La Crosse Tribune Sports News

HONOLULU – It wasn’t supposed to be that easy. And it wasn’t.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Carlos Ruiz got a rude welcome to working with Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, whose cutter proved too much of a moving target to catch.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jeff Samardzija had a simple game plan against the Atlanta Braves that helped him earn a much-needed win and moved the slumping-but-still-surviving San Francisco Giants closer to first place in the NL West.

SYDNEY (AP) — Davis Webb threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score in a sensational debut for California, leading the Bears to a 51-31 win over Hawaii on Saturday in college football's season opener at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — After just two drives, Aaron Rodgers is ready to begin the season for the Green Bay Packers. San Francisco coach Chip Kelly still needs a bit more time to figure out who his starting quarterback…

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Kevin Plawecki hit a grand slam in the second inning, leading the Las Vegas 51s to an 11-7 win over the Salt Lake Bees on Friday.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kris Bryant hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the 10th inning to go with an earlier solo shot, lifting the Chicago Cubs over the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Friday night in the series opener between…

PHOENIX (AP) — Brandon Drury scored the winning run on a wild pitch with two outs in the 11th inning Friday night, giving the Arizona Diamondbacks a 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

ADELANTO, Calif. (AP) -- Luis Urias, Ty France and Ricardo Valenzuela each had three hits, as the Lake Elsinore Storm beat the High Desert Mavericks 12-0 on Friday.

KEIZER, Ore. (AP) -- Wyatt Short got Kevin Rivera to fly out with the bases loaded to end the game, leading the Eugene Emeralds to a 6-4 win over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes on Friday.

HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) -- Wesley Jones hit a two-run double in the top of the 10th inning to help lead the Boise Hawks to a 7-4 win over the Hillsboro Hops on Friday.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) -- Chantz Mack homered and singled twice, driving in three runs as the Bakersfield Blaze topped the Stockton Ports 8-4 on Friday.

VISALIA, Calif. (AP) -- Trevor Mitsui and Colin Bray hit back-to-back home runs as the Visalia Rawhide won in dramatic fashion against the San Jose Giants 8-7 on Friday.

NEW YORK (AP) — In their first game since trading longtime catcher Carlos Ruiz, the Philadelphia Phillies looked like a team without its "quarterback."

NEW YORK (AP) — In the thick of the AL playoff races, the Baltimore Orioles lost a key player at an inopportune time.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) -- Noah Perio homered and singled twice, scoring a pair of runs while also driving home a couple as the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes defeated the Inland Empire 66ers 6-3 on Friday.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — As he rounded the bases, Orlando Arcia looked up to the sky before pointing into the stands after crossing the plate.

ST. L0UIS (AP) — Ryon Healy showed a little moxie in spring training. Now it's showing up in his play on the field.

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) -- Nick Zammarelli had four hits, while Donnie Walton and Eric Filia recorded three apiece as the Everett AquaSox beat the Vancouver Canadians 9-2 on Friday.

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) -- Ryan Castellani allowed just two hits over 7 1/3 innings, leading the Modesto Nuts over the Lancaster JetHawks in a 4-2 win on Friday.