AMERICAN LEAGUE
Alex Rodriguez’s ninth-inning homer was upheld in Major League Baseball’s first use of video replay as the New York Yankees beat their division rival the Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 on Wednesday.
Rodriguez, who went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs, hit a towering two-run shot off Troy Percival that third-base umpire Brian Runge immediately ruled a homer when it bounced off the catwalk behind the foul pole in left field.
Rays catcher Dioner Navarro protested, bringing manager Joe Maddon out of the dugout. After convening, the umpires reviewed the tap and upheld the call.
Rodriguez had a run-scoring double in the third off Edwin Jackson (11-9) and an RBI single in the fourth. The home run was his 31st of the season and 549th of his career, breaking a tie for 12th place with Mike Schmidt on the MLB all-time list.
RED SOX 5, ORIOLES 4
At Boston, Baltimore reliever Jim Miller threw away a bunt for a game-ending error, handing Boston a comeback win from a four-run deficit.
Miller threw past third baseman Aubrey Huff and down the left-field line, allowing Boston’s Alex Cora to jog in for the winning run.
Dustin Pedroia homered in the seventh inning to begin Boston’s rally from a four-run deficit.
In other American League action on Wednesday it was:
• White Sox 4, Indians 2
• Rangers 1, Mariners 0
• Blue Jays 5, Twins 4, 11 innings
• Tigers 9, Angels 6
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, CHICAGO
Randy Wolf pitched a six-hitter as the Houston Astros won their eighth straight 4-0 over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
It is Houston’s second eight-game winning streak in less than a month.
In other National League action on Wednesday it was:
• Mets 9, Brewers 2
• Giants 9, Rockies 2
• Marlins 5, Braves 3
• Nationals 9, Phillies 7
• Pirates 6, Reds 5
• Dodgers 6, Padres 4
• Diamondbacks 4, Cardinals 3
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
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Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
Playing soccer and competing for trophies is the best way that many transplanted Hong Kongers and Macanese have found to stay in touch, and to interact with Taiwanese society, said officials at the Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau Football Friendship Cup, which was held on April 13. Twelve clubs, mostly of players and coaches originally from Hong Kong and Macau, took part in the tournament in New Taipei City. The event is sponsored by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council. Participating teams were from the wider Taipei area, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung and other areas. They divided into two