KANSAS CITY, 17 August 2003 — Kenny Rogers coughed up two singles over eight innings to guide the Minnesota Twins to a crushing 9-2 victory over the Central Division-leading Kansas City Royals in the American League yesterday.
The Twins closed within three games of upstart Kansas City (64-56), which has already recorded more wins than last season. The 38-year-old Rogers (10-6), who has had two stints with Texas and also served both New York clubs, walked one while striking out seven.
Torii Hunter blasted a three-run homer to cap off a five-run third inning that all but put the game away. All five runs were charged to rookie Jimmy Gobble (2-1).
Yankees 6 Orioles 4
In Baltimore, newcomer Aaron Boone belted a three-run homer in the ninth inning as the New York Yankees rallied to down the Orioles 6-4. Boone’s blast, served up by Jorge Julio (0-5), was at first ruled foul by the third base umpire. But his call was overturned after Boone and Yankees manger Joe Torre protested.
That brought Orioles skipper Mike Hargrove on to the field, leading to his ejection. Alfonso Soriano then added a solo shot to pad the lead. Another recent acquisition, reliever Jeff Nelson (4-2), notched the victory. Roger Clemens started and worked 7 1/3 innings for New York.
Indians 1 Devil Rays 0
In Cleveland, a pitchers duel involving CC Sabathia and Tampa Bay’s Victor Zambrano was decided by a Josh Bard single in the ninth inning as the Indians edged the Devil Rays 1-0. Bard’s game-winning safety was served up by Travis Harper (2-7), who took over after Zambrano tossed eight innings of three-hit ball. Sabathia (11-7) went all the way for the Tribe, scattering four hits and striking out nine.
Rangers 11 White Sox 5
In Arlington, Rafael Palmeiro drove in four runs and Michael Young plated three to steer the Texas Rangers to a resounding 11-5 triumph over Esteban Loaiza and the Chicago White Sox. Loaiza (15-6) was charged with seven of the 11 Texas runs as his ERA climbed from an AL-best 2.24 to 2.55. Colby Lewis (6-7) struck out a career-high 10, getting Frank Thomas three times, while scattering seven hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Angels 3 Tigers 1
In Anaheim, Bengie Molina grounded out and singled to drive in two runs as the Angels outlasted the lowly Detroit Tigers 3-1. It was Anaheim’s ninth straight win over Detroit (31-89), which is threatening to post baseball’s worst-ever record. The 1962 Mets (40-120) have that dubious distinction.
John Lackey (8-11) scattered seven hits over eight innings to notch the victory, with Troy Percival closing out for his 26th save of the season. Nate Cornejo (5-12) took the loss despite surrendering six hits in seven innings.
Blue Jays 8 Athletics 5
In Oakland, AL rookie of the year Eric Hinske homered twice to plate four runs as the Toronto Blue Jays upset the Athletics 8-5. Hinske connected off rookie Rich Harden (3-2), who entered the game with an ERA of 1.69. Harden lasted four innings, charged with six runs. Californian Josh Towers (2-1) tossed five innings of seven-hit ball for the win.
Mariners 10 Red Sox 5
In Seattle, AL batting leader Ichiro Suzuki clubbed a grand slam homer to snap a 4-4 sixth-inning tie and send the Mariners to a 10-5 win over the Boston Red Sox. Suzuki, a .342 hitter, tagged reliever Mike Timlin (4-4), who was replaced after working the one frame.
Bret Boone had the other Seattle homer, a solo shot in the third. Julio Mateo (4-0) retired a single batter for the victory. Shigetoshi Hasegawa finished up for his 12th save of the season.
