AMARILLO, Texas (August 2, 2025)—The Wichita Wind Surge scored in eight of nine innings in a 16-11 slugfest victory over the Amarillo Sod Poodles at HODGETOWN. 

Wichita comes together for 21 hits to snap their four-game losing streak.&nbsp;Ricardo Olivar smacked a three-run blast, his 12th of the season, to dead center in the top of the first inning to give Wichita a 3-0 lead four batters into the ballgame.

After a pair of infield errors, Manuel Pena scored to give Amarillo a run in the bottom of the first. Ben Ross got the run back for the Wind Surge by swatting his seventh homer of the season out to left-center in the top of the second. Following no runs in the bottom of the second, both teams would score in each half of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.&nbsp;Hendry Mendez notched his first RBI with Wichita on a sacrifice fly to center field in the top of the third for a 5-1 Wind Surge advantage. 

The Sod Poodles later cut that to one on consecutive doubles by Jose Fernandez and Christian Cerda in the home half of the frame.

Ross scored on a wild pitch, and Jose Salas came in on a fielder’s choice for two more Wichita tallies in the top of the fourth. Four runs followed for Amarillo on a two-run single by Gavin Conticello and a line drive two-run shot to the left field corner from Jose Fernandez in the bottom of the fourth. One run came home for each side in the fifth on a Rubel Cespedes RBI single and a solo shot by Pena.&nbsp;

The Wind Surge scored six runs on six hits in the top of the sixth, including a bases-clearing double by Nate Baez and a two-run home run by Ross, his second long ball of the night, to put Wichita ahead 14-9.&nbsp;J.J. D’Orazio pushed an RBI single to right in the home half of the sixth, then each team scored before and after the stretch in the seventh on an Andrew Cossetti long ball and a Gavin Conticello RBI knock.

Walker Jenkins gave the Wind Surge a five-run lead at 16-11 with a solo shot onto the berm in right field in the top of the eighth. Eston Stull and Hunter Hoopes would gather the final six outs to secure the win for Wichita by that score.Darren Bowen earned the win and improved to 3-5 on the year. Across two and two-thirds innings, he gave up three earned runs on six hits with a walk and a strikeout.&nbsp;

The Wind Surge finish the series with the Amarillo Sod Poodles at HODGETOWN on August 3 at 6:05 PM. Wichita returns to Equity Bank Park for a series with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals beginning August 5. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/" target="_blank">windsurge.com</a>&nbsp;or watch online at&nbsp;<a href="http://milb.tv/" target="_blank">MiLB.TV</a>&nbsp;and Bally Sports Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/tickets" target="_blank">windsurge.com/tickets</a>.

AMARILLO, Texas (August 2, 2025)—The Wichita Wind Surge scored in eight of nine innings in a 16-11 slugfest victory over the Amarillo Sod Poodles at HODGETOWN. Wichita comes together for 21 hits to snap their four-game losing streak.&nbsp;Ricardo Olivar smacked a three-run blast, his 12th of the season, to dead center in the top of the first inning to give Wichita a 3-0 lead four batters into the ballgame.After a pair of infield errors, Manuel Pena scored to give Amarillo a run in the bottom of the first. Ben Ross got the run back for the Wind Surge by swatting his seventh homer of the season out to left-center in the top of the second. Following no runs in the bottom of the second, both teams would score in each half of the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.&nbsp;Hendry Mendez notched his first RBI with Wichita on a sacrifice fly to center field in the top of the third for a 5-1 Wind Surge advantage. The Sod Poodles later cut that to one on consecutive doubles by Jose Fernandez and Christian Cerda in the home half of the frame.Ross scored on a wild pitch, and Jose Salas came in on a fielder’s choice for two more Wichita tallies in the top of the fourth. Four runs followed for Amarillo on a two-run single by Gavin Conticello and a line drive two-run shot to the left field corner from Jose Fernandez in the bottom of the fourth. One run came home for each side in the fifth on a Rubel Cespedes RBI single and a solo shot by Pena.&nbsp;The Wind Surge scored six runs on six hits in the top of the sixth, including a bases-clearing double by Nate Baez and a two-run home run by Ross, his second long ball of the night, to put Wichita ahead 14-9.&nbsp;J.J. D’Orazio pushed an RBI single to right in the home half of the sixth, then each team scored before and after the stretch in the seventh on an Andrew Cossetti long ball and a Gavin Conticello RBI knock.Walker Jenkins gave the Wind Surge a five-run lead at 16-11 with a solo shot onto the berm in right field in the top of the eighth. Eston Stull and Hunter Hoopes would gather the final six outs to secure the win for Wichita by that score.Darren Bowen earned the win and improved to 3-5 on the year. Across two and two-thirds innings, he gave up three earned runs on six hits with a walk and a strikeout.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>The Wind Surge record a new season-high in runs scored in a game (16).</li><li>The 27 total runs are the second-most to come across in a game that includes Wichita in 2025 (28, 15-13 Wind Surge win vs. Tulsa, July 6).&nbsp;</li><li>The 21 hits are a new season-high in a game for Wichita this season.</li><li>Ben Ross becomes the seventh Wind Surge player to hit multiple home runs in a game in 2025.</li><li>Wichita snaps a four-game losing streak.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>The Wind Surge finish the series with the Amarillo Sod Poodles at HODGETOWN on August 3 at 6:05 PM. Wichita returns to Equity Bank Park for a series with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals beginning August 5. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/" target="_blank">windsurge.com</a>&nbsp;or watch online at&nbsp;<a href="http://milb.tv/" target="_blank">MiLB.TV</a>&nbsp;and Bally Sports Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/tickets" target="_blank">windsurge.com/tickets</a>.

Wind Surge Outslug Sod Poodles

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUB

Q: On Tyquan Thornton’s role on special teams.

TOUB:&nbsp;“Right now, we’re looking at him (Tyquan Thornton) at gunner, seeing if he can play there. He’s getting a lot of reps everywhere. He’s getting some punt return reps. I think kick return will be his first spot that he’ll be able to help us. Also working at end on punt return, (I) saw him doing that today. And then he’ll be a cover guy on kickoffs somewhere along the front. So, (if) he keeps advancing on the offensive side of the ball, we’ll find a way to get him on the field on special teams.”

Q: How did Matt Araiza solidify his position on the team?

TOUB:&nbsp;“Well, like I said, he (Matt Araiza) was ahead at the point when I talked about it last week, and then he had even a better day – or two days after that. And then we had some injuries where we had to make a decision, just like I said, that might happen. But it forced a decision. Matt (Araiza), he’s like the champion. You (have) got to knock the champion out, and Eddie (Czaplicki) wasn’t able to do that in the period of time that he was here – but I still think he’s (Eddie Czaplicki) an NFL punter. I think he’s going to get another chance somewhere else, and I wish I could’ve got him in some games to just see how he did there, but somebody else will give him a shot and I’m sure he’s going to make it somewhere.”

Q: What’s on your checklist as you prepare for next week’s game against Arizona?

TOUB:&nbsp;“We want to make sure we cover every situation because you never know what’s going to come up, and we go over it and we go over it, and we have a lot of walkthroughs in the afternoon – where you don’t see us working on hands team or onside kick. All those different scenarios, and there’s a thousand of them on special teams, we have to be sure that we’re on those. And every group (has) got to do it. It’s not just the ones. You finish a game, your hands team is going to be your 14 guys. So, they need to know what to do, how to line up, and everything that goes along (with it), which is a lot. It’s a good question.”

Q: On Matt Araiza covering kick-offs.

TOUB:&nbsp;“I don’t want him (Matt Araiza), especially in the preseason, getting down there covering kicks. But, if he knows he didn’t hit (kick) a punt well, he’s like the first one down the field to cover. So that says a lot about him.”

Q:&nbsp;On getting in a rhythm with Patrick Mahomes.

THORNTON:&nbsp;“Just going out there and doing my job. He (Patrick Mahomes) is going to do his job, and if I go out there and run fast, he is going to put it where it’s supposed to be, and I just gotta make a play.”

Q:&nbsp;On the speed in the receiver room.

THORNTON:&nbsp;“It’s a lot of speed. A lot of guys – who you think are not fast is fast like Rashee (Rice) is one of them guys. He has speed – breakaway speed so a lot of speed top down.”

Q:&nbsp;What is it about Kansas City that has been different from where you have been in college?

THORNTON:&nbsp;“I would say the precise practice. Coming out here with attention to detail and seeing how these guys prepare to the little things and going out there (and) making routine plays.”

Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from Jalen Royals and what he has brought to the wide receiver room?

RICE:&nbsp;“Honestly, he (Jalen Royals) is learning real fast. I wouldn’t necessarily say he is like me because he is his own person, but he is going to be a dog his rookie year for sure.”

Q:&nbsp;How did you process your injury last season?

RICE:&nbsp;“I was just waiting for doctors to let me know what was going on. A lot of people thought it was the ACL (but) ended up being (my) LCL and a couple of partial tears. Something that could’ve been a lot bigger ended up not being as big and I took advantage of that.”

Q:&nbsp;How much fun do you have interacting with the fans?

RICE:&nbsp;“I love that. Just not being able to be around the fans last year as much as I wanted to, they kind of make me realize how grateful we are to be out here and to be able to enjoy the fans and each other.”

Q:&nbsp;What does it do for you to have someone on the team like Josh Simmons that you can compete against and go after like that?

