Tyrone Woods and Hitoshi Tamura both hit two-run homers Friday to lead the Yokohama BayStars to a 5-2 win over the Central League-leading Chunichi Dragons.
Chunichi jumped to a 2-0 lead in the second inning at Yokohama Stadium but the BayStars took a 3-2 lead in the third on Tamura's 18th homer of the season.
Woods gave Yokohama a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth with his 23rd homer of the season.
Scott Mullen picked up the win after giving up two runs on seven hits over six innings. Kazuhiro Sasaki retired the side in the ninth for the save, his 16th of the season.
At Hiroshima Stadium, Tuffy Rhodes belted a pair of solo homers to lead the Yomiuri Giants to an 8-7 victory over the Hiroshima Carp.
Veteran left-hander Kimiyasu Kudo picked up the win after holding the Carp to one run on seven hits over seven innings.
Rhodes homered in the first and fourth innings and Hiroki Kokubo hit a grand slam in the third when the Giants scored six runs. Hiroshima rallied for five runs in the bottom of the ninth before Hideki Okajima recorded the final out.
In the Pacific League, Koichi Hori hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning at Fukuoka Dome to power the Lotte Marines to a 13-1 win over the league-leading Daiei Hawks.
Lotte starter Hiroyuki Kobayashi went seven strong innings while giving up one run on six hits to pick up the win.
At Seibu Dome, Alex Cabrera hit a pair of homers to power the Seibu Lions to a 7-4 victory over the Nippon Ham Fighters.
Cabrera, who returned to the lineup this week after sitting out most of the first half with an arm injury, hit a two-run homer in the fourth and a solo homer in the sixth. Fumiya Nishiguchi held the Fighters to four runs on eight hits over 6-1/3 innings. Shinji Mori retired the side in the ninth for the save.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely