MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Willi Castro had a three-run home run and Royce Lewis hit a two-run shot in a six-run second inning for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/minnesota-twins">Minnesota Twins</a>&nbsp;on the way to an 8-3 victory over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kansas-city-royals">Kansas City Royals</a>&nbsp;to open a key series between the division rivals and close wild card competitors on Monday night.

“If we keep playing like this, a game like today, we’re going to be a good spot at the end of the year,” Castro said.

Pablo López (11-8) finished six innings with two earned runs allowed for his third win in four starts for the Twins. He fell behind on a first-inning home run by Bobby Witt Jr. and an RBI single in the second by Kyle Isbel, who had three hits, but the Twins overwhelmed Royals starter Brady Singer (8-8) after that.

The Twins, who improved to 6-2 against the Royals this season, remained 3 1/2 games behind American League Central leader Cleveland after splitting a four-game series with the Guardians during the weekend. The third-place Royals dropped to five games back.

“We pay enough attention to it because it’s everywhere: it’s on social media, it’s in the MLB app, it’s on the scoreboard, it’s in every ballpark when you walk in and the scoreboard has standings,” López said. “So you’re aware of it, but we like to be in the mindset that we control our own destiny.”

The Twins (66-52) occupy the second AL wild card spot. The Royals (65-54) control the third spot, with a two-game cushion above the cut in their refreshing push to return to the playoffs for the first time since they won the 2015 World Series.

Six consecutive batters reached with two outs against Singer, whose first three starts out of the All-Star break were superb before some vulnerability for the fifth-year right-hander in his last two turns.

After Austin Martin started the onslaught with an RBI single, Castro hit his ninth homer to set a career high as his helmet tumbled off on the exuberant turn around second base. Lewis then unloaded to finish an eight-pitch at-bat for his 15th home run — in just 40 games — this season.

“That’s the inning that messed up the whole night," said Singer, who hadn't given up a homer since July 14. "Obviously I would like to have that back.”

Witt was hit by a 95 mph fastball on the forearm by López, but the major league batting leader — who also has the most games, hits and runs in baseball — was able to stay in.

Royals: 2B Michael Massey batted leadoff after being scratched from the lineup with tightness in his back two days ago. The team had a rare Sunday off after a two-game series against interleague rival St. Louis. Massey had two different stints on the injured list this season with back trouble.

Twins: CF Byron Buxton departed after the fifth inning with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twins-buxton-injury-415d16c520152c86c0eebce042f9ed8a">discomfort in his right hip</a>.

Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (13-6, 2.72 ERA) will pitch on Tuesday night. Lugo, who leads MLB in wins and is second in innings, is 8-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 12 starts on the road this season.

Twins: RHP Zebby Matthews, who began the year in Class A, is scheduled to make his major league debut in the middle game of the series as the rotation gets reshuffled following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twins-injuries-joe-ryan-fc233dd9caf207f75bb976e31b19fe07">injury to Joe Ryan</a>.

Matthews had yet to be added to the roster but was in the clubhouse on Monday afternoon after being summoned from Triple-A St. Paul. The native of North Carolina, an eighth-round draft pick in 2022, was expecting family and friends in a group of at least 20 people to be at Target Field on Tuesday.

“Most of them were kind of in shock. They couldn’t believe this was actually happening because of where I started, but they’re really excited for me,” Matthews said. "They’ve all played a big piece in my journey along the way, so being able to tell them and then having them up here tomorrow will be special.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723542270059.jpeg" alt="Minnesota Twins' Willi Castro runs the bases on his three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)" />
 <figcaption>Minnesota Twins' Willi Castro runs the bases on his three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)</figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Willi Castro had a three-run home run and Royce Lewis hit a two-run shot in a six-run second inning for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/minnesota-twins">Minnesota Twins</a>&nbsp;on the way to an 8-3 victory over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kansas-city-royals">Kansas City Royals</a>&nbsp;to open a key series between the division rivals and close wild card competitors on Monday night.“If we keep playing like this, a game like today, we’re going to be a good spot at the end of the year,” Castro said.Pablo López (11-8) finished six innings with two earned runs allowed for his third win in four starts for the Twins. He fell behind on a first-inning home run by Bobby Witt Jr. and an RBI single in the second by Kyle Isbel, who had three hits, but the Twins overwhelmed Royals starter Brady Singer (8-8) after that.The Twins, who improved to 6-2 against the Royals this season, remained 3 1/2 games behind American League Central leader Cleveland after splitting a four-game series with the Guardians during the weekend. The third-place Royals dropped to five games back.“We pay enough attention to it because it’s everywhere: it’s on social media, it’s in the MLB app, it’s on the scoreboard, it’s in every ballpark when you walk in and the scoreboard has standings,” López said. “So you’re aware of it, but we like to be in the mindset that we control our own destiny.”The Twins (66-52) occupy the second AL wild card spot. The Royals (65-54) control the third spot, with a two-game cushion above the cut in their refreshing push to return to the playoffs for the first time since they won the 2015 World Series.Six consecutive batters reached with two outs against Singer, whose first three starts out of the All-Star break were superb before some vulnerability for the fifth-year right-hander in his last two turns.After Austin Martin started the onslaught with an RBI single, Castro hit his ninth homer to set a career high as his helmet tumbled off on the exuberant turn around second base. Lewis then unloaded to finish an eight-pitch at-bat for his 15th home run — in just 40 games — this season.“That’s the inning that messed up the whole night," said Singer, who hadn't given up a homer since July 14. "Obviously I would like to have that back.”Witt was hit by a 95 mph fastball on the forearm by López, but the major league batting leader — who also has the most games, hits and runs in baseball — was able to stay in.TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: 2B Michael Massey batted leadoff after being scratched from the lineup with tightness in his back two days ago. The team had a rare Sunday off after a two-game series against interleague rival St. Louis. Massey had two different stints on the injured list this season with back trouble.Twins: CF Byron Buxton departed after the fifth inning with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twins-buxton-injury-415d16c520152c86c0eebce042f9ed8a">discomfort in his right hip</a>.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Seth Lugo (13-6, 2.72 ERA) will pitch on Tuesday night. Lugo, who leads MLB in wins and is second in innings, is 8-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 12 starts on the road this season.Twins: RHP Zebby Matthews, who began the year in Class A, is scheduled to make his major league debut in the middle game of the series as the rotation gets reshuffled following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twins-injuries-joe-ryan-fc233dd9caf207f75bb976e31b19fe07">injury to Joe Ryan</a>.Matthews had yet to be added to the roster but was in the clubhouse on Monday afternoon after being summoned from Triple-A St. Paul. The native of North Carolina, an eighth-round draft pick in 2022, was expecting family and friends in a group of at least 20 people to be at Target Field on Tuesday.“Most of them were kind of in shock. They couldn’t believe this was actually happening because of where I started, but they’re really excited for me,” Matthews said. "They’ve all played a big piece in my journey along the way, so being able to tell them and then having them up here tomorrow will be special.”

⚾ Twins beat Royals with 6-run 2nd inning

<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23469&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Watch Coach Malone’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/van-malone-press-conference-august-12-2024/4873" target="_blank">Listen to Coach Malone’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/defensive-assistants-august-12-2024/4874" target="_blank">Listen to Defensive Assistant Coaches</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/events/FBSG" target="_blank">Buy Tickets</a>

<a href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/events/FBSG" target="_blank"></a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State assistant head coach/cornerbacks coach&nbsp;Van Malone&nbsp;– along with linebackers coach&nbsp;Steve Stanard, defensive tackles coach&nbsp;Mike Tuiasosopo&nbsp;and defensive ends coach&nbsp;Buddy Wyatt&nbsp;– met with members of the media on Monday at the Vanier Family Football Complex. Links to video and audio of Malone’s press conference and breakout interviews with the defensive assistants are above, while a transcript of Malone’s opening statement is below.

VAN MALONE, ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/CORNERBACKS

“First of all, I want to thank you guys for all that you do. There are some places around the country that the relationship with the media is not positive, and it’s definitely not as good as it is here. We really appreciate you for what you do.

“I want to advise you that this message will kind of sound like a broken record, but actually, I know there's only one person in this room that knows what a record player looks like. I'm not going to call any names, but his initials is, uh, Wyatt Thompson. But actually, yeah, maybe a few other guys do as well. So, I'm going to use young people's terms, and I'm going to say this message will kind of sound more like a corrupted file. That's kind of what you guys are used to.

“Every year there's a ton of excitement for the season, especially this program with the expectations, but I think it's important that we note that there's a whole lot of people in our program behind the scenes that make it go. They really make it go. As coaches, yeah, we are on the field and we're yelling and screaming from practice to the games, but there are people on our staff, people like Riley Galpin, who does a great job in recruiting; like Matt Greenwald, who works in athletic training; Bill Banks, of course, in academics over the years – our guys have performed exceptionally well in the classroom; Ellie Yuska in nutrition; and Isaac Lopez in the weight room with our strength staff. They do a great job. Yeah, the people who run those departments, they also get a lot of glory, but at 5:30 in the morning, these people are behind the scenes making this program go. So, I think it's important that we always acknowledge the work that they do.

