NATIONAL LEAGUE
REUTERS AND AP, LOS ANGELES AND ATLANTA
PHOTO: EPA
Manny Ramirez swatted a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.
The Dodgers trailed 1-0 in the eighth when Ramirez came on to pinch-hit, after he was forced to sit on the bench for a second successive game with a calf injury, and sent a pitch from reliever Sergio Romo over the left field wall.
San Francisco left-hander Barry Zito (2-0) left the game having pitched 7 1/3 innings before walking pitch-hitter Garret Anderson, who was replaced by pinch runner Blake DeWitt.
Ramirez then drove in DeWitt with his homer, which was the 548th of his career that tied him with Mike Schmidt for 14th place on the all-time list.
“It’s nice to have weapons like Anderson and Manny,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre told reporters.
“It gives this ballclub the opportunity to come back in games,” he said.
“I would not like to see Anderson and Manny coming off the bench in a close game,” Torre said.
Juan Uribe gave the Giants (8-4) the lead with a solo homer in the seventh off 22-year-old starter Clayton Kershaw, who struck out nine in seven innings.
Los Angeles preserved the win in the eighth where three relievers combined to end a bases-loaded threat when Uribe hit into a ground out. Jonathan Broxton then pitched a perfect ninth and recorded the save for Los Angeles (6-6).
ASTROS 3, CUBS 2, 10 INNINGS
At Chicago, Pedro Feliz hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 10th inning after Geoff Blum tied it with an RBI double in the ninth as Houston rallied to beat Chicago.
Tim Brydak (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth as Houston won its first series since taking two out of three from Pittsburgh Sept. 11-13, 2009.
Jason Michaels led off the 10th inning with a leadoff double off Cubs reliever Sean Marshall (0-1). Michaels moved to third on Michael Bourn’s sacrifice.
After intentional walk to Jeff Keppinger, Feliz flied out to left-center to score Michaels. Michaels easily beat center fielder Marlon Byrd’s throw.
In other games it was:
• Braves 4, Rockies 3
• Marlins 2, Phillies 0.
• Pirates 5, Reds 3
• Brewers 11, Nationals 7
• Padres 5, Diamondbacks 3
• Cardinals 5, Mets 3
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, NEW YORK
Mark Teixeira hit his first home run of the season and Ramiro Pena delivered a key single while filling in for an ailing Derek Jeter as the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Sunday for a three-game sweep.
Andy Pettitte (2-0) allowed four hits over eight innings as the Yankees won their fourth in a row, taking advantage of a wild Rich Harden (0-1) to hand Texas its fourth straight loss.
A notoriously slow starter, Teixeira, 30, hit a most-overdue homer. He shared the AL lead last year at 39 with Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena.
RAYS 7, RED SOX 1
At Boston, Matt Garza pitched shutout ball for eight innings, and Carlos Pena and B.J. Upton each hit two-run homers as Tampa Bay continued its hot road start.
Tampa Bay is unbeaten away from Tropicana Field, winning six straight on the road during the current 10-game trip. The club record for consecutive road victories in a season is seven.
Dustin Pedroia had a sacrifice fly for Boston, which has lost four in a row.
Tampa Bays can close out the four-game sweep in the traditional Patriots Day game.
In other games it was:
• Royals 10, Twins 5
• Indians 7, White Sox 4
• Orioles 8, Athletics 3
• Angels 3, Blue Jays 1
• Tigers 4, Mariners 2
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