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Big Unit, A-Rod propel Yankees past Red Sox

5 min read

BOSTON (AP) – Randy Johnson struck out 10 in 6 1-3 innings to rescue the injury-depleted Yankees rotation, and Alex Rodriguez homered to lead New York to a 7-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. One day after the Yankees lost 17-1 in a game they were forced to promote Tim Redding from Triple-A Columbus to start, Johnson won his third straight start to help New York pull within 11/2 games of Boston in the AL East.

Rodriguez followed Gary Sheffield’s double with a homer over the Green Monster to start a six-run third inning. Johnson (10-6) worked into the seventh, allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks, for his first three-game winning streak as a Yankee.

Tom Gordon got five outs, and Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his 22nd consecutive save. Robinson Cano had three hits for the Yankees, who won for the ninth time in 11 games.

Boston All-Star Matt Clement (10-3) lasted just 2 2-3 innings, allowing six runs on five hits and five walks. Johnny Damon singled in the sixth to extend his hitting streak to 28 games – the longest in the majors this season and tied for fourth-longest in Red Sox history.

Johnson had the 206th double-digit strikeout game of his career. Only Nolan Ryan, with 215, has more.

It was a big boost for a staff that has four starters on the disabled list. Redding was called up for an emergency start Friday after Chien Ming-Wang went on the DL, and the Yankees didn’t have a starter for Sunday until they traded for Marlins castoff Al Leiter on Saturday.

Kevin Brown is scheduled to be activated from the DL to start Monday.

White Sox 7, Indians 5

CLEVELAND – Mark Buehrle pitched seven strong innings to get back on the winning track, leading Chicago to its third straight victory.

Making his first start since earning the win as the American League’s starter in Tuesday’s All-Star game, Buehrle (11-3) gave up two runs and three hits, striking out six without a walk. He also hit two batters, including Travis Hafner in the cheek in the first inning.

Hafner had some bleeding, said he felt dizzy and was taken to a hospital for observation. The Indians announced that Hafner will be examined by a dentist.

Aaron Boone had two RBIs for the Indians. Cleveland pulled within 7-5 on Grady Sizemore’s two-run single off Damaso Marte, but Marte got Coco Crisp to ground out with two men on for his third save of the season.

Rangers 10, Athletics 8

OAKLAND, Calif. – Kenny Rogers shrugged off the constant jeering from the fans to allow six hits in seven innings, and Texas held on to beat Oakland.

Rogers (11-4), who will find out later this week if his 20-game suspension for shoving two cameramen on June 29 will be shortened, won for the 20th time in his past 21 decisions in Oakland. His hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Hank Blalock matched his career high with four hits, including a homer and two doubles, as the Rangers ended a three-game road losing streak. Kevin Mench added a three-run homer and Michael Young also connected.

Jay Payton hit his second home run in two games, but Joe Blanton (5-8) allowed five runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings as the A’s five-game winning streak ended.

Devil Rays 6, Blue Jays 5

TORONTO – Carl Crawford homered and drove in three runs in his new spot in the order, and Tampa Bay held on to beat Toronto.

Manager Lou Piniella decided Friday to drop Crawford from the leadoff spot to second. Joey Gathright went 3-for-5 as the leadoff hitter. Aubrey Huff also homered for the last-place Devil Rays.

Former Blue Jay Mark Hendrickson (4-6) won for the first time since June 23, a span of five starts. Danys Baez pitched the ninth for his 15th save in 21 chances.

Alex Rios hit a career-high three doubles for the Blue Jays. Josh Towers (6-8) is 1-7 in his last 11 starts. He tied a season high by allowing six runs and a season-high 10 hits in just four innings.

Tigers 5, Royals 3

DETROIT – Brandon Inge drove in three runs and the Tigers took advantage of four Kansas City errors.

With the game tied at 3 in the sixth, Nook Logan, considered one of baseball’s fastest players, led off with a single off Mike Wood (3-4). He scored from first when right fielder Terrence Long allowed Inge’s single to get past him.

Jason Johnson (6-7) improved to 4-1 at Comerica Park, allowing three runs and seven hits in eight innings. Johnson has a 1.95 ERA in 10 home starts this year.

Kyle Farnsworth struck out the side in the ninth for his third save.

Twins 5, Angels 4

MINNEAPOLIS – Bret Boone was hitless in his first 10 at-bats – 0-for-18 overall – with the Twins, when he fisted a single to center in the fourth inning that lifted Minnesota to a victory over Los Angeles.

The Twins acquired Boone from Seattle in a trade during the All Star break and he came through on Saturday, capping a five-run fourth inning against Angels starter Bartolo Colon (11-6) that erased a 4-0 deficit.

Johan Santana (8-5) was a little shaky early, but rebounded to pitch seven innings for his first victory in six starts.

, which included three straight losses.

Joe Nathan pitched the ninth for his 26th save in 29 chances.

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