BOSTON, 15 June 2003 — Johnny Damon’s sixth-inning home run proved the difference as the Red Sox edged the Houston Astros 4-3 in Interleague play on Friday night.
The victory enabled Boston to stay within a half game of the New York Yankees in the American League East.
Damon connected off reliever Ricky Stone, one of the few Houston hurlers who did not take part in the Astros’ no-hit win over New York on Wednesday.
Ryan Rupe (1-0) was impressive in his Red Sox debut, notching the victory with six innings of eight-hit ball.
Boston’s Nomar Garciaparra collected a hit in four at-bats, meaning he has reached safely in 38 of his last 40 games.
Yankees 5 Cardinals 2
In New York, it was fourth time lucky for Roger Clemens, who notched his 300th win after three near misses as the Yankees downed the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2.
Clemens (7-4) scattered six hits over 6 2/3 innings to become just the 21st 300-game winner.
“It couldn’t have been better to happen here before a packed house,” he said.
The six-time Cy Young Award winner struck out 10 on the night, registering his 4,000th career strikeout when he set down Edgar Renteria in the second frame.
He is only the third pitcher to reach the 4,000-strikeout landmark.
Hideki Matsui, newcomer Ruben Sierra and Raul Mondesi took Jason Simontacchi (4-4) deep to account for four Yankee runs.
Rockies 7 Tigers 2
In Detroit, Mark Sweeney belted a three-run homer and Chris Stynes drove in three more runs as the Colorado Rockies thumped the lowly Tigers 7-2, handing them their eighth straight loss.
Sweeney connected off Nate Cornejo (3-4), who was charged with six of the seven Rockies runs.
Shawn Chacon (9-3) worked 7 1/3 innings for the win, scattering eight hits while striking out four.
Dodgers 4 Indians 3 (10 innings)
In Cleveland, ex-Indian Jolbert Cabrera’s 10th inning double plated the deciding run as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Indians 4-3.
Cabrera’s two-bagger was served up by loser Jake Westbrook (3-4).
Reliever Paul Quantrill (1-2) worked an inning for the win, with Eric Gagne closing out for his 25th save.
Blue Jays 5 Cubs 1
In Toronto, Reed Johnson, Chris Woodward and Greg Myers sent Cubs fireballer Kerry Wood (5-5) to an early shower, all three taking him deep in the Blue Jays’ 5-1 win over Sammy Sosa-less Chicago.
Former reliever Kelvim Escobar (4-3) went eight plus innings to notch the victory, scattering 12 hits while fanning 10.
Devil Rays 7 Pirates 1
In St. Petersburg, in a clash of struggling sides, it was the Tampa Bay Devil Rays snapping a seven-game losing skid with a 7-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, who dropped their sixth straight.
Julio Lugo’s eighth-inning grand slam home run put the game away.
Twins 3 Diamondbacks 1
In Minneapolis, Torii Hunter’s sixth-inning single plated the winning runs as the Minnesota Twins dumped the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1. Hunter tagged loser Brandon Webb (3-2), with Johan Santana tossing seven innings of two-hit ball for the win.
White Sox 5 Padres 3
In Chicago, Magglio Ordonez, Armando Rios and Frank “Big Hurt” Thomas homered to carry the White Sox to a 5-3 win over the floundering San Diego Padres.Two of the three blasts were served up by Scott Linebrink (0-1).
Royals 6 Giants 1
In Kansas City, Joe Randa and Michael Tucker belted fourth-inning homers to plate three runs and the Royals went on to a 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.
Jason Schmidt (5-3) served up both shots to take the loss.
Marlins 8 Rangers 0
In Arlington, Brad Penny (5-4) and Armando Almanza limited the Texas Rangers to just five hits while keeping them off the scoreboard for the second night in a row as the Florida Marlins romped 8-0.
Alex Gonzalez’s second-inning double off Tony Mounce (0-1) knocked in the only run the Marlins needed.
Orioles 7 Brewers 2
In Baltimore, Jay Gibbons had a night to remember, belting a grand slam homer followed by a two-run shot to carry the Orioles to a 7-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Sidney Ponson (9-3) worked six innings for the win, leaving Glendon Rusch (1-10) a loser yet again.
Mets 7 Angels 3
In Anaheim, the New York Mets won their second straight under their new management, downing the Angels 7-3. Jeromy Burnitz drove in three Mets runs, while Mike Bacsik (1-1) limited the Angels to two runs in his five innings on the hill.
Athletics 8 Expos 4
In Oakland, Ramon Hernandez’s three-run homer highlighted a five-run third inning as the A’s thumped the Montreal Expos 8-4. Hernandez tagged loser Tomo Ohka (4-7), the win going to Mark Mulder (9-4), who was coming off a pair of dreadful outings.
Mariners 2 Braves 1
In Seattle, a packed house watched the M’s edge the Atlanta Braves 2-1 in a clash of division leaders. John Olerud’s first-inning single knocked in the winning run, Freddy Garcia (7-6) going 7 1/3 innings for the victory.
Reds 15 Phillies 1
In the day’s only National League game in Cincinnati, Jason LaRue homered twice to plate five runs and Aaron Boone knocked in four more as the Reds romped 15-1 over the Philadelphia Phillies.
