US marathon star Leicester striker is racing toward Vardy says he retirement15 gets death threats WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017 18 Bozak scores go-ahead goal in Toronto’s win over Bruins Page 16 LOS ANGELES: Curt Smith #30 of the Netherlands runs to after a hit against team Puerto Rico during Game 1 of the Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium on Monday in Los Angeles, California. Puerto Rico won 4-3 in the 11th inning. — AFP BASEBALL Puerto Rico edges Netherlands to reach WBC final LOS ANGELES: Carlos Correa was 17 and watch- title tonight at Dodger Stadium. The Puerto Ricans er Yadier Molina’s defense saved Puerto Rico from Meulens said. “We talked to the guys before the of three punchouts by Diaz in the inning. “It’s just ing the World Baseball Classic on television four also reached the final in 2013, losing to the a potential grand slam in the first inning when game about the experience of Yadier Molina emotions pouring into that at-bat,” Meulens said. years ago, too young to participate. When his Dominican Republic 3-0. Wladimir Balentien’s homer helped the behind the plate. If you get too far off, he’ll pick “Coco had two great swings and two fastballs. The chance came around this time, the Houston Puerto Rico has outscored its opponents 55-18 Netherlands to a 2-0 lead, giving orange clad fans you off, and that’s what happened. Then Jurickson next pitches are in the head area inside. Up in the Astros’ star shortstop was up to the task. while going 7-0 in this year’s tournament. “It a reason to cheer. getting the base hit, celebrating and not getting zone like that is kind of dangerous if it hits you.” Correa hit a two-run homer in the first inning means a lot because Puerto Ricans have gone “For me, that was the game,” Puerto Rico man- back to the base, that’s unacceptable. That could Diaz got the victory, and 7-foot-1 Loek Van Mil and scored the winning run in the 11th to give through a very difficult situation currently and we ager Edwin Rodriguez said. “Yadier Molina came to have been the difference in us winning or not.” took the loss. The Netherlands tied it 3-all in the Puerto Rico a dramatic 4-3 victory over the were able to unite our country,” Correa said. play.” Molina capitalized on two baserunning blun- Balentien, who had three hits, has been the top fifth on Shawn Zarraga’s RBI double to deep left- Netherlands on Monday night. The blond Puerto Rican players, who dyed ders by the Dutch. Jorge Lopez allowed a leadoff slugger in the WBC, batting .615 (16 for 26) with center. That scored Balentien after he doubled Next up is a spot in the championship game. their hair in a show of unity that has caught on single to Andrelton Simmons and hit Xander 12 RBIs. His four homers were one shy of the tour- high off the videoboard on the left-field wall with “When I feel that I’m all excited, I try to calm back home, jumped up and down after a lively, Bogaerts with a pitch. Simmons later wandered off nament record. He last played in the major two outs. Jonathan Schoop, who had been inten- down, breathe deep and concentrate on what emotional and sometimes-testy semifinal that the bag toward third and Molina threw to second, leagues in 2009 and has been playing for Yakult in tionally walked, was thrown out at the plate on a we’re doing,” Correa said. “This is something that included four replay reviews during the fourth but Simmons couldn’t get back in time and got Japan since 2011. strong relay by second baseman Javier Baez, a we rehearse every day, so we will be able to do it and fifth innings of a game that lasted 4 hours, 19 caught in a rundown. Jurickson Profar singled to Edwin Diaz threw high and inside to Balentien close play that was reviewed. well at the end.” minutes. When it was finally over, Kike Hernandez, right, but was slow getting back to first while cele- in the 10th, causing Balentien to point at his head Baez turned a double play to end the eighth, Eddie Rosario, who went 0 for 4, hit a sacrifice who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Hiram brating and was picked off by Molina, who took and shake his finger in a warning to Diaz. Players fielding Smith’s grounder and tagging Yurendell fly to center field in the 11th that drove in Correa, Burgos raced around the field carrying Puerto Rosario’s relay from the outfield. from both teams came out of the dugout, but the Decaster as