Behind yet another strong performance from St. Joseph's Noah Cameron and a walk off hit by Nick Loftin, the Kansas City Royals avoided being swept by the New York Mets winning 3-2 as both teams head into the All Star break.&nbsp;

The Royals put up two runs in the second inning to back Cameron's strong performance after he shut down the Mets through two innings.&nbsp; Maikel Garcia doubled to lead off the inning and Salvador Perez was hit by a pitch before both runners advanced on a groundout by Jac Caglianone.&nbsp; With one out, John Rave laced a double down the right field line to drive in both Garcia and Perez to give Kansas City the lead.&nbsp;

Cameron stayed in command keeping the Mets off the scoreboard until he was pulled from the mound with two outs in the seventh inning after giving up a single to&nbsp;Luisangel Acuña, and was replaced by John Schreiber who forced Francisco Lindor to groundout.&nbsp; Lucas Erceg continued to mow down New York in the eighth, before the Royals brought on All Star closer&nbsp; Carlos Estévez in the ninth.&nbsp;

Which unfortunately for Cameron, was when the wheels fell off earning the Central alum a no decision, as&nbsp;Estévez gave up a double to&nbsp;Ronny Mauricio and then surrendered a triple to pinch hitter Jeff McNeil.&nbsp; After Brett Baty grounded out, McNeil scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Jared Young.&nbsp;&nbsp;Estévez got out of the inning though and set up the Royals for their second walk off victory of the homestand.&nbsp;

Perez struck out to open the inning, but Tyler Tolbert who had replaced Caglianone defensively singled, and then stole second base, before Loftin hit a single into left field to drive the speedy outfielder in for his second walk off hit of the homestand.&nbsp;

Estévez earned the win, despite the blown save, giving up two hits and two runs in one inning.&nbsp; Cameron pitched 6 2/3 innings giving up seven hits and walking two, matching his career high in strikeouts with eight.&nbsp; It was Cameron's seventh quality start in 12 MLB starts,&nbsp; only one Royal in history had more qualty through 12 G, and that was José Rosado with eight in 1996.&nbsp;

At the plate, Jonathan India was 2-for-4.&nbsp; Rave was 1-for-2 with a double and the two RBIs, while Loftin was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

With the All Star Break, the Royals are now off until Friday when they travel to take on the Miami Marlins.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i>

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>Behind yet another strong performance from St. Joseph's Noah Cameron and a walk off hit by Nick Loftin, the Kansas City Royals avoided being swept by the New York Mets winning 3-2 as both teams head into the All Star break.&nbsp;</p><p>The Royals put up two runs in the second inning to back Cameron's strong performance after he shut down the Mets through two innings.&nbsp; Maikel Garcia doubled to lead off the inning and Salvador Perez was hit by a pitch before both runners advanced on a groundout by Jac Caglianone.&nbsp; With one out, John Rave laced a double down the right field line to drive in both Garcia and Perez to give Kansas City the lead.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">John plates a pair! <a href="https://t.co/5Ob3GyEVrS">pic.twitter.com/5Ob3GyEVrS</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1944478219928830314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Cameron stayed in command keeping the Mets off the scoreboard until he was pulled from the mound with two outs in the seventh inning after giving up a single to&nbsp;Luisangel Acuña, and was replaced by John Schreiber who forced Francisco Lindor to groundout.&nbsp; Lucas Erceg continued to mow down New York in the eighth, before the Royals brought on All Star closer&nbsp; Carlos Estévez in the ninth.&nbsp;</p><p>Which unfortunately for Cameron, was when the wheels fell off earning the Central alum a no decision, as&nbsp;Estévez gave up a double to&nbsp;Ronny Mauricio and then surrendered a triple to pinch hitter Jeff McNeil.&nbsp; After Brett Baty grounded out, McNeil scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Jared Young.&nbsp;&nbsp;Estévez got out of the inning though and set up the Royals for their second walk off victory of the homestand.&nbsp;</p><p>Perez struck out to open the inning, but Tyler Tolbert who had replaced Caglianone defensively singled, and then stole second base, before Loftin hit a single into left field to drive the speedy outfielder in for his second walk off hit of the homestand.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">For the second time this homestand!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HEYHEYHEYHEY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HEYHEYHEYHEY</a> <a href="https://t.co/NSIPcED4Nk">pic.twitter.com/NSIPcED4Nk</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1944509787833598328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Estévez earned the win, despite the blown save, giving up two hits and two runs in one inning.&nbsp; Cameron pitched 6 2/3 innings giving up seven hits and walking two, matching his career high in strikeouts with eight.&nbsp; It was Cameron's seventh quality start in 12 MLB starts,&nbsp; only one Royal in history had more qualty through 12 G, and that was José Rosado with eight in 1996.&nbsp;</p><p>At the plate, Jonathan India was 2-for-4.&nbsp; Rave was 1-for-2 with a double and the two RBIs, while Loftin was 1-for-2 with an RBI.</p><p>With the All Star Break, the Royals are now off until Friday when they travel to take on the Miami Marlins.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Royals avoid series sweep with 3-2 win going into All Star break

The St. Joseph Mustangs matched their second longest winning streak of the season, beating the Nevada Griffons for a second day in a row 8-2 at Phil Welch Stadium to end a three game homestand, pushing their win streak to eight games.&nbsp;

Nevada opened the scoring in the first inning&nbsp;Bryce Humphrey grounding out to shortstop and Benton alum Chris Coy, driving in&nbsp;Trae Burton, but from there starting pitcher Ian Dittmer would settle in, not allowing another run before being replaced to start the fifth inning.&nbsp;

While Dittmer left with a no decision, he did leave with the lead after the Mustangs scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead.&nbsp; Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart singled to open the inning and advanced to second on a throwing error, but the bases ended up loaded after Dom Felix and Justin George were both hit by pitches.&nbsp; Bishop LeBlond alum Frank Gall brough home the tying run on a fielders choice, George getting thrown out at second, and Luikart scoring.&nbsp;

The bases were reloaded as Coy was hit by a pitch, the third hit batter of the inning, and a run would score on yet another hit batter with Lafayette alum Jayden Little getting hit by a pitch to give the Mustangs the lead as Felix came home.&nbsp; The bases still loaded, Northwest Missouri State's Parker Griffith singled to drive in two more runs and extend the lead, scoring Coy and Gall, and moving Little to second.&nbsp; A double steal and a walk to Tyler Gundelfinger loaded the bases again, and Central alum Logan Miller reached on a fielders choice to drive in Little to give St. Joseph a 5-1 lead.&nbsp;

The Griffons scored their final run in the fifth inning as East Buchanan alum Bronco Whitt took the mound and loaded the bases hitting three consecutive batters before with out Nick Kaelin reached on a fielders choice, driving in Burton who scored on an error by the first baseman Little.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Mustangs added one run in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Miller, driving in Little, and scored their final two runs in the seventh inning with a two RBI single by Gall, bringing home George and Felix, Felix having singled to open the inning and George being walked.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It was a rough day command wise for both Mustangs and Griffons pitchers.&nbsp; Combined pitchers hit 15 batters.&nbsp; Griffons starter Lucas Snyder hit seven batters.&nbsp; Both Dittmer and Whitt for the Mustangs hit three batters.

Whitt earned the win pitching three innings and giving up no hits and one unearned run while striking out five.&nbsp; At the plate, there wasn't much hitting as the Mustangs had just five hits and the Griffons had three.&nbsp; Gall was 1-for-5 with a stolen base and three RBI's.&nbsp; Griffith was 1-for-1 with a walk, a stolen base, and two RBIs

The Mustangs are now 29-5 and 23-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They travel next for a four game road trip, starting on Sunday in the capitol city taking on the Jefferson City Renegades in a doubleheader.&nbsp; The first game will begin at 4pm with game two starting at 7pm.&nbsp; Both games will be seven innings.

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>The St. Joseph Mustangs matched their second longest winning streak of the season, beating the Nevada Griffons for a second day in a row 8-2 at Phil Welch Stadium to end a three game homestand, pushing their win streak to eight games.&nbsp;</p><p>Nevada opened the scoring in the first inning&nbsp;Bryce Humphrey grounding out to shortstop and Benton alum Chris Coy, driving in&nbsp;Trae Burton, but from there starting pitcher Ian Dittmer would settle in, not allowing another run before being replaced to start the fifth inning.&nbsp;</p><p>While Dittmer left with a no decision, he did leave with the lead after the Mustangs scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead.&nbsp; Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart singled to open the inning and advanced to second on a throwing error, but the bases ended up loaded after Dom Felix and Justin George were both hit by pitches.&nbsp; Bishop LeBlond alum Frank Gall brough home the tying run on a fielders choice, George getting thrown out at second, and Luikart scoring.&nbsp;</p><p>The bases were reloaded as Coy was hit by a pitch, the third hit batter of the inning, and a run would score on yet another hit batter with Lafayette alum Jayden Little getting hit by a pitch to give the Mustangs the lead as Felix came home.&nbsp; The bases still loaded, Northwest Missouri State's Parker Griffith singled to drive in two more runs and extend the lead, scoring Coy and Gall, and moving Little to second.&nbsp; A double steal and a walk to Tyler Gundelfinger loaded the bases again, and Central alum Logan Miller reached on a fielders choice to drive in Little to give St. Joseph a 5-1 lead.&nbsp;</p><p>The Griffons scored their final run in the fifth inning as East Buchanan alum Bronco Whitt took the mound and loaded the bases hitting three consecutive batters before with out Nick Kaelin reached on a fielders choice, driving in Burton who scored on an error by the first baseman Little.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs added one run in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Miller, driving in Little, and scored their final two runs in the seventh inning with a two RBI single by Gall, bringing home George and Felix, Felix having singled to open the inning and George being walked.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>It was a rough day command wise for both Mustangs and Griffons pitchers.&nbsp; Combined pitchers hit 15 batters.&nbsp; Griffons starter Lucas Snyder hit seven batters.&nbsp; Both Dittmer and Whitt for the Mustangs hit three batters.</p><p>Whitt earned the win pitching three innings and giving up no hits and one unearned run while striking out five.&nbsp; At the plate, there wasn't much hitting as the Mustangs had just five hits and the Griffons had three.&nbsp; Gall was 1-for-5 with a stolen base and three RBI's.&nbsp; Griffith was 1-for-1 with a walk, a stolen base, and two RBIs</p><p>The Mustangs are now 29-5 and 23-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They travel next for a four game road trip, starting on Sunday in the capitol city taking on the Jefferson City Renegades in a doubleheader.&nbsp; The first game will begin at 4pm with game two starting at 7pm.&nbsp; Both games will be seven innings.</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Magic number eight, Mustangs keep winning beating Nevada 8-2

The St. Louis Cardinals tied up the game the game late with the Braves after blowing a lead in the eighth inning, but a ninth inning run off closer Ryan Helsley was all Atlanta needed to beat St. Louis 7-6 on Saturday afternoon at Busch Stadium.&nbsp;

For the first time in his career batting in the three hole in the lineup,&nbsp;Ronald Acuña Jr. gave the Braves the lead in the first inning with a solo home run into the Atlanta bullpen.&nbsp; Two more runs scored in the second inning, the first again coming on a home run as former Cardinal Marcell Ozuna led off the inning with a blast to left center field.&nbsp; After Ozzie Albies singled, he advanced to third base on a single by&nbsp;Nacho Alvarez Jr., and then scored on a groundout&nbsp; by Michael Harris II.&nbsp;

Trailing by three runs, the Cardinals tied up the game in the bottom half of the second with three runs of their own.&nbsp; Yohel Pozo doubled to lead off the inning and moved to third base as Lars Nootbaar grounded out all before finally scoring on a single by&nbsp;Thomas Saggese.&nbsp; With Saggese on first base, Nolan Gorman evened the score with a two run home run to right center, his ninth home run of the year, to make it 3-3.&nbsp;

