(Monday, July 16th)
Final Score: Boston 4, Kansas City 0
Boston, MA - Kason Gabbard threw the first shutout of his career as the Boston Red Sox downed the Kansas City Royals, 4-0, in the opener of a three-game set at Fenway Park. Gabbard (3-0) gave up just three hits, a walk and two hit batters while striking out a season-high eight batters for his first complete game for the Red Sox, who have won two of their last three. David Ortiz hit a two-run home run, Manny Ramirez hit a solo homer and Dustin Pedroia added a solo shot and scored twice. Emil Brown went 2-for-3 while Brian Bannister (5-6) was good in the start but was plagued by the long ball as he gave up four runs on five hits in six innings of work for the Royals, who have dropped three of four.
Final Score: Chicago 11, Cleveland 10
Cleveland, OH - Paul Konerko, Rob Mackowiak and Jerry Owens all knocked in three runs as the Chicago White Sox used a nine-run sixth inning to down the Cleveland Indians, 11-10, in the opener of a three-game series at Jacobs Field. Jim Thome finished 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the White Sox, who ended a three-game losing streak by holding off the Indians, who scored eight unanswered runs after the big sixth inning for the Sox. Rookie left-hander John Danks (6-6) started for Chicago and went 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. Cleveland starter Cliff Lee (5-6) had a rough outing as the left-hander was charged with seven runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 frames. Franklin Gutierrez went 4-for-5 and hit a three-run homer for the Indians, who lost for the sixth time in their last nine games. Gutierrez fell a triple short of the cycle.
Final Score: New York 6, Toronto 4
Bronx, NY - Andy Phillips’ looping fly ball into center found real estate, scoring the go-ahead run and an added insurance run, as the Yankees opened a four-game set with a 6-4 victory over Toronto at Yankee Stadium. Phillips’ hit of the softer variety proved just as important as three Yankee homers, including Alex Rodriguez’s 496th career home run. Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano drilled homers one out apart in the second for the Yankees, who have won four of five and nine of 13. The Blue Jays also played long ball, with Troy Glaus belting two homers and Alex Rios another. Glaus missed his third homer of the night in the ninth by a a few feet to dead center, finishing with his first triple since April 2005. Glaus was left stranded at third as Mariano Rivera struck out Frank Thomas and Lyle Overbay before Aaron Hill grounded out to finish off the closer’s 14th save. Scott Proctor (2-5) got the win despite giving up Rios’ tying solo shot in the sixth. Josh Towers (4-6) took the loss, yielding six runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and one walk over 5 2/3 innings. The Blue Jays bullpen held the Yankees down the rest of the way, but it wasn’t enough to avoid their second defeat in three games.
Final Score: Seattle 4, Baltimore 2
Seattle, WA - Horacio Ramirez, fresh off the disabled list, pitched seven innings and Yuniesky Betancourt hit a two-run double in the sixth inning as Seattle downed Baltimore, 4-2, in the first of a three-game set at Safeco Field. Ramirez (5-2), who had been sidelined since May 25 with tendinitis in his left shoulder, gave up just two runs on five hits for the Mariners, who have won six of their last eight. Ichiro Suzuki, who was questionable coming into the game after leaving Sunday’s game against Detroit with a thigh contusion, finished the game 2-for-3 with a run scored. He was the designated hitter instead of playing his normal position in center field. Nick Markakis and Ramon Hernandez each drove in a run for the Orioles, who had a three-game winning streak stopped. Brian Burres (4-4) got the loss as he gave up four runs on nine hits in six innings of work.
Final Score: Texas 4, Oakland 1
Oakland, CA - Jamey Wright threw seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits as the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics, 4-1, in the first of a three-game set at McAfee Coliseum. Wright (3-2) walked three and struck out two. Marlon Byrd and Jerry Hairston Jr. drove in two runs apiece for the Rangers, who have won two in a row. Oakland starter Dallas Braden (1-4) was tagged for four runs on eight hits with two walks and seven strikeouts for Oakland, which has dropped eight straight. Marco Scutaro knocked in a run for the Athletics.
Final Score: Cincinnati 10, Atlanta 3
Atlanta, GA - Ken Griffey Jr. hit a milestone home run as the Cincinnati Reds blasted the Atlanta Braves, 10-3, in the first contest of a three-game set at Turner Field. Griffey’s three-run homer in the second inning moved him past Hall of Famer Frank Robinson for sole possession of sixth place on the all-time home run list with 587 homers. Griffey, who finished 2-for-4 with four runs batted in, has 24 homers this year. Cincinnati starter Bobby Livingston (2-0), who was recalled from Triple-A Louisville earlier Monday, went five innings and allowed two runs on eight hits. Livingston also helped himself at the plate by going 4-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Adam Dunn knocked in a pair of runs for the Reds, who avoided a three-game slide. Kyle Davies (4-8) started for Atlanta and failed to record an out. After allowing two runs on two hits and three walks, Davies was replaced by Oscar Villarreal in the first. Villarreal didn’t fare much better than Davies as the righty gave up four runs — three earned — on five hits in three innings. Yunel Escobar had three hits for the Braves, who were looking to win their fifth straight contest and lost for just the second time in their last nine games overall.
