More than 2,100 people are evacuated as an Indonesian volcano spews clouds of ash

MANADO, Indonesia (AP) — More than 2,100 people living near an erupting volcano on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island were evacuated Friday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami.

Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation recorded at least three eruptions since Friday afternoon, with the maximum height of the eruption column reaching 1,200 meters (3,900 feet).

An international airport in Manado city, less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the erupting Mount Ruang, is still temporarily closed as volcanic ash was spewed into the air.

Satellite imagery from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency shows the ash has spread to the west, northwest, northeast and southeast, covering Manado and North Minahasa, according to a statement from Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry.

“We are still monitoring developments in the eruption of Mount Ruang and coordinating with relevant stakeholders … to anticipate the necessary actions to ensure flight safety, security and comfort,” said Ambar Suryoko, head of the regional airport authority.

More than 11,000 people were told to leave their homes that were located in the affected area. A joint team from the local authorities combed the villages surrounding the volcano and evacuated residents to safer areas by boat.

Officials worry that part of the volcano could collapse into the sea and cause a tsunami, as happened in an eruption there in 1871.

Houses, roads and other buildings were covered by gray volcanic ash, and many roofs were broken by debris spewed from the eruption.

Mount Ruang saw at least five large eruptions Wednesday, causing the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation to issue its highest level of alert. People were ordered to stay at least 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the 725-meter (2,378-foot) mountain.

The observation from the agency on Friday said white smoke was rising from the main crater with medium to thick intensity.

East of the volcano, Tagulandang Island could be at risk if a collapse occurred. Its residents were among those being told to evacuate. Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency said residents would be relocated to Manado, a journey of 6 hours by boat.

Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, has 120 active volcanoes. It is prone to volcanic activity because it sits along the “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines around the Pacific Ocean.

Tarigan reported from Jakarta.

This photo provided by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows a part of a village on Tagulandang island covered by ash from eruptions of Mountt Ruang in the Sulawesi island, Indonesia, Friday, April 19, 2024. More people living near an erupting volcano on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island were evacuated on Friday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami. (National Search and Rescue Agency via AP)

This photo provided by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows a part of a village on Tagulandang island covered by ash from eruptions of Mountt Ruang in the Sulawesi island, Indonesia, Friday, April 19, 2024. More people living near an erupting volcano on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island were evacuated on Friday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami. (National Search and Rescue Agency via AP)

This photo provided by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows a view of an eruption of Mount Ruang in the Sulawesi island, Indonesia, Friday, April 19, 2024. More people living near the erupting volcano on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island were evacuated on Friday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami. (National Search and Rescue Agency via AP)

In this photo released by Sitaro Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD Sitaro), hot molten lava glows at the crater of Mount Ruang as it erupts in Sanguine Islands, Indonesia, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami alert Wednesday after eruptions at Ruang mountain sent ash thousands of feet high. Officials ordered more than 11,000 people to leave the area. (BPBD Sitaro via AP)

Mount Ruang volcano is seen during the eruption from Tagulandang island, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. Indonesian authorities closed an airport and residents left homes near an erupting volcano Thursday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami. (AP Photo/ Hendra Ambalao)

In this photo provided by the Indonesian Transportation Ministry, people inquire about their flight change at the closed Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Friday, April 19, 2024. Indonesian authorities closed the airport and residents left homes near an erupting volcano Thursday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami. (Indonesian Transportation Ministry via AP)

This photo provided by the Indonesian Transportation Ministry shows the closed Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Friday, April 19, 2024. Indonesian authorities closed the airport and residents left homes near an erupting volcano Thursday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami. (Indonesian Transportation Ministry via AP)

Mount Ruang volcano is seen during the eruption from Tagulandang island, Indonesia, Thursday, April 18, 2024. Indonesian authorities closed an airport and residents left homes near an erupting volcano Thursday due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami. (AP Photo/ Hendra Ambalao)

PHOENIX (AP) — Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw six scoreless innings, rookie Andy Pages hit a two-run homer as part of a five-run second inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 on Wednesday night.

Yamamoto (3-1) continues to pitch well in his first big-league season after signing a $325 million, 12-year deal during the offseason. The Japanese star was roughed up in his first outing on March 21 in South Korea, but has been much better over his past six starts and now has a 2.91 ERA.

The righty gave up five hits and two walks, striking out five.

“I think I'm able to keep myself very calm and that's one of the biggest reason I'm able to execute my pitches,” Yamamoto said through a translator.

Pages worked a full count against Arizona's Jordan Montgomery before hammering his 429-foot homer to deep left-center for a 2-0 lead in the second. He's on an eight-game hitting streak and has 10 RBIs in 14 games.

Austin Barnes ripped an RBI double and Mookie Betts followed with a two-run single for a 5-0 lead. Will Smith hit a solo homer — his second of the series — to push the advantage to 6-0 in the third.

Betts had three hits while Miguel Rojas added two. The Dodgers have won eight of their past 10 and took two of three games in the series.

“We had a really good plan,” Rojas said. “The offense has been having great at-bats, regardless of the results.”

Montgomery's start was pushed back one day after the beginning of Tuesday's game was delayed nearly two hours because of a bee infestation. The extra day of rest didn't help the lefty, who gave up six runs on six hits and three walks over three innings.

“I'm not going to make any excuses,” Montgomery said. “Today was my day to take the ball. Yesterday was, but it didn't work. I was excited to get out there today and I just really didn't have good stuff.”

Montgomery (1-2) struck out one.

D-backs lefty Blake Walston gave up two runs over 3 2/3 innings of relief in his big league debut. He was a first-round selection by the franchise in the 2019 draft.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo was frustrated that the pitching staff gave up eight walks.

“The recipe is simple, you've got to put the ball on the plate,” Lovullo said. “I think it was eight or nine walks today. When you have the amount of walks against any team, not just the one we're playing today, that many baserunners, there going to get you.”

TRAINER'S ROOM

Diamondbacks: C Gabriel Moreno was a late scratch after feeling the effects of some dental work done earlier Wednesday. ... RHP Zac Gallen won't pitch on Friday as originally scheduled. He left his last outing with a hamstring cramp and the D-backs are giving him extra rest. Lovullo said the plan is to pitch him Tuesday.

Dodgers: DH Shohei Ohtani had a regularly scheduled day off.

UP NEXT

Dodgers: Return home for a three-game series with the Braves on Friday. Los Angeles will start RHP Gavin Stone (2-1, 4.68 ERA) in the opener while the Braves counter with RHP Charlie Morton (2-0, 3.60 ERA)

Diamondbacks: Host a three-game series with the Padres on Friday. RHP Slade Cecconi (1-1, 2.25 ERA) will start the first game.

AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/MLB

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Corbin Carroll makes a leaping catch on a fly ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Andy Pages (84) celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández (37) during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith, left, celebrates his home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Dodgers' Andy Pages (84) and Miguel Rojas (11) during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Blake Walston throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, of Japan, throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, of Japan, warms up during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)