MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014 SPORTS Cardinals, Cubs advance

WASHINGTON: Nationals star was pulled by first-year manager Matt Williams after fail- ing to run out a grounder in Washington’s 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. Harper hit a grounder back to pitcher Lance Lynn in the sixth inning, jogged to first base and took a right turn to the dugout before getting halfway down the basepath. Williams yanked the 21-year-old Harper after the play. Known for his aggressive approach, Harper is a two-time All-Star. “I respect what he did,” Harper said of Williams’ decision. Williams said Harper would be in the starting lineup Sunday. Lynn (4-0) won his fourth straight start and Trevor Rosenthal got his fifth save. Jordan Zimmermann (1-1) allowed four runs, only one of them earned, in seven innings.

CUBS 8, REDS 4 Darwin Barney and Welington Castillo hit two-run homers, Mike Olt added a solo shot and the ended a five-game losing streak, beating the Cincinnati Reds. Since scoring four times last Sunday in St. Louis, the Cubs had managed just one run before defeating the Reds. Cincinnati had won 16 of the last 17 at Wrigley Field. Edwin Jackson (1-1) allowed two runs in 5 2-3 innings. Tony Cingrani (1-2) CLEVELAND: Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber delivers in the first inning of a gave up three runs in five innings. WASHINGTON: Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond tags out St. Louis Cardinals’ Jon Jay as he baseball game against the . —AP attempts to reach third, during the seventh inning of a baseball game. —AP BREWERS 8, PIRATES 7 ROCKIES 3, PHILLIES 1 San Diego. The Giants lost their third straight game Ryan Braun hit two homers, including a two-run Jordan Lyles pitched effectively into the eighth and have scored only three runs in their last 28 Blue Jays thrash Indians shot with two outs in the ninth inning that sent inning and Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer to innings. It was the first time in nine games the Giants Milwaukee past Pittsburgh. lead Colorado. The Rockies were also helped by a weren’t involved in a one-run decision. CLEVELAND: Mark Buehrle pitched bases loaded, and his only clean inning was Braun has five home runs this season after being reversed call that produced their first run. San Diego has won seven of 10. Stults (1-2) kept shutout ball into the eighth inning and the first, when Brian Dozier hit a fly out that suspended for the final 65 games last year for his Lyles (3-0), acquired in December from Houston in the already struggling Giants off balance and largely remained unbeaten this season, leading nearly left the park. involvement in the Biogenesis drug scandal. The oth- exchange for outfielder Dexter Fowler, allowed one off the base paths, allowing one run and three hits in the Toronto Blue Jays over the Cleveland Still, a five-run fourth inning off Kevin er three homers came in one game on April 8 at unearned run and five hits in seven innings in win- six innings, with two and no walks. Tim Indians 5-0 on Saturday. Correia (1-1) staked Chen to a lead, and his Philadelphia. The go-ahead drive came off Pirates ning his third straight, equaling a career best. LaTroy Hudson (2-1) allowed two runs and eight hits in seven Jose Reyes hit an RBI single in his first bullpen made it stand up. Danny Duffy closer Jason Grilli (0-1), his second blown save in six Hawkins pitched a hitless ninth for his fifth save in five innings, struck out four and walked none. game since , when he strained tossed two scoreless innings, and Wade opportunities. ’s two-out single kept the chances. his left hamstring in his first at-bat of the Davis navigated a perfect eighth before inning going for Braun, who had three hits and three Kyle Kendrick (0-2) went seven innings and INTERLEAGUE season and went on the disabled list. turning the game over to All-Star closer RBIs. Jonathan Lucroy hit three doubles and drove in allowed three runs on six hits in a solid outing but MARLINS 7, MARINERS 0 Buehrle (4-0) lowered his ERA to 0.64 in Greg Holland. He set down the top of the two runs for the Brewers. Mark Reynolds hit his fourth could not avoid a seventh straight loss, dating to last Henderson Alvarez won for the first time since his four starts. The left-hander who once Minnesota lineup in order for his sixth save homer. Ike Davis doubled, singled and walked a day Aug. 11. Colorado got on the scoreboard when home no-hitter to end the 2013 season, pitching a two-hit- pitched a perfect game was pulled after in as many chances. after the Pirates got him in a trade with the Mets. Jim plate and crew chief Tim Welke ruled Nolan ter to help Miami beat Seattle. giving up a single