Baseball - OrlandoSentinel.com

Nolasco ties Willis for franchise wins mark as Marlins sweep

By Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun Sentinel — Mon, 07 May 2012 00:15:00 GMT

Ricky Nolasco allowed two runs over seven innings and helped the Marlins complete a three-game sweep of the Padres and improve to 6-0 on the nine-game road trip.

SAN DIEGO Dontrelle Willis can still claim a share of the title. It shouldn't be long before Ricky Nolasco takes full ownership of it.

Nolasco improves to 2-0 with 5.1 inning outing

The Sports Network — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:15:00 GMT

Greg Dobbs doubled home the tying and go-ahead runs in the third inning, as Miami completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs with a 5-3 win at Marlins Park.

Ozzie Guillen returns from suspension; lost wages to be donated

By Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun Sentinel — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:30:00 GMT

Marlins manager: "I've hurt a lot of people, and I hurt myself.'

He walked through the clubhouse, surveyed the throng of reporters, and asked no one in particular if this was the World Series.

Tampa Bay Rays will chase AL title with budget-conscious plan

George Diaz — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox shop in the ritzy section of town. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams accompany their free-agency acquisitions.

A really cool day in the new Marlins Park

Dave Hyde — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:46:00 GMT

Marlins' new park shuts out a hot South Florida day

An hour after the latest rehearsal, in the cool of air-conditioning, in the comfort of his new home, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria asked the question everyone was asking about this new world:

A's beat Seattle 4-1 to split Tokyo series

Alastair Himmer — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:48:06 GMT

TOKYO (Reuters) - Yoenis Cespedes drilled a two-run home run as the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 on Thursday to split their two-game MLB season-opening series in Tokyo.

Astros' Wandy Rodriguez 1st left-handed pitcher in 38 years to start opening day vs Rockies

By Associated Press — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:05:00 GMT

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Wandy Rodriguez will be Houston's first left-handed pitcher in 38 years to start on opening day when he faces the Colorado Rockies on April 6.Manager Brad Mills announced the starter Wednesday, a day after the 33-year Rodriguez pitched six innings against the Detroit Tigers.Rodriguez has been with the Astros since 2005, longer than any other player. He's started 197 games, but none on opening day. He was 11-11 last year with a 3.49 ERA on a team that lost 106 games.Rodriguez is 2-2 with a 7.88 ERA in four starts this spring.The Astros sent four players to their minor league camp, including infielders Angel Sanchez and Brian Bixler and released infielder Joe Thurston. Infielder Scott Moore was reassigned and pitcher Enerio Del Rosario was optioned to Oklahoma City.

Ackley, Suzuki lead Mariners to 3-1, 11th-inning win vs Athletics in MLB's season-opener

