NEW YORK, 3 June 2004 — Derek Jeter belted two solo home runs and Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada added two-run homers to help the New York Yankees edge the Baltimore Orioles 8-7 in the American League Tuesday.
The hosts Yankees survived a four-run, ninth-inning rally to beat Baltimore for the fourth time in the past week.
Mike Mussina (6-4) picked up his fifth straight win as New York opened up a 12-game homestand. He went six innings, allowing three runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
Mariano Rivera allowed two-out, two-run singles to Miguel Tejada and Javy Lopez before closing out the game in the ninth for his 19th save of the season. Jeter finished up with four hits and three RBI while Posada and Enrique Wilson both had two hits for the Yankees, who collected 13 hits in total.
Sidney Ponson (3-6) gave up seven runs on 12 hits for the Orioles over 5 2/3 innings to take the loss. He struck out three batters and walked three as his ERA rose to 6.48.
Lopez had three hits and three RBI for the Orioles while Tejada drove in three runs with two hits.
Luis Matos also had three hits for the Orioles, who had 14 hits off four Yankee pitchers.
In Detroit, Mike Sweeney drove in the winning run with a ninth-inning single to guide the Kansas City Royals to a 5-3 triumph over the Tigers. Jason Grimsley (3-1) pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings for the win while Jeremy Affeldt pitched a scoreless ninth for his fourth save of the season.
In Cleveland, Rod Barajas clubbed his second homer of the game in the 12th inning as the Texas Rangers beat the Indians 6-5.
Erasmo Ramirez (3-2) recorded one out in a bases-loaded jam for the win while Francisco Cordero pitched a perfect 12th for his 17th save of the season. Michael Young had three hits and drove in a run for the Rangers. Rick White (2-1) allowed the winning homer, ending Cleveland’s four-game winning streak. Victor Martinez drove in four runs for the Tribe.
In Minneapolis, Corey Koskie stroked two homers as the Minnesota Twins routed the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 16-4. Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones and Matt LeCroy also homered for the Twins. Carlos Silva (6-3) allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings for the victory.
In Oakland, Bobby Kielty delivered a two-run homer in the bottom of the 12th inning to earn the Athletics a 6-4 decision over the Chicago White Sox. Jermaine Dye also homered for the A’s and had three hits and two RBI. Justin Duchscherer (3-1) pitched three shutout innings for the victory. Paul Konerko, Frank Thomas and Jose Valentin homered for the White Sox. Neal Cotts (0-3) allowed the game-winning blow and took the loss.
In Anaheim, David Eckstein had three hits, drove in two runs and scored two more as the Angels overcame the Boston Red Sox 7-6.
Kevin Gregg (2-0) notched the win with 2 2/3 shutout innings of relief. Troy Percival pitched the ninth for his 13th save of the season. Bronson Arroyo (3-2) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing six runs, five earned, on eight hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Brian Daubach and Kevin Millar homered for the Red Sox while Manny Ramirez had three hits and drove in two runs.
In Seattle, Vernon Wells homered and drove in three runs to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-5 triumph over the Mariners. Reed Johnson collected three hits and drove in two runs for Toronto. Aquilino Lopez (1-1) gave up one run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings while Jason Frasor recorded the last four outs for his fourth save of the season. Raul Ibanez homered for the Mariners. Clint Nageotte (0-1) allowed four runs on four hits over four innings of relief to take the loss.
