June 2014 – Page 21 – North Platte Post Archive

Oh So Close, Americans Wilt at End in Amazon Heat, Draw with Portugal

Posted on June 22, 2014

MANAUS, Brazil (AP) — They were less than 30 seconds away.

The Americans were about to romp into the round of 16 at the World Cup, about to walk off with their first come-from-behind win at soccer’s showcase. About to advance with a game to spare. About to win consecutive World Cup games for the first time since 1930.

But they wilted in the Amazon heat and humidity.

Varela’s goal on a diving header off Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross on the game’s last play gave Portugal a 2-2 tie Sunday on an exhausting night in the rainforest capital.

Now the Americans may need at least a point Thursday against Germany to advance to the knockout stage. They could advance with a loss, depending on the result of the Portugal-Ghana game that will be played simultaneously.

Ramirez Homers to Lead Brewers Past Rockies, 6-5

Posted on June 22, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Aramis Ramirez homered and drove in two runs, and the Milwaukee Brewers continued their road dominance with a 6-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.

Milwaukee swept the Rockies to finish 6-1 on a road trip that started in Arizona. The Brewers’ 27-15 record and .643 winning percentage away from home is the best in the majors. Oakland (.622) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (.615) are the only other teams close to matching Milwaukee’s success.

Wilin Rosario homered among his four hits and had three RBIs for Colorado, which has lost six straight and fell to 6-14 in June.

Brewers starter Kyle Lohse (9-2), who allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings to win consecutive starts for the first time in a month.

Rockies rookie right-hander Tyler Matzek (1-2) was roughed up in the second before setting down 11 straight.

Elias, Zunino Lead Mariners over Royals for Sweep

Posted on June 22, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Rookie Roenis Elias pitched neatly into the seventh inning, Mike Zunino homered and the Seattle Mariners defeated the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Sunday for a three-game sweep.

Elias (7-5), a 25-year-old left-hander from Cuba, limited the Royals to one run and five singles over 6 2-3 innings. He struck out five, walked two and improved to 4-1 in June.

Zunino hit his ninth home run, tops among AL catchers. He connected off Yordano Ventura (5-6) leading off the seventh to break a 1-all tie.

Fernando Rodney, pitching for the fourth straight day, earned his 21st save in 23 chances.

Kansas City has lost four straight.

Virginia’s O’Connor is on Home Turf for CWS Finals

Posted on June 22, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Virginia coach Brian O’Connor is the hometown favorite when his Cavaliers meet Vanderbilt in the College World Series finals starting Monday night.

O’Connor was born in Omaha, grew up in neighboring Council Bluffs, Iowa, and pitched in the CWS in 1991 for Omaha’s Creighton University.

O’Connor said he would prefer to downplay his background, but knows that is unlikely. He said he wants to keep the focus on the players and their experience.

Virginia (52-14) and Vanderbilt (49-20) both are in the finals for the first time. The Cavaliers went 3-0 in bracket play. The Commodores went 3-1 in their bracket. They’ve never played each other in baseball.

Rockies Recall RHP Scahill from Triple-A

Posted on June 22, 2014

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have recalled right-hander Rob Scahill from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Scahill is available to pitch out of the bullpen in Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Rockies also returned righty Wilton Lopez to the Sky Sox.

This is the first call-up this season for Scahill, who was 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA in 24 appearances with the Sky Sox. In 29 major league games, all with Colorado, Scahill is 1-0 with a 4.29 ERA.

Lopez had an 11.37 ERA in four games with the Rockies this season before he was designated for assignment June 9. He is 0-2 with a 4.54 ERA in 20 games with the Sky Sox.

The Rockies have 39 players on their 40-man roster.

Valencia Activated Off the DL

Posted on June 22, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals activated Danny Valencia off the disabled list Sunday and started him at third base against the Seattle Mariners.

Valencia went on the disabled list June 1 with a muscle strain in his left hand. He hit .246 with one home run and seven RBIs in 20 games before the injury. He went 3 for 11 with a home run, three walks in three rehab games with Triple-A Omaha.

The Royals optioned right-hander Louis Coleman, who was 1-0 with a 6.41 ERA in 18 relief appearances, to Omaha. The Royals are going with a 12-man pitching staff with Coleman’s demotion.

Broken Bow School Superintendent Resigns

Posted on June 22, 2014June 23, 2014

BROKEN BOW, Neb. (AP) — The superintendent of schools in Broken Bow has decided to leave his post at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

Mark Sievering says he realized that he and some of the school board members had different philosophies about operating the district. He says that, overall, his past two years in the job have been the best of his career.

His resignation becomes effective June 30, 2015. Sievering says he and his wife hope to remain in Broken Bow and that he’s willing to leave the field of education for the right opportunity.

Report Notes Iowa Casino Dependence on Nebraska

Posted on June 22, 2014June 22, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A consultant for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is warning that the state’s gaming industry relies heavily on Nebraska gamblers for revenue and would lose a lot of business if its western neighbor decided to allow casinos.

Iowa has 18 state-licensed casinos scattered throughout the state, but nearly one-fourth of the industry’s revenue comes from Nebraskans, who mostly visit casinos across the Missouri River.

The consultant’s report says Nebraskans generated nearly $327 million in gross revenue for Iowa casinos last year. Total gross revenue for the casinos was $1.4 billion, of which 53 percent came from Iowa gamblers.

Casino supporters in Nebraska say it’s unlikely the state will allow casinos soon, but the Iowa report by Union Gaming Analytics predicts it will happen eventually.

(AP)–2013 Iowa Casino Gross Gaming Revenue

Iowa Gamblers: $748.04 million

Nebraska: $326.9 million

Illinois: $123.66 million

Minnesota: $69.8 million

Wisconsin: $52.63 million

South Dakota: $44.65 million

Missouri: $11.1 million

Kansas: $5 million

All other states: $34.87 million

TOTAL: $1.416 billion

Omaha Police Investigate Armed Bank Robbery

Posted on June 22, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police and the FBI are investigating an armed bank robbery involving four to six suspects.

Police say officers were called to the robbery at Five Points Bank at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday. According to police, four to six males entered the bank dressed in black tops and black pants, and two of the suspects had hand guns.

Police say the suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash and ran out the bank’s east doors.

Damaged Vehicles Hindering Pilger Tornado Cleanup

Posted on June 22, 2014

PILGER, Neb. (AP) — Officials say damaged vehicles are hindering tornado cleanup efforts in Pilger, so the town is offering to remove them at no cost to owners.

Officials say the village clerk has a “consent, release and waiver” form that vehicle owners must complete before their vehicle can be removed. Forms are available at the town’s check-in location and food pavilion.

The form will allow owners to transfer ownership of their vehicle to the village so it can be removed for free. Owners will not receive payment for their vehicle.

Documents showing the car’s title must be attached to the form.