Sports – Page 241 – North Platte Post Archive

Ventura Wins Despite Thumb Cramp, Royals Rout White Sox 10-1

Posted on April 6, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yordano Ventura pitched six solid innings before leaving with a thumb cramp, and Alex Rios had a three-run homer among his three hits as the AL champion Kansas City Royals defeated the Chicago White Sox 10-1 on Monday.

Ventura was replaced by Kelvin Herrera in the seventh after crumpling to the ground following a strike to Adam LaRoche. The preliminary report was a right thumb cramp. Ventura will be evaluated later this week, but Royals trainers said it is not believed to be serious.

Rios, who was making his Kansas City debut, homered in a five-run seventh with Kendrys Morales and Alex Gordon aboard. Gordon stroked a two-run single in the inning.

Jose Abreu homered in the seventh for the White Sox.

Record 115 Players Start Baseball Season on Disabled List

Posted on April 6, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — A record 115 major league players are starting the season on the disabled list.

The total was up from 101 last year and broke the previous opening-day mark of 110 in 2008.

The commissioner’s office has records dating to 1995, when 46 players started the year on the DL. Because of expansion to 30 teams in 1998, MLB says it is virtually certain the DL total was not higher in a season before its DL records began. Before 2008, the only season the opening DL total reached triple digits was 2001 with 104.

Among those on the DL are Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton, Texas pitcher Yu Darvish, Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters, Philadelphia pitcher Cliff Lee and Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen.

Oakland and Texas started with eight players each on the DL. Minnesota was the only team with none.

Royals RHP Yordano Ventura Leaves Opener with Cramp in Thumb

Posted on April 6, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City starter Yordano Ventura has left their opener in the seventh inning with a cramp in his right thumb.

It was a scary moment for the Royals on Monday when the young ace crumpled to the ground in pain days after agreeing to a $23 million, five-year deal. But the team said shortly after that the injury did not appear serious.

After throwing a strike to Chicago’s Adam LaRoche, Ventura initially showed no discomfort. Then suddenly his face contorted in pain, and he flung away his glove. Manager Ned Yost and trainers rushed to the mound.

The 23-year-old Ventura had limited the White Sox to one run and four hits in six-plus innings in his first opening day start.

The hard-throwing right-hander dazzled as a rookie last season, going 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA.

Kendrick, Rockies Trounce Brewers 10-0 in Opener

Posted on April 6, 2015

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kyle Kendrick pitched seven sharp innings and also got two hits Monday as the Colorado Rockies trounced the Milwaukee Brewers 10-0 on opening day.

Corey Dickerson and Nolan Arenado each homered and drove in four runs. Troy Tulowitzki doubled twice, singled and scored three times.

There were eight extra-base hits in the game, all by Colorado. Kendrick, Dickerson and Carlos Gonzalez contributed doubles.

Kendrick (1-0), who left Philadelphia after last season, excelled in his first opening day start. He gave up seven singles, walked none and struck out six.

After former commissioner Bud Selig lobbed in the ceremonial first ball, the Rockies teed off against Kyle Lohse (0-1).

Gonzalez, Tulowitzki and Arenado doubled in the first inning and Dickerson hit a two-run homer for a 4-0 lead.

NCAA Looking for Ways to Speed Up Game, Increase Scoring

Posted on April 6, 2015

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An NCAA basketball committee is expected to consider rules changes that could speed up games and increase scoring as soon as next season.

On Monday, committee members and officials from schools, conferences and the NCAA briefed reporters on what may change. Three proposals stand out: Reducing the shot clock from 35 seconds to 30, moving the restricted area arc from 3 feet in front of the basket to 4 feet, and calling more fouls in hopes of keeping players from being so physical.

Another possibility is changing how timeouts are used.

The rules committee will meet in Indianapolis from May 12-15. Any changes that pass would still have to be approved by another committee in June.

No. 23 Huskers Visit Wildcats for Midweek Showdown

Posted on April 6, 2015

Lincoln – The No. 23 Nebraska baseball team (23-10, 3-0 Big Ten) is scheduled to play its fifth straight road game on Tuesday night when it visits Manhattan, Kan., for a 6:35 p.m. meeting with the Kansas State Wildcats (13-16, 2-7 Big 12) at Tointon Stadium. It will be the first of two games between the two teams this season, with the Wildcats scheduled to visit Hawks Field on Tuesday, April 21.

Tuesday night’s game will be broadcast in Nebraska and Kansas on Time Warner Sports. It will be carried in Nebraska on Time Warner Cable, including in Lincoln on TWCSC HD 1310 and TWCSC SD 310. The game will also be video streamed on K-StateHD.TV (subscription required).

After playing two midweek games each of the past four weeks, the Huskers lone midweek game this week will be against the Wildcats, before NU gets back into Big Ten play this weekend with a visit from the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Huskers have been dominant at home this season, posting a 15-1 record, but have struggled when having to play away from Lincoln. Nebraska is 8-9 in games away from Hawks Field, including a 4-6 record in road games. The Wildcats enter Tuesday with a 7-4 record at Tointon Stadium and are coming off a home series loss to West Virginia, where they won the series opener before dropping the final two games of the series. The Wildcats started the year 4-0 at home, but have since gone 3-4.

The Huskers are scheduled to start freshman Garett King, who is coming off a season-high 8.0-inning outing against Creighton last week, a game the Huskers won 5-1. The right hander struck out five and didn’t issue a walk for the second straight start. King was perfect through the first four innings, before Harrison Crawford led off the fifth with a triple down the right-field line. Following the triple, King went on to retire 12 of the final 13 Jays he faced.

