The Kansas City Royals had a winning road trip following another rough homestand where they won just one game, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0 on Sunday afternoon for a series win, finishing the road trip between Seattle and Arizona with a 4-3 record.&nbsp;

Recently named American League All Star Bobby Witt Jr opened the scoring for the Royals in the shutout win with a solo home run to left field, his 12th of the season.&nbsp; After a flyout by Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez extended the lead with a solo home run of his own, also going to left center field for his 10th of the season, putting Kansas City up 2-0.&nbsp;

The Royals scored their final two runs in the fifth inning, John Rave singling home Jac Caglianone, after Caglianone led the inning off being hit by a pitch and stealing second base for his first major league stolen base.&nbsp; Nick Loftin who singled in the inning moved to third base on the hit by Rave, and scored on a single by Kyle Isbel for the final run giving Kansas City the 4-0 lead.&nbsp;

Michael Lorenzen pitched a gem in the finale, earning the win and improving to 5-8 on the season, pitching seven innings and giving up just two hits in the shutout effort, striking out seven and walking one.&nbsp; At the plate, Isbel was 2-for-4 with an RBI, Pasquantino was also 2-for-4 with two doubles.&nbsp; Perez was 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.&nbsp;

Also announced during the game was that Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic will join Witt Jr in Atlanta, Georgia for the All Star Game.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bubic has 107 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings, and his 2.36 ERA this season ranks fifth-best among AL starters. Bubic earned AL Pitcher of the Month honors back in May with a 0.56 ERA.

Kansas City now will return to Kauffman Stadium, again hoping for better luck, taking welcoming in Pittsburgh.&nbsp; Noah Cameron (2-4, 2.56 ERA) makes the start for the Royals against Andrew Heaney (4-7, 4.16 ERA) for the Pirates.&nbsp; First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage starts at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Royals shutout D-Backs 4-0 for series win, Witt Jr. and Bubic named AL All Stars

September corn closed up 2 1/4 cents and December corn was up 3 1/2 cents. August soybeans closed up 2 cents and November soybeans were up 1 1/4 cents. September KC wheat closed down 6 1/4 cents, September Chicago wheat was down 7 1/4 cents, September Minneapolis wheat was down 1 3/4 cents.

September corn closed up 14 cents and December corn was up 10 cents. August soybeans closed up 28 1/2 cents and November soybeans were up 24 1/2 cents. September KC wheat closed up 2 cents, September Chicago wheat was up 23 cents and September Minneapolis wheat was up 19 1/4 cents.

Grain and oilseed markets were mixed to mostly positive on Thursday. Markets closed moderately below daily highs amid technical resistance ahead of the long weekend, with traders not quite willing to extend bullish price bets to the next level with the nearby weather outlook still appearing mostly favorable for growing crops. At this point, the rally is primarily driven by short covering ahead of the holiday break, with no significant changes to the underlying fundamental picture for row crop markets. Meanwhile, investors and traders spent the session awaiting the final House of Representative vote on the 2025 Budget bill. The final vote was delayed but eventually the bill did pass just minutes after the close of trade for Thursday, sending the legislation to President Trump's desk by Independence Day.

It's refreshing to see the live cattle complex traded fully higher into Thursday's close, and to see the spot August contracts fully and confidently trading above the market's 40-day moving average. At this point, it seems safe to assume that traders feel as if the market has endured enough immediate pressure, but it will be imperative that fundamental support begins to improve early next week if traders are going to keep with their current upward trend. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that the fed cash cattle will be able to trade higher as packers continue to build up supply around themselves, and at some point, boxed beef prices will likely break to fit the seasonal norm.

With the continued support of seeing the live cattle contracts trading higher, the feeder cattle market also traded fully higher into Thursday's close. It will be especially interesting to see if Superior's Week in the Rockies sale (which happens all of next week) will be as strong as the Corn Belt Classic was. From a demand perspective, buyers are still in desperate need of calves, but the concern at the back of cow-calf producers' minds is that some buyers could elect to see how aggressive an influx of Mexican feeder cattle imports is going to be. And if that will give them another avenue to buy from and at a cheaper price.

It's been a tough fundamental week for the lean hog complex. Couple the dip in consumer demand with this morning's lousy export report, and it's no surprise that the contracts were trading lower into Thursday's closing bell. In this morning's pork cutout report, no major declines were seen, but with most of the cuts trading lower, that was enough pressure to push the carcass price lower, too.

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/03150238/web-closing-markets.mp3">HERE</a> for audio

Commodity markets daily recap

The USDA will lead a trade mission to the Dominican Republic from July 13-17 to expand market access and boost America’s agricultural exports. The delegation includes 47 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and officials from several state departments of agriculture. Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs Michelle Bekkering, who will lead the mission said “USDA is committed to opening up more export opportunities for American agriculture. This trade mission will connect U.S. exporters with key buyers, tapping into Latin America’s growing demand"  

The Dominican Republic is the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in the Western Hemisphere and the top market within the Central America Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic region. It’s helped increase U.S. exports to the Dominican Republic to $2.2 billion in 2024. The U.S. supplies 44 percent of the country’s agricultural imports.

USDA trade mission heading to the Dominican Republic

As Americans fire up their grills on Independence Day and throughout the summer, the National Farmers Union highlights how little independence family farmers have in the marketplace. The “Farmers’ Share of the Food Dollar,” released this week, highlights how little family farmers earn compared to how much consumers pay at the grocery store. Family farmers get only a small fraction of their income from popular Independence Day foods, an average of as low as 16.3 percent of a $30 shopping cart. 

For example, one pound of ground beef costs an average of $5.99 a pound, and the farmer’s share is $2.08. An eight-count package of hamburger buns retails for $3.79, and the farmer’s share is nine cents, or 2.3 percent. One pound of lettuce is $3.55, and farmers get 29 cents. NFU President Rob Larew says, “Family farmers and ranchers are working harder than ever and taking home less, all while corporate monopolies make record profits.”

