LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Wind Surge were unable to hold off the Travelers towards the end of the game as Arkansas tied the series after a 4-3 game two win in Little Rock Wednesday.

Both squads were held scoreless until the third inning when the Wind Surge broke through. Aaron Whitefield reached base after a strikeout and throwing error by catcher David Sheaffer. The error proved costly for Arkansas as Roy Morales ripped a line drive to the right field wall after the Travelers recorded what would’ve been the final out of the inning. Morales drove in Whitefield from first with his 11th double of the year and the Surge were on the board first.

Wichita added another run in the fourth to double their lead to 2-0. Spencer Steer led off the inning with a fly ball to center field that allowed him to slide into third safely for his second triple of the season. A couple of batters later, Jermaine Palacios brought Steer home with a groundout to first base. While this was going on, Chris Vallimont was working on the mound as he gave up his lone run in the fifth to leave with an impressive performance and the lead.

After one Traveler crossed the plate in the fifth, the Wind Surge pushed the lead back to two runs in the next half inning. The Surge used a small ball approach to knock in the third run of the game. Roy Morales led the inning off with a single to left field. Morales then stole second and advanced to third after a groundout from Austin Martin pushed him to third base. Next, Spencer Steer hit a fly ball to left field that allowed Morales to tag from third and score on the play and put Wichita ahead 3-1. Morales finished the night 3-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.

Despite the strong performance by Vallimont, the Travelers managed to come back and take the lead in the eighth. Arkansas scored two in the bottom of the seventh off a two-RBI double from Julio Rodriguez to tie the game. In the eighth, the Travs took the lead off a fielder’s choice on a groundout to pitcher Erik Manoah by David Sheaffer.

Wichita had a chance to tie the game in the ninth with runners on first and second but were unable to come through as Arkansas evened the series.

Chris Vallimont held the Travs to just one run on three hits over 5.0 innings in his 19th start of the year. Vallimont, who was second in the league in strikeouts before tonight, recorded nine k’s in his outing.

First pitch Thursday is set for 7:10 p.m.

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Wind Surge were unable to hold off the Travelers towards the end of the game as Arkansas tied the series after a 4-3 game two win in Little Rock Wednesday.Both squads were held scoreless until the third inning when the Wind Surge broke through. Aaron Whitefield reached base after a strikeout and throwing error by catcher David Sheaffer. The error proved costly for Arkansas as Roy Morales ripped a line drive to the right field wall after the Travelers recorded what would’ve been the final out of the inning. Morales drove in Whitefield from first with his 11th double of the year and the Surge were on the board first.Wichita added another run in the fourth to double their lead to 2-0. Spencer Steer led off the inning with a fly ball to center field that allowed him to slide into third safely for his second triple of the season. A couple of batters later, Jermaine Palacios brought Steer home with a groundout to first base. While this was going on, Chris Vallimont was working on the mound as he gave up his lone run in the fifth to leave with an impressive performance and the lead.After one Traveler crossed the plate in the fifth, the Wind Surge pushed the lead back to two runs in the next half inning. The Surge used a small ball approach to knock in the third run of the game. Roy Morales led the inning off with a single to left field. Morales then stole second and advanced to third after a groundout from Austin Martin pushed him to third base. Next, Spencer Steer hit a fly ball to left field that allowed Morales to tag from third and score on the play and put Wichita ahead 3-1. Morales finished the night 3-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.Despite the strong performance by Vallimont, the Travelers managed to come back and take the lead in the eighth. Arkansas scored two in the bottom of the seventh off a two-RBI double from Julio Rodriguez to tie the game. In the eighth, the Travs took the lead off a fielder’s choice on a groundout to pitcher Erik Manoah by David Sheaffer.Wichita had a chance to tie the game in the ninth with runners on first and second but were unable to come through as Arkansas evened the series.Chris Vallimont held the Travs to just one run on three hits over 5.0 innings in his 19th start of the year. Vallimont, who was second in the league in strikeouts before tonight, recorded nine k’s in his outing.First pitch Thursday is set for 7:10 p.m.

Travelers win over Surge Wednesday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Austin Hedges popped an RBI single just out of reach of first baseman Carlos Santana for the tiebreaking run in the 11th inning and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 5-3. 

Hedges’ bloop off Ervin Santana fell in shallow right field, allowing pinch-runner Daniel Johnson to score from second. Yu Chang followed with a run-scoring double. 

Taylor Stephen pitched a perfect bottom of the 11th for his first save. Blake Parker got the win. Both teams had scoring opportunities in the 10th. The Indians had the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the inning, but Franmil Reyes flew out.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Austin Hedges popped an RBI single just out of reach of first baseman Carlos Santana for the tiebreaking run in the 11th inning and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 5-3. Hedges’ bloop off Ervin Santana fell in shallow right field, allowing pinch-runner Daniel Johnson to score from second. Yu Chang followed with a run-scoring double. Taylor Stephen pitched a perfect bottom of the 11th for his first save. Blake Parker got the win. Both teams had scoring opportunities in the 10th. The Indians had the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the inning, but Franmil Reyes flew out.&nbsp;

Indians win over Royals Wednesday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu has tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the league’s reserve list Wednesday, though he could be back with the team soon and available for Week 1 against Cleveland. 

Mathieu is fully vaccinated, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press, and NFL rules released in July say that vaccinated players that test positive and are asymptomatic can return after two negative tests taken 24 hours apart. 

Mathieu has been an All-Pro each of his first two seasons in Kansas City. He’s entering the final year of a $42 million, three-year contract, though both sides have expressed optimism in a long-term extension.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu has tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the league’s reserve list Wednesday, though he could be back with the team soon and available for Week 1 against Cleveland. Mathieu is fully vaccinated, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press, and NFL rules released in July say that vaccinated players that test positive and are asymptomatic can return after two negative tests taken 24 hours apart. Mathieu has been an All-Pro each of his first two seasons in Kansas City. He’s entering the final year of a $42 million, three-year contract, though both sides have expressed optimism in a long-term extension.

Tyrann Mathieu tests positive for COVID-19

Hutchinson Community College freshman goalkeeper Olivia Felix-Cardona’s Blue Dragon debut earned her a national honor on Wednesday.

The NJCAA named Felix-Cardona its National Goalkeeper of the Week on Wednesday. The NJCAA combines Weeks 1 and 2 before naming its first national weekly honorees each season.

Felix-Cardona shut out Western Wyoming in a 1-0 season-opening win for the Blue Dragons on August 20 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The freshman from Wichita posted six saves in that victory.

Felix-Cardona is the first Blue Dragon goalkeeper to earn national weekly honors since Kambrian Colborn last season. This is the third-straight season a Blue Dragon goalkeeper has been honored by the NJCAA.

Felix-Cardona posted six saves in her first collegiate game. Those six saves tied for the second most in a Blue Dragon goalkeeper’s debut in program history.

Felix-Cardona made three huge 1-on-1 saves against the Mustangs in the second half to either keep the game tied or maintain the Dragons’ one-goal lead in the second half. Her final save came with 12:25 left when she sprawled out to make a diving save on a shot ticketed for the lower left corner, deflecting it just wide to preserve the one-goal lead.

STEVE CARPENTERHutchCC Sports InformationHutchinson Community College freshman goalkeeper Olivia Felix-Cardona’s Blue Dragon debut earned her a national honor on Wednesday.The NJCAA named Felix-Cardona its National Goalkeeper of the Week on Wednesday. The NJCAA combines Weeks 1 and 2 before naming its first national weekly honorees each season.Felix-Cardona shut out Western Wyoming in a 1-0 season-opening win for the Blue Dragons on August 20 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The freshman from Wichita posted six saves in that victory.Felix-Cardona is the first Blue Dragon goalkeeper to earn national weekly honors since Kambrian Colborn last season. This is the third-straight season a Blue Dragon goalkeeper has been honored by the NJCAA.Felix-Cardona posted six saves in her first collegiate game. Those six saves tied for the second most in a Blue Dragon goalkeeper’s debut in program history.Felix-Cardona made three huge 1-on-1 saves against the Mustangs in the second half to either keep the game tied or maintain the Dragons’ one-goal lead in the second half. Her final save came with 12:25 left when she sprawled out to make a diving save on a shot ticketed for the lower left corner, deflecting it just wide to preserve the one-goal lead.

Felix-Cardona named National Goalkeeper of the Week

Charlotte, NC – &nbsp;The NJCAA has announced details of the NJCAA Division I Football Championship, presented by Bob McCloskey Insurance, set to take place in Little Rock, Arkansas at War Memorial Stadium. The championship will be televised nationally by CBS Sports Network on Friday, December 17 at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT. The primetime airing is the fourth consecutive NJCAA football championship on CBS Sports Network.&nbsp;

"With the creation of two divisions, this year's NJCAA Division I Football Championship with have a revamped and exciting look and feel," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President &amp; CEO. "The association's returning collaboration with CBS Sports Network will deliver an unforgettable event for all involved."

As previously released on July 14, the NJCAA has implemented a divisional structure in football and will recognize separate rankings for each division during the regular season. The top-15 teams in Division I will be recognized each week while Division III will rank the top-5 teams.&nbsp;

The newly implemented playoff system for Division I Football will feature three premiere football games. In the semifinal round, the No. 1 ranked team in the final poll of the regular season will host the No. 4 ranked team while the No. 3 ranked team will face-off against the No. 2 ranked team on their home field. 

