NATIONAL LEAGUE
Taiwan’s Wang Chien-ming pitched six solid innings and drove in his first career run on Saturday as the Nationals’ 4-1 victory slowed Atlanta’s chase for a wild-card playoff berth.
Wang, making his 11th start since returning from a two-year layoff in the wake of a shoulder surgery, allowed one run and four hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked none.
Photo: AFP
Wang returned in July and endured a couple of rough outings. However, in his last nine starts he is 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA.
“It was just a remarkable season,” Washington manager Davey Johnson said. “He got better every time out.”
Wang said he’d like to get more work this season.
“I wish I still can pitch a couple more games this season,” Wang said. “Because with each outing I get, I feel my shoulder’s stronger and then my breaking ball is coming back.”
Wang’s RBI single off Brandon Beachy — after Atlanta intentionally walked Ivan Rodriguez to bring him to the plate — capped a three-run fourth inning that gave Washington a 4-0 lead.
He had been 0 for 32 at the plate in his career.
“I was kind of lucky,” Wang said.
The Braves lost for the 16th time in their last 26 games and remained two games ahead of St Louis for the National League wild card with four games remaining.
“When we beat the Braves, it’s a good feeling. We want to fight for something,” said Washington’s Danny Espinosa, who singled in two runs in the fourth.
“If we keep them out of the playoffs, we’ll keep them out of the playoffs. No hard feelings,” Espinosa said.
CARDINALS 2, CUBS 1
In St Louis, Missouri, the Cardinals kept their faint wild-card hopes alive when Carlos Marmol forced home the tying run with a bases-loaded walk to Ryan Theriot with two outs in the ninth inning, then threw a game-ending wild pitch to give St Louis a victory over the Chicago Cubs.
The Cardinals pulled within two games of wild card-leading Atlanta. St Louis was to play the Cubs again yesterday, then closes with three games in Houston, Texas.
Jason Motte (5-2) got two outs for the win. Marmol (2-6) blew a save for the 10th time in 44 opportunities.
The Cubs had three of their six hits in the first, including Alfonso Soriano’s RBI single off Kyle Lohse.
Cardinals star Albert Pujols walked in the sixth and has reached safely in 40 consecutive games, breaking a tie with Johnny Damon for the longest in the majors this season.
In other NL play, it was:
‧ Mets 2, Phillies 1, 1st game
‧ Mets 6, Phillies 3, 2nd game
‧ Pirates 4, Reds 3
‧ Rockies 4, Astros 2, 13 innings
‧ Brewers 6, Marlins 4
‧ Diamondbacks 15, Giants 2
‧ Padres 3, Dodgers 0
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, NEW YORK
Derek Jeter capped a six-run second inning with a three-run homer, rookie Jesus Montero had four RBIs in finishing a triple shy of the cycle and the New York Yankees stunned the reeling Boston Red Sox early in a 9-1 victory on Saturday.
Boston dropped to 4-15 since holding a nine-game lead over the Rays in the AL wild-card race on Sept. 4. Tampa Bay went into Saturday night’s game in Toronto -trailing by two games.
Freddy Garcia (12-8) pitched six innings of six-hit ball, making his case for the No. 3 spot in the Yankees’ post-season rotation. Jon Lester (15-9) allowed eight runs and eight hits in 2-2/3 innings as Boston starters fell to 3-10 with a 7.34 ERA during the slump.
RAYS 6, BLUE JAYS 2
In St Petersburg, Florida, Tampa Bay moved within 1.5 games of Boston in the AL wild-card race after Johnny Damon’s three-run homer gave it victory over Toronto.
Damon connected with two out in the eighth, giving the Rays a four-run lead. Damon’s third hit of the game came after shortstop Mike McCoy mishandled Evan Longoria’s grounder for an error and Ben Zobrist flied out for the second out in the inning.
Rookie reliever Alex Torres (1-1) threw five shutout innings to earn his first big league win in his fourth game this season. The left-hander replaced Jeff Niemann to start the second and allowed three hits.
Damon also had a run-scoring double in the first as the Rays won for the second time in six games.
Jose Bautista hit his major league-leading 43rd homer for the Blue Jays, who had won seven of 11. Ricky Romero (15-11) gave up six runs — one earned — and six hits over 7-2/3 innings.
In other AL play, it was:
‧ Rangers 7, Mariners 3
‧ Orioles 6, Tigers 5
‧ Angels 4, Athletics 2
‧ White Sox 6, Royals 3
‧ Indians 8, Twins 2, 1st game
‧ Indians 7, Twins 6, 2nd game
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