SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2015 SPORTS

Hit me hard because Ronaldinho leaves Mexican Rio Olympics not Games I fight like a man: Ryan Clausura finalists Queretaro motivates Austrian hurdler MEXICO CITY: Former FIFA world player of the year Ronaldinho has BAKU: Qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics and not an European BAKU: Sparring in the gym with her brother and other male boxers is an inte- terminated his contract with Mexico’s Queretaro and said goodbye in Games gold medal will be on Austria’s Beate Schrott’s mind when the gral part of Sandy Ryan’s training regime and if you don’t punch her hard she’ll a letter on his Facebook page. heavy favorite competes in the 100 metre hurdles in Baku tomorrow. thump you back harder. The British light-welterweight has learned her ring Ronaldinho, a member of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning team, London Olympic finalist Schrott’s personal best is over a second quicker skills from older brother Dave, who goes by the nickname “Rocky” and won the joined Queretaro last September amid much fanfare and high hopes than that of her closest rival in a field which is made up of athletes from Commonwealth title in the same weight division. “I grew up training with my and helped them to a surprise place in the Clausura championship the third tier of the European Athletics Team Championship. In the 2012 brother and all the lads in gym. It has really brought me on. A lot of people say final which they lost to last month. Olympic games, Schrott ran an Austrian national-record 12.82 seconds I look like a lad,” Ryan said after defeating Germany’s Cindy Rogge in their last “I want to thank the Mexican nation with all my heart for all the but, after an injury-plagued two seasons, she said her primary focus in the Azeri capital was breaking the 13-second barrier required to qualify for Rio 16 contest at the European Games on Saturday. “To be fair, I’m taking it as a days I spent with such special people, you will always be in my heart,” and the World Championships in Beijing later this year. credit because if you are boxing like a lad it means you are Ronaldinho said in the letter, adding that his contract with Queretaro “I haven’t thought about a medal at all,” Schrott told reporters more mature and better in the ring. I think it’s the way I was terminated on Friday. fight rather than how I look. “Some of the lads take it easy after training at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday. “My major A club director had said 10 days ago that the plan was for the 35- the first time they spar with me but the coaches always goal is just to get back into race rhythm and get going again year-old former Barcelona ace to see out his one-year deal but coach say, ‘you’d better her hard because she’s going to hit towards the Rio qualifying standard. you back’.” Ryan, 21, won world championship silver last Victor Manuel Vucetich contradicted him by saying he wanted players “Of course, I hope to get as many points for my team as possi- year at her first senior major tournament, but has on the up and not in decline. ble, but mostly I would like to a decent time, maybe a endured a frustrating few days waiting for her opening Ronaldinho joined Queretaro from Atletico Mineiro, whom he season’s best. Every time I run I am trying to get the Rio bout in Baku but shook off the rustiness against Rogge. helped win their first South American Libertadores Cup in 2013 to qualifying time. “My main aim on Monday is just to get “It’s the longest I have ever waited to compete, I normal- add to the European Champions League he won with Barcelona in back to competitive action. After three weeks off I am not ly only have to wait three or four days.—Reuters 2006. —Reuters 100 per cent but I am trying to get back there.—Reuters Yankees tame Tigers, Orioles stumble

