SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2014 SPORTS

Lopez to join Milan Villa sign French fullback Blatter challenges critics MILAN: AC Milan have agreed to sign Spanish goalkeeper Diego Lopez ULRICHEN: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has challenged his critics to “take a risk” LONDON: Aston Villa have signed left back Aly Cissokho from Valencia on a and stand for election against him next year. “Don’t speak - go out and fight, from Real Madrid, the Italian Serie A club’s coach Filippo Inzaghi said four-year deal subject to international clearance, the club yesterday. “Diego Lopez is very important,” Inzaghi, who was celebrat- then you will see,” Blatter told reporters Saturday at his annual charity football announced on Friday. tournament. “People, they say I should not be a candidate or I should not be ing his 41st birthday, said on Milan’s website (www.acmilan.com). The 26-year-old French international made 19 appearances on loan at elected - they can take the risk to be in the election.” “He is an experienced goalkeeper and will improve our squad,” Liverpool last season, helping them finish second in the Premier League. The FIFA leader did not identify potential rivals in the ballot scheduled in added the former Milan and Italy striker. Inzaghi did not provide details “Destiny has made it so that Villa Park was where I played my first game (for May, though he appeared to target UEFA President Michel Platini. of the deal but Italian media reported Lopez was set to sign a Liverpool) and now one year later I am wearing the shirt,” he told AVTV. Platini, the long-time favorite to succeed his FIFA mentor Blatter, publicly four-year contract. “I remember everything about the game because it was my first here in withdrew his backing ahead of the World Cup in June. The 32-year-old is surplus to requirements at Real England - the pitch, the stadium, the fans, everything was incredible.” “In the future I won’t support Blatter anymore. I’ve told after the European champions signed Costa Rica keeper Cissokho, whose one cap came in a friendly against Norway in August 2010, him that,” Platini told reporters from his native France Keylor Navas from Levante this month. is ’s fourth signing of the transfer window after Joe Cole, Philippe after the FIFA Congress in Sao Paulo. “I think that FIFA Lopez, who played for Real as a teenager, was Senderos and Kieran Richardson. needs a breath of fresh air.” Platini spoke out then brought in as cover for injured captain Iker Casillas in He started out in with FC Gueugnon in before moving to Portugal after some European football leaders urged Blatter to January last year following stints at Villarreal and Sevilla. with Vitoria and then Porto, who won the Portuguese title in 2009 after going stand aside at a hostile UEFA meeting in Brazil. They He remained first choice at Real in La Liga last season, unbeaten in the league. reminded Blatter of a 2011 promise to leave FIFA in In July that year he joined for 15 million euros ($20.11 with Casillas playing in the Champions League and the 2015. Platini has a scheduled news conference on Aug. million), playing 137 games and scoring twice. He won the French Cup in 2011- 28 in Monaco where he could address his King’s Cup as part of an awkward rotation policy. 12. In August 2012 Cissokho joined Valencia before moving to Liverpool in A former reserve keeper for Spain, Lopez made one FIFA plans ahead of the Champions August 2013 on a season-long loan. “After I finished my loan with Liverpool I League draw. Blatter plans to confirm substitute appearance for the European champions in was keen to come back to play football in England. I knew that Aston Villa was August 2009 in a friendly against Macedonia. — Reuters he is a candidate for a fifth term interested and I was very excited to come here,” he said. — Reuters before the January deadline. —AP Mets see off Phillies

