MLB Roundup \ Sunday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 8, Blue Jays 2

TORONTO — Kevin Youkilis homered twice, Dustin Pedroia hit a three-run shot and Jon Lester struck out a career-high 12 as the Red Sox beat the Blue Jays. Jason Bay also homered for the Red Sox, who used a new-look lineup to shake themselves out of a recent offensive slump. Nine of Boston’s 11 hits were for extra-bases. Batting leadoff for the first time this season, Pedroia homered off the left-field foul screen in the fourth inning.

Tigers 3, Orioles 0

BALTIMORE — Edwin Jackson allowed two hits over eight innings, Curtis Granderson homered, and the Tigers beat the Orioles to earn a split of the four-game series. Jackson (5-3) permitted only three baserunners and faced only two batters over the minimum. Nick Markakis hit a fourth-inning single; Robert Andino walked in the sixth and was caught stealing; and Ty Wigginton doubled in the eighth.

Twins 3, Rays 2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Brendan Harris homered and Justin Morneau and Carlos Gomez also drove in runs to help the Twins avoid a weekend sweep with a victory over the Rays. Nick Blackburn (5-2) pitched six strong innings, allowing two runs and seven hits, and the Twins scored all their runs off Matt Garza (4-4) to beat their former teammate and end a three-game losing streak.

Athletics 5, Rangers 4

ARLINGTON, Texas — Adam Kennedy homered twice, including a one-out tiebreaker in the ninth for the first run allowed by Texas reliever Frank Francisco this season, and the Athletics ended a four-game skid with a victory over the AL West-leading Rangers. With the game tied, Kennedy hit a 1-0 pitch off Francisco (1-1) into the right field seats, ending a streak of 28 appearances without allowing an earned run. Francisco had 17 2-3 scoreless innings in his first 17 appearances this season, the most in the majors without allowing a run.

White Sox 7, Royals 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chris Getz hit a tiebreaking two-run single off Juan Cruz in the ninth inning, and the White Sox rallied past the Royals for their first three-game sweep in Kansas City since 2005. The Royals bullpen squandered another respectable start by Zack Greinke, who had been only the third pitcher since 1920 with a sub-1.00 ERA 10 starts into a season.

Angels 9, Mariners 8

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Kendry Morales capped a three-run ninth inning with a bases-loaded RBI single and the Angels overcame a seven-run deficit to beat the Mariners and avoid a three-game sweep. Seattle closer David Aardsma (1-2), who had converted all eight of his save chances and hadn’t allowed a run in 141‚Ñ3 innings, failed to protect an 8-6 lead for starter Garrett Olson.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 4, Nationals 2

PHILADELPHIA — Jamie Moyer went six strong innings to win his 250th career game, and the Phillies won their third straight game. The 46-year-old Moyer is the 44th player to win 250 games, and only the 11th left-hander to joint he exclusive list. It was his sixth try at 250 after going winless in his last five outings while allowing 38 hits and 26 earned runs in 241‚Ñ3 innings.

Padres 5, Rockies 2

DENVER — Adrian Gonzalez hit his major-league leading 20th home run, Chad Gaudin struck out a season-high nine and the Padres beat the Rockies. Brad Hawpe and Yorvit Torrealba had two hits each for Colorado, which lost for the first time under interim manager Jim Tracy.

Brewers 5, Reds 2

MILWAUKEE — Mike Cameron homered and Yovani Gallardo won his fifth game as the Brewers swept the three-game series from the Reds. It wasn’t quite the gem Gallardo (5-2) threw on Monday against St. Louis when the right-hander had a no-hitter going into the sixth and finished allowing two hits in eight shutout innings, but he was good enough against Cincinnati.

Mets 3, Marlins 2

NEW YORK — John Maine shut down Florida again before becoming the latest Mets player sidelined by sickness or injury, and New York held off the Marlins to cap a highly successful month. David Wright made a diving grab to start a rally-killing double play, and the Mets completed a 5-1 homestand to finish 19-9 in May. After taking two of three from Florida, they have won 11 of the past 14 games at their new home, Citi Field.

Giants 5, Cardinals 3

SAN FRANCISCO — Rich Aurilia hit his first home run of the season to give San Francisco the lead in the seventh, Aaron Rowand doubled and scored twice and the Giants took the rubber game from the Cardinals. The victory gave the Giants a winning month of May at 15-14 and a 5-1 homestand. Merkin Valdez (2-0) pitched 12‚Ñ3 innings with a 1-2-3 seventh for the win as San Francisco improved to 6-1 in rubber games and 5-0 at home in those contests.

Braves 9, Diamondbacks 3

PHOENIX — Chipper Jones homered and drove in four runs, Garrett Anderson hit his first home run with the Braves, and Atlanta routed the Diamondbacks. Kris Medlen (1-2) was dominant for Atlanta, allowing one run over six innings for his first career win. Medlen struck out eight and retired 14 of the first 16 batters he faced. Reed Johnson and Yunel Escobar each had three doubles for the Braves. The Braves wasted little time against Diamondbacks starter Max Scherzer (2-4), scoring two runs on the game’s first seven pitches.

Associated Press