NEW YORK: Alex Rodriguez homered for his Joey Butler homered in the first inning 3,000th career hit and smiled all the way and Steven Souza Jr. added a in around the bases as the the ninth for Tampa Bay, which has won sev- beat the 7-2 Friday night, the en of eight. highlight so far in what has become a resur- Rookie right-hander Nathan Karns (4-3) gent season for the formerly disgraced slug- allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings for his first ger. win since May 13. Four relievers followed Rodriguez wasted no time, connecting in with pitching the ninth for the first inning on a first-pitch, 95 mph fast- his 17th save. ball from Tigers ace Justin Verlander (0-1). Out of baseball last year while serving a REDS 5, MARLINS 0 drug suspension, Rodriguez became the Mike Leake allowed only two singles 29th player in major league history to reach through seven innings, and Marlon Byrd 3,000 hits. He was the first to do it since homered in his return from a broken wrist, Yankees great homered from the leading the Cincinnati Reds over the Miami very same batter’s box in 2011. Marlins. Adam Warren (5-4) gave up two runs in a The Reds have won 10 of their last 13 career-high eight innings, and Brett Gardner against the Marlins. Miami has been held to and Didi Gregorius also homered as the four runs or less in each of their last 11 Yankees won their third in a row. Detroit has games against Cincinnati. lost four of six. Leake (4-4) has a history of success against the Marlins, going 4-1 in five career BLUE JAYS 5, ORIOLES 4 starts. He retired the first 13 batters Friday Marco Estrada took a no-hitter into the before giving up two walks. eighth inning, Edwin Encarnacion had two singled through the hole at with RBIs and the Toronto Blue Jays won their two outs in the sixth for Miami’s first hit. ninth straight home game. Byrd returned from a broken right wrist and Batting for Steve Pearce, pinch-hitter homered in his second off Dan Haren Jimmy Paredes broke up Estrada’s no-hit bid (6-4), a solo shot to center. with a bloop single to left to begin the eighth, ending a streak of 15 straight outs. BRAVES 2, METS 1 Bench coach DeMarlo Hale, filling in for Matt Wisler allowed only one run in eight ejected manager John Gibbons, immediate- innings in his major league debut to out- ly came out and replaced Estrada with pitch Jacob deGrom, and hit a Roberto Osuna. Estrada (5-3) won his fourth two-run in the eighth to lift the straight start, allowing one run in seven-plus past the New York Mets. innings. He walked four and struck out six. Wisler (1-0) allowed one run and six hits Adam Jones hit a two-out, two-run single and no walks in eight innings. The NL East- NEW YORK: Yankees’ Mark Teixeira follows through on an RBI single as Detroit Tigers catcher Bryan Holaday watches during the seventh off in the ninth, but Cecil struck leading Mets’ only run off Wisler came on inning of a baseball game. —AP out Chris Davis for his fifth save. Mike Wright Michael Cuddyer’s run-scoring single in the (2-3) took the loss. sixth. The Cardinals avoided their second three- They had two off Jorge De La Rosa (4-3) in a Fernando Salas (1-1) retired one batter for Until the eighth inning, deGrom (7-5) was game losing streak of the season while three-run first inning. the win, the Angels’ first in four games this NATIONALS 4, PIRATES 1 dominant on his 27th birthday. He allowed breaking out of the offensive funk that fol- Ben Paulsen finished a homer shy of the season in which Oakland ace has struck out 11 in his third major two runs and four hits, including two in the lowed Tuesday’s news of a federal investiga- cycle for the Rockies, who have lost five started. league start, and the eighth. tion into whether club officials illegally straight. Relying almost exclusively on his beat A.J. Burnett and the hacked into the ’ player data- fastball, Jungmann (2-1) handcuffed GIANTS 9, DODGERS 5 to end their eight-game winning streak. TWINS 7, CUBS 2 base. St. Louis pounded out 16 hits, includ- Colorado’s potent offense before losing Buster Posey hit a and San The 22-year-old Ross (2-1) allowed one Phil Hughes held the Chicago Cubs to ing six for extra bases. Jhonny Peralta dou- steam. The right-hander