WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015 SPORTS

Waratahs winger grounded Call to curb match-fixing Phelps returns to the pool MELBOURNE: The have been forced to omit JAKARTA: World Federation (BWF) should work MESA: Michael Phelps will compete in his first swim meet this week since returning in-form winger Taqele Naiyaravoro from their side to take on the leading harder to stamp out match-fixing in the sport, former doubles from a six-month suspension following a second drunken driving arrest. Wellington Hurricanes in their crunch match in New Zealand world champion said. The 18-time Olympic champion is entered in five events in the Arena Pro Swim Series The 1996 Olympic gold medallist, now head of athlete devel- on Saturday due to a visa issue. Fijian Naiyaravoro was also omitted from meet in Arizona that begins today. Phelps is entered in the 100-meter butterfly on the team for the match against the Otago Highlanders in Dunedin last opment in the Indonesian badminton federation, was con- cerned after two Danish shuttlers said in October they had been Thursday, 100 backstroke and 400 freestyle on Friday, and 200 individual medley and month and is unable to leave Australia for the time being. 100 free on Saturday. Also entered in those same five events is his longtime rival Ryan “Taqele’s visa application is an ongoing process and as such he is not approached via social media to fix matches at the Japan Open. World number 11 Hans-Kristian Vittinghus and doubles player Lochte. able to travel overseas at this point in time,” a spokeswoman for the The Mesa meet was the first one Phelps swam in after coming out of a 20-month Waratahs said. Kim Astrup said the person who spoke to them said matches had been successfully fixed at the high-ranking Singapore Open retirement last year. Phelps’ suspension was handed down by USA Swimming Waratahs assistant coach Daryl Gibson confirmed yesterday the explo- and . “We have easy access to follow matches online in October, just after his arrest in his hometown of Baltimore. It ended sive 23-year-old, who leads the team with three tries, would or via live streaming, unlike in my era. Therefore, the BWF on April 6. The 29-year-old swimmer also was banned from participat- not be on the plane to Wellington. The reigning champion should take this matter more seriously,” Rexy told the Jakarta ing in this summer’s world championships in Russia, although USA Waratahs declined to comment on whether he would be Post newspaper on Monday. Match-fixers have been prevalent Swimming has had informal discussions about Phelps possibly com- available for subsequent games in South Africa later in in soccer in Southeast Asia, tarnishing the image of the world’s peting. Phelps qualified for the world meet in the 100-meter butter- the year which could prove decisive for their title most popular sport. Rexy was keen for badminton not to go the fly, 100 freestyle and 200 individual medley before being suspend- defence. same way and warned the Malaysia-based BWF they should not ed. Since his arrest, he has completed a six-week inpatient The Waratahs play the Lions in Johannesburg on underestimate the threat. “Match-fixing exists in every sport,” he rehabilitation program and also gotten engaged. May 30 before taking on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein said. “Fortunately in badminton it is rarely found except when Joining Phelps and Lochte in the field in Arizona are in the penultimate round of the season. Australia’s Hans-Kristian Vittinghus and Kim Astrup openly reported a fellow Olympic gold medalists Katie Ledecky, Tyler immigration authority declined to comment on the match-fixing attempt last year. It shows that badminton is not Clary, Natalie Coughlin, Matt Grevers and Allison Fijian’s case.—Reuters safe from match-fixing practices.” —Reuters Schmitt. —AP Royals remain unbeaten

MINNEAPOLIS: The Kansas City Royals became the only unbeaten team in MLB as Danny Duffy pitched into the seventh inning and Kendrys Morales homered in a 12-3 romp over Minnesota, spoiling the Twins’ home opener Monday. The defending American League cham- pions improved to 7-0. It’s the second-best start in Kansas City’s history, behind the 2003 club that won nine in a row to begin the season. Detroit, which had been the only other unde- feated team in MLB, lost 5-4 at Pittsburgh earlier in the day. Duffy (1-0) went 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs. The Twins lost their fourth straight opener. Trevor May (0-1) in the second inning into the upper deck.

