SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2013 SPORTS

Striker woes for England Mast leads Championship Milito set for comeback

LONDON: England has a shortage of strikers for Tuesday’s key World Cup qualifier QUEBEC: Dick Mast took the first-round lead on Friday in the ROME: Inter Milan striker Diego Milito says he is close to completing his come- against Ukraine, with Danny Welbeck now suspended for the match in Kiev. Champions Tour’s Montreal Championship, shooting a 3-under 69 in back from injury after scoring in a friendly yesterday. The Argentine, out of action Spearheading the attack on Friday against Moldova, Welbeck earned his second book- windy conditions on La Vallee du Richelieu’s difficult Rouville Course. since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury during Inter’s Europa League win ing of the qualification campaign during the 4-0 win before scoring twice. The 62-year-old Mast, winless on the 50-and-over tour, had five over CFR Cluj in February, netted in a 2-2 draw with Swiss side Lugano. The yellow card was given in the first half at Wembley Stadium for shooting at goal in birdies and two bogeys. He birdied the first three holes before the “I hope soon to be back at my best, be well and able to the split-second after referee Ivan Kruzliak blew for off- wind picked up. help the manager when he needs it. The worst has side. ¬Å”You can’t always hear the referee’s whistle,” “I got a chance to play four or five holes without a real heavy wind passed, there’s not much time left til I return,” the Welbeck said. “Even then I believe I was onside and I and that’s already an advantage,” Mast said. “You never know when 34-year-old told the Serie A club’s television sta- wanted to put it in the back of the net. The main you are going to get a break, but I did.” It is the first time Mast has had tion. thing is to play your part for the team.” an outright lead in 165 Champions Tour starts. “You’ve got to control “It was brilliant scoring again, it’s the great- England coach Roy Hodgson said the booking your ball in the wind. You’ve got to have a good short game. I made est joy for any attacker. But more than that, it overshadowed the easy win. “I don’t think there’ll some key putts here and there to keep the momentum going.” was good just to get some minutes out on the be too many people, even in the refereeing fraterni- pitch.” Kenny Perry, the Senior Players Championship and US Senior Open ty, who will say that was a clear yellow card,” he said. Milito has scored 73 goals for Inter and is a winner in consecutive tour starts this summer, opened with a 70 on “A 40 yard sprint, a ball that arrives on your foot, a fans’ favorite because of his exploits during their the tree-lined layout. “Interesting day,” Perry said. “I got off to a good split second between the whistle blowing and the treble success in 2010, when under the guidance start but I wasn’t making any birdies. I was hitting the ball nicely and shot. “You’ll have to try very hard to persuade of Jose Mourinho they won the Serie A title, the me that was a booking. He’s out of the that wind was very difficult.” He’s making his first appearance in the Italian Cup and the Champions League. He game. We’ll live with it, deal with it, but event. “People have been wonderful here,” Perry said. “I feel like a rock scored six goals during their successful I’m not prepared to go down that route star. I’ve had so much attention paid to me since I’ve been here. It’s Champions League campaign, includ- that these things happen.”