Johnson’s Grand Slam Leads Yankees to Win Over Mariners

NEW YORK, 10 August 2003 — Nick Johnson’s grand slam homer proved to be the difference between the teams as the New York Yankees edged the Seattle Mariners 9-7 in a clash of division leaders in American League play on Friday.

Johnson took loser Ryan Franklin (8-10) deep in the sixth, then singled in his next turn at bat to plate another run and give him five RBI on the night. Sterling Hitchcock (1-2) worked 1 1/3 innings in relief of enigmatic Jeff Weaver to notch the victory.

Jeff Nelson also impressed in relief, striking out all three Mariners he faced.

A former Yankee, he began the week with Seattle, but was deemed expendable after he blasted the club for sitting still at the trade deadline.

White Sox 3 Athletics 2

In Chicago, Mark Mulder (15-8) was denied in is bid for his league-leading 16th win, as the Oakland Athletics fell 3-2 to the in-form White Sox. Mark Buehrle (10-11) went all the way to notch the victory, scattering five hits while striking out six.

He retired 17 of the last 19 batters he faced. Magglio Ordonez had three hits, including a homer, for the White Sox, who have gone 16-5 since the All-Star break.

Orioles 10/4 Red Sox 4/2

In Boston, a seven-run seventh inning gave the Baltimore Orioles a 10-4 victory over the Red Sox in the opener of a day-night doubleheader, snapping the Sox’s four-game winning streak.

The O’s then rode a four-run second inning to a 4-2 win over Boston in the nightcap. Luis Matos’ double off Derek Lowe (11-6) plated the first of the seven seventh-inning runs in the opener.

Rick Helling (7-8) worked six innings for the win, scattering nine hits, including homers to Nomar Garciaparra, Trot Nixon and Doug Mirabelli. Matos’ three-run double off Casey Fossum (5-5) proved the difference in the second game.

Eric DuBose worked six innings for the victory, his first.

Angels 5 Indians 2

In Cleveland, Garret Anderson homered with two men aboard and two out in the top of the ninth inning to spark a five-run rally that gave the defending world champion Anaheim Angels a 5-2 win over the Indians.

Anderson connected off losing pitcher Jason Davis (7-9).

Jarrod Washburn (9-11) worked eight innings, scattering three hits while striking out seven, to notch the victory.

Rangers 5 Blue Jays 3

In Toronto, the Texas Rangers did all their scoring in the opening frame, going deep a club record-tying three times to down the Blue Jays 5-3. Hank Blalock, Mark Teixeira and Laynce Nix all connected off loser Corey Thurman (1-1), who failed to last the inning. R.A. Dickey (6-5) worked six innings for the win, one of his few mistakes a solo homer served up to league RBI leader Carlos Delgado, his 32nd.

Twins 4 Tigers 3

In Detroit, Johan Santana (6-3) tossed eight innings of two-hit ball as the Minnesota Twins moved a game over .500 with a 4-3 win over the lowly Tigers.

Santana fanned five while walking three before giving way to Eddie Guardado, who notched his 26th save despite being tagged for two runs on a Craig Monroe blast.

Matt LeCroy had the Twins’ lone homer, which proved to be the game-winner.

It was served up by loser Mike Maroth (6-16).

Devil Rays 4 Royals 0

In St. Petersburg, Jeremi Gonzalez (5-5) surrendered just three hits and as many walks in eight innings as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays blanked Kansas City 4-0, handing the reeling Royals their fourth straight loss.

Aubrey Huff doubled in the first off retread Kevin Appier (7-8) to give the D-Rays the only run they needed.

Appier was gone after five frames, taking the 135th loss of his long career.