KANSAS CITY, Mo. –- The Kansas City Royals announced Wednesday that they have selected left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin, right-handed pitcher Carlos Hernandez, shortstop Jeison Guzman and outfielder Nick Heath, adding all four to the 40-man roster ahead of today’s reserve list deadline.

In corresponding moves, the club has designated right-handed pitchers Conner Greene and Arnaldo Hernandez, catcher Nick Dini and outfielder Jorge Bonifacio for assignment.

Griffin, 24, was KC’s first-round selection in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. He was named a Postseason All-Star in the Pacific Coast League (AAA) in 2019, going 8-6 with a 5.23 ERA (76 ER in 130.2 IP) in 25 starts with Omaha.

Guzman, 21, was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent on July 3, 2015, out of Santo Domingo, D.R. He was named the 2019 Lexington (A) Player of the Year, batting .253 (114-for-450) with 23 doubles, five triples, seven homers and 51 runs scored in 121 games. The left-handed hitter helped the Legends win their second-straight South Atlantic League championship.

Heath, 25, was KC’s 16th-round selection in 2016, after playing collegiately at Northwestern State University (LA). In 2019, he led all minor league players with 60 stolen bases combined between Omaha and Northwest Arkansas (AA). The left-handed hitter also tied for sixth in the Texas League with seven triples, while his eight triples overall tied for second most among Royals’ farmhands.

Carlos Hernandez, 22, was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent on July 19, 2017, out of San Felix, Venezuela. He finished this season with Lexington, going 3-3 with a 3.50 ERA (14 ER in 36.0 IP) in seven starts, helping the Legends capture their second-straight South Atlantic League title, after stints with Burlington (Rookie) and Surprise (Rookie) earlier in the year.

Following today’s transactions, the Royals have 40 players on their 40-man roster.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The 2019 edition of the NJCAA Division 1 National Volleyball Tournament gets underway today with first matches scheduled to begin at 9:00 am at the Sports Arena in Hutchinson.

12 matches will be played today, 10 on Friday with the Championship matches to be played out for 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd and the Championship on Saturday.

Hill College out of Texas and Seward County out of Liberal, Kansas will open the tourney on Court 1 along with Otero Junior College out of Colorado versus Indian Hills out of Iowa on Court 2 at 9:00 am.

Tickets for the 2019 NJCAA DI Volleyball Championship are on sale now!  Click here to purchase.

ALL-SESSION TICKET — $40 Adult — $25 Student/Senior
SINGLE DAY — $17 Adult — $10 Student/Senior
FINALS ONLY — $12 Adult — $6 Student/Senior

• Finals Only will be for the last two matches on Saturday, Nov. 23rd.
• Students are defined as age five through college (with valid student ID for 18+).  Ages four and under are free
• Senior defined as 60+
• Prices inclusive of taxes and fees (excluding convenience fees when purchasing online).

Eagle Radio Hutchinson will provide broadcasters for all 22 matches over the 3 day span available as Pay-per-view only available at NJCAA Championship TV 

Website

BRACKET

CHAMPIONSHIP SEEDING
SEED		COLLEGE	RECORD
1.		Navarro (TX)	27-0
2.		Miami Dade (FL)	26-2
3.		Seward County (KS)	28-2
4.		Snow (UT)	32-2
5.		Polk State (FL)	22-4
6.		Indian Hills (IA)	35-3
7.		Odessa (TX)	31-1
8.		Hillsborough (FL)	30-8
9.		New Mexico Military	34-4
10.		Iowa Western	28-9
11.		Otero (CO)	23-8
12.		Panola (TX)	29-8
13.		Northeastern (CO)	24-9
14.		Hill (TX)	19-8
15.		Gadsden State (AL)	26-10
16.		Monroe (NY)	27-12

 

 

By JENNA FRYER

AP Auto Racing Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson sat down next to Jeff Gordon at a 2001 driver meeting and asked the champion if he had time to offer any career advice.

Gordon was so impressed with the fellow California native that he encouraged Rick Hendrick to start a team built specifically for the 25-year-old Johnson.