allowed four runs Francisco got two RBIs each from Brandon run, six hits and a walk in 7 1/3 innings. two hits over eight innings, Trevor Plouffe bled and had three RBIs, had and eight hits. Crawford and Matt Duffy in a win over the Drew Storen worked the ninth for his 20th doubled twice and drove in four runs and a two-run double and 10 Cardinals got hits. Los Angeles Dodgers. save. the Minnesota Twins breezed to a victory to Tyler Lyons (2-0) won his second straight DIAMONDBACKS 4, PADRES 2 The Giants’ eighth victory in 10 meetings Burnett (6-3) gave up 14 hits, the most in start their interleague series. game after going 13 consecutive starts with- Rubby De La Rosa pitched seven strong with the Dodgers this season put the a career that began in 1999. Wilson Ramos Anthony Rizzo homered twice for the out a win dating back to 2013. Phillippe innings, and Arizona beat San Diego to hand defending champions within 1 had two hits and two RBIs for the Nationals, Cubs. After his leadoff shot in the fourth, Aumont (0-1) struggled in a spot start for James Shields his first loss of the season. 1/2 games of NL West-leading Los Angeles. who ended a four-game home losing streak. Hughes (5-6) retired the last 15 batters he injured Philadelphia ace Cole Hamels, allow- Arizona scored three runs in the third on Chris Heston (7-5) allowed three runs, Washington played without right fielder faced. and Eddie Rosario had ing six runs and five hits in four innings. doubles by David Peralta, Aaron Hill and seven hits and no walks over 5 2-3 innings in Bryce Harper, who strained his left ham- two hits each and scored twice, Eduardo Welington Castillo to go with Nick Ahmed’s his second start since his no-hitter against string on Thursday night. Harper avoided Escobar drove in a run and hit one of six RED SOX 7, ROYALS 3 single. the New York Mets on June 9. The rookie the disabled list, although that could still doubles by the Twins, who won for the third Eduardo Rodriguez pitched capably into A fourth run was taken off the scoreboard right-hander was coming off a 4-0 home loss happen if he’s slow to recover from the straight time after losing 11 of their first 15 the seventh inning, Mookie Betts had a when Paul Goldschmidt, originally ruled safe to Arizona on Sunday. injury. games in June. The Twins met Kyle career-best four hits and the Boston Red Sox on a passed ball and tag play at home plate, Mike Bolsinger (4-2) gave up a season- Hendricks (2-3) with three straight singles in beat the Kansas City Royals. was called out after a Padres challenge and high five runs in 5 1-3 innings, along with RAYS 4, INDIANS 1 the first inning and never stopped. Rodriguez (3-1), who gave up nine runs in replay review. eight hits and three walks. Half of the right- Asdrubal Cabrera hit one of three solo 4 2/3 innings in his previous start against Shields (7-1) struggled with control for hander’s six came in the fourth, home runs for Tampa Bay in his return to CARDINALS 12, PHILLIES 4 Toronto, allowed one run and six hits in 6 much of his outing, walking four, hitting a the only inning in which he did not allow a Cleveland, leading the Rays over the Indians. Randal Grichuk homered and had three 1/3 innings. Alcides Escobar’s RBI double in batter and uncorking two wild pitches. He baserunner. Cabrera, who played for the Indians from hits, and and the fifth was the first run he allowed on the allowed four runs and eight hits over six 2007 until being traded to Washington last also went deep as the St. Louis Cardinals set road in 18 1/3 innings. Boston’s Hanley innings in his 15th start of the season. MARINERS 5, ASTROS 2 July, broke a 1-all tie with a two-out homer season highs for runs and hits in a rout of Ramirez hit his 14th home run in the fifth. Roenis Elias settled down after a first-pitch in the second. the Philadelphia Phillies. Yohan Pino (0-2), who was making his first ANGELS 12, ATHLETICS 7 home run, allowing four hits over seven-plus start, was roughed up for six runs and 11 Albert Pujols hit a grand slam to highlight