Family farmers don’t get much Independence on July 4th

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/02142633/30001-closing-markets.wav">HERE</a> to listen to audio for your closing markets

September corn closed up 12 cents and December corn was up 11 1/2 cents. August soybeans closed up 23 3/4 cents and November soybeans were up 20 3/4 cents. September KC wheat closed up 11 cents, September Chicago wheat was up 15 cents, September MIAX Minneapolis wheat was up 20 1/2 cents.

The U.S. Dollar Index is down 0.03 at 96.79. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 39.0 points at 44,768.0. August gold is up $13.10 at $3,362.90, September silver is up $0.34 at $36.74 and September copper is up $0.1090. August crude oil is up $1.95 at $67.40, August ultra-low sulfur diesel is up $0.0795, August RBOB gasoline is up $0.0207 and August natural gas is up $0.071.

September corn futures closed up 12 cents to $4.18. December futures were up 11 1/2 cents to $4.33 1/2. In overnight trade, September futures appeared primed to test the $4.00 mark again and traded as low as $4.02 before buyers stepped in to ultimately send prices up 16 cents off the low by the close. It could be we are seeing traders' express satisfaction that the surge in recent bearish bias for the corn market is adequately priced in at this point.

Tuesday's Grain Crushing's report was neutral for the most part. Corn used for ethanol in May was 449.4 million bushels (mb), in line with expectations but about 1.3% less than in May 2024. In fact, monthly corn grind has fallen below the respective month from 2024 in four out of the past six months. Corn grind will need to average 473 mb per month over the final quarter of the marketing year to hit the USDA goal of 5.5 billion bushels (bb). At this point this seems like a stretch; I personally have lowered my estimate for 2024-25 corn crush to 5.45 bb. The Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday that last week's ethanol production averaged 1.076 million barrels per day, the third straight weekly decline but still larger than the previous 4-year average for the same week.

In corn technicals, December futures rose to post their highest close since June 23. Prices once again were supported in the $4.15 to $4.20 range. The close back above the former contract low at $4.28 is a positive technical achievement. The short-term bullish objective should be to return prices to downtrend resistance in the upper $4.30s.

The DTN National Corn Index finished Tuesday at $3.92. Wednesday's futures close and implied corn basis of 14 cents under the September board would indicate the index on Wednesday afternoon to be near $4.04.

August soybeans surged 23 3/4 cents on Wednesday to $10.53 1/2. New-crop November soybeans followed suit, up 20 3/4 cents to $10.48. It was all around bullish session for the soybean complex as soybean oil futures started the session strong with a gap higher, pulling soybeans along for the ride but the market really took off midmorning with the announcement of the trade deal with Vietnam, which injected a new shot of trade optimism into the market.

Tuesday's Fats and Oils report was overall strong. USDA reported soybeans crushed in May totaled 203.68 mb, just slightly less than I was anticipating but still the strongest May on record at 6% higher than May 2024. The U.S. crush industry has only posted two months through the marketing year thus far at less than 200 mb, keeping the program on pace to hit the USDA goal of 2.420 bb of crush if not slightly more. I personally am penciling 2.425 bb for the marketing year. Also supportive were historically low soybean oil stocks for the end of May/beginning of June at 1.4 billion pounds, 19% less than in May 2024. Meanwhile meal stocks were 36% larger than in May 2024, adding to supply woes in that market. However, meal futures traded higher Wednesday as well amid a very technically oversold market in the short term as well as overwhelmingly positive influence from the soybean market.

In regard to the trade agreement with Vietnam, it is possible traders are viewing it more as a show of optimism that similar agreements will ultimately be reached with trading partners such as Japan and most importantly for soybeans, China. Vietnam is certainly no slouch in the soybean trade however, importing 38.75 mb of soybeans from the U.S. in 2024, good for ninth among buying countries.

In soybean technicals, November futures erupted through the major moving averages in the $10.35 to $10.40 range and have now reclaimed about 50% of last week's losses back to the June 18 high. $10.50 may be the next source of resistance for a sustained move higher. To the downside, a test of the 50-day moving average near $10.36 1/2 currently for support seems likely and will be an important technical test for gauging the staying power of the emerging price rally.

The DTN National Soybean Index finished Tuesday at $9.76. Wednesday's futures close and implied soybean basis of 54 cents under the August board would indicate the index on Wednesday afternoon to be near $10.00.

September Kansas City wheat closed 11 cents higher on Wednesday to $5.42 1/4. September Chicago wheat was 15 cents higher while MIAX Minneapolis September spring wheat was 20 1/2 cents higher. The spring wheat market continues to be the bull of the wheat complex, driven by lower year-over-year acreage and expanding drought concerns for Montana, Idaho, and eastern Washington. Winter wheat prices were able to shake off harvest pressure on Wednesday, riding a wave of overarching grain market positivity to close higher by double digits as well.

In world wheat markets, Paris milling futures recovered from a rough past week of trade which sent prices back near 2025 lows. The intense heat wave may be worth keeping an eye on for adverse effects, although the majority of the wheat is mature at this point and harvest just around the corner. In Russia, the International Grains Council (IGC) reported winter wheat harvest is 1% complete as of the end of June, a slow start to harvest which supported export offers through the past week although Russian offers still remain among the least expensive in the world according to the weekly IGC report.

In wheat technicals, September KC futures were able to move back above support at $5.37 on Wednesday, which will be an important level to watch for a retest in coming sessions. The 20-day and 50-day moving averages just below $5.50 are the immediate bullish target for a further retracement of last week's losses. The next round of support is currently seen near $4.27.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced risk-based port re-openings for cattle, bison, and equines from Mexico beginning as early as July 7. USDA - after extensive collaboration between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service experts and their counterparts in Mexico to increase New World screwworm surveillance, detection, and eradication efforts - is set to begin a phased reopening of the southern ports, starting with Douglas, Arizona. 

Progress has been made in several critical areas since the ports were closed on May 11, including the resolution of challenges with conducting flights in Mexico that allowed the USDA team to consistently conduct sterile NWS fly dispersal seven days a week and the dispersal of more than 100 million flies each week. “We’ve focused on fighting the New World screwworm’s advancement in Mexico,” Rollins said. “We have made good progress with our counterparts in Mexico to increase surveillance efforts and have boosted sterile fly dispersal efforts.”

