Wilson Betemit, Matt Kemp and winning pitcher Kuo Hong-chih homered off John Maine on three consecutive pitches as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 4-1 on Tuesday to hand the slumping National League East leaders their eighth loss in nine games.
After Russell Martin grounded out to start the second, Betemit hit an 0-1 pitch over the left-center field fence for his sixth homer. Kemp drove Maine's next pitch just inside the left-field foul pole for his first, and Kuo followed by hitting the first homer of his career into the right field pavilion to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead.
The last time a team hit three homers on as many pitches occurred last Sept. 18 on the last three of the four straight hit by the Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth inning in an 11-10, 10-inning victory over San Diego.
PHOTO: AP
The Mets hadn't allowed three straight homers since April 1, 1997, and five days ago they hit back-to-back-to-back homers against Philadelphia. Kemp's homer was the first to reach the loge level since July 27, 2005, when Olmedo Saenz accomplished the feat against Cincinnati.
Kuo (1-1), whose only previous victory came over the Mets last September, allowed five hits and one run in seven innings. Takashi Saito worked a perfect ninth for his 18th save.
Maine (6-4) allowed seven hits and four runs in 5 1-3 innings.
Yankees 4, Diamondbacks 1
At New York, Wang Chien-ming outpitched Brandon Webb in a marquee matchup of exceptional sinkerballers, and streaking Bobby Abreu hit an early three-run homer on Tuesday to help the Yankees to a 4-1 win against the Diamondbacks, their seventh straight.
The Yankees (31-31) won for the 10th time in 12 tries following a five-game skid, reaching .500 for the first time since they were 16-16 after beating Texas on May 9. It's their first seven-game winning streak since a 10-game run in May 2005.
Coming off a five-hitter at the Chicago White Sox, Wang (6-4) allowed six hits and walked none in seven innings. Runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award last year, he has won his last three starts and five of six overall.
Wang had to be on top of his game because Webb (6-4) settled down after giving up Abreu's homer in the first. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner yielded four runs -- three earned -- and five hits in seven innings.
In other baseball action on Tuesday it was:
* Tigers 4, Brewers 0
* Marlins 3, Indians 0
* Phillies 7, White Sox 3
* Red Sox 2, Rockies 1
* Devil Rays 11, Padres 4
* Pirates 7, Rangers 5
* Nationals 7, Orioles 4
* Reds 5, Angels 3
* Astros 5, Athletics 4, 11 innings
* Twins 7, Braves 3
* Royals 8, Cardinals 1
* Mariners 5, Cubs 3, 13 innings
* Giants 3, Blue Jays 2
France’s Kevin Aymoz snatched the men’s title at Skate America on Saturday, winning his first grand prix title with a battling free skate, while short program leader Kazuki Tomono faltered. It was an emotional triumph for Aymoz, who made his grand prix level debut in 2017, with seven prior podium finishes, but no gold. He had struggled with a painful foot injury since a disappointing 10th-place finish at Skate Canada last month. “It was so difficult,” the 28-year-old said. “After Skate Canada I wanted to give up so much and today I’m here and it’s so beautiful to be with my friends competing
Nigeria’s soccer coach has accused the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) of practicing “voodoo” after his squad’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup ended in a penalty shoot-out loss in the African playoff final. DR Congo and Nigeria drew 1-1 after extra-time in the tie in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday and the central Africans won 4-3 on penalties to book a place in inter-confederation playoffs in Mexico in March next year. In his post-match remarks to journalists, coach Eric Chelle said a member of the DR Congo team “did some voodoo, every time, every time, every time.” “That
A start-up’s entry into prediction market trading is raising fresh questions about the involvement of NBA owners in sports betting. The start-up, Mojo Interactive Inc, was cofounded by Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, the owners of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Lynx. Mojo has started trading on the outcome of sports games on the prediction market exchange Kalshi, an arrangement that is now being reviewed by the NBA. Mojo began trading event contracts tied to sports during the NFL season this fall, according to Mojo CEO Vinit Bharara. Mojo has yet to trade on any NBA games, Bharara said in
With Victor Wembanyama out and Stephon Castle lost to a hip injury, the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday still managed to cruise past Sacramento 123-110. Point guard De’Aaron Fox delivered a season-high 28 points with 11 assists, Harrison Barnes added 20 points, and Luke Kornet had 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in the home triumph. “We did a great job being disciplined in our approach,” Kornet said. “Fox asserted himself.” The Kings (3-11) suffered their sixth consecutive loss, while the Spurs improved to 9-4. Wembanyama missed his first game for the Spurs this season due to left calf tightness. The 21-year-old