“Here this fall camp, I really, personally, have tried to pay close attention to what's going on in the other parts of the team because I know, as I try to learn from Coach Klieman in this role, just having a more holistic view of our team. Of course, I know what's going on with the cornerbacks. Of course, I know what's going on in the secondary. Of course, I know what's going on from a defensive standpoint, but this fall camp, I've really tried to make an effort to really see the team from a different vision.

“When I think about the offense, I don't necessarily believe in monsters. If you saw a man walking down the street with like eight arms or saw a guy with like, 10 heads, right, I would classify him as a monster, and that's when I watch our offense. That's kind of what I see. You know what I mean? I see a lot of weapons, and I see our offensive staff using them very effectively. I don't like watching it versus our defense, but I think I'm going to, just like you, be really excited about what we see in the season from our offense as a whole, especially from the skill players. But, the offensive linemen as I've kind of checked them out, and I have relationships with some of these guys. I try to hang around the offensive linemen as a cornerback coach more than any other offensive player. The guys that I've, honestly, on the football field watched, and seen them do some really good things or some common names, but Andrew Leingang, Hadley Panzer, Carver Willis and Taylor Poitier, those guys, again, they’re the mainstays in that offensive line, but this fall camp, I've really been impressed what I've seen from them.

“In the tight end room, from Will Swanson, I've been impressed with him. Garrett Oakley, I think, is going to do some big things for us in the tight end room, as well – both of those guys this season. The wide receivers, who every day I get an opportunity to experience the trash talking that they can give, but from an athletic standpoint, from a performance standpoint, it's really been exciting to watch Keagan Johnson operate in a healthy mode. I’ve just been really impressed with what he's done. I've been impressed with Tre Spivey and his size and his ability to be able to stretch the field. Dante Cephas, a new guy on our team, I’ve been impressed with what he's done. Andre Davis, a younger guy who is a massive player, I've been impressed with his development and watching him be able to go out and perform. Then Sterling Lockett, who, of course, we know the name, but Sterling is continuing to emerge, continuing to develop in that room.

“At the running back position, I don't have to say his whole name, you just say ‘DJ,’ and I've been impressed with his leadership, impressed with his abilities that he's shown when he's been on the field. That's all I'm going to say about him. Joe Jackson, I’ve been impressed with what he's done this fall camp, not only at running back, but what he's done as a special teams player. He's really developed, really improved over being just a little young kid running around. So, I've been impressed with him. Then, Dylan Edwards… that's it. The guy can fly, and he's done it over and over again. So, I'm excited about how our offense is going to be able to use him.

“Avery again, he's another guy that you just pause and you don't have to say anything. You just watch him. I’ve been impressed with Avery, of course, with what he does on the field, but been impressed with how he has taken ownership of the team, and how through the winter conditioning, through the summertime, especially in the fall camp, how he's done a great job of being the leader of our whole team, and not just the offense. I’ve been impressed as well with Ta’Quan Roberson, a new guy on our team.

“When you switch to the defense, Brendan Mott, Jordan Allen, Tobi Osunsanmi and Damian Ilalio, those guys have been really impressive – and at times, even dominant – on the (defensive) line. Austin Moore, a mainstay – and I know every coach and every player who would come in here and talk about our team and the effective leadership that we have, they would mention Austin Moore's name, and I want to make sure I do the same. Asa Newsom, I've been impressed with how he's performed. Des (Desmond) Purnell, kind of like Austin, a guy who's been around and played quite a bit of football for us, but he's been consistent this fall. That's been really cool to see. I've been impressed with a few emerging guys in the safety room. Of course, we have those names, but guys like Wesley Fair, Jack Fabris and Colby McCalister, those guys, in my eyes, had just really started to show themselves in fall camp, and it's been impressive.

“In the cornerback room, Justice James, Donovan McIntosh, Jordan Dunbar, Kanijal Thomas, I put quite a bit of pressure on those guys in fall camp to step up to the plate, to find roles within that position group and on this team. I’ve been impressed and pleased with what they’ve done. We have a tenet that we go by in the cornerback room. We call it the four L's – we love one another, we lower the boom, we're lightning quick, and we're long and lean. Now everybody can't say they’re long and lean, but I think those other things, those other tenets, I’ve just been impressed in fall camp with what those guys have been able to show in those ways.

“Then as a specialist, Chris Tennant, man, I remember watching that kid walk in here as a very young player, and now I just see him operate with an incredible amount of confidence.

“As far as our team, where we are and how we develop here in this fall camp, I couldn't be more impressed with where we are from an accountability, from a leadership standpoint, of young guys being directed by players on our team, by the leaders, by the older players on our team. We have a leadership council where we have a few guys that we select as leaders, but the leadership that I'm seeing is not just those guys on leadership council, not just those names of guys you would call captains of our team. There’s leadership all over the place. That, for what Coach Klieman – the head coach – has said, this is their team, and they're really exhibiting that, not only in fall camp, but they've done it throughout the summer.”

Associate Athletics Director for Communications

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723501296549.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23469&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Watch Coach Malone’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/van-malone-press-conference-august-12-2024/4873" target="_blank">Listen to Coach Malone’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/defensive-assistants-august-12-2024/4874" target="_blank">Listen to Defensive Assistant Coaches</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/events/FBSG" target="_blank">Buy Tickets</a><a href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/events/FBSG" target="_blank"></a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State assistant head coach/cornerbacks coach&nbsp;Van Malone&nbsp;– along with linebackers coach&nbsp;Steve Stanard, defensive tackles coach&nbsp;Mike Tuiasosopo&nbsp;and defensive ends coach&nbsp;Buddy Wyatt&nbsp;– met with members of the media on Monday at the Vanier Family Football Complex. Links to video and audio of Malone’s press conference and breakout interviews with the defensive assistants are above, while a transcript of Malone’s opening statement is below.VAN MALONE, ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/CORNERBACKSOpening Statement…“First of all, I want to thank you guys for all that you do. There are some places around the country that the relationship with the media is not positive, and it’s definitely not as good as it is here. We really appreciate you for what you do.“I want to advise you that this message will kind of sound like a broken record, but actually, I know there's only one person in this room that knows what a record player looks like. I'm not going to call any names, but his initials is, uh, Wyatt Thompson. But actually, yeah, maybe a few other guys do as well. So, I'm going to use young people's terms, and I'm going to say this message will kind of sound more like a corrupted file. That's kind of what you guys are used to.“Every year there's a ton of excitement for the season, especially this program with the expectations, but I think it's important that we note that there's a whole lot of people in our program behind the scenes that make it go. They really make it go. As coaches, yeah, we are on the field and we're yelling and screaming from practice to the games, but there are people on our staff, people like Riley Galpin, who does a great job in recruiting; like Matt Greenwald, who works in athletic training; Bill Banks, of course, in academics over the years – our guys have performed exceptionally well in the classroom; Ellie Yuska in nutrition; and Isaac Lopez in the weight room with our strength staff. They do a great job. Yeah, the people who run those departments, they also get a lot of glory, but at 5:30 in the morning, these people are behind the scenes making this program go. So, I think it's important that we always acknowledge the work that they do.“Here this fall camp, I really, personally, have tried to pay close attention to what's going on in the other parts of the team because I know, as I try to learn from Coach Klieman in this role, just having a more holistic view of our team. Of course, I know what's going on with the cornerbacks. Of course, I know what's going on in the secondary. Of course, I know what's going on from a defensive standpoint, but this fall camp, I've really tried to make an effort to really see the team from a different vision.“When I think about the offense, I don't necessarily believe in monsters. If you saw a man walking down the street with like eight arms or saw a guy with like, 10 heads, right, I would classify him as a monster, and that's when I watch our offense. That's kind of what I see. You know what I mean? I see a lot of weapons, and I see our offensive staff using them very effectively. I don't like watching it versus our defense, but I think I'm going to, just like you, be really excited about what we see in the season from our offense as a whole, especially from the skill players. But, the offensive linemen as I've kind of checked them out, and I have relationships with some of these guys. I try to hang around the offensive linemen as a cornerback coach more than any other offensive player. The guys that I've, honestly, on the football field watched, and seen them do some really good things or some common names, but Andrew Leingang, Hadley Panzer, Carver Willis and Taylor Poitier, those guys, again, they’re the mainstays in that offensive line, but this fall camp, I've really been impressed what I've seen from them.“In the tight end room, from Will Swanson, I've been impressed with him. Garrett Oakley, I think, is going to do some big things for us in the tight end room, as well – both of those guys this season. The wide receivers, who every day I get an opportunity to experience the trash talking that they can give, but from an athletic standpoint, from a performance standpoint, it's really been exciting to watch Keagan Johnson operate in a healthy mode. I’ve just been really impressed with what he's done. I've been impressed with Tre Spivey and his size and his ability to be able to stretch the field. Dante Cephas, a new guy on our team, I’ve been impressed with what he's done. Andre Davis, a younger guy who is a massive player, I've been impressed with his development and watching him be able to go out and perform. Then Sterling Lockett, who, of course, we know the name, but Sterling is continuing to emerge, continuing to develop in that room.“At the running back position, I don't have to say his whole name, you just say ‘DJ,’ and I've been impressed with his leadership, impressed with his abilities that he's shown when he's been on the field. That's all I'm going to say about him. Joe Jackson, I’ve been impressed with what he's done this fall camp, not only at running back, but what he's done as a special teams player. He's really developed, really improved over being just a little young kid running around. So, I've been impressed with him. Then, Dylan Edwards… that's it. The guy can fly, and he's done it over and over again. So, I'm excited about how our offense is going to be able to use him.“Avery again, he's another guy that you just pause and you don't have to say anything. You just watch him. I’ve been impressed with Avery, of course, with what he does on the field, but been impressed with how he has taken ownership of the team, and how through the winter conditioning, through the summertime, especially in the fall camp, how he's done a great job of being the leader of our whole team, and not just the offense. I’ve been impressed as well with Ta’Quan Roberson, a new guy on our team.“When you switch to the defense, Brendan Mott, Jordan Allen, Tobi Osunsanmi and Damian Ilalio, those guys have been really impressive – and at times, even dominant – on the (defensive) line. Austin Moore, a mainstay – and I know every coach and every player who would come in here and talk about our team and the effective leadership that we have, they would mention Austin Moore's name, and I want to make sure I do the same. Asa Newsom, I've been impressed with how he's performed. Des (Desmond) Purnell, kind of like Austin, a guy who's been around and played quite a bit of football for us, but he's been consistent this fall. That's been really cool to see. I've been impressed with a few emerging guys in the safety room. Of course, we have those names, but guys like Wesley Fair, Jack Fabris and Colby McCalister, those guys, in my eyes, had just really started to show themselves in fall camp, and it's been impressive.“In the cornerback room, Justice James, Donovan McIntosh, Jordan Dunbar, Kanijal Thomas, I put quite a bit of pressure on those guys in fall camp to step up to the plate, to find roles within that position group and on this team. I’ve been impressed and pleased with what they’ve done. We have a tenet that we go by in the cornerback room. We call it the four L's – we love one another, we lower the boom, we're lightning quick, and we're long and lean. Now everybody can't say they’re long and lean, but I think those other things, those other tenets, I’ve just been impressed in fall camp with what those guys have been able to show in those ways.“Then as a specialist, Chris Tennant, man, I remember watching that kid walk in here as a very young player, and now I just see him operate with an incredible amount of confidence.“As far as our team, where we are and how we develop here in this fall camp, I couldn't be more impressed with where we are from an accountability, from a leadership standpoint, of young guys being directed by players on our team, by the leaders, by the older players on our team. We have a leadership council where we have a few guys that we select as leaders, but the leadership that I'm seeing is not just those guys on leadership council, not just those names of guys you would call captains of our team. There’s leadership all over the place. That, for what Coach Klieman – the head coach – has said, this is their team, and they're really exhibiting that, not only in fall camp, but they've done it throughout the summer.”– k-statesports.com –&nbsp;RYAN LACKEYAssociate Athletics Director for Communications

