LAWRENCE, Kan. – Guard Elijah Elliott will transfer from the Kansas men’s basketball team, KU head coach Bill Self announced Monday. Elliott put his name into the transfer portal in late June and has decided to leave KU.

“We want to thank Elijah for all of his contributions to our program in his two years here,” Self said. “He has been a great teammate and is a hard worker who wants the opportunity to contribute more on the court. We wish Elijah and his family nothing but the best.”

Elliott (6-3, 185) came to KU in the summer of 2018 and was a redshirt for the 2018-19 season. The Southlake, Texas, native was part of the 2020 Big 12 regular-season championship team which went 28-3 and 17-1 in conference play prior to the pandemic cutting the season short. KU finished No. 1 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches’ polls at season’s end.

“First I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Elliott said. “The past two years at Kansas have been a dream come true for me. I want to thank my family, the coaches, my teammates, the entire support staff and most importantly the Jayhawk Nation. I will always be grateful for how everyone treated me like their own. With that being said, me and my family have decided to transfer from Kansas. KU will always hold a special place in my heart. Rock Chalk.” 

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Guard Elijah Elliott will transfer from the Kansas men’s basketball team, KU head coach Bill Self announced Monday. Elliott put his name into the transfer portal in late June and has decided to leave KU.“We want to thank Elijah for all of his contributions to our program in his two years here,” Self said. “He has been a great teammate and is a hard worker who wants the opportunity to contribute more on the court. We wish Elijah and his family nothing but the best.”Elliott (6-3, 185) came to KU in the summer of 2018 and was a redshirt for the 2018-19 season. The Southlake, Texas, native was part of the 2020 Big 12 regular-season championship team which went 28-3 and 17-1 in conference play prior to the pandemic cutting the season short. KU finished No. 1 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches’ polls at season’s end.“First I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Elliott said. “The past two years at Kansas have been a dream come true for me. I want to thank my family, the coaches, my teammates, the entire support staff and most importantly the Jayhawk Nation. I will always be grateful for how everyone treated me like their own. With that being said, me and my family have decided to transfer from Kansas. KU will always hold a special place in my heart. Rock Chalk.” --- KU Athletics ---

Elijah Elliott to transfer from Kansas

ST. LOUIS -- The Missouri Valley Conference Presidents Council announced Monday (July 27) it will delay the start of competition in MVC fall sports until Friday, Sept. 18, and the league will conduct conference-only competition in men's soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball.  

This decision does not include football-playing institutions that compete in leagues with separate governing bodies-- specifically members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and Pioneer Football League.  

Fall competitive schedules for men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, and women’s tennis will also be delayed until Sept. 18, as will the non-championship fall seasons for baseball and softball. Additionally, the start of fall practice for all MVC-sponsored sports may not start before Aug. 17. Beginning with Sept. 18, student-athletes in those sports may compete against non-conference competition, provided that non-MVC institutions meet the necessary safety specifications as outlined in the NCAA's Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines.  

At this time, schedules for winter and spring sports are not impacted. MVC championship models for fall sports as previously announced are also not impacted.  

MVC institutions may continue with permissible athletics activities at their discretion under approved safety protocols established in the NCAA’s Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines, while following state, local and institutional policies.

In a separate announcement Monday, the Missouri Valley Football Conference Presidents Council determined patience is warranted regarding any decision to modify the 2020 fall football season, seeing merit in delaying as long as there remains a possibility to provide a safe competitive opportunity for MVFC student-athletes.

With their announcements, the MVC, MVFC and their Presidents Councils noted they will continue to monitor national developments and, if necessary, consider additional action as dictated by circumstances.  

ST. LOUIS -- The Missouri Valley Conference Presidents Council announced Monday (July 27) it will delay the start of competition in MVC fall sports until Friday, Sept. 18, and the league will conduct conference-only competition in men's soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball. This decision does not include football-playing institutions that compete in leagues with separate governing bodies-- specifically members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and Pioneer Football League. Fall competitive schedules for men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, and women’s tennis will also be delayed until Sept. 18, as will the non-championship fall seasons for baseball and softball. Additionally, the start of fall practice for all MVC-sponsored sports may not start before Aug. 17. Beginning with Sept. 18, student-athletes in those sports may compete against non-conference competition, provided that non-MVC institutions meet the necessary safety specifications as outlined in the NCAA's Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines. At this time, schedules for winter and spring sports are not impacted. MVC championship models for fall sports as previously announced are also not impacted. MVC institutions may continue with permissible athletics activities at their discretion under approved safety protocols established in the NCAA’s Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines, while following state, local and institutional policies.In a separate announcement Monday, the Missouri Valley Football Conference Presidents Council determined patience is warranted regarding any decision to modify the 2020 fall football season, seeing merit in delaying as long as there remains a possibility to provide a safe competitive opportunity for MVFC student-athletes.With their announcements, the MVC, MVFC and their Presidents Councils noted they will continue to monitor national developments and, if necessary, consider additional action as dictated by circumstances. --- MVC Press Release ---

Missouri Valley Conference announces delayed start for fall sports

COLUMBIA, Mo.&nbsp;– Mizzou
Athletics is excited to announce that ticketing for home football, men's
basketball and women's basketball games will fully transition to a digital
system starting this fall. The new model stresses the importance of safety,
ease and convenience as the Mobile Entry procedures will cut down on
hand-to-hand contact, limit time spent entering Mizzou's venues and provide a
more secure way for fans to hold onto their tickets on game day.

While
ticket purchasers will no longer have the option to print their tickets at
home, the new digital system will provide an efficient and secure delivery
system of season, mini-plan and single-game tickets via smartphones and the
Mizzou Tigers app. Fans who do not have access to a smartphone will be able to
work with the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office on alternate delivery method for
their tickets.

"There
are going to be several challenges as athletics venues across the nation begin
to open following the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a department, we will continue
to stress the fan experience and safety at all of our events, and digital
ticketing will play a key role in both of those areas moving forward,"
Mizzou Director of Athletics&nbsp;Jim Sterk&nbsp;said.
"The convenience of digital ticketing is something I know our fans have
been intrigued by for a long time, and that was confirmed during the focus
groups we held as part of the decision-making process.

The
digital ticketing system through Mizzou's athletic ticket partner Ticketmaster,
will help to limit physical touching between fans and event staff members on
game day. Also, with tickets now being delivered on a mobile device, digital
ticketing will reduce the issues with the traditional paper tickets, such as
theft, lost tickets and shipping delays, along with the need for an early
confirmation of a shipping address.

Another
added benefit to the digital ticket model is the ease of transfer of digital
tickets, which can be done through any mobile device, safely and securely.
Additionally, customers will still be able to post their tickets for sale to
Ticketmaster.com, the Official Secondary Marketplace of Mizzou Athletics, right
from their account if desired.

In
addition, several schools within the SEC are expected to make the transition to
all digital ticketing this fall, while Power 5 schools such as Ohio State and
Oklahoma have already made the announcement to move in that direction. Most
professional sports franchises, including the defending Super Bowl champion
Kansas City Chiefs, have already migrated their ticketing to the digital space.

For
additional information, contact the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office at
1-800-CAT-PAWS or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tickets@missouri.edu">tickets@missouri.edu</a>.

Mizzou Athletics Digital Ticketing Q&amp;A

Note:&nbsp;&nbsp;This page will be updated with
additional information closer to the start of the fall season, and all season
ticket holders will receive detailed instructions for downloading their tickets
in advance of the Sept. 5 season opener against Central Arkansas. In addition,
Mizzou Athletics will develop an on-line instructional video to guide Tiger
fans through the process.

Why is Mizzou Athletics moving to a digital ticketing delivery
system? 
Digital tickets will provide a secure and contactless environment for our fans
while also providing:

Did Mizzou Athletics survey any of its fans before making this
decision? 
Yes, the TSF staff conducted zoom meetings with our fans, and they were
supportive of making the move to digital tickets.

How will the mobile ticket delivery work? 
Starting this fall, Mizzou Athletics will no longer print and mail game tickets
to fans or offer a printable PDF option. This decision was made to move to a
contactless entry for the safety of our fans, while also protecting fans
tickets from fraud and counterfeit problems that have accompanied PDF print at
home tickets in previous years.

