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Detroit, MI - Gavin Floyd hurled six-plus shutout innings as Chicago finished its first three-game sweep of the season by besting Detroit, 3-1.

Floyd (1-1) scattered seven hits and did not walk a batter, while striking out six to record his first victory as a member of the White Sox. Four relievers combined to finish things. Bobby Jenks pitched a perfect ninth to record his 32nd save.

“I felt pretty good,” Floyd said. “I made some minor adjustments and the key today was be able to throw my fastball for strikes. I was able to get my curve over when I needed to and was able to give us a chance to win. I hope that I can build on this and get better.”

Josh Fields, Jerry Owens and Darin Erstad each drove in a run for the White Sox, who have won four straight games.

“This sweep wasn’t any more important than any other, Erstad said. “We have to play series by series. Play good baseball, build on it and win some games.”

Magglio Ordonez homered to account for the struggling Tigers only offense. Detroit has now lost five straight and 11 of their last 13 but remained just one-half game behind Cleveland after the Indians were whitewashed by the Minnesota Twins, 1-0.

“We’re not very good right now and (Floyd) was a lot better,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. “He had a little better command of his curve. If you’re not playing good and you’re playing a team that is, you’re going to get beat.”

Jordan Tata (1-1) followed up his successful major league debut with a less impressive affair. Tata allowed only two runs over seven innings against Oakland in his first big league start but managed to last only five innings against the ChiSox, surrendering three runs on five hits while walking four and fanning just two.

“He pitched good enough today but we didn’t hit well enough to do anything with it,” said Leyland.

The White Sox took an early 1-0 lead in the second when A.J. Pierzynski and Fields slapped back-to-back one-out doubles.

Chicago then took control with a pair of runs in the fifth. Danny Richar started things with a one-out walk and quickly crossed the plate after Owens laced a double into the gap in left-center. Erstad followed with a two-bagger of his own to make it 3-0.

Ordonez finally got the Tigers on the board when he touched Mike MacDougal for a two-out, solo homer in the eighth, his 17th of the season. MacDougal settled down from there and got Carlos Guillen to fly out to end the inning.

Jenks then dominated the Tigers in the ninth to secure things.

Game Notes

The Tigers had a string of 14 straight sellouts broken. Attendance was 39,778…Chicago has won eight of its 12 matchups with the Tigers this season and is 34-16 in the series since the start of the 2005 campaign. The White Sox have also won in 18 of their last 25 visits to the Motor City…Tigers designated hitter Sean Casey left the game after being hit in the left elbow by a Floyd pitch in the third inning. Craig Monroe pinch hit for Casey in the fifth…All six of the White Sox hits went for extra bases.

St. Petersburg, FL - Miguel Tejada, Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora all homered as Baltimore routed Tampa Bay, 11-3, in the finale of a three-game set at Tropicana Field.

Corey Patterson finished 3-for-5 with three runs batted in for the Orioles, who took two of three in the set. Jay Gibbons was 4-of-5 with a run scored.

Baltimore’s ace, Erik Bedard (12-4), allowed three runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. The crafty left-hander did not walk a batter and fanned 11. Chad Bradford and Danys Baez finished things with a combined 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Carl Crawford was 4-for-5 with a homer for the Devil Rays, who have lost three of their last five games. B.J. Upton also homered for Tampa Bay.

Andrew Sonnanstine (1-7) was rocked for seven runs on eight hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work en route to the loss.

Down 3-1, the O’s answered emphatically and took control of the game with a six-run fourth inning. Tejada led off the frame with his ninth home run of the season. Mora kept things going by drawing a one-out walk and moved to second when Gibbons singled. Both runners advanced on a Josh Paul throwing error before Sonnanstine walked Jay Payton to load the bases. Paul Bako then grounded into a fielder’s choice to even things.

Brian Roberts followed with an RBI single up the middle to give Baltimore its first lead and Patterson plated Bako with an RBI double to right. Nick Markakis finally capped the frame with a two-run single to right and the Orioles had a comfortable 7-3 cushion.

The O’s ran away in the fifth with three more runs. Huff led off with his eighth homer of the year to make it 8-3. With two down, Baltimore loaded the bases thanks to consecutive singles by Payton and Bako and a Roberts walk. Patterson then came through with a two-run single to right that made it 10-3.

Baltimore tacked on another insurance run in the ninth when Mora, who was activated off the disabled list before the game, belted his 13th home run of the year.

The Rays jumped on top in the first when Crawford laced a one-out, solo homer, his ninth of the year.

Baltimore quickly evened things in the second. Huff doubled to center, moved to third on Gibbons’ one-out single and crossed the plate when Payton grounded into a fielder’s choice.

Tampa Bay went back ahead in the third. After Crawford slapped a single up the middle, Upton cracked his 15th home run of the year to make it a 3-1 game.

Game Notes

Mora was sidelined with a left mid-foot sprain, originally suffered on July 1. He tried to play through the injury but was placed on the DL July 13. To make room for him on the roster the Orioles optioned infielder Luis Hernandez to Double-A Bowie…The O’s had 16 hits in the game.

Miami, FL - Cody Ross went 2-for-2 with a double and two runs batted in as the Florida Marlins held on to defeat the Houston Astros, 6-5, in the finale of a three-game series at Dolphin Stadium.

Ross came in to replace Miguel Cabrera, who left the game in the third inning after getting hit with a pitch on the left elbow.

Alfredo Amezaga finished with two runs batted in and Hanley Ramirez hit his 19th homer of the season and scored two runs for the Marlins, who took two of three in the series. Florida has won two straight and three of its last five.

Scott Olsen (9-9) had a solid outing in earning the win, giving up three runs on six hits, while fanning eight over 7 1/3 innings pitched. He also walked a batter.

Carlos Lee had an RBI double and a three-run homer for the Astros, who have lost two in a row and five of their last seven.

Houston starter Matt Albers (2-5) struggled through 4 1/3 innings of work, allowing five runs on five hits. The right-hander struck out a career-high six and walked three.