DODGERS 6, MARINERS 5 Alex Guerrero hit a bases-loaded single with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, com- pleting the Dodgers comeback from a four-run CHINA Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German driver Nico Rosberg celebrates in deficit for a victory over the Mariners. this file photo. —AFP Nelson Cruz hit two of the Mariners’ four home runs off Brandon McCarthy. Yasiel Puig homered and Howie Kendrick had a tying RBI Rosberg should have single in the fifth for Los Angeles. Dominic Leone (0-1), working his third inning of relief loaded the bases on Andre Ethier’s dou- tried harder — Hamilton ble and two walks, one intentional to Adrian Gonzalez. Tyler Olsons relieved, and after an out, LONDON: Lewis Hamilton has suggested been more competitive. Guerrero lined a 2-2 pitch to right-center to end he is mentally tougher than Mercedes team “Nico didn’t try,” he said, repeating the Seattle’s third straight extra-inning game. Yimi mate Nico Rosberg and questioned how words for effect. “They said maybe he was Garcia (1-0) pitched a perfect inning to get his hard the German really tried to beat him in just comfortable with second and I said first MLB victory. last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix. In com- ‘well, that’s the difference between us. I ments that will do little to ease tensions want to win always’. “And I would have ROCKIES 2, GIANTS 0 between the pair ahead of Sunday’s done everything to get past. Or at least Eddie Butler outdueled fellow rookie Chris Bahrain Grand Prix, the double Formula pushed for three laps. He wasn’t quick Heston and the Colorado Rockies spoiled San One world champion also told British enough. Francisco’s latest World Series championship cel- reporters that he was more of a racer than “I want the guy to be up my arse if he’s ebration at the Giants’ home opener. his rival. got the pace, up my arse and putting pres- Troy Tulowitzki, back in the lineup after a day MINNEAPOLIS: Trevor May No. 65 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Kansas “I’ve always said he is really strong men- sure on me. And if I can’t defend it, you lose off, hit an RBI single in the fourth inning against City Royals during the sixth inning of the home opening game. —AFP tally,” Hamilton was quoted on Tuesday as it.” Heston (1-1). San Francisco raised its third World saying. “But I’d like to think I’m stronger this Rosberg had explained that he risked Series winning flag in five years before the Steven Souza. Dickey allowed two runs and Both homers by the Angels off Ross Detwiler year.” wrecking his tyres by attacking but game. Butler (1-0) tossed 5 1-3 innings of five-hit three hits in six innings, walked five and struck (0-2) came with runners on base after walks. The Briton has won eight of the last 10 Hamilton, who ultimately set the fastest lap ball, walking six. Rafael Betancourt struck out out six. Cowgill’s first of the season tied the game at 3, races, beaten Rosberg in nine of them, and of the day, found support from his two in a perfect ninth for his first save since and Freese’s third made it 5-3. started all three grands prix this season Mercedes bosses for his management of August 2013. YANKEES 6, ORIOLES 5 from pole position. the race. Stephen Drew delivered a pinch-hit grand CUBS 7, REDS 6, 10 INNINGS The tension between the two, evident However he came in for more criticism PIRATES 5, TIGERS 4 slam in the seventh inning, and the Yankees beat Jorge Soler homered twice and Arismendy last year as they battled for the title, flared after the celebrations when pictures Gerrit Cole shut down baseball’s top-hitting the Baltimore Orioles for their first winning Alcantara had a game-ending RBI single in the up again in Shanghai when Rosberg showed him spraying the champagne in team, allowing one run in six-plus innings as the streak of the season. 