innings, and Mark Trumbo drove in three runs hits in 5 1/3 innings. Eric Hosmer homered in an eight-run seventh inning and drove in to pace Seattle to a victory over Houston, end- the eighth for Kansas City. five runs, and the Los Angeles Angels rallied ing the Astros’ five-game winning streak. Elias from five runs down to beat Oakland. (4-4), who had lost three of his previous four RANGERS 2, WHITE SOX 1 Pujols hit his 20th home run of the sea- starts, gave up two runs - solo homers on his Pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland drove in two son and 12th this month on a 11 pitch from first and last pitches. He matched his career runs with a bases-loaded single off reliever Edward Mujica (2-2), who was acti- high with 10 strikeouts without a walk, but hit David Robertson in the ninth inning, and the vated from the disabled list before the two batters. Mark Lowe finished the eighth Texas Rangers beat Chicago after getting game. It was the 540th career home run for and Carson Smith pitched a perfect ninth for dominated by White Sox starter Chris Sale. the Angels’ slugger and his 13th grand slam. his fourth save in five chances. Robinson Cano, Colby Lewis (7-3) pitched eight strong Johnny Giavotella drove in three runs for who was a late scratch Thursday night with a innings for Texas. Los Angeles, which has won five of the last stiff lower back, had three hits and reached on an error for the Mariners, while Nelson Cruz But it looked like this was going to be six games between the clubs. Ben Zobrist reached four times on two singles and two Sale’s night until the late rally turned a and Stephen Vogt homered for the A’s, who walks. —AP promising night into the White Sox’s season- have lost two straight. high eighth straight loss. He retired the first 17 batters and matched a season-high with 14 strikeouts over eight innings. He joined MLB results/standings Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson by striking out at least 12 in five NY Yankees 7, Detroit 2; Washington 4, Pittsburgh 1; St. Louis 12, Philadelphia 4; Toronto 5, Baltimore 4; straight starts. Cincinnati 5, Miami 0; Tampa Bay 4, Cleveland 1; Atlanta 2, NY Mets 1; Minnesota 7, Chicago Cubs 2; Boston 7, Robertson (4-2) came on in the ninth and Kansas City 3; Texas 2, Chicago White Sox 1; Milwaukee 9, Colorado 5; LA Angels 12, Oakland 7; Arizona 4, San ran into trouble with one out when he Diego 2; Seattle 5, Houston 2; San Francisco 9, LA Dodgers 5. walked Shin-Soo Choo and gave up a single American League to Elvis Andrus, putting runners on first and Eastern Division Eastern Division second. He threw a wild pitch to Joey Gallo W L PCT GB NY Mets 36 33 .522 - before striking him out, then intentionally Tampa Bay 39 30 .565 - Washington 35 33 .515 0.5 walked Prince Fielder to load the bases. NY Yankees 37 30 .552 1 Atlanta 33 35 .485 2.5 Moreland, batting for Adam Rosales, then Toronto 37 32 .536 2 Miami 29 40 .420 7 Baltimore 34 33 .507 4 lined a two-run single to right before Ryan Philadelphia 23 46 .333 13 Boston 30 39 .435 9 Central Division Rua struck out looking. Central Division St. Louis 44 23 .657 - Kansas City 38 26 .594 - Pittsburgh 39 28 .582 5 Minnesota 37 30 .552 2.5 BREWERS 9, ROCKIES 5 Chicago Cubs 35 30 .538 8 Detroit 34 33 .507 5.5 Cincinnati 31 35 .47012.5 Ryan Braun hit a two-run homer and Cleveland 31 35 .470 8 threw six innings to help Chicago White Sox 28 38 .424 11 Milwaukee 25 44 .362 20 Milwaukee snap a six-game losing streak Western Division Western Division LA Dodgers 38 30 .559 - with a victory over scuffling Colorado. Houston 40 29 .580 - Texas 37 31 .544 2.5 San Francisco 37 32 .536 1.5 Aramis Ramirez added a solo shot as the LA Angels 35 33 .515 4.5 Arizona 33 34 .493 4.5 Brewers rediscovered the long ball after hit- San Diego 33 37 .471 6 WASHINGTON: Nationals starting Joe Ross throws during the first inning of a Seattle 31 37 .456 8.5 ting only one homer in their losing streak. Oakland 29 41 .414 11.5 Colorado 28 39 .418 9.5 baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. —AP