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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jorge Lopez scattered five hits over a career-best seven innings to help rout Baltimore 9-1 and complete a three-game sweep. The only run Lopez allowed came on Jonathan Villar’s homer in the first inning. The Royals pounded David Hess to win for the seventh time in eight games. They finished with 14 hits, their sixth straight game with at least 10.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Eugenio Suarez’s two-run homer off of Bud Norris in the tenth inning lifted the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. After Suarez’s 31st of the season, Brandon Dixon hit a solo homer four pitches later as the Reds hit back-to-back homers for the fifth time this season.

UNDATED (AP) — With bowl eligibility potentially at stake for both schools later in the season, officials at Nebraska and Iowa State say they’ll work to find new opponents to fill out their schedules. Both schools’ season openers were canceled because of severe weather. Nebraska wanted to resume game Sunday but Akron balked. ISU never seriously considered playing Sunday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs announced the signing of veteran Ron Parker and placed fellow safety Daniel Sorensen on injured reserve amid a series of roster moves that included the signing of their practice squad. Parker had spent the past four seasons with Kansas City before signing with the Falcons in free agency. He was released last week and visited the Chiefs on Saturday, when he agreed to a deal.

Eugenio Suarez’s two-run homer off of Bud Norris in the tenth inning lifted the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. After Suarez’s 31st of the season, Brandon Dixon hit a solo homer four pitches later as the Reds hit back-to-back homers for the fifth time this season.

The Reds won for just the third time in their last 11 games, including the last two against the Cardinals, snapping their series winning streak at 10. St. Louis (76-61) fell a half game behind the Milwaukee Brewers into the second wild card spot in the National League.

UP Next for St. Louis: RHP Jack Flaherty (8-6, 2.87 ERA) kicks off a three-game series at Washington and St. Louisan RHP Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.22 ERA) on Monday afternoon. Flaherty has won four straight decisions and will make his first career start against the Nationals.

With bowl eligibility potentially at stake for both schools later in the season, officials at Nebraska and Iowa State said Sunday they’ll work to find new opponents to fill out their schedules after their openers were canceled because of severe weather.

Nebraska and Iowa State were among several teams across the nation that contended with weather problems Saturday on the first full weekend of college football. The Akron-Nebraska and South Dakota State-Iowa State games were called off shortly after they started, and other games had lengthy delays.

A team needs to win six games to assure itself of bowl eligibility. Nebraska went 4-8 last season and hopes to rebound under new coach Scott Frost. Deputy athletic director Bob Burton said Nebraska would begin looking immediately for an opponent, whether it be from the Bowl Subdivision or second-tier Championship Subdivision. The Cornhuskers have an open date Oct. 27.

Players were pulled off the field at Memorial Stadium immediately after the opening kickoff because of lightning in the Lincoln area. The game was called off after a 2-hour, 40-minute delay. Athletic director Bill Moos had discussions with Akron about resuming the game Sunday at 10:30 a.m., but the Zips balked.

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard, who was unavailable for an interview, wrote in a letter to fans Sunday the Cyclones are trying to find an opponent to play either on its October open date or on Dec. 1 if, at that time, it needs another win to achieve bowl eligibility. The Cyclones were 8-5 last season and have high hopes for this year.
Iowa State’s game against South Dakota State was canceled shortly after it started because of storms in the Ames area. Pollard wrote there was no serious consideration given to playing the game Sunday because it would have required finding lodging for SDSU late Saturday night, thrown off preparations for the teams’ games this week, and the Sunday forecast called for more stormy weather.

South Dakota State is unavailable during Iowa State’s Oct. 20 open date and hopes to be participating in the FCS playoffs on Dec. 1, which also is the same date as the Big 12 championship game. ISU officials said South Dakota received its payout of $425,000. If the Cyclones achieve six wins by November, he said, a 12th regular-season game wouldn’t be needed.

Nebraska Athletic director Bill Moos in his statement, said, “Regarding any potential additions or adjustments to the 2018 football schedule, we will explore and discuss those options in the coming weeks. In the meantime, fans are encouraged to hold onto their tickets from [Saturday night’s] game in the event a game were to be added later in the season.”