Printed PDF tickets&nbsp;WILL NOT&nbsp;be accepted at any
Mizzou Athletics venues for admittance. Beginning this year, all tickets will
be fully digital and accessible only via your mobile device. In short, your
phone is your game ticket to watch the Tigers!

Where can I download the Mizzou Athletics app at? 
Fans can download the Mizzou Athletics app free of charge from the App Store or
Google Play. The app is a great source of information on all your favorite
Mizzou teams, as well as your ticket into the game!

Will parking passes be affected by Mizzou's move to digital
ticketing? 
No. Mizzou Athletics will continue to print and mail you your parking passes as
in past years.

What if my friend(s) and I arrive to the game at different times? 
As in past years, each person entering the game will need a ticket to get in.
You can transfer tickets to each member of your party individually prior to
your arrival.

What if my smartphone or phone battery dies on game day? 
Fans can go to our Memorial Stadium ticket resolution windows, at Gate 1, as
well as the main box office at Mizzou Arena for assistance. Mobile help desks
will also be available on each side of Memorial Stadium to assist fans on game
day. Additional information will be sent to ticket holders in advance of the
game to handle issues such as this.

May I have multiple tickets on one phone? 
Yes, you will have the ability to swipe through multiple tickets on your phone.
However, we recommend transferring each person their ticket in case you wish to
enter the facility at separate times.

May I transfer my tickets more than one time? 
No. Tickets may only be transferred once, however, a transfer may be cancelled
before it is completed.

Will I receive an email receipt that my transfer has been
initiated and also when the tickets are received? 
Yes, you will receive confirmation via email that the transfer has been
completed.

May I use digital tickets if I do not have smartphone? 
No. We recommend contacting the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office to make
arrangements ahead of time as you will not be able to use the digital ticket
option on game day without a smartphone.

Can digital tickets be downloaded onto my desktop computer? 
No. A barcode transferred to paper is not accepted at entry. Mobile tickets on
a mobile device are the only acceptable tickets for entry into the game.

Is there in-venue Wi-Fi so I can download my tickets at the game? 
Our venues are equipped with Wi-Fi, however, to guarantee a smooth entry, we
recommend downloading your tickets prior to arriving at the venue. They can be
saved directly to the Mizzou Athletics app, Apple Wallet or Google Pay Wallet.

Does a season ticket holder with a current online TicketMaster
account have to create another one to access their tickets on the Mizzou App? 
No, please use your current Mizzou TicketMaster account, otherwise your season
tickets will not be on the account.

Who do I contact if I need additional assistance or have questions
not answered above? 
For further assistance, please contact the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office at
1-800-CAT-PAWS.

COLUMBIA, Mo.&nbsp;– Mizzou
Athletics is excited to announce that ticketing for home football, men's
basketball and women's basketball games will fully transition to a digital
system starting this fall. The new model stresses the importance of safety,
ease and convenience as the Mobile Entry procedures will cut down on
hand-to-hand contact, limit time spent entering Mizzou's venues and provide a
more secure way for fans to hold onto their tickets on game day.While
ticket purchasers will no longer have the option to print their tickets at
home, the new digital system will provide an efficient and secure delivery
system of season, mini-plan and single-game tickets via smartphones and the
Mizzou Tigers app. Fans who do not have access to a smartphone will be able to
work with the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office on alternate delivery method for
their tickets."There
are going to be several challenges as athletics venues across the nation begin
to open following the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a department, we will continue
to stress the fan experience and safety at all of our events, and digital
ticketing will play a key role in both of those areas moving forward,"
Mizzou Director of Athletics&nbsp;Jim Sterk&nbsp;said.
"The convenience of digital ticketing is something I know our fans have
been intrigued by for a long time, and that was confirmed during the focus
groups we held as part of the decision-making process.The
digital ticketing system through Mizzou's athletic ticket partner Ticketmaster,
will help to limit physical touching between fans and event staff members on
game day. Also, with tickets now being delivered on a mobile device, digital
ticketing will reduce the issues with the traditional paper tickets, such as
theft, lost tickets and shipping delays, along with the need for an early
confirmation of a shipping address.Another
added benefit to the digital ticket model is the ease of transfer of digital
tickets, which can be done through any mobile device, safely and securely.
Additionally, customers will still be able to post their tickets for sale to
Ticketmaster.com, the Official Secondary Marketplace of Mizzou Athletics, right
from their account if desired.In
addition, several schools within the SEC are expected to make the transition to
all digital ticketing this fall, while Power 5 schools such as Ohio State and
Oklahoma have already made the announcement to move in that direction. Most
professional sports franchises, including the defending Super Bowl champion
Kansas City Chiefs, have already migrated their ticketing to the digital space.For
additional information, contact the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office at
1-800-CAT-PAWS or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tickets@missouri.edu">tickets@missouri.edu</a>.Mizzou Athletics Digital Ticketing Q&amp;ANote:&nbsp;&nbsp;This page will be updated with
additional information closer to the start of the fall season, and all season
ticket holders will receive detailed instructions for downloading their tickets
in advance of the Sept. 5 season opener against Central Arkansas. In addition,
Mizzou Athletics will develop an on-line instructional video to guide Tiger
fans through the process.Why is Mizzou Athletics moving to a digital ticketing delivery
system? 
Digital tickets will provide a secure and contactless environment for our fans
while also providing:<ul>
 <li>Fast and easy entry to all Mizzou Athletics venues
 using your mobile phone or smart device</li><li>Instant access to your season tickets through the
 Mizzou Athletics app after they are loaded into your Mizzou TicketMaster
 account (two weeks prior to season's first home event)</li><li>The ability to manage, transfer and sell tickets at any
 time</li><li>Reduced risk of lost, stolen, counterfeit or forgotten
 tickets</li><li>Financial savings to the athletics department in a
 challenging climate by eliminating printed tickets</li>
 </ul>Did Mizzou Athletics survey any of its fans before making this
decision? 
Yes, the TSF staff conducted zoom meetings with our fans, and they were
supportive of making the move to digital tickets.How will the mobile ticket delivery work? 
Starting this fall, Mizzou Athletics will no longer print and mail game tickets
to fans or offer a printable PDF option. This decision was made to move to a
contactless entry for the safety of our fans, while also protecting fans
tickets from fraud and counterfeit problems that have accompanied PDF print at
home tickets in previous years.Printed PDF tickets&nbsp;WILL NOT&nbsp;be accepted at any
Mizzou Athletics venues for admittance. Beginning this year, all tickets will
be fully digital and accessible only via your mobile device. In short, your
phone is your game ticket to watch the Tigers!Where can I download the Mizzou Athletics app at? 
Fans can download the Mizzou Athletics app free of charge from the App Store or
Google Play. The app is a great source of information on all your favorite
Mizzou teams, as well as your ticket into the game!Will parking passes be affected by Mizzou's move to digital
ticketing? 
No. Mizzou Athletics will continue to print and mail you your parking passes as
in past years.What if my friend(s) and I arrive to the game at different times? 
As in past years, each person entering the game will need a ticket to get in.
You can transfer tickets to each member of your party individually prior to
your arrival.What if my smartphone or phone battery dies on game day? 
Fans can go to our Memorial Stadium ticket resolution windows, at Gate 1, as
well as the main box office at Mizzou Arena for assistance. Mobile help desks
will also be available on each side of Memorial Stadium to assist fans on game
day. Additional information will be sent to ticket holders in advance of the
game to handle issues such as this.May I have multiple tickets on one phone? 
Yes, you will have the ability to swipe through multiple tickets on your phone.
However, we recommend transferring each person their ticket in case you wish to
enter the facility at separate times.May I transfer my tickets more than one time? 
No. Tickets may only be transferred once, however, a transfer may be cancelled
before it is completed.Will I receive an email receipt that my transfer has been
initiated and also when the tickets are received? 
Yes, you will receive confirmation via email that the transfer has been
completed.May I use digital tickets if I do not have smartphone? 
No. We recommend contacting the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office to make
arrangements ahead of time as you will not be able to use the digital ticket
option on game day without a smartphone.Can digital tickets be downloaded onto my desktop computer? 
No. A barcode transferred to paper is not accepted at entry. Mobile tickets on
a mobile device are the only acceptable tickets for entry into the game.Is there in-venue Wi-Fi so I can download my tickets at the game? 
Our venues are equipped with Wi-Fi, however, to guarantee a smooth entry, we
recommend downloading your tickets prior to arriving at the venue. They can be
saved directly to the Mizzou Athletics app, Apple Wallet or Google Pay Wallet.Does a season ticket holder with a current online TicketMaster
account have to create another one to access their tickets on the Mizzou App? 
No, please use your current Mizzou TicketMaster account, otherwise your season
tickets will not be on the account.Who do I contact if I need additional assistance or have questions
not answered above? 
For further assistance, please contact the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office at
1-800-CAT-PAWS.--- Mizzou Athletics ---

Mizzou Athletics unveils digital ticketing at several venues

CLEVELAND — Carlos Carrasco started again. His inspiring comeback from cancer is complete.