K-State’s Malone, Defensive Assistants Meet Media on Monday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Parker Washington delivered the longest return under the NFL’s new kickoff rules —&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Jaguars/status/1822412003433923070">an ankle-breaking, 73-yarder that set up an early touchdown</a>&nbsp;— and the Jacksonville Jaguars beat two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs 26-13 in a preseason game Saturday night.

Washington made at least five tacklers miss before finally going down at the Chiefs’ 30-yard line.&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1822413318264623461">Trevor Lawrence found running back Travis Etienne for a 9-yard score</a>&nbsp;four plays later to give the Jaguars the two biggest highlights of the game.

Chiefs receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who signed a one-year, $7 million contract in March, landed awkwardly on a shoulder following an 11-yard reception on the opening play and did not return.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and Kansas City’s other starters played a series before watching the rest from the sideline. Mahomes drove the Chiefs into field-goal range and might have done more had Rashee Rice not dropped a third-down pass over the middle.

Washington, meanwhile, made the most of every opportunity.

The second-year pro, a sixth-round draft pick in 2023 from Penn State, turned heads with the kickoff return and then added a 13-yard punt return. He later chipped in a 10-yard catch in which he slipped out of Keith Taylor’s grasp.

The Jaguars have raved about Washington since training camp opened, and he showed up under the lights. He’s expected to be the team’s No. 4 receiver in a room that includes Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and first-round rookie Brian Thomas Jr.

Washington gave the Chiefs plenty to work on moving forward. Covering kickoffs has to be an area of emphasis for them.

After Jacksonville went ahead 18-10 on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Jaguars/status/1822430364746367133">C.J. Beathard’s 44-yard TD pass to speedster Devin Duvernay</a>, Mecole Hardman tried to down a kickoff that bounced in and out of the end zone. Officials huddled, checked the replay and ruled it a safety.

“I think that’s kind of the first time that’s ever happened,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said at halftime. “With the new kickoff rule, the ball is always live, even when it hits in the end zone.”

Jacksonville’s Tank Bigsby looked like he was going to return the ensuing kickoff for a score — kicker Harrison Butker showed no interest in trying to tackle the 215-pound running back — but Bigsby tripped near midfield.

Officials overturned Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell’s 52-yard fumble return for a touchdown late in the third. Braswell stripped the ball from Nikko Remigio following a 29-yard reception in which he landed on the ground and got up to gain more yards.

Officials ruled Braswell touched Remigio while he was still on the ground, but few in the stands and none on Jacksonville’s sideline agreed.

Thomas, the 23rd overall pick in April from LSU, had the catch of the night for Jacksonville. Thomas&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1822421357621387698">hauled in a 41-yarder from Beathard in the first quarter</a>&nbsp;despite having cornerback Joshua Williams draped all over him. Williams was flagged for pass interference. It was Thomas’ lone reception.

Kansas City’s Xavier Worthy, selected five picks after Thomas, started but wasn’t even targeted in the game.

The Jaguars held out eight players, including starting defensive backs Darnell Savage (shoulder) and Tyson Campbell (ankle). They also held out two starting offensive linemen: left guard Ezra Cleveland (heel) and right tackle Anton Harrison (concussion protocol).

Second-year linebacker Ventrell Miller, who missed all of last season after tearing his right Achilles tendon, left the game briefly with a right shoulder injury but later returned.

Chiefs guard McKade Mettauer limped off the field in the fourth with a left knee injury after getting caught in a pile. Rookie linebacker Curtis Jacobs also was shaken up late.

The Jaguars host Tampa Bay next Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723343108482.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Parker Washington delivered the longest return under the NFL’s new kickoff rules —&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Jaguars/status/1822412003433923070">an ankle-breaking, 73-yarder that set up an early touchdown</a>&nbsp;— and the Jacksonville Jaguars beat two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs 26-13 in a preseason game Saturday night.Washington made at least five tacklers miss before finally going down at the Chiefs’ 30-yard line.&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1822413318264623461">Trevor Lawrence found running back Travis Etienne for a 9-yard score</a>&nbsp;four plays later to give the Jaguars the two biggest highlights of the game.Chiefs receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who signed a one-year, $7 million contract in March, landed awkwardly on a shoulder following an 11-yard reception on the opening play and did not return.Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and Kansas City’s other starters played a series before watching the rest from the sideline. Mahomes drove the Chiefs into field-goal range and might have done more had Rashee Rice not dropped a third-down pass over the middle.Washington, meanwhile, made the most of every opportunity.The second-year pro, a sixth-round draft pick in 2023 from Penn State, turned heads with the kickoff return and then added a 13-yard punt return. He later chipped in a 10-yard catch in which he slipped out of Keith Taylor’s grasp.The Jaguars have raved about Washington since training camp opened, and he showed up under the lights. He’s expected to be the team’s No. 4 receiver in a room that includes Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and first-round rookie Brian Thomas Jr.Washington gave the Chiefs plenty to work on moving forward. Covering kickoffs has to be an area of emphasis for them.After Jacksonville went ahead 18-10 on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Jaguars/status/1822430364746367133">C.J. Beathard’s 44-yard TD pass to speedster Devin Duvernay</a>, Mecole Hardman tried to down a kickoff that bounced in and out of the end zone. Officials huddled, checked the replay and ruled it a safety.“I think that’s kind of the first time that’s ever happened,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said at halftime. “With the new kickoff rule, the ball is always live, even when it hits in the end zone.”Jacksonville’s Tank Bigsby looked like he was going to return the ensuing kickoff for a score — kicker Harrison Butker showed no interest in trying to tackle the 215-pound running back — but Bigsby tripped near midfield.QUESTIONABLE CALLOfficials overturned Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell’s 52-yard fumble return for a touchdown late in the third. Braswell stripped the ball from Nikko Remigio following a 29-yard reception in which he landed on the ground and got up to gain more yards.Officials ruled Braswell touched Remigio while he was still on the ground, but few in the stands and none on Jacksonville’s sideline agreed.ROOKIE WATCHThomas, the 23rd overall pick in April from LSU, had the catch of the night for Jacksonville. Thomas&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1822421357621387698">hauled in a 41-yarder from Beathard in the first quarter</a>&nbsp;despite having cornerback Joshua Williams draped all over him. Williams was flagged for pass interference. It was Thomas’ lone reception.Kansas City’s Xavier Worthy, selected five picks after Thomas, started but wasn’t even targeted in the game.NOTABLE INJURIESThe Jaguars held out eight players, including starting defensive backs Darnell Savage (shoulder) and Tyson Campbell (ankle). They also held out two starting offensive linemen: left guard Ezra Cleveland (heel) and right tackle Anton Harrison (concussion protocol).Second-year linebacker Ventrell Miller, who missed all of last season after tearing his right Achilles tendon, left the game briefly with a right shoulder injury but later returned.Chiefs guard McKade Mettauer limped off the field in the fourth with a left knee injury after getting caught in a pile. Rookie linebacker Curtis Jacobs also was shaken up late.UP NEXTThe Chiefs host Detroit next Saturday.The Jaguars host Tampa Bay next Saturday.

