MARLINS-DIAMONDBACKS
Goldschmidt homers in 9th, Arizona beats Marlins
PHOENIX (AP) - Paul Goldschmidt hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks ended a 4-game losing streak, beating the Miami Marlins 3-2 Tuesday night.
Goldschmidt's drive bounced high off the batter's backdrop in deep center field. His 17th homer of the season was his second in as many nights, and the second game-ending home run of his career.
Martin Prado also homered for the Diamondbacks.
David Hernandez (3-4) threw a perfect top of the ninth for the win. Chad Qualls (2-1) lost for the first time in 27 appearances, with Goldschmidt connecting on his second pitch.
DIAMONDBACKS-SHIPLEY
D-Backs sign first-round draft pick Shipley
PHOENIX (AP) - First-round draft pick Braden Shipley has signed a $2.25 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander, who played collegiately at Nevada, was the 15th selection overall. He was projected to go much higher.
Shipley's fastball regularly is in the mid-90s and has hit as high as 97 to 98 mph.
The 21-year-old converted shortstop grew up in Medford, Ore., also the hometown of Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers.
Shipley was the WAC pitcher of the year as a sophomore, going 9-4 with a 2.20 ERA. As a junior this season, he had a 2.77 ERA with 102 strikeouts and 38 walks in 107 innings.
Shipley is expected to join the Hillsboro Hops of the Class A Northwest League this week.
(Stations: Note other item(s) of regional and general interest below.)
PADRES-TATE
Padres farmhand Tate reports to extended spring
SAN DIEGO (AP) - The San Diego Padres say minor league outfielder Donavan Tate has reported to extended spring training in Arizona.
Tate, the third pick overall in the 2009 draft, did not report to regular spring training due to a personal issues.
In a statement, Tate says he feels he's put those problems behind and has "surrounded myself with positive people in my life and that I'm ready to focus on baseball to accomplish the things I'm capable of."
Tate was suspended 50 games in 2011 for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy after testing positive for synthetic cannabis, which the league terms a drug of abuse.
It was his second such positive test since receiving a $6.25 million signing bonus after being drafted.
PATRIOTS-GRONKOWSKI
Patriots TE Gronkowski undergoes back surgery
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has undergone back surgery.
The operation was performed on Tuesday by Dr. Robert Watkins and was successful, said Drew Rosenhaus, Gronkowski's agent.
On May 20, Gronkowski had his fourth surgery on the left forearm that he broke on Nov. 18 while blocking for an extra point in a 59-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He broke it again in the Patriots' first playoff game, a 41-28 win over the Houston Texans. Rosenhaus said the fourth surgery was expected to be the last on his forearm.
The Patriots open training camp in late July and start the regular season on Sept. 8 at Buffalo.
In 43 NFL games, Gronkowski has scored 39 touchdowns, 38 on passes and one on a run.
Drafted in the second round out of Arizona in 2010, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 2011.
OBIT-CHAVEZ
Chivas USA youth player Chaves dies
CARSON, Calif. (AP) - Julio Chavez, a defender and captain of Chivas USA's Under-18 team, has died in an auto accident. He was 19.
Chavez was killed on Monday night in Modesto, Calif., his hometown, the team said.
He attended the team's youth academy for three years.
Chavez, a native of Modesto, graduated from Birmingham High School in 2012, earning a scholarship to attend the Cal State-LA.
Chavez is survived by his parents Francisco and Isabel Chavez, and four siblings: Francisco, Claudia, Rafael and Cecilia.
Chivas USA will honor the player's life by wearing a black armband with his name and number on it and hosting a moment of silence before the match against the LA Galaxy on Sunday.
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