By Associated Press — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:35:00 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki had four hits in his return to Japan, Dustin Ackley homered and then singled in the go-ahead run in the 11th inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 3-1Wednesday night in baseball's season-opener.Felix Hernandez combined with two relievers on a six-hitter as Major League Baseball opened its season in Tokyo for the fourth time.Seattle and Oakland complete their two-game series Thursday. The rest of the big league teams start to get going April 4, when the renamed Miami Marlins open their new ballpark against the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.Ackley homered in the fourth off Brandon McCarthy, and Oakland's Kurt Suzuki doubled in a run in the bottom half. The score remained 1-1 until the 11th, when Brendan Ryan doubled against Andrew Carignan (0-1), Chone Figgins sacrificed and Ackley singled to center."I was able to put a good swing on that one," Ackley said of his 11th inning hit. "Our team is off to a good start, and that's all that matters."Jerry Blevins relieved, Ackley stole second and Ichiro Suzuki singled for a two-run lead. Brandon League closed it out for the save.Tom Wilhelmsen (1-0) got the win with two hitless innings.Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes, who signed a $36 million, four-year contract with Oakland, was 1 for 3 with a seventh-inning double and two strikeouts in his major league debut.A capacity crowd of 44,227 at Tokyo Dome was a sea of flashbulbs every time Ichiro Suzuki came to bat. He got a standing ovation when he took his position in right field in the final inning.Ichiro Suzuki, dropped from leadoff to third in the batting order as he started his 12th big league season, singled in the first when be beat shortstop Cliff Pennington's throw after his grounder over the mound was deflected by McCarthy.Suzuki singled on a grounder to shortstop in the fourth and singled to center in the sixth.Hernandez, coming off a 14-14 season, allowed five hits in eight innings, struck out six and walked none, throwing 104 pitches.McCarthy gave up one run and six hits in seven innings with three strikeouts and no walks.While Oakland threatened repeatedly, the A's were 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position.NOTES: It was 3:09 a.m. PDT when the game began. It was not televised live in the U.S. outside the markets of the teams involved, and was shown on a delayed basis by the MLB Network. ... Bartolo Colon starts Thursday the A's, opposed by Jason Vargas. ... The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs opened in Tokyo in 2000, followed by the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay (2004), and Boston and Oakland (2008). Seattle and Oakland had been scheduled to play at the Tokyo Dome in March 2003, but the series was scrapped because of the threat of war in Iraq. ... A pregame video presentation honored victims and survivors of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami. The video was narrated by Derek Jeter, Bobby Valentine and Cal Ripken Jr.

Mariners top A's in MLB opener in Tokyo

The Sports Network — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:40:00 GMT

TOKYO -- Dustin Ackley hit a solo home run and knocked in the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning, helping the Seattle Mariners edge the Oakland Athletics 3-1 in the first game of the 2012 Major League Baseball season from the Tokyo Dome.

Mariners 3, Athletics 1, 11 innings,

By Associated Press — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:21:00 GMT

E_Ackley (1), Sogard (1). DP_Oakland 1. LOB_Seattle 4, Oakland 7. 2B_Ryan (1), Pennington (1), K.Suzuki (1), Cespedes (1). HR_Ackley (1). SB_Ackley (1), M.Saunders (1), J.Weeks (1), Pennington (1). CS_Ryan (1), Cowgill (1). S_Figgins.HBP_by F.Hernandez (Cespedes, S.Smith).Umpires_Home, Tom Hallion; First, Jeff Nelson; Second, Marvin Hudson; Third, Dan Bellino.T_3:04. A_44,227 (42,000).

It's Magic: Johnson-Kasten-Walter group agrees to buy Dodgers for record $2 billion