Final Score: Chicago 3, San Francisco 2
Chicago, IL - Aramis Ramirez belted the go-ahead two-run double with two outs in the eighth, as Chicago overcame a costly error from Alfonso Soriano in the top of the same inning to beat the Giants, 3-2, on a night the Cubs traded for veteran help behind the plate. During the game, the Cubs announced the acquisition of three-time All-Star catcher Jason Kendall from Oakland. The Cubs also received cash considerations in the deal and sent catcher Rob Bowen and minor league left-hander Jerry Blevins to the Athletics. San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds, in one of the worst slumps of his career, was scratched from the starting lineup due to sore legs. Koyie Hill homered for the Cubs, who despite five hits won their fourth straight overall. Rich Hill (6-6) allowed four hits and two runs over eight innings to snap a five-start winless skid. Bob Howry threw the final frame for his sixth save to open the four-game series. Pedro Feliz homered for the Giants, who continued to struggle after being swept at home in a three-game series over the weekend. This was San Francisco’s fifth consecutive loss.
Final Score: St. Louis 5, Florida 3
Miami, FL - Chris Duncan and Adam Kennedy homered as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Florida Marlins, 5-3, in the first of a three- game set at Dolphin Stadium. Kennedy was a triple shy of a cycle and Duncan finished with three RBI for the Cardinals, who have won three of their last five games. St. Louis starter Braden Looper (7-7) went 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Miguel Cabrera homered for the Marlins, who had won five of their previous seven. Byung-Hyun Kim (4-5) was tagged for five runs on eight hits, while walking seven and striking out four in six-plus innings.
Final Score: Washington 4, Houston 3
Washington, DC - Dmitri Young’s three-run home run in the sixth inning proved to be the difference as Washington downed Houston, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game set at RFK Stadium. Ryan Zimmerman went 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Ryan Church drove in the other run for the Nationals, who have won four of their last six contests. Saul Rivera (4-2) got the win for pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Mike Bacsik started on the mound and gave up two runs — one earned — on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Carlos Lee went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two RBI and Mark Loretta drove in the other run for the Astros, who have dropped four straight. Woody Williams (4-11) was saddled with the loss as he gave up four runs on six hits in six innings.
Final Score: Colorado 10, Pittsburgh 8
Pittsburgh, PA - Matt Holliday drove home three runs and Colorado pounded out nine of its runs in the first three innings then held on for a 10-8 victory over Pittsburgh at PNC Park. Willy Taveras scored three runs and Troy Tulowitzki and Yorvit Torrealba drove in two runs apiece for the Rockies, who snapped a two-game slide. Taylor Buchholz didn’t factor in the decision, allowing six runs — four earned — on nine hits over four innings. LaTroy Hawkins (1-4) got the win with 1 1/3 frames of scoreless relief. Manny Corpas continued to close games in place of the ineffective Brian Fuentes, throwing a perfect ninth for his second save. Ryan Doumit drove in two runs, while Nate McLouth and Freddy Sanchez each scored twice for Pittsburgh, which has dropped four straight and five of six. John Van Benschoten (0-4) remained winless on the campaign, surrendering nine runs on six hits over two-plus innings. His earned run average rose from 5.40 to 8.17.
Final Score: Milwaukee 4, Arizona 3
Milwaukee, WI - Corey Hart and Ryan Braun homered as the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-3, in the first of a four- game set at Miller Park. J.J. Hardy had two hits for the Brewers, who have won three in a row. Milwaukee starter Dave Bush (8-7) went six-plus innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Francisco Cordero struck out the side in the ninth to earn his major league leading 29th save of the season. Chris Young, Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds all homered for the Diamondbacks, who have lost seven of nine. Arizona starter Micah Owings (5-5) was tagged for four runs on seven hits in six frames.
Final Score: San Diego 5, New York 1
San Diego, CA - David Wells threw six solid innings and Michael Barrett went 3-for-4 with three RBI to boost San Diego to a 5-1 victory over the New York Mets in the opener of a three-game series. Wells (5-5) scattered seven hits, gave up a run, walked one and struck out two batters. The 44-year-old left-hander moved to 5-1 lifetime against the Mets. This was his first game against the Mets since winning at Shea Stadium on August 24, 2004. Mike Cameron homered against his former team, as the Padres won for the second straight time after losing three in a row. David Wright had three hits and scored for the NL East-leading Mets, who had a two-game winning streak broken. New York has dropped seven of its last nine road games. Jorge Sosa (7-4) activated off the 15-day disabled list before the game, allowed five hits and two runs over six innings. Sosa, who had been out with a strained left hamstring, walked two and struck out four to lose for the third time in four decisions. Final Score: Los Angeles 10, Philadelphia 3
Los Angeles, CA - Jeff Kent hit a three-run home run and Brad Penny picked up where he left off before the All-Stat break, as Los Angeles downed Philadelphia, 10-3. Penny (11-1) gave up one run on four hits with eight strikeouts and three walks over seven innings. Rafael Furcal, Juan Pierre and Nomar Garciaparra each recorded two hits for the Dodgers, winners in five straight. Jamie Moyer (7-8) gave up 10 runs — nine earned — on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. One night after a 10-2 blasting that put loss number 10,000 in the record books, the Phillies traveled west for another lopsided defeat in the first of a seven-game road trip. Chase Utley added to his league-leading RBI total, driving in a pair for the up-and-down Phillies.