Phased reopening for southern livestock imports

Farmer sentiment weakened in June following two months of improvement. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 12 points from the previous month to 146. A change in producers’ expectations for the future served as the primary factor in the shift. The Index of Future Expectations sank 18 points to 146. However, the Current Conditions Index only lost two points to 144. 

A drop in optimism about future agricultural exports seems to have influenced producers’ weakened outlook. Even with the June declines, all three indexes persist at higher levels than a year ago. The Farm Financial Performance Index dropped five points to 104, with producers projecting a slightly weaker financial outlook for their farms in June compared to May. An index above 100 indicates that U.S. farmers expect a stronger financial performance in 2025 than in 2024. The Farm Capital Investment Index rose five points in June to 60. 

Farmer sentiment weakens on trade outlook 

September corn closed down 3 1/4 cents and December corn was down 3 1/2 cents. August soybeans closed unchanged, and November soybeans were up 1/4 cent. September KC wheat closed up 4 1/2 cents, September Chicago wheat was up 10 3/4 cents and September Minneapolis wheat was up 7 3/4 cents.

Grain and oilseed markets recovered from overnight losses to trade well off session lows, with price action following USDA clues given in Monday's Crop Progress report. For now, it would appear markets have moved past Monday's Acreage and Stocks data, with traders likely eager to see what the weather holds as spring crops prepare to enter a crucial period for development. Outside market influence on Tuesday was mixed, with energy markets quietly higher and stocks mixed to mostly higher. Headline news for Tuesday was the Senate passing President Trump's budget bill by a vote of 51-50, with Vice President Vance casting the deciding vote. The bill now returns to the House, where Senate revisions will be voted on.

Although the live cattle contracts did not react as drastically as the feeder cattle contracts to the USDA's announcement that some Mexican cattle imports will resume as early as July 5. The market still traded lower thanks to the bearish news. Still no cash cattle trade has developed. Asking prices are noted in the South at $225-plus, but are still not established in the North. Trade will likely be delayed for at least another day.

And just like that, the oxygen that seemed so bountiful in the feeder cattle complex has dried up as traders negatively reacted to the announcement that the US will begin to allow Mexican cattle Imports starting as soon as July 5. Nevertheless, the biggest concern that cattle producers have is how many cattle are now going to be allowed to cross the border? And how is that going to affect domestic prices? Unfortunately, time will have to answer those questions, but today's negative downturn is a psychological reaction to the announcement. The fact remains that even with Mexican feeder cattle imports, the US still will be short of feeder cattle, but the concern is that if imports flood the market, some of the upper echelon of the market could quickly disappear.

With cash prices lower and pork cutout values sharply lower, it comes as no real surprise that the lean hog complex is also traded no better than mixed into Tuesday's closing bell. Oddly enough today the biggest reason why the carcass price is lower is because the belly wass down $9.10 and the butt was down $6.69.

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/01143749/web-closing-markets.mp3">HERE</a> for audio

Growth Energy says Americans will potentially save over $10.1 billion in fuel costs this summer thanks to an emergency waiver issued this year by the Environmental Protection Agency. The waiver allowed for the continued sale of E15 throughout the summer. An analysis from Growth Energy says if American drivers choose E15 instead of the standard E10 this summer, they could collectively save more than 10.1 billion dollars. 

“Access to E15 is a win for American drivers and for American energy dominance,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This summer, up to $10.1 billion dollars is money that could go back into the pockets of working families, and we should never put those savings on hold.” Now that the waiver is in place, Growth Energy is pushing for Congress to make unrestricted access to E15 available year-round. Those savings will deliver relief for working families while creating jobs and economic growth. 

Summer E15 waiver will save billions of dollars

The USDA’s Planted Acreage report shows more corn and fewer soybeans, wheat, and cotton acres. Corn planted area is estimated at just over 95 million acres in 2025, up by five percent from 2024. That’s the third-highest planted acres in the U.S. since 1944. The area harvested for grain is expected to be five percent higher than last year at nearly 87 million acres. 

Soybean planted area for 2025 is estimated at 83.5 million acres, down four percent from last year. The all-wheat planted area this year is estimated at 45.5 million acres, down one percent from 2024. The winter wheat planted area, at 33.3 million acres, is down less than one percent from last year but up slightly from the prior estimate. The all-cotton planted area for this year is estimated at 10.1 million acres, down ten percent from last year. The upland area is down nine percent from 2024.

Planted acreage report more corn, fewer soybeans

September corn closed down 2 1/4 cents and December corn was down 1 1/2 cents. August soybeans closed down 3 1/2 cents and November soybeans were up 2 1/4 cents. September KC wheat closed down 7 cents, September Chicago wheat was down 2 1/2 cents, September Minneapolis wheat was down 7 1/4 cents.

Grain markets were choppy but surprisingly calm following the release of the 2025 Acreage report and June 1 Stocks reports from USDA. The reports did hold a few surprises, but for the most part came in very close to what traders expected. It is likely the market will shift focus back to growing season weather and winter wheat harvests beginning with Monday afternoon's Crop Progress update from USDA. In outside markets, equities were firm following the announced resumption of trade discussions between the United States and Canada after Friday's ultimately brief spat over digital services tax. Meanwhile, energy markets remain an extremely narrow trade for the past four sessions following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The U.S. Dollar Index is pushing to new 2025 lows as market anxiety over tariffs and trade has returned to some degree ahead of the July 9 deadline for the 90-day tariff pause, with President Trump stating over the weekend there are no plans to extend the pause in most instances.

Believe it or not, the live cattle complex traded higher into Monday's close, following the large surge in which the market accomplished last Friday. More than anything traders seem to be looking at the market's regression and seem to believe that enough immediate downside pressure has been endured for the meantime. Now what's perplexing about that conclusion is that traders are willing to advance the contracts amid mixed market fundamentals: boxed beef prices continue to scale higher while fed cash cattle prices are drifting lower. Thankfully Friday's surge of the contracts helped push the spot August contract back above its 40-day moving average, which will continue to be a threshold to monitor. New showlists appear to be mixed, higher in Texas, and Nebraska/Colorado, but lower in Kansas.