PHILADELPHIA: Bartolo Colon pitched eight Janssen (3-1) was replaced by Aaron Loup innings for his 200th career victory, Travis after a two-out double by Ian Kinsler. The blown d’Arnaud homered, and the New York Mets held save was Janssen’s third in 21 chances. on for a 5-4 victory over the Al Alburquerque (3-1) worked 1 2-3 innings on Friday night. Daniel Murphy recorded his fifth for the win. Joe Nathan finished for his 24th save straight multihit game with two singles for the in 29 chances, getting Josh Thole to foul out with Mets, who have won 10 of 11 in Philadelphia. the bases loaded. Marlon Byrd homered, Grady Sizemore drove Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez left in the in two runs, and Ben Revere had two of the fifth inning with a strained muscle in his right Phillies’ nine hits. Revere is batting a major side. Left-hander Blaine Hardy took over for league-best .388 since June 26. Sanchez, who allowed four runs and 10 hits in 4 The 41-year-old Colon (11-9) joined Pedro 2-3 innings. Martinez and Juan Marichal as the only Dominican-born pitchers to reach 200 victories. MARLINS 2, REDS 1 He gave up one run and six hits, struck out six Nathan Eovaldi gave his second straight shut- and walked none. down performance, holding Cincinnati to five AJ Burnett (6-12) surrendered 11 hits, tying a hits over eight shutout innings, and Giancarlo season high, and gave up five runs in his third Stanton hit his NL-leading 28th homer, powering consecutive loss. He struck out eight but fell to 0- Miami to a victory. The Reds fell to 8-13 since the 4 with a 6.66 ERA in his last five starts. All-Star break. Eovaldi (6-6) got his first victory since June 23, ORIOLES 12, CARDINALS 2 ending a streak of three losses and four no-deci- JJ Hardy hit two of Baltimore’s season-high sions. He walked one and struck out six while six home runs, and the Orioles cruised past St. going eight innings for the second time this sea- Louis to move a season-high 17 games over .500. son. Hardy hit a solo shot and a three-run drive for his Devin Mesoraco doubled home a run in the 11th multihomer game. Manny Machado, Adam ninth off Steve Cishek, who then fanned Zack Jones, Chris Davis and Ryan Flaherty also con- Cozart with two runners aboard to get his 28th nected as Baltimore (66-49) reached double fig- save in 31 chances. Todd Frazier had three of ures in runs for the first time since April 24. Cincinnati’s seven hits. Jarrod Saltalamacchia had Baltimore’s Chris Tillman (9-5) gave up two a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the sixth inning off runs and four hits in 6 2-3 innings. He was pulled Mike Leake (9-10), and Stanton hit a solo shot in after a two-run drive to A.J. Pierzynski made it the seventh. 12-2. It was the Orioles’ first win over the Cardinals YANKEES 10, INDIANS 6 in 11 years. A three-run drive by Machado and Carlos Beltran hit a grand slam and drove in Hardy’s first helped Baltimore go up 5- five runs as the broke out to 0 against Justin Masterson (1-1) in the third. That support fill-in starter Esmil Rogers and beat slop- propelled the AL East-leaders to their ninth win py Cleveland for their sixth win in seven games. in 12 games. Derek Jeter tied Honus Wagner with his 3,430th PHILADELPHIA: David Wright No. 5 of the New York Mets is caught stealing and gets tagged out by third baseman Cody hit in a five-run first inning against Trevor Bauer Asche No. 25 of the Philadelphia Phillies in the top of the ninth inning. — AFP RAYS 4, CUBS 3 (4-7), and Beltran’s 11th career slam highlighted a Kevin Kiermaier, who entered the game in the five-run sixth. The Indians, who have the majors’ and right fielder Nori Aoki threw out two runners first inning of the matchup between the NL beat the Chicago White Sox for its fourth eighth inning, drove in the winning run with a worst fielding percentage, prolonged both in the same inning as Kansas City beat San West’s two worst teams. Peralta flashed his straight victory. Zunino moved into a tie for single in the 10th to give Tampa Bay a victory innings with errors in their fourth straight loss Francisco for its fifth straight victory. The Royals, speed in the seventh. the major league lead in home runs by a over the Chicago Cubs. and seventh consecutive defeat in the Bronx. who haven’t been in the playoffs since winning The rookie hit a run-scoring triple off Rex catcher with his 18th. Iwakuma (10-6) Desmond Jennings went 2 for 5 with a homer, The Yankees walked seven times in moving the 1985 World Series, hold a half game lead for Brothers then raced home when catcher Michael became the third Seattle pitcher with double- and Ben Zobrist went 3 for 5 as Tampa Bay won seven games above .500 for the first time this the second AL wild card. Butler, who is hitting .423 McKenry lobbed the ball back to the mound. digit victories this season. The Japanese its second straight. Brad Boxberger (3-1) blew the season (61-54). Picked up off waivers July 31 after in the past seven games, homered with two out in