INTERLEAGUE

INTERLEAGUE

Rangers 7, Cubs 3

ARLINGTON, Texas — Sammy Sosa’s 600th homer resembled so many that came before — except this time the Chicago Cubs were on the other side. Playing for Texas after a year out of baseball, Sosa became the fifth member of the 600-homer club when he connected against his former team. After driving a 1-2 pitch to right-center for a solo shot in the fifth inning, Slammin’ Sammy bounced out of the batter’s box with his trademark hop and thrust his right fist into the air before reaching first base. He was mobbed at home plate by his teammates while the scoreboard showed pictures of all five members of the elite club: Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sosa. Sosa played for the Cubs from 1992-2004, winning the ’98 NL MVP award and making seven All-Star teams while hitting 545 homers with Chicago. No. 600 came off Jason Marquis, the 364th pitcher the 38-year-old Sosa has homered off in his 18 major league seasons. It was Sosa’s 12th homer in 62 games this season since signing a minor league deal and making the roster in spring training with Texas, the franchise that gave him his start. He hit his first big league homer with the Rangers in 1989.

Marlins 5, White Sox 4

CHICAGO — Pinch-hitter Jason Wood hit a three-run homer off closer Bobby Jenks in the eighth inning, and Florida handed Chicago its 19th loss in 24 games. Chicago starter Jon Garland had given up two hits entering the eighth and the White Sox held a 2-1 lead. Aaron Boone opened the inning with a single and shortstop Juan Uribe made his second error on a bunt to put two on. Jenks relieved and Wood hit his third pitch over the fence in left. Kevin Gregg gave up Paul Konerko’s 11th homer in the ninth then finished for his 13th save. Taylor Tankersley (4-1) got two outs in the seventh for the win.

Athletics 5, Reds 3

OAKLAND, Calif. — Nick Swisher walked with the bases loaded in the seventh to tie the game, then Oakland’s Eric Chavez followed with a sacrifice fly. Dan Haren (9-2) won his ninth straight decision and third consecutive start despite giving up two home runs in a game for the second time this year. Shannon Stewart added a solo homer in the eighth. Jack Cust hit a two-run shot in the fourth for the A’s.

Diamondbacks 7, Devil Rays 4

PHOENIX — Chad Tracy and Eric Byrnes hit three-run homers for Arizona and Micah Owings won his fourth straight decision. Byrnes went 4-for-5 with a double and two singles. His homer was in the fourth off starter James Shields (6-2). Byrnes matched a franchise mark with hits in seven consecutive at-bats going back to Tuesday night. It’s been done three other times. The streak ended with a grounder to the pitcher in the eighth.

Tigers 8, Nationals 4

WASHINGTON — Detroit wrapped up the three-game series by pounding the Washington pitching staff yet again to give Jeremy Bonderman his eighth straight victory. Detroit, which averaged better than 10 runs in the series, scored five runs in the sixth against Washington’s bullpen. Carlos Guillen had two hits, including a home run in the fourth.

Blue Jays 12, Dodgers 1

TORONTO — Frank Thomas hit his 497th career home run and Roy Halladay won his third consecutive start for Toronto. Gregg Zaun and Matt Stairs hit back-to-back homers in the third for the Blue Jays, who scored a season-high eight runs in the second inning. Thomas had the biggest hit, a grand slam that chased starter Hong-Chih Kuo (1-2) after 12⁄3 innings. The grand slam was Thomas’ second of the season and the 10th of his career.

Twins 6, Mets 2

NEW YORK — Torii Hunter hit a two-run homer and Scott Baker pitched five effective innings for Minnesota. Joe Mauer also drove in two runs for Minnesota, which won two of three in its first series at Shea Stadium since 2002. Baker (2-2) allowed two runs and seven hits. Carlos Beltran went 3-for-4 and singled in a run for the Mets, who have lost 13 of 16. New York has dropped six straight series since it took two of three games against San Francisco from May 29-31.

Red Sox 11, Braves 0

ATLANTA — Julian Tavarez pitched seven scoreless innings for Boston, which homered three times in the first two innings. J.D. Drew homered on the fourth pitch of the game from Buddy Carlyle (1-2). The Red Sox had five homers in all, and 10 of their 15 hits were for extra bases. The Braves were shut out by the Red Sox for the second night in a row and haven’t scored in 19 innings. Coco Crisp hit a three-run homer and David Ortiz had a two-run shot, his second homer in as many days. Manny Ramirez and Eric Hinske also homered for the Red Sox.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brewers 7, Giants 5

MILWAUKEE — Bill Hall hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high five runs, and Milwaukee extend San Francisco’s losing streak to seven. The NL Central-leading Brewers have won seven of eight since a 6-13 stretch. They jumped out to a 6-0 lead against Barry Zito, but San Francisco scored five runs in the sixth beginning with a grand slam by Bengie Molina off winner Claudio Vargas (6-1). Francisco Cordero finished for his major league-leading 27th save in 29 chances. Barry Bonds entered as a pinch-hitter in the sixth and reached on an error.

Associated Press