Following the lead of the live cattle complex, the feeder cattle contracts also traded fully higher into Monday's closing bell. But even though the fed cash cattle market has been trading lower in recent weeks, the feeder cattle complex has remained consistent in the countryside as buyers continue to show up and buy aggressively as they need to fill their orders and there simply aren't enough calves to go around to do so in a relaxed manner. Given that this week is a holiday-shortened week for the Fourth of July, feeder cattle sales will be light.

While the cattle contracts were rallying, the lean hog complex continued with its downward trend as the market isn't seeing the fundamental support it needs currently. Pork cutout values were disturbing to look at this morning as the rib was down $16.25 and the ham down $6.79.

Click <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/06/30155024/web-closing-markets-1.mp3">HERE</a> for audio

DAVIESS COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Saturday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Toyota Camry driven by a 41-year-old Gallatin woman was westbound on MO 6 one mile east of Altamont.&nbsp; The car traveled off the north side of the road, returned to the road and the driver overcorrected. The traveled off the south side of the road down an embankment. It struck a fence and a tree.

EMS transported the driver and a 39-year-old passenger from Iowa to Liberty Hospital. The passenger was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 hospitalized after violent crash down embankment

HOLT COUNTY —A Missouri was injured and arrested after an accident that occurred just after 3a.m. Friday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1992 Ford Ranger driven by 21-year-old Carter J. Holecek of Mound City was southbound on U.S. 59 at Adobe Road three miles north of Craig. The driver failed to yield&nbsp;to a road closure and the pickup struck a bridge under construction.

Atchison-Holt Ambulance transported the Holeck to Mosaic Life Care. He was arresed on requested charges of DWI, failure to maintain right half of the road, driving on a closed road, failure to display valid plates and for no seat belt.

Mo. man accused of DWI after crash on closed road

CALDWELL COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Friday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Can-Am ATV driven by an 18-year-old Independence woman was southbound&nbsp; down a hill in a field on NE Pleasant RIdge Road one mile south of New York Township.

The driver lost control of the vehicle. The driver and two passengers were ejected. A private vehicle transported the teen driver a 14-year-old boy and 5-year-old girl, both from Sugar Creek, to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; The MSHP no longer releases names of accident victims.

18-year-old, 2 juveniles hospitalized after ATV accident

BUCHANAN COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 11p.m. Thursday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 2006 Chrysler Town &amp; Country driven by a 51-year-old St. Joseph&nbsp; woman and a 2015 Kawasaki UTV driven by a 54-year-old St. Joseph man were northbound on Pigeon Hill Road approaching 40th Road SE five miles south of St.&nbsp; Joseph.

The van rear-ended the UTV. After impact the UTV traveled off the east side of the road, returned to the road and overturned.

Buchanan County EMS transported the UTV driver, a 42-year-old woman, a 7-year-old girl, both passengers on the UTV to Mosaic Life Care. A third passenger on the UTV was checked at the scene by Andrew County EMS&nbsp; and releases. The van driver was not injured. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 adults, 7-year-old hospitalized after van rear-ends UTV

Keep safety top of mind this Independence
Day holiday weekend.

National Fireworks Association President,
Stacy Schneitter-Blake of St. Joseph, says those who sell fireworks urge their
customers to be safe as they celebrate.

“We always want to make sure that people that
are using fireworks for their celebration are taking the correct safety
measures,” Schneitter-Balke tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Schneitter-Blake with Schneitter
Fireworks and Importers says just a few steps will ensure your celebration
remains safe.

“We always want to make sure you’re
buying from a reputable company. Always have water handy. Make sure to brace
your cakes, your fountains, definitely your mortar shells,” Schneitter-Blake
says. “We want to make sure that people are celebrating safely this 4th
of July season.”

A couple of websites have safety tips as
well:&nbsp; the National Fireworks Association
website as well as the website maintained by the American Pyrotechnics Safety
and Education Foundation.

Click <a href="https://www.nationalfireworks.com/safety-resources">HERE</a> for the National Fireworks
Association safety tips.

Click <a href="https://www.celebratesafely.org/safety-resources">HERE</a> for by the American
Pyrotechnics Safety and Education Foundation safety tips.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Keep safe this Independence Day holiday

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Thursday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander driven by a 31-year-old St. Joseph woman was eastbound on U.S. 59 in Country Club. The driver failed to stop at the posted stop sign at Business 29 and yield to oncoming traffic.&nbsp;

The SUV entered the southbound lanes of Business 29 and a southbound 2015 Ford Explorer driven by a 32-year-old Mound City man struck the Outlander.

Andrew County EMS transported the driver of the Ford and his passenger to Mosaic Life Care. They were both properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The driver of the Outlander was not injured. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man, woman injured after SUVs collide 

HARRISON COUNTY —Five people were injured in accident just before 11p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 GMC Yukon driven by a 39-year-old St. Joseph man was southbound on Interstate 35 four miles north of Bethany.&nbsp;

The SUV traveled off the left side of the road into the median. It struck a&nbsp; drain field, became airborne and rolled.

Life Flight Eagle transported the driver to Truman Medical Center.&nbsp; NTA EMS transported a 28-year-old female passenger of St. Joseph to Truman Medical Center. NTA ambulance also transported an 8-year-old girl,&nbsp; a 3-year-old girl and an infant girl to Harrison County. Community Hospital. All five were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 adults, 3 children from St. Joe injured in SUV rollover crash

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect&nbsp; for an alleged violent crime.

Shortly before 10:30a.m. on Tuesday officers responded to a residence in the 600 block South 7th Street where a person was on the premises who had previously been trespassed from that property, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 When officers arrived it was determined that the subject, identified as 37-year-old Jeffery E. Walker of Atchison, had threatened great bodily harm to a 57-year-old woman at the residence with a knife. 

