NEW YORK, 29 June 2004 — Jose Contreras pitched a two-hit shutout over six-plus innings and struck out 10 as the New York Yankees hammered the New York Mets 8-1 in the first game of their doubleheader in Interleague play on Sunday.
Contreras (5-3) walked four batters before leaving the game with a forearm cramp after throwing just three pitches to start the seventh inning. It was the first start for Contreras since his wife and children defected from Cuba last week. His family watched him pitch at Yankee Stadium for the first time.
After himself defecting from Cuba in October, 2002, Contreras signed a four-year, $32-million contract with the Yankees.
He has struggled since then and has often said he missed his wife and two children, now age 11 and three. Derek Jeter provided him with all the offense he would need with a pair of solo home runs, giving him 13 on the season.
In the nightcap, Ruben Sierra homered and drove in five runs to help the Yankees sweep the twin-bill with an 11-6 win over the Mets.
Miguel Cairo also homered and drove in three runs, while Mike Mussina (9-4) pitched six innings for the win.
In other Interleague plays, Tony Batista homered and drove in five runs, leading the Montreal Expos to a 9-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Livan Hernandez (5-7) allowed four runs on nine hits over seven innings for the win.
In Cleveland, Matt Lawton doubled home two runs in the seventh inning to give the Indians a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Carl Pavano scattered five hits over seven innings as the Florida Marlins beat the Devil Rays 11-4, ending Tampa Bay’s 13-game Interleague winning streak.
In Detroit, Carlos Pena hit a walk-off grand slam home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, leading the Tigers to a 9-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Rondell White also homered for Detroit, winners of four straight.
J.D. Drew homered to key a seven-run eighth inning as the Atlanta Braves rallied from a 7-0 deficit to beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-7.
In Arlington, Roy Oswalt pitched eight shutout innings, leading the Houston Astros to a 1-0 win over the Texas Rangers. Oswalt (6-6) allowed four hits and struck out nine without walking a batter.
Brad Lidge pitched the ninth for his fourth save and Carlos Beltran scored the lone run of the game and made a great catch to prevent a homer in the first.
Mark Bellhorn and David Ortiz both homered and drove in three runs as the Boston Red Sox cruised to a 12-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
In Minneapolis, Lyle Overbay homered and Doug Davis pitched 6 1/3 solid innings in a 7-3 win for the Milwaukee Brewers over the Minnesota Twins.
In Oakland, Barry Bonds hit his first home run in 13 games as the San Francisco Giants beat the Athletics 5-2. Bonds hit career homer number 677 and 19th of the season. Marquis Grissom also homered for the Giants.
Mike Matheny drove in four runs, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 10-3 win over the Kansas City Royals. Scott Rolen and Edgar Renteria both had three hits and scored three runs for the Cards, winners of five straight.
In Chicago, Miguel Olivo and Timo Perez both homered, leading the White Sox past the Cubs 9-4. Sammy Sosa hit a pair of homers in a losing cause for the Cubs.
Jeff Cirillo hit a three-run homer to lift the San Diego Padres to a 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners, who traded pitcher Freddy Garcia during the game. Adam Eaton pitched 6 1/3 solid innings for the win.
In Los Angeles, Adrian Beltre hit a pair of home runs and drove in five runs, giving the Dodgers a 10-5 win over the Anaheim Angels.
In the only National League game, Jason Bay homered and drove in four runs to guide the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 14-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