GILLOTTE:&nbsp;“It’s definitely a good thing. It’s great to have competition on the field, that’s what we want. That’s the only way we (can) get better, is if we’re continuously pushing each other. Me and him (Josh Simmons) have had a lot of mutual respect coming from college. Like I watched his game, he watched my game. There’s a lot of mutual respect. So, if we’re on the field, (and) I get the best of him, (and) he gets the best of me, you know things are going to build. Tensions are going to build- it was hot (outside). Who cares? You know what I’m saying? At the end of the day, we’re teammates. We’re going to keep pushing each other to get better.”

Q:&nbsp;On the differences and similarities between Ashton Gillotte and George Karlaftis.

GILLOTTE:&nbsp;“Obviously, I think we’re similar, but obviously, George (Karlaftis) is definitely a different rusher. We definitely have our (own) strengths and weaknesses, and it can be different, but George is a grinder. He makes sure he gets after the ball. He’s very, very, very technical. He’s very, very fluid in his rush. Which (are all) things I can look to, to mimic, and basically pick up on my game. Obviously, keeping the fluidity from college is a slight jump, so just making sure I can translate it. And he’s a good person to watch for me. So, I’ll just continue to watch him as we go.”

Q:&nbsp;You’re a week away from the first game; what is it going to mean to you when you step on the field for the first time as an NFL player?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chiefs Coordinator QuotesAugust 2, 2025ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUBQ: On Tyquan Thornton’s role on special teams.TOUB:&nbsp;“Right now, we’re looking at him (Tyquan Thornton) at gunner, seeing if he can play there. He’s getting a lot of reps everywhere. He’s getting some punt return reps. I think kick return will be his first spot that he’ll be able to help us. Also working at end on punt return, (I) saw him doing that today. And then he’ll be a cover guy on kickoffs somewhere along the front. So, (if) he keeps advancing on the offensive side of the ball, we’ll find a way to get him on the field on special teams.”Q: How did Matt Araiza solidify his position on the team?TOUB:&nbsp;“Well, like I said, he (Matt Araiza) was ahead at the point when I talked about it last week, and then he had even a better day – or two days after that. And then we had some injuries where we had to make a decision, just like I said, that might happen. But it forced a decision. Matt (Araiza), he’s like the champion. You (have) got to knock the champion out, and Eddie (Czaplicki) wasn’t able to do that in the period of time that he was here – but I still think he’s (Eddie Czaplicki) an NFL punter. I think he’s going to get another chance somewhere else, and I wish I could’ve got him in some games to just see how he did there, but somebody else will give him a shot and I’m sure he’s going to make it somewhere.”Q: What’s on your checklist as you prepare for next week’s game against Arizona?TOUB:&nbsp;“We want to make sure we cover every situation because you never know what’s going to come up, and we go over it and we go over it, and we have a lot of walkthroughs in the afternoon – where you don’t see us working on hands team or onside kick. All those different scenarios, and there’s a thousand of them on special teams, we have to be sure that we’re on those. And every group (has) got to do it. It’s not just the ones. You finish a game, your hands team is going to be your 14 guys. So, they need to know what to do, how to line up, and everything that goes along (with it), which is a lot. It’s a good question.”Q: On Matt Araiza covering kick-offs.TOUB:&nbsp;“I don’t want him (Matt Araiza), especially in the preseason, getting down there covering kicks. But, if he knows he didn’t hit (kick) a punt well, he’s like the first one down the field to cover. So that says a lot about him.”Chiefs Player QuotesAugust 2, 2025WR TYQUAN THORNTONQ:&nbsp;On getting in a rhythm with Patrick Mahomes.THORNTON:&nbsp;“Just going out there and doing my job. He (Patrick Mahomes) is going to do his job, and if I go out there and run fast, he is going to put it where it’s supposed to be, and I just gotta make a play.”Q:&nbsp;On the speed in the receiver room.THORNTON:&nbsp;“It’s a lot of speed. A lot of guys – who you think are not fast is fast like Rashee (Rice) is one of them guys. He has speed – breakaway speed so a lot of speed top down.”Q:&nbsp;What is it about Kansas City that has been different from where you have been in college?THORNTON:&nbsp;“I would say the precise practice. Coming out here with attention to detail and seeing how these guys prepare to the little things and going out there (and) making routine plays.”WR RASHEE RICEQ:&nbsp;What have you seen from Jalen Royals and what he has brought to the wide receiver room?RICE:&nbsp;“Honestly, he (Jalen Royals) is learning real fast. I wouldn’t necessarily say he is like me because he is his own person, but he is going to be a dog his rookie year for sure.”Q:&nbsp;How did you process your injury last season?RICE:&nbsp;“I was just waiting for doctors to let me know what was going on. A lot of people thought it was the ACL (but) ended up being (my) LCL and a couple of partial tears. Something that could’ve been a lot bigger ended up not being as big and I took advantage of that.”Q:&nbsp;How much fun do you have interacting with the fans?RICE:&nbsp;“I love that. Just not being able to be around the fans last year as much as I wanted to, they kind of make me realize how grateful we are to be out here and to be able to enjoy the fans and each other.”DE ASHTON GILLOTTEQ:&nbsp;What does it do for you to have someone on the team like Josh Simmons that you can compete against and go after like that?GILLOTTE:&nbsp;“It’s definitely a good thing. It’s great to have competition on the field, that’s what we want. That’s the only way we (can) get better, is if we’re continuously pushing each other. Me and him (Josh Simmons) have had a lot of mutual respect coming from college. Like I watched his game, he watched my game. There’s a lot of mutual respect. So, if we’re on the field, (and) I get the best of him, (and) he gets the best of me, you know things are going to build. Tensions are going to build- it was hot (outside). Who cares? You know what I’m saying? At the end of the day, we’re teammates. We’re going to keep pushing each other to get better.”Q:&nbsp;On the differences and similarities between Ashton Gillotte and George Karlaftis.GILLOTTE:&nbsp;“Obviously, I think we’re similar, but obviously, George (Karlaftis) is definitely a different rusher. We definitely have our (own) strengths and weaknesses, and it can be different, but George is a grinder. He makes sure he gets after the ball. He’s very, very, very technical. He’s very, very fluid in his rush. Which (are all) things I can look to, to mimic, and basically pick up on my game. Obviously, keeping the fluidity from college is a slight jump, so just making sure I can translate it. And he’s a good person to watch for me. So, I’ll just continue to watch him as we go.”Q:&nbsp;You’re a week away from the first game; what is it going to mean to you when you step on the field for the first time as an NFL player?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chiefs Quotes: 8-2-25

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced this morning that catcher&nbsp;Salvador Perez&nbsp;and left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Noah Cameron&nbsp;have both unanimously been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for July. The awards are determined by a local media vote.

Perez slashed .337/.379/.719 (30-for-89) across 24 games last month and paced the club with 16 extra-base hits (7 doubles, 9 home runs). His .337 batting average ranked 10th in the American League and his 9 home runs were tied for the 3rd most in the league, trailing only Seattle’s&nbsp;Randy Arozarena&nbsp;and the Athletics&nbsp;Nick Kurtz&nbsp;(11 each). Additionally, his 1.098 OPS ranked 2nd in the league, trailing only Kurtz (1.433), and his 16 extra-base hits ranked 3rd, behind Kurtz (25) and Boston’s&nbsp;Jarren Duran&nbsp;(17). His 1.098 OPS was his 2nd-highest mark in any calendar month in his career (min. 50 PA), behind only his 1.197 OPS in September 2020. Perez recorded multiple hits in 10 of his 24 games and notched multiple extra-base hits five times, including a pair of multi-homer games on July 9 vs. Pittsburgh and July 21 vs. the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He drove in 21 runs last month—tied for the 3rd most in the American League—and his 156 career RBI in the month of July are the 4th most in Royals history, behind only&nbsp;George Brett&nbsp;(304),&nbsp;Amos Otis&nbsp;(174) and&nbsp;Hal McRae&nbsp;(160). He capped his dominant month with a walk-off single on Wednesday vs. the Braves, giving the Royals a 1-0 win in the 10th inning to mark his 10th career walk-off plate appearance and 9th career walk-off hit. Perez matches McRae and&nbsp;Willie Wilson&nbsp;for the 3rd-most walk-off plate appearances in franchise history, behind only Brett (15) and Otis (12). This marks his ninth career monthly honor, which are tied for the 4th most since the Royals instituted the award in 1995, trailing only&nbsp;Alex Gordon&nbsp;(13),&nbsp;Mike Sweeney&nbsp;(13) and&nbsp;Eric Hosmer&nbsp;(11).

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced this morning that catcher&nbsp;Salvador Perez&nbsp;and left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Noah Cameron&nbsp;have both unanimously been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for July. The awards are determined by a local media vote.Perez slashed .337/.379/.719 (30-for-89) across 24 games last month and paced the club with 16 extra-base hits (7 doubles, 9 home runs). His .337 batting average ranked 10th in the American League and his 9 home runs were tied for the 3rd most in the league, trailing only Seattle’s&nbsp;Randy Arozarena&nbsp;and the Athletics&nbsp;Nick Kurtz&nbsp;(11 each). Additionally, his 1.098 OPS ranked 2nd in the league, trailing only Kurtz (1.433), and his 16 extra-base hits ranked 3rd, behind Kurtz (25) and Boston’s&nbsp;Jarren Duran&nbsp;(17). His 1.098 OPS was his 2nd-highest mark in any calendar month in his career (min. 50 PA), behind only his 1.197 OPS in September 2020. Perez recorded multiple hits in 10 of his 24 games and notched multiple extra-base hits five times, including a pair of multi-homer games on July 9 vs. Pittsburgh and July 21 vs. the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He drove in 21 runs last month—tied for the 3rd most in the American League—and his 156 career RBI in the month of July are the 4th most in Royals history, behind only&nbsp;George Brett&nbsp;(304),&nbsp;Amos Otis&nbsp;(174) and&nbsp;Hal McRae&nbsp;(160). He capped his dominant month with a walk-off single on Wednesday vs. the Braves, giving the Royals a 1-0 win in the 10th inning to mark his 10th career walk-off plate appearance and 9th career walk-off hit. Perez matches McRae and&nbsp;Willie Wilson&nbsp;for the 3rd-most walk-off plate appearances in franchise history, behind only Brett (15) and Otis (12). This marks his ninth career monthly honor, which are tied for the 4th most since the Royals instituted the award in 1995, trailing only&nbsp;Alex Gordon&nbsp;(13),&nbsp;Mike Sweeney&nbsp;(13) and&nbsp;Eric Hosmer&nbsp;(11).