Jeffery Walker was located on the property and taken into custody on requested charges of criminal trespass and aggravated assault and taken to the County Jail.

Police: Kan. man threatened woman with a knife

The Missouri National Education Association hopes to stop the use of the state’s general revenue to fund private school scholarships

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri National Education Association is suing the state in an effort to block the appropriation of $51 million to MOScholars, the state’s K-12 scholarship program.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Verified%20Petition%20for%20Declaratory%20Judgment%20and%20Injunctive%20Relief.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3602182" target="_blank">lawsuit filed in Cole County Circuit Court Monday</a>, MNEA argues that state funds cannot be directly given to MOScholars under the current statute.

MNEA vice president Rebeka McIntosh and member Kimberly Duvall, who serves as president of the Blue Springs chapter of the National Education Association, are suing on behalf of the organization’s 30,000 members.

“The General Assembly has far overstepped its authority and violated five provisions of the Missouri Constitution by using an appropriations bill to construct out of whole cloth a scheme to divert general revenues to what are essentially vouchers for the payment of private school tuition for elementary and secondary school students,” MNEA’s attorney Loretta Haggard wrote.

MOScholars currently operates using nonprofits dubbed “educational assistance organizations” to gather donations and distribute scholarships to students in private, parochial or home schools. Donors can receive a tax credit equal to 100% of their contribution but can use it to cover no more than half of their state tax liability.&nbsp;

State law allows 4% of donations to be reserved to cover the costs of administering the program, including marketing.

But the budget passed by the lawmakers&nbsp; “dramatically changes the landscape,” Haggard contends.

The budget signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe Monday includes an injection of general revenue to the MOScholars program, budgeting $50 million for scholarships and $1 million to assist marketing the program.

This, MNEA argues, breaks state law for multiple reasons.

The 2021 law that created MOScholars prescribes the use of tax-deductible donations to educational assistance organizations (EAOs), not general revenue, as a funding source.

“The money for (MOScholars) scholarships comes from donations that taxpayers make to EAOs, and EAOs then remit to families. The donated funds never come into the custody of the state, and the state does not select scholarship recipients,” Haggard wrote.

The direct appropriation to the program effectively amends the MOScholars statute, the lawsuit says, which violates laws requiring legislative authorization and limits bills to a single subject. Changing statute in a budget bill is not allowed.

The money would have to flow through a fund overseen by the State Treasurer’s Office which currently does not hold scholarship money. The fund is “to be used by the state treasurer for marketing and administrative expenses or the costs incurred in administering the program, whichever is less,” according to&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=135.715" target="_blank">state law</a>.

Using the fund to administer scholarships is “unauthorized,” the lawsuit says.

MNEA is asking for a preliminary injunction, which would block the $51 million appropriation from being transferred to the MOScholars fund while litigation ensues.

“Once the unlawful appropriations are disbursed to private entities or individuals, it will be difficult if not impossible to claw those funds back to the treasury where they belong,” the lawsuit says.

MNEA argues that the money, if given to MOScholars, would hurt public education statewide.

“Politicians in Jefferson City and their privatization lobbyists are stealing from our kids,” said Missouri NEA President Phil Murray. “In rural Missouri, that $51 million means losing our music teacher, canceling basketball, and watching our schools crumble. They’re killing our small towns.”

Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek, in an interview with The Independent in May, addressed the possibility of a lawsuit.

“We will deal with it when that happens,” he said. “I cannot predict which course it will take.”

Missouri educators sue state over $51 million appropriation to private school vouchers

The St. Joseph Mustangs will celebrate the Fourth of July all weekend long, starting early with Thursday with three days of fireworks extravaganzas at Phil Welch Stadium.  

General Manager and Owner Ky Turner says playing at a stadium within a community, it's unique to play at Phil Welch on the Fourth of July 

"Here's a ballpark and there's houses all around us, well what do those houses do around that holiday? They shoot off fireworks too, so it's really kind of like a 360 of fireworks when you're sitting there watching a baseball game," Turner says on the KFEQmunnity show.  "You know, they talk about the batter's eye and being able to pay attention to that pitch, I don't know how you do that when you've got fireworks going off all around you, but it makes for a great show for us in the stands." 

Fireworks extravaganza will highlight the end of each Mustangs home game during the holiday. Turner says there are also some other fun things going on as well 

"On the 3rd we are hosting Sluggerrr from the Kansas City Royals and Fredbird, thanks to Eagle Radio, from the St. Louis Cardinals, they'll be there for a meet and greet, we'll have pregame skydivers, notice I didn't say Sluggerrr and Fredbird are skydiving but they will be there," Turner says.  "And then the 4th we have a Mr. and Miss Mustangs competition which is a blast." 

On Saturday the 5th, the Mustangs will also honor area fire, police, and EMT personnel.  The pregame police versus fire softball game will also be held on that day.

Turner says the games will also be an opportunity to thank some of our nation’s heroes 

"On the 3rd all veterans and active military receive two free general admission tickets, we're going to honor some local military heroes for pregame that night, and then on the 4th all retired and active military can get two free party deck tickets, we do encourage people to reserve those in advance as they can sell out," Turner explains.  "But we're here to celebrate and honor America playing America's game, you know America's pastime is baseball, we've got fireworks, of course we've got the hot dogs." 

The Mustangs kick off things on Thursday against the Chillicothe Mudcats.  All games over the holiday begin at 7pm.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Celebrate Fourth of July with the St. Joseph Mustangs 

The St. Joseph Mustangs swept a three game homestand, filled each night with postgame fireworks, beating the Clarinda A's 10-9 on Saturday night at Phil Welch Stadium in a battle of the two teams at the top of the MINK League.

Before the matchup, the two teams concluded a suspended matchup from June 26th, a game that was stopped tied 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning due to inclement weather rolling into St. Joseph.&nbsp; After Jase Johnson escaped the top of the inning unharmed, only giving up a single, the Mustangs led off the bottom of the ninth with a double by Jack Mosh, who eventually was the winning run as Trevor McCollum hit a walkoff single into right field for a 4-3 win.&nbsp;

Starting action in their normally scheduled game, following an exhibition matchup between the St. Joseph Police Department and Fire Department, the Mustangs and A's took the field, with St. Joseph taking a lead in the first inning, scoring four runs.&nbsp;

Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart drove in the first runs of the game with a double with no outs, scoring Jack Mosh and Central alum Logan Miller.&nbsp; Luikart scored later in the inning thanks to a new face to the team, in his first game with the Mustangs Luke Bies singled home Luikart.&nbsp; Bies scored the final run of the inning on a single by Carter Belton for a 4-0 Mustangs lead.&nbsp;

St. Joseph extended their lead in the second inning as Miller scored on a groundout by Luikart.&nbsp; Two more runs were added in the inning when Justin George doubled into center field, driving in Dom Felix for an unearned run as well as Jack Mosh, giving the Mustangs a 7-0 lead, a lead they held until Clarinda began to rally in the fourth inning.&nbsp;

A big inning for the A's cut the lead to two as&nbsp;Colin Linteo hit a two run triple, bringing home&nbsp;Clayton Pourciau and&nbsp;Brady Dobson.&nbsp; Then, with the bases loaded after&nbsp;Cooper Knight was hit by a pitch and&nbsp;Micah Nicholson walked,&nbsp;Drake Cobb hit a bases clearing double driving in all three runners to cut the Mustangs lead to 7-5.&nbsp;

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Mustangs added another run of insurance as Bies scored on a wild pitch.&nbsp; But in the sixth inning the A's got that run back to cut the lead back to two runs on a home run, a solo shot by Linteo, and in the same inning cut the lead to one run with another solo home run from Cobb.&nbsp; By the end of the sixth, the lead remained two runs though, as Savannah alum Truman Bodenhausen scored on a wild pitch in the bottom half of the sixth, giving the Mustangs a 9-7 lead.

Linteo continued having a field day for the A's in the eighth inning, cutting the lead to one again, hitting his second home run of the game.&nbsp; In the bottom half of the inning, Bies also continued his stellar debut for the Mustangs, driving in a big insurance run with the bases loaded, singling to drive in Miller for a 10-9 lead, the bases were stranded loaded however as Darius Freeman grounded out to third base.&nbsp;

The Mustangs brought on Benton alum Chris Coy to close out the game in the ninth inning.&nbsp; Coy forced Cooper Eberly to flyout to right field, but then ran into some trouble, surrendering a single to&nbsp;Tayvon Homolar, who later advanced to second on a wild pitch, before walking&nbsp;Clayton Pourciau, and then again allowing both runners to advance on another wild pitch.&nbsp; With runners at second and third, Coy got&nbsp;Jake Espeland to ground out, scoring Homolar, and bringing Linteo to the plate.&nbsp; But this time, Linteo was called out on strikes, and Coy earned his first career save.

Michael Infranca earned the win for the Mustangs, pitching 1 1/3 innings of relief and giving up one run on two hits, striking out two and walking one after taking over for starter Aron Harrington who pitched 3 2/3 innings giving up four runs on one hit while striking out three and walking three.&nbsp; At the plate, Luikart was 1-for-5 with a double, a stolen base, three RBI's, and a walk.&nbsp; Mosh was 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored, while Bodenhausen was also 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored.&nbsp;

The Mustangs are now 24-5 on the season and are 19-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They hit the road next for a three game roadtrip, starting tomorrow in Clarinda taking on the A's once again, with first pitch from Iowa at 7pm.&nbsp;

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Mustangs score homestand sweep with two wins in a day over A's

The Kansas City Royals offense struggled in the middle game of their weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, as the D-Backs evened up the series winning 7-1 on Saturday afternoon at Chase Field.

The Diamondbacks started the scoring in the third inning on back to back RBI singles, the first by Josh Naylor, driving in Geraldo Perdomo, followed by&nbsp;Eugenio Suárez bringing in Pavin Smith.&nbsp; Another two runs scored in the fifth inning, again with Perdomo and Smith coming across home plate on a double by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.&nbsp;

Kansas City's lone run came in the sixth inning, an RBI single by Bobby Witt Jr driving in Freddy Fermin, and then in the seventh inning the Diamondbacks got that run back as following a triple, Gourriel Jr scored on a double by James McCann.&nbsp; Randal Grichuk's two run home run in the eighth inning, scoring Blaze Alexander, put the final two runs on for Arizona.&nbsp;

Michael Wacha took the loss for Kansas City, falling to 4-9 on the season, pitching four innings and giving up four runs on four hits while striking out four and walking four.&nbsp; At the plate, Fermin was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored as the Royals had five hits on the day.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas City and Arizona wrap up their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Michael Lorenzen (4-8, 4.95 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against&nbsp;Anthony DeSclafani (0-0, 4.82 ERA) for the Diamondbacks.&nbsp; First pitch is at 3:10pm, pregame coverage starts at 2:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).

Royals offense stalls falling to Diamondbacks 7-1

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch homered for a fourth time in the series, but the St. Louis Cardinals used a big five run eighth inning to even up the series in Chicago at Wrigley Field, beating the Cubs 8-6 on Saturday afternoon.

The Cardinals opened up the scoring in the first inning after the bases were loaded thanks to walks to Brendan Donovan and Willson Contreras and a single by Alec Burleson, setting up&nbsp;Thomas Saggese for a two RBI single, driving in Donovan and Contreras for the early lead.&nbsp; The Cubs cut that lead in half in the bottom of the second inning on Busch's solo home run to center field, his 18th of the season, and fourth of the series after hitting three in the opener on Friday.&nbsp;

Nolan Gorman answered the home run with one of his own to extend the Cardinals lead in the fourth inning, blasting it 420 feet to center field for his eighth home run of the season.&nbsp; The Cubs again though in the bottom half of the inning cut the lead to one as Ian Happ grounded out, bringing home Nico Hoerner&nbsp; who walked earlier in the inning.&nbsp;

