CHICAGO (AP) — Freddy Fermin launched a two-run homer among his four hits and the Kansas City Royals pounded the White Sox 10-3 on Wednesday, extending Chicago’s franchise-record losing streak to 17 games.

Vinnie Pasquantino added a two-run shot and finished with three RBIs. Salvador Perez had three hits and drove in two runs in his 1,500th career game as the Royals won their third straight.

Perez joked that Fermin had his first four-hit game in the majors because the two natives of Venezuela chatted beforehand. Fermin appreciated the humor, then went to work.

“Just created my plan and tried to make a good swing and I did,” said Fermin, who is getting increased playing time and raised his batting average to .304. “I just want to continue to do that.”

Major league batting leader Bobby Witt Jr. lengthened his hitting streak to 13 games with two infield singles, boosting his average to .349. The star shortstop walked twice, scored three runs and stole his 24th base as the middle of the Royals lineup produced.

“That's why they are the heart of the order,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “That's what we need from them and they know that. When they're driving in runs and getting on base, we're a deep lineup.”

Andrew Benintendi drove in two runs with a double and finished with two hits for the major league-worst White Sox, whose slide is the longest since Arizona dropped 17 straight games in 2021.

“Show up in Minnesota,” Benintendi suggested as a way to end the skid. “I mean, if you dwell on it too long, I guess it will eat you up. So focus on the next one.”

Chicago (27-84) is 57 games below .500 for the first time and on pace for a worse finish than the 1962 New York Mets, whose 40-120 mark during their inaugural season is the poorest in baseball’s modern era (since 1900).

Brady Singer (8-6) allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings in his third straight win. The right-hander struck out four, walked none and was touched up only when Chicago scored three times in the second.

Singer settled down and retired 17 of his last 19 hitters.

“I was struggling a little bit at the beginning of the year,” he said. “I'm happy to get deep into ballgames toward the end of the year here.”

Kansas City is 60-49, a 26-win improvement over 2023 through 109 games, and holds an AL wild card.

White Sox rookie Drew Thorpe (3-3) yielded six runs and seven hits over five innings in a second consecutive rough outing following five quality starts.

The Royals jumped ahead 1-0 in the first on Pasquantino’s single. Fermin’s sixth homer in the second upped it to 3-0.

The White Sox tied it in the bottom half. Benintendi drove in two runs with his double and scored on Dominic Fletcher’s single.

Witt came home on Perez’s single in the third to put Kansas City back on top 4-3.

The Royals increased it to 6-3 in the fifth. Perez’s liner rolled out of Fletcher's glove in center for a double to drive in a run. Hunter Renfroe followed with a sacrifice fly.

Pasquantino's 12th homer iced it in a four-run eighth.

Kansas City RHP Michael Lorenzen, acquired from Texas in a trade Monday, will start Saturday at Detroit.

Lorenzen will fill the slot of righty Alec Marsh, who was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. Marsh was sent down to make room for reliever Lucas Erceg, who reported to the Royals and pitched a perfect eighth following a trade from Oakland.

White Sox 3B Yoán Moncada, out since April 9 with a left adductor strain, is “ramping up” activity at the team’s Arizona training facility, manager Pedro Grifol said.

Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (12-5, 2.66 ERA) faces Tigers RHP Keider Montero (1-4, 6.38) in Detroit on Thursday.

White Sox: RHP Davis Martin (0-0, 3.38 ERA) makes his first start since returning from Tommy John surgery against Twins RHP Joe Ryan (6-7, 3.69) on Friday in Minnesota.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722463224192.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — Freddy Fermin launched a two-run homer among his four hits and the Kansas City Royals pounded the White Sox 10-3 on Wednesday, extending Chicago’s franchise-record losing streak to 17 games.Vinnie Pasquantino added a two-run shot and finished with three RBIs. Salvador Perez had three hits and drove in two runs in his 1,500th career game as the Royals won their third straight.Perez joked that Fermin had his first four-hit game in the majors because the two natives of Venezuela chatted beforehand. Fermin appreciated the humor, then went to work.“Just created my plan and tried to make a good swing and I did,” said Fermin, who is getting increased playing time and raised his batting average to .304. “I just want to continue to do that.”Major league batting leader Bobby Witt Jr. lengthened his hitting streak to 13 games with two infield singles, boosting his average to .349. The star shortstop walked twice, scored three runs and stole his 24th base as the middle of the Royals lineup produced.“That's why they are the heart of the order,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “That's what we need from them and they know that. When they're driving in runs and getting on base, we're a deep lineup.”Andrew Benintendi drove in two runs with a double and finished with two hits for the major league-worst White Sox, whose slide is the longest since Arizona dropped 17 straight games in 2021.“Show up in Minnesota,” Benintendi suggested as a way to end the skid. “I mean, if you dwell on it too long, I guess it will eat you up. So focus on the next one.”Chicago (27-84) is 57 games below .500 for the first time and on pace for a worse finish than the 1962 New York Mets, whose 40-120 mark during their inaugural season is the poorest in baseball’s modern era (since 1900).Brady Singer (8-6) allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings in his third straight win. The right-hander struck out four, walked none and was touched up only when Chicago scored three times in the second.Singer settled down and retired 17 of his last 19 hitters.“I was struggling a little bit at the beginning of the year,” he said. “I'm happy to get deep into ballgames toward the end of the year here.”Kansas City is 60-49, a 26-win improvement over 2023 through 109 games, and holds an AL wild card.White Sox rookie Drew Thorpe (3-3) yielded six runs and seven hits over five innings in a second consecutive rough outing following five quality starts.The Royals jumped ahead 1-0 in the first on Pasquantino’s single. Fermin’s sixth homer in the second upped it to 3-0.The White Sox tied it in the bottom half. Benintendi drove in two runs with his double and scored on Dominic Fletcher’s single.Witt came home on Perez’s single in the third to put Kansas City back on top 4-3.The Royals increased it to 6-3 in the fifth. Perez’s liner rolled out of Fletcher's glove in center for a double to drive in a run. Hunter Renfroe followed with a sacrifice fly.Pasquantino's 12th homer iced it in a four-run eighth.RETOOLED ROTATIONKansas City RHP Michael Lorenzen, acquired from Texas in a trade Monday, will start Saturday at Detroit.Lorenzen will fill the slot of righty Alec Marsh, who was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. Marsh was sent down to make room for reliever Lucas Erceg, who reported to the Royals and pitched a perfect eighth following a trade from Oakland.TRAINER’S ROOMWhite Sox 3B Yoán Moncada, out since April 9 with a left adductor strain, is “ramping up” activity at the team’s Arizona training facility, manager Pedro Grifol said.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Seth Lugo (12-5, 2.66 ERA) faces Tigers RHP Keider Montero (1-4, 6.38) in Detroit on Thursday.White Sox: RHP Davis Martin (0-0, 3.38 ERA) makes his first start since returning from Tommy John surgery against Twins RHP Joe Ryan (6-7, 3.69) on Friday in Minnesota.

⚾ Fermin, Pasquantino homer as Royals hand White Sox 17th straight loss

CHICAGO (AP) — The staggering Chicago White Sox lost their 16th straight game, extending a franchise record, as Michael Massey homered and Michael Wacha pitched seven strong innings to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 victory Tuesday night.

Bobby Witt Jr. ran his hitting streak to 12 games and had the first RBI in an eighth-inning rally that gave the Royals the lead for good.

“We’ve had big at-bats all year,” Massey said. “We know we’re capable.”

Chicago’s Andrew Vaughn homered for the second consecutive night and rookie Jonathan Cannon pitched seven terrific innings, allowing only Massey’s solo shot while walking three and striking out two. He gave way to rookie Fraser Ellard (0-1), who walked two in his major league debut to set the stage for Kansas City's comeback.