Salvador Perez, Noah Cameron Named Royals Player, Pitcher of the Month for July

TORONTO (AP) — Max Scherzer pitched one-run ball for six innings and earned his second win of the season, Bo Bichette added three hits and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Saturday.

Davis Schneider hit a two-run single for the AL East-leading Blue Jays, who came in having lost five of six.

Bichette hit an RBI single in the third inning and added base hits in the sixth and eighth. He leads the majors with 137 hits.

Scherzer (2-1) allowed one run and five hits, including a solo homer by Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez. The right-hander walked none and struck out five in picking up his first win since beating the Athletics on July 11.

Perez’s homer was his 20th. He has hit three homers off Scherzer, including his first in the majors in August 2011 against Detroit.

Brendon Little got two outs for Toronto, Seranthony Domínguez retired all four batters he faced and Jeff Hoffman finished for his 26th save in 30 chances.

Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (5-5) allowed four runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings, losing for the first time since June 27 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman was struck in the mask by a foul tip from Kansas City’s John Rave in the third, but stayed in the game and scored from second base on Schneider’s hit in the bottom half. Ali Sánchez replaced Heineman in the fourth. The Blue Jays said Heineman had a head contusion.

Schneider opened the scoring with a two-run single in the third and Bichette capped the three-run inning with a two-out hit.

Perez has nine 20-homer seasons with Kansas City, breaking George Brett’s franchise record.

Blue Jays RHP Chris Bassitt (11-5, 4.34 ERA) is scheduled to face Royals RHP Seth Lugo (8-5, 3.03) in Sunday’s series finale.

TORONTO (AP) — Max Scherzer pitched one-run ball for six innings and earned his second win of the season, Bo Bichette added three hits and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Saturday.Davis Schneider hit a two-run single for the AL East-leading Blue Jays, who came in having lost five of six.Bichette hit an RBI single in the third inning and added base hits in the sixth and eighth. He leads the majors with 137 hits.Scherzer (2-1) allowed one run and five hits, including a solo homer by Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez. The right-hander walked none and struck out five in picking up his first win since beating the Athletics on July 11.Perez’s homer was his 20th. He has hit three homers off Scherzer, including his first in the majors in August 2011 against Detroit.Brendon Little got two outs for Toronto, Seranthony Domínguez retired all four batters he faced and Jeff Hoffman finished for his 26th save in 30 chances.Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (5-5) allowed four runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings, losing for the first time since June 27 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman was struck in the mask by a foul tip from Kansas City’s John Rave in the third, but stayed in the game and scored from second base on Schneider’s hit in the bottom half. Ali Sánchez replaced Heineman in the fourth. The Blue Jays said Heineman had a head contusion.<h2>Key moment</h2>Schneider opened the scoring with a two-run single in the third and Bichette capped the three-run inning with a two-out hit.<h2>Key stat</h2>Perez has nine 20-homer seasons with Kansas City, breaking George Brett’s franchise record.<h2>Up next</h2>Blue Jays RHP Chris Bassitt (11-5, 4.34 ERA) is scheduled to face Royals RHP Seth Lugo (8-5, 3.03) in Sunday’s series finale.

⚾Scherzer works 6 innings, earns 2nd win as Blue Jays beat the Royals 

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, as far as injuries go, we had Jake Briningstool still out. Marquise (Hollywood) Brown out. Deon Bush is out. Kristian Fulton is out. Skyy Moore was out. And then, (Drue) Tranquill hurt his back, so he just strained his back a little bit and it was really almost a non-contact thing, so just getting him taken care of. Let’s see who else I can tell you about. Xavier Worthy, so Xavier’s ended up not being a concussion. We had both the NFL involved with clearing and our docs, and he’s got a little liquid – he had a little liquid in his ear, and they took care of that, and it was throwing his equilibrium off just a bit, so that’s a positive thing. But other than that, the guys worked hard, have done a nice job. Today they caught a break with the weather, nice and cool for ‘em and they were flying around, and it was good to see both sides of the ball making plays. Great competition going on, when you do that, you’re going to start improving and that’s the objective in this thing is to get a little better each day. So, with that, time’s yours.”

Q: Do you sense a better energy when the temperature is like this?

REID:&nbsp;“Well yeah, I mean you guys are, more lively (laughter). There is, yeah. You know how it goes. When it’s hot, you’re pushing through. That’s a tough thing, but being out there a couple – two and a half hours or so and the sun and the heat can be a little rough. Practice is rough anyways, now that you add the heat into it and it’s even tougher. Yeah.”

Q: On what Coach Reid teaches Kingsley (Suamataia) with him going against Chris Jones every day.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, that’s going to make you great, right? So, every day you can get better and he’s (Kingsley Suamataia) doing that. He’s battling. They (Kingsley Suamataia and Chris Jones) talk. He and Chris (Jones). Chris has got a ton of respect for him. He knows how good he is and so they work it. And then they were going back and forth today. You know, he had some good ones. Chris had some good ones. Well, they’re getting better. That makes each other better, competition.”

Q: On rotating the offensive linemen.

REID:&nbsp;“It gives you flexibility. So, somebody gets hurt, you plug a guy in. You only can adjust so many on game day. So, you just want to make sure you got some guys that can move around a little bit, whether it is a guard playing center, center playing guard, tackle playing guard. If you’re lucky enough, you might get the one that plays all three. So, all three spots.”

Q: On rebuilding Kingsley Suamataia’s confidence.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, he’s (Kingsley Suamataia) has been on a mission since he got back. He’s been pretty focused in on that. I think he likes that spot. He’s sure taken to it well and he’s willing to work. That’s never been his issue, man. He comes out and he works his tail off. We’ve been happy with what we see. We’ve got to keep going, but powerful kid.”

Q: On what he has learned about Josh Simmons.

REID:&nbsp;“First of all, he’s getting a lot of reps, which I think is important for a rookie. So, he’s been in there and consistently showing up every day and working and not taking plays off or anything like that but he’s a worker. I mean, he’s willing to do it. It’s just a matter of – keep on going, but he’s done a nice job with what we’ve asked him. He’s working on all the fundamentals and techniques, so that’s a challenge for him.”

Q:&nbsp;On Nikko Remigio fighting for a roster spot.

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Nikko Remigio) is very competitive. They’re all competing like crazy for six or seven spots is what you’re looking at. They’re in there battling their tails off to make one of those positions and Remigio is doing that. I know you know him and how competitive a kid he is. Everything he does, he’s competitive. Now he has that punt return thing that goes into his favor, but we’ve got some other guys that are fighting for that spot too.”

Q:&nbsp;On how important it is for a player to make an impact in special teams and how it affects the final roster spots.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I tell the guys that. Some of the guys are going to make it because of special teams. Every year you get one or two guys that are on your team because of special teams and maybe they lack a little bit compared to somebody else in the position, but they just excel on special teams so (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator) David Toub can have a core group, develop a core group in there. Four phases is what he’ll say, so you want to find those guys and try to keep them if you can.”

Q:&nbsp;On his personal knowledge of the new kickoff rules.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, you know I was checking that out yesterday in that game and it’s going to be interesting. There’s some things that if your kicker can place the ball on kickoffs, man, you’re asking a lot of those fielders there and it’s going to be interesting. We’ll see how it all works, but curious to see. We’re fortunate to have (Harrison) Butker I think when it comes to this type of thing.”

Q:&nbsp;On what was going on with Xavier Worthy’s injury.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, no, listen. He (Xavier Worthy) wanted to get back in. He kept saying: “I don’t feel like I have a concussion” but you got to go through the protocol of it. And, so then they got him up there and examined him and it was what I said with the liquid in the ear, but I know that can throw you off balance and that’s where he was at. He was convinced he didn’t have one all along, but that’s alright we were cautious about it and we’re always going to do that.”

Q:&nbsp;On getting those injured receivers back quickly.

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah. You want numbers at that spot. You need legs, and we play a lot of those guys three at a time, normally. You need all the legs to get through practice.”

Q:&nbsp;What kind of growth are you seeing from Rashee Rice this camp?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s done a nice job off the field. He’s doing a nice job on the field. Sometimes you learn from your mistakes, you know that’s the important part. All of that and the on the field, he’s been full speed ahead.”

Q:&nbsp;Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub has said that you’re the best returner that they have at this time; when you hear something like that how does it make you feel?

