KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Yordano Ventura said he knew Oscar Taveras, the young slugger for the St. Louis Cardinals who died, along with his girlfriend, Edilia Arvelo, in a car crash Sunday night in the Dominican Republic. Ventura and Taveras were friends who hung out at each other's home during those frequent times in the minors when they played on opposing teams in the same league. Before a team workout for the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Monday afternoon, Ventura said Taveras has been on his mind as he prepared for Game 6 of the World Series. Sometime before Ventura throws the first pitch against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night, the body of Taveras will be buried in their home country. About a year older at 23, Ventura was born in Semana, D.R., a seaside town smaller than Puerto Plata, a resort area where Taveras was from. Both players began with their respective organizations in 2009 when they were in their late teens. Ventura reached the majors in 2013; Taveras this past May. Both players — Ventura with a 100 mph-plus fastball, and Taveras with hitting talent that's been compared to Albert Pujols — have been considered to be on parallel...