Hodge's maiden century leads strong West Indies reply in 2nd test

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — Kavem Hodge's maiden test century spearheaded West Indies' greater resolve as they made 351-5 to trail England by 65 runs on day two Friday at Trent Bridge.

The visitors folded meekly at Lord's in the first test last week and conceded 416 to England on Thursday.

But despite a 97 mph (156 kph) bombardment from bowler Mark Wood, who twice broke his own record for the fastest over measured in English conditions, West Indies finally won a day in the series.

Hodge scored a dogged 120 after being dropped by Joe Root on 16. Hodge's stand of 175 with Alick Athanaze through a wicketless middle session powered the West Indies riposte.

Wood first appeared in the 10th over, hit 93 mph with his first ball and averaged 94 mph in his first three overs, drawing gasps from the stands when the big screen flashed his top speed.

Having survived Wood's onslaught, opener Mikyle Louis relaxed enough to go after spinner Shoaib Bashir and thrash uppishly into the leg side. On 21, Louis was caught by Harry Brook.

Bashir claimed a second just before lunch when Kirk McKenzie perished to a risible hack on 11 and Gus Atkinson hustled out Kraigg Brathwaite, who flapped a bouncer to short leg on 48.

From 89-3 at lunch, West Indies put together its best passage of cricket since landing in the country this month. Athanaze was particularly easy on the eye, leaning into drives and steering the ball behind square, while Hodge made a flintier knock at the other end.

Between them, the pair added 123 in a wicketless afternoon session, forcing the television cameras to seek out the forcibly retired England pacer James Anderson, who was watching from the pavilion.

An extended spell of bumpers from Wood and Atkinson were soaked up with only the occasional miscue, though Athanaze did rock backwards after having his helmet rattled.

After a stand of 175, Athanaze finally fell for 82, flashing Ben Stokes to gully.

“Really happy for Alick,” Hodge said. “He's so aggressive that the attention goes away from me and I can bat under the radar. We complement each other very well.”

Hodge reached three figures off 143 balls with a lovely on-drive off Stokes. He circled the stumps at the non-striker's end and leaped into Jason Holder's bear hug on the way back.

“It was amazing. From 97, I kind of blanked out,” Hodge said. “I was just trying my best to stay in the moment. Everything was just a blur. I told Jason I was still pinching myself, even after the celebration I hadn't grasped it yet. It was still like a dream.”

Hodge eventually fell to Chris Woakes lbw late in the day. His 120 off 171 balls included 19 boundaries.

Holder, 23 not out, and Joshua Da Silva, 32 not out, chipped away at England's remaining lead in a stand of 46 that will resume on Saturday.

Reliable ball-tracking data became available in England only in 2006, and Wood is responsible for the top five fastest overs following similarly fiery outings at Lord's in 2021 and at Headingley during last year’s Ashes.

He did everything in his power to force a breakthrough but in the end he limped gingerly from the field with figures of 0-51 from 14.1 overs.

All of the England bowlers struggled.

Woakes, Anderson’s successor as leader of the attack, struggled to create consistent danger, Atkinson's Midas touch from the first test went missing, and Bashir failed to manage a single maiden as his 23 overs cost exactly 100.

West Indies Kavem Hodge walks off after being dismissed by England's Chris Woakes during day two of the second Test between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge cricket ground, Nottingham, England, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

West Indies Alick Athanaze, left, and West Indies Kavem Hodge run between wickets during day two of the second Test between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge cricket ground, Nottingham, England, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

West Indies Alick Athanaze celebrates half century during day two of the second Test between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge cricket ground, Nottingham, England, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

West Indies Kavem Hodge, left, plays a shot during day two of the second Test between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge cricket ground, Nottingham, England, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

West Indies Kavem Hodge celebrates after scoring a century during day two of the second Test between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge cricket ground, Nottingham, England, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

West Indies Kavem Hodge, front, celebrates after scoring a century withWest Indies Jason Holder during day two of the second Test between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge cricket ground, Nottingham, England, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

West Indies Kavem Hodge, left, celebrates a century during day two of the second Test between England and West Indies at Trent Bridge cricket ground, Nottingham, England, Friday, July 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

MIAMI (AP) — Jesús Sánchez doubled twice and drove in three runs, and the Miami Marlins beat Shohei Ohtani and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 11-9 on Tuesday night.

Ohtani struck out three times but hit his 48th home run as he tries to become the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season. He did not steal a base for the fifth straight game and remains at 48.

Sánchez went 5 for 5, while Otto Lopez and Jake Burger homered for the Marlins.

Connor Norby became the first Marlin with four runs scored in a single game this season. He went 2 for 3 with a single, double and two walks. Kyle Stowers had an RBI triple in the fourth and added a run-scoring double in the sixth for the Marlins, who had 15 hits.

Max Muncy singled in a run, doubled and stole a base for the Dodgers, who began the day 3 1/2 games ahead of second-place San Diego, which was set to play Houston later Tuesday.

Reliever Anthony Veneziano picked up his first major league win after striking out two and allowing one hit over 1 1/3 inning.

The Marlins scored four runs in the first two innings off starter Bobby Miller, who was lifted after allowing seven hits with a walk and two strikeouts. The Dodgers responded with a four-run third jumpstarted by Ohtani's two-run shot against starter Darren McCaughan that he crushed 402 feet to right.

Michael Grove (4-4) took the loss after relieving Miller in the third and giving up a go-ahead RBI double to Sánchez in the fourth that made it 6-5. Sánchez then scored on Stowers' triple, and the Marlins didn't relinquish their lead from there.

McCaughan pitched 3 2/3 innings, surrendering six hits, five runs and striking out four. Miguel Rojas also homered off McCaughan in the fourth that tied it at five.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Dodgers: Manager Dave Roberts said RHP Tony Gonsolin will make another rehab start soon and could rejoin the team if that goes well. Gonsolin hasn't pitched since having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last August.

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara threw his first live batting practice since having Tommy John surgery in October. ... LHP Braxton Garrett allowed three hits in five innings and 80 pitches in a start for Triple-A Jacksonville.

UP NEXT

Dodgers RHP Landon Knack (2-4, 3.70 ERA) will start the second game of the series. The Marlins have not named a starter yet, but manager Skip Schumaker said Ryan Weathers (3-5, 3.55) will likely be on the mound.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts (50) scores on a sacrifice hit by Freddie Freeman during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts (50) a triple to center field during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Miami Marlins' Kyle Stowers hits a triple to right field during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Miguel Rojas (11) celebrates after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller aims a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez gestures after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Miami Marlins' Jesús Sánchez (12) hits a single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)