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Home , Bob Davidson (umpire), Chris Heisey, Clint Hurdle, Dan Otero, Donnie Murphy, Ed Lucas (baseball)

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TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 SPORTS Pro sports becoming more open to paternity leave

NEW YORK: Tony Perez was on the road with the Daniel Murphy union recognized this trend a few years ago. At the ly. In 1993, Houston Oilers offensive line Bob in 1966 when he got the call that was criticized on sports talk radio this month for GM meetings in 2011, a rule was drafted to allow a Young said right tackle David Williams “let the guys his first child was on the way. There was no discus- taking three days, which is provided for in base- team to place a player on the paternity leave list for down, and he let hundreds of thousands of fans sion about leaving the team to attend Victor’s birth, ball’s rules, to spend time with his wife and new- three days and call up a replacement from the down” when he chose to miss a game against New no such thing as paternity leave. born son Noah. But in the days that followed, minor leagues. England to stay by his wife’s side while she gave “They didn’t give you any time off when I was Murphy received wide support from players and “When you have a policy, it just makes it easier birth to their son. In Murphy’s case, sports talk playing,” the Hall of Fame slugger said, recalling coaches who say the times have changed. for clubs and players,” said Dan Halem, MLB’s execu- radio hosts Mike Francesa and Boomer Esiason that he got the news about noon before going to “That’s a negotiated right that is a win for every- tive vice president for labor relations who helped questioned him for missing two games at the start the ballpark. “We played that night. We got a day body,” said Marlins infielder Ed Lucas, who missed draft the policy. “Everybody knows what the rules of this season. off in the next day and I flew home on my one game last September for the birth of his son. “It are and it’s automatic. You place the player on the “One day I understand. And in the old days they own.” shows compassion on the side of the team. It’s the list and he goes and everybody knows when he’s didn’t do that,” Francesa said. “But one day, go see These days, more pro athletes are taking time only major sport that has paternity leave. But we’re coming back.” the baby be born and come back. You’re a Major off to be with their families in the delivery room. also the only sport that plays every day.” Halem said the measure received universal sup- League Baseball player. You can hire a nurse to take Yet remains the only one of Players in the NFL, NBA and NHL all have several port among owners and union leaders. In the first care of the baby if your wife needs help.” the four major professional leagues in North off days a week in most cases and rosters stocked three years of the policy, 73 players were placed on Esiason quickly apologized after a host of ath- America to have a standardized paternity leave pol- with extra players, giving the teams and the ath- the list. letes, coaches and family groups came to Murphy’s icy. The NFL, NBA and NHL leave the matter up to letes the freedom to work on a case-by-case basis. NASCAR recently made changes to be more defense. Rollins, Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford individual players and their teams. In baseball, a three-day absence usually means accommodating. Until this season, a driver could and Twins reliever Brian Duensing have missed “There is stress on both sides,” said Phillies man- three games missed, so the burden on the team, not miss a race without giving up the chance to games already this year for child birth. Minnesota ager Ryne Sandberg, who watched and the potential guilt felt by the player, is much win a championship. This year, under the new for- Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson missed Jimmy Rollins miss a game against Texas this sea- higher. mat, a driver can miss a race and still make the three days of training camp in 2011 for the birth of son to fly home to be there for the birth of his sec- “I think, traditionally speaking, I think some guys Chase for the Spring Cup championship. Matt his son. Little attention was paid to any of those ond child. “Job stress and stress from the family were afraid to ask,” Pirates Clint Hurdle Kenseth and Paul Menard had standby drivers this absences. Then there is Oakland reliever Dan Otero, side. So I think this being in place takes care of that, said. “So many guys didn’t want to ask because of season, with their wives due to give birth. who missed one game while attending the birth of just makes it’s a done deal for the player, and the job security. It was almost like a standard way of Both said they were willing to miss a race, if daughter Kinsley in September. Did he get any team deals with it. It takes the pressure off the play- doing it that you didn’t leave.” needed. Neither had to because both women gave grief? “Not at all,” Otero said. “They were mad at me er.” Baseball’s general managers and the players’ birth on weekdays. It doesn’t always go so smooth- I came back early.” — AP Brewers defeat Pirates

MILWAUKEE: The won their ninth in a row, with Kyle Lohse coming within one out of a complete game Sunday in a 4-1 win over the . At 10-2, the Brewers are off to their best start since going 13-0 to start the 1987 season. This is Milwaukee’s longest winning streak since a nine-game string last April. Lohse (2-1) gave up four hits and struck out nine in 8 2-3 innings. He fanned five straight in the seventh and eighth innings. Lohse was pulled with two outs in the ninth after giving up a single to Andrew McCutchen. Will Smith struck out Pedro Alvarez on three pitches to record his first career save. (0-1) pitched seven innings as the Pirates lost for the fourth time in five games.