Down 2-1, the Royals got a bloop single from Witt to tie it before Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run single off Justin Anderson.

Vaughn had an RBI groundout in the bottom half, but Sam Long worked a clean ninth for his fourth career save and first this season.

Wacha (8-6) scattered five hits over seven innings, walking two and striking out five. He’s won five of his last six starts, and Kansas City has won 11 of 17.

“He was really good,” Pasquantino said. “It’s awesome to play behind him because you always feel like you’re in it.”

Chicago dropped to a major league-worst 27-83 and is threatening to break the record for most losses in a 162-game season, set by the expansion New York Mets when they finished with 120 in 1962.

“It’s not for the lack of effort. We’re busting our (tails) trying to get that win,” shortstop Nicky Lopez said. “It just always seems like there’s that one inning or one situation where we have to come through and we haven’t done that.”

It was a busy trade-deadline day for both teams. Kansas City acquired right-hander Lucas Erceg from Oakland for outfielder Jared Dickey and pitchers Mason Barnett and Will Klein. The move came after the Royals swapped minor league pitcher Jarold Rosado for White Sox infielder Paul DeJong.

Chicago designated hitter Eloy Jiménez went to Baltimore for left-hander Trey McGough and cash, and lefty Tanner Banks was traded to Philadelphia for minor league infielder William Bergolla.

A move many thought the White Sox might make never materialized. All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet, the subject of much speculation in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s deadline, is staying put. His demand for a new contract and a starting role from any potential new team reportedly affected the team’s ability to trade him. Chicago outfielder Luis Robert Jr. also remained with the club despite persistent trade talk.

Royals: RHP Jonathan Bowlan was recalled from Triple-A Omaha. INF Nick Lofton was optioned to Omaha and RHP John McMillon was designated for assignment.

White Sox: INF Lenyn Sosa was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, LHP Fraser Ellard was promoted from Charlotte and former Los Angeles Dodgers INF Miguel Vargas was signed before the first pitch.

Kansas City’s Brady Singer (7-6, 2.82 ERA) faces fellow right-hander Drew Thorpe (3-2, 4.81) in the series finale Wednesday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722418991857.jpeg" alt="The Kansas City Royals from left, Salvador Perez, Sam Long (73), Vinnie Pasquantino (9) and Bobby Witt Jr. celebrate the team's 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox after a baseball game Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas City Royals from left, Salvador Perez, Sam Long (73), Vinnie Pasquantino (9) and Bobby Witt Jr. celebrate the team's 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox after a baseball game Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — The staggering Chicago White Sox lost their 16th straight game, extending a franchise record, as Michael Massey homered and Michael Wacha pitched seven strong innings to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 victory Tuesday night.Bobby Witt Jr. ran his hitting streak to 12 games and had the first RBI in an eighth-inning rally that gave the Royals the lead for good.“We’ve had big at-bats all year,” Massey said. “We know we’re capable.”Chicago’s Andrew Vaughn homered for the second consecutive night and rookie Jonathan Cannon pitched seven terrific innings, allowing only Massey’s solo shot while walking three and striking out two. He gave way to rookie Fraser Ellard (0-1), who walked two in his major league debut to set the stage for Kansas City's comeback.Down 2-1, the Royals got a bloop single from Witt to tie it before Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run single off Justin Anderson.Vaughn had an RBI groundout in the bottom half, but Sam Long worked a clean ninth for his fourth career save and first this season.Wacha (8-6) scattered five hits over seven innings, walking two and striking out five. He’s won five of his last six starts, and Kansas City has won 11 of 17.“He was really good,” Pasquantino said. “It’s awesome to play behind him because you always feel like you’re in it.”Chicago dropped to a major league-worst 27-83 and is threatening to break the record for most losses in a 162-game season, set by the expansion New York Mets when they finished with 120 in 1962.“It’s not for the lack of effort. We’re busting our (tails) trying to get that win,” shortstop Nicky Lopez said. “It just always seems like there’s that one inning or one situation where we have to come through and we haven’t done that.”It was a busy trade-deadline day for both teams. Kansas City acquired right-hander Lucas Erceg from Oakland for outfielder Jared Dickey and pitchers Mason Barnett and Will Klein. The move came after the Royals swapped minor league pitcher Jarold Rosado for White Sox infielder Paul DeJong.Chicago designated hitter Eloy Jiménez went to Baltimore for left-hander Trey McGough and cash, and lefty Tanner Banks was traded to Philadelphia for minor league infielder William Bergolla.A move many thought the White Sox might make never materialized. All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet, the subject of much speculation in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s deadline, is staying put. His demand for a new contract and a starting role from any potential new team reportedly affected the team’s ability to trade him. Chicago outfielder Luis Robert Jr. also remained with the club despite persistent trade talk.ROSTER MOVESRoyals: RHP Jonathan Bowlan was recalled from Triple-A Omaha. INF Nick Lofton was optioned to Omaha and RHP John McMillon was designated for assignment.White Sox: INF Lenyn Sosa was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, LHP Fraser Ellard was promoted from Charlotte and former Los Angeles Dodgers INF Miguel Vargas was signed before the first pitch.UP NEXTKansas City’s Brady Singer (7-6, 2.82 ERA) faces fellow right-hander Drew Thorpe (3-2, 4.81) in the series finale Wednesday afternoon.___

 ⚾ Witt, Royals rally in the 8th to hand White Sox their 16th straight loss

CHICAGO (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr.'s grand slam — and fourth hit of the game — capped Kansas City's six-run, eighth inning rally and the Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 8-5 on Monday night.

Witt lofted the first pitch he saw from John Brebbia, a low slider, into the left-center stands for 19th homer and third career grand slam. Witt also singled twice and doubled as the Royals handed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-white-sox-1962-mets-4423a0be1c5412aacdf4030a736f1938">major league worst White Sox</a>&nbsp;a franchise-record 15th straight loss.

Witt extended his hitting streak to 11 games. The 24-year-old All-Star shortstop is batting .545 (24 for 44) during the surge.

“I'm just trying to be ready for every pitch because you never know what your going to get in the big leagues,” Witt said. “These pitchers are good so you just want to be prepared.”

With Kansas City trailing 5-2 entering the eight, Hunter Renfroe and MJ Melendez hit back-to-back solo drives off reliever Steven Wilson. Brebbia (0-6) hit Adam Frazier with a pitch and issued a walk to Michael Massey before&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/bobby-witt-jr-hits-a-grand-slam-19-to-left-center-field-maikel-garcia-sco">Witt connected</a>.

“Those guys put together good at-bats, so I had to do my part,” Witt said. “There was always kind of a momentum swing or whatever it is, but I think that we just believe in ourselves.”

The Royals improved to 58-49 and remained in position for the final AL Wild Card.

“There were so many things that went well tonight, but Bobby's definitely the headline," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. “Great, great poise to not try to do too much and he's just got so much talent, so much bat speed and power.”

Luis Robert Jr. had three hits and an RBI, and Andrew Vaughn added a solo shot for the White Sox. At 27-82, Chicago is 55 games below. 500 for the first time in franchise history and has a worse record than the 1962 New York Mets (29-80) through 109 games.

Andrew Benintendi drove in a run with a double, then Paul DeJong followed with an RBI single in Chicago's two-run sixth to put Chicago ahead. But the White Sox blew a save for an MLB-leading 27th time.

“I thought our two best guys (Wilson and Brebbia) were on the mound," Chicago manager Pedro Grifol said. “Those are the two guys we wanted at the end of the game.”

“He's a superstar,” Grifol said. “You see how he impacts the game in every single facet of the game.”

Chris Stratton (3-3), the second of four Kansas City relievers, got four outs for the win despite allowing a run on two hits. James McArthur pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save.

