MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2017 SPORTS

Twins Nik Turley finally gets chance at MLB debut SAN FRANCISCO: Nik Turley never con- he has a chance to help the Twins to a Turley’s parents were set to fly in from that point, but he put himself in a posi- years in the minor leagues sidered it might be time to walk away three -game sweep. “That’s everyone’s the Los Angeles area for what is expect- tion by going out there and doing what or independent ball and something from his major league dreams for good. goal that picks up a and a mitt ed to be more than a one-start stay in he needs to do.” clicks,” Samardzija said. “That’s why this Nobody would have blamed him if he when they’re a kid,” Turley said. the big leagues. Molitor planned to talk to Turley and game’s such a great game. It just takes a did, given his long, “bumpy” baseball “The journey, it’s been a long one, it “I think everybody that’s around the remind him not to put added pressure little bit of confidence and a little adjust- journey that included 2016 stints in the feels like, it’s been pretty bumpy, too. It’s game enjoys those stories when they on himself, mentioning “the old Hoosiers ment here or there and you can see a Dominican Winter League and inde- special, everything about it. I wouldn’t come up,” Minnesota manager Paul moment,” a reference to the basketball guy’s career take off.” Turley understood pendent ball.”I never thought that was change too much about it. I just Molitor said. “For a guy to be drafted in a movie about a small-town Indiana team why he didn’t get his chance to come up it,” he said, matter-of-factly, while set- believed in myself.” round that is now non-existent and to winning the state basketball champi- with the Giants in 2015, when he pitched tling into his space in the Twins club- The big left-hander and former 50th- find his way onto a map with a couple of onship. Giants starter Jeff Samardzija, at -A Sacramento and San house Saturday. It will be Turley’s time at round draft pick by the Yankees will face clubs, including 40-man stints, and then who took a 3-2 loss to Minnesota on Jose. He still knows some players with last on Sunday, his major league debut his former San Francisco organization having to go through some things and Saturday, credited Turley’s perseverance. San Francisco and has fond memories of for Minnesota at age 27 and in his 10th with family and friends flying in to watch fight his way back through independent “That’s really impressive. Resiliency in that year, his first time pitching in his professional season - right at home in him pitch at AT&T Park. Turley was ball, it was a good find for us, obviously.” this game is a very important attribute home state since high school.”Their rota- his native California, too. signed as a minor league free agent last The Twins discussed depth way back and I think as long as you know and tion was pretty stacked,” Turley said. While he would be thrilled to be October and has pitched between in and Molitor had the have confidence in yourself that you “They had a whole lot of talent. We had a pitching in any ballpark for this long- Triple-A and Double-A this season, chance to say a quick hello to Turley have the skills to do it and you just need lot of good players on our team, too. The awaited moment, this is about as ideal a going 1-3 with a 2.05 ERA over 12 out- then. Yet the manager noted, “I don’t the time and need the practice, a lot of opportunities didn’t happen. Sometimes scenario as he could have scripted. And ings with 84 and 15 walks. think he was really on anybody’s radar at time these guys go and play a handful of that happens.” — AP

CHICAGO: Mark Reynolds #12 of the hits a home against the during the fourth inning on Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. — AFP

BASEBALL Rockies beat Cubs for 7th straight win

CHICAGO: Mark Reynolds and Charlie begin the first before Judge’s homer began a second straight late-inning win over the ties a franchise record set in 2000. first shutout of his career. Martinez’s 101st Blackmon homered, rookie Jeff Hoffman six-run burst. Tigers. The Red Sox have won 13 of 19. Sale (8- pitch of the game was a 100 mph that pitched neatly into the seventh inning and the 2) pitched seven solid innings, giving up three RAYS 6, ATHLETICS 5, GAME 1 struck out Howie Kendrick for the second out Colorado Rockies won their seventh straight METS 6, BRAVES 1, GAME 1 runs on nine hits, striking out seven without ATHLETICS 7, RAYS 2, GAME 2 in the ninth. Nick Pivetta (1-3), making his game, beating the Chicago Cubs 9-1 Saturday. METS 8, BRAVES 1, GAME 2 issuing a walk. Verlander was gone with high Sean Manaea won his fifth consecutive sixth career start, allowed four runs and four The Cubs lost their fourth in a row, dropping Steven Matz pitched seven impressive pitch count after five, allowing three runs and start to help Oakland split a rare scheduled hits in five innings, with four walks and two the World Series champions to 30-31. innings in his season debut, Jay Bruce hit a four walks with three strikeouts after leaving doubleheader with Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay strikeouts. Reynolds had four hits, including his 17th three-run homer and New York beat Atlanta to his previous start following two innings with a won the opener on Evan Longoria’s RBI single homer, and Nolan Arenado had a three-run sweep a doubleheader. Yoenis Cespedes made tight right groin. Detroit has lost four of five. in the 10th inning that completed a 3-hour, DIAMONDBACKS 3, BREWERS 2 double during a five-run ninth inning. The a smashing return in the first game, hitting a With runners on first and second, Moreland 56-minute game. The split came in the majors’ Zack Godley allowed two hits over 6 2/3 Rockies, who have the best record in the NL, grand slam to celebrate his return to the line- doubled off the Green Monster against first scheduled doubleheader since 2011. innings, Brandon Drury hit the go-ahead two- improved to 24-10 on the road. One of four up following a six-week stint on the disabled Warwick Saupold (1-1). Josh Rutledge added Manaea (6-3) allowed two runs and six hits run and Arizona beat Milwaukee. rookies in the Rockies’ rotation, the 24-year- list. Matz (1-0), appearing in a big league game an RBI single. over seven innings. He was supported by Rey Fuentes tripled and scored for the old Hoffman (4-0) allowed one run and struck for first time since last Aug. 14, gave up five home runs from Josh Phegley, Ryon Healy and Diamondbacks, who had their nine-game out eight in 6 1/3 innings. Four Colorado hits, one run and one walk. The left-hander DODGERS 5, REDS 4 Chad Pinder. Austin Pruitt (5-1) won in relief home winning streak snapped in a loss to the relievers kept Chicago scoreless the rest of the struck out two, holding the Braves scoreless Corey Seager delivered a run-scoring dou- and Liam Hendriks (2-1) took the loss in the Brewers on Friday. Godley (2-1) allowed two way. Cubs starter Eddie Butler (3-2) pitched until the seventh. Matt Wilser (0-1) gave up six ble in the bottom of the ninth to allow Los opener. Rays Game 2 starter Matt Andriese runs, struck out four, walked one and hit a bat- five innings and gave up three runs on six hits hits, four runs and three walks in six innings in Angeles to overcome a three-run homer from lasted one inning before departing with a ter. Fernando Rodney earned his 16th save in in his first outing against his former team. the second game. He struck out seven in mak- Devin Mesoraco and earn a victory over groin strain, the same injury that put him on 19 tries. Junior Guerra (1-1) permitted three ing his first start of the season. Robert Cincinnati. It was Seager’s second double and the 10-day disabled list May 31. Chih-Wei Hu runs and five hits in six innings in a strong out- YANKEES 16, ORIOLES 3 Gsellman (5-3) won his third straight start. He it made a loser of reliever Drew Storen (1-2), (0-1) replaced Andriese and gave up one run - ing for Milwaukee. Rookie Aaron Judge hit his major league- gave up three hits, two walks and struck out who allowed two one-out singles in the Phegley’s shot in the second - over four leading 19th home run and New York connect- four in 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Sean Newcomb ninth. Kenley Jansen (4-0) pitched a scoreless innings. PIRATES 7, MARLINS 6 ed five times in all, battering Chris Tillman and (0-1) lost in his major league debut despite ninth for the victory. The Dodgers built a 4-1 Jordy Mercer hit a tying two-run triple in Baltimore for its fourth straight win. Starlin allowing just one unearned run and four hits lead but saw it come undone when manager WHITE SOX 5, INDIANS 3 the eighth and John Jaso followed with a go- Castro, Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius and Matt in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and Dave Roberts replaced starter Alex Wood David Holmberg allowed two runs in five ahead double, lifting Pittsburgh over Miami. Holliday also homered in New York’s biggest walked two. with two on and two outs in the sixth with innings for his first win in two years, Jose Mercer’s drive to center off reliever David offensive show this season. The first-place reliever Josh Fields. Abreu had an RBI single in a three-run first and Phelps (2-3) scored Andrew McCutchen and Yankees have outscored Boston and Baltimore, RED SOX 11, TIGERS 3 Chicago defeated Cleveland. Holmberg (1-0) Elias Diaz, then Mercer scored on Jaso’s their closest competitors in the AL East, by 41- Boston’s outlasted Detroit’s RANGERS 6, NATIONALS 3, 11 INNINGS recorded his first victory since July 30, 2015 ground-rule double to right. Marlins star 6 during their winning streak. Luis Severino (5- Justin Verlander to win his seventh straight Robinson Chirinos nearly put Texas ahead when he pitched for Cincinnati against Giancarlo Stanton was hit by a pitch on the 2) pitched seven sharp innings, giving up one decision in a matchup of big-name . during a ninth-inning rally that tied it, then hit Pittsburgh. The left-hander was making his wrist in the first inning and left the game. The run and two hits. He struck out eight walked Mitch Moreland’s tiebreaking, two-run double a three-run