NEW YORK, 6 September 2004 — Sidney Ponson pitched a complete-game two-hitter as the Baltimore Orioles stunned the New York Yankees 7-0 in American League play at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.
The Orioles won their sixth straight game after going through a 12-game losing streak while the reeling Yankees suffered yet another humiliating loss as they struggle to hold on to the lead in the AL East.
One day after pitcher Kevin Brown broke his hand punching a wall in anger, the Yankee hitters looked completely frustrated against Ponson, who struck out four and walked one while allowing only singles to Miguel Cairo and Gary Sheffield.
Ponson (10-13) is now 7-1 in his last 10 outings after losing nine straight decisions. Mike Mussina (9-9) allowed two runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking none.
But his solid performance was spoiled by a lack of offense and the Orioles added to the humiliation by scoring five runs in the ninth inning, four of them charged to closer Mariano Rivera.
Despite the strong outing, Mussina suffered his fifth straight loss, the first time in his career he’s had that long a losing streak. Rivera allowed four hits in just 1/3 inning and had to be pulled in favor of Bret Prinz, who managed to get the final two outs to finish up.
Brian Roberts had one of three Baltimore home runs and wound up with three hits and three RBI to pace Baltimore’s 14-hit attack.
Jay Gibbons and Rafael Palmeiro also hit home runs for the Orioles. New York remained just 2 1/2 games ahead of Boston in the AL East, as the Red Sox lost at home to Texas.
In Boston, Michael Young hit a three-run homer as the Texas Rangers ended Boston’s 10-game winning streak with an 8-6 win over the Red Sox. Rod Barajas also homered and had three hits and three RBI for the Rangers.
Chris Young (1-1) allowed one run on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks in 5 2/3 innings for the win and Francisco Cordero got the last three outs for his 42nd save.
Tim Wakefield (11-8) allowed eight runs on eight hits over six innings and took the loss. Mark Bellhorn hit a grand slam for Boston and David Ortiz also homered, but the Red Sox managed just five hits.
Terry Tiffee led off the bottom of the ninth inning with his first major league home run, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals. Tiffee was called up on Sept. 1 when the major league rosters expanded and had three hits in the game, lifting his average to .462.
In Toronto, Eric Byrnes hit a three-run double to key a five-run ninth inning rally, leading the Oakland Athletics past the Toronto Blue Jays 9-5. The A’s scored twice on wild pitches to tie the game as they scored a couple of runs in the eighth and five in the ninth to overcome a 5-2 deficit.
Damian