More than a year since being stricken with leukemia, Carrasco struck out 10 in six-plus innings and José Ramírez homered twice as the Cleveland Indians clobbered the Kansas City Royals 9-2 on Sunday to win two of three in the delayed season-opening series.

Ramírez hit a three-run homer left-handed in the fourth and added a solo shot from the right side in the sixth for the Indians, who finally put some solid swings together against Kansas City's bullpen.

With his rotation currently thin due to pitchers testing positive for COVID-19, Royals manager Mike Matheny started reliever Ronald Bolaños (0-1), who gave up two runs in the first and took the loss.

Carrasco couldn't have imagined his journey when he took the mound on May 30, 2019, against the Chicago White Sox. Only days later, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a blood disorder that threatened his life.

But he's back in Cleveland's rotation, and the sight of him starting warmed everyone who has followed his feel-good return.

Carrasco was in command of the Royals from the outset. He allowed two runs and five hits before he was lifted after allowing a leadoff double in the seventh.

It's been a remarkable road back for the 33-year-old Carrasco, whose personal battle with the disease bonded his teammates and rallied Indians fans around the pitcher known as "Cookie."

Carrasco's memorable on-field appearance at last year's All-Star Game led to an outpouring of support. "I Stand For Cookie" T-shirts became a fashion trend around town, and his return as a reliever late last season was the pinnacle of 2019 when the Indians failed to make the playoffs.

Before Sunday's game, Indians manager Terry Francona appreciated the significance of Carrasco (1-0) starting again.

"The fact that he's come so far and it's not just that he's conquered this and he's pitching, which is really awesome," Francona said. "He's trying to win a game for us, and that's even more awesome."

Carrasco retired the first 10 Royals before giving up a one-out double to Adalberto Mondesi in the fourth. But by then, the Indians had scored four times — helped by two Kansas City errors — before Ramírez connected for Cleveland's first homer of the season to make it 7-1.

Unable to get any two-out hits in the first two games, the Indians finally connected in the first with Franmil Reyes and Domingo Santana delivering RBI singles. Cleveland came in 0 for 18 with two outs in the series.

The inning was helped by a throwing error by third baseman Erick Mejia and Bolanos' wild pitch.

All-Star Francisco Lindor, who started the season 1 for 10, had an RBI double and Ramírez scored four times for Cleveland.

Baseball's new automatic-runner rule triggered some playful social media sparring by former Indians teammates Mike Clevinger and Trevor Bauer.

Clevinger slammed the rule following the Indians' 3-2 loss on Saturday, saying, "This isn't travel ball. I'm not happy about it." The always outspoken Bauer, who was traded to Cincinnati by Cleveland last year, shot back at his friend on Twitter.

"But don't both sides get a chance with a runner at second base?" Bauer asked his buddy.

Francona understands MLB's reasoning behind the rule, and said it's up to teams to adapt.

"You're handed whatever rules or whatever challenges you're dealt and you do the best you can," he said.

Royals: LHP MIke Montgomery starts the opener of a four-game series in Detroit.

Indians: Stay at home for three more games against the Chicago White Sox, with Aaron Civale starting for the Indians.

Associated PressCLEVELAND — Carlos Carrasco started again. His inspiring comeback from cancer is complete.More than a year since being stricken with leukemia, Carrasco struck out 10 in six-plus innings and José Ramírez homered twice as the Cleveland Indians clobbered the Kansas City Royals 9-2 on Sunday to win two of three in the delayed season-opening series.Ramírez hit a three-run homer left-handed in the fourth and added a solo shot from the right side in the sixth for the Indians, who finally put some solid swings together against Kansas City's bullpen.With his rotation currently thin due to pitchers testing positive for COVID-19, Royals manager Mike Matheny started reliever Ronald Bolaños (0-1), who gave up two runs in the first and took the loss.Carrasco couldn't have imagined his journey when he took the mound on May 30, 2019, against the Chicago White Sox. Only days later, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a blood disorder that threatened his life.But he's back in Cleveland's rotation, and the sight of him starting warmed everyone who has followed his feel-good return.Carrasco was in command of the Royals from the outset. He allowed two runs and five hits before he was lifted after allowing a leadoff double in the seventh.It's been a remarkable road back for the 33-year-old Carrasco, whose personal battle with the disease bonded his teammates and rallied Indians fans around the pitcher known as "Cookie."Carrasco's memorable on-field appearance at last year's All-Star Game led to an outpouring of support. "I Stand For Cookie" T-shirts became a fashion trend around town, and his return as a reliever late last season was the pinnacle of 2019 when the Indians failed to make the playoffs.Before Sunday's game, Indians manager Terry Francona appreciated the significance of Carrasco (1-0) starting again."The fact that he's come so far and it's not just that he's conquered this and he's pitching, which is really awesome," Francona said. "He's trying to win a game for us, and that's even more awesome."Carrasco retired the first 10 Royals before giving up a one-out double to Adalberto Mondesi in the fourth. But by then, the Indians had scored four times — helped by two Kansas City errors — before Ramírez connected for Cleveland's first homer of the season to make it 7-1.Unable to get any two-out hits in the first two games, the Indians finally connected in the first with Franmil Reyes and Domingo Santana delivering RBI singles. Cleveland came in 0 for 18 with two outs in the series.The inning was helped by a throwing error by third baseman Erick Mejia and Bolanos' wild pitch.All-Star Francisco Lindor, who started the season 1 for 10, had an RBI double and Ramírez scored four times for Cleveland.FEUDING FRIENDSBaseball's new automatic-runner rule triggered some playful social media sparring by former Indians teammates Mike Clevinger and Trevor Bauer.Clevinger slammed the rule following the Indians' 3-2 loss on Saturday, saying, "This isn't travel ball. I'm not happy about it." The always outspoken Bauer, who was traded to Cincinnati by Cleveland last year, shot back at his friend on Twitter."But don't both sides get a chance with a runner at second base?" Bauer asked his buddy.Francona understands MLB's reasoning behind the rule, and said it's up to teams to adapt."You're handed whatever rules or whatever challenges you're dealt and you do the best you can," he said.UP NEXTRoyals: LHP MIke Montgomery starts the opener of a four-game series in Detroit.Indians: Stay at home for three more games against the Chicago White Sox, with Aaron Civale starting for the Indians.

Royals drop series finale at Cleveland 9-2

ST. LOUIS -- — Pittsburgh's Derek Shelton staged baseball's first major, socially distanced umpire argument, then got his first victory as a big league manager as the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Sunday.

Colin Moran and Jose Osuna homered, and Mitch Keller pitched five solid innings for the Pirates.

Shelton came out to argue with plate umpire Jordan Baker in the third inning after pitcher Derek Holland was ejected from the dugout for arguing balls and strikes.

Shelton pulled a gaiter over his face as he left the dugout, and Baker pulled a face mask out of his pocket and held it to his face as Shelton argued from about six feet away. Baker let Shelton say his peace, and the first-year skipper was not ejected.

Pittsburgh avoided being swept and beat the Cardinals for just the second time in their last 14 meetings.

Keller (1-0) faced St. Louis for the first time in his career. He gave up one run, two hits and three walks while striking out three. His only blemish came when Kolten Wong scored on Tommy Edman's infield single in the third inning.

Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson (0-1) gave up four runs, including two homers, in 4 1/3 innings. Hudson lost for the first time in four career starts against the Pirates, and it was his first loss against an NL Central opponent after winning his previous five starts in 2019.

Pittsburgh scored three runs in the fourth. Moran homered with two outs, and that was followed by Phillip Evans' infield single and a two-run shot to center by Osuna for a 3-1 lead.

