ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021 SPORTS 14 US bounce back from opening loss, rout Iran

Australia now 2-0 in men’s basketball, top Italy 86-83 Canada roll past South Africa SAITAMA, Japan, July 28, (AP): The U.S. basketball US women’s water polo team team got back to winning - and winning easily. handed rare loss at Olympics Damian Lillard scored 21 points and the Americans rebounded from TOKYO, July 28, (AP): Maggie Stef- an opening loss with their fi rst vic- fens and the United States have domi- tory of these Olympics, romping nated women’s water polo since the past Iran 120-66 on Wednesday. country won its fi rst gold medal in the Devin Booker scored 16 points and sport at the 2012 London Olympics. Jayson Tatum had 14 for the Ameri- The world is pushing back at the cans, who had their 25-game Olympic Tokyo Games, and it remains to be winning streak snapped with an 83-76 seen how Steffens and company re- loss to France on Sunday. spond. The U.S. not only bounced back The Americans were handed their with a win but did it in a Dream fi rst loss at the Olympics since 2008 Team-type performance against an when they fell 10-9 to Rebecca overmatched opponent, racing out for Parkes and Hungary in group play on transition dunks and stepping back to Wednesday. The team had been 19-0 knock down 3-pointers. this year, including fi ve victories over The U.S. made 19 3-pointers and 23 Hungary by a combined 66-37 score. of its 37 shots (62%) inside the arc. “The game just doesn’t know who It was a loud statement that might you are. The game doesn’t know United States’ Margaret Steffens quiet some of the criticisms the team where you come from,” U.S. goal- plays against Hungary during a pre- has heard right from the start of its tender Ashleigh Johnson said. “So liminary round women’s water polo summer, when it dropped its fi rst two every time you need to be ready. As match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, exhibition games. the U.S. team, as the Hungarian team, on July 28, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP) Those came against a different ca- you need to be ready for each team to against the ROC in its Tokyo opener. liber opponent. The Americans had bring their best, and Hungary brought played some of basketball’s best, with “We’ve had many tough games with games against Spain, Australia and Italy’s Michele Vitali (31) is fouled by Australia’s Matisse Thybulle (10) during a men’s basketball preliminary round their best today.” USA in the past and we knew there The United States was a big fa- Argentina - the Nos. 2-4 teams in the game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 28, in Saitama, Japan. (AP) was always a chance that we could beat men’s rankings - before facing the vorite to win its third straight gold them,” said Magyari, who carried her seventh-ranked French in the Olympic medal coming into Tokyo, but it was lucky teddy bear around the pool deck opener. pushed hard by China during a rugged after the win. “Today, we’re very hap- But Iran presented none of the Japan rally to beat DR in Olympic opener 12-7 victory Monday. Steffens had her py we managed to do that.” problems of those contenders, a team nose broken by an inadvertent elbow, It was the United States’ fi rst loss that only earned its spot in the fi eld in FUKUSHIMA, Japan, July 28, (AP): pan who could have a stateside future. since Jan. 16, 2020, at Australia. It Tokyo by being the highest-fi nishing Hayato Sakamoto hit a game-ending, He delivered six scoreless innings, OLYMPICS dropped to 130-4 since it won gold at Asian team at the 2019 Basketball bases-loaded single that capped a striking out seven with one walk, two the 2016 Games. World Cup. The Iranians are ranked three-run, ninth-inning rally, lifting hits and 88 pitches in his fi rst high-pro- It was its fi rst loss at the Olympics 23rd, ahead of only host Japan - which host Japan over the Dominican Repub- fi le international appearance. and the captain sported a black eye since the 2008 fi nal against the Neth- qualifi ed for the