The winner of each matchup will advance to the NJCAA Division I Football Championship, presented by Bob McCloskey Insurance, which will be held at&nbsp;War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, AR through 2023.&nbsp;

The NJCAA Division III Football Championship will be held at the College of DuPage, in Glen Ellyn, IL, where the Red Grange Bowl game has been hosted since 2016.

Charlotte, NC – &nbsp;The NJCAA has announced details of the NJCAA Division I Football Championship, presented by Bob McCloskey Insurance, set to take place in Little Rock, Arkansas at War Memorial Stadium. The championship will be televised nationally by CBS Sports Network on Friday, December 17 at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT. The primetime airing is the fourth consecutive NJCAA football championship on CBS Sports Network.&nbsp;"With the creation of two divisions, this year's NJCAA Division I Football Championship with have a revamped and exciting look and feel," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President &amp; CEO. "The association's returning collaboration with CBS Sports Network will deliver an unforgettable event for all involved."As previously released on July 14, the NJCAA has implemented a divisional structure in football and will recognize separate rankings for each division during the regular season. The top-15 teams in Division I will be recognized each week while Division III will rank the top-5 teams.&nbsp;The newly implemented playoff system for Division I Football will feature three premiere football games. In the semifinal round, the No. 1 ranked team in the final poll of the regular season will host the No. 4 ranked team while the No. 3 ranked team will face-off against the No. 2 ranked team on their home field. The winner of each matchup will advance to the NJCAA Division I Football Championship, presented by Bob McCloskey Insurance, which will be held at&nbsp;War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, AR through 2023.&nbsp;The NJCAA Division III Football Championship will be held at the College of DuPage, in Glen Ellyn, IL, where the Red Grange Bowl game has been hosted since 2016.

NJCAA releases football national championship details

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — There is never a good time to make a coaching change in college football, but the downtrodden Kansas program was forced into perhaps the most inconvenient of all: a month after national signing day and just as spring practices began. But new Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold made the most of the situation, bringing in 12 transfers from Division I schools to help with the rebuilding effort. Six of them followed from Buffalo, and at nine in all could be on the field for Friday night's opener against South Dakota at Memorial Stadium.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — There is never a good time to make a coaching change in college football, but the downtrodden Kansas program was forced into perhaps the most inconvenient of all: a month after national signing day and just as spring practices began. But new Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold made the most of the situation, bringing in 12 transfers from Division I schools to help with the rebuilding effort. Six of them followed from Buffalo, and at nine in all could be on the field for Friday night's opener against South Dakota at Memorial Stadium.

Transfers key as KU prepares for football opener Friday

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Just one game after Skylar Thompson threw for more than 300 yards in leading Kansas State to an upset of No. 3 Oklahoma last year, the senior quarterback’s season was over due to a shoulder injury. Now, nearly a year later, he’s back for a sixth season and ready to take the field again in Saturday’s season opener against Stanford. Thompson hopes it's the best year yet, especially after a fall camp that he said has been the best, most productive of his lengthy college career.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Just one game after Skylar Thompson threw for more than 300 yards in leading Kansas State to an upset of No. 3 Oklahoma last year, the senior quarterback’s season was over due to a shoulder injury. Now, nearly a year later, he’s back for a sixth season and ready to take the field again in Saturday’s season opener against Stanford. Thompson hopes it's the best year yet, especially after a fall camp that he said has been the best, most productive of his lengthy college career.

Thompson back as K-State prepares for Stanford

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs traded offensive lineman Yasir Durant to the Patriots for a seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft as they trimmed their roster to the 53-man limit by Tuesday’s deadline. 

Durant made the Chiefs last season as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri, and he started Week 17 at right guard as the Chiefs rested their starters. 

But he was lost in a numbers game in Kansas City, which completely revamped its offensive line after a bunch of backups and fill-ins were dominated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs traded offensive lineman Yasir Durant to the Patriots for a seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft as they trimmed their roster to the 53-man limit by Tuesday’s deadline. Durant made the Chiefs last season as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri, and he started Week 17 at right guard as the Chiefs rested their starters. But he was lost in a numbers game in Kansas City, which completely revamped its offensive line after a bunch of backups and fill-ins were dominated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl.&nbsp;

Durant traded as Chiefs trim roster

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Wind Surge opened their final away series with a 10-7 win against the Arkansas Travelers in Little Rock Tuesday. Roy Morales, Jermaine Palacios, and D.J. Burt each picked up three hits on the night to set the pace for the Wichita offense.

The Travelers got on the board first in the bottom of the first off a throwing error by Trey Cabbage that allowed Julio Rodriguez to score. A key moment for Wichita came in the bottom of the third. With a 1-0 lead, Arkansas had loaded the bases with one out in the inning. Jordan Balazovic recorded a strikeout and a groundout to get himself out of the jam and keep the Surge within reach. The momentum carried to the top half of the next inning for Wichita to jump out ahead. Like the Travelers in the previous half inning, the Wind Surge were able to load the bases with no outs in the inning. Leobaldo Cabrera drove in a pair of runs with a sharp line drive to left field for his 5th double of the season. D.J. Burt then followed up Cabrera with two runners still on base by clearing the bases and bringing the score to 4-1 Wichita. Burt singled on a line drive to center field to allow Cabbage and Cabrera to score to extend Wichita’s lead.

After Arkansas cut the lead down to one with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, the Wind Surge plated a run in the sixth, seventh, and three runs in the eighth to put the advantage at six runs. Jermaine Palacios hit a two-out solo home run that cleared the left field wall for his 19th of the season.

In the seventh, D.J. Burt led the inning with a single to right field. After stealing second and setting himself in scoring position, Burt was driven in off an Aaron Whitefield single again to right field. In the eighth inning, Trey Cabbage started the inning off with his eighth double of the season on a fly ball to center field. Leobaldo Cabrera picked up his third RBI of the evening by driving in Cabbage with a single to left field. Like the fourth inning, D.J. Burt followed Cabrera with another RBI single to right field to score Cabrera. Aaron Whitefield capped off the inning with the third RBI single of the frame by scoring Palacios off a soft fly ball to right field. Jermaine Palacios closed out the scoring for Wichita in the ninth by adding an extra run. With Trey Cabbage on second, Jermaine Palacios drove in his second of the night with a ground ball to right field, plating the 10th run of the night for Wichita. Palacios finished his evening going 3-5 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored.

The Travelers made the game closer than it seemed with a grand slam off the bat Kaden Polcovich to bring Arkansas within three runs. Hector Lujan then came out of the bullpen and shut down the hope for Arkansas with a fly out and strikeout to seal a 10-7 opening series victory.

Jordan Balazovic got himself into jams a couple of times, but no damage was done. In his 17th start, Balazovic lasted 4.2 innings and allowed two earned runs on nine hits while striking out three. Zach Neff kept the Travelers off the board in his 2.1 innings of relief as the first one out of the pen and picked up his 8th win of the year.

Wichita has the best road record in the league at 34-21.

Wichita will play game two of the series against the Arkansas Travelers Wednesday evening. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Wind Surge opened their final away series with a 10-7 win against the Arkansas Travelers in Little Rock Tuesday. Roy Morales, Jermaine Palacios, and D.J. Burt each picked up three hits on the night to set the pace for the Wichita offense.The Travelers got on the board first in the bottom of the first off a throwing error by Trey Cabbage that allowed Julio Rodriguez to score. A key moment for Wichita came in the bottom of the third. With a 1-0 lead, Arkansas had loaded the bases with one out in the inning. Jordan Balazovic recorded a strikeout and a groundout to get himself out of the jam and keep the Surge within reach. The momentum carried to the top half of the next inning for Wichita to jump out ahead. Like the Travelers in the previous half inning, the Wind Surge were able to load the bases with no outs in the inning. Leobaldo Cabrera drove in a pair of runs with a sharp line drive to left field for his 5th double of the season. D.J. Burt then followed up Cabrera with two runners still on base by clearing the bases and bringing the score to 4-1 Wichita. Burt singled on a line drive to center field to allow Cabbage and Cabrera to score to extend Wichita’s lead.After Arkansas cut the lead down to one with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, the Wind Surge plated a run in the sixth, seventh, and three runs in the eighth to put the advantage at six runs. Jermaine Palacios hit a two-out solo home run that cleared the left field wall for his 19th of the season.In the seventh, D.J. Burt led the inning with a single to right field. After stealing second and setting himself in scoring position, Burt was driven in off an Aaron Whitefield single again to right field. In the eighth inning, Trey Cabbage started the inning off with his eighth double of the season on a fly ball to center field. Leobaldo Cabrera picked up his third RBI of the evening by driving in Cabbage with a single to left field. Like the fourth inning, D.J. Burt followed Cabrera with another RBI single to right field to score Cabrera. Aaron Whitefield capped off the inning with the third RBI single of the frame by scoring Palacios off a soft fly ball to right field. Jermaine Palacios closed out the scoring for Wichita in the ninth by adding an extra run. With Trey Cabbage on second, Jermaine Palacios drove in his second of the night with a ground ball to right field, plating the 10th run of the night for Wichita. Palacios finished his evening going 3-5 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored.The Travelers made the game closer than it seemed with a grand slam off the bat Kaden Polcovich to bring Arkansas within three runs. Hector Lujan then came out of the bullpen and shut down the hope for Arkansas with a fly out and strikeout to seal a 10-7 opening series victory.Jordan Balazovic got himself into jams a couple of times, but no damage was done. In his 17th start, Balazovic lasted 4.2 innings and allowed two earned runs on nine hits while striking out three. Zach Neff kept the Travelers off the board in his 2.1 innings of relief as the first one out of the pen and picked up his 8th win of the year.Wichita has the best road record in the league at 34-21.Wichita will play game two of the series against the Arkansas Travelers Wednesday evening. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.