—AP been amazing. I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to getting out ing two against Bayern Munich in The Manchester United striker had there this weekend.” —AP the final. — Reuters MLB results/standings Red Sox pound Yankees Chicago Cubs 8, Milwaukee 5; Baltimore 4, 0; Cleveland 8, NY Mets 1; Boston 12, NY Yankees 8; Philadelphia 2, Atlanta 1; Cincinnati 3, LA Dodgers 2; Miami 7, Washington 0; Detroit 16, Kansas City 2; Toronto NEW YORK: Mike Napoli hit a tying grand slam in the seventh, 6, Minnesota 5; St. Louis 12, Pittsburgh 8; LA Angels 6, Shane Victorino had a go-ahead homer one inning later and the Texas 5; Oakland 7, Houston 5; Seattle 6, Tampa Bay 4; San Boston Red Sox rallied past the New York Yankees 12-8 on Friday Diego 4, Colorado 3; San Francisco 3, Arizona 0. night for their fourth straight victory. Will Middlebrooks homered for the third straight day and American League Boston erased a five-run deficit in another wild game between Eastern Division these longtime rivals. One night earlier, the Yankees took an 8-7 W L PCT GB lead with a six-run seventh - only to lose 9-8 in 10 innings on Boston 86 57 .601 - Victorino’s tiebreaking single. New York has lost consecutive Tampa Bay 77 63 .550 7.5 games when scoring at least eight runs for the first time since Baltimore 75 65 .536 9.5 September 1949, according to STATS. The last time it happened NY Yankees 75 66 .532 10 with both games at home was 1911 against Cleveland. Toronto 65 76 .461 20 Napoli also doubled, singled and walked twice in a perfect Central Division night at the plate. He scored three times, one night after sparking Detroit 82 59 .582 - Boston’s ninth-inning comeback with a two-out single off Mariano Cleveland 75 65 .536 6.5 Rivera. The Red Sox, who have a 71/2-game lead in the AL East Kansas City 73 68 .518 9 over Tampa Bay, have slowed New York’s wild-card charge by win- Minnesota 61 78 .439 20 ning the first two games of a four-game set, improving to 9-5 Chicago White Sox 56 84 .400 25.5 Western Division against New York this year. They have scored 41 runs in their past Oakland 81 60 .574 - three games and won 11 of 13 overall. Texas 80 60 .571 0.5 Alfonso Soriano homered and Brett Gardner hit a two-run LA Angels 66 74 .471 14.5 for the Yankees, but Phil Hughes and Boone Logan failed to Seattle 64 77 .454 17 hold an 8-3 lead for Andy Pettitte. New York went hitless after the Houston 47 94 .333 34 fifth inning. Victorino connected for a two-run shot off Preston NEW YORK: Second baseman Dustin Pedroia No. 15 of the Boston Red Sox tags out Alex Rodriguez No. 13 of the National League Claiborne (0-2) in the eighth. Joba Chamberlain walked in a run New York Yankees as he attempted to steal second base during the first inning in an MLB baseball game. —AFP Eastern Division later in the inning, and Stephen Drew made it 12-8 with an RBI sin- and three runs to a Twins team he was a reliever for in 2009. He innings, Nick Swisher hit a grand slam and Cleveland continued its Atlanta 85 55 .607 - gle. Brandon Workman (5-2) threw 1 1-3 hitless innings for the struck out four and walked one. playoff push with a win over New York. Kazmir (8-7) struck out at Washington 71 69 .507 14 win. Philadelphia 64 77 .454 21.5 Jose Reyes reached base all four times and sparked a five-run least one batter in each inning, including the side in the first, third second against Mike Pelfrey (5-11) with an RBI single. Brett Lawrie and sixth. The left-hander, who has been pushed back in the rota- NY Mets 63 76 .453 21.5 ATHLETICS 7, ASTROS 5 hit a two-run single and Moises Sierra followed with a two-run tion for extra rest over the last month, held the Mets to four hits, Miami 53 86 .381 31.5 In Oakland, Josh Donaldson had three hits, including a two- double in that inning. Casey Janssen gave up a to rook- allowed no walks and hit a batter in winning for the first time since Central Division run homer in the sixth inning, and Oakland beat Houston to move ie catcher Josmil Pinto in the ninth, but closed it out for his 28th Aug. 4. Swisher’s grand slam came in the eighth and Carlos Pittsburgh 81 59 .579 - into first in the AL West. Jed Lowrie added two hits and two RBIs St. Louis 81 60 .574 0.5 save in 30 tries on a strikeout-caught stealing double play. Santana added two RBIs. Cleveland is two games out of the second for Oakland, which has won six of eight. Yoenis Cespedes and Cincinnati 80 62 .563 2 wild-card spot. The Indians have won three of four on their homes- Nate Freiman had two hits apiece. The A’s grabbed a half-game Chicago Cubs 60 80 .429 21 INTERLEAGUE tand after losing ground in the playoff chase during a 3-6 road trip. lead over the Rangers, who lost 6-5 at the Los