THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
PAGE 9B
Royals rally in eighth inning, ending seven-game losing streak
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Salvador Perez homered early, then drove in the tiebreaking run in the eighth and the Kansas City Royals ended their seven-game losing streak on Sunday, rebounding for a 6-4 victory after blowing a 4-0 lead against Washington.
With two out and a runner on first and the game tied 4-all in the eighth, Billy Butler hit a hard grounder that first baseman Adam LaRoche knocked down. The ball rolled several feet to his right and when
Stammen was late to cover the bag, the slow-running Butler kept the inning going by chugging to first with an infield single. Stammen then walked Mike Moustakas on fourth pitches and Perez hit a hard grounder to shortstop Ian Desmond. He hobbled momentarily and his throw to third was late, allowing the tiebreaking run to cross the plate on what was first ruled a fielder's choice and then changed to an infield single before David Lough's RBI single made it 6-4.
Kelvin Herrera (5-6) pitched 11-3 innings of relief for only the Royals' third victory in 13 games. Craig
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland, left, and catcher Salvador Perez, right, celebrate their 6-4 win over the Washington Nationals at the end of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., yesterday.
men went one inning, gave up three hits and two earned runs.
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three hits and Royals starter Ervin Santana was handed a 4-0 lead after the first inning but gave up three home runs, including Bryce Harper's two-run shot with two out in the seventh that tied it 4-all.
third victory in 15 games. Craig Stammen (7-6) took the loss and was part of a shaky defense that led to the Nationals' first loss in six road outings. Greg Holland pitched the ninth for his 35th save in 37 opportunities, giving up two singles but striking out the side. Stam
Santana had a 4-1 lead and two out in the seventh when Denard Spans's third hit of the day went for his third home run of the year. Ryan Zimmerman followed with a single, bringing a visit to the mound by
Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland. Harper then hit Santana's next pitch over the fence in left-center, bringing Herrera in from the bullpen.
Washington starter Dan Haren entered the game 4-0 in six career starts in Kauffman Stadium and had never allowed more than two earned runs in KC, But that quickly changed.
On Haren's third pitch, Gordon hit the 11th lead home run of his career. After Emilio Bonifacio walked,
Eric Hosmer hit an RBI single. Hosmer was out trying to steal, then Mike Moustakas singled and Perez homered for a 4-0 lead against Haren, who had been 4-2 since coming back from the DL on July 8.
Haren was in danger again in the second and saved only by a stand-out double play started by LaRoche, who dove to his right to spear a line smash off Gordon's bat. From his knees, LaRoche threw to second base to double off Alcides Escobar.
After that, Haren allowed only two singles while going seven innings. He was charged with four runs on eight hits. In the Nationals fourth, Desmond homered for the second
time in two games. The ball bounced off the facade of the Royals hall of fame behind left field and was estimated at 431 feet. Span drilled a ball off Santana's right hip with one out in the third
the ball bounding all the way into foul territory behind third base while Anthony Rendon went from second to third. But after testing the leg and visiting with the Royals trainer on the mound, Santana
stayed in to strike out Zimmerman and retire Harper on a shallow fly. Santana was charged with four runs on 11 hits in 6 2-3 innings, with seven strikeouts and no walks.
Chiefs release fan favorite Stanzi, with Bray winning third string
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs parted ways with one of their most polarizing quarterbacks in recent years Sunday when they cut Rick Stani, a former fifth-round draft pick who never saw the field yet some fans seemed to love. Stanzi was among 14 players who were cut ahead of Tuesday's dead-
Stanzi was among 14 players who were cut ahead of Tuesday's deadline to reach the 75-man roster limit.
The Chiefs must reach the 53-man limit for the regular season by Saturday. Stanzi, who was drafted by former general manager Scott Pioli, was beaten out for the No.3 quarterback job by undrafted free-agent Tyler Bray. Stanzi was just 5 of 12 for 42 yards in the preseason, and did not play in the most recent two games. Kansas City wraps up its preseason schedule Thursday night against Green Bay.
Stanzi was joined by wide receiver Terrance Copper and defensive back Neiko Thorpe in players who were part of last year's 2-14 team that were involved in the first round of cuts.
Also cut Sunday were cornerbacks Vince Agnew, Otha Foster III, Ka-
dell Milwaukee, offensive linemen
maal McIlwain; offensive linemen Ryan Durand, A.J. Hawkins and Hutch Eckerson; defensive ends Miguel Chavis and Rob Lohr; back Jordan Roberts; fullback Braden Wilson and wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker
wide receiver Tyler Johnson. "This is always a difficult time of year," new GM John Dorsey said. "We have to make decisions that we feel are in the best interest of our football team and unfortunately this is part of the process. These gentlemen have put in a lot of hard work and effort for our franchise, and we wish them nothing but the best moving forward."
While it was widely expected
the best moving for war.
that Stanzi would be dismissed, the Chiefs' decision to cut loose Copper,
Thorpe and Wilson ahead of the final round was a bit surprising. Copper had eight catches for 79 yards last season, but was a valuable contributor on special teams.
Thorpe was active for nine games after making the team as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn. Wilson was the Chiefs' sixth round draft pick just this year.
"We told the guys at the beginning of the year to make it as hard as you can on John and me when it comes down to making these decisions," Reid said. "These guys have busted their tails, and it's their profession. We wish them all the best of luck when they leave here that they have an opportunity to go play somewhere else. You never know in this business, you could be coming right back, you never know how it works. It's a crazy thing."
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