he ran to second before getting Smith triggering a massive celebration on the field and Rican flags above their heads. Curt Smith ground- situation didn’t escalate. Correa came over to calm at first. Puerto Rican fans burst into chants and in the stands from red, white and blue-clad fans ed into a bases-loaded, inning-ending double TOP SLUGGER down Diaz. “We were full of emotions,” Correa said. waved flags. Bogaerts grounded into a double pounding cow bells and tooting horns and whis- play for the Netherlands in the 11th, which began Balentien followed with his mammoth, two- Molina stepped in front of Balentien, as if to dis- play on a chopper up the middle to end the ninth. tles. T.J. Rivera’s solo shot in the second put Puerto with runners on first and second for both teams out shot, and celebrated with a bat flip. suade him from approaching the mound, while Kenley Jansen, the Dodgers closer, retired the side Rico ahead 3-2. Puerto Rico will play either two- under tournament rules. It was one of three dou- “Frustrating for me is the mental errors that we plate umpire Lance Barksdale attempted to keep on nine pitches in the bottom of the ninth, strik- time champion Japan or the United States for the ble plays turned by Puerto Rico. Gold Glove catch- committed,” Netherlands manager Hensley the peace. Balentien took a called third strike, one ing out two for the Netherlands. — AP BASKETBALL Harden hits layup with 2.4 seconds left to lift Rockets HOUSTON: James Harden converted a coast-to-coast layup seven assists. The Warriors swept the season series with the PACERS 107, JAZZ 100 with 2.4 seconds remaining to cap a wild fourth quarter Thunder 4-0 by an average of more than 20 points per game. Paul George made a clutch jumper with 18.9 seconds and give the Houston Rockets a 125-124 win over the remaining as Indiana overcame Gordon Hayward’s career- Denver Nuggets at Toyota Center. Harden corralled the CELTICS 110, WIZARDS 102 best 38 points to beat Utah. A three-point play from Jeff rebound of an errant shot from Nuggets guard Jameer The Celtics, responding after a loss in Philadelphia on Teague with 5:58 remaining gave Indiana a 94-84 lead. But Nelson and raced up the center of the court before scoring Sunday, held off the Wizards in a battle for second place in Utah got a three-pointer and a layup from Hayward to close to give the Rockets their final lead. the Eastern Conference. Boston earned its 11th win in its past to within 100-97 with 2:11 left. George’s 3-pointer with 1:58 He followed with a deflection on the subsequent 12 home games to extend its lead to 2 1/2 games over remaining gave the Pacers a 103-97 lead. inbounds pass intended for Nuggets center Mason Plumlee Washington. The Wizards cut a 20-point third-quarter deficit to seal the victory. Six Rockets scored in double figures, to six late, but four straight points by Boston’s Marcus Smart MAGIC 112, 76ERS 109 (OT) with Harden leading the way with a game-high 39 points put the game away. Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 25 Nikola Vucevic scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Gary Harris scored 28 points, and Will Barton points, while the Wizards, losing for the fourth in their last as Orlando won a second consecutive game for just the first tallied 24 points for the Nuggets, who fell to 0-3 against five games, got 19 points from Bradley Beal. time since late December. Evan Fournier had 19 points, Houston this season. including five in overtime, while center Rashaun Holmes led HORNETS 105, HAWKS 90 the Sixers with 24 points and 14 rebounds, both career highs. WARRIORS 111, THUNDER 95 Nicolas Batum and Kemba Walker led a balanced attack CLIPPERS 114, KNICKS 105 Klay Thompson made seven three-pointers and scored 34 with 16 points apiece, as the Hornets won their second Blake Griffin scored 30 points in three quarters and Los points, and Steph Curry also buried seven three-pointers on straight game and beat the Hawks for the third time in three Angeles beat New York for the 10th consecutive time. HOUSTON: Houston Rockets’ James Harden (13) goes up to his way to 23 points to lead Golden State past Oklahoma City. meetings this season. DeAndre Jordan had 14 points, 10 rebounds and three score the game-winning basket during the second half of an The Thunder’s Victor Oladipo scored a team-high 17 points. The Hawks lost their fifth straight and were without blocks and J.J.