Chicago took the lead briefly in the bottom of the sixth inning after former Cardinal Carson Kelly doubled, and later scored the tying run on an RBI single by Hoerner.&nbsp; A wild pitch from reliever Kyle Leahy, his second of the inning, brought home Busch who had singled following Kelly's double for the go ahead run.&nbsp; The Cubs extended that lead in the seventh on a solo home run by Kelly.&nbsp;

Trailing 5-3, the Cardinals used the eighth inning to take the lead, scoring five runs in the frame which started by cutting the Cubs lead to one run on a solo home run by Burleson.&nbsp; After back to back singles by Saggese and Lars Nootbaar, it was Gorman coming through again for the Redbirds with an RBI single, tying the game and bringing home Saggese.&nbsp; 

With two runners on, Yohel Pozo pinch hit for&nbsp;Pedro Pagés, and as he has a couple other times this season, came through clutch with a three run go ahead home run to left field, putting St. Louis up 8-5. Seiya Suzuki doubled to bring home Kyle Tucker, who reached first on catcher's interference, for the final run for Chicago in the bottom half of the inning.&nbsp;

Steven Matz earned the win in relief for the Cardinals, improving to 5-2 on the season, pitching 1 2/3 innings and giving up one run on one hit while striking out three and walking two.&nbsp; Former Royal Brad Keller took the loss for the Cubs.&nbsp; Ryan Helsley earned his 17th save.&nbsp; At the plate, Burleson was 3-for-5 with the home run and an RBI.&nbsp; Gorman was 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.&nbsp;

St. Louis and Chicago wrap up their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Erick Fedde (3-8, 4.56 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals against Matthew Boyd (8-3, 2.65 ERA) for the Cubs.&nbsp; First pitch is at 5:10pm, coverage will be joined just before the start at 5 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).&nbsp;

Busch homers again, but Cardinals even up series with 8-6 win over Cubs

For just the second time in his career, Vinnie Pasquantino hit two home runs in a game, and recorded a career high six RBI's as the Kansas City Royals opened a series with the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 9-3 win on Independence Day.&nbsp;

Pasquantino's first home run opened the scoring for the Royals in the first inning.&nbsp; After Jonathan India was hit by a pitch and Bobby Witt Jr singled, Pasquantino homered to right field, his 13th of the season.&nbsp; The Diamondbacks cut the lead to one in the bottom half of the inning, a sacrifice fly by&nbsp;Eugenio Suárez driving in Ketel Marte for the first run before&nbsp;&nbsp;Josh Naylor's single brought home Geraldo Perdomo.

Kansas City added three more runs in the second inning, first extending the lead on an RBI single by Witt Jr, driving in Freddy Fermin, and keeping the bases loaded moving India to second and John Rave to third.&nbsp; Pasquantino drove in his fourth run of the day with a single, scoring Rave, and again keeping the bases loaded, setting the table for India to score as Salvador Perez grounded into a force out, with Pasquantino out at second as Perez beat the throw to first.&nbsp;

After Witt Jr singled to open the fourth inning, the Royals added more insurance runs as Pasquantino hit his second home run of the game, driving in Witt Jr.&nbsp; 

In the fifth, Kansas City added their final run on yet another home run, this time by Mark Canha, hitting his first home run of the season. Arizona's final run came in the next inning on a solo home run by&nbsp;Suárez.

Kris Bubic looked like his early season self, earning the win and improving to 7-6 on the season, pitching seven innings and giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking three.&nbsp; At the plate, Pasquantino was 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBI's.&nbsp; Witt Jr was also 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas City and Arizona continue their series on Saturday.&nbsp; Michael Wacha (4-8, 3.62 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against&nbsp;Ryne Nelson (4-2, 3.61 ERA) for the Diamondbacks.&nbsp; First pitch is at 3:10pm, pregame coverage begins at 2:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).&nbsp;

Pasquantino homers twice, career high RBI's as Royals win 9-3

The Sedalia Bombers rallied back from behind, and had the tying run at third base in the ninth inning, but the St. Joseph Mustangs held on to get a win on the Fourth of July at Phil Welch Stadium, beating the Bombers 7-6, remaining perfect on their short three game homestand.

A sacrifice fly by Dom Felix put the Mustangs on the board first in the first inning, driving in Trevor McCollum for the opening run.&nbsp; But the Bombers tied things up in the second inning with an RBI single by&nbsp;Caden Paxton, bringing home&nbsp;Jadyn Roberts for the 1-1 tie.&nbsp; The Mustangs pulled away over the next three innings, scoring six unanswered runs.&nbsp;

Three runs scored in the third inning, starting with McCollum doubling to left field and driving in Darius Freeman.&nbsp; McCollum scored himself on a single by Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart, and later in the inning Luikart came home for a run, that turned unearned due to a throwing error by pitcher Gavin Killion, scoring as Justin George reached on a fielders choice.&nbsp;

In the fourth inning, Freeman extended the lead with an RBI double, driving in Tyler Gundelfinger.&nbsp; The final two runs were added in the fifth inning as Gundelfinger was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing home Felix, before George scored as Freeman reached first on a fielders choice, giving the Mustangs a 7-1 lead.&nbsp;

The sixth inning started Sedalia's rally back as Paxton grounded out to first base bringing home&nbsp;Dalton Miller.&nbsp; In the seventh three more runs scored continuing the comeback bid, two coming home on a double by Miller as he drove in&nbsp;Carter Rice and&nbsp;Lance Vickers.&nbsp; Miller later scored on a double to left field by&nbsp;Connor Rice.&nbsp; Then in the eighth, the Bombers finally cut the lead to one as&nbsp;Sam Russo singled home&nbsp;Chris Miller.&nbsp;

Unable to add any runs in the bottom of the eighth, Sedalia stepped to the plate looking to tie the game in the ninth, and had a chance as Miller was hit by a pitch, and moved to second base on a wild pitch.&nbsp; Connor Rice singled, moving Miller to third, and Rice stole second base putting both the tying and go ahead runs in scoring position, but after Roberts struck out swinging, Miller was thrown out at home, being replaced at third base by Rice.&nbsp; Still in danger of the tie, Mustangs reliever&nbsp;Diego De Santiago forced Paxton to ground out to end the game.&nbsp;

East Buchanan alum Gage Busby earned the win in relief, after starter Jaren Guck of Northwest Missouri State failed to qualify for a decision.&nbsp; Busby pitched two innings and gave up one run on no hits, walking three and striking out one.&nbsp; At the plate, Freeman was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI's.&nbsp; George was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Luikart was 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, a walk, and an RBI.