With the Astros trailing 6-2 in the eighth inning, Chris Burke reached base with a one-out single and after the Marlins went to the bullpen and brought in Matt Lindstrom, the Florida right-hander struck out Mark Loretta. However, Lance Berkman walked and Lee lined a three-run homer to left to cut the Houston deficit to 6-5.

Kevin Gregg came in for the ninth and after retiring Jason Lane, gave up a single to Mike Lamb, who advanced to second on a ground out by Luke Scott. Gregg then got Eric Munson to foul out to third base to end the game, recording his 23rd save of the season.

The Astros got out of the gate early, jumping on Olsen for a pair of runs in the first inning. After Burke was retired, Loretta and Berkman singled. Lee then lined a double down the left field line to plate a run and Ty Wigginton’s sacrifice fly brought in another to give the Astros the early advantage.

Florida loaded the bases with one out in the second, but managed only one run when Amezaga grounded into a force out, scoring Todd Linden to make it a 2-1 game.

Ramirez’s solo home run to left in the third tied the contest.

The Marlins added three in the fifth. Dan Uggla was hit by a pitch leading off the frame and scored when Ross followed with a two-base hit down the left- field line. After Mike Jacobs fouled out, Linden’s single scored another run to chase Albers from the contest.

Stephen Randolph then yielded a single to Jeremy Hermida and hit Matt Treanor with a pitch to load the bases before a sacrifice fly by Amezaga gave Florida a 5-2 lead.

Florida tacked on another run in the sixth when Ramirez drew a lead-off walk, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Astros catcher Brad Ausmus, then came in to score when Ross lifted a sacrifice fly to center.

Game Notes

Attendance was 14,622…Florida will travel to Philadelphia to play the Phillies in a three-game series starting Tuesday night, while the Astros will host the Chicago Cubs in a three-game set beginning Monday…Randolph left the game with a strained left biceps injury…The Astros have homered in eight straight games…Jacobs finished 0-for-5 and is now hitless in his last 22 at- bats.

Bronx, NY - Hideki Matsui and Melky Cabrera each homered and drove in two runs, leading the New York Yankees to an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals and a sweep of the three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

Alex Rodriguez, a day after finally reaching the 500-homer club, went 0-for-4 with a sacrifice fly as the designated hitter. Bobby Abreu chipped in three hits with a pair of runs batted in for New York, which hadn’t swept a series since taking three straight against Arizona from June 12-14.

Mike Mussina (7-7) pitched into the seventh to win his third straight start. He gave up two runs on nine hits with no walks and three strikeouts over six- plus innings. Mariano Rivera got the last four outs for his 17th save.

Gil Meche (7-9) lost his third straight start. The Kansas City righty was roughed up for six runs on six hits and five walks with two strikeouts in just four-plus innings.

Joey Gathright went 4-for-4 with an RBI single, while Ross Gload added two hits with a two-run homer in defeat. The Royals have lost five of their last six.

The Yankees put together a four-run rally with two outs in the second inning to take the lead. After Meche retired the first two batters, Robinson Cano walked, Wilson Betemit singled and Andy Phillips drew a walk to load the bases.

Cabrera then slapped a single to left to score one run and Derek Jeter walked to force in another. Abreu followed with a base hit in front of center fielder David DeJesus to plate two more.

The Royals stranded runners on the corners in the top of the third and Matsui led off the bottom of the inning with his 22nd homer of the year to make it 5-0. It was also his 100th homer as a Yankee.

New York tacked on another run in the fourth when Jeter was hit by a pitch, raced to third on a single by Abreu and scored on a fly ball to deep center field by Rodriguez.

Mussina, meanwhile, cruised through five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. After a single and a double play gave the veteran two outs, he hit Emil Brown with a pitch and Gload followed with his fourth homer of the season. Alex Gordon then singled, but Mussina struck out John Buck to end the inning.

Cabrera led off the bottom of the sixth with his seventh homer of the season, a blast into the right field seats, to make it 7-2. Jeter then drew a walk, stole second and took third on a single by Abreu before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Matsui.

Mussina left the contest after yielding a leadoff single to Gathright in the seventh, but Brian Bruney got a double play ball off the bat of Tony Pena before issuing a walk to DeJesus and a single to Esteban German. Mike Myers then came on and Mark Teahen greeted him with a base hit to center. DeJesus scored as Cabrera overran the ball for an error and German was able to race home from first to make it 8-4. Brown, though, bounced out to the box for the third out.

The Royals tacked on another run in the eighth. Buck drew a two-out walk from Myers and took second on defensive indifference before scoring on a base hit by Gathright. Rivera came on and got pinch hitter Jason Smith on a fly ball to center before retiring the side in order in the ninth.

Game Notes

Matsui became the first Japanese-born player to reach the 100-homer mark in the majors…Jeter tied Hall of Famer Bill Dickey for seventh on New York’s all-time games played list with 1,789…Cabrera has an 11-game hitting streak…Mussina improved to 17-7 lifetime against the Royals, including 2-0 this season…The Yankees have scored at least seven runs in nine consecutive home games, the longest streak, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, since Boston scored seven or more in 14 straight in 2005…Gload was 6-for-11 in the series and is 13-for-23 against the Yankees this season…New York starts a six-game road trip on Monday afternoon in Toronto. After three games against the Blue Jays, the Yankees will then visit Cleveland…The Royals have Monday off and return home Tuesday for the start of a three-game series against Minnesota.

Toronto, ON - Dustin McGowan pitched into the ninth inning and Matt Stairs hit two RBI doubles as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Texas Rangers, 4-1, to sweep a three-game series at Rogers Centre.

McGowan (8-5) scattered eight hits over eight-plus innings, allowing only one run while striking out six and walking one. Stairs went 3-for-3 against his former team, and Jeremy Accardo put out the fire in the ninth for his 20th save of the season for the Blue Jays, who had dropped four of six entering the series.

