<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/boxscores/20240904_gipn.xml">BOX SCORE</a>

LIBERAL, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team picked up a three-set win at Seward County on Wednesday in the Green House.

The Blue Dragons won 25-21, 25-18, 25-18 to earn the Jayhawk Conference victory.

HutchCC is now 6-4 overall, 1-1 in Jayhawk Conference play. The Blue Dragons have won back-to-back matches and four of its last five.

The Blue Dragons travel to Odessa, Tex. for the Odessa College Invitational, which begins Thursday evening. Hutchinson will play Odessa, New Mexico Junior College, Vernon College and Panola College.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724411379113.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Sports Information" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Sports Information</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/boxscores/20240904_gipn.xml">BOX SCORE</a>LIBERAL, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team picked up a three-set win at Seward County on Wednesday in the Green House.The Blue Dragons won 25-21, 25-18, 25-18 to earn the Jayhawk Conference victory.HutchCC is now 6-4 overall, 1-1 in Jayhawk Conference play. The Blue Dragons have won back-to-back matches and four of its last five.The Blue Dragons travel to Odessa, Tex. for the Odessa College Invitational, which begins Thursday evening. Hutchinson will play Odessa, New Mexico Junior College, Vernon College and Panola College.

🏐 Blue Dragons earn win at Seward County

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tommy Pham hit his first home run for Kansas City, a tiebreaking, three-run drive in a four-run fourth inning, and the Royals stopped a season-high, seven-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night.

Seth Lugo (15-8) allowed one run and five hits in seven innings. He is one win behind Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and Atlanta’s Chris Sale, who are tied for the major league lead. Lugo is 11-1 with a 1.40 ERA in 15 starts with four days’ rest.

Kansas City (76-65) closed within one percentage point of Minnesota (75-64) for the second AL wild card spot. The Royals and Twins are both 4 1/2 games behind AL Central-leading Cleveland (80-60).

Royals manager Matt Quatraro returned after missing two games following the death of his mother.

“Really happy for those guys,” Quatraro said. “Nobody wants to lose, and when you string a whole week of games together where you don’t win any of them, it wears on you, mentally, physically. It makes it tougher to believe in yourself, so however it had to happen ... it’s good to get a win.”

During the seven-game skid, the Royals had scored three runs or fewer in six straight games, the team’s longest such streak since Aug. 15-21, 2022. The Royals had scored two runs or fewer in five straight, their longest span since June 7-13, 2018.

Pham, claimed off waivers from St. Louis on Saturday, broke a 1-1 tie with his homer off Ben Lively (11-9), who allowed seven hits in four innings. The drive deep into the left-field seats was Pham’s eighth home run this season and gave Pham his first RBI with the Royals.

“It just seems like we’ve had some chances and we just couldn’t come through with the big hit until tonight,” Pham said. “It felt very good because I’ve been having a hard time barreling up balls to the pull side, and today it was something I worked on, and it’s even better to see it translate into the game.”

Quatraro said it was a relief to have someone come through.

“Somebody’s got to let the pressure off, and he did,” Quatraro said. “It was nice to tie it up ... but you’re trying to play for a big inning there. It took till two outs to do it but that was a big, big hit for Tommy."

Paul DeJong reached on an infield single, Robbie Grossman singled for his first Royals hit since he was claimed from Texas on Saturday, and Michael Massey hit a tying single.

Lugo got help from DeJong when the third baseman made a diving grab on Daniel Schneeman’s sharp grounder in the hole in the fifth. Lugo also benefited from three double plays, one started by the pitcher

“It looked he really had a good curveball. He got in on the lefties with the cutter and when they were looking in, he softened it up away,” Quatraro said. “Pretty good soft contact night, I would say, the double plays, just had it all going.”

Lugo had a loss and no-decision since beating the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 19.

“I thought I threw the ball well,” Lugo said. “I thought I was using both sides of the plate with my fastball and breaking balls and kept the hitters off balance. I used a pretty good mix out there tonight.”

José Ramírez put Cleveland ahead 1-0 in the third with a two-out bloop single.

Kris Bubic struck out the side in the eighth and Lucas Erceg worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save and sixth with the Royals.

Guardians: 1B Josh Naylor did not play after leaving Tuesday’s game with a back spasm.

Royals: OF Hunter Renfroe (hamstring) was 0 for 4 with a sacrifice fly as began a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He has been on the 10-day IL since Aug. 25.

Royals INF CJ Alexander was claimed off waivers by Oakland. He was designated for assignment on Saturday.

Guardians: LHP Matthew Boyd (1-1, 2.38) starts Friday’s series opener at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Royals: LHP Cole Ragans (10-9, 3.46) starts Friday’s series opener against Minnesota and RHP Zebby Matthews (1-2, 7.41).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717239521858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tommy Pham hit his first home run for Kansas City, a tiebreaking, three-run drive in a four-run fourth inning, and the Royals stopped a season-high, seven-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night.Seth Lugo (15-8) allowed one run and five hits in seven innings. He is one win behind Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and Atlanta’s Chris Sale, who are tied for the major league lead. Lugo is 11-1 with a 1.40 ERA in 15 starts with four days’ rest.Kansas City (76-65) closed within one percentage point of Minnesota (75-64) for the second AL wild card spot. The Royals and Twins are both 4 1/2 games behind AL Central-leading Cleveland (80-60).Royals manager Matt Quatraro returned after missing two games following the death of his mother.“Really happy for those guys,” Quatraro said. “Nobody wants to lose, and when you string a whole week of games together where you don’t win any of them, it wears on you, mentally, physically. It makes it tougher to believe in yourself, so however it had to happen ... it’s good to get a win.”During the seven-game skid, the Royals had scored three runs or fewer in six straight games, the team’s longest such streak since Aug. 15-21, 2022. The Royals had scored two runs or fewer in five straight, their longest span since June 7-13, 2018.Pham, claimed off waivers from St. Louis on Saturday, broke a 1-1 tie with his homer off Ben Lively (11-9), who allowed seven hits in four innings. The drive deep into the left-field seats was Pham’s eighth home run this season and gave Pham his first RBI with the Royals.“It just seems like we’ve had some chances and we just couldn’t come through with the big hit until tonight,” Pham said. “It felt very good because I’ve been having a hard time barreling up balls to the pull side, and today it was something I worked on, and it’s even better to see it translate into the game.”Quatraro said it was a relief to have someone come through.“Somebody’s got to let the pressure off, and he did,” Quatraro said. “It was nice to tie it up ... but you’re trying to play for a big inning there. It took till two outs to do it but that was a big, big hit for Tommy."Paul DeJong reached on an infield single, Robbie Grossman singled for his first Royals hit since he was claimed from Texas on Saturday, and Michael Massey hit a tying single.Lugo got help from DeJong when the third baseman made a diving grab on Daniel Schneeman’s sharp grounder in the hole in the fifth. Lugo also benefited from three double plays, one started by the pitcher“It looked he really had a good curveball. He got in on the lefties with the cutter and when they were looking in, he softened it up away,” Quatraro said. “Pretty good soft contact night, I would say, the double plays, just had it all going.”Lugo had a loss and no-decision since beating the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 19.“I thought I threw the ball well,” Lugo said. “I thought I was using both sides of the plate with my fastball and breaking balls and kept the hitters off balance. I used a pretty good mix out there tonight.”José Ramírez put Cleveland ahead 1-0 in the third with a two-out bloop single.Kris Bubic struck out the side in the eighth and Lucas Erceg worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save and sixth with the Royals.TRAINER’S ROOMGuardians: 1B Josh Naylor did not play after leaving Tuesday’s game with a back spasm.Royals: OF Hunter Renfroe (hamstring) was 0 for 4 with a sacrifice fly as began a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He has been on the 10-day IL since Aug. 25.ROSTER MOVESRoyals INF CJ Alexander was claimed off waivers by Oakland. He was designated for assignment on Saturday.UP NEXTGuardians: LHP Matthew Boyd (1-1, 2.38) starts Friday’s series opener at the Los Angeles Dodgers.Royals: LHP Cole Ragans (10-9, 3.46) starts Friday’s series opener against Minnesota and RHP Zebby Matthews (1-2, 7.41).

⚾ Royals snap skid Wednesday with win over Cleveland

Wichita State fell in straight sets on the road at #13 Kansas on Wednesday night, coming up short by scores of 17-25, 21-25, and 19-25.

The Jayhawks got a match-high 14 kills from Ayah Elnady and hit .264 as a team while holding Wichita State to a .130 clip. Emerson Wilford paced the Shockers with 10 kills to go along with 12 digs for Wichita State's first double-double of the season.

The Shockers fell into a 9-5 hole in the opening set and were never able to claw their way out, as the Jayhawks lengthened their lead out to 14-7. Three Jayhawks produced at least four kills in the set, highlighted by Elnady's six, while the Shockers struggled to find scoring outside of Morgan Stout's five terminations. Kansas hit .400 as a team in the opening frame.

Wichita State had their best opportunity to level the ledger in the second set, surging to a 13-10 advantage following consecutive kills from Brooklyn Leggett. Kansas rallied to tie the set at 15-15, then the two sides traded points to reach 20-20. A Kansas challenge on what was originally a Leggett kill gave the Jayhawks a 21-20 lead, and the Shockers could not recover as Kansas scored four of the next five points to claim a 2-0 lead.

The Shockers were again on even footing at 15-15 in the third set, but committed three attack errors and a service error in short succession to hand the Jayhawks a 20-15 cushion. WSU clawed back within three via an Allie Paulsen kill that made it 21-18, but the Jayhawks again rattled off four of the next five points to close out the victory.

Kansas (4-0) out-blocked the Shockers 9.0-7.0 and racked up six aces to just five errors. Wichita State managed just a single service ace while misfiring four times.

Paulsen recorded her first career kills in the match, hitting .364 with six terminations.