Royals starter Alec Marsh allowed two runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings. Chicago's Chris Flexen allowed two runs while scattering nine hits over six innings.

The White Sox took a 1-0 lead in the first on Gavin Sheets’ RBI single.

The Royals tied it in the third when Witt raced home from third on Salvador Perez’s tapper in front of the plate. Robert’s RBI single in the fifth tied it 2-all and chased Marsh.

Vaughn's 12th homer of the season, in the seventh, made it 5-2.

Kansas City acquired right-hander Michael Lorenzen from Texas for minor league left-hander reliever Walter Pennington on Monday. Lorenzen is 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) for the Rangers, but Royals manager Matt Quatraro wasn’t sure about the versatile righty's arrival date or exact role.

The White Sox traded starting pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham to the Cardinals as part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cardinals-dodgers-white-sox-trade-2e07e25562b90be4b398559639403b7c">three-team deal involving seven players</a>. Chicago also sent hard-throwing reliever Michael Kopech to the NL West-leading Dodgers.

The Dodgers sent infield prospects Miguel Vargas, Alexander Albertus and Jeral Perez to Chicago. Manager Pedro Grifol expects to insert Vargas into the lineup once he arrives.

The White Sox called up outfielder Dominic Fletcher, left-hander Sammy Peralta and right-hander Touki Toussaint on Monday to fill the holes on their roster after trading away Fedde, Pham and Kopech.

RHP Davis Martin, who made his first appearance in relief on Saturday following Tommy John surgery 11 months ago, will take Fedde’s place in the rotation, Grifol said.

Royals: RHP Hunter Harvey, who left Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the Cubs with back spasms, was “feeling way better” on Monday, Quatraro said and was playing catch. … RHP John Schreiber was diagnosed with right patellar tendon inflammation after tweaking his knee covering first base Sunday. He’ll have an injection and will be out for an unspecified time.

Royals RHP Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.65 ERA) faces White Sox rookie RHP Jonathan Cannon (1-5, 4.43) on Tuesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722333036948.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. is doused as his team celebrates after their win over the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Monday, July 29, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. is doused as his team celebrates after their win over the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Monday, July 29, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr.'s grand slam — and fourth hit of the game — capped Kansas City's six-run, eighth inning rally and the Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 8-5 on Monday night.Witt lofted the first pitch he saw from John Brebbia, a low slider, into the left-center stands for 19th homer and third career grand slam. Witt also singled twice and doubled as the Royals handed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-white-sox-1962-mets-4423a0be1c5412aacdf4030a736f1938">major league worst White Sox</a>&nbsp;a franchise-record 15th straight loss.Witt extended his hitting streak to 11 games. The 24-year-old All-Star shortstop is batting .545 (24 for 44) during the surge.“I'm just trying to be ready for every pitch because you never know what your going to get in the big leagues,” Witt said. “These pitchers are good so you just want to be prepared.”With Kansas City trailing 5-2 entering the eight, Hunter Renfroe and MJ Melendez hit back-to-back solo drives off reliever Steven Wilson. Brebbia (0-6) hit Adam Frazier with a pitch and issued a walk to Michael Massey before&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/bobby-witt-jr-hits-a-grand-slam-19-to-left-center-field-maikel-garcia-sco">Witt connected</a>.“Those guys put together good at-bats, so I had to do my part,” Witt said. “There was always kind of a momentum swing or whatever it is, but I think that we just believe in ourselves.”The Royals improved to 58-49 and remained in position for the final AL Wild Card.“There were so many things that went well tonight, but Bobby's definitely the headline," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. “Great, great poise to not try to do too much and he's just got so much talent, so much bat speed and power.”Luis Robert Jr. had three hits and an RBI, and Andrew Vaughn added a solo shot for the White Sox. At 27-82, Chicago is 55 games below. 500 for the first time in franchise history and has a worse record than the 1962 New York Mets (29-80) through 109 games.Andrew Benintendi drove in a run with a double, then Paul DeJong followed with an RBI single in Chicago's two-run sixth to put Chicago ahead. But the White Sox blew a save for an MLB-leading 27th time.“I thought our two best guys (Wilson and Brebbia) were on the mound," Chicago manager Pedro Grifol said. “Those are the two guys we wanted at the end of the game.”But they were beaten, finally by Witt.“He's a superstar,” Grifol said. “You see how he impacts the game in every single facet of the game.”Chris Stratton (3-3), the second of four Kansas City relievers, got four outs for the win despite allowing a run on two hits. James McArthur pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save.Royals starter Alec Marsh allowed two runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings. Chicago's Chris Flexen allowed two runs while scattering nine hits over six innings.The White Sox took a 1-0 lead in the first on Gavin Sheets’ RBI single.The Royals tied it in the third when Witt raced home from third on Salvador Perez’s tapper in front of the plate. Robert’s RBI single in the fifth tied it 2-all and chased Marsh.Vaughn's 12th homer of the season, in the seventh, made it 5-2.Kansas City acquired right-hander Michael Lorenzen from Texas for minor league left-hander reliever Walter Pennington on Monday. Lorenzen is 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) for the Rangers, but Royals manager Matt Quatraro wasn’t sure about the versatile righty's arrival date or exact role.The White Sox traded starting pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham to the Cardinals as part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cardinals-dodgers-white-sox-trade-2e07e25562b90be4b398559639403b7c">three-team deal involving seven players</a>. Chicago also sent hard-throwing reliever Michael Kopech to the NL West-leading Dodgers.The Dodgers sent infield prospects Miguel Vargas, Alexander Albertus and Jeral Perez to Chicago. Manager Pedro Grifol expects to insert Vargas into the lineup once he arrives.ROSTER MOVESThe White Sox called up outfielder Dominic Fletcher, left-hander Sammy Peralta and right-hander Touki Toussaint on Monday to fill the holes on their roster after trading away Fedde, Pham and Kopech.RHP Davis Martin, who made his first appearance in relief on Saturday following Tommy John surgery 11 months ago, will take Fedde’s place in the rotation, Grifol said.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: RHP Hunter Harvey, who left Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the Cubs with back spasms, was “feeling way better” on Monday, Quatraro said and was playing catch. … RHP John Schreiber was diagnosed with right patellar tendon inflammation after tweaking his knee covering first base Sunday. He’ll have an injection and will be out for an unspecified time.UP NEXTRoyals RHP Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.65 ERA) faces White Sox rookie RHP Jonathan Cannon (1-5, 4.43) on Tuesday night.

⚾ Bobby Witt Jr. hits grand slam as Royals top the White Sox 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pete Crow-Armstrong, who came into the game hitting .183, was 3 for 4 with a run and the go-ahead RBI as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-3 on Sunday.

While he was happy to contribute to the victory, Crow-Armstrong and many of his teammates were down about losing teammate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rays-cubs-trade-morel-paredes-77da14baaf13f27f7c650667dc187d1b">Christopher Morel, who was traded during the game to</a>&nbsp;the Tampa Bay Rays for Isaac Paredes.

“He's a special human,” Crow-Armstrong said of Morel. “We're going to miss his energy for sure, his smile. Reaching his full Christopher Morel potential every day is a guy showing up every day in the clubhouse.”

Crow-Armstrong got two of his three hits and his RBI off Royals starter Cole Ragans.

“I saw him pretty good,” he said. “I tend to see lefties relatively okay. He's a really good pitcher. I'm glad he doesn't use his change-up against lefties, because that's a good pitch. The Cubbies just had a really good offensive day.

"We want to try to have days like this every day to help have a winning season.”

The Cubs (51-56) are 12-8 in their last 20 games after going 3-9 in their previous 12.

Javier Assad (5-3) allowed three runs on five hits in six innings.