🏈 Jags beat Super Bowl champion Chiefs in the preseason opener

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. drove in three runs and Michael Wacha struck out six in seven innings to lead the Kansas City Royals to an 8-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.

Maikel Garcia had an RBI single, Witt added an RBI triple and Salvador Perez hit a two-run, opposite field homer to right in the Royals’ four-run seventh inning.

The victory clinched the season season for Kansas City for the first time since 2016. The teams split the two-game series.

Wacha (9-6) gave up two runs on five hits with two walks. He has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his 10 starts at Kauffman Stadium this season. Lucas Erceg recorded his fourth save.

Garcia gave the Royals a 3-2 lead in the seventh. Kyle Isbel gave Kansas City an insurance run in the eighth with an RBI triple. Freddy Fermin drove in his 31st run of the season.

Cardinals starter Andre Pallante pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits with four walks with four strikeouts. Ryan Fernandez (1-4) took the loss in relief.

Paul Goldschmidt hit a 430-foot, two-run home run, his 18th of the season, to give the Cardinals a lead in the second inning. Nolan Gorman added two hits as St. Louis went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

Royals: Placed RHP Hunter Harvey (mid-back tightness) on the 15-day injured list retroactive to August 7. RHP Carlos Hernandez was recalled in the corresponding move.

St. Louis will head to Cincinnati for a three-game series starting Monday. Sonny Gray (11-6, 3.65 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Cardinals. Kansas City will head to Minnesota for a three-game series starting Monday. Brady Singer (8-7, 3.03) will get the start.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723342921795.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. drove in three runs and Michael Wacha struck out six in seven innings to lead the Kansas City Royals to an 8-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.Maikel Garcia had an RBI single, Witt added an RBI triple and Salvador Perez hit a two-run, opposite field homer to right in the Royals’ four-run seventh inning.The victory clinched the season season for Kansas City for the first time since 2016. The teams split the two-game series.Wacha (9-6) gave up two runs on five hits with two walks. He has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his 10 starts at Kauffman Stadium this season. Lucas Erceg recorded his fourth save.Garcia gave the Royals a 3-2 lead in the seventh. Kyle Isbel gave Kansas City an insurance run in the eighth with an RBI triple. Freddy Fermin drove in his 31st run of the season.Cardinals starter Andre Pallante pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits with four walks with four strikeouts. Ryan Fernandez (1-4) took the loss in relief.Paul Goldschmidt hit a 430-foot, two-run home run, his 18th of the season, to give the Cardinals a lead in the second inning. Nolan Gorman added two hits as St. Louis went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: Placed RHP Hunter Harvey (mid-back tightness) on the 15-day injured list retroactive to August 7. RHP Carlos Hernandez was recalled in the corresponding move.UP NEXTSt. Louis will head to Cincinnati for a three-game series starting Monday. Sonny Gray (11-6, 3.65 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Cardinals. Kansas City will head to Minnesota for a three-game series starting Monday. Brady Singer (8-7, 3.03) will get the start.

⚾ Bobby Witt drives in 3 to lead Royals over rival Cardinals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Willson Contreras hit a pair of two-run homers and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 8-5 on Friday night.

Contreras opened the scoring in the first with a two-run shot off the top of the bullpen fence in right and added another two-run shot in the ninth,&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/Contreras%20homers%20twice,%20drives%20in%20four,%20as%20Cards%20down%20Royals,%208-5">blasting his 15th homer</a>&nbsp;424 feet to left for his 15th multi-homer game.

“An absolute tank to left,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “Some really good at-bats and big swings by Contreras.”

Trailing 5-3 after five innings, the Cardinals scored five runs on seven hits against six relievers.

Will Smith (0-4) retired one of three batters faced in the eighth and, after a failed Kansas City challenge on a potential inning-ending double play grounder, St. Louis took a 6-5 lead on Victor Scott II’s two-out, two-run double.

“I was telling myself if he’s safe, it’s going to be definitely a critical situation in the ballgame,” Scott said. “Being able to come through right there is definitely special. There’s runners on base, so I’m just trying to do damage.”

Contreras, Alex Burleson and Brendan Donovan each had three of St. Louis’ 13 hits.

Matthew Liberatore (3-3) threw three hitless innings in relief of Miles Mikolas, who allowed five runs on eight hits in four innings.

“My goodness, look at what (Liberatore) did,” Marmol said. “36 pitches, three innings, didn’t give up anything at all. His stuff was sharp. He was pretty dominant. It was good to go to him early. (He) just shut them down.”

Mikolas has a 7.11 ERA over his past five starts. Ryan Hensley allowed a hit and a walk in finishing for his 37th save.

“I felt like we had a pretty good game plan going in,” Michael Massey said. “I felt like we did a pretty good job against him.”

Burleson lined his team-leading 20th home run to right leading off the third as the Cardinals built a 3-0 lead.

Kyle Isbel’s third-inning RBI triple snapped his 0-for-21 slide, plating the first run Mikolas surrendered to the Royals after 19 career scoreless frames. RBI singles by Massey and Salvador Perez tied it.

Maikel Garcia’s RBI double into the left-field corner and Massey’s deep sacrifice fly to center gave Kansas City a 5-3 lead in the fourth.

Michael Lorenzen made his second start since his July 29 acquisition from Texas, working 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Massey had three of Kansas City’s 10 hits.

The Royals were homerless, snapping a 13-game streak with at least one home run, the second longest streak in club history.

Royals RHP John Schreiber (right knee patella tendon inflammation) threw a bullpen session Thursday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Willson Contreras hit a pair of two-run homers and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 8-5 on Friday night.Contreras opened the scoring in the first with a two-run shot off the top of the bullpen fence in right and added another two-run shot in the ninth,&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/Contreras%20homers%20twice,%20drives%20in%20four,%20as%20Cards%20down%20Royals,%208-5">blasting his 15th homer</a>&nbsp;424 feet to left for his 15th multi-homer game.“An absolute tank to left,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “Some really good at-bats and big swings by Contreras.”Trailing 5-3 after five innings, the Cardinals scored five runs on seven hits against six relievers.Will Smith (0-4) retired one of three batters faced in the eighth and, after a failed Kansas City challenge on a potential inning-ending double play grounder, St. Louis took a 6-5 lead on Victor Scott II’s two-out, two-run double.“I was telling myself if he’s safe, it’s going to be definitely a critical situation in the ballgame,” Scott said. “Being able to come through right there is definitely special. There’s runners on base, so I’m just trying to do damage.”Contreras, Alex Burleson and Brendan Donovan each had three of St. Louis’ 13 hits.Matthew Liberatore (3-3) threw three hitless innings in relief of Miles Mikolas, who allowed five runs on eight hits in four innings.“My goodness, look at what (Liberatore) did,” Marmol said. “36 pitches, three innings, didn’t give up anything at all. His stuff was sharp. He was pretty dominant. It was good to go to him early. (He) just shut them down.”Mikolas has a 7.11 ERA over his past five starts. Ryan Hensley allowed a hit and a walk in finishing for his 37th save.“I felt like we had a pretty good game plan going in,” Michael Massey said. “I felt like we did a pretty good job against him.”Burleson lined his team-leading 20th home run to right leading off the third as the Cardinals built a 3-0 lead.Kyle Isbel’s third-inning RBI triple snapped his 0-for-21 slide, plating the first run Mikolas surrendered to the Royals after 19 career scoreless frames. RBI singles by Massey and Salvador Perez tied it.Maikel Garcia’s RBI double into the left-field corner and Massey’s deep sacrifice fly to center gave Kansas City a 5-3 lead in the fourth.Michael Lorenzen made his second start since his July 29 acquisition from Texas, working 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts.Massey had three of Kansas City’s 10 hits.The Royals were homerless, snapping a 13-game streak with at least one home run, the second longest streak in club history.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals RHP John Schreiber (right knee patella tendon inflammation) threw a bullpen session Thursday.UP NEXT

⚾ Contreras hits pair of homers in Cardinals victory over Royals

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Noah Lyles lost the Olympic 200 meters Thursday, falling to Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, then being tended to by medics who carted him off the track in a wheelchair suffering with what The Associated Press learned was a case of COVID.

After crossing the line third for the second straight Olympics, Lyles fell to his back and eventually sat up to be tended to by medical staff. A person familiar with Lyles' condition, who did not want to be identified, told AP was diagnosed with COVID two days before the final.

It's the second straight Olympics the virus has played a major role in Lyles' trip to the Games. He also won the bronze in the Tokyo Olympics, and he has said the empty stands and the year-long delay before the Games led to depression that hampered his performance and inspired his road to Paris.

Tebogo, 21, led wire-to-wire and won in 19.46 seconds, the fourth-fastest time in history, but .15 slower than Lyles' top time. Kenny Bednarek finished in 19.62 for his second straight silver, and Lyles, four nights&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-olympics-100m-lyles-thompson-ccf37184afc2f3318271d4c495d2a16b">after winning a close-as-can-be 100</a>, ran the curve in 19.70.