The Cardinals took the lead in the sixth inning thanks to another home run, this time a solo shot by Pozo to left center field with two outs.&nbsp; In the seventh the Redbirds extended the lead as All Star Brendan Donovan singled to drive in Gorman, who had singled earlier in the inning with one out after Saggese struck out to open the frame.&nbsp;

In the eighth inning, reliever Phil Maton blew the Cardinals lead, giving up another home run to the Braves, a three run home run to Sean Murphy, driving in Jurickson Profar who doubled to lead off the inning and&nbsp;Acuña Jr. who walked.&nbsp; St. Louis saved Maton though, tying up the game in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a wild pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Garrett Hampson who pinch ran for Alec Burleson after his one out walk.&nbsp;

Even with the game tied, St. Louis turned to closer Ryan Helsley to hold the tie in the ninth inning.&nbsp; But Alvarez Jr led off the inning with a single, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Harris II, before advancing to third base with a single by Drake Baldwin, eventually scoring as Profar grounded out to give Atlants the 7-6 lead.&nbsp;&nbsp;Raisel Iglesias came on in the bottom of the ninth for the Braves and retired the Cardinals 1-2-3 for his 11th save of the season.&nbsp;

Helsley fell to 3-1 on the season taking the loss giving up two hits and one run in his one inning of relief.&nbsp; At the plate, Gorman was 2-for-5 with the home run and two RBIs.&nbsp; Pozo was also 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and one RBI, while Donovan was 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.&nbsp;

St. Louis and Atlanta wrap up their series and the first half of the season tomorrow.&nbsp; Sonny Gray (9-3, 3.51 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals while the Braves starter is listed as TBD.&nbsp; First pitch is at 1:15, coverage will be joined around 1:05 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).&nbsp;

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>The St. Louis Cardinals tied up the game the game late with the Braves after blowing a lead in the eighth inning, but a ninth inning run off closer Ryan Helsley was all Atlanta needed to beat St. Louis 7-6 on Saturday afternoon at Busch Stadium.&nbsp;</p><p>For the first time in his career batting in the three hole in the lineup,&nbsp;Ronald Acuña Jr. gave the Braves the lead in the first inning with a solo home run into the Atlanta bullpen.&nbsp; Two more runs scored in the second inning, the first again coming on a home run as former Cardinal Marcell Ozuna led off the inning with a blast to left center field.&nbsp; After Ozzie Albies singled, he advanced to third base on a single by&nbsp;Nacho Alvarez Jr., and then scored on a groundout&nbsp; by Michael Harris II.&nbsp;</p><p>Trailing by three runs, the Cardinals tied up the game in the bottom half of the second with three runs of their own.&nbsp; Yohel Pozo doubled to lead off the inning and moved to third base as Lars Nootbaar grounded out all before finally scoring on a single by&nbsp;Thomas Saggese.&nbsp; With Saggese on first base, Nolan Gorman evened the score with a two run home run to right center, his ninth home run of the year, to make it 3-3.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gorman GONE! 🚀 <a href="https://t.co/F3pWbssPYb">pic.twitter.com/F3pWbssPYb</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1944107782438900188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The Cardinals took the lead in the sixth inning thanks to another home run, this time a solo shot by Pozo to left center field with two outs.&nbsp; In the seventh the Redbirds extended the lead as All Star Brendan Donovan singled to drive in Gorman, who had singled earlier in the inning with one out after Saggese struck out to open the frame.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yohel Pozo Hit the Buds to give us the lead!<br><br>Reply with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLCards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STLCards</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HitTheBudsSweepstakes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HitTheBudsSweepstakes</a> for your chance to win whenever a Cardinals player hits a home run into the opposing bullpen!<br><br>Official rules: <a href="https://t.co/v3V0xNP2oe">https://t.co/v3V0xNP2oe</a> <a href="https://t.co/dm2ZA3Rinm">pic.twitter.com/dm2ZA3Rinm</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1944122564399267937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Donnie delivers!<br><br>He&#39;s an All-Star for a reason. <a href="https://t.co/J2WXDgYN0i">pic.twitter.com/J2WXDgYN0i</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1944125708382744772?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>In the eighth inning, reliever Phil Maton blew the Cardinals lead, giving up another home run to the Braves, a three run home run to Sean Murphy, driving in Jurickson Profar who doubled to lead off the inning and&nbsp;Acuña Jr. who walked.&nbsp; St. Louis saved Maton though, tying up the game in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a wild pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Garrett Hampson who pinch ran for Alec Burleson after his one out walk.&nbsp;</p><p>Even with the game tied, St. Louis turned to closer Ryan Helsley to hold the tie in the ninth inning.&nbsp; But Alvarez Jr led off the inning with a single, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Harris II, before advancing to third base with a single by Drake Baldwin, eventually scoring as Profar grounded out to give Atlants the 7-6 lead.&nbsp;&nbsp;Raisel Iglesias came on in the bottom of the ninth for the Braves and retired the Cardinals 1-2-3 for his 11th save of the season.&nbsp;</p><p>Helsley fell to 3-1 on the season taking the loss giving up two hits and one run in his one inning of relief.&nbsp; At the plate, Gorman was 2-for-5 with the home run and two RBIs.&nbsp; Pozo was also 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and one RBI, while Donovan was 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.&nbsp;</p><p>St. Louis and Atlanta wrap up their series and the first half of the season tomorrow.&nbsp; Sonny Gray (9-3, 3.51 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals while the Braves starter is listed as TBD.&nbsp; First pitch is at 1:15, coverage will be joined around 1:05 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Late run gives Braves hard fought win over Cardinals 

Relying on their bullpen to carry them through the game, the Kansas City Royals fell in a pitchers duel with the New York Mets, losing 3-1 at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;

With Michael Lorenzen scratched from his start due to illness, Angel Zerpa started the game, and pitched just one inning before Jonathan Bowlan took the mound in the second inning for the Royals.&nbsp; Bowlan allowed just one hit, a double to Luis Torrens, through the second and third innings before the Mets found the scoreboard in the fourth.&nbsp;

Francisco Lindor singled off Bowlan to start the fourth inning, and stole second base to get into scoring position, but would not need much to score as Juan Soto smashed a ball 435 feet to right field to give New York a 2-0 lead.&nbsp; &nbsp;Bowlan recovered from the home run, getting Pete Alonso to lineout, before giving up a single to Mark Vientos, but then forced Jeff McNeil to flyout and struck Tyrone Taylor out.

John Schreiber replaced Bowlan in the fifth and pitched two scoreless hitless innings, striking out two, before he would be replaced by Steven Cruz who also added a hitless inning of relief from the bullpen.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Royals did add their one run in the sixth inning with back to back doubles by Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sam Long surrendered no hits in 2/3 of an inning, striking out two as well, but did walk one before being replaced by Lucas Erceg who finished out the eighth inning.&nbsp; In the ninth inning Erceg surrendered the final run to the Mets, giving up a double to Alonso who would score after a single by McNeil.

Bowlan took the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season, pitching three innings and giving up four hits and two runs while striking out four.&nbsp; At the plate, India was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI as Kansas City had just four hits on the afternoon.

Kansas City and New York wrap up their series tomorrow before the All Star Break.&nbsp; Noah Cameron (3-4, 2.56 ERA) pitches the first half finale for the Royals against Clay Holmes (8-4, 3.29 ERA) for the Mets.&nbsp; First pitch is at 1:10pm, pregame coverage will begin at 12:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>Relying on their bullpen to carry them through the game, the Kansas City Royals fell in a pitchers duel with the New York Mets, losing 3-1 at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;</p><p>With Michael Lorenzen scratched from his start due to illness, Angel Zerpa started the game, and pitched just one inning before Jonathan Bowlan took the mound in the second inning for the Royals.&nbsp; Bowlan allowed just one hit, a double to Luis Torrens, through the second and third innings before the Mets found the scoreboard in the fourth.&nbsp;</p><p>Francisco Lindor singled off Bowlan to start the fourth inning, and stole second base to get into scoring position, but would not need much to score as Juan Soto smashed a ball 435 feet to right field to give New York a 2-0 lead.&nbsp; &nbsp;Bowlan recovered from the home run, getting Pete Alonso to lineout, before giving up a single to Mark Vientos, but then forced Jeff McNeil to flyout and struck Tyrone Taylor out.</p><p>John Schreiber replaced Bowlan in the fifth and pitched two scoreless hitless innings, striking out two, before he would be replaced by Steven Cruz who also added a hitless inning of relief from the bullpen.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Royals did add their one run in the sixth inning with back to back doubles by Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Sam Long surrendered no hits in 2/3 of an inning, striking out two as well, but did walk one before being replaced by Lucas Erceg who finished out the eighth inning.&nbsp; In the ninth inning Erceg surrendered the final run to the Mets, giving up a double to Alonso who would score after a single by McNeil.</p><p>Bowlan took the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season, pitching three innings and giving up four hits and two runs while striking out four.&nbsp; At the plate, India was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI as Kansas City had just four hits on the afternoon.</p><p>Kansas City and New York wrap up their series tomorrow before the All Star Break.&nbsp; Noah Cameron (3-4, 2.56 ERA) pitches the first half finale for the Royals against Clay Holmes (8-4, 3.29 ERA) for the Mets.&nbsp; First pitch is at 1:10pm, pregame coverage will begin at 12:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Royals fall to Mets 3-1 as bullpen forced to carry load

The Nevada Griffons tied up the game in the top of the third inning, but the Mustangs took the lead back in the bottom half, and went on to blow the lead wide open in the eighth, beating the Griffons 10-3 on Friday night at Phil Welch Stadium.&nbsp;

The Mustangs took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to some errors by the Griffons.&nbsp; After Trevor McCollum was hit by a pitch and stole second base, Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart singled, but advanced to second on an error by right fielder Jordan Rowe, allowing McCollum to score.&nbsp; Justin George reached first on an error, and stole second base, before both Luikart and George scored as Jack Mosh reached first on the third error of the inning.&nbsp;

Despite the lead, the Griffons got to Mustangs starter Jaren Guck to tie the game in the third inning, also benefitting from errors.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cole Collins reached first on error by Mosh, driving in&nbsp;Hunter Doyle to start the scoring.&nbsp; The lead was cut to one when Rowe reached on a fielders choice, bringing home&nbsp;Cal Cosens for the second unearned run of the inning.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bryce Humphrey's RBI single, scoring Rowe, tied up the game in the inning.&nbsp;

But in the bottom of the third, the Mustangs wasted no time taking the lead back, Easton Phillipe hitting a sacrifice fly to drive in George who was hit by a pitch to start the inning.&nbsp; In the fifth, St. Joseph added one more to extend the lead as Benton alum Chris Coy singled home Mosh after his one out triple.&nbsp;

Then in the eighth inning, leading 5-3, the Mustangs blew the door open in the game, putting up five runs.&nbsp; After back to back singles by Lafayette alum Jayden Little and Tyler Gundelfinger, Little came home to score on a third straight single by Darius Freeman.&nbsp; A wild pitch moved both Gundelfinger and Freeman into scoring position and McCollum drove in Gundelfinger with a sacrifice fly, before Freeman scored with a single from Luikart.&nbsp;&nbsp;

With Luikart on first, the bases ended up loaded after a walk to George and Mosh getting hit by a pitch, and Coy drove in the final two runs of the game reaching first on an error, scoring Luikart and George.&nbsp; Phillipe would be walked to reload the bases, but Little struck out to end the inning.&nbsp;

Michael Infranca earned the win in relief pitching two scoreless innings giving up one hit and walking one while striking out five.&nbsp; At the plate, Luikart was 2-for-5 with an RBI.&nbsp; Little was also 2-for-5 with a run while Coy was 1-for-4 with a walk and three RBIs.&nbsp;