Surge win in Arkansas Tuesday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Amed Rosario became the first player on record to go 5 for 5 with five RBIs, an inside-the-park homer and a drive over the fence, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 7-2. 

Rosario had the first five RBI game of his career and matched a career high in hits. He’s the first player since at least 1920, when RBIs became an official stat, to go 5 for 5 with five RBIs and both types of homer in the same game, according to STATS. 

Zach Plesac pitched two-hit ball over seven scoreless innings, striking out seven without a walk allowed.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Amed Rosario became the first player on record to go 5 for 5 with five RBIs, an inside-the-park homer and a drive over the fence, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 7-2. Rosario had the first five RBI game of his career and matched a career high in hits. He’s the first player since at least 1920, when RBIs became an official stat, to go 5 for 5 with five RBIs and both types of homer in the same game, according to STATS. Zach Plesac pitched two-hit ball over seven scoreless innings, striking out seven without a walk allowed.

Royals lose to Indians Tuesday

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs traded offensive lineman Yasir Durant to the Patriots for a seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft as they trimmed their roster to the 53-man limit by Tuesday's deadline. Durant made the Chiefs last season as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri, and he started Week 17 at right guard as the Chiefs rested their starters. But he was lost in a numbers game in Kansas City, which completely revamped its offensive line after a bunch of backups and fill-ins were dominated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Amed Rosario became the first player on record to go 5 for 5 with five RBIs, an inside-the-park homer and a drive over the fence, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 7-2. Rosario had the first five RBI game of his career and matched a career high in hits. He's the first player since at least 1920, when RBIs became an official stat, to go 5 for 5 with five RBIs and both types of homer in the same game, according to STATS. Zach Plesac pitched two-hit ball over seven scoreless innings, striking out seven without a walk allowed.

UNDATED (AP) — AFC champions don't usually undergo offseason overhauls. But that's exactly what the Kansas City Chiefs did this year. They dismantled their offensive line after their makeshift group imploded in their 31-9 shellacking at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. All five offensive linemen are new and the group includes three players who have never played an NFL game. Patrick Mahomes says the group is getting better by the day. Protecting Mahomes is job No. 1 for the Chiefs if they're to hold off challenges from the Chargers, Broncos and Raiders in 2021.

UNDATED (AP) — The Big Ten is jumping right in to conference play this football season. Four conference games are on the schedule in Week 1. A fifth was played in Week Zero. This week's Big Ten openers have No. 4 Ohio State at Minnesota on Thursday, Michigan State at Northwestern on Friday, and No. 17 Indiana at No. 18 Iowa and No. 19 Penn State at No. 12 Wisconsin on Saturday. Illinois beat Nebraska 30-22 last week. It was not unusual for Big Ten teams to open against conference opponents into the 1980s.&nbsp;

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State will be looking to get off to a fast start this season. That's been a problem in coach Matt Campbell's first five years. The Cyclones are 2-3 in openers under him. Northern Iowa is the opening opponent Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. The Panthers have been a traditional power in the Football Championship Subdivision. They played a spring season because of the pandemic and went 3-4. Campbell said that's deceiving because of the circumstances. Campbell expects to get the Panthers' best shot. They've beaten Iowa State three times since 2007.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is going to learn a lot about itself the first two weeks of the football season. The 18th-ranked Hawkeyes open with back-to-back ranked opponents for the first time since 1974. Up first is No. 17 Indiana on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. Then it's a visit to No. 7 Iowa State for the CyHawk Game. Quarterback Spencer Petras says the back-to-back tests are an opportunity for the Hawkeyes to show what they can do. The Hawkeyes are looking for a better start than in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season when they lost their first two games.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Just one game after Skylar Thompson threw for more than 300 yards in leading Kansas State to an upset of No. 3 Oklahoma last year, the senior quarterback's season was over due to a shoulder injury. Now, nearly a year later, he's back for a sixth season and ready to take the field again in Saturday's season opener against Stanford. Thompson hopes it's the best year yet, especially after a fall camp that he said has been the best, most productive of his lengthy college career.

UNDATED (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays were able to turn just five hits into their ninth consecutive win.

Yandy Díaz drove in two with a double during a six-run second that pushed the Rays past the Red Sox, 8-5. Wander Franco and Austin Meadows had RBI singles for the AL East leaders, who are 36 games over .500 for the first time in club history.

Boston finished the game without Xander Bogaerts (BOH'-gahrts), who had a first-inning RBI single before leaving in the second following a positive test for COVID-19. The positive test result came hours after the Red Sox announced that pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura tested positive.

Tampa Bay's division lead is seven games after the second-place Yankees were beaten by the Angels, 6-4.

Jared Walsh put Los Angeles ahead for good with a three-run homer, one inning before Shohei Ohtani (SHOH'-hay oh-TAH'-nee) scored on a double steal. The Yankees lost their fourth in a row since a 13-game winning streak despite homers by Anthony Rizzo and Gary Sanchez.

— Matt Chapman smacked a two-run homer and a solo shot in the Athletics' third straight win since a six-game skid, 9-3 at Detroit. Mark Canha homered as Oakland moved within one game of Boston for the second AL wild card. Josh Harrison provided three hits and two ribbies in the win.

— The A's also pulled within five games of the AL West lead with the Astros' 4-0 loss to the Mariners. The game was scoreless until Abraham Toro hit a grand slam in the eighth off Kendall Graveman, who was part a four-player swap that brought Toro to Seattle. Yusei Kikuchi (YOO'-say kih-KOO'-chee) worked past the sixth for the first time since July 1, limiting Houston to four hits over seven innings.

— Yasmani Grandal (yahs-MAH'-nee grahn-DAHL') and Jose Abreu (ah-BRAY'-oo) homered again for the White Sox in a 4-2 downing of the Pirates. Grandal is batting .500 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 14 at-bats since returning from the 10-day injured list. Five relievers combined for 4 2/3 innings of two-hit ball after Chicago starter Lucas Giolito left the game with tightness in his left hamstring.

— The Orioles picked up a 4-2 win at Toronto behind Keegan Akin, who allowed a run and two hits over five innings to win his second straight start. Ramón Urías (oo-REE'-uhs) hit a go-ahead double in the sixth inning to get Akin the win. The Blue Jays wasted home runs by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Danny Jansen in ending a three-game winning streak.

— The Giants' lead in the NL West is down to a half-game over the Dodgers after the Brewers earned a 6-2 win in San Francisco. Brandon Woodruff struck out eight in six innings to win back-to-back starts for the first time since late June. Lorenzo Cain furnished a homer and an RBI single as Milwaukee extended its lead in the NL Central to 10 games over the Reds.

— Corey Seager delivered a tiebreaking, RBI double in the eighth inning to give LA a 3-2 win over the Braves. Mookie Betts homered to get the Dodgers with 2-1 in the fourth, and scored the winning run following a leadoff walk. Atlanta finished the game without second baseman Ozzie Albies and saw its lead in the NL East shrink to 2 1/2 games over Philadelphia.

— It's now a five-game winning streak for the Phillies following a 12-6 pounding of the Nationals. Bryce Harper delivered a tiebreaking, two-run single while Philadelphia scored six times in the sixth to erase a 5-3 deficit. Rafael Marchan, Brad Miller and Andrew McCutchen smacked two-run homers and rookie Matt Vierling (VEER'-lihng) had four hits, leaving him 7-for-12 in his first seven big league games.

— Blake Snell threw seven no-hit innings for San Diego before being pulled in a 3-0 shutout of the Diamondbacks. Manny Machado hit a two-run homer as the Padres moved into a tie with Cincinnati for the second NL wild card. Pinch-hitter David Peralta ended the Padres' combined no-hit bid with a bloop single in the eight.

— Javier Báez singled in the ninth and scored the winning run as the Mets earned a 6-5 win over the Marlins in the completion of a suspended game. Báez entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning and sparked the Mets' five-run ninth, hours after he and teammate Francisco Lindor (lihn-DOHR') apologized for their thumbs-down celebration gestures last weekend. The Mets trailed 5-1 until Brandon Nimmo slammed a two-run homer. 

— Michael Conforto hit the eventual winning single in the first game and homered in Game 2 as the Mets posted their fourth straight win, 3-1. Conforto hit a two-run homer and Baez scored on Jeff McNeil's double. Winning pitcher Aaron Loup (loop) worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth to keep the Mets ahead.

— Amed Rosario had the first five RBI game of his career and matched a career high for hits in the Indians' 7-2 thumping of the Royals. Rosario became the first player since at least 1920 to go 5 for 5 with five RBIs, an inside-the-park homer and a drive over the fence. Zach Plesac pitched two-hit ball over seven scoreless innings, helping Cleveland end Salvador Perez's five-game home run streak.

— The Rangers topped the Rockies, 4-3 as Nathaniel Lowe furnished a home run and an RBI single among his three hits. Leody Taveras homered for the second game in a row, helping Jordan Lyles win for the second time in three starts. Lyles worked 6 2/3 innings and allowed six hits, including solo homers by Sam Hilliard, C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon. 

