CINCINNATI (AP) — Johnny Cueto pitched eight scoreless innings to beat Lance Lynn and send the St. Louis Cardinals to their third consecutive loss 1-0 Thursday. Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth for his 33rd save and third in the last three games.

Cueto allowed just three hits and hit a batter to help the Reds win their second series in the last 13 against Central Division-leading St. Louis. The Cardinals have lost three straight for the first time since a four-game losing streak Aug. 26-30 and finished their eight-game road trip 4-4 after winning three out of four in Milwaukee.

Lynn retired 15 straight before Brandon Phillips led off the eighth inning with the Reds’ first walk of the game. He went to third on Jay Bruce’s single to center field and scored on Ramon Santiago’s sinking liner to short center that John Jay got a glove on but couldn’t hold. Bruce had to hold up to see if the ball was caught and was forced at second.

With KJAN Sports Director Jim Field.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was back on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice field Wednesday after serving his weeklong suspension following an arrest last November. He wasn’t the only player who wasn’t there a week ago. After getting routed by Tennessee in their season-opener, and losing Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson and starting defensive tackle Mike DeVito to season-ending injuries, the Chiefs were forced to frantically retool ahead of Sunday’s game in Denver.

Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson, who spent the past four seasons with the Broncos, was signed on Monday, while linebacker Jerry Franklin has been elevated to the practice squad. The Chiefs also turned over half of their practice squad in the search for help.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Alfredo Simon shook off a rough start but lasted seven innings and drove in the go-ahead run with the second of his two doubles as the Cincinnati Reds rallied for a 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night. Ryan Ludwick hit a solo home run to help the Reds win back-to-back games for the first time since Aug. 27-28 against the Chicago Cubs. The Central Division-leading Cardinals hadn’t sustained consecutive defeats since a four-game losing streak from Aug. 26-30.

Simon allowed five hits and two runs with three walks and five strikeouts for his second win in eight decisions over 11 starts since the All-Star break. Sam LeCure and Ryan Dennick pitched the eighth, and Aroldis Chapman worked a perfect ninth for his 32nd save. Terry Lyons took the loss after Cardinals starter John Lackey was ejected in the third inning for arguing balls and strikes.

CARDINALS-LACKEY EJECTED…

CINCINNATI (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals pitcher John Lackey was ejected from his start against the Cincinnati Reds in the third inning. Lackey appeared to question several ball-strike calls by plate umpire Tom Hallion before a 2-1 pitch to Brayan Pena was called a ball with the score 2-all on Wednesday night. The right-hander apparently questioned that call, and Hallion — the crew chief — ejected him.

Lackey allowed four hits and two runs with two walks and one strikeout. Left-hander Tyler Lyons replaced him.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa’s department of public safety had some fun on social media at the expense of its Iowa State counterparts. The undefeated Hawkeyes and winless Cyclones will square off in their annual rivalry game on Saturday, the third game of the season. So Iowa police used their verified Twitter account Tuesday to tweet a knock-knock joke Iowa State’s way.

Iowa State police replied “Dare we ask ‘who’s there?'” Iowa police responded with a picture of coaches Kirk Ferentz and Paul Rhoads sharing a laugh. The caption read “Owen. Owen Who? 0-2.”

Iowa State police acknowledged the burn, tweeting back “You’ve won this time … ” Iowa safety director Chuck Green says the jokes were meant to be a fun way to promote the game.

This weekend, the largest in-state rivalry between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones will take place at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The Iowa State Patrol reminds all fans traveling to and from the game and parties across the state to be safe.

The Iowa State Patrol offers the following tips for a safe weekend of football fun:

Plan ahead, leave early for your destination.
Slow down and expect heavy traffic delays.
Be patient if you encounter heavy traffic.
Pay attention and avoid any unnecessary distractions.
Obey all directions given by law enforcement officers.
Don’t drink and drive.
Buckle up!
A much higher volume of traffic is expected on Saturday in and around the Iowa City area. Some fans will arrive several hours before kickoff, so traffic congestion can be expected many hours prior to and following the conclusion of the game. Motorists not attending the game are encouraged to find alternate routes.

By following these simple tips, the Iowa State Patrol hopes everyone remains safe while cheering on the Hawkeyes and Cyclones.

w/ Jim Field

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Hawkeye 10:

• (3-0) Creston 25-25-25, Atlantic 14-18-15
• (3-2) Denison-Schleswig 25-29-25-22-15, Kuemper Catholic 27-27-20-25-11
• (3-0) Harlan 25-25-25, Shenandoah 15-14-17
• (3-1) Lewis Central 23-25-25-25, St. Albert 25-18-22-22
• (3-0) Red Oak 26-25-25, Glenwood 24-14-14

Western Iowa:

• (2-0) Logan-Magnolia 25-25, Heartland Christian 19-13
• (2-0) Logan-Magnolia 25-25, West Harrison 13-9

Rolling Valley:

• (3-1) Adair-Casey 23-25-25-25, Charter Oak-Ute 25-21-22-21
• (3-0) Boyer Valley 25-25-25, CAM 14-5-14
• (3-0) Exira/EHK 25-25-25, Woodbine 17-11-19
• (3-0) Coon Rapids-Bayard 25-25-25, Ar-We-Va 18-18-13

Others:

• (3-1) Bedford 25-22-25-25, Nodaway Valley 7-25-23-18
• (3-2) Carroll 25-23-20-25-15, Boone 23-25-25-21-13
• (3-2) East Mills 25-12-25-15-15, Fremont-Mills 18-25-21-25-13
• (3-2) Lenox 16-25-25-28-15, East Union 25-20-15-30-12
• (3-0) Sidney 25-25-25, South Page 13-14-17
• (3-1) Southwest Valley 25-22-25-25, Mount Ayr 14-25-15-17

CINCINNATI (AP) – Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in three runs, and Mike Leake pitched into the seventh inning and doubled home a run, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 9-5 victory on Tuesday night that ended their six-game losing streak against the St. Louis Cardinals. The NL Central leaders lost for only the second time in 11 games and maintained their 4 1/2-game lead over Pittsburgh. St. Louis is 10-4 against the Reds and 40-25 overall in the division.

The Reds won for the third time in 11 games. They are 17-33 since the All-Star break, a slide that has dropped them out of contention. Leake was coming off his worst start of the season, giving up a season-high seven runs and three homers during a 9-7 loss in Baltimore last Thursday. Against the Cardinals, Leake allowed three runs and eight hits.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says star left tackle Brandon Scherff could be available for Saturday’s game against Iowa State despite an undisclosed knee injury. But Scherff says he won’t play against the Cyclones after hurting his right knee in last week’s 17-13 win over Ball State. Scherff then showed up at Iowa’s facility on a pair of crutches and with a bandage on his knee.

Ferentz, who is often guarded when discussing injuries, repeatedly declared Scherff’s status as “day to day.” Scherff told local TV station KCRG in Cedar Rapids that he’s hoping to return for Iowa’s trip to Pittsburgh on Sept. 20.