Boston, MA (Best E Casino) - Jed Lowrie's infield single in the bottom of the 12th inning drove in the winning run as Boston slipped by Oakland, 2-1, in the opener of a three-game series at Fenway Park. A's reliever Alan Embree (1-4) retired the first two batters in the 12th, but Jason Bay slammed a high arcing ball off the Green Monster in left-center and scurried all the way to third thanks to a generous bounce. J.D. Drew was walked intentionally, but Lowrie bounced a ball behind second. A's shortstop Bobby Crosby fielded it cleanly but double-clutched and Lowrie arrived at first before the throw, scoring Bay. Lowrie drove in both runs for the Red Sox, who snapped a three- game slide in their first game of the post-Manny Ramirez era. The enigmatic slugger was dealt to the Dodgers in a three-team deal on Thursday which netted Bay from Pittsburgh. In his Red Sox debut, Bay finished 1-for-3 and scored twice. Mike Timlin (4-3) got the win by hurling a scoreless inning in relief. Starter Tim Wakefield scattered four hits over 6 1/3 scoreless frames. Jack Cust homered for the Athletics, who have dropped seven of their last eight games. Justin Duchscherer did not get a decision, but allowed just five hits and one run in six full frames.
Final Score: LA Angels of Anaheim 1, New York 0
Bronx, NY (Best E Casino) - Ervin Santana and Francisco Rodriguez combined on a five-hit shutout as the LA Angels of Anaheim blanked New York, 1-0, in the second leg of a four-game set at Yankee Stadium. The Angels finally broke a scoreless tie off Yankees All-Star closer Mariano Rivera (4-4) in the ninth. Mark Teixeira opened the frame by drawing a walk. Reggie Willits came on to pinch run and was quickly chased to third when Vladimir Guerrero sliced a single to the opposite field. Torii Hunter then ripped a single up the middle passed a drawn-in infield to give Los Angeles all the offense it would need. Rivera has allowed just eight earned runs all season, seven of them in non-save situations. Rodriguez came on to pitch a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his major league-best 45th save of the season. Santana (12-5) allowed just five hits and two walks while striking out eight for the AL-West leading Angels, who won their fifth straight game and ninth in 10 games. Derek Jeter was 2-for-4 for the suddenly struggling Yankees, who have dropped five of their past six games and fell 5 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East. Sidney Ponson was brilliant on the hill for New York, hurling seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and four walks while fanning one.
Final Score: Tampa Bay 5, Detroit 2
St. Petersburg, FL (Best E Casino) - Carlos Pena's solo blast in the bottom of the sixth inning drove in the go-ahead run, and the Tampa Bay Rays went on to top the Detroit Tigers, 5-2, in the opener of a three-game weekend series at Tropicana Field. Scott Kazmir went just 4 2/3 innings for Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on three hits. The 24-year-old lefty matched his career- high with six walks against five strikeouts. Kazmir had been lights out in eight previous starts at home this season, going 5-1 while posting a 1.68 earned-run average in 48 1/3 innings. Grant Balfour (3-1) fanned three over 1 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up the win. Tampa Bay remains three games ahead of Boston for first place in the AL East after the Red Sox defeated the Oakland Athletics, 2-1, in 12 innings. Akinori Iwamura finished 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored for the Rays, who have won three games in a row. Cliff Floyd had two hits, walked and scored a run, while Evan Longoria added a solo home run. Zach Miner (5-4) gave up four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings to absorb the loss for Detroit, which has dropped two straight. Miguel Cabrera had an RBI triple for the Tigers, who managed only four hits in the setback, though, they did draw nine walks.
Final Score: Texas 9, Toronto 8
Arlington, TX (Best E Casino) - David Murphy went 3-for-5 and drove in four, including the two game-winning runs in the ninth, as the Texas Rangers stole one from the Toronto Blue Jays, 9-8, in the opener of a three-game set. B.J. Ryan tried to close it out for the Jays in the ninth and got Ian Kinsler to ground out. Pinch-hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia worked a walk before Michael Young connected on a single. Brandon Boggs then hit an RBI double to left- center to make it a one-run game and Marlon Byrd was intentionally walked to load the bases. Murphy laced a two-run single past a diving Scott Rolen at third to end the game. Texas starter Tommy Hunter, who made his major league debut, lasted five frames and was touched for six runs on eight hits. C.J. Wilson (2-2) earned the win despite giving up two runs in the ninth. Young and Boggs both drove in a run for the Rangers, who are 3-3 over their last six games. Josh Hamilton hit a solo home run, but left after the sixth inning with dizziness. Toronto starter Shaun Marcum was roughed up for six runs on seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings of work. Ryan (2-4) absorbed the loss as he yielded three runs on three hits while getting just one out in the ninth. Rolen hit a three-run homer for the Jays, who have dropped three straight and four-of-five. Lyle Overbay went 2-for-4 with a two- run shot.
Final Score: Chicago 4, Kansas City 2
Kansas City, MO (Best E Casino) - Newly-acquired Ken Griffey Jr. made an immediate impact in his White Sox debut, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI, as Chicago doubled up the Kansas City Royals, 4-2, in the opener of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Chicago obtained the 13-time All-Star and 1997 AL MVP from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for second baseman Danny Richar and right-handed pitcher Nick Masset prior to Thursday's non- waiver trading deadline. Orlando Cabrera, Carlos Quentin and Alexei Ramirez each had two hits for the White Sox, who had lost four of their last five games coming in. Javier Vazquez (8-9) allowed two runs on five hits in six innings to pick up his first win since June 17. Vazquez had gone 0-4 in his previous six outings. Chicago remains a half-game ahead of Minnesota for first place in the AL Central following the Twins' 4-1 victory on Friday. Luke Hochevar (6-9) gave up four runs on 10 hits over six innings to take the loss for Kansas City. Billy Butler was 2-for-4 and knocked in a run for the Royals, who snapped a four-game winning streak.
Final Score: Minnesota 4, Cleveland 1
Minneapolis, MN (Best E Casino) - Joe Mauer hit a two-run homer and Nick Blackburn was solid on the hill, as the Minnesota Twins edged the Cleveland Indians, 4-1, in the opener of a three-game set from the Metrodome. Blackburn (8-6) threw seven frames and gave up just one run on six hits. Joe Nathan recorded his 30th save with a scoreless ninth. Brendan Harris had two doubles, an RBI and scored for the Twins, who have won two straight and 6- of-7. Randy Ruiz, whose contract was selected prior to the game, went 1-for-3 and scored. Jeremy Sowers (1-6) took the loss as he gave up four runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. Jhonny Peralta recorded the only RBI for the Indians, who have lost 7-of-10. Kelly Shoppach and Ryan Garko both had two hits in defeat.
Final Score: Baltimore 10, Seattle 5
Seattle, WA (Best E Casino) - Jay Payton's three-run triple highlighted an eight-run fifth, as the Baltimore Orioles pummeled the Seattle Mariners, 10-5, in the opener of a three-game set at Safeco Field. Garrett Olson (8-5) allowed three runs on 11 hits over a career-high 8 1/3 innings to collect the win for Baltimore, which has won four of its last five games. Nick Markakis finished 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI for the Orioles, who pounded out 16 hits. Adam Jones drove in two runs, while Brian Roberts went 2- for-4 with a walk. Kevin Millar was 2-for-3 with two walks and a run batted in. Jarrod Washburn (5-10) was saddled with the loss as he was touched for six runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. Ray Corcoran gave up four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings of relief. Ichiro Suzuki and Willie Bloomquist each had two hits and knocked in a run for Seattle, which has dropped six straight games at home. The Mariners registered 15 hits, all singles.