RONALD BLUM — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:37:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — One Los Angeles institution is buying another.A group that includes former Lakers star Magic Johnson and longtime baseball executive Stan Kasten agreed Tuesday night to buy the Dodgers from Frank McCourt for a record $2 billion.The price would shatter the mark for a sports franchise. Stephen Ross paid $1.1 billion for the NFL's Miami Dolphins in 2009, and in England, Malcolm Glazer and his family took over the Manchester United soccer club in 2005 in a deal then valued at $1.47 billion.Mark Walter, chief executive officer of the financial services firm Guggenheim Partners, would become the controlling owner.The deal, revealed about five hours after Major League Baseball owners approved three finalists for an intended auction, is one of several steps toward a sale of the team by the end of April. It is subject to approval in federal bankruptcy court."I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles," Johnson said in a statement.As part of the agreement, the Dodgers said McCourt and "certain affiliates of the purchasers" would acquire the land surrounding Dodger Stadium, including its parking lots, for $150 million."If they invested that much money, I'm sure they'll invest to get us a winner," said Tommy Lasorda, the Dodgers' retired Hall of Fame manager. "I wish them all the luck, and I admire them. I know both of them. I know Magic from the day he came into Los Angeles as a basketball player for the Lakers."The acquiring group, called Guggenheim Baseball Management, has several other investors, among them Mandalay Entertainment chief executive Peter Guber, Guggenheim Partners president Todd Boehly and Bobby Patton, who operates oil and gas properties among his investments. Kasten is the former president of the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals."I am truly honored to have partnered with such talented individuals and to be associated with the Dodgers organization," said Walter. "We look forward to building upon the legacy of the Dodgers and providing long-term stability to one of the most revered franchises in baseball."The 52-year-old Johnson played 13 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships and three MVP awards in a Hall of Fame career.He retired from the NBA in 1991 after being diagnosed with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. He briefly came out of retirement during the 1995-96 season and had a short stint coaching the Lakers. Since leaving basketball, he has been very successful in business, investing in movie theaters, a production company and restaurants.He has also been an activist in the fight against HIV."I'm upset he didn't cut me in," current Lakers star Kobe Bryant said. "I'm going to have to talk to him about that."McCourt paid $430 million in 2004 to buy the team, Dodger Stadium and 250 acres of land that include the parking lots, from the Fox division of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., a sale that left the team with about $50 million in cash at the time. The team's debt stood at $579 million as of January, according to a court filing, so McCourt stands to make hundreds of millions of dollars even after a $131 million divorce payment to former wife Jamie, taxes and legal and banking fees.Kasten is expected to wind up as the team's top day-to-day executive.The other two finalists were:— Stan Kroenke, whose family owns the NFL's St. Louis Rams, the NBA's Denver Nuggets, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids. He also is majority shareholder of Arsenal in the English Premier League.— Steven Cohen, founder of the hedge fund SAC Capital Advisors and a new limited partner of the New York Mets; biotechnology entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong; and agent Arn Tellem of Wasserman Media Group.It remains to be seen whether Major League Baseball will challenge the deal in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, where the case is before Judge Kevin Gross.Under an agreement reached by MLB and McCourt in November, a private auction was to be held among the finalists and McCourt was to select the winner by Sunday. The sales agreement is to be submitted to the bankruptcy court by April 6, ahead of a hearing seven days later, and the sale completed by April 30, the day McCourt is to make a divorce settlement payment."This agreement with Guggenheim reflects both the strength and future potential of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and assures that the Dodgers will have new ownership with deep local roots, which bodes well for the Dodgers, its fans and the Los Angeles community," McCourt said in a statement.The acquiring group would gain the ability to sell the Dodgers' local broadcasting rights starting with games in 2014. The Guggenheim group likely would use money gained from the rights sale — or from the team's own network with outside investment — and use those funds to pay down the acquisition debt."The amount of leverage is a big question," said Marc Ganis, president of the Chicago-based consulting firm Sportscorp, which is not involved. "The likely scenario is that they have a broadcasting deal in mind so that they pay up now and pay themselves down from a big broadcasting upfront payment."The problem with this strategy is that themore paid upfront by the broadcast deal, the less money is available for team operations. The more debt they take on, the more debt service is required, the less money that's available for team operations. With the only beneficiary being the man walking out the door. A challenging result that baseball tried to avoid."The current record for a baseball franchise is the $845 million paid by the Ricketts family for the Chicago Cubs in 2009.The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy protection in late June, just days before the team was expected to miss payroll. The filing came after baseball Commissioner Bud Selig refused to approve a 17-year agreement between the Dodgers and Fox's Prime Ticket subsidiary that would have been worth $2 billion or more. MLB feared McCourt would use about half of an intended $385 million cash advance to fund his divorce.Los Angeles finished third in the NL West last season at 82-79, had just three sellouts and fell short of 3 million in home attendance in a full season for the first time since 1992. There was some concern among MLB officials about the financing of the Walter bid because some of the money was coming from insurance companies that are owned by Guggenheim. A person familiar with the baseball owners' teleconference Tuesday said several team owners voiced that during the call. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because MLB did not make any announcements."The problem there is a fundamental problem as you go into an auction, and that is the absolute reliance on other people's money," said Ganis. "It means a lot of regulators. It means either shareholders or, depending on which insurance companies it's coming from, the insured themselves."Kasten was hired as legal counsel of the Braves and the NBA's Hawks in 1976, and three years later became the NBA's youngest general manager at 27. He was promoted to president of the Braves and Hawks in 1986 and also became president ofthe NHL's Thrashers in 1999. After leaving the Atlanta teams in 2003, he became president of the Washington Nationals from 2006-10.Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti recently had dinner with Kasten in Glendale, Ariz., the team's spring training home."He's very successful, very driven, relentless in his pursuit of excellence," Colletti said. "He's seen a lot and he's won a lot."The Dodgers have won six World Series titles but none since 1988, when they were still owned by the O'Malley family that moved the team from Brooklyn to California after the 1957 season. Fox bought the team in 1998, then sold it to McCourt.Colletti, whose baseball moves appear to have been constricted because of the team's financial problems, says the sale announcement brings "clarity.""It's time to turn the page and move toward a new chapter in the history of the Los Angeles Dodgers," he said.___AP Sports Writer Antonio Gonzalez contributed to this report.

