Wednesday, May 21, 2008
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Orioles 12, Yankees 2
NEW YORK — Just when the slumping New York Yankees got Alex Rodriguez back, Derek Jeter went down with an injury that nearly led to a brawl with Baltimore. Adam Jones hit a three-run double during Baltimore’s seven-run first inning against Mike Mussina (6-4), and the Orioles routed New York in a testy game that included a late homer by A-Rod in his return from the disabled list. The Orioles took advantage of a two-out throwing error by Jeter in the first to build a big cushion for Daniel Cabrera (5-1), who handed the Yankees (20-25) their fourth straight loss and sixth in seven games.
Angels 3, Blue Jays 1
TORONTO — John Lackey won for the first time since Sept. 28, pitching seven strong innings to help the Angels get a rare victory in Toronto. Making his second start of the year after returning from a strained triceps, Lackey (1-0) gave up a leadoff homer to Toronto’s Brad Wilkerson in the first, then blanked the Blue Jays the rest of the way. Francisco Rodriguez loaded the bases with three straight walks in the ninth, but held on to record his major-league leading 18th save. The Angels loaded the bases in the first and second against Toronto right-hander Dustin McGowan (2-4), but the only run came when Garret Anderson grounded into a double play in the first.
Tigers 12, Mariners 8
DETROIT — Justin Verlander struck out a season-high seven and Edgar Renteria hit one of Detroit’s four homers and matched a career high with five RBIs in the Tigers’ victory over Seattle. Verlander (2-7) gave up one run, four hits and walked one over six innings, earning his first win in nearly a month. Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen also homered for the Tigers, who had lost six of seven. Carlos Silva (3-3) allowed nine hits and seven runs over four innings and hasn’t won in his last six starts after beginning the season 3-0.
Red Sox 2, Royals 1
BOSTON — Rookie Justin Masterson pitched 6 1/3 strong innings one day after Jon Lester’s no-hitter against Kansas City and the Red Sox silenced the Royals bats again. The 23-year-old Masterson (1-0) allowed one run on three hits in his second major league start. Jonathan Papelbon ended a bases-loaded threat in the eighth by striking out Billy Butler and pitched a perfect ninth — with two more strikeouts — for his 13th save in 15 opportunities. Gil Meche (3-6) allowed two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings and retired 16 of his last 18 batters after Boston took a 2-0 lead in the second.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Marlins 3, Diamondbacks 2
MIAMI — Maybe these first-place Florida Marlins are no fluke. Dan Uggla hit his 14th home run and Kevin Gregg escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning to help the Marlins take the opening game in a series between division leaders. The game was the Marlins’ first against an opponent that has a winning record since May 1, and the widespread assumption is the team with baseball’s smallest payroll will fold as the schedule becomes more difficult.
But Florida did lots of little things right against NL West leader Arizona, which began the week with the best record in the majors. Jeremy Hermida and Luis Gonzalez had two-out RBIs, the worst defense in the majors was errorless and Gregg came to the rescue to protect the one-run lead. Mark Hendrickson (6-2) needed 97 pitches to get through five innings but left with a 2-1 lead, and Gregg earned his eighth save. Micah Owings (5-2), who had a career-high 10 strikeouts but allowed three runs in seven innings.
Braves 6, Mets 1
ATLANTA — Tom Glavine retired his last 17 batters during his first post-New York appearance against the Mets and led the Atlanta Braves to another home win in the opener of a day-night doubleheader. The 42-year-old left-hander allowed only three hits and a walk — all in the first. Glavine (2-1) left after six innings, and Will Ohman, Blaine Boyer and Manny Acosta finished for the Braves.
After the first, the Mets didn’t have another runner until Jose Reyes singled off Boyer with two outs in the eighth. New York, coming off a two-game sweep of the Yankees, managed just six hits. Brian McCann homered and drove in three runs for the Braves, who improved the NL’s best home record to 17-5. They are 6-16 away from Turner Field and handed John Maine (5-3) his first loss in nearly a month.
Phillies 1, Nationals 0
WASHINGTON — Greg Dobbs’ RBI pinch-hit single in the ninth inning gave the Philadelphia Phillies the victory. Dobbs picked up the game-winning RBI as a pinch hitter for reliever Tom Gordon. Dobbs has 10 pinch hits and nine RBIs in 22 at-bats this season. Gordon (4-2) earned the win with a scoreless eighth. Brad Lidge pitched the ninth for his 11th save in 11 chances. Lidge walked two, but got Felipe Lopez to ground out with runners on first and third to end the game. The hit also ended the 12-inning scoreless streak of Washington reliever Jon Rauch (2-1). Dobbs’ hit kept Philadelphia from being shut out in consecutive games for the first time since Sept. 11-12, 1999, and kept the Phillies from their first four-game losing streak since Aug. 22-25, 2007.
Associated Press