Royals
June 14

Royals keep rolling with 7-2 victory over Rays

Billy Butler paced an efficient 10-hit attack with two singles and three RBIs as the Royals won Friday for the ninth time in 10 games, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 at Tropicana Field. Salvy Perez added two hits and two RBIs. And Elliot Johnson continued to bedevil his former teammates.

University of Kansas
June 14

New KU assistant coach Howard back with Self

Jerrance Howard, who played for Bill Self at Illinois, has reconnected with Self as a an assistant coach at Kansas. And for Self and KU, a program going through a spring of promising rebirth, the addition of Howard fits with the Jayhawks’ recent theme of rejuvenation.

ROYALS
June 14

Poll: What has been biggest factor in Royals' recent turnaround?

After a dismal May, the Royals have rebounded this month, winning their series against the Twins, sweeping the Astros and taking two of three from the Central-leading Tigers. They pounded the Rays 10-1 on Thursday, and heading into tonight's game at Tampa, they were only five games behind Detroit. What has keyed their turnaround? James Shields (pictured) and the rest of their starters? The bullpen? Vote in our poll.

SAM MELLINGER
June 14

Thoughts on the Royals, pitching and Brett

Sam Mellinger writes that there are some signs that hitting coach George Brett is having a positive effect on the Royals. But really, he says the Royals are winning again because of their outstanding pitching from the starters and the bullpen.

NHL news
June 14

NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes in limbo, but move to KC unlikely

The city of Glendale, Ariz., is facing another challenge to keep the Phoenix Coyotes in town, seemingly once again giving the Sprint Center a chance to land a NHL franchise. But that’s not the case, according to Kansas City Mayor Sly James. “Not likely anytime soon,” James wrote on Twitter in response to a question about the possibility of the NHL coming to Kansas City.

College Sports
June 14

College athletes of the year at KU, K-State and Mizzou

It’s not every year a major college that orbits Kansas City wins an NCAA championship, or claims three conference titles in major sports, or spends its first year in a new league. But it all happened in 2012-13. The Star’s Blair Kerkhoff has taken time to review and recognize the outstanding athletes for Kansas, Missouri and Kansas State this academic year. All three of his choices excelled on a national level.

JUDGING THE ROYALS
June 14

Elliot Johnson predicts the future

Before the Royals left on this trip, Elliot Johnson discussed Tropicana Field and what to look for during this series. He said balls do not carry well in center field. Smart pitchers will use that to their advantage. They pitch to the big part of the park — here it is, try to hit it over the center-field wall — and then count on their center fielders to run the fly balls down. He also said the ball would carry well down the lines, and Johnson hit his home run to right field, about halfway up the bottom section of seats.

Sam Mellinger
June 13

Why this road trip is crucial for George Brett

Brett began this new life two weeks ago. He is exactly halfway through a one-month commitment as hitting coach, and this road trip may be the most important time he has with the team. Not just for the coaching, either. But for himself. To figure out not just whether he can do this job, but whether he wants to.

GOLF
June 14

Mickelson's 67 holding up into 2nd round at US Open

Phil Mickelson's round held up, and so did Tiger Woods' left wrist. Mickelson's 3-under 67 was the top score in a delayed first round that was completed Friday morning at the U.S. Open. He was one shot of ahead of Luke Donald and Mathew Goggin, who played in a cool drizzle that was far gentler than the storms that interrupted play twice on Thursday.