The Mustangs are now 22-5 on the year, 17-4 in the MINK League.&nbsp; They wrap up a three game homestand tomorrow against the Clarinda A's.&nbsp; The resumption of a suspended game against the A's will begin at 5:30 with the game tied 3-3 in the ninth inning, before the game the Police vs Fire game will take place at 4pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The originally scheduled game will have first pitch at 7pm.

Bombers rally but Mustangs hold on for Fourth of July win 7-6

The ball was flying at Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs set off the fireworks early on Independence Day, clobbering eight home runs, six off of St. Louis Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas, in an 11-3 blowout victory over the Redbirds.&nbsp;

In the bottom of the first inning the Cubs started the scoring with back to back home runs by Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong, in the second inning Chicago went back to back again off of Mikolas to open the inning, Michael Busch hitting the first of his three home runs on the day, followed by former Cardinal Carson Kelly homering to left center field, giving Chicago a 4-0 lead.&nbsp;

In the third inning, Crow-Armstrong hit his second home run of the afternoon to lead off the inning, then after a single by Dansby Swanson, Busch hit his second home run to extend the lead even more for the Cubs.&nbsp; Trailing 7-0, Brendan Donovan joined the home run party in the fourth inning for the Cardinals with a solo home run to left center.&nbsp;

After not scoring in the fourth inning, Chicago got on the board again in the fifth, for the first time not on a home run, as Busch drove in his fourth run of the game with an RBI single, scoring Crow-Armstrong.&nbsp; In the seventh the home runs came again though, first by Dansby Swanson with a two run home run, driving in Crow-Armstrong, and then for the third time in the game the Cubs went back to back as Busch homered for the third time with a solo shot for the final run.&nbsp;

St. Louis added their final two runs in the ninth inning, Lars Nootbar singling home Garrett Hampson, who opened the inning with a double, and Nootbaar eventually coming around to score later in the inning on a bases loaded walk.&nbsp;

Mikolas took the loss, falling to 4-6 on the season, pitching six innings and giving up eight runs on ten hits while striking out four.&nbsp; The eight home runs were a new franchise record for the Cubs.&nbsp; At the plate, the Cardinals managed just three hits, Donovan going 1-for-3 with an RBI, Hampson going 1-for-1 with the double as a pinch hitter, and Nootbaar going 1-for-4 with an RBI.&nbsp; St. Louis was issued five walks by the Chicago pitchers.&nbsp;

St. Louis and Chicago continue their series tomorrow.&nbsp; Matthew Liberatore (6-6, 3.70 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals while the Cubs pitcher is currently listed as TBD.&nbsp; First pitch is at 1:20pm, coverage will be joined near the start at 1:10 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).

Cubs set off fireworks early in 11-3 blowout win over Cardinals

The Kansas City Royals trailed for most of the game, but came up big in the seventh inning to earn a series split with the Seattle Mariners, avoiding wasting a quality start by Seth Lugo, winning 3-2 on Thursday night at T-Mobile Park.

Jorge Polanco hit a solo home run for the Mariners in the fourth inning, giving Seattle a 1-0 lead, a lead which they would hold until the seventh inning.&nbsp; The Royals did threaten in the sixth, after Salvador Perez doubled and John Rave walked, but Nick Loftin flew out to end that threat, setting Kansas City up to take the lead the very next inning.&nbsp;

In the seventh, after Freddy Fermin lined out to open the inning, Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India got back to back walks bringing Bobby Witt Jr to the plate as the Mariners brought on reliever Carlos Vargas.&nbsp; Witt Jr greeted Vargas with a single into center field, tying the game up driving in Isbel and moving India to third.&nbsp; After Witt Jr stole second base, his 24th stolen base of the season, Vinnie Pasquantino singled into right field bringing home India and also Witt Jr as the Royals star shortstop made a sliding play at home plate, swimming around the catcher to avoid the tag to score.&nbsp;

In the bottom of the ninth inning, against Royals closer&nbsp;Carlos Estévez,&nbsp;Dominic Canzone hit a solo home run to cut the lead to one.&nbsp;&nbsp;Miles Mastrobuoni pinch hit and got a single, and after Estévez struckout Cole Young, J.P Crawford singled, putting the closer in danger.&nbsp; Mastrobuoni and Crawford both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, but&nbsp;Estévez struck out Julio Rodriguez and then got Cal Raleigh to groundout to end the game, earning his 24th save.&nbsp;

Lugo earned the win, improving to 6-5 on the season, pitching 6 1/3 innings and giving up one run on six hits, striking out seven and walking two.&nbsp; At the plate, Witt Jr. was 1-for-5 with a stolen base and an RBI while Pasquantino was 1-for-4 with two RBI's as Kansas City had just five hits.&nbsp;

Kansas City now travels to Arizona for a weekend series, starting with an Independence Day matchup.&nbsp; Kris Bubic (6-6, 2.25 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals in the opener against&nbsp;Eduardo Rodriguez (3-4, 5.13 ERA) for the Diamondbacks.&nbsp; First pitch is at 8:40pm, pregame begins at 8 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Royals offense storms back to steal series split from Mariners with 3-2 win

The St. Joseph Mustangs avenged a road loss to the Chillicothe Mudcats on Tuesday, clobbering the Mudcats at Phil Welch Stadium on Thursday night for a seven inning run rule victory, winning 16-5 to open a three game homestand.&nbsp;

After&nbsp;Jarian Pickney scored the opening run for the Mudcats in the first inning on a passed ball, the Mustangs, who scored just three runs on Tuesday, scored eight unanswered runs to take the lead, first scoring twice in the bottom of the first as Jack Mosh singled home Trevor McCollum and Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart scored on a throwing error by right fielder Jordi Ventura.

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