Leake razzed, leads Reds to win
Mike Leake #44 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on before taking the mound to pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Great American Ball Park. (April 21, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
Mike Leake got razzed by some fans during his first appearance since his shoplifting arrest, but ignored the handwritten signs and gave the host Cincinnati Reds a much-needed boost yesterday, going seven innings for a 7-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Police reports said Leake, 23, removed the tags from six American Rag T-shirts at a Macy's store in downtown Cincinnati on Monday and tried to leave without paying for them. The shirts were valued at $59.88.
Leake (3-0) led the Reds to only their second win in eight games. He allowed three runs and struck out six in his longest outing of the season.
Leake has been told by his lawyer not to talk about his court case. Asked how he's doing mentally, he said, "I'll be better once it's all done. Right now, I've just got to eat it and go out there and do what I can for the team."
Miguel Cairo hit a two-run single and Joey Votto hit his third homer for the Reds.
Dodgers 5, Braves 3: Matt Kemp's two-run shot in the 12th inning won it for host Los Angeles. Andre Ethier, who extended his career-best hitting streak to 18 games in the third, doubled with one out in the 12th.
Marlins 9, Pirates 5: Scott Cousins hit a grand slam for his first career home run, Brett Hayes added a three-run shot and Mike Stanton hit his first of the season as host Florida completed a three-game sweep.
Cardinals 5, Nationals 0: Kyle Lohse (3-1) threw a career-best two-hitter and Matt Holliday, who is hitting .455, had a homer and a single for host St. Louis. Albert Pujols added a two-run homer in a three-run eighth for the Cardinals.
White Sox 9, Rays 2: Omar Vizquel, A.J. Pierzynski, Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko each drove in two runs as visiting Chicago snapped a seven-game losing streak.
Twins 3, Orioles 1: Jim Thome hit his 591st home run and had two RBIs to back a dominating performance by Scott Baker (1-2) for visiting Minnesota.
Royals 3, Indians 2: Melky Cabrera rifled a bases-loaded, two-run single off closer Chris Perez (0-1) with one out in the ninth for host Kansas City.
Braun: $105M deal
Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun signed a five-year, $105-million contract extension. The deal includes a mutual option for one additional year worth up to $20 million and is the longest commitment to a player in franchise history. -- AP
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