Peralta is the sixth Arizona player to steal home, right-hander allowed one run and five hits, save in the ninth, but pitched a perfect 10th to the cut him for the second time the first off Madison Bumgarner (13-9). Bumgarner first since Chris Young in 2007. Chase Anderson struck out three and walked none. Iwakuma get the win. Hector Rondon (3-4) took the loss. In this season, Rogers (2-0) became the 12th player went the distance, allowing four runs on seven (7-4) pitched five solid innings, giving up a lead- improved to 5-2 with a 2.04 ERA in his last hits. He walked none and struck out five, but his off homer to McKenry in the fifth inning and lit- eight starts. He has pitched at least seven road scoreless streak was snapped at 17 innings. tle else. Corey Dickerson and DJ LeMahieu had innings in his last seven outings. The Giants outhit the Royals 12-7, but self-destruc- run-scoring singles in the ninth inning for the Fernando Rodney earned his 32nd save in 35 ted with three errors and base running blunders. Rockies, who have lost 10 of 12. opportunities. Dayan Viciedo continued his suc- Jason Frasor (3-1), the second of five Royals pitch- cess against Seattle with an opposite — field ers, threw a spotless sixth. Greg Holland pitched a ATHLETICS 6, TWINS 5 solo homer on the first pitch he saw from flawless ninth for his American League-leading Scott Kazmir faced the minimum through six Iwakuma in the fourth, but that accounted for all 33rd save in 35 opportunities. It was Holland’s innings before running into trouble, Coco Crisp of Chicago’s offense. The White Sox have lost 100th career save. hit a bases-loaded triple, and Oakland held off four straight and six of seven. Chicago’s Jose Minnesota for its 11th straight win in the series. Quintana (6-8) retired 12 of his first 14 batters BREWERS 9, DODGERS 3 The Twins last victory over the Athletics was at before falling apart in the fifth. Rickie Weeks hit a three-run homer, and Minnesota on Sept. 10, 2013. The A’s are 5-0 this Gerardo Parra had two hits and two RBIs to lead year. Kazmir (13-4) tossed just eight balls among RED SOX 4, ANGELS 2 Milwaukee over the Los Angeles Dodgers. his first 42 pitches through four perfect innings Mike Napoli homered against former battery- The Dodgers went ahead 3-2 in the top of the before Kennys Vargas broke up the bid with a mate Jered Weaver, and Yoenis Cespedes hit a seventh, then Milwaukee capitalized on two single off Jed Lowrie’s glove. two-run double, leading Boston over the Los errors by reserve shortstop Justin Turner and Sean Doolittle retired former A’s slugger Josh Angeles Angels. scored four runs in their half of the inning. Willingham on a called third strike to end it for Allen Webster (2-1) allowed two runs and four The first run in the seventh came on Martin his 18th save in 21 opportunities. The A’s bullpen hits over 6 2-3 innings in his third start since get- Maldonado’s squeeze bunt that scored Weeks. He set an Oakland record with 28 2-3 scoreless ting recalled from Triple-A. Koji Uehara got three bunted the ball toward Brandon League (2-3) innings. Kyle Gibson (10-9) allowed six runs - five outs during a shaky ninth to earn his 24th save. who tried to flip it with his glove to catcher Drew earned - and five hits, struck out three and Weaver (12-7) lost for the first time since June Butera, but was late. Pinch-hitter Khris Davis walked a season-high five in five-plus innings 16, allowing four runs and seven hits through six reached on Turner’s fielding error to load the while facing the A’s for the first time. innings after going 5-0 in his previous nine bases. Carlos Gomez then reached on Turner’s starts. The Angels’ fourth straight loss matched throwing error that allowed Mark Reynolds to MARINERS 4, WHITE SOX 1 their longest skid of the season and dropped score. Parra followed with a two-run single that Mike Zunino hit a three-run homer, Hisashi them four games behind AL West-leading ATLANTA: Denard Span no. 2 of the Washington Nationals is safe at first as Freddie Freeman gave Milwaukee a 6-3 lead. Iwakuma pitched seven innings, and Seattle Oakland. — AP No. 5 of the Atlanta Braves tags him during the fifth inning at Turner Field. — AFP Dodgers starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez, acquired from Philadelphia on Thursday, was in his Wrigley Field debut, touted Cubs prospect to make a start for New York. line for the win when he needed just 65 pitches MLB results/standings Javier