Jacob Stallings scored on a sacrifice fly from Josh Bell to make it 4-1 in the fifth. They made it 5-1 in the eighth when Bell scored from first on a Phillip Evans double.

Hudson lost for just the third time in 14-day game starts. He is now 7-3 in afternoon games.

Pirates RHP JT Brubaker threw two scoreless innings in his major league debut. Brubaker had spent the last five years in the minor leagues.

Cardinals RHP Kodi Whitley also made his major league debut in a relief appearance in the top seventh. He retired all three batters he faced.

Pirates: OF Gregory Polanco (COVID-19) remains out of the lineup. Shelton has been checking in with him back in Pittsburgh. "I talked to (Polanco) two days ago. The reports have been good. I know he's working out again today." Shelton said. "As we continue to see him, we'll make an evaluation of when he'll be back."

Cardinals: OF Harrison Bader was out of the starting lineup after being hit by two pitches Saturday. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said it felt like the right time just to give Bader a break. "Harrison's fine. You know, he's a tough dude." ... RHP Giovanny Gallegos (undisclosed illness) is expected to be added the roster for Tuesday's game in Minnesota.

Pirates: LHP Steven Brault (4-6, 5.16 ERA in 2019) will face the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for the Pirates home opener. Brault is 1/3 in 10 career starts against the Brewers.

Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (4-2, 3.17 ERA, 24 saves in 2019) makes his first start for the Cardinals since July 30, 2018, Tuesday in Minnesota against the Twins to start a seven-game road trip. Martinez is 0-2 in his career against the Twins.

Associated PressST. LOUIS -- — Pittsburgh's Derek Shelton staged baseball's first major, socially distanced umpire argument, then got his first victory as a big league manager as the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Sunday.Colin Moran and Jose Osuna homered, and Mitch Keller pitched five solid innings for the Pirates.Shelton came out to argue with plate umpire Jordan Baker in the third inning after pitcher Derek Holland was ejected from the dugout for arguing balls and strikes.Shelton pulled a gaiter over his face as he left the dugout, and Baker pulled a face mask out of his pocket and held it to his face as Shelton argued from about six feet away. Baker let Shelton say his peace, and the first-year skipper was not ejected.Pittsburgh avoided being swept and beat the Cardinals for just the second time in their last 14 meetings.Keller (1-0) faced St. Louis for the first time in his career. He gave up one run, two hits and three walks while striking out three. His only blemish came when Kolten Wong scored on Tommy Edman's infield single in the third inning.Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson (0-1) gave up four runs, including two homers, in 4 1/3 innings. Hudson lost for the first time in four career starts against the Pirates, and it was his first loss against an NL Central opponent after winning his previous five starts in 2019.Pittsburgh scored three runs in the fourth. Moran homered with two outs, and that was followed by Phillip Evans' infield single and a two-run shot to center by Osuna for a 3-1 lead.Jacob Stallings scored on a sacrifice fly from Josh Bell to make it 4-1 in the fifth. They made it 5-1 in the eighth when Bell scored from first on a Phillip Evans double.RUNNING OUT OF DAYLIGHTHudson lost for just the third time in 14-day game starts. He is now 7-3 in afternoon games.MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUTSPirates RHP JT Brubaker threw two scoreless innings in his major league debut. Brubaker had spent the last five years in the minor leagues.Cardinals RHP Kodi Whitley also made his major league debut in a relief appearance in the top seventh. He retired all three batters he faced.TRAINER'S ROOMPirates: OF Gregory Polanco (COVID-19) remains out of the lineup. Shelton has been checking in with him back in Pittsburgh. "I talked to (Polanco) two days ago. The reports have been good. I know he's working out again today." Shelton said. "As we continue to see him, we'll make an evaluation of when he'll be back."Cardinals: OF Harrison Bader was out of the starting lineup after being hit by two pitches Saturday. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said it felt like the right time just to give Bader a break. "Harrison's fine. You know, he's a tough dude." ... RHP Giovanny Gallegos (undisclosed illness) is expected to be added the roster for Tuesday's game in Minnesota.UP NEXTPirates: LHP Steven Brault (4-6, 5.16 ERA in 2019) will face the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for the Pirates home opener. Brault is 1/3 in 10 career starts against the Brewers.Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (4-2, 3.17 ERA, 24 saves in 2019) makes his first start for the Cardinals since July 30, 2018, Tuesday in Minnesota against the Twins to start a seven-game road trip. Martinez is 0-2 in his career against the Twins.

Cardinals lose first game Sunday to Pittsburgh 5-1

CLEVELAND -- Greg Holland struck out the top of Cleveland's order to strand the tying run at second base and Maikel Franco hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to give the Kansas City Royals a 3-2 win over the Indians on Saturday in just the third major league game decided by the debated extra-inning runner rule.

With Greg Allen on second, Holland fanned Cesar Hernandez and Jose Ramirez before getting All-Star Francisco Lindor to chase strike three in the dirt for the final out and the most unique save of his career.

"It's kind of strange," Holland said of Major League Baseball's new rule designed to keep games from dragging in this condensed, 60-game season.

The Royals could be heard whooping it up as they poured out of the dugout, with Mike Matheny posting his first win as Kansas City's manager -- a win he knows some will say deserves an asterisk.

"I love it. I hope we do it tomorrow," he said, referring to the automatic-runner rule, which has been used in the minors. "Though actually that's not true. I hope we have a bigger lead. I know I have been a proponent for it, and I know baseball traditionalists are rolling over right now."

Despite being 1 for 9 to open the season and not delivering in the clutch, Lindor likes the rule.

"It's cool," he said. "It's kind of Little League-ish, but I like it."

Indians starter Mike Clevinger is on the other side of the debate.

"This isn't travel ball," he said. "You know how hard it is to get a runner on second base off the back end of any bullpen, how incredibly hard that is? I'm not happy about it. I'm sure when other teams face the situation and this happens to them, you're going to get similar reactions."

Holland's performance provided a fitting ending for the Royals, who got an excellent start from Brady Singer in his big league debut. Reliever Scott Barlow struck out two in the ninth to get the win.

The Indians got just one hit after the third inning and finished with just four.

"We have a good team," Lindor said. "We're going to hit. Their pitching staff was doing a good job. Hats off to them."

Jorge Soler and Salvador Perez hit back-to-back homers in the first for Kansas City.

Kansas City's 10th began with pinch-runner Brett Phillips on second and he moved to third on pinch-hitter Erick Mejia's perfectly placed sacrifice off James Karinchak (0-1). Franco then delivered a fly to deep center, easily scoring Phillips.

Cleveland, which left the bases loaded in the ninth, went with a different strategy in the 10th as manager Terry Francona let leadoff hitter Bradley Zimmer swing away and he got hit. But Hernandez couldn't get down a bunt before Holland got him.

The Indians still looked to be OK with Ramirez and Lindor coming up, but Holland didn't let them make contact.

Clevinger came in 9-0 in 13 career starts against the Royals, but two bad pitches -- and a check-swing -- in the first prevented him from getting his 10th win.

With two outs, Soler checked his swing on a 2-2 pitch, and with the count full he pulled Clevinger's slider into the left-field stands. Two pitches later, Perez followed with a towering, 434-foot shot into the empty bleachers.

The 23-year-old Singer held the Indians to two runs and three hits with seven strikeouts in five innings. The first-round draft pick in 2018 looked composed and comfortable in his first outing.

"Exactly what the doctor ordered for our club," Matheny said. "He didn't get rattled in that third inning. A little bit unlucky, some balls found some holes and a couple calls didn't go his way, but a lot of composure for 23 years old."

The Royals weren't expecting to bring up Singer this quickly, but with starters Brad Keller and Jakob Junis both sidelined after testing positive for the coronavirus, the club decided it was time to see him.

The Indians wore their red alternate home jerseys for Game 2. On Friday, the team donned its blue road jerseys with "Cleveland" on the chest for the opener in a show of support for minorities and the team considering changing its name.

Indians: OF Tyler Naquin was placed on the injured list with a hairline fracture in his right big toe. Naquin fouled a ball off his foot last week and needs more time to recover.

Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco makes his first since May 30 last season, shortly before he was diagnosed with leukemia. Carrasco returned to pitch in relief late in the season, but he's back in Cleveland's rotation. Matheny hasn't announced his starter for Sunday's series finale.

