NEW YORK, 13 June 2004 — Pinch-hitter Lou Merloni walked with the bases loaded to force in the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning, giving the Cleveland Indians a 6-5 home win over the Cincinnati Reds in Interleague play on Friday.
The Indians scored the deciding run on three walks and a single off reliever Phil Norton (0-1) to claim the opening game of a three-game series between the state rivals.
Coco Crisp went 4-for-4 with a walk for the Indians, who wore their red uniforms from 1975 on “Throw Back Night” at Jacobs Field.
In other Interleague games, David Ortiz homered in the seventh inning then singled in the winning run in the ninth, giving the Boston Red Sox a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Keith Foulke (2-0) got the win in relief while Tom Martin (0-1) was the loser.
In New York, Phil Nevin hit a three-run homer to help the San Diego Padres maul the New York Yankees 10-2. Adam Eaton (3-6) allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings for the win.
In Toronto, Danny Bautista drove in the winning run with a single to cap a three-run ninth inning rally, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Dmitri Young, Carlos Guillen and Ivan Rodriguez all homered as the Detroit Tigers beat the Florida Marlins 8-4.
In St. Petersburg, Rey Sanchez hit an inside-the-park home run in the 10th inning as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays edged past the Colorado Rockies 8-7.
Jaret Wright pitched a two-hitter over seven scoreless innings, helping the Atlanta Braves to defeat the Chicago White Sox 6-4.
Ken Harvey hit a two-run homer to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 7-5 win over the New York Mets. Darrell May (3-8) allowed five runs on 11 hits over six innings and got the win.
In Minneapolis, Ricky Ledee hit a pair of home runs to power the Philadelphia Phillies past the Minnesota Twins 11-6.
John Mabry homered and had five RBI, leading the St. Louis Cardinals past the Texas Rangers 12-7.
John Lackey pitched seven solid innings, leading the Anaheim Angels past the Chicago Cubs 3-2. Lacey (4-7) pitched a seven-hitter to outduel Greg Maddux (5-5), who also allowed seven hits but one more run.
In Seattle, Pat Border drove in the winning run with a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Mariners a 1-0 win over the Montreal Expos.
Tim Hudson pitched a five-hitter over seven innings as the Oakland Athletics beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1.
In the lone National League game, Scott Podsednik hit a three-run homer, leading the Milwaukee Brewers past the Houston Astros 9-3.
