MAJOR LEAGUES
Detroit’s Torii Hunter hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Tigers a dramatic 7-6 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday, boosting their commanding lead in the American League (AL) Central division.
Detroit’s win, combined with Cleveland’s loss at Atlanta, meant the Tigers led the division by 6.5 games, with the teams having 28 and 29 games left respectively. The Tigers and Indians were set to begin a vital series yesterday.
Elsewhere, Baltimore put some life back into its flagging playoff hopes with a win over Boston, while Pittsburgh’s post-season ambitions hit a speed hump with a home defeat by Milwaukee.
Detroit scored four times in the ninth off A’s reliever Grant Balfour (0-3). A two-out walk set up Victor Martinez’s RBI single, and then Hunter connected for the walk-off homer as the Tigers avoided a four-game series sweep.
Detroit starter Max Scherzer (19-1) was denied his 20th win, taking a non-decision after giving up six runs in five innings.
Star Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera hurt his abdomen making an awkward slide while attempting a double in the fifth inning. He insisted he would be back in the lineup yesterday for the start of their key series against Cleveland.
Oakland slipped three games behind Texas in the fight for the AL West division lead.
Atlanta catcher Brian McCann hit a three-run homer, which was enough to give the Braves a 3-1 win over Cleveland.
McCann went deep in the third after Justin Upton kept the inning going with a two-out single. Upton had to leave the game in the sixth after being struck on the left hand by a pitch, but X-rays showed no fracture.
Braves starter Kris Medlen (11-12) pitched seven scoreless innings to cap a series of dominant pitching by the Braves, who surrendered just three runs in three games.
Baltimore’s Chris Tillman pitched seven strong innings to earn his 15th victory of the season and steer the Orioles to a 3-2 win over Boston, who avoided a three-game sweep.
Tillman (15-4) allowed two runs, while striking out eight.
The Red Sox remained 2.5 games ahead of Tampa Bay in the AL East, with Baltimore another four games back.
Milwaukee’s Yovani Gallardo pitched seven scoreless innings to guide the Brewers to a 4-0 win over Pittsburgh.
The Pirates fell one game behind National League Central-leading St Louis, who were scheduled to start a three-game series at Pittsburgh yesterday.
Gallardo (10-9) allowed one walk, while striking out five, and improved his career record against the Pirates to 11-4, including 5-2 in Pittsburgh.
Aramis Ramirez homered for the Brewers against his old side, having also gone long on Tuesday for his 350th career home run.
Los Angeles’ Jason Vargas pitched seven scoreless innings to give the Angels a 2-0 win over Tampa Bay, and a fifth win in six games.
Kansas City’s Bruce Chen bounced back with a solid start as the Royals downed Minnesota 3-1 to complete a sweep for their fifth straight win.
New York’s Carlos Torres held Philadelphia scoreless over the first six innings to set up the Mets’ 11-3 win over the Phillies.
Washington’s Jayson Werth and Ian Desmond each hit a three-run homer, leading the Nationals over Miami 9-0.
Seattle’s Franklin Gutierrez hit a two-run homer after Nick Franklin gave Seattle an early lead with a solo shot, providing enough for the Mariners to beat Houston 3-2 and end a six-game skid.
Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the UEFA Champions League. “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United. The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021. Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on Wednesday was ruled out for the second half of their 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half. Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6 minutes, 1 second left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds before the break. The 19-year-old did not come out for the second half before the announcement that
Yassine Bounou on Wednesday saved two penalties, while Youssef en-Nesyri netted the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat. Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, are to face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff tomorrow. The 120 minutes before the shoot-out had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created more opportunities, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday sparked defending champions Oklahoma City to victory, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points while adding eight assists and five rebounds in the Thunder’s 124-112 home victory over Miami, improving the NBA’s best record to 33-7 after outscoring the Heat 70-53 in the second half. “We locked in defensively. We were finally able to get some stops,” Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins said. “We were able to get out in transition a little bit, get going offensively and find the flow.” Jalen Williams scored 18 points, while
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