Associated PressCLEVELAND -- Greg Holland struck out the top of Cleveland's order to strand the tying run at second base and Maikel Franco hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to give the Kansas City Royals a 3-2 win over the Indians on Saturday in just the third major league game decided by the debated extra-inning runner rule.With Greg Allen on second, Holland fanned Cesar Hernandez and Jose Ramirez before getting All-Star Francisco Lindor to chase strike three in the dirt for the final out and the most unique save of his career."It's kind of strange," Holland said of Major League Baseball's new rule designed to keep games from dragging in this condensed, 60-game season.The Royals could be heard whooping it up as they poured out of the dugout, with Mike Matheny posting his first win as Kansas City's manager -- a win he knows some will say deserves an asterisk."I love it. I hope we do it tomorrow," he said, referring to the automatic-runner rule, which has been used in the minors. "Though actually that's not true. I hope we have a bigger lead. I know I have been a proponent for it, and I know baseball traditionalists are rolling over right now."Despite being 1 for 9 to open the season and not delivering in the clutch, Lindor likes the rule."It's cool," he said. "It's kind of Little League-ish, but I like it."Indians starter Mike Clevinger is on the other side of the debate."This isn't travel ball," he said. "You know how hard it is to get a runner on second base off the back end of any bullpen, how incredibly hard that is? I'm not happy about it. I'm sure when other teams face the situation and this happens to them, you're going to get similar reactions."Holland's performance provided a fitting ending for the Royals, who got an excellent start from Brady Singer in his big league debut. Reliever Scott Barlow struck out two in the ninth to get the win.The Indians got just one hit after the third inning and finished with just four."We have a good team," Lindor said. "We're going to hit. Their pitching staff was doing a good job. Hats off to them."Jorge Soler and Salvador Perez hit back-to-back homers in the first for Kansas City.Kansas City's 10th began with pinch-runner Brett Phillips on second and he moved to third on pinch-hitter Erick Mejia's perfectly placed sacrifice off James Karinchak (0-1). Franco then delivered a fly to deep center, easily scoring Phillips.Cleveland, which left the bases loaded in the ninth, went with a different strategy in the 10th as manager Terry Francona let leadoff hitter Bradley Zimmer swing away and he got hit. But Hernandez couldn't get down a bunt before Holland got him.The Indians still looked to be OK with Ramirez and Lindor coming up, but Holland didn't let them make contact.Clevinger came in 9-0 in 13 career starts against the Royals, but two bad pitches -- and a check-swing -- in the first prevented him from getting his 10th win.With two outs, Soler checked his swing on a 2-2 pitch, and with the count full he pulled Clevinger's slider into the left-field stands. Two pitches later, Perez followed with a towering, 434-foot shot into the empty bleachers.The 23-year-old Singer held the Indians to two runs and three hits with seven strikeouts in five innings. The first-round draft pick in 2018 looked composed and comfortable in his first outing."Exactly what the doctor ordered for our club," Matheny said. "He didn't get rattled in that third inning. A little bit unlucky, some balls found some holes and a couple calls didn't go his way, but a lot of composure for 23 years old."The Royals weren't expecting to bring up Singer this quickly, but with starters Brad Keller and Jakob Junis both sidelined after testing positive for the coronavirus, the club decided it was time to see him.NEW JERSEYSThe Indians wore their red alternate home jerseys for Game 2. On Friday, the team donned its blue road jerseys with "Cleveland" on the chest for the opener in a show of support for minorities and the team considering changing its name.TRAINING ROOMIndians: OF Tyler Naquin was placed on the injured list with a hairline fracture in his right big toe. Naquin fouled a ball off his foot last week and needs more time to recover.UP NEXTIndians right-hander Carlos Carrasco makes his first since May 30 last season, shortly before he was diagnosed with leukemia. Carrasco returned to pitch in relief late in the season, but he's back in Cleveland's rotation. Matheny hasn't announced his starter for Sunday's series finale.

Royals take down Cleveland 3-2 in 10 innings for first win

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledges there is “some risk” in returning to the team facility for training camp. But he is comfortable with the protocols established by the NFL and its players' union to ensure a safe environment leading to the season.

Mahomes spoke with a group of local reporters on Zoom on Saturday. The Super Bowl MVP was at the facility along with rookies and select veterans one day after the league and union agreed to a proposal opening camps in earnest next week.

The players' board of representatives voted 29-3 to adopt proposed changes to the collective bargaining agreement that provided for new training camp and roster rules, economics and protocols for operating amid the coronavirus pandemic. It also include an opt-out clause that Chiefs offensive guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif exercised Friday night.

Mahomes said he respected Duvernay-Tardif's decision to remain in Canada, where he is practicing medicine in the fight against COVID-19, rather than play this season. Duvernay-Tardif will receive a $150,000 stipend rather than his salary.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledges there is “some risk” in returning to the team facility for training camp. But he is comfortable with the protocols established by the NFL and its players' union to ensure a safe environment leading to the season.Mahomes spoke with a group of local reporters on Zoom on Saturday. The Super Bowl MVP was at the facility along with rookies and select veterans one day after the league and union agreed to a proposal opening camps in earnest next week.The players' board of representatives voted 29-3 to adopt proposed changes to the collective bargaining agreement that provided for new training camp and roster rules, economics and protocols for operating amid the coronavirus pandemic. It also include an opt-out clause that Chiefs offensive guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif exercised Friday night.Mahomes said he respected Duvernay-Tardif's decision to remain in Canada, where he is practicing medicine in the fight against COVID-19, rather than play this season. Duvernay-Tardif will receive a $150,000 stipend rather than his salary.--- Associated Press ---

Mahomes knows risk, feels safe in return to Chiefs' facility

ST. LOUIS -- Paul Goldschmidt homered, Adam Wainwright pitched six solid innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1 on Saturday.

Wainwright (1-0) pitched out of a bases loaded, no-out jam in the second, giving up just one run. He retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced as the Cardinals beat the Pirates for the 12th time in their last 13 games.

The veteran had trouble regulating his body temperature early on as the heat index soared above triple-digits.

"It's just certainly, especially when you get to be the old owl on the team, things get a little harder as you get older, so you got to figure out ways and tricks, little ways to stay in the game," Wainwright said. "For me, I looked around behind me at my defense and I knew they had it. So, I tried to attack the zone."

John Gant, Tyler Webb and Daniel Ponce de Leon combined for three scoreless innings of relief as the Cardinals pitchers held the Pirates to just three hits.

Wainwright's 163rd career victory moved him into a tie with Bob Forsch for third-most wins in Cardinals history.

"He's still in the process of being able to compete so you know he was going to have a shorter rope in the sixth, but he went 1-2-3, made his quality pitches," Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. "He's a warrior guy, and third all-time with Forsch, that's pretty impressive."

Wainwright continued his dominance against Pittsburgh at Busch Stadium, where he hasn't dropped a decision to the Pirates since June 29, 2012. He has pitched at least five innings in all 19 career home starts against the Bucs.

"I thought the cutter was good," Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Wainwright. "That's one thing we talked about in the pregame. He's been pitching for a long time, and he is able to execute pitches and change his stuff throughout his career."

Dexter Fowler and Tyler O'Neill broke a 1-all tie with RBI singles in the fourth inning.

Paul DeJong's two-run single in the seventh gave him four RBI through the season's first two games. Matt Carpenter followed with a two-run double that broke the game open.

"I think everyone has like a mental switch, where they can basically go and attack where we want to attack and so I think that focus level and that plan has really been our difference," DeJong said.

With his two-run triple in the eighth, Tommy Edman has now hit safely in 20 consecutive games dating back to Sept. 10, 2019.

Pirates starter Trevor Williams (0-1) gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings. He gave up just two runs in two starts all last season against the Cardinals.

Josh Bell singled and scored the Pirates' lone run.

Goldschmidt's 381-foot solo homer gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the first. He has hit safely in 11 of 12 home games against Pittsburgh since joining St. Louis.

It was the 266th time Yadier Molina has caught a Wainwright start, the most for a duo in Cardinals history and seventh-most in Major League History (since 1908).

Pirates: OF Gregory Polanco (COVID-19) passed all return protocols and worked out at PNC Ballpark. There is no timetable on his return.