Angeles Angels. AJ Milwaukee 60 80 .429 21 INDIANS 8, METS 1 Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler (7-4) allowed three runs in five innings Griffin (13-9) gave up four runs over six innings. Sean Doolittle and Western Division In Cleveland, Scott Kazmir struck out a season-high 12 in six and lost for the first time in his career on the road. —AP LA Dodgers 83 57 .593 - Ryan Cook combined to retire six batters, and Grant Balfour Arizona 71 69 .507 12 worked the ninth for his 37th save. Houston starter Dallas Keuchel Colorado 66 76 .465 18 (5-9) struggled in his third start against the A’s this season, allow- San Diego 63 77 .450 20 ing 10 hits and five runs in just 3 2-3 innings. San Francisco 63 78 .447 20.5 MARINERS 6, RAYS 4 In Seattle, Justin Smoak doubled in a pair of runs off Tampa Bay reliever Joel Peralta in the eighth inning and Seattle rallied for D’backs fall a victory over the Rays. The Rays’ lead was cut to two games over the Cleveland Indians and in the race for the sec- ond wild-card berth in the American League. to Giants After tying the game in the top of the eighth, the Rays couldn’t keep the Mariners from going ahead. Kyle Seager hit a fly ball off Peralta (2-6) deep into the gap in left-center. SAN FRANCISCO: Yusmeiro Petit almost got the perfect revenge against his former team. Petit lost his bid for a perfect game on Eric Though center fielder Desmond Jennings got in position for Chavez’s two-out single in the ninth, and then recovered to retire the play, the ball caromed off the heel of his glove and fell to the the final batter in the San Francisco Giants’ 3-0 victory over the turf allowing Seager to reach second base on the error. Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Petit (3-0) struck out Chris Kendrys Morales walked before Smoak’s fly down the right Owings to begin the ninth, and Gerardo Parra followed with a rou- field line just missed the glove of a diving Wil Myers. tine grounder to second. He then went to a full-count on Chavez, Seager and pinch runner Abraham Almonte scored to give the who dumped a pinch-hit single just in front of Hunter Pence in Mariners a 6-4 lead. Carter Capps (3-3) picked up the victory in right field. The crowd of 41,190 fans responded with a standing relief. Danny Farquhar pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 13th ovation for Petit, who struck out seven in his 95-pitch gem. A.J. save. Pollock grounded out to third to finish Petit’s first career complete game. Pence had three hits, including a home run, and scored all ORIOLES 4, WHITE SOX 0 three runs. Corbin (13-6) tossed eight strong innings, giving up In Baltimore, Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 48th eight hits. He walked one and struck out five. home run, Scott Feldman pitched a five-hitter for his first career shutout and Baltimore beat extended Chicago’s losing streak to CARDINALS 12, PIRATES 8 eight games. Davis connected in the sixth inning off John Danks In St Louis, Carlos Beltran and Jon Jay had three hits apiece, and to move within two homers of tying Brady Anderson for the sin- St. Louis beat Pittsburgh to move within a half-game of the NL gle-season club record. The solo shot gave Davis 123 RBIs, second- Central leaders. The Cardinals opened a seven-run seventh with most in the majors behind Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera (130). nine straight hits off three relievers, including Yadier Molina’s three- Danny Valencia and Matt Wieters also homered for the Orioles. run homer off Bryan Morris. The Pirates have lost two straight, both All three long balls came off Danks (4-12). Making his 11th start blowouts, and remain a win shy of clinching their first winning sea- since he was acquired in a trade with the Cubs on July 2, Feldman son since 1992. Jay had three RBIs and Beltran drove in two runs. (5-4) allowed only one runner past first base. The right-hander Joe Kelly (8-3) allowed one run and eight hits over six innings while walked one and struck out three in improving to 5-2 lifetime improving to 7-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his last eight