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Boston needs extra innings to beat Angels

6 min read

BOSTON (AP) – David Ortiz capped a 4-for-5 day with a single the other way through a shifted infield with two outs in the 11th inning, giving the Boston Red Sox a 7-6 comeback win over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Ortiz drove in four runs, helping the Red Sox rally to spoil Angels rookie Jered Weaver’s attempt to become the first pitcher in 25 years to win his first eight major league starts.

Ortiz hit his major league-leading 35th homer and had a pair of RBI singles to raise his major league-leading RBI total to 99. The Red Sox, who entered the day a half-game ahead of the Yankees atop the AL East, had been in sole possession of first place since June 18.

Alex Gonzalez singled with one out in the 11th off Hector Carrasco (2-3) and Kevin Youkilis singled. After Carrasco struck out Mark Loretta, Ortiz greeted left-hander J.C. Romero with a slow rolling single through the regular shortstop position before being mobbed by his teammates at first base.

Manny Ramirez threw out Mike Napoli at home in the top of the 11th, with catcher Jason Varitek taking the one-hop throw while blocking the plate.

Julian Tavarez (2-3) pitched a scoreless inning for the win.

Boston trailed 6-3 in the eighth, but rallied with three runs against reliever Scot Shields.

Curtis Pride hit his first homer in more than three years, a tiebreaking two-run shot in the seventh, to give the Angels a 5-3 lead.

But the Angels’ bullpen couldn’t hold it for Weaver, who allowed more than two runs in a game for the first time. The 23-year-old right-hander gave up three runs, seven hits, struck out four and walked two over 6 2-3 innings, but his ERA rose from a paltry 1.15 to 1.51.

Fernando Valenzuela, who pitched for the Dodgers, won his first eight big league starts in 1981.

Los Angeles made it 3-1 in the fifth without getting a hit. Figgins drew a one-out walk, stole second and stole third as the front end of a double steal after Izturis walked. Figgins then scored on Cabrera’s bouncer to short, slapping his hand onto the plate just under Varitek’s tag.

The Red Sox tied it with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Ortiz had an RBI single and Ramirez a sacrifice fly.

Boston starter Josh Beckett failed to become the majors’ first 14-game winner, giving up three runs and four hits while walking four and striking out six in six innings.

Devil Rays 19, Yankees 6

NEW YORK – Tomas Perez tied a major league record with four doubles and went 5-for-5 to lead the Devil Rays to the win.

Damon Hollins homered and drove in a career-best five runs for the Devil Rays, who matched a franchise mark for runs. They earned their first road win this month and emphatically ended New York’s four-game winning streak.

Jonny Gomes, Jorge Cantu and Travis Lee also homered as Tampa Bay equaled a season high with 17 hits. Jae Seo (1-5) allowed five runs and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings to get his first win with the Devil Rays.

Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi hit consecutive homers in the first inning for the Yankees. Randy Johnson (11-9) was tagged for a season-high nine runs – six earned – and six hits in 3 1-3 innings.

Athletics 7, Blue Jays 4

OAKLAND, Calif. – Barry Zito settled down after giving up a first-inning grand slam and Jay Payton drove in three runs to move the Athletics back into first place in the AL West.

The A’s had spent 43 days with at least a share of first place before falling a half-game behind the Los Angeles Angels following a 4-3 loss to Toronto on Friday night. Oakland quickly moved back in front by a half-game with its win and the Angels’ 7-6 11-inning loss in Boston.

Troy Glaus hit a grand slam off Zito (11-7) in the first but the left-hander settled down after that and allowed four runs and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Huston Street pitched the ninth for his 22nd save in 28 chances.

Dustin McGowan (1-1) allowed five runs and five hits in 4 1-3 innings to get the loss.

White Sox 13, Orioles 11

BALTIMORE – Tadahito Iguchi homered to cap a seven-run third inning and A.J. Pierzynski went 5-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs for the White Sox.

Pierzynski’s five hits were a career high. Jermaine Dye also hit his 27th home run for Chicago.

Jon Garland (11-3) allowed six runs and 11 hits in five-plus innings, but benefited from a rare offensive outburst by his teammates to win his seventh straight decision. It was the most runs for the White Sox since July 4, when they beat Baltimore 13-0.

Miguel Tejada hit his 19th homer, had four hits and drove in three runs for the Orioles.

Bobby Jenks got three outs for his 28th save.

Baltimore’s James Johnson (0-1) gave up eight runs and nine hits in three innings in his major league debut.

Mariners 3, Indians 1

CLEVELAND – Jarrod Washburn won for the first time in seven weeks and Ben Broussard homered against his former team to lead Seattle.

Raul Ibanez also homered for the Mariners, who won for the sixth time in nine games and are 31/2 games behind first-place Oakland in the AL West. Cleveland lost for the 12th time in 17 games and fell to 17-30 since June 4.

Washburn (5-10) allowed one run and five hits over 6 1-3 innings to earn his first win in eight starts since June 9. J.J. Putz pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 25 chances.

Jake Westbrook (7-7) allowed two runs and six hits over eight innings.

Tigers 8, Twins 6

MINNEAPOLIS – Curtis Granderson homered and drove in three runs, and Nate Robertson (10-6) became Detroit’s fourth 10-game winner.

Brandon Inge and Craig Monroe each had three hits for the Tigers, who have baseball’s best road record and have beaten Minnesota, with baseball’s best home mark, two straight games.

After winning just 71 games last season, Detroit became the first team in the majors with 70 victories this year. The Tigers are 81/2 games ahead of Chicago and 101/2 in front of the Twins in the AL Central.

Justin Morneau and Josh Rabe each hit two-run homers for Minnesota, which had the potential winning run at the plate in the ninth after trailing 6-0. But Todd Jones struck out Michael Cuddyer with runners at the corners to record his 29th save in 32 opportunities.

Brad Radke (9-8) took the loss for Minnesota, which has lost two straight at home for the first time since May 14-15 against the White Sox.

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