Brandon McCarthy (5-8) took the hard-luck loss, giving Texas six strong innings, allowing six hits and two runs while fanning four. Frank Catalanotto led off the game with a homer to account for the only run for the Rangers, who have dropped four straight.

Catalanotto put the Rangers on top three pitches into the game, belting a 1-2 offering out to right for his seventh homer of the season. After Ian Kinsler struck out, Michael Young singled to right and Sammy Sosa singled to center. McGowan rebounded, though, fanning Nelson Cruz and Brad Wilkerson to end the threat.

The Blue Jays wasted little time tying the game. After getting Reed Johnson to ground out, McCarthy walked Stairs and Alex Rios. Vernon Wells popped out, but Frank Thomas came through with a two-out single to left, knotting the game at 1-1.

Both pitchers settled down after the first inning, and the game stood at 1-1 entering the bottom of the fifth. Ray Olmedo led off the frame for the Jays with a double to right and moved to third on Johnson’s sacrifice bunt. Stairs then doubled into the gap in left-center, putting Toronto on top.

The Blue Jays added two insurance runs in the seventh. Reliever Frank Francisco issued a one-out walk to Johnson, who moved to second on a wild pitch and then came home on Stairs’ second RBI double of the game, this one to right-center. After Rios flied out to center, Wells tripled off the top of the wall in center, plating Stairs to give Toronto a three-run pad.

McGowan was lifted after allowing a leadoff single to Wilkerson in the ninth, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled off Accardo to bring the tying run to the plate, but the Toronto closer fanned Ramon Vazquez, got pinch-hitter Jason Botts to ground out and Catalanotto to fly out to seal the win.

Game Notes

The Jays had not swept the Rangers in a series of three games or more since August 3-5, 2000…The Blue Jays tied the season series, 5-5, in the final game between the teams in 2007, ending a five-season win streak for the Rangers.

Pittsburgh, PA - Sunday’s game between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates was postponed because of rain.

It has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader for August 28 when the Reds next visit PNC Park. The first game of the twinbill is slated to begin at 5:05 p.m. (et).

The Pirates have Monday off before heading to the road for six games — three in Arizona and three in San Francisco.

Cincinnati also has Monday off before Tuesday’s start of a three-game series against Los Angeles.

The Reds won the first two games of this series, 13-4 on Friday and 9-8 in 10 innings on Saturday.

(Saturday, August 4th)

Final Score: New York 16, Kansas City 8

Bronx, NY - Alex Rodriguez hit career home run No. 500 as the New York Yankees downed the Kansas City Royals, 16-8, in the second of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. Rodriguez, who turned 32 on July 27, surpassed Jimmie Foxx (32 years, 338 days) as the youngest player to reach 500 career home runs. Rodriguez smacked the first pitch he saw from Kyle Davies over the left field wall for his 36th home run of the season and became the 22nd player in MLB history to reach the 500 home run mark. He had gone 28 at-bats since his last home run, which occurred on July 25 against the Royals. He is the third player to reach 500 home runs in the Yankee pinstripes, joining Hall of Famer’s Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth. Rodriguez finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored and became the first player in MLB history to have at least 35 home runs, 100 runs scored and 100 RBI in 10 straight seasons. Robinson Cano went 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored while Wilson Betemit added three hits and three RBI for the Yankees, who have won five of their last six games. Phil Hughes, who had been out since May 1, made the start and gave up six runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. Mike Myers (3-0) got the win for recording the final out of the fifth inning. David DeJesus hit a two-run home run and drove in three while Ross Gload went 3-for-4 with three RBI for the Royals, who have dropped four of their last five games. Davies got the start but was roughed up for five runs on six hits in justthree innings of work. John Bale (0-1) got the loss for giving up two runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings of work. Final Score: Toronto 9, Texas 5

Toronto, ON - Frank Thomas hit a pair of homers and drove in four runs to lead the Toronto Blue Jays over the Texas Rangers, 9-5, at Rogers Centre. John McDonald added two hits and drove in three runs for the Blue Jays, who have won the first two games of this three-game set. Alex Rios and Vernon Wells also drove in a run each for Toronto, which has won seven straight at home. Thomas, who ended 2-for-4, increased his career total of home runs to 505, passing Eddie Murray to sit alone in 20th place on the all-time list. Blue Jays starter Shaun Marcum (8-4) won his third straight start, allowing three runs — two earned — on eight hits, striking out five without a walk, over six innings. The right-hander has won six of eight decisions. Nelson Cruz drove in two runs and Brad Wilkerson homered for the Rangers, who have lost three straight and six of eight on their nine-game road trip. Willie Eyre (3-4) got the spot start for the Rangers and absorbed the loss. He was charged with seven runs on six hits, striking out two and walking two, in 2 1/3 innings.

Final Score: Minnesota 3, Cleveland 2

Minneapolis, MN - Michael Cuddyer drove in two runs and four Minnesota relievers combined to throw five shutout innings as the Twins edged the Cleveland Indians, 3-2, in the second of a four-game set at the Metrodome. Jason Bartlett had two hits and scored a run and Joe Mauer had two hits, an RBI and scored a run for the Twins, who snapped a two game skid and have won five of their last seven games. Minnesota starter Matt Garza went just four innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out five and walking two. Ramon Ortiz (4-4) tossed two scoreless innings, Dennys Reyes 2/3 of an inning and Matt Guerrier 1 1/3 innings before Joe Nathan closed it out with a perfect ninth for his 25th save in 27 chances this season. Casey Blake and Victor Martinez knocked in a run apiece, and Trot Nixon and Jhonny Peralta had two hits each for the Indians, who have lost five of seven but remained a half-game ahead of Detroit in the AL Central after the Tigers lost to Chicago. Cleveland starter Aaron Laffey (0-1) lasted 5 1/3 innings, surrendering three runs on six hits with one strikeout and one walk in his major league debut. Final Score: Oakland 2, LA Angels of Anaheim 1

Oakland, CA - Joe Blanton outdueled Kelvim Escobar and pinch-hitter Travis Buck singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, as the Athletics capitalized on the few scoring opportunities they had in a 2-1 victory over the Angels. Oakland had just two hits, but managed to win for the fourth time in five games. Blanton (9-8) scattered eight hits and walked just two across seven innings to halt a personal four-game losing streak. Huston Street came on to pitch a scoreless eighth, and Alan Embree threw a perfect ninth for his 13th save of the season, a single-season record for an Oakland left-hander. Escobar (11-6) gave up just two hits in seven innings, but also walked seven batters to drop his third consecutive start. The AL West-leading Angels lost for the third time in four games and fell to 4-8 against Oakland this season.

