<a>Major League Baseball announced its June Awards and the Wichita Wind Surge outfielder Kala’i Rosario was named player of the month for the Texas League.</a>

Wichita Wind Surge (Twins) outfielder&nbsp;Kala’i Rosario&nbsp;batted .282/.419/.529 and led the league in RBI (23) and was second in runs (18). He finished third in doubles (eight), triples (two), walks (18) and OPS (.948) and was fourth in total bases (45) and fifth in stolen bases (eight). He hit safely in eight straight games June 17-26 and hit for the cycle on June 25 against Springfield as he tied his career-high with four hits. Rosario, 22, was selected by Minnesota in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Waiakea High School in Hilo, Hawaii.

It’s the first time a Surge player has ever won the award.&nbsp; Wichita garnered a pair of Texas League Pitcher of the Month awards in the past.&nbsp; Simeon Woods Richardson in April of 2022 and Pierson Ohl in August of 2023.f

<a>Major League Baseball announced its June Awards and the Wichita Wind Surge outfielder Kala’i Rosario was named player of the month for the Texas League.</a>Texas League (Double-A)Wichita Wind Surge (Twins) outfielder&nbsp;Kala’i Rosario&nbsp;batted .282/.419/.529 and led the league in RBI (23) and was second in runs (18). He finished third in doubles (eight), triples (two), walks (18) and OPS (.948) and was fourth in total bases (45) and fifth in stolen bases (eight). He hit safely in eight straight games June 17-26 and hit for the cycle on June 25 against Springfield as he tied his career-high with four hits. Rosario, 22, was selected by Minnesota in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Waiakea High School in Hilo, Hawaii.It’s the first time a Surge player has ever won the award.&nbsp; Wichita garnered a pair of Texas League Pitcher of the Month awards in the past.&nbsp; Simeon Woods Richardson in April of 2022 and Pierson Ohl in August of 2023.f

Wichita Wind Surge outfielder Kala’i Rosario named player of the month

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced this afternoon that infielder&nbsp;Maikel Garcia&nbsp;and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Seth Lugo&nbsp;have been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for June. The awards are determined by a local media vote.

Garcia slashed .296/.343/.490 (29-for-98) over 25 games last month and ranked 2nd among all Royals with 12 extra-base hits, including 8 doubles, 1 triple and 3 home runs. On June 18 against the Rangers in Arlington, he hit his 8th home run of the season, already establishing a new career high and passing his 7 home runs in 157 games last season. He recorded multiple hits in 9 of his 25 games in June, which tied for the 13th-most such games in the American League last month, trailing leader&nbsp;Yandy Díaz&nbsp;(14). Overall, Garcia is putting together one of the best seasons of his career, as he leads all Royals with 29 multi-hit efforts, which are tied for 3rd most in the American League, 5 such games behind leaders&nbsp;Jacob Wilson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Aaron Judge&nbsp;(34 each). He also ranks tied for 3rd in the AL with 22 doubles, 5th with a .309 batting average, 6th with 18 stolen bases and 96 hits and 12th with an .843 OPS. This marks the second straight monthly honor for Garcia, who in May ranked tied for 3rd in the American League with 37 hits.

Lugo finished the month of June with a 2-0 record and 1.26 ERA (4 ER in 28.2 IP) over 5 starts, which marked the 2nd-best ERA in the month of June in franchise history (min. 5 starts), trailing only&nbsp;Mark Gubicza&nbsp;(1.18) in 1988. Among the 111 Major League pitchers who made at least 5 starts last month, his ERA ranked 3rd behind Philadelphia’s&nbsp;Zack Wheeler&nbsp;(0.58) and Houston’s&nbsp;Hunter Brown&nbsp;(1.19). He held opponents to 2 runs or fewer in all 5 starts, including 1 or no runs allowed in 4 of those 5 outings. Lugo recorded 2 scoreless starts in June, which came against the two teams who faced off in the 2024 World Series, as he held the Yankees scoreless over 5.2 frames on June 12 in Kansas City, before tossing another 5.2 scoreless innings on June 28 vs. the reigning champion Dodgers. He tallied 31 strikeouts over his 28.2 innings (9.7 K/9), and his 27.4% strikeout rate was the 12th-highest mark in the American League, trailing leader&nbsp;Garrett Crochet&nbsp;(34.8%). With his dominant month, Lugo lowered his season ERA to 2.74 (27 ER in 88.2 IP), which is the 8th-lowest mark in the AL, trailing leader Brown (1.74). This unanimous selection marks Lugo’s fourth honor since signing as a free agent with Kansas City prior to the start of the 2024 season, as he won the award in three straight months from March/April-June last year, a season in which he finished as the runner up in the AL&nbsp;Cy Young&nbsp;Award voting.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced this afternoon that infielder&nbsp;Maikel Garcia&nbsp;and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Seth Lugo&nbsp;have been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for June. The awards are determined by a local media vote.Garcia slashed .296/.343/.490 (29-for-98) over 25 games last month and ranked 2nd among all Royals with 12 extra-base hits, including 8 doubles, 1 triple and 3 home runs. On June 18 against the Rangers in Arlington, he hit his 8th home run of the season, already establishing a new career high and passing his 7 home runs in 157 games last season. He recorded multiple hits in 9 of his 25 games in June, which tied for the 13th-most such games in the American League last month, trailing leader&nbsp;Yandy Díaz&nbsp;(14). Overall, Garcia is putting together one of the best seasons of his career, as he leads all Royals with 29 multi-hit efforts, which are tied for 3rd most in the American League, 5 such games behind leaders&nbsp;Jacob Wilson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Aaron Judge&nbsp;(34 each). He also ranks tied for 3rd in the AL with 22 doubles, 5th with a .309 batting average, 6th with 18 stolen bases and 96 hits and 12th with an .843 OPS. This marks the second straight monthly honor for Garcia, who in May ranked tied for 3rd in the American League with 37 hits.Lugo finished the month of June with a 2-0 record and 1.26 ERA (4 ER in 28.2 IP) over 5 starts, which marked the 2nd-best ERA in the month of June in franchise history (min. 5 starts), trailing only&nbsp;Mark Gubicza&nbsp;(1.18) in 1988. Among the 111 Major League pitchers who made at least 5 starts last month, his ERA ranked 3rd behind Philadelphia’s&nbsp;Zack Wheeler&nbsp;(0.58) and Houston’s&nbsp;Hunter Brown&nbsp;(1.19). He held opponents to 2 runs or fewer in all 5 starts, including 1 or no runs allowed in 4 of those 5 outings. Lugo recorded 2 scoreless starts in June, which came against the two teams who faced off in the 2024 World Series, as he held the Yankees scoreless over 5.2 frames on June 12 in Kansas City, before tossing another 5.2 scoreless innings on June 28 vs. the reigning champion Dodgers. He tallied 31 strikeouts over his 28.2 innings (9.7 K/9), and his 27.4% strikeout rate was the 12th-highest mark in the American League, trailing leader&nbsp;Garrett Crochet&nbsp;(34.8%). With his dominant month, Lugo lowered his season ERA to 2.74 (27 ER in 88.2 IP), which is the 8th-lowest mark in the AL, trailing leader Brown (1.74). This unanimous selection marks Lugo’s fourth honor since signing as a free agent with Kansas City prior to the start of the 2024 season, as he won the award in three straight months from March/April-June last year, a season in which he finished as the runner up in the AL&nbsp;Cy Young&nbsp;Award voting.

Maikel Garcia, Seth Lugo Named Royals Player, Pitcher of the Month for June

SEATTLE (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Mariners/status/1940620263231836630">Julio Rodriguez hit a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning</a>&nbsp;and Randy Arozarena drove in two runs as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Rodriguez, who left the bases loaded in the fifth inning, atoned for that missed opportunity by hitting a first-pitch cutter from reliever Steven Cruz, who entered for Angel Zerpa (3-1), to the left side. Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia got a piece of Rodriguez’s hit before it ricocheted past him, allowing the Mariners to take a 2-1 lead.

Arozarena, who hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to center in the seventh. The Mariners needed that extra run as the Royals closed within a run in the eighth inning on an RBI single from Salvador Perez.

Mariners reliever Carlos Vargas (3-5) struck out two in one inning of relieft and closer Andres Munoz picked up his 19th save.

With runners on first and third in the top of the first inning, Royals rookie right fielder Jac Caglianone lined out sharply to right. Kansas City scored just one run in the inning, but could have scored more had Caglianone's ball fallen for a hit.

<a href="https://x.com/Mariners/status/1940613533009694732">Arozarena has homered in three consecutive regular-season games for the first time in his major league career.</a>&nbsp;He also homered in three straight American League Division Series games with the Tampa Bay Rays from Oct. 5-7 in 2020.