Games automatically lic 4-3 in the Olympic baseball opener Mercedes was every bit as good and a small bandage during the match erlands. It had a draw in London, but as the host country - in this 12-team Wednesday. against a loaded lineup. The 27-year- against Hungary. it went 6-0 on the way to the title in fi eld. The Dominicans led 3-1 entering the old - in his fi fth season with the Pacifi c Even with the loss, the Americans Rio de Janeiro. Lillard struggled and then stumbled ninth after starter Cristopher Mercedes League’s Yomiuri Giants - cruised into remain in good position to advance to “Wish we would have fi nished off in his Olympic debut, going 3 for 10 dominated a lineup he knows well from the seventh leading 2-0. He struck out the knockout round. The team faces the game, but we’ll learn from this and from the fi eld before a costly fall and his years in Nippon Professional Base- seven and walked one over six innings, the ROC on Friday. move on,” United States coach Adam foul with 17 seconds left. ball. Outfi elder Johan Mieses threw out no surprise to fans who have watched “For us, we’re fortunate that this is Krikorian said. a runner at home in the eighth inning to But he came out aggressively look- him go 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA for the Gi- just tournament one,” Steffens said. Beyond having some trouble with ing for his shot, a player known for his preserve the lead. ants this year. “This is bracket play, and so we’re go- Jairo Asencio (0-1) got the fi rst out Manager Hector Borg sent Mercedes the physicality of China and Hun- deep 3-pointers in the NBA having it ing to have a lot to work on, a lot to gary, the U.S. also is struggling with easy while shooting behind the closer of the ninth, then forgot to cover fi rst get better if we want to be the team we on Yuki Yanagita’s grounder to fi rst, Japan’s Tetsuto Yamada, (bottom), its shooting. It made 25 of 40 shots international line. is tagged out by Dominican Repub- OLYMPICS want to be at the end of this, for sure.” in its opening victory against Japan, letting him reach for Japan’s fi fth hit Hungary trailed 9-8 with 2:28 left, of the game. He allowed two more hits lic catcher Charlie Valerio while try- and then shot 36% (12 for 33) against OLYMPICS before Kai Takuya scored the tying run ing to score on a double hit by Ma- back out for the seventh with his pitch but captain Rita Keszthelyi scored China and 29% (9 for 31) in the loss with a sacrifi ce bunt. sataka Yoshida in the eighth inning count at 96, but Mercedes was pulled from deep and Parkes got the game- to Hungary. of a baseball game at the 2020 after leadoff hits from Hideto Asamura winner when she connected for a “At the end of the day, similar to the He had six of the Americans’ 13 After Tetsuto Yamada singled to Summer Olympics, on July 28, in load the bases, Jhan Martinez replaced and Yuki Yanagita. beautiful no-look goal with 45 sec- China game, we had a really diffi cult 3-pointers in the fi rst half. All 11 U.S. Fukushima, Japan. (AP) onds left. Parkes fi nished with a team- players who played in the fi rst half Asencio. Sakamoto, the 2019 Central While Major League Baseball play- Luis Castillo allowed a fi elder’s time just putting the ball in the back high three goals. of the net,” Krikorian said. “I don’t scored - late roster addition Keldon League MVP, then drove a ball to the ers aren’t at these Olympics, Japan’s choice RBI groundout to Munetaka Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs warning track in center to earn the Murakami but preserved a 2-1 lead. The U.S. had the ball in the fi nal know why that is. I think we’re a little professional league suspended its sea- seconds, but it turned it over. rushed. I think we need to settle down didn’t play until the second half. hosts a walk-off victory. son to accomodate the Games. Man- Prized Seattle Mariners prospect Julio Former NBA center Hamed Haddadi Just the way Japan wanted to open Rodríguez made a running catch in “It was a huge thing to beat the world a little bit. A little anxious.” the