KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nick Loftin delivered his second game-winning hit in less than a week, driving in Tyler Tolbert from second base with a single in the ninth inning to give the Kansas City Royals a 3-2 win over the New York Mets on Sunday.
Tolbert singled off Sean Manaea, who had been dominant in relief in his season debut for the Mets. And when the speedster stole second base, that gave Loftin the chance to deliver another winner after his deciding single Tuesday against Pittsburgh.
Manaea (0-1), who had been out after straining an oblique in spring training and then developing an elbow issue during his rehab outings, allowed that lone run and five hits while striking out seven in 3 1/3 innings.
Noah Cameron delivered another brilliant start for Kansas City, scattering seven hits while matching a career best with eight strikeouts over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. And the rookie left-hander was in line for his fourth win when John Schreiber and Lucas Erceg shepherded a 2-0 lead — courtesy of John Rave's second-inning double — to All-Star closer Carlos Estévez.
Ronny Mauricio led off the ninth with a double off Estévez (4-2). Jeff McNeil followed with an RBI triple off the center-field wall, and fellow pinch hitter Jared Young delivered a sacrifice fly moments later to tie the game.
Clay Holmes allowed two runs and five hits and a walk over five innings for New York.
Tolbert entered the game in the eighth for Jac Caglianone for his defense. It wound up being his offense that mattered, helping the Royals avoid a three-game sweep heading into the All-Star break.
The Mets went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight in the game.
The Mets will be represented at the All-Star Game in Atlanta this week by LHP David Peterson, RHP Edwin Diaz, SS Francisco Lindor and 1B Pete Alonso. The Royals will have INF Maikel Garcia, Estévez, SS Bobby Witt Jr. and LHP Kris Bubic there.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes walks to the bullpen to warm up during a rain delay before a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna (2) throws to first for the double play hit into by Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. after forcing Jonathan India (6) out at second during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a two-run double hit by Kansas City Royals' John Rave during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Dak Prescott threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, and the Dallas Cowboys blew most of an 18-point lead before squeezing past the Washington Commanders 30-23 Thursday.
Dallas (7-8-1) scored touchdowns on its first three possessions to go up 21-3. Although the Commanders (4-12) cut the gap to a touchdown on three different occasions, they couldn't complete the comeback and absorbed their 10th loss in 11 games.
Both teams were previously eliminated from playoff contention, which severely lessened the significance of this matchup between longtime NFC East rivals.
Prescott completed 19 of 37 passes and helped Dallas convert all six of its fourth-down tries. His two TD passes gave him 30, tying Tony Romo's franchise record of four seasons with at least 30 touchdown throws.
Prescott shrugged off six sacks, including three by Jer'Zhan Newton.
Playing without injured quarterbacks Jayden Daniels (elbow) and Marcus Mariota (quad, hand), Washington turned to 39-year-old journeyman Josh Johnson. Making his 10th career start and first since 2021, Johnson went 15 for 23 for 198 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt scored on runs of 10 and 72 yards for Washington. The latter touchdown got the Commanders to 24-17 in the third quarter, but Dallas restored its double-digit lead with a 52-yard field by Brandon Aubrey.
Aubrey added a 51-yarder to make it 30-20 with 3:59 remaining.
After Prescott threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ferguson on the game's opening drive, Johnson went 3 for 3 for 68 yards to get Washington to 7-3. The key play was a 41-yard completion to Deebo Samuel, Johnson’s longest since 2018. Samuel finished by running into Donovan Wilson, knocking the safety's helmet off.
On their second possession, the Cowboys converted three fourth downs on a 17-play march that ended with a touchdown run by Javonte Williams. Prescott then made it three TDs in three drives with an 86-yard scoring pass to KaVontae Turpin.
Cowboys: Williams sustained a shoulder injury. ... Ferguson missed the second half with a calf injury.
Commanders: C Tyler Biadasz left with a right knee injury.
Cowboys: Close the season at New York Giants on Jan. 3 or 4.
Commanders: Season finale at Philadelphia on Jan. 3 or 4.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Washington Commanders quarterback Josh Johnson (14) throws during the first half an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) catches a touchdown pass as Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin (20) defends during the first half an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) is congratulated by teammates running back Jeremy McNichols and wide receiver Treylon Burks (13) after scoring during the first half an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
