BASEBALL

PHILLIES PUT MVP SHORTSTOP ROLLINS ON 15-DAY DL

Jimmy Rollins the MVP has two more capital letters next to his name: DL. Rollins was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday for the first time in his eight-year career because of a sprained left ankle, nearly two weeks after last year’s NL MVP was hurt running the bases against the Mets. “It has gotten a lot better, but it isn’t getting better from this point,” Rollins said before the Phillies played New York. Rollins hurt the ankle on April 8 against the Mets, but seemed to believe another day’s rest was all he needed to return to the lineup. Instead, their switch-hitting shortstop made no starts and had only four pinch-hit appearances since he was injured.

HOCKEY

RED WINGS TOP PREDATORS, ADVANCE TO NEXT ROUND

Nicklas Lidstrom bounced in a short-handed goal over goaltender Dan Ellis in the second period, and the Red Wings closed out their opening series with 3–0 victory over Nashville on yesterday. “I’m just trying to float one in there,” Lidstrom said. “I took some off the shot just to see if I could land in front of him, just go for a bounce or just create something in front of him.”

Ellis had been the biggest reason why the Predators had a chance in this series. He came out to the edge of the crease to stop Lidstrom’s long-distance lob.

“It just took a wicked bounce to the top corner. It’s a situation you really can’t do much about it. I thought I was close enough to stop it from going anywhere,” Ellis said.

GOLF

OCHOA MAKES IT 4 IN A ROW

Lorena Ochoa hustled around the corner, hoping to jump in a car and catch a flight home to Mexico. No chance. There were about 100 people waiting for her in the resort lobby, some seeking pictures and autographs, others hoisting glasses of champagne.

The 26-year-old Ochoa became the first LPGA Tour player in 45 years to win four tournaments in consecutive weeks. The world’s No. 1 player shot a 3-under 69 in the final round of the Ginn Open yesterday and beat rookie Yani Tseng by three strokes for her fifth victory in six starts this year.