TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 SPORTS

Corinthians move closer Scolari urges Guangzhou Bouchard withdraws to Brazil’s Serie A title to seize semi initiative from the Wuhan Open SAO PAULO: Corinthians moved a step closer to Brazil’s Serie A title on SINGAPORE: Former World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari WUHAN: Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard withdrew from the WTA Wuhan Open yes- Sunday when they defeated Figueirense 3-1 to open a seven-point lead wants Guangzhou Evergrande to seize the initiative when they host terday just hours before her first-round match, citing symptoms linked to the con- over Atletico Mineiro with 10 games of the season remaining. Elias, Gil and Gamba Osaka in the first leg of the AFC Champions League semi- cussion suffered at the US Open earlier this month. The 21 year-old has not played finals tomorrow. Scolari, who led Brazil to victory at the 2002 World since she pulled out of the US Open on September 7 with a head injury caused by Renato Augusto, all members of Brazil’s squad for next month’s World Cup a locker-room fall which saw her forfeit her fourth-round match against eventual qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela, scored for Corinthians who extended Cup, has revived the fortunes of the Chinese champions since replac- ing Italian Fabio Cannavaro as head coach in June. Evergrande are finalist Roberta Vinci of Italy. “I travelled to Wuhan with the intention of playing. their lead with Atletico held to a 2-2 draw at bottom club Joinville. “It’s step unbeaten in their last 16 competitive matches and lead the Chinese Unfortunately, my concussion symptoms came back during practice on Saturday by step,” Renato Augusto said. “We can’t be thinking of Atletico Mineiro. The Super League by two points after a 3-2 comeback win over Guizhou and it would not be safe for me to go on court today,” Bouchard said in a state- important thing is getting another victory away from home.” In the big Rio Renhe on Saturday sealed by Paulinho’s injury-time winner created by ment. Bouchard was due to meet 18-year-old Belinda derby, Vasco da Gama beat Flamengo 2-1 to record their fourth fellow Brazilian superstar import Robinho. Evergrande eliminated Bencic of Switzerland in the first round. Bencic now faces lucky loser Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia. win in five outings. Vasco remain second from the bottom, Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol 4-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and Bouchard slipped and fell in the locker room after with Figueirense and Chapecoense ahead of them in the Scolari wants no let-up in their quest to lift the Asian club title for the four relegation places. In Sao Paulo, goalkeeper and captain a grueling fifth day of the US Open that saw her second time in three seasons. “Every second on the field is going to defeat Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova in three sets Rogerio Ceni fluffed a clearance to gift Palmeiras a last- be important in the game tomorrow,” said Scolari in the build-up to minute goal in their 1-1 draw. The clearance went straight to before going onto win a mixed doubles match with the first leg at Tianhe stadium in the southern Chinese metropolis. partner Nick Kyrgios of Australia. It was not clear if Robinho, who lobbed him as he ran back towards goal, “We have to try to avoid conceding a goal and ensure we play the cancelling out Carlinho’s opener in the 63rd minute. Sao Bouchard intends to compete in next week’s second leg with a larger advantage. Gamba are a tough team, their China Open in Beijing. “I will rest in Wuhan for Paulo remain two points behind their city rivals, while manager Kenta Hasegawa has his own style, and anything can hap- the next few days to determine how I progress, Palmeiras stay fourth behind Gremio. Santos, who beat pen in football. “The team has confidence, though, and the mood and look forward to coming back here to play in Internacional 3-1, moved into fifth.— Reuters among the players is great. — AFP this great city next year,” Bouchard said. — AFP Harper and Papelbon clash as Nationals season winds down

WASHINGTON: Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and closer Jonathan Papelbon got into a dugout fight a day after Washington was eliminated from playoff contention, tangling in the eighth inning Sunday of a 12-5 loss to last-place Philadelphia. In the ninth, Papelbon (4-3) gave up Andres Blanco’s go-ahead homer as the Phillies scored eight times. Harper, the National League Most Valuable Player front- runner, flied out in the eighth with the score 4- all. As he returned to the dugout, he exchanged words with Papelbon, who was acquired from Philadelphia in July to help with a possible postseason push. Papelbon then reached for Harper’s throat with his left hand and shoved the outfielder back toward the bench with both arms. Teammates pulled the pair apart. Harper was replaced in right field for the ninth. Dalier Hinojosa (2-0) earned the win.