Seattle RHP Bryan Woo (7-4, 2.93 ERA) goes against Kansas City RHP Seth Lugo (5-5, 2.74) in the finale of the four-game set.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751538414024.jpeg" alt="Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez hits an RBI single to score Ben Williamson against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)" />
 <figcaption>Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez hits an RBI single to score Ben Williamson against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEATTLE (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Mariners/status/1940620263231836630">Julio Rodriguez hit a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning</a>&nbsp;and Randy Arozarena drove in two runs as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night.Rodriguez, who left the bases loaded in the fifth inning, atoned for that missed opportunity by hitting a first-pitch cutter from reliever Steven Cruz, who entered for Angel Zerpa (3-1), to the left side. Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia got a piece of Rodriguez’s hit before it ricocheted past him, allowing the Mariners to take a 2-1 lead.Arozarena, who hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to center in the seventh. The Mariners needed that extra run as the Royals closed within a run in the eighth inning on an RBI single from Salvador Perez.Mariners reliever Carlos Vargas (3-5) struck out two in one inning of relieft and closer Andres Munoz picked up his 19th save.<h2>Key moment</h2>With runners on first and third in the top of the first inning, Royals rookie right fielder Jac Caglianone lined out sharply to right. Kansas City scored just one run in the inning, but could have scored more had Caglianone's ball fallen for a hit.<h2>Key stat</h2><a href="https://x.com/Mariners/status/1940613533009694732">Arozarena has homered in three consecutive regular-season games for the first time in his major league career.</a>&nbsp;He also homered in three straight American League Division Series games with the Tampa Bay Rays from Oct. 5-7 in 2020.<h2>Up next</h2>Seattle RHP Bryan Woo (7-4, 2.93 ERA) goes against Kansas City RHP Seth Lugo (5-5, 2.74) in the finale of the four-game set.

⚾ Rodriguez go-ahead RBI single lifts the Mariners past Royals

TULSA, Okla. (July 1, 2025)—John Klein set the tone with five strong innings of one-run baseball in a 7-1 victory for the Wichita Wind Surge over the Tulsa Drillers at ONEOK Field. While jumping into the Top 5 in the Texas League in wins, he’d start a stretch of eight scoreless innings to put a cap on the sixth win for the Wind Surge in their last 10 games.&nbsp;

Damon Keith pushed a sacrifice fly to right field to get Tulsa on the board with a run scored in the bottom of the first. That would be the only run the Drillers would put up all night, as the starter Klein earned the win after giving up the earned run on four hits with a walk and four strikeouts over five frames.&nbsp;

Wichita put up four runs in the top of the second inning. Kyler Fedko slid in safely at the plate after a rundown ensued between first and second to tie the game. Kaelen Culpepper singled to left to bring around Ben Ross to give the Wind Surge the lead. Culpepper and Gabby Gonzalez later scored on a bases-loaded infield error off the bat of Walker Jenkins.&nbsp;

Jorel Ortega went the opposite way for a solo home run, his eighth of the season, in the top of the fourth. Ricardo Olivar added on with a two-run single to left before the stretch in the seventh to make the score 7-1 Wichita, which would become the future final.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cole Percival and Michael Martinez combined to no-hit Tulsa over the final four innings out of the Wind Surge bullpen. Each of the righthanders struck out three men each to get the Wichita staff to 10 punchouts on the night in the series opener.

TULSA, Okla. (July 1, 2025)—John Klein set the tone with five strong innings of one-run baseball in a 7-1 victory for the Wichita Wind Surge over the Tulsa Drillers at ONEOK Field. While jumping into the Top 5 in the Texas League in wins, he’d start a stretch of eight scoreless innings to put a cap on the sixth win for the Wind Surge in their last 10 games.&nbsp;Damon Keith pushed a sacrifice fly to right field to get Tulsa on the board with a run scored in the bottom of the first. That would be the only run the Drillers would put up all night, as the starter Klein earned the win after giving up the earned run on four hits with a walk and four strikeouts over five frames.&nbsp;Wichita put up four runs in the top of the second inning. Kyler Fedko slid in safely at the plate after a rundown ensued between first and second to tie the game. Kaelen Culpepper singled to left to bring around Ben Ross to give the Wind Surge the lead. Culpepper and Gabby Gonzalez later scored on a bases-loaded infield error off the bat of Walker Jenkins.&nbsp;Jorel Ortega went the opposite way for a solo home run, his eighth of the season, in the top of the fourth. Ricardo Olivar added on with a two-run single to left before the stretch in the seventh to make the score 7-1 Wichita, which would become the future final.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cole Percival and Michael Martinez combined to no-hit Tulsa over the final four innings out of the Wind Surge bullpen. Each of the righthanders struck out three men each to get the Wichita staff to 10 punchouts on the night in the series opener.POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Yesterday, Kaelen Culpepper was announced as the Minnesota Twins representative for the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game on July 12th at 3 PM CST at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.</li><li>During the game, the updated MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects List was announced, and two current Wind Surge players are on the list. Walker Jenkins is #15, while Kaelen Culpepper enters at the #96 spot. A pair of 2024 Wichita teammates in Emmanuel Rodriguez and Luke Keaschall are also on the list at #46 and #47 respectively.&nbsp;</li><li>The Wind Surge staff held Tulsa hitless for the final five innings of the game.&nbsp;</li><li>Wichita trails 7-6 in the Propeller Series after the win tonight.&nbsp;</li><li>The Wind Surge have won six of their last 10 games.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Wichita Takes Series Opener In Tulsa

SEATTLE (AP) — Salvador Perez&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1940245133385244693">hit a pivotal two-run double</a>&nbsp;in the fifth inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Seattle Mariners 6-3 on Tuesday night for just their second win in 10 games.

Perez lofted a fly ball off Emerson Hancock (3-5) that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-perez-rodriguez-1fe79b9c6a1547e0a59408cf7e58596e">center fielder Julio Rodríguez lost in the twilight sky</a>&nbsp;and dropped for a two-run double. Rodríguez climbed the center-field wall, trying to rob a home run, but he misjudged the ball and it bounced to the wall as the Royals took a 5-1 lead.

<a href="https://x.com/Mariners/status/1940247146802135189">Ben Williamson hit an RBI double in the bottom half and scored on J.P. Crawford's single</a>&nbsp;off Michael Lorenzen.

Five relievers combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings of one-hit relief. Lucas Erceg (3-2) entered with two on in the seventh and got a double-play grounder and a groundout, and Carlos Estévez pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save in 26 chances.

Kansas City built a 3-0 lead on Maikel Garcia's run-scoring single in the first and a two-run second that included an RBI double by Nick Loftin, who scored when Kyle Isbel grounded into a forceout.

Randy Arozarena homered in the bottom half, his 11th this season and third in four at-bats.

After Angel Zerpa walked Dylan Moore starting the seventh, Cole Young grounded into a double play and Crawford grounded out.

Perez moved past Alex Gordon for sixth place on the Royals hits list with 1,646.

Seattle RHP Logan Gilbert (2-2, 3.55) and Kansas City Noah Cameron (2-4, 2.79) started Wednesday in the third game of the four-game set.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751432981631.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>SEATTLE (AP) — Salvador Perez&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1940245133385244693">hit a pivotal two-run double</a>&nbsp;in the fifth inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Seattle Mariners 6-3 on Tuesday night for just their second win in 10 games.Perez lofted a fly ball off Emerson Hancock (3-5) that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-perez-rodriguez-1fe79b9c6a1547e0a59408cf7e58596e">center fielder Julio Rodríguez lost in the twilight sky</a>&nbsp;and dropped for a two-run double. Rodríguez climbed the center-field wall, trying to rob a home run, but he misjudged the ball and it bounced to the wall as the Royals took a 5-1 lead.<a href="https://x.com/Mariners/status/1940247146802135189">Ben Williamson hit an RBI double in the bottom half and scored on J.P. Crawford's single</a>&nbsp;off Michael Lorenzen.Five relievers combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings of one-hit relief. Lucas Erceg (3-2) entered with two on in the seventh and got a double-play grounder and a groundout, and Carlos Estévez pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save in 26 chances.Kansas City built a 3-0 lead on Maikel Garcia's run-scoring single in the first and a two-run second that included an RBI double by Nick Loftin, who scored when Kyle Isbel grounded into a forceout.Randy Arozarena homered in the bottom half, his 11th this season and third in four at-bats.<h2>Key moment</h2>After Angel Zerpa walked Dylan Moore starting the seventh, Cole Young grounded into a double play and Crawford grounded out.<h2>Key stat</h2>Perez moved past Alex Gordon for sixth place on the Royals hits list with 1,646.<h2>Up next</h2>Seattle RHP Logan Gilbert (2-2, 3.55) and Kansas City Noah Cameron (2-4, 2.79) started Wednesday in the third game of the four-game set.___

⚾ Perez’s 2-run double lifts Royals over the Mariners

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;- Kansas Athletics today announced a new and all-encompassing alliance with MMTH (pronounced Mammoth). KU is the first school to join MMTH’s 360 program. The signature service is designed to help Kansas Athletics navigate the challenges inherent in today’s collegiate environment by investing in student-athletes and the facilities they play in.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

"This transformational era of intercollegiate athletics requires us to align more strategically than ever before," Kansas Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. "To achieve our vision, we will move beyond transactional relationships into deeper, mutually beneficial alliances. MMTH, founded just 30 miles down the road and under Jake Farrant's exceptional leadership, represents values that matter most to us: Kansas roots, blue-collar background, innovation, commitment to excellence, and community impact.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This collaboration will set a new standard in college athletics, and we are grateful to Jake and his outstanding team for their commitment to Kansas Athletics and our industry."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Headquartered in Meriden, KS, MMTH is a team of sports specialists committed to helping everyone experience a better world through sports. MMTH’s vertical integration will allow them to serve the Kansas Athletics department to improve their operational excellence through facilities and athlete and fan experience. Their work can be seen across the country from high schools to Power 4 colleges and professional teams. MMTH has additional offices in Kansas City, Mo., Sioux Falls, S.D., Scottsdale, Ariz., and Clearwater, Fla.&nbsp;

The work by MMTH on campus has already begun, starting with the installation of their proprietary MMTH Turf at Hoglund Ballpark and the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The new turf will prominently feature the MMTH brand. MMTH is also involved with elements of construction work on Phase I of the Gateway District and will also conduct a study of a multi-use indoor baseball facility near Hoglund Ballpark.&nbsp;The MMTH 360 program also proudly supports Kansas student-athletes through various engagements including NIL opportunities.