Group that includes Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten agrees to buy Dodgers for record $2 billion

RONALD BLUM — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:41:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A group that includes former Lakers star Magic Johnson and longtime baseball executive Stan Kasten agreed Tuesday night to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers from Frank McCourt for a record $2 billion.The price would shatter the mark for a sports franchise,, Stephen Ross paid $1.1 billion for the NFL's Miami Dolphins in 2009, and in England In Malcolm Glazer and his family took over the Manchester United soccer club in 2005 in a deal then valued at $1.47 billion.Mark Walter, chief executive officer of the financial services firm Guggenheim Partners, would become the controlling owner.The deal, revealed about five hours after Major League Baseball owners approved three finalists for an intended auction, is one of several steps toward a sale of the team by the end of April. It is subject to approval in federal bankruptcy court."I am thrilled to be part of the historic Dodger franchise and intend to build on the fantastic foundation laid by Frank McCourt as we drive the Dodgers back to the front page of the sports section in our wonderful community of Los Angeles," Johnson said in a statement.As part of the agreement, the Dodgers said McCourt and "certain affiliates of the purchasers" would acquire the land surrounding Dodger Stadium, including its parking lots, for $150 million."If they invested that much money, I'm sure they'll invest to get us a winner," said Tommy Lasorda, the Dodgers' retired Hall of Fame manager. "I wish them all the luck, and I admire them. I know both of them. I know Magic fromthe day he came into Los Angeles as a basketball player for the Lakers."The acquiring group, called Guggenheim Baseball Management, has several other investors, among them Mandalay Entertainment chief executive Peter Guber, Guggenheim Partners president Todd Boehly and Bobby Patton, who operates oil and gas properties among his investments. Kasten is the former president of the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals."I am truly honored to have partnered with such talented individuals and to be associated with the Dodgers organization," Walter said. "We look forward to building upon the legacy of the Dodgers and providing long-term stability to one of the most revered franchises in baseball."The 52-year-old Johnson played 13 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships and three MVP awards.He retired from the NBA in 1991 after being diagnosed with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. He briefly came out of retirement during the 1995-96 season and had a short stint coaching the Lakers. Since leaving basketball, he has been hugely successful in business, investing in movie theaters, a production company and restaurants.He has also been an activist in the fight against HIV.Kobe Bryant, speaking after the Lakers' 104-101 victory at Golden State Tuesday night, said this about Johnson's group acquiring Dodgers:"I'm upset he didn't cut me in," Bryant said. "I'm going to have to talk to him about that."McCourt paid $430 million in 2004 to buy the team, Dodger Stadium and 250 acres of land that include the parking lots, from the Fox division of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., a sale that left the team with about $50 million in cash at the time. The team's debt stood at $579 million as of January, according to a court filing, so McCourt stands to make hundreds of millions of dollars even after a $131 million divorce payment to former wife Jamie, taxes and legal and banking fees.Kasten is expected to wind up as the team's top day-to-day executive.The other two finalists were:— Stan Kroenke, whose family properties own the NFL's St. Louis Rams, the NBA's Denver Nuggets, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids, and who is majority shareholder of Arsenal in the English Premier League.