MLB Roundup: Thursday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rays 5, Yankees 2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Scott Kazmir sparkled in his first start since agreeing to a $28.5 million contract extension, and surprising Tampa Bay dropped the Yankees into last place. Kazmir (2-1) allowed three singles in six scoreless innings, and Akinori Iwamura and Shawn Riggans homered off Ian Kennedy for the AL East-leading Rays. Tampa Bay (24-17), which started play in 1998, has been alone atop the division standings for three consecutive days for the first time. The Rays won three of four from New York and have captured six of seven series in building the best record in the AL. The Yankees have lost six of nine and got another a poor pitching performance from Kennedy (0-3), who was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre for his sixth start of the season.

Royals 8, Tigers 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jose Guillen homered and drove in three runs, Gil Meche pitched seven innings and the Royals completed another three-game sweep of the Tigers. Kansas City won its season-best fourth straight and improved to 6-0 this season against Detroit, which has lost four straight and 10 of 12 while falling into last in the AL Central. Billy Butler’s two-run double keyed a three-run first against Tigers left-hander Kenny Rogers (3-4). Miguel Olivo doubled home Butler with the final run of the inning. Meche (3-5) yielded three runs and six hits while striking out six and walking two. He improved to 7-4 in 16 career starts against the Tigers.

Blue Jays 3, Twins 2, 11 innings

MINNEAPOLIS — Pinch-hitter Joe Inglett sliced a two-out, bases-loaded single through the infield in the 11th inning, helping Toronto complete a three-game sweep. Scott Rolen started the 11th against Jesse Crain (1-2) with a double into the right-field corner that Michael Cuddyer couldn’t quite catch. Lyle Overbay was walked intentionally with two outs, and pinch-hitter Gregg Zaun drew a walk. Then Inglett, called up last weekend from Triple-A Syracuse, batted for Jorge Velandia poked his hit just out of shortstop Adam Everett’s reach.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Nationals 1, Mets 0

NEW YORK — Willie Harris’ diving catch in the ninth saved Washington, which beat the Mets 1-0 behind Jason Bergmann’s fantastic pitching performance. Bergmann (1-1), recalled from Triple-A Columbus before the game, pitched seven innings, giving up three hits and striking out nine.

Dodgers 7, Brewers 2

MILWAUKEE — Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent and Gary Bennett homered during a six-run seventh inning, leading Chad Billingsley and the Dodgers past Milwaukee. After Jones and Kent hit solo shots, Bennett capped the burst with a three-run homer. Billingsley (3-5) didn’t allow a hit until Brewers starter Ben Sheets, a career .078 hitter, singled with two outs in the fifth.

Cubs 4, Padres 0

CHICAGO — Ryan Dempster struck out a career-high 12 and hit a go-ahead single against Greg Maddux during a four-run fifth inning, leading Chicago over the punchless Padres. Jim Edmonds singled in his debut with the Cubs, who won three of four from the Padres.

Astros 8, Giants 7

SAN FRANCISCO — Lance Berkman splashed his major league-leading 15th home run into McCovey Cove, breaking a ninth-inning tie. Houston came back from a 6-0 deficit to take three of four from the Giants, its first series win at San Francisco since a three-game sweep in September 2001.

Phillies 5, Braves 0

PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels pitched his first career shutout and Ryan Howard homered for Philadelphia. Pedro Feliz and Shane Victorino also homered and drove in two runs each for the Phillies, who lead the major leagues with 59 home runs. Hamels (5-3) gave up just four hits, struck out six and walked two in his first complete game of the season.

Associated Press