NEW YORK, 28 September 2004 — David Ortiz’s two-run double launched a four-run first inning and Curt Schilling allowed one hit over seven frames to power the Boston Red Sox to an 11-4 win over the New York Yankees in the American League Sunday.

Host Boston wasted no time getting to Yankees starter Kevin Brown (10-5), who failed to last the first inning, charged with all four runs. Brown was replaced by Esteban Loaiza, who fared little better as he was tagged with six runs in his 4 2/3 innings.

Sox starter Schilling (21-6) had few problems, going seven frames after allowing only Jorge Posada’s fourth-inning single. Schilling struck out six batters and walked four in improving to 12-1 at Fenway Park this season.

In Arlington, Jose Lopez doubled twice and sacrificed to score four runs and Ichiro Suzuki collected another hit as the Seattle Mariners thumped the Texas Rangers 9-0.

Ichiro’s sixth-inning single gave him 251 hits on the season, six shy of George Sisler’s 1920 record. Cha Seung Baek (2-4) held the hosts to three hits in eight innings.

In Baltimore, Miguel Tejada homered and singled to drive in three runs as the Orioles blanked Detroit 5-0 to earn their first season sweep of the Tigers. Rodrigo Lopez (14-8) scattered three hits and struck out seven batters for his second career shutout.

In Cleveland, Jacque Jones singled to account for two runs and also scored twice to guide the playoff-bound Minnesota Twins to a 6-2 victory over the Indians.

In Chicago, four solo homers propelled the White Sox to a 5-1 triumph over the Kansas City Royals. Ross Gload was first to go deep, followed by Wilson Valdez, Jose Valentin and Joe Borchard.

In Anaheim, Troy Glaus singled and homered to score three runs as the Angels overcame the Oakland Athletics 6-2. John Lackey (14-12) went seven full frames to earn the decision, loser Mark Mulder (17-7) lasting 3 2/3 innings, his shortest stint of the season.

Dodgers Slay Giants in Crunch Pennant Game

In San Francisco, the Los Angeles Dodgers opened up a 2 1/2 game lead in the National League West pennant race with a 7-4 victory over title rivals the San Francisco Giants Sunday.

Barry Bonds belted his 703rd career homer in their final regular-season home game but it was not enough for the Giants, who remained 1/2 game behind the Chicago Cubs in the wild card race.

The Dodgers went up 2-0 in the first inning after lead-off hitter Cesar Izturis ran to first on an error and second baseman Jayson Werth homered. The Giants chalked up two runs in the bottom of the first, with Bonds scoring after his 222nd walk of the season.

Second baseman Alex Cora singled home a run in the fourth and homered in the sixth to give the Dodgers a 5-3 lead before Adrian Beltre scored in the seventh to make it 6-3. After Marquis Grissom let a long fly ball pop out of his glove to give Los Angeles a 7-3 lead in the ninth, many fans headed for the exits.

In New York, Al Leiter limited the playoff-hopeful Cubs to two hits over six innings as the Mets edged Chicago 3-2. Leiter (10-8), who had not won in six weeks, struck out five batters and walked five. The Mets did all their scoring in the first, roughing up Kerry Wood (8-8

In San Diego, National League ERA leader Jake Peavy (14-6) worked six innings, scattering three hits, to carry the Padres to a 7-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Phil Nevin sacrificed to score San Diego’s first and last runs.

In Milwaukee, Raul Chavez singled twice and doubled to score five runs and Jeff Kent added a three-run homer to help the Houston Astros to an 11-7 victory over the Brewers. Tim Redding (5-7) tossed a perfect fourth inning for the win.

In Atlanta, the defending champion Florida Marlins fell out of post-season contention after a 6-3 loss to the Braves. Chipper Jones singled to drive in two Atlanta runs while John Thomson (14-8) limited the Marlins to four hits over seven innings.

In Montreal, Bobby Abreu’s fifth-inning double accounted for both Philadelphia runs as the Phillies edged the Expos 2-1.

Cory Lidle (11-12) tossed 7 1/3 innings of four-hit ball for the victory. Livan Hernandez (11-15) took the loss.

In Pittsburgh, Tike Redman singled in his first two at-bats to score two runs and guide the Pirates to a 4-2 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds. Josh Fogg (10-10) allowed one run on six hits over 5 2/3 innings, Jose Mesa closing out for his 41st save of the season.

In Denver, Albert Pujols went 4-for-5 and drove in four runs as the St Louis Cardinals crushed the Colorado Rockies 9-3.