Final Score: Chicago 7, Detroit 5

Detroit, MI - A.J. Pierzynski went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored to pace Chicago over Detroit, 7-5, in the middle contest of three between the clubs at Comerica Park. Jermaine Dye finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and two knocked in for the White Sox, winners in three straight games. Jim Thome homered and scored three runs, Paul Konerko had two hits and scored, and Scott Podsednik added an RBI. Javier Vazquez (9-6) allowed three runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks over seven innings. He has won three of his last four starts. Jeremy Bonderman (10-4) took the loss, charged with six runs and 10 hits over seven innings and losing for the third consecutive start. Placido Polanco was 2-for-4 with a homer and a pair of runs scored for the Tigers, who have lost four in a row and 10 of their last 12, yet remain a half-game behind Cleveland in the AL Central after the Tribe fell to Minnesota, 3-2 earlier Saturday. Sean Casey added two hits and drove in a run in defeat. Final Score: Tampa Bay 9, Baltimore 2

St. Petersburg, FL - Carlos Pena belted a two-run homer and Scott Kazmir threw seven strong innings as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays spanked the Baltimore Orioles, 9-2, in the second of three games from Tropicana Field. Kazmir (8-7) yielded just one run on seven hits, while walking two and striking out nine. Delmon Young drove in three runs and Carl Crawford had three hits with two RBI and three runs scored for the Devil Rays, who have won four of six. Baltimore starter Brian Burres (5-5) was tagged for seven runs — six earned — on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts in just 3 1/3 innings. Aubrey Huff had two hits and scored a run and Corey Patterson and Jay Payton knocked in a run apiece for the Orioles, who have lost three of four.

Final Score: Boston 4, Seattle 3

Seattle, WA - Jason Varitek’s two-run double was the difference as Boston held off a late rally to edge Seattle, 4-3, in the second of three at Safeco Field. Daisuke Matsuzaka (13-8) allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings, tying a career-high with 10 strikeouts. David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis collected two hits each for the Red Sox, who have won three of four and snapped a nine-game losing streak in Seattle. Manny Ramirez drove in a run and scored once. Jarrod Washburn (8-8) took the loss, yielding eight hits and four runs with four strikeouts and two walks over 6 1/3 innings. Adrian Beltre homered for the Mariners, who saw their two-game win streak ended. Kenji Johjima and Yuniesky Betancourt both collected two hits and an RBI each.

Final Score: San Diego 3, San Francisco 2 (12 innings)

San Diego, CA - Barry Bonds tied one of the most coveted records in sports Saturday night, belting his 755th career homer, equaling the all-time mark set by Hank Aaron in the Giants’ 3-2, 12-inning loss to the San Diego Padres. The San Francisco slugger took a 2-1 fastball from Clay Hensley leading off the second inning and drove the ball well over the wall in left- center field, off an advertising sign. The ball then landed in the bleachers below the main scoreboard. Bonds didn’t a chance though for No. 756, as he walked in the fourth, fifth and eighth innings before being removed in favor of Rajai Davis, who pinch-ran and played left field. The Giants then lost in the 12th inning when Khalil Greene singled up the middle with the bases loaded. The Giants lost in extra innings for a second consecutive night, this time with Randy Messenger (1-4) giving up the winning hit. Marcus Giles walked, stole second and moved to third on a bunt from Mike Cameron. Josh Bard and Adrian Gonzalez were intentionally walked ahead of Greene’s liner up the middle. Cla Meredith (4-5) got the victory by throwing one inning.

Final Score: Chicago 6, New York 2

Chicago, IL - Jacque Jones collected three hits and knocked in a run as the Chicago Cubs used a six-run third inning to down the New York Mets, 6-2, in the second contest of a three-game series at Wrigley Field. Ted Lilly pitched 7 2/3 strong innings, allowing two runs on seven hits for the Cubs, who ended a two-game slide. Lilly (12-5), who has won seven of his last eight starts, also struck out eight while walking one. Mark DeRosa knocked in two runs in the victory for the Cubs, who trail Milwaukee by one game in the NL Central. The Brewers defeated the Phillies on Saturday night. New York starter John Maine, who came into the game with wins in his last two starts, was roughed up for six runs on four hits in just 2 2/3 innings. Maine (12-6) also walked three, hit a batter and struck out one. Moises Alou hit two home runs for the NL East-leading Mets, who had a three- game winning streak end.

