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

CHICAGO (AP) — Jose Abreu hit a tying home run off Jason Adam in the eighth and pinch-hitter Daniel Palka had a three-run homer off Jason Hammel later in the inning, leading the Chicago White Sox over the Kansas City Royals 6-4. In a matchup of teams on track to both lose 100 or more games, the White Sox avoided getting swept in the three-game series. Palka tied the White Sox record of three pinch homers in one season, set by Oscar Gamble in 1977.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Pinch-hitter Jose Martinez sliced an opposite-field single to the right-center field gap off Wade Davis with one out in the ninth inning, driving in the tying and go-ahead runs and lifting the St. Louis Cardinals over the Colorado Rockies 3-2. The Cardinals have nine walk-off wins this season. Davis has a career-high five blown saves in 36 chances. Colorado lost three of four at the Cardinals, its first series loss since June.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Justin Houston was poised to reach transcendent status just a few years ago when he nearly set an NFL record with 22 sacks. The Kansas City Chiefs rewarded him with a $101 million, six-year contract that made him one of the league’s highest-paid players. But a series of injuries slowed his career. Now Houston is trying to establish himself again as the league’s best pass rusher.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska opens its first preseason practice under coach Scott Frost on Friday. Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne is like others in this football-mad state in that he senses a resurgence coming for the program. Frost says he plans to use the Osborne formula for rebuilding the Cornhuskers. That means emphasizing player development, bringing back the renowned strength and conditioning program, and pursuing walk-ons to build the roster.