— Steven Cohen, founder of the hedge fund SAC Capital Advisors and a new limited partner of the New York Mets; biotechnology entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong; and agent Arn Tellem of Wasserman Media Group.It remains to be seen whether Major League Baseball will challenge the deal in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, where the case is before Judge Kevin Gross.Under an agreement reached by MLB and McCourt in November, a private auction was to be held among the finalists and McCourt was to select the winner by Sunday. The sales agreement is to be submitted to the bankruptcy court by April 6, ahead of a hearing seven days later, and the sale completed by April 30, the day McCourt is to make the divorce settlement payment."This agreement with Guggenheim reflects both the strength and future potential of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and assures that the Dodgers will have new ownership with deep local roots, which bodes well for the Dodgers, its fans and the Los Angeles community," McCourt said in a statement.The acquiring group would gain the ability to sell the Dodgers' local broadcasting rights starting with games in 2014. The Guggenheim group likely would use money gained from the sale — or form the team's own network with outside investment — and use those funds to pay down the acquisition debt."The amount of leverage is a big question," said Marc Ganis, president of the Chicago-based consulting firm Sportscorp, which is not involved. "The likely scenario is that they have a broadcasting deal in mind so that they pay up now and pay themselves down from a big broadcasting upfront payment."The problem with this strategy is that the more paid upfront by the broadcast deal, the less money is available for team operations. The more debt they take on, the more debt service is required, the less money that's available for team operations. With the only beneficiary being the man walking out the door. A challenging result that baseball tried to avoid."The current record for a baseball franchise is the $845 million paid by the Ricketts family for the Chicago Cubs in 2009. In England, Malcolm Glazer and his family took over the Manchester United soccer club in 2005 in a deal then valued at $1.47 billion.The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy protection in late June, just days before the team was expected to miss payroll. The filing came after baseball Commissioner Bud Selig refused to approve a 17-year agreement between the Dodgers and Fox's Prime Ticket subsidiary that would have been worth $2 billion or more. MLB feared McCourt would use about half of an intended $385 million cash advance to fund his divorce.Los Angeles finished third in the NL West last season at 82-79, had just three sellouts and fell short of 3 million in home attendance in a full season for the first time since 1992. There was some concern among MLB officials about the financing of the Walter bid because some of the money was coming from insurance companies that are owned by Guggenheim. A person familiar with the baseball owners' teleconference Tuesday said several team owners voiced that during the call. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because MLB did not make any announcements."The problem there is a fundamental problem as you go into an auction, and that is the absolute reliance on other people's money," Ganis said. "It means a lot of regulators. It means either shareholders or, depending on which insurance companies it's coming from, the insured themselves."Kasten was hired as legal counsel of the Atlanta Braves and the NBA's Hawks in 1976, and three years later became the NBA's youngest general manager at 27. He was promoted to president of the Braves and Hawks in 1986 and also became president of the NHL's Thrashers in 1999. After leaving the Atlanta teams in 2003, he became president of the Washington Nationals from 2006-10.Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti had dinner with Kasten in Glendale, Ariz., the team's spring training home."He's very successful, very driven, relentless in his pursuit of excellence," Colletti said. "He's seen a lot and he's won a lot."The Dodgers have won six World Series titles but none since 1988, when they were still owned by the O'Malley family that moved the team from Brooklyn to California after the 1957 season. Fox bought the team in 1998, then sold it to McCourt.Colletti, whose baseball moves appear to have been constricted because of the team's financial problems, says the sale announcement brings "clarity.""It's time to turn the page and move toward a new chapter in the history of the Los Angeles Dodgers," he said.___AP Sports Writer Antonio Gonzalez contributed to this report.

