Digital Sports Desk

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Down Goes Draft Kings

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Online gambling institution DraftKings was back online Thursday afternoon after a widespread outage that impacted its sports betting platform for several hours.

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Beginning around 2:00am (ET). Thursday morning, odds across all sports in each of the states in which DraftKings operates were unavailable and replaced by an error message.

“We are aware that customers may be experiencing issues with certain features on our Sportsbook,” the company’s customer support team posted on the social media platform X at 8:29 a.m. ET. “This is currently affecting players in all jurisdictions. We are working on resolving this as quickly as possible.”

The company posted on X that “sportsbook functionality has been fully restored,” at 2:13 p.m. ET.

The 12-hour outage came on a sports day that includes the “Thursday Night Football” game between San Francisco and Seattle to begin Week 6 of the NFL schedule, along with a pair of Major League Baseball playoff games and Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

While numerous DraftKings users took to social media to vent, the issue did not have a significant impact on the company’s stock, which was down only 0.34 percent as of 3:00pm (ET).

–Field Level Media

Twins for Sale

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MINNESOTA – St. PAUL – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Pohlad family, owner of the Minnesota Twins since 1984, announced its begun steps to sell the team.

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“For the past 40 seasons, the Minnesota Twins have been part of our family’s heart and soul,” said Joe Pohlad, the team’s executive chair, in a news release. “This team is woven into the fabric of our lives, and the Twins community has become an extension of our family. The staff, the players, and most importantly, you, the fans — everyone who makes up this unbelievable organization — is part of that. We’ve never taken lightly the privilege of being stewards of this franchise.

“However, after months of thoughtful consideration, our family reached a decision this summer to explore selling the Twins. As we enter the next phase of this process, the time is right to make this decision public.”

Pohlad said the family intends to sell to an “ownership group who all of us can be proud of and who will take care of the Minnesota Twins.”

Toward that end, the Pohlads retained investment bank Allen & Company to guide a potential sale.

Sportico valued the franchise at $1.7 billion, or 19th among the 30 MLB teams. Earlier this year, Forbes placed the value at $1.46 billion, ranked 21st on its list.

Only three ownership groups have controlled a team longer than the Pohlad family — the New York Yankees (1973), the Chicago White Sox (1981) and the Philadelphia Phillies (1981).

“After four decades of commitment, passion, and countless memories, we are looking toward the future with care and intention — for our family, the Twins organization, and this community we love so much” Pohlad said.

The most recent team to change hands was the Baltimore Orioles. MLB owners approved the sale in March to a group led by private equity billionaire David Rubenstein for a reported $1.725 billion.

The late Carl Pohlad paid $44 million to buy the Twins.

Minnesota finished the 2024 season with an 82-80 record, four games out of a wild-card spot following a late-season swoon.

–Field Level Media

Major Damage to “The Trop”

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TAMPA-St. PETERSBURG  – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Tampa Bay Rays organization will assess the damage done to Tropicana Field, inflicted on Wednesday night as Hurricane Milton bore down on the region.

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The roof at the stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla., broke apart amid the wind and rain from the Category 3 hurricane. The Rays didn’t address whether the “Trop,” as it is called, will be playable to start the 2025 season.

“During the past couple weeks, our beloved city, region and state have been impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. We are devastated by the damage incurred by so many,” the team noted Thursday afternoon in a statement posted to social media.

“Our priority is supporting our community and our staff. We are fortunate and grateful that no one was hurt by the damage to our ballpark last night. Over the coming days and weeks, we expect to be able to assess the true condition of Tropicana Field. In the meantime, we are working with law enforcement to secure the building.

“We ask for your patience at this time, and we encourage those who can to donate to organizations in our community that are assisting those directly impacted by these storms.”

The stadium, initially called the Florida Suncoast Dome when it opened in 1990, has been the Rays’ home since the franchise played its first game in 1998. It had been set to serve as a staging area for first responders in the storm.

Tropicana Field cost $138 million to build. The 1.1-million square foot building was covered by what the team media guide calls “the world’s largest cable-supported domed roof,” which is “made of six acres of translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass and supports itself with 180 miles of cables connected by struts.”

It was built to withstand winds up to 115 mph.

The Weather Channel reported wind gusts of up to 102 mph in St. Petersburg. Parts of the downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg were drenched by as much as 17 inches or rain, per the report.

There was good news at Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however. NFL Network reported Thursday that the stadium and the Bucs’ practice field sustained only “cosmetic” damage.

