MLB ROUNDUP Wednesday’s Other Gmaes

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rangers 30, Orioles 3

BALTIMORE — The Texas Rangers rounded the bases at a dizzying pace and became the first team in 110 years to score 30 runs in a game, setting an American League record. “This is something freaky. You won’t see anything like this again for a long, long time. I am glad I was on this end of it,” said Marlon Byrd, who hit one of two Texas grand slams. Trailing 3-0 in the opener of a doubleheader, Texas couldn’t be stopped. At last, the last-place Rangers did something right. “We set a record for something on the good side of baseball,” manager Ron Washington said. It was the ninth time a major league team scored 30 runs, the first since the Chicago Colts set the major league mark in a 36-7 rout of Louisville in a National League game on June 28, 1897, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Hours after announcing manager Dave Trembley would return for the 2008 season, the Orioles absorbed the most lopsided loss in franchise history and set a team record for hits allowed in a game (29).

Twins 8, Mariners 4

MINNEAPOLIS — Michael Cuddyer’s grand slam fueled a seven-run first inning for Minnesota against Miguel Batista, and the Twins ended the Mariners’ winning streak at five. Carlos Silva (10-12), who entered with the second-worst run support among AL starters, cruised with the big lead and completed seven innings for his first victory this month. Silva gave up two runs and eight hits, hitting one batter and striking out three. Batista (13-9) lost for only the second time in eight starts, but this one was pretty much over before he even got two outs.

Athletics 4, Blue Jays 1

TORONTO — Esteban Loaiza won in his season debut by outpitching A.J. Burnett, and the Athletics beat the Blue Jays to complete a three-game sweep. Oakland (64-64) has won four straight and eight of 10, reaching .500 for the first time since it was 44-44 at the All-Star break. Toronto dropped to .500 at 63-63. Loaiza (1-0), sidelined since March with neck and knee injuries, allowed one run and three hits in 7 2-3 innings. He struck out four and walked two, throwing 110 pitches.

Royals 7, White Sox 6

CHICAGO — Billy Butler homered and drove in three runs for the Royals, who ended a three-game skid and kept the White Sox from completing their first series sweep at home since Aug. 11-13, 2006, against Detroit. The Royals and White Sox are tied for last place in the AL Central at 56-70. Brian Bannister (10-7) won for the fifth time in seven starts and lowered his ERA to 3.28, eighth-best in the American League.

Devil Rays 2, Red Sox 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— B.J. Upton hit a two-run homer and Tampa Bay beat Daisuke Matsuzaka for the third time this season, as the Devil Rays edged the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox. Edwin Jackson (4-12) overcame control problems to limit Boston to one run in six innings. He allowed five hits, five walks and struck out three. The Red Sox, who won the first two games of the series, stranded 14 runners in the game.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Reds 4, Braves 2

CINCINNATI — Josh Hamilton and Jeff Keppinger hit consecutive home runs, and Bronson Arroyo helped himself at the plate as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Atlanta Braves. Arroyo (7-13), who drove in a run in the fifth inning, has won consecutive starts for only the second time this season. He gave up six hits and two runs with three walks and five strikeouts, helping Cincinnati win for the third time in four games.

Padres 7, Mets 5

NEW YORK — Jake Peavy slowed down the New York Mets — if not Jose Reyes — by striking out 11 and pitching the San Diego Padres to victory. Hours after major league ERA leader Chris Young returned to San Diego because of a bad back, Peavy (14-5) delivered the big performance the NL wild-card leaders needed. The All-Star righty limited the Mets to two hits over six innings. Trevor Hoffman got two outs for his 32nd save in 36 chances, following his ninth-inning meltdown the previous night in a 7-6 loss.

Dodgers 15, Phillies 3

PHILADELPHIA— Andre Ethier and James Loney each drove in three runs, Matt Kemp had a career-high four hits and Derek Lowe pitched seven solid innings to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers over the injury-depleted Philadelphia Phillies. Ethier had a two-run homer and an RBI double and Kemp was 4-for-6 with two RBIs for Los Angeles, which set a season high for runs and won for the fifth time in seven games. Lowe (10-11) allowed three runs and six hits.

Astros 3, Washington 2

HOUSTON — Woody Williams won his third straight decision and Ty Wigginton hit a solo home run as the Houston Astros beat the Washington Nationals. Lance Berkman added an RBI triple as Houston snapped a three-game losing streak. The Astros beat Washington for just the second time in the last nine meetings. Austin Kearns hit a two-run homer for Washington, which scored 18 runs in the first two games of the series. Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save in 17 chances.

Cardinals 6, Marlins 4

ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols homered for a career-best fifth consecutive game to give St. Louis an early lead, and Jim Edmonds’ two-run, seventh-inning shot put the Cardinals ahead for good over the sagging Florida Marlins. Yadier Molina also homered for the Cardinals, all three of the long balls coming off Scott Olsen (9-11), to send the Marlins to their season-worst eighth straight loss. St. Louis has won three in a row overall and 10 of its last 12 against Florida.

Associated Press