and walk to start the Henderson (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth and Arenado safe on a bang-bang play at the plate in the Alvarez (1-2) retired the first 15 batters en route to eighth. He allowed four hits overall, struck ATHLETICS 4, ASTROS 3 Francisco Rodriguez got his sixth save. third after initially calling him out. Rockies manager the third complete game of his career. He struck out out three and walked three. Corey Kluber Josh Reddick hit an RBI single that Walt Weiss asked Welke to take another look at the four, walked none and threw 90 pitches. He also had a (1-2) allowed five runs in 6 2-3 innings. capped a three-run rally in the ninth inning BRAVES 7, METS 5 play, and after viewing the replay, the umpire deter- two-out RBI single in the sixth to make it 3-0. The as Oakland handed Houston its sixth Jordan Walden got the final out with the bases mined that catcher Carlos Ruiz had blocked the plate Mariners lost their fifth game in a row and were shut TIGERS 5, ANGELS 2 straight loss. loaded after Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez pulled before he received the throw home in violation of out for the fourth time. Marcell Ozuna had a three-run Max Scherzer struck out nine in seven Jed Lowrie started the comeback with a star closer Craig Kimbrel, and the Braves held off New new collision rules instituted this season to better homer, his third, and an RBI single to hike his average innings and Detroit finally managed to leadoff against Chad Qualls (0-1). York. Freddie Freeman had three hits and hustled his protect catchers and base runners. to .343. Adeiny Hechavarria contributed three hits, beat Los Angeles. Detroit had lost 10 Josh Donaldson walked and Yoenis way through a weird play that brought the Braves scored twice and made two fine plays at shortstop. straight to the Angels and hadn’t beaten Cespedes then singled. After Qualls struck two runs when the Mets were unable to challenge a PADRES 3, GIANTS 1 Christian Yelich doubled to extend his hitting streak them since Aug. 26, 2012. The Tigers out pinch-hitter John Jaso, Alberto Callaspo costly incorrect call. Eric Stults and three relievers combined on a four- to 13 games. Rookie Roenis Elias (1-2) allowed six runs snapped that skid behind a sharp outing by hit a tying single and Reddick followed (2-0) pitched seven crisp innings for hitter and Everth Cabrera hit a go-ahead triple to lead in 5 2-3 innings.—AP Scherzer and home runs from Nick with a one-out liner to right-center. Dan his second win over New York in three starts with Castellanos and Victor Martinez. Otero (3-0) pitched the ninth for the win Atlanta. Justin Upton hit a three-run homer in the Albert Pujols hit his 498th homer, con- after starter Scott Kazmir had gone eight ninth to make it 7-3. The Mets scored twice off MLB results/standings necting for a solo shot in the ninth. strong innings. Kimbrel, who loaded the bases with a two-out walk to Scherzer (1-1) allowed a run and three hits Lucas Duda. That’s when Gonzalez went to the Toronto 5, Cleveland 0; St. Louis 4, Washington 3; Detroit 5, LA Angels 2; Boston 4, Baltimore 2; Kansas City 5, with two walks. The AL Cy Young winner RAYS 16, YANKEES 1 mound and lifted Kimbrel, who didn’t look happy Minnesota 4; Chicago Cubs 8, Cincinnati 4; Oakland 4, Houston 3; Milwaukee 8, Pittsburgh 7; Atlanta 7, NY Mets 5; earned his first victory of the season, strik- Ryan Hanigan homered twice and had about it. Walden retired Travis d’Arnaud on a Miami 7, Seattle 0; Tampa Bay 16, NY Yankees 1; Texas 6, 3; LA Dodgers 8, Arizona 6; Colorado 3, ing out Mike Trout three times and Pujols six RBIs, and Tampa Bay starter Chris Archer grounder to end it. Bartolo Colon (1-3) gave up three Philadelphia 1; San Diego 3, San Francisco 1. twice. CJ Wilson (2-2) gave up three earned continued his dominance over the Yankees. runs in seven innings for the Mets. National League runs in five innings. Hanigan drove in his final two runs with Eastern Division Eastern Division JB Shuck led off the game with a homer, a single off New York infielder Dean Anna, DODGERS 8, DIAMONDBACKS 6 W L PCT GB Atlanta 12 5 .706 - but that was all the scoring for the Angels who gave up two runs and three hits in the Andre Ethier hit a three-run homer and Los NY Yankees 10 8 .556 - Washington 10 8 .556 2.5 until Pujols homered for the second eighth inning. Angeles rallied from an early four-run deficit to beat Toronto 10 8 .556 - NY Mets 8 9 .471 4 straight day, hitting his sixth shot of the Archer (2-1) allowed one run and three Arizona. Dan Haren (3-0) was charged with five runs - Tampa Bay 9 9 .500 1 Miami 8 10 .444 4.5 two earned - and seven hits over 7 1-3 innings. The Baltimore 8 8 .500 1 Philadelphia 