Final Score: Florida 6, Houston 5 (12 innings)

Miami, FL - Miguel Cabrera belted the tying homer in the seventh inning and scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the 12th, as Florida edged Houston, 6-5. Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla also homered for the Marlins, who snapped a two-game skid. Ramirez had three RBI, as Florida beat Houston for just the fourth time in the last 13 meetings. Jason Lane hit a three-run homer for the Astros, losers in four of their last six contests. Cabrera was intentionally walked by Stephen Randolph (0-1) with two outs in the 12th, and went to second on a wild pitch that hit catcher Eric Munson in the throat. Cabrera scored all the way from second on another wild pitch on a ball that bounced into the Florida dugout. Lee Gardner (3-2) threw the top of the 12th to get the victory. Final Score: Cincinnati 9, Pittsburgh 8 (10 innings)

Pittsburgh, PA - Adam Dunn hit his 30th home run of the season, a two-run blast in the top of the 10th inning, to propel the Reds to a 9-8 comeback victory over the Pirates. Dunn’s homer off Pittsburgh closer Matt Capps came after Jeff Keppinger tied the game with a solo homer off Capps in the top of the ninth. The late-inning support made a winner of right- hander Jared Burton (3-1), who pitched a hitless 1 2/3 innings. David Weathers came on in the 10th for his 21st save of the season, despite giving up a one-out homer to pinch-hitter Jack Wilson. Reds starter Bobby Livingston went 5 1/3 innings, allowing just two runs on six hits, striking out four and walking none. Javier Valentin went 3-for-5 and drove in two runs for Cincinnati. The Reds have now won two straight over the Bucs following a five-game losing streak. Capps (4-5) blew his first save since moving into the closer’s role, and it negated a go-ahead home run by Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino, who had given the Bucs a 7-6 lead heading into the ninth. Pittsburgh has now lost six of eight, and wasted a solid outing from Matt Morris, making his first start since being acquired from San Francisco at the trade deadline. Morris allowed five runs — four earned — in 6 1/3 innings, and helped his own cause with a single and a solo home run. Final Score: Washington 12, St. Louis 1

Washington, DC - Ryan Zimmerman went 2-for-5 with a pair of home runs and three RBI as Washington crushed St. Louis, 12-1, in the second installment of a three-game set at RFK Stadium. Joel Hanrahan (1-0) yielded just one run and six hits in five-plus innings, for his first major league win in his second big league start. He also helped his cause with a two-run double. Brian Schneider finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored for the Nationals, who have won five straight and scored the most runs at RFK since moving from Montreal three seasons ago. Nook Logan had three hits, scored twice and drove in a pair while Ronnie Belliard and Tony Batista also knocked in a run each. Joel Piniero (0-1) making his first National League appearance since being released by Boston, was rocked for seven hits and five runs — four earned — with two walks and two strikeouts in five full innings. Adam Kennedy homered for the Cardinals, who have dropped four in a row. Jim Edmonds and Ryan Ludwick had a pair of hits each. Final Score: Atlanta 6, Colorado 4

Atlanta, GA - Tim Hudson pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Turner Field. Hudson (12-5), who also knocked in two runs at the plate, scattered five hits and struck out seven and walked a pair to improve to 6-0 over his last eight starts. Willie Harris started in center field for the injured Andruw Jones and went 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBI for the Braves, who ended a two-game slide. Jones, who didn’t start due to a sore left elbow, came into the game as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning. After hitting home runs in his first three games with Atlanta since being acquired from Texas at the trade deadline, Mark Teixeira went 0-for-4 with a walk. Ubaldo Jimenez started for Colorado and lasted 4 2/3 frames, allowing six runs on six hits en route to his first-career loss. Jimenez (1-1), who was facing Atlanta for the first time, struck out seven while walking five. Garrett Atkins launched a grand slam in the eighth inning for the Rockies, who were looking to win their third straight game.

Final Score: Milwaukee 6, Philadelphia 5

Milwaukee, WI - Prince Fielder’s two-run homer in the eighth inning put the Brewers on top, and Corey Hart robbed Tadahito Iguchi of a potential tying homer in the ninth, as the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-5, in the second of three games at Miller Park. Fielder finished 2-for-4 with three RBI, and Ryan Braun also homered for Milwaukee, which has won two straight and remains one game ahead of the surging Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. The Cubs beat the Mets, 6-2, earlier in the day. Derrick Turnbow (3-4) earned the win with an inning of relief, and Francisco Cordero notched his 34th save in 39 chances by tossing a perfect ninth. Brewers starter Dave Bush allowed five runs and eight hits, walked three and fanned four over five-plus frames. Pat Burrell, Ryan Howard, and Greg Dobbs all homered for Philadelphia, which has dropped four of its last five games and remains five games behind the Mets in the NL East. Cole Hamels allowed four runs and seven hits, fanned five and did not walk a batter over seven innings, but was denied his 13th win of the season. Tom Gordon (1-2) yielded two runs on two hits in the eighth and was also charged with the blown save.

Final Score: Arizona 8, Los Angeles 7

Los Angeles, CA - Eric Byrnes homered and drove in three runs, and the Arizona Diamondbacks edged Los Angeles, 8-7, in the second of three games at Dodger Stadium. Miguel Montero also homered for the surging Diamondbacks, who nearly lost a seven-run lead, but held on. They’ve won four of their last five games and 12 of 14 overall. Livan Hernandez (7-7) allowed two runs — one earned — and five hits in six innings while striking out four. It was the first time in his last 13 starts that he did not allow a home run, and he also picked up his first road win since May 17. Nomar Garciaparra and Andre Ethier homered for the Dodgers, who have lost three straight games and 11 of 15. Derek Lowe (8-10) allowed six runs — four earned — and four hits over five innings. The right-hander, who allowed a walk and struck out four, was making his first start in 10 days after irritation in his left hip forced him to miss his last scheduled outing for the first time in 211 career starts.

(Friday, August 3rd)

Final Score: New York 7, Kansas City 1

Bronx, NY - Alex Rodriguez remained at 499 career homers, but knocked in one run, and Chien-Ming Wang threw into the eighth inning for his 13th victory, as New York beat Kansas City, 7-1, in the opener of a three-game series. Melky Cabrera had three hits, including a two-run ground-rule double on a strange bounce during the sixth inning, as the Yankees posted their fourth win in five games. Robinson Cano homered for the Yankees, who are 11-3 against the Royals since the start of last year. Wang (13-5) scattered seven hits and allowed one run over seven-plus innings to win his third consecutive start. The Taiwanese righty has won 10 of his last 11 decisions. The 32-year-old Rodriguez, in a bid to become the youngest player to hit 500 homers, grounded out in the first, doubled in the third, walked in the fifth, hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and flied out to right to end the eighth. Ross Gload drove in the lone run for the Royals, losers in three of their last four games. Odalis Perez (6-10) yielded eight hits and four runs over five- plus frames to suffer the loss.

