mlb roundup \ Tuesday’s other games

May 27, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Twins 5, Red Sox 2

MINNEAPOLIS — Justin Morneau’s three-run homer capped a five-run fifth inning for Minnesota against Boston starter Jon Lester. Nick Blackburn (4-2) struck out a career-high seven in seven innings for Minnesota, yielding a double and a walk to new No. 6 hitter David Ortiz, and the suddenly powerful Twins set up Morneau’s shot with the small ball they’re more familiar with. They began the game with the fifth-most home runs in the majors after finishing next-to-last in each of the last two years. Minnesota has homered in nine straight games, the longest such streak since 12 in a row in 2002.

Royals 6, Tigers 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Zack Greinke struck out eight while pitching his fifth complete game and Mitch Maier drove in three runs after coming off the bench, leading the Kansas City Royals past the Detroit Tigers 6-1 Tuesday night. Greinke (8-1), who leads the majors in ERA, complete games and shutouts (two), allowed six hits and one first-inning run. For the rest of the night, his varied assortment of 98 mph fastballs and corner-biting breaking pitches dealt nothing but zeros to a Detroit lineup that scored 13 runs the day before. Greinke threw a season-high 116 pitches and did not allow a walk while his ERA rose from 0.82 to 0.84. In two starts against the Tigers this year, he has allowed one earned run in two complete-game wins.

Orioles 7, Blue Jays 2

BALTIMORE — Aubrey Huff, Adam Jones and Nolan Reimold homered, right-hander Jason Berken won his major league debut and the Orioles defeated Toronto to stretch the Blue Jays’ losing streak to eight games. Only 10,130 fans — the smallest crowd in the 18-year history of Camden Yards — showed up on a miserable night. The temperature dipped into the low 50s and a steady mist swirled through the stadium from the outset.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Reds 6, Astros 4

CINCINNATI — Joey Votto hit a two-run homer in the seventh — an inning after right-hander Roy Oswalt failed to hold a lead against the team he’s beaten like no other — and the Reds rallied to send the Astros to their sixth straight loss. Votto’s homer off Tim Byrdak (0-1) snapped a 4-all tie and sent the Reds to their third straight win, which matches their season high. Nick Masset (2-0), who was activated off the disabled list before the game, got the victory with one inning in relief. Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his 13th save in as many chances. The last-place Astros extended their longest losing streak of the season after one of their dependables failed them again.

Mets 6, Nationals 1

NEW YORK — Livan Hernandez shut down Ryan Zimmerman and the Nationals, pitching the New York Mets’ first complete game of the season in a win over Washington. Hernandez (4-1) worked around nine hits in going the distance for the 46th time in his career, most recently in May 2008 with Minnesota. Zimmerman’s streak of safely reaching base ended at 43 games. He went 0 for 4 and struck out twice, falling three games short of the franchise record set by Rusty Staub for Montreal from 1969-70.

Phillies 5, Marlins 3

PHILADELPHIA — Joe Blanton had a career-high 11 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings, and the Phillies held on to beat the Marlins. Blanton (3-3) allowed five hits in his best outing since last August. Brad Lidge pitched out of jam in the ninth to earn his ninth save in 13 chances. Lidge, who was 48-for-48 last year, including the postseason, blew consecutive save opportunities against the New York Yankees last weekend. Shane Victorino had four hits and Pedro Feliz had two hits and two RBIs for the NL East-leading Phillies, who have won nine of 12. Marlins starter Andrew Miller (1-2) gave up four runs — two earned — and seven hits in six innings.

Cardinals 8, Brewers 1

MILWAUKEE — Adam Wainwright hit one of four Cardinals homers and struck out a career-high nine in seven innings, lifting St. Louis to a win over the Brewers. Nick Stavinoha, Colby Rasmus and Chris Duncan also homered for the Cardinals to snap a four-game skid against their NL Central rivals. Wainwright (5-2) lost a 1-0 decision on May 16 against Brewers starter Jeff Suppan despite giving up just two hits over eight innings. This time, the 27-year-old right-hander made sure the Cardinals scored at least one run and worked out of two bases-loaded jams, finishing by scattering five hits and two walks.

Associated Press