NEW YORK, 25 April 2006 — Randy Johnson answered his critics by tossing eight superb innings and Jason Giambi belted a pair of home runs to help the New York Yankees dump the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 in the Bronx on Sunday.
Johnson (3-2), who was roughed up by the Toronto Blue Jays in his previous start sparking speculation about the ‘Big Unit’s’ fitness, bounced back with a dominating performance, allowing one run on three hits — all to Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada.
Certainly it was a far different Johnson than the pitcher who was handed a 4-0 first-inning lead in Toronto last Tuesday and served up seven runs before he was chased from the game in the fourth inning.
In Arlington, John Koronka tossed eight solid innings and Mark Teixeira, Phil Nevin and Kevin Mench homered in a six-run third inning to power the Texas Rangers to an 8-3 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and a three-game series sweep.
In Toronto, David Ortiz cracked a two-run homer and Mike Lowell drove in a pair of runs as the Boston Red Sox toppled the Blue Jays 6-3 to snap a three-game losing streak.
Ortiz’s two-run blast, his eighth of the season, keyed a three-run first inning as the Red Sox jumped out to the early lead before holding on to prevent the Blue Jays from sweeping the three-game series.
Vintage Maddux Helps Cubs Maul Cardinals
Greg Maddux tossed seven shutout innings and Aramis Ramirez and Jacque Jones homered to help the Chicago Cubs to a 7-3 win over the St Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sunday.
Maddux (4-0), the four-times Cy Young award winner who turned 40 last week, provided another vintage performance to scatter five hits and strike out four with one walk, lowering his ERA to a National League best 0.99.
“Anytime you can come to St. Louis and get a win, it’s a good day,” Maddux told MLB.com, downplaying his 322nd career win.