CUBS 4, PIRATES 0 Jake Arrieta pitched seven dominant innings and also homered in his MLB best 21st win, and Chicago stopped Pittsburgh’s win- ning streak at eight games. Arrieta (21-6) retired his first 18 batters before Gregory Polanco grounded a leadoff single into left field in the seventh. The right-hander homered in the second and struck out nine while improving to 15-1 with a dazzling 0.89 ERA in his last 19 starts. Pittsburgh (95-61) and Chicago (90-65) each have clinched playoff spots and lead the NL wild-card standings, so the Pirates could see Arrieta again in the first game of the postseason on Oct 7. The Pirates could still catch St. Louis for the NL Central title. They trail the Cardinals by three games and open a three-game series at home against St. Louis on Monday. AJ Burnett (9-6) pitched six effective innings.

ASTROS 4, RANGERS 2 Dallas Keuchel (19-8) improved to 15-0 at home this season, striking out 10 while giving up one run and two hits in seven innings. Houston maintained a half-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels for the second American League wild card and closed within 2 1/2 games of AL West-leading Texas. Luke CHICAGO: Miguel Montero #47 of the Chicago Cubs is tagged out by Neil Walker #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates on a steal attempt during the sixth inning on September 27, 2015 at Gregerson threw a perfect ninth for his 29th Wrigley Field in Chicago. — AFP save. Martin Perez (3-6) allowed two runs - both unearned - and five hits in six innings. Wolf (0-5) gave up six runs and seven hits in 1 that included three shutouts. Robbie Ross Jr. seven hits in 5 1-3 innings. He is 0-16 in 24 scoring single, giving him a major league- 1-3 innings. worked the ninth for his sixth save. Baltimore starts since May 17. leading 126 RBIs. Chris Rusin (6-9) surrendered ANGELS 3, MARINERS 2 (76-79) fell 5 1/2 games back of Houston. four runs - three earned - in 5 1/3 innings as Kole Calhoun singled in the tiebreaking run ROYALS 3, INDIANS 0 BREWERS 8, CARDINALS 4 Colorado swept Los Angeles for the first time in the eighth after Carson Smith relieved A day after his father died, Chris Young (11- YANKEES 6, WHITE SOX 1 Pinch-hitter Jason Rogers had a ninth- since 2007. Alex Wood (11-12) couldn’t hold a Hisashi Iwakuma (9-5), and Los Angeles won 6) pitched five no-hit innings in his first start Luis Severino (5-3) pitched five-hit ball for inning grand slam off Trevor Rosenthal (2-4), 4-1 lead, allowing eight runs in 5 1/3 innings. its fifth straight David Freese homered in the after nearly two months in the bullpen, then six innings, Dustin Ackley homered off Erik who had converted 47 of 49 previous save fifth for the Angels (81-74), who remained a caught a flight to Dallas to be with his family Johnson (3-1) to lift New York’s late-waking chances. The Cardinals’ NL Central lead was cut GIANTS 5, ATHLETICS 4 half-game behind Houston. Los Angeles also before the game ended. After Danny Duffy offense and New York cut its magic number for to 2 1/2 games over Pittsburgh. Khris Davis Chris Heston (12-10) gave up four runs and moved just three games behind the Rangers, struck out two in a perfect sixth for the AL clinching at least a wild card to three. Severino homered twice and drove in four runs for the six hits over five-plus innings to win for the with four games in Texas to end the season. Central champion Royals, Francisco Lindor (5-3) induced three double plays in shutting Brewers, who scored seven runs in the ninth. first time in two months. He had been 0-5 with Pinch-hitter Mark Trumbo hit a tying homer off bunted for a single on Ryan Madson’s first down the White Sox in his 10th big league David Goforth (1-0) pitched one inning, and a 4.90 ERA in nine starts since beating Fernando Salas (5-2) in the eighth for the pitch. A day after climbing above .500 for the start, helping the Yankees move within one of Francisco Rodriguez got his 37th save when Milwaukee on July 27. Santiago Casilla pitched Mariners (74-82), who were mathematically first time since April 9, the Indians (77-77) fell the franchise’s 10,000th regular-season victory. he retired Brandon Moss with two on. the ninth for his 37th save. Sean Nolin (1-2) eliminated Sunday. Seattle lost its final five four games behind Houston. Kelvin Herrera gave up five runs - three earned - and seven road games and ensured its fifth losing season worked a flawless eighth, and Wade Davis BLUE JAYS 5, RAYS 4 ROCKIES 12, DODGERS 5 hits in a season-low 2 1-3 innings. in six years. gave up a double to Jason Kipnis