Final Score: Toronto 6, Texas 4

Toronto, ON - Frank Thomas and Gregg Zaun each knocked in two runs, as the Toronto Blue Jays held off the Texas Rangers, 6-4, in the opener of a three-game set at Rogers Centre. Vernon Wells finished with three singles, scored two runs and had an RBI for the Blue Jays, who have two wins over their last three games. Toronto starter Roy Halladay gave up four runs on seven hits in six-plus innings. Halladay (12-5) also struck out nine and walked two in the win. Ian Kinsler had two hits and knocked in three runs for the Rangers, who have lost two straight. Kevin Millwood started for Texas and lasted just four innings, allowing three runs on eight hits in a no decision. The loss went to relief pitcher Jamey Wright (3-4), who was tagged for three runs — two earned — on five hits in four frames. Final Score: Chicago 7, Detroit 4

Detroit, MI - Juan Uribe went 2-for-4 with a grand slam to lead Chicago over Detroit, 7-4, in the opener of a three-game set at Comerica Park. Paul Konerko collected two hits and scored a run for the White Sox, who have won two straight after a three-game slide. Jermaine Dye and Josh Fields also homered. Mark Buehrle (9-6) allowed three runs and seven hits with three strikeouts and a pair of walks over eight innings to earn his second consecutive win and third in four starts. The 28-year-old southpaw won in his first start since becoming a father earlier in the week. Andrew Miller (5-4) took the loss for Detroit. The young left-hander departed the game due to a left hamstring strain after allowing seven hits and six runs with five strikeouts and a walk over just four innings. Magglio Ordonez went 3-for-4 with two RBI for the A.L. Central-leading Tigers, who have lost five of six. Ivan Rodriguez and Mike Hessman each knocked in a run.

Final Score: Baltimore 3, Tampa Bay 1

St. Petersburg, FL - Aubrey Huff belted a three-run homer and Daniel Cabrera threw seven strong innings as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 3-1, in the first of three between the clubs at Tropicana Field. Cabrera (8-11) yielded four hits and one run, while walking one and striking out three. Nick Markakis had two hits for the Orioles, who have won eight of 11. James Shields (8-7) surrendered three runs on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Carlos Pena had two hits and scored the lone run for the Devil Rays, who have lost two of three.

Final Score: Cleveland 5, Minnesota 2

Minneapolis, MN - Grady Sizemore went 3-for-5 with a two- run home run and four RBI as Cleveland topped Minnesota, 5-2, in the opener of a four-game set at the Metrodome. C.C. Sabathia (14-6) allowed eight hits and two runs over six innings to nab the win. Joe Borowski pitched a scoreless inning in relief to earn his 30th save. Franklin Gutierrez had two hits and scored two runs for the Indians, who have won two in a row and took a half-game lead over Detroit in the A.L. Central following a four-game losing skid. Johan Santana (11-9) was charged with six hits and five runs — three earned — in six-plus frames, fanning eight and walking two en route to losing his third straight decision. Torii Hunter was 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Twins, who have lost two in a row after a four-game win streak. Michael Cuddyer collected two hits and scored a run in his return from a stint on the disabled list with a sprained right thumb.

Final Score: Oakland 8, LA Angels of Anaheim 4

Oakland, CA - Dan Johnson’s RBI double highlighted a five- run eighth as the Oakland Athletics beat the Angels, 8-4, in the second test of a four-game series at McAfee Coliseum. Oakland starter Lenny DiNardo allowed three runs on five hits, while walking two and striking out two over six innings. Santiago Casilla (3-1) gave up a run in the eighth, but got the win for the A’s, who have won three of four. Guerrero hit two homers for the second consecutive game for the Angels, who have lost two of three. Angels starter Dustin Moseley was tagged for three runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Scot Shields (3-4) took the loss, allowing all five runs in the eighth.

Final Score: Seattle 7, Boston 4

Seattle, WA - Yuniesky Betancourt homered and finished with four RBI, as the Seattle Mariners topped the Boston Red Sox, 7-4, in the opener of a three-game series at Safeco Field. Kenji Johjima added a two-run home run for Seattle, which has won six of its last seven contests and now trails the first-place Angels by 2 1/2 games in the AL West. Horacio Ramirez got the start and yielded four runs on 10 hits over four-plus innings. The bullpen combined to pitch five shutout innings from there, with Sean Green (5-1) picking up the win and J.J. Putz working the ninth for his 32nd save of the season. David Ortiz finished with a home run and two RBI for the Red Sox, who have lost 10 straight in Seattle. Jon Lester yielded four runs over five frames and Mike Timlin (1-1) took the loss after allowing three runs — two earned — in just 1 1/3 innings.

Final Score: New York 6, Chicago 2

Chicago, IL - Ruben Gotay went 2-for-4 with a run-scoring single as the New York Mets scored four runs in the ninth inning to down the Chicago Cubs, 6-2, in the opener of a three-game set at Wrigley Field. Orlando Hernandez started for New York and gave up two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 frames. Hernandez also fanned a season-high nine and walked one. Guillermo Mota (1-0) was credited with the victory after pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Ramon Castro hit a solo home run for the Mets, who have won three straight and four of their last five. Chicago starter Carlos Zambrano pitched five-plus innings, allowing just two hits including a home run, to go along with seven walks and five strikeouts. He left in the sixth inning with heat-related cramping. Ryan Dempster (2-4) absorbed the loss after giving up all four runs in the ninth on five hits. Derrek Lee hit a solo home run for the struggling Cubs, who have dropped five of their last seven games overall and fell a game behind Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central. The Brewers edged Philadelphia, 2-1, Friday night.

