AROUND THE HORN | Thursday's games

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Twins 4, Bluejays 0
MINNEAPOLIS -- Joe Mays scattered seven hits in his first complete game since 2002. Michael Cuddyer's two-run double with the bases loaded in the sixth inning broke a scoreless tie and chased Gustavo Chacin (4-3). Mike Redmond greeted reliever Jason Frasor with a two-run single. Mays (3-1) had his sinker working well -- resulting in 13 groundouts. He struck out two and walked none in his first complete game since a two-hit shutout against Boston on Aug. 16, 2002. This was his sixth career shutout and 10th complete game. Toronto's Corey Koskie broke his right thumb sliding into second base. There was no timetable yet for his return.
Royals 7, Orioles 4
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Emil Brown hit a three-run homer, Angel Berroa added a solo shot, and Kansas City finally held a lead against Baltimore. The Royals (12-29) improved to 4-4 under interim manager Bob Schaefer, who took over for Tony Pena on May 11. But they still have the worst record in club history after 41 games. Kansas City handed Runelvys Hernandez a 6-0 advantage after three innings, yet the right-hander failed to get out of the fourth and was replaced by rookie Leo Nunez. Nunez (1-0), who began the year in Class-A, got his first major league win with 22/3 innings of one-hit relief. Mike MacDougal struck out all three batters in the ninth for his second save. Rodrigo Lopez (2-2) went seven innings and was charged with six runs and five hits.
Devil Rays 6, Tigers 2
DETROIT -- Nick Green and Damon Hollins homered, and Tampa Bay snapped a four-game losing streak. Scott Kazmir got his first win of the season, allowing two runs and three hits in 52/3 innings. He walked four and struck out two. Kazmir (1-4) departed after he was hit on the right leg by Dmitri Young's line drive. Seth McClung and Lance Carter held the lead for Danys Baez, who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and got five outs for his fourth save in seven chances. Mike Maroth, a late substitution for Jeremy Bonderman, took the loss. Maroth (4-3) allowed six runs and nine hits in six innings.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Nationals 3, Brewers 2
WASHINGTON -- Livan Hernandez won his sixth straight start. Hernandez (7-2) shook off the inflamed knee that has bothered him for several days, allowing one run in six innings. Jamey Carroll went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI to lift the Washington franchise five games over .500 for the first time since the Montreal Expos were 81-76 on Sept. 22, 2003. Chad Cordero got his 10th save in 12 chances, retiring Geoff Jenkins on a popup with two on to end it. Victor Santos (1-4) took the loss for the Brewers, who have dropped five of six.
Phillies 7, Cardinals 4
PHILADELPHIA -- Pat Burrell had three hits and two RBIs, and Brett Myers pitched Philadelphia past St. Louis. Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds homered for the Cardinals, who lost a road series for just the second time this season. Myers (4-2) gave up three runs and six hits, striking out nine in seven innings. He allowed more than two runs for only the second time in nine starts. Chase Utley's infield single drove in the go-ahead run against Jason Marquis (5-3) in the fourth, giving the Phillies a 4-3 lead. Marquis tied a career high with six walks in four innings.
Rockies 3, Giants 1
DENVER -- Rockies rookie Jeff Francis (4-1) stayed undefeated at Coors Field, throwing six innings and allowing one run. Francis is 5-0 at Coors Field. He allowed seven hits and struck out five. Luis Gonzalez and Garrett Atkins hit solo homers.
Diamondbacks 6, Astros 1
HOUSTON -- Arizona rookie Brad Halsey outpitched Roger Clemens in a successful homecoming, and Luis Gonzalez hit a three-run homer for the Diamondbacks. Halsey (3-2) had the best start of his young career in his hometown of Houston, allowing just one run and six hits in seven innings. Gonzalez gave the Diamondbacks some cushion in the ninth with his sixth homer and Jose Valverde got the final four outs for his first save. Clemens (3-2), who entered with a major league-leading 1.11 ERA, gave up two earned runs on three hits with a season-low three strikeouts and two walks. It was his first outing this season that lasted fewer than seven innings.
Associated Press