The Mustangs are now 28-5 on the season and 22-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They will run it back again on Saturday against the Nevada Griffons for the final game of the three game homestand.&nbsp; First pitch is at 7pm from Phil Welch Stadium.&nbsp;

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>The Nevada Griffons tied up the game in the top of the third inning, but the Mustangs took the lead back in the bottom half, and went on to blow the lead wide open in the eighth, beating the Griffons 10-3 on Friday night at Phil Welch Stadium.&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to some errors by the Griffons.&nbsp; After Trevor McCollum was hit by a pitch and stole second base, Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart singled, but advanced to second on an error by right fielder Jordan Rowe, allowing McCollum to score.&nbsp; Justin George reached first on an error, and stole second base, before both Luikart and George scored as Jack Mosh reached first on the third error of the inning.&nbsp;</p><p>Despite the lead, the Griffons got to Mustangs starter Jaren Guck to tie the game in the third inning, also benefitting from errors.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cole Collins reached first on error by Mosh, driving in&nbsp;Hunter Doyle to start the scoring.&nbsp; The lead was cut to one when Rowe reached on a fielders choice, bringing home&nbsp;Cal Cosens for the second unearned run of the inning.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bryce Humphrey's RBI single, scoring Rowe, tied up the game in the inning.&nbsp;</p><p>But in the bottom of the third, the Mustangs wasted no time taking the lead back, Easton Phillipe hitting a sacrifice fly to drive in George who was hit by a pitch to start the inning.&nbsp; In the fifth, St. Joseph added one more to extend the lead as Benton alum Chris Coy singled home Mosh after his one out triple.&nbsp;</p><p>Then in the eighth inning, leading 5-3, the Mustangs blew the door open in the game, putting up five runs.&nbsp; After back to back singles by Lafayette alum Jayden Little and Tyler Gundelfinger, Little came home to score on a third straight single by Darius Freeman.&nbsp; A wild pitch moved both Gundelfinger and Freeman into scoring position and McCollum drove in Gundelfinger with a sacrifice fly, before Freeman scored with a single from Luikart.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>With Luikart on first, the bases ended up loaded after a walk to George and Mosh getting hit by a pitch, and Coy drove in the final two runs of the game reaching first on an error, scoring Luikart and George.&nbsp; Phillipe would be walked to reload the bases, but Little struck out to end the inning.&nbsp;</p><p>Michael Infranca earned the win in relief pitching two scoreless innings giving up one hit and walking one while striking out five.&nbsp; At the plate, Luikart was 2-for-5 with an RBI.&nbsp; Little was also 2-for-5 with a run while Coy was 1-for-4 with a walk and three RBIs.&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs are now 28-5 on the season and 22-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They will run it back again on Saturday against the Nevada Griffons for the final game of the three game homestand.&nbsp; First pitch is at 7pm from Phil Welch Stadium.&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Mustangs win seventh in a row in 10-3 win over Nevada

The Kansas City Royals got a big home run from Bobby Witt Jr to take the lead in the seventh inning, but collapsed through the final two frames to fall to the New York Mets 8-3 in their series opener Friday night.&nbsp;

The game was delayed by just over an hour due to weather, the first pitch being thrown just after 8:30pm.&nbsp; The Royals had their chances to strike in the first two innings, but left runners stranded in scoring position, leaving the Mets to score the opening run in the third on a bases loaded walk to Pete Alonso, scoring Luis Torrens who singled to open the third inning.&nbsp;

New York held that lead until the sixth inning, and Royals starter Michael Wacha contained them to just that run, until Kansas City tied up the game in the frame, Salvador Perez singling and then racing all the way home from first base on a double by Nick Loftin.

In the seventh, the Royals took the lead behind Witt Jr's two run blast.&nbsp; Kyle Isbel singled to open the inning, but pinch runner Tyler Tolbert was caught stealing.&nbsp; He was replaced on the basepaths with a single by Jonathan India, just ahead of Witt Jr sending a fly ball deep to center field to give Kansas City a 3-1 lead.&nbsp;

Steven Cruz, who had gotten the Royals out of the top of the seventh inning, remained on the mound for the eighth but immediately ran into trouble, loading the bases with a single to Brandon Nimmo and back to back walks to Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.&nbsp; Manager Matt Quatraro brought on recently named All Star&nbsp;Carlos Estévez to try to escape the jam.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Estévez struck out Pete Alonso, but with a 2-2 count gave up a bases clearing double to Mark Vientos, and in turn the lead as Nimmo, Lindor, and Soto all came across home plate to put the Mets up 4-3.&nbsp; &nbsp;Another four runs scored in the ninth inning off Taylor Clarke, a three run home run by Lindor scoring Nimmo and Tyrone Taylor before Soto followed that with a solo home run of his own for the final run.&nbsp;

Cruz took the loss in relief, falling to 2-1 on the season, pitching 2/3 of an inning and giving up three runs on one hit and two walks while striking out one.&nbsp; At the plate, Witt Jr was 2-for-5 with a double as well as the home run and two RBIs.&nbsp; India was 2-for-5 while Vinnie Pasquantino and Perez were both 2-for-4.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day on Friday, it was announced the Royals will have two more All Stars in Atlanta for the Midsummer Classic as third baseman Maikel Garcia and&nbsp;Estévez were named as replacements for the American League squad.&nbsp;

Estevez, earned his call from manager Matt Quatraro on Thursday night, and Garcia, learned of his first All-Star selection ahead of the opener with the Mets, were both added as replacements to the AL roster, replacing the Rangers’ Jacob deGrom and the Rays’ Brandon Lowe.

For Garcia, it’s one of the more rewarding selections for a Kansas City club that signed him as a 16-year-old out of Venezuela. Cousin to both Royals playoff hero Alcides Escobar and the Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., Garcia burst onto the scene in 2023 with a .272 average and 20 doubles across 123 games in his first real opportunity in the big leagues.

For Estévez, it is his second selection after earning his first with the Angels in 2023. The Royals’ closer is tied for the most saves in the American League (25) with the Astros’ Josh Hader. Estévez (2.03 ERA) needs one save this weekend to have the most saves by a Royal before the All-Star break.

Kansas City and New York continue their series on Saturday.&nbsp; Michael Lorenzen (5-8, 4.61 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against&nbsp;Frankie Montas (1-1, 6.14 ERA) for the Mets.&nbsp; First pitch is at 3:10pm, pregame will begin at 2:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>The Kansas City Royals got a big home run from Bobby Witt Jr to take the lead in the seventh inning, but collapsed through the final two frames to fall to the New York Mets 8-3 in their series opener Friday night.&nbsp;</p><p>The game was delayed by just over an hour due to weather, the first pitch being thrown just after 8:30pm.&nbsp; The Royals had their chances to strike in the first two innings, but left runners stranded in scoring position, leaving the Mets to score the opening run in the third on a bases loaded walk to Pete Alonso, scoring Luis Torrens who singled to open the third inning.&nbsp;</p><p>New York held that lead until the sixth inning, and Royals starter Michael Wacha contained them to just that run, until Kansas City tied up the game in the frame, Salvador Perez singling and then racing all the way home from first base on a double by Nick Loftin.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Captain’s on his horse! <a href="https://t.co/LZwgkZVCNz">pic.twitter.com/LZwgkZVCNz</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1943871650035851356?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>In the seventh, the Royals took the lead behind Witt Jr's two run blast.&nbsp; Kyle Isbel singled to open the inning, but pinch runner Tyler Tolbert was caught stealing.&nbsp; He was replaced on the basepaths with a single by Jonathan India, just ahead of Witt Jr sending a fly ball deep to center field to give Kansas City a 3-1 lead.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bobby Baseball, baby. <a href="https://t.co/cmoCiwOxww">pic.twitter.com/cmoCiwOxww</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1943878400671629341?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Steven Cruz, who had gotten the Royals out of the top of the seventh inning, remained on the mound for the eighth but immediately ran into trouble, loading the bases with a single to Brandon Nimmo and back to back walks to Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.&nbsp; Manager Matt Quatraro brought on recently named All Star&nbsp;Carlos Estévez to try to escape the jam.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Estévez struck out Pete Alonso, but with a 2-2 count gave up a bases clearing double to Mark Vientos, and in turn the lead as Nimmo, Lindor, and Soto all came across home plate to put the Mets up 4-3.&nbsp; &nbsp;Another four runs scored in the ninth inning off Taylor Clarke, a three run home run by Lindor scoring Nimmo and Tyrone Taylor before Soto followed that with a solo home run of his own for the final run.&nbsp;</p><p>Cruz took the loss in relief, falling to 2-1 on the season, pitching 2/3 of an inning and giving up three runs on one hit and two walks while striking out one.&nbsp; At the plate, Witt Jr was 2-for-5 with a double as well as the home run and two RBIs.&nbsp; India was 2-for-5 while Vinnie Pasquantino and Perez were both 2-for-4.&nbsp;</p><p>Earlier in the day on Friday, it was announced the Royals will have two more All Stars in Atlanta for the Midsummer Classic as third baseman Maikel Garcia and&nbsp;Estévez were named as replacements for the American League squad.&nbsp;</p><p>Estevez, earned his call from manager Matt Quatraro on Thursday night, and Garcia, learned of his first All-Star selection ahead of the opener with the Mets, were both added as replacements to the AL roster, replacing the Rangers’ Jacob deGrom and the Rays’ Brandon Lowe.</p><p>For Garcia, it’s one of the more rewarding selections for a Kansas City club that signed him as a 16-year-old out of Venezuela. Cousin to both Royals playoff hero Alcides Escobar and the Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., Garcia burst onto the scene in 2023 with a .272 average and 20 doubles across 123 games in his first real opportunity in the big leagues.</p><p>For Estévez, it is his second selection after earning his first with the Angels in 2023. The Royals’ closer is tied for the most saves in the American League (25) with the Astros’ Josh Hader. Estévez (2.03 ERA) needs one save this weekend to have the most saves by a Royal before the All-Star break.</p><p>Kansas City and New York continue their series on Saturday.&nbsp; Michael Lorenzen (5-8, 4.61 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against&nbsp;Frankie Montas (1-1, 6.14 ERA) for the Mets.&nbsp; First pitch is at 3:10pm, pregame will begin at 2:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Royals collapse late in 8-3 series opening loss to Mets

The St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves combined for all 11 runs scored through in a wild first three innings of the game, and the Braves beat the Redbirds 6-5 at Busch Stadium to open the final series ahead of the All Star Break on Friday night.&nbsp;

After Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the game with a double, and advanced to third on a wild pitch from Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore, Austin Riley singled to drive him in for the opening run.&nbsp; Riley scored in the next at bat on a two run home run by Sean Murphy, his 14th of the season, to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead.&nbsp;

The Cardinals cut that lead to one in the bottom half of the inning, Brendan Donovan opening up with a single and scoring on a double by Alec Burleson.&nbsp; A single from Willson Contreras drove in Burleson for the second run to trim the Braves lead.&nbsp; Atlanta pulled away though, getting one run back in the second inning when&nbsp;Acuña Jr. singled home Michael Harris II to give Atlanta 4-2 lead.&nbsp;

Unable to score in the bottom of the third, the Braves added the final two runs in the third inning, Murphy hitting his second home run of the game to lead off the inning, and then later in the inning Drake Baldwin singling home Jurickson Profar, who followed Murphy's home run with a double.

Now trailing by four, the Cardinals again trimmed the lead to one, though that would be all they could do.&nbsp; A single from&nbsp;Pedro Pagés with the bases loaded drove in Burleson, who doubled to open the inning, and Lars Nootbaar who walked.&nbsp; Victor Scott II singled in the final run, scoring Nolan Gorman who also walked in the inning, but the inning ended with Scott being thrown out at second base on a grounder by Donovan.&nbsp;

Neither the Cardinals nor the Braves threatened the remainder of the way, never getting a runner past first base.&nbsp; Liberatore took the loss for St. Louis, falling to 6-7 on the season, pitching three innings and giving up all six runs on nine hits while walking one.&nbsp; At the plate, Scott II was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.&nbsp; Contreras was 2-for-5 with an RBI while Burleson was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.