The Shockers square off with another ranked foe on Friday as they travel to #21 Arkansas. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725533407384.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Wichita State University" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Wichita State University</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita State AthleticsWichita State fell in straight sets on the road at #13 Kansas on Wednesday night, coming up short by scores of 17-25, 21-25, and 19-25.The Jayhawks got a match-high 14 kills from Ayah Elnady and hit .264 as a team while holding Wichita State to a .130 clip. Emerson Wilford paced the Shockers with 10 kills to go along with 12 digs for Wichita State's first double-double of the season.The Shockers fell into a 9-5 hole in the opening set and were never able to claw their way out, as the Jayhawks lengthened their lead out to 14-7. Three Jayhawks produced at least four kills in the set, highlighted by Elnady's six, while the Shockers struggled to find scoring outside of Morgan Stout's five terminations. Kansas hit .400 as a team in the opening frame.Wichita State had their best opportunity to level the ledger in the second set, surging to a 13-10 advantage following consecutive kills from Brooklyn Leggett. Kansas rallied to tie the set at 15-15, then the two sides traded points to reach 20-20. A Kansas challenge on what was originally a Leggett kill gave the Jayhawks a 21-20 lead, and the Shockers could not recover as Kansas scored four of the next five points to claim a 2-0 lead.The Shockers were again on even footing at 15-15 in the third set, but committed three attack errors and a service error in short succession to hand the Jayhawks a 20-15 cushion. WSU clawed back within three via an Allie Paulsen kill that made it 21-18, but the Jayhawks again rattled off four of the next five points to close out the victory.Kansas (4-0) out-blocked the Shockers 9.0-7.0 and racked up six aces to just five errors. Wichita State managed just a single service ace while misfiring four times.Paulsen recorded her first career kills in the match, hitting .364 with six terminations.The Shockers square off with another ranked foe on Friday as they travel to #21 Arkansas. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

🏐 Shockers falls to No. 13 KU Wednesday

FRISCO, Texas—The Wichita Wind Surge came up short 2-1 against the Frisco RoughRiders at Riders Field. After the day off after the Labor Day series opener, pitching remained exceptional for both ends, combining 23 total strikeouts.

Andrew Cossetti&nbsp;looped an RBI single into shallow right field after it bounced out of the mitt of Max Acosta in the top of the first.

Alejandro Osuna knotted the game up 1-1 in the home half of the third with a solo home run, #6 at Double-A, to right field.

One day removed from his 26th birthday, Josh Hatcher grounded a go-ahead single up the middle in the bottom of the fifth to give Frisco the lead. The knock would prove to be the difference across the rest of the night.

Mason Fox, the first man out of the bullpen for the Wind Surge, retired all six men he faced through the sixth and seventh innings, with the former frame coming on three strikeouts. The appearance marked his first at Riders Field since August 12, 2022, when he played for the San Antonio Missions under the San Diego Padres organizational umbrella.

Wichita was set down 1-2-3 in the ninth by Ryan Lobus to end the game. So far, they’ve dropped both games of this series against the RoughRiders by one run each.

Jaylen Nowlin&nbsp;fell to 5-7 on the year after the loss. He surrendered the two earned Frisco runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts over five innings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725532613297.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>FRISCO, Texas—The Wichita Wind Surge came up short 2-1 against the Frisco RoughRiders at Riders Field. After the day off after the Labor Day series opener, pitching remained exceptional for both ends, combining 23 total strikeouts.Andrew Cossetti&nbsp;looped an RBI single into shallow right field after it bounced out of the mitt of Max Acosta in the top of the first.Alejandro Osuna knotted the game up 1-1 in the home half of the third with a solo home run, #6 at Double-A, to right field.One day removed from his 26th birthday, Josh Hatcher grounded a go-ahead single up the middle in the bottom of the fifth to give Frisco the lead. The knock would prove to be the difference across the rest of the night.Mason Fox, the first man out of the bullpen for the Wind Surge, retired all six men he faced through the sixth and seventh innings, with the former frame coming on three strikeouts. The appearance marked his first at Riders Field since August 12, 2022, when he played for the San Antonio Missions under the San Diego Padres organizational umbrella.Wichita was set down 1-2-3 in the ninth by Ryan Lobus to end the game. So far, they’ve dropped both games of this series against the RoughRiders by one run each.Jaylen Nowlin&nbsp;fell to 5-7 on the year after the loss. He surrendered the two earned Frisco runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts over five innings.

⚾ Wichita Wind Surge bats kept quiet in loss to RoughRiders

AP Sports Summary for Thursday, September 5th 2024:

Imanaga, 2 relievers combine for no-hitter, lead Cubs over Pirates 12-0

CHICAGO (AP) — Shota Imanaga and two Cubs relievers combined on a no-hitter, leading Chicago over the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-0 on Wednesday night. Imanaga, a 31-year-old left-hander in his first season with the Cubs after pitching in Japan for eight seasons, struck out seven and walked two over seven innings. He threw 66 of 95 pitches for strikes. He needed 25 pitches to get through the second inning. Nate Pearson pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Porter Hodge a perfect ninth in the Cubs' 18th no-hitter, the first since Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin and Craig Kimbrel combined to hold Los Angeles hitless at Dodger Stadium on June 24, 2021.

US Open: Tiafoe, Fritz, Pegula and Navarro reach the semifinals and make US tennis matter again

NEW YORK (AP) — It's been 21 years since an American man won a Grand Slam title, but the country is guaranteed a male finalist at the U.S. Open this weekend. That's because Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz set up an all-U.S. semifinal that will take place Friday. One of the two 26-year-olds will become the first man from the United States to play in a title match at any major tournament since Andy Roddick lost to Roger Federer in 2009. American men's tennis matters for the first time in a long time — and there also will be two women from the country, Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro, in the women's semifinals Thursday.

US Open: Jessica Pegula upsets No. 1 Iga Swiatek to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal

NEW YORK (AP) — Jessica Pegula has pulled off a major upset at the U.S. Open by beating No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-4 to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal. Pegula's victory on Wednesday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium came after she had started her career with an 0-6 record in major quarterfinals. Swiatek served poorly in the first set and her forehand was a real problem. Pegula used terrific defense to keep forcing Swiatek to hit an extra shot. The No. 6-seeded Pegula is a 30-year-old American. She has won 14 of her past 15 matches and will play Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic on Thursday for a berth in the final. Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper set up a men's semifinal matchup.

Third baseman Matt Chapman and Giants agree to $151 million, 6-year contract for 2025-30

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman have agreed to a $151 million, six-year contract with the San Francisco Giants for 2025-30, giving up his chance to become a free agent after the season. Chapman will get a $1 million signing bonus, payable next year, and annual salaries of $25 million. He joined the Giants as a free agent in March, agreeing to a contract guaranteeing $54 million over three seasons. That deal gave him the right to opt out after 2024 and 2025. It included a $2 million signing bonus and a $16 million salary for 2024.

Fashion is slowly embracing the needs of disabled people. It's happening for some Paralympians, too

Slowly but surely, the fashion world at large is beginning to respond to the needs of disabled people. It's beginning to happen at the Paralympics, too. For one athlete, Canada's Alison Levine, things have vastly improved since three years ago, when she had to find her own trousers for the opening ceremony that would be suitable in her wheelchair. Now, the apparel company Lululemon has used her guidance in designing uniforms that work for both seated and standing athletes and have magnetic closures and pull-on loops. There's even a seated pant named after Levine, with pockets at the shins so someone in a wheelchair can access them.

Blue Jackets fans, players remember Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau at a candlelight vigil in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Fans and Columbus Blue Jackets players gathered for an emotional candlelight vigil outside the team's arena to remember Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew, who died last week when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey. The crowd of of roughly 1,000 was encouraged at 7:49 p.m. to light their candles, and for the next 13:21 — for Johnny's jersey No. 13 Matthew's No. 21 — they stood in silence watching a nearby video screen as a slideshow played of the brothers from childhood, through their teenage years and into college hockey, the pros, marriages, baptisms and lives filled with joy and love.

Pro Picks: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will begin three-peat quest with a win over the Ravens

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will raise their championship banner and begin their quest to become the first team to three-peat in the Super Bowl era. Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens owe them one. The NFL season kicks off Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium with a rematch of the AFC championship game. Despite leading the NFL with 13 wins last season, the Ravens fell short against the Chiefs, losing 17-10 at home. Jackson ended up winning the NFL MVP award for the second time in five years but it was bittersweet after another playoff disappointment.

College football picks: Colorado-Nebraska renew their rivalry, this time it's Big 12 vs. Big Ten

Colorado-Nebraska was once a Big Eight rivalry that evolved into a Big 12 rivalry. The Buffaloes and Cornhuskers took a break when it would have been a Big 12-Big Ten game and then reconnected as Pac-12-Big Ten matchup. Now, that the Buffs are back in the Big 12, the rivalry has circled back to check that Big 12-Big Ten box. Got all that? Conference realignment can be hard to keep up with, but we're just glad Colorado and Nebraska are playing. Especially with both programs looking for a big win under second-year coaches.

Caitlin Clark makes her 100th 3, finishes with triple-double as Fever beat Sparks 93-86

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 3-pointers in a season and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for her second career triple-double as the playoff-bound Indiana Fever beat the Los Angeles Sparks 93-86. Clark connected on her second 3 of the game and 100th of the season midway through the third quarter and added two more to reach 102. The No. 1 overall draft pick is the first rookie with 100 3s. She also became the first rookie and fifth WNBA player with multiple triple-doubles in a season. Aliyah Boston had 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Fever.

