LOS ANGELES (AP) β A judge has ruled against Donald Sterling in his attempt to block the record-breaking $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Judge Michael Levanas sided with Sterling’s estranged wife in the case that arose after the 80-year-old billionaire was banned by the league for making offensive remarks about blacks. Sterling can still fight the decision through the appeals process, but an unusual provision of the ruling bars him from seeking a court-ordered delay of the sale as he appeals.
UNDATED (AP) β The Atlanta Braves are within a half-game of Washington for first place in the National League East. The Nats blew a 6-to-0 lead and lost to Miami 7-6 on Jeff Baker’s RBI single in the Marlins’ four-run ninth. Ervin Santana tied a career high with 11 strikeouts while scattering five hits in eight innings of the Braves’ 2-0 shutout of San Diego.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) β Milwaukee’s lead in the NL Central is down to 1 Β½ games over St. Louis following the Brewers’ 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay. Jake Odorizzi (oh-doh-REE’-zee) allowed a run and three hits in seven innings to pick up his third straight win, six years after being taken by the Brewers with the 32nd overall draft pick. Troy Loney hit a go-ahead, two-run single off Kyle Lohse (lohsh), who was unable to snare his 12th win of the season.
UNDATED (AP) β The Baltimore Orioles top the AL West by 2 Β½ games over Toronto following the Blue Jays’ 14-1 romp over the Red Sox in Boston. Melky Cabrera homered from both sides of the plate and had five RBIs, while Ryan Goins went 4-for-5 with four ribbies. R.A. Dickey pitched the Blue Jays to their third straight win, yielding just a run and three hits while striking out 10 in seven innings.
HOUSTON (AP) β Jason Castro, Marc Krauss and Matt Dominguez all homered in the sixth inning of Houston’s 7-3 triumph against Oakland, which cuts the Athletics’ lead in the AL West to 1 Β½ games over the Angels. Chris Carter opened the Astros’ power assault with a three-run blast in the third and scored on Castro’s tiebreaking, two-run shot.