“It was an impressive outing,” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said of Assad's day. "I don't think Javi started out really well, (but) I think (catcher) Christian (Bethancourt) did a really good job of (sticking) with him, and I thought Javi did a good job of maybe doing things different than he's done in the past.

“We saw some more off-speed stuff today, and he got his off-speed stuff going, which was really fun to watch.”

Assad said he was just trying to go as far into the game as possible.

“I just tried to go out there and execute,” he said through an interpreter. “I started a little shaky, but I just went out there and attacked the zone.”

Ragans (7-7) took the loss, allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

“He gave us a good chance,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of his starter. “We were into the sixth inning and he gives us a chance. They put some good swings on him.”

Michael Massey led off the first with a walk before Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to 10 games with an infield single. With two outs, Hunter Renfroe lined one to center, scoring both runners.

Nico Hoerner doubled in the third to tie it at 2-all.

The Royals (57-49) retook the lead in the fourth on a controversial home run. Freddy Fermin&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746274/video/freddy-fermin-homers-5-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-field-ivpdq7">launched a long flyball down the left-field line</a>&nbsp;that appeared headed to the foul pole. A fan wearing a Cubs hat reached over the railing from foul territory and caught the ball before left fielder Ian Happ had a chance. Fan interference was called, giving Fermin his fifth homer of the season.

The Cubs took their first lead in the sixth. Michael Busch hit a one-out double and then scored on David Bote's two-out double. Bote scored on Crow-Armstrong's single, ending Ragans' day.

“We got good production from the bottom of our lineup today,” Counsell said. “Bethancourt and Pete did some really good things today.”

Chicago added three insurance runs in the ninth, including Patrick Wisdom's second homer in as many days.

Royals OF MJ Melendez returned from his rehab assignment and was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. He had been on the IL since July 15 with a sprained left ankle. In a corresponding move, the Royals optioned OF Drew Waters to Triple-A Omaha following Saturday night's game. ... Royals RHP John Schreiber left the game with right knee patella discomfort. ... RHP Hunter Harvey left with left lower back spasms.

Cubs: Chicago continues a six-game road trip with the first of three games in Cincinnati. The Cubs will RHP Jameson Taillon (7-5, 2.96 ERA) to the mound to face Reds RHP Carson Spiers (3-2, 3.83 ERA).

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pete Crow-Armstrong, who came into the game hitting .183, was 3 for 4 with a run and the go-ahead RBI as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-3 on Sunday.While he was happy to contribute to the victory, Crow-Armstrong and many of his teammates were down about losing teammate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rays-cubs-trade-morel-paredes-77da14baaf13f27f7c650667dc187d1b">Christopher Morel, who was traded during the game to</a>&nbsp;the Tampa Bay Rays for Isaac Paredes.“He's a special human,” Crow-Armstrong said of Morel. “We're going to miss his energy for sure, his smile. Reaching his full Christopher Morel potential every day is a guy showing up every day in the clubhouse.”Crow-Armstrong got two of his three hits and his RBI off Royals starter Cole Ragans.“I saw him pretty good,” he said. “I tend to see lefties relatively okay. He's a really good pitcher. I'm glad he doesn't use his change-up against lefties, because that's a good pitch. The Cubbies just had a really good offensive day."We want to try to have days like this every day to help have a winning season.”The Cubs (51-56) are 12-8 in their last 20 games after going 3-9 in their previous 12.Javier Assad (5-3) allowed three runs on five hits in six innings.“It was an impressive outing,” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said of Assad's day. "I don't think Javi started out really well, (but) I think (catcher) Christian (Bethancourt) did a really good job of (sticking) with him, and I thought Javi did a good job of maybe doing things different than he's done in the past.“We saw some more off-speed stuff today, and he got his off-speed stuff going, which was really fun to watch.”Assad said he was just trying to go as far into the game as possible.“I just tried to go out there and execute,” he said through an interpreter. “I started a little shaky, but I just went out there and attacked the zone.”Ragans (7-7) took the loss, allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings.“He gave us a good chance,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of his starter. “We were into the sixth inning and he gives us a chance. They put some good swings on him.”Michael Massey led off the first with a walk before Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to 10 games with an infield single. With two outs, Hunter Renfroe lined one to center, scoring both runners.Nico Hoerner doubled in the third to tie it at 2-all.The Royals (57-49) retook the lead in the fourth on a controversial home run. Freddy Fermin&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746274/video/freddy-fermin-homers-5-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-field-ivpdq7">launched a long flyball down the left-field line</a>&nbsp;that appeared headed to the foul pole. A fan wearing a Cubs hat reached over the railing from foul territory and caught the ball before left fielder Ian Happ had a chance. Fan interference was called, giving Fermin his fifth homer of the season.The Cubs took their first lead in the sixth. Michael Busch hit a one-out double and then scored on David Bote's two-out double. Bote scored on Crow-Armstrong's single, ending Ragans' day.“We got good production from the bottom of our lineup today,” Counsell said. “Bethancourt and Pete did some really good things today.”Chicago added three insurance runs in the ninth, including Patrick Wisdom's second homer in as many days.TRAINING ROOMRoyals OF MJ Melendez returned from his rehab assignment and was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. He had been on the IL since July 15 with a sprained left ankle. In a corresponding move, the Royals optioned OF Drew Waters to Triple-A Omaha following Saturday night's game. ... Royals RHP John Schreiber left the game with right knee patella discomfort. ... RHP Hunter Harvey left with left lower back spasms.UP NEXTCubs: Chicago continues a six-game road trip with the first of three games in Cincinnati. The Cubs will RHP Jameson Taillon (7-5, 2.96 ERA) to the mound to face Reds RHP Carson Spiers (3-2, 3.83 ERA).

⚾ Crow-Armstrong hits go-ahead RBI as the Cubs top the Royals Sunday

For a fourth consecutive season the Junction City Brigade have won the championship of the Mid Plains League. In 10 innings Junction City defeated the Topeka Warhawks, 12-7, Saturday night in the capitol city to claim the Cowdin Cup.

The win allowed the Brigade to win the Cowdin Cup championship series two games to none.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722139127255.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For a fourth consecutive season the Junction City Brigade have won the championship of the Mid Plains League. In 10 innings Junction City defeated the Topeka Warhawks, 12-7, Saturday night in the capitol city to claim the Cowdin Cup.The win allowed the Brigade to win the Cowdin Cup championship series two games to none.

Brigade capture the Cowdin Cup

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Wisdom hit a grand slam as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, Seiya Suzuki also homered and the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 9-4 on Saturday night.

Wisdom hit for Pete Crow-Armstrong and laced the homer 440-feet off Sam Long into the fountains in left for a 7-4 lead.

The runners were put on base by Seth Lugo (12-5), who went 6 1/3 innings. He allowed six earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out two.

Julian Merryweather (1-0) pitched an inning for the victory. Cubs starter Shota Imanaga went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three strikeouts.

Suzuki hit his 15th homer, scoring Michael Busch to make it 2-0 in the first. Hunter Renfroe his 10th homer for Kansas City in the second.

Crow-Armstrong tripled and scored in the third inning to make it 3-1.

Kansas rallied in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead. Bobby Witt Jr. doubled in Maikel Garcia, but was thrown out rounding second base. Later, Salvador Perez singled, Freddy Fermin doubled and Renfroe followed with a two-run single.

David Bote and Nico Hoerner drove in runs in the ninth for Chicago.

The Cubs acquired RHP Nate Pearson from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for INF Josh Rivera and OF Yohendrick Pinango. RHP Jesus Tinoco was designated for assignment.

