Sports Briefs April 27, 2010
Baseball
Ryan Howard preferred securing his future in Philadelphia to testing free agency in two years.
The slugging first baseman agreed to a $125 million, five-year contract extension Monday that could keep him with the Phillies until 2017.
The two-time All-Star led the Phillies to two straight trips to the World Series, winning a championship in 2008.
• Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka threw a 69-pitch simulated game before the Red Sox played Toronto, the injured right-hander's final hurdle before returning to the starting rotation.
Matsuzaka was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 4 with a strained neck.
• President Barack Obama celebrated the world champion Yankees for their heroics and character - and bemoaned that his Chicago White Sox couldn't match New York's remarkable record of success.
• New York Mets prospect Angel Calero and free agent Socrates Brito have each been suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug under the minor league program.
• AMERICAN LEAGUE
Tigers 8, Rangers 6: At Arlington, Texas, Miguel Cabrera and Brandon Inge hit back-to-back homers in the ninth and Detroit beat Texas.
Red Sox 13, Blue Jays 12: Jason Varitek had four RBIs and visiting Boston held off Toronto.
Angels 5, Indians 2: At Anaheim, Calif., Erick Aybar hit his first leadoff homer and Los Angeles beat Cleveland.
• NATIONAL LEAGUE
Marlins 10, Padres 1: At Miami, Josh Johnson had a career-high 12 strikeouts and drove in three runs to help Florida beat San Diego.
Cardinals 4, Braves 3: Yadier Molina's RBI double snapped an eighth-inning tie and in host St. Louis' win over Atlanta.
Cubs 4, Nationals 3, 10 inn.: Aramis Ramirez walked with the bases loaded in the 10th and host Chicago beat Washington.
Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 3: At Denver, Dan Haren struck out a season-high 10 and Arizona beat Colorado.
Brewers 17, Pirates 3: Gregg Zaun matched career highs with four hits and five RBIs as host Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh.
Los Angeles at New York, ppd., rain: The game between the Dodgers and Mets will be made up today as part of a doubleheader, starting at 1 p.m.
Giants 5, Phillies 1: Eli Whiteside homered and doubled in a run to lead host San Francisco past Philadelphia.
Basketball
Longtime Creighton coach Dana Altman has signed a seven-year deal worth $1.8 million annually to become Oregon's new head basketball coach.
Altman, 51, spent 16 seasons at Creighton, finishing with a 327-176 record. He led the Bluejays to 11 consecutive 20-win seasons before they went 18-16 this past season.
Football
Arkansas State defensive back Marcus Brown has agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted college free agent.
Brown, who finished his career at Arkansas State with 123 tackles and nine pass breakups, must still sign a contract with the Seahawks before practicing with the team.
Brown recorded 50 tackles, five pass break-ups and one forced fumble during the 2009 season.
Soccer
David Beckham's recovery is taking longer than expected, and he does not expect to be ready to play until November.
The update by the England midfielder means he will be gone from Major League Soccer this season unless the Los Angeles Galaxy reach the playoffs.
- The Associated Press