The Royals lead in the American League Central was cut to two games thanks to a 5-4 loss in Chicago. Esteban Loaiza entered the game with the second lowest ERA in the American League and even though his earned run average inched up a little, he still got his 14th win of the season. Kansas City took a 1-0 lead thanks to Raul Ibanez, who drove in a run with a single. In the second inning, Chicago rallied for five runs off Kyle Snyder who left the game after the inning with tightness in his shoulder. Ken Harvey’s RBI single in the third made it 5-2 White Sox and the score didn’t change until the ninth when the Royals scored two runs to make it 5-4. The two teams wrap up their three-game series with afternoon. Later this week, Kevin Appier is expected to join the team after clearing waivers with the Angels on Monday. Appier started his career in Kansas City in 1989 and remained with the team until 1999. He was 7-7 with Anaheim this season and had an ERA of 5.63.

Brad Penny and Ugeth Urbina were almost untouchable on Monday as the Marlins beat the Cardinals 4-0. Penny allowed four hits over seven innings and Urbina gave up one over the last two. Woody Williams was trying for his 15th win of the season and despite pitching well over most of the seven innings of his outing, he allowed three runs in the fourth and another in the fifth inning. His teammates performance at the plate left much to be desired as they failed to get anything going on the base paths. Albert Pujols had two of St. Louis’ five hits, which extended his hitting streak to career-high 19 games. He’s hitting .413 during the streak. Tonight a couple of rookies will battle on the hill. Danny Haren, who has a record of 2-2 will face National League Rookie of the Year candidate Dontrell Willis who enters with a record of 10-2 and a 2.50 ERA.

The woman who was falsely imprisoned by Ricky Clemons, and claims he received money from the MU basketball program, has been contacted by the NCAA according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jessica Bunge also claims that Clemons received answers in advance to a test he was taking at Barton County Community College while trying to get eligible to play at Mizzou. Quin Snyder has also admitted to giving Clemons sweat pants and two pairs of footwear he received as promotional items. In a statement e-mailed to media outlets yesterday, Athletic Director Mike Alden said the university will “look into these matters internally”. Clemons was dismissed from the team last month after breaking terms of his probation. In January, Clemons was arrested for felony assault on Bunge. He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor false imprisonment charges and ordered to spend 30 days in a Columbia halfway house. On July 4th he didn’t return to the halfway house on time after spending the day at MU President Elson Floyd’s home. He’s spending the rest of his sentence in the Boone County Jail.