GIANTS 5, ROCKIES 4 Brandon Crawford led off the 10th inning with a splash homer to lift the over the . Pablo Sandoval homered and Angel Pagan drove in two runs for the Giants. Wilin Rosario and Justin Morneau homered for the Rockies, who have lost 15 of their last 18 games in San Francisco. Crawford turned on the second pitch thrown by Rex Brothers (1-1) and drove it into McCovey Cove for his first career walkoff homer and first splash homer. Sergio Romo (1-0) pitched a score- less 10th for the win. MILWAUKEE: Brewers’ Carlos Gomez (right) is tagged out at home by Pittsburgh Pirates’ Tony NEW YORK: Boston Red Sox Grady Sizemore watches his ninth-inning flyout to center field Sanchez during the seventh inning of a baseball game. —AP in the Red Sox 3-2 loss to the Yankees in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. — AP DODGERS 8, DIAMONDBACKS 6 Adrian Gonzalez homered for the fourth consecu- Harang (2-1) allowed one in six innings. Gonzalez Max Scherzer, and Jedd Gyorko and Xavier Nady tive game and the beat the gave up six runs, nine hits and four walks in six innings. homered as the San Diego Padres beat the Detroit Yankees, Athletics roll for a three-game sweep. Tigers to take two of three. Gonzalez’s three-run shot off Trevor Cahill (0-4) in CARDINALS 6, CUBS 4 After two shaky opening starts, Ross (1-2) struck NEW YORK: Carlos Beltran a two-run Oberholtzer (0-3). Alexi Ogando worked a the third inning gave him 10 RBIs in the series. Matt Matt Carpenter drove in three runs, leading out seven and held the Tigers to one run and six hits in homer, Ivan Nova rebounded from a rough perfect ninth to convert his first save chance. Kemp and Juan Uribe also homered for the Dodgers. Michael Wacha and the St. Louis Cardinals over the seven innings. He also hit an RBI single. Scherzer (0-1) outing and the beat Dan Haren (2-0) allowed three runs in 5 2-3 innings. . Carpenter hit a two-run single in the allowed four runs and four hits in five innings, struck Boston 3-2 Sunday night with the aid of BLUE JAYS 11, ORIOLES 3 Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth second inning and added a sacrifice fly in the fourth out 10 and walked three. The Tigers have scored three another disputed replay ruling that led to the allowed one run over seven save. Mark Trumbo hit a three-run homer and Eric that put St. Louis ahead to stay at 4-3. runs for Scherzer in his three starts. ejection of Red Sox manager . innings to win his third straight start, and the Chavez had a solo shot for the Diamondbacks. Dee Wacha (2-0) allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1- The Tigers have lost four of six under rookie man- Beltran had three hits and was pressed Blue Jays hit three home runs and had a sea- Gordon stole a career-best four bases for the Dodgers. into his first career appearance at first base son-high 17 hits in an victory over the Orioles. 3 innings. Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run homer in the ager Brad Ausmus, who was working in the Padres’ first. Trevor Rosenthal gave up a run in the ninth, but front office when Detroit hired him in November. for the banged-up Yankees. Ichiro Suzuki Jose Bautista hit a three-run drive and BRAVES 10, NATIONALS 2 retired Luis Valbuena and with the robbed David Ortiz of extra bases with a and Brett Lawrie had solo shots and Freddie Freeman each hit two- tying runs on base to pick up his fourth save in as REDS 12, RAYS 4 spectacular catch in the eighth inning to to help Toronto win the decisive matchup of run homers off Gio Gonzalez and the many opportunities. Edwin Jackson (0-1) allowed four Chris Heisey hit his first and Devin help New York