Small changes lead to big success

In a matter of weeks, Chris Oxspring, a right-handed starter for the Lotte Giants, has gone from a scapegoat to one of the few bright spots for the struggling Korea Baseball Organization club.The 35-year-old Australian got off to a rocky beginning on his second tour of duty in the top South Korean league. In his first four starts of the season, Oxspring went 0-3 as he surrendered 14 earned runs and walked 14 batters in 19 innings. But in his last three starts, Oxspring has gone 3-0, having conce

May 9, 2013

Kim makes immediate impact with new team

After being traded by the same Korea Baseball Organization team for the second time in his career this week, Kim Sang-hyun didn’t initially hide his disappointment.In his first game for the SK Wyverns since being moved by the Kia Tigers, the right-handed slugger put what bitter feelings he might have had behind him, and made an immediate impact on the field. Batting cleanup for the Incheon-based club following Monday’s trade, Kim went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.  Both RBIs came on

May 8, 2013

Choo sends ’em home

CINCINNATI (AP) ― One of the NL’s best closers was one strike away from a milestone save. Devin Mesoraco and Choo Shin-soo turned everything upside down in a span of five pitches.Mesoraco homered on a full-count pitch from Craig Kimbrel with two outs in the ninth inning on Tuesday night, and Choo followed with his second homer of the game, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves.So sudden, and so shocking for everyone.“He’s the best closer in the league,” said Choo,

May 8, 2013

Simmons, Braves hold off Reds

CINCINNATI (AP) ― Andrelton Simmons is starting to get noticed for more than those amazing defensive plays.The young shortstop homered twice and drove in a career-high four runs on Monday night, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 7-4 victory that ended the Cincinnati Reds’ winning streak at three games.The Braves won at a place where they’ve had little success lately. They were 0-4 at Great American Ball Park last year and 14-25 overall since it opened for the 2003 season. Simmons led the way on o

May 7, 2013

Cain gets better of Ryu as Giants sweep Dodgers

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ― Giants ace Matt Cain didn’t make much of his first victory this season, even though it completed a series sweep of divisional rival Los Angeles.Ending a two-week drought by San Francisco’s starting pitchers meant more to the three-time All-Star.Cain pitched into the eighth inning to end the longest winless-streak of his career, and Hunter Pence accounted for all of the scoring in the Giants 4-3 victory over the Dodgers on Sunday night.“All of the starters, we just hadn’t bee

May 6, 2013

Reds defeat Cubs

CHICAGO (AP) ― The Cincinnati Reds were watching when Carlos Marmol came on to pitch the eighth inning, and they knew exactly what to do.It pays to be patient when the erratic right-hander is on the mound.Marmol walked two guys and hit another batter before he was pulled, and Cincinnati scored four times to rally for a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.“You’ve got to take what they’re giving you, and Marmol had a little tough time out there,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “Our guys

May 5, 2013

Heroes storm back into first place

Almost one year to date, the Nexen Heroes are back atop the standings in the Korea Baseball Organization.The Heroes climbed to first place by defeating the Samsung Lions 4-3 in 10 innings on the road in Daegu on Thursday. The victory completed a three-game sweep of the two-time defending champs.At 16-7, the Heroes, winners of three straight, are in first place for the first time since May 25 of last year. In 2012, the Heroes won a franchise record eight consecutive games to reach first on May 23

May 3, 2013

Lynn wins 10th-straight decision

ST. LOUIS (AP) ― Fast starts are becoming routine for Lance Lynn and the St. Louis Cardinals.Lynn won his 10th straight decision, allowing one run and five hits in seven innings Wednesday to lead the Cardinals over the Cincinnati Reds 4-2.Lynn (5-0) struck out five and walked two, improving to 10-0 in 10 starts and one relief appearance since losing to Milwaukee on Sept. 7. He became the NL’s first five-game winner.“It’s early ― but it’s fun so far,” Lynn said.He was 6-0 with a 1.48 ERA through

May 2, 2013

Mow ’em down

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Ryu Hyun-jin had a career-best 12 strikeouts in six innings and Hanley Ramirez homered in his first start of the season, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.Carlos Gonzalez gave the Rockies a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a home run ― but it didn’t last long.Ryu (3-1) was in control throughout most of his outing. After giving up the home run to Gonzalez, he retired 14 of the next 15 batters he faced. His only blemish duri

May 1, 2013

Marlins beat Mets in 15 innings

MIAMI (AP) ― Nick Green hit a game-winning sacrifice fly and the Miami Marlins rallied for two runs in the 15th inning to beat the Mets 4-3 on Monday night, handing New York its fifth consecutive loss.Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton limped out of the game in the 10th inning with a strained right hamstring. He hit a tapper in front of the plate and clutched his leg just before crossing first base, then fell face-first to the turf.Miami trailed 3-2 when Greg Dobbs singled with one out in the 15t

April 30, 2013

Choo rips 4th homer in loss

WASHINGTON (AP) ― The Washington Nationals acquired center fielder Denard Span for his ability to hit leadoff and play defense.Saturday against Cincinnati, it was his fielding that stole the show.Span made pair of impressive catches to halt Reds rallies, Bryce Harper hit a two-run homer and scored twice, and Dan Haren had his best start of the young season as the Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-3.Span and Jayson Werth each had two hits for Washington, which has won the first three games of

April 28, 2013