Baez went 1 for 5 with a run scored and Pitching in place of David Phelps (elbow to get through six innings, retiring 17 straight. He four strikeouts. inflammation), he allowed one run and four hits struck out five and allowed three hits in the first over five innings in his first start since Sept. 25 for inning. Jeremy Jeffress (1-1) earned the win in Tampa Bay 4, Chicago Cubs 3 (10 Innings); Baltimore 12, St. Louis 2; NY Yankees 10, PIRATES 2, PADRES 1 Toronto. Bauer allowed five runs and six hits in 3 relief. Cleveland 6; NY Mets 5, Philadelphia 4; Pittsburgh 2, San Diego 1; Detroit 5, Toronto 4; Gregory Polanco and Josh Harrison had three 1-3 innings. Miami 2, Cincinnati 1; Atlanta 7, Washington 6; Kansas City 4, San Francisco 2; Milwaukee 9, hits each, and Vance Worley outdueled Ian ASTROS 4, RANGERS 3 LA Dodgers 3; Houston 4, Texas 3; Arizona 5, Colorado 3; Boston 4, LA Angels 2; Oakland 6, Kennedy as Pittsburgh edged San Diego. BRAVES 7, NATIONALS 6 Robbie Grossman’s two-run homer put Minnesota 5; Seattle 4, Chicago White Sox 1. Houston ahead in the eighth inning and the The Pirates (62-53) moved a season-high nine Justin Upton and Freddie Freeman hit two of American League National League Astros held on to top Texas. Chris Carter hit his games over .500. Worley (5-1) struck a season- Atlanta’s four homers off Stephen Strasburg, and Eastern Division 25th home run for Houston, which trailed 2-1 Eastern Division high seven in seven innings and gave up one the Braves snapped an eight-game losing streak W L PCT GB Washington 62 52 .544 - run, five hits and a walk. with a win over Washington. entering the eighth. Baltimore 66 49 .574 - Atlanta 59 56 .513 3.5 Kennedy (8-10) was pulled after six innings Atlanta, which nearly blew a 7-0 lead, moved Grossman, who finished with three hits, NY Yankees 61 54 .530 5 and allowed two runs — one earned — and sev- within 31/2 games of the NL East-leading homered off of Neal Cotts (2-6) to put the Astros Miami 56 59 .487 6.5 Toronto 61 56 .521 6 en hits. Tony Watson preserved the one-run lead Nationals. Washington, which had won two on top. Gregorio Petit’s double with two outs NY Mets 55 61 .474 8 with a perfect eighth, and Mark Melancon straight and four of six, has dropped 21 of 30 to added an insurance run. Jose Veras (2-1) threw a Tampa Bay 56 59 .487 10 Philadelphia 52 64 .448 11 earned his career-high 21st save by striking out the Braves. perfect eighth for the win. Boston 51 64 .443 15 Central Division the side in the ninth. Strasburg (8-10) gave up two more homers Chad Qualls allowed a run in the ninth and Central Division Milwaukee 64 52 .552 - there were runners at first and second with one than his previous career high. He allowed seven Detroit 63 50 .558 - Pittsburgh 62 53 .539 1.5 out when Daniel Robertson grounded into a Kansas City 61 53 .535 2.5 TIGERS 5, BLUE JAYS 4 runs, seven hits and two walks with nine strike- St. Louis 61 53 .535 2 double play to end the game and give Qualls his Cleveland 57 59 .491 7.5 Nick Castellanos tied the game with a two-run outs in five innings, dropping to 1-3 with a 6.99 Cincinnati 59 57 .509 5 homer in the ninth inning, and Eugenio Suarez ERA in seven starts at Turner Field. Ervin Santana 13th save. Houston has won six straight against Chicago White Sox55 62 .470 10 Chicago Cubs 49 65 .430 14 followed with a go-ahead shot as Detroit rallied (11-6) held the Nationals scoreless until the sixth, the Rangers. JP Arencibia hit a two-run homer in Minnesota 51 63 .447 12.5 to beat Toronto. when Asdrubal Cabrera had an RBI single and the first for Texas. Western Division Western Division The Tigers trailed 4-2 entering the ninth Anthony Rendon hit his 15th homer to make it 7- Oakland 71 44 .617 - LA Dodgers 66 51 .564 - DIAMONDBACKS 5, ROCKIES 3 against closer Casey Janssen. J.D. Martinez start- 4. Craig Kimbrel earned his 33rd save in 37 LA Angels 67 48 .583 4 San Francisco 62 54 .534 3.5 ed the inning with a double. After an out, chances. David Peralta had two extra-base hits and San Diego 52 62 .456 12.5 stole home, Miguel Montero hit a three-run Seattle 61 54 .530 10 Castellanos homered on the first pitch. Two Arizona 50 66 .431 15.5 homer, and Arizona beat listless Colorado. Houston 48 68 .414 23.5 pitches later, Suarez gave the Tigers their first ROYALS 4, GIANTS 2 Texas 45 70 .391 26 Colorado 45 70 .391 20 lead with a drive to center. Billy Butler homered and drove in three runs, Montero homered off Tyler Matzek (2-7) in the