Ricky Clemons said “no” twice on Sunday. Other than that, he had nothing to say to reporters upon his release from the Boone County Jail. Clemons, who averaged 14 points per game and led Mizzou in assists as a junior college transfer, spent 60 days in a halfway house and jail for pleading guilty to the false imprisonment of former girlfriend Jessica Bunge. A group of about 20 reporters met Clemons as he left the facility and walked around the corner to wait for his ride in the lobby. Reporters followed him into the lobby and continued to ask questions and take pictures. Clemons sat quietly, legs crossed, staring at a wall to his left. After about ten minutes, a white SUV and blue compact car arrived. A young woman got out of the car, got Clemons and escorted him into the SUV, which had newspaper taped to the windows and windshields. Clemons got in the SUV, which honked its horn and took off. Clemons fate is still unknown, other than he has two year’s worth of probation to complete. The University of Missouri and the NCAA are investigating allegations from Bunge that Clemons received money and had schoolwork done for him. Last week the FBI requested and received 28 hours of recorded phone calls he made from the jail and mail he received there. The reason for the FBI’s involvement is unclear.

The Royals lost to the Twins 8-1 in Minnesota, taking two of four at the Metrodome. But, they may have lost more than the game. Starting pitcher Kevin Appier left the game with tightness in his elbow after two innings of work. He’ll be examined tomorrow. Graeme Lloyd replaced Appier to start the third inning and proceeded to give up three runs. Matthew LeCroy and Jacque Jones drove in runs with singles while Corey Koskie had a sacrifice fly RBI. That made it 4-1 Twins. The Royals had a tough time getting their bat on the ball, striking out 14 times on Sunday. Desi Relaford’s second-inning homer was their only tally of the day. Kansas City trails Chicago by one game. The Twins are a game and a half back.

Scott Rolen made three eye-popping defensive stops, went 3-4 at the plate and scored two runs as St. Louis topped Philadelphia 3-0. The Cardinals scrapped for all three of their runs on Sunday; none of the runs came off hits. Chris Widger struck first with a sacrifice fly to score Jim Edmonds in the fourth inning. In the sixth, Orlando Palmiero made it 2-0 with another sacrifice fly, as Scott Rolen scored the first of his two runs on day. Rolen crossed the plate in the eighth, thanks to So Taguchi’s bunt down the first-base line. But Rolen wasn’t the only hero. Brett Tomko pitched six and a third innings, allowing five hits and three walks to earn 10th win. St. Louis remains tied with Houston for first in the National League Central. Chicago is one-half game back. The Cardinals and Cubs meet at Busch tomorrow.