CHICAGO (AP) — Although he didn’t think the Royals were throwing at him intentionally, Tim Anderson still took pleasure in scoring a measure of revenge.

Six innings after being beaned with a pitch from Kansas City starter Glenn Sparkman, Anderson doubled in the go-ahead run in the eighth, lifting the Chicago White Sox to an 8-7 victory over the Royals on Wednesday night.

José Abreu hit a three-run homer, Yoán Moncada also connected and the White Sox swept a three-game series for the first time this season.

Sparkman struck Anderson in the bill of his helmet in the second with nobody out, a runner on first and the White Sox leading 2-1. Anderson’s helmet was knocked off his head, and plate umpire Mark Carlson immediately ejected the 27-year-old right-hander.

It was Anderson’s first at-bat of the series. He had appeared as a pinch runner on Tuesday.

Last month, he was hit by Kansas City’s Brad Keller in the backside after an elaborate bat flip on a home run in his previous at-bat. That sparked a benches-clearing scuffle. Keller was suspended five games and Anderson for one.

“I think it was just bad timing,” Anderson said of Sparkman’s pitch. “But it happened and I was able to get the hit to win the game. It was payback. It felt good, man.”

Sparkman was making his second start of the season.

“Coming into this series, we had no animosity toward that young man,” Royals manager Ned Yost said of Anderson. “None. And to think that we’re gonna hit him on purpose is ludicrous, one, and two, it was a changeup.

“It was forgotten. He had done his part, we had done our part. It was over.”

Carlson, talking to a pool reporter, said last month’s incident was a factor in the decision.

“We were aware of a previous situation between the two clubs involving Tim Anderson,” he said. “When the pitcher threw the ball up and in and hit him in the head, that raises an awareness to us and we have to make a decision on what we want to do to handle that situation.”

Jorge Soler homered and drove in three runs for Kansas City.

Kelvin Herrera (2-3) got the win despite giving up two runs and Alex Colomé got the final three outs for his 11th save. He saved all three games of the series.

Ian Kennedy (0-2) took the loss.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State guard Xavier Sneed is withdrawing his name from the 2019 NBA Draft process and will return to school for his senior season in 2019-20.

“After much consideration, my family and I feel that it is in my best interest to return to Kansas State University to complete my undergraduate degree and continue my basketball development program,” said Sneed.

A 6-foot-5, 220-pound three-year lettermen from St. Louis, Missouri, Sneed enters his senior season in 2019-20, ranking 29th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,008 points having seen action in 105 career games at K-State with 72 starts. He also ranks among the career Top 10 in 3-point field goals made (157) and attempted (457) and steals (137). Just 40 shy of 500 career rebounds, he has the opportunity to become the 15^th Wildcat to collect 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in a career.

The school’s latest 1,000-point scorer after eclipsing the mark in the NCAA Tournament, Sneed has averaged 9.6 points on 41.2 percent (337-of-818) shooting, including 34.4 percent (157-of-457) from 3-point range, in his career to go with 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

“Obviously we are thrilled to know that Xavier will be part of our basketball program for his senior season,” said head coach Bruce Weber. “He has the ability to be not only the best swing man in the Big 12, but also in the nation. There is no doubt that he will be our team leader. From my conversations with him, I believe the NBA experience has been a valuable one for him. We have received positive feedback from several NBA scouts about his upside and his future. I know that he will use these experiences to help motivate himself to continue his development as a player, have a special senior season and leave a positive legacy in our program. I also know that his family will be excited and proud to have him finish his business degree at K-State.”

An All-Big 12 honorable mention selection, Sneed was one of the Wildcats’ most talented all-around players as a junior in 2018-19, ranking among the team’s Top 4 in scoring (10.6 ppg.), rebounding (5.5 rpg.), assists (1.9 apg.), steals (1.4 spg.) and minutes (30.7 mpg.). He connected on 39.6 percent (118-of-298) from the field, including 34.6 percent (54-of-156) from 3-point range, and shot 67 percent (59-of-88) from the free throw line. He scored in double figures in 18 games, including a season-tying 19 points in wins over West Virginia and TCU.

In helping K-State to the Elite Eight as a sophomore in 2017-18, Sneed averaged 11.1 points on 41.7 percent (141-of-338) shooting, including 34.4 percent (65-of-189) from 3-point range, to go with 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals in starting in all 37 games. He was selected to NCAA South Regional All-Tournament after averaging 19.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in games against No. 18 Kentucky and Loyola Chicago.

Sneed has helped K-State post consecutive 25-win seasons for the first time in school history, including a 25-9 record and a share of the Big 12 regular-season title in 2018-19. The Wildcats finished the year in the Top 25 in both major polls, including 19^th in the final USA Today Coaches poll.

