MLB ROUNDUP Friday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 2, Rangers 1

BOSTON — Manny Delcarmen struck out Sammy Sosa on a 96 mph, full-count fastball with the bases loaded on Friday night to preserve the win for Tim Wakefield and give the Red Sox a victory over the Texas Rangers. Wakefield (8-8) gave up one run and seven hits, striking out four and walking four. Delcarmen relieved him with two on and two out in the seventh, then walked the bases full before fanning Sosa to end the threat. Hideki Okajima pitched a perfect eighth before Jonathan Papelbon made things interesting in the ninth. Papelbon allowed two baserunners before striking out Michael Young for his 19th save. The Red Sox snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to .500 for June, their worst month this season. Lofton has stolen four or more bases in a game four times in his career. He has 619 stolen bases, passing George Davis for 16th on the career list.

Yankees 2, Athletics 1

NEW YORK — Mike Mussina pitched seven sharp innings and New York beat Oakland for its first win in a week. Alex Rodriguez had three hits as the Yankees opened a big 10-game homestand after a disastrous 1-7 road trip. New York has won nine of its last 10 games at Yankee Stadium. Shannon Stewart went 3-for-3 and Eric Chavez doubled and scored for Oakland, which has lost seven of eight and 13 of 17.

Twins 11, Tigers 1

DETROIT — Joe Mauer hit his first career grand slam and Johan Santana scattered five hits over six innings for Minnesota. The anticipated pitching duel between Santana and Justin Verlander never really materialized. Verlander gave up two runs in the first inning and Mauer broke the game open with his grand slam in the fifth. Verlander (9-3) walked five batters, four of which scored, in five innings. He gave up four hits and struck out five. Santana (9-4) allowed one run, striking out six and walking one. Justin Morneau had three hits and drove in two runs for the Twins, playing in his second game after missing almost a week because of a bruised right lung.

Angels 9, Orioles 7

BALTIMORE — Aubrey Huff hit for the cycle, but Los Angeles got a tiebreaking two-run homer from Howie Kendrick in the ninth inning. Kendrick connected off Chris Ray (4-6) with two outs. The Angels blew a five-run lead and trailed 7-5 in the seventh before rallying to end a three-game losing streak.

Royals 8, White Sox 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Shane Costa and Esteban German drove in two runs apiece, and Kansas City won its fifth straight game. Brian Bannister (5-4) went six strong innings, giving up a run and four hits and winning for the fifth time this month. Zack Greinke held the White Sox to one hit in the last 22⁄3 innings to earn the first save of his three-year major league career.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cubs 6, Brewers 5

CHICAGO — Aramis Ramirez hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning, capping a three-run rally against Milwaukee closer Francisco Cordero and leading the Cubs. The NL Central-leading Brewers took a 5-0 lead in the first inning. They still led 5-3 going into the ninth before Alfonso Soriano and Mike Fontenot singled with one out off Cordero (0-2). After Derrek Lee hit a sacrifice fly, Ramirez hit the next pitch into the left-center field bleachers for his 15th homer, setting off a wild celebration at Wrigley Field. It was Cordero’s third blown save in 30 chances. Bob Howry (5-4) pitched one inning and got the win. The Brewers lost for just the third time in 15 games. Kevin Mench hit a three-run homer in the first and with rookie Yovani Gallardo pitching six solid innings, it looked like Milwaukee would build on its NL Central lead. But Chicago’s comeback pulled the Cubs to within 61⁄2 games.

Mets 6, Phillies 5, 1st game
Mets 5, Phillies 2, 2nd game

PHILADELPHIA — Carlos Beltran homered twice and John Maine dominated the Phillies again, helping New York complete a sweep of a day-night doubleheader. Damion Easley also connected for the NL East-leading Mets, who moved five games ahead of the Phillies. In the opener, Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes homered, Orlando Hernandez pitched six strong innings and the Mets held on for a 6-5 win.

Cardinals 4, Reds 2

CINCINNATI — Juan Encarnacion’s tiebreaking single in the eighth inning helped St. Louis rally past Cincinnati, giving reliever Troy Percival a triumphant return to the majors. The 37-year-old Percival was in position for his first victory since April 22, 2005, after he pitched a perfect seventh inning. He watched from the bench as the Cardinals pulled it out with three runs in the eighth.

Braves 12, Marlins 3

MIAMI — Chuck James held Florida to a run and four hits and had two hits of his own for Atlanta. James (7-7) went 62⁄3 innings and struck out five to win for the second time in three starts. It was the fourth consecutive win for the Braves, after a five-game losing streak. Kelly Johnson had three singles and reached base in all five plate appearances. Jeff Francouer had four hits and an RBI.

Astros 9, Rockies 8

HOUSTON — Mark Loretta hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth to lift the Houston Astros to a win over the Colorado Rockies, the second night in a row the Astros hit a walk-off home run off Rockies closer Brian Fuentes. It was the fourth blown save in eight days for Fuentes, and the Rockies have lost eight straight.

Associated Press