take three of four in the first the three-game series. completed a three-game sweep of the Washington runs in six innings. Mesoraco homered and drove in career high-tying series of the season between the longtime Rasmus, Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Nationals. The Braves have won five of six against the four runs as the Cincinnati Reds took advantage of rivals. Lind each collected three hits for the Blue Nationals this year. Washington began the day by PHILLIES 4, CUBS 3 Tampa Bay’s depleted pitching staff. The Reds’ best Mike Napoli homered and Felix Doubront Jays, who enjoyed their highest scoring game placing Ryan Zimmerman on the 15- Chase Utley extended his fast start with the offensive showing of the season featured Mesoraco’s (1-2) went 6 2-3 innings for the Red Sox, who of the year at the expense of Ubaldo Jimenez day disabled list with a broken right thumb. Aaron scratched star second baseman Dustin (0-3) and three Baltimore relievers. Buehrle (3- tiebreaking homer among three hits, and the three-run homer, Joey Votto’s two-run shot and Pedroia before the game due to a sore left 0) gave up five hits, walked none and struck finished off a three-game sweep Heisey’s pinch-hit slam in the eighth. Jay Bruce dou- wrist. New York, playing without Derek Jeter out two. Chris Davis hit his first homer of the of the .The Marlins lost their seventh in a bled, walked four times and scored four runs. for the second consecutive game, scored its season for Baltimore. MLB results/standings row. Utley raised his average to .500 through 10 Zack Cozart got it going with a bases-loaded dou- third run with the benefit of instant replay in games, with six doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs. ble off Cesar Ramos (0-1), making his first start of the the fourth. TWINS 4, ROYALS 3 The five-time All-Star, who missed two games with the season because of injuries. With runners at the corners and one out, Wade Davis made a wild flip home Cincinnati 12, Tampa Bay 4; Toronto 11, flu, has a hit in each of his games this season. Utley Tony Cingrani (1-1) got the win. Ben Zobrist home- the Red Sox thought they turned an inning- on a comebacker in the eighth inning and the Baltimore 3; Atlanta 10, Washington 2; broke a 3-all tie with two outs in the eighth by homer- red from both sides of the plate, hitting two-run shots ending double play on Francisco Cervelli’s Twins rallied past the City Royals for a three- Philadelphia 4, Miami 3; 4, ing off Mike Dunn (0-1). AJ Bastardo (1-1) pitched a off Cingrani and right-hander Nick Christiani. grounder. First base Bob Davidson game sweep. Cleveland 3; Milwaukee 4, Pittsburgh 1; scoreless eighth for the win. Jonathan Papelbon got The Rays are 3-3 on a trip that has been tough on called Cervelli out on a bang-bang play, and A madcap sequence put the Twins ahead Minnesota 4, Kansas City 3; St. Louis 6, Chicago his third save. their rotation. Matt Moore went on the disabled list Cervelli grabbed his right hamstring as he and a crazy play ended it, too. With two outs Cubs 4; Texas 1, Houston 0; LA Angels 14 NY with a sore elbow on Tuesday, and Alex Cobb joined tumbled to the ground. and none on in the ninth, Mets 2; San Francisco 5, Colorado 4 (10 innings); PADRES 5, TIGERS 1 him Sunday with a strained oblique. Also, reliever Joel Yankees manager challenged popped a ball straight up. As he stood to Oakland 3, Seattle 0; San Diego 5, Detroit 1; LA Tyson Ross outdueled AL Cy Young Award winner Peralta was sick, leaving him unavailable. — AP the call, which was overturned after a 3- watch it in the batter’s box, catcher Kurt Dodgers 8, Arizona 6; NY Yankees 3, Boston 