Final Score: Houston 8, Florida 2

Miami, FL - Houston ace Roy Oswalt threw six innings to win his third straight start, and Eric Bruntlett knocked in four runs, as the Astros topped the Florida Marlins, 8-2, to open a three-game series. Oswalt (11-6) also got his 2007 road record a little closer to .500, moving to 4-5 in 11 such appearances. He allowed one run on four hits with a walk struck out five. Chris Burke homered for the Astros, who won their second straight. Bruntlett went 3-for-4 and also scored. Florida left-hander Dontrelle Willis (7-11), who is mired in the worst slump of his career by going 0-8 in 12 starts since May 29, gave up three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and a walk over 6 1/3 innings. Jeremy Hermida homered for the Marlins, who have dropped nine of 11. Hanley Ramirez ended 3-for-4 in the loss.

Final Score: Cincinnati 13, Pittsburgh 4

Pittsburgh, PA - Scott Hatteberg launched a three-run home run as the Cincinnati Reds crushed the Pittsburgh Pirates, 13-4, in the opener of a three-game set at PNC Park. Jeff Keppinger knocked in three runs while Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and Alex Gonzalez each went deep for the Reds, who ended a five-game losing streak. For Griffey, it was his 26th home run of the season and No. 589 for his career. Matt Belisle (6-8) picked up his first win in his last 11 starts after giving up three runs on nine hits through six innings of work. Ryan Doumit hit a two-run home run for the Pirates, who saw their modest two- game winning streak come to an end. Pirates starter Ian Snell (7-10) was tagged for six runs on 10 hits over five innings of work. The left-hander has struggled since the All-Star break, giving up 39 hits and 24 earned runs through 26 innings over the course of a personal five-game losing streak.

Final Score: Washington 3, St. Louis 2

Washington, DC - Ryan Zimmerman knocked in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth, as the Washington Nationals earned a 3-2 victory over St. Louis in the opener of a three-game series at RFK Stadium. Ronnie Belliard and Felipe Lopez added an RBI apiece for Washington, which tied a season high with its fourth straight win. Tim Redding got the start and tossed 6 1/3 strong innings, yielding just one run on seven hits with eight strikeouts. Chad Cordero (2-2) got the win after tossing a scoreless ninth. Kip Wells opposed Redding and was nearly as good, yielding a pair of runs over six frames. Ryan Franklin (4-1), though, was ineffective in the ninth for the Cardinals, who have lost three in a row. Pinch-hitter Tony Batista got to Franklin immediately with a leadoff single, and Felipe Lopez followed with a fielder’s choice grounder. Lopez then moved to second on Belliard’s base hit a batter later before Zimmerman stepped in and hit a single to left, scoring Lopez to give Washington its 11th home win in 13 tries.

Final Score: Colorado 9, Atlanta 2

Atlanta, GA - Jeff Francis ran his unbeaten streak to 10 games, as he guided the Colorado Rockies to a 9-2 win over the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a three-game series at Turner Field. Francis (12-5) tossed six innings of one-run, six-hit ball with eight strikeouts for the Rockies, who have won five of their last six. Francis is 7-0 in his last 10 outings. Garrett Atkins went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer to pace the offense, while Troy Tulowitzki and Matt Holliday added two RBI apiece. Mark Teixeira homered for the third time in as many games with Atlanta, which has now dropped two straight. The newly-acquired Teixeira, obtained in the trade deadline deal with Texas, is the first Atlanta player since Gary Sheffield back in 2002 to hit homers in each of his first three games with the club. John Smoltz (10-6) took the loss after letting up seven runs — five earned — in 6 2/3 frames.

Final Score: Milwaukee 2, Philadelphia 1

Milwaukee, WI - Yovani Gallardo threw 6 2/3 solid innings as the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-1, in the first of a three-game set at Miller Park. Gallardo (4-1) yielded just one run and four hits while striking out seven and walking one. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder had an RBI apiece for the Brewers, who won for just the third time in 10 games. Milwaukee moved back into the NL Central lead, one game over the second-place Cubs who dropped a 6-2 decision to the Mets earlier today. Pat Burrell homered for the Phillies, who have lost three of four since a four-game winning streak. Kyle Kendrick (5-2) went seven innings, allowing two runs on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Final Score: San Diego 4, San Francisco 3 (10 innings)

San Diego, CA - Barry Bonds has homered against San Diego more than any other club in his career, but he’s had a difficult time sending balls over the wall at Petco Park, and that trend continued on Friday in a 4-3 10-inning loss to the Padres. Bonds went 0-for-4 and remained stuck at 754 career home runs, one shy of Hank Aaron’s record, and San Francisco’s bullpen blew the lead for a second time in three nights. Scott Hairston tied the game with a three-run homer in the eighth and won it with a two-out drive barely over the wall in left-center in the 10th inning. Despite having 86 of his homers against the Padres, Bonds has only three of them at Petco Park, which opened for the 2004 season. In fact, he’s hitting .169 in 25 career games in the spacious stadium. On Friday he faced future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, who fanned the Giants slugger on a called third strike in the first inning. Bonds grounded out to end the third, flied out to right in the sixth and grounded out again in the eighth before being replaced by Fred Lewis in left field. Bonds is 2-for-18 with a pair of singles and 10 walks since moving within one homer of Aaron last Friday against Florida. Hairston, in the game for an injured Milton Bradley, belted the tying three- run homer off Vinnie Chulk in the bottom of the eighth inning. Hairston then took a 3-2 pitch from Jack Taschner (2-1) barely beyond the glove of Rajai Davis and over the wall to send the Padres to their second straight win. Heath Bell (5-3) struck out two batters in the top of the inning to get the victory. Dave Roberts had four hits and two RBI for the Giants. Matt Cain was on track to snap a three-game losing streak after striking out 11 over 7 1/3 innings, but the Giants bullpen coughed up the lead in the eighth inning, and San Francisco ended up losing for the second time in three games. They also lost 6-4 at Los Angeles on Wednesday when blowing another eighth- inning advantage.