“To compete in today’s collegiate environment, you can’t match the rate of change, you have to be ahead of it,” said Jake Farrant, Owner and CEO of MMTH. “KU is ready to become the leader in both athlete and fan experience.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

"In conversations with coaches and administrators, NIL is pivotal and one of their highest priorities. At all levels, we believe in investing directly in the athlete. When you see the MMTH icon on a turf field, it means that the school has chosen to put their athletes first," said Farrant.&nbsp;

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;- Kansas Athletics today announced a new and all-encompassing alliance with MMTH (pronounced Mammoth). KU is the first school to join MMTH’s 360 program. The signature service is designed to help Kansas Athletics navigate the challenges inherent in today’s collegiate environment by investing in student-athletes and the facilities they play in.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This transformational era of intercollegiate athletics requires us to align more strategically than ever before," Kansas Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. "To achieve our vision, we will move beyond transactional relationships into deeper, mutually beneficial alliances. MMTH, founded just 30 miles down the road and under Jake Farrant's exceptional leadership, represents values that matter most to us: Kansas roots, blue-collar background, innovation, commitment to excellence, and community impact.”&nbsp;&nbsp;“This collaboration will set a new standard in college athletics, and we are grateful to Jake and his outstanding team for their commitment to Kansas Athletics and our industry."&nbsp;&nbsp;Headquartered in Meriden, KS, MMTH is a team of sports specialists committed to helping everyone experience a better world through sports. MMTH’s vertical integration will allow them to serve the Kansas Athletics department to improve their operational excellence through facilities and athlete and fan experience. Their work can be seen across the country from high schools to Power 4 colleges and professional teams. MMTH has additional offices in Kansas City, Mo., Sioux Falls, S.D., Scottsdale, Ariz., and Clearwater, Fla.&nbsp;The work by MMTH on campus has already begun, starting with the installation of their proprietary MMTH Turf at Hoglund Ballpark and the new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The new turf will prominently feature the MMTH brand. MMTH is also involved with elements of construction work on Phase I of the Gateway District and will also conduct a study of a multi-use indoor baseball facility near Hoglund Ballpark.&nbsp;The MMTH 360 program also proudly supports Kansas student-athletes through various engagements including NIL opportunities.“To compete in today’s collegiate environment, you can’t match the rate of change, you have to be ahead of it,” said Jake Farrant, Owner and CEO of MMTH. “KU is ready to become the leader in both athlete and fan experience.”&nbsp;&nbsp;"In conversations with coaches and administrators, NIL is pivotal and one of their highest priorities. At all levels, we believe in investing directly in the athlete. When you see the MMTH icon on a turf field, it means that the school has chosen to put their athletes first," said Farrant.&nbsp;

Kansas Athletics and MMTH Enter into Strategic Alliance

SEATTLE (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 33rd homer and Randy Arozarena connected twice as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Monday night.

Raleigh led off the seventh inning with a home run against reliever Daniel Lynch IV, prompting chants of “MVP! MVP!” from the home crowd.

Arozarena hit his 100th career homer with a solo shot in the fourth to give Seattle its first run. In the fifth, he broke open the game with a three-run drive, his 10th of the season. It was the first multihomer game for Arozarena since July 20, 2024.

George Kirby (2-4) allowed one run and three hits in six innings, striking out five without a walk. He also permitted just one run and three hits over six innings his previous time out at Minnesota.

Royals starter Michael Wacha (4-8) gave up five runs and eight hits over five innings.

Bobby Witt Jr. had two RBIs for the Royals.

Kansas City loaded the bases with one out in the eighth against reliever Trent Thornton, who then retired Witt and Maikel Garcia on grounders to limit the damage to one run.

Raleigh also had a sacrifice fly in the fifth. He leads the majors with 71 RBIs. ... Witt has at least one hit in 20 straight road games, two shy of the franchise record.

Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-8, 4.91 ERA) starts Tuesday against RHP Emerson Hancock (3-3, 5.43) in the second game of the four-game series.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751365499842.jpeg" alt="Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher Daniel Lynch IV during the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, June 30, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)" />
 <figcaption>Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher Daniel Lynch IV during the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, June 30, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEATTLE (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 33rd homer and Randy Arozarena connected twice as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Monday night.Raleigh led off the seventh inning with a home run against reliever Daniel Lynch IV, prompting chants of “MVP! MVP!” from the home crowd.Arozarena hit his 100th career homer with a solo shot in the fourth to give Seattle its first run. In the fifth, he broke open the game with a three-run drive, his 10th of the season. It was the first multihomer game for Arozarena since July 20, 2024.George Kirby (2-4) allowed one run and three hits in six innings, striking out five without a walk. He also permitted just one run and three hits over six innings his previous time out at Minnesota.Royals starter Michael Wacha (4-8) gave up five runs and eight hits over five innings.Bobby Witt Jr. had two RBIs for the Royals.<h2>Key moment</h2>Kansas City loaded the bases with one out in the eighth against reliever Trent Thornton, who then retired Witt and Maikel Garcia on grounders to limit the damage to one run.<h2>Key stats</h2>Raleigh also had a sacrifice fly in the fifth. He leads the majors with 71 RBIs. ... Witt has at least one hit in 20 straight road games, two shy of the franchise record.<h2>Up next</h2>Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-8, 4.91 ERA) starts Tuesday against RHP Emerson Hancock (3-3, 5.43) in the second game of the four-game series.

⚾ Raleigh extends MLB lead with 33rd homer in Mariners' win over Royals

The Southeast of Saline football team announced that it would hold its 10th annual Golf Scramble fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, at the Salina Municipal Golf Course.

This event will feature two sessions, with 25 teams competing in the morning at 8:00, and 25 more teeing off in an afternoon session at 1:30.

Entry fees per four-person team will be $300, which covers green fees, cart fees and a meal held between the two sessions.

All proceeds benefit the defending 2A state champion SES football team.

For more information or to register, contact Chance Ptacek at cptacek@usd306.org.

The Southeast of Saline football team announced that it would hold its 10th annual Golf Scramble fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, at the Salina Municipal Golf Course.This event will feature two sessions, with 25 teams competing in the morning at 8:00, and 25 more teeing off in an afternoon session at 1:30.Entry fees per four-person team will be $300, which covers green fees, cart fees and a meal held between the two sessions.All proceeds benefit the defending 2A state champion SES football team.For more information or to register, contact Chance Ptacek at cptacek@usd306.org.

10th Annual Trojan Football Golf Scramble to be held on August 2

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Former Wildcat Coleman Hawkins has signed a summer league contract with the Golden State Warriors and will begin his professional career at the upcoming California Classic, which is slated for July 5, 6 and 8 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Warriors will play three games against Summer League teams from the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, all on national television.

The opener with the Lakers at 5:30 p.m., CT on Saturday, July 5 can be seen nationally on ESPN2, while the matchup with the Spurs at 5:30 p.m., CT on Sunday, July 6 can be seen on NBA TV. The final contest with the Heat at 6 p.m., CT on Tuesday, July 8 will be available on ESPN+.

Hawkins is also expected to play for the Warriors at the NBA 2K26 Summer League, which runs from July 10-20 in Las Vegas.

A Sacramento, Calif., native, Hawkins will be joined on the Warriors Summer League team by several familiar foes from this past season, including Houston’s L.J. Cryer and Ja’Vier Francis, Utah’s Gabe Madsen, and Texas Tech’s Chance McMillian.

Former Wildcats Cam Carter (Spurs) and Arthur Kaluma (Lakers) are also expected to play in the California Classic after concluding their college careers this past season.

Hawkins earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors in his one season at K-State in 2024-25, as he was the only Division I player in the country to average at least 10.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He led the team in steals (1.8 spg.), blocks (1.3 bpg.), defensive rebounds (151) and minutes (33.6 mpg.), while he was second in rebounding (6.9 rpg.) and assists (4.3 apg.), third in field goals made (120) and fourth in scoring (10.7 ppg.). He scored in double figures in 16 games, including 10 times in Big 12 play, while he tallied 3 double-doubles, including a points/assists double-double at Kansas on Jan. 18.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Former Wildcat Coleman Hawkins has signed a summer league contract with the Golden State Warriors and will begin his professional career at the upcoming California Classic, which is slated for July 5, 6 and 8 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.The Warriors will play three games against Summer League teams from the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, all on national television.The opener with the Lakers at 5:30 p.m., CT on Saturday, July 5 can be seen nationally on ESPN2, while the matchup with the Spurs at 5:30 p.m., CT on Sunday, July 6 can be seen on NBA TV. The final contest with the Heat at 6 p.m., CT on Tuesday, July 8 will be available on ESPN+.Hawkins is also expected to play for the Warriors at the NBA 2K26 Summer League, which runs from July 10-20 in Las Vegas.A Sacramento, Calif., native, Hawkins will be joined on the Warriors Summer League team by several familiar foes from this past season, including Houston’s L.J. Cryer and Ja’Vier Francis, Utah’s Gabe Madsen, and Texas Tech’s Chance McMillian.Former Wildcats Cam Carter (Spurs) and Arthur Kaluma (Lakers) are also expected to play in the California Classic after concluding their college careers this past season.Hawkins earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors in his one season at K-State in 2024-25, as he was the only Division I player in the country to average at least 10.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He led the team in steals (1.8 spg.), blocks (1.3 bpg.), defensive rebounds (151) and minutes (33.6 mpg.), while he was second in rebounding (6.9 rpg.) and assists (4.3 apg.), third in field goals made (120) and fourth in scoring (10.7 ppg.). He scored in double figures in 16 games, including 10 times in Big 12 play, while he tallied 3 double-doubles, including a points/assists double-double at Kansas on Jan. 18.

