Tuesday, August 24, 2004
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Twins 7, Rangers 4
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Johan Santana allowed one run in eight innings to win his seventh straight decision as Minnesota stretched its lead in the AL Central to eight games. Santana (14-6) gave up four hits, struck out 11 and walked one to help the Twins win for the seventh time in eight games. Shannon Stewart and Henry Blanco homered for the Twins.
Blue Jays 3, Red Sox 0
TORONTO -- Ted Lilly struck out a career-high 13 in a three-hit shutout, stopping Boston's six-game winning streak. Lilly (9-8) set a club record for strikeouts by a left-hander -- the previous mark of 11 was accomplished twice by David Wells and once by Al Leiter. Reed Johnson hit a leadoff homer against Pedro Martinez (13-5).
Tigers 7, White Sox 0
DETROIT -- Jeremy Bonderman (7-10) struck out a career-high 14 and scattered seven hits in his first career shutout. Bonderman's 14 strikeouts were two shy of the club record -- done by Mickey Lolich twice in 1969. Carlos Guillen backed Bonderman's outstanding start with a two-run homer.
Athletics 4, Orioles 3
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jermaine Dye hit a tying single in the sixth and Adam Melhuse followed with a go-ahead single. Tim Hudson (9-4) pitched 71/3 innings to beat the Orioles for the second time in six days. Miguel Tejada went 0-for-4 in his first trip back to Oakland since signing a $72 million, six-year contract with Baltimore last off-season.
Angels 9, Royals 4
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Bartolo Colon allowed just two singles through the first seven innings and Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Guillen homered on consecutive pitches, helping Anaheim win its sixth straight. Colon (13-9) allowed five hits in 72/3 innings, including back-to-back homers in the eighth by Calvin Pickering and Aaron Guiel. Colon struck out six and walked two.
Devil Rays 9, Mariners 0
SEATTLE -- Scott Kazmir won his major league debut and Jose Cruz Jr. hit a three-run homer to lead Tampa Bay. Kazmir (1-0) was acquired July 30 in a trade that sent right-hander Victor Zambrano to the Mets. Kazmir's fastball reached 96 mph on the Safeco Field radar gun. He was lifted after throwing 101 pitches. Cruz capped a four-run sixth with his 18th homer of the season off Bobby Madritsch (3-1).
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Astros 8, Phillies 4
HOUSTON -- Roger Clemens won for the first time in almost a month -- the 323rd victory of his career -- and Carlos Beltran hit a three-run homer to lead Houston. Clemens (13-4) allowed only two runs and five hits in his first win in five starts since July 28. He also had eight strikeouts and two walks. Beltran connected in the seventh to become the 45th player in major league history with 30 home runs and 30 steals in a season. Jim Thome hit his 38th homer for Philadelphia.
Cubs 8, Brewers 3
CHICAGO -- Carlos Zambrano took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and struck out nine to lead Chicago. Moises Alou went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two doubles for the Cubs. The Brewers have lost a season-high six straight.
Expos 8, Dodgers 7
MONTREAL -- Giovanni Carrara walked Juan Rivera with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, spoiling Los Angeles' six-run comeback. Los Angeles scored four in the seventh -- keyed by Steve Finley's three-run double off Joey Eischen. In the ninth, Adrian Beltre tied it at 7 with a two-run shot off closer Chad Cordero (4-3) for his 39th homer.
Padres 9, Mets 4
NEW YORK -- Phil Nevin homered, doubled and drove in five runs, and San Diego built a big lead for Jake Peavy. The Padres roughed up newly promoted Aaron Heilman (0-1) in going ahead 5-0. Mike Cameron rallied the Mets with a three-run homer in the sixth inning, then Nevin broke it open with a three-run shot in the eighth.
Associated Press