–Field Level Media

Bruins Look for 9th Home Opening “W”

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Bruins want to turn the page.

Two nights after largely being dominated in a 6-4 loss to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, Boston will aim for its ninth straight home-opening win on Thursday when the Montreal Canadiens visit.

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Defenseman Charlie McAvoy recorded a goal and an assist and was one of four Bruins to find the net on Tuesday, but Florida’s four-goal first period was too much to overcome.

“We weren’t good enough in so many areas,” Boston coach Jim Montgomery said. “They were. Their execution was really good and ours was really poor. I can’t pinpoint why we looked slow, but we looked slow the entire game.”

An eventful offseason saw Boston bring in the likes of center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov, but the biggest splash came Sunday when now-true No. 1 goaltender Jeremy Swayman signed an eight-year, $66 million extension.

Boston dealt Linus Ullmark, the co-No. 1 goalie last season, to the Ottawa Senators in June.

Joonas Korpisalo, who was acquired in the Ullmark trade, made 29 saves at Florida in what Montgomery thought was a solid opening effort.

The problems were “in front of him,” according to the coach.

“You can’t give up four backdoor tap-ins and expect your goalie to make save after save,” Montgomery said. “… We weren’t good enough.”

Montgomery had not announced his Thursday starting goaltender. Swayman did not see any preseason action.

The Tuesday loss was Boston’s first in a season opener since 2018 against another reigning Cup winner, the Washington Capitals. Perhaps some motivation?

“It’s a symbol of what every team in the league is trying to achieve, but at the end of the day, we’re more concerned about the foundation that we build within the group, with the practice and the way we’re going to prepare from the day forward,” Bruins captain Brad Marchand said.

The Canadiens visit Boston for the second leg of a back-to-back following a 1-0 home win against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Sam Montembeault made 48 saves — the most ever in an NHL season-opening shutout — while ending Toronto’s 227-game streak of scoring at least one goal.

Despite closing the preseason with a four-game losing streak and seeing the power play go 0-for-30 through six exhibition games, coach Martin St. Louis was largely pleased with his team’s level entering Wednesday, and he had his feelings confirmed.

“This is a very close group, a proud group and this game was an opportunity to show that,” St. Louis said. “This was the first game of the season, and you don’t get to go back and replay it. … There’s a lot of positives.”

There is no longer a three-man rotation in Montreal’s net. Montembeault signed a new three-year deal before Jake Allen was dealt to the New Jersey Devils at last trade deadline.

“I think I showed (last season) that I can be consistent,” Montembeault said. “That’s what I want to do every game again this year. Every time I get the chance to be in net, I want to give the team a chance to win.”

Montembeault, who will share the net with Cayden Primeau, came through on Wednesday. His performance allowed Cole Caufield’s first-period power-play goal to stand up.

Caufield, 23, scored in his third consecutive opener, then pointed to the sky to honor the late Johnny Gaudreau, whose former No. 13 he is now wearing. Gaudreau, a Columbus Blue Jackets star, died in an accident in August at age 31.

“(Gaudreau) paved the way for smaller players and proved we had a future in this game at the highest level,” Caufield posted on Instagram following the tragedy last month. “I will forever be grateful to him for inspiring me and others.”

Montreal defenseman Jayden Struble (upper-body injury) did not play on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Going to Kansas City, Here I Come

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Special Edition: While We’re Young (Ideas)

By TERRY LYONS, Editor in Chief, Digital Sports Desk

BOSTON – On a rather quiet night on the Boston sports scene, a fan must turn his/or/her lonely eyes West, towards Kansas City – the one in Missouri, not Kansas for the geographically-challenged Presidential candidate.

Yes, Kansas City – the city that celebrated two big professional sports victories Monday night.

KC Royals catcher Salvador Pérez hit a baseball out where there once stood South Bronx tenements and otherwise nothingness, before the palace that Jeter built was erected. But, if it were the old Yankee Stadium or the middle semi-renovated version of Yankee Stadium, the ball would’ve landed out by Monument Park, the same place George Brett used to hit them for the Royals.

MLB Postseason Baseball (KC vs SF in World Series)

Perez’ solo homer was part of a big fourth inning that turned a 1-0 New York lead into a 4-1 KC advantage which held up as a 4-2 victory to even the American League Division Series at 1-1 as the clubs pack up and head west.