US Open: No. 1 Jannik Sinner beats Daniil Medvedev to reach the semifinals

NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner has reached the U.S. Open semifinals for the first time by getting past 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4. Sinner took over as the title favorite after Week 1 exits by Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. His victory on Wednesday night makes him the only man remaining in the field with a Grand Slam trophy. He won his first at the Australian Open in January by beating Medvedev in the final in five sets after dropping the first two. Sinner will will go up against No. 25 Jack Draper of Britain on Friday for a berth in the title match.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Thursday, September 5th 2024" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Thursday, September 5th 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>AP Sports Summary for Thursday, September 5th 2024:<div><iframe width="100%" height="95" src="https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/8566255/embed?v=202301" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; width: 100%" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency" scrolling="no" title="Audioboom player" allow="autoplay" sandbox="allow-downloads allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></div>Imanaga, 2 relievers combine for no-hitter, lead Cubs over Pirates 12-0CHICAGO (AP) — Shota Imanaga and two Cubs relievers combined on a no-hitter, leading Chicago over the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-0 on Wednesday night. Imanaga, a 31-year-old left-hander in his first season with the Cubs after pitching in Japan for eight seasons, struck out seven and walked two over seven innings. He threw 66 of 95 pitches for strikes. He needed 25 pitches to get through the second inning. Nate Pearson pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Porter Hodge a perfect ninth in the Cubs' 18th no-hitter, the first since Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin and Craig Kimbrel combined to hold Los Angeles hitless at Dodger Stadium on June 24, 2021.US Open: Tiafoe, Fritz, Pegula and Navarro reach the semifinals and make US tennis matter againNEW YORK (AP) — It's been 21 years since an American man won a Grand Slam title, but the country is guaranteed a male finalist at the U.S. Open this weekend. That's because Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz set up an all-U.S. semifinal that will take place Friday. One of the two 26-year-olds will become the first man from the United States to play in a title match at any major tournament since Andy Roddick lost to Roger Federer in 2009. American men's tennis matters for the first time in a long time — and there also will be two women from the country, Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro, in the women's semifinals Thursday.US Open: Jessica Pegula upsets No. 1 Iga Swiatek to reach her first Grand Slam semifinalNEW YORK (AP) — Jessica Pegula has pulled off a major upset at the U.S. Open by beating No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-4 to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal. Pegula's victory on Wednesday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium came after she had started her career with an 0-6 record in major quarterfinals. Swiatek served poorly in the first set and her forehand was a real problem. Pegula used terrific defense to keep forcing Swiatek to hit an extra shot. The No. 6-seeded Pegula is a 30-year-old American. She has won 14 of her past 15 matches and will play Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic on Thursday for a berth in the final. Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper set up a men's semifinal matchup.Third baseman Matt Chapman and Giants agree to $151 million, 6-year contract for 2025-30SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman have agreed to a $151 million, six-year contract with the San Francisco Giants for 2025-30, giving up his chance to become a free agent after the season. Chapman will get a $1 million signing bonus, payable next year, and annual salaries of $25 million. He joined the Giants as a free agent in March, agreeing to a contract guaranteeing $54 million over three seasons. That deal gave him the right to opt out after 2024 and 2025. It included a $2 million signing bonus and a $16 million salary for 2024.Fashion is slowly embracing the needs of disabled people. It's happening for some Paralympians, tooSlowly but surely, the fashion world at large is beginning to respond to the needs of disabled people. It's beginning to happen at the Paralympics, too. For one athlete, Canada's Alison Levine, things have vastly improved since three years ago, when she had to find her own trousers for the opening ceremony that would be suitable in her wheelchair. Now, the apparel company Lululemon has used her guidance in designing uniforms that work for both seated and standing athletes and have magnetic closures and pull-on loops. There's even a seated pant named after Levine, with pockets at the shins so someone in a wheelchair can access them.Blue Jackets fans, players remember Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau at a candlelight vigil in ColumbusCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Fans and Columbus Blue Jackets players gathered for an emotional candlelight vigil outside the team's arena to remember Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew, who died last week when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey. The crowd of of roughly 1,000 was encouraged at 7:49 p.m. to light their candles, and for the next 13:21 — for Johnny's jersey No. 13 Matthew's No. 21 — they stood in silence watching a nearby video screen as a slideshow played of the brothers from childhood, through their teenage years and into college hockey, the pros, marriages, baptisms and lives filled with joy and love.Pro Picks: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will begin three-peat quest with a win over the RavensPatrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will raise their championship banner and begin their quest to become the first team to three-peat in the Super Bowl era. Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens owe them one. The NFL season kicks off Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium with a rematch of the AFC championship game. Despite leading the NFL with 13 wins last season, the Ravens fell short against the Chiefs, losing 17-10 at home. Jackson ended up winning the NFL MVP award for the second time in five years but it was bittersweet after another playoff disappointment.College football picks: Colorado-Nebraska renew their rivalry, this time it's Big 12 vs. Big TenColorado-Nebraska was once a Big Eight rivalry that evolved into a Big 12 rivalry. The Buffaloes and Cornhuskers took a break when it would have been a Big 12-Big Ten game and then reconnected as Pac-12-Big Ten matchup. Now, that the Buffs are back in the Big 12, the rivalry has circled back to check that Big 12-Big Ten box. Got all that? Conference realignment can be hard to keep up with, but we're just glad Colorado and Nebraska are playing. Especially with both programs looking for a big win under second-year coaches.Caitlin Clark makes her 100th 3, finishes with triple-double as Fever beat Sparks 93-86INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 3-pointers in a season and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for her second career triple-double as the playoff-bound Indiana Fever beat the Los Angeles Sparks 93-86. Clark connected on her second 3 of the game and 100th of the season midway through the third quarter and added two more to reach 102. The No. 1 overall draft pick is the first rookie with 100 3s. She also became the first rookie and fifth WNBA player with multiple triple-doubles in a season. Aliyah Boston had 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Fever.US Open: No. 1 Jannik Sinner beats Daniil Medvedev to reach the semifinalsNEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner has reached the U.S. Open semifinals for the first time by getting past 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4. Sinner took over as the title favorite after Week 1 exits by Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. His victory on Wednesday night makes him the only man remaining in the field with a Grand Slam trophy. He won his first at the Australian Open in January by beating Medvedev in the final in five sets after dropping the first two. Sinner will will go up against No. 25 Jack Draper of Britain on Friday for a berth in the title match.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___INTERLEAGUEFinal	Philadelphia	4	Toronto	2	Final	Cincinnati	12	Houston	5	Final	N.Y. Mets	8	Boston	3	Final	L.A. Angels	10	L.A. Dodgers	1	Final	San Diego	6	Detroit	5	___AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Tampa Bay	9	Minnesota	4	Final	Chicago White Sox	8	Baltimore	1	Final	Kansas City	4	Cleveland	1	Final	Texas	10	N.Y. Yankees	6	Final	Seattle	16	Oakland	3	___NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Miami	4	Washington	3	Final	Chicago Cubs	12	Pittsburgh	0	Final	Atlanta	5	Colorado	2	Final	St. Louis	3	Milwaukee	2	Final	Arizona	6	San Francisco	4	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Indiana	93	Los Angeles	86	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___INTERLEAGUE		Houston	at	Cincinnati	1:10 p.m.			Detroit	at	San Diego	8:40 p.m.	___AMERICAN LEAGUE		Minnesota	at	Tampa Bay	1:10 p.m.			Seattle	at	Oakland	3:37 p.m.			L-A Angels	at	Texas	8:05 p.m.	___NATIONAL LEAGUE		Arizona	at	San Francisco	3:45 p.m.			Philadelphia	at	Miami	6:40 p.m.			Washington	at	Pittsburgh	6:40 p.m.			Colorado	at	Atlanta	7:20 p.m.	___NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE		Baltimore	at	Kansas City	8:20 p.m.	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION		Seattle	at	New York	7 p.m.			Washington	at	Phoenix	10 p.m.	___

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Thursday

WICHITA, Kan. —&nbsp;Wichita State will participate in the 2025 Globe Life Field College Baseball Series, taking on Abilene Christian on Wednesday, March 5 at the home of the Texas Rangers.

This will be Wichita State's first game at Globe Life Field. The Shockers were scheduled to play Texas State at the ballpark in 2022, but the game was moved to San Marcos due to an ice storm in the DFW area. The Shockers most recently played in a Major League Baseball stadium in 2014, when they battled Missouri at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

The Shockers are taking part in the last of four midweek contests scheduled at Globe Life Field in 2025, following Texas State and Oklahoma State on February 18, Oklahoma and UT Arlington on February 19, and LSU and Dallas Baptist on February 26.

Wichita State and Abilene Christian have only one previous meeting, a 1978 doubleheader in WSU's first season after the re-institution of the baseball program. The Shockers won both games in Abilene, 18-2 and 11-4. The Wildcats finished 33-25 in 2024, tying for second place in the WAC regular season standings.

Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020, is located in Arlington, Texas and is the home of the 2023 World Series-champion Texas Rangers. The&nbsp;retractable roof stadium has an official capacity of 40,300.

The Shockers are coming off a 32-29 campaign in&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/brian-green/1256">Brian Green</a>'s first season as head coach, culminating in the program's first appearance in the American Athletic Conference tournament championship game. Wichita State returns three players who were named to the AAC All-Freshman team in&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/camden-johnson/9183">Camden Johnson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/lane-haworth/9180">Lane Haworth</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyler-dobbs/9176">Tyler Dobbs</a>, plus a veteran core of position players highlighted by&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/9186">Mauricio Millan</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jordan-rogers/9191">Jordan Rogers</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/josh-livingston/9185">Josh Livingston</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jaden-gustafson/9178">Jaden Gustafson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/ryan-callahan/9175">Ryan Callahan</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725472121695.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Globe Life Field" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Globe Life Field</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;WICHITA, Kan. —&nbsp;Wichita State will participate in the 2025 Globe Life Field College Baseball Series, taking on Abilene Christian on Wednesday, March 5 at the home of the Texas Rangers.This will be Wichita State's first game at Globe Life Field. The Shockers were scheduled to play Texas State at the ballpark in 2022, but the game was moved to San Marcos due to an ice storm in the DFW area. The Shockers most recently played in a Major League Baseball stadium in 2014, when they battled Missouri at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.The Shockers are taking part in the last of four midweek contests scheduled at Globe Life Field in 2025, following Texas State and Oklahoma State on February 18, Oklahoma and UT Arlington on February 19, and LSU and Dallas Baptist on February 26.Wichita State and Abilene Christian have only one previous meeting, a 1978 doubleheader in WSU's first season after the re-institution of the baseball program. The Shockers won both games in Abilene, 18-2 and 11-4. The Wildcats finished 33-25 in 2024, tying for second place in the WAC regular season standings.Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020, is located in Arlington, Texas and is the home of the 2023 World Series-champion Texas Rangers. The&nbsp;retractable roof stadium has an official capacity of 40,300.The Shockers are coming off a 32-29 campaign in&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/brian-green/1256">Brian Green</a>'s first season as head coach, culminating in the program's first appearance in the American Athletic Conference tournament championship game. Wichita State returns three players who were named to the AAC All-Freshman team in&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/camden-johnson/9183">Camden Johnson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/lane-haworth/9180">Lane Haworth</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyler-dobbs/9176">Tyler Dobbs</a>, plus a veteran core of position players highlighted by&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/9186">Mauricio Millan</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jordan-rogers/9191">Jordan Rogers</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/josh-livingston/9185">Josh Livingston</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jaden-gustafson/9178">Jaden Gustafson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/ryan-callahan/9175">Ryan Callahan</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Shockers to play in Globe Life Field 2025 College Baseball Series

