AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit manager Jim Leyland was ejected from Monday’s game against Toronto for arguing a call with umpires, but his team seemed to feed off his fire and went on to beat the Blue Jays 4-2 at Comerica Park.
Leyland was thrown out of the game in the seventh inning following a dispute at first base after Tigers center fielder Andy Dirks was initially called safe and then ruled out by the first-base umpire.
Photo: EPA
Leyland’s reaction seemed to breath some life into the Tigers’ offense and they scored twice in the eighth to record their third win in a row.
“It just shows the fire he has to win and compete, and he’s going to do anything he can for the team to go out there and win,” Tigers third baseman Don Kelly said.
Jhonny Peralta hit an RBI triple just beyond the reach of Toronto outfielder Jose Bautista to break a 2-2 tie in the eighth. He also scored a run in the same inning to stretch the Tigers’ lead to 4-2.
Photo: AFP
An error by Peralta allowed Aaron Hill to reach base leading off the ninth inning and he advanced to third with a steal and a single by Jose Molina, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate.
However, Tigers’ closer Jose Valverde snuffed out the danger by getting pinch-hitter Juan Rivera to hit into a game-ending double play.
Detroit’s Joaquin Benoit picked up the victory by pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Starter Max Scherzer, who had been looking to earn his 10th win, took a no-decision after allowing two runs on six hits, striking out nine over seven innings.
Victor Martinez staked the Tigers to a 2-0 lead with RBI singles in the second and third innings, but Toronto leveled the score in the fourth on a run by Eric Thames and a solo homer by Adam Lind.
Toronto’s Marc Rzepczynski took the loss after allowing one run while facing two batters in the eighth inning.
INTERLEAGUE PLAY
AP, ST PETERSBURG, Florida
Jonny Gomes homered against his old team to help the Cincinnati Reds to an 5-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Gomes, the former Tampa Bay outfielder playing at Tropicana Field for the first time since becoming a free agent after the 2008 season, hit a solo shot during a two-run fourth that made it 4-0. Brandon Phillips, who had four hits and two RBIs, added a run-scoring single later in the inning.
Reds starter Mike Leake (7-4) went six scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson (7-7) lost his fourth consecutive start, giving up four runs in six innings. Over his skid, Tampa Bay have been outscored 20-1.
Dodgers 15, Twins 0
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Los Angeles responded to a growing off-field crisis with a defiant performance on the field, routing the Twins.
The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy protection earlier in the day, blaming Major League Baseball for refusing to approve a multibillion-dollar TV deal that owner Frank McCourt was counting on to keep the troubled franchise afloat.
Chad Billingsley (7-6) combined with three relievers, including Taiwan’s Kuo Hong-chih, on Los Angeles’ seventh shutout of the season.
He struck out four in six innings.
Casey Blake had a home run among his three hits for the Dodgers, who set season-highs for runs and hits (25).
Minnesota starter Nick Blackburn (6-6) lasted 4-1/3 innings, allowing eight runs as the Twins lost their sixth straight.
Padres 4, Royals 3
In San Diego, California, Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run homer for San Diego in the narrow win over Kansas City.
The Padres, coming off consecutive series victories against Boston and Atlanta, have won five of six.
San Diego starter Mat Latos (5-8) allowed three runs in six innings, striking out six to get his first win in four starts. Heath Bell pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 22 chances, getting the final out after allowing consecutive two-out singles.
The Padres continued their domination of Jeff Francis (3-9), who allowed four runs in five innings. Francis dropped to 5-13 with a 5.65 ERA in 22 starts against San Diego.
Monday’s other results:
‧ Indians 5, Diamondbacks 4
‧ Braves 3, Mariners 1
‧ Angels 4, Nationals 3, 10 innings
‧ Cubs 7, Rockies 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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and