With the return of Sneed, K-State is now expected to return eight lettermen in 2019-20, which also includes fellow senior Makol Mawien (7.0 ppg., 4.9 rpg.), from a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season and won a share of the Big 12 regular-season title. The Wildcats also return rising juniors Cartier Diarra (6.8 ppg., 3.3 rpg.), Mike McGuirl(3.6 ppg., 1.5 rpg.) and Levi Stockard III (1.8 ppg., 1.5 rpg.) as well as a highly-regarded signing class that includes a pair of Top 150 high school players in DaJuan Gordon and Montavious Murphy and NJCAA All-American David Sloan.

–www.k-statesports.com–

TOM GILBERT
Director for Men’s Basketball Communications | K-State Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Former Kansas State running back Joe Hall has been hired as the Director of Football Student-Athlete Development, head coach Chris Klieman announced Wednesday.

In his role, Hall will create, develop and implement a student-athlete development program that fosters an environment of well-being and achievement. He will serve as the football program’s liaison to various K-State Athletics support areas, including sport psychologist, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and student-athlete services, in addition to support services on campus. Hall will also serve as the program’s liaison between the program and both university and community organizations, including community-outreach organizations.

“One of our top priorities in our first year was to hire a specialized individual who can assist our guys with getting acclimated to being a football student-athlete as well as helping them develop into young men who have a positive impact on our community,” Klieman said. “In Joe, not only did we find a dynamic individual who has experience in this area, but he also has lived it as a football student-athlete here at K-State. We are thrilled for him to join our staff and know he will have a tremendous impact on our players.”

Most recently, Hall has worked as a behavior interventionist and counselor at various schools throughout northeast Kansas, including Junction City High School and Topeka West High School. While working in those schools, he helped counsel students from all walks of life, including military backgrounds, low socioeconomic backgrounds and students with behavioral issues.

Hall’s work in schools came after serving three seasons as an assistant coach at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. While at NMU, Hall began to transition to off-the-field work by guiding a working group of student-athletes with children, serving as a diversity council member and as a community liaison.

A native of Compton, California, Hall lettered two years for the Wildcats after transferring from Palomar Community College. He totaled 864 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 160 carries during his two seasons, including a 613-yard, six-touchdown performance as a junior in 1999. That season featured a stretch of three-straight games with 100 rushing yards, including a career-best 195 yards against Utah State. Hall went on to play parts of four seasons in the NFL.

Hall obtained his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State in 2012, a master’s of science in management from MidAmerica Nazarene in 2015 and a master’s in school counseling from Kansas State in 2017. He is currently working toward his doctorate degree in organizational leadership.

Hall and his wife, Hollie, have four children, Joe III (15), Jorryn (10), Joss (8) and Jagger (7).

– k-statesports.com –

RYAN LACKEY
Director of Football and Golf Communications | K-State Athletics

CHICAGO (AP) — Yolmer Sanchez hit a tying single, then entertained his White Sox teammates with a dugout show during a long rain delay before Chicago’s game against the Kansas City Royals was suspended in the fifth inning with the score 1-all Monday.

The teams will pick up Tuesday where they left off, with two outs in the bottom of the fifth and a runner on second. Play is set to begin at 5:40 p.m. EDT, before the regularly scheduled night game.

The clubs waited through a 2-hour, 55-minute delay with the White Sox batting in fifth. The game resumed for only five minutes, long enough for Sanchez to hit an RBI single, before play was halted again. The suspension was announced an hour later.

“We thought there was a window there to be able to continue the game,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “Obviously, we started it and it started coming down pretty soon after we did. It is what it is. You can’t control Mother Nature. She did what she did, and this is where we stand.”

During the break, Sanchez kept the White Sox amused by doing jumping jacks on the bench. Then the 26-year-old second baseman poured a beverage bucket over his head as he stood in the rain. He also made mud angels at third base after play was stopped a second time.

Royals manager Ned Yost praised the umpires, saying they were “absolutely fantastic in trying to get this game in.”

“They did a phenomenal job of giving us every opportunity,” he said. “The weather just wouldn’t cooperate. (Crew chief Bill Miller) tried his best to get this game in for both teams but it just didn’t work out. The field’s a mess right now.”

The rain was coming down hard in the fourth when Kansas City’s Adalberto Mondesi doubled and scored from third on Hunter Dozier’s two-out single .

Chicago had runners on first and second with one out in the fifth after James McCann and Jose Rondon singled against Homer Bailey. Sanchez had a 2-1 count before the first delay hit.

Once the game resumed, Sanchez immediately hit a tying single against Brian Flynn.

