Daniel Nava hit a grand slam home run from the first pitch he faced in Major League Baseball to help the Boston Red Sox rout the slumping Philadelphia Phillies 10-2 on Saturday evening. Nava, who sent his first pitch from Joe Blanton into the Boston bullpen in right field, is only the fourth major league player to mark his debut on the plate with a grand slam.
"As I was rounding the bases, I thought, 'Wait a second. I just hit a grand slam'. That's probably why I was sprinting the whole time. I was just so pumped for that moment," Nava told reporters in a post-match press conference. The bases were also loaded the next time Nava, 27, came to the plate, but there was no repeat as he struck out. While the switch-hitting left fielder said he was excited with his big-league debut, he was not about to read too much into the performance and his long-term credentials with the Red Sox.
"Who knows what's going to happen tomorrow. You saw what happened in my next at-bat, I struck out," Nava said. "So you can go from having a good at-bat to the next at-bat looking like you never played baseball. But obviously I'm enjoying it right now." Blaton told reporters what his strategy had been when Nava had come out to bat. "I knew it was his first at-bat, but I tried to throw him a sinker," he said. "I threw it right down the middle and it didn't sink."
One day after roughing up the Phillies with a 17-hit, 12-2 victory, the Red Sox pounded out 16 hits on a rainy and cool evening at sold-out Fenway Park. JD Drew had three hits and two RBIs for the Red Sox, including his seventh home run of the campaign, a solo shot in Boston's five-run second inning. Philadelphia's record on May 23 was a National League-best 23-13, but their offence has since gone to sleep and they have won just seven of their last 23 games.
Since the beginning of their decline in form, the Phillies have been outscored 106-55 and the offence has either been shut out or limited to one run 11 times. Blanton (1-5) took the loss for Philadelphia, the defending National League champion, after giving up nine earned runs and 13 hits in four innings. But it was not all good news for the Red Sox. Daisuke Matsuzaka, their right-handed pitcher has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm strain
* Agencies
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
|
1.
|
United States
|
|
2.
|
China
|
|
3.
|
UAE
|
|
4.
|
Japan
|
|
5
|
Norway
|
|
6.
|
Canada
|
|
7.
|
Singapore
|
|
8.
|
Australia
|
|
9.
|
Saudi Arabia
|
|
10.
|
South Korea
|
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