Brad Mills pitches 6 solid innings as Los Angeles Angels top San Francisco Giants 5-3

By Associated Press — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 02:08:00 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Brad Mills matched Tim Lincecum pretty much pitch for pitch.Mills tossed six strong innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Tuesday.The game was delayed in the ninth inning when a 50-year-old female fan was hit by a piece of a broken bat from the Angels' Mark Trumbo. Paramedics were called and the fan, who was seated behind the Angels' third-base dugout, was taken for medical attention. She was able to walk out of Scottsdale Stadium, moments before Alexi Amarista's three-run double off Javier Lopez broke a 2-all tie.Lincecum was solid in his next-to-last spring start but the Giants' two-time Cy Young Award winner admitted to some frustration with his fastball command. He gave up two runs and five hits in five innings, striking out two and walking two.The right-hander retired his first six batters, then issued a walk to Peter Bourjos and gave up a run-scoring double to Bobby Wilson.The same combination worked for the Angels in the fifth, when Bourjos doubled and Wilson singled him home.Lincecum also twice ran up three-ball counts on Mills."It's been frustrating as a pitcher just knowing that you can't control a fastball ... your go-to pitch and the one every other pitch works off of," Lincecum said. "When it's not working, and you can't throw a strike to a pitcher who's not swinging the bat, that's frustrating."Mills allowed two runs and four hits. The 27-year-old left-hander, who has pitched in 14 big league games for Toronto, likely will start the season at Triple-A Salt Lake despite a 1.23 ERA this spring.Mills' ability to change speeds makes his fastball effective, manager Mike Scioscia explained."You saw that today," Scioscia said.Albert Pujols went 2 for 3 with a double for the Angels.Angel Pagan snapped an 0-for-24 skid with an eighth-inning double for San Francisco but was then picked off second base.Pagan, hitting .179, may have competition for the starting center field spot from Gregor Blanco, who went 2 for 4 with a double and two steals. Blanco is batting .356."I'm not going to announce it. I have an idea. You need to have that," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.Pagan will get some at-bats in the coming days in minor league games, Bochy said."In general, we're not swinging the bats very well. It's been going on four or five days now," Bochy said. "You'd like to see the offense pick up a little bit. That was our biggest issue last year — scoring runs."NOTES: The Giants identified the injured fan as Kathleen Dunnivan of Bethesda, Md. She was treated at Scottsdale Health Care, a hospital across the street from the stadium. "That was a shame," Scioscia said. "That thing ... was helicoptering. You were praying it wasn't going to hit anyone, and unfortunately it did." ... Giants C Buster Posey turned 25. The only hurdle left in his comeback from a broken ankle last season is to play nine innings. "But that could have been done the past few days," Bochy said. "He'll tell you he could have finished the games. I'm not concerned about nine innings for him."

Blue Jays 4, Yankees 3

By Associated Press — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:55:00 GMT

E_R.Davis (1), Maxwell (1). DP_New York 1. LOB_Toronto 6, New York 7. 2B_Lawrie (7), Y.Gomes (6), Teixeira (4), A.Rodriguez (4). 3B_K.Johnson (2), Lawrie (2). SB_Dickerson (2), Gardner (5).HBP_by A.Loup (Dickerson). WP_A.Loup, Robertson.Umpires_Home, Marty Foster; First, Mike Estabrook; Second, Vic Carapazza; Third, Adam Hamari.T_2:43. A_11,045 (11,076).

Eric Hosmer hits 2 homers, Chen rebounds and Royals power past Brewers for 9-7 win

By Associated Press — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:03:00 GMT

