A-Rod homers in first rehab at-bat

Sports Log

August 13, 2011

Baseball

Yankees star Alex Rodriguez got his minor league rehabilitation stint off to a good start, homering in his first at-bat last night in a Single A game in Dunedin, Fla. A-Rod later hit an RBI double in going 2 for 3 for the Tampa Rays. Rodriguez, who had surgery on his right knee July 14, is expected to rejoin the Yankees next week. “It’s healthy,’’ Rodriguez said of his knee. “Now it’s just a matter of ramping it up.’’ … Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio is much improved and could be at Coors Field Monday when the team returns from a seven-game trip. Nicasio underwent neck surgery last week to stabilize a fractured vertebra after being struck in the head by a line drive. The team is hopeful he’ll be ready to play for the start of next season … The Rockies placed closer Huston Street on the 15-day disabled list with a right triceps strain and activated Jason Giambi … The Phillies agreed to a minor league deal with veteran lefthanded slugger Jack Cust … Former major league manager manager Phil Garner was hired as a special adviser to the Athletics … Former longtime Braves broadcaster and pitcher Ernie Johnson Sr. died. He was 87. Johnson, the father of broadcaster Ernie Johnson Jr., played with the Boston and Milwaukee Braves before becoming the voice of the team … Nationals star Stephen Strasburg pitched three scoreless innings for Single A Potomac in his latest minor league rehab start … The Cubs agreed to terms with first baseman Trevor Gretzky, the son of hockey great Wayne Gretzky.

Sailing

Newport awarded World Series regatta Newport will host an America’s Cup World Series regatta next summer, three decades after sailing’s most storied race left the Ocean State. The event will run June 23-July 1 and is expected to feature top international sailors ahead of the 2013 America’s Cup race in San Francisco. Governor Lincoln Chafee predicted the regatta would eventually lead to the return of the America’s Cup race.

Golf

Kang advances in Women’s Amateur Defending champion Danielle Kang beat Demi Frances Runas, 4 and 3, to advance to the semifinals in the US Women’s Amateur in barrington, R.I. Kang, 18, will face Brooke Pancake today after Pancake beat Erynne Lee in 21 holes. In the other quarterfinals, LSU’s Austin Ernst routed Stephanie Kono, 5 and 4, and Moriya Jutanugarn edged Casey Danielson, 2 and 1.

Soccer

Adu returns to MLS, signs with Union Midfielder Freddy Adu, who had been linked to Chivas USA in his long-awaited return to MLS, decided to instead sign with the Philadelphia Union. The Union plucked Adu, 22, on a free transfer from Sports Lisboa e Benfica of the Portuguese First Division.

Miscellany