— The Cubs' bullpen worked shutout ball over 4 2/3 innings to secure a 3-1 verdict over the Twins. Rowan Wick closed it out for his first save of the season. Frank Schwindel and Ian Happ sandwiched solo homers around a tiebreaking triple by Robinson Chirinos (chih-REE'-nohs).

— The Reds-Cardinals game in Cincinnati was rained out and rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader on Wednesday.

NEW YORK (AP) — The No. 1 seeds are off to a good start at the U.S. Open.

Novak Djokovic (JOH'-kah-vihch) has started his bid to make history with a four-set victory over Danish teenager Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune, 6-1, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1. 

The top-seeded Djokovic is trying to complete the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men's tennis since Rod Laver in 1969 and collect a record-breaking 21st major singles championship. 

Women's top-ranked Ash Barty knocked off Vera Zvonareva, 6-1, 7-6 in her first U.S. Open match in two years. The 25-year-old Barty finished with 31 winners, including 11 aces. 

Barty skipped last year's Open because of the pandemic.

Also on Day 2 of the year's final Grand Slam:

— The first major upset of the tournament was crafted by Maxime Cressy, who dispatched ninth seed Pablo Carreno Busta, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6. Cressy saved four match points in the fifth-set tiebreaker to knock off the two-time U.S. Open semifinalist. 

— American Taylor Fritz has eliminated 14th-seeded Alex de Minaur in four sets to give the host country 13 men in the second round. Fritz won a three-hour match that ended just past midnight by a score of 7-6, 6-2, 1-6, 6-4. 

— Jenson Brooksby is one of those 13 American men who advanced, moving into the second round by beating Mikael Ymer 7-5, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. Brooksby reached the finals in Newport and the semifinals in Washington during the leadup to the U.S. Open.

— Alexander Zverev opened his bid for a second straight U.S. Open final appearance by defeating American Sam Querrey, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in 100 minutes. Zverev won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and is one of three players with four titles this season.

— No. 11 Belinda Bencic (BEHN'-chihch) advanced in straight sets, as did fourth seed Karolina Pliskova (PLIHSH'-koh-vah). 

— Tenth seed Hubert Hurkacz (HUR'-kahts) was a straight-sets winner on the men's side, as was No. 22 Reilly Opelka.

— American Mackenzie McDonald pulled off a mild surprise with a straight-sets victory over No. 27 David Goffin.

AP source: Pats cut Newton, clearing way for Jones to start

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots have shown Cam Newton the door after just one season with the team.

The Pats have released the 2015 NFL most valuable player, paving the way for rookie Mac Jones to open the season as the starting quarterback.

Veteran players say Jones has impressed them in training camp with his work ethic. Jones won a national title last year at Alabama.

The Patriots are trying to rebound from a disjointed 2020 season. Newton finished 7-8 as the starter and the Patriots went 7-9 overall after Tom Brady's departure. 

— Quarterback Deshaun Watson remains on the Houston Texans' active roster as the team made cuts to reduce their roster to 53 players. Watson's future with the team is in question after 22 women filed lawsuits alleging that he sexually assaulted or harassed them. Watson reported to camp to avoid being fined and participated in individual drills but never practiced with the team, watching as Tyrod Taylor ran the offense.

— Saints head coach Sean Payton says the displaced team is exploring the possibility of remaining in the Dallas area for up to a month and opening their regular season against Green Bay in the Cowboys' home stadium. There are logistical challenges with staffing an NFL game at the Superdome in the near future because of the widespread damage by Hurricane Ida in the New Orleans area. While the Superdome appears to have been spared significant damage, many New Orleans residents have evacuated and officials have advised them not to return for at least another several days.

— Saints head coach Sean Payton says the displaced team is exploring the possibility of remaining in the Dallas area for up to a month and opening their regular season against Green Bay in the Cowboys' home stadium. There are logistical challenges with staffing an NFL game at the Superdome in the near future because of the widespread damage by Hurricane Ida in the New Orleans area. While the Superdome appears to have been spared significant damage, many New Orleans residents have evacuated and officials have advised them not to return for at least another several days while infrastructure is repaired or replaced.

— A person with direct knowledge of the deal has told The Associated Press the Jets have traded tight end Chris Herndon to the Vikings. Herndon spent his first three seasons with New York, catching 71 passes for 796 yards and seven touchdowns.

— The Packers won't have David Bakhtiari for the start of the season. The All-Pro left tackle is recovering from a torn ACL and won't be available for at least the first six weeks. That leaves reigning MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers without the player who has protected his blind side for the last nine seasons. 

Rajon Rondo re-signs with Lakers for another title push

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rajon Rondo has re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers to pursue another championship ring. The Lakers are bringing back Rondo on a one-year contract. 

The veteran point guard played an important role as a reserve and a team leader on Los Angeles' 17th NBA championship team during the 2019-20 season, his second with the Lakers. The 35-year-old Rondo agreed to a buyout with Memphis last Saturday and quickly rejoined a title contender. The Clippers traded Rondo to the Grizzlies two weeks ago along with Patrick Beverley in the deal sending Eric Bledsoe back to LA.

Blackhawks D Murphy agrees to 4-year contract extension

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a four-year contract extension with defenseman Connor Murphy. The deal runs through the 2025-26 season and carries a $4.4 million salary-cap hit. 

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Canada has dethroned the United States as world champions in women's hockey.

Marie-Philip Poulin capped the Canadians' comeback by scoring in overtime to complete a 3-2 victory over the five-time defending champions in the final. Canada trailed 2-0 before scoring twice in a 2:29 span of the second period.

