AMERICAN LEAGUE
Joe Nathan left the bases loaded in the final two innings for his 33rd save and the Minnesota Twins held on on Sunday for an 11-8 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
Nathan got Ichiro Suzuki to ground out to complete the three-game sweep. The All-Star closer also struck out Adrian Beltre with the sacks full to end the eighth.
Jason Kubel had four hits and scored four runs and Justin Morneau homered and drove in two for the Twins, who stayed tied with the Chicago White Sox for the American League Central lead.
Knuckleballing reliever R.A. Dickey matched a major league record by throwing four wild pitches in an inning, and the reeling Mariners couldn’t get any closer than two runs.
Minnesota’s Glen Perkins (10-3) improved to 8-1 in his last 14 starts.
Raul Ibanez went 5-for-5 for Seattle, but Ryan Feierabend (0-1) allowed six runs and 10 hits in three innings.
INDIANS 4, ANGELS 3
In Cleveland, Jeremy Sowers and two relievers cooled off Los Angeles’ lineup, as Cleveland took two of three from the Angels to hand them a rare series loss.
Sowers (2-6) gave up only two earned runs over six and two thirds innings for his first win in five starts.
Rafael Perez struck out three over one and a third perfect innings and Jensen Lewis got his third save.
Cleveland took a 4-3 lead in the sixth against Justin Speier (1-6) on Grady Sizemore’s RBI single.
In other AL action it was:
• Yankees 15, Royals 6
• Rays 7, Rangers 4
• White Sox 13, Athletics 1
• Blue Jays 15, Red Sox 4
• Orioles 16, Tigers 8
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, HOUSTON
Roy Oswalt allowed one hit in eight innings and struck out 10, outpitching Randy Johnson in the Houston Astros’ 3-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Ty Wigginton hit a three-run homer off Johnson in the first inning, sending the Astros to their ninth victory in 11 games.
Arizona, which had won three straight, fell into a first-place tie in the NL West with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Oswalt (11-8) walked two and matched a season high for strikeouts. He is 5-0 in his last seven starts, and improved to 7-1 in his career against Arizona.
Oswalt retired the final 15 batters he faced. Jose Valverde finished the two-hitter, allowing only Drew’s single in the ninth before earning his 31st save in 37 tries.
Johnson (10-9) allowed eight hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out five but lost for the first time in seven starts against Houston.
In other NL action it was:
• Mets 4, Pirates 0
• Cubs 9, Marlins 2
• Dodgers 7, Brewers 5
• Reds 7, Cardinals 3
• Giants 3, Braves 1
• Rockies 7, Nationals 2
• Phillies 2, Padres 1
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