Vargas, Twins power past Padres

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ― Kennys Vargas hit a three-run homer in his first home game for Minnesota, powering the Twins past Jesse Hahn and the San Diego Padres 3-1 on Tuesday night.Phil Hughes had a season-high nine strikeouts in six innings to snap a three-start losing streak. Glen Perkins earned his 28th save in 31 attempts despite giving up a pair of singles in the ninth.Yonder Alonso hit his first home run almost two months after spending much of the summer on the disabled list but his drive to the

BaseballAug. 6, 2014

McIlroy seeks hat trick, Woods missing at PGA

LOUISVILLE (AFP) ― Top-ranked Rory McIlroy took his first look at the Valhalla layout Monday ahead of the 96th PGA Championship while Tiger Woods was in Florida having treatment on his aching back.Golf’s current and former superstars were on vastly different trajectories for the year’s final major tournament with McIlroy going for a hat trick of triumphs and Woods’ status in doubt a day after a painful exit at the World Golf Championships event in Akron, Ohio.McIlroy won his third major title la

GolfAug. 5, 2014

Sandoval lifts Giants over Mets

NEW YORK (AP) ― His nickname is Kung Fu Panda. The New York Mets probably have other, not so cute, monikers for Pablo Sandoval.Sandoval drove in three runs with three hits, including a go-ahead double with two outs in the ninth inning Monday that propelled the San Francisco Giants to a 4-3 victory over the New York Mets.“You know Pablo, he gets a little anxious sometimes,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “But you can tell he’s comfortable up there and seeing the ball well and he fought off some tough

BaseballAug. 5, 2014

McIlroy back to No. 1

AKRON, Ohio (AP) ― From links of Britain to the parkland of America, Rory McIlroy is on top of the world again.In his first start since a wire-to-wire win at the British Open, McIlroy wiped out a three-shot deficit in only three holes and closed with a 4-under 66 on Sunday to win the Bridgestone Invitational and return to No. 1 in the world.And just like at Royal Liverpool two weeks ago, Boy Wonder made it look easy.Sergio Garcia had a three-shot lead going into the final round at Firestone. McI

GolfAug. 4, 2014

Cabrera’s hit in 10th lifts Padres over Braves

SAN DIEGO (AP) ― The San Diego Padres’ previously inept offense has become resurgent and it’s leading to more victories.Everth Cabrera singled in the winning run in the 10th inning as the Padres won their second straight extra-innings game with a 4-3 victory over the reeling Atlanta Braves on Sunday.“Any time you can walk off two times in a row, it doesn’t get much more exciting than that.” said Tommy Medica, the team’s hottest hitter.San Diego, which leads the majors in runs scored since the Al

BaseballAug. 4, 2014

Williams beats Kerber to win Bank of West

STANFORD, California (AP) ― Serena Williams won her WTA-leading fourth title of the season Sunday, beating third-seeded Angelique Kerber 7-6(1), 6-3 in the Bank of the West Classic.Playing her first tournament since her departure from Wimbledon because of equilibrium problems, the top-ranked and top-seeded Williams won the hard-court event for the third time.Kerber, 0-4 in finals this season, won five straight games to go up 5-1 and was serving for the first set at 5-2. Williams saved two set po

More SportsAug. 4, 2014

Sergio Garcia clings to 3-shot lead over McIlroy

AKRON, Ohio (AP) ― Sergio Garcia was in the trees left of the 18th fairway, looking through a gap in the branches to find a way out. Ahead of him was Rory McIlroy, giving his 35-foot birdie putt a little body English before it fell for birdie.Garcia never lost command of the Bridgestone Invitational on Saturday, even after a storm delay of just over three hours. He started with a three-shot lead, stretched it to six shots at one point and closed with three good pars for a 3-under 67, three shots

More SportsAug. 3, 2014

Usain Bolt strikes gold in Glasgow

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) ― On a wet track following torrential rain, Usain Bolt gave the Commonwealth Games a display of showmanship and speed as he anchored Jamaica’s 4x100-meter relay team to gold and glory on Saturday.Jamaica raced ahead of England in a games-record 37.58 seconds as the six-time Olympic gold medalist became a Commonwealth champion for the first time, enhancing the status of an event that can appear an anachronism in the modern world.“Even though it was cold, the energy was warm

More SportsAug. 3, 2014

Ramirez’s shot in 12th lifts Dodgers

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Hanley Ramirez hit a three-run homer in the 12th inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night.Dee Gordon hit a two-out single against Blake Parker (1-1), stole his major league-leading 51st base and came home when Ramirez drove a 1-0 pitch into the Dodgers’ bullpen in left field for his 12th homer after a full-count walk to Justin Turner.Jamey Wright (4-2) allowed two hits over two innings to get the victory and help the Dodge

More SportsAug. 3, 2014

Neymar says back improving

TOKYO (AP) ― Brazil and Barcelona striker Neymar says he is almost back to full fitness after the serious back injury he sustained at the World Cup.The 22-year-old Neymar is on promotional trip to Tokyo, where he will film a commercial for a Japanese mattress company. About 700 fans greeted him at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Thursday.“It’s all good. My back is improving. It’s almost 100 percent,” Neymar said. “I’m looking forward to joining my (Barcelona) teammates and helping them win the title.”

SoccerAug. 1, 2014

Another decent start for Tiger at Firestone

Korea’s Noh Seung-yul lines up a putt on the fifth green on Thursday. ( AFP-Yonhap)AKRON, Ohio (AP) ― Tiger Woods showed signs of a positive recovery Thursday at the Bridgestone Invitational.Not just from back surgery, but from making bogeys.Woods bounced back with birdies all three times that he made mistakes, opening with a 2-under 68 on a soft, gentle day for scoring at Firestone. It left him four shots behind Marc Leishman of Australia, and hopeful that this time he can build on a solid star

GolfAug. 1, 2014

Flurry at deadline

Home Run Derby champ Yoenis Cespedes (MCT)NEW YORK (AP) ― Baseball fans were still trying to sort out the dizzying deals for postseason aces Jon Lester and John Lackey, Home Run Derby champ Yoenis Cespedes and All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera when they were treated to a most curious sight Thursday.In the seventh inning of a tight game at Comerica Park ― with the bases loaded, no less ― Detroit center fielder Austin Jackson suddenly trotted from his position to the dugout.He was on his way out

BaseballAug. 1, 2014