REMIGIO:&nbsp;“This is my first time hearing that, so I take it with a grain of salt. You know I think the thing that I’ve learned with this business is that if you get too comfortable, you’re gonna get got. I work too hard to get to this point in my career, to get to year three, to let it slip through my fingers. So, you know really, I approach every day like I’m an undrafted rookie, that barely got a shot to make it to the NFL and (so) I’m scratching and clawing to just get an opportunity.”

Q:&nbsp;Have you approached camp any differently compared to past years?

REMIGIO:&nbsp;“I wouldn’t say I approached camp any differently. I’d say that there’s a little bit more comfortability, just having more familiarity with the offense. You know, I think the last time I spoke to you guys, it was figuring out what Pat (Patrick Mahomes) wants, and what the difference that is from how they install the offense. Now I feel like I’m at the point where, (I’m like) okay what’re my strengths in this offense? How can I find space? How can I manipulate the defense? How can I manipulate the defender within the scheme of the offense and stay on Pat’s timing? I’d say that would be the biggest difference for me in this camp.”

Q:&nbsp;What is it like working with a young receiver group and working with Mac Dalena?

REMIGIO:&nbsp;“Man, it is so awesome. So, Mac (Dalena) actually, when I was at Cal, I think it was my sophomore or junior year, Mac had attended a kid’s camp. And I was coaching Mac, like one of the college receivers helping out at the kid’s camp; and then I ended up transferring to Fresno State and was playing with him over there at Fresno State. When I saw that he got signed here man, it was like just such a cool full circle moment . And man, he’s doing his thing, he’s doing his thing, and I am just so happy to see him making plays at this level and you know, it’s not too big of a moment for him. As somebody who has kind of watched his growth – from when he was a kid to playing with him as a teammate and now up here in the NFL, it’s really such a cool opportunity.”

Q: What part of the game have you been focusing on the most?

SIMMONS:&nbsp;“Right now it’s really understanding defenses, that way I can play a lot faster.&nbsp;Like, if I can see a front and anticipate that they may do a stunt, or a blitz, or a defensive end might drop. Then I can easily kind of help Kingsley (Suamataia) and communicate stuff like that.”

Q: How does it feel to be coached by Andy Heck and Juan Castillo?

SIMMONS:&nbsp;“They (Offensive Line Coach Andy Heck and Michigan Offensive Analyst Juan Castillo) put like a plethora of different pass sets (and) different hand movements into my toolbox. So, it’s like the best resource (that) any rookie can have. Just having that in your back pocket (and) asking after a pass rush, ‘What did I do wrong here? How can I fix it?’ and then going to the next rep and then making those corrections. It’s amazing.”

Q: On the veterans helping adjust to the NFL.&nbsp;

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesAugust 1, 2025OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, as far as injuries go, we had Jake Briningstool still out. Marquise (Hollywood) Brown out. Deon Bush is out. Kristian Fulton is out. Skyy Moore was out. And then, (Drue) Tranquill hurt his back, so he just strained his back a little bit and it was really almost a non-contact thing, so just getting him taken care of. Let’s see who else I can tell you about. Xavier Worthy, so Xavier’s ended up not being a concussion. We had both the NFL involved with clearing and our docs, and he’s got a little liquid – he had a little liquid in his ear, and they took care of that, and it was throwing his equilibrium off just a bit, so that’s a positive thing. But other than that, the guys worked hard, have done a nice job. Today they caught a break with the weather, nice and cool for ‘em and they were flying around, and it was good to see both sides of the ball making plays. Great competition going on, when you do that, you’re going to start improving and that’s the objective in this thing is to get a little better each day. So, with that, time’s yours.”Q: Do you sense a better energy when the temperature is like this?REID:&nbsp;“Well yeah, I mean you guys are, more lively (laughter). There is, yeah. You know how it goes. When it’s hot, you’re pushing through. That’s a tough thing, but being out there a couple – two and a half hours or so and the sun and the heat can be a little rough. Practice is rough anyways, now that you add the heat into it and it’s even tougher. Yeah.”Q: On what Coach Reid teaches Kingsley (Suamataia) with him going against Chris Jones every day.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, that’s going to make you great, right? So, every day you can get better and he’s (Kingsley Suamataia) doing that. He’s battling. They (Kingsley Suamataia and Chris Jones) talk. He and Chris (Jones). Chris has got a ton of respect for him. He knows how good he is and so they work it. And then they were going back and forth today. You know, he had some good ones. Chris had some good ones. Well, they’re getting better. That makes each other better, competition.”Q: On rotating the offensive linemen.REID:&nbsp;“It gives you flexibility. So, somebody gets hurt, you plug a guy in. You only can adjust so many on game day. So, you just want to make sure you got some guys that can move around a little bit, whether it is a guard playing center, center playing guard, tackle playing guard. If you’re lucky enough, you might get the one that plays all three. So, all three spots.”Q: On rebuilding Kingsley Suamataia’s confidence.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, he’s (Kingsley Suamataia) has been on a mission since he got back. He’s been pretty focused in on that. I think he likes that spot. He’s sure taken to it well and he’s willing to work. That’s never been his issue, man. He comes out and he works his tail off. We’ve been happy with what we see. We’ve got to keep going, but powerful kid.”Q: On what he has learned about Josh Simmons.REID:&nbsp;“First of all, he’s getting a lot of reps, which I think is important for a rookie. So, he’s been in there and consistently showing up every day and working and not taking plays off or anything like that but he’s a worker. I mean, he’s willing to do it. It’s just a matter of – keep on going, but he’s done a nice job with what we’ve asked him. He’s working on all the fundamentals and techniques, so that’s a challenge for him.”Q:&nbsp;On Nikko Remigio fighting for a roster spot.REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Nikko Remigio) is very competitive. They’re all competing like crazy for six or seven spots is what you’re looking at. They’re in there battling their tails off to make one of those positions and Remigio is doing that. I know you know him and how competitive a kid he is. Everything he does, he’s competitive. Now he has that punt return thing that goes into his favor, but we’ve got some other guys that are fighting for that spot too.”Q:&nbsp;On how important it is for a player to make an impact in special teams and how it affects the final roster spots.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I tell the guys that. Some of the guys are going to make it because of special teams. Every year you get one or two guys that are on your team because of special teams and maybe they lack a little bit compared to somebody else in the position, but they just excel on special teams so (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator) David Toub can have a core group, develop a core group in there. Four phases is what he’ll say, so you want to find those guys and try to keep them if you can.”Q:&nbsp;On his personal knowledge of the new kickoff rules.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, you know I was checking that out yesterday in that game and it’s going to be interesting. There’s some things that if your kicker can place the ball on kickoffs, man, you’re asking a lot of those fielders there and it’s going to be interesting. We’ll see how it all works, but curious to see. We’re fortunate to have (Harrison) Butker I think when it comes to this type of thing.”Q:&nbsp;On what was going on with Xavier Worthy’s injury.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, no, listen. He (Xavier Worthy) wanted to get back in. He kept saying: “I don’t feel like I have a concussion” but you got to go through the protocol of it. And, so then they got him up there and examined him and it was what I said with the liquid in the ear, but I know that can throw you off balance and that’s where he was at. He was convinced he didn’t have one all along, but that’s alright we were cautious about it and we’re always going to do that.”Q:&nbsp;On getting those injured receivers back quickly.REID:&nbsp;“Yeah. You want numbers at that spot. You need legs, and we play a lot of those guys three at a time, normally. You need all the legs to get through practice.”Q:&nbsp;What kind of growth are you seeing from Rashee Rice this camp?REID:&nbsp;“He’s done a nice job off the field. He’s doing a nice job on the field. Sometimes you learn from your mistakes, you know that’s the important part. All of that and the on the field, he’s been full speed ahead.”Chiefs Player QuotesAugust 1, 2025WR NIKKO REMIGIOQ:&nbsp;Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub has said that you’re the best returner that they have at this time; when you hear something like that how does it make you feel?REMIGIO:&nbsp;“This is my first time hearing that, so I take it with a grain of salt. You know I think the thing that I’ve learned with this business is that if you get too comfortable, you’re gonna get got. I work too hard to get to this point in my career, to get to year three, to let it slip through my fingers. So, you know really, I approach every day like I’m an undrafted rookie, that barely got a shot to make it to the NFL and (so) I’m scratching and clawing to just get an opportunity.”Q:&nbsp;Have you approached camp any differently compared to past years?REMIGIO:&nbsp;“I wouldn’t say I approached camp any differently. I’d say that there’s a little bit more comfortability, just having more familiarity with the offense. You know, I think the last time I spoke to you guys, it was figuring out what Pat (Patrick Mahomes) wants, and what the difference that is from how they install the offense. Now I feel like I’m at the point where, (I’m like) okay what’re my strengths in this offense? How can I find space? How can I manipulate the defense? How can I manipulate the defender within the scheme of the offense and stay on Pat’s timing? I’d say that would be the biggest difference for me in this camp.”Q:&nbsp;What is it like working with a young receiver group and working with Mac Dalena?REMIGIO:&nbsp;“Man, it is so awesome. So, Mac (Dalena) actually, when I was at Cal, I think it was my sophomore or junior year, Mac had attended a kid’s camp. And I was coaching Mac, like one of the college receivers helping out at the kid’s camp; and then I ended up transferring to Fresno State and was playing with him over there at Fresno State. When I saw that he got signed here man, it was like just such a cool full circle moment . And man, he’s doing his thing, he’s doing his thing, and I am just so happy to see him making plays at this level and you know, it’s not too big of a moment for him. As somebody who has kind of watched his growth – from when he was a kid to playing with him as a teammate and now up here in the NFL, it’s really such a cool opportunity.”T JOSH SIMMONSQ: What part of the game have you been focusing on the most?SIMMONS:&nbsp;“Right now it’s really understanding defenses, that way I can play a lot faster.&nbsp;Like, if I can see a front and anticipate that they may do a stunt, or a blitz, or a defensive end might drop. Then I can easily kind of help Kingsley (Suamataia) and communicate stuff like that.”Q: How does it feel to be coached by Andy Heck and Juan Castillo?SIMMONS:&nbsp;“They (Offensive Line Coach Andy Heck and Michigan Offensive Analyst Juan Castillo) put like a plethora of different pass sets (and) different hand movements into my toolbox. So, it’s like the best resource (that) any rookie can have. Just having that in your back pocket (and) asking after a pass rush, ‘What did I do wrong here? How can I fix it?’ and then going to the next rep and then making those corrections. It’s amazing.”Q: On the veterans helping adjust to the NFL.&nbsp;

Chiefs Quotes: 8-1-25

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas redshirt senior kicker Laith Marjan was named to the 2025 Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award Preseason Watch List, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced on Thursday.