homer in the 11th. Texas scored third start and 11th appearance of the season. team said X-rays were negative and that two. Tillman (1-4) was tagged for nine runs in sparked a three-run seventh inning and twice in the ninth to make it 3-all. Chirinos’ bid Josh Tomlin (3-8) allowed four runs - three Stanton is day-to-day with a bruised wrist. only 1 1/3 innings. He got two quick outs to Boston added five more in the eighth for its for a tiebreaking sacrifice fly was thwarted by earned - and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings as the Daniel Hudson (1-2) pitched a scoreless sev- Washington right fielder Bryce Harper, who Indians lost for the fifth time in seven games. enth for the win. Felipe Rivero got four outs for made a strong throw to nail a runner at the his first save. MLB results/standings plate. Washington almost won it in the bottom BLUE JAYS 4, MARINERS 2 of the ninth. With two outs, Trea Turner bunted Ezequiel Carrera led off the eighth inning TWINS 3, GIANTS 2 LA Dodgers 5, Cincinnati 4; Arizona 3, Milwaukee 2; Toronto 4, Seattle 2; NY Yankees 16 Baltimore 3; Chicago with a man at third, but pinch-runner Wilmer with his fifth homer of the season to break a 2- Brian Dozier and Kennys Vargas hit home White Sox 5, Cleveland 3; Boston 11, Detroit 3; Oakland 7, Tampa Bay 2; NY Mets 8, Atlanta 1; Kansas City 12, Difo hesitated going home and was quickly all tie, Kendrys Morales and Justin Smoak each runs, leading Jose Berrios and Minnesota over San Diego 6; Houston 3, LA Angels 1; Pittsburgh 7, Miami 6; Minnesota 3, San Francisco 2; Colorado 9, Chicago tagged out. Pinch-hitter Joey Gallo doubled added long balls and Toronto beat Seattle. San Francisco. Berrios (5-1) struck out eight Cubs 1; St. Louis 7, Philadelphia 0; with two outs in the Texas 11th off Shawn Morales’ two-run shot in the fourth inning, his over 5 1/3 innings to win his second straight American League National League Kelley (3-2). Following an intentional walk to 12th of the season, stood as Toronto’s only hit start, both on this road trip. The right-hander EASTERN DIVISION Eastern Division Nomar Mazara, Chirinos drove a fastball just until the seventh. After Seattle pulled even at escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third. After W L PCT GB Washington 38 23 .623 - over the left-field wall. Keone Kela (3-1) went 2-all, Carrera drove a sinker from Tony Zych (2- Denard Span’s double and walks to Brandon NY Yankees 36 23 .610 - NY Mets 27 33 .450 10.5 two innings as the below-.500 Rangers beat 2) that stayed in the middle of the plate deep Belt and Buster Posey, Berrios struck out Boston 34 27 .557 3 Miami 27 34 .443 11 the NL East leaders for the second straight day. to right field, generating a huge roar from the Brandon Crawford and Hunter Pence. Baltimore 31 29 .517 5.5 Atlanta 27 34 .443 11 thousands of Toronto fans in town for the Brandon Kintzler, the Twins’ third reliever, fin- Tampa Bay 33 32 .508 6.5 Philadelphia 21 39 .350 16.5 ASTROS 3, ANGELS 1 weekend series. Toronto starter Marcus ished with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 17th save in 18 Toronto 30 32 .484 7.5 Central Division Mike Fiers had another solid start and Brian Stroman (7-2) was outstanding, winning his chances. Jeff Samardzija (2-8) struck out six Central Division McCann homered to lead Houston over Los sixth straight decision. Stroman allowed one and walked one over six innings. Minnesota 32 26 .552 - Milwaukee 33 30 .5 - Cleveland 30 29 .508 2.5 Chicago Cubs 30 31 .492 2 Angeles. Fiers (4-2) allowed a season-low two earned run in seven innings, and it took the Detroit 29 32 .475 4.5 Cincinnati 29 32 .475 3 hits and one run, which was unearned, in a sea- help of two errors on one play for Seattle to ROYALS 12, PADRES 6 Kansas City 27 34 .443 6.5 St. Louis 28 32 .467 3.5 son-high 7 1/3 innings, to get his third straight score its second run and pull even. Roberto Lorenzo Cain hit two homers, including a 26 34 .433 7 Pittsburgh 27 35 .435 5.5 win after managing just one win in his first Osuna pitched the ninth for his 15th save. grand slam that capped a nine-run rally in the Western Division Western Division nine starts. Ken Giles walked one and struck eighth inning that sent Kansas City over San Houston 44 19 .698 - Colorado 41 23 .641 - out three in a scoreless ninth for his 16th save. CARDINALS 7, PHILLIES 0 Diego. The Royals trailed 5-3 when Cain led off LA Angels 32 33 .492 13 LA Dodgers 38 25 .603 2.5 McCann put Houston up 1-0 with his solo shot Carlos Martinez struck out 11 in a com- the eighth with an single. Eric Hosmer Seattle 31 32 .492 13 Arizona 38 26 .594 3 to right field off Ricky Nolasco (2-7) with one plete-game shutout and St. Louis beat and Salvador Perez followed with home runs Texas 29 32 .475 14 San Francisco 25 39 .391 16 out in the second. That hit gave the Astros at Philadelphia. Martinez (5-5) allowed four hits off Brad Hand (1-4) to put Kansas City ahead. Oakland 27 35 .435 16.5 San Diego 24 39 .381 16.5 least one homer in 18 straight games, which and walked one in his first complete game and Reliever Travis Wood (1-2) won in relief. — AP