2. minute replay review. That gave New York Suzuki tripped over him, resulting in an inter- another run and a 3-1 lead. ference call for the final out. After the Royals Pistorius accused of fake tears Farrell, surely still bothered by a replay scored three times in the eighth for a 3-2 lead, Eastern Division review that curiously went against Boston reliever (0-1) walked two W L PCT GB PRETORIA: The prosecution accused Oscar Pistorius an intruder behind the door. the day before, pointed to his eyes as he Minnesota batters to start the bottom half. NY Yankees 7 6 .538 - of feigning emotion to dodge tough questions about “My Lady I didn’t have time to think. I heard this argued with two umpires. He was quickly Davis struck out Joe Mauer, but Trevor Tampa Bay 7 6 .538 - the death of his girlfriend, as his second week of tes- noise, and I thought it was somebody coming out to ejected by Davidson. Plouffe walked to load the bases. Chris Toronto 7 6 .538 - timony in the murder trial began yesterday. attack me so I fired my firearm,” he told the court. Herrmann then hit a tapper back to the Baltimore 5 7 .417 1.5 Frustrated with Pistorius’s frequent crying in the wit- Nel responded: “Your defence has now changed, ATHLETICS 3, MARINERS 0 mound and Davis’ toss sailed past catcher Boston 5 8 .385 2 ness box, prosecutor Gerrie Nel toughened his ques- sir, from putative self-defence to involuntary action. Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run homer that Salvador Perez. Pedro Florimon scored the Central Division tioning and accused the Paralympic star of crocodile Is that what you’re telling me?” “I don’t understand broke a scoreless tie in the eighth inning, lift- tying run and Brian Dozier slid home under Detroit 6 4 .600 - tears. the law, Ma’am, what I can reply and tell the court is ing Oakland over Seattle. Cespedes pulled a Perez’s return throw to Davis covering the Chicago White Sox 7 6 .538 0.5 “Mr Pistorius, you’re not using your emotional what I’m asked and I can reply as to what I thought,” 2-2 slider from Charlie Furbush (0-1) into the plate. Casey Fien (1-0) got one out and Glen Minnesota 6 6 .500 1 state to escape, are you?” he said after the athlete Pistorius said. left field bullpen. Cespedes’ second homer of Perkins posted his third save. Cleveland 6 7 .462 1.5 broke down under questioning on one of several During the relentless back-and-forth, Pistorius the season came after Jed Lowrie drew a Kansas City 4 7 .364 2.5 occasions yesterday. “You’re getting frustrated and Nel at times appeared to come close to bicker- leadoff walk. WHITE SOX 4, INDIANS 3 Western Division because your version is improbable and you’re get- ing. Nel accused the athlete of concocting evidence Josh Donaldson added a solo in Alexei Ramirez hit a two-run homer off Oakland 8 4 .667 - ting emotional,” he said. During six days of testimo- in his defence to cover up his girlfriend’s murder. the ninth, his third, off Lucas Luetge. A’s John Axford in the ninth inning, rallying the Seattle 6 5 .545 1.5 ny, Pistorius has often appeared harrowed when evi- “It’s the state’s case, Mr. Pistorius, that she wanted starter Scott Kazmir pitched two-hit ball for White Sox over the Indians. The Indians LA Angels 6 6 .500 2 dence has turned to the moments before and after to leave and that you weren’t sleeping, you were six innings, striking out nine without a walk. scored twice in the top of the ninth, getting Texas 6 6 .500 2 he fired the four shots that killed Steenkamp. both awake,” said Nel. “That’s not correct my lady, Dan Otero (2-0) retired two batters in the the go-ahead run on a wild pitch by closer Houston 5 8 .385 3.5 Yesterday