St. Louis and Atlanta continue their series on Saturday.&nbsp; Erick Fedde (3-9, 4.79 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals while the Braves starter is listed as TBD.&nbsp; First pitch is at 1:15pm, coverage will be joined around 1:05 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).&nbsp;

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>The St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves combined for all 11 runs scored through in a wild first three innings of the game, and the Braves beat the Redbirds 6-5 at Busch Stadium to open the final series ahead of the All Star Break on Friday night.&nbsp;</p><p>After Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the game with a double, and advanced to third on a wild pitch from Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore, Austin Riley singled to drive him in for the opening run.&nbsp; Riley scored in the next at bat on a two run home run by Sean Murphy, his 14th of the season, to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead.&nbsp;</p><p>The Cardinals cut that lead to one in the bottom half of the inning, Brendan Donovan opening up with a single and scoring on a double by Alec Burleson.&nbsp; A single from Willson Contreras drove in Burleson for the second run to trim the Braves lead.&nbsp; Atlanta pulled away though, getting one run back in the second inning when&nbsp;Acuña Jr. singled home Michael Harris II to give Atlanta 4-2 lead.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Burly with a hot shot to right and we&#39;re on the board! <a href="https://t.co/sah4yjRuzw">pic.twitter.com/sah4yjRuzw</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1943831008534462793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Contreras goes up the middle and we&#39;ve got a one-run game! <a href="https://t.co/jaMejFIawV">pic.twitter.com/jaMejFIawV</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1943831871235690996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Unable to score in the bottom of the third, the Braves added the final two runs in the third inning, Murphy hitting his second home run of the game to lead off the inning, and then later in the inning Drake Baldwin singling home Jurickson Profar, who followed Murphy's home run with a double.</p><p>Now trailing by four, the Cardinals again trimmed the lead to one, though that would be all they could do.&nbsp; A single from&nbsp;Pedro Pagés with the bases loaded drove in Burleson, who doubled to open the inning, and Lars Nootbaar who walked.&nbsp; Victor Scott II singled in the final run, scoring Nolan Gorman who also walked in the inning, but the inning ended with Scott being thrown out at second base on a grounder by Donovan.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pedro brings home 2⃣ <a href="https://t.co/QhkKkMios6">pic.twitter.com/QhkKkMios6</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1943846034284630059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Neither the Cardinals nor the Braves threatened the remainder of the way, never getting a runner past first base.&nbsp; Liberatore took the loss for St. Louis, falling to 6-7 on the season, pitching three innings and giving up all six runs on nine hits while walking one.&nbsp; At the plate, Scott II was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.&nbsp; Contreras was 2-for-5 with an RBI while Burleson was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.</p><p>St. Louis and Atlanta continue their series on Saturday.&nbsp; Erick Fedde (3-9, 4.79 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals while the Braves starter is listed as TBD.&nbsp; First pitch is at 1:15pm, coverage will be joined around 1:05 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Cardinals fall to Braves 6-5 in opener after wild first three innings

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i></p><div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/1NNMO5STYED7ImMxxnUBfR?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

Thursday night at Busch Stadium may well have simultaneously felt like a breath of fresh air for Cardinals fans and an unwelcome rerun for Nationals fans. 

Whatever his struggles have been thus far this season, Miles Mikolas has a habit of adjusting his attitude in a matchup with Natitude, evidenced by his 5 2/3 scoreless innings provided in St. Louis’ 8-1 series-clinching victory over the Nationals.

It was Mikolas’ second start this season against Washington, and a worthy sequel to the 5 1/3 one-run innings in DC on May 11. After surrendering a leadoff double to Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, Mikolas did not allow another baserunner, or another ball in play to leave the infield, until Paul DeJong singled with one out in the fifth.

The Cardinals started the scoring in the first inning, Brendan Donovan singling to lead off the inning and later scoring on a groundout by Alec Burleson.&nbsp; In the third inning, it was the same combo that extended the lead as Donovan again led the inning off with a single, but this time Burleson singled to to drive in Donovan, who had advanced on a wild pitch, to push the St. Louis lead to 2-0.&nbsp;

A big sixth inning helped the Cardinals put the game away behind their strong pitching, putting up five runs in the inning.&nbsp; Three consecutive hits to open the inning extended the lead as Willson Contreras, Lars Nootbaar, and Nolan Arenado all singled, Arenado's hit scoring Contreras.&nbsp; After a walk to Nolan Gorman loaded the bases, Yohel Pozo singled to left field driving in Nootbaar.&nbsp;

Leading 4-0 now with the bases still loaded, Victor Scott II grounded into a forceout, Pozo being thrown out at second and Scott making it to first safely, adding another run as Arenado scored.&nbsp; And with runners still on the corners, the scoring barrage continued with a sacrifice fly by Donovan, bringing home Gorman.&nbsp; Scott stole second base, and a double by Masyn Winn put up the final run of the inning driving in the speedy center fielder.&nbsp;

St. Louis finished their scoring in the seventh inning putting up their final run with the first batter of the inning, Contreras sending a ball sailing through the air to center field for his 12th home run of the season.&nbsp; The Nationals scored their lone run in the eighth inning, Jacob Young driving in Daylen Lile with a forceout.&nbsp;

Mikolas improved to 5-6 on the season pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings giving up just two hits while striking out six and walking one.&nbsp; At the plate, Donovan was 2-for-4 with an RBI, Winn was also 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.&nbsp; Contreras was 2-for-4 with the home run and an RBI.&nbsp;

In some injury news for the Cardinals,&nbsp;Iván Herrera joined Triple-A Memphis for a rehab assignment on Thursday, set to play the final four games before the All-Star break for the Redbirds at designated hitter as he recovers from a strained left hamstring.

He is not scheduled to catch for Memphis, nor do the Cardinals plan to put him behind the plate for any significant action for the remainder of the 2025 season as they look to protect the slugger’s lower body while keeping his bat in the lineup.

“We have to definitely keep that in mind as far as if we want to keep him healthy for the remaining couple months,” manager Oliver Marmol said. “We’ve talked about that. We haven’t come up with, like, 'This is exactly what it will look like,' but we’re pretty close to [not catching].”

Herrera has had a breakout season at the plate derailed by two separate injuries to his left leg. He suffered a bone bruise in his knee on April 6 in Boston when attempting to run from first to third base on a base hit, and then strained his hamstring on June 19 in Chicago when rounding first base after a hit against the White Sox.

Between the injuries, Herrera has slugged eight home runs and driven in 36 runs, powered by a .320 batting average and a .925 OPS that are far and away the team’s best totals by everyday position players.

St. Louis begins a series against Atlanta tomorrow at Busch Stadium for the final games before the All Star Break.&nbsp; Matthew Liberatore (6-6, 3.70 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals against Grant Holmes (4-8, 3.44 ERA) for the Braves.&nbsp; First pitch is at 7:15pm, coverage will be joined near the start at 7:05 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).&nbsp;

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>Thursday night at Busch Stadium may well have simultaneously felt like a breath of fresh air for Cardinals fans and an unwelcome rerun for Nationals fans. </p><p>Whatever his struggles have been thus far this season, Miles Mikolas has a habit of adjusting his attitude in a matchup with Natitude, evidenced by his 5 2/3 scoreless innings provided in St. Louis’ 8-1 series-clinching victory over the Nationals.</p><p>It was Mikolas’ second start this season against Washington, and a worthy sequel to the 5 1/3 one-run innings in DC on May 11. After surrendering a leadoff double to Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, Mikolas did not allow another baserunner, or another ball in play to leave the infield, until Paul DeJong singled with one out in the fifth.</p><p>The Cardinals started the scoring in the first inning, Brendan Donovan singling to lead off the inning and later scoring on a groundout by Alec Burleson.&nbsp; In the third inning, it was the same combo that extended the lead as Donovan again led the inning off with a single, but this time Burleson singled to to drive in Donovan, who had advanced on a wild pitch, to push the St. Louis lead to 2-0.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Get him on, get him in! <a href="https://t.co/EAPXsUdHI6">pic.twitter.com/EAPXsUdHI6</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1943469020776403103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>A big sixth inning helped the Cardinals put the game away behind their strong pitching, putting up five runs in the inning.&nbsp; Three consecutive hits to open the inning extended the lead as Willson Contreras, Lars Nootbaar, and Nolan Arenado all singled, Arenado's hit scoring Contreras.&nbsp; After a walk to Nolan Gorman loaded the bases, Yohel Pozo singled to left field driving in Nootbaar.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Arenado extends the lead! <a href="https://t.co/3BTvMBttWs">pic.twitter.com/3BTvMBttWs</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1943481755345842381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Leading 4-0 now with the bases still loaded, Victor Scott II grounded into a forceout, Pozo being thrown out at second and Scott making it to first safely, adding another run as Arenado scored.&nbsp; And with runners still on the corners, the scoring barrage continued with a sacrifice fly by Donovan, bringing home Gorman.&nbsp; Scott stole second base, and a double by Masyn Winn put up the final run of the inning driving in the speedy center fielder.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Masyn Winn makes it a FIVE run frame in the 6th! 🖐️ <a href="https://t.co/gdRv0dFkjA">pic.twitter.com/gdRv0dFkjA</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1943484998138368461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>St. Louis finished their scoring in the seventh inning putting up their final run with the first batter of the inning, Contreras sending a ball sailing through the air to center field for his 12th home run of the season.&nbsp; The Nationals scored their lone run in the eighth inning, Jacob Young driving in Daylen Lile with a forceout.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Crushed by Contreras! 💣 <a href="https://t.co/kRWujzF4Qa">pic.twitter.com/kRWujzF4Qa</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1943487246490873922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Mikolas improved to 5-6 on the season pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings giving up just two hits while striking out six and walking one.&nbsp; At the plate, Donovan was 2-for-4 with an RBI, Winn was also 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.&nbsp; Contreras was 2-for-4 with the home run and an RBI.&nbsp;</p><p>In some injury news for the Cardinals,&nbsp;Iván Herrera joined Triple-A Memphis for a rehab assignment on Thursday, set to play the final four games before the All-Star break for the Redbirds at designated hitter as he recovers from a strained left hamstring.</p><p>He is not scheduled to catch for Memphis, nor do the Cardinals plan to put him behind the plate for any significant action for the remainder of the 2025 season as they look to protect the slugger’s lower body while keeping his bat in the lineup.</p><p>“We have to definitely keep that in mind as far as if we want to keep him healthy for the remaining couple months,” manager Oliver Marmol said. “We’ve talked about that. We haven’t come up with, like, 'This is exactly what it will look like,' but we’re pretty close to [not catching].”</p><p>Herrera has had a breakout season at the plate derailed by two separate injuries to his left leg. He suffered a bone bruise in his knee on April 6 in Boston when attempting to run from first to third base on a base hit, and then strained his hamstring on June 19 in Chicago when rounding first base after a hit against the White Sox.</p><p>Between the injuries, Herrera has slugged eight home runs and driven in 36 runs, powered by a .320 batting average and a .925 OPS that are far and away the team’s best totals by everyday position players.</p><p>St. Louis begins a series against Atlanta tomorrow at Busch Stadium for the final games before the All Star Break.&nbsp; Matthew Liberatore (6-6, 3.70 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals against Grant Holmes (4-8, 3.44 ERA) for the Braves.&nbsp; First pitch is at 7:15pm, coverage will be joined near the start at 7:05 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Mikolas masters Nats again in Cards 8-1 win for win #50 for St. Louis

The St. Joseph Mustangs, or as they were known once again on Thursday night at Phil Welch Stadium the St. Joseph Tenderloins, shut out the Kansas City Monarchs 3-0, winning the season series 3-1, and winning their sixth game in a row.&nbsp;

The Mustangs opened the scoring in the second inning after back to back hits, a single by Jack Mosh and a double from Bishop LeBlond alum Frank Gall set up runners in scoring position as Northwest Missouri State's Parker Griffith grounded out, scoring Mosh.&nbsp; &nbsp;St. Joseph extended the lead in the third, again thanks to Griffth his time with an RBI single driving in Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart after he opened the inning with a single.

