AMERICAN LEAGUE
Manny Machado’s three-run homer capped a five-run ninth inning and gave the Baltimore Orioles an 8-5 win over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.
The Red Sox had gone ahead 5-3 in the sixth on consecutive homers by Daniel Nava and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but closer Joel Hanrahan could not hold the lead on a night when their nearly 10-year home sellout streak ended after two seasons in which they missed the playoffs.
Chris Davis led off the ninth with his fifth homer. Hanrahan (0-1) retired the next two batters, then allowed a single by Ryan Flaherty. He then walked Nolan Reimold and Nate McLouth to load the bases and threw a wild pitch that brought pinch runner Alexi Casilla home with the tying run.
On the next pitch, Machado hit the ball over the Green Monster for his first homer.
Darren O’Day (1-0) got the win and Jim Johnson pitched the ninth for his third save.
Boston’s sellout streak began on May 15, 2003, lasted 820 games, including the post-season, and was the longest in major pro sports history. It broke the record of 814 set by the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers from 1977 to 1995.
BLUE JAYS 8, TIGERS 6
In Detroit, Michigan, J.P. Arencibia hit a three-run double in the seventh inning as Toronto rallied from a five-run deficit to beat Detroit.
Detroit led 6-1 in the sixth, but starter Rick Porcello allowed hits to the first three batters. They all eventually scored, and Toronto added four more runs the following inning. Brayan Villarreal (0-1) came on with one on and one out in the seventh and proceeded to walk three straight hitters, forcing in a run. Arendcibia followed with a drive to the gap in left-center off Octavio Dotel.
Aaron Loup (1-0) pitched a scoreless sixth for the Blue Jays. Casey Janssen, the last of five Toronto relievers, pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.
RAYS 2, RANGERS 0
In Arlington, Texas, Matt Moore and four Rays relievers combined on a five-hitter as Tampa Bay beat Texas in the coldest day game ever at Rangers Ballpark.
It was only 4oC when the game started after a rain delay of 1 hour, 29 minutes. That was 22oC colder than Tuesday night.
Evan Longoria had a sacrifice fly for the Rays, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Their other run came on a grounder after Derek Holland (0-1) walked the bases loaded, his only three walks in his eight innings.
Moore (2-0) limited Texas to a single and struck out five in five-plus innings, but walked six.
In other AL action, it was:
‧ Royals 3, Twins 0
‧ Athletics 11, Angels 5
‧ Astros 8, Mariners 3
‧ Yankees-Indians postponed
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, ST LOUIS
Jake Westbrook pitched a five-hitter as the St Louis Cardinals backed him with four home runs on Wednesday in routing the Cincinnati Reds 10-0.
Jon Jay, Carlos Beltran and Matt Adams homered in a span of seven at-bats off Homer Bailey as the Cardinals took two of three from the NL Central champions.
Matt Carpenter added a two-run homer on a four-hit day. Adams homered for the second straight game, and added an RBI double and a walk.
The Cardinals have dominated the Reds at home the past decade, losing just three of 28 series with two splits.
Westbrook (1-1) threw his fourth career shutout, walking four and striking out three.
It was his first shutout since Aug. 9, 2006, against the Angels with Cleveland, and his 15th career complete game. He even contributed an RBI single for St Louis’ final run.
Bailey (1-1) had gone 23 straight shutout innings — including his no-hitter against Pittsburgh last season — before the Cardinals broke open a scoreless game with four runs with two outs in the fifth.
BRAVES 8, MARLINS 0
In Miami, Evan Gattis hit a three-run homer as Atlanta completed their second consecutive three-game sweep when they beat the reeling Miami Marlins. Mike Minor (2-0) pitched 5-2/3 innings for the Braves, whose 8-1 record leads the majors.
In other NL action, it was:
‧ Giants 10, Rockies 0
‧ Diamondbacks 10, Pirates 2
‧ Phillies 7, Mets 3
‧ Dodgers 4, Padres 3
‧ Brewers-Cubs postponed
In interleague play, it was:
‧ Nationals 5, White Sox 2
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
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just
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