Cardinals: RHP Giovanny Gallegos showed more consistency with his pitches during live batting practice. He will throw another BP round on Sunday.

The Pirates send RHP Mitch Keller (1-5, 7.13 ERA in 2019) to the mound against the Cardinals and RHP Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35 ERA in 2019) in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday. Keller, who has never faced St. Louis, entered the season as the team's top pitching prospect. Hudson has won his last five starts against NL Central foes, including one against Pittsburgh on July 23, 2019.

Associated PressST. LOUIS -- Paul Goldschmidt homered, Adam Wainwright pitched six solid innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1 on Saturday.Wainwright (1-0) pitched out of a bases loaded, no-out jam in the second, giving up just one run. He retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced as the Cardinals beat the Pirates for the 12th time in their last 13 games.The veteran had trouble regulating his body temperature early on as the heat index soared above triple-digits."It's just certainly, especially when you get to be the old owl on the team, things get a little harder as you get older, so you got to figure out ways and tricks, little ways to stay in the game," Wainwright said. "For me, I looked around behind me at my defense and I knew they had it. So, I tried to attack the zone."John Gant, Tyler Webb and Daniel Ponce de Leon combined for three scoreless innings of relief as the Cardinals pitchers held the Pirates to just three hits.Wainwright's 163rd career victory moved him into a tie with Bob Forsch for third-most wins in Cardinals history."He's still in the process of being able to compete so you know he was going to have a shorter rope in the sixth, but he went 1-2-3, made his quality pitches," Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. "He's a warrior guy, and third all-time with Forsch, that's pretty impressive."Wainwright continued his dominance against Pittsburgh at Busch Stadium, where he hasn't dropped a decision to the Pirates since June 29, 2012. He has pitched at least five innings in all 19 career home starts against the Bucs."I thought the cutter was good," Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Wainwright. "That's one thing we talked about in the pregame. He's been pitching for a long time, and he is able to execute pitches and change his stuff throughout his career."Dexter Fowler and Tyler O'Neill broke a 1-all tie with RBI singles in the fourth inning.Paul DeJong's two-run single in the seventh gave him four RBI through the season's first two games. Matt Carpenter followed with a two-run double that broke the game open."I think everyone has like a mental switch, where they can basically go and attack where we want to attack and so I think that focus level and that plan has really been our difference," DeJong said.With his two-run triple in the eighth, Tommy Edman has now hit safely in 20 consecutive games dating back to Sept. 10, 2019.Pirates starter Trevor Williams (0-1) gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings. He gave up just two runs in two starts all last season against the Cardinals.Josh Bell singled and scored the Pirates' lone run.HOME COOKINGGoldschmidt's 381-foot solo homer gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the first. He has hit safely in 11 of 12 home games against Pittsburgh since joining St. Louis.DYNAMIC DUOIt was the 266th time Yadier Molina has caught a Wainwright start, the most for a duo in Cardinals history and seventh-most in Major League History (since 1908).TRAINING ROOMPirates: OF Gregory Polanco (COVID-19) passed all return protocols and worked out at PNC Ballpark. There is no timetable on his return.Cardinals: RHP Giovanny Gallegos showed more consistency with his pitches during live batting practice. He will throw another BP round on Sunday.UP NEXTThe Pirates send RHP Mitch Keller (1-5, 7.13 ERA in 2019) to the mound against the Cardinals and RHP Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.35 ERA in 2019) in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday. Keller, who has never faced St. Louis, entered the season as the team's top pitching prospect. Hudson has won his last five starts against NL Central foes, including one against Pittsburgh on July 23, 2019.

Wainwright pitches 6 strong innings, Cards beat Pirates 9-1

NORMAN, Okla. – After receiving a waiver from the NCAA to move their 2020 football season opener, Missouri State University and the University of Oklahoma announced Saturday they will now play on Saturday, Aug. 29, a week earlier than the originally-scheduled contest, when the programs square off at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The NCAA approved the request to move the game to allow the schools more schedule flexibility in addressing potential issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will mark the first-ever gridiron meeting between the two programs, and a start time for the game has yet to be determined.

“We really appreciate the NCAA’s waiver approval to move our game with Oklahoma up to ‘week zero,’ said Missouri State Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. “The request was made purely for the safety and health of the student-athletes and will allow both teams two weeks to recover before their next games and adjust as necessary to the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic. 

“We very much appreciate OU, specifically AD Joe Castiglione, and their efforts and communication throughout this process. I look forward to Aug 29 and the kickoff of the college football season for us in Norman.”

According to Oklahoma officials, broadcast information and other details related to potential stadium capacity limitations, revised game-day procedures and new safety protocols will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2020 season opener will mark the debut for the Bears new head coach Bobby Petrino, who inherits a program with 31 returning lettermen and 12 returning starters. Petrino is 119-56 in 14 previous seasons as a collegiate head coach.

The Oklahoma game will mark Missouri State’s third straight football season opener in the month of August. The Bears also opened the 2019 campaign on Aug. 29 with last season’s debut at Northern Arizona.

NORMAN, Okla. – After receiving a waiver from the NCAA to move their 2020 football season opener, Missouri State University and the University of Oklahoma announced Saturday they will now play on Saturday, Aug. 29, a week earlier than the originally-scheduled contest, when the programs square off at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.The NCAA approved the request to move the game to allow the schools more schedule flexibility in addressing potential issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will mark the first-ever gridiron meeting between the two programs, and a start time for the game has yet to be determined.“We really appreciate the NCAA’s waiver approval to move our game with Oklahoma up to ‘week zero,’ said Missouri State Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. “The request was made purely for the safety and health of the student-athletes and will allow both teams two weeks to recover before their next games and adjust as necessary to the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic. “We very much appreciate OU, specifically AD Joe Castiglione, and their efforts and communication throughout this process. I look forward to Aug 29 and the kickoff of the college football season for us in Norman.”According to Oklahoma officials, broadcast information and other details related to potential stadium capacity limitations, revised game-day procedures and new safety protocols will be announced in the coming weeks.The 2020 season opener will mark the debut for the Bears new head coach Bobby Petrino, who inherits a program with 31 returning lettermen and 12 returning starters. Petrino is 119-56 in 14 previous seasons as a collegiate head coach.The Oklahoma game will mark Missouri State’s third straight football season opener in the month of August. The Bears also opened the 2019 campaign on Aug. 29 with last season’s debut at Northern Arizona.--- Missouri State Athletics ---

Missouri State's football season opener at Oklahoma moved to August 29

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas football will welcome the Southern Illinois Salukis to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium for its season-opener on Aug. 29, Kansas Athletics announced today. The game will be the fourth in the series history between the two teams, with the Jayhawks holding a 3-0 advantage.

“As we researched options for replacing our cancelled opening game, we received recommendations from our medical professionals, reviewed the opportunity with our campus leaders, and looked regionally for a quality opponent,” said Director of Athletics Jeff Long. “Importantly, Southern Illinois agreed to follow the Big 12 testing protocols once they have been finalized. SIU provides us a challenge as we open the 2020 season.”

“We are excited for the opportunity to start fall camp practices on July 31st and prepare to take on a good Southern Illinois football team,” said Head Coach Les Miles. “We feel that playing this game will prove beneficial for both programs for many reasons, especially due to SIU’s proximity to Lawrence. Coach Hill will have his team prepared to play and we look forward to the challenge at The Booth on August 29th.”

Kansas and Southern Illinois first met on the gridiron in 1986 and have faced each other three times overall, with each game played in Lawrence. The two schools met most recently in 2000 and Kansas defeated SIU 42-0 to improve their record against the Salukis to 3-0.

The Aug. 29 matchup between the Jayhawks and the Salukis will be the earliest game of the season that KU has played in since 1999, when Kansas took on Notre Dame on Aug. 28. The Jayhawks are 5-4 all-time when playing in the month of August and 73-50-7 in season-openers all-time.

Southern Illinois is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), where they won the 1983 Division I-AA championship in 1983 and last won the MVFC championship in 2009.

Kansas opened its 2019 season with another MVFC team, Indiana State, as the Jayhawks opened the Les Miles era with a 24-17 victory on Aug. 31, 2019. Kansas holds an all-time record of 12-2 against the MVFC.