At the same time, out at Arrowhead Stadium in KC, the Chiefs were puttin’ a ‘hurtin on the New Orleans Saints, in a lopsided 26-13 victory where Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes threw for 331 yards on 28-of-39 while RB Kareem Hunt came from a locker full of mothballs to run for 102 yards and a TD while carrying the ball 27 times. Yes 27 times.

Another key to the KC football victory was 27-year old JuJu Smith-Schuster who secured seven of eight targets for 130 yards. Most NFL and New England Patriots observers do not need to be reminded, Smith-Schuster was recetly released from the Patriots’ wide receiver room, a place occupied by the distinguished DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, and oft-injured Kendrick Bourne – the latter having played one game and has one catch to his credit on the 2024 season.

The proven point is that a city which used to have October nights filled with David “Big Papi” Ortiz postseason baseball homers or game-winning Tom Brady to Julian Edelman touchdowns now has only a hard-fought Wakefield vs. Arlington high school soccer game on the books (Wakefield won, 4-3).

Meanwhile, Kansas City’s Royals clocked a big ALDS series victory on the road at Yankee Stadium and KC’s Chiefs won an important cross-conference Monday Night Football game to extend their unbeaten streak to five games, resistering as the only team in the NFL to be 5-0 in a season at the quarter pole.

Instead of world class model Gisele Bundchen and the kids skipping along on the sidelines, rooting for the World’s No. 1 quarterback Tom Brady, we were submitted to the return of World No. 1 pop star Taylor Swift returning to Arrowhead Stadium after taking two road games off. Her return prompted beau Travis Kelce to his best game of the new season, with the tight end grabbing a hefty nine catches for 70 yards, and averaging 7.8 yards per reception. Oh, the humanity.

While New England fans are starved without Sausage Guy leftovers on Landsdowne Street, the Kansas City faithful can go upscale BBQ at Q39, or head over to Arthur Bryant’s or Chef J BBQ for some pork belly burnt ends which are far better than New England burned corners and safeties.

The Chiefs are destined for a run at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Red Sox fans are destined for a winter of Polar Park and also a spring trip to Worcester to watch AAA ball, seeking out WooSox prospects between snowflakes.

While the Royals might upset the mighty Yankees, Patriots fans might be watching the worst team in the entire NFL, a club with a four game losing streak that’s likely to grow to five when the Houston Texans land in Foxborough this weekend. Only an October 20 contest vs Jacksonville (in London) might solve the troubles that first year head coach Jerod Mayo is facing this season.

Earlier in the season, rookie Javon Baker made a poor decision and posted an angry video after receiving a traffic ticket from one of Massachusetts’ finest. That spurt of hot water turned boiling this past weekend when team captain, safety Jabrill Peppers was arrested and later arraigned for alleged charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault of a family/household member, strangulation, and – the kicker, tough to deny, possession of a Class B substance, which allegedly tested as white powder cocaine.

That’s a quarter-season of misery for Mayo, owner of a resume that reads 1-4 (0-2 at home), a four game losing streak, a quarterback conundrum – not a controversy – between veteran Jacoby Brissett and first-round draft pick Drake Maye (No. 3, overall). Brissett is being subjected to protection by the worst offensive line in recent memory. The Patriots shuffled between five different starting offensive line combinations in their first five games. In doing so, they’ve allowed the highest pressure rate on their QB of all NFL teams. Miami only sacked Brissett twice, but San Francisco’s defense leveled Brissett six times.

Would you subject a rookie quarterback to that scenario?

And, where do the longtime buttoned-up, disciplined and character-first Patriots stand on charges against Peppers? Innocent until proven guilty is the way of the land, of course, but a bag of cocaine in possession is a pretty cut and dry violation of NFL rules.

The answer to all is a realization of a franchise hitting bottom, of early speculation on the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a Foxborough filled pack of season ticket holders who must experience the misery of losing – possibly for a very long time in the ultra-competitive AFC.

That all brings us to October 8, 2024 and Opening Night in the National Hockey League – the Boston Bruins in gusty Florida for their regular season opener against the pesky Panthers. The New Jersey Devils are undefeated (2-0) and the Buffalo Sabres are (0-2) after a pair of opening games in Prague. The rest of the league drops the puck tonight.

Meanwhile, the NBA shipped the Celtics to Abu Dhabi for a pair of preseason games in the friendly confines of Etihad Arena in Dubai. Nothing wrong with a (2-0) start against the Denver Nuggets and reigning MVP extraordinaire, Nikola Jokic, otherwise known as the greatest second round pick since the Spurs grabbed Manu Ginobili in Round Dos last century.