Lyles came into Paris having not been beaten in a 200 since that night in Tokyo, and after his win in the 100, he brought the bronze medal to the press conference, slammed it on the table and said that had been his motivation for three full years.

Thursday’s final marked the second straight night Tebogo beat him to the finish line in the Lyles’ favorite race. Lyles' win streak ended when he finished second in the semifinal. After that one, skipped his traditional meeting with reporters to head to the medical tent. His coach said he was fine.

This time, Tebogo was leading as the sprinters reached the curve. Usually at that point, Lyles puts on his trademark close, but there was no strong finish — only a desperate push in to the line then a collapse onto the purple track.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723145343801.png" alt="Noah Lyles, of the United States, rests on the track following the men's 200-meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)" />
 <figcaption>Noah Lyles, of the United States, rests on the track following the men's 200-meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)</figcaption>
 </figure>SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Noah Lyles lost the Olympic 200 meters Thursday, falling to Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, then being tended to by medics who carted him off the track in a wheelchair suffering with what The Associated Press learned was a case of COVID.After crossing the line third for the second straight Olympics, Lyles fell to his back and eventually sat up to be tended to by medical staff. A person familiar with Lyles' condition, who did not want to be identified, told AP was diagnosed with COVID two days before the final.It's the second straight Olympics the virus has played a major role in Lyles' trip to the Games. He also won the bronze in the Tokyo Olympics, and he has said the empty stands and the year-long delay before the Games led to depression that hampered his performance and inspired his road to Paris.Tebogo, 21, led wire-to-wire and won in 19.46 seconds, the fourth-fastest time in history, but .15 slower than Lyles' top time. Kenny Bednarek finished in 19.62 for his second straight silver, and Lyles, four nights&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-olympics-100m-lyles-thompson-ccf37184afc2f3318271d4c495d2a16b">after winning a close-as-can-be 100</a>, ran the curve in 19.70.Lyles came into Paris having not been beaten in a 200 since that night in Tokyo, and after his win in the 100, he brought the bronze medal to the press conference, slammed it on the table and said that had been his motivation for three full years.Now, he’ll get another one.Thursday’s final marked the second straight night Tebogo beat him to the finish line in the Lyles’ favorite race. Lyles' win streak ended when he finished second in the semifinal. After that one, skipped his traditional meeting with reporters to head to the medical tent. His coach said he was fine.This time, Tebogo was leading as the sprinters reached the curve. Usually at that point, Lyles puts on his trademark close, but there was no strong finish — only a desperate push in to the line then a collapse onto the purple track.

Lyles, suffering from COVID, finishes 3rd in Olympic 200 meters 

By Ryan Lackey, Associate AD for Communications&nbsp;

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;As part of K-State Athletics’ continued effort to provide the Best Fan Experience in the Big 12, all athletics facilities will be cashless venues starting with the 2024-25 season. Going cashless will reduce wait times while providing a faster and more secure payment system for fans. The change will also allow the facilities and staff to operate more efficiently.

K-State Athletics has transitioned to entirely cashless payment systems throughout its venues. This changeover includes the ticket office, concessions, parking, Rally House locations, gameday Cat Cushion purchases and other points of sale in the facilities. Fans can use traditional credit/debit card payment methods, while checks will not be accepted.

K-State team stores transitioned to cashless payments during the 2020 season, and most of the concessions stands were converted to card-only stations over the past two seasons. The main concession stands will also accept Apple Pay.

Single-game parking transactions in the East and West lots of the K-State Athletics Complex will also transition to cashless payments. ADA parking for football will continue to be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis when lots open five hours prior to kickoff.

Men’s and women’s basketball single-game general admission parking will now be available for purchase in advance of gameday through the K-State ticket website (<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>). Fans can also purchase parking using a credit card on gameday when lots open 90 minutes prior to tipoff.

Fans with season parking passes for both football and basketball will continue to receive a hangtag to display containing a QR code that will now be scanned upon entry into the lots.

By Ryan Lackey, Associate AD for Communications&nbsp;MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;As part of K-State Athletics’ continued effort to provide the Best Fan Experience in the Big 12, all athletics facilities will be cashless venues starting with the 2024-25 season. Going cashless will reduce wait times while providing a faster and more secure payment system for fans. The change will also allow the facilities and staff to operate more efficiently.K-State Athletics has transitioned to entirely cashless payment systems throughout its venues. This changeover includes the ticket office, concessions, parking, Rally House locations, gameday Cat Cushion purchases and other points of sale in the facilities. Fans can use traditional credit/debit card payment methods, while checks will not be accepted.K-State team stores transitioned to cashless payments during the 2020 season, and most of the concessions stands were converted to card-only stations over the past two seasons. The main concession stands will also accept Apple Pay.Single-game parking transactions in the East and West lots of the K-State Athletics Complex will also transition to cashless payments. ADA parking for football will continue to be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis when lots open five hours prior to kickoff.Men’s and women’s basketball single-game general admission parking will now be available for purchase in advance of gameday through the K-State ticket website (<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>). Fans can also purchase parking using a credit card on gameday when lots open 90 minutes prior to tipoff.Fans with season parking passes for both football and basketball will continue to receive a hangtag to display containing a QR code that will now be scanned upon entry into the lots.– k-statesports.com –

K-State Athletics moves to cashless facilities in 2024-25

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. had two homers, a double and four RBIs as the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 8-4 Wednesday night and salvaged the final game of a three-game series.

“He's just a phenomenal baseball player,” teammate Vinnie Pasquantino said of Witt. “I don't know that there's a word I can say. He's not going to talk about personal accolades, but I will. He deserves to be in (the MVP) conversation.”

With the victory, the Royals moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Boston in the race for a wild-card spot in the American League. In the AL Central, Kansas City moved within a half-game of second-place Minnesota, which lost to the Chicago Cubs. The Royals are four games back of Cleveland, which was swept in a doubleheader by Arizona.

Witt had his fourth multi-homer game of the season, getting the Royals on the scoreboard in the first with his 21st homer. Witt's second homer of the game was a 421-foot blast to center field in the sixth inning. He also added a two-run double.

“The pressure brings me pleasure,” Witt said about his clutch hitting. “I go up there in those situations and try to control what I can control and find a good pitch to hit.”

That attribute is not lost on his manager.

“I think he's the best player in the league,” Matt Quatraro said. “Clearly, I'm going to be biased.”

But the admiration for Witt extended to the visiting clubhouse.

“That kid is special. He’s special,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “The way he conducts himself, the way he plays the game. From our dugout, I hate it, but I love it. He’s so polite. I think the game is in good hands.”

The Royals have homered in 13 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak in club history.

Cole Ragans (9-7) allowed four runs, one earned, on six hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking two.

“I was confident that he had the stuff to keep them off balance,” Quatraro said. “His efficiency kept him going back out there. He'll get two extra days off before his next start, so we felt confident with where he was.”

Kutter Crawford (7-9) took the loss, working 3 2.3 innings and allowing six runs on five hits. He had three strikeouts and four walks.

After Witt's homer in the first, the Royals added a run in the second on a two-out single by Michael Massey, scoring MJ Melendez.

The Red Sox moved ahead in the third inning when Romy Gonzalez hit a two-out, three-run homer into the left-field bullpen. All three runs were unearned, as Ceddanne Rafaela reached base with no outs on an error on Massey. Danny Jansen lined a home run, his seventh of the season, into the same bullpen leading off the fourth.

The Royals regained the lead with five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kansas City scored its first run of the inning on a wild pitch before Witt's opposite-field double scored two. Pasquantino then hit his 17th homer of the season — a two-run shot — off reliever Brennan Bernardino, extending his hitting streak to 11 games.

Red Sox: RHP Chris Martin was reinstated from the 15-day injured list, where he had been since July 5 (retroactive to July 4) with right elbow inflammation. In a corresponding move, LHP Cam Booser was optioned to Triple-A Worcester. ... OF Tyler O'Neill was placed on the 10-day IL (retroactive to Aug. 4) with a left leg infection. INF/OF Emmanuel Valdez was recalled from Worcester to take his place.

Red Sox: Open a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Friday. No starting pitchers have been named.

