BASEBALL

ORTIZ LEADS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC OVER CUBA IN WBC

David Ortiz hit his third home run of the tournament and walked with the bases loaded as the Dominican Republic beat Cuba 7-3 yesterday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and kept alive its hopes of advancing to the World Baseball Classic semifinals.

A group of fans caused a scuffle at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, spelling “Abajo Fidel (Down With Fidel)” with the letters on their shirts. The fans also had a small sign with the same message about the Cuban president, as did an airplane pulling a sign over that appeared over the ballpark. Tournament organizers banned signs with political messages to comply with an agreement made with Cuba for the team’s participation in the Classic.

Starter Odalis Perez (2-0) struck out three in 4 2 /3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and one walk. Miguel Tejada hit a go-ahead, two-run double in a fourrun third, chasing starter Vicyohandry Odelin (0-1).

Cuba and the Dominicans are both 1-1 in Group Two, led by Puerto Rico (1-0) heading into its night game against Venezuela (0-1). The Dominicans play Venezuela today, and Cuba meets Puerto Rico tomorrow.

FOOTBALL

GIANTS ADD MCQUARTERS TO REVAMPED SECONDARY

The Giants signed free agent cornerback R.W. McQuarters yesterday as they continued to restructure their secondary. Louis Love, director of football operations at International Management Group, confirmed the signing but did not offer details. McQuarters, an eight-year veteran, started all 16 games for the Lions last season and had two interceptions and 60 tackles. He and former Dolphins cornerback Sam Madison, with whom the Giants agreed to a contract last Friday, will be counted on to upgrade a position that was a weak link on the Giants’ defense last season.

LEWIS SIGNS THREE-YEAR DEAL WITH RAVENS

Running back Jamal Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens agreed on a three-year contract yesterday, less than 24 hours after the team added free agent Mike Anderson to improve a rushing attack that ranked 21st in the NFL last season. Lewis’s deal was in the vicinity of $25 million, according to the league’s web site.

BUSY REDSKINS ADD ARCHULETA, CARTER

The Washington Redskins added safety Adam Archuleta and linebacker Andre Carter to their free agency haul yesterday, giving the team five new players in three days. Archuleta, who played five years with the St. Louis Rams, signed a six-year, $30 million deal with a $10 million signing bonus. Last year, Archuleta started 14 games and had 93 tackles, 3 1 /2 sacks, five pass deflections, and one interception. Carter, who has 32 sacks in his five-year career with San Francisco, is a will replace departed linebacker LaVar Arrington.

– Associated Press