Hawkins to Play with Golden State in NBA Summer League

WICHITA, Kan. (June 29, 2025)—Kyler Fedko slugged his fifth home run of the week in a 7-4 victory by the Wichita Wind Surge over the Springfield Cardinals at Equity Bank Park. The roundtripper kickstarted a five-run eighth inning that led to Wichita winning the series over the Cardinals.&nbsp;

Two unearned runs crossed for Springfield in the top of the first on an errant throw and a Chase Davis sacrifice fly to center. Gabby Gonzalez slid home safely on a wild pitch to cut the lead in half and make the score 2-1 Cardinals after an inning.&nbsp;

Leonardo Bernal brought one in on a bloop single to right in the top of the third, and Gonzalez responded with a single of his own through the left side in the home half of the inning to make the series finale a one-run game again.&nbsp;

Jaylen Nowlin and Ricky Castro, who earned the win and improved to 2-3 on the season, combined to give up just an earned run on four hits over four and one-third innings with four strikeouts against a walk. That run came on a Jeremy Rivas solo shot in the top of the eighth to give Springfield a 4-2 lead with Wichita down to their final six outs.

The response from the Wind Surge was massive, bringing in five runs on as many hits. After a one-out double from Walker Jenkins and a walk to Nate Baez, Fedko elevated a go-ahead three-run home run into the Wichita bullpen. Ben Ross laced a long single off the left field wall to brin in Ricardo Olivar, and then Jose Salas doubled to right field to bring in run number five in Baez to make the score 7-4.

Jacob Wosinski got all three outs after a leadoff single and a walk to garner his first-ever Double-A save and give the Wind Surge a series victory over the Cardinals.&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. (June 29, 2025)—Kyler Fedko slugged his fifth home run of the week in a 7-4 victory by the Wichita Wind Surge over the Springfield Cardinals at Equity Bank Park. The roundtripper kickstarted a five-run eighth inning that led to Wichita winning the series over the Cardinals.&nbsp;Two unearned runs crossed for Springfield in the top of the first on an errant throw and a Chase Davis sacrifice fly to center. Gabby Gonzalez slid home safely on a wild pitch to cut the lead in half and make the score 2-1 Cardinals after an inning.&nbsp;Leonardo Bernal brought one in on a bloop single to right in the top of the third, and Gonzalez responded with a single of his own through the left side in the home half of the inning to make the series finale a one-run game again.&nbsp;Jaylen Nowlin and Ricky Castro, who earned the win and improved to 2-3 on the season, combined to give up just an earned run on four hits over four and one-third innings with four strikeouts against a walk. That run came on a Jeremy Rivas solo shot in the top of the eighth to give Springfield a 4-2 lead with Wichita down to their final six outs.The response from the Wind Surge was massive, bringing in five runs on as many hits. After a one-out double from Walker Jenkins and a walk to Nate Baez, Fedko elevated a go-ahead three-run home run into the Wichita bullpen. Ben Ross laced a long single off the left field wall to brin in Ricardo Olivar, and then Jose Salas doubled to right field to bring in run number five in Baez to make the score 7-4.Jacob Wosinski got all three outs after a leadoff single and a walk to garner his first-ever Double-A save and give the Wind Surge a series victory over the Cardinals.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Kyler Fedko finishes the series with five home runs and the month of June with six long balls.&nbsp;</li><li>Gabby Gonzalez has hit in eight straight games.</li><li>Kala’i Rosario is on an 11 Game On Base Streak.</li><li>Today marks Wichita’s third win of the year when trailing after seven innings.</li><li>The Wind Surge take the series 4-2 over the Springfield Cardinals.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Wind Surge Storm Back In Eighth To Defeat Cardinals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer, Will Smith also went deep and the Los Angeles Dodgers got a dominant performance from Justin Wrobleski and the rest of their bullpen in a rain-delayed 5-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Wrobleski (4-2) pitched six innings of three-hit ball in place of opener Lou Trivino, Kirby Yates worked a perfect eighth and Jack Dreyer handled the ninth, helping Los Angeles win for the sixth time in seven games.

Max Muncy and Miguel Rojas also drove in runs for the Dodgers, who have won six consecutive series.

Kris Bubic (6-6) allowed Hernández's two-run shot in the second inning among his three hits and two walks in five innings. The left-hander struck out five but still took his fourth loss in his last five starts, despite maintaining a 2.25 ERA.

Bobby Witt Jr. doubled in the first to score the only run for the Royals, who have lost seven of their last eight games.

Both of the teams paid homage to the Negro Leagues, whose museum is less than 10 miles from Kauffman Stadium. The Dodgers wore hats from their Brooklyn days out of respect for Jackie Robinson, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs before breaking the color barrier, and the Royals wore the interlocking “KC” hats of the 1945 Monarchs.

The Dodgers were leading 2-1 in the fifth when Freddy Fermin led off with a bunt single for Kansas City. Drew Waters worked a 3-0 count before failing to get down a sacrifice bunt, striking out instead. Wrobleski proceeded to get Jonathan India to pop out and struck out Witt to end the threat.

The Royals went 6 for 12 with runners in scoring position in their 9-5 win Saturday. They were 1 for 5 on Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751279398489.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Dodgers' Kike Hernandez (8) celebrates with Andy Pages (44) after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Los Angeles Dodgers' Kike Hernandez (8) celebrates with Andy Pages (44) after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer, Will Smith also went deep and the Los Angeles Dodgers got a dominant performance from Justin Wrobleski and the rest of their bullpen in a rain-delayed 5-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.Wrobleski (4-2) pitched six innings of three-hit ball in place of opener Lou Trivino, Kirby Yates worked a perfect eighth and Jack Dreyer handled the ninth, helping Los Angeles win for the sixth time in seven games.Max Muncy and Miguel Rojas also drove in runs for the Dodgers, who have won six consecutive series.Kris Bubic (6-6) allowed Hernández's two-run shot in the second inning among his three hits and two walks in five innings. The left-hander struck out five but still took his fourth loss in his last five starts, despite maintaining a 2.25 ERA.Bobby Witt Jr. doubled in the first to score the only run for the Royals, who have lost seven of their last eight games.Both of the teams paid homage to the Negro Leagues, whose museum is less than 10 miles from Kauffman Stadium. The Dodgers wore hats from their Brooklyn days out of respect for Jackie Robinson, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs before breaking the color barrier, and the Royals wore the interlocking “KC” hats of the 1945 Monarchs.<h2>Key moment</h2>The Dodgers were leading 2-1 in the fifth when Freddy Fermin led off with a bunt single for Kansas City. Drew Waters worked a 3-0 count before failing to get down a sacrifice bunt, striking out instead. Wrobleski proceeded to get Jonathan India to pop out and struck out Witt to end the threat.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Royals went 6 for 12 with runners in scoring position in their 9-5 win Saturday. They were 1 for 5 on Sunday.<h2>Up next</h2>

⚾ Dodgers' Hernández and Smith homer in win over Royals

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22STEPHEN%20WHYNO%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer</a>

D. Wayne Lukas, the Hall of Famer who became one of the most accomplished trainers in the history of horse racing and a face of the sport for decades, has died. He was 89.

His family said Sunday that Lukas died Saturday night at his Louisville, Kentucky, home.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d-wayne-lukas-hosptialized-3696adc1800e69d3f7708374bd444d1c">Lukas had been hospitalized</a>&nbsp;with a severe MRSA blood infection that caused significant damage to his heart and digestive system and worsened pre-existing chronic conditions.

“Wayne devoted his life not only to horses but to the industry — developing generations of horsemen and horsewomen and growing the game by inviting unsuspecting fans into the winner’s circle,” his family said in a statement. “Whether he was boasting about a maiden 2-year-old as the next Kentucky Derby winner or offering quiet words of advice before a big race, Wayne brought heart, grace, and grit to every corner of the sport. His final days were spent at home in Kentucky, where he chose peace, family, and faith.”

Lukas won 15 Triple Crown races, including the Kentucky Derby four times. Only good friend Bob Baffert has more Triple Crown victories, and Lukas owns a record-tying 20 in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

“The whole secret of this game, I think, is being able to read the horse: Read what he needs, what he doesn’t need, what he can’t do, what he can do,” Lukas said in May before his 34th and final Preakness Stakes. “That’s the whole key. Everybody’s got the blacksmith, everybody’s got to the same bed available, the feed man. We all can hire a good jockey. We all can hire a pretty good exercise rider if we’ve got the means, so what the hell is the difference? The horse is the difference and what we do with him in reading him.”