It is Canada's first gold medal at the women's hockey world championship since 2012.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press</h2>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs traded offensive lineman Yasir Durant to the Patriots for a seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft as they trimmed their roster to the 53-man limit by Tuesday's deadline. Durant made the Chiefs last season as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri, and he started Week 17 at right guard as the Chiefs rested their starters. But he was lost in a numbers game in Kansas City, which completely revamped its offensive line after a bunch of backups and fill-ins were dominated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl.&nbsp;KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Amed Rosario became the first player on record to go 5 for 5 with five RBIs, an inside-the-park homer and a drive over the fence, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 7-2. Rosario had the first five RBI game of his career and matched a career high in hits. He's the first player since at least 1920, when RBIs became an official stat, to go 5 for 5 with five RBIs and both types of homer in the same game, according to STATS. Zach Plesac pitched two-hit ball over seven scoreless innings, striking out seven without a walk allowed.UNDATED (AP) — AFC champions don't usually undergo offseason overhauls. But that's exactly what the Kansas City Chiefs did this year. They dismantled their offensive line after their makeshift group imploded in their 31-9 shellacking at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. All five offensive linemen are new and the group includes three players who have never played an NFL game. Patrick Mahomes says the group is getting better by the day. Protecting Mahomes is job No. 1 for the Chiefs if they're to hold off challenges from the Chargers, Broncos and Raiders in 2021.UNDATED (AP) — The Big Ten is jumping right in to conference play this football season. Four conference games are on the schedule in Week 1. A fifth was played in Week Zero. This week's Big Ten openers have No. 4 Ohio State at Minnesota on Thursday, Michigan State at Northwestern on Friday, and No. 17 Indiana at No. 18 Iowa and No. 19 Penn State at No. 12 Wisconsin on Saturday. Illinois beat Nebraska 30-22 last week. It was not unusual for Big Ten teams to open against conference opponents into the 1980s.&nbsp;AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State will be looking to get off to a fast start this season. That's been a problem in coach Matt Campbell's first five years. The Cyclones are 2-3 in openers under him. Northern Iowa is the opening opponent Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. The Panthers have been a traditional power in the Football Championship Subdivision. They played a spring season because of the pandemic and went 3-4. Campbell said that's deceiving because of the circumstances. Campbell expects to get the Panthers' best shot. They've beaten Iowa State three times since 2007.IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is going to learn a lot about itself the first two weeks of the football season. The 18th-ranked Hawkeyes open with back-to-back ranked opponents for the first time since 1974. Up first is No. 17 Indiana on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. Then it's a visit to No. 7 Iowa State for the CyHawk Game. Quarterback Spencer Petras says the back-to-back tests are an opportunity for the Hawkeyes to show what they can do. The Hawkeyes are looking for a better start than in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season when they lost their first two games.MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Just one game after Skylar Thompson threw for more than 300 yards in leading Kansas State to an upset of No. 3 Oklahoma last year, the senior quarterback's season was over due to a shoulder injury. Now, nearly a year later, he's back for a sixth season and ready to take the field again in Saturday's season opener against Stanford. Thompson hopes it's the best year yet, especially after a fall camp that he said has been the best, most productive of his lengthy college career.LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — There is never a good time to make a coaching change in college football, but the downtrodden Kansas program was forced into perhaps the most inconvenient of all: a month after national signing day and just as spring practices began. But new Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold made the most of the situation, bringing in 12 transfers from Division I schools to help with the rebuilding effort. Six of them followed from Buffalo, and at nine in all could be on the field for Friday night's opener against South Dakota at Memorial Stadium.<h2>Update on the latest sports</h2>MLB-SCHEDULERays extend streakUNDATED (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays were able to turn just five hits into their ninth consecutive win.Yandy Díaz drove in two with a double during a six-run second that pushed the Rays past the Red Sox, 8-5. Wander Franco and Austin Meadows had RBI singles for the AL East leaders, who are 36 games over .500 for the first time in club history.Boston finished the game without Xander Bogaerts (BOH'-gahrts), who had a first-inning RBI single before leaving in the second following a positive test for COVID-19. The positive test result came hours after the Red Sox announced that pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura tested positive.Tampa Bay's division lead is seven games after the second-place Yankees were beaten by the Angels, 6-4.Jared Walsh put Los Angeles ahead for good with a three-run homer, one inning before Shohei Ohtani (SHOH'-hay oh-TAH'-nee) scored on a double steal. The Yankees lost their fourth in a row since a 13-game winning streak despite homers by Anthony Rizzo and Gary Sanchez.Also on Tuesday's major league schedule:— Matt Chapman smacked a two-run homer and a solo shot in the Athletics' third straight win since a six-game skid, 9-3 at Detroit. Mark Canha homered as Oakland moved within one game of Boston for the second AL wild card. Josh Harrison provided three hits and two ribbies in the win.— The A's also pulled within five games of the AL West lead with the Astros' 4-0 loss to the Mariners. The game was scoreless until Abraham Toro hit a grand slam in the eighth off Kendall Graveman, who was part a four-player swap that brought Toro to Seattle. Yusei Kikuchi (YOO'-say kih-KOO'-chee) worked past the sixth for the first time since July 1, limiting Houston to four hits over seven innings.— Yasmani Grandal (yahs-MAH'-nee grahn-DAHL') and Jose Abreu (ah-BRAY'-oo) homered again for the White Sox in a 4-2 downing of the Pirates. Grandal is batting .500 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 14 at-bats since returning from the 10-day injured list. Five relievers combined for 4 2/3 innings of two-hit ball after Chicago starter Lucas Giolito left the game with tightness in his left hamstring.— The Orioles picked up a 4-2 win at Toronto behind Keegan Akin, who allowed a run and two hits over five innings to win his second straight start. Ramón Urías (oo-REE'-uhs) hit a go-ahead double in the sixth inning to get Akin the win. The Blue Jays wasted home runs by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Danny Jansen in ending a three-game winning streak.— The Giants' lead in the NL West is down to a half-game over the Dodgers after the Brewers earned a 6-2 win in San Francisco. Brandon Woodruff struck out eight in six innings to win back-to-back starts for the first time since late June. Lorenzo Cain furnished a homer and an RBI single as Milwaukee extended its lead in the NL Central to 10 games over the Reds.— Corey Seager delivered a tiebreaking, RBI double in the eighth inning to give LA a 3-2 win over the Braves. Mookie Betts homered to get the Dodgers with 2-1 in the fourth, and scored the winning run following a leadoff walk. Atlanta finished the game without second baseman Ozzie Albies and saw its lead in the NL East shrink to 2 1/2 games over Philadelphia.— It's now a five-game winning streak for the Phillies following a 12-6 pounding of the Nationals. Bryce Harper delivered a tiebreaking, two-run single while Philadelphia scored six times in the sixth to erase a 5-3 deficit. Rafael Marchan, Brad Miller and Andrew McCutchen smacked two-run homers and rookie Matt Vierling (VEER'-lihng) had four hits, leaving him 7-for-12 in his first seven big league games.— Blake Snell threw seven no-hit innings for San Diego before being pulled in a 3-0 shutout of the Diamondbacks. Manny Machado hit a two-run homer as the Padres moved into a tie with Cincinnati for the second NL wild card. Pinch-hitter David Peralta ended the Padres' combined no-hit bid with a bloop single in the eight.— Javier Báez singled in the ninth and scored the winning run as the Mets earned a 6-5 win over the Marlins in the completion of a suspended game. Báez entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning and sparked the Mets' five-run ninth, hours after he and teammate Francisco Lindor (lihn-DOHR') apologized for their thumbs-down celebration gestures last weekend. The Mets trailed 5-1 until Brandon Nimmo slammed a two-run homer. — Michael Conforto hit the eventual winning single in the first game and homered in Game 2 as the Mets posted their fourth straight win, 3-1. Conforto hit a two-run homer and Baez scored on Jeff McNeil's double. Winning pitcher Aaron Loup (loop) worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth to keep the Mets ahead.— Amed Rosario had the first five RBI game of his career and matched a career high for hits in the Indians' 7-2 thumping of the Royals. Rosario became the first player since at least 1920 to go 5 for 5 with five RBIs, an inside-the-park homer and a drive over the fence. Zach Plesac pitched two-hit ball over seven scoreless innings, helping Cleveland end Salvador Perez's five-game home run streak.— The Rangers topped the Rockies, 4-3 as Nathaniel Lowe furnished a home run and an RBI single among his three hits. Leody Taveras homered for the second game in a row, helping Jordan Lyles win for the second time in three starts. Lyles worked 6 2/3 innings and allowed six hits, including solo homers by Sam Hilliard, C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon. — The Cubs' bullpen worked shutout ball over 4 2/3 innings to secure a 3-1 verdict over the Twins. Rowan Wick closed it out for his first save of the season. Frank Schwindel and Ian Happ sandwiched solo homers around a tiebreaking triple by Robinson Chirinos (chih-REE'-nohs).— The Reds-Cardinals game in Cincinnati was rained out and rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader on Wednesday.TENNIS-US OPENDjokovic, Barty advanceNEW YORK (AP) — The No. 1 seeds are off to a good start at the U.S. Open.Novak Djokovic (JOH'-kah-vihch) has started his bid to make history with a four-set victory over Danish teenager Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune, 6-1, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1. The top-seeded Djokovic is trying to complete the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men's tennis since Rod Laver in 1969 and collect a record-breaking 21st major singles championship. Women's top-ranked Ash Barty knocked off Vera Zvonareva, 6-1, 7-6 in her first U.S. Open match in two years. The 25-year-old Barty finished with 31 winners, including 11 aces. Barty skipped last year's Open because of the pandemic.Also on Day 2 of the year's final Grand Slam:— The first major upset of the tournament was crafted by Maxime Cressy, who dispatched ninth seed Pablo Carreno Busta, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6. Cressy saved four match points in the fifth-set tiebreaker to knock off the two-time U.S. Open semifinalist. — American Taylor Fritz has eliminated 14th-seeded Alex de Minaur in four sets to give the host country 13 men in the second round. Fritz won a three-hour match that ended just past midnight by a score of 7-6, 6-2, 1-6, 6-4. — Jenson Brooksby is one of those 13 American men who advanced, moving into the second round by beating Mikael Ymer 7-5, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. Brooksby reached the finals in Newport and the semifinals in Washington during the leadup to the U.S. Open.— Alexander Zverev opened his bid for a second straight U.S. Open final appearance by defeating American Sam Querrey, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in 100 minutes. Zverev won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and is one of three players with four titles this season.— No. 11 Belinda Bencic (BEHN'-chihch) advanced in straight sets, as did fourth seed Karolina Pliskova (PLIHSH'-koh-vah). — Tenth seed Hubert Hurkacz (HUR'-kahts) was a straight-sets winner on the men's side, as was No. 22 Reilly Opelka.— American Mackenzie McDonald pulled off a mild surprise with a straight-sets victory over No. 27 David Goffin.NFL-PATRIOTS-NEWTONAP source: Pats cut Newton, clearing way for Jones to startFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots have shown Cam Newton the door after just one season with the team.The Pats have released the 2015 NFL most valuable player, paving the way for rookie Mac Jones to open the season as the starting quarterback.Veteran players say Jones has impressed them in training camp with his work ethic. Jones won a national title last year at Alabama.The Patriots are trying to rebound from a disjointed 2020 season. Newton finished 7-8 as the starter and the Patriots went 7-9 overall after Tom Brady's departure. Elsewhere in the NFL: — Quarterback Deshaun Watson remains on the Houston Texans' active roster as the team made cuts to reduce their roster to 53 players. Watson's future with the team is in question after 22 women filed lawsuits alleging that he sexually assaulted or harassed them. Watson reported to camp to avoid being fined and participated in individual drills but never practiced with the team, watching as Tyrod Taylor ran the offense.— Saints head coach Sean Payton says the displaced team is exploring the possibility of remaining in the Dallas area for up to a month and opening their regular season against Green Bay in the Cowboys' home stadium. There are logistical challenges with staffing an NFL game at the Superdome in the near future because of the widespread damage by Hurricane Ida in the New Orleans area. While the Superdome appears to have been spared significant damage, many New Orleans residents have evacuated and officials have advised them not to return for at least another several days.— Saints head coach Sean Payton says the displaced team is exploring the possibility of remaining in the Dallas area for up to a month and opening their regular season against Green Bay in the Cowboys' home stadium. There are logistical challenges with staffing an NFL game at the Superdome in the near future because of the widespread damage by Hurricane Ida in the New Orleans area. While the Superdome appears to have been spared significant damage, many New Orleans residents have evacuated and officials have advised them not to return for at least another several days while infrastructure is repaired or replaced.— A person with direct knowledge of the deal has told The Associated Press the Jets have traded tight end Chris Herndon to the Vikings. Herndon spent his first three seasons with New York, catching 71 passes for 796 yards and seven touchdowns.— The Packers won't have David Bakhtiari for the start of the season. The All-Pro left tackle is recovering from a torn ACL and won't be available for at least the first six weeks. That leaves reigning MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers without the player who has protected his blind side for the last nine seasons. NBA-LAKERS-RONDORajon Rondo re-signs with Lakers for another title pushLOS ANGELES (AP) — Rajon Rondo has re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers to pursue another championship ring. The Lakers are bringing back Rondo on a one-year contract. The veteran point guard played an important role as a reserve and a team leader on Los Angeles' 17th NBA championship team during the 2019-20 season, his second with the Lakers. The 35-year-old Rondo agreed to a buyout with Memphis last Saturday and quickly rejoined a title contender. The Clippers traded Rondo to the Grizzlies two weeks ago along with Patrick Beverley in the deal sending Eric Bledsoe back to LA.NHL-BLACKHAWKS-MURPHYBlackhawks D Murphy agrees to 4-year contract extensionCHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a four-year contract extension with defenseman Connor Murphy. The deal runs through the 2025-26 season and carries a $4.4 million salary-cap hit. HOCKEY-WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPCanada ends U.S. reign in women's hockeyCALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Canada has dethroned the United States as world champions in women's hockey.Marie-Philip Poulin capped the Canadians' comeback by scoring in overtime to complete a 3-2 victory over the five-time defending champions in the final. Canada trailed 2-0 before scoring twice in a 2:29 span of the second period.It is Canada's first gold medal at the women's hockey world championship since 2012.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Sports Headlines for Wednesday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs began trimming their roster to the 53-man limit for the regular season, and coach Andy Reid may have found himself having a more difficult time this year than any other during his tenure in Kansas City. 