Rondon got caught rounding second on the play when right fielder Whit Merrifield threw behind the runner. Sanchez moved to second when Flynn bounced a pitch to Ryan Cordell. Play was stopped again.

Bailey gave up three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Chicago’s Ivan Nova went five innings, allowing six hits.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chance Adams didn’t get to Kauffman Stadium on Saturday until midway through the first game of a day-night doubleheader.

He had an early flight out of Syracuse, New York, then caught a connecting flight in Chicago before finally getting to the stadium around 1 p.m.

Adams, called up as the 26th player for the New York Yankees, took advantage of his opportunity in the nightcap.

Adams (1-0) threw four innings to earn his first major league victory as the Yankees held on to beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 Saturday night, completing a sweep of a doubleheader for their seventh straight win.

After Chad Green threw one inning as the Yankees’ opener, Adams allowed three runs and five hits, with a couple of misplayed balls in the outfield leading to two runs in the fourth inning.

“I’m just going out there and trying to make my pitches and give the team a chance to win, but I feel good about my performance,” Adams said.

Adams threw three shutout innings in his first appearance this season on May 19 against Tampa Bay to earn his first career save.

“Hopefully, it’s something that’s a building block for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s been throwing the ball well in Triple-A, you can tell he’s pitching with more confidence up here. He’ll be back and he’ll help us at some point this year, especially if he continues to throw the ball like that.”

Austin Romine and Cameron Maybin, the No. 8 and 9 hitters in the lineup, each drove in two in New York’s five-run second inning.

“It’s been like that much of the year for us, we’ve gotten contributions up and down the lineup,” Boone said. “We’ve hit guys in different spots a lot and it’s kind of come from a different place on most nights and we needed all of it.”

Romine finished with three hits and Maybin also had an RBI single in the third as New York won both games after severe thunderstorms postponed Friday night’s contest.

Luke Voit hit a go-ahead home in the seventh inning and Thairo Estrada added a two-run double in the eighth inning of the opener to power the Yankees to a 7-3 victory.

Jonathan Holder, Tommy Kahnle, Zach Britton and Aroldis Chapman each threw one inning in relief to close out the win in the second game. Chapman allowed a run on a walk, error and sacrifice fly, but was still able to notch his 250th career save, and 14th this season.

“I’m excited about it,” Chapman said. “My objective and desire is to have many, many more, but you have to be excited about this night and excited for the number it is.”

The Yankees jumped all over Royals starter Jorge Lopez (0-6) in the second inning. The first seven batters all reached base, scoring five runs along the way. DJ LeMahieu capped the scoring in the inning with an RBI single, chasing Lopez from the game after facing just 10 batters.

The Royals’ bullpen held the Yankees down after the big second inning, allowing one run and four hits in eight innings of work.

“It was pretty special to be a part of that,” said Glenn Sparkman, who threw 3 1/3 innings.

Hunter Dozier doubled twice after going hitless in the opener, driving in Adalberto Mondesi in the first inning and coming around to score on Jorge Soler’s double in the fourth inning.

J.A. Happ (4-3) threw six strong innings in the opener, striking out 10. He allowed only a single hit until a familiar problem showed up in the sixth when Whit Merrifield hit a tying, three-run homer. It was the 14th homer Happ has allowed, tied for second most in the majors.

But unlike past home runs, Happ threw a good pitch, and Merrifield simply put a good swing on the ball.

“You tip your cap. He hit a ball at his shoulders,” Happ said.

Voit quickly restored the Yankees’ lead when he connected off Scott Barlow (1-1) for a 470-foot home run and New York’s bullpen closed out the win.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m hitting, Gary (Sanchez), Gleyber (Torres), whoever. Everybody calls us the Baby Bombers, so I feel like someone will hit a home run or get a big hit,” Voit said.

Voit grew up near St. Louis, was drafted by the Royals out of high school, went to Missouri State and made his major league debut with the Cardinals.

Mondesi stole his major league-best 18th base in the opener.

Barlow had his second straight shaky outing for the Royals. His ERA sat at 2.01 after a scoreless outing against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, but got tagged for four runs in 1 2/3 innings on Wednesday in St. Louis and gave up four more runs Saturday in 1 1/3 innings.

“We gave up six runs on three hanging sliders today and Barlow threw two of them,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

The Kansas City Royals game against the New York Yankees at Kaufman Stadium Friday night was postponed due to rain in the forecast.

The teams will play a split doubleheader on Saturday. The first game will begin at 1:15 p.m. and the second contest at 7:15 Saturday evening.

Both games can be heard on KJCK 107.9 FM and 1420 KJCK AM.