Major League Baseball roundup
Palmeiro nears 3,000 hits, knocks in 6 as Orioles rout Red Sox BALTIMORE (AP) – Rafael Palmeiro homered, drove in six runs and moved within three hits of 3,000 for his career, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox 9-1 Saturday.
Miguel Tejada went 5-for-5 and Bruce Chen (7-5) allowed one run and five hits in seven-plus innings for the Orioles, who won for just the fourth time in 16 games. Chen struck out five and walked three in earning his second victory in nine starts since May 18.
Johnny Damon went 2-for-5 to extend his career-best hitting streak to 24 games, and Edgar Renteria drove in the lone run for the Red Sox.
In the third inning, Palmeiro followed singles by Brian Roberts and Tejada with a shot off Wade Miller (2-3) that cleared the 25-foot scoreboard in right. It was his second homer in two games, 14th of the season and 565th of his career.
Indians 8, Yankees 7
NEW YORK – Jose Hernandez hit a pair of two-run homers off new Yankees starter Darrell May and drove in five runs, and Cleveland snapped a four-game losing streak.
Cleveland, which had dropped 10 of 12 to the Yankees and 11 of 12 to them on the road, ended New York’s six-game winning streak.
Cleveland’s Scott Elarton followed his complete-game victory on Monday over Detroit with a seven-inning effort.
Elarton (6-3) gave up back-to-back homers in the first inning to Gary Sheffield and Alex Rodriguez before settling down and winning for the fourth time in five decisions.
He gave up three runs and six hits in matching his second longest outing of the season.
May (0-1) lasted only 4 1-3 innings in his Yankees debut that came a day after he was brought up from Triple-A Columbus and one week following his acquisition from San Diego.
Pitching in place of injured Carl Pavano, May allowed seven runs, eight hits and a season-high three home runs. He was 1-3 with a 5.61 ERA with the Padres working in and out of the bullpen.
Phillies 1, Nationals 0
PHILADELPHIA – David Bell’s sacrifice fly off Hector Carrasco in the ninth inning snapped a rare pitcher’s duel at Citizens Bank Park and lifted Philadelphia to a win over Washington.
Bobby Abreu lined a single to right off Carrasco (3-2) to lead off the ninth. After Pat Burrell struck out for the third time, Chase Utley doubled to right and Ryan Howard was intentionally walked.
Bell hit a long fly to left and Matt Cepicky never attempted a throw.
Billy Wagner (2-1) earned the win with a scoreless ninth and the Phillies won their first 1-0 game in the second year of their home park.
Astros 4, Dodgers 2
HOUSTON – Roy Oswalt won his sixth straight start, Craig Biggio got two hits to tie Barry Bonds for 49th on the all-time hit list and the Astros moved back to .500 for the first time since April 22.
Oswalt (12-7) is 9-1 with a 2.07 ERA in 10 starts at home this season. He went 6 1-3 innings and allowed two runs on nine hits and a walk, striking out seven.
Brad Lidge worked the ninth for his 19th save.
Biggio’s second hit of the game gave him 2,730 for his career and moved him into a tie with Barry Bonds, who has been injured all season. Biggio is in his 18th season, all with the Astros.
Houston, which was 15 games under .500 on May 24, has won 14 of its last 16 at home.
The Dodgers have lost three straight and six of eight.
Giants 2, Cardinals 0
SAN FRANCISCO – Brad Hennessey pitched seven shutout innings in a spot start and Michael Tucker hit a fifth-inning single to break a scoreless tie for the Giants.
Hennessey (3-2), recalled late Friday to start in place of struggling lefty Kirk Rueter, made his sixth start of the season and 13th of his career. He allowed three hits, struck out two and walked one.
Tyler Walker completed the three-hitter, pitching the ninth for his 13th save and 12th since taking over the closer job May 12.
Matt Morris (10-2) threw just 93 pitches in eight effective innings. He allowed six hits, struck out three and didn’t walk a batter for the third straight start.