in the ninth Josh Donaldson hit a solo homer off Steve Nolan Arenado had a career-high five RBIs, as he finished the two-hitter for his 14th save. Geltz (2-6) with two outs in the ninth, his 41st this including a three-run homer, and Colorado DIAMONDBACKS 4, PADRES 2 TWINS 7, TIGERS 1 Kansas City took a 2-0 lead in the fourth year. Justin Smoak had three hits, including a completed a three-game serrp that kept Los Ender Inciarte had two homers among his Byron Buxton doubled and homered for against Danny Salazar (13-10) when Eric two-run homer. The Blue Jays, headed to the Angeles’ magic number at two for its third four hits. He drove in three runs and also stole Minnesota, which won for the fifth time in sev- Hosmer hit an RBI double and scored on Mike postseason for the first time since 1993, finished straight NL West title. Los Angeles (87-68) his 21st base. Jhoulys Chacin (2-1) pitched en games and remained 1 1/2 games behind Moustakas’ groundout. an AL-best 53-28 at home. Brett Cecil (4-5) openes a four-game series at defending World three innings. and Brad Ziegler worked the Houston. pitched the ninth before Toronto’s 27th home Series champion San Francisco (81-74) on ninth for his 29th save. James Shields (13-7) Ervin Santana (7-4) allowing one run and RED SOX 2, ORIOLES 0 sellout of the season and 12th straight. The Blue Monday. Arenado hit his 41st homer in the was charged with four runs, nine hits and four six hits in seven innings. Detroit, which is last Henry Owens (4-3) gave up three hits in 7 Jays sold out 20 of their final 21 home games and fourth. He also had a sacrifice fly and a run- walks over 6 1-3 innings. — AP in the AL Central, finished 38-43 at Comerica 2-3 innings, Blake Swihart hit a solo homer drew 2,794,891 at home, their most since 1995. Park, its worst home record since 2004. Randy and Boston completed a three-game sweep METS 8, REDS 1 Jacob deGrom (14-8) gave up one run and MLB results/standings five hits and struck out nine over six innings in his first outing since Sept. 15 - he had been skipped over in the rotation to rest. A day after NY Yankees 6, Chicago White Sox 1; Toronto 5, Tampa Bay 4; Minnesota 7, Detroit 1; NY Mets clinching the NL East title for their first post- 8, Cincinnati 1; Miami 9, Atlanta 5; Boston 2, Baltimore 0; Philadelphia 12, Washington 5; season berth since 2006, the Mets rested their Kansas City 3, Cleveland 0; Houston 4, Texas 2; Milwaukee 8, St. Louis 4; LA Angels 3, Seattle regulars but still completed the first season 2; San Francisco 5, Oakland 4; Colorado 12, LA Dodgers 5; Arizona 4, San Diego 2; Chicago sweep by either team since New York started Cubs 4, Pittsburgh 0. play in 1962, going 7-0 against Cincinnati. The American League National League Mets outscored the Reds 36-12 in these four Eastern Division Eastern Division games at Great American Ball Park and W L PCT GB NY Mets 89 67 .571 - extended their club-record road winning Toronto 90 65 .581 - Washington 79 76 .510 9.5 streak to 11. Keyvius Sampson (2-6) lost his NY Yankees 86 69 .555 4 Miami 69 87 .442 20 fifth straight start, allowing five runs - three Baltimore 76 79 .490 14 Atlanta 62 94 .397 27 earned - and nine hits in 2 2-3 innings. Last- Boston 75 80 .484 15 Philadelphia 59 97 .378 30 place Cincinnati has lost eight in a row, one Tampa Bay 75 81 .481 15.5 Central Division shy of its season high. Central Division St. Louis 98 58 .628 - Kansas City 90 65 .581 - Pittsburgh 95 61 .609 3 MARLINS 9, BRAVES 5 Minnesota 80 75 .516 10 Chicago Cubs 90 65 .581 7.5 Justin Bour homered twice and drove in Cleveland 77 77 .500 12.5 Milwaukee 66 90 .423 32 three runs as Miami completed a three game Chicago White Sox 73 83 .468 17.5 sweep. Bour was 7 for 12 in the series with four Cincinnati 63 92 .406 34.5 Detroit 72 83 .465 18 homers and eight RBIs. Martin Prado drove in Western Division Western Division three runs and Marcell Ozuna also homered Texas 84 71 .542 - LA Dodgers 87 68 .561 - for Miami, which has won a team-best seven Houston 82 74 .526 2.5 San Francisco 81 74 .523 6 consecutive games against the Braves. Tom LA Angels 81 74 .523 3 Arizona 75 81 .481 12.5 Koehler (11-14) allowed four runs, nine hits, HOUSTON: Carlos Gomez #30 of the Houston Astros slides into home under the tag of Sam Seattle 74 82 .474 10.5 San Diego 73 83 .468 14.5 and five walks in 6 2-3 innings. Shelby Miller Dyson #47 of the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park on Oakland 65 91 .417 19.5 Colorado 66 90 .423 21.5 (5-17) gave up seven runs - four earned - and September 27, 2015 in Houston, Texas. — AFP