The Monarchs held the Mustangs to the 2-0 lead until the seventh inning when they added their final run on a sacrifice fly by Gall, bringing home Dom Felix who had singled to center with one out in the inning after Luikart led off with a ground out.&nbsp;

St. Joseph's pitching staff was brilliant on the night, allowing just four hits total.&nbsp; Ashton Nance earned the win, pitching six innings and giving up two hits while striking out four but also walking four.&nbsp; Northwest Missouri State pitcher Andrew Clark and East Buchanan alum Gage Busby each pitched one inning of relief and gave up the other two hits, one each, as Clark struck out one and Busby struck out two.

At the plate, Mosh was 3-for-4 with a run scored.&nbsp; Gall was 1-for-3 with a double, a stolen base, and an RBI, while Griffith was 1-for-3 as well with two RBIs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Mustangs are now 27-5 on the season and remain 21-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They return to MINK league action tomorrow hosting the Nevada Griffons at Phil Welch Stadium with first pitch at 7pm.&nbsp;

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>The St. Joseph Mustangs, or as they were known once again on Thursday night at Phil Welch Stadium the St. Joseph Tenderloins, shut out the Kansas City Monarchs 3-0, winning the season series 3-1, and winning their sixth game in a row.&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs opened the scoring in the second inning after back to back hits, a single by Jack Mosh and a double from Bishop LeBlond alum Frank Gall set up runners in scoring position as Northwest Missouri State's Parker Griffith grounded out, scoring Mosh.&nbsp; &nbsp;St. Joseph extended the lead in the third, again thanks to Griffth his time with an RBI single driving in Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart after he opened the inning with a single.</p><p>The Monarchs held the Mustangs to the 2-0 lead until the seventh inning when they added their final run on a sacrifice fly by Gall, bringing home Dom Felix who had singled to center with one out in the inning after Luikart led off with a ground out.&nbsp;</p><p>St. Joseph's pitching staff was brilliant on the night, allowing just four hits total.&nbsp; Ashton Nance earned the win, pitching six innings and giving up two hits while striking out four but also walking four.&nbsp; Northwest Missouri State pitcher Andrew Clark and East Buchanan alum Gage Busby each pitched one inning of relief and gave up the other two hits, one each, as Clark struck out one and Busby struck out two.</p><p>At the plate, Mosh was 3-for-4 with a run scored.&nbsp; Gall was 1-for-3 with a double, a stolen base, and an RBI, while Griffith was 1-for-3 as well with two RBIs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs are now 27-5 on the season and remain 21-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They return to MINK league action tomorrow hosting the Nevada Griffons at Phil Welch Stadium with first pitch at 7pm.&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Mustangs shutout Monarchs to win season series, sixth straight game

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i></p><div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4tc358iZXElFtWTFVhpxxi?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

Nolan Arenado was back at third base for the St. Louis Cardinals for the first time since last Friday, but despite having the All Star and Gold Glove third baseman back in the lineup, the Cardinals fell to the Washington Nationals 8-2 on Wednesday evening.

It was a three run home run in the first inning that started the scoring for the Nationals which would be to much to overcome for St. Louis, as Nathaniel Lowe hit a three run line drive home run to right field, driving in CJ Abrams and Josh Bell.&nbsp; The Cardinals did answer with one of their two runs in the bottom half of the inning Alec Burleson singling to bring home Willson Contreras who had doubled in the at bat just before him.&nbsp;

Leading 3-1, Washington scored another three runs in the fourth inning to extend the lead, first with Alex Call doubling home Bell who singled to start the inning.&nbsp; Jacob Young singled later in the inning to drive in Call and also Brady House who had singled following the double by Call to push the Nationals lead to 6-1.&nbsp;

Amed Rosario led off the fifth inning with a solo home run to push the Nationals ahead even more, before they scored their final run in the seventh inning on another home run, this time by James Wood, hitting his 24th home run of the season.&nbsp; St. Louis scored their final run in the bottom of the seventh inning, Masyn Winn hitting an RBI single to score Lars Nootbaar who led off the frame with a double.&nbsp;

Andre Pallante took the loss for the Cardinals, falling to 5-5 on the season, pitching six innings and giving up seven runs on eight hits while striking out one and walking one.&nbsp; At the plate, Winn was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.&nbsp; Nootbaar was 2-for-4 with a double.

St. Louis and Washington wrap up their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Miles Mikolas (4-6, 5.26 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals against Mike Soroka (3-6, 5.40 ERA) for the Nationals.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:45pm, coverage will be joined near the start at 6:35 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>Nolan Arenado was back at third base for the St. Louis Cardinals for the first time since last Friday, but despite having the All Star and Gold Glove third baseman back in the lineup, the Cardinals fell to the Washington Nationals 8-2 on Wednesday evening.</p><p>It was a three run home run in the first inning that started the scoring for the Nationals which would be to much to overcome for St. Louis, as Nathaniel Lowe hit a three run line drive home run to right field, driving in CJ Abrams and Josh Bell.&nbsp; The Cardinals did answer with one of their two runs in the bottom half of the inning Alec Burleson singling to bring home Willson Contreras who had doubled in the at bat just before him.&nbsp;</p><p>Leading 3-1, Washington scored another three runs in the fourth inning to extend the lead, first with Alex Call doubling home Bell who singled to start the inning.&nbsp; Jacob Young singled later in the inning to drive in Call and also Brady House who had singled following the double by Call to push the Nationals lead to 6-1.&nbsp;</p><p>Amed Rosario led off the fifth inning with a solo home run to push the Nationals ahead even more, before they scored their final run in the seventh inning on another home run, this time by James Wood, hitting his 24th home run of the season.&nbsp; St. Louis scored their final run in the bottom of the seventh inning, Masyn Winn hitting an RBI single to score Lars Nootbaar who led off the frame with a double.&nbsp;</p><p>Andre Pallante took the loss for the Cardinals, falling to 5-5 on the season, pitching six innings and giving up seven runs on eight hits while striking out one and walking one.&nbsp; At the plate, Winn was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.&nbsp; Nootbaar was 2-for-4 with a double.</p><p>St. Louis and Washington wrap up their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Miles Mikolas (4-6, 5.26 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals against Mike Soroka (3-6, 5.40 ERA) for the Nationals.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:45pm, coverage will be joined near the start at 6:35 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Despite getting Arenado back, Cardinals fall to Nats 8-2

Salvador Perez homered twice, Jac Caglianone hit the third longest home run at Kauffman Stadium since 2024, and the Kansas City Royals earned their first sweep of July and their first home sweep since May, beating the&nbsp; Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Wednesday evening.

Perez gave the Royals the lead in the second inning, on the first pitch of the inning, with his first home run of the night and his 12th of the season, blasting the ball 444 feet to center field for a 1-0 lead.&nbsp; Pirates starter Bailey Falter wouldn't give up another hit in the inning, and another run until the fourth inning.&nbsp;

The fourth inning saw Caglianone hit the longest home run by a Royals rookie.&nbsp; After the inning started with a double by Maikel Garcia, Perez grounded out bringing Caglianone to the plate, where like Perez he needed just one pitch to send the ball deep to center field and over all three walls, sailing 466 feet to extend Kansas City's lead to 3-0.&nbsp;

The 466-foot shot was the longest homer by a Royals rookie since Statcast began tracking distances in 2015, and it’s tied for the 10th-longest home run by any player, fourth longest by a Royal, at Kauffman Stadium. It was only eight feet shy of Brandon Moss’ record 474-foot blast in 2017. And it was just three feet shy of the longest homer hit at "The K" this year, Aaron Judge’s 469-foot blast on June 10.

Kris Bubic's strong start for the Royals stalled in the sixth inning as he loaded the bases, and the Pirates tied up the game off Bubic as Oneil Cruz grounded out to drive in Tommy Pham, who opened the inning with a single, before Ke'Bryan Hayes singled into left field to bring home Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds to tie up the game in the inning.&nbsp; Bubic was replaced by John Schreiber who struck out Joey Bart to end the inning.

Schreiber kept Pittsburgh off the scoreboard again in the seventh, and after the Ryals were unable to score in the bottom half Lucas Erceg pitched the eighth inning, again preventing the Pirates from scoring, leading to the bottom of the eighth inning where Perez got Kansas City the lead back with his second home run of the night, 13th of the season, again seeing just one pitch before sending the ball soaring to center field.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Carlos Estévez came on in the ninth and struck out Hayes to start the inning before giving up a single to Adam Frazier.&nbsp; No harm would be done though as Estévez forced Spencer Horwitz to fly out, before Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded into a forceout as Bobby Witt Jr flipped the ball to second base to get Frazier out, securing Estévez's 25th save of the season.&nbsp;

Erceg earned the win in relief, improving to 4-2 on the season, pitching one inning and striking out one.&nbsp; At the plate, Perez was 3-for-4 with two home runs and two RBIs.&nbsp; Freddy Fermin was 2-for-3 with two doubles.

Kansas City is off tomorrow and are back in action Friday welcoming in the other team from New York to Kauffman Stadium.&nbsp; Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.83 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Kodai Senga (7-3, 1.47 ERA) for the Mets on Friday.&nbsp; First pitch is at 7:10, pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 Friday on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>Salvador Perez homered twice, Jac Caglianone hit the third longest home run at Kauffman Stadium since 2024, and the Kansas City Royals earned their first sweep of July and their first home sweep since May, beating the&nbsp; Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Wednesday evening.</p><p>Perez gave the Royals the lead in the second inning, on the first pitch of the inning, with his first home run of the night and his 12th of the season, blasting the ball 444 feet to center field for a 1-0 lead.&nbsp; Pirates starter Bailey Falter wouldn't give up another hit in the inning, and another run until the fourth inning.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First pitch swinging! 🫡 <a href="https://t.co/tBSFXuECLK">pic.twitter.com/tBSFXuECLK</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1943100432831619217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The fourth inning saw Caglianone hit the longest home run by a Royals rookie.&nbsp; After the inning started with a double by Maikel Garcia, Perez grounded out bringing Caglianone to the plate, where like Perez he needed just one pitch to send the ball deep to center field and over all three walls, sailing 466 feet to extend Kansas City's lead to 3-0.&nbsp;</p><p>The 466-foot shot was the longest homer by a Royals rookie since Statcast began tracking distances in 2015, and it’s tied for the 10th-longest home run by any player, fourth longest by a Royal, at Kauffman Stadium. It was only eight feet shy of Brandon Moss’ record 474-foot blast in 2017. And it was just three feet shy of the longest homer hit at "The K" this year, Aaron Judge’s 469-foot blast on June 10.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Absolutely destroyed. <a href="https://t.co/EevePIph4a">pic.twitter.com/EevePIph4a</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1943109478854893821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Kris Bubic's strong start for the Royals stalled in the sixth inning as he loaded the bases, and the Pirates tied up the game off Bubic as Oneil Cruz grounded out to drive in Tommy Pham, who opened the inning with a single, before Ke'Bryan Hayes singled into left field to bring home Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds to tie up the game in the inning.&nbsp; Bubic was replaced by John Schreiber who struck out Joey Bart to end the inning.</p><p>Schreiber kept Pittsburgh off the scoreboard again in the seventh, and after the Ryals were unable to score in the bottom half Lucas Erceg pitched the eighth inning, again preventing the Pirates from scoring, leading to the bottom of the eighth inning where Perez got Kansas City the lead back with his second home run of the night, 13th of the season, again seeing just one pitch before sending the ball soaring to center field.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clutch Captain!! <a href="https://t.co/QzmVTWRtOu">pic.twitter.com/QzmVTWRtOu</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1943129889164439845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Carlos Estévez came on in the ninth and struck out Hayes to start the inning before giving up a single to Adam Frazier.&nbsp; No harm would be done though as Estévez forced Spencer Horwitz to fly out, before Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded into a forceout as Bobby Witt Jr flipped the ball to second base to get Frazier out, securing Estévez's 25th save of the season.&nbsp;</p><p>Erceg earned the win in relief, improving to 4-2 on the season, pitching one inning and striking out one.&nbsp; At the plate, Perez was 3-for-4 with two home runs and two RBIs.&nbsp; Freddy Fermin was 2-for-3 with two doubles.</p><p>Kansas City is off tomorrow and are back in action Friday welcoming in the other team from New York to Kauffman Stadium.&nbsp; Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.83 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Kodai Senga (7-3, 1.47 ERA) for the Mets on Friday.&nbsp; First pitch is at 7:10, pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 Friday on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Perez homers twice to help Royals sweep Pirates with 4-3 win

The Kansas City Royals have added a former Cy Young winner to the team to add depth to their pitching ranks, signing Dallas Keuchel to a minor league deal the team announced on Wednesday

Per a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan,&nbsp;Keuchel held a workout for the team last week and reached 92 mph on his fastball. The lefty will first head to the team's training facility in Arizona before making his way to Triple-A Omaha.

