Rodon strikes out 12 in debut with Giants
Ex-White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon allowed one run and struck out 12 in five innings in his first start Saturday for the Giants, but the team lost 2-1 to the visiting Marlins.
Rodon, who spent seven seasons with the Sox and was an All-Star last season, signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the Giants during the offseason. His 12 strikeouts were the most by a Giants pitcher through five innings since at least 1974.
‘‘The idea was just to attack,’’ said Rodon, who threw 89 pitches. ‘‘We’re not going to waste pitches. We’re going to make them swing the bat and stay in the zone.’’
◆ Giancarlo Stanton hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the sixth inning to boost the host Yankees past the Red Sox 4-2. He has homered in six consecutive games against the Red Sox dating to last season, the first player in majorleague history to do so.
◆ Nolan Arenado had four hits and drove in three runs, and the Cardinals overcame the absence of rookie manager Oliver Marmol (flu) to defeat the visiting Pirates 6-2.
◆ The host Rays continued their domination of the Orioles with a 5-3 victory. They have beaten the Orioles 14 times in a row and are 20-1 against them since the start of last season.
AUTO RACING
Byron wins NASCAR race
William Byron led the final 82 laps, including the two in overtime after a late restart, to win the NASCAR Cup Series race by .303 seconds over Joey Logano at Martinsville (Virginia) Speedway. Austin Dillon finished third.
◆ Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmy Johnson said he will drive with a splint in the IndyCar race Sunday in Long Beach, California, after breaking his right hand in a crash during practice Friday.
NBA
Embiid nets 41, eyes scoring title
Joel Embiid improved his
chances of winning the NBA scoring title by notching 41 points to go with 20 rebounds to lead the 76ers past the visiting Pacers 133-120.
Embiid entered the day leading the NBA in scoring at 30.4 points per game, ahead of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo at 29.9.
◆ The host Grizzlies scored 55 points in the third quarter — the most in any quarter in their history — in a 141-114 rout of the Pelicans. Ja Morant had 21 points and nine assists after a nine-game absence with soreness in his right knee.
HOCKEY
Wolves win in overtime
Jesper Sellgren scored 46 seconds into overtime, Pyotr Kochetkov made 27 saves and the Wolves (43-13-5-5) edged the Moose 2-1 in American Hockey League action at Allstate Arena.
◆ Ryan Barrow and Mike Benning scored less than three minutes apart to ignite a five-goal third period that carried Denver to a 5-1 victory against Minnesota State in the NCAA title game in Boston.
FIGURE SKATING U.S. star Liu retires at 16
U.S. figure-skating star Alysa Liu, a two-time national champion who finished seventh in the Beijing Olympics in February, announced her retirement from the sport at age 16. She revealed the news in a post on Instagram.