Hamilton hits 4 two-run HRs as Rangers bury O’s

BALTIMORE (AP) ― Moments before he made history with his final swing in an incredible four-homer performance, Josh Hamilton stepped to the plate in the eighth inning with a surprising sense of calm.The Texas Rangers slugger had never before hit more than two home runs in a game, and he already had three. So as he took his place in the batter’s box against Baltimore right-hander Darren O’Day, Hamilton already had a feeling of accomplishment.“I just went up like it was any other at-bat because if

May 9, 2012

NC Dinos set to make splash in KBO next season

Korean baseball fans will have another team to root for starting next year.The NC Dinos, the ninth club in the Korean Baseball Organization, will join the professional league in 2013, a year ahead of schedule.The KBO’s board of directors ― comprised of presidents of the current eight teams ― approved the addition in a meeting Tuesday.The Lotte Giants were the only club to oppose the proposal, according to reports.NCsoft, an online game developer, set up the NC Dinos in Changwon, South Gyeongsang

May 8, 2012

NC Dinos set to play in KBO next year, 10th team undecided

Korean baseball fans will have another team to root for starting next year.The NC Dinos, the ninth club in the Korean Baseball Organization, will join the professional league in 2013, a year ahead of schedule.The recently rebuilt home field of NC Dinos in Masan, South Korea. (Yonhap News)The KBO’s board of directors -- comprised of presidents of the current eight teams -- approved the addition in

May 8, 2012

Indians hand Yu Darvish first MLB loss

CLEVELAND (AP) ― A glaring problem cost Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers.Ubaldo Jimenez pitched seven scoreless innings and Asdrubal Cabrera hit a two-run double after the Rangers lost an infield popup in the sun as the Cleveland Indians handed Darvish his first major league loss, 4-2 Sunday.Jason Kipnis homered off Darvish (4-1), who struck out a career-high 11 over six innings. Jimenez (3-2) walked four in the first three innings but settled down and permitted only two hits.Johnny Damon’s pop

May 7, 2012

Korea’s overseas sluggers put in mixed performances

Korean baseball players abroad had a mixed week, with sluggers hitting homeruns or recording no-hitters.Korean slugger Choo Shin-soo hit his first homer of the season, giving Cleveland the lead and ultimately a 6-3 win on Friday at its home field.The Korean outfielder also played phenomenal defense, chasing after a possible homer and making a leap for a finishing catch before slamming into the fence.Choo’s performance against defending American League Champions, the Texas Rangers, came after a 0

May 6, 2012

Weaver tosses 2nd no-hitter of young season

ANAHEIM, California (AP) ― Jered Weaver pitched the second no-hitter in the majors in less than two weeks, completely overmatching Minnesota and leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 9-0 win over the Twins on Wednesday night. Weaver struck out nine and walked one. The Twins never came close to getting a hit against the All-Star right-hander.Phil Humber of the Chicago White Sox threw a perfect game against Seattle on April 21.Weaver (4-0), a California native who played at Long Beach State, quickly

May 3, 2012

Beckham, White Sox down Tribe

CHICAGO (AP) ― Gordon Beckham snapped out of a slump with three hits and the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 7-2 on Tuesday.Beckham was mired in 0-for-10 slide and was batting just .153 before he belted a solo homer in the third to give Chicago a 2-1 lead on a rainy, overcast night at U.S. Cellular Field. He also singled in a run in the fifth.A.J. Pierzynski also had a solo homer for Chicago, which is 3-0 against Cleveland this season. Chris Sale (3-1) allowed one run and three hits

May 2, 2012

Lotte rides hot streak to start season

The Lotte Giants dominated the diamond right out of spring training and have held the top place on the field throughout the month.Their performance has definitely taken fans by surprise after a slow start last season. Adding to that, gone are star players such as slugger Lee Dae-ho, who went overseas to the Nippon Professional Baseball league after signing with the Orix Buffaloes, and pitcher Chris Bootcheck, who returned to the U.S. after a year with the team.The Busan-based club has held a ste

May 2, 2012

Korean baseball draws in fans for record breaking season

The Korean Baseball Organization league has been breaking attendance records over the past couple of years and this season is definitely no exception.Since the season opened on April 7, the nation’s eight stadiums have seen more than a million fans come out to enjoy one of Korea’s favorite pastimes. The professional baseball league hit the 1 million mark in just 65 games, a new record after the league hit the mark within 79 games in 1995.While baseball in the United States, the home of the game,

May 1, 2012

Choo out of Indians lineup

CLEVELAND (AP) ― Choo Shin-soo is out of the lineup for Cleveland’s game against Kansas City with an injury to his left hamstring.Manager Manny Acta said there’s no timetable for Choo’s return, but he doesn’t expect Cleveland’s right fielder will go on the disabled list.“Our medical staff feels that it’s a mild type thing,” Acta said. “He showed up today feeling a lot better.”The outfielder was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game. Manager Manny Acta said after the g

April 26, 2012

Pirates split doubleheader with Rockies

PITTSBURGH (AP) ― Carlos Gonzalez shielded his eyes from the sun and stuck out his glove.The way things have been going for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first three weeks of the season, having the Colorado left fielder make a catch with his eyes closed wouldn’t have been out of the question.For once, the ball hit the ground. And for once, the Pirates didn’t let the good fortune go to waste.Nate McLouth’s RBI double skipped just under Gonzalez’s outstretched mitt, sparking a five-run rally t

April 26, 2012

Prosecutor: Clemens told lies to cover up lies

WASHINGTON (AP) ― The complexity of the Roger Clemens perjury retrial showed itself in many ways Monday ― before a jury that knows little about baseball.The prosecutor’s hour-long opening statement was a rambling hodgepodge of dates and anecdotes that attempted to portray the seven-time Cy Young Award winner as a man who told lies and “other lies to cover up lies.” A ruling was issued about Clemens’ former teammate Andy Pettitte: He can testify about taking human growth hormone, but can’t say wh

April 24, 2012

A’s avoid Tribe sweep

OAKLAND, California (AP) ― Tyson Ross was right at home with family and friends enjoying a birthday celebration and making his second start of the season. His teammates helped give him the best gift of all.Seth Smith hit a two-run homer, helping Ross get his first win in nearly a year as the Oakland Athletics avoided a series sweep with a 5-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.“I always seem to end up pitching on my birthday,” said Ross, celebrating his 25th birthday. “This was definit

April 23, 2012

Humber throws MLB’s 21st perfect game

SEATTLE (AP) ― Philip Humber, who underwent Tommy John surgery seven years ago, threw the first perfect game in the majors in almost two years, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 4-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.It was baseball’s 21st perfect game and first since Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay threw one against the Florida Marlins on May 29, 2010. It was the third in White Sox history, joining Mark Buehrle against Tampa Bay on July 23, 2009, and Charles Robertson against Detroit on

April 22, 2012

Sox ready for Fenway Park’s 100th anniversary

BOSTON (AP) ― Jaime Gutierrez flew all the way from his home in El Salvador to attend Fenway Park’s 100th anniversary celebration.“It’s a dream come true,” the 28-year-old Red Sox fan said. “Let’s just say I can scratch it off my bucket list.”Bill “Spaceman” Lee came from a more distant place ― somewhere north of normal ― to the ball park where he made his name as a pitcher in the late 1960s and 1970s with a penchant for speaking his counter-culture mind. “I’ve been around this park when it was

April 20, 2012