New England fans, lovers of blame and the pastime of pointing fingers have no other choice but to turn the pages of the calendar to the winter sports season. It’s ice hockey and hoops time in Boston.

See you in June.

 

THE PASSING OF LUIS TIANT

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox and all New England baseball fans today mourn the loss of Red Sox Hall of Famer Luis Tiant, who passed away this morning at his home in Maine at the age of 83. One of the most beloved figures in Red Sox history, “El Tiante” spent 31 years in the organization as a player, coach, broadcaster, and special assignment instructor.

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“Luis had the kind of unforgettable presence that made you feel like you were part of his world,” said Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry. “He was a pitcher with incredible talent, accomplishing so much with a style uniquely his own. But what truly set Luis apart was his zest for life, embracing every moment with an infectious spirit, even in the face of his many challenges. He channeled everything into his love for the game and the people around him. He was magnetic and had a smile that could light up Fenway Park. Luis was truly one-of-a-kind and all of us at the Red Sox will miss him.”

“Luis embodied everything we love about this game: resilience, passion, and an undeniable sense of belonging to something greater than himself,” said Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. “He was a cornerstone of the Red Sox pitching staff for years, with an unmatched grit and tenacity on the mound. His ability to rise in the most pressure-filled moments—especially his complete-game performances—cemented his place as a true legend. But what made Luis unforgettable was his vibrant personality. He was a gifted storyteller, always sharing tales filled with humor, honesty, and an enduring loyalty to his teammates. All of us are deeply saddened by his passing. We lost one of the great ones today.”

“Luis had a style of pitching that was as memorable as it was effective, but to me, the rarer gift was his ability to lift you up with just a smile,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “When you were with him, you were reminded of what really matters. Whether you were a teammate, a fan, or just someone fortunate enough to share a conversation, Luis had a way of making you feel special, like you were a close friend. His legacy on the mound is undeniable, but all of us today are mourning the man, the friend, the mentor who connected generations of fans and players. I am gutted by the news of his passing and will miss him more than words can express. Spring Training won’t be the same without Luis’s infectious energy spreading throughout camp.”

Born in Marianao, Cuba, Tiant went 229-172 with a 3.30 ERA and 2,416 strikeouts in 19 Major League seasons with Cleveland (1964-69), Minnesota (1970), Boston (1971-78), the New York Yankees (1979-80), Pittsburgh (1981), and the California Angels (1982). He finished among the top six in American League Cy Young Award voting three times—all with Boston—and finished fifth in 1968 AL Most Valuable Player voting. A three-time All-Star (1968, ’74, ’76), Tiant led the AL in ERA in 1968 (1.60) and 1972 (1.91), recorded four seasons with at least 20 wins, and served as his club’s Opening Day starter on four occasions (1969, 1973-75).

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Inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997, Tiant was signed by Boston as a free agent in May 1971. He compiled a 122-81 record and a 3.36 ERA for the club and still ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in wins (5th, 122), starts (5th, 238), innings pitched (4th, 1,774.2), strikeouts (7th, 1,075), complete games (T-6th, 113), and shutouts (4th, 26). He led Boston in wins in 1973 (20), 1974 (22), and 1976 (21), and in 1972 he finished eighth in MVP voting after leading Major League Baseball with a 1.91 ERA. In his final outing as a member of the Red Sox, Tiant threw a two-hit shutout against the Toronto Blue Jays on October 1, 1978, setting up a one-game playoff against the Yankees.

The Red Sox won each of Tiant’s four starts in the 1975 Postseason, including Games 1, 4, and 6 of the World Series. After throwing a three-hitter against the Oakland A’s in Game 1 of the ALCS, he shut out the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the World Series. Tiant recorded another complete game in Game 4 of the Fall Classic, then threw 7.0 innings in Game 6, which ended with Carlton Fisk’s 12th-inning home run. In 1982, he was named to the Red Sox All-Time Second Team (as voted by the fans), and in 2012 he earned a spot on the All-Fenway Park Team as a First Reserve.

In addition to serving as a pitching coach in the Dodgers (1992-95) and White Sox (1997) organizations, Tiant was Nicaragua’s pitching coach in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He spent 1998-2001 as head coach for Division III Savannah (GA) College of Art and Design, then returned to the Red Sox organization in 2002 as a pitching coach for Short-A Lowell. From 2002-03, Tiant served as a broadcaster for the Red Sox Spanish Baseball Network. For the past 21 years (2004-24), he had served as a special assignment instructor.