he again burst into tears when he re- that’s untrue,” Pistorius replied softly. seventh. Luke Gregerson worked the eighth Matt Lindstrom (1-1). enacted his high pitched call for supposed intruders “There was an argument,” Nel said, drawing and Sean Doolittle allowed one hit in the Axford (0-1) came in seeking his fifth save Eastern Division to “get out of my house!” another denial. Nel has openly called his version “a ninth for his first save. in as many chances. He issued a leadoff walk Atlanta 8 4 .667 - Nel claimed Pistorius was crying because he lie”. Pistorius will likely remain on the stand for anoth- Chris Young made his first start since Sept. to Jordan Danks, who stole second. One out Washington 7 5 .583 1 knew he was shouting at Steenkamp and not a sup- er few days as a witness in his own defence. His 9, 2012, while with the New York Mets. Young later, Ramirez homered over the left field Philadelphia 6 6 .500 2 posed intruder, putting the state’s case that she was lawyers have said they will call up to 17 witnesses, pitched six shutout innings, giving up four fence. NY Mets 5 7 .417 3 preparing to leave after an argument when she was including ballistics experts. The double amputee hits. He walked three and struck out two. Miami 5 8 .385 3.5 shot. “You know exactly, you fired at Reeva. These gained world-wide fame for running on two carbon INTERLEAGUE Central Division other versions cannot work, you fired at her, you did. fibre blades at the Paralympics and 2012 London RANGERS 1, ASTROS 0 ANGELS 14, METS 2 Milwaukee 10 2 .833 - Why are you getting emotional now?” Nel said accus- Games. His legs were amputated below the knee Martin Perez threw eight scoreless Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Raul Ibanez St. Louis 7 5 .583 3 ingly. “I did not fire at Reeva,” he said, weeping and shortly after he was born without calf bones. The innings, had a sacrifice fly hit consecutive home runs off Bartolo Colon in Pittsburgh 6 6 .500 4 forcing another adjournment. Pistorius often looked shooting brought his career to an abrupt halt, but and the Rangers got a series-clinching victo- the first inning, setting the tone for the Angels’ Chicago Cubs 4 8 .333 6 pale in the witness stand, his shoulders hunched for- die-hard fans insisting on his innocence have attend- ry over the Astros. rout of the Mets in the decisive game of their Cincinnati 4 8 .333 6 ward. ed the trial from time to time. On Friday a fan handed Perez (2-0) scattered five hits and walked interleague series.Hank Conger also went Western Division His lawyer at one point intervened to ask Judge him a bouquet of flowers as he came out of court, three, but the left-hander benefited from deep against Colon, who won the AL CY Young LA Dodgers 9 4 .692 - Thokozile Masipa to prevent emotive questions from while yesterday three women outside the building four double-play grounders. He struck out Award in 2005 with the Angels. Colon (1-2) San Francisco 8 5 .615 1 being asked and re-asked. held white balloons with “Oscar” and “Love” scribbled two. Murphy’s deep flyball to the left-center gave up nine runs and 11 hits in five innings, Colorado 6 7 .462 3 Pistorius’s defence was picked apart throughout in permanent marker. Originally scheduled to last gap in the sixth sent home Josh Wilson for allowing at least one hit to every batter in the San Diego 5 7 .417 3.5 the day. He has repeatedly claimed that he fired the three weeks, the trial yesterday entered its sixth week the lone run of the game against Brett Angels’ starting lineup. — AP Arizona 4 11 .267 6 shots accidentally, even though he feared there was and has been extended until May 16. — AFP