The Jayhawks were previously scheduled to take on New Hampshire to kick off the 2020 season on Sept. 5, before the Colonial Athletic Association and New Hampshire suspended the fall 2020 competition season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas football will welcome the Southern Illinois Salukis to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium for its season-opener on Aug. 29, Kansas Athletics announced today. The game will be the fourth in the series history between the two teams, with the Jayhawks holding a 3-0 advantage.“As we researched options for replacing our cancelled opening game, we received recommendations from our medical professionals, reviewed the opportunity with our campus leaders, and looked regionally for a quality opponent,” said Director of Athletics Jeff Long. “Importantly, Southern Illinois agreed to follow the Big 12 testing protocols once they have been finalized. SIU provides us a challenge as we open the 2020 season.”“We are excited for the opportunity to start fall camp practices on July 31st and prepare to take on a good Southern Illinois football team,” said Head Coach Les Miles. “We feel that playing this game will prove beneficial for both programs for many reasons, especially due to SIU’s proximity to Lawrence. Coach Hill will have his team prepared to play and we look forward to the challenge at The Booth on August 29th.”Kansas and Southern Illinois first met on the gridiron in 1986 and have faced each other three times overall, with each game played in Lawrence. The two schools met most recently in 2000 and Kansas defeated SIU 42-0 to improve their record against the Salukis to 3-0.The Aug. 29 matchup between the Jayhawks and the Salukis will be the earliest game of the season that KU has played in since 1999, when Kansas took on Notre Dame on Aug. 28. The Jayhawks are 5-4 all-time when playing in the month of August and 73-50-7 in season-openers all-time.Southern Illinois is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), where they won the 1983 Division I-AA championship in 1983 and last won the MVFC championship in 2009.Kansas opened its 2019 season with another MVFC team, Indiana State, as the Jayhawks opened the Les Miles era with a 24-17 victory on Aug. 31, 2019. Kansas holds an all-time record of 12-2 against the MVFC.The Jayhawks were previously scheduled to take on New Hampshire to kick off the 2020 season on Sept. 5, before the Colonial Athletic Association and New Hampshire suspended the fall 2020 competition season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.--- KU Athletics ---

Kansas adds Southern Illinois for football season opener on August 29

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif became the first player to opt out of the upcoming NFL season on Friday, choosing to put his medical degree to use on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic rather than helping the Kansas City Chiefs defend their first Super Bowl title in 50 years.

Duvernay-Tardif has been working to fulfill his requirements to become a doctor in the offseason, and has spent this summer working at a clinic in his native Canada. He said that experience helped him decide that if he was going to take any risks with his health, it would be to help patients dealing with the virus.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in my life but I must follow my convictions and do what I believe is right for me personally,” Duvernay-Tardif said in his announcement on Twitter. “That is why I have decided to take the opt-out option.”

The NFL and its players association agreed earlier Friday to an opt-out clause for the upcoming season. Those who choose to voluntarily will receive a $150,000 stipend and those with medical opt outs will receive $350,00 rather than their contractual salary, two people with knowledge of the decisions told The Associated Press. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the stipend amount was not made public.

The deadline to opt out is Aug. 3, but Duvernay-Tardif made the decision before Chiefs veterans were due in camp.

“Being at the front line during this offseason has given me a different perspective on this pandemic and the stress it puts on individuals and our healthcare system,” Duvernay-Tardif said. “I cannot allow myself to potentially transmit the virus in our communities simply to play the sport that I love.”

The Chiefs welcomed rookies to training camp earlier this week, though most of their time was spent undergoing tests for COVID-19 and routine physicals. Veterans such as Duvernay-Tardif were expected to arrive in the coming days.

The 29-year-old Duvernay-Tardif was a relative unknown when the Chiefs selected him in the sixth round of the 2014 draft out of McGill University, which plays at a level in Canada roughly equal to Division III in the U.S. But his intelligence allowed him to quickly pick up coach Andy Reid’s playbook, and a year spent learning the ropes — and building strength and more experience — pushed him into the starting lineup by the following season.

Duvernay-Tardif played well enough while starting 27 of his next 30 games that he earned a four-year, $42.36 million deal in February 2017. It would have paid him a base salary of $2.75 million this season with a $750,000 roster bonus.

Duvernay-Tardif has dealt with a series of injuries since signing the deal. He fractured his fibula in Week 5 of the 2018 season and was out until the playoffs, and he missed two games with injuries during last season’s Super Bowl run.

He played every offensive snap in the playoffs, helping the Chiefs rally to beat the San Francisco 49ers for the title.

The Chiefs signed most of their free agents from the team, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones signed monster contracts over the summer, as they tried to bring the team back intact. They had 20 of 22 starters on offense and defense returning before Duvernay-Tardif announced his decision to opt out.

“Given the worldwide sanitary crisis we are currently experiencing, the NFL and the NFLPA have agreed to significant health and safety protocols to protect the players. There is no doubt in my mind the Chiefs’ medical staff have put together a strong plan to minimize the health risks associated with COVID-19 but some risks will remain,” he said. “I want to thank everyone in the Kansas City Chiefs organization for their support and understanding.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif became the first player to opt out of the upcoming NFL season on Friday, choosing to put his medical degree to use on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic rather than helping the Kansas City Chiefs defend their first Super Bowl title in 50 years.Duvernay-Tardif has been working to fulfill his requirements to become a doctor in the offseason, and has spent this summer working at a clinic in his native Canada. He said that experience helped him decide that if he was going to take any risks with his health, it would be to help patients dealing with the virus.“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in my life but I must follow my convictions and do what I believe is right for me personally,” Duvernay-Tardif said in his announcement on Twitter. “That is why I have decided to take the opt-out option.”The NFL and its players association agreed earlier Friday to an opt-out clause for the upcoming season. Those who choose to voluntarily will receive a $150,000 stipend and those with medical opt outs will receive $350,00 rather than their contractual salary, two people with knowledge of the decisions told The Associated Press. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the stipend amount was not made public.The deadline to opt out is Aug. 3, but Duvernay-Tardif made the decision before Chiefs veterans were due in camp.“Being at the front line during this offseason has given me a different perspective on this pandemic and the stress it puts on individuals and our healthcare system,” Duvernay-Tardif said. “I cannot allow myself to potentially transmit the virus in our communities simply to play the sport that I love.”The Chiefs welcomed rookies to training camp earlier this week, though most of their time was spent undergoing tests for COVID-19 and routine physicals. Veterans such as Duvernay-Tardif were expected to arrive in the coming days.The 29-year-old Duvernay-Tardif was a relative unknown when the Chiefs selected him in the sixth round of the 2014 draft out of McGill University, which plays at a level in Canada roughly equal to Division III in the U.S. But his intelligence allowed him to quickly pick up coach Andy Reid’s playbook, and a year spent learning the ropes — and building strength and more experience — pushed him into the starting lineup by the following season.Duvernay-Tardif played well enough while starting 27 of his next 30 games that he earned a four-year, $42.36 million deal in February 2017. It would have paid him a base salary of $2.75 million this season with a $750,000 roster bonus.Duvernay-Tardif has dealt with a series of injuries since signing the deal. He fractured his fibula in Week 5 of the 2018 season and was out until the playoffs, and he missed two games with injuries during last season’s Super Bowl run.He played every offensive snap in the playoffs, helping the Chiefs rally to beat the San Francisco 49ers for the title.The Chiefs signed most of their free agents from the team, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones signed monster contracts over the summer, as they tried to bring the team back intact. They had 20 of 22 starters on offense and defense returning before Duvernay-Tardif announced his decision to opt out.“Given the worldwide sanitary crisis we are currently experiencing, the NFL and the NFLPA have agreed to significant health and safety protocols to protect the players. There is no doubt in my mind the Chiefs’ medical staff have put together a strong plan to minimize the health risks associated with COVID-19 but some risks will remain,” he said. “I want to thank everyone in the Kansas City Chiefs organization for their support and understanding.”--- Associated Press ---

Chiefs’ RG Duvernay-Tardif opts out of playing in 2020

CLEVELAND -- Shane Bieber is only 25, and that hardly seems fair. He's already an All-Star MVP, and it might not be too early to call him an ace.

"When I say he makes the glass look half-full, that would be the biggest understatement," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He's really something."