Keuchel, a two-time AL All-Star and 2017 World Series champ with the Astros, last pitched in the Majors in 2024, when he appeared in four games for the Brewers and had a 5.40 ERA in 16 2/3 innings.

The Royals will be Keuchel's sixth team in the past four seasons. Since his early years with the Astros, which also included his 2015 Cy Young campaign when he went 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA, Keuchel has had stints with the Braves ('19), White Sox (2020-22), Diamondbacks ('22), Rangers ('22), Twins ('23) and Brewers ('24).

For his career, Keuchel is 103-92 with a 4.04 ERA.

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>The Kansas City Royals have added a former Cy Young winner to the team to add depth to their pitching ranks, signing Dallas Keuchel to a minor league deal the team announced on Wednesday</p><p>Per a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan,&nbsp;Keuchel held a workout for the team last week and reached 92 mph on his fastball. The lefty will first head to the team's training facility in Arizona before making his way to Triple-A Omaha.</p><p>Keuchel, a two-time AL All-Star and 2017 World Series champ with the Astros, last pitched in the Majors in 2024, when he appeared in four games for the Brewers and had a 5.40 ERA in 16 2/3 innings.</p><p>The Royals will be Keuchel's sixth team in the past four seasons. Since his early years with the Astros, which also included his 2015 Cy Young campaign when he went 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA, Keuchel has had stints with the Braves ('19), White Sox (2020-22), Diamondbacks ('22), Rangers ('22), Twins ('23) and Brewers ('24).</p><p>For his career, Keuchel is 103-92 with a 4.04 ERA.</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Royals add former Cy Young winner on minor league deal

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i></p><div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4Ezr5fxd9aKWE5UiOlvnfk?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

A rain delay that lasted just over two hours held off first pitch between the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals until 9 pm in St. Louis, but that didn't stop the Cardinals from taking the series opener with a 4-2 win over the Nationals late Tuesday night at Busch Stadium.&nbsp;

The Nationals opened the scoring in the third inning with both their runs, the first on an RBI single by James Wood driving in Jacob Young who walked with one out in the inning. Luis Garcia Jr grounded into a force out, Wood being thrown out at second, scoring CJ Abrams who had singled following the walk to Young.&nbsp;

Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom half of the inning, the Cardinals took the lead scoring three runs in the frame, two coming on a home run from All Star Brendan Donovan, scoring Victor Scott II after he led off the inning with a double, and tying up the game before the Redbirds took the lead with an RBI double by Alec Burleson, driving in Masyn Winn who singled as part of the four consecutive hits the Cardinals recorded to start the inning.&nbsp;

Lars Nootbaar extended the lead in the sixth inning with the only other run the Cardinals would need, a solo home run right field, his 12th home run of the season to give St. Louis the 4-2 lead.&nbsp;

Sonny Gray earned the win, improving to 9-3 on the season, pitching five innings and giving up two runs on five hits while striking out six and walking one.&nbsp; Ryan Helsley earned his 18th save of the season.&nbsp; At the plate, Donovan was 1-for-3 with a walk and the home run with two RBIs.&nbsp; St. Louis had seven hits, with seven players each getting one hit.&nbsp;

St. Louis and Washington continue their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Andre Pallante (5-4, 4.10 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals against&nbsp;MacKenzie Gore (3-8, 3.11 ERA) for the Nationals.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:45pm, coverage will be joined near the start at 6:35 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).&nbsp;

<i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt</i>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>A rain delay that lasted just over two hours held off first pitch between the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals until 9 pm in St. Louis, but that didn't stop the Cardinals from taking the series opener with a 4-2 win over the Nationals late Tuesday night at Busch Stadium.&nbsp;</p><p>The Nationals opened the scoring in the third inning with both their runs, the first on an RBI single by James Wood driving in Jacob Young who walked with one out in the inning. Luis Garcia Jr grounded into a force out, Wood being thrown out at second, scoring CJ Abrams who had singled following the walk to Young.&nbsp;</p><p>Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom half of the inning, the Cardinals took the lead scoring three runs in the frame, two coming on a home run from All Star Brendan Donovan, scoring Victor Scott II after he led off the inning with a double, and tying up the game before the Redbirds took the lead with an RBI double by Alec Burleson, driving in Masyn Winn who singled as part of the four consecutive hits the Cardinals recorded to start the inning.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Donnie All-Star ties it up! 💣 <a href="https://t.co/83SLnKDlXI">pic.twitter.com/83SLnKDlXI</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1942779247623307565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Burly into the corner for the lead! <a href="https://t.co/FLEv3jlkuv">pic.twitter.com/FLEv3jlkuv</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1942780179345981605?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Lars Nootbaar extended the lead in the sixth inning with the only other run the Cardinals would need, a solo home run right field, his 12th home run of the season to give St. Louis the 4-2 lead.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Late night Noot Bomb! <a href="https://t.co/aLJ7bTJShR">pic.twitter.com/aLJ7bTJShR</a></p>&mdash; St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cardinals/status/1942792009854734392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Sonny Gray earned the win, improving to 9-3 on the season, pitching five innings and giving up two runs on five hits while striking out six and walking one.&nbsp; Ryan Helsley earned his 18th save of the season.&nbsp; At the plate, Donovan was 1-for-3 with a walk and the home run with two RBIs.&nbsp; St. Louis had seven hits, with seven players each getting one hit.&nbsp;</p><p>St. Louis and Washington continue their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Andre Pallante (5-4, 4.10 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals against&nbsp;MacKenzie Gore (3-8, 3.11 ERA) for the Nationals.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:45pm, coverage will be joined near the start at 6:35 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt</i>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

After long rain delay, Cardinals top Nationals 4-2 in series opener

Due to inclement weather the St. Joseph Mustangs matchup with the Jefferson City Renegades on Tuesday night was postponed, ending the Mustangs road trip with a perfect 2-0 record.&nbsp;

The Mustangs will have an opportunity to make up this game, most likely as part of a double header on Sunday when the team is scheduled to be in Jefferson City again.&nbsp; A double header would be played as two seven inning games. Stay tuned to the Mustangs social media pages for updates on the matchup potentially being rescheduled and scoring updates when it is played.&nbsp;

St. Joseph will now be off on Wednesday.&nbsp; They are back at Phil Welch Stadium on Thursday taking on the Kansas City Monarchs for a fourth and final time.&nbsp; The Mustangs are 2-1 against the Monarchs this season.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:30pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt</i>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>Due to inclement weather the St. Joseph Mustangs matchup with the Jefferson City Renegades on Tuesday night was postponed, ending the Mustangs road trip with a perfect 2-0 record.&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs will have an opportunity to make up this game, most likely as part of a double header on Sunday when the team is scheduled to be in Jefferson City again.&nbsp; A double header would be played as two seven inning games. Stay tuned to the Mustangs social media pages for updates on the matchup potentially being rescheduled and scoring updates when it is played.&nbsp;</p><p>St. Joseph will now be off on Wednesday.&nbsp; They are back at Phil Welch Stadium on Thursday taking on the Kansas City Monarchs for a fourth and final time.&nbsp; The Mustangs are 2-1 against the Monarchs this season.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:30pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt</i>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Mustangs road trip finale gainst Jefferson City postponed

Royals top prospect Jac Caglianone broke out of an 0-for-9 slump hitting his first home run at Kauffman Stadium and Nick Loftin came through with two big clutch hits as the Kansas City Royals scored a walk off 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.&nbsp;

Caglianone opened the scoring in the second inning, leading off the inning with the 421 foot blast to right field that landed in the fountains beyond the party deck for his first home run since his multi home run game against the Texas Rangers on June 19th.&nbsp; The Pirates tied up the game in the fourth inning as recently announced Home Run Derby participant Oneil Cruz hit his 16th home run of the season.&nbsp;

Pittsburgh took the lead in the seventh inning on another solo home run, this time by Nick Gonzalez to center field, but in the bottom half of the inning the Royals took the lead back for the first time since Caglianone's home run as Loftin hit a two run home run, driving in Salvador Perez for a 3-2 lead.&nbsp;

The Pirates tied up the game in the eighth inning off reliever Lucas Erceg after Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled to open the inning, and later scored as Bryan Reynolds grounded into a forceout with Tommy Pham being thrown out at second.&nbsp; Kansas City escaped the inning and after not scoring in the bottom half, and getting through the top of the ninth, found a way to get a walk off win.&nbsp;

Back to back singles by Maikel Garcia and Perez started the inning, and a deep fly out from Caglianone allowed Garcia to move to third base, putting the winning run 90 feet away.&nbsp; The Pirates made a pitching change, but it would not matter as Loftin continued his hot night, singling into center field to score Garcia for the walk off victory.&nbsp;

Carlos Estévez earned the win after pitching the ninth inning, giving up just one hit, improving to 3-2 on the season.&nbsp; At the plate, Loftin was 2-for-4 with three RBI's.&nbsp; Caglianone was 1-for-4 with the home run and an RBI.&nbsp;

Kansas City and Pittsburgh wrap up their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Kris Bubic (7-6, 2.36 ERA) takes on Bailey Falter (6-4, 3.69 ERA) for the Pirates.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage begins at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp; The Royals will wrap up this series and then be off on Thursday.