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719520416153.png" alt="EAGLE Media College Football Scoreboard" />
 <figcaption>EAGLE Media College Football Scoreboard</figcaption>
 </figure><div>KJCCC
SATURDAY
12 p.m. - Iowa Central vs. Highland &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TritonNation/streams" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
1 p.m. - Iowa Western vs. Hutchinson &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kjcccsports.net/hutchcc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
1 p.m. - Ellsworth vs. Butler &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@EllsworthCommunityCollege/streams" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
3 p.m. - Cisco vs. Coffeyville &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
7 p.m. - Dodge City vs. Garden City &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://kjcccsports.net/dc3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
7 p.m. - NEO A&amp;M vs. Independence &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://neoathletics.com/sports/2018/8/20/njcaatv.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
 
<hr>
 
KCAC
SATURDAY
11 a.m. - Bethany vs. Kansas Wesleyan &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcacnetwork.com/bethanyks/?B=1147483" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
6 p.m. - Bethel vs. Saint Mary &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kcacnetwork.com/bethel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
6 p.m. - McPherson vs. Sterling &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcacnetwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
6 p.m. - Friends vs. Ottawa &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kcacnetwork.com/friends/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
6 p.m. - Evangel vs. Tabor &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcacnetwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
7 p.m. - Southwestern vs. Avila &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcacnetwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
 
<hr>
 
MIAA
SATURDAY
1 p.m. - Emporia St. vs. Angelo St. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/esuhornets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
1 p.m. - Central Missouri vs. Northeastern St.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.themiaanetwork.com/ucmmules/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
7 p.m. - Fort Hays St. vs. Missouri Western&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a> |&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LISTEN</a>
7 p.m. - Central Oklahoma vs. Langston&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/ucobronchos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
7 p.m. - Nebraska Kearney vs. NW Missouri St.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/unklopers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
7 p.m. - Missouri Southern vs. Pittsburg St.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/mssulions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
 
 </div>

🏈🎥 WATCH: Week 2 KJCCC, KCAC, MIAA schedule

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Wednesday, September 4th 2024" />
 <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Wednesday, September 4th 2024</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="September 4th, 2024 Early Morning Sports" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=in3iw-16c2de0-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: ⚾ Royals continue to fall; 🏈 HutchCC moves up in NJCAA poll

FRISCO, Texas — The Wichita Wind Surge were walked off 3-2 in 11 innings by the Frisco RoughRiders at Riders Field. The contest served as the premier game played by the Wind Surge on Labor Day in team history and the fourth ever for them to take place on a Monday.

After only one man reached through the first two innings against&nbsp;C.J. Culpepper&nbsp;and Ben Anderson, Wichita loaded the bases on an infield error and a pair of singles to left field with no outs in the top of the third. The following hitter,&nbsp;Kala’i Rosario, grounded a base knock to Frisco third baseman Cody Freeman, and every man moved up 90 feet for a 1-0 Wind Surge lead. A 6-4-3 double play allowed one more runner to score before the inning ended with a 2-0 Wichita advantage.

Max Acosta tied the game for the RoughRiders in the home half of the third on a two-run blast, his seventh of the season, to left center field, kickstarting a long standoff in the interdivisional clash.

The middle innings saw only three total hits between the two sides as shutdown pitching continued for Frisco’s Anderson and Wichita reliever&nbsp;Cody Laweryson, who held the RoughRiders hitless for both the fifth and sixth frames.

Aaron Zavala worked an eight-pitch walk, stole second base, and trotted ahead to third on a wild pitch as the potential go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh.&nbsp;Jorel Ortega&nbsp;began a 4-3 putout to strand Zavala there to keep the ballgame deadlocked 2-2 through seven. Another RoughRiders chance came with a similar spot after Acosta smoked a two-out triple to right in the eighth, and he ended up remaining there after an inning-ending flyout.

Cody Freeman singled to left on the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth before moving up to third on a pulled single to right field by the RoughRiders' fifth hitter, Abimelec Ortiz; Zavala was then intentionally walked to load the bases. The Wind Surge infield put together a 6-2 force out and a 3-2-4 double play to force extra innings at Riders Field.

A sacrifice bunt moved&nbsp;Dalton Shuffield&nbsp;to third base, and a 5-2 force out at the plate became the initial out in the top of the 10th. After a five-pitch walk,&nbsp;Jake Rucker&nbsp;put men everywhere for Wichita, though nobody scored. A 1-2-3 bottom portion of the inning came together with&nbsp;Taylor Floyd&nbsp;on the hill, who finished his night with three scoreless innings. Later, the go-ahead man for the Wind Surge got left on third again in the top of the 11th after a close 3-1 play at first base.

Freeman played hero by blooping the game-winning single into right field for a 3-2 final in favor of Frisco in the bottom of the 11th inning. He provided the two of the final three hits all night for the RoughRiders in the series opener ahead of the Tuesday off-day.

Ricardo Velez dropped to 1-3 with Wichita after suffering the loss, striking out his first batter faced and surrendering the final hit of the night in the 11th.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725438737147.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge Baseball." />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge Baseball.</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita Wind SurgeFRISCO, Texas — The Wichita Wind Surge were walked off 3-2 in 11 innings by the Frisco RoughRiders at Riders Field. The contest served as the premier game played by the Wind Surge on Labor Day in team history and the fourth ever for them to take place on a Monday.After only one man reached through the first two innings against&nbsp;C.J. Culpepper&nbsp;and Ben Anderson, Wichita loaded the bases on an infield error and a pair of singles to left field with no outs in the top of the third. The following hitter,&nbsp;Kala’i Rosario, grounded a base knock to Frisco third baseman Cody Freeman, and every man moved up 90 feet for a 1-0 Wind Surge lead. A 6-4-3 double play allowed one more runner to score before the inning ended with a 2-0 Wichita advantage.Max Acosta tied the game for the RoughRiders in the home half of the third on a two-run blast, his seventh of the season, to left center field, kickstarting a long standoff in the interdivisional clash.The middle innings saw only three total hits between the two sides as shutdown pitching continued for Frisco’s Anderson and Wichita reliever&nbsp;Cody Laweryson, who held the RoughRiders hitless for both the fifth and sixth frames.Aaron Zavala worked an eight-pitch walk, stole second base, and trotted ahead to third on a wild pitch as the potential go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh.&nbsp;Jorel Ortega&nbsp;began a 4-3 putout to strand Zavala there to keep the ballgame deadlocked 2-2 through seven. Another RoughRiders chance came with a similar spot after Acosta smoked a two-out triple to right in the eighth, and he ended up remaining there after an inning-ending flyout.Cody Freeman singled to left on the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth before moving up to third on a pulled single to right field by the RoughRiders' fifth hitter, Abimelec Ortiz; Zavala was then intentionally walked to load the bases. The Wind Surge infield put together a 6-2 force out and a 3-2-4 double play to force extra innings at Riders Field.A sacrifice bunt moved&nbsp;Dalton Shuffield&nbsp;to third base, and a 5-2 force out at the plate became the initial out in the top of the 10th. After a five-pitch walk,&nbsp;Jake Rucker&nbsp;put men everywhere for Wichita, though nobody scored. A 1-2-3 bottom portion of the inning came together with&nbsp;Taylor Floyd&nbsp;on the hill, who finished his night with three scoreless innings. Later, the go-ahead man for the Wind Surge got left on third again in the top of the 11th after a close 3-1 play at first base.Freeman played hero by blooping the game-winning single into right field for a 3-2 final in favor of Frisco in the bottom of the 11th inning. He provided the two of the final three hits all night for the RoughRiders in the series opener ahead of the Tuesday off-day.Ricardo Velez dropped to 1-3 with Wichita after suffering the loss, striking out his first batter faced and surrendering the final hit of the night in the 11th.

⚾ Wind Surge drop game in extra-innings to RoughRiders

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — No. 9 hitter Brayan Rocchio drove in four runs and the Cleveland Guardians beat Kansas City 7-1 Tuesday night, extending the Royals’ losing streak to a season-high seven.

Kansas City was held to two runs or fewer for the fifth straight game and managed just four hits. The Royals’ losing streak is its longest since a 10-game skid from June 5-16 last year.

Since tying Cleveland for the AL Central lead on Aug. 27, the Royals (76-65) have dropped 5 1/2 games behind the Guardians (80-59), who have won five of six. Kansas City maintained a 4 1/2-game lead for the final AL wild card.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro missed his second game after the death of his mother Dorann Stagnitta. Bench coach Paul Hoover served as acting manager.

Cleveland first baseman Josh Naylor left for a pinch runner after singling in the eighth inning because of lower back tightness.

Steven Kwan had a two-run single for the Guardians and Kyle Manzardo had three hits.

Tanner Bibee (11-6) allowed one run and two hits in six innings — just the 39th time a Cleveland starter pitched six or more innings.

“I thought he was great, just attacking, throwing a lot of strikes," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. "Especially after the third, he settled in and threw a ton of strikes, kept them off balance.”

Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. had his big league-best 57th multihit game of the season.

Brady Singer (9-10) allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Rocchio’s sacrifice fly in the second and Andrés Giménez’s bloop RBI single in the fifth built a 2-0 lead.