7 10 .412 5 season. hits in 6 2-3 innings. He has won all four Boston 8 10 .444 2 right-hander struck out five in his fourth start of the Central Division career starts against the Yankees, allowing Central Division Milwaukee 13 5 .722 - RED SOX 4, ORIOLES 2 four earned runs in 28 2-3 innings. season, six days after his 8-6 victory over the Detroit 8 6 .571 - Brock Holt hit a tiebreaking triple in the Wil Myers and Evan Longoria both drove Diamondbacks at Phoenix. Kansas City 9 7 .563 - St. Louis 11 7 .611 2 seventh inning and scored on Jonathan in four runs for the Rays. Yankees starter Haren departed with an 8-4 lead and was replaced Minnesota 8 9 .471 1.5 Pittsburgh 8 10 .444 5 Herrera’s suicide squeeze, lifting Boston Ivan Nova (2-2) gave up a career-high four by Brian Wilson, who gave up a two-run double by Chicago White Sox 8 10 .444 2 Cincinnati 7 10 .412 5.5 over Baltimore. home runs before leaving in the fifth with Martin Prado before retiring Chris Owings on a Cleveland 7 10 .412 2.5 Chicago Cubs 5 11 .313 7 David Ortiz had a solo homer and two right elbow soreness. The right-hander grounder with runners at the corners to end the Western Division Western Division hits for the champion Red Sox, allowed eight runs and eight hits in four- eighth. Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth for his Oakland 12 5 .706 - LA Dodgers 11 7 .611 - Texas 11 7 .611 1.5 San Francisco 10 8 .556 1 who have won three of four. plus innings. sixth save. Mike Bolsinger (0-1) made his first major league start and was charged with seven runs - six LA Angels 8 9 .471 4 Colorado 10 9 .526 1.5 had a pair of run-scoring singles for the Seattle 7 10 .412 5 earned- and seven hits in four-plus innings. He struck San Diego 9 9 .500 2 Orioles, who had a three-game winning RANGERS 6, WHITE SOX 3 Houston 5 13 .278 7.5 Arizona 5 15 .250 7 streak halted. Junichi Tazawa (1-0) pitched Colby Lewis pitched into the sixth out five of the first 11 batters he faced. 1 1-3 hitless innings of relief. Koji Uehara inning for his first win in nearly two years struck out three after a leadoff walk for his and Prince Fielder homered to lead Texas. fourth save. Lewis (1-1) struck out four while allow- The benches emptied briefly in the sev- ing only one run over 5 1-3 innings. The enth after Bud Norris (0-2) threw high and right-hander, the first known major league Road teams thrive on tight to David Ross, who was trying to sacri- pitcher to return from a unique hip proce- fice. Ross yelled something, but Orioles dure, won for the first time since June 17, catcher Matt Wieters stepped in between 2012. Shin-Soo Choo and Alex Rios each and both sides retreated to the dugouts. had three hits for the Rangers, who won opening day of playoffs their fifth consecutive game. Kevin ROYALS 5, TWINS 4 Kouzmanoff homered leading off the INDIANAPOLIS: Road teams domi- Griffin and Paul were benched due Bruce Chen labored through five innings eighth, giving him a 10-game hitting streak nated on the opening day of the to accumulating foul numbers. Paul before the Kansas City bullpen took over, to start his Rangers career. NBA playoffs Saturday, with Atlanta led the Clippers with 28 points and shutting down Minnesota. The Royals have Texas went ahead to stay on Fielder’s pulling off the biggest upset with J.J. Redick added 22 points in 30 won five straight after getting swept last high-arching blast to right leading off the victory at Eastern Conference top minutes for Los Angeles but Griffin weekend in Minnesota. fourth for a 2-1 lead. It was only his second seed Indiana. finished with 16 points after fouling Chen (1-1) allowed all four runs on eight homer in his 18 games with Texas. Jose The Pacers had been expected out with 48 seconds left and the hits and four walks, but the damage could Quintana (1-1) allowed five runs and nine to be too strong for a Hawks team scores tied. have been worse. He twice walked the hits over five innings.—AP that had lost its previous eight play- Foul trouble plagued both off games, but Jeff Teague led teams, but losing Griffin and Paul Atlanta to an important victory. for stretches cost the Clippers at Golden State won away in a both ends. For the Warriors, Andre Sundowns on title track tight game against the Los Angeles Iguodala fouled out with 3:04 left in Clippers, whose chances were hurt the game and Lee played with four SOWETO: A stunning Teko Modise goal AmaZulu (home). Title ‘dark horses’ Wits by having Blake Griffin and Chris fouls. Brooklyn’s Deron Williams earned Mamelodi Sundowns a 1-0 win at dropped two valuable points when held 0-0 Paul in foul trouble. Brooklyn won and Joe Johnson each scored 24 Moroka Swallows this weekend and a six- at former champions SuperSport United, who