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>Royals top prospect Jac Caglianone broke out of an 0-for-9 slump hitting his first home run at Kauffman Stadium and Nick Loftin came through with two big clutch hits as the Kansas City Royals scored a walk off 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.&nbsp;</p><p>Caglianone opened the scoring in the second inning, leading off the inning with the 421 foot blast to right field that landed in the fountains beyond the party deck for his first home run since his multi home run game against the Texas Rangers on June 19th.&nbsp; The Pirates tied up the game in the fourth inning as recently announced Home Run Derby participant Oneil Cruz hit his 16th home run of the season.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jac has left the building!<br><br>Kauffman blast No. 1! <a href="https://t.co/13nOXR4bra">pic.twitter.com/13nOXR4bra</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1942738262772310137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Pittsburgh took the lead in the seventh inning on another solo home run, this time by Nick Gonzalez to center field, but in the bottom half of the inning the Royals took the lead back for the first time since Caglianone's home run as Loftin hit a two run home run, driving in Salvador Perez for a 3-2 lead.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Loftin for the lead!<a href="https://twitter.com/STIHLUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@STIHLUSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/HPy6H48BMx">pic.twitter.com/HPy6H48BMx</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1942755829704450111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The Pirates tied up the game in the eighth inning off reliever Lucas Erceg after Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled to open the inning, and later scored as Bryan Reynolds grounded into a forceout with Tommy Pham being thrown out at second.&nbsp; Kansas City escaped the inning and after not scoring in the bottom half, and getting through the top of the ninth, found a way to get a walk off win.&nbsp;</p><p>Back to back singles by Maikel Garcia and Perez started the inning, and a deep fly out from Caglianone allowed Garcia to move to third base, putting the winning run 90 feet away.&nbsp; The Pirates made a pitching change, but it would not matter as Loftin continued his hot night, singling into center field to score Garcia for the walk off victory.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In the Nick of time!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HEYHEYHEYHEY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HEYHEYHEYHEY</a> <a href="https://t.co/ES9bmJbzm1">pic.twitter.com/ES9bmJbzm1</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1942766009477144930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Carlos Estévez earned the win after pitching the ninth inning, giving up just one hit, improving to 3-2 on the season.&nbsp; At the plate, Loftin was 2-for-4 with three RBI's.&nbsp; Caglianone was 1-for-4 with the home run and an RBI.&nbsp;</p><p>Kansas City and Pittsburgh wrap up their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Kris Bubic (7-6, 2.36 ERA) takes on Bailey Falter (6-4, 3.69 ERA) for the Pirates.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage begins at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp; The Royals will wrap up this series and then be off on Thursday.</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt</i>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Caglianone gets first homer at "The K", KC walks off in 4-3 win

&nbsp;The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association will continue to host its postseason volleyball championship at St. Joseph’s Civic Arena through the 2027 season.

The MIAA and the St. Joseph Sports Commission will host the 2025, 2026, and 2027 postseason volleyball championship tournaments at Civic Arena in St. Joseph. The venue has been the new home of the MIAA volleyball championship since it first hosted the event in 2022.

"We are thrilled to keep this tournament in St. Joseph, Missouri, through 2027,” said MIAA Deputy Commissioner Amber Feldman in a news release from the conference. “This community has done a great job of hosting us over the last three years, and that effort hasn't gone unnoticed. From the playing court to the police escorts, they have provided the extra touches that have enhanced the experiences of our student-athletes."

“We are grateful to the MIAA's coaches, administrators and the conference office leadership for having confidence in us and allowing the opportunity to host the MIAA Volleyball Championship for another three years!” stated Brett Esely, Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commissioner. "St. Joseph and Civic Arena are a great place to host championships, and we look forward to partnering with our MIAA colleagues in delivering a championship experience for years to come!”

The MIAA's top eight teams from the regular season advance to the postseason tournament. For the 2025 MIAA Volleyball Championship this fall, quarterfinal matches will be played on Thursday, November 20, with semifinal matches taking place on Friday, November 21, and the championship match scheduled for Saturday, November 22.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752003410712.jpeg" alt="The MIAA Volleyball Championships will stay at St. Joseph's Civic Arena through 2027/ Photo courtesy of The MIAA" />
                        <figcaption>The MIAA Volleyball Championships will stay at St. Joseph's Civic Arena through 2027/ Photo courtesy of The MIAA</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>&nbsp;The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association will continue to host its postseason volleyball championship at St. Joseph’s Civic Arena through the 2027 season.</p><p>The MIAA and the St. Joseph Sports Commission will host the 2025, 2026, and 2027 postseason volleyball championship tournaments at Civic Arena in St. Joseph. The venue has been the new home of the MIAA volleyball championship since it first hosted the event in 2022.</p><p>"We are thrilled to keep this tournament in St. Joseph, Missouri, through 2027,” said MIAA Deputy Commissioner Amber Feldman in a news release from the conference. “This community has done a great job of hosting us over the last three years, and that effort hasn't gone unnoticed. From the playing court to the police escorts, they have provided the extra touches that have enhanced the experiences of our student-athletes."</p><p>“We are grateful to the MIAA's coaches, administrators and the conference office leadership for having confidence in us and allowing the opportunity to host the MIAA Volleyball Championship for another three years!” stated Brett Esely, Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commissioner. "St. Joseph and Civic Arena are a great place to host championships, and we look forward to partnering with our MIAA colleagues in delivering a championship experience for years to come!”</p><p>The MIAA's top eight teams from the regular season advance to the postseason tournament. For the 2025 MIAA Volleyball Championship this fall, quarterfinal matches will be played on Thursday, November 20, with semifinal matches taking place on Friday, November 21, and the championship match scheduled for Saturday, November 22.&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

MIAA to continue bringing volleyball championships to St. Joseph

Tickets for the matchup between the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats and Pittsburg State Gorillas at Children's Mercy Park, home of Sporting Kansas City, will go on sale next month. 

Tickets for the matchchup on November 15th will go on sale to the general public on August 1st.  All tickets will be sold through Sporting Kansas City's primary ticketing partner SeatGeek. All ticket proceeds will benefit the Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State athletic departments.

Parking for the event will be $20 and can be included during the online purchase of game tickets.  Ticket prices are listed below: 

Bowl Seats (101-105, 109-113, 115-134) - Ticket w/tax and fees: $38

Bowl Seats (S1-S3, S6-S7) - Ticket w/tax and fees: $38

All seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reserved seating is available.

Huhtamaki Shield Club Seats (106-108) - Ticket w/tax and fees: $42

Located at the 50-yard line on the concourse level, the large indoor club has incredible views of the field from a climate-controlled space. The club also provides guests with quick access to premium restrooms and exclusive access to upgraded concessions.

Bud Light Landing (114) - Tickets w/tax and fees: $85

The Bud Light Landing is general admission, terrace-seating area on the southwest corner of Children's Mercy Park. This area features complimentary all-you-can-eat stadium fare eats and Anheuser-Busch refreshments. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

UMB Field Club Seats (F1-F8) - Ticket w/tax and fees: $120

The UMB Field Club is Children's Mercy Park's most luxurious and in-demand club space. Prior to the game, fans can enjoy all-inclusive food and beverages. During the game fans can enjoy the activity from luxurious, oversized first-class field-level seating and have access to a climate-controlled premium space before and during the game.

<i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost</i>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751994073097.jpeg" alt="The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats and Pittsburg State Gorillas will matchup at Children's Mercy Park in November.  Tickets for the game go on sale August 1st./ Photo courtesy of Aaron Hare- Northwest Athletics. " />
                        <figcaption>The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats and Pittsburg State Gorillas will matchup at Children's Mercy Park in November.  Tickets for the game go on sale August 1st./ Photo courtesy of Aaron Hare- Northwest Athletics. </figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By MATT PIKE</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i></p><p>Tickets for the matchup between the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats and Pittsburg State Gorillas at Children's Mercy Park, home of Sporting Kansas City, will go on sale next month. </p><p>Tickets for the matchchup on November 15th will go on sale to the general public on August 1st.  All tickets will be sold through Sporting Kansas City's primary ticketing partner SeatGeek. All ticket proceeds will benefit the Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State athletic departments.</p><p>Parking for the event will be $20 and can be included during the online purchase of game tickets.  Ticket prices are listed below: </p><p>Bowl Seats (101-105, 109-113, 115-134) - Ticket w/tax and fees: $38</p><p>All seating is reserved.</p><p>Bowl Seats (S1-S3, S6-S7) - Ticket w/tax and fees: $38</p><p>All seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reserved seating is available.</p><p>Huhtamaki Shield Club Seats (106-108) - Ticket w/tax and fees: $42</p><p>Located at the 50-yard line on the concourse level, the large indoor club has incredible views of the field from a climate-controlled space. The club also provides guests with quick access to premium restrooms and exclusive access to upgraded concessions.</p><p>Bud Light Landing (114) - Tickets w/tax and fees: $85</p><p>The Bud Light Landing is general admission, terrace-seating area on the southwest corner of Children's Mercy Park. This area features complimentary all-you-can-eat stadium fare eats and Anheuser-Busch refreshments. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.</p><p>UMB Field Club Seats (F1-F8) - Ticket w/tax and fees: $120</p><p>The UMB Field Club is Children's Mercy Park's most luxurious and in-demand club space. Prior to the game, fans can enjoy all-inclusive food and beverages. During the game fans can enjoy the activity from luxurious, oversized first-class field-level seating and have access to a climate-controlled premium space before and during the game.</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost</i>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Tickets for Northwest and Pitt State football on sale next month

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i></p><div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0UtWqwDuO76aqfvk8kqjym?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

The St. Joseph Mustangs lost an early lead but came back from behind to beat the Carroll Merchants on the road in Carroll, Iowa, topping the Merchants 8-6 at Merchants Ballpark, winning the the middle game of a three game road trip.&nbsp;

The Mustangs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with one big hit as Darius Freeman hit a two run home run, driving in Central alum Logan Miller to start the scoring.&nbsp; After a scoreless second inning though, the Merchants scored five unanswered runs to steal the lead from St. Joseph in their stadium.&nbsp;

In the third inning, a double by Fernando Espinal drove in Aiden Eggers, before a single from&nbsp;Gavin Gonzalez brought home&nbsp;Martin Smith, tying up the game, also advancing Espinal to third base, which set up Espinal to score the go ahead run on a wild pitch by Mustangs starting pitcher Ian Dittmer.&nbsp; Carroll extended the lead in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Bradley Soto, scoring&nbsp;Kengri De Los Santo, and pushed ahead even more as Dittmer hit Gonzalez with a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Eggers to score for a 5-2 lead.&nbsp;

Dittmer settled in after the fourth, holding the Merchants off the board the rest of the way until he was replaced by East Buchanan alum Bronco Whitt who pitched a clean seventh inning for the Mustangs, who went on to take the lead back in the eighth with a big five run inning.&nbsp;

After Miller singled, and stole second base, the bases wound up loaded as the Merchants walked Trevor McCollum and hit Freeman with a pitch.&nbsp; With the bases loaded, Miller scored on an error by pitcher Jackson Gwin, and after a wild pitch from Gwin allowed McCollum and Freeman to move to second and third respectively, another wild pitch brough McCollum home to score, moving Freeman to third base.&nbsp; Easton Phillipe tied up the game with an RBI single, driving in Freeman.&nbsp;

St. Joseph took the lead in the inning after Benton alum Chris Coy singled, and following a double steal by Phillipe and Coy, Northwest Missouri State's Parker Griffith doubled to drive in both runners to give the Mustangs a 7-5 lead.&nbsp; Carroll did cut that lead to one in the bottom half of the inning, as Espinal grounded out to the shortstop Coy, scoring Eggers, but in the ninth the Mustangs added the final run of insurance they needed as Phillipe singled again to score Freeman.&nbsp;

The Mustangs ended the game by turning a triple play.

Whitt earned the win, pitching one inning, giving up one hit and walking one while also striking out one.&nbsp; Jase Johnson notched the save also pitching one inning and giving up a hit while walking one.&nbsp; At the plate, Phillipe was 3-for-5 with a stolen base and two RBI's.&nbsp; Miller was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.&nbsp;

The Mustangs are now 26-5 on the season and 21-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They wrap up the road trip tomorrow in Jefferson City, taking on the Jefferson City Renegades before an off day on Wednesday.&nbsp; First pitch is at 7pm.