Chicago RHP Javier Assad (4-3, 3.15 ERA) was set to face LHP Cole Ragans (7-6, 3.23) on Sunday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Wisdom hit a grand slam as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, Seiya Suzuki also homered and the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 9-4 on Saturday night.Wisdom hit for Pete Crow-Armstrong and laced the homer 440-feet off Sam Long into the fountains in left for a 7-4 lead.The runners were put on base by Seth Lugo (12-5), who went 6 1/3 innings. He allowed six earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out two.Julian Merryweather (1-0) pitched an inning for the victory. Cubs starter Shota Imanaga went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three strikeouts.Suzuki hit his 15th homer, scoring Michael Busch to make it 2-0 in the first. Hunter Renfroe his 10th homer for Kansas City in the second.Crow-Armstrong tripled and scored in the third inning to make it 3-1.Kansas rallied in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead. Bobby Witt Jr. doubled in Maikel Garcia, but was thrown out rounding second base. Later, Salvador Perez singled, Freddy Fermin doubled and Renfroe followed with a two-run single.David Bote and Nico Hoerner drove in runs in the ninth for Chicago.ROSTER MOVESThe Cubs acquired RHP Nate Pearson from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for INF Josh Rivera and OF Yohendrick Pinango. RHP Jesus Tinoco was designated for assignment.UP NEXTChicago RHP Javier Assad (4-3, 3.15 ERA) was set to face LHP Cole Ragans (7-6, 3.23) on Sunday.

⚾ Wisdom hits grand slam as the Cubs beat the Royals

The Junction City brigade defeated the Topeka Warhawks 8-6 in the opening game of&nbsp; the Cowdin Cup championship series Friday night at Rathert Field in Junction City.

Game two of the best two out of three series will be Saturday night in Topeka. If there is a game three it will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Rathert Field. 

The Cowdin Cup goes to the champion of the Mid Plains League.

The Junction City brigade defeated the Topeka Warhawks 8-6 in the opening game of&nbsp; the Cowdin Cup championship series Friday night at Rathert Field in Junction City.Game two of the best two out of three series will be Saturday night in Topeka. If there is a game three it will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Rathert Field. The Cowdin Cup goes to the champion of the Mid Plains League.

Brigade win game one of the Cowdin Cup championship series

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer that highlighted a six-run fifth inning and Kansas City beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 Friday night in front of the Royals' second-largest crowd of the season.

Friday night's attendance of 36,351 at Kauffman Stadium was topped only by the 38,775 on opening day.

The Royals, in third place in the AL Central behind Cleveland and Minnesota, moved 10 games over .500 at 57-47 and eclipsed last season's win total.

Brady Singer (7-6) was nearly flawless, allowing just two hits in seven innings while striking out five and walking two. The 27-year-old right-hander combined with Will Smith and Chris Stratton to limit the Cubs to four hits.

Kyle Hendricks (2-9) allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings in the loss.

The fifth inning was key for both pitchers.

Singer hit Mike Tauchman with a pitch leading off the fifth before Dansby Swanson's soft liner sent Tauchman to third. Swanson went to second on the throw to third. But Singer got Miles Mastrobuoni to ground out to second. Miguel Amaya hit a flyout to center, and Kyle Isbel threw out Tauchman at the plate.

The Royals unloaded on Hendricks in their half of the inning. With two outs, Garrett Hampson had a bloop hit to right, and Kyle Isbel followed with a single through the hole at short. Isbel stole second before Adam Frazier drove in both runs with another blooper to right. Bobby Witt Jr. then singled and Vinnie Pasquantino's single drove in Frazier. Perez then launched a 429-foot line drive homer down the left-field line to break open the game.

Cubs: C Tomas Nido was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 25, with a right knee sprain. ... C Christian Bethancourt was selected from Triple-A Iowa... P Ben Brown was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Royals: OF MJ Melendez began a rehab assignment in Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday night. He went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly and a run. Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said it's possible that Melendez could join the team this weekend. He's been on the injured list since July 16, retroactive to July 15, with a sprained left ankle.

The Cubs will send LHP Shota Imanaga (8-2, 2.86 ERA) against Royals' RHP Seth Lugo (12-4, 2.38 ERA) in the second game of the three-game series Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722048716022.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer that highlighted a six-run fifth inning and Kansas City beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 Friday night in front of the Royals' second-largest crowd of the season.Friday night's attendance of 36,351 at Kauffman Stadium was topped only by the 38,775 on opening day.The Royals, in third place in the AL Central behind Cleveland and Minnesota, moved 10 games over .500 at 57-47 and eclipsed last season's win total.Brady Singer (7-6) was nearly flawless, allowing just two hits in seven innings while striking out five and walking two. The 27-year-old right-hander combined with Will Smith and Chris Stratton to limit the Cubs to four hits.Kyle Hendricks (2-9) allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings in the loss.The fifth inning was key for both pitchers.Singer hit Mike Tauchman with a pitch leading off the fifth before Dansby Swanson's soft liner sent Tauchman to third. Swanson went to second on the throw to third. But Singer got Miles Mastrobuoni to ground out to second. Miguel Amaya hit a flyout to center, and Kyle Isbel threw out Tauchman at the plate.The Royals unloaded on Hendricks in their half of the inning. With two outs, Garrett Hampson had a bloop hit to right, and Kyle Isbel followed with a single through the hole at short. Isbel stole second before Adam Frazier drove in both runs with another blooper to right. Bobby Witt Jr. then singled and Vinnie Pasquantino's single drove in Frazier. Perez then launched a 429-foot line drive homer down the left-field line to break open the game.TRANSACTIONS:Cubs: C Tomas Nido was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 25, with a right knee sprain. ... C Christian Bethancourt was selected from Triple-A Iowa... P Ben Brown was transferred to the 60-day injured list.TRAINING ROOM:Royals: OF MJ Melendez began a rehab assignment in Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Thursday night. He went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly and a run. Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said it's possible that Melendez could join the team this weekend. He's been on the injured list since July 16, retroactive to July 15, with a sprained left ankle.UP NEXT:The Cubs will send LHP Shota Imanaga (8-2, 2.86 ERA) against Royals' RHP Seth Lugo (12-4, 2.38 ERA) in the second game of the three-game series Saturday.

⚾ Salvador Perez's 3-run homer leads Royals to win over Cubs

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Six home games at Bramlage Coliseum, including a marquee matchup with LSU, highlight the non-conference schedule for third-year head coach Jerome Tang and his Kansas State men’s basketball program, as announced on Friday morning (July 26).

In addition to its six home games, K-State will host reigning Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion Drake in the Wildcat Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Tuesday, December 21.

Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are currently available.

K-State will open its 121st season of men’s basketball with the second of five straight home games, as the Wildcats face New Orleans on Tuesday, November 5. The contest with the Privateers is followed by matchups against Cleveland State on Saturday, November 9, LSU on Thursday, November 14, and Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday, November 19.

The season-opening homestand will begin on Tuesday, October 29, with an exhibition against Fort Hays State.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Six home games at Bramlage Coliseum, including a marquee matchup with LSU, highlight the non-conference schedule for third-year head coach Jerome Tang and his Kansas State men’s basketball program, as announced on Friday morning (July 26).In addition to its six home games, K-State will host reigning Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champion Drake in the Wildcat Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Tuesday, December 21.Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are currently available.K-State will open its 121st season of men’s basketball with the second of five straight home games, as the Wildcats face New Orleans on Tuesday, November 5. The contest with the Privateers is followed by matchups against Cleveland State on Saturday, November 9, LSU on Thursday, November 14, and Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday, November 19.The season-opening homestand will begin on Tuesday, October 29, with an exhibition against Fort Hays State.

K-State men's nonconference basketball schedule is released

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead in the ninth inning with a two-run double, Ketel Marte added a three-run homer and the Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6 on Wednesday night.

“We never shut down. It was a character win. I think the guys dug as deep as they could,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was a tough environment against a good team. We just got one guy on and kept the line moving.”

