Kansas City is slipping in the American League Central Division race.

After running a close second to Cleveland for a stretch of the Major League Baseball regular season, the Royals were third in the division entering Thursday’s interdivisional road meeting with Oakland. They also had gone 2-8 in their last 10 ballgames.

Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro and his Royals remain in contention in the American League Central Division, despite a recent 4-6 stretch.

Excelsior Springs varsity baseball coach Aaron Holst and his Tigers are hoping to breathe easier this week.

The Tigers had nine wins entering the week, which began Monday with a 12-5 road loss to Kearney and continued Wednesday with a 3-0 home loss to Winnetonka. Weather permitting, they have three more opportunities to secure win No. 10 – Friday at Raytown, and a triangular Saturday in Sedalia with Camdenton and Smith-Cotton.

Excelsior Springs nudged closer to its 10th win this season with its most recent home triangular. 

After falling 10-6 to Smithville, the Tigers defeated Pleasant Hill 6-2, giving them win No. 9. Here are some images from both April 20 games, captured by sports editor Shawn Roney.