27 Sports Sunday, August 4, 2019 Astros hammer 6 HRs to demolish Mariner’s 10-2 HOUSTON: Rookie Yordan Alvarez slugged four strikeouts and one walk — vastly differ- Padres 5, Dodgers 2 the first of Houston’s season-high six home ent from Saturday, when he threw his first Left-hander Eric Lauer spoiled the major runs as the Astros bashed their way to a 10- complete game, a shutout against the Pirates. league debut of Los Angeles prospect Dustin 2 victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners May with six strong innings, pitching visiting on Friday. The Astros posted three runs in Rangers 5, Tigers 4 San Diego to victory. Josh Naylor contributed the second, fourth and fifth innings, all via Lance Lynn struck out 10 in seven a two-run double to a three-run sixth inning, the home run. Alvarez recorded a leadoff innings, Hunter Pence and Rougned Odor ending May’s night and helping the Padres blast to straightaway center field in the sec- homered, and host Texas held off Detroit. even the four-game series after suffering an 8- ond to ignite the surge. Later that frame, Lynn tied the Astros’ Justin Verlander and 2 loss on Thursday. The highly regarded May Jake Marisnick clubbed the first of the the Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg for the (0-1) was pulled after 5 2/3 innings, charged Astros’ three two-run homers, extending the major league lead with his 14th win. He with four runs (three earned) on nine hits. He lead to 3-0. allowed one run on four hits with two walks. struck out three and did not walk a batter. Houston homered twice more against Niko Goodrum had three hits, a run scored Mariners rookie left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (4- and an RBI for Detroit, while Harold Castro Blue Jays 5, Orioles 2 8), who is winless over his last six starts. The added two hits and an RBI. Travis Demeritte Freddy Galvis and Brandon Drury both Astros followed the same pattern in the fourth added a triple, two walks and a run scored homered as visiting Toronto extended its win- inning, with recently acquired catcher Martin in his major league debut. ning streak to five games with a victory over Maldonado slugging a solo home run the Baltimore. The Blue Jays have won the first opposite way to right three batters before Yankees 4, Red Sox 2 two games of a four-game series after taking Jose Altuve lined a two-run shot to left. James Paxton settled down after allowing a three in a row against Kansas City. Toronto George Springer tripled to right-center field home run in the first inning and pitched six banged out five homers in the opener with two outs prior to Altuve’s homer, the first effective innings as New York beat visiting Thursday, an 11-2 victory, and now has seven of his four hits on the night. Boston in the opener of a four-game series. in the series. Baltimore’s young pitching staff HOUSTON: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros hits a home run in the fifth inning against the The Yankees won for the third time in four has given up a major-league high 214 homers Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. — AFP White Sox 4, Phillies 3 (15) games since dropping the first three of last this season. Jose Abreu singled home Leury Garcia for weekend’s four-game set at Fenway Park. the winning run in the top of the 15th inning Boston dropped its season-high fifth straight Indians 7, Angels 3 walk a batter. Quintana also drove in a run the season after coming off the injured list to lift visiting Chicago past Philadelphia. game, and it is the first time since an eight- Yasiel Puig and Carlos Santana each drove in with a single in the three-run third. with a back issue. He allowed two runs on four Abreu’s hit came against outfielder Roman game skid in July 2015 that the Red Sox have a pair of runs, and Mike Clevinger tossed 6 1/3 hits with one walk and five strikeouts. It was Quinn, who entered the game to open the lost at least five in a row. Gleyber Torres hit strong innings as host Cleveland posted a victo- Nationals 3, Diamondbacks 0 his first win in a Reds uniform and evened his 14th. JT Realmuto’s attempted tag of Garcia his second career grand slam in the bottom of ry over Los Angeles. Roberto Perez belted a Five pitchers combined on a one-hitter, career record against his former team to 3-3. at the plate was reviewed, but the call of safe the first inning, after which no runs were solo homer, and Jose Ramirez had an RBI double Juan Soto homered for the fourth time in five Michael Lorenzen worked 1 1/3 perfect was upheld. Abreu also homered, while Eloy scored. JD Martinez hit a 2-run shot in the for the Indians, who have won 13 of their last 14 games and Washington beat Arizona in innings in