mlb roundup Friday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Yankees 5, Rays 4

NEW YORK

Nick Swisher provided the most fitting tribute to George Steinbrenner. Swisher hit a game-winning single with two outs in the ninth inning and the Yankees ended an emotional by beating the Rays. On a night when manager Joe Girardi cried, captain Derek Jeter’s face went flush as he spoke to the crowd and closer Mariano Rivera placed two long-stemmed roses across home plate to remember Steinbrenner and beloved public address announcer Bob Sheppard, the Yankees won.

Blue Jays 4, Orioles 2

BALTIMORE

Ricky Romero allowed five hits in seven innings, Aaron Hill homered and the Jays ended the Orioles’ four-game winning streak. Fred Lewis had two hits and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who improved to 7-0 against the Orioles this season, including 4-0 in Baltimore. Toronto was 1-8 at Camden Yards last year.

Athletics 5, Royals 1

KANSAS CITY, MO.

Gio Gonzalez outdueled Zack Greinke and the Athletics caught a big break in the first inning en route to a 5-1 victory over the Royals, disappointing a rare Kauffman Stadium sellout crowd. Kevin Kouzmanoff had a two-run single for the Athletics while Gonzalez (8-6) allowed seven hits and one walk in seven innings.

Twins 7, White Sox 4

MINNEAPOLIS

Francisco Liriano gave the sagging Twins a big lift on the mound, and faulty fielding by the White Sox led to the end of their nine-game winning streak. Liriano (7-7) left with two outs in the eighth inning to a standing ovation from the Target Field fans.

Rangers 8, Red Sox 4

BOSTON

Bengie Molina hit for the cycle with a grand slam and triple in his last two at-bats and the Rangers came up with another big inning against Boston.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Nationals 4, Marlins 0

MIAMI

Stephen Strasburg struggled through a 34-pitch first inning but escaped early jams to lead Washington. Strasburg (4-2) allowed two baserunners in each of the first three innings, walking three and throwing the first wild pitch of his career. He finished with seven strikeouts in six innings and lowered his ERA to 2.03.

Reds 3, Rockies 2

CINCINNATI

Brandon Phillips followed his first All-Star appearance with a three-hit game and first-time All-Star Arthur Rhodes pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-outs threat in the eighth inning. The NL Central leaders hadn’t played a home game all month and had dropped five of six on the road.

Cubs 4, Phillies 3

CHICAGO

Aramis Ramirez homered with two outs in the eighth inning — his third hit of the game — to cap Chicago’s rally. Ramirez’s 11th homer came off Ryan Madson (2-1) and gave him 14 RBIs in his last eight games. Sean Marshall (6-2) pitched the eighth in relief of Ted Lilly and Carlos Marmol struck out the side in the ninth for his 17th save.

Cardinals 8, Dodgers 4

ST. LOUIS

Yadier Molina homered and drove in four runs, matching his RBI total from the previous 25 games, helping the Cardinals overcome a rough start by rookie Jaime Garcia.

Associated Press