Kansas City loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth, but Tommy Pham failed to tag up at third on Salvador Perez’s line drive to left. Paul DeJong followed with a sacrifice fly and Bibee struck out MJ Melendez.

“He can make pitches in big-time moments,” Vogt said. “Tanner is a big-time pitcher. He wants those moments, and for him to be able to slow down and execute in that situation was huge.”

Bibee is 7-3 with a 2.71 ERA in 14 road starts, and the Guardians are 20-7 in his outings this year.

“I was just trying to execute the next pitch,” Bibee said of the sixth inning. “When I get into a lot of trouble, I feel like it’s trying to do way too much. I think one goal for me today was just to execute one pitch at a time.”

Rocchio hit his seventh home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth, a two-run drive against Sam Long that was just inside the left-field foul pole. The 23-year-old rookie homered after failing on a pair of bunt attempts.

“When I missed the first two bunts, I’m trying to stay calm and be patient to move the runner to second base. But I put a good swing on it," Roochio said. “Awesome, because I know if I don’t do anything, maybe he’s mad at me” in a reference to Vogt.

“It’s really easy when you don’t do your job or don’t get the job done to get down on yourself and just give away and at-bat, but he got pitch up and he crushed it,” Vogt said.

Rocchio added a bases-loaded walk in the eighth against James McArthur for a career-best four RBI.

“What you saw in the sixth is probably what we need to do hopefully from inning one, just stringing a couple at-bats together, passing the baton and the next guy up hopefully can do the job,” Hoover said. “We want to be successful, but sometimes we want it so bad that we try to do a little too much.”

Royals: 1B-3B Yuli Gurriel, acquired from Atlanta on Sunday, is listed as day to day with right hamstring tightness. He was replaced after doubling in the eighth inning Monday and did not play Tuesday.

Cleveland RHP Ben Lively (11-8, 3.92) starts Wednesday’s series finale against Royals RHP Seth Lugo (14-8, 3.12).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717239729221.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — No. 9 hitter Brayan Rocchio drove in four runs and the Cleveland Guardians beat Kansas City 7-1 Tuesday night, extending the Royals’ losing streak to a season-high seven.Kansas City was held to two runs or fewer for the fifth straight game and managed just four hits. The Royals’ losing streak is its longest since a 10-game skid from June 5-16 last year.Since tying Cleveland for the AL Central lead on Aug. 27, the Royals (76-65) have dropped 5 1/2 games behind the Guardians (80-59), who have won five of six. Kansas City maintained a 4 1/2-game lead for the final AL wild card.Royals manager Matt Quatraro missed his second game after the death of his mother Dorann Stagnitta. Bench coach Paul Hoover served as acting manager.Cleveland first baseman Josh Naylor left for a pinch runner after singling in the eighth inning because of lower back tightness.Steven Kwan had a two-run single for the Guardians and Kyle Manzardo had three hits.Tanner Bibee (11-6) allowed one run and two hits in six innings — just the 39th time a Cleveland starter pitched six or more innings.“I thought he was great, just attacking, throwing a lot of strikes," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. "Especially after the third, he settled in and threw a ton of strikes, kept them off balance.”Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. had his big league-best 57th multihit game of the season.Brady Singer (9-10) allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.Rocchio’s sacrifice fly in the second and Andrés Giménez’s bloop RBI single in the fifth built a 2-0 lead.Kansas City loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth, but Tommy Pham failed to tag up at third on Salvador Perez’s line drive to left. Paul DeJong followed with a sacrifice fly and Bibee struck out MJ Melendez.“He can make pitches in big-time moments,” Vogt said. “Tanner is a big-time pitcher. He wants those moments, and for him to be able to slow down and execute in that situation was huge.”Bibee is 7-3 with a 2.71 ERA in 14 road starts, and the Guardians are 20-7 in his outings this year.“I was just trying to execute the next pitch,” Bibee said of the sixth inning. “When I get into a lot of trouble, I feel like it’s trying to do way too much. I think one goal for me today was just to execute one pitch at a time.”Rocchio hit his seventh home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth, a two-run drive against Sam Long that was just inside the left-field foul pole. The 23-year-old rookie homered after failing on a pair of bunt attempts.“When I missed the first two bunts, I’m trying to stay calm and be patient to move the runner to second base. But I put a good swing on it," Roochio said. “Awesome, because I know if I don’t do anything, maybe he’s mad at me” in a reference to Vogt.“It’s really easy when you don’t do your job or don’t get the job done to get down on yourself and just give away and at-bat, but he got pitch up and he crushed it,” Vogt said.Rocchio added a bases-loaded walk in the eighth against James McArthur for a career-best four RBI.Hoover said the Royals are pressing.“What you saw in the sixth is probably what we need to do hopefully from inning one, just stringing a couple at-bats together, passing the baton and the next guy up hopefully can do the job,” Hoover said. “We want to be successful, but sometimes we want it so bad that we try to do a little too much.”TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: 1B-3B Yuli Gurriel, acquired from Atlanta on Sunday, is listed as day to day with right hamstring tightness. He was replaced after doubling in the eighth inning Monday and did not play Tuesday.UP NEXTCleveland RHP Ben Lively (11-8, 3.92) starts Wednesday’s series finale against Royals RHP Seth Lugo (14-8, 3.12).

⚾ Royals losing streak now at seven

AP Sports Summary for Wednesday, September 4th:

US Open: Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz will meet in an all-American semifinal in New York

NEW YORK (AP) — Frances Tiafoe has reached the U.S. Open semifinals for the second time in three years when his quarterfinal opponent, Grigor Dimitrov, stopped playing because of an injury in the fourth set. Tiafoe was leading 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3, 4-1 Tuesday night when Dimitrov retired from the match. Tiafoe advances to an all-American semifinal against Taylor Fritz, guaranteeing the United States a representative in the men's final. Fritz eliminated No. 4 Alexander Zverev in four sets earlier Tuesday to get to a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time.

Florida State drops out of AP Top 25 after 0-2 start. Texas up to No. 3 behind Georgia, Ohio State

Florida State has fallen out of The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll after starting the season 0-2. The Seminoles are just the third team to go from preseason top 10 to unranked in the first regular-season poll since the rankings expanded to 25 in 1989. Georgia and Ohio State remain 1-2 after comfortable wins to open the season. No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Alabama each moved up a spot, putting three Southeastern Conference teams in the top four along with Georgia. Notre Dame moved up to No. 5.

US Open: Navarro's first Grand Slam semifinal will be against Sabalenka. Fritz and Tiafoe win, too

NEW YORK (AP) — Emma Navarro's first Grand Slam semifinal will come at the U.S. Open against Aryna Sabalenka. Navarro grabbed the last six games to beat Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5 in the quarterfinals Tuesday to follow up her upset of defending champion Coco Gauff. There was no such drama in the second-seeded Sabalenka's 6-1, 6-2 victory over Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen at night. That was a rematch of the Australian Open final in January, which Sabalenka won for her second consecutive title there. In the men's quarterfinals Tuesday, Taylor Fritz earned his first berth in the final four at a major by eliminating 2020 U.S. Open runner-up Alexander Zverev in four sets.

Shohei Ohtani, Angels fans can get 'closure' in slugger's return to Big A with Dodgers, Roberts says

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has returned to the stadium and the city where he did just about everything except win. The two-way superstar was back at Angel Stadium on Tuesday night for his first regular-season game as a visitor with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani left the Angels as a free agent last winter after six losing seasons, making a move that took him a whole lot farther than just those 30 miles up the I-5 freeway. After becoming a baseball sensation despite playing for the perpetually struggling Angels, Ohtani is now on the best team in the majors.

Another blown save for Holmes drops Yankees out of AL East lead and raises questions about closer

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Clay Holmes lost the feel for his sinker, his control and perhaps his job as the New York Yankees closer. The two-time All-Star allowed a single and two walks before Texas rookie Wyatt Langford hit a game-ending grand slam in a 7-4 loss that dropped the Yankees out of first place in the AL East for the first time in three weeks. Holmes has blown a major league-high 11 saves in 40 chances, and manager Aaron Boone did not voice his usual support after the game when asked whether he will consider changing closers.

The 49ers expect rookie Ricky Pearsall to make a full recovery following shooting

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch expects rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall to make a full recovery after he was shot last weekend during an attempted robbery. Pearsall was hit in the chest and hospitalized overnight after the shooting in central San Francisco. He was released from the hospital Sunday and was already back at the team facility Monday. The Niners placed Pearsall on the non-football injury list, which will sideline him for at least four weeks, giving him time to recover from the shooting and a separate shoulder injury that had limited him all summer.

Holdout Trent Williams returns to the 49ers to finalize a 3-year, $82.66 million contract

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams ended his contract holdout and reported to the San Francisco 49ers to finalize a new deal that have him a significant raise and guaranteed money. Williams' agency, Elite Loyalty Sports, posted on social media Tuesday that Williams' new deal will pay him $82.66 million over three years with a $25.69 million signing bonus and $48 million guaranteed at signing. Williams had been back home in Texas for all of training camp while seeking a new deal, accumulating more than $5 million in mandatory fines for missing camp and three preseason games.

Kyle Schwarber hits 3 homers for 2nd time this season as Phillies rally past Blue Jays 10-9

TORONTO (AP) — Kyle Schwarber's third homer of the game was a go-ahead, three-run drive in the ninth inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied past the Toronto Blue Jays 10-9 after allowing six runs in the first. Schwarber hit his 12th leadoff homer of the season and went deep again in the fourth before his blast with no outs in the ninth on the ninth pitch he saw from Chad Green. He has 31 homers this season. Schwarber became the first Phillies player to have two three-homer games in a season. He has three such games in his career. He finished 5 for 6 with six RBIs.

