AMERICAN LEAGUE
Brad Penny pitched eight scoreless innings and the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 in the American League on Saturday for their seventh straight victory.
Detroit scored three runs in the first inning and that proved enough.
Penny (4-3) issued no walks in eight innings. Jose Valverde struck out two in a hitless ninth, earning his 10th save.
Jeff Francis (0-5) pitched all eight innings for Kansas City, allowing seven hits.
ANGELS 3, RANGERS 2
In Arlington, Texas, Maicer Izturis hit a two-out RBI single in the ninth inning to lift Los Angeles over Texas.
Izturis hit a liner to left off Darren Oliver (1-4) that drove home catcher Jeff Mathis, who led off the ninth with a single before a sacrifice bunt by Peter Bourjos.
Angels closer Jordan Walden worked a perfect ninth for his seventh save in nine chances. Scott Downs (1-0) faced only one batter to get out of the eighth and take the win.
Texas starter Dan Haren wound up without a decision and is -winless in his past five starts despite a 1.93 ERA that is second-best in the leauge.
ORIOLES 6, RAYS 0
In St Petersburg, Brad Bergesen pitched his first shutout to steer Baltimore past Tampa Bay.
Bergesen (1-4) picked up his first victory of the season and improved on his previously dire 0-5 record with a 9.13 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay.
Baltimore took a 4-0 lead when Jake Fox hit a two-run homer in the sixth off Wade Davis (4-3). Mark Reynolds also homered for the Orioles.
RED SOX 6, YANKEES 0
In New York, Adrian Gonzalez homered for the fourth consecutive game as Boston downed New York on a night when much of the drama was off the field.
Longtime star Jorge Posada asked to be taken out of the New York lineup after the slumping designated hitter was dropped to No. 9 in the batting order. A person familiar with the discussion between Posada and the team said that he “refused” to play.
In other AL action, it was:
‧ Athletics 6, White Sox 2
‧ Blue Jays 9, Twins 3, 11 Innings
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, ATLANTA
Martin Prado homered and drove in three runs to extend his form surge and lead the Atlanta Braves to a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.
Prado and Nate McLouth hit back-to-back homers in the first inning for the only runs allowed by Philadelphia starter Joe Blanton (1-2) in five innings.
Braves starter Jair Jurrjens (5-0) took a perfect game into the seventh inning and wound up giving up three hits in 7 1-3 innings to beat the Phillies for the second time in a week. He has not allowed more than two earned runs in six starts.
Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his ninth save.
REDS 7, CARDINALS 3
In Cincinnati, Johnny Cueto took a shutout into the eighth inning to steer Cincinatti past St Louis.
Cueto (2-0) didn’t allow a Cardinal to reach second base until the seventh.
Ramon Hernandez hit solo homers on each of the first two pitches he saw, while Brandon Phillips drove in three runs for the Reds, who moved into the NL Central’s first place alone for the first time since April 18. Kyle McClellan (5-1) took the loss.
MARLINS 1, NATIONALS 0
In Washington, Anibal Sanchez pitched eight scoreless innings as Florida came out on top of Washington in a minimum-score game.
Sanchez (3-1) struck out nine and improved to 7-0 lifetime against the Nationals, as the Marlins won their eighth straight at Washington.
The sole run came from Mike Stanton’s seventh-inning homer.
Marlins closer Leo Nunez gave up a walk and a single to start the ninth, then escaped the first-and-second jam for his 14th save in 14 chances.
Livan Hernandez (3-5) matched Sanchez for six innings before taking his third straight loss.
Giants 3, Cubs 0, 6 innings, rain
In Chicago, Ryan Vogelsong pitched six scoreless innings in a rain-shortened game for his first career shutout and San Francisco beat Chicago. Vogelsong (3-0) struck out seven in his first complete game.
In other NL action, it was:
‧ Padres 9, Rockies 7
‧ Brewers 8, Pirates 2
‧ Diamondbacks 1, Dodgers 0
‧ Astros 7, Mets 3
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