It turned into one of the greatest hires in NASCAR history and nudged Gordon aside as the most dominant driver on the track. Now Johnson will follow Gordon and many other NASCAR superstars into retirement as the seven-time champion announced Wednesday he will retire from full-time competition after next season.

The 44-year-old Johnson joins an exodus of popular drivers that began when Gordon retired after the 2015 season. Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Danica Patrick and Jamie McMurray are among those who followed Gordon out the door.

Johnson, the winningest driver of his era, said in a video posted to his social media and titled “(hash)Chasing8 one final time” that next season will be his final attempt to win a record eighth Cup title. It will be his 19th season in the No. 48 Chevrolet.

“I am so thankful for 18 incredible years of racing in NASCAR,” Johnson said in the black-and-white video comprised of highlights from his career. “This sport has been good to me and allowed me to do something I truly love. I showed up chasing a dream and achieved more than I thought possible. I am looking forward to next season and celebrating what will be my last year as a full-time Cup driver. I know what this team is capable of and I hope 2020 is one of the best yet.”

Johnson scheduled a Thursday news conference at Hendrick Motorsports to discuss his decision. He joins Gordon and Earnhardt Jr. as Hendrick drivers who have called it a career since 2015.

Reaction was immediate from drivers, as well as retired cyclist Lance Armstrong and seven-time Supercross champion Jeremy McGrath.

“Proud of you, bro,” Armstrong wrote. “And even prouder to call you a friend. Let’s go get #8.”

Gordon wrote that Johnson is “a class act & true champion on & off track” while current Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott was among the many young drivers to refer to Johnson as the greatest of all time with an emoji of a goat.

Johnson had two years remaining on his contract when new sponsor Ally signed on before this season to replace Lowe’s, which had sponsored Johnson from his 2001 debut through 2018. Ally last month announced a three-year extension to sponsor the No. 48, but Johnson’s future was not tied to the renewal through 2023.

“Jimmie Johnson is a legend in racing, the epitome of class and the ultimate representative of our brand,” said Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and PR Officer at Ally. “We are proud that Jimmie will finish his remarkable NASCAR driving career with Ally as his primary sponsor.”

Johnson has 83 career victories, tied with Cale Yarborough for sixth all-time. His seven titles are tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for most in the Cup Series, the last one coming in 2016.

Johnson has been in a two-year slump and last won a race in 2017. He had two different crew chief changes this season and missed the playoffs for the first time since the format began in 2004. He finished 18th in the final standings and has just five top-five finishes the last two years.

Johnson has driven for Rick Hendrick his entire Cup career and set a NASCAR record in winning five consecutive titles from 2006 through 2010, an accomplishment that earned him Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year after his fifth crown.

All 83 of Johnson’s wins have come in the No. 48 and include two Daytona 500s, four victories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a record 11 wins at Dover International Speedway, nine at Martinsville Speedway and eight at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Jalen Hurts entered his biggest game as Oklahoma’s quarterback without his security blanket. CeeDee Lamb was ruled out against Baylor for undisclosed medical reasons. Oklahoma’s remaining pass catchers filled the void. Hurts completed 30 of 42 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns as the Sooners rallied from a 25-point deficit to top the Bears 34-31. Lamb could miss Saturday’s game against TCU.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — The NCAA has cleared forward Gabe Osabuohien to play for the West Virginia men’s basketball team this season. The Mountaineers said in a release that the NCAA approved the junior’s waiver request for immediately eligibility on Wednesday. Osabuohien transferred to West Virginia from Arkansas in August, when he was dismissed by Razorbacks coach Eric Musselman without disclosing a reason.