Lukas was affectionately known around the barns and the racetrack as “Coach” because he coached high school basketball before his professional career with horses began. Even with months to go before his 90th birthday, he would get up on his pony in the early morning hours and go out to the track himself, rather than letting his assistants do the day-to-day work.

Born Darnell Wayne Lukas on Sept. 2, 1935, in Wisconsin as the second of three children, he rose to prominence in the sport with quarter horses in races that are effectively sprints. He moved into thoroughbreds in the late 1970s and won his first Preakness with Codex in 1980.

Lukas has 4,967 documented victories in thoroughbred racing, with his horses earning more than $310 million from more than 30,600 starts.

"Today we lost one of the great champions of Churchill Downs and one of the most significant figures in Thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years,” Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “We will miss his humor, his wisdom and his unmatched capacity to thrill the fans with the performances of his horses on our sport’s biggest days.”

Achieving something of a career renaissance over the past decade, one he credits to finding the right owners willing to spend money on horses, Lukas won the Preakness last year with Seize the Grey. Asked what motivates him to keep doing his job well into his late 80s, he gave a pep talk fit for a locker room before a big game.

“If you have a passion, you eliminate all the excuses,” Lukas said. “That’s how it works. You get up early. You go without a meal. You drive. You go without sleep — as long as you got the passion. Don’t let that sofa pull you down. It’s a little easy when that alarm goes off to say, ‘Oh my God, I don’t know if I really want to do this today.’ Erase that. The most important decision you’ll ever make in your life is your attitude decision. Make it early, and make the right one.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751224552018.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22STEPHEN%20WHYNO%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer</a>D. Wayne Lukas, the Hall of Famer who became one of the most accomplished trainers in the history of horse racing and a face of the sport for decades, has died. He was 89.His family said Sunday that Lukas died Saturday night at his Louisville, Kentucky, home.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d-wayne-lukas-hosptialized-3696adc1800e69d3f7708374bd444d1c">Lukas had been hospitalized</a>&nbsp;with a severe MRSA blood infection that caused significant damage to his heart and digestive system and worsened pre-existing chronic conditions.“Wayne devoted his life not only to horses but to the industry — developing generations of horsemen and horsewomen and growing the game by inviting unsuspecting fans into the winner’s circle,” his family said in a statement. “Whether he was boasting about a maiden 2-year-old as the next Kentucky Derby winner or offering quiet words of advice before a big race, Wayne brought heart, grace, and grit to every corner of the sport. His final days were spent at home in Kentucky, where he chose peace, family, and faith.”Lukas won 15 Triple Crown races, including the Kentucky Derby four times. Only good friend Bob Baffert has more Triple Crown victories, and Lukas owns a record-tying 20 in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.“The whole secret of this game, I think, is being able to read the horse: Read what he needs, what he doesn’t need, what he can’t do, what he can do,” Lukas said in May before his 34th and final Preakness Stakes. “That’s the whole key. Everybody’s got the blacksmith, everybody’s got to the same bed available, the feed man. We all can hire a good jockey. We all can hire a pretty good exercise rider if we’ve got the means, so what the hell is the difference? The horse is the difference and what we do with him in reading him.”Lukas was affectionately known around the barns and the racetrack as “Coach” because he coached high school basketball before his professional career with horses began. Even with months to go before his 90th birthday, he would get up on his pony in the early morning hours and go out to the track himself, rather than letting his assistants do the day-to-day work.Born Darnell Wayne Lukas on Sept. 2, 1935, in Wisconsin as the second of three children, he rose to prominence in the sport with quarter horses in races that are effectively sprints. He moved into thoroughbreds in the late 1970s and won his first Preakness with Codex in 1980.Lukas has 4,967 documented victories in thoroughbred racing, with his horses earning more than $310 million from more than 30,600 starts."Today we lost one of the great champions of Churchill Downs and one of the most significant figures in Thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years,” Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “We will miss his humor, his wisdom and his unmatched capacity to thrill the fans with the performances of his horses on our sport’s biggest days.”Achieving something of a career renaissance over the past decade, one he credits to finding the right owners willing to spend money on horses, Lukas won the Preakness last year with Seize the Grey. Asked what motivates him to keep doing his job well into his late 80s, he gave a pep talk fit for a locker room before a big game.“If you have a passion, you eliminate all the excuses,” Lukas said. “That’s how it works. You get up early. You go without a meal. You drive. You go without sleep — as long as you got the passion. Don’t let that sofa pull you down. It’s a little easy when that alarm goes off to say, ‘Oh my God, I don’t know if I really want to do this today.’ Erase that. The most important decision you’ll ever make in your life is your attitude decision. Make it early, and make the right one.”___

Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a winner of 15 Triple Crown races, dies at 89

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered, doubled and drove in a career high-tying five runs, and the Kansas City Royals beat Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-5 on Saturday to snap an 11-game home losing streak.

Ohtani made his third start of the season and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-pitching-882646a3578e99e4c81b1c0e774df7d1">threw the fastest pitch</a>&nbsp;of his career, a 101.7 mph fastball that induced an inning-ending double-play grounder by Pasquantino in the first.

The Dodgers' two-way superstar threw 27 pitches in two scoreless innings. He is working as an opener as he eases back into pitching following Tommy John surgery in 2023. Ohtani went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as LA's leadoff batter.

Pasquantino’s&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1939074998011916473">430-foot, three-run blast</a>&nbsp;to right-center off Ben Casparius (6-2) capped a four-run fifth inning for the Royals, who won at Kaufmann Stadium for the first time since May 31. They ended a six-game skid overall.

Freddie Freeman went 3-for-3 with a homer for the Dodgers, whose five-game winning streak ended. Infielder Miguel Rojas pitched the eighth.

Seth Lugo (5-5) threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out eight.

Casparius relieved Ohtani in the third and quickly allowed three hits and a pair of runs on Maikel Garcia’s two-out double off the left-field wall.

Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single in the fifth before Pasquantino went deep. Pasquantino added a two-run double in the seventh.

Jonathan India and Witt each had four hits as the top four Royals batters finished with 11 hits and eight runs.

The Royals' four-run fifth was their biggest inning at home since they scored four in the eighth against the Chicago White Sox on May 8.

The Royals' 15 home-field home runs are the fewest in the majors.

The Dodgers plan to use an opener for Sunday’s series finale against Royals LHP Kris Bubic (6-5, 2.16 ERA).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751156034931.png" alt="Image from KC Royals video" />
 <figcaption>Image from KC Royals video</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered, doubled and drove in a career high-tying five runs, and the Kansas City Royals beat Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-5 on Saturday to snap an 11-game home losing streak.Ohtani made his third start of the season and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-pitching-882646a3578e99e4c81b1c0e774df7d1">threw the fastest pitch</a>&nbsp;of his career, a 101.7 mph fastball that induced an inning-ending double-play grounder by Pasquantino in the first.The Dodgers' two-way superstar threw 27 pitches in two scoreless innings. He is working as an opener as he eases back into pitching following Tommy John surgery in 2023. Ohtani went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as LA's leadoff batter.Pasquantino’s&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1939074998011916473">430-foot, three-run blast</a>&nbsp;to right-center off Ben Casparius (6-2) capped a four-run fifth inning for the Royals, who won at Kaufmann Stadium for the first time since May 31. They ended a six-game skid overall.Freddie Freeman went 3-for-3 with a homer for the Dodgers, whose five-game winning streak ended. Infielder Miguel Rojas pitched the eighth.Seth Lugo (5-5) threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out eight.Casparius relieved Ohtani in the third and quickly allowed three hits and a pair of runs on Maikel Garcia’s two-out double off the left-field wall.Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single in the fifth before Pasquantino went deep. Pasquantino added a two-run double in the seventh.Jonathan India and Witt each had four hits as the top four Royals batters finished with 11 hits and eight runs.LA scored four runs in the ninth.<h2>Key moment</h2>The Royals' four-run fifth was their biggest inning at home since they scored four in the eighth against the Chicago White Sox on May 8.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Royals' 15 home-field home runs are the fewest in the majors.<h2>Up next</h2>The Dodgers plan to use an opener for Sunday’s series finale against Royals LHP Kris Bubic (6-5, 2.16 ERA).

⚾ Pasquantino's big day helps Royals beat Ohtani and the Dodgers 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani led off the game with his 29th home run and also hit an RBI triple, and Freddie Freeman stretched as he fell over to complete a game-ending double play as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Friday night for their fifth straight win.

Ohtani hit his major league-leading eighth leadoff homer this season, a drive off off Noah Cameron (2-4), and Max Muncy hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer for a 3-1 lead in the second.

Bobby Witt Jr.'s two-run homer against Dustin May put Kansas City ahead 4-3 in the bottom half and gave the Royals their first lead since Sunday.

Ohtani tied the score in the fifth against Cameron (2-4) with his seventh triple of the season and scored on Mookie Betts' single off Steven Cruz.

Kansas City loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Tanner Scott on singles by Mikael Garcia and Salvador Perez around Vinnie Pacquantino's walk.