10th inning to lift the Cubs over the Reds. Chris accused Hamilton of compromising his the face of a hostess on the podium. “We Pittsburgh Pirates handed the Detroit Tigers Down 4-2, the Yankees loaded the bases with Coghlan had three hits and a homer as the Cubs race by driving selfishly slow and leaving think Lewis Hamilton should apologise for their first loss of the season. two outs before Drew connected on a 3-1 pitch came back from three runs down to overcame a him exposed to the Ferraris behind. his actions and think carefully about how The Tigers were trying to match the 7-0 start from Tommy Hunter (0-1). It was his second rough start by Jon Lester, who gave up six runs In the end they finished one-two for the he behaves in the future,” Roz Hardie, chief set by the 1984 club that went on to win the homer in two games and New York’s first pinch- and 10 hits in six innings as his ERA ballooned to second time in three races. Although the executive of anti-sexism campaigners World Series. Cole (1-0) struck out eight and hit slam since Jorge Posada did it in 2001 against 7.84. Brandon Phillips had four hits for the Reds, drivers cleared the air afterwards at a brief- Object, told the Daily Mail newspaper. “It is walked two while giving up three hits in the the Orioles. while Marlon Byrd and Jay Bruce each drove in ing that Rosberg described as ‘constructive’, unfortunate that a great victory has been Pirates’ home opener. Josh Harrison, Pedro Drew was batting for Brett Gardner, who hurt two runs. Hector Rondon (1-0) gave up two hits newspapers on Tuesday quoted Hamilton marred by what appears to be selfish and Alvarez and Corey Hart homered for Pittsburgh. his right wrist in the first inning after being hit in the top of the 10th to pick up the win Manny as saying the German should simply have inconsiderate behavior.” —Reuters Anibal Sanchez (1-1) surrendered five runs in 6 by a pitch from Wei-Yin Chen. Adam Jones had Parra (0-1) was the loser. 1-3 innings. Miguel Cabrera went 2 for 4 with an three hits, including a home run, for Baltimore. RBI double. Jones is 10 for 14 with three homers and seven BRAVES 3, MARLINS 2 RBIs in his last four games. Michael Pineda (1-0) Alberto Callaspo hit a tiebreaking single in Czech hockey coach in RED SOX 9, NATIONALS 4 gave up five runs and nine hits with nine strike- Atlanta’s two-run fifth inning and the Braves Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer, jumped outs in 6 1-3 innings for the Yankees. held off Miami in the ninth to beat the Marlins in corruption scandal to take away a home run from Bryce Harper and a game slowed by two rain delays. stole two bases on the same pitch, leading the ATHLETICS 8, ASTROS 1 Shelby Miller (1-0) allowed one run in five PRAGUE: Czech national ice hockey team Ruzicka, who was also Slavia general Boston Red Sox over Washington in their home Billy Butler hit a three-run homer and Marcus innings as the Braves bounced back from their coach Vladimir Ruzicka is embroiled in a manager at that time, said he had consid- opener. Rick Porcello (1-1) won his Fenway Park Semien and Brett Lawrie connected to back a first loss and handed the Marlins their sixth corruption scandal two weeks ahead of the ered the money a sponsor’s gift. He sent debut, allowing four hits in eight innings. Ryan solid start by Scott Kazmir and give the Athletics defeat in seven games. world championships hosted by his coun- the money back to Palascak at the end of Zimmerman and Danny Espinosa homered off a win over the Astros. Jason Grilli gave up a run-scoring single in try, local media said yesterday. The 51-year- last year. “I have never accepted any finan- Porcello. The Red Sox rolled to an 8-0 lead after Kazmir (2-0) allowed three hits and one run the ninth but earned his fourth save. Matt Latos old former Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins cial sum in exchange for a promise to privi- three innings against Jordan Zimmermann (1-1). while striking out eight in six innings. Jose (0-2) gave up three runs, two earned, on five hits and Ottawa Senators center allegedly lege a player,” said Ruzicka, who led the Ortiz homered in the sixth. Altuve had three hits of Houston’s five hits, and three walks in four-plus innings. accepted a bribe worth 500,000 Czech Czech Republic to the 1998 Olympic gold including a solo home run in the fourth inning. koruna (18,000 euros, $20,000) in the 2012- in Nagano as a player and to world titles in METS 2, PHILLIES 0 Houston starter Scott Feldman (0-2) yielded 10 DIAMONDBACKS 8, PADRES 4 2013 season when coaching Czech top- 2005 and 2010 as a coach. National League Rookie of the Year Jacob hits and eight runs - seven earned - in five Ender Inciarte