National Headlines

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The NCAA has cleared Memphis freshman basketball player James Wiseman to return to the basketball court on Jan. 12, but he’ll have to donate $11,500 to the charity of his choice to regain his eligibility. The NCAA had ruled Wiseman was “likely ineligible” due to $11,500 coach Penny Hardaway gave the center’s family for moving expenses from Nashville to Memphis in the summer of 2017. He played in the Tigers’ first three games and will now sit out 12 under the NCAA decision.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Browns starting defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi will have to sit out Sunday’s game against Miami after losing the appeal of his one-game suspension. Ogunjobi had his $10,527 fine rescinded by former NFL player James Thrash, who also heard Myles Garrett’s appeal of his 10-game suspension. Ogunjobi shoved Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph seconds after Garrett swung a helmet and struck the Steelers QB in the head.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson says 2020 will be his final season of full-time racing. The winningest driver of his era will have a 19th season in the No. 48 Chevrolet. Johnson has 83 career victories, tied with Cale Yarborough for sixth all-time. The California native’s seven titles are tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for most in the Cup Series, but he hasn’t won a Cup race since 2017.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Second-ranked Louisville trailed 43-40 with 14:07 remaining before allowing just seven more points in a 76-50 win over the Spartans. Ryan McMahon made consecutive 3-pointers and Dwayne Sutton and Darius Perry had one each during the second-half surge. Jordan Nwora had two 3s among his 28 points and helped the 5-0 Cardinals finished 51% from the field.

DENVER (AP) — The Houston Rockets scored fewer than 100 points for the first time all season as the Nuggets limited James Harden to 16 shots in a 105-95 victory. Harden finished with 27 points, snapping his string of eight consecutive games of 36 or more. Nikola Jokic had 27 points and 12 rebounds for the 11-4 Nuggets, who are 7-0 when holding opponents under 100 points.

ATLANTA (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 33 points and Eric Bledsoe added 28 in the Milwaukee Bucks’ fifth straight win, 135-127 against the Hawks. It marked the league-best ninth time this season that Antetokounmpo, the reigning NBA MVP, has had at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie De’Andre Hunter finished with a career-high 27 points and Trae Young scored 25 in Atlanta’s fourth straight loss.

Wednesday Scores

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (2)Louisville 76 SC-Upstate 50
Final (5)North Carolina 75 Elon 61
Final (16)Memphis 68 UALR 58
Final (20)Tennessee 76 Alabama St. 41

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Philadelphia 109 New York 104
Final Washington 138 San Antonio 132
Final Milwaukee 135 Atlanta 127
Final Brooklyn 101 Charlotte 91
Final Dallas 142 Golden State 94
Final Miami 124 Cleveland 100
Final Toronto 113 Orlando 97
Final Chicago 109 Detroit 89
Final Utah 103 Minnesota 95
Final Denver 105 Houston 95
Final OT L.A. Clippers 107 Boston 104

KANSAS CITY. Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs have commenced preparations for the potential of hosting an AFC Wild Card Round or AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.

Opportunities to purchase postseason tickets will be open to the general public on Dec. 5, 2019, with special presales on Dec. 4, 2019, for residents of Jackson County, Mo., Chiefs Season Ticket Members and Chiefs Kingdom Rewards members. Tickets for a potential AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium would only go on-sale once the game is confirmed.

Postseason tickets can be purchased online at chiefs.com/tickets, through the Chiefs Mobile App or at the Arrowhead Stadium Ticket Office. If a postseason game does not occur, fans would be refunded the full amount of the purchased ticket(s) via the method of payment.

In accordance with the long-standing club policy that honors the commitment of the residents of Jackson County, Mo., Jackson County taxpayers will have a priority window to purchase postseason tickets beginning at 9 a.m. on Dec. 4. Jackson County taxpayers must purchase presale tickets in person at the Arrowhead Stadium Ticket Office, located on the northwest side of the stadium between the Founder’s Plaza and the Hy-Vee Gate. Taxpayers purchasing tickets must have one form of identification which includes a photo of the person purchasing the tickets and a paid personal 2018 Jackson County, Mo., property tax receipt. Spouses residing at the same address will be allowed to purchase tickets, even if the property tax receipt is in the other spouse’s name. No phone orders will be accepted for this special presale event.

All Chiefs Season Ticket Members were given an opportunity to opt-in to their postseason tickets earlier this season. Season Ticket Members will also have a special presale opportunity to purchase additional single-game postseason tickets beginning at 10 a.m. on Dec. 4. Information on how to participate will be communicated directly to STMs via e-mail.

Fans who are Chiefs Kingdom Rewards members will also have a presale opportunity beginning at noon on Dec. 4 to purchase single-game postseason tickets. Fans who would like to participate in the CKR presale can sign up for the free program on ChiefsKingdomRewards.com or through the Chiefs Mobile App.