Rookie Jac Caglianone grounded to second Tommy Edman, who made a backhand flip to Betts at second, and Betts bounced his throw to Freeman. The All-Star first baseman snagged the ball as he fell to the field, giving Scott his 18th save in 23 chances.

Kansas City has lost six straight overall and 11 home games in a row.

Lou Trivino (3-0) got five outs as five Dodgers relievers combined for shutout relief of Dustin May, who gave up four runs, six hits and three walks in four innings.

Cameron (2-4) allowed five runs, three hits and three walks in four-plus innings

Perez had a run-scoring single in the first. Kyle Isbel lined an RBI double just over the outstretched glove of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez in the three-run second for the Royals, who had scored on run during a three-game series against Tampa Bay.

Freeman, who won a Gold Glove in 2018, made the outstanding defensive play that ended the game.

Kansas City tied its record for consecutive home losses, set from Sept. 21, 2011, to April 23, 2012, and matched from May 6 to June 4, 2013.

Ohtani (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his third mound appearance since elbow surgery, facing RHP Seth Lugo (4-5, 2.93 ERA) on Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751102005125.png" alt="Ohtani image from Dodger video" />
 <figcaption>Ohtani image from Dodger video</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani led off the game with his 29th home run and also hit an RBI triple, and Freddie Freeman stretched as he fell over to complete a game-ending double play as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Friday night for their fifth straight win.Ohtani hit his major league-leading eighth leadoff homer this season, a drive off off Noah Cameron (2-4), and Max Muncy hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer for a 3-1 lead in the second.Bobby Witt Jr.'s two-run homer against Dustin May put Kansas City ahead 4-3 in the bottom half and gave the Royals their first lead since Sunday.Ohtani tied the score in the fifth against Cameron (2-4) with his seventh triple of the season and scored on Mookie Betts' single off Steven Cruz.Kansas City loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Tanner Scott on singles by Mikael Garcia and Salvador Perez around Vinnie Pacquantino's walk.Rookie Jac Caglianone grounded to second Tommy Edman, who made a backhand flip to Betts at second, and Betts bounced his throw to Freeman. The All-Star first baseman snagged the ball as he fell to the field, giving Scott his 18th save in 23 chances.Kansas City has lost six straight overall and 11 home games in a row.Lou Trivino (3-0) got five outs as five Dodgers relievers combined for shutout relief of Dustin May, who gave up four runs, six hits and three walks in four innings.Cameron (2-4) allowed five runs, three hits and three walks in four-plus inningsPerez had a run-scoring single in the first. Kyle Isbel lined an RBI double just over the outstretched glove of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez in the three-run second for the Royals, who had scored on run during a three-game series against Tampa Bay.<h2>Key Moment</h2>Freeman, who won a Gold Glove in 2018, made the outstanding defensive play that ended the game.<h2>Key Stat</h2>Kansas City tied its record for consecutive home losses, set from Sept. 21, 2011, to April 23, 2012, and matched from May 6 to June 4, 2013.<h2>Up Next</h2>Ohtani (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his third mound appearance since elbow surgery, facing RHP Seth Lugo (4-5, 2.93 ERA) on Saturday.

⚾ Ohtani hits 29th homer, adds RBI triple to lead Dodgers over Royals

WICHITA, Kan. (June 26, 2025)—Kala’i Rosario drove in three runs in a 5-0 Wichita Wind Surge victory over the Springfield Cardinals at Equity Bank Park. The Wind Surge put up all five runs over the second and third innings while a pitching trio shut out the Cardinals for the second time this week.&nbsp;

C.J. Culpepper threw his longest outing of the season with Wichita, going for four innings and giving up just three hits and a walk with a strikeout. He’s improved in outing length for his first three Wind Surge starts in 2025.&nbsp;

Kyler Fedko stroked a solo home run to right field, his 14th of the year, in the bottom of the second. He’s hit two long balls in three games so far this week.&nbsp;

Wichita put up four runs on three hits and an error in the home half of the third. After loading the bases on a Jake Rucker single to left and two walks, Rosario pummeled a bases-clearing triple to the left-center alley. Ricardo Olivar laced a single to left field past a diving Ramon Mendoza to score Rosario and make the score 5-0 Wind Surge.&nbsp;

That score would remain that until the end of the night thanks to Jaylen Nowlin and Aaron Rozek. Nowlin threw two no-hit frames of relief action with three strikeouts, earning the win and improving to 3-0 on the season. Aaron Rozek took it the rest of the way with just two hits and a walk over the final three frames, recording all of his final six outs via the swinging strikeout to secure the shutout win.&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. (June 26, 2025)—Kala’i Rosario drove in three runs in a 5-0 Wichita Wind Surge victory over the Springfield Cardinals at Equity Bank Park. The Wind Surge put up all five runs over the second and third innings while a pitching trio shut out the Cardinals for the second time this week.&nbsp;C.J. Culpepper threw his longest outing of the season with Wichita, going for four innings and giving up just three hits and a walk with a strikeout. He’s improved in outing length for his first three Wind Surge starts in 2025.&nbsp;Kyler Fedko stroked a solo home run to right field, his 14th of the year, in the bottom of the second. He’s hit two long balls in three games so far this week.&nbsp;Wichita put up four runs on three hits and an error in the home half of the third. After loading the bases on a Jake Rucker single to left and two walks, Rosario pummeled a bases-clearing triple to the left-center alley. Ricardo Olivar laced a single to left field past a diving Ramon Mendoza to score Rosario and make the score 5-0 Wind Surge.&nbsp;That score would remain that until the end of the night thanks to Jaylen Nowlin and Aaron Rozek. Nowlin threw two no-hit frames of relief action with three strikeouts, earning the win and improving to 3-0 on the season. Aaron Rozek took it the rest of the way with just two hits and a walk over the final three frames, recording all of his final six outs via the swinging strikeout to secure the shutout win.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Kyler Fedko is one homer away from tying last season’s Wind Surge leader, Carson McCusker (15). His home run in the second was also the first Boot Barn Home Run hit by a Wichita.</li><li>Kala’i Rosario is up to nine RBI this week and improves his hitting streak to eight games.</li><li>Aaron Rozek picks up his first save of the season and the second of his professional career.&nbsp;</li><li>The Wind Surge have won seven straight games at home, tying the most consecutive home victories in franchise history (2021).</li><li>Wichita throws its seventh shutout of the season.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Wichita Shuts Out Springfield For The Second Time This Week

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State will play Mississippi State in the second game of the Hall of Fame Classic at 8:30 p.m., CT on Thursday, Nov. 20 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, as the NABC announced the complete bracket for the 25th annual event on Thursday (June 26).

Nebraska and New Mexico will open the tournament at 6 p.m., CT on Thursday. The winners of the two semifinal matchups will play in the championship game at 8:30 p.m., CT on Friday, Nov. 21 with the consolation bracket set for 6 p.m., CT.

All games will be streamed on <a href="https://www.peacocktv.com/">Peacock</a> and <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/now">NBC Sports NOW</a>.

Tickets for the 2025 Hall of Fame Classic will go on sale via the T-Mobile Center box office and <a href="http://t-mobilecenter.com/">t-mobilecenter.com</a> on Sept. 3.

The Bulldogs are coming off their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024-25 with a third straight 20-win season under head coach Chris Jans. They finished in a four-way tie for ninth in the rugged SEC with Arkansas, Georgia and Vanderbilt with an 8-10 mark.

This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the schools and the first since a 67-61 MSU win at the Never Forget Tribute Classic in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 14, 2019. K-State won the previous three meetings in the series in 1984, 1985 and 1994.

Nebraska won the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament championship in 2025, finishing with a 21-14 record and a 7-13 mark in Big Ten play. New Mexico (27-8) captured the Mountain West regular-season championship with a 17-3 record and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.

K-State leads the all-time series with both Nebraska (128-94) and New Mexico (4-2), having last met the Lobos in 2006 and Cornhuskers in 2023.

K-State will be making its fourth appearance in the Hall of Fame Classic and the first since 2021. The Wildcats finished as the tournament runner-up in their first two visits, defeating No. 18 Gonzaga before losing to top-ranked Duke in 2010 and defeating Missouri before losing to No. 9 North Carolina in 2015. The team lost to No. 13 Arkansas and No. 14 Illinois in their most recent appearance in 2021.

The Hall of Fame Classic was created by the Kansas City-based National Association of Basketball Classic (NABC) in 2001 as the Guardians Classic and was later known as the CBE Classic and CBE Hall of Fame Classic before being rebranded as the Hall of Fame Classic in 2017.