Royals: Open a two-game home series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723112149461.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr., left, is congratulated by Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino (9) after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr., left, is congratulated by Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino (9) after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. had two homers, a double and four RBIs as the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 8-4 Wednesday night and salvaged the final game of a three-game series.“He's just a phenomenal baseball player,” teammate Vinnie Pasquantino said of Witt. “I don't know that there's a word I can say. He's not going to talk about personal accolades, but I will. He deserves to be in (the MVP) conversation.”With the victory, the Royals moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Boston in the race for a wild-card spot in the American League. In the AL Central, Kansas City moved within a half-game of second-place Minnesota, which lost to the Chicago Cubs. The Royals are four games back of Cleveland, which was swept in a doubleheader by Arizona.Witt had his fourth multi-homer game of the season, getting the Royals on the scoreboard in the first with his 21st homer. Witt's second homer of the game was a 421-foot blast to center field in the sixth inning. He also added a two-run double.“The pressure brings me pleasure,” Witt said about his clutch hitting. “I go up there in those situations and try to control what I can control and find a good pitch to hit.”That attribute is not lost on his manager.“I think he's the best player in the league,” Matt Quatraro said. “Clearly, I'm going to be biased.”But the admiration for Witt extended to the visiting clubhouse.“That kid is special. He’s special,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “The way he conducts himself, the way he plays the game. From our dugout, I hate it, but I love it. He’s so polite. I think the game is in good hands.”The Royals have homered in 13 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak in club history.Cole Ragans (9-7) allowed four runs, one earned, on six hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking two.“I was confident that he had the stuff to keep them off balance,” Quatraro said. “His efficiency kept him going back out there. He'll get two extra days off before his next start, so we felt confident with where he was.”Kutter Crawford (7-9) took the loss, working 3 2.3 innings and allowing six runs on five hits. He had three strikeouts and four walks.After Witt's homer in the first, the Royals added a run in the second on a two-out single by Michael Massey, scoring MJ Melendez.The Red Sox moved ahead in the third inning when Romy Gonzalez hit a two-out, three-run homer into the left-field bullpen. All three runs were unearned, as Ceddanne Rafaela reached base with no outs on an error on Massey. Danny Jansen lined a home run, his seventh of the season, into the same bullpen leading off the fourth.The Royals regained the lead with five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kansas City scored its first run of the inning on a wild pitch before Witt's opposite-field double scored two. Pasquantino then hit his 17th homer of the season — a two-run shot — off reliever Brennan Bernardino, extending his hitting streak to 11 games.TRANSACTIONS:Red Sox: RHP Chris Martin was reinstated from the 15-day injured list, where he had been since July 5 (retroactive to July 4) with right elbow inflammation. In a corresponding move, LHP Cam Booser was optioned to Triple-A Worcester. ... OF Tyler O'Neill was placed on the 10-day IL (retroactive to Aug. 4) with a left leg infection. INF/OF Emmanuel Valdez was recalled from Worcester to take his place.UP NEXT:Red Sox: Open a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Friday. No starting pitchers have been named.Royals: Open a two-game home series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

⚾ Bobby Witt's 2 homers, 4 RBIs lead the Royals past the Red Sox

Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23457&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Offensive Coordinator Conor Riley</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23460&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Quarterback Avery Johnson</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23462&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Running Back DJ Giddens</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23459&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Running Back Dylan Edwards</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23458&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Wide Receiver Keagan Johnson</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23461&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Offensive Lineman Taylor Poitier</a>

<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/fall-camp-press-conference-offense-august-6-2024/4872" target="_blank">Listen (Combined)</a>

<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EumD2G5yXNgLSarXhsUzllnCQ7-ea9GjrtXuVomWN3U/edit?gid=0#gid=0" target="_blank">Media Download</a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State offensive coordinator&nbsp;Conor Riley&nbsp;and five offensive players – quarterback&nbsp;Avery Johnson, running backs&nbsp;DJ Giddens&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dylan Edwards, wide receiver&nbsp;Keagan Johnson&nbsp;and offensive lineman&nbsp;Taylor Poitier&nbsp;– met with members of the media for the first time during fall camp on Tuesday at the Vanier Family Football Complex. Links to video and audio of the media availabilities are above, while a transcript of select Riley quotes are below.

CONOR RILEY, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

On concentrating on installation vs. personnel…

“Really, it's always a combination of both. We are very early in the evaluation phase for those guys because we do go so heavy with our installation in those first five to six practices. In fact, just this morning, as we were looking at our install cut up and our schedule, it was a little bit less. So, you have to keep things in context. You got to stay relative to say, ‘Man, there's this young kid who's really flashing right now,’ or maybe he's making a few of the mistakes, but as we start slowing that down, now, how much can they grow? Because their growth is never linear, and it's hard to explain that to young kids. There's going to be those ebbs and flows. So, it’s really a combination of both, but I'd say that we have the lion's share of our offense in already.”

On wide receiver Keagan Johnson…

“I've always had a ton of respect and admiration for Keagan. It goes back to recruiting his older brothers when I was at the previous school, and even recruiting Keagan. I think his final two schools were us and Iowa. I've always been impressed with his maturity. Where I see a ton of growth is in his confidence, and that confidence comes with just being in the program and understanding what to expect on a day-to-day basis. But I absolutely admire the young man. I heard you guys talking about his ability, but the type of kid that he is fantastic. I’m really glad that he's with us.”

On simplifying the passing game…

“It is a process because there is a simplification of some things, but then, without going into too much detail, there's some ownership that the wide receivers do need to take, and the ownership that they need to take within some of your decision making. What I love about that – and it may look complicated or sound complicated – is it really gives ownership to those guys to say with some of the things that we're doing, ‘What am I seeing? What is my responsibility?’ In my mind, it also builds a little bit better of a relationship between quarterback and the wide receivers. So, I think that it's going very well. Are there still a few mistakes? Absolutely. In part, there's some mistakes because, I believe, that our back end, our secondary, is pretty dang good and they make it pretty difficult on us. So, the pictures that these guys are seeing, they're ever changing. That's probably as we go into install, it's not, ‘Okay, what are we running?’ But now, ‘What do we have to run that against?’ These are great lessons to help us here moving forward.”

On what he likes about Sam Hecht’s progression at center…

“Everything, quite honestly. I couldn’t be more pleased with Sam Hecht. You go back to his story, I recruited his older brother at the last place I was at, and for him to be a walk-on and earn his way into this position, and, interestingly enough, the last two kids are Kansas walk-ons that have started at center, and both have been pretty dang good. I expect that same thing from Sam Hecht. His attention to detail, his physicalness, his coachability, he doesn't make a bunch of mistakes, he takes ownership. Those are things that I absolutely love with Sam. Now, I'd like Sam to vocalize a little bit more, but that's a little bit of his personality as well.”

On what Matt Wells has brought to the table…

“Well, he's not only brought a ton of conceptual thoughts in some of his experience that fit within what we do, he's brought a ton of perspective. This is a system – like I've stated before – that has evolved that I've been a part of since 2013. Just his perspective from having been a coordinator, from having been a head coach, from his responsibilities at Oklahoma last year, just saying, ‘Why do we do this? Why do we do this? Can we become more efficient in how we communicate?’ So, conceptually, in the passing game especially, there's going to be some changes. It's something that he's familiar with. It's something that you can tell Coach (Matthew) Middleton is familiar with as well.”

Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23457&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Offensive Coordinator Conor Riley</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23460&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Quarterback Avery Johnson</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23462&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Running Back DJ Giddens</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23459&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Running Back Dylan Edwards</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23458&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Wide Receiver Keagan Johnson</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23461&amp;type=Archive" target="_blank">Offensive Lineman Taylor Poitier</a><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/fall-camp-press-conference-offense-august-6-2024/4872" target="_blank">Listen (Combined)</a><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EumD2G5yXNgLSarXhsUzllnCQ7-ea9GjrtXuVomWN3U/edit?gid=0#gid=0" target="_blank">Media Download</a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State offensive coordinator&nbsp;Conor Riley&nbsp;and five offensive players – quarterback&nbsp;Avery Johnson, running backs&nbsp;DJ Giddens&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dylan Edwards, wide receiver&nbsp;Keagan Johnson&nbsp;and offensive lineman&nbsp;Taylor Poitier&nbsp;– met with members of the media for the first time during fall camp on Tuesday at the Vanier Family Football Complex. Links to video and audio of the media availabilities are above, while a transcript of select Riley quotes are below.CONOR RILEY, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOROn concentrating on installation vs. personnel…“Really, it's always a combination of both. We are very early in the evaluation phase for those guys because we do go so heavy with our installation in those first five to six practices. In fact, just this morning, as we were looking at our install cut up and our schedule, it was a little bit less. So, you have to keep things in context. You got to stay relative to say, ‘Man, there's this young kid who's really flashing right now,’ or maybe he's making a few of the mistakes, but as we start slowing that down, now, how much can they grow? Because their growth is never linear, and it's hard to explain that to young kids. There's going to be those ebbs and flows. So, it’s really a combination of both, but I'd say that we have the lion's share of our offense in already.”On wide receiver Keagan Johnson…“I've always had a ton of respect and admiration for Keagan. It goes back to recruiting his older brothers when I was at the previous school, and even recruiting Keagan. I think his final two schools were us and Iowa. I've always been impressed with his maturity. Where I see a ton of growth is in his confidence, and that confidence comes with just being in the program and understanding what to expect on a day-to-day basis. But I absolutely admire the young man. I heard you guys talking about his ability, but the type of kid that he is fantastic. I’m really glad that he's with us.”On simplifying the passing game…“It is a process because there is a simplification of some things, but then, without going into too much detail, there's some ownership that the wide receivers do need to take, and the ownership that they need to take within some of your decision making. What I love about that – and it may look complicated or sound complicated – is it really gives ownership to those guys to say with some of the things that we're doing, ‘What am I seeing? What is my responsibility?’ In my mind, it also builds a little bit better of a relationship between quarterback and the wide receivers. So, I think that it's going very well. Are there still a few mistakes? Absolutely. In part, there's some mistakes because, I believe, that our back end, our secondary, is pretty dang good and they make it pretty difficult on us. So, the pictures that these guys are seeing, they're ever changing. That's probably as we go into install, it's not, ‘Okay, what are we running?’ But now, ‘What do we have to run that against?’ These are great lessons to help us here moving forward.”On what he likes about Sam Hecht’s progression at center…“Everything, quite honestly. I couldn’t be more pleased with Sam Hecht. You go back to his story, I recruited his older brother at the last place I was at, and for him to be a walk-on and earn his way into this position, and, interestingly enough, the last two kids are Kansas walk-ons that have started at center, and both have been pretty dang good. I expect that same thing from Sam Hecht. His attention to detail, his physicalness, his coachability, he doesn't make a bunch of mistakes, he takes ownership. Those are things that I absolutely love with Sam. Now, I'd like Sam to vocalize a little bit more, but that's a little bit of his personality as well.”On what Matt Wells has brought to the table…“Well, he's not only brought a ton of conceptual thoughts in some of his experience that fit within what we do, he's brought a ton of perspective. This is a system – like I've stated before – that has evolved that I've been a part of since 2013. Just his perspective from having been a coordinator, from having been a head coach, from his responsibilities at Oklahoma last year, just saying, ‘Why do we do this? Why do we do this? Can we become more efficient in how we communicate?’ So, conceptually, in the passing game especially, there's going to be some changes. It's something that he's familiar with. It's something that you can tell Coach (Matthew) Middleton is familiar with as well.”– k-statesports.com –RYAN LACKEY