starts. Pittsburgh against the White Sox. starter A.J. Burnett (7-10) gave up five runs in three innings in his shortest outing of the year. TIGERS 16, ROYALS 2 In Kansas City, Omar Infante set career highs with five hits and REDS 3, DODGERS 2 six RBIs, Andy Dirks also went 5 for 5 and Detroit pounded Kansas In Cincinnati, Joey Votto emerged from his deep slump with a City. Austin Jackson drove in four runs as the Tigers finished with a single and a two-run homer, leading Cincinnati to the victory. The season-high 26 hits. Dirks, who is hitting .410 against Kansas City NL West-leading Dodgers lost Chris Capuano to a mild groin strain this season, scored four times. in the second inning, when he grimaced on a pitch to Zack Cozart. Infante had run-producing singles in the second, fourth and Already this week, the Dodgers had to push Hyun-Jin Ryu back seventh innings and a three-run double in the fifth. It was more from a scheduled start because of a sore back. Mike Leake (12-6) than enough support for Anibal Sanchez (13-7), who allowed one emerged from his recent slump, helping the Reds get their fourth run in seven innings while lowering his AL-best ERA to 2.61. James win in their last five games. Leake allowed five hits, including Shields (10-9), who was 4-0 in his previous five starts, was charged Hanley Ramirez’s two-run homer, in 7 2-3 innings. Aroldis with 10 runs and 14 hits in 3 2-3 innings in his shortest start of the Chapman, pitching for the fourth day in a row, fanned three in the season. The runs and hits matched career-worst totals for the ninth for his 35th save in 40 chances. Votto hit a two-run homer - his right-hander. 22nd - off J.P. Howell (2-1) in the fifth inning for a 3-2 lead. ANGELS 6, RANGERS 5 MARLINS 7, NATIONALS 0 In Anaheim, Mark Trumbo hit a three-run homer and CJ Wilson In Miami, Jose Fernandez allowed one hit and struck out nine in pitched into the seventh inning to beat Texas for the first time, seven innings to lead Miami to the win. Giancarlo Stanton homered leading Los Angeles over the Rangers. and drove in three runs for the Marlins. Logan Morrison hit an esti- Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun had RBI singles during a five-run mated 484-foot home run, which would be the longest in the fourth inning for the Angels, who have won 11 of 14 late in their majors this season, and drove in two runs. Fernandez (11-6) retired lost season. Trumbo capped the rally with his 30th homer. Alex his first 14 batters before walking Adam LaRoche. He also went 2 for Rios and Elvis Andrus homered for the Rangers. .Ernesto Frieri 3 at the plate. Stanton hit a two-run single in the first inning and allowed Leonys Martin’s two-out double in the ninth before Placido Polanco followed with a sacrifice fly to give Miami an early Andrus’ single to left, the first run allowed by the Angels’ 3-0 lead against Dan Haren (8-13). Colombian closer in 11 games since Aug. 10. Frieri then struck out Ian Kinsler on a 95-mph fastball for his 31st save. Wilson (15-6) PHILLIES 2, BRAVES 1 allowed seven hits and four runs, persevering through a few jams In Philadelphia, Cody Asche hit a two-run homer in the seventh for his first win over the Rangers since he left the club two seasons inning, and Philadelphia ace Cliff Lee outdueled fellow left-hander ago. Matt Garza (3-3) gave up nine hits and five runs over seven Mike Minor. Lee (12-6) allowed one run on Andrelton Simmons’ innings in his third straight winless start, largely staying in control leadoff homer in the third while striking out 10 in eight innings. He outside the Angels’ big fourth inning. gave up two hits and walked none. Jonathan Papelbon finished for his 25th save in 31 chances. Asche’s homer came on the first pitch BLUE JAYS 6, TWINS 5 he saw from Minor in the seventh. In his first time facing the Phillies In Minneapolis, RA Dickey pitched into the seventh inning for this season, Minor (13-6) allowed four hits in seven innings, striking Toronto, and the Blue Jays hung on for a victory over Minnesota. out nine and walking one.—AP Dickey (12-12) won his third straight start, giving up seven hits