hit two doubles and a triple flight side Slavia Prague. The police have not received a criminal deGrom and the New York Mets won their home innings for the loss. and drove in a career-high four runs to lead the Media quoted entrepreneur Miroslav complaint yet but they are investigating opener, shutting down Philadelphia. DeGrom (1- Diamondbacks to a victory against the Padres. Palascak, the father of a Slavia player, as the video recording to check whether a 1) gave up seven hits in 6 1-3 innings. ANGELS 6, RANGERS 3 Inciarte hit a two-run double in the second, saying he had given Ruzicka the money in crime was committed, said Prague police Daniel Murphy doubled in the fourth, Collin Cowgill and David Freese each hit two- when the Diamondbacks scored four unearned cash in two installments in exchange for a spokesman Tomas Hulan. advanced on a flyout and scored when Juan run homers in the fifth inning for the Angels, runs on five hits off Andrew Cashner (0-2) and an promise his son would stay on the team. Alongside football, ice hockey is the Lagares got a hit that Aaron Harang (1-1) who rallied from an early deficit to beat the error, and a two-run triple in the three-run Palascak had published a video made with most popular sport in the Czech Republic. knocked down with his glove and couldn’t Rangers. Matt Shoemaker (2-0) was down 3-0 eighth to help break it open. He also doubled a hidden camera in which Ruzicka admits The world championships in Prague and throw to first in time. after the first, but pitched into the seventh with- and scored in the seventh. Rubby De La Rosa (2- having received the money to let Palascak’s the eastern city of Ostrava are due to take out allowing another run. He won his ninth con- 0) held San Diego to three runs and six hits in six son practise with the team. place on May 1-17.—AFP BREWERS 5, CARDINALS 4 secutive decision over a 10-game stretch. innings for his second straight win. —AP Matt Garza overcame five walks to earn his first career win in St. Louis and Carlos Gomez had two hits and an RBI for the Milwaukee Brewers. Adam Wainwright (1-1) gave up five MLB results/standings runs - three earned - in seven innings. Francisco Rodriguez earned his first save, helping himself NY Mets 2, Philadelphia 0; Pittsburgh 5, Detroit 4; Boston 9, Washington 4; Kansas City 12, Minnesota 3; Milwaukee with the defensive play of the game when he 5, St. Louis 4; Colorado 2, San Francisco 0; NY Yankees 6, Baltimore 5; Tampa Bay 2, Toronto 1; Atlanta 3, Miami 2; reached behind his head and snared Jhonny Chicago Cubs 7, Cincinnati 6 (10 Innings); La Angels 6, Texas 3; Oakland 8, Houston 1; Arizona 8, San Diego 4; LA Dodgers 6, Seattle 5 (10 Innings). Peralta’s liner leading off the ninth. Garza (1-1) allowed two runs - one earned - in American League National League 5 2-3 innings to win for the first time in six career Eastern Division Eastern Division W L PCT GB Atlanta 6 1 .857 - starts in St. Louis. He entered 0-2 with a 6.95 Boston 5 2 .714 - ERA. NY Mets 4 3 .571 2 Tampa Bay 4 3 .571 1 Philadelphia 3 4 .429 3 Toronto 4 3 .571 1 Washington 2 5 .286 4 RAYS 2, BLUE JAYS 1 Baltimore 3 4 .429 2 Miami 1 6 .143 5 Jake Odorizzi pitched eight impressive NY Yankees 3 4 .429 2 Central Division Central Division innings and the Rays scored on two bases- Chicago Cubs 4 2 .667 - Kansas City 7 0 1.000 - Cincinnati 4 3 .571 0.5 loaded walks by R.A. Dickey to beat the Blue Detroit 6 1 .857 1 Jays. Odorizzi (2-0) allowed one run and two hits, Chicago White Sox 2 4 .333 4.5 St. Louis 3 3 .500 1 improving to 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in four career Cleveland 2 4 .333 4.5 Pittsburgh 3 4 .429 1.5 starts against the Blue Jays. The right-hander set Minnesota 1 6 .143 6 Milwaukee 2 5 .286 2.5 down the final eight batters he faced before Western Division Western Division Brad Boxberger finished for his third save. Oakland 4 4 .500 - Colorado 5 2 .714 - Arizona 4 3 .571 1 After Desmond Jennings and Allan Dykstra Houston 3 4 .429 0.5 LA Angels 3 4 .429 0.5 LA Dodgers 4 3 .571 1 singled to begin the fourth, Dickey (0-1) retired Seattle 3 4 .429 0.5 San Diego 4 4 .500 1.5 the next two batters but then walked three in a Texas 3 5 .375 1 San Francisco 3 5 .375 2.5 Vladimir Ruzicka row, including 3-2 passes to David DeJesus and