tournament. ager Astunori Inaba has many of his right fi eld for the fi nal out of the in- champions, but we mustn’t believe that After Hungary closed out its vic- scored 15 points for Iran (0-2). country’s best on the roster, includ- France 97, Czechs 77 The Olympics host nation is pursu- ning. we are better than anyone else,” Hun- tory, Canada rolled to a 21-1 win over Evan Fournier scored 21 points and ing its fi rst gold medal in baseball after ing former Yankees starter Masahiro Mieses kept it that way with his bul- gary goaltender Alda Magyari said South Africa. Gurpreet Sohi led the France followed its victory over the the sport was restored to the Summer Tanaka, now with the Pacifi c League’s let throw in the eighth. Yamada tried through a translator. “We have to take way with four goals. U.S. by beating the Czech Republic Games for the fi rst time since 2008. Rakuten Golden Eagles. to score from second base on Mastaka this tournament step by step.” China beat Japan 16-11, and the 97-77for a 2-0 start to the Olympic Few medals would mean more to the Inaba instead gave the ball to Orix Yoshida’s single, but Mieses’ strike The 20-year-old Magyari fi nished Netherlands knocked off Spain 14-13 basketball tournament. baseball-crazed country, and expecta- Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, allowed Valerio to tag Yamada on the with 11 saves, helping Hungary to its on Sabrina van der Sloot’s goal with Nando de Colo added 17 points and tions are high. a 22-year-old three-time All-Star in Ja- shoulder as he slid toward the plate. fi rst win after it played to a 10-10 tie 24 seconds left. eight assists for the French, who can complete pool play undefeated with a victory over winless Iran on Saturday. Bellinger’s blunder in 8th helps Giants defeat Dodgers Vincent Poirier scored 14 points. The Czechs fell to 1-1 and will face the U.S. on Saturday with the winner guaranteed to fi nish no worse than second in Group A and move into the Riley’s slam, 6 RBIs power Braves to 12-5 win over Mets quarterfi nals. France kept pulling away in the NEW YORK, July 28, (AP): Austin two runs in his debut for San Diego in a won in his fi rst appearance at Progres- ger Joey Gallo hit a three-run homer third and had a 25-point lead early in Riley hit a grand slam and a two-run win over Oakland. sive Field, Paul DeJong hit a go-ahead and had two assists from right fi eld as the fourth. homer to set a career high with six Jake Cronenworth hit a go-ahead, homer and St. Louis beat Cleveland. Texas snapped a 12-game losing streak Australia 86, Italy 83 RBIs, powering the Atlanta Braves to a two-run single in a fi ve-run fi fth inning DeJong’s two-out, two-run drive in with a win over Arizona. Jock Landale scored 18 points and 12-5 rout of the New York Mets. to help Chris Paddack (7-6) win his the seventh inning off Bryan Shaw (3- Dane Dunning (4-7) allowed two Australia took command of the Group Ozzie Albies and Abraham Almonte third straight start. 5) put St. Louis in front 3-2. Harrison runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. The B standings with a 86-83 win over also had two-run homers for the Braves, Nationals 6, Phillies 4 Bader homered, doubled twice and right-hander struck out three and Italy at the Tokyo Olympics. who have won two of the fi rst three in In Philadelphia, Trea Turner singled stole a base. walked two while earning only his sec- Patty Mills scored 16 points and Nic a fi ve-game series as they chase the in the fi rst inning and scored on Josh Brewers 9, Pirates 0 ond win in his last 12 starts. Kay scored 15 on 6-for-7 shooting for fi rst-place Mets in the NL East. Dansby Bell’s three-run homer that put Wash- In Pittsburgh, Omar Narvaez homer- Reds 7, Cubs4 Australia (2-0), which outrebounded Swanson delivered a two-run double in ington ahead to stay, but was then pulled ed and had four RBIs, Brett Anderson In Chicago, Joey Votto continued his Italy 44-30. Aron Baynes and Joe In- the fi rst inning to get Atlanta started. from the victory over Philadelphia be- pitched six strong innings and