Eugenio Saurez homered for Arizona in the second and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/pederson-and-walker-hit-back-to-back-home-runs-in-4th">Joc Pederson and Christian Walker hit back-to-back shots in the fourth</a>&nbsp;to make it 3-1. Pederson has 200 career homers.

With Arizona down 4-3 in the ninth against closer James McArthur (4-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled with one out, Geraldo Perdomo walked and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/gabriel-moreno-doubles-16-on-a-line-drive-to-center-fielder-kyle-isbel-lo">Moreno slashed the double</a>&nbsp;that rolled to the wall in the right-center gap

“I was really looking for a pitch that I wouldn’t hit into a double play. I was able to stay within myself and go to my side, which is right center,” Moreno said through a translator.

After Corbin Carroll followed Moreno with a single,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/ketel-marte-homers-22-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-gabriel-moreno-scores">Marte blasted the three-run homer</a>&nbsp;to center.

“That was a super frustrating inning,” MacArthur said. “I felt like I was pretty close at times of getting out of it and just didn’t make the pitch I needed to.”

Marte homered in all three games in the series.

“He’s a beast, I don’t know what else to say,” Lovullo said about Marte, Arizona's line All-Star this season. “He doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen him do it over and over again. He wants to be in the middle of everything, that’s his personality, and it was a big knock for him.”

Joe Mantiply (4-2) pitched the eighth for the victory and Paul Sewald closed it out after allowing Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run single in the ninth.

The Royals took the lead with a three-run fourth. Michael Massey doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s fielder’s choice. Kyle Isbel followed with a triple to tie it and scored on Ryne Nelson’s wild pitch.

“We left some guys on early, so to fight back and get the lead was big for us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "But you’ve got to give those guys credit for executing and getting balls in play.”

Bobby Witt Jr. went 3 for 4 for Kansas City to raise his average to .344.

Diamondbacks: Arizona returns home to face Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Diamondbacks hadn’t announced a starter.

Royals: RHP Brady Singer (6-6, 3.00 ERA) was set to start Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721900198494.jpeg" alt="Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte celebrates hitting a three-run home during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte celebrates hitting a three-run home during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gabriel Moreno gave Arizona the lead in the ninth inning with a two-run double, Ketel Marte added a three-run homer and the Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 8-6 on Wednesday night.“We never shut down. It was a character win. I think the guys dug as deep as they could,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was a tough environment against a good team. We just got one guy on and kept the line moving.”Eugenio Saurez homered for Arizona in the second and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/pederson-and-walker-hit-back-to-back-home-runs-in-4th">Joc Pederson and Christian Walker hit back-to-back shots in the fourth</a>&nbsp;to make it 3-1. Pederson has 200 career homers.With Arizona down 4-3 in the ninth against closer James McArthur (4-4), Lourdes Gurriel Jr singled with one out, Geraldo Perdomo walked and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/gabriel-moreno-doubles-16-on-a-line-drive-to-center-fielder-kyle-isbel-lo">Moreno slashed the double</a>&nbsp;that rolled to the wall in the right-center gap“I was really looking for a pitch that I wouldn’t hit into a double play. I was able to stay within myself and go to my side, which is right center,” Moreno said through a translator.After Corbin Carroll followed Moreno with a single,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/746279/video/ketel-marte-homers-22-on-a-fly-ball-to-center-field-gabriel-moreno-scores">Marte blasted the three-run homer</a>&nbsp;to center.“That was a super frustrating inning,” MacArthur said. “I felt like I was pretty close at times of getting out of it and just didn’t make the pitch I needed to.”Marte homered in all three games in the series.“He’s a beast, I don’t know what else to say,” Lovullo said about Marte, Arizona's line All-Star this season. “He doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen him do it over and over again. He wants to be in the middle of everything, that’s his personality, and it was a big knock for him.”Joe Mantiply (4-2) pitched the eighth for the victory and Paul Sewald closed it out after allowing Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run single in the ninth.The Royals took the lead with a three-run fourth. Michael Massey doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s fielder’s choice. Kyle Isbel followed with a triple to tie it and scored on Ryne Nelson’s wild pitch.“We left some guys on early, so to fight back and get the lead was big for us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "But you’ve got to give those guys credit for executing and getting balls in play.”Bobby Witt Jr. went 3 for 4 for Kansas City to raise his average to .344.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: Arizona returns home to face Pittsburgh on Friday night. The Diamondbacks hadn’t announced a starter.Royals: RHP Brady Singer (6-6, 3.00 ERA) was set to start Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs.

⚾ 5-run 9th inning lifts Diamondbacks over the Royals 

PARIS (AP) — What was expected to be a simple coronation of Salt Lake City as the 2034 Winter Olympic host turned into complicated Olympic politics Wednesday, as the IOC pushed Utah officials to end an FBI investigation into a suspected doping coverup.

The International Olympic Committee is angry about an ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-doping-swimming-paris-olympics-world-aquatics-d55b6c2853e2d7a79cefa68afe51f9bf">U.S. federal investigation of suspected doping</a>&nbsp;by Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games despite positive drug tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted Chinese explanations for the tests, and U.S. officials are now investigating that decision under an anti-conspiracy law passed after the Russian doping scandal at the Sochi Winter Games.

President Thomas Bach wants to make sure WADA is the sole authority on Olympic doping cases, especially with the Sumer Olympics headed to Los Angeles in 2028. The IOC added a clause to Salt Lake's host contract, demanding that local organizers - including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox - push to shut down the federal investigation or risk losing the Olympics.

Cox and others promised to lobby the U.S. president and Congress.

“We agree that if the United States does not support or violates the World Anti-Doping Federation’s rules, that they can withdraw the Games from from us and from the United States, “ Cox said after the announcement. "That was the only way that that we could we could guarantee that we would get the Games.”

Even in the world Olympic diplomacy, it was a stunning power move to force government officials to publicly agree to do the IOC's lobbying.

After getting the Utah contingent's agreement on the clause, the IOC formally awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake in an 83-6 vote.

The capital city of Utah was the only candidate after the IOC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-winter-salt-lake-2030-2034-ioc-e7da1e36b747395f2417b5e8c1d33088">gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year</a>&nbsp;in a fast-tracked process.

The campaign team presenting the bid on stage to IOC members included Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Alpine ski great Lindsey Vonn.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/park-city-utah-olympic-games-paris-winter-olympic-games-48e38677d8f54c8282b947209507e40e">Back home</a>, a 3 a.m. public watch party gathered to see the broadcast from Paris.

The clause inserted into the contract requires Utah officials to to work with current and future U.S. presidents and members of Congress “to alleviate your concerns” about the federal investigation into doping.

The IOC clause allows the Olympic body to terminate Salt Lake City’s deal if the authority of WADA was undermined on U.S. territory.

WADA's role is under scrutiny for accepting a Chinese investigation that declared all 23 swimmers were contaminated by traces of a banned heart medication in a hotel kitchen. Three Chinese gold medals in the Tokyo Olympic pool were won by swimmers implicated in the case. Some are also competing in Paris next week.

The case an be investigated in the U.S. under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/house-passes-bill-to-make-doping-conspiracies-a-crime-f0036fb6df2a436591a95f644d75a7f2">federal legislation</a>&nbsp;named for a whistleblower of Russian state doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

The IOC and WADA lobbied against passing the law, known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doping-rodchenkov-okagbare-guilty-plea-0fb36146dd202aa869325466a59db676">the Rodchenkov Act</a>, which gives U.S. federal agencies wide jurisdiction of doping enforcement worldwide ahead of Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Games.

“We will work with our members of Congress," Gov. Cox told Bach and IOC voters ahead of the 2034 vote, "we will use all the levers of power open to us to resolve these concerns.”

Salt Lake City first hosted the Winter Games in 2002. That bid was hit with a bribery scandal, which led to anti-corruption reforms at the IOC.