Among the early cuts were running backs Darwin Thompson and Derrick Gore, both of whom showed some flashes in the preseason. Thompson was a sixth-round pick in 2019 who had appeared in 26 games over the past two seasons, and Gore had a nifty 56-yard touchdown reception as the Chiefs wrapped up preseason with a win over Minnesota.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs began trimming their roster to the 53-man limit for the regular season, and coach Andy Reid may have found himself having a more difficult time this year than any other during his tenure in Kansas City. Among the early cuts were running backs Darwin Thompson and Derrick Gore, both of whom showed some flashes in the preseason. Thompson was a sixth-round pick in 2019 who had appeared in 26 games over the past two seasons, and Gore had a nifty 56-yard touchdown reception as the Chiefs wrapped up preseason with a win over Minnesota.

Chiefs trimming as regular season approaches

With Week 1 of the junior college football season kicking off this week, the NJCAA released its preseason national rankings on Monday.

The defending national champion Hutchinson Community College football team is, for the second-straight season, the preseason choice to win the 2021 national championship, which will ultimately be decided for the first time by a four-team playoff in December.

The Blue Dragons went 8-0 in the pandemic-altered season of 2020-21, defeating No. 1 Snow College 29-27 in the NJCAA Championship Game on June 4 in Little Rock Arkansas. That team also started the season as the No. 1 preseason team. These are the only two preseason No. 1 rankings for the Blue Dragons their now-90-year history.

The top five teams in the 2021 preseason poll are Hutchinson, Snow College, Northwest Mississippi, Iowa Western and Garden City. The Blue Dragons garnered all five first-place votes.

The Blue Dragons were also selected to repeat as Jayhawk Conference champions on July 28 in Wichita at the Jayhawk Conference’s annual Football Coaches Media Day.

The Blue Dragons return eight starters on offense, five on defense and one special teams starter.

Of the eight returning starters on offense, four are on the offensive line and all four were all-conference selections last season. That group paved the way for a stable of running backs that set a Blue Dragon team record for season rushing and yards per carry as All-American and Championship Game MVP Tye Edwards and second-team all-KJCCC performer Anwar Lewis helped Hutchinson rush for 273.5 yards per game and 6.4 yards per carry. The Dragons also return all-conference receiver Cortez Braham and.

Defensively, five starters return with defensive tackles Demeco Roland and Jaylon Bass and defensive end Davion Westmoreland – all three were all-KJCCC players last season. There will be three new starting linebackers, but the defensive backfield will see the return of Marquise Gilbert – he had a team-high three interceptions last season – Emmanuel Mann and Daquan Wilson.

The road between Saturday night’s 2021 season opener at Coffeyville and a potential berth in the national playoffs will be tough and different.

This season, the Blue Dragons have just seven regular-season games, no non-conference matchups, with three teams on the schedule also in the preseason Top 15: No. 15 Butler on September 11 at Gowans Stadium, No. 5 Garden City on October 2 at Garden City and No. 10 Independence on October 9 at Gowans Stadium.

After the regular season, the eight KJCCC teams will be seeded for the Region VI Playoffs where the Blue Dragons will have to win three games against three teams they have already played in order to reach in the semifinal semifinals.

The Blue Dragons open the season on Saturday at Coffeyville in a 7 p.m. kickoff and open at home on September 11 against Butler.

                                                                Points

1. Hutchinson (5)                             75          

2. Snow                                                70          

3. Northwest Mississippi               61

4. Iowa Western                               60          

5. Garden City                                   58          

6. Kilgore                                             50          

7. Mississippi Gulf Coast                41          

8. Trinity Valley                                 32

9. Lackawanna                                   30          

10. Independence                           29          

11. Iowa Central                               28          

12. Georgia Military                        25          

13. Hinds Community                     20          

14. New Mexico Military               13          

15. Butler                                            7            

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575405468854.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>STEVE CARPENTERHutchCC Sports InformationWith Week 1 of the junior college football season kicking off this week, the NJCAA released its preseason national rankings on Monday.The defending national champion Hutchinson Community College football team is, for the second-straight season, the preseason choice to win the 2021 national championship, which will ultimately be decided for the first time by a four-team playoff in December.The Blue Dragons went 8-0 in the pandemic-altered season of 2020-21, defeating No. 1 Snow College 29-27 in the NJCAA Championship Game on June 4 in Little Rock Arkansas. That team also started the season as the No. 1 preseason team. These are the only two preseason No. 1 rankings for the Blue Dragons their now-90-year history.The top five teams in the 2021 preseason poll are Hutchinson, Snow College, Northwest Mississippi, Iowa Western and Garden City. The Blue Dragons garnered all five first-place votes.The Blue Dragons were also selected to repeat as Jayhawk Conference champions on July 28 in Wichita at the Jayhawk Conference’s annual Football Coaches Media Day.The Blue Dragons return eight starters on offense, five on defense and one special teams starter.Of the eight returning starters on offense, four are on the offensive line and all four were all-conference selections last season. That group paved the way for a stable of running backs that set a Blue Dragon team record for season rushing and yards per carry as All-American and Championship Game MVP Tye Edwards and second-team all-KJCCC performer Anwar Lewis helped Hutchinson rush for 273.5 yards per game and 6.4 yards per carry. The Dragons also return all-conference receiver Cortez Braham and.Defensively, five starters return with defensive tackles Demeco Roland and Jaylon Bass and defensive end Davion Westmoreland – all three were all-KJCCC players last season. There will be three new starting linebackers, but the defensive backfield will see the return of Marquise Gilbert – he had a team-high three interceptions last season – Emmanuel Mann and Daquan Wilson.The road between Saturday night’s 2021 season opener at Coffeyville and a potential berth in the national playoffs will be tough and different.This season, the Blue Dragons have just seven regular-season games, no non-conference matchups, with three teams on the schedule also in the preseason Top 15: No. 15 Butler on September 11 at Gowans Stadium, No. 5 Garden City on October 2 at Garden City and No. 10 Independence on October 9 at Gowans Stadium.After the regular season, the eight KJCCC teams will be seeded for the Region VI Playoffs where the Blue Dragons will have to win three games against three teams they have already played in order to reach in the semifinal semifinals.The Blue Dragons open the season on Saturday at Coffeyville in a 7 p.m. kickoff and open at home on September 11 against Butler.NJCAA PRESEASON FOOTBALL RANKINGS Points1. Hutchinson (5) 75 2. Snow 70 3. Northwest Mississippi 614. Iowa Western 60 5. Garden City 58 6. Kilgore 50 7. Mississippi Gulf Coast 41 8. Trinity Valley 329. Lackawanna 30 10. Independence 29 11. Iowa Central 28 12. Georgia Military 25 13. Hinds Community 20 14. New Mexico Military 13 15. Butler 7 Others Receiving Votes: Monroe College

NJCAA Ranks Dragons No. 1 in preseason

SEATTLE (AP) — Salvador Perez homered for the fifth consecutive game, but Kyle Seager connected for a two-run drive to help the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3. Seager hit his career-high 31st homer in the seventh inning, lifting the Mariners to a 4-2 lead and helping them avoid a four-game series sweep at home. Perez nearly recorded another homer, lasering an RBI single off the top of the wall in right-center in the eighth. Nicky Lopez scored from first to cut Seattle's lead to 4-3, but Drew Steckenrider worked a perfect ninth for his seventh save.

UNDATED (AP) — Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez has been on an extended tear since the All-Star break. He now has 38 home runs on the season, just three behind major league leader Shohei Ohtani. Perez is on track to set an American League record for most homers by someone who played at least 75% of his games behind the plate. Carlton Fisk set the previous mark of 37 in 1985, so as long as Perez catches enough games, he'll surpass Fisk. Perez has 17 homers in 40 games since the All-Star break. His 12 home runs in August have tied the team record for any calendar month.

UNDATED (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have put an emphatic finish on their three-game series of National League division leaders.

Jorge Soler (soh-LEHR') and Austin Riley homered off Anthony DeSclafani in the fourth inning before the Braves completed a 9-0 rout of the Giants. 

Ian Anderson pitched well in his first start since July 11, allowing four hits over 5 2/3 inning. Anderson missed 39 games with right shoulder inflammation.