New to long jump, U.S. Paralympians Lambert and Wallace form unlikely partnership

PARIS (AP) — Jarryd Wallace and Noelle Lambert begin competition at the Paralympics in the long jump Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Wallace is a Paralympic veteran, Lambert a newbie. Wallace has become a mentor to Lambert as they both get ready to compete in the long jump for the first time at the games. They both have transitioned from success in the sprints and are excited to be in a full Stade de France after the airless atmosphere of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Kelsey Mitchell becomes strong complement to Caitlin Clark, and they have the Fever in the playoffs

Kelsey Mitchell has become the perfect backcourt running mate with Caitlin Clark, and the two guards have led the Indiana Fever's resurgence since the Olympic break. Now they have Indiana in the playoffs. The team has won six of its seven games and is over .500 for the first time since June 13, 2019. The Fever improved to 17-16 with Sunday's win over Dallas. They had gone an WNBA-record 189 straight games without a winning record, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Indiana clinched its first playoff appearance since 2016 when Chicago and Atlanta both lost Tuesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Wednesday, September 4th 2024." />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Wednesday, September 4th 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure>AP Sports Summary for Wednesday, September 4th:<div><iframe width="100%" height="95" src="https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/8565676/embed?v=202301" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; width: 100%" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency" scrolling="no" title="Audioboom player" allow="autoplay" sandbox="allow-downloads allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></div>US Open: Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz will meet in an all-American semifinal in New YorkNEW YORK (AP) — Frances Tiafoe has reached the U.S. Open semifinals for the second time in three years when his quarterfinal opponent, Grigor Dimitrov, stopped playing because of an injury in the fourth set. Tiafoe was leading 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3, 4-1 Tuesday night when Dimitrov retired from the match. Tiafoe advances to an all-American semifinal against Taylor Fritz, guaranteeing the United States a representative in the men's final. Fritz eliminated No. 4 Alexander Zverev in four sets earlier Tuesday to get to a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time.Florida State drops out of AP Top 25 after 0-2 start. Texas up to No. 3 behind Georgia, Ohio StateFlorida State has fallen out of The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll after starting the season 0-2. The Seminoles are just the third team to go from preseason top 10 to unranked in the first regular-season poll since the rankings expanded to 25 in 1989. Georgia and Ohio State remain 1-2 after comfortable wins to open the season. No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Alabama each moved up a spot, putting three Southeastern Conference teams in the top four along with Georgia. Notre Dame moved up to No. 5.US Open: Navarro's first Grand Slam semifinal will be against Sabalenka. Fritz and Tiafoe win, tooNEW YORK (AP) — Emma Navarro's first Grand Slam semifinal will come at the U.S. Open against Aryna Sabalenka. Navarro grabbed the last six games to beat Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5 in the quarterfinals Tuesday to follow up her upset of defending champion Coco Gauff. There was no such drama in the second-seeded Sabalenka's 6-1, 6-2 victory over Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen at night. That was a rematch of the Australian Open final in January, which Sabalenka won for her second consecutive title there. In the men's quarterfinals Tuesday, Taylor Fritz earned his first berth in the final four at a major by eliminating 2020 U.S. Open runner-up Alexander Zverev in four sets.Shohei Ohtani, Angels fans can get 'closure' in slugger's return to Big A with Dodgers, Roberts saysANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has returned to the stadium and the city where he did just about everything except win. The two-way superstar was back at Angel Stadium on Tuesday night for his first regular-season game as a visitor with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani left the Angels as a free agent last winter after six losing seasons, making a move that took him a whole lot farther than just those 30 miles up the I-5 freeway. After becoming a baseball sensation despite playing for the perpetually struggling Angels, Ohtani is now on the best team in the majors.Another blown save for Holmes drops Yankees out of AL East lead and raises questions about closerARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Clay Holmes lost the feel for his sinker, his control and perhaps his job as the New York Yankees closer. The two-time All-Star allowed a single and two walks before Texas rookie Wyatt Langford hit a game-ending grand slam in a 7-4 loss that dropped the Yankees out of first place in the AL East for the first time in three weeks. Holmes has blown a major league-high 11 saves in 40 chances, and manager Aaron Boone did not voice his usual support after the game when asked whether he will consider changing closers.The 49ers expect rookie Ricky Pearsall to make a full recovery following shootingSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch expects rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall to make a full recovery after he was shot last weekend during an attempted robbery. Pearsall was hit in the chest and hospitalized overnight after the shooting in central San Francisco. He was released from the hospital Sunday and was already back at the team facility Monday. The Niners placed Pearsall on the non-football injury list, which will sideline him for at least four weeks, giving him time to recover from the shooting and a separate shoulder injury that had limited him all summer.Holdout Trent Williams returns to the 49ers to finalize a 3-year, $82.66 million contractSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams ended his contract holdout and reported to the San Francisco 49ers to finalize a new deal that have him a significant raise and guaranteed money. Williams' agency, Elite Loyalty Sports, posted on social media Tuesday that Williams' new deal will pay him $82.66 million over three years with a $25.69 million signing bonus and $48 million guaranteed at signing. Williams had been back home in Texas for all of training camp while seeking a new deal, accumulating more than $5 million in mandatory fines for missing camp and three preseason games.Kyle Schwarber hits 3 homers for 2nd time this season as Phillies rally past Blue Jays 10-9TORONTO (AP) — Kyle Schwarber's third homer of the game was a go-ahead, three-run drive in the ninth inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied past the Toronto Blue Jays 10-9 after allowing six runs in the first. Schwarber hit his 12th leadoff homer of the season and went deep again in the fourth before his blast with no outs in the ninth on the ninth pitch he saw from Chad Green. He has 31 homers this season. Schwarber became the first Phillies player to have two three-homer games in a season. He has three such games in his career. He finished 5 for 6 with six RBIs.New to long jump, U.S. Paralympians Lambert and Wallace form unlikely partnershipPARIS (AP) — Jarryd Wallace and Noelle Lambert begin competition at the Paralympics in the long jump Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Wallace is a Paralympic veteran, Lambert a newbie. Wallace has become a mentor to Lambert as they both get ready to compete in the long jump for the first time at the games. They both have transitioned from success in the sprints and are excited to be in a full Stade de France after the airless atmosphere of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.Kelsey Mitchell becomes strong complement to Caitlin Clark, and they have the Fever in the playoffsKelsey Mitchell has become the perfect backcourt running mate with Caitlin Clark, and the two guards have led the Indiana Fever's resurgence since the Olympic break. Now they have Indiana in the playoffs. The team has won six of its seven games and is over .500 for the first time since June 13, 2019. The Fever improved to 17-16 with Sunday's win over Dallas. They had gone an WNBA-record 189 straight games without a winning record, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Indiana clinched its first playoff appearance since 2016 when Chicago and Atlanta both lost Tuesday night.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___INTERLEAGUEFinal	N.Y. Mets	7	Boston	2	Final	Philadelphia	10	Toronto	9	Final	L.A. Dodgers	6	L.A. Angels	2	___AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Tampa Bay	2	Minnesota	1	Final	Baltimore	9	Chicago White Sox	0	Final	Cleveland	7	Kansas City	1	Final	Texas	7	N.Y. Yankees	4	Final	Oakland	3	Seattle	2	___NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Washington	6	Miami	2	Final	Atlanta	3	Colorado	0	Final	Pittsburgh	5	Chicago Cubs	0	Final	St. Louis	7	Milwaukee	4	Final	Arizona	8	San Francisco	7	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Seattle	71	Connecticut	64	Final	Washington	90	Dallas	86	Final	Las Vegas	90	Chicago	71	Final	Phoenix	74	Atlanta	66	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___INTERLEAGUE		Philadelphia	at	Toronto	3:07 p.m.			Houston	at	Cincinnati	6:40 p.m.			Boston	at	N-Y Mets	7:10 p.m.			L-A Dodgers	at	L-A Angels	9:38 p.m.			Detroit	at	San Diego	9:40 p.m.	___AMERICAN LEAGUE		Chi White Sox	at	Baltimore	6:35 p.m.			Minnesota	at	Tampa Bay	6:50 p.m.			Cleveland	at	Kansas City	7:40 p.m.			N-Y Yankees	at	Texas	8:05 p.m.			Seattle	at	Oakland	9:40 p.m.	___NATIONAL LEAGUE		Washington	at	Miami	6:40 p.m.			Colorado	at	Atlanta	7:20 p.m.			Pittsburgh	at	Chi Cubs	7:40 p.m.			St. Louis	at	Milwaukee	7:40 p.m.			Arizona	at	San Francisco	9:45 p.m.	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION		Los Angeles	at	Indiana	7 p.m.	___

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Wednesday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Travis Kelce spent the offseason jetting around the world, following his girlfriend, pop superstar Taylor Swift, to multiple stops on her Eras Tour. He popped up on TV, showed up at some of the biggest sporting events in the world and continued to produce his popular podcast with his brother, retired Eagles center Jason Kelce.

The Chiefs tight end has never been busier. He’s never had more to juggle, with more eyes on everything he is doing.

All of which makes the Chiefs’ practice facility, along with Arrowhead Stadium just up the hill and across an expanse of parking lots, something of a sanctuary, where Kelce can let loose with some of his closest confidants.

“I just love football, and how it takes me away from life,” Kelce said Tuesday, two days before the Kansas Chiefs play the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of their AFC championship game and officially lift the lid on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">NFL’s regular season</a>.

“It gives me something I can feel genuinely happy about,” Kelce continued. “I enjoy coming into the building, working on my craft, getting to understand a new game plan and perfecting that for the people around me. It gives me a purpose to kind of go about my day and live my life. And I just have so much excitement in what I’m doing.”

Indeed, Kelce had an unmistakable bounce to his step after Tuesday’s practice, and not just because he made it through healthy; he hyperextended his knee during the same practice a year ago, causing him to miss Week 1 against Detroit.

Kelce, who turns 35 next month, has history within his sights.

He needs just three touchdown catches to pass Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez for the franchise record. He needs 10 receptions to pass Gonzalez for that career mark. Seven touchdowns would move Kelce past Priest Holmes for the most total career touchdowns in Kansas City. And he already is the franchise leader with 11,328 yards receiving.

Then there is the most important piece of history, at least as far as Kelce is concerned: The Chiefs are aiming for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-threepeat-868ab3cfa2f95dd1cbb65fbe4405d9b1">a record third consecutive Super Bowl title</a>, which would give him a fourth ring in a six-year span.