PHOENIX (AP) — Bruce Chen rebounded in a big way for the Kansas City Royals.Chen, who allowed 10 runs and 10 hits in his previous start, gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings and the Royals hit five homers in a 9-7 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.After the game, Royals manager Ned Yost said Chen will be the opening day starter April 9 against the Los Angeles Angels."It means a lot to me to pitch in that first game. It's the first time in my career," Chen said. "It is a lot of responsibility, but I think I am ready for the challenge."The Royals trusted in me when a lot of other teams didn't want to. I want to help put us in a position in September to have a good chance to go to the playoffs."Eric Hosmer hit two homers and had four RBIs to pace the Royals. Yuniesky Betancourt, Mike Moustakas and Max Ramirez also homered for Kansas City.Hosmer has four homers on the spring with 22 RBIs and is hitting .373.Yost said Chen's effort was fantastic."He was able to work on different phases of his game. He has three or four different arm slots, but he hadn't incorporated his over-the-top fastball that runs 87-89 miles an hour. He was able to do that today."Yost said of giving him the No. 1 spot in rotation, "Bruce can keep us in ballgames against No. 1 starters (opponents).""I wanted to throw from every single angle," Chen said. "The first couple of times (starts), the arm is not ready (to throw at the highest velocity). But I brought it out today. I didn't want to keep pitching the way I was pitching."Unlike Yost, Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke is not readyto pick a starter for opening day. It could be Gallardo or former Royals Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke.Gallardo pitched five innings, giving up four runs and six hits, including the homers to Betancourt and Hosmer."I felt good, although I lost my rhythm a little bit," Gallardo said. "My arm was falling behind, but the last two innings, I was able to adjust and be where I want to be. You look at things like that in a game like this, whether you were able to make adjustments."Mat Gamel and Alex Gonzalez homered for the Brewers.Notes: Milwaukee catcher Jonathan Lucroy signed a five-year contract extension before the game. He had two hits to raise his average to .486.

Napoli hits first 2 HRs of spring, Kinsler gets 3 hits as Rangers beat Padres split squad 10-9

By Associated Press — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:47:00 GMT

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Mike Napoli hit his first two home runs of the spring and Ian Kinsler had three hits, leading the Texas Rangers past a San Diego Padres split squad 10-9 on Tuesday.San Diego starter Cory Luebke gave up five runs and eight hits and a walk over 4 1-3 innings. Luebke had allowed only three runs in 14 innings during his four previous starts.Jeremy Hermida homered on consecutive pitches in the first and third for the Padres. Jeff Gyorko, Yasmani Grandal and Andy Parrino also went deep for San Diego.Joey Butler tripled home the tying run in the bottom of the ninth and scored on a wild pitch to win it.

Cubs 7, Reds 4

By Associated Press — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:42:00 GMT

E_Votto (2), Stubbs (1). LOB_Chicago 8, Cincinnati 15. 2B_Barney 2 (7), LaHair 2 (7), B.Phillips 2 (5), Votto (2), Heisey (2). HR_Sappelt (1), Castillo (2). SB_Mather (4). CS_LaHair (1). S_Heisey. SF_Heisey.WP_Marshall. PB_Castillo. Balk_L.Castillo.Umpires_Home, Alan Porter; First, Tony Randazzo; Second, Angel Campos; Third, Tyler Funneman.T_3:33. A_4,099 (10,311).

Rivera has big day for Dodgers in 6-5 loss to split squad of Padres

By Associated Press — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:38:00 GMT

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Juan Rivera homered, doubled and singled for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday in a 6-5 loss to a split squad of San Diego Padres.Rivera hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and an RBI double during a three-run seventh against Micah Owings. Matt Kemp doubled and drove in two runs for the Dodgers and Andre Ethier had two hits, including an RBI triple.Yonder Alonso hit an RBI double, singled and walked for the Padres. Cameron Maybin singled home a run and stole a base.

Rangers 10, Padres 9

By Associated Press — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:19:00 GMT

E_L.Hernandez (1), B.Snyder (1). DP_San Diego 2, Texas 1. LOB_San Diego 7, Texas 7. 2B_Jo.Baker (2), Kinsler (4), N.Cruz (3), B.Snyder (3). 3B_J.Butler (1). HR_Hermida 2 (3), Grandal (2), Gyorko (1), Parrino (3), Napoli 2 (2). SB_Gyorko (1), Kinsler (1). CS_Gyorko (1). SF_M.Clark, L.Hernandez.HBP_by Cotts (A.Contreras), by J.Yan (Gyorko). WP_Brach, Hinshaw.Umpires_Home, David Rackley; First, Chris Guccione; Second, Brian Knight; Third, Jordan Baker.T_3:06. A_4,564 (10,714).