Marjan is one of 30 individuals named to the preseason watch list and is one of six representatives from the Big 12 Conference. Marjan was previously named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big 12 team as a second team selection.

Marjan was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2024 while at South Alabama, connecting on 16-of-17 on field goals and 42-of-44 on extra points. Marjan hit a season-long 49-yard field goal at No. 14 LSU on Sept. 28.

In 2024, Marjan was 6-of-6 from 40-49 yards, 6-of-6 from 30-39 yards and 4-of-4 from 20-29 yards, earning Second Team All-Sun Belt honors while at South Alabama. Marjan began his career at East Carolina from 2022-24.

Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, November 18th. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, November 25th. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Friday, December 12th&nbsp;during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

The 34th&nbsp;Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 8th&nbsp;in West Palm Beach, Florida.&nbsp;

The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.

For more information on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to see the “Stars of the Week” throughout the season, please go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lougrozaaward.com/" target="_blank">www.lougrozaaward.com</a>. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow&nbsp;<a href="http://www.twitter.com/LouGrozaAward" target="_blank">@LouGrozaAward</a>&nbsp;on Twitter.

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas redshirt senior kicker Laith Marjan was named to the 2025 Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award Preseason Watch List, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced on Thursday.Marjan is one of 30 individuals named to the preseason watch list and is one of six representatives from the Big 12 Conference. Marjan was previously named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big 12 team as a second team selection.Marjan was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2024 while at South Alabama, connecting on 16-of-17 on field goals and 42-of-44 on extra points. Marjan hit a season-long 49-yard field goal at No. 14 LSU on Sept. 28.In 2024, Marjan was 6-of-6 from 40-49 yards, 6-of-6 from 30-39 yards and 4-of-4 from 20-29 yards, earning Second Team All-Sun Belt honors while at South Alabama. Marjan began his career at East Carolina from 2022-24.Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, November 18th. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, November 25th. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Friday, December 12th&nbsp;during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.The 34th&nbsp;Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 8th&nbsp;in West Palm Beach, Florida.&nbsp;The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.For more information on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to see the “Stars of the Week” throughout the season, please go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lougrozaaward.com/" target="_blank">www.lougrozaaward.com</a>. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow&nbsp;<a href="http://www.twitter.com/LouGrozaAward" target="_blank">@LouGrozaAward</a>&nbsp;on Twitter.

Laith Marjan Named to Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List

WICHITA, Kan. (August 1, 2025)—The Wichita Wind Surge today announced their schedule for the 2026 baseball season. The Surge will open the season at home on Thursday, April 2, against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. It will be the third time in six seasons that the team will open up the season at home.

The 2026 season will consist of 138 games, with 69 of them taking place at Equity Bank Park. The schedule will be similar to recent seasons, with most series beginning on a Tuesday and wrapping up on Sunday. Wichita will play just one Monday game in 2026, on May 25 at Springfield.

Wichita will face the other nine teams in the Texas League in 2026, with eight of them traveling to Equity Bank Park. For the fourth consecutive season, the Amarillo Sod Poodles, AA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, will be the only Texas League team to not make the trip to Wichita. The Surge play at Amarillo May 5-10.

The Wind Surge are home during Riverfest festivities in early June and host Father's Day later in the month. Wichita will play at home 17 times in the month of July, including the entirety of Independence Day weekend as America celebrates its 250th birthday.

The official game times, season ticket information, and promotional schedule will be announced at a later date. Wichita closes the season with a six game homestand against the Frisco RoughRiders, culminating on Sunday, September 13.To keep up with all the latest updates, promotions, and information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/" target="_blank">WindSurge.com</a>, subscribe to the Wind Surge email newsletter, and follow the Wind Surge on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

WICHITA, Kan. (August 1, 2025)—The Wichita Wind Surge today announced their schedule for the 2026 baseball season. The Surge will open the season at home on Thursday, April 2, against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. It will be the third time in six seasons that the team will open up the season at home.The 2026 season will consist of 138 games, with 69 of them taking place at Equity Bank Park. The schedule will be similar to recent seasons, with most series beginning on a Tuesday and wrapping up on Sunday. Wichita will play just one Monday game in 2026, on May 25 at Springfield.Wichita will face the other nine teams in the Texas League in 2026, with eight of them traveling to Equity Bank Park. For the fourth consecutive season, the Amarillo Sod Poodles, AA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, will be the only Texas League team to not make the trip to Wichita. The Surge play at Amarillo May 5-10.The Wind Surge are home during Riverfest festivities in early June and host Father's Day later in the month. Wichita will play at home 17 times in the month of July, including the entirety of Independence Day weekend as America celebrates its 250th birthday.The official game times, season ticket information, and promotional schedule will be announced at a later date. Wichita closes the season with a six game homestand against the Frisco RoughRiders, culminating on Sunday, September 13.To keep up with all the latest updates, promotions, and information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/" target="_blank">WindSurge.com</a>, subscribe to the Wind Surge email newsletter, and follow the Wind Surge on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Wind Surge Release 2026 Schedule

TORONTO (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski homered in his first at-bat with Kansas City, Michael Wacha limited Toronto to a run in eight innings in his longest outing of the season and the Royals beat the Blue Jays 9-3 on Friday night.

Acquired from San Francisco just before the trade deadline Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-yastrzemski-homer-ef2d215867f26d38879e2dbad0c31f37">Yastrzemski had a two-run shot</a>&nbsp;off Kevin Gausman (7-8) in the second inning to make it 2-1.

Wacha (5-9) allowed three hits and stuck out five, helping the Royals improve to .500 for the first time since June 20. He gave up one run for the fourth consecutive start.

Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez and Adam Frazier also homered for Kansas City.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BlueJays/status/1951426313484447935">two-out homer in the first inning</a>&nbsp;to give Toronto a 1-0 lead. After Yastrzemski gave the Royals the lead in the second, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1951430489895739439">Witt's three-run homer</a>&nbsp;made it 5-1 in the third.

Kansas City added four runs in the ninth. Perez and Frazier homered and Maikel Garcia had a bases-loaded single.

Addison Barger hit a two-run homer for Toronto in the ninth.

Yastrzemski wasted no time getting his first big hit for Kansas City, hitting the two-run homer in the second inning.

The Royals scored five or more runs for the eighth time in 13 games since the All-Star break.

Kansas City LHP Noah Cameron (5-4, 2.44 ERA) was set to start Saturday against Toronto RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 4.89).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754102026243.png" alt="Image from Kansas City Royals video" />
 <figcaption>Image from Kansas City Royals video</figcaption>
 </figure>TORONTO (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski homered in his first at-bat with Kansas City, Michael Wacha limited Toronto to a run in eight innings in his longest outing of the season and the Royals beat the Blue Jays 9-3 on Friday night.Acquired from San Francisco just before the trade deadline Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-yastrzemski-homer-ef2d215867f26d38879e2dbad0c31f37">Yastrzemski had a two-run shot</a>&nbsp;off Kevin Gausman (7-8) in the second inning to make it 2-1.Wacha (5-9) allowed three hits and stuck out five, helping the Royals improve to .500 for the first time since June 20. He gave up one run for the fourth consecutive start.Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez and Adam Frazier also homered for Kansas City.Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BlueJays/status/1951426313484447935">two-out homer in the first inning</a>&nbsp;to give Toronto a 1-0 lead. After Yastrzemski gave the Royals the lead in the second, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1951430489895739439">Witt's three-run homer</a>&nbsp;made it 5-1 in the third.Kansas City added four runs in the ninth. Perez and Frazier homered and Maikel Garcia had a bases-loaded single.Addison Barger hit a two-run homer for Toronto in the ninth.<h2>Key moment</h2>Yastrzemski wasted no time getting his first big hit for Kansas City, hitting the two-run homer in the second inning.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Royals scored five or more runs for the eighth time in 13 games since the All-Star break.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas City LHP Noah Cameron (5-4, 2.44 ERA) was set to start Saturday against Toronto RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 4.89).

⚾ Mike Yastrzemski homers in his 1st at-bat as a Royal in victory over Blue Jays

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired outfielder&nbsp;Mike Yastrzemski&nbsp;from the San Francisco Giants for right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Yunior Marte.