K-State's Offense meets the media

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Dominic Smith scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the sixth inning on a call that was overturned on a challenge, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Tuesday night.

Smith doubled to open the sixth and moved to third on a single to center field by Eric Sogard. After David Hamilton struck out looking, Smith charged home on a pitch by KC's Seth Lugo that bounced in front of the plate and got away from catcher Salvador Perez. Perez chased the ball to the backstop, wheeled and threw to Lugo, who appeared to tag a diving Smith for an apparent out.

The Red Sox challenged the call, which was overturned on review.

“Dom (Smith) wasn’t too sure,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “Mikey (Brenly, the Red Sox’s replay coordinator) right away said, ‘Challenge it. He got in.’”

Smith called his diving toward the plate a “freestyle” when asked what stroke he used.

“I tried to make a move," Smith said. "I wasn’t sure when (Royals pitcher Seth Lugo) tagged me, but when I saw (manager Alex Cora) go for the challenge, I felt good about it.

“I’ve been seeing a lot of our speedy guys (use the swim move) all year. My slide is a little bit slower than other people’s, so I might have a little more time to make a move.”

Later in the inning, with the bases loaded and two out Yoshida singled through the right side, driving in two more runs.

The Red Sox, who have won the first two games of the three-game set, trail the Royals by a half-game for the third American League wild-card spot.

Brennan Bernadino (4-3) worked a third of an inning and earned the win in relief. Kenley Jansen picked up his 21st save, striking out Bobby Witt Jr., the MLB leader in hits and batting average, to end it.

“That’s the best I’ve seen the big boy, especially in that last at bat,” Cora said of Jansen. “It was cutter, sinker, cutter. The velocity, the movement, to have him rested was very important.”

Lugo (13-6) allowed six runs, four earned, on six hits in 5 1/3 innings in the loss.

“Another competitive outing,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “His command was a little bit off, I think. He was maybe trying to be a little too fine. We were looking up there in the sixth and we were right in the game.”

Lugo said overturning the call was the right call.

“I could tell that I didn’t get his arm and his hand got the plate,” Lugo said. “I was hoping they didn’t have a good enough video to show that.”

Boston held a 6-3 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning when the Royals' MJ Melendez lined a two-run double to the wall, scoring Vinnie Pasquantino and Perez and cutting the deficit to a run.

Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr. lined a one-out double in the first before Pasquantino pulled one through the right side of the infield for an RBI single.

The Red Sox answered with a pair of unearned runs in the second. Connor Wong singled. Smith hit a grounder to second, but Michael Massey failed to field it. With one out, David Hamilton bounced one over the wall, scoring Wong. Smith scored on a groundout by Ceddanne Rafaela.

Masataka Yoshida homered with one out in the third to extend the Boston lead to 3-1.

The Royals used three straight two-out hits to tie the game in the fifth. Massey launched a 434-foot home run to right center. Witt followed with a bloop single and scored on a double by Pasquantino.

Red Sox: Boston manager Alex Cora said RHP Chris Martin played catch Monday and felt good Tuesday, so it's likely he'll be activated from the injured list before Wednesday's game. He has been on the IL since July 5 (retroactive to July 4) with right elbow inflammation. ... OF Tyler O'Neill, who has been out of the lineup with an illness since Aug. 3, feels better and is also likely to return to the lineup Wednesday.

The Red Sox and Royals will conclude their three-game series Wednesday night. Boston will start RHP Brayan Bello (7-8, 3.81 ERA) against KC's LHP Cole Ragans (8-7, 3.35 ERA).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723023745529.jpeg" alt="Boston Red Sox's Dominic Smith (2) beats the tag by Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo to score during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)" />
 <figcaption>Boston Red Sox's Dominic Smith (2) beats the tag by Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo to score during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Dominic Smith scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the sixth inning on a call that was overturned on a challenge, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Tuesday night.Smith doubled to open the sixth and moved to third on a single to center field by Eric Sogard. After David Hamilton struck out looking, Smith charged home on a pitch by KC's Seth Lugo that bounced in front of the plate and got away from catcher Salvador Perez. Perez chased the ball to the backstop, wheeled and threw to Lugo, who appeared to tag a diving Smith for an apparent out.The Red Sox challenged the call, which was overturned on review.“Dom (Smith) wasn’t too sure,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “Mikey (Brenly, the Red Sox’s replay coordinator) right away said, ‘Challenge it. He got in.’”Smith called his diving toward the plate a “freestyle” when asked what stroke he used.“I tried to make a move," Smith said. "I wasn’t sure when (Royals pitcher Seth Lugo) tagged me, but when I saw (manager Alex Cora) go for the challenge, I felt good about it.“I’ve been seeing a lot of our speedy guys (use the swim move) all year. My slide is a little bit slower than other people’s, so I might have a little more time to make a move.”Later in the inning, with the bases loaded and two out Yoshida singled through the right side, driving in two more runs.The Red Sox, who have won the first two games of the three-game set, trail the Royals by a half-game for the third American League wild-card spot.Brennan Bernadino (4-3) worked a third of an inning and earned the win in relief. Kenley Jansen picked up his 21st save, striking out Bobby Witt Jr., the MLB leader in hits and batting average, to end it.“That’s the best I’ve seen the big boy, especially in that last at bat,” Cora said of Jansen. “It was cutter, sinker, cutter. The velocity, the movement, to have him rested was very important.”Lugo (13-6) allowed six runs, four earned, on six hits in 5 1/3 innings in the loss.“Another competitive outing,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “His command was a little bit off, I think. He was maybe trying to be a little too fine. We were looking up there in the sixth and we were right in the game.”Lugo said overturning the call was the right call.“I could tell that I didn’t get his arm and his hand got the plate,” Lugo said. “I was hoping they didn’t have a good enough video to show that.”Boston held a 6-3 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning when the Royals' MJ Melendez lined a two-run double to the wall, scoring Vinnie Pasquantino and Perez and cutting the deficit to a run.Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr. lined a one-out double in the first before Pasquantino pulled one through the right side of the infield for an RBI single.The Red Sox answered with a pair of unearned runs in the second. Connor Wong singled. Smith hit a grounder to second, but Michael Massey failed to field it. With one out, David Hamilton bounced one over the wall, scoring Wong. Smith scored on a groundout by Ceddanne Rafaela.Masataka Yoshida homered with one out in the third to extend the Boston lead to 3-1.The Royals used three straight two-out hits to tie the game in the fifth. Massey launched a 434-foot home run to right center. Witt followed with a bloop single and scored on a double by Pasquantino.TRAINING ROOM:Red Sox: Boston manager Alex Cora said RHP Chris Martin played catch Monday and felt good Tuesday, so it's likely he'll be activated from the injured list before Wednesday's game. He has been on the IL since July 5 (retroactive to July 4) with right elbow inflammation. ... OF Tyler O'Neill, who has been out of the lineup with an illness since Aug. 3, feels better and is also likely to return to the lineup Wednesday.UP NEXT:The Red Sox and Royals will conclude their three-game series Wednesday night. Boston will start RHP Brayan Bello (7-8, 3.81 ERA) against KC's LHP Cole Ragans (8-7, 3.35 ERA).

⚾ Dominic Smith scores go-ahead run on wild pitch as Red Sox beat Royals

&nbsp;USD 475 has announced that the Junction City High School football home opener versus Lawrence High School has been rescheduled to Thursday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Blue Jays will open their 2024 season at Haysville Campus in Wichita on Friday, Sept. 6.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722988205516.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC Post&nbsp;USD 475 has announced that the Junction City High School football home opener versus Lawrence High School has been rescheduled to Thursday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.The Blue Jays will open their 2024 season at Haysville Campus in Wichita on Friday, Sept. 6.&nbsp;

Blue Jay football home opener moves to Thursday Sept. 12

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — James Paxton pitched six solid innings, Masataka Yoshida tied his career high with four of Boston's 18 hits and the Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Monday night.

Boston, which has won four of its last five, now trails the Royals by 1 1/2 games for the final American League wild card spot.

