NEW YORK, 9 August 2003 — Enrique Wilson hit a grand slam home run and Mike Mussina pitched 7 1/3 innings for his 12th win as the New York Yankees dumped the Texas Rangers 7-5 in American League play on Thursday.
Jorge Posada’s bases-loaded single in the seventh inning drove in the winning runs for the Yankees, who are fighting to stay ahead of the charging Boston Red Sox in the AL East standings.
Wilson hit his grand slam in the second inning off Texas starter Joaquin Benoit to erase an early 3-0 Texas lead off Mussina which the Rangers got in the first inning on a three-run homer by Rafael Palmeiro.
But Mussina (12-6) settled down after that, allowing four runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Mariano Rivera, who blew a save in Wednesday’s night’s loss to the Rangers, had another shaky ninth inning. But he still picked up his 22nd save despite allowing one run on two hits. Aaron Fultz (1-2), the third of five Texas pitchers, took the loss.
Tigers 3 Athletics 2
In Detroit, Eric Munson hit a three-run homer and that was enough to give the Tigers a 3-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.
Jeremy Bonderman (5-15) allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits with three strikeouts and six walks over five innings to pick up the win. Four relievers combined with him on a six-hitter, including Danny Patterson, who got the last five outs for his first save.
Orioles 5 Twins 3
In Baltimore, Jack Crust hit a three run homer — his first in the AL — as the Orioles beat the Minnesota Twins 5-3. Rodrigo Lopez (5-6) got the win, going 6 2/3 innings and allowing three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and one walk. Jorge Julio pitched the ninth for his 27th save.
Devil Rays 3 Royals 2
In St. Petersburg, Julio Lugo singled in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Kansas City Royals past the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 3-2. Al Martin hit a two-run triple earlier in the inning as the Devil Rays overcame a 2-0 ninth inning deficit. Chad Gaudin (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings for the win. Mike MacDougal (3-5) allowed three runs on three hits in 1/3 inning to take the loss. Angel Berroa had two hits and drove in a run for the Royals.
Indians 3 Mariners 0
In Cleveland, Billy Traber pitched seven shutout innings to lead the Indians over the Seattle Mariners 3-0. Traber (6-6) allowed five hits while striking out five and walking two. Danys Baez tossed a scoreless ninth for his 24th save, while Jody Gerut and Travis Hafner both homered. Freddy Garcia (9-12) allowed two runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts and no walks.
Red Sox 9 Angels 3
In Boston, David Ortiz hit a pair of homers as the Red Sox pounded the Anaheim Angels 9-3. Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek also homered for the Sox, who have won four straight. John Burkett (9-5) allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings for the win.
Tim Salmon and Bengie Molina both homered for the Angels, who have lost five straight. Ramon Ortiz (13-9) went three innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits.
Hampton Tames Brewers as Braves Win 75th Game
Mike Hampton won his sixth straight decision with a complete-game five-hitter as the Atlanta Braves won their major league leading 75th game by downing the Milwaukee Brewers 7-1 on Thursday. Hampton (9-5) struck out four and walked one and had little difficulty in pitching his first complete game since July 23, 2001.
Atlanta improved to 75-39 and have a huge lead in the NL East, as the Braves are on the verge of capturing the division pennant for the ninth consecutive season.
Vinny Castilla homered, tripled and drove in three runs for the Braves, who pulled into a 7-0 lead after just five innings.
Hampton also drove in a pair of runs with a double for the Braves, as he improved his season average to .225. Rafael Furcal had two of Atlanta’s eight hits.
Rockies 4 Phillies 3
In Denver, Todd Helton and Chris Stynes both homered to lead the Colorado Rockies past the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3. Javier Lopez (3-1) got two outs for the victory in relief. Justin Speier pitched a scoreless ninth for his seventh save. Bobby Abreu and Placido Polanco both homered for the Phillies.
Giants 7 Pirates 5
In San Francisco, Jeffrey Hammonds hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to lead the Giants past the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-5.
Hammonds and J.T. Snow both drove in three runs for the Giants. Scott Eyre (1-1) pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the win while Tim Worrell pitched a scoreless ninth for his 25th save.
Cubs 9 Padres 3
In San Diego, Sammy Sosa hit a two-run homer for the second straight day as the Chicago Cubs hammered the Padres 9-3.
Moises Alou and Eric Karros also homered for the Cubs and Ramon Martinez also drove in two runs for Chicago.
Mets 5 Astros 4
In Houston, Timo Perez, Tony Clark and Marco Scutaro all homered as the New York Mets beat the Astros 5-4. Steve Trachsel (10-7) allowed three runs on six hits over five innings for the win. Mike Stanton pitched the ninth for his second save.
Cardinals 3 Marlins 0
In St. Louis, Brett Tomko pitched eight shutout innings to lead the Cardinals over the Florida Marlins 3-0. Tomko (8-7) allowed four hits with five strikeouts and one walk, while Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth for his ninth save.
Diamondbacks 5 Expos 4 (10 innings)
In Phoenix, Raul Mondesi homered in the bottom of the 10th inning to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks past the Montreal Expos 5-4. Shea Hillenbrand drove in two runs for Arizona. Jose Valverde (2-0) tossed 1 2/3 shutout innings for the win.
Dodgers 4 Reds 3
In Los Angeles, Hideo Nomo pitched 6 1/3 solid innings for his 13th win of the season as the Dodgers downed the Cincinnati Reds 4-3.
Nomo (13-9) allowed three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Eric Gagne pitched a scoreless ninth for his 38th save.
Adrian Beltre had two hits and drove in two runs for the Dodgers, winners of four games in a row. Paul Wilson (6-9) allowed four runs, two earned, on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings.