Yastrzemski (yuh-STREM-skee), 34, played in 97 games for the Giants this year, slashing .231/.330/.355 (74-for-321, .685 OPS) with 14 doubles, 1 triple, 8 home runs, 38 runs scored and 47 walks, and made 85 starts in right field.He played in parts of seven seasons with San Francisco after making his Major League debut with them in 2019, amassing 114 home runs, 346 RBI and 304 walks across 791 games. He was named a&nbsp;Rawlings&nbsp;Gold Glove Award finalist as a right fielder in 2024 and 2021 and was named to the All-MLB Second Team in 2020.He was selected in three Major League Drafts and signed with Baltimore in 2013 after being picked in the 14th round. He was acquired by the Giants from Baltimore on March 23, 2019 for minor league right hander&nbsp;Tyler Herb.

He is the grandson of Major League Hall of Famer&nbsp;Carl Yastrzemski.Marte, 21, made 19 starts with Single-A Columbia this season, striking out 79 batters in 82.0 innings with a 2.74 ERA (25 ER). He signed with Kansas City as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in Jan. 2022.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired outfielder&nbsp;Mike Yastrzemski&nbsp;from the San Francisco Giants for right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Yunior Marte.Yastrzemski (yuh-STREM-skee), 34, played in 97 games for the Giants this year, slashing .231/.330/.355 (74-for-321, .685 OPS) with 14 doubles, 1 triple, 8 home runs, 38 runs scored and 47 walks, and made 85 starts in right field.He played in parts of seven seasons with San Francisco after making his Major League debut with them in 2019, amassing 114 home runs, 346 RBI and 304 walks across 791 games. He was named a&nbsp;Rawlings&nbsp;Gold Glove Award finalist as a right fielder in 2024 and 2021 and was named to the All-MLB Second Team in 2020.He was selected in three Major League Drafts and signed with Baltimore in 2013 after being picked in the 14th round. He was acquired by the Giants from Baltimore on March 23, 2019 for minor league right hander&nbsp;Tyler Herb.He is the grandson of Major League Hall of Famer&nbsp;Carl Yastrzemski.Marte, 21, made 19 starts with Single-A Columbia this season, striking out 79 batters in 82.0 innings with a 2.74 ERA (25 ER). He signed with Kansas City as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in Jan. 2022.

Royals Acquire Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski from San Francisco

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Bailey Falter&nbsp;from the Pittsburgh Pirates for left hander&nbsp;Evan Sisk&nbsp;and infielder&nbsp;Callan Moss.

Falter, 28, posted a 3.73 (47 ER in 113.1 IP) with 70 strikeouts and a 1.18 WHIP across 22 starts for the Pirates this season. He enjoyed a career-long 5-game winning streak across 9 starts from May 9-June 22, during which he posted a 2.44 ERA (13 ER in 48.0 IP), a .213 opponents’ average (36-for-169) and the Pirates went 7-2. In 110 career appearances (81 starts), he has gone 25-28 with a 4.40 ERA (222 ER in 454.0) and 335 strikeouts (17.8 K%).

This is Falter’s fifth Major League season and was his third with the Pirates after being acquired by them from Philadelphia on Aug. 1, 2023 for infielder&nbsp;Rodolfo Castro. He was originally selected by the Phillies in the 5th round of the 2015 Draft out of Chino Hills High School (Calif.).Sisk, 28, made his Major League debut on April 15 at Yankee Stadium and allowed 1 run over 5.1 innings (5 games) this season. He was&nbsp;acquired from Minnesota with right-hander&nbsp;Steven Cruz&nbsp;for outfielder&nbsp;Michael A. Taylor&nbsp;on Jan. 23, 2023.

Moss, 21, appeared in 92 games for High-A Quad Cities this season and slashed .270/.372/.418 (89-for-330) after he was signed as a minor league free agent on Aug. 6, 2024.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Bailey Falter&nbsp;from the Pittsburgh Pirates for left hander&nbsp;Evan Sisk&nbsp;and infielder&nbsp;Callan Moss.Falter, 28, posted a 3.73 (47 ER in 113.1 IP) with 70 strikeouts and a 1.18 WHIP across 22 starts for the Pirates this season. He enjoyed a career-long 5-game winning streak across 9 starts from May 9-June 22, during which he posted a 2.44 ERA (13 ER in 48.0 IP), a .213 opponents’ average (36-for-169) and the Pirates went 7-2. In 110 career appearances (81 starts), he has gone 25-28 with a 4.40 ERA (222 ER in 454.0) and 335 strikeouts (17.8 K%).This is Falter’s fifth Major League season and was his third with the Pirates after being acquired by them from Philadelphia on Aug. 1, 2023 for infielder&nbsp;Rodolfo Castro. He was originally selected by the Phillies in the 5th round of the 2015 Draft out of Chino Hills High School (Calif.).Sisk, 28, made his Major League debut on April 15 at Yankee Stadium and allowed 1 run over 5.1 innings (5 games) this season. He was&nbsp;acquired from Minnesota with right-hander&nbsp;Steven Cruz&nbsp;for outfielder&nbsp;Michael A. Taylor&nbsp;on Jan. 23, 2023.Moss, 21, appeared in 92 games for High-A Quad Cities this season and slashed .270/.372/.418 (89-for-330) after he was signed as a minor league free agent on Aug. 6, 2024.

Royals Acquire Left-Handed Pitcher Bailey Falter From Pittsburgh

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitchers&nbsp;Ryan Bergert&nbsp;and&nbsp;Stephen Kolek&nbsp;from the San Diego Padres for catcher&nbsp;Freddy Fermin.

Bergert (bur-GURT), 25, made his Major League debut earlier this season and went 1-0 with a 2.78 ERA (11 ER in 35.2 IP) in 11 appearances (7 starts) with San Diego, while holding opponents to a .186 average (24-for-129). He didn’t earn a decision in any of his 7 starts, despite allowing 3 runs or fewer in all of them, and the Padres went 6-1 in those games.

Bergert was selected by San Diego out of West Virginia University in the 6th round of the 2021 Draft, after undergoing&nbsp;Tommy John&nbsp;Surgery following the 2020 season. He was named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star in 2023 and was added to San Diego’s 40-man roster last November.

Kolek (COLE-ick), 28, went 4-5 with a 4.18 ERA (37 ER in 79.2 IP) this season with San Diego and has completed at least 5.0 innings in 12 of 14 starts. He’s induced 17 groundball double plays in just 14 starts, 2nd most in the Majors to&nbsp;José Soriano’s&nbsp;24.

On May 10 of this season—in his 2nd career start—Kolek recorded a complete game shutout in San Diego’s 21-0 victory at Coors Field. It was 1 of only 10 shutouts in the Majors this season, and he became the fourth pitcher since 2010 to record a shutout within his 1st 2 career starts. It was the 1st shutout by a visiting pitcher at Coors Field since&nbsp;Clayton Kershaw&nbsp;did it on July 2, 2013.

Kolek was selected by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2018 Draft out of Texas A&amp;M University, and was traded to Seattle in 2021. In December 2023, he was selected by San Diego in the Rule 5 Draft and made the Padres 2024 Opening Day roster. Kolek made relief 42 appearances last season before suffering a season-ending injury in July.&nbsp;

Fermin, 30, has played in parts of four seasons with Kansas City since making his Major League debut in 2022, and has made the Opening Day roster in each of the last two seasons.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitchers&nbsp;Ryan Bergert&nbsp;and&nbsp;Stephen Kolek&nbsp;from the San Diego Padres for catcher&nbsp;Freddy Fermin.Bergert (bur-GURT), 25, made his Major League debut earlier this season and went 1-0 with a 2.78 ERA (11 ER in 35.2 IP) in 11 appearances (7 starts) with San Diego, while holding opponents to a .186 average (24-for-129). He didn’t earn a decision in any of his 7 starts, despite allowing 3 runs or fewer in all of them, and the Padres went 6-1 in those games.Bergert was selected by San Diego out of West Virginia University in the 6th round of the 2021 Draft, after undergoing&nbsp;Tommy John&nbsp;Surgery following the 2020 season. He was named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star in 2023 and was added to San Diego’s 40-man roster last November.Kolek (COLE-ick), 28, went 4-5 with a 4.18 ERA (37 ER in 79.2 IP) this season with San Diego and has completed at least 5.0 innings in 12 of 14 starts. He’s induced 17 groundball double plays in just 14 starts, 2nd most in the Majors to&nbsp;José Soriano’s&nbsp;24.On May 10 of this season—in his 2nd career start—Kolek recorded a complete game shutout in San Diego’s 21-0 victory at Coors Field. It was 1 of only 10 shutouts in the Majors this season, and he became the fourth pitcher since 2010 to record a shutout within his 1st 2 career starts. It was the 1st shutout by a visiting pitcher at Coors Field since&nbsp;Clayton Kershaw&nbsp;did it on July 2, 2013.Kolek was selected by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2018 Draft out of Texas A&amp;M University, and was traded to Seattle in 2021. In December 2023, he was selected by San Diego in the Rule 5 Draft and made the Padres 2024 Opening Day roster. Kolek made relief 42 appearances last season before suffering a season-ending injury in July.&nbsp;Fermin, 30, has played in parts of four seasons with Kansas City since making his Major League debut in 2022, and has made the Opening Day roster in each of the last two seasons.

Royals Acquire Pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek from San Diego

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas redshirt senior Leyton Cure was one of 116 players named to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, the organization announced on Thursday, awarded to&nbsp;college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence, and athletic achievement.

Widely regarded as college football’s premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy celebrates student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and create positive change. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who turned his football success into a lifelong mission of service, the award reflects his legacy of leadership and humanitarianism. This year marks the 21st&nbsp;anniversary of the trophy’s founding.