Milwau- power surge with two home runs and gles each fi nished with 14 points for Charlie Morton (10-3) allowed three cause of a positive COVID-19 test. kee scored eight runs in the fi rst two in- started a dazzling double play as Cin- the Boomers. runs and fi ve hits with fi ve strikeouts Juan Soto hit another three-run hom- nings against Pittsburgh. cinnati topped Chicago. Simone Fontecchio led all scorers over fi ve innings. er for the Nationals in the second. Votto has homered in a career-high with 22 points for Italy (1-1). Nico Giants 2, Dodgers 1 Josh Harrison doubled and had two BASEBALL four consecutive games for the second Mannion scored 21 for Italy and Achil- In San Francisco, Buster Posey hits for the Nationals, who snapped time (April 2018), one game shy of the le Polonara had 12. scored the tiebreaking run on a throw- a five-game losing streak but still team record. Germany 99, Nigeria 92 ing error by fi rst baseman Cody Bell- have won only twice in their past 15 Narvaez’s two-run homer started a Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley hits a Tigers 6, Twins 5, 11 Innings Johnannes Voigtmann scored 19 inger in the eighth inning, and San games. three-run fi rst inning, and his two-run two-run home run during the sixth In Minneapolis, Miguel Cabrera hit points, and Germany used a 14-0 run in Francisco beat Los Angeles, increas- Yankees 4, Rays 3 single highlighted a fi ve-run second inning of the team’s baseball game a run-scoring single in the 11th inning the fi nal minutes to pull away and beat ing its lead over the Dodgers in the NL In St. Petersburg, Fla., Jordan Mont- against Luis Oviedo (1-2), who was against the New York Mets, on July after Eric Haase tied the game with a Nigeria 99-92 at the Tokyo Olympics. West to three games. gomery stopped an eight-start winless making his fi rst major league start. 27, in New York. (AP) grand slam with one out in the top of Moritz Wagner scored 17 points, Blake Treinen (2-5) walked Posey streak, Aaron Judge singled in his re- Marlins 7, Orioles 3 the ninth as Detroit snapped a four- while Danilo Barthel scored 14, Mao- and Mike Yastrzemski to begin the turn from COVID-19 and New York In Baltimore, Sandy León hit a three- logged his fi rst big hit of the season, game skid with a win over Minnesota. do Lo had 13 and Andreas Obst fi n- eighth. Darin Ruf hit a grounder to sec- beat Tampa Bay. run homer in the second inning and launching a go-ahead, three-run homer Cabrera’s hit scored automatic run- ished with 12 for Germany (1-1). ond baseman Max Muncy, who began Montgomery (4-5) gave up fi ve hits Sandy Alcantara pitched into the sev- in the eighth inning that sent Chicago ner Jonathan Schoop. Barthel was subbed in after Wag- to chase Yastrzemski back toward fi rst in fi ve scoreless innings. The left-hand- enth, helping Miami beat Baltimore. past Kansas City. The Tigers tied the score with a ner got his fourth foul late in the third before throwing Ruf out. er was 0-4 over his previous eight out- Lewin Diaz and Brian Anderson The 24-year-old slugger tore a pec- homer in the ninth inning for the sec- quarter - and made a big impact. He Padres 7, Athletics 4 ings since beating Tampa Bay on June added solo shots for Miami, which has toral muscle in spring training. He ond straight game. Robbie Grossman, was 4 for 4 from the fi eld in the fi nal In San Diego, Fernando Tatis Jr. hit 2, despite allowing three or fewer runs won three straight. León singled and hadn’t played in the majors until going who singled to start the ninth-inning period, including the basket that start- a monster 440-foot, two-run homer, seven times. scored in the fourth. 0 for 4 Monday night. comeback, hit a two-run homer on ed the 14-0 run that broke an 81-81 tie Manny Machado added a three-run Cardinals 4, Indians 2 White Sox 5, Royals 3 Rangers 5, Diamondbacks 4 Monday night before Minnesota won and put the Germans on top for good. shot and Adam Frazier had two hits and In Cleveland, Adam Wainwright In Kansas City, Mo., Eloy Jiménez In Arlington, Texas, All-Star slug- 6-5 in 10 innings.