KANSAS CITY, 18 August 2003 — The Minnesota Twins exploded for four first-inning runs and continued to pour it on the rest of the way to trounce the Kansas City Royals 14-5 in the American League Saturday. The Twins closed within two games of the AL Central-leading Royals after Torii Hunter plated three runs with an RBI single in the first and a two-run single in the fourth. Luis Rivas also scored three times. Runelvys Hernandez (7-5) was charged with nine Minnesota runs in 3 1/3 innings. The win went to Kyle Lohse (10-9), who scattered six hits over seven innings while striking out four.
Red Sox 5 Mariners 1
In Seattle, Pedro Martinez tossed seven innings of three-hit ball as the Boston Red Sox dumped the Mariners 5-1 to stay one game ahead of Oakland in the AL wild-card race. Martinez (9-3) struck out seven as he took his record to a perfect 11-0 against the Mariners.
Athletics 6 Blue Jays 4
In Oakland, Mark Ellis’s three-run homer capped a four-run second inning as the Athletics edged the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4 to snap a three-game losing streak. Ellis’s blast was served up by loser Mark Hendrickson (7-9).
Yankees 5 Orioles 4 (12 innings)
In Baltimore, Jason Giambi’s 12th-inning homer off Hector Carrasco (1-4) gave the New York Yankees a 5-4 win over the Orioles. Giambi’s 35th homer of the season came with two men gone.
Devil Rays 5 Indians 3
In Cleveland, Jared Sandberg’s two-run, second-inning homer plated the deciding run as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays edged the Indians 5-3 to snap their four-game winning streak. Sandberg tagged rookie Cliff Lee (1-1), who was charged with three runs in six innings.
Rangers 12 White Sox 8
In Arlington, Todd Greene, Jason Jones and Hank Blalock homered with men aboard to power the Texas Rangers to a 12-8 win over the Chicago White Sox. Greene and Jones rocked White Sox starter Bartolo Colon (10-11).
Angels 11 Tigers 7
In Anaheim, Scott Spiezio singled and tripled to drive in four runs as the Angels thumped the Detroit Tigers 11-7. Gary Glover (2-0) seized the win in relief of Aaron Sele, who surrendered two homers including a three-run shot by Bobby Higginson.
Dodgers Knock Cubs Off Top of NL Central
In Chicago, Adrian Beltre of the Los Angeles Dodgers grounded out, doubled and homered to drive in a season-high four runs in the 10-5 victory over the surging Chicago Cubs in the National League.
Astros 5 Reds 2
In Cincinnati, Lance Berkman struck a three-run homer to give the Houston Astros a 5-2 triumph over the Reds, snapping a four-game losing streak. Berkman connected off Seth Etherton (0-1).
Brewers 6 Pirates 4
In Pittsburgh, Scott Podsednik belted a three-run homer with a man gone in the ninth inning to earn the Milwaukee Brewers a 6-4 victory over the Pirates.
Marlins 6 Padres 3
In Miami, Juan Pierre’s seventh-inning triple plated the deciding runs as the Florida Marlins rallied to down the San Diego Padres 6-3 for their fourth win in five games. Pierre drove a pitch from Jay Witasick (3-3) to deep center before scoring on Luis Castillo’s single.
Braves 10 Diamondbacks 6
In Atlanta, the hard-hitting Braves shook off an early 4-0 deficit to thump the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-6. Atlanta took its first lead in the third inning on Robert Fick’s single off Elmer Dessens.
Phillies 5 Cardinals 4
In Philadelphia, Albert Pujols singled in the seventh to extend his hitting streak to 30 games but it proved in vain as the Phillies rode a four-run sixth inning to a 5-4 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Expos 4 Giants 1
In Montreal, Vladimir Guerrero’s two-run double gave the Expos breathing room in their 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. The Expos won by the same score Friday and are 5-0 against the NL West-leading Giants this season.
Mets 13 Rockies 4
In New York, Timo Perez and Cliff Floyd both drove in four runs to lead the improving Mets to a 13-4 pasting of the Colorado Rockies. The Mets, winners of four straight for the first time this season, scored eight times in the opening two innings.