Future U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney was brought in to clean up the Games, which went off well despite tightened security. The Games were the biggest international sports event hosted by the U.S. following the Sept. 11 attacks five months earlier.

“I am sorry for you, and for us, that this issue arose now,” Bach said, addressing the Salt Lake City delegation ahead of the vote.

It is an Olympic tradition for lawmakers and even heads of state to come to an IOC meeting and plead their case to be anointed as an host city.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did it in 2007, speaking in English to secure the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi. British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a key intervention in 2005 to help win the 2012 Olympics for London. U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Copenhagen in 2009 did not help in Chicago's losing cause for the 2016 Summer Games that went to Rio de Janeiro.

For its second turn, Salt Lake City will get almost 10 full years to prepare — the longest lead-in for a modern Winter Games — amid longer-term concerns about climate change affecting snow sports and reducing the pool of potential hosts.

Salt Lake City opted to target 2034 and so avoided potential commercial and logistical clashes with the 2028 Summer Games being hosted by Los Angeles.

It will be the fifth Winter Games in the U.S. Before Salt Lake City in 2002, there was Lake Placid in 1980 and 1932, and Squaw Valley — now known as Olympic Valley — in 1960.

In a separate decision earlier in Paris, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-2030-france-alps-nice-ioc-e14c106194e303b5a2ffa968740650b0">2030 Winter Games was awarded</a>&nbsp;— with conditions — to France for a regional project split between ski resorts in the Alps and the French Riviera city Nice.

That project needs official signoff from the national government being formed, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-prime-minister-resign-government-macron-c3a908360a18641ff5879ced259f7726">the Prime Minister yet to be confirmed</a>, after recent elections called by President Emmanuel Macron. He helped present the 2030 bid Wednesday to IOC members.

PARIS (AP) — What was expected to be a simple coronation of Salt Lake City as the 2034 Winter Olympic host turned into complicated Olympic politics Wednesday, as the IOC pushed Utah officials to end an FBI investigation into a suspected doping coverup.The International Olympic Committee is angry about an ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-doping-swimming-paris-olympics-world-aquatics-d55b6c2853e2d7a79cefa68afe51f9bf">U.S. federal investigation of suspected doping</a>&nbsp;by Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games despite positive drug tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted Chinese explanations for the tests, and U.S. officials are now investigating that decision under an anti-conspiracy law passed after the Russian doping scandal at the Sochi Winter Games.President Thomas Bach wants to make sure WADA is the sole authority on Olympic doping cases, especially with the Sumer Olympics headed to Los Angeles in 2028. The IOC added a clause to Salt Lake's host contract, demanding that local organizers - including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox - push to shut down the federal investigation or risk losing the Olympics.Cox and others promised to lobby the U.S. president and Congress.“We agree that if the United States does not support or violates the World Anti-Doping Federation’s rules, that they can withdraw the Games from from us and from the United States, “ Cox said after the announcement. "That was the only way that that we could we could guarantee that we would get the Games.”Even in the world Olympic diplomacy, it was a stunning power move to force government officials to publicly agree to do the IOC's lobbying.After getting the Utah contingent's agreement on the clause, the IOC formally awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake in an 83-6 vote.The capital city of Utah was the only candidate after the IOC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-winter-salt-lake-2030-2034-ioc-e7da1e36b747395f2417b5e8c1d33088">gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year</a>&nbsp;in a fast-tracked process.The campaign team presenting the bid on stage to IOC members included Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Alpine ski great Lindsey Vonn.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/park-city-utah-olympic-games-paris-winter-olympic-games-48e38677d8f54c8282b947209507e40e">Back home</a>, a 3 a.m. public watch party gathered to see the broadcast from Paris.The clause inserted into the contract requires Utah officials to to work with current and future U.S. presidents and members of Congress “to alleviate your concerns” about the federal investigation into doping.The IOC clause allows the Olympic body to terminate Salt Lake City’s deal if the authority of WADA was undermined on U.S. territory.WADA's role is under scrutiny for accepting a Chinese investigation that declared all 23 swimmers were contaminated by traces of a banned heart medication in a hotel kitchen. Three Chinese gold medals in the Tokyo Olympic pool were won by swimmers implicated in the case. Some are also competing in Paris next week.The case an be investigated in the U.S. under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/house-passes-bill-to-make-doping-conspiracies-a-crime-f0036fb6df2a436591a95f644d75a7f2">federal legislation</a>&nbsp;named for a whistleblower of Russian state doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.The IOC and WADA lobbied against passing the law, known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doping-rodchenkov-okagbare-guilty-plea-0fb36146dd202aa869325466a59db676">the Rodchenkov Act</a>, which gives U.S. federal agencies wide jurisdiction of doping enforcement worldwide ahead of Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Games.“We will work with our members of Congress," Gov. Cox told Bach and IOC voters ahead of the 2034 vote, "we will use all the levers of power open to us to resolve these concerns.”Salt Lake City first hosted the Winter Games in 2002. That bid was hit with a bribery scandal, which led to anti-corruption reforms at the IOC.Future U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney was brought in to clean up the Games, which went off well despite tightened security. The Games were the biggest international sports event hosted by the U.S. following the Sept. 11 attacks five months earlier.“I am sorry for you, and for us, that this issue arose now,” Bach said, addressing the Salt Lake City delegation ahead of the vote.It is an Olympic tradition for lawmakers and even heads of state to come to an IOC meeting and plead their case to be anointed as an host city.Russian President Vladimir Putin did it in 2007, speaking in English to secure the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi. British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a key intervention in 2005 to help win the 2012 Olympics for London. U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Copenhagen in 2009 did not help in Chicago's losing cause for the 2016 Summer Games that went to Rio de Janeiro.For its second turn, Salt Lake City will get almost 10 full years to prepare — the longest lead-in for a modern Winter Games — amid longer-term concerns about climate change affecting snow sports and reducing the pool of potential hosts.Salt Lake City opted to target 2034 and so avoided potential commercial and logistical clashes with the 2028 Summer Games being hosted by Los Angeles.It will be the fifth Winter Games in the U.S. Before Salt Lake City in 2002, there was Lake Placid in 1980 and 1932, and Squaw Valley — now known as Olympic Valley — in 1960.In a separate decision earlier in Paris, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-2030-france-alps-nice-ioc-e14c106194e303b5a2ffa968740650b0">2030 Winter Games was awarded</a>&nbsp;— with conditions — to France for a regional project split between ski resorts in the Alps and the French Riviera city Nice.That project needs official signoff from the national government being formed, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-prime-minister-resign-government-macron-c3a908360a18641ff5879ced259f7726">the Prime Minister yet to be confirmed</a>, after recent elections called by President Emmanuel Macron. He helped present the 2030 bid Wednesday to IOC members.

IOC awards 2034 Winter Games to Utah 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Montgomery allowed one run over five innings to win in his return from a layoff of nearly one month caused by a knee injury, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Tuesday night.

Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer and scored three runs.

Montgomery (7-5) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two, throwing 39 of 67 pitches for strikes. The 31-year-old left-hander, signed by the NL champions to a $25 million, one-year contract in March, had been sidelined since June 27 by right knee inflammation. He won for the first time since June 21 at Philadelphia.

“I felt comfortable out there and pain free, and that was nice to be pain free,” Montgomery said. “I think it just messed with my delivery a little bit, where I was yanking everything and I didn’t want to put any pressure on my legs, but I grinded it out and I’m glad to be here now.”

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Montgomery was nearing his pitch count when he finished a 1-2-3 fifth inning.

“His changeup was in play, and that’s a very key pitch for him,” Lovullo said. “The first go-round before he got banged up, it was a pitch he was leaving out over the plate. The pitch was very, very effective and he had a lot of confidence in it.”