All individual game tickets and parking passes will be mobile entry only and will be available for management immediately upon purchase through the Chiefs Mobile App. Chiefs Season Ticket Members who have secured their tickets and parking will have those automatically uploaded to their exclusive STM card and parking placard, or will be available for management through the Chiefs Mobile App.

2020 NFL Postseason Schedule

• AFC and NFC Wild Card Round Games – Saturday, Jan. 4 and Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020
• AFC and NFC Divisional Round Games – Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020
• AFC and NFC Championship Games – Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020

 

–CHIEFS–

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The buzzer had just sounded on another win for Kansas when coach Bill Self collared East Tennessee State guard Bo Hodges in front of his bench and whispered something in his ear.

Then he did the same to the Pirates’ Tray Boyd III.

“He was just saying we’re a good team. We fight to the end. We’re tough to play,” Boyd said, long after the fourth-ranked Jayhawks weathered a second-half charge for a 75-63 victory Tuesday night.

“They’re the No. 4 team in the nation for a reason,” Boyd added, “but we didn’t back down.”

They sure didn’t.

Kansas (3-1) led by as many as 18 early in the game before the Pirates whittled the lead to 43-31 by the break. East Tennessee State kept charging the final 20 minutes, closing within 61-56 with just over 5 minutes to go, before the Jayhawks finally eased away.

“I thought the first punch they gave us really put us down,” Pirates coach Steve Forbes said, “and it was really hard to battle back from there. But our team, one of our mottos is we’re gritty, grimy, tough and together, and I thought we showed that most of the game.”

Udoka Azubuike pounded home 21 points on an array of dunks to lead the Jayhawks. Devon Dotson had 19 points, most of it coming early in the game, and Marcus Garrett finished with 13 points.

Hodges wound up with 22 and Lucas N’Guessan scored 11 for the Pirates (3-1), who were off to their best start since the 1998-99 season. Daivien Williamson came off the bench to add 10.

The game looked like it would be The Dotson Show from the opening tip, when the sprightly guard coasted in for a layup. He proceeded to hit the Jayhawks’ only 3 of the first half, threw an alley-oop to Silvio de Sousa for an easy dunk and knocked down a pair of free throws during a big early run.

“We wanted to jump on them early and really get that first hit in,” Dotson said, “so just bring the energy and tenacity from the start and that can sway a game.”

The Jayhawks pushed lead to 31-13 before Dotson checked out for the first time.

They never looked quite as good again.

N’Guessan, who had played in Allen Fieldhouse with Oklahoma State, began a second-half charge for the Pirates that trimmed their deficit to 45-36 by the first media timeout.

The Pirates began to take advantage of the turnover problems that plagued Kansas in its season-opening loss to Duke, too. Ochai Agbaji was stripped twice in a span of about a minute, and Garrett and Tristan Enaruna had their pockets picked on back-to-back trips.

Seven times in a span of 12 possessions the Jayhawks turned the ball over.

East Tennessee State’s confidence rose as shots started to fall. Boyd knocked down a pair of 3-pointers, then Patrick Good added two of his own, getting the Pirates within 61-56 with 5:52 left.

Azubuike kept hammering home answers.

His one-handed jam over N’Guessan raised the crowd to its feet, and the 7-footer’s two-handed dunk drew a foul and left the rim rattling as the teams retreated to their benches for a timeout.

“The guys did a good job of feeding me the ball,” Azubuike said, “so I went to work.”

Boyd was left marveling: “What do y’all feed him? Goodness,” he said.

It was still 61-56 when Garrett was fouled and made both free throws. Then, after Williamson turned the ball over for East Tennessee State, de Sousa threw down an alley-oop dunk in transition that helped to punctuate the win for the Jayhawks.

“I thought we played a really good team,” Self said. “I really like their team. They’re going to be really good. They’re veterans, they can stretch it and they made some hard shots late to get back in the game, but I thought we closed it really well.”

BIG PICTURE

East Tennessee State showed why it’s a good bet to reach the NCAA Tournament. The Pirates spotted the Jayhawks a big early lead — almost always a losing scenario in the Phog — yet relied on a senior-laden group that has won plenty of games to keep from getting blown out.