relief of Wood. Raisel Iglesias Jimenez, Tim Anderson and Garcia had two top of the first for the Red Sox’s only points. home games versus Los Angeles. Mike Trout Phoenix. Matt Adams’ two-out, two-run dou- pitched a clean ninth and earned his 21st save, hits apiece for the White Sox. Matt Skole, in launched his American League-leading 36th ble gave the Nationals a 2-0 lead in the sixth his fifth since the All-Star break. Iglesias his season debut and fifth career game, tied it Twins 11, Royals 9 homer, and Matt Thaiss had a pinch-hit two-run inning before Soto’s solo blast to right field in struck out Atlanta sluggers Freddie Freeman with an RBI single against Jose Alvarez with Nelson Cruz hit a home run, doubled twice double in the ninth inning for the Angels, who the eighth. The 20-year-old has a seven-game and Josh Donaldson to end the game. two outs in the ninth. off the wall in right-center and drove in five have lost six of their last eight contests. RBI streak. Starter Joe Ross (1-3) struggled runs, while Max Kepler had two doubles, two early, walking five batters in the first 2 1/3 Rockies 5, Giants 4 Pirates 8, Mets 4 walks and scored three times to lead Cubs 6, Brewers 2 innings, but he didn’t give up a hit until rookie Ryan McMahon and Trevor Story each Starling Marte hit a three-run homer, and Minnesota to a wild victory over visiting Javier Baez had three hits, including a two- pitcher Alex Young hustled to beat out an homered, and the Colorado rallied to beat San Melky Cabrera had a two-run double as host Kansas City. Jorge Polanco went 2-for-5 with run homer, and drove in three runs to lift infield single with one out in the fifth. Ross Francisco in Denver. Rockies outfielder David Pittsburgh snapped New York’s seven-game two runs scored and Eddie Rosario went 2- Chicago over visiting Milwaukee in the opener lasted 5 1/3 innings, striking out three and Dahl was carted off the field in the top of the win streak. Josh Bell, Jose Osuna and Elias for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for the of their three-game series. Kris Bryant had walking five. sixth inning with what looked like a serious Diaz each added an RBI single for the Pirates, Twins, who remained three games in front of two hits, and Jason Heyward homered for the injury to his right ankle, which buckled as he who rode a five-run fourth. They had lost 10 the Cleveland Indians in the American League Cubs, who had dropped seven of 10 coming Reds 5, Braves 2 tried to reach back and catch Scooter of their previous 11. Pete Alonso and JD Davis Central. Hunter Dozier hit two home runs and into the series. Chicago left-hander Jose Left-hander Alex Wood pitched 6 2/3 Gennett’s liner. Mike Yastrzemski homered, each had an RBI double for the Mets. New Cam Gallagher also homered and had two Quintana (9-7) allowed two runs, seven hits strong innings and earned his first win of the and Steven Duggar had two hits for San York starter Steven Matz (6-7) lasted 3 2/3 hits for Kansas City, which lost its fourth and struck out five in six innings. For the season as visiting Cincinnati defeated Atlanta. Francisco. The Giants had won four straight innings, allowing five runs and six hits, with straight game. fourth straight game, the Cubs’ starter did not Wood (1-0) was making his second start of against the Rockies. — Reuters

Champions League win’. You have to do it Klopp warns by yourself and we will do that.” Klopp added there was no extra pres- sure on them following Liverpool’s sixth LFC to deal European title and a subsequent absence Aston Villa revival of high-profile signings in the close-sea- with Champs son. With only Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno missing from the squad sparked by local boys League scrutiny that won the Champions League and fin- ished runners-by just a point up to City, LONDON: Led by a manager steeped in the club’s Klopp is adamant extending contracts of rich history and inspired by a dynamic young star LIVERPOOL: Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool key men Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, who bleeds claret and blue, Aston Villa return to the must learn to deal with their standing as Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold united at last after years of turmoil. European champions as they kick off their and Andrew Robertson was as vital as After three seasons in the Championship wilderness, campaign against Premier League winners landing any new recruits. “These are the Villa are back in the big time with boss Dean Smith Manchester City in today’s Community transfers we did, keeping the boys togeth- and midfielder providing a home-grown Shield at Wembley. Klopp admits his side er, staying on