Final Score: Arizona 1, Los Angeles 0

Los Angeles, CA - Doug Davis pitched eight three-hit shutout innings and Chris Snyder homered in the seventh, as the top two teams in the competitive National League West division squared off for a crucial three-game series that began in Los Angeles where the red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks downed the Dodgers, 1-0. Davis (8-10), who extended his string of quality starts to six games posting a 3-1 record along the way, walked only one batter and had four strikeouts. Jose Valverde struck out two of three batters in a perfect ninth for his 32nd save of the season. Arizona has vaulted to the top spot in the West by winning 11 of its last 13 games, and took a two-game lead on the Dodgers. Los Angeles has relinquished the division lead to the Diamondbacks with losses in seven of its nine most recent contests.

Los Angeles, CA - Doug Davis pitched eight three-hit shutout innings and Chris Snyder homered in the seventh, as the top two teams in the competitive National League West division squared off for a crucial three-game series that began in Los Angeles where the red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks downed the Dodgers, 1-0.

Davis (8-10), who extended his string of quality starts to six games posting a 3-1 record along the way, walked only one batter and had four strikeouts. Jose Valverde struck out two of three batters in a perfect ninth for his 32nd save of the season.

“That was my best game of the season,” Davis said, “stuff-wise and I threw strikes. I threw a lot of junk and kept them off balance, and Chris gave us all we needed.”

Arizona has vaulted to the top spot in the West by winning 11 of its last 13 games, and took a two-game lead on the Dodgers. Los Angeles has relinquished the division lead to the Diamondbacks with losses in seven of its nine most recent contests.

Impressive LA youngster Chad Billingsley (7-2), who won his first seven decisions of 2007 before also having run into trouble Sunday at Colorado’s Coors Field, allowed one run on five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings.

Excluding Snyder’s homer, the old-fashioned pitcher’s duel resulted in eight total hits none of which were for extra bases.

After seven scoreless innings, Arizona got on the board on Snyder’s lead-off homer just inside the left-field pole on a 1-0 pitch.

“I was just trying to get on base and I got a pitch I could drive,” Snyder said. “It turned out well. When Doug is on his game, it makes my job easy.”

LA got a runner on third in the first, when Juan Pierre singled, stole second and got to third on a Davis throwing error, but Olmedo Saenz flied out to right field to end the inning.

Game Notes

Prior to the game,the Diamondbacks claimed infielder Jeff Cirillo off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim from the Florida Marlins; and transferred Randy Johnson from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list and designated infielder Brian Barden for assignment…Despite the shutout, the Dodgers have fared quite well when facing Arizona so far this season. Los Angeles has won seven of the 10 encounters between the division foes and is 9-4 in its last 13 home games against the Diamondbacks.

San Diego, CA - Barry Bonds has homered against San Diego more than any other club in his career, but he’s had a difficult time sending balls over the wall at Petco Park, and that trend continued on Friday in a 4-3 10-inning loss to the Padres.

Bonds went 0-for-4 and remained stuck at 754 career home runs, one shy of Hank Aaron’s record, and San Francisco’s bullpen blew the lead for a second time in three nights. Scott Hairston tied the game with a three-run homer in the eighth and won it with a two-out drive barely over the wall in left-center in the 10th inning.

Despite having 86 of his homers against the Padres, Bonds has only three of them at Petco Park, which opened for the 2004 season. In fact, he’s hitting .169 in 25 career games in the spacious stadium. On Friday he faced future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, who fanned the Giants slugger on a called third strike in the first inning. Bonds grounded out to end the third, flied out to right in the sixth and grounded out again in the eighth before being replaced by Fred Lewis in left field.

Bonds is 2-for-18 with a pair of singles and 10 walks since moving within one homer of Aaron last Friday against Florida.

Hairston, in the game for an injured Milton Bradley, belted the tying three- run homer off Vinnie Chulk in the bottom of the eighth inning. Hairston then took a 3-2 pitch from Jack Taschner (2-1) barely beyond the glove of Rajai Davis and over the wall to send the Padres to their second straight win.

Heath Bell (5-3) struck out two batters in the top of the inning to get the victory.

Dave Roberts had four hits and two RBI for the Giants.

Matt Cain was on track to snap a three-game losing streak after striking out 11 over 7 1/3 innings, but the Giants bullpen coughed up the lead in the eighth inning, and San Francisco ended up losing for the second time in three games. They also lost 6-4 at Los Angeles on Wednesday when blowing another eighth-inning advantage.

Geoff Blum singled, and with one out Rob Mackowiak doubled in the bottom of the eighth. Chulk then came into the game and retired Mike Cameron on a foul pop, but Hairston then struck a first pitch over the wall in left field. It was his first homer in a Padres uniform, one week after being acquired from Arizona.

The Giants nearly went ahead in the ninth, but Mark Sweeney was cut down at the plate trying to score from first on Roberts’ double down the right-field line.

The Padres had a golden opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the ninth, putting runners on first and third after singles by Blum and pinch- hitter Josh Bard. However, Steve Kline came in from the bullpen and fanned Mackowiak to send the game into extra innings.

Maddux, who was aiming for his 341st career victory, remained winless in his last seven outings as he gave up eight hits and three runs over 6 1/3 innings.

Roberts doubled with one out in the third and scored later in the inning on a Ray Durham groundout, but Bonds left Randy Winn at third when he grounded out sharply to second base.

The Giants expanded their lead to 3-0 in the seventh. Bengie Molina singled, and Omar Vizquel doubled with one out. Cla Meredith then replaced Maddux and retired Cain on a ground ball. However, Roberts followed with a two-run double to right field, as the ball short-hopped off the glove of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Game Notes

The Giants have played in front of 24 consecutive sellout crowds, and this series is already sold out…Clay Hensley will pitch to Bonds in Saturday’s game. Bonds is 2-for-11 lifetime against the right-hander with no homers and five walks…Bonds has connected for eight homers off Maddux, but none since May 1, 1998 at Atlanta…Bradley left the game with a strained right hamstring…MLB commissioner Bud Selig was in attendance…The Padres are 7-3 versus the Giants this year.