MLB ROUNDUP Tuesday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 7, Angels 6

BOSTON — Dustin Pedroia’s tie-breaking RBI double in the eighth inning helped Boston rally for its sixth straight win after ace Josh Beckett was scratched from his start with a stiff neck. Jacoby Ellsbury hit two solo homers and Kevin Youkilis added a two-run shot for Boston, while Pedroia went 4-for-5 with three doubles and a single. Beckett started the season on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back before making his first start April 6. It wasn’t immediately known when he’d make his next start. Boston emergency starter David Pauley, recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Pawtucket, gave up five runs on seven hits in 41‚Ñ3 innings.

Tigers 10, Rangers 2

DETROIT — Magglio Ordonez homered and reached 1,000 RBIs for his career, and Ramon Santiago homered for the first time since 2003 and drove in three runs to help Detroit beat Texas. Edgar Renteria had four hits for the Tigers, who have won six of nine. Santiago went 2-for-3 with three RBIs in place of the injured Placido Polanco. Justin Verlander (1-3) pitched six innings, allowing a run and six hits.

Rays 6, Blue Jays 4

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Eric Hinske drove in two runs and finished a single shy of hitting for the cycle, helping Tampa Bay beat Toronto at Disney World. Hinske doubled in the second inning and added a RBI triple off Jesse Litsch (2-1) in the fourth before leading off the sixth with a solo homer — his sixth of the season — off reliever Jesse Carlson. The first baseman’s bid to hit for the cycle fell short when Scott Downs struck him out in the eighth.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Nationals 6, Braves 0

ATLANTA — John Smoltz became the 16th pitcher in major league history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts, but was outpitched by John Lannan. Smoltz fanned Felipe Lopez in the third inning, the veterans’ fourth of the game, to reach the mark. He struck out 10 for the second straight start and for the 45th time in his 20-year career. Lannan (1-2), a rookie, allowed five hits in seven innings and the Nationals snapped a three-game losing streak.

Brewers 9, Cardinals 8

MILWAUKEE — Gabe Kapler singled home the winning run with one out in the 12th inning and the Brewers overcame another blown save by Eric Gagne. The Brewers wasted a five-run lead before Kapler’s hit. The Cardinals’ loss came with an oddity: Slugger Albert Pujols wound up playing second base for the first time in his big league career. Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen (1-1) walked Gabe Gross with one out. Gross then easily stole second, with Pujols covering the bag. Kapler followed with a flare to right-center and Gross scored without a throw as his teammates streamed out of the dugout. Pujols began the game at first base, and shifted over in the bottom of the ninth after shortstop Cesar Izturis left because of a bruised right forearm.

Cubs 8, Mets 1

CHICAGO — Ronny Cedeno hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, Ted Lilly won for the first time in five starts, and surging Chicago won for the 13th time in 16 games. The Cubs, who were 7-13 at this point a season ago, had 14 hits and improved to 14-6, their best record after 20 games since 1975. New York was outscored 15-2 in the two-game series and has lost three in a row following a five-game winning streak. Lilly (1-3) retired his first 10 batters, lowered his ERA from 9.16 to 7.30 and combined with three relievers on a five-hitter. Lilly allowed one run, four hits and four walks in six innings, striking out four.

Reds 8, Dodgers 1

CINCINNATI — Jerry Hairston Jr. had four hits in his debut as Cincinnati’s leadoff hitter, and Adam Dunn and Brandon Phillips each homered. Hairston singled and doubled off Hong-Chih Kuo (0-1), then singled home a pair of runs off Scott Proctor as the Reds pulled ahead 7-1 after five innings. Hairston also singled home a run in the eighth, becoming the first Reds player to get four hits in a game this season.

Astros 11, Padres 7

HOUSTON — Kaz Matsui’s two-run single in the eighth inning lifted Houston over San Diego. Cy Young winner Jake Peavy allowed four earned runs, matching the total for his four previous starts combined. The Padres ace allowed seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts in six innings.

Associated Press