our toes, staying aggressive, foundation that could give them a base to take on has been under intense scrutiny since their greedy,” he said. English football’s monied elite. Champions League final success against After a difficult pre-season where sev- Villa are more than just another club to Smith and Tottenham in June, but the Reds boss is eral of his players were absent for interna- Grealish, with the locally born boss once sweeping confident his stars will not allow any dis- tional tournaments, Klopp is looking for- terraces of the Holte End while his father Ron worked tractions to stop them from being focused ward to working with his full squad before as a steward in the Trinity Road Stand. A down-to- on the coming season. next Friday’s Premier League opener earth character, the 48-year-old Smith served his “If you win something, everybody feels against Norwich. But while desire and managerial apprenticeship at Walsall and Brentford the need to tell you — first of all congratu- expectation are high at Anfield, Klopp GENEVA: Liverpool’s German head coach Jurgen Klopp (L) and Liverpool’s British midfielder before taking over at Villa following Steve Bruce’s lations, then where they watched it, how insists City are clear favorites to claim a Jordan Henderson (R) celebrate at the end of the International friendly football match sacking in October. Guiding his boyhood team to they watched it, how they felt, how their third successive league title. between Liverpool and Lyon on July 31, 2019. — AFP promotion with a 2-1 Championship play-off final win family felt, how their friends felt, how the “Because they’ve won the league twice over Derby was a sweet moment for Smith in front of dog felt,” Klopp said. “It’s all nice, but it in a row... We have to prove again that we good age group, experienced, they are the final twice in a row and obviously his family and friends. keeps you in that moment. I want to be can be on that level — 97 points was not a clear favorites. How could we be know the way to the final. “Does that mean But the celebrations at Wembley were tinged with completely focused on a new season. “It’s coincidence,” he said. “But the champions favorites? “If somebody said we were we’ll be in it again? Probably not... It’s not sadness due to the absence of his ailing father, who very important and we will learn it. But no didn’t lose a player, apart from (Vincent) favorites for the Champions League, I PlayStation where you can go to the next suffers from dementia. “I think this team has caught one gives you a book ‘How To Deal With a Kompany. They are pretty consistent, a probably couldn’t deny it. We have been in skill or whatever.” — AFP the imagination of our supporters. There’s a great bond between the two,” Smith said as he counts down the days to Villa’s Premier League opener at career in football,” Makelele said. “I want Tottenham on August 10. Grealish, born a stone’s Makelele joins to use all my experience to help them throw from Villa Park, is equally ingrained in the ethos become professionals in every aspect and I of the club he supported in his youth. am looking forward to getting started.” The 23-year-old has been at Villa since he was six, Chelsea to mentor Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia a time when he used to dive into the bushes in his is confident Makelele will make a big back garden to mimic the celebrations of players who to new stars impact, saying: “We are very pleased to would leap into the stands when he watched his welcome Claude back to Chelsea, where heroes in claret and blue. Now Villa’s captain, he made such an impact during five Grealish has cast off a reputation as something of a LONDON: Former Chelsea star Claude excellent years as a player. “His long and wild child and showed his maturity by responding to Makelele has returned to the Premier successful career on the field, added to being punched by a Birmingham fan during last sea- League club to work as a technical mentor his winning mentality and experience as son’s derby at St Andrew’s by scoring the winner that to young players. Makelele is working with a coach in recent years, make him the kept his side on course for promotion. Chelsea for the first time in 11 years after ideal person to pass on his expertise to the former France midfielder had coaching our talented youngsters. “He will be a Cautionary tale roles at Paris Saint-Germain, Bastia, valuable asset to both our Academy and “The day we got relegated, it was always in my mind Swansea and Belgium’s Eupen since his first-team coaching staff.” to get Villa back,” Grealish said. “When I was 19, 20, retirement in 2011. Meanwhile, former Chelsea goalkeeper maybe I took it for granted a little bit. I