Tiant is survived by his wife, Maria, and their four children, Luis Jr., Isabel, Daniel, and John Papile.

After Hostile G2, Padres Rebound vs LA

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SAN DIEGO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – No matter what has been thrown the San Diego Padres’ way — from the mound or from the stands — not much has deterred a club headed back to the warm embrace of home. The Padres did not just even their National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at a game apiece on Sunday.

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They walked into a must-win situation on the road, hit six home runs and grew even closer as a team amid a hostile fan atmosphere to put momentum firmly on their side.

The Padres return home on Tuesday for Game 3 of the best-of-five series following Sunday’s 10-2 win at Los Angeles.

San Diego controlled the Dodgers’ offense and rose to the occasion after Dodgers fans threw baseballs and beverage cans toward Padres outfielders Jurickson Profar and Fernando Tatis Jr. in the seventh inning on Sunday.

Padres third baseman Manny Machado was the voice of reason before the eighth, gathering his teammates for a reminder on channeling anger and energy into the game. San Diego made it a rout from there, scoring six runs over the final two innings, with four home runs during that span.

Padres right-hander Yu Darvish, who allowed one run over seven innings on Sunday, characterized Machado’s rallying cry as, “Some dirty words here and there.”

Tatis, who hit a pair of homers, offered a bit more insight.

“We just gathered up together and we told each other, especially Manny, to control our emotions,” Tatis said. “The game was on our side. We know what we’re capable of. It was just a reminder who we really are as a group and just how crazy we can turn a place to go nuts.”

Now Padres fans get a chance to turn up the energy with the next two games of the series at their park.

San Diego can advance to the NL Championship Series without leaving home, which is the route it took in 2022 after it lost Game 1 of the NLDS to the Dodgers before winning the next three.

The Padres will send right-hander Michael King (1-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound for Game 3 after he struck out 12 over seven scoreless innings last Tuesday in a 4-0 Game 1 win over the Atlanta Braves in the wild-card round.

King was 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA in four appearances (three starts) against the Dodgers this season and has a 2.82 ERA in five career appearances (22 1/3 innings) against Los Angeles.

The Dodgers will turn to right-hander Walker Buehler (0-0, 0.00), who has playoff pedigree but has traveled a rocky road this season after two years away following his second career Tommy John surgery.

Buehler was 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in 16 starts this season but was solid on Sept. 26, when he gave up one run to the Padres in five innings. He ended up with a no-decision as Los Angeles went on to a 7-2 win that clinched its 11th NL West title in 12 seasons.

With their pitching situation tenuous at best, the Dodgers knew they would have to lean into their offense, but the heralded top three spots in the order combined to go 0-for-12 in Game 2.

Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and Mookie Betts had a home run robbed by Profar in left in the first inning.

No. 3 hitter Freddie Freeman went 0-for-2 before exiting after the fifth inning with continued right ankle discomfort from a late-season injury. Enrique Hernandez went 0-for-2 in Freeman’s place.

“It’s really frustrating but there’s nothing really to do right now,” Betts said after Sunday’s game. “You just have to keep going and hopefully it turns.”

–Doug Padilla, Field Level Media

Ohtani 50/50 Ball to Auction

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RUNNEMEDE, NJ – (Staff and Wire service Report) – The owner of the ball that Shohei Ohtani hit for his historic 50th homer of the year remains in dispute, but the souvenir will continue to be auctioned off while legal proceedings continue.

Goldin Auctions announced Monday that the lawyers for the fans who are arguing over the ball’s rightful owner agreed to let the auction continue. With another two weeks to go in the auction, the latest top bid was $1.5 million, which would see the buyer owing more than $1.8 million when the auction house’s fee is included.

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The ball has significant value because of its place in baseball history: When that ball cleared the fence in Miami on Sept. 19, Ohtani became the first player ever to amass 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in the same year. The Los Angeles Dodgers star ended the season with 54 homers and 59 steals.

After the ball landed in the left field stands, Chris Belanski wound up with it, and he is the one who initiated the auction. However, two other fans, Max Matus and Joseph Davidov, subsequently filed separate lawsuits alleging that they had possession of the ball before it was taken from them.

Davidov’s attorney, Devon Workman, told Front Office Sports on Monday, “Parties have agreed to let the sale proceed and then the parties will continue to litigate over ownership over the final proceeds of the sale.”

