Betting Odds - Graffiti - Podcast

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced that Chris Simms is to be listed as inactive for the game against the New England Patriots on Friday.

Commentary: The story coming out of the St. Petersburg Times has Simms still suffering after-effects from his splendectomy surgery undergone in September. Simms has problems with his proprioception, described in part by Wikipedia as “the sense that indicates whether the body is moving with required effort, as well as where the various parts of the body are located in relation to each other.” So, sort of a drawback for an NFL quarterback. The Times is also convinced that Simms will soon be out of Tampa Bay completely.

Fantasy Football Impact: Simms, bad. Jeff Garcia, good.

San Jose Costa Rica - As of this afternoon - Betting Odds - Graffiti Wall has been officially moved to it’s new home domain at: www.betting77.com

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President CEO

Tommy Mac

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.

Sunday, August 5th American League

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.

Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

Sunny Sunny. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics, 4:05 p.m.

Sunny Sunny. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.

Boston Red Sox at Seattle Mariners, 4:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.

National League

Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves, 1:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

Houston Astros at Florida Marlins, 1:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:35 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals, 1:35 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 90.

Philadelphia Phillies at Milwaukee Brewers, 2:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 80.

San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres, 4:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers, 4:10 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

New York Mets at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

(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.

New York, NY - Detroit Tigers infielder Neifi Perez has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a banned stimulant.

The suspension was announced Friday by the office of the commissioner under the terms of Major League Baseball’s Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension will begin on Saturday, August 4.

Perez, 34, has now failed three drug tests administered by Major League Baseball during his career. Earlier this season, the infielder was suspended 25 games for testing positive for amphetamines.

In 33 games this season with Detroit, Perez is hitting just .172 with a home run and six RBI.

Chicago, IL - Matt Murton scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Chicago Cubs over the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-4, and into first place in the National League Central Division.

Murton opened the ninth with a double off Brett Myers (1-3), then advanced to third on a wild pitch before Ronny Cedeno drew a free pass and Jacque Jones was intentionally walked, loading the bases. Jason Kendall struck out, but on a 1-0 count to pinch-hitter Cliff Floyd, Myers bounced the offering in front of the plate and it caromed toward the backstop, allowing Murton to trot home with the winning run.

Derrek Lee doubled twice and scored a pair of runs, while Murton finished 2- for-4 and also knocked in a run for Chicago, which has won four of five and is locked in a virtual tie with Milwaukee for first place in the Central. The Brewers lost to the New York Mets, 8-5, on Wednesday.

Ryan Dempster (2-3) earned the win after escaping a bases-loaded jam in the top of the ninth. Dempster combined with four other relievers, allowing just one hit over 4 1/3 innings to bail out starter Rich Hill, who gave up four runs — three earned — and eight hits over 4 2/3 frames.

Jimmy Rollins went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and Aaron Rowand homered for the injury-riddled Phils, who have dropped back-to-back games in the series after taking the opener on Monday night.

Philadelphia starter Jamie Moyer labored through five innings, allowing four runs and nine hits. Moyer, who walked two and fanned six, threw 100 pitches — just 62 for strikes.

The Phils grabbed the lead in the first on a wild pitch from Hill with the bases loaded.

Chicago, however, came right back in the bottom half. Lee doubled to center with two outs, Mark DeRosa walked and Murton’s single off the glove of a diving Rollins plated Lee to make it a 1-1 game.

Hill helped his own cause with an RBI single in the second, giving the Cubs a 2-1 lead, and Chicago added two more in the third while continuing to hit Moyer hard.

Lee ripped a leadoff double to left, his second of the game, and scored on Cedeno’s two-out single. Cedeno then came around on a double by Jones to make it 4-1.

Philadelphia, however, scored three times in the fifth to tie the game. Tadahito Iguchi doubled, Rollins knocked him in with a single, and Ryan Howard followed with a run-scoring double before he was cut down trying to advance to third. Rowand came up next and launched his 16th homer of the season, and second of the series, to make it 4-4.

Game Notes

Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth (strained left wrist) was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday…Howard has struck out in nine of his last 15 plate appearances…The Phillies fell four games behind the Mets in the NL East…Attendance was 40,558…The series concludes Thursday afternoon.

Milwaukee, WI - Marlon Anderson homered and finished with four RBI, as the New York Mets topped the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-5, in the second of a three-game series at Miller Park.

Ramon Castro hit a three-run home run and the newly-acquired Luis Castillo scored for the Mets, who had lost four of six coming in.

Oliver Perez (10-7) allowed five runs — four earned — over six innings with 11 strikeouts and three walks to take the win.

Opponent Claudio Vargas (9-3), meanwhile, was lit up for seven runs in just 2 2/3 innings for Milwaukee, which has dropped six of eight. Prince Fielder ended his home run drought with a three-run blast, while Corey Hart and J.J. Hardy added an RBI apiece.

“Claudio went out the first inning and was sharp, but he came out the second and couldn’t get it going,” said Brewers manager Ned Yost. “From that point on, he really struggled.”

By virtue of Milwaukee’s loss and a Cubs win over the Phillies, Chicago and the Brewers are now tied atop the NL Central.

Fielder belted his three-run homer to center in the first to stake Milwaukee to an early lead. It was his first long ball since July 13, spanning 67 at- bats.

New York countered with a four-spot in the second. Anderson got his team on the board with an RBI single, and Castro followed with a three-run homer to left that gave the Mets a 4-3 edge.