Eddie Rosario added two-run triple in the sixth for the NL East leaders, who stayed 4 1/2 games ahead of the Phillies. Ozzie Albies connected for his 23rd homer in the eighth.

The Giants lost for only the fifth time in 20 games but still lead the NL West by 2 1/2 games over the Dodgers.

Los Angeles absorbed a 5-0 loss to the Rockies behind Antonio Senzatela, who allowing two hits over seven sparkling innings. The Dodgers finished with just three hits in their fourth shutout loss of the season.

CJ Cron leads the majors with 33 RBIs this month after supplying a three-run homer.

The Dodgers lost for just the fourth time in 21 games.

Checking out Sunday's other major league action:

— The Phillies won their third in a row as Freddy Galvis collected three RBIs in a 7-4 downing of the Diamondbacks. Rafael Marchand and Travis Jankowski hit back-to-back RBI triples to back Ranger Suarez, who allowed just one run over 5 1/3. Bryce Harper, Jean Segura and Marchand each had two hits for the Phillies.

— The Brewers' three-game skid is over after Rowdy Tellez and Luis Urias homered to power them to a 6-2 win over the Twins. Tellez belted a three-run shot, Urias added a solo blast and Kolten Wong hit a two-run double as Milwaukee extended its lead in the NL Central to 8 1/2 games over Cincinnati. Aaron Ashby surrendered a two-run homer by Miguel Sanó (sah-NOH') but just two other hits over five innings for his first major league win.

— The Reds dropped a 2-1 decision to the Marlins, which cuts Cincinnati's lead for the second NL wild card to 1 1/2 games over San Diego. Luzardo allowed one hit and no runs in six-plus innings, helping Miami beat the Reds for the second straight day after 11 straight losses to Cincy. Jesús Sánchez hit a two-run homer in the first, his sixth homer of the year and his second in two days.

— The Pirates pulled out a 4-3 win over the Cardinals on Yoshi Tsutsugo's (YOH'-shee soot-SOO'-gohz) three-run homer off Alex Reyes in the bottom of the ninth. Five of Tsustugo's nine hits with the Pirates have been home runs. Kwang Hyun Kim pitched four innings of one-run ball for St. Louis in his return to the rotation. 

— Francisco Lindor (lihn-DOHR) forced a balk in the first inning and hit a two-run double as the Mets whipped the Nationals, 9-4. Javier Báez and Jonathan Villar homered as New York pulled off its first series win since a sweep of Washington on Aug. 10-12. The Nats' three hits all came on homers as Josh Bell furnished two and Juan Soto had the other.

— Joey Wendle drove in six runs with a pair of homers, including a grand slam that broke open the Rays' victory over the Orioles, 12-8. Austin Meadows and Jordan Luplow also homered for Tampa Bay, which finished 18-1 against Baltimore this year. Ryan Mountcastle tied a career high with four hits, including his 24th home run for the Orioles.

— The Rays' lead in the AL East is up to six games over the Yankees following New York's 3-1 loss to the Athletics. Tony Kemp broke a 1-1 deadlock with a two-run homer in the eighth inning. Kemp, Josh Harrison and Yan Gomes (yahn gohmz) each had two hits to help the A's move back within 5 1/2 games of the AL West-leading Astros. 

— Yu Chang doubled home Oscar Mercado with the go-ahead run on a fielder's interference call in the eighth inning as the Indians rallied for a 7-5 win over the Red Sox. Cleveland trailed 4-0 and did not have a hit off Tanner Houck over the first 5 1/3 innings before José Ramirez lined a solo homer to right. Rafael Devers (DEH'-vurz) hit two solo home runs for Boston, which now leads Oakland by 2 1/2 games for the second AL wild card.

— The Rangers crushed the Astros, 13-2 as Adolis (ah-DOH'-lees) García hit the first grand slam by a Texas batter in almost two years. García's 29th homer came during an eight-run outburst in the fifth, the highest-scoring inning for the last-place Rangers this season. DJ Peters led off the fifth with a 450-foot drive and finished with three RBIs as Texas avoided being swept by Houston again.

— Luis Robert slammed two of the White Sox's five home runs in a 13-1 laugher against the Cubs. Eloy (EE'-loy) Jiménez, Yasmani Grandal (yahs-MAH'-nee grahn-DAHL') and Brian Goodwin also connected for the White Sox, who went 5-1 against the Cubs this year. Robert, Jiménez and Goodwin each drove in three runs to support Dylan Cease (sees), who tied a career high with 11 strikeouts.

— Kyle Seager connected for a two-run drive to help the Mariners beat the Royals 4-3. Seager hit his career-high 31st homer in the seventh inning, lifting the Mariners to a 4-2 lead and helping them avoid a four-game series sweep at home. Kansas city catcher Salvador Perez homered for the fifth consecutive game and provided 11 RBIs via the long ball in the series.

— Jose Berríos (beh-REE'-ohs) allowed one unearned run on six hits over seven innings to pitch the Blue Jays past the Tigers, 2-1. Bo Bichette (bih-SHEHT') and Kevin Smith homered as Toronto took the rubber match of the three-game set. Tim Mayza got the final four outs for his first career save.

AP source: Mets' Syndergaard tests positive for COVID-19

NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard's (SIHN'-dur-gahrdz) return to the majors has hit another snag.

A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that the New York Mets right-hander has tested positive for COVID-19.

Syndergaard was scratched from a rehab start on Sunday. New York manager Luis Rojas said Syndergaard had a "non-baseball-related injury." He did confirm that Syndergaard has been vaccinated. 

Syndergaard is recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Mets are hoping he can rejoin the team as a reliever should they become relevant in the NL East race again.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Jackson Surma drove in four runs and Ethan Van Belle struck out eight as Michigan beat Ohio 5-2 on Sunday in the championship game of the Little League World Series.

The team from Taylor North Little League delivered the first LLWS title for the state of Michigan since 1959.

Both teams are from the Great Lakes, marking the only time clubs from the same region played in the championship. 

UNDATED (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have signed five-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith to a four-year contract extension. The deal secures the team's longest-tenured player for what could be the remainder of his decorated career. 

Smith leads all NFL safeties with 28 interceptions since he entered the NFL in 2012. 

According to a person with knowledge of the deal, the new contract is worth $64 million with a little more than $26 million guaranteed. 

The 32-year-old Smith was in the final year of his deal with a salary cap slightly above $10 million.

— Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins is expected to miss the upcoming season with a torn ACL. Dobbins left the Ravens' preseason finale at Washington on Saturday night midway through the first quarter following his injury. The news is a blow for Baltimore, which led the NFL in rushing last season. Dobbins ran for 805 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie last season.

— The Jets have acquired edge rusher Shaq Lawson from the Texans for a sixth-round pick in next year's NFL draft, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal. The Jets were in dire need of a pass-rushing specialist after Carl Lawson was lost for the season two weeks ago with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Shaq Lawson had 20 1/2 sacks in five seasons with Buffalo and Miami. 

— The Saints are planning to practice this week at the home of the Cowboys after evacuating because of Hurricane Ida. The Saints are scheduled to practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at AT&amp;T Stadium before taking a break heading into the regular season. That's according to a person that spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the club wasn't discussing its plans publicly. 

Cantlay wins marathon playoff at BMW Championship

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Patrick Cantlay emerged as the winner of a lengthy playoff that decided the PGA's BMW Championship near Baltimore.

Clutch down the stretch and for six dynamic playoff holes, Patrick Cantlay put a fitting end to an epic battle with Bryson DeChambeau by making an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. 

DeChambeau missed four birdie putts to win in regulation and in the playoff. He missed the most important putt of the week from just inside 10 feet to extend the playoff. 

They both finished regulation at 27-under 261. No one had ever shot 261 on the PGA Tour and didn't take home the trophy.

Cantlay earned the sixth and final automatic spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team by winning the tournament. Tony Finau (FEE'-now) was in the sixth spot until he was surpassed by Cantlay's victory. 

