INTERLEAGUE PLAY
The red-hot New York Yankees silenced a record crowd at the Mets’ Citi Field with a 5-1 win over their cross-town rivals in the Subway Series opener on Friday.
A boisterous gathering of a little more than 42,000 watched the Yankees extend their winning streak to six games after their first two batters singled and scored on an RBI double by Mark Teixeira.
Robinson Cano then drove in Teixeira to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
The Mets reduced the deficit with a run in the second inning, but missed an opportunity to turn the game in their favor in the fifth, leaving the bases loaded when Angel Pagan struck out.
In the seventh inning, Jose Reyes tried to advance to third base when a relay throw from Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson bounced away from shortstop Eduardo Nunez.
Nunez recovered and threw the ball to Alex Rodriguez, who made a sweep tag that appeared to miss Reyes as he slid into third base.
“I think I just touched his sleeve,” Rodriguez told reporters. “I watched the replay and I wasn’t sure.”
Reyes was called out on the play and instead of having a runner at third base with one out the Mets had two outs with nobody on base and did not threaten again.
“If he’s safe the momentum goes back in their favor,” Granderson said.
The Yankees scored runs in the eighth and ninth to make the game safe. Yankees starter Ivan Nova (8-4) struck out three over five innings, allowing seven hits and the Mets’ solitary run.
Mets starter Jon Niese (7-7) took the loss after giving up three runs on nine hits, striking out seven over six innings.
GIANTS 4, TIGERS 3
In Detroit, Pablo Sandoval hit a tiebreaking double in the top of the ninth inning and San Francisco hung on on when Detroit’s Brennan Boesch lined into a double play with the bases loaded.
The Giants were coming off back-to-back losses to the Cubs — both in Chicago’s last at-bat. They nearly fell again in similar fashion. After scoring three runs in the top of the ninth, San Francisco allowed two in the bottom half before shortstop Brandon Crawford caught Boesch’s soft line drive and stepped on second to effect the double play, ending the game.
Giants closer Brian Wilson (6-1) got the win, but only after blowing a save for the second straight day. Jeremy Affeldt came on and earned his third save.
Detroit’s Jose Valverde (2-3) took the loss.
DODGERS 5, ANGELS 0
In Anaheim, Hiroki Kuroda pitched seven scoreless innings to steer the Dodgers past the Angels in the all-Los Angeles series.
Kuroda (6-9), who struck out four and walked one, had dropped a career-worst six consecutive decisions, but had a solid 3.54 ERA during the losing streak.
Aaron Miles went 4 for 4, while Dee Gordon stole home on the front end of a double steal for the Dodgers. Tony Gwynn Jr went 3 for 3 with three walks.
Angels rookie Tyler Chatwood (5-5) gave up 12 hits in five-plus innings.
In other interleague play, it was:
‧ Phillies 7, Blue Jays 6
‧ Cardinals 5, Rays 3
‧ Indians 8, Reds 2
‧ Braves 4, Orioles 0
‧ Rangers 15, Marlins 5
‧ Athletics 5, Diamondbacks 4
‧ Twins 6, Brewers 2
‧ Mariners 6, Padres 0
‧ Red Sox 7, Astros 5
‧ White Sox 6, Cubs 4
‧ Rockies 9, Royals 0
In National League play, it was:
‧ Nationals 2, Pirates 1
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
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
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
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care