by seven points at Toronto but the points as the Nets won 94-87 at point lead in the South African Premiership. lie fourth in the standings. margin could have been far wider Toronto, while Paul Pierce scored Veteran midfielder Modise slammed a Leading Wits scorer Sthembiso Ngcobo had the Nets not been so off-target nine of his 15 points in the final loose ball past Nigerian goalkeeper Greg came closest to breaking the deadlock with a with their 3-point shooting. quarter to guide the visitors to vic- Etafia from 30 metres just seven minutes into second-half shot that struck the woodwork. The only home-court winner of tory. The Nets won despite making the first half. Pretoria-based Sundowns, seek- The stalemate left Wits, an unfashionable the day was Oklahoma City, with 4 of 24 3-pointers. ing a first league title since 2007, wasted sev- Johannesburg club who have never won the Kevin Durant guiding the Thunder Kyle Lowry scored 22 points and eral other scoring chances at Dobsonville title, 10 points adrift of Sundowns with two to a comfortable win over Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points Stadium in Soweto. games in hand. Memphis. Atlanta’s Teague scored a and 18 rebounds for the Raptors. And the table toppers were grateful to Durban outfit Lamontville Golden Arrows playoff career-high 28 points and Valanciunas is the second Raptors Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, who sprang one of the biggest Premiership shocks Paul Millsap added in the Hawks’ player to have a double-double in thwarted Swallows with several acrobatic of the season by winning 4-1 at Platinum surprise win. Indiana, which spent his postseason debut. Tracy saves. It was the ninth consecutive Stars. Arrows stayed bottom with 18 points- the whole season working to get McGrady did it in 2000. Valanciunas Premiership win by Sundowns after a mid- six less than Free State Stars- but the triumph home-court advantage in the play- also set a Raptors record for playoff season slump while bottom-half Swallows offers a slim chance of dodging automatic rel- offs, wasted no time in giving it rebounds, surpassing Keon Clark’s were suffering a fourth loss in a row. egation. The team finishing last drops to the right back with a dismal third quar- 16 in 2002. “We could have scored another goal or national second division while the second- ter. Atlanta opened the third quar- Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant two,” said Sundowns coach and former South last side goes into play-offs with the two sec- ter on an 8-0 run, breaking a 50-50 scored 13 of his 33 points in the Africa striker Pitso Mosimane. “Playing ond divisions sides. tie, then pulled away when Teague fourth quarter to help the Thunder Swallows at Dobsonville is not easy, they Caretaker coach Shaun Bartlett, who scored nine points in a 14-0 run down Memphis 100-86. pressed us and it was good to come away scored 28 goals during an 11-year interna- that made it 74-58 with 4:08 left in Russell Westbrook had 23 points with maximum points.” tional career that ended in 2005, has continu- the quarter. and 10 rebounds and Serge Ibaka Sundowns have 61 points with matches ously lamented Arrows’ poor finishing. Indiana couldn’t get closer than added 17 points and nine rebounds against neighbours SuperSport United But the ‘Backheel Boys’ finally clicked in eight the rest of the way despite 24 for the Thunder, who nearly squan- (home) and Maritzburg United (away) to north-west mining town Rustenburg with points and 10 rebounds from Paul dered a 25-point lead but recov- come. Defending champions and closest goals from Thanduyise Khuboni, Zambian George. Golden State also pro- ered from a dismal third quarter to rivals Kaizer Chiefs did not play this weekend Festus Mbewe, Namibian Rudolf Bester and duced a strong third quarter in the make 10 of 16 shots in the fourth. because of CAF Confederation Cup commit- Bongi Ntuli. 109-105 win at the Clippers. Zach Randolph led Memphis ments. Chiefs have four fixtures left, starting Arrows host SuperSport United and Klay Thompson scored 22 points with 21 points and 11 rebounds, with a visit to third-place Wits University on Orlando Pirates and visit AmaZulu in a local INDIANAPOLIS: Atlanta Hawks’ Jeff Teague shoots against Indiana and David Lee added 20 for the but made just seven of 21 shots April 23. They also play Free State Stars derby, and three victories could lift the bus Pacers’ George Hill during the first half in Game 1 of an opening- Warriors, who trailed by 11 points and got into foul trouble in the sec- (home), Pretoria University (away) and company club off the bottom.—AFP round NBA basketball playoff series. —AP early but capitalized in the third as ond half.—AP