Corbin throws 5 no-hit innings in Diamondbacks' 7-3 win over Rockies

By Associated Press — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:15:00 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona left-hander Patrick Corbin threw five no-hit innings and the Diamondbacks earned a 7-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.Corbin walked two and struck out three. The left hander picked up his first win and lowered his ERA this spring to 0.57.Corbin also went 2 for 2 with a triple and a RBI.Geraldo Parra added two hits, including a triple for Arizona.Rockies starter Jeremy Guthrie allowed 10 hits and six runs, four earned, in six innings.He also had the Rockies' first hit of the game, a single off Diamondbacks reliever Craig Breslow in the sixth inning.

Padres 6, Dodgers 5

By Associated Press — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:51:00 GMT

E_Hundley (1). LOB_Los Angeles 8, San Diego 6. 2B_Kemp (2), J.Rivera (2), B.Davis (1), Alonso (5), Owings (1). 3B_Ethier (3). HR_J.Rivera (4). SB_Maybin (2). CS_D.Gordon (2), Oeltjen (1). S_M.Ellis. SF_Kemp, Kotsay.HBP_by F.Felix (D.Robertson). WP_Belisario.Umpires_Home, Clint Fagan; First, Adrian Johnson; Second, Mark Ripperger; Third, Toby Basner.T_2:41. A_4,740 (11,333).

Diamondbacks 7, Rockies 3

By Associated Press — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:48:00 GMT

E_Colvin (1), C.Laurent (1). LOB_Colorado 5, Arizona 6. 2B_E.Young (1), C.Laurent (1), Overbay (2), R.Roberts (2), Jo.McDonald (2). 3B_G.Parra (1), P.Corbin (1). CS_E.Young (1). SF_Overbay.Umpires_Home, Cory Blaser; First, Lance Barrett; Second, Bob Davidson; Third, Barry Larson.T_2:34. A_12,044 (11,000).

White Sox 7, Indians 1

By Associated Press — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:34:00 GMT

E_Jo.Lopez (5). DP_Cleveland 1, Chicago 1. LOB_Cleveland 6, Chicago 5. 2B_Konerko 2 (4). HR_De Aza (1), Morel (1). SF_A.Cabrera.HBP_by Ohman (A.Cabrera). WP_Jimenez.Umpires_Home, Tripp Gibson; First, Scott Barry; Second, Mike Muchlinski; Third, John Tumpane.T_2:23. A_4,504 (13,000).

Freeman hit 2 home runs, Bourn also connects as Braves beat Mets 7-5

By Associated Press — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:05:00 GMT

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Freddie Freeman hit two home runs, Michael Bourn also connected and the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 7-5 Tuesday in a matchup of teams that will meet next week on opening day.Both clubs rolled out pitchers who are not expected to make the starting rotation when the season begins.Freeman homered in the seventh inning and again in the ninth, giving him five homers in exhibition play. Bourn hit a three-run homer drive off Mets starter Chris Schwinden.Lucas Duda homered for the Mets and David Wright, in the lineup for a second straight day after making his spring debut Monday, had a sacrifice fly.Braves starter Buddy Carlyle gave up two runs and three hits in four innings.

Red Sox 8, Rays 0

By Associated Press — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:34:00 GMT

E_Salazar (1). DP_Boston 3. LOB_Tampa Bay 6, Boston 4. 2B_Lobaton (3), Ortiz (3). 3B_Pedroia (1). HR_C.Ross (4). CS_Pedroia (2). S_Salazar.WP_Badenhop, J.Nunez. PB_Lobaton.Umpires_Home, Tim Tschida; First, Jeff Kellogg; Second, Brian O'Nora; Third, Fieldin Culbreth.T_2:53. A_9,685 (9,990).