“I’ve been fortunate to be able to play as many games as I played,” he said. “That’s why I really enjoy going out there every single day, even if it’s just a practice to work on my craft. Because not everybody gets that same fortune in their career.”

Kelce doesn’t know when he will call it quits. He insists that he’s having too much fun to even consider it right now. But the last couple of weeks alone underscore just how varied his interests have become away from the field.

While he was preparing for Week 1 against Baltimore, Kelce’s representatives — along with those of his brother — were finalizing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelce-chiefs-eagles-jason-travis-new-heights-92761f6968b12ee06603d66e7ce9c5b7">a three-year deal with Amazon’s Wondery</a>&nbsp;reportedly worth nine figures for the exclusive advertising sales and distribution rights to their “New Heights” podcast. The deal includes the back catalog of their podcast content along with the exclusive rights to monetize and distribute audio and video episodes beginning with this season.

The same day that news broke, Team Valor International founder and CEO Barry Irwin announced Kelce recently acquired a significant share in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-kelce-swift-delivery-cc7f6aa810dead2e0955fe9aa0d8bb80?__cf_chl_tk=feN1o222lZMdwzps0raDKoMzuF6wX3.K58HZIEP6fMI-1725390774-0.0.1.1-12650">a 3-year-old gelding named</a>&nbsp;— appropriately or coincidentally — Swift Delivery.

“It’s very exciting,” Irwin told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “I met him at the Kentucky Derby and got to spend some time with him and stuff, and we talked about horses and everything. When this horse came to light and it was owned by one of my partners already, with the name I figured this has got to be a no-brainer.”

Kelce’s coaches and teammates — chief among them quarterback Patrick Mahomes, one of his best friends — marvel at his ability to compartmentalize everything happening in his life, just as they marvel at what he continues to do on the field.

While there were times last season when it looked as if Kelce might have lost a step, he still caught 93 passes for 984 yards and five touchdowns. Then came the playoffs, where he had 32 catches for 355 yards and three TDs in just four games.

It’s hard to step away, whenever that might happen, when the Chiefs remain the dominant franchise in the NFL.

“You have days off where maybe it’s a little bit tougher,” Kelce said, “but who doesn’t, man? Everybody has those days. But what you got to understand is that, you know, the goal in mind of the team is bigger than you, and everybody needs you to be at your best. And my college coach, Butch Jones, always told me, ‘You’re a fountain or a drain.’ You don’t want to be draining anybody.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725158888558.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce smiles on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce smiles on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Travis Kelce spent the offseason jetting around the world, following his girlfriend, pop superstar Taylor Swift, to multiple stops on her Eras Tour. He popped up on TV, showed up at some of the biggest sporting events in the world and continued to produce his popular podcast with his brother, retired Eagles center Jason Kelce.The Chiefs tight end has never been busier. He’s never had more to juggle, with more eyes on everything he is doing.All of which makes the Chiefs’ practice facility, along with Arrowhead Stadium just up the hill and across an expanse of parking lots, something of a sanctuary, where Kelce can let loose with some of his closest confidants.“I just love football, and how it takes me away from life,” Kelce said Tuesday, two days before the Kansas Chiefs play the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of their AFC championship game and officially lift the lid on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">NFL’s regular season</a>.“It gives me something I can feel genuinely happy about,” Kelce continued. “I enjoy coming into the building, working on my craft, getting to understand a new game plan and perfecting that for the people around me. It gives me a purpose to kind of go about my day and live my life. And I just have so much excitement in what I’m doing.”Indeed, Kelce had an unmistakable bounce to his step after Tuesday’s practice, and not just because he made it through healthy; he hyperextended his knee during the same practice a year ago, causing him to miss Week 1 against Detroit.Kelce, who turns 35 next month, has history within his sights.He needs just three touchdown catches to pass Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez for the franchise record. He needs 10 receptions to pass Gonzalez for that career mark. Seven touchdowns would move Kelce past Priest Holmes for the most total career touchdowns in Kansas City. And he already is the franchise leader with 11,328 yards receiving.Then there is the most important piece of history, at least as far as Kelce is concerned: The Chiefs are aiming for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-threepeat-868ab3cfa2f95dd1cbb65fbe4405d9b1">a record third consecutive Super Bowl title</a>, which would give him a fourth ring in a six-year span.“I’ve been fortunate to be able to play as many games as I played,” he said. “That’s why I really enjoy going out there every single day, even if it’s just a practice to work on my craft. Because not everybody gets that same fortune in their career.”Kelce doesn’t know when he will call it quits. He insists that he’s having too much fun to even consider it right now. But the last couple of weeks alone underscore just how varied his interests have become away from the field.While he was preparing for Week 1 against Baltimore, Kelce’s representatives — along with those of his brother — were finalizing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelce-chiefs-eagles-jason-travis-new-heights-92761f6968b12ee06603d66e7ce9c5b7">a three-year deal with Amazon’s Wondery</a>&nbsp;reportedly worth nine figures for the exclusive advertising sales and distribution rights to their “New Heights” podcast. The deal includes the back catalog of their podcast content along with the exclusive rights to monetize and distribute audio and video episodes beginning with this season.The same day that news broke, Team Valor International founder and CEO Barry Irwin announced Kelce recently acquired a significant share in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-kelce-swift-delivery-cc7f6aa810dead2e0955fe9aa0d8bb80?__cf_chl_tk=feN1o222lZMdwzps0raDKoMzuF6wX3.K58HZIEP6fMI-1725390774-0.0.1.1-12650">a 3-year-old gelding named</a>&nbsp;— appropriately or coincidentally — Swift Delivery.“It’s very exciting,” Irwin told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “I met him at the Kentucky Derby and got to spend some time with him and stuff, and we talked about horses and everything. When this horse came to light and it was owned by one of my partners already, with the name I figured this has got to be a no-brainer.”Kelce’s coaches and teammates — chief among them quarterback Patrick Mahomes, one of his best friends — marvel at his ability to compartmentalize everything happening in his life, just as they marvel at what he continues to do on the field.While there were times last season when it looked as if Kelce might have lost a step, he still caught 93 passes for 984 yards and five touchdowns. Then came the playoffs, where he had 32 catches for 355 yards and three TDs in just four games.It’s hard to step away, whenever that might happen, when the Chiefs remain the dominant franchise in the NFL.“You have days off where maybe it’s a little bit tougher,” Kelce said, “but who doesn’t, man? Everybody has those days. But what you got to understand is that, you know, the goal in mind of the team is bigger than you, and everybody needs you to be at your best. And my college coach, Butch Jones, always told me, ‘You’re a fountain or a drain.’ You don’t want to be draining anybody.”

🏈 Chiefs’ Travis Kelce finds sanctuary when he steps on the football field with life busier than ever

EAGLE Media's Rob Dreher visits with HutchCC head football coach Drew Dallas for the first edition of "Dragon Talk" of the 2024 football season. Dreher will visit with Dallas every Monday, with episodes airing on Monday at 6 p.m. throughout the football season on KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693268716902.png" alt="Dragon Talk with Drew Dallas logo" />
 <figcaption>Dragon Talk with Drew Dallas logo</figcaption>
 </figure>EAGLE Media's Rob Dreher visits with HutchCC head football coach Drew Dallas for the first edition of "Dragon Talk" of the 2024 football season. Dreher will visit with Dallas every Monday, with episodes airing on Monday at 6 p.m. throughout the football season on KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5).<div><iframe title="DragonTalk with Drew Dallas" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=tvq7s-16c1a13-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: Dragon Talk with Drew Dallas

<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/sports/fball/rankings/DI/index">NJCAA DI Football Poll | Week Two - 9-3-24</a>

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College football team is No. 2 in the latest Top 15 poll, released by the NJCAA Tuesday afternoon.

The Blue Dragons moved up a spot after defeating New Mexico Military Institute last Thursday at Gowans Stadium. Previous No. 2 East Mississippi lost its first game of the season on Thursday.

Hutchinson (1-0) will travel to Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Saturday for a date with No. 1 Iowa Western (1-0). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Titan Stadium at Lewis-Central High School. You can listen to the game on KHUT-FM (102.9) and KWBW-AM/FM with Sean Boston (play-by-play) and Daren Dunn (color) calling the action.

Highland and Dodge City both enter the poll, as the two other Jayhawk Conference teams ranked. Highland is No. 13 and Dodge City No. 15.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724431961058.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Sports Information" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Sports Information</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.njcaa.org/sports/fball/rankings/DI/index">NJCAA DI Football Poll | Week Two - 9-3-24</a>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College football team is No. 2 in the latest Top 15 poll, released by the NJCAA Tuesday afternoon.The Blue Dragons moved up a spot after defeating New Mexico Military Institute last Thursday at Gowans Stadium. Previous No. 2 East Mississippi lost its first game of the season on Thursday.Hutchinson (1-0) will travel to Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Saturday for a date with No. 1 Iowa Western (1-0). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Titan Stadium at Lewis-Central High School. You can listen to the game on KHUT-FM (102.9) and KWBW-AM/FM with Sean Boston (play-by-play) and Daren Dunn (color) calling the action.Highland and Dodge City both enter the poll, as the two other Jayhawk Conference teams ranked. Highland is No. 13 and Dodge City No. 15.

🏈 Blue Dragons move up a spot to No. 2 in NJCAA poll

<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/sports/wsoc/rankings/DI/index">NJCAA DI Women's Soccer Poll | Week One - 9-3-24</a>

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team is No. 18 in the latest Top 20 poll released by the NJCAA on Tuesday afternoon.

The Blue Dragons are 2-0-1 overall, 1-0-1 in the KJCCC. HutchCC hosts Dodge City on Wednesday at the Salthawk Sports Complex at 6 p.m. The Blue Dragons travel to El Dorado on Saturday at 7 p.m. for a Top 20 showdown with Butler.