<h2>Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press</h2>SEATTLE (AP) — Salvador Perez homered for the fifth consecutive game, but Kyle Seager connected for a two-run drive to help the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3. Seager hit his career-high 31st homer in the seventh inning, lifting the Mariners to a 4-2 lead and helping them avoid a four-game series sweep at home. Perez nearly recorded another homer, lasering an RBI single off the top of the wall in right-center in the eighth. Nicky Lopez scored from first to cut Seattle's lead to 4-3, but Drew Steckenrider worked a perfect ninth for his seventh save.UNDATED (AP) — Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez has been on an extended tear since the All-Star break. He now has 38 home runs on the season, just three behind major league leader Shohei Ohtani. Perez is on track to set an American League record for most homers by someone who played at least 75% of his games behind the plate. Carlton Fisk set the previous mark of 37 in 1985, so as long as Perez catches enough games, he'll surpass Fisk. Perez has 17 homers in 40 games since the All-Star break. His 12 home runs in August have tied the team record for any calendar month.MLB-SCHEDULEBraves thump Giants, Dodgers loseUNDATED (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have put an emphatic finish on their three-game series of National League division leaders.Jorge Soler (soh-LEHR') and Austin Riley homered off Anthony DeSclafani in the fourth inning before the Braves completed a 9-0 rout of the Giants. Ian Anderson pitched well in his first start since July 11, allowing four hits over 5 2/3 inning. Anderson missed 39 games with right shoulder inflammation.Eddie Rosario added two-run triple in the sixth for the NL East leaders, who stayed 4 1/2 games ahead of the Phillies. Ozzie Albies connected for his 23rd homer in the eighth.The Giants lost for only the fifth time in 20 games but still lead the NL West by 2 1/2 games over the Dodgers.Los Angeles absorbed a 5-0 loss to the Rockies behind Antonio Senzatela, who allowing two hits over seven sparkling innings. The Dodgers finished with just three hits in their fourth shutout loss of the season.CJ Cron leads the majors with 33 RBIs this month after supplying a three-run homer.The Dodgers lost for just the fourth time in 21 games.Checking out Sunday's other major league action:— The Phillies won their third in a row as Freddy Galvis collected three RBIs in a 7-4 downing of the Diamondbacks. Rafael Marchand and Travis Jankowski hit back-to-back RBI triples to back Ranger Suarez, who allowed just one run over 5 1/3. Bryce Harper, Jean Segura and Marchand each had two hits for the Phillies.— The Brewers' three-game skid is over after Rowdy Tellez and Luis Urias homered to power them to a 6-2 win over the Twins. Tellez belted a three-run shot, Urias added a solo blast and Kolten Wong hit a two-run double as Milwaukee extended its lead in the NL Central to 8 1/2 games over Cincinnati. Aaron Ashby surrendered a two-run homer by Miguel Sanó (sah-NOH') but just two other hits over five innings for his first major league win.— The Reds dropped a 2-1 decision to the Marlins, which cuts Cincinnati's lead for the second NL wild card to 1 1/2 games over San Diego. Luzardo allowed one hit and no runs in six-plus innings, helping Miami beat the Reds for the second straight day after 11 straight losses to Cincy. Jesús Sánchez hit a two-run homer in the first, his sixth homer of the year and his second in two days.— The Pirates pulled out a 4-3 win over the Cardinals on Yoshi Tsutsugo's (YOH'-shee soot-SOO'-gohz) three-run homer off Alex Reyes in the bottom of the ninth. Five of Tsustugo's nine hits with the Pirates have been home runs. Kwang Hyun Kim pitched four innings of one-run ball for St. Louis in his return to the rotation. — Francisco Lindor (lihn-DOHR) forced a balk in the first inning and hit a two-run double as the Mets whipped the Nationals, 9-4. Javier Báez and Jonathan Villar homered as New York pulled off its first series win since a sweep of Washington on Aug. 10-12. The Nats' three hits all came on homers as Josh Bell furnished two and Juan Soto had the other.— Joey Wendle drove in six runs with a pair of homers, including a grand slam that broke open the Rays' victory over the Orioles, 12-8. Austin Meadows and Jordan Luplow also homered for Tampa Bay, which finished 18-1 against Baltimore this year. Ryan Mountcastle tied a career high with four hits, including his 24th home run for the Orioles.— The Rays' lead in the AL East is up to six games over the Yankees following New York's 3-1 loss to the Athletics. Tony Kemp broke a 1-1 deadlock with a two-run homer in the eighth inning. Kemp, Josh Harrison and Yan Gomes (yahn gohmz) each had two hits to help the A's move back within 5 1/2 games of the AL West-leading Astros. — Yu Chang doubled home Oscar Mercado with the go-ahead run on a fielder's interference call in the eighth inning as the Indians rallied for a 7-5 win over the Red Sox. Cleveland trailed 4-0 and did not have a hit off Tanner Houck over the first 5 1/3 innings before José Ramirez lined a solo homer to right. Rafael Devers (DEH'-vurz) hit two solo home runs for Boston, which now leads Oakland by 2 1/2 games for the second AL wild card.— The Rangers crushed the Astros, 13-2 as Adolis (ah-DOH'-lees) García hit the first grand slam by a Texas batter in almost two years. García's 29th homer came during an eight-run outburst in the fifth, the highest-scoring inning for the last-place Rangers this season. DJ Peters led off the fifth with a 450-foot drive and finished with three RBIs as Texas avoided being swept by Houston again.— Luis Robert slammed two of the White Sox's five home runs in a 13-1 laugher against the Cubs. Eloy (EE'-loy) Jiménez, Yasmani Grandal (yahs-MAH'-nee grahn-DAHL') and Brian Goodwin also connected for the White Sox, who went 5-1 against the Cubs this year. Robert, Jiménez and Goodwin each drove in three runs to support Dylan Cease (sees), who tied a career high with 11 strikeouts.— Kyle Seager connected for a two-run drive to help the Mariners beat the Royals 4-3. Seager hit his career-high 31st homer in the seventh inning, lifting the Mariners to a 4-2 lead and helping them avoid a four-game series sweep at home. Kansas city catcher Salvador Perez homered for the fifth consecutive game and provided 11 RBIs via the long ball in the series.— Jose Berríos (beh-REE'-ohs) allowed one unearned run on six hits over seven innings to pitch the Blue Jays past the Tigers, 2-1. Bo Bichette (bih-SHEHT') and Kevin Smith homered as Toronto took the rubber match of the three-game set. Tim Mayza got the final four outs for his first career save.MLB-METS-SYNDERGAARDAP source: Mets' Syndergaard tests positive for COVID-19NEW YORK (AP) — Noah Syndergaard's (SIHN'-dur-gahrdz) return to the majors has hit another snag.A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that the New York Mets right-hander has tested positive for COVID-19.Syndergaard was scratched from a rehab start on Sunday. New York manager Luis Rojas said Syndergaard had a "non-baseball-related injury." He did confirm that Syndergaard has been vaccinated. Syndergaard is recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Mets are hoping he can rejoin the team as a reliever should they become relevant in the NL East race again.BASEBALL-LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIESMichigan beats Ohio for LLWS titleSOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Jackson Surma drove in four runs and Ethan Van Belle struck out eight as Michigan beat Ohio 5-2 on Sunday in the championship game of the Little League World Series.The team from Taylor North Little League delivered the first LLWS title for the state of Michigan since 1959.Both teams are from the Great Lakes, marking the only time clubs from the same region played in the championship. NFL-NEWSVikings sign Harrison Smith to extensionUNDATED (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have signed five-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith to a four-year contract extension. The deal secures the team's longest-tenured player for what could be the remainder of his decorated career. Smith leads all NFL safeties with 28 interceptions since he entered the NFL in 2012. According to a person with knowledge of the deal, the new contract is worth $64 million with a little more than $26 million guaranteed. The 32-year-old Smith was in the final year of his deal with a salary cap slightly above $10 million.In other NFL news:— Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins is expected to miss the upcoming season with a torn ACL. Dobbins left the Ravens' preseason finale at Washington on Saturday night midway through the first quarter following his injury. The news is a blow for Baltimore, which led the NFL in rushing last season. Dobbins ran for 805 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie last season.— The Jets have acquired edge rusher Shaq Lawson from the Texans for a sixth-round pick in next year's NFL draft, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal. The Jets were in dire need of a pass-rushing specialist after Carl Lawson was lost for the season two weeks ago with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Shaq Lawson had 20 1/2 sacks in five seasons with Buffalo and Miami. — The Saints are planning to practice this week at the home of the Cowboys after evacuating because of Hurricane Ida. The Saints are scheduled to practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at AT&amp;T Stadium before taking a break heading into the regular season. That's according to a person that spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the club wasn't discussing its plans publicly. PGA-BMW CHAMPIONSHIPCantlay wins marathon playoff at BMW ChampionshipOWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Patrick Cantlay emerged as the winner of a lengthy playoff that decided the PGA's BMW Championship near Baltimore.Clutch down the stretch and for six dynamic playoff holes, Patrick Cantlay put a fitting end to an epic battle with Bryson DeChambeau by making an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. DeChambeau missed four birdie putts to win in regulation and in the playoff. He missed the most important putt of the week from just inside 10 feet to extend the playoff. They both finished regulation at 27-under 261. No one had ever shot 261 on the PGA Tour and didn't take home the trophy.Cantlay earned the sixth and final automatic spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team by winning the tournament. Tony Finau (FEE'-now) was in the sixth spot until he was surpassed by Cantlay's victory. PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS-ALLY CHALLENGEJoe Durant holds off Bernhard Langer in The Ally ChallengeGRAND BLANC, Mich. (AP) — Joe Durant made a 5-foot bogey putt on the par-4 18th for a one-stroke victory over Bernhard Langer in The Ally Challenge. The 57-year-old Durant closed with a 4-under 68 to finish at 17-under 199 at Warwick Hills. He won for the fourth time on the PGA Tour Champions after winning four times on the PGA Tour.Steven Alker was third at 15 under after a 67.F1-BELGIAN GPVerstappen wins rain-marred Belgian GP after short restartSPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) — Max Verstappen has won a rain-soaked and shortened Belgian Grand Prix.The race was called off Sunday after it had restarted under a safety car nearly three hours later than scheduled. The race was shortened to last one hour with only half points awarded to the winner, who needed to complete only two laps to earn points. Red Bull driver Verstappen was leading Williams driver George Russell and Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton on Lap 4 when the restarted race ended after roughly 10 minutes with rain still lashing down.Verstappen's sixth win of the season was the 16th of his career and denied Hamilton a record-extending 100th win, while also trimming his overall lead from eight points to three.OBIT-ROGGERogge diesLAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The International Olympic Committee says Jacques Rogge (zhahk ROH'-geh), who led the organization as president for 12 years, has died. He was 79. Rogge's health had visibly declined when he attended Olympic events since his presidency ended in 2013.Rogge led the European group of Olympic committees before being elected as the IOC's eighth president in 2001.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;