Kansas State is scheduled to start junior Kyle Halbohn, who is 2-2 with a save on the year. The 6-8 right hander has a 3.94 ERA in seven appearances, including three starts. Halbohn has thrown 16.0 innings, allowing 10 runs (seven earned) on 19 hits and four walks, while striking out 12. A Pawley’s Island, S.C., native, Halbohn spent his freshman season at San Jacinto College. He then transferred to Spartanburg Methodist and redshirted the 2013 season before pitching for the Pioneers in 2014.

Tuesday, April 7 (6:35 p.m.)

Probable Starters: RHP King (3-0) vs. RHP Halbohn (2-2)

TV: Time Warner Cable Sports

Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: K-StateHD.TV

Radio: Husker Sports Network

MLB’s Manfred Announces 2018 All-Star Game will be in DC

Posted on April 6, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals Park will host baseball’s 2018 All-Star Game, the fourth consecutive year that event will be in an NL city.

New Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement Monday before attending the Washington Nationals’ opener against the New York Mets.

Speaking at a news conference at Nationals Park, which opened in 2008, Manfred called the awarding of the 2018 game an “opportunity to showcase this terrific facility.”

Cincinnati will hold the All-Star game this year, followed by San Diego in 2016, then Miami in 2017.

When Miami’s turn was announced in February, MLB said leagues will continue to alternate who bats last, no matter what city is host. So the AL will bat last in the 2016 game at San Diego and in the 2018 game at Washington.

This Week in Nebraska Athletics

Posted on April 6, 2015

Tuesday, April 7 Softball Drake Bowlin Stadium 5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 7 Baseball at Kansas State Manhattan, Kan. 5 p.m.

Tuesday, April 7 Softball Drake Bowlin Stadium 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 8 Men’s Tennis Iowa Lincoln, Neb. 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 9 Bowling at NCAA Championships St. Louis, Mo. 12:50 p.m.

Thursday, April 9 Men’s Gymnastics at NCAA Preliminaries Norman, Okla. 1 p.m.

Friday, April 10 Women’s Golf at SMU/Dallas Athletic Club Invitational Dallas, Texas 8:30 a.m.

Friday, April 10 Bowling at NCAA Championships St. Louis, Mo. 10:50 p.m.

Friday, April 10 Men’s Tennis at Northwestern Evanston, Ill. 3 p.m.

Friday, April 10 Softball at Purdue West Lafayette, Ind. 4 p.m.

Friday, April 10 Women’s Tennis Penn State Lincoln, Neb. 4:30 p.m.

Friday, April 10 Men’s Gymnastics at NCAA Team Finals Norman, Okla. 7 p.m.

Friday, April 10 Baseball Minnesota (BTN) Hawks Field 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, April 11 Men’s Golf at Robert Kepler Intercollegiate Columbus, Ohio 7:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 11 Women’s Golf at SMU/Dallas Athletic Club Invitational Dallas, Texas 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 11 Track & Field Husker Spring Invitational Ed Weir Stadium 10 a.m.

Saturday, April 11 Softball at Purdue West Lafayette, Ind. Noon

Saturday, April 11 Football Red-White Spring Game (BTN) Memorial Stadium 1 p.m.

Saturday, April 11 Baseball Minnesota Hawks Field 6:05 p.m.

Saturday, April 11 Bowling at NCAA Championships (ESPNU) St. Louis, Mo. 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 11 Men’s Gymnastics at NCAA Individual Event Finals Norman, Okla. 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 12 Men’s Golf at Robert Kepler Intercollegiate Columbus, Ohio 7:30 a.m.

Sunday, April 12 Softball at Purdue West Lafayette, Ind. 11 a.m.

Sunday, April 12 Soccer Wyoming Lincoln, Neb. Noon

Sunday, April 12 Men’s Tennis at Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Ill. Noon

Sunday, April 12 Women’s Tennis Ohio State (Senior Day) Lincoln, Neb. Noon

Sunday, April 12 Baseball Minnesota Hawks Field 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, April 12 Soccer Wyoming vs. South Dakota State Lincoln, Neb. 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 12 Academics A Night at the Lied Lied Center 6 p.m.

MLB Ticket Price Average Up 3.3 Percent to $28.94

Posted on April 6, 2015

CHICAGO (AP) — Major League Baseball’s average ticket price rose 3.3 percent this season to $28.94, the steepest increase in six years.

Team Marketing Report said in its annual survey Monday that the average is up 4.4 percent since 2013 after remaining flat in 2012.

World Series champion Boston had the highest average at $52.34 after leaving prices flat. The New York Yankees also left their average unchanged at $51.55 after missing the playoffs for the second straight season.

The Chicago Cubs, who renovated Wrigley Field and their roster, raised their average for the first time since 2010, a 1.5 percent increase to $44.81. The Cubs are coming off a last-place finish.

The Dodgers’ average rose 10.9 percent to $28.61 as Los Angeles hiked its opening-day payroll to a record $270 million.

Duke, Wisconsin Step into Spotlight in National Title Game

Posted on April 5, 2015

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Duke and Wisconsin are finally getting their turn in the spotlight.

After a season that was dominated by discussions of discussions about Kentucky’s pursuit of perfection, it will be the Blue Devils and Badgers meeting for the title on Monday night.

Duke ran roughshod through Michigan State in its semifinal, moving within one win of coach Mike Krzyzewski’s fifth championship. Wisconsin spoiled the Wildcats’ historic run in its semifinal, and will be trying to win the school’s first title since 1941.

The game should be full of intriguing matchups, from Krzyzewski matching wits with Wisconsin counterpart Bo Ryan, to two of the game’s brightest stars going at it in the paint in Duke’s Jahlil Okafor and the Badgers’ Frank Kaminsky.

Tipoff is scheduled for 9:18 p.m. EDT.