MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Emilio Pagán pitched two scoreless innings after Tyler Mahle departed with right shoulder fatigue, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 for a three-game sweep. Jose Miranda homered for Minnesota, which is fighting with Cleveland and the Chicago White Sox for control of the crowded AL Central. After Mahle left in the third, Pagán, Griffin Jax, Jhoan Duran, Michael Fulmer and Trevor Megill finished Minnesota’s second straight shutout. A diving catch by center fielder Gilberto Celestino saved a run in the seventh.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jordan Montgomery picked up his third win in as many starts with St. Louis, and Nolan Gorman drove in three runs to lead the Cardinals to a 5-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night. St. Louis won for the 12th time in 13 home games and beat Colorado for the 11th straight time at home while improving to a season-best 14 games over .500 at 65-51. Colorado lost its fourth in a row and has dropped 18 of 26 since the All-Star break.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones, starting wide receiver Mecole Hardman and backup running back Jerick McKinnon left training camp early Wednesday as nagging injuries continued to mount for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones left after about 10 minutes with a sore back while Hardman, who is being counted upon to help overcome the loss of Tyreek Hill, hurt his groin while going up for a catch in the end zone. McKinnon left with a hamstring injury. They were joined on the sideline by wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who missed his second practice with a sore knee.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Emilio Pagán pitched two scoreless innings after Tyler Mahle departed with right shoulder fatigue, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 for a three-game sweep. Jose Miranda homered for Minnesota, which is fighting with Cleveland and the Chicago White Sox for control of the crowded AL Central. After Mahle left in the third, Pagán, Griffin Jax, Jhoan Duran, Michael Fulmer and Trevor Megill finished Minnesota’s second straight shutout. A diving catch by center fielder Gilberto Celestino saved a run in the seventh.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jordan Montgomery picked up his third win in as many starts with St. Louis, and Nolan Gorman drove in three runs to lead the Cardinals to a 5-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night. St. Louis won for the 12th time in 13 home games and beat Colorado for the 11th straight time at home while improving to a season-best 14 games over .500 at 65-51. Colorado lost its fourth in a row and has dropped 18 of 26 since the All-Star break.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones, starting wide receiver Mecole Hardman and backup running back Jerick McKinnon left training camp early Wednesday as nagging injuries continued to mount for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones left after about 10 minutes with a sore back while Hardman, who is being counted upon to help overcome the loss of Tyreek Hill, hurt his groin while going up for a catch in the end zone. McKinnon left with a hamstring injury. They were joined on the sideline by wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who missed his second practice with a sore knee.
CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow says he's trying to gain back the weight and strength he lost after having surgery to remove his ruptured appendix three weeks ago. The goal is for the QB to be mobile and sharp by the time Cincinnati opens the regular season on Sept. 11 against AFC North rival Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old Burrow said he feels better every day, but doesn't expect to play in the two remaining preseason games. Coach Zac Taylor said the remaining team practices will be designed to get Burrow ready to go for Week 1.
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Brent Venables has shown steady, early confidence as Oklahoma’s new head football coach. Those who work with him say that shouldn't be a surprise. Retired coaches Bill Snyder of Kansas State and Bob Stoops of Oklahoma both say Venables has learned a lot in his years as an assistant. Venables most recently was defensive coordinator for national powerhouse Clemson. Now he takes over the Sooners. No. 9 Oklahoma hosts UTEP in the season opener next month.
UNDATED (AP) — Two people familiar with the negotiations tell the AP that talks between the NFL and NFL Players Association on a discipline settlement for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have progressed. It's uncertain whether the two sides will reach a deal. The sides are seeking a compromise before any punishment is handed down by Peter C. Harvey, who was appointed by Commissioner Roger Goodell to rule on the league’s appeal of a six-game suspension already imposed on Watson. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case. The league has been seeking a lengthier punishment for Watson, who was accused of sexual misconduct by two dozen women in Texas.
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The BMW Championship is something new for everyone. The PGA Tour goes to Delaware for the first time. Wilmington Country Club is the site for the second of three FedEx Cup playoff events. Justin Thomas is among those with limited experience. He played the Palmer Cup at Wilmington in 2013 when he was 20. Thomas doesn't recall much. The advantage in course knowledge probably goes to Rory McIlroy. He missed the cut last week and came to Delaware. McIlroy has been at the course every day since Saturday. It's a big week. The top 30 advance to the Tour Championship.
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Tiger Woods felt strongly enough about a private meeting of top PGA Tour players that he flew from Florida to Delaware to attend. What's emerging from that players-only meeting is unity against a rival league funded by Saudi money and how to make the PGA Tour better. There was another form of unity. No one is willing to share details on the best way forward. Xander Schauffele says there was a code to keep tight lips. Rory McIlroy says the ideas are for tour executives to hear as they forge a path. As for Woods? McIlroy says he remains the biggest voice.
WEDNESDAY SCORES
INTERLEAGUE
Final Boston 8 Pittsburgh 3
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Minnesota 4 Kansas City 0
Final Toronto 6 Baltimore 1
Final Seattle 11 L.A. Angels 7
Final Cleveland 8 Detroit 4
Final N.Y. Yankees 8 Tampa Bay 7
Final Oakland 7 Texas 2
Final Houston 3 Chicago White Sox 2
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Cincinnati 1 Philadelphia 0
Final Chicago Cubs 3 Washington 2
Final San Diego 10 Miami 3
Final N.Y. Mets 9 Atlanta 7
Final St. Louis 5 Colorado 1
Final L.A. Dodgers 2 Milwaukee 1
Final Arizona 3 San Francisco 2