“It was a humble approach,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “We hit the ball all over the place. We ran the bases well. The kids did a great job in the bottom of the lineup.

"We just kept putting pressure on them. They have a good team; it took a lot. But give our guys credit, they showed up today and did their job. Now we have to win the series, either tomorrow or the next day.”

Paxton (9-3) allowed two runs on five hits to pick up his first win&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sox-trades-sims-garcia-28244b06789dd496ce5101d6149df8d3">since being traded to the Red Sox</a>&nbsp;by the Dodgers.

“I felt good out there,” Paxton said. “To have (Cora) have that confidence in me was awesome.”

Boston catcher Connor Wong said Paxton was exactly who the Red Sox thought they were getting in the trade.

“We knew from last year that he gets better as the game went on,” Wong said of Paxton, who had 19 starts with Boston in 2023. “He did that against us in L.A. That's just who he is.”

Brady Singer (8-7) allowed four runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. He allowed at least one hit in every inning.

“I thought he pitched well,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Singer. “He really battled. They made a lot of contact, a lot of singles early. (Singer) couldn't quite put them away. Where he was in the sixth, after giving up those two runs in the second, we had a really good chance to win that game.”

Singer wasn't happy with his performance.

“I felt like the sinker in was going to be a huge part of it,” he said. “But I left a few over the middle of the plate and gave up a few hits on it.”

David Hamilton pulled a double down the right field line for Boston's first run in the second. Jarren Duran added an RBI with a slow roller.

The Royals got on the board in the third. Kyle Isbel coaxed a one-out walk from Paxton and advanced to second on a groundout. Bobby Witt Jr. lined a single to right, scoring Isbel.

Michael Massey tripled off the top of the wall in right center in the fourth and scored when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/james-paxton-in-play-run-s-to-freddy-fermin?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share">Freddy Fermin tapped one off the end of the bat</a>&nbsp;that resulted in an RBI single.

Boston regained the lead in the sixth. Reliever Angel Zerpa gave up a line drive down the left field line to Duran, scoring two runs.

The Red Sox added four more runs off Zerpa, including two on Romy Gonzalez’s pinch-hit home run, before recording an out in the seventh.

“With a 2-0 count I thought he was going to challenge me,” Gonzalez said. “He made a pitch where I wanted it and I put a good swing on it.”

The Royals scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh off Cooper Criswell.

Red Sox: OF Tyler O'Neill, who missed Boston's last two games with an illness, was not in the lineup. Manager Alex Cora said O'Neill was “feeling better, but not great. Still available, but not starting.”

The Red Sox and Royals will play the second game of a three-game series Tuesday night. Boston will send RHP Brayan Bello (10-5, 5.13 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Seth Lugo (13-5, 2.57 ERA).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722937257358.jpeg" alt="Boston Red Sox starting pitcher James Paxton throws to a Kansas City Royals batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)" />
 <figcaption>Boston Red Sox starting pitcher James Paxton throws to a Kansas City Royals batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — James Paxton pitched six solid innings, Masataka Yoshida tied his career high with four of Boston's 18 hits and the Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Monday night.Boston, which has won four of its last five, now trails the Royals by 1 1/2 games for the final American League wild card spot.“It was a humble approach,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “We hit the ball all over the place. We ran the bases well. The kids did a great job in the bottom of the lineup."We just kept putting pressure on them. They have a good team; it took a lot. But give our guys credit, they showed up today and did their job. Now we have to win the series, either tomorrow or the next day.”Paxton (9-3) allowed two runs on five hits to pick up his first win&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sox-trades-sims-garcia-28244b06789dd496ce5101d6149df8d3">since being traded to the Red Sox</a>&nbsp;by the Dodgers.“I felt good out there,” Paxton said. “To have (Cora) have that confidence in me was awesome.”Boston catcher Connor Wong said Paxton was exactly who the Red Sox thought they were getting in the trade.“We knew from last year that he gets better as the game went on,” Wong said of Paxton, who had 19 starts with Boston in 2023. “He did that against us in L.A. That's just who he is.”Brady Singer (8-7) allowed four runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. He allowed at least one hit in every inning.“I thought he pitched well,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Singer. “He really battled. They made a lot of contact, a lot of singles early. (Singer) couldn't quite put them away. Where he was in the sixth, after giving up those two runs in the second, we had a really good chance to win that game.”Singer wasn't happy with his performance.“I felt like the sinker in was going to be a huge part of it,” he said. “But I left a few over the middle of the plate and gave up a few hits on it.”David Hamilton pulled a double down the right field line for Boston's first run in the second. Jarren Duran added an RBI with a slow roller.The Royals got on the board in the third. Kyle Isbel coaxed a one-out walk from Paxton and advanced to second on a groundout. Bobby Witt Jr. lined a single to right, scoring Isbel.Michael Massey tripled off the top of the wall in right center in the fourth and scored when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/james-paxton-in-play-run-s-to-freddy-fermin?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share">Freddy Fermin tapped one off the end of the bat</a>&nbsp;that resulted in an RBI single.Boston regained the lead in the sixth. Reliever Angel Zerpa gave up a line drive down the left field line to Duran, scoring two runs.The Red Sox added four more runs off Zerpa, including two on Romy Gonzalez’s pinch-hit home run, before recording an out in the seventh.“With a 2-0 count I thought he was going to challenge me,” Gonzalez said. “He made a pitch where I wanted it and I put a good swing on it.”The Royals scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh off Cooper Criswell.TRAINER'S ROOMRed Sox: OF Tyler O'Neill, who missed Boston's last two games with an illness, was not in the lineup. Manager Alex Cora said O'Neill was “feeling better, but not great. Still available, but not starting.”UP NEXTThe Red Sox and Royals will play the second game of a three-game series Tuesday night. Boston will send RHP Brayan Bello (10-5, 5.13 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Seth Lugo (13-5, 2.57 ERA).___

⚾ Boston's 18 hits lifts Red Sox over Royals

USD 475 has announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCHSUSD475?__cft__[0]=AZVyDZlf65Nh_uF4yj3G9rjze-TSo1ZsvLKtx3spFwt-KgwbIf4TrvOWg9FrUaL7iy8a_MYL6c2H8Qc_aOMLRb9drFLHRUiTNY8lHSx45B37ZWxJk97UgA5hLrKwiuGMGDMlMw5xS-l7KsEMGKg7xTUK8zmO-fUnA2ev8Y7-ua8vAqf3Fl2cslwiEdS_UkrpoSpHLpR6UVg__cx5yZM-36dF&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Junction City High School </a>&nbsp;will host an All Fall Sports Parent Meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. For more information, please contact Chris Bogenhagen, JCHS athletic director, at 785-717-4214

USD 475 has announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCHSUSD475?__cft__[0]=AZVyDZlf65Nh_uF4yj3G9rjze-TSo1ZsvLKtx3spFwt-KgwbIf4TrvOWg9FrUaL7iy8a_MYL6c2H8Qc_aOMLRb9drFLHRUiTNY8lHSx45B37ZWxJk97UgA5hLrKwiuGMGDMlMw5xS-l7KsEMGKg7xTUK8zmO-fUnA2ev8Y7-ua8vAqf3Fl2cslwiEdS_UkrpoSpHLpR6UVg__cx5yZM-36dF&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Junction City High School </a>&nbsp;will host an All Fall Sports Parent Meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. For more information, please contact Chris Bogenhagen, JCHS athletic director, at 785-717-4214

All Fall Sports Parent meeting is scheduled

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23456&amp;type=Archive">Watch Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/chris-klieman-press-conference-august-5-2024/4871">Listen to Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/events/FBSG">Buy Tickets</a>

<a target="_blank" href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/events/FBSG"></a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;met with members of the media for the first time during fall camp on Monday at the Vanier Family Football Complex. Links to video and audio of the press conference – which was streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ – are above, while a transcript of Klieman’s opening statement is below.

“Well, good afternoon. We just finished practice (number) five. It’s been good so far. (Today was our) third day in our half pads. Tomorrow, we'll get to put on full pads. We’re still evaluating a ton of guys, and that's kind of what we're doing right now — all our install on offense and defense, looking at our younger guys, looking at new guys, especially the ones that just arrived here in the summer, as well as the kids that are redshirt freshmen that have kind of been on the program a little while. So, it's a work in progress.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23456&amp;type=Archive">Watch Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/chris-klieman-press-conference-august-5-2024/4871">Listen to Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/events/FBSG">Buy Tickets</a><a target="_blank" href="https://kstatesports.evenue.net/events/FBSG"></a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;met with members of the media for the first time during fall camp on Monday at the Vanier Family Football Complex. Links to video and audio of the press conference – which was streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ – are above, while a transcript of Klieman’s opening statement is below.CHRIS KLIEMAN, HEAD COACHOpening Statement…“Well, good afternoon. We just finished practice (number) five. It’s been good so far. (Today was our) third day in our half pads. Tomorrow, we'll get to put on full pads. We’re still evaluating a ton of guys, and that's kind of what we're doing right now — all our install on offense and defense, looking at our younger guys, looking at new guys, especially the ones that just arrived here in the summer, as well as the kids that are redshirt freshmen that have kind of been on the program a little while. So, it's a work in progress.”– k-statesports.com –