Kansas had chances to put the game away early. But its offense languished after a fast start, and even the sure-handed Dotson had turnover trouble. Those are issues that will accompany the Jayhawks to the Maui Invitational, where they could face Michigan State down the road.

UP NEXT

East Tennessee State plays Delaware State on Saturday.

Kansas faces Chaminade on Monday night in Lahaina, Hawaii.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Xavier Sneed had 21 points and six rebounds, Cartier Diarra had seven points and eight assists as Kansas State escaped a scare from Arkansas-Pine Bluff 62-51 on Tuesday night.

The Wildcats continue to struggle in the first half and still haven’t led at intermission yet this season.

“If we continue to do that as the competition gets better, we won’t be able to come back,” coach Bruce Weber said. “We’ve had to grind out some things, but we are learning and growing from it.”

Sneed had five 3-pointers and it was the first time he’d scored more than 20 points in a game since leading Kansas State past Kentucky in the Sweet 16 two years ago.

“We’re still getting better and a lot of our guys are learning still,” Sneed said. “We’re all being coachable and that’s the biggest thing right now.”

Marquell Carter led the Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-4) with 20 points and nine rebounds as the Lions trailed by just six points with nine minutes left in the game.

This was Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s narrowest margin of defeat this season.

The Lions were without two of their top players, Shaun Doss and Terrance Banyard, who both got injured in the past few days.

“I think we came in with the mindset of how this game would go, but credit to them,” Weber said.

Makol Mawien finished with 10 points and Antonio Gordon provided nine as Kansas State ended with 24 points in the paint and 10 offensive rebounds.

Neither team took care of the ball very well as Kansas State had 16 turnovers compared to Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s 20.

Kansas State (4-0) has relied heavily on Diarra and his ability to see the floor as he set a school record for most assists in the first four games of a season with 27.

“I try to get their eyes off me and make my teammates look better,” Diarra said. “Got to keep passing the ball and getting assists and if they’re making shots that’ll open more shots for me and allow me to attack.”

A zone defense by the Lions proved to be troublesome and the Wildcats posted the fewest point total in a home game this season.

Kansas State was able to make a season high eight 3-pointers and held the Golden Lions to just three.

Both teams had a 12-0 run in the first half, and they were squared at 27 after 20 minutes.

INJURY WATCH 

Montavious Murphy didn’t play for the Wildcats due to an injury he sustained against Monmouth last week. He averages five points and five rebounds this season.

“He tweaked his knee in the game last week, but it’s nothing major,” Weber said. “We’re hoping for him to play next week, but we’re not going to push it.”

BIG PICTURE 

Arkansas-Pine Bluff had too many turnovers to hang with the Wildcats but showed promise after a poor start to the season.

Kansas State’s first half woes continued, but they were able to pull away in the second half.

UP NEXT 

Arkansas-Pine Bluff plays its third game in six days Thursday when they face Pittsburgh.

Kansas State will take part in the Fort Myers Tipoff in Florida when they take on Pittsburgh on Monday.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Morris Udeze and reserve Jamarius Burton scored 15 points apiece and Wichita State rolled past Gardner-Webb 74-52 on Tuesday night.

Trey Wade pitched in with 11 points and five rebounds for the Shockers (4-0). Erik Stevenson totaled 10 points, five assists and zero turnovers.

Jaheam Cornwall scored a career-high 22 points for the Runnin’ Bulldogs (0-4). Jose Perez sank just 1 of 10 shots but handed out six assists.

Wichita State shot 47% from the floor, 31% from 3-point range and hit 11 of 15 free throws. Gardner-Webb sank 11 of 21 from distance (52%) but just 5 of 24 from inside the arc (21%).

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Udoka Azubuike pounded home 21 points, Devon Dotson added 19 and fourth-ranked Kansas weathered East Tennessee State’s second-half charge to escape with a 75-63 victory. Marcus Garrett added 13 points for the Jayhawks, who led by as many as 18 early in the game before the Pirates closed within 61-56 with just over 5 minutes to go. Bo Hodges led the Pirates with 22 points.

