the fourth after consecutive singles and a steal would allow Matt Morales to score on a grounder to the right side. Trailing 6-5 the Mustangs would then post nine consecutive runs over the next three innings. In the fifth and sixth alone Montrell Marshall would hit five runs in on a two-RBI single and a bases-clearing double, respectively. Marshall's six total RBI in the game were a career-high. He would finish 2-for-5 in the game.After a rocky start, Mustangs relief allowed the lead to expand to as many as eight. Connor Bennett and Zac Correll (2-0) combined for six and two-thirds innings, allowing just one run and striking out seven. Bennett tied his season-high with five strikeouts in his longest outing of the year. Cory Thompson then threw a scoreless ninth allowing just one walk and recording a strikeout to end the game.Of the 13 Billings hits in the game only two would be for extra-bases as they would extend their streak to six games without a homerun, the longest drought of the season. The win would be the largest comeback for a victory this season for Billings, having never overcome more than a three-run deficit previously.The Mustangs will have their final off-day on Thursday before beginning a three-game series in Ogden against the Raptors on Friday. First pitch from Lindquist Field is set for 7:00 p.m.Royals Drop Series Opener to YankeesBurlington holds Pulaski to four hits in lossAugust 10, 2017By Matt Krause/Burlington Royals The Burlington Royals lost a narrow 2-1 game to the Pulaski Yankees on Wednesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium in the opener of a three-game series. Pulaski (31-15) plated both of their runs in the second inning. DH Eric Wagaman and SS Eduardo Torrealba each drew walks to begin the frame, and RF Frederick Cuevas dropped down a bunt single to load the bases. A pair of RBI fielder's choice groundouts, off the bats of 3B Yeison Corredera and LF Dario Unda , scored Wagaman and Torrealba to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Burlington (21-26) answered back with a run in the third. 2B Jose Marquez led off with a triple, and 3B Oliver Nunez singled him home to cut the deficit in half. The Royals would get doubles from 1B Dennicher Carrasco and DH Jesus Atencio in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, but were unable to bring them home. Yankees RHP Abel Duarte was dominant in relief, as he kept the Royals off the board in the final four frames. Burlington put two on in the eighth, but both runners were stranded. Burlington RHP Collin Snider and LHP Jordan Floyd combined to work four scoreless relief innings. Nunez and Carrasco had two hits each for the Royals in the loss. The series will continue on Thursday at 7:00 p.m., when Royals RHP Carlos Hernandez (1-3, 4.76) faces Yankees LHP Dalton Lehnen (0-0, 6.75). Coverage with Matt Krause begins at 6:45 p.m. on the Burlington Royals Broadcast Network at and on the TuneIn app (search "Burlington Royals").MLB TRANSACTIONSAugust 10, 2017 ?. RedsLisalverto BonillaSent to MinorsCincinnati RedsDevin MesoracoReinstated from Paternity Leave ListMinnesota TwinsDietrich EnnsCalled Up from MinorsAtlanta BravesDansby SwansonCalled Up from MinorsAtlanta BravesJohan CamargoPlaced on 10-Day DL, (Right knee bruise)Baltimore OriolesDonnie HartSent to MinorsBaltimore OriolesMark TrumboRemoved From 10-Day DL, (Strained rib cage)Baltimore OriolesRaudel LazoSigned to a Minor League ContractChicago CubsKoji UeharaPlaced on 10-Day DL, (Neck stiffness)Chicago CubsJustin GrimmCalled Up from MinorsChicago White SoxSteve JohnsonTraded From from Orioles, Baltimore (for cash considerations)Cincinnati RedsScott Van SlykeDesignated for AssignmentCincinnati RedsLuke FarrellAcquired Off Waivers From from Dodgers, Los AngelesCincinnati RedsLuke FarrellSent to MinorsCleveland IndiansMichael BrantleyPlaced on 10-Day DL, (Sprained right ankle)Cleveland IndiansJay BruceTraded From from Mets, NY Mets (for RHP Ryder Ryan)Cleveland IndiansErik GonzalezCalled Up from MinorsDetroit TigersJose IglesiasReinstated from Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency ListDetroit TigersAlex PresleySent to Minors, For RehabilitationHouston AstrosTyler WhiteSent to MinorsHouston AstrosGeorge SpringerRemoved From 10-Day DL, (Left quad discomfort)Los Angeles AngelsCésar PuelloPurchased From MinorsLos Angeles AngelsJose AlvarezSent to MinorsLos Angeles AngelsTroy ScribnerSent to MinorsMinnesota TwinsAdalberto MejíaPlaced on 10-Day DL, (Left arm brachialis strain)Minnesota TwinsKennys VargasSent to MinorsMinnesota TwinsKennys VargasCalled Up from MinorsSeattle MarinersCody MartinOutrighted to MinorsSeattle MarinersCody MartinCalled Up from Minors, - Not to ReportTampa Bay RaysJake OdorizziRecalled From Minors, Rehab AssignmentTampa Bay RaysJake OdorizziRemoved From 10-Day DL, (Lower back strain)Texas RangersNick MartinezSent to MinorsTexas RangersTyler SmithCalled Up from MinorsToronto Blue JaysNick TepeschPurchased From MinorsToronto Blue JaysTroy TulowitzkiTransferred to 60-Day DL, (Sprained right ankle) ................
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