Baseball – Page 37 – North Platte Post Archive

James Shields Pitches Royals past Yankees 1-0

Posted on September 6, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — James Shields pitched two-hit ball into the ninth inning and Nori Aoki lined a run-scoring single in the third following Chase Headley’s two-base error, leading the Kansas City Royals over the New York Yankees 1-0 Friday night.

Two starts after losing to the Yankees 8-1 in one of his worst outings this season, Shields (13-7) retired his first 11 batters before Brett Gardner’s double in the fourth. Headley singled in the fifth, and Gardner flied out to the right-field warning track in the sixth.

Shields retired 11 straight before Derek Jeter singled softly with one out in the ninth. Wade Davis relieved, and pinch-runner Antoan Richardson stole second before Gardner struck out swinging on a 3-2 fastball.

Carlos Beltran took a called third strike, giving Davis his first big league save. Davis has fanned 92 batters in 62 1-3 innings this season.

Veteran Pitcher Bruce Chen Released by Royals

Posted on September 6, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander Bruce Chen has been released by the Kansas City Royals.

The 37-year-old pitcher was designated for assignment Aug. 29, a day after he gave up six runs in the 10th inning of an 11-5 loss to Minnesota.

Chen began the season in the rotation, went on the disabled list with a back injury and finished 2-4 with a 7.45 ERA in 13 games. He had a 47-43 record with a 4.53 ERA in six seasons with Kansas City.

Chen is 82-80 with a 4.91 ERA in a big league career that also has included stints with Atlanta, Philadelphia, the New York Mets, Montreal, Cincinnati, Houston, Baltimore and Texas.

Rockies, LHP De La Rosa Agree to 2-Year Extension (Update)

Posted on September 4, 2014September 4, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa and the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a $25 million, two-year contract through 2016.

The announcement was made by the Rockies on their Twitter account late Wednesday night. De La Rosa, who has an $11 million salary this year, gets $12.5 million in each of the next two seasons.

The 33-year-old has been a dependable arm in a rotation hampered by injuries. He’s 13-10 with a 4.26 ERA as the Rockies try to avoid the team’s first 100-loss season.

De La Rosa’s 68 wins while with the Rockies trail only Aaron Cook (72) for most in franchise history.

In recent seasons, De La Rosa’s relied just as much on a strong changeup as his fastball. He underwent elbow surgery in 2011.

September Call-Ups Have Purpose for These Royals

Posted on September 4, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — For years, the Royals have called up players in September to get a good look at what they hoped would be their future.

This year, they’re calling up players for help in winning a pennant.

Guys such as speedster Terrance Gore, power hitter Carlos Peguero and left-hander Brandon Finnegan are giving Royals manager Ned Yost the pieces he hopes will be able to help Kansas City to an AL Central title and its first postseason appearance since 1985.

The Royals were off Thursday. They have a 1 1/2-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central as they prepare for a crucial trip through the wild card-contending Yankees and a three-game set against the Tigers.

Gordon’s 2-Run Shot Leads Royals over Rangers 4-1

Posted on September 3, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer, Jason Vargas pitched into the seventh inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Texas Rangers 4-1 on Wednesday night to finish off a three-game sweep.

Vargas (11-7) stranded four runners in scoring position before turning over a two-on, two-out mess to Kelvin Herrera, who escaped the jam. Louis Coleman gave up a run in the eighth before Wade Davis finished off the inning, and Greg Holland worked a perfect ninth for his 42nd save.

The victory along with Detroit’s 7-0 loss to Cleveland allowed the Royals to extend their lead to 1 1/2 games over the Tigers in the AL Central. They are off Thursday before a crucial trip that takes them through the wild card-chasing Yankees and into a three-game set in Detroit.

Nick Tepesch (4-9) allowed all four runs over 6 2-3 innings for Texas.

Dickerson Homers Twice, Rockies Beat Giants 9-2

Posted on September 3, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado hit a go-ahead three run home run and Corey Dickerson followed with his second homer of the game, leading the Colorado Rockies past the San Francisco Giants 9-2 on Wednesday.

Christian Bergman (2-2) pitched six sharp innings, limiting the Giants to two runs on nine hits and helping the Rockies take the season series 10-9. It was the first time Colorado had won the season series with its NL West rival since going 11-7 against the Giants in 2008.

Ryan Vogelsong (8-10) was roughed up for a career-high four home runs among 10 hits allowed in five-plus innings. He gave up eight runs, matching a career high in another tough outing at Coors Field. Vogelsong gave up three homers and five runs in a 1 1-3 inning outing in his last appearance at Colorado on April 21.

Buster Posey drove in both of San Francisco’s runs with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single.

Posey, Giants Rally for 12-7 Win over Rockies

Posted on September 2, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Buster Posey homered, doubled twice and drove in four runs, rallying the San Francisco Giants past the Colorado Rockies 12-7 on Tuesday night.

Posey’s solo homer in the sixth keyed a three-run burst as the Giants raced back from a 7-1 deficit to remain on the heels of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. He hit a two-run double in a six-run seventh.

Hunter Pence had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 15 games for the Giants.

George Kontos (4-0) kept the Giants in striking distance with 1 2-3 scoreless innings until the bats could heat up.

When they did, the Rockies couldn’t cool them off, as starter Jordan Lyles allowed six runs in 6 1-3 innings before giving way to reliever Matt Belisle (4-7), who surrendered another four before being pulled after getting just one out.

Perez Drives in Go-Ahead Run as KC Tops Texas 2-1

Posted on September 2, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a scorching liner off the glove of third baseman Adrian Beltre for a single, allowing Jarrod Dyson to score the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and helping the Kansas City Royals beat the Texas Rangers 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Jason Frasor (4-1) left runners on the corners in the eighth against his former team, and Aaron Crow worked around a two-out single in the ninth for his third save of the season.

All-Star closer Greg Holland was unavailable after pitching three consecutive days.

The Rangers’ Derek Holland and counterpart Jeremy Guthrie pitched to a stalemate through seven innings before the Royals broke through against Michael Kirkman (0-1) in the eighth.

Rockies RHP Kahnle Activated from DL

Posted on September 2, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle, sidelined since mid-August by inflammation in his pitching shoulder, has been activated from the disabled list by the Colorado Rockies.

In separate moves Tuesday, the team recalled right-handed pitcher Rob Scahill and infielder-outfielder Kyle Parker from its Triple A Colorado Springs affiliate.

Kahnle missed 15 games while recovering from the shoulder injury. He is 2-1 with a 3.43 ERA in 47 appearances this season.

Scahill and Parker are both back with the Rockies for the third time this season. Scahill is 1-0 with a 5.68 ERA in four games. Parker has played in five games and has one hit in nine at bats.

Royals Recall 4 to Help Depth in Stretch Run

Posted on September 2, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals have recalled infielder Christian Colon, outfielder Terrance Gore and pitchers Aaron Crow and Liam Hendriks from Double-A Northwest Arkansas for their playoff push.

Colon was in the starting lineup at third base for Tuesday night’s game against Texas.

Gore gives the Royals a speedy threat on the base paths. He opened the season at Class-A Wilmington and climbed to Triple-A Omaha before spending time in Arkansas prior to his arrival.

Colon can play several infield positions, while Crow is a former All-Star reliever. Hendriks was impressive in a spot start last week, but will be used out of the bullpen down the stretch.