Hutchinson is one of four Jayhawk Conference schools in the Top 20. Cowley is No. 9, Butler No. 10 and Kansas City is No. 12.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724339986223.jpeg" alt="(Billy Watson/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>(Billy Watson/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.njcaa.org/sports/wsoc/rankings/DI/index">NJCAA DI Women's Soccer Poll | Week One - 9-3-24</a>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team is No. 18 in the latest Top 20 poll released by the NJCAA on Tuesday afternoon.The Blue Dragons are 2-0-1 overall, 1-0-1 in the KJCCC. HutchCC hosts Dodge City on Wednesday at the Salthawk Sports Complex at 6 p.m. The Blue Dragons travel to El Dorado on Saturday at 7 p.m. for a Top 20 showdown with Butler.Hutchinson is one of four Jayhawk Conference schools in the Top 20. Cowley is No. 9, Butler No. 10 and Kansas City is No. 12.

⚽ Blue Dragons No. 18 in latest NJCAA poll

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College freshman Faith Jepchirchir has been named the Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week, the KJCCC announced on Tuesday.

Jepchirchir made history on Friday at the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic, becoming the first-ever Blue Dragon to win the individual title. She did so in a time of 18:17.00, the ninth-fastest time overall in the eight-year history of the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic.

Jepchirchir won the race by over 16 seconds over Elizabeth Hernandez of Butler.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725107761874.jpeg" alt="Blue Dragon freshman Faith Jepchirchir is the first Hutchinson women's cross country runner to win the Teerry Masterson Twilight Classic, doing so on Friday night at Fun Valley. (Billy Watson/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Blue Dragon freshman Faith Jepchirchir is the first Hutchinson women's cross country runner to win the Teerry Masterson Twilight Classic, doing so on Friday night at Fun Valley. (Billy Watson/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College freshman Faith Jepchirchir has been named the Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week, the KJCCC announced on Tuesday.Jepchirchir made history on Friday at the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic, becoming the first-ever Blue Dragon to win the individual title. She did so in a time of 18:17.00, the ninth-fastest time overall in the eight-year history of the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic.Jepchirchir won the race by over 16 seconds over Elizabeth Hernandez of Butler.

👟 HutchCC's Jepchirchir named KJCCC Cross Country Runner of the Week

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College sophomore running back Waymond Jordan Jr. has been named the Offensive Player of the Week, the KJCCC announced on Tuesday.

The Pensacola, Fla. native rushed for a career-high 179 yards and two touchdowns in the Blue Dragons' win over New Mexico Military Institute on Thursday at Gowans Stadium.

Jordan Jr. has rushing scores of 26 and 54 yards. The 54-yard run early in the second half was the longest career rushing attempt. He averaged just under 13 yards per carry in the 42-10 victory.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724953372920.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College sophomore running back Waymond Jordan Jr. has been named the Offensive Player of the Week, the KJCCC announced on Tuesday.The Pensacola, Fla. native rushed for a career-high 179 yards and two touchdowns in the Blue Dragons' win over New Mexico Military Institute on Thursday at Gowans Stadium.Jordan Jr. has rushing scores of 26 and 54 yards. The 54-yard run early in the second half was the longest career rushing attempt. He averaged just under 13 yards per carry in the 42-10 victory.&nbsp;

🏈 HutchCC's Jordan Jr. named KJCCC Offensive Player of the Week

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">AP College Football Top 25 Poll</a>

(AP) — Florida State fell out of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">The Associated Press college football poll</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-state-boston-college-score-eeef9c95c5832eda558056c7aa0e1e3f">starting the season 0-2,&nbsp;</a>becoming just the third team to go from preseason top-10 to unranked in the first regular-season poll since the rankings expanded to 25 in 1989.

Georgia remained No. 1, receiving 57 first-place votes after starting the season with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-clemson-college-football-f6ae0c885c81dd7e49bdf072a87302ef">blowout of then-No. 14 Clemson.</a>&nbsp;The Tigers hung on at No. 25.

Ohio State is No. 2 with five first-place votes. No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Alabama each moved up a spot, putting three Southeastern Conference teams in the top four along with Georgia.

No. 5 Notre Dame jumped two spots after opening the season with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/botre-dame-texas-am-score-17cbfd7639784c6359cac0e8a35373f6">victory at then-No. 20 Texas A&amp;M,</a>&nbsp;which fell out of the rankings.

Florida State has been the early season’s major disappoint. The defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion lost a Week 0 game in Dublin, Ireland, to ACC rival Georgia Tech and then dropped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-state-boston-college-score-eeef9c95c5832eda558056c7aa0e1e3f">another league game</a>&nbsp;Monday night at home to Boston College.

No other preseason Top 25 team this year lost to an unranked opponent to open the season. Florida State did it twice as a double-digit favorite.

The other preseason top-10 teams to fall all the way out of the Top 25 after Week 1 in the past 35 years were Michigan in 2007 after famously losing to Appalachian State as No. 5 and Clemson in 2008. The Tigers were No. 9 but opened with a blowout loss to Alabama and tumbled out of the rankings.

Mississippi remained at No. 6. Oregon slipped four spots to No. 7 after winning a close game with Idaho. Penn State stayed at No. 8. Missouri moved up two spots to No. 9 to give the SEC five teams in the top 10. Michigan dropped one spot to No. 10.

Georgia Tech’s 2-0 start has the No. 23 Yellowjackets ranked for the first time since 2015.

Because Florida State started its season a week before most of the country, they move into an exclusive club of teams that began their seasons 0-2 with each loss coming while ranked in the top 10.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693941910870.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">AP College Football Top 25 Poll</a>(AP) — Florida State fell out of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">The Associated Press college football poll</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-state-boston-college-score-eeef9c95c5832eda558056c7aa0e1e3f">starting the season 0-2,&nbsp;</a>becoming just the third team to go from preseason top-10 to unranked in the first regular-season poll since the rankings expanded to 25 in 1989.Georgia remained No. 1, receiving 57 first-place votes after starting the season with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-clemson-college-football-f6ae0c885c81dd7e49bdf072a87302ef">blowout of then-No. 14 Clemson.</a>&nbsp;The Tigers hung on at No. 25.Ohio State is No. 2 with five first-place votes. No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Alabama each moved up a spot, putting three Southeastern Conference teams in the top four along with Georgia.No. 5 Notre Dame jumped two spots after opening the season with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/botre-dame-texas-am-score-17cbfd7639784c6359cac0e8a35373f6">victory at then-No. 20 Texas A&amp;M,</a>&nbsp;which fell out of the rankings.Florida State has been the early season’s major disappoint. The defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion lost a Week 0 game in Dublin, Ireland, to ACC rival Georgia Tech and then dropped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-state-boston-college-score-eeef9c95c5832eda558056c7aa0e1e3f">another league game</a>&nbsp;Monday night at home to Boston College.No other preseason Top 25 team this year lost to an unranked opponent to open the season. Florida State did it twice as a double-digit favorite.The other preseason top-10 teams to fall all the way out of the Top 25 after Week 1 in the past 35 years were Michigan in 2007 after famously losing to Appalachian State as No. 5 and Clemson in 2008. The Tigers were No. 9 but opened with a blowout loss to Alabama and tumbled out of the rankings.Mississippi remained at No. 6. Oregon slipped four spots to No. 7 after winning a close game with Idaho. Penn State stayed at No. 8. Missouri moved up two spots to No. 9 to give the SEC five teams in the top 10. Michigan dropped one spot to No. 10.Georgia Tech’s 2-0 start has the No. 23 Yellowjackets ranked for the first time since 2015.<h2>Poll points</h2>Because Florida State started its season a week before most of the country, they move into an exclusive club of teams that began their seasons 0-2 with each loss coming while ranked in the top 10.Notre Dame was the last to do it in 2022, when the Fighting Irish began the season No. 5, lost at No. 2 Ohio State in their opener, and then were upset at home the next week by Marshall while ranked eighth. The Irish went to on finish 9-4.Ohio State opened the 1986 season ranked ninth and lost back-to-back games to ranked opponents, No. 5 Alabama and No. 17 Washington. The Buckeyes were No. 10 when they played the Huskies. Ohio State finished 10-3.The 1967 Texas team and TCU from 1952 also started 0-2 while ranked in the top 10 of both games.Florida State is only the second ranked team to lose twice before the first regular-season poll was released, joining 1951 Kentucky. The Wildcats went from No. 6 to No. 17 while going 1-2 to start the season, losing at No. 11 Texas and at Mississippi.Florida State gets a weekend off before resuming its schedule with home games against Memphis and new ACC member California before a trip to SMU followed by a home game against Clemson.“You’ve got a football team that nobody envisioned ever being where we are and having disappointment, having failure, but I do believe in what this team can do,” coach Mike Norvell said after the BC loss. “I believe in what this team can accomplish.”<h2>Moving up</h2>The big movers upward in the Top 25 were Miami and Southern California.The Hurricanes jumped seven spots to No. 12&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cam-ward-swamp-miami-83abf506f050b4b7753f786423e80caf">after routing Florida at The Swamp</a>&nbsp;and have their best ranking since cracking the top-10 late in the 2020 season.No. 13 USC moved up 10 places&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usc-lsu-defense-98c3f40b778226f5c54745c34ca76ba3">after beating LSU</a>&nbsp;with a late touchdown Sunday night in Las Vegas. The loss dropped LSU to No. 18.The Trojans started last season at No. 6, but ended up unranked after a disappointing 8-5 season with 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.<h2>In-and-out</h2>The only other team to move into the rankings this week, along with Georgia Tech, was fellow ACC school Louisville. The Cardinals were among the top unranked voter-getters in the preseason and now sit at No. 22.<h2>Conference call</h2>Despite Florida State and Clemson starting the season 0-3, the ACC has one more team in this week’s rankings than it did last time:SEC — 8 (Nos. 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 14, 16, 18).Big Ten — 6 (Nos. 2, 7, 8, 10, 13, 21).ACC — 5 (Nos. 12, 22, 23, 24, 25).Big 12 — 5 (Nos. 11, 16, 17, 19, 20).Independent — 1 (No. 5).<h2>Ranked vs. ranked</h2>No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan. The first regular-season meeting ever is a top-10 matchup at the Big House.No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State in Charlotte, North Carolina. Interesting SEC-ACC ranked matchup.