From Goodland, Kansas, Cure played in all 12 games in 2024 at tight end for the Jayhawks, including one start vs. Colorado on Senior Day. Cure was named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team and helped Kansas football to back-to-back program records in GPA, including a 3.46 team GPA in the spring of 2025.

Cure transferred to Kansas from Fort Hays State, where he earned the MIAA Academic Excellence Award with a perfect 4.0 GPA three times and was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll in 2023, 2022 and 2021.

While at Fort Hays, Cure started seven games, while playing in 11 in 2022. Cure hauled in 26 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

Cure is among Kansas’ most active in the community, as he is a leader in Kansas’ summer community service initiative. Cure has participated in several community cleanup events, summer camps, youth engagement activities and more.

For the second year, Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to align two of college football’s most meaningful honors: the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. Together, they recognize student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in community service, academics and athletics.&nbsp;

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas redshirt senior Leyton Cure was one of 116 players named to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, the organization announced on Thursday, awarded to&nbsp;college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence, and athletic achievement.Widely regarded as college football’s premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy celebrates student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and create positive change. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who turned his football success into a lifelong mission of service, the award reflects his legacy of leadership and humanitarianism. This year marks the 21st&nbsp;anniversary of the trophy’s founding.From Goodland, Kansas, Cure played in all 12 games in 2024 at tight end for the Jayhawks, including one start vs. Colorado on Senior Day. Cure was named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team and helped Kansas football to back-to-back program records in GPA, including a 3.46 team GPA in the spring of 2025.Cure transferred to Kansas from Fort Hays State, where he earned the MIAA Academic Excellence Award with a perfect 4.0 GPA three times and was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll in 2023, 2022 and 2021.While at Fort Hays, Cure started seven games, while playing in 11 in 2022. Cure hauled in 26 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns.Cure is among Kansas’ most active in the community, as he is a leader in Kansas’ summer community service initiative. Cure has participated in several community cleanup events, summer camps, youth engagement activities and more.For the second year, Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to align two of college football’s most meaningful honors: the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. Together, they recognize student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in community service, academics and athletics.&nbsp;

Leyton Cure Named to Wuerffel Trophy Preseason Watch List

ST. JOSEPH - Here is Thursday's (July 31) Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp report from Mitch Holthus in St. Joseph, Missouri.&nbsp;

This report is brought to you by Kansas Wesleyan University and&nbsp;Credit Union of America.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wzXo_G9gRBI?si=TVOsO3N9CxLJc6C_" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>ST. JOSEPH - Here is Thursday's (July 31) Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp report from Mitch Holthus in St. Joseph, Missouri.&nbsp;This report is brought to you by Kansas Wesleyan University and&nbsp;Credit Union of America.

🎥 🎧 Chiefs Training Camp Report: 07-31-2025

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLO

Q: On Ashton Gillotte’s progress

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Oh great, Ashton (Gillotte) has been great. I think we’ve got him in one spot now because we want him to just learn the defense as a defensive end, but I’m hoping at some point we can move him around a little bit – I don’t know if we will get to that this year or that’ll be down the road. But he’s one of those guys that I call a natural knee bender and he’s a big guy, but I think he has got a lot of power from the hips down and I think he’s a natural knee bender and that usually means you’re a pretty good football player. Just got to get the mental part going for all these young guys.”

Q: On the combination of heat and pads and how it affected the defense.

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Yeah when I was looking at each guy – I’m always looking to see if they are in shape. The guys that have it the toughest in a practice like that are really the linebackers and the defensive backs. I mean, you guys watch the practice. I mean offensively a receiver might run a long ball and he’s off to the side and somebody else comes in, that doesn’t happen with us (the defense), so we are consistently in and out of the huddle. I thought for the most part they held up pretty good. What will be really interesting to me, you know, we had the three hard days, we had today was 10-10-10 – we get the day off. The tough day to come back is the next one, you know after you’ve had the day off so I’m looking for them – if we can ramp it up on that day, I’ll be pretty happy.”

Q: On Kristian Fulton’s injury and how it impacts his plan.

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“That just means other guys get more reps. We’re going to have to find out what we have in Kristian Fulton because he has missed a lot of time. It’s not like you step right in here in a multiple system like we have and know what you are doing, so it may take a little while to get him ramped up but we’re anxious to get him back and get more competition at that spot.”

Q: On finding undrafted linebackers and developing them (Cooper McDonald and Brandon George).

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Yeah, both those guys (Cooper McDonald and Brandon George) – I don’t know how early you guys get out to practice, but if you are early to practice or early to a walkthrough you are going to see those three young linebackers always out there working on something, mentally, and that’s because that position in this defense takes a lot of volume and you got to be really smart from the chin and the hairline and those two guys in particular have done a really good job. Coop (Cooper McDonald) was a really good find. If you remember, we got him in the rookie minicamp as a three-day tryout guy, and I thought in the one on ones against the running backs he did a nice job yesterday.”

Q: On being a leader on the team and the responsibility that holds.&nbsp;

SMITH-SCHUSTER:&nbsp;“I mean, it’s a huge responsibility. You know, I take it pretty seriously. You know, we’ve got a bunch of young guys in the room, different ages; and you know, for me it’s a big responsibility for me. I take full control. I think I lead by, you know, not just by my words, but by my actions. And, you know, like I said there’s a lot of guys, a lot of experience, different ages, and everyone’s coachable, so, you know, I’m glad to take (on) that responsibility.”

Q: What was the biggest thing you learned from the older guys on the team when you were young?

SMITH-SCHUSTER:&nbsp;“Honestly, I think the biggest thing is like, you’re learning how to take care of your body, learning how to, study your playbook. For me, I kind of took that when I first started, into the league, because it’s a lot different (from college). Colleges, the hashes are much bigger, the alignments (are) a lot different. In the NFL it’s all about, your alignment, your assignment, and being able to go every single day. And I think that’s huge, right? And I think it has kind of paid off for me as far as, you know, being able to still play this game.”

Q: What are your impressions of Jalen Royals?

SMITH-SCHUSTER:&nbsp;“Man, Jalen Royals, man, he’s a rookie who is very strong, quiet dude but works really hard. I don’t know if you guys know, but he, when he’s out there, he’s aura farming and I think that’s something that you guys don’t get to see a lot. He’s a guy that’s going to show up every day and just work. You know? He doesn’t say a whole lot. He’s very coachable. He’s a sponge. He’s a great dude to be around in that room.”

Q: What do intense practices in the heat like yesterday’s do for you later in the season?

CONNER:&nbsp;“It does a lot for you. When it gets tough, you (can) always think back to those times when you had to push through (when it’s) hot outside. When it’s the fourth quarter, you can go back to that mindset of just having to push through when it’s hot, you’re tired, you got a lot of plays and just keep going.”

Q: What are the challenges of playing multiple positions?

CONNER:&nbsp;“I mean it’s something that I enjoy doing, (it’s) something I’ve been doing for a while now. So, I don’t see too many challenges with it, personally – but it’s definitely something I’ve been trying to continue to get better at."

Q: What did you work on this offseason?

CONNER:&nbsp;“Every year is always really the same for me. Get stronger, work on your speed. I did a lot of footwork, of course. (I did) a lot of DB work.”

Q: What stands out about Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte?

OMENIHU:&nbsp;“Yeah, I think starting off with Omarr (Norman-Lott), Omarr has great use of hands, very explosive, I noticed early on that he is able to grab wrist, something that it took me about three (or) four years to do that. Ashton (Gillotte) is just a guy that is going to go hard. You know exactly what you’re going to get from him. He is a guy that just wants to learn, and he is a guy that has a lot of power, so that is something he can use to his advantage as he continues to fill out his game in the league.”

Q: What have you learned about Josh Simmons so far?

OMENIHU:&nbsp;“(Josh Simmons is) a very good athlete. He knows his strengths, and he plays to them. I think he has a bright future, you know what I’m sayin? He is a guy who is a great athlete, and you can see why he is the first round pick.”

Q: You haven’t been able to play Week 1 with the Chiefs due to injury. How much are you looking forward to playing in an opening game?

