Nelson Cruz hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off Andrew Miller in the eighth inning, Starling Marte added a solo shot off the All-Star reliever, and the defending champion Dominican Republic overcame a five-run deficit to beat the United States, 7-5, Saturday night in a World Baseball Classic pool-play game in Miami. The US team fell to 1-1 in Pool C and is in jeopardy of being eliminated in the first round. The Americans play Canada (0-2) on Sunday. The United States was on the verge of clinching a berth in the second round when Miller took the mound with a 5-3 lead in the eighth. Colombia, which is 1-1 in Pool C after a 4-1 win over Canada, could advance to the second round with a win over the Dominican Republic on Sunday . . . Venezuela rallied to beat Italy, 11-10, in a WBC Pool D game in Guadalajara, Mexico, but All-Star catcher Salvador Perez injured his left knee in a plate collision with Drew Butera — his backup with the Kansas City Royals.Italy’s Butera stumbled into Perez to end the ninth inning with the score tied at 10. Perez struggled to put weight on the leg as he was helped off the field.
Jays’ House out of hospital
Blue Jays reliever T.J. House was released from a hospital in Lakeland, Fla., one day after he was hit on the head by a line drive during a spring training game. House, 27, was held overnight for observation, according to the team. ‘‘No fractures of the skull or anything, which is great, especially for the force it took,’’ House said . . . Corner infielder Pedro Alvarez agreed to a minor league contract to return to the Orioles . . . Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang was placed on the restricted list by the team while he’s delayed in South Korea by visa issues related to a recent DUI arrest. ‘‘This is not a disciplinary matter,’’ Pirates president Frank Coonelly said, specifying that “a member of the restricted list doesn’t count against [the 25- or 40-man rosters] so it provides us some flexibility at this point.’’
NFL
Peko, Kerr beef up Broncos
A person with knowledge of the deals told the Associated Press that the Broncos agreed to terms with free agent defensive tackles Domata Peko of the Bengals and Zach Kerr of the Colts. Peko and Kerr agreed to two-year deals, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Broncos weren’t commenting on the agreements. Peko, whose deal is worth $7.5 million, started all 16 games in nine of his 11 seasons with the Bengals. Kerr played in 36 games in three seasons with the Colts.
Bills reward LB Alexander
Journeyman linebacker Lorenzo Alexander’s breakout season has paid off. The 10-year-veteran was rewarded for leading Buffalo last season with 12½ sacks, agreeing to a two-year, $9 million contract to re-sign with the Bills. The team announced the agreement, and a person with direct knowledge of the contract revealed its details to the AP. The person said $4.1 million of the contract is guaranteed, and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the Bills did not disclose the contract’s length and value. Alexander, 33, signed a one-year $885,000 deal with the Bills last spring . . . The Chiefs and safety Daniel Sorensen agreed to a $16 million, four-year contract that keeps the restricted free agent off the market, a person with knowledge of the deal told the AP. The deal includes $8 million guaranteed and more than $2 million in incentives, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Sorensen must still pass a physical . . . The Seahawks signed former No. 2 overall pick Luke Joeckel to bolster their offensive line. Multiple reports have it as a one-year deal . . . The Bears aided their secondary by signing free agent cornerbacks Prince Amukamara (one year) and Marcus Cooper (three years) and re-signing corner Johnthan Banks (one year).
Top CB prospect hurt at pro day
Sidney Jones, a potential first-round pick in the NFL Draft, injured his left leg during defensive back drills in pro day workouts at the University of Washington. The cornerback was performing one of his final drills of the session when he quickly pulled up and went down to the turf. Jones began to grab at the underside of his leg after coming to a stop. After brief conversations, Jones hopped on the back of a cart and was taken out of the building . . . The Lions signed tight end Darren Fells, cornerback D.J. Hayden, and former Patriots wide receiver Keshawn Martin . . . The Jaguars signed three unrestricted free agents: defensive tackle Stefan Charles, linebacker Audie Cole, and offensive lineman Earl Watford.
WINTER SPORTS
Shiffrin takes slalom title
Mikaela Shiffrin clinched her fourth World Cup slalom title in five seasons before she took her first run and then capped off an electric day with the win at a Cup race at Squaw Valley, Calif. Trailing going into the final run, the American standout overcame some early mistakes to turn in a combined time of 1 minute, 39.48 seconds on a warm day. First-run leader Wendy Holdener of Switzerland was the last racer of the day and crashed out near the finish line to give Shiffrin her 31st career World Cup victory. Shiffrin, who turns 22 on Monday, completed the Squaw Valley sweep, winning the giant slalom Friday. She leads the overall Cup race by 378 points over Slovenia’s Ilka Stuhec heading into the final four competitions next week in Aspen, Colo.
MLS
Howard returns for Rapids
Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard returned from leg surgery in November, allowing an own goal in the 45th minute in the Rapids’ 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, N.J. Howard, the US starter at the last two World Cups, was hurt Nov. 11 during the first half of the Americans’ World Cup qualifier against Mexico, a 2-1 loss. He was diagnosed with an injured adductor muscle in his right thigh and had surgery Nov. 17. The Red Bulls (2-0) are unbeaten in 18 straight regular-season MLS matches (11 wins, 7 draws), one shy of the league record set by Columbus from 2004-05 . . . Nicolas Lodeiro and Will Bruin scored in the final 10 minutes of play to give the Seattle Sounders a 2-2 draw with the Impact in Montreal . . . Romell Quioto scored 67 seconds into the match and the Dynamo beat the Columbus Crew, 3-1, in Houston . . . At Chester, Pa., C.J. Sapong’s goal in the 73rd minute lifted the Philadelphia to a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC . . . Nemanja Nikolic and Arturo Alvarez each scored in the opening 15 minutes and the Chicago Fire beat Real Salt Lake, 2-0, in Bridgeview, Ill. . . . Tim Melia made five saves to help Sporting Kansas City tie visiting Dallas, 0-0.
MISCELLANY
Lundqvist out 2-3 weeks
New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is out 2-3 weeks with a lower-body injury. With Lundqvist out, the Rangers are expected to lean heavily on backup Antti Raanta down the stretch. New York recalled goaltender Magnus Hellberg from Hartford of the AHL on an emergency basis . . . Venus Williams cast aside three match points and completed a big comeback after trailing by a set and a break, beating another former No. 1-ranked player, Jelena Jankovic, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. Williams moved into the event’s third round for the first time since 2001. She boycotted the hard-court tournament until returning last year . . . Mastery won the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes in Arcadia, Calif., by 6¾ lengths and was pulled up after the finish line, leaving trainer Bob Baffert worried about the future of his promising 3-year-old colt. Jockey Mike Smith said shortly after crossing the finish of the Grade 2 race, Mastery picked up his left hind leg and wouldn’t put any weight on it. The colt’s saddle was removed and he was vanned off for a trip back to his barn for examination . . . Shaman Ghost, the 6-5 favorite ridden by Javier Castellano, beat Midnight Storm by three-quarters of a length to win the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap in Arcadia . . . University of Illinois basketball coach John Groce was fired after an 18-14 season. The Illini made just one NCAA Tournament appearance in Groce’s five years.
Will Power won the pole for IndyCar’s season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Fla., proving he still is the best driver at navigating the temporary street circuit. It is the seventh pole in eight years at St. Pete for Power, who also won the pole last year but became ill after his qualifying lap and IndyCar ultimately benched him for the race because of concussion-like symptoms.
