sting positive for a banned substance.The Royals optioned utilityman Whit Merrifield to Omaha. Merrifield hit .317 in his first 34 games, but only .169 in his last 19 games, including going 1 for 17 after the All-Star break.CUNNINGHAM CUTThe Angels designated outfielder Todd Cunningham for assignment

INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler coach Chris Holtmann spent most of the last two weeks trying to get his team to play its old style.On Saturday, the pleas paid big dividendsSenior forward Andrew Chrabascz recommended using an inbound play with 15.6 seconds left and Tyler Lewis found Tyler Wideman for a dunk to help No. 18 Butler hold on for an 83-77 victory over No. 9 Indiana at the Crossroads Classic.I knew he (Lewis) would make the right read, Chrabascz said. Just a spur of the moment, put something out there and coach agreed with it. Its a one-in-a-million chance. Hes got to agree every once in a while.There was plenty for Holtmann to like in this one.Kelan Martin scored 28 points, while Chrabascz and Kamar Baldwin each added 14 to give the Bulldogs (10-1) their second straight win overall and their second upset of Indiana in four years in a doubleheader that features the states four highest-profile basketball schools.And though Indiana cut an 11-point deficit with 8:10 to play to 79-77 in the final minute, the Hoosiers (8-2) never had the ball with a chance to force a tie or take the lead in the second half.No, it wasnt easy -- it never is against their in-state rival.But the Bulldogs, as they usually do, shared some suggestions, protected the ball and found a way to hold on f or a win.James Blackmon Jr. got the Hoosiers offense in sync in the second half when he scored 16 of his 26 points. Thomas Bryant had 15 points and seven rebounds, but when the Hoosiers couldnt get the late stop they needed, their five-game winning streak was over.Just a misunderstanding with me and my teammates, Bryant said, referring to the blown defensive assignment on Wideman. Ive just got to be better in that moment.A mistake that Chrabascz sensed was coming and that Holtmann took a chance on.The pass was really important, Holtmann said. You guys know it doesnt always work like that, and I was glad it did there.BIG PICTUREButler: After last weeks stumble at Indiana State, the Bulldogs have rebounded with consecutive wins over ranked foes and are 3-0 against the Top 25 and 2-0 against the Top 10 this season. It should be a good resume to help Butler climb in the polls.Indiana: For the second time this season, the Hoosiers played an in-state opponent -- and somehow they have managed to lose both. Indiana has a chance to rebound at their favorite venue, Assembly Hall, where the Hoosiers will play three straight unranked teams before the next big matchup, New Years Eve against No. 11 Louisville.THOUSAND POINTS OF LIGHTThe inbound play was only one of Chrabasczs contributions on a milestone day. The senior from Rhode Island scored 14 points, had three rebounds and four assists and became the 38th player in school history to score 1,000 career points. He has 1,007 in his career, and he may not be the last one to reach that milestone this season. Martin, a junior, has 965.OFF NIGHTIndiana might be the nations best 3-point shooting team over the past three seasons, averaging 9.6 per game during that span. But the Hoosiers werent nearly that good Saturday, when they went 0 from 8 beyond the arc in the first half and finished 6 of 21. The six 3s is a season-low.BLUE BACKButler Blue III, the Bulldogs beloved mascot, returned to the court for the first time this season Saturday. Blue III had been rehabbing since October surgery to repair a torn ACL. But the dog looked quite happy to be on the court for player introductions and later expressed his happiness on his Twitter account: DAWG GONE ITS GOOD TO BE BACK!UP NEXTButler: The Bulldogs put a 34-game home winning streak against nonconference opponents on the line Wednesday against Vermont.Indiana: Tries to extend its home winning streak to 25 when Delaware State visits Monday.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 .Chaz Roe Rays Jersey . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. Jose De Leon Jersey . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. https://www.cheapraysonline.com/1006i-guillermo-heredia-jersey-rays.html . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Trevor Richards Rays Jersey . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. Matt Duffy Rays Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year.KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Los Angeles Angels provided plenty of run support for Tyler Skaggs in his return to the majors.Way more than he needed.Skaggs pitched seven innings in his first big league start in two years and Yunel Escobar went 5 for 5 to help the Angels pound the Kansas City Royals 13-0 on Tuesday night.Kole Calhoun drove in four runs and Carlos Perez had four hits, including a home run. Mike Trout drove in three runs, and Johnny Giavotella had three hits and scored three times.Escobar matched a career high for hits and the Angels collected 22 overall, equaling their season best.Addressing what he thought was the best part of the night, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said: Theres no doubt watching Tyler go out there and, once he got his feet on the ground, bringing all his pitches into the game. He had a good crisp fastball, good changeup, good curveball. He mixed his pitches up well.The 25-year-old Skaggs allowed three singles, struck out five and walked one.I was definitely nervous, my first time on a big league mound in two years, Skaggs said. I just wanted to get that first batter out of the way. I started relaxing after that.The left-hander, who had elbow surgery in August 2014, had his fastball clocked in the 91-95 mph range.He just did a fantastic job, Royals manager Ned Yost said. He was very impressive. Thats pretty good stuff he featured out there tonight.Calhoun doubled home Escobar in the first inning. The Royals have been outscored 73-51 in the first inning after allowing only 68 first-inning runs last year.Calhoun drove in another run in the fourth with a groundout. He also had a sacrifice fly in the sixth and another run-scoring grounder in the ninth.Perez led off the sixth with his fifth homer.Royals right-hander Dillon Gee (3-4) was charged with five runs and 10 hits in five-plus innings.The Angels sent 13 men to the plate in a seven-run ninth. Reserve catcher Drew Butera got the final out in his second pitching appearance of the season.Anytime I have too come in and pitch, its never a fun time, Butera said.dddddddddddd Its an unfortunate situation. I hope this is the last time in my career.The Royals have dropped six of seven to fall three games below .500 for the first time this season.MONDESI CALLED UPRaul Mondesi, the first player to make his major league debut in the World Series, was called up and inserted into Kansas Citys lineup at second base. He went 0 for 3 and committed an error on the first ball hit to him in the first inning.Mondesi, who turns 21 on Wednesday, struck out as a pinch hitter in Game 3 of the World Series against the New York Mets.Mondesi hit .400 in his final nine games with Triple-A Omaha with seven RBI and five stolen bases. He began the season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, but was suspended for 50 games in May for testing positive for a banned substance.The Royals optioned utilityman Whit Merrifield to Omaha. Merrifield hit .317 in his first 34 games, but only .169 in his last 19 games, including going 1 for 17 after the All-Star break.CUNNINGHAM CUTThe Angels designated outfielder Todd Cunningham for assignment to make room for Skaggs. Cunningham hit .148 with one RBI in 20 games.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: Dr. David Altchek confirmed the initial diagnosis of RHP Nick Tropeanos ligament tear in his right elbow. The Angels are discussing options with Tropeano, who went to New York for the second opinion.Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain (left hamstring strain) will play his first rehab game Thursday with Triple-A Omaha. Well monitor it day to day and see how hes feeling, Yost said. Soon as feels like hes good to go, hell be back.UP NEXTAngels: RHP Matt Shoemaker starts for Los Angeles on Wednesday. He has allowed two or fewer runs in seven starts without getting a win.Royals: LHP Danny Duffy goes for Kansas City. He has won his past five decisions and is 3-0 with a 3.70 ERA at home. ' ' '