Bieber struck out 14 over six scoreless innings as the Indians, making a statement for minorities by wearing their road jerseys with "Cleveland" on the front, took off on a 60-game season sprint by beating the Kansas City Royals 2-0 in their delayed home opener on Friday night.

Bieber began last season as a No. 5 starter with plenty of potential. But the right-hander, who earned MVP honors in the 2019 All-Star Game at Progressive Field, has become the heir apparent to two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, traded by Cleveland to Texas in December.

Bieber isn't shying away from being a leader.

"I've kind of been in that role and that spot a few times with other teams -- back in college, back in high school and moving up the ranks with the Indians," Bieber said. "It's definitely something I embrace and look forward to."

"He's doing it in a really good way where he's not the loudest guy in the room, but he leads by example, the way he carries himself," Francona said. "And you're going to see him grow into a tremendous leader on that pitching staff."

Bieber's 14 strikeouts set a club record for opening day and are the most in the majors in an opener since Hall of Famer Randy Johnson also fanned 14 on March 31, 1996. He was just one strikeout shy of the record for an opener held by Washington's Camilo Pasqual in 1960.

Royals first-year manager Mike Matheny was impressed with Bieber.

"When he needed to make his fastball pitch, he made it," Matheny said. "The whole day, you couldn't even think along with him. He kind of threw whatever he wanted."

Oscar Mercado and Cesar Hernandez drove in runs in the fifth for Cleveland, which was blanked over the first four innings by Royals starter Danny Duffy (0-1).

Adam Cimber and Nick Wittgren pitched a scoreless inning apiece, and Brad Hand worked around hitting the leadoff hitter in the ninth for a save.

The Indians opened this unique season united.

As the club contemplates a name change for the first time in 105 years, the players elected to wear their blue road "Cleveland" jerseys instead of the home whites with "Indians" across the chest.

All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor said the fashion choice was a statement designed to raise awareness for all minorities and support the team's consideration of a name change that many groups have said is long overdue.

"It gives us hope that change will get done," said Lindor, whose uncertain future hangs over the club. "It's a huge statement. I stand by my teammates. I stand by minorities and people who need the spotlight. We're there."

Bieber started slowly, hitting Whit Merrifield to open the game before settling in and finding his groove.

He struck out eight of nine during one stretch and sent more than one Royals back to the dugout shaking his head.

Bieber ran into his only trouble in the fifth. A pair of singles gave the Royals runners at second and third with two outs, but Bieber struck out Adalberto Mondesi to end the threat and punctuated the punch-out with a fist pump.

Bieber was penciled in to start the Indians' originally scheduled opener in March before the coronavirus pandemic shut down baseball. The break hardly bothered him.

The late July date wasn't the only oddity for the opener as there were strange sights around the vacant ballpark, which once hosted 455 consecutive sellouts.

When the Indians were introduced before the game, Slider, the team's fuzzy, purplish mascot, stood on the home run plaza in left field waving a flag. He looked lonely and later grabbed a seat down the third-base line with some cardboard cutout fans.

Merrifield said playing without fans was harder than he imagined.

"It was an opening day and the atmosphere sucked," he said. "But I still had jitters, still had that adrenaline which was exciting for me to feel that adrenaline again. But it's Opening Day, you want to have fans, you want to have a crowd, you want it to be loud and it wasn't."

Before the game, several Native American groups walked along Ontario Street next to the ballpark calling for the team to immediately change its name. Owner Paul Dolan plans to meet with Native American leaders as the team considers dropping Indians, its name since 1915.

Royals: 3B Hunter Dozier remains sidelined after testing positive for the coronavirus earlier this week. The 28-year-old hit 26 homers and drove in 84 runs last season.

Indians: OF Tyler Naquin has been slowed by a hairline toe fracture, which he sustained fouling a ball off his foot in Monday's exhibition against Pittsburgh.

Mike Clevinger has owned the Royals. The Indians' free-spirited right-hander is 9-0 in his career against Kansas City. Clevinger, who had knee surgery before training camp was halted, will face rookie Brady Singer, a 2018 first-round selection making his major league debut.

CLEVELAND -- Shane Bieber is only 25, and that hardly seems fair. He's already an All-Star MVP, and it might not be too early to call him an ace.And, he's only getting better."When I say he makes the glass look half-full, that would be the biggest understatement," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He's really something."Bieber struck out 14 over six scoreless innings as the Indians, making a statement for minorities by wearing their road jerseys with "Cleveland" on the front, took off on a 60-game season sprint by beating the Kansas City Royals 2-0 in their delayed home opener on Friday night.Bieber began last season as a No. 5 starter with plenty of potential. But the right-hander, who earned MVP honors in the 2019 All-Star Game at Progressive Field, has become the heir apparent to two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, traded by Cleveland to Texas in December.Bieber isn't shying away from being a leader."I've kind of been in that role and that spot a few times with other teams -- back in college, back in high school and moving up the ranks with the Indians," Bieber said. "It's definitely something I embrace and look forward to."Francona said Bieber leads naturally."He's doing it in a really good way where he's not the loudest guy in the room, but he leads by example, the way he carries himself," Francona said. "And you're going to see him grow into a tremendous leader on that pitching staff."Bieber's 14 strikeouts set a club record for opening day and are the most in the majors in an opener since Hall of Famer Randy Johnson also fanned 14 on March 31, 1996. He was just one strikeout shy of the record for an opener held by Washington's Camilo Pasqual in 1960.Royals first-year manager Mike Matheny was impressed with Bieber."When he needed to make his fastball pitch, he made it," Matheny said. "The whole day, you couldn't even think along with him. He kind of threw whatever he wanted."Oscar Mercado and Cesar Hernandez drove in runs in the fifth for Cleveland, which was blanked over the first four innings by Royals starter Danny Duffy (0-1).Adam Cimber and Nick Wittgren pitched a scoreless inning apiece, and Brad Hand worked around hitting the leadoff hitter in the ninth for a save.The Royals struck out 18 times.The Indians opened this unique season united.As the club contemplates a name change for the first time in 105 years, the players elected to wear their blue road "Cleveland" jerseys instead of the home whites with "Indians" across the chest.All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor said the fashion choice was a statement designed to raise awareness for all minorities and support the team's consideration of a name change that many groups have said is long overdue."It gives us hope that change will get done," said Lindor, whose uncertain future hangs over the club. "It's a huge statement. I stand by my teammates. I stand by minorities and people who need the spotlight. We're there."Bieber started slowly, hitting Whit Merrifield to open the game before settling in and finding his groove.He struck out eight of nine during one stretch and sent more than one Royals back to the dugout shaking his head.Bieber ran into his only trouble in the fifth. A pair of singles gave the Royals runners at second and third with two outs, but Bieber struck out Adalberto Mondesi to end the threat and punctuated the punch-out with a fist pump.Bieber was penciled in to start the Indians' originally scheduled opener in March before the coronavirus pandemic shut down baseball. The break hardly bothered him.The late July date wasn't the only oddity for the opener as there were strange sights around the vacant ballpark, which once hosted 455 consecutive sellouts.When the Indians were introduced before the game, Slider, the team's fuzzy, purplish mascot, stood on the home run plaza in left field waving a flag. He looked lonely and later grabbed a seat down the third-base line with some cardboard cutout fans.ROYALS FLUSHEDMerrifield said playing without fans was harder than he imagined."It was an opening day and the atmosphere sucked," he said. "But I still had jitters, still had that adrenaline which was exciting for me to feel that adrenaline again. But it's Opening Day, you want to have fans, you want to have a crowd, you want it to be loud and it wasn't."NAME PROTESTBefore the game, several Native American groups walked along Ontario Street next to the ballpark calling for the team to immediately change its name. Owner Paul Dolan plans to meet with Native American leaders as the team considers dropping Indians, its name since 1915.TRAINING ROOMRoyals: 3B Hunter Dozier remains sidelined after testing positive for the coronavirus earlier this week. The 28-year-old hit 26 homers and drove in 84 runs last season.Indians: OF Tyler Naquin has been slowed by a hairline toe fracture, which he sustained fouling a ball off his foot in Monday's exhibition against Pittsburgh.UP NEXTMike Clevinger has owned the Royals. The Indians' free-spirited right-hander is 9-0 in his career against Kansas City. Clevinger, who had knee surgery before training camp was halted, will face rookie Brady Singer, a 2018 first-round selection making his major league debut.--- Associated Press ---