didn’t realize Makelele made 217 Chelsea appear- Carlo Cudicini moves into a new role as how lucky I was to be playing with Villa in the Premier RIO DE JANEIRO: In this file photo taken on July 7, 2019 Brazil’s Dani Alves celebrates after ances and won two league titles, an FA loan player technical coach. Cudicini defeating Peru to win the Copa America football tournament at Maracana Stadium. — AFP League. “Now I’m back there I need to grab it with Cup and two League Cups during his five- formed part of both Antonio Conte’s and both hands.” It is a decade since Villa were last regard- year spell with the club. “I am very happy Maurizio Sarri’s backroom staff at Chelsea, ed as a Premier League force, with their sixth-place Barcelona, Juventus and PSG, collecting to come back home; this club gave me a lot but while he has not been retained in Frank finish in 2010 followed by years of struggle fuelled by Brazil captain nine national league titles along the way — and now I want to give back and help the Lampard’s first team set-up, he will remain mismanagement in the boardroom and on the bench. six in Spain, one in Italy and two in France. young Chelsea players dreaming of a at the west London club. — AFP For a club crowned European champions in 1982 Alves heads to He has collected 40 trophies in all with — 12 months after winning the most recent of their club and country including three United over the weekend. “The clubs seven English titles — Villa’s decline was a cautionary Champions League titles with Barcelona Rodgers regrets have agreed (a fee) and there’s still some tale. By the time they were relegated in 2016, ending Sao Paulo and two UEFA Cups with Sevilla work for it to go through,” Rodgers told a 28-year stay in the top-flight, there was a sense of He has also won two Copa Americas Sky Sports. “He’s a special player, he’s resignation and apathy among supporters. But Villa’s with Brazil, most recently in July when he departure of not a player that of course we would BRASILIA: After 17 years playing for the spell in second-tier purgatory may have been the was named player of the tournament as he want to lose. “He’s a top-class player, he’s top clubs in Europe, Brazil captain Dani best thing for a club that had grown complacent. captained them to victory over Peru in the ‘special’ Maguire a good man as well, and everything There is a renewed sense of purpose about Villa Alves has decided to return home, signing final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. about Harry over the course of this pre- a three-year deal with Sao Paulo. A free now, sparked on the pitch by Smith and his assistant “Once, I told Daniel that he would come to season, he knows there has been interest John Terry and off it by chief executive Christian agent after his contract with French cham- play at Sao Paulo, the club of his heart,” LONDON: Harry Maguire, described as over the summer and he’s been super pions Paris Saint-Germain expired in June, Purslow and ambitious billionaire owners Nassef said club president Carlos Augusto de a “special player” by Leicester City man- professional.” Sawiris and Wes Edens. Some fans have questioned Alves explained his decision on a Twitter Barros e Silva in a statement. “Today I have ager Brendan Rodgers, is set to become Maguire’s fee out-strips Dutch inter- video posted on the club website. Smith’s £115 million pre-season spending spree on a the immense joy and pride to have kept the world’s most expensive defender national Matthijs van Ligt who in July largely unproven group of 12 players, including “I could have picked any team to play that promise.” Sao Paulo, the former club after Manchester United agreed to pay a moved to Juventus from Ajax for a com- for but I chose to return to Brazil, to my Brazilian striker Wesley, Egypt midfielder Trezeguet of 1994 World Cup winner Rai, now the reported fee of £80 million ($97 million). bined fee of 75 million euros plus 10.5 and young Brentford defender Ezri Konsa. Villa’s sale country, my people, to the club that I love,” general manager, and legendary goalkeep- The 26-year-old central defender —cov- million euros of add-ons. De Ligt’s com- said the 36-year-old who has been in of their stadium to their owners in order to meet er Rogerio Ceni, are currently fifth in the eted by United since he starred as patriot Virgil van Dijk cost Liverpool English Football League spending limits was criticized Europe since he signed for Sevilla in 2002. England reached the World Cup semi- £75 million when he moved from Brazilian championship. — AFP as exploiting a “loophole” in the current rules. — AFP The right back went on to play for finals — is to undergo a medical at Southampton in January 2018. — AFP