MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Kansas City Royals won their ninth straight game, stretching their longest winning streak in more than a decade by beating Minnesota 7-2 Thursday behind Billy Butler’s hitting and Lorenzo Cain’s highlight reel catch in center field.

The Royals last won nine straight when they opened the 2003 season at 9-0. The last time Kansas City won more in a row was a 10-game string in 1994, STATS said.

Butler had two hits and drove in two runs. Justin Maxwell had a hit and an RBI a day after being acquired in a trade with Houston.

James Shields (6-7) gave up two runs on five hits and five walks in six innings for the Royals, who swept the three-game series and are showing potential to be a factor late in the season.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NCAA’s new enforcement rules are now in effect.

Legislation passed last fall imposes tougher penalties on rule-breakers and holds coaches more accountable for their actions and those of their staffs. Other notable changes include ending the two-tiered penalty structure in favor of four tiers, finding more consistency in handing down punishments and increasing the number of infractions committee members to speed up the hearing process. Among those added to the infractions committee are former coaches Lloyd Carr and Bobby Cremins.

NCAA President Emmert told The Associated Press that the NCAA has “upped the ante” on schools and coaches that are willing to use risk-reward analyses to determine whether to play by the rules.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — An eastern Nebraska high school baseball coach has resigned and his team forfeited the championship game of the American Legion state tournament after some of his players were involved in alcohol-fueled vandalism.

Three players from Waverly High were arrested and three were ticketed on suspicion of vandalism early Wednesday near the hotel where the team was staying in Scottsbluff.

Waverly coach Michael Goodrich forfeited the Class B championship game that was to be played Wednesday night, giving the title to Hickman-Norris.

Goodrich also resigned. He told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald (http://bit.ly/142osDE ) that as head coach, he’s responsible for his team’s actions.

Police are investigating multiple incidents of vandalism in the area since Sunday. One resident told police she watched as a man struck her mail box with a baseball bat.

The Mitchell Federation Wrestling Club in Mitchell, Nebraska will be hosting a wrestling technique camp featuring two-time NCAA national champion, 2011 world champion and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, Jordan Burroughs.

The camp will be held August 8, 2013 at Mitchell high school. It is open to kids entering the 4th grade up through college level. The camp is from 9am to 2 pm. Lunch, shirt and shorts are included. The price is $75 per wrestler.

There will be a break in between for pictures and autographs. If you have any questions you can email [email protected] or call Randy Donelson at (308) 672-3148.

North Platte — North Platte High School football season ticket holders from the previous year may begin purchasing their season football tickets for the 2013 varsity football season.

The tickets will be available through Friday, August 16, after which all remaining seats will go on sale to the public. The price is $20 per ticket and may be purchased in the Activities Office of the High School from 8:00 to 11:30 am and 1:15 to 4:00 pm.

ATLANTA (AP) — Mike Minor allowed only two hits in seven scoreless innings, Brian McCann hit a three-run homer in Atlanta’s seven-run third, and the Braves beat the Colorado Rockies 9-0 Wednesday night for their sixth straight win.

Freddie Freeman drove in two runs with four hits as the Braves continued their offensive surge with 15 hits. The Braves have scored 29 runs while winning the first three games of the four-game series.

The Braves lead second-place Washington by 11 games in the NL East, their biggest advantage in nine years.

Minor (11-5) didn’t walk a batter and didn’t allow a Colorado baserunner to reach second base.

Tyler Chatwood (7-4) allowed a career-high seven earned runs on 10 hits, one walk and one hit batter in only 2 1-3 innings.

Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez left the game in the fourth inning after aggravating his sprained right middle finger.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Chargers have signed free agent quarterback Nathan Enderle.

Enderle, a four-year starter at Idaho, was a fifth-round draft choice of the Chicago Bears in 2011. He spent that season on the active roster but did not play in any games.

He went to training camp with Jacksonville in 2012 and then spent time with Tennessee this offseason.

The move was announced Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Chargers waived quarterback Mark Hermann, an undrafted rookie from Division III Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have acquired outfielder Justin Maxwell from the Houston Astros for minor league pitcher Kyle Smith in an attempt to upgrade their depth for the stretch run.

Maxwell made his major league debut in 2007 for the Nationals. He has spent the past two seasons with the Astros. He’s hitting just .241 with two homers and eight RBIs in 40 games this season, but that includes a .302 average against left-handed pitchers.

The Royals already were trying to upgrade in right field, where David Lough has played well after Jeff Francoeur was waived earlier in the season. But the need for depth became more pressing when center fielder Lorenzo Cain hurt his left groin on Saturday.

Smith is a 20-year-old right-hander who is 5-4 with a 2.89 ERA for Class-A Wilmington this season. He was a fourth-round pick of the Royals in the 2011 amateur draft.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Denver Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was helped off the field after hurting his left ankle in a drill Wednesday at training camp.

Asked his level of concern over the injury after practice, coach John Fox said, “Not overly. But anytime they miss time, I’m concerned.” Guard Justin Boren also was taken off with a big toe injury.

The Broncos have already had quite a few injuries so far in camp. Center Dan Koppen was lost for the season with a knee injury last weekend and first-round pick Sylvester Williams left the field on Monday with a left knee ailment. Williams was on the field Wednesday, but didn’t participate in any drills.

Tight end Jacob Tamme (right quad) also sat out practice.

ATLANTA (AP) — Rockies manager Walt Weiss says right-hander Chad Bettis will be called up from Double-A Tulsa to start for Colorado in his major league debut against the Braves on Thursday night.

Bettis, a second-round pick from Texas Tech in 2010, is 3-4 with a 3.71 ERA in 12 starts for Tulsa this season. He has struck 68 in 63 innings.

Bettis allowed only two hits in seven scoreless innings in his last start against Arkansas on Thursday. He missed the 2012 season with a right shoulder injury. He joined the Rockies before Wednesday night’s game against the Braves.