AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, ARLINGTON, TEXAS
Pitcher Gio Gonzalez won his third consecutive start as the Oakland Athletics cut their American League West deficit to seven-and-a-half games with an 8-2 victory on Sunday, taking two of three in their series with the division-leading Texas Rangers.
Mark Ellis and Kevin Kouzmanoff homered for the A’s off Colby Lewis (9-11), while Cliff Pennington snapped out of a two-for-24 slide with two singles and a sacrifice squeeze bunt.
Gonzalez (12-8) left with a 7-2 lead after throwing 65 of his 95 pitches for strikes in six innings on another hot day in Texas.
YANKEES 2, WHITE SOX 1
In Chicago, rookie Ivan Nova set aside any worries he had about a Major League Baseball investigation and earned his first career win, while Marcus Thames hit another homer as New York edged Chicago.
It was an impressive outing for Nova (1-0), who allowed one run and five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in five-and-two-third innings.
He outpitched Gavin Floyd in his second start, a day after reports surfaced that the league is investigating him and a former minor league teammate for allegedly injecting each other with B-12 shots. The vitamin is not on the list of banned substances.
Thames led off the second with his fifth homer in five games and ninth overall.
Sunday’s other results:
• Tigers 10, Blue Jays 4
• Royals 6, Indians 2
• Orioles 1, Angels 0
• Mariners 2, Twins 1
• Rays 5, Red Sox 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Brian McCann hit a game-winning homer with help from a video replay, giving the Atlanta Braves a stunning 7-6 victory over the Florida Marlins on Sunday.
It was the first time a game ended using a video review.
Pinch-hitter Matt Diaz tied it with a two-run homer off Leo Nunez (4-3) after Brooks Conrad led off the ninth with a walk. Nunez retired the next two hitters, then McCann drove a 1-2 pitch toward the wall in right.
The ball bounced back onto the field and the umpires initially ruled it was still in play. McCann stopped at second and began arguing that he should have more than a double.
The umpires conferred, then headed toward the Florida dugout to look at a replay that clearly showed the ball struck the top of the wall — right over McCann’s name on an auxiliary scoreboard — and went over. It ricocheted back onto the field off a back wall.
Crew chief Tim McClelland returned to the field, pointed toward McCann with a slight grin and gave the signal for homer.
NATIONALS 4, CARDINALS 2
In Washington, Adam Wainwright struggled for five innings and St Louis lost again, falling to Washington and dropping five games behind Cincinnati in the National League Central.
Wainwright (17-9) failed in his third bid to become the National League’s first 18-game winner. The Nationals tagged him for four runs on six hits and three walks in five innings.
In his last three starts, Wainwright’s ERA has increased from a league-leading 1.99 to 2.30.
John Lannan (6-6) drove in two early runs, then pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning to leave the Cardinals at 2-5 — all against last-place teams — on their 10-game road trip.
Michael Morse hit a two-run homer as the Nationals posted consecutive wins for the first time since July 30 and July 31. Morse had seven straight hits, one short of tying the franchise record.
Sunday’s other results:
• Rockies 10, Dodgers 5
• Reds 7, Cubs 5
• Phillies 5, Padres 0
• Giants 9, Diamondbacks 7
• Brewers 8, Pirates 4
• Mets 5, Astros 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