Peacock’s expansive sports programming features live coverage including Sunday Night Football, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Big Ten Football and Basketball, Notre Dame Football, BIG EAST basketball, Premier League, NASCAR, golf, the NBA beginning in 2025-26, the WNBA beginning in 2026, La Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026, and much more. Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State will play Mississippi State in the second game of the Hall of Fame Classic at 8:30 p.m., CT on Thursday, Nov. 20 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, as the NABC announced the complete bracket for the 25th annual event on Thursday (June 26).Nebraska and New Mexico will open the tournament at 6 p.m., CT on Thursday. The winners of the two semifinal matchups will play in the championship game at 8:30 p.m., CT on Friday, Nov. 21 with the consolation bracket set for 6 p.m., CT.All games will be streamed on <a href="https://www.peacocktv.com/">Peacock</a> and <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/now">NBC Sports NOW</a>.Tickets for the 2025 Hall of Fame Classic will go on sale via the T-Mobile Center box office and <a href="http://t-mobilecenter.com/">t-mobilecenter.com</a> on Sept. 3.The Bulldogs are coming off their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024-25 with a third straight 20-win season under head coach Chris Jans. They finished in a four-way tie for ninth in the rugged SEC with Arkansas, Georgia and Vanderbilt with an 8-10 mark.This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the schools and the first since a 67-61 MSU win at the Never Forget Tribute Classic in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 14, 2019. K-State won the previous three meetings in the series in 1984, 1985 and 1994.Nebraska won the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament championship in 2025, finishing with a 21-14 record and a 7-13 mark in Big Ten play. New Mexico (27-8) captured the Mountain West regular-season championship with a 17-3 record and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.K-State leads the all-time series with both Nebraska (128-94) and New Mexico (4-2), having last met the Lobos in 2006 and Cornhuskers in 2023.K-State will be making its fourth appearance in the Hall of Fame Classic and the first since 2021. The Wildcats finished as the tournament runner-up in their first two visits, defeating No. 18 Gonzaga before losing to top-ranked Duke in 2010 and defeating Missouri before losing to No. 9 North Carolina in 2015. The team lost to No. 13 Arkansas and No. 14 Illinois in their most recent appearance in 2021.The Hall of Fame Classic was created by the Kansas City-based National Association of Basketball Classic (NABC) in 2001 as the Guardians Classic and was later known as the CBE Classic and CBE Hall of Fame Classic before being rebranded as the Hall of Fame Classic in 2017.Peacock’s expansive sports programming features live coverage including Sunday Night Football, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Big Ten Football and Basketball, Notre Dame Football, BIG EAST basketball, Premier League, NASCAR, golf, the NBA beginning in 2025-26, the WNBA beginning in 2026, La Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026, and much more. Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel.

K-State to Play Mississippi State at Hall of Fame Classic

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shane Baz allowed three hits over a career-best eight innings, Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero hit back-to-back homers in the sixth, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 on Thursday for a three-game sweep.

Baz (8-3) struck out nine and walked one. Jacob Lowe had three hits for the Rays, and Jake Mangum hit a run-scoring triple.

Tampa Bay has won five of six to move a season-high 11 games above .500 (46-35) and a half-game behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees, who were off Thursday.

Paul Gervase gave up singles to Jonathan India and Vinnie Pasquantino before Pete Fairbanks came on with one out in the ninth and got Maikel Garcia to ground into a 6-4-3 double play for his 15th save.

Tampa Bay starters have thrown 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.

The Royals were also shut out on Wednesday and scored one run in their three losses to the Rays. Kansas City has gone 14-27 (.341) — third worst in the majors over that span — since starting the season 24-16 (.600).

Jonathan Aranda hit a two-out double and then scored on Mangum's triple off starter Michael Lorenzen (4-8) before Josh Lowe added an RBI single to cap Tampa Bay's two-run fourth.

The Rays are the first team in the majors to sweep three road series this season. Tampa Bay swept a three-game series at the New York Mets earlier this month and won three straight at San Diego in April.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shane Baz allowed three hits over a career-best eight innings, Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero hit back-to-back homers in the sixth, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 on Thursday for a three-game sweep.Baz (8-3) struck out nine and walked one. Jacob Lowe had three hits for the Rays, and Jake Mangum hit a run-scoring triple.Tampa Bay has won five of six to move a season-high 11 games above .500 (46-35) and a half-game behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees, who were off Thursday.Paul Gervase gave up singles to Jonathan India and Vinnie Pasquantino before Pete Fairbanks came on with one out in the ninth and got Maikel Garcia to ground into a 6-4-3 double play for his 15th save.Tampa Bay starters have thrown 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.The Royals were also shut out on Wednesday and scored one run in their three losses to the Rays. Kansas City has gone 14-27 (.341) — third worst in the majors over that span — since starting the season 24-16 (.600).<h2>Key moment</h2>Jonathan Aranda hit a two-out double and then scored on Mangum's triple off starter Michael Lorenzen (4-8) before Josh Lowe added an RBI single to cap Tampa Bay's two-run fourth.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Rays are the first team in the majors to sweep three road series this season. Tampa Bay swept a three-game series at the New York Mets earlier this month and won three straight at San Diego in April.<h2>Up next</h2>

⚾Baz goes 8 scoreless as Rays blank Royals for 3-game sweep

WICHITA, Kan. (June 25, 2025)—Kala’i Rosario hit for the cycle in a 10-1 Wichita Wind Surge win over the Springfield Cardinals at Equity Bank Park.&nbsp;

John Klein struck out a season-high nine hitters over five innings with two hits, an earned run, and a walk finishing out his line. He improved to 5-4 on the year with the win, while Ricky Castro earned his second save after throwing for the final three innings with just two walks given up besides three strikeouts.&nbsp;

Rosario smoked a ground ball double the other way to right center to bring in Gabby Gonzalez for a 1-0 Wind Surge lead in the bottom of the first. Jorel Ortega gave Wichita another run on a sacrifice fly to right field in the home half of the second.&nbsp;

JJ Wetherholt grounded an RBI single to right center in the top of the third to make the score 2-1 Wichita, then Kala’i Rosario roped a solo shot off the scoreboard, his eighth of the season, to return a two-run lead for the Wind Surge in the bottom of the inning.&nbsp;

Wichita scored four more times in the bottom of the fourth on just a hit. Kaelen Culpepper drew a bases-loaded walk, and then Ben Ross came home on a groundout. Rosario singled to right center for the latter two runs to score and provide a 7-1 Wichita lead.&nbsp;

Culpepper homered for the second straight game to left field in the home half of the sixth.&nbsp;

Rosario proceeded to complete the cycle with a two-RBI triple to right center in the bottom of the eighth to give the Wind Surge a 10-1 lead that became the eventual final score. He’s the second-ever Wichita batter to accomplish the feat.&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. (June 25, 2025)—Kala’i Rosario hit for the cycle in a 10-1 Wichita Wind Surge win over the Springfield Cardinals at Equity Bank Park.&nbsp;John Klein struck out a season-high nine hitters over five innings with two hits, an earned run, and a walk finishing out his line. He improved to 5-4 on the year with the win, while Ricky Castro earned his second save after throwing for the final three innings with just two walks given up besides three strikeouts.&nbsp;Rosario smoked a ground ball double the other way to right center to bring in Gabby Gonzalez for a 1-0 Wind Surge lead in the bottom of the first. Jorel Ortega gave Wichita another run on a sacrifice fly to right field in the home half of the second.&nbsp;JJ Wetherholt grounded an RBI single to right center in the top of the third to make the score 2-1 Wichita, then Kala’i Rosario roped a solo shot off the scoreboard, his eighth of the season, to return a two-run lead for the Wind Surge in the bottom of the inning.&nbsp;Wichita scored four more times in the bottom of the fourth on just a hit. Kaelen Culpepper drew a bases-loaded walk, and then Ben Ross came home on a groundout. Rosario singled to right center for the latter two runs to score and provide a 7-1 Wichita lead.&nbsp;Culpepper homered for the second straight game to left field in the home half of the sixth.&nbsp;Rosario proceeded to complete the cycle with a two-RBI triple to right center in the bottom of the eighth to give the Wind Surge a 10-1 lead that became the eventual final score. He’s the second-ever Wichita batter to accomplish the feat.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Kala’i Rosario is the second Wind Surge hitter in franchise history to hit for the cycle (Christian Encarnacion-Strand, July 17, 2022, vs. Arkansas). He’s also the first Wichita hitter this year with five or more RBIs in a game (6).</li><li>Kaelen Culpepper hits his second home run with the Wind Surge.</li><li>John Klein tallies a new season-high in strikeouts (9).&nbsp;</li><li>Ricky Castro is up to two saves out of the bullpen in long relief action in 2025.</li><li>Every Wichita hitter in the lineup reached base.</li><li>Wind Surge won sixth consecutive home game.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Wind Surge Fire On All Cylinders In Victory Over Cardinals

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVE%20SKRETTA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest"></a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Drew Rasmussen tossed five innings of two-hit ball, Tampa Bay scored three times in the second on an array of singles and bunts, and the Rays held on the rest of the way to beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Rasmussen (7-5) struck out five and walked two before turning it over to the Tampa Bay bullpen on a hot, humid night. Three relievers combined to allow one hit and one walk before Pete Fairbanks handled the ninth for his 14th save.

The Rays (45-35) have won five straight on the road, nine of their last 12 overall and are a season-best 10 games over .500.

José Caballero had an RBI bunt single and Danny Jansen laid down a sacrifice bunt against Michael Wacha during the decisive second for Tampa Bay. Christopher Morel, Josh Lowe and Chandler Simpson had singles in the inning.

Other than that, Wacha (4-7) was tough on the Rays. He went six innings and struck out nine while walking just one.

His biggest problem has been the Royals' biggest problem: They aren't scoring. Not only have they managed four runs total amid a four-game losing streak, they have given Wacha two runs of support or fewer in 13 of his 16 starts this season.

Kansas City has lost nine straight at Kauffman Stadium since beating Detroit on May 31, its longest home skid since dropping 10 in a row in April and May 2023. The Royals also have lost 10 of their last 14 games overall.

