mlb roundup \ Saturday’s other games

INTERLEAGUE

Red Sox 3, Braves 0

BOSTON — Josh Beckett allowed just five singles for his first shutout since joining the Red Sox, and Jason Varitek doubled twice and scored twice to lead Boston. Beckett (8-4) rebounded from giving up a season-high 11 hits in his last outing for his first complete game of the year. He struck out seven, walked none and only allowed one runner to reach second base to win for the sixth time in seven decisions. Varitek helped Boston spoil the homecoming of ex-batterymate Derek Lowe, who spent 71‚Ñ2 seasons with the Red Sox and helped them end their 86-year World Series drought. In his first appearance at Fenway since the 2004 AL championship series — and his first-ever game against the Red Sox — Lowe (7-5) allowed three runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out two. The Braves lost for the seventh time in 10 games. Lowe and Beckett were locked in a scoreless game until the fifth, when Varitek doubled off center fielder Nate McLouth’s glove and scored on Nick Green’s double. J.D. Drew doubled to lead off the sixth and scored on Kevin Youkilis’ single to make it 2-0. Boston scored another in the seventh to chase Lowe, but the Fenway crowd rose to give him a standing ovation as he walked to the visitor’s dugout and he waved his cap in appreciation. The lanky right-hander came to the Red Sox with Varitek in 1997 a lopsided trade for heartbreak closer Heathcliff Slocumb, and together they became the core of the team that would lead the franchise to the ’04 World Series title.

Cardinals 7, Royals 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Khalil Greene hit a late three-run homer, Albert Pujols hit a two-run shot and Chris Carpenter outpitched Brian Bannister to lift St. Louis. Pujols was a key factor in Friday night’s win, had even bigger role in this one, hitting his 24th homer off Bannister (5-4) to put the Cardinals up 3-0 in the sixth inning. Greene sealed it in the ninth, lifting a shot just over the wall in left That was more than enough the way Carpenter (5-1) pitched.

Tigers 9, Brewers 5

DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera and Placido Polanco homered and Alfredo Figaro, called up to replace Dontrelle Willis, won his major-league debut for the Tigers. Ryan Braun homered and had four hits for the Brewers, but it wasn’t enough to help Dave Bush (3-4) lose for the fourth time in his last six starts. Cabrera, Marcus Thames, Don Kelly and Josh Anderson each had three hits for the Tigers, who finished with 17 total. Seven different players drove in a run.

Marlins 2, Yankees 1

MIAMI — Josh Johnson pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, Dan Uggla homered and the Marlins took advantage of a Yankees lineup without Alex Rodriguez. Johnson (7-1) struck out five and walked two, outpitching former Marlins teammate A.J. Burnett (5-4). The Yankees didn’t do much to help their starting pitcher. Johnny Damon misplayed a ball hit to left field by Jorge Cantu in the sixth, allowing Hanley Ramirez to score from first to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead they would never lose. The play was ruled an error, with Damon slow to read the ball and whiffing on the catch.

Rays 3, Mets 1

NEW YORK — Carlos Pena hit a tiebreaking homer off Johan Santana in the seventh inning, sending James Shields and the Rays to a rainy win. Shields (6-5) allowed three hits in seven innings and retired his final 14 batters. He outpitched Santana, who was back in fine form following the worst start of his career. Both starters were lifted after a 73-minute rain delay in the top of the eighth. Dan Wheeler worked a perfect inning and J.P. Howell got three outs for his fourth save. Santana (8-5) took the loss, even though he didn’t allow a hit until the fifth.

Astros 6, Twins 5

MINNEAPOLIS — Lance Berkman and Michael Bourn homered, and the Astros scored four times in the seventh to rally for a victory. Brian Moehler (4-4) evened his record despite giving up three home runs. Joe Mauer hit his career-high 14th homer and Brendan Harris and Delmon Young also connected for Minnesota. Jose Valverde worked the ninth for his fourth save. Sean Henn (0-3) took the loss in relief, charged with two runs and two hits while only retiring one batter in the seventh.

Nationals 5, Blue Jays 3 12 innings

WASHINGTON — Willie Harris hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning and the Washington Nationals stretched their winning streak to a season-high four games. Alberto Gonzalez led off the 12th with a single against Scott Richmond (5-4). Harris followed hitting a full-count pitch into the Nationals’ right-field bullpen for his second home run this year.

Orioles 6, Phillies 5

PHILADELPHIA — Brian Roberts hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth off fill-in closer Ryan Madson to lift the Orioles. Pinch-hitter Ryan Howard gave the Phillies a 5-3 lead with a three-run homer in the seventh, hours after being hospitalized for flu symptoms. But Baltimore rallied against Madson (2-3), who has two blown saves and two losses this week in place of injured closer Brad Lidge. Mark Hendrickson (2-4) pitched a scoreless eighth and George Sherrill finished for his 14th save in 16 chances.

Associated Press