NEW YORK, 23 July 2003 — The Toronto Blue Jays roughed up beleaguered Jeff Weaver in a rain-shortened eight inning game, romping 8-0 over the New York Yankees in American League action on Monday.
Weaver (5-8) was tagged with five Toronto runs in 4 1/3 innings, raising his ERA to a lofty 5.40.
Reigning AL Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske doubled and singled to plate two of the five runs, with Vernon Wells going deep for another.
Wells added a second homer later in the contest. Recently recalled Mark Hendrickson (6-6) tossed seven innings of five-hit ball for the victory.
The Blue Jays extended their New York win streak to five, having swept the Yanks in their previous visit in late May.
Red Sox 14 Tigers 5
In Boston, the Red Sox pushed across 12 runs in the second and third innings, going on to a 14-5 rout of the lowly Detroit Tigers, baseball’s worst team. Boston, baseball’s best hitting team, batted around both frames. Manny Ramirez homered and singled in the third to plate two runs.
Jeremy Bonderman (3-14) took the loss, charged with seven Boston runs. John Burkett (8-4) worked the minimum five innings for the victory.
Orioles 3 Rangers 2
In Baltimore, Jay Gibbons singled in the fourth inning to plate the deciding run as the Orioles edged the Texas Rangers 3-2 for their fifth straight win. B.J. Surhoff homered earlier for the O’s, connecting off loser R.A. Dickey (4-5). Pat Hentgen (2-5) tossed 6 1/3 innings of six-hit ball to notch the victory.
He also struck out six.
Devil Rays 3 Angels 2
In St. Petersburg, Rob Bell (2-2) scattered six hits over 7 1/3 innings as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays defeated the defending champions Angels 3-2, handing Anaheim its fifth straight setback. Travis Lee’s seventh-inning double plated the deciding run.
Aaron Sele (6-7) was the unlucky loser, charged with two of the three Tampa runs.
Athletics 6 Royals 1
In Kansas City, the A’s saved their best for last, scoring five times in their final at-bats to down the Kansas City Royals 6-1.
Much-heralded rookie Rich Harden, a native of Victoria, Canada, tossed seven innings of four-hit ball for the A’s in his major league debut. But the win went to reliever Ricardo Rincon (6-3).
White Sox 4 Indians 3
In Chicago, Carl Everett’s two-run single gave the Chicago White Sox a narrow 4-3 win over the Cleveland Indians, extending the Sox’s winning streak to four games.
Cleveland has dropped six straight.
Twins 5 Mariners 4
In Minneapolis, Chris Gomez’s RBI single in the eighth inning gave surging Minnesota its fifth consecutive victory, the Twins edging the Seattle Mariners 5-4. Torii Hunter homered to plate another Twins run.
Mets Strike Early in Win Over Phillies
In Philadelphia, Cliff Floyd’s three-run homer in the first inning got the Mets off to a quick start in an 8-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in National League action on Monday night.
Teammates Joe McEwing and Jason Phillips went deep later in the game as New York won for the first time in five attempts.
Floyd’s and McEwing’s blasts came off loser Brandon Duckworth (3-4).
Rookie Aaron Heilman (1-2) worked the minimum five frames for the victory, scattering seven hits while striking out four.
Veteran John Franco closed out for his first save since June 2001, giving him 423 for his career.
Cubs 15 Braves 6
In Atlanta, Moises Alou collected five RBIs and Sammy Sosa another four as the Chicago Cubs thumped the Atlanta Braves 15-6, racking up a season-high 21 hits in the process. Javy Lopez homered twice in a losing cause, with Andruw Jones and Marcus Giles also going deep for the Braves.
Dave Veres (1-1) picked up the win in relief of Shawn Estes, the loss going to Shane Reynolds (7-5), who lasted just 4 1/3 innings.
Pirates 5 Astros 3
In Pittsburgh, Jason Kendall’s second-inning single plated the deciding run as the Pirates outlasted Houston 5-3, snapping the Astros’ five-game winning streak.
Matt Stairs singled and homered to account for two more Pittsburgh runs.
Tim Redding (6-9) took the loss, the win going to Josh Fogg (6-4), who is 4-1 in his past five decisions.
Marlins 4 Expos 1
In Miami, Josh Beckett (4-4) tossed seven innings of scoreless ball to pace the Florida Marlins to a 4-1 win over the fading Montreal Expos. Mike Lowell — shaking off a recent cancer scare — singled to get the Marlins on the board in the opening frame, then walked with the bases full in the sixth to plate the deciding run.
Reds 11 Brewers 2
In Cincinnati, Russell Branyan’s pinch-hit grand slam homer was the big blow as the Reds routed the Milwaukee Brewers 11-2, ending a seven-game home drought. Jose Guillen drove in three more Reds runs, two on a first-inning single off loser Matt Kinney (6-8).
Giants 5 Diamondbacks 4
In San Francisco, Yorvit Torrealba’s two-run single sparked a four-run sixth inning as the Giants rallied to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 for their fifth straight victory. Torrealba drove in a third run with a fifth-inning ground out.
Rockies 4 Dodgers 1
In Los Angeles, Larry Walker’s infield single in the opening inning drove in the deciding run as the Colorado Rockies snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Dodgers.
Padres 5 Cardinals 4 (10 innings)
In San Diego, Miguel Ojeda’s 10th-inning homer gave the Padres a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Ojeda’s blast was served up by loser Lance Painter (0-1), the sixth Card pitcher. Ryan Klesko drove in three of the Padres’ four other runs with two doubles and a sacrifice.