The Royals put runners on the corners in the fourth, but Salvador Perez popped out on his first pitch to end the threat.

Kansas City has not hit a home run in its last 54 innings at Kauffman Stadium.

Rays RHP Shane Baz (7-3, 4.79 ERA) starts the series finale Thursday. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-7, 4.81) starts for the Royals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750933236408.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone catches a fly ball for the out on Tampa Bay Rays' Josh Lowe during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone catches a fly ball for the out on Tampa Bay Rays' Josh Lowe during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVE%20SKRETTA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest"></a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Drew Rasmussen tossed five innings of two-hit ball, Tampa Bay scored three times in the second on an array of singles and bunts, and the Rays held on the rest of the way to beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.Rasmussen (7-5) struck out five and walked two before turning it over to the Tampa Bay bullpen on a hot, humid night. Three relievers combined to allow one hit and one walk before Pete Fairbanks handled the ninth for his 14th save.The Rays (45-35) have won five straight on the road, nine of their last 12 overall and are a season-best 10 games over .500.José Caballero had an RBI bunt single and Danny Jansen laid down a sacrifice bunt against Michael Wacha during the decisive second for Tampa Bay. Christopher Morel, Josh Lowe and Chandler Simpson had singles in the inning.Other than that, Wacha (4-7) was tough on the Rays. He went six innings and struck out nine while walking just one.His biggest problem has been the Royals' biggest problem: They aren't scoring. Not only have they managed four runs total amid a four-game losing streak, they have given Wacha two runs of support or fewer in 13 of his 16 starts this season.Kansas City has lost nine straight at Kauffman Stadium since beating Detroit on May 31, its longest home skid since dropping 10 in a row in April and May 2023. The Royals also have lost 10 of their last 14 games overall.<h2>Key moment</h2>The Royals put runners on the corners in the fourth, but Salvador Perez popped out on his first pitch to end the threat.<h2>Key stat</h2>Kansas City has not hit a home run in its last 54 innings at Kauffman Stadium.<h2>Up next</h2>Rays RHP Shane Baz (7-3, 4.79 ERA) starts the series finale Thursday. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-7, 4.81) starts for the Royals.

⚾ Rasmussen and the Rays bullpen shine in win over Royals

WICHITA, Kan. (June 24, 2025)—Nate Baez, Kaelen Culpepper, and Kyler Fedko all homered in a 3-0 victory for the Wichita Wind Surge over the Springfield Cardinals at Equity Bank Park. The shutout is also the seventh of the season thrown by the Wind Surge pitching staff.&nbsp;

Christian MacLeod, Jacob Wosinski, Mike Paredes, and Tanner Andrews combined for the seventh shutout of the season for the Wind Surge. MacLeod gave up just three hits and a walk with a pair of strikeouts in his second start back from injury. Wosinski ended up earning the win to jump to 2-1 on the year with Wichita after two innings of two-hit baseball with two walks.&nbsp;

Baez debuted his new number #13 in loud fashion with a solo home run, his second with Wichita, out to left in the bottom of the second.&nbsp;

Fedko jumped back ahead to the top of the Texas League leaderboard with a solo shot, #13 of the year, off the Wind Surge scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth. Culpepper followed after the stretch in the seventh with a blast of his own for his first as a member of the Wind Surge and a 3-0 lead.&nbsp;

Paredes and Andrews didn’t let Springfield get a hit for the final four innings to end the night, with Andrews getting his first save in a Wind Surge uniform after a scoreless ninth.&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. (June 24, 2025)—Nate Baez, Kaelen Culpepper, and Kyler Fedko all homered in a 3-0 victory for the Wichita Wind Surge over the Springfield Cardinals at Equity Bank Park. The shutout is also the seventh of the season thrown by the Wind Surge pitching staff.&nbsp;Christian MacLeod, Jacob Wosinski, Mike Paredes, and Tanner Andrews combined for the seventh shutout of the season for the Wind Surge. MacLeod gave up just three hits and a walk with a pair of strikeouts in his second start back from injury. Wosinski ended up earning the win to jump to 2-1 on the year with Wichita after two innings of two-hit baseball with two walks.&nbsp;Baez debuted his new number #13 in loud fashion with a solo home run, his second with Wichita, out to left in the bottom of the second.&nbsp;Fedko jumped back ahead to the top of the Texas League leaderboard with a solo shot, #13 of the year, off the Wind Surge scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth. Culpepper followed after the stretch in the seventh with a blast of his own for his first as a member of the Wind Surge and a 3-0 lead.&nbsp;Paredes and Andrews didn’t let Springfield get a hit for the final four innings to end the night, with Andrews getting his first save in a Wind Surge uniform after a scoreless ninth.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Both Kaelen Culpepper and Walker Jenkins made their 2025 home debuts with the Wind Surge.</li><li>Gabby Gonzalez records his first outfield assist with Wichita in the top of the second, gunning down Ramon Mendoza at the plate. That’s the ninth outfield assist of the season for the Wind Surge.</li><li>Kaelen Culpepper hits his first home run with Wichita.</li><li>Tanner Andrews records his first save with the Wind Surge.</li><li>Wichita throws their seventh shutout in 2025.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Wichita Utilizes Solo Shots In Shutout Of Springfield

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp; – Purple Reign – Kansas State’s men’s basketball alumni team – will once again compete in the $1 million, winner-take-all The Basketball Tournament (TBT) but this year as the co-hosts of the Kansas City Regional at Municipal Auditorium from July 19-23.

Purple Reign will co-host the regional with JHX Hoops, which is a collection of Kansas alumni. The Kansas City Regional is one of eight across the country, including Indianapolis, James Madison, Lexington, Louisville, Syracuse, West Virginia and Wichita.

The No. 3 seed Purple Reign (formerly the Purple &amp; Black) will take on No. 6 seed The Shine (Shine Pro-Am in Houston) on Saturday, July 19 at 1 p.m., CT. If Purple Reign advances to the second round, they will face the winner of No. 2 seed JHX Hoops or No. 7 seed OffDaHook (a New York-based team) on Monday, July 21 at 8 p.m., CT.

The Kansas City Regional Championship game is Wednesday, July 23 at 6 p.m., CT.

Other teams in the Kansas City Regional include the top-seed Heartfire, No. 4 seed Sheffield Sharks and No. 5 seed DaGuys STL. Heartfire will not have a first-round game.

The 64-team field is a single-elimination, winner-take-all tournament to take home the $1 million prize.

Purple Reign, which is organized by former Wildcats Jordan Henriquez-Roberts, D.J. Johnson and Martavious Irving, is in eighth year competing in the TBT. Henriquez-Roberts, who has been the head coach for the past 4 summers, is a part of the winningest class in school history (101 victories) as well as the first team to win a conference championship in 36 years in 2013.

All-time leading scorer and K-State Sports Hall of Fame inductee Jacob Pullen (2007-11) headlines the Purple Reign, which also includes former Wildcats Spencer Bain (2024-25), Cartier Diarra (2017-20), Justin Edwards (2013-16), DaJuan Gordon (2019-21), Abayomi Iyiola (2022-23) and Dominique Sutton (2007-10).

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp; – Purple Reign – Kansas State’s men’s basketball alumni team – will once again compete in the $1 million, winner-take-all The Basketball Tournament (TBT) but this year as the co-hosts of the Kansas City Regional at Municipal Auditorium from July 19-23.Purple Reign will co-host the regional with JHX Hoops, which is a collection of Kansas alumni. The Kansas City Regional is one of eight across the country, including Indianapolis, James Madison, Lexington, Louisville, Syracuse, West Virginia and Wichita.The No. 3 seed Purple Reign (formerly the Purple &amp; Black) will take on No. 6 seed The Shine (Shine Pro-Am in Houston) on Saturday, July 19 at 1 p.m., CT. If Purple Reign advances to the second round, they will face the winner of No. 2 seed JHX Hoops or No. 7 seed OffDaHook (a New York-based team) on Monday, July 21 at 8 p.m., CT.The Kansas City Regional Championship game is Wednesday, July 23 at 6 p.m., CT.Other teams in the Kansas City Regional include the top-seed Heartfire, No. 4 seed Sheffield Sharks and No. 5 seed DaGuys STL. Heartfire will not have a first-round game.The 64-team field is a single-elimination, winner-take-all tournament to take home the $1 million prize.Purple Reign, which is organized by former Wildcats Jordan Henriquez-Roberts, D.J. Johnson and Martavious Irving, is in eighth year competing in the TBT. Henriquez-Roberts, who has been the head coach for the past 4 summers, is a part of the winningest class in school history (101 victories) as well as the first team to win a conference championship in 36 years in 2013.All-time leading scorer and K-State Sports Hall of Fame inductee Jacob Pullen (2007-11) headlines the Purple Reign, which also includes former Wildcats Spencer Bain (2024-25), Cartier Diarra (2017-20), Justin Edwards (2013-16), DaJuan Gordon (2019-21), Abayomi Iyiola (2022-23) and Dominique Sutton (2007-10).The team also includes John Florevus (Georgia), Cam Martin (Kansas/Boise State/Jacksonville State) and Jordan Park (N.C. Central).The winner of the Kansas City Regional will face the winner of the Wichita Regional in the quarterfinals on Sunday, July 27 at 8 p.m., CT on FS1. The semifinals and $1 million winner-take-all championship game will be on July 31 and August 3.