Chiefs Coordinator QuotesJuly 30, 2025DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLOQ: On Ashton Gillotte’s progressSPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Oh great, Ashton (Gillotte) has been great. I think we’ve got him in one spot now because we want him to just learn the defense as a defensive end, but I’m hoping at some point we can move him around a little bit – I don’t know if we will get to that this year or that’ll be down the road. But he’s one of those guys that I call a natural knee bender and he’s a big guy, but I think he has got a lot of power from the hips down and I think he’s a natural knee bender and that usually means you’re a pretty good football player. Just got to get the mental part going for all these young guys.”Q: On the combination of heat and pads and how it affected the defense.SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Yeah when I was looking at each guy – I’m always looking to see if they are in shape. The guys that have it the toughest in a practice like that are really the linebackers and the defensive backs. I mean, you guys watch the practice. I mean offensively a receiver might run a long ball and he’s off to the side and somebody else comes in, that doesn’t happen with us (the defense), so we are consistently in and out of the huddle. I thought for the most part they held up pretty good. What will be really interesting to me, you know, we had the three hard days, we had today was 10-10-10 – we get the day off. The tough day to come back is the next one, you know after you’ve had the day off so I’m looking for them – if we can ramp it up on that day, I’ll be pretty happy.”Q: On Kristian Fulton’s injury and how it impacts his plan.SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“That just means other guys get more reps. We’re going to have to find out what we have in Kristian Fulton because he has missed a lot of time. It’s not like you step right in here in a multiple system like we have and know what you are doing, so it may take a little while to get him ramped up but we’re anxious to get him back and get more competition at that spot.”Q: On finding undrafted linebackers and developing them (Cooper McDonald and Brandon George).SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Yeah, both those guys (Cooper McDonald and Brandon George) – I don’t know how early you guys get out to practice, but if you are early to practice or early to a walkthrough you are going to see those three young linebackers always out there working on something, mentally, and that’s because that position in this defense takes a lot of volume and you got to be really smart from the chin and the hairline and those two guys in particular have done a really good job. Coop (Cooper McDonald) was a really good find. If you remember, we got him in the rookie minicamp as a three-day tryout guy, and I thought in the one on ones against the running backs he did a nice job yesterday.”Chiefs Player QuotesJuly 30, 2025WR JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTERQ: On being a leader on the team and the responsibility that holds.&nbsp;SMITH-SCHUSTER:&nbsp;“I mean, it’s a huge responsibility. You know, I take it pretty seriously. You know, we’ve got a bunch of young guys in the room, different ages; and you know, for me it’s a big responsibility for me. I take full control. I think I lead by, you know, not just by my words, but by my actions. And, you know, like I said there’s a lot of guys, a lot of experience, different ages, and everyone’s coachable, so, you know, I’m glad to take (on) that responsibility.”Q: What was the biggest thing you learned from the older guys on the team when you were young?SMITH-SCHUSTER:&nbsp;“Honestly, I think the biggest thing is like, you’re learning how to take care of your body, learning how to, study your playbook. For me, I kind of took that when I first started, into the league, because it’s a lot different (from college). Colleges, the hashes are much bigger, the alignments (are) a lot different. In the NFL it’s all about, your alignment, your assignment, and being able to go every single day. And I think that’s huge, right? And I think it has kind of paid off for me as far as, you know, being able to still play this game.”Q: What are your impressions of Jalen Royals?SMITH-SCHUSTER:&nbsp;“Man, Jalen Royals, man, he’s a rookie who is very strong, quiet dude but works really hard. I don’t know if you guys know, but he, when he’s out there, he’s aura farming and I think that’s something that you guys don’t get to see a lot. He’s a guy that’s going to show up every day and just work. You know? He doesn’t say a whole lot. He’s very coachable. He’s a sponge. He’s a great dude to be around in that room.”DB CHAMARRI CONNERQ: What do intense practices in the heat like yesterday’s do for you later in the season?CONNER:&nbsp;“It does a lot for you. When it gets tough, you (can) always think back to those times when you had to push through (when it’s) hot outside. When it’s the fourth quarter, you can go back to that mindset of just having to push through when it’s hot, you’re tired, you got a lot of plays and just keep going.”Q: What are the challenges of playing multiple positions?CONNER:&nbsp;“I mean it’s something that I enjoy doing, (it’s) something I’ve been doing for a while now. So, I don’t see too many challenges with it, personally – but it’s definitely something I’ve been trying to continue to get better at."Q: What did you work on this offseason?CONNER:&nbsp;“Every year is always really the same for me. Get stronger, work on your speed. I did a lot of footwork, of course. (I did) a lot of DB work.”DE CHARLES OMENIHUQ: What stands out about Omarr Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte?OMENIHU:&nbsp;“Yeah, I think starting off with Omarr (Norman-Lott), Omarr has great use of hands, very explosive, I noticed early on that he is able to grab wrist, something that it took me about three (or) four years to do that. Ashton (Gillotte) is just a guy that is going to go hard. You know exactly what you’re going to get from him. He is a guy that just wants to learn, and he is a guy that has a lot of power, so that is something he can use to his advantage as he continues to fill out his game in the league.”Q: What have you learned about Josh Simmons so far?OMENIHU:&nbsp;“(Josh Simmons is) a very good athlete. He knows his strengths, and he plays to them. I think he has a bright future, you know what I’m sayin? He is a guy who is a great athlete, and you can see why he is the first round pick.”Q: You haven’t been able to play Week 1 with the Chiefs due to injury. How much are you looking forward to playing in an opening game?

Chiefs Quotes: 7-30-25

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Former conference foes Kansas State and Missouri will play a home-and-home exhibition series each of the next two seasons beginning with a matchup on Friday, Oct. 24 at Mizzou Arena to open the 2025-26 season.

The exhibition will be broadcast nationally at 9 p.m., CT with ticket information to be released at a later date. The Wildcats will host the Tigers for an exhibition during the 2026-27 season.

The two schools have played 237 times in the regular season since 1907 with K-State holding a narrow 121-116 series edge through transitions from the Missouri Valley, Big Six, Big Seven, Big Eight and Big 12 Conferences.

The schools have not met on the hardwood since an 82-67 win by K-State at the 2018 Paradise Jam.

Missouri won 22 games a season ago, tying for sixth in the SEC with a 10-8 mark, before losing to Drake in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The complete 2025-26 non-conference schedule has now been released and can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule" target="_blank">here</a>.

Season tickets went on sale June 10 with&nbsp;a variety of ticket options. Fans can purchase tickets by calling toll free at (800) 221.CATS (2287) and/or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Former conference foes Kansas State and Missouri will play a home-and-home exhibition series each of the next two seasons beginning with a matchup on Friday, Oct. 24 at Mizzou Arena to open the 2025-26 season.The exhibition will be broadcast nationally at 9 p.m., CT with ticket information to be released at a later date. The Wildcats will host the Tigers for an exhibition during the 2026-27 season.The two schools have played 237 times in the regular season since 1907 with K-State holding a narrow 121-116 series edge through transitions from the Missouri Valley, Big Six, Big Seven, Big Eight and Big 12 Conferences.The schools have not met on the hardwood since an 82-67 win by K-State at the 2018 Paradise Jam.Missouri won 22 games a season ago, tying for sixth in the SEC with a 10-8 mark, before losing to Drake in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.The complete 2025-26 non-conference schedule has now been released and can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule" target="_blank">here</a>.Season tickets went on sale June 10 with&nbsp;a variety of ticket options. Fans can purchase tickets by calling toll free at (800) 221.CATS (2287) and/or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>.

K-State MBB to Begin Exhibition Series with Missouri in 2025-26

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez drove in MJ Melendez with a single leading off the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Atlanta Braves 1-0 on Wednesday while matching a major league record by using nine total pitchers in the shutout.

Sam Long (1-2) was the last of the relievers for Kansas City. He had runners on the corners with nobody out in the 10th before striking out Sean Murphy and Eli White and getting Luke Williams to line out to left field.

Kansas City put Melendez on second base as a pinch runner in the bottom half, and Perez rapped the second pitch from Daysbel Hernandez (4-2) into the gap in right field to give the Royals the win.

The only other club to use nine pitchers in a shutout was Cleveland, which also did it in a 10-inning game in 2016.

Joey Wentz, claimed off waivers by the Braves earlier this month, dazzled while pitching a mere 25 minutes away from Shawnee Mission East High School, where he put together one of the best prep pitching careers in Kansas history.

The former first-round draft pick has largely failed to live up to expectations, and he carried a 5.76 ERA into his fourth start for Atlanta. But Wentz allowed just one hit and three walks over 6 2/3 innings, striking out seven.

With their rotation ailing, the Royals countered with a contingent of relief pitchers.

Angel Zerpa started on no rest and pitched into the second, and Jonathan Bowlan was their only reliever who retired more than three batters — he went two innings. John Schreiber struck out the side in the fourth, and Hunter Harvey escaped a two-on, no-out jam in the sixth by recording three consecutive outs.

Long's escape in the 10th set up Perez's winning hit in the bottom half.

The low-scoring affair came after the Braves won the series-opener 10-7 and the Royals won 9-6 on Tuesday night.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753917266978.jpeg" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez drove in MJ Melendez with a single leading off the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Atlanta Braves 1-0 on Wednesday while matching a major league record by using nine total pitchers in the shutout.Sam Long (1-2) was the last of the relievers for Kansas City. He had runners on the corners with nobody out in the 10th before striking out Sean Murphy and Eli White and getting Luke Williams to line out to left field.Kansas City put Melendez on second base as a pinch runner in the bottom half, and Perez rapped the second pitch from Daysbel Hernandez (4-2) into the gap in right field to give the Royals the win.The only other club to use nine pitchers in a shutout was Cleveland, which also did it in a 10-inning game in 2016.Joey Wentz, claimed off waivers by the Braves earlier this month, dazzled while pitching a mere 25 minutes away from Shawnee Mission East High School, where he put together one of the best prep pitching careers in Kansas history.The former first-round draft pick has largely failed to live up to expectations, and he carried a 5.76 ERA into his fourth start for Atlanta. But Wentz allowed just one hit and three walks over 6 2/3 innings, striking out seven.With their rotation ailing, the Royals countered with a contingent of relief pitchers.Angel Zerpa started on no rest and pitched into the second, and Jonathan Bowlan was their only reliever who retired more than three batters — he went two innings. John Schreiber struck out the side in the fourth, and Hunter Harvey escaped a two-on, no-out jam in the sixth by recording three consecutive outs.<h2>Key moment</h2>Long's escape in the 10th set up Perez's winning hit in the bottom half.<h2>Key stat</h2>The low-scoring affair came after the Braves won the series-opener 10-7 and the Royals won 9-6 on Tuesday night.<h2>Up next</h2>The Braves have not announced their starter for Thursday in Cincinnati, though newly acquired RHP Carlos Carrasco is likely to get the ball. The Royals have the day off before opening a series Friday night in Toronto.