Goldin said in a statement, according to ESPN, that “all parties want the 50/50 ball to be auctioned by Goldin, and have agreed to convey any and all of their ownership interests in the 50/50 ball to the winner of the auction, giving the winner full assurance that they will receive free and clear title to the 50/50 ball.”

The record price for a baseball is $3 million, which was paid for the ball Mark McGwire hit for his 70th homer in 1998.

–Field Level Media

KC Chiefs Remain Unbeaten; Carr Hurt

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KANSAS CITY – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Kareem Hunt and Xavier Worthy of Kansas City rushed for touchdowns, Harrison Butker kicked four field goals, Patrick Mahomes passed for 331 yards and the host Chiefs defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-13 on Monday night.

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JuJu Smith-Schuster caught seven passes for 130 yards and Travis Kelce made nine receptions for 70 yards to help the Chiefs (5-0) overcome the absence of injured wide receivers Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice.

Hunt rushed for 102 yards, while Mahomes completed 28 of 39 passes with one interception.

New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr completed 18 of 28 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns with one interception before leaving the game because of an oblique injury in the fourth quarter.

Rashid Shaheed finished with four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, but the Saints (2-3) lost their third consecutive game.

The Chiefs had an opportunity to extend their 16-7 halftime lead on the first possession of the third quarter, but Butker’s 51-yard field goal hit the right upright and caromed wide.

Kansas City drove to the New Orleans 2-yard line on its next possession, but a Mahomes pass was intercepted in the end zone by defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who returned to the New Orleans 35. Both teams went scoreless in the third quarter.

On the second play of the fourth quarter Carr threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Foster Moreau, pulling New Orleans within 16-13. Blake Grupe’s extra-point kick was no good.

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The Chiefs needed just five plays to answer as Mahomes connected with Smith-Schuster for a 50-yard gain and Kelce received a direct snap and handed to Worthy for a 3-yard touchdown run and a 23-13 lead.

Butker’s 38-yard field goal completed the scoring with 3:03 remaining.

On Kansas City’s first possession, Hunt ran 5 yards for a touchdown that gave the hosts a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Chiefs increased the lead on a 26-yard field goal from Butker before Carr threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Shaheed to pull New Orleans within 10-7.

Kansas City overcame a second-and-34 on its way to a 34-yard Butker field goal, and the kicker added a 28-yarder to increase the lead to nine points entering halftime.

–Field Level Media

A Royal Fourth

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NEW YORK – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Kansas City’s catcher Salvador Perez hit a towering homer off New York’s Carlos Rodon to start a four-run fourth inning and the Royals beat the Yankees 4-2 on Monday night to even their American League Division Series at one game apiece.

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Game 3 of the best-of-five set is scheduled for Wednesday night in Kansas City.

The only remaining player from Kansas City’s 2015 World Series team, Perez forged a 1-1 tie by hammering a 2-0 slider to the back of the left field seats.

It was Perez’s sixth career postseason homer and first since Game 5 of the 2015 AL Championship Series.

The veteran catcher’s 402-foot drive gives him 13 hits in 28 career at-bats off Rodon (0-1), whom he faced frequently when the Yankees left-hander pitched for the Chicago White Sox.

Following Perez’s homer, the Royals continued to pounce on Rodon’s slider, as Tommy Pham and Garrett Hampson had run-scoring singles.

Yuli Gurriel followed Perez’s drive with a single to left on a 2-2 slider and took second on a wild pitch. After Rodon got the first out of the fourth, Pham lined another slider to center to plate Gurriel for a 2-1 lead, then stole second.

With two outs, Pham easily scored when Hampson hit a slider to left for a 3-1 lead, chasing Rodon from the game in the process. Maikel Garcia added an RBI single off Ian Hamilton, but he got caught in a rundown for the final out of the frame.

Kansas City starter Cole Ragans struggled with command at times but held the Yankees to one run on three hits in four innings before the Royals used four relievers to finish the game. Ragans struck out five and walked four.

Angel Zerpa (2-0) got a double play to end the fifth, and John Schreiber got three flyouts in the sixth for Kansas City.

Kris Bubic pitched two innings, getting Juan Soto to fly out to the warning track to end the seventh and retiring Giancarlo Stanton on a double-play grounder to end the eighth. Lucas Erceg gave up Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s homer to start the ninth and a two-out single to Jon Berti before notching the save.

Rodon allowed four runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He didn’t issue a walk and fanned seven.

The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the third on Stanton’s RBI single.

New York finished 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

–Larry Fleisher, Field Level Media