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>The St. Joseph Mustangs lost an early lead but came back from behind to beat the Carroll Merchants on the road in Carroll, Iowa, topping the Merchants 8-6 at Merchants Ballpark, winning the the middle game of a three game road trip.&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with one big hit as Darius Freeman hit a two run home run, driving in Central alum Logan Miller to start the scoring.&nbsp; After a scoreless second inning though, the Merchants scored five unanswered runs to steal the lead from St. Joseph in their stadium.&nbsp;</p><p>In the third inning, a double by Fernando Espinal drove in Aiden Eggers, before a single from&nbsp;Gavin Gonzalez brought home&nbsp;Martin Smith, tying up the game, also advancing Espinal to third base, which set up Espinal to score the go ahead run on a wild pitch by Mustangs starting pitcher Ian Dittmer.&nbsp; Carroll extended the lead in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Bradley Soto, scoring&nbsp;Kengri De Los Santo, and pushed ahead even more as Dittmer hit Gonzalez with a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Eggers to score for a 5-2 lead.&nbsp;</p><p>Dittmer settled in after the fourth, holding the Merchants off the board the rest of the way until he was replaced by East Buchanan alum Bronco Whitt who pitched a clean seventh inning for the Mustangs, who went on to take the lead back in the eighth with a big five run inning.&nbsp;</p><p>After Miller singled, and stole second base, the bases wound up loaded as the Merchants walked Trevor McCollum and hit Freeman with a pitch.&nbsp; With the bases loaded, Miller scored on an error by pitcher Jackson Gwin, and after a wild pitch from Gwin allowed McCollum and Freeman to move to second and third respectively, another wild pitch brough McCollum home to score, moving Freeman to third base.&nbsp; Easton Phillipe tied up the game with an RBI single, driving in Freeman.&nbsp;</p><p>St. Joseph took the lead in the inning after Benton alum Chris Coy singled, and following a double steal by Phillipe and Coy, Northwest Missouri State's Parker Griffith doubled to drive in both runners to give the Mustangs a 7-5 lead.&nbsp; Carroll did cut that lead to one in the bottom half of the inning, as Espinal grounded out to the shortstop Coy, scoring Eggers, but in the ninth the Mustangs added the final run of insurance they needed as Phillipe singled again to score Freeman.&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs ended the game by turning a triple play.</p><p>Whitt earned the win, pitching one inning, giving up one hit and walking one while also striking out one.&nbsp; Jase Johnson notched the save also pitching one inning and giving up a hit while walking one.&nbsp; At the plate, Phillipe was 3-for-5 with a stolen base and two RBI's.&nbsp; Miller was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs are now 26-5 on the season and 21-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They wrap up the road trip tomorrow in Jefferson City, taking on the Jefferson City Renegades before an off day on Wednesday.&nbsp; First pitch is at 7pm.</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt</i>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Mustangs come back from behind to take down Carroll 8-6

St. Joseph's Noah Cameron recorded some career bests as he earned his third career win on Monday night at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals helping out the Central alum by hitting four home runs to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-3 for their first win at "The K" since the Royals defeated the Dodgers 9-5 June 28th.

The Royals started the scoring for Cameron in the first inning, with the first home run of the night, a solo home run by Vinnie Pasquantino to right field for the Kansas City first baseman's 15th of the season, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead which they held until the third inning as Cameron cruised striking out three batters in two innings, and only surrendering a walk to Nick Gonzales.&nbsp;

In the third inning, one problem that Cameron has had at the major league level continued, as he gave up a two run home run to former Royal Tommy Pham, scoring Henry Davis who singled to open the inning, giving the Pirates a lead.&nbsp; A lead they did not hold for long though, as in the bottom half of the inning the Royals struck for three runs, first tying up the game with an RBI single by Maikel Garcia driving in Jonathan India.&nbsp; 

Salvador Perez doubled giving Kansas City the lead, scoring Bobby Witt Jr, before Garcia came home on a force out at second base on a grounder by Mark Canha.The Royals extended their lead in the fourth inning with a two run home run by Witt Jr, his 13th of the season, driving in India.&nbsp; The scoring continued in the fifth inning when Perez led off the inning with a solo home run, his 11th, to push the Royals lead to 7-2.&nbsp;

A sacrifice fly from Witt Jr in the sixth inning scored Kyle Isbel, before the Royals got their final run, and the fourth home run of the game in the eighth inning as Nick Loftin hit his second home run of the season to left center field.&nbsp; Alexander Canario singled home Gonzales in the ninth inning for the final run of the game for the Pirates off reliever Jonathan Bowlan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cameron earned the win, moving to 3-4 on the season, pitching a career best seven innings and giving up two runs on three hits while striking out seven and walking one, throwing a career high 109 pitches.&nbsp; At the plate, Witt Jr was 2-for-3 with the home run and three RBI's.&nbsp; Perez was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBIs, while Garcia was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.&nbsp;

Kansas City and Pittsburgh continue their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Seth Lugo (6-5, 2.65 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Mitch Keller (3-10, 3.64 ERA) for the Pirates.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage will begin at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;

<i>This article has been edited since first published.</i>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751941290659.jpeg" alt="Noah Cameron threw a career high seven innings and a career high 109 pitches, striking out seven Pirates and giving up two runs on way to his third career win on Monday night at Kauffman Stadium/ Courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>Noah Cameron threw a career high seven innings and a career high 109 pitches, striking out seven Pirates and giving up two runs on way to his third career win on Monday night at Kauffman Stadium/ Courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>St. Joseph's Noah Cameron recorded some career bests as he earned his third career win on Monday night at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals helping out the Central alum by hitting four home runs to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-3 for their first win at "The K" since the Royals defeated the Dodgers 9-5 June 28th.</p><p>The Royals started the scoring for Cameron in the first inning, with the first home run of the night, a solo home run by Vinnie Pasquantino to right field for the Kansas City first baseman's 15th of the season, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead which they held until the third inning as Cameron cruised striking out three batters in two innings, and only surrendering a walk to Nick Gonzales.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hot start. 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/YjekcznINP">pic.twitter.com/YjekcznINP</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1942372298746363988?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>In the third inning, one problem that Cameron has had at the major league level continued, as he gave up a two run home run to former Royal Tommy Pham, scoring Henry Davis who singled to open the inning, giving the Pirates a lead.&nbsp; A lead they did not hold for long though, as in the bottom half of the inning the Royals struck for three runs, first tying up the game with an RBI single by Maikel Garcia driving in Jonathan India.&nbsp; </p><p>Salvador Perez doubled giving Kansas City the lead, scoring Bobby Witt Jr, before Garcia came home on a force out at second base on a grounder by Mark Canha.The Royals extended their lead in the fourth inning with a two run home run by Witt Jr, his 13th of the season, driving in India.&nbsp; The scoring continued in the fifth inning when Perez led off the inning with a solo home run, his 11th, to push the Royals lead to 7-2.&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bobby oppo-blast! 💥 <a href="https://t.co/3CHP03ExXr">pic.twitter.com/3CHP03ExXr</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1942388380320387120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Captain Crush! 💪 <a href="https://t.co/sboil7AW6v">pic.twitter.com/sboil7AW6v</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1942391158166151263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>A sacrifice fly from Witt Jr in the sixth inning scored Kyle Isbel, before the Royals got their final run, and the fourth home run of the game in the eighth inning as Nick Loftin hit his second home run of the season to left center field.&nbsp; Alexander Canario singled home Gonzales in the ninth inning for the final run of the game for the Pirates off reliever Jonathan Bowlan.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nick joins the party! <a href="https://t.co/bhLPogjCuF">pic.twitter.com/bhLPogjCuF</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1942402755173437582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Cameron earned the win, moving to 3-4 on the season, pitching a career best seven innings and giving up two runs on three hits while striking out seven and walking one, throwing a career high 109 pitches.&nbsp; At the plate, Witt Jr was 2-for-3 with the home run and three RBI's.&nbsp; Perez was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBIs, while Garcia was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.&nbsp;</p><p>Kansas City and Pittsburgh continue their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Seth Lugo (6-5, 2.65 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Mitch Keller (3-10, 3.64 ERA) for the Pirates.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage will begin at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751943094680.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the Royals on X" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the Royals on X</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>This article has been edited since first published.</i></p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p>

Cameron throws career high seven innings, Royals hit four homers in 9-3 win over Pirates

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p><i>St. Joseph Post</i><br></p><div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/76VjZR2FJQhJeCr0y8nRoD?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

The St. Joseph Mustangs started their three game road trip off the right way, taking care of business against the team right behind them in the MINK League standings and beating the Clarinda A's 13-4.&nbsp;

The Mustangs opened the scoring putting up five runs in the second inning, starting with an RBI single by Tyler Gundelfinger, driving in Benton alum Chris Coy.&nbsp; Gundelfinger and Easton Phillipe scored on a triple by Jack Mosh, and Mosh came home when Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart singled.&nbsp; Luikart scored the final run in the top half of the inning as he stole third base, and came home scoring on an error by catcher Tayvon Homolar.&nbsp;

Trailing 5-0, the A's began to chip away at the lead over the next two innings, getting one run in the bottom half of the second as&nbsp;Kane Wilson scored on a groundout by&nbsp;Clayton Pourciau.&nbsp; In the third, two more runs scored with Drake Cobb singling home Cooper Eberly.&nbsp; A sacrifice fly by Wilson cut the Mustangs lead to two, driving in Cooper Knight, to make the lead 5-3.&nbsp;

St. Joseph started to pull back away in the fifth, scoring two runs on bases loaded walks to Coy and Phillipe, with Mosh and Justin George scoring respectively.&nbsp; One more run scored in the top of the sixth inning as Gundelfinger grounded out, allowing Darius Freeman to come home to score.&nbsp; The A's though got one run back in the bottom of the sixth on a single by Homolar, scoring Wilson to make the Mustangs lead 8-4.

<p>By MATT PIKE</p><p>The St. Joseph Mustangs started their three game road trip off the right way, taking care of business against the team right behind them in the MINK League standings and beating the Clarinda A's 13-4.&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs opened the scoring putting up five runs in the second inning, starting with an RBI single by Tyler Gundelfinger, driving in Benton alum Chris Coy.&nbsp; Gundelfinger and Easton Phillipe scored on a triple by Jack Mosh, and Mosh came home when Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart singled.&nbsp; Luikart scored the final run in the top half of the inning as he stole third base, and came home scoring on an error by catcher Tayvon Homolar.&nbsp;</p><p>Trailing 5-0, the A's began to chip away at the lead over the next two innings, getting one run in the bottom half of the second as&nbsp;Kane Wilson scored on a groundout by&nbsp;Clayton Pourciau.&nbsp; In the third, two more runs scored with Drake Cobb singling home Cooper Eberly.&nbsp; A sacrifice fly by Wilson cut the Mustangs lead to two, driving in Cooper Knight, to make the lead 5-3.&nbsp;</p><p>St. Joseph started to pull back away in the fifth, scoring two runs on bases loaded walks to Coy and Phillipe, with Mosh and Justin George scoring respectively.&nbsp; One more run scored in the top of the sixth inning as Gundelfinger grounded out, allowing Darius Freeman to come home to score.&nbsp; The A's though got one run back in the bottom of the sixth on a single by Homolar, scoring Wilson to make the Mustangs lead 8-4.</p><p>In the seventh inning, the Mustangs got the final runs of insurance they needed scoring the final five runs of the game, three coming on bases loaded walks.&nbsp; Carter Belton walked with the bases loaded to open the scoring, bringing home Luke Bies, and then Gundelfinger reached first on an error by Colin Linteo, driving in Coy.&nbsp;</p><p>Back to back bases loaded walks to Mosh and Luikart scored Phillipe and Belton, still keeping the bases loaded, but the final run scored as George reached first on an error by the third baseman Knight, scoring Gundelfinger for the 13-4 lead.&nbsp;</p><p>Cade Perkins earned the win for the Mustangs, pitching five innings and giving up three runs on one hit, walking three and striking out six.&nbsp; Lawson alum Lane Chapman pitched two innings of relief giving up one run on one hit, striking out two and walking two.&nbsp; At the plate, Mosh was 2-for-5 with a triple, a walk, and three RBI's.&nbsp; Gundelfinger was also 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI's.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The Mustangs are now 25-5 on the season and 20-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They continue the road trip, next heading to Carroll, Iowa to face the Carroll Merchants.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:30pm.&nbsp;</p><p><i>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt</i>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>