MAJOR LEAGUES
Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run homer that powered the Diamondbacks to a 3-2 win over Colorado on Thursday, moving them within a game of the Rockies at the top the National League West division.
Goldschmidt’s fifth homer of the year followed a single by Martin Prado and snapped a 1-1 tie. Goldschmidt’s towering drive down the left field increased his team-leading RBI total to 18.
In other games, Baltimore opened their longest road trip of the season by routing Oakland, Gio Gonzalez was dominant from the mound as Washington beat Cincinnati and Texas made it six wins from seven games by downing Minnesota.
Pittsburgh rallied for a win over struggling Philadelphia, while Boston made it eight straight victories in series openers for the first time in their history by defeating Houston.
Arizona pitcher Trevor Cahill (1-3) earned his first win of the season, giving up just one unearned run in five innings. Jorge del la Rosa (2-2) allowed three runs in six innings for Colorado.
Baltimore’s Nate McLouth reached base four times and scored twice as the Orioles cruised to a 10-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.
Nick Markakis drove in two runs for Baltimore, who had a season-high 15 hits, with all nine starters getting at least one. Six players drove in runs.
Washington’s Gio Gonzalez allowed just one hit in eight innings, retiring the first 11 batters and striking out seven as he steered the Nationals to an 8-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
Denard Span and Danny Espinosa drove in three runs each for the Nationals, who had lost their previous six home games.
Texas’ Nick Tepesch pitched six strong innings for his second win, guiding the Rangers to a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Tepesch (2-1) shut the Twins out through six innings, allowing only two runners.
Elvis Andrus and Nelson Cruz each drove in runs to lead Texas to their sixth victory in seven games.
Pittsburgh’s Gaby Sanchez homered and drove in three runs as the Pirates recorded a 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Garrett Jones hit a go-ahead, two-run double for the Pirates, who won their third straight.
Boston’s David Ortiz went three for four with a home run and two RBIs, boosting his batting average to more than .500, as the Red Sox beat the Houston Astros 7-2.
Ortiz, who also scored three runs, is 11 for 20 (.550) with five RBIs since returning from a heel injury.
Kansas City’s Alex Gordon hit a grand slam to highlight a five-run 10th inning for the Royals, who rallied for an 8-3 victory against Detroit’s bullpen after Justin Verlander left with a thumb injury.
New York’s Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer as the Yankees used a flurry of early long balls to outslug the Toronto Blue Jays and win 5-3.
Los Angeles’ Andre Ethier hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning to give the Dodgers, boosted by a sharp outing from Ryu Hyun-jin, a 3-2 win over the New York Mets.
Chicago’s Chris Sale overcame a shaky first inning to combine with two relievers and lead the White Sox to a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Seattle’s Carlos Peguero hit a mammoth homer in his first at-bat of the season, while Kyle Seager had a two-run shot to help the Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-0.
Chicago’s Luis Valbuena hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the ninth inning to give the Cubs a 4-3 win over the Miami Marlins.
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