Montgomery got four swings and misses on 19 changeups and six foul balls.

“It got me through the game,” Montgomery said. “I was a little wild with everything else. My four-seam and my changeup really got me through, got me some swing and miss when I needed it.”

Bryce Jarvis pitched two shutout innings, and Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel finished as Arizona stopped the Royals’ four-game winning streak. Kansas City had won eight of 10 coming in.

Bobby Witt Jr. went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in the first, ending his streak of four straight three-hit games.

Marte hit a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the fifth against Alec Marsh (7-7), who gave up five runs, five hits and two walks in five innings. Marte followed Geraldo Perdomo’s leadoff double with his 21st home run.

“I was trying to down and away with a changeup and he just jumped it,” Marsh said.

Christian Walker’s sacrifice fly and Gabriel Moreno’s two-out, two-run single built a 3-0 lead in the first.

Witt’s double was his 13th hit in 16 at-bats since the All-Star Game, his sixth for extra bases. Salvador Perez had an RBI single in the ninth.

Arizona optioned right-hander Humberto Castellanos to Triple-A Reno and activated Montgomery.

Kansas City agreed to a minor league contract with the sixth overall draft pick Jac Caglianone, a two-way player from the University of Florida.

Arizona RHP Ryne Nelson (7-6, 4.78) starts Wednesday night’s series finale against Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.55).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721813983299.jpeg" alt="Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws from the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws from the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Montgomery allowed one run over five innings to win in his return from a layoff of nearly one month caused by a knee injury, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Tuesday night.Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer and scored three runs.Montgomery (7-5) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two, throwing 39 of 67 pitches for strikes. The 31-year-old left-hander, signed by the NL champions to a $25 million, one-year contract in March, had been sidelined since June 27 by right knee inflammation. He won for the first time since June 21 at Philadelphia.“I felt comfortable out there and pain free, and that was nice to be pain free,” Montgomery said. “I think it just messed with my delivery a little bit, where I was yanking everything and I didn’t want to put any pressure on my legs, but I grinded it out and I’m glad to be here now.”Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Montgomery was nearing his pitch count when he finished a 1-2-3 fifth inning.“His changeup was in play, and that’s a very key pitch for him,” Lovullo said. “The first go-round before he got banged up, it was a pitch he was leaving out over the plate. The pitch was very, very effective and he had a lot of confidence in it.”Montgomery got four swings and misses on 19 changeups and six foul balls.“It got me through the game,” Montgomery said. “I was a little wild with everything else. My four-seam and my changeup really got me through, got me some swing and miss when I needed it.”Bryce Jarvis pitched two shutout innings, and Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel finished as Arizona stopped the Royals’ four-game winning streak. Kansas City had won eight of 10 coming in.Bobby Witt Jr. went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in the first, ending his streak of four straight three-hit games.Marte hit a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the fifth against Alec Marsh (7-7), who gave up five runs, five hits and two walks in five innings. Marte followed Geraldo Perdomo’s leadoff double with his 21st home run.“I was trying to down and away with a changeup and he just jumped it,” Marsh said.Christian Walker’s sacrifice fly and Gabriel Moreno’s two-out, two-run single built a 3-0 lead in the first.Witt’s double was his 13th hit in 16 at-bats since the All-Star Game, his sixth for extra bases. Salvador Perez had an RBI single in the ninth.Arizona optioned right-hander Humberto Castellanos to Triple-A Reno and activated Montgomery.Kansas City agreed to a minor league contract with the sixth overall draft pick Jac Caglianone, a two-way player from the University of Florida.UP NEXTArizona RHP Ryne Nelson (7-6, 4.78) starts Wednesday night’s series finale against Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.55).___

⚾ Montgomery returns from injured list and pitches Diamondbacks over Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. fell a single short of the cycle, Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe also homered, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4 on Monday night for their fourth straight victory.

Witt tripled in the first inning, doubled in the third and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1815559805240537297">drilled a three-run homer</a>&nbsp;to deep left-center in the fourth to get the hard part out of the way.

“It's hard to describe,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “The power he displays, the poise at the plate, it’s like he’s playing a different game.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721728779675.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. fell a single short of the cycle, Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe also homered, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4 on Monday night for their fourth straight victory.Witt tripled in the first inning, doubled in the third and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1815559805240537297">drilled a three-run homer</a>&nbsp;to deep left-center in the fourth to get the hard part out of the way.“It's hard to describe,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “The power he displays, the poise at the plate, it’s like he’s playing a different game.”The crowd arose chanting “Bobby! Bobby!” when Witt came to the plate in the sixth in anticipation of a single and the first cycle by a Kansas City player in 34 years, but Arizona reliever Humberto Castellanos hit Witt with his first pitch, drawing loud boos.“It's really unfortunate that he got hit,” Quatraro said. “I don't know what to think about the intent behind it.”Witt got another chance in the eighth but was retired on a fly ball to right field. The last Royals player to hit for the cycle was Hall of Famer George Brett at Toronto on July 25, 1990.“I definitely wanted to do it for the fans. These fans are awesome out here,” Witt said. “I choked at the end, but whatever.”Witt, who was named American League Player of the Week earlier Monday, is 12 for 15 since playing in his first All-Star Game and finishing as the Home Run Derby runner-up, raising his average to .341. It was Witt’s fourth straight three-hit game, matching Johnny Damon in 2000 for the second-best such streak in franchise history, behind only Brett’s six games in 1976.One inning after Witt was plunked, Royals reliever John Schreiber hit Gabriel Moreno with a pitch. Both benches were warned, and Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was ejected for arguing with plate umpire Jordan Baker and had to be held back. Royals catcher Perez appeared to exchange words with Lovullo during the scrum near the plate.“I never said a word to Salvador Perez,” Lovullo said. “I just wanted him to hear what I was going to say to Jordan. I told him, ‘If you think in my right mind I was going to ask my team to hit the future of Major League Baseball, one of the best players in the game, you’re crazy. You lost control of this situation, and you got it wrong.’ I wanted Salvy to hear that and take it back to their dugout.”The Royals (56-45), who are in position for a wild-card playoff berth, matched their win total from last season.Cole Ragans (7-6) survived a shaky third inning to record his second straight win and his eighth quality start in nine. He allowed six hits, two walks and three runs in six innings.The Diamondbacks took a 3-1 lead in the third when Kevin Newman and Alek Thomas hit back-to-back doubles and Ketel Marte followed with his 20th homer, a two-run shot to left.The Royals responded in the bottom half with Witt’s double, Vinnie Pasquantino’s RBI single and Perez’s two-run homer to center for a 4-3 lead.Witt's three-run shot off reliever Miguel Castro in the fourth made it 8-3.“Castro is no easy right-hander to face,” Quatraro said. “He comes in there and that first pitch, you don't expect him to hit a homer, but I guess you maybe start trying to expect it. It's incredible, what he's doing right now. Absolutely incredible.”Renfroe homered in the sixth, Kyle Isbel had three hits and two RBIs, and Pasquantino had three hits for the Royals.After giving up only one run in six innings in each of his first two major league starts, Arizona's Yilber Diaz allowed seven runs and nine hits in three-plus innings.“He couldn’t locate his secondary stuff and became predictable with his fastball,” Lovullo said.TRAINER’S ROOMDiamondbacks: Lovullo said LHP Jordan Montgomery (knee) would come off the injured list and start Tuesday. RHP Merrill Kelly (shoulder) and LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) will each throw a bullpen session Tuesday and are on track for simulated games, Thursday for Kelly and Friday for Rodriguez.Royals: OF MJ Melendez (ankle) is close to returning, Quatraro said. Melendez is eligible to come off the IL Friday.UP NEXTAlec Marsh (7-6, 3.55) will start for the Royals against Montgomery (6-5, 6.44).

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