Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jose Martinez and Tyler O’Neill homered, rookie Jack Flaherty pitched seven innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 in Mike Shildt’s first game since being promoted to full-time manager. The Cardinals have won six of seven and are 20-5 in August. Earlier in the day, St. Louis took off the interim tag on Shildt, who was put in charge after Mike Matheny was fired last month a day before the All-Star break. The Pirates have lost eight of 10.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have removed the interim tag from Mike Shildt’s title, promoting him to manager through 2020 after he led the team into postseason contention since taking over for the fired Mike Matheny. Shildt has guided the Cardinals to a 26-12 record since July 15 and they now hold the top spot in the National League wild card standings. The Cardinals were 47-46 when Matheny was fired.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jakob Junis held scuffling Detroit to six hits in his first career complete game, Adalberto Mondesi homered to spur a five-run frame and the Kansas City Royals beat the Tigers 6-2 to begin their midweek, two-game series. Matthew Boyd allowed five runs in six innings for Detroit.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs’ defense was humiliated by the Bears in their preseason game last week, and that was with Chicago resting its offensive starters. With one final preseason game left and the start of the regular season on the horizon, defensive coordinator Bob Sutton knows that improvement must be made in a hurry.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska coach Scott Frost says quarterback Tristan Gebbia has been granted a release, freeing him to transfer to another school. Frost made the announcement four days before the Cornhuskers’ opener against Akron. True freshman Adrian Martinez was named the starting quarterback over the weekend. Gebbia on Monday dropped his classes and did not attend practice. Sophomore walk-on Andrew Bunch is in line to be the backup to Martinez.