The Brewers put up two runs in the bottom of the inning to reclaim the lead. With a man on second and two out, Hart came through with a base hit to center that scored Tony Graffanino. Hardy followed with a single of his own, and Shawn Green committed a fielding error on the play that allowed Hart to come in.

Anderson, though, ripped a three-run homer to right in the third to put the Mets back in front, 7-5. Castillo started the inning with an infield single and David Wright drew a walk before Anderson went deep for the first time this season two batters later, chasing Vargas from the mound.

“I know once I start getting consistent at-bats, that the next thing that’s coming is the power,” Anderson said.

Green added a solo homer in the sixth to extend the lead to 8-5. Billy Wagner worked the ninth for his 25th save of the season.

Game Notes

This was Milwaukee’s 21st sellout of the year, breaking a mark set in 2001 when Miller Park first opened…The Mets have hit 16 HR in their last 14 games…The Mets are 46-1 on the season when holding a lead after eight innings. The only time they failed was against the Phillies on June 7.

Kansas City, MO - John Buck had three hits and drove in two runs, and Odalis Perez threw six solid innings to help Kansas City to a 6-5 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Tony Pena Jr. also had two RBI and Emil Brown finished with three hits and scored twice for the Royals, who have won three in a row following a three- game slide.

Perez (6-9) scattered seven hits and allowed three runs to rebound from a loss to the Yankees on Monday.

Nelson Cruz smacked a pair of two-run homers and had five RBI for the Rangers, who entered this series with four straight victories, but are now in danger of being swept in a three-game set at Kansas City for the first time since 2002.

Kevin Millwood (7-9) was pounded for nine hits and six runs over 2 2/3 innings.

Down 6-3, the Rangers got within one in the ninth against Octavio Dotel, who walked Brad Wilkerson with one out before allowing a Cruz homer to left field. Pinch-hitter Frank Catalanotto doubled, but was left stranded as pinch-hitter Ramon Vazquez fanned and Michael Young flied out to end the game, with Dotel managing his 11th save.

Texas wasted chances with runners at the corners in the opening inning, but went on top 2-0 in the second on Cruz’s fourth homer of the year. Wilkerson singled before Cruz smashed his two-run shot to left.

Kansas City evened the contest in the bottom half and then scored four times in the third. Brown doubled and scored on a base hit by Buck. Pena singled and David DeJesus and Mark Grudzielanek were each hit by a pitch to force in another run.

The Royals loaded the bases in the next inning on one-out hits by Ross Gload, Alex Gordon and Brown. Buck then singled to left to give KC a 3-2 lead. Pena followed with a two-run single up the middle, but Buck was thrown out trying to head to third. DeJesus moved the margin to 6-2 with an RBI hit to left, ending Millwood’s night on the mound, as he was replaced by Willie Eyre.

Gerald Laird doubled to start the fourth and scored on a Cruz groundout, but the Rangers failed to mount a rally until the ninth.

Game Notes

Perez moved to 2-6 at Kauffman Stadium this year. This was his first career appearance against Texas…Young singled in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 11 games…Should the Royals manage one more win before the month is out, they will record back-to-back winning months for the first time since June and July of 2003.

Cleveland, OH - Jhonny Peralta hit a three-run and a two- run home run as the Cleveland Indians pounded the Minnesota Twins, 10-4, in the opener of a three-game set at Jacobs Field.

Josh Barfield went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored while newly- acquired Kenny Lofton finished 3-for-5 with an RBI for the Indians, who had lost three of four coming into the game.

Paul Byrd (9-4) got the win as he gave up four runs on 10 hits in seven-plus innings of work.

Before the game, the Indians brought in fan favorite outfielder Lofton in a trade with the Texas Rangers. The Indians sent minor league catcher Max Ramirez to the Rangers in exchange for the 40-year-old Lofton, who returns for his third stint with the Tribe. Lofton spent the most productive years of his big league career with the Indians. After being dealt from Houston to Cleveland before the 1992 season, Lofton played nine of the next 10 years with the Indians.

Jason Kubel hit a two-run home run while Justin Morneau went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Twins, who have lost a season-high five straight games.

Boof Bonser (5-7) dropped his fifth straight decision as he gave up six runs — four earned — on nine hits in just 2 2/3 innings of work, his shortest outing of the season.

The Indians took advantage of a couple of Minnesota errors in the third inning to take a 6-0 lead. Barfield led off the inning by reached first thanks to Brian Buscher throwing the ball to first too high. Grady Sizemore then walked and Lofton loaded the bases with a bunt single. Victor Martinez then hit a grounder to short and Nick Punto rushed the throw and the ball went wide, allowing Barfield and Sizemore to score. Travis Hafner then singled to put runners at the corners and Peralta followed with a homer over the left- center wall.

Casey Blake and Trot Nixon then followed with singles and, after Kelly Shoppach grounded into a fielder’s choice, Barfield singled to score Blake.

Cleveland plated another two runs in the fifth for an 8-0 lead. Nixon led off with a double and, after Shoppach struck out, Barfield hit a double off the wall in right-center to score Nixon. Lofton later hit a single to left to score Barfield.

Peralta blasted his second home run of the game, a two-run shot over the center field wall in the sixth for a 10-0 lead.

Minnesota finally got on the board in the seventh as Morneau led off with a single and, two batters later, Jason Kubel belted a shot over the right field wall to make it a 10-2 game.

Morneau added a sacrifice fly and Jason Tyner scored on a wild pitch in the eighth inning to cut the Twins’ deficit to 10-4, but that was as close as they got.