Xavier Sneed had 21 points and six rebounds, Cartier Diarra had seven points and eight assists as Kansas State escaped a scare from Arkansas-Pine Bluff 62-51 on Tuesday night. The Wildcats continue to struggle in the first half and still haven’t led at intermission yet this season.

Morris Udeze and reserve Jamarius Burton scored 15 points apiece and Wichita State rolled past Gardner-Webb 74-52 on Tuesday night. Trey Wade pitched in with 11 points and five rebounds for the Shockers (4-0). Erik Stevenson totaled 10 points, five assists and zero turnovers.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have struggled to put away teams this season, including in a loss just over a week ago in Tennessee. But after a late touchdown by the Chargers made their game in Mexico City a nail-biter, the Chiefs defense finally stepped up in a crucial moment. It picked off Philip Rivers and preserved a 24-17 victory heading into the Chiefs’ bye.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — With three games left, Iowa State is in position to put up the best scoring season in school history. The Cyclones enter Saturday’s home finale against Kansas with a chance to move closer to breaking the program’s record for points per game of 33.5 set in 1976. Iowa State is averaging 35.1 points a game in 2019.

UNDATED (AP) — West Virginia’s chances for an elusive bowl berth rest with a quarterback who wasn’t a significant part of the offense a few games ago. Bowling Green transfer Jarret Doege delivered last week in his first start when West Virginia needed a spark at Kansas State to end a five-game losing streak. The junior is expected to get the call again when the Mountaineers try to break a three-game home losing streak Saturday against No. 22 Oklahoma State.

National Headlines

UNDATED (AP) — The College Football Playoff rankings were unchanged at the top this week, with LSU first followed by Ohio State, Clemson and Georgia. The selection committee’s third weekly rankings had little movement in the top 10, with Alabama fifth followed by Oregon, Utah, Penn State, Oklahoma and Minnesota.

PORTLAND (AP) — In what was the first game of his 17th NBA season, Carmelo Anthony scored the Portland Trail Blazers’ first points of the game against New Orleans on Tuesday. It was a 3 from 26 feet out. But Anthony wound up missing 10 of 14 shots and finishing with 10 points in a 115-1-4 loss to the Pelicans. Jrue Holiday had 22 points and 10 assists, Brandon Ingram added 21 points for the Pelicans. Portland leading scorer and four-time All-Star Damian Lillard missed his first game of the season with back spasms.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The seasons may have ended, but Major League Baseball is still looking into accusations of sign stealing against the Houston Astros. The claim was made in a report last week by The Atlantic. It cited Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers (FY’-urz) who says that when he was with Houston in 2017, the Astros stole signs during home games by using a camera positioned in center. Commissioner Rob Manfred says the probe will be completed by next season and that any discipline needed will be substantial.

BOSTON (AP) — The Patriots have activated left tackle Isaiah Wynn from injured reserve in hopes of bolstering their injury-plagued offensive line. In addition, New England has placed rookie receiver Gunner Olszewski on IR with ankle and hamstring injuries. Wynn started the first two games of the season before suffering a foot injury in the first quarter of New England’s 43-0 win at Miami on Sept. 15.

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets outfielder Yoenis Céspedes is taking batting practice in his effort to return from a slew of lower-body injuries. Minor league instructor and former Mets player Endy Chavez posted and then deleted video of the 34-year-old Céspedes taking swings. That came a few weeks after general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said he was uncertain whether Céspedes would play in 2020 after breaking an ankle in May while recovering from surgery on both heels.

Tuesday Scores

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (7)Virginia 61 Vermont 55
Final (4)Kansas 75 ETSU 63
Final (6)Maryland 74 Fairfield 55
Final (8)Gonzaga 72 Texas-Arlington 66
Final (25)Washington 72 Maine 53

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Golden State 114 Memphis 95
Final New Orleans 115 Portland 104
Final Sacramento 120 Phoenix 116
Final L.A. Lakers 112 Oklahoma City 107

(BY STEVE CARPENTER)
(HUTCHINSON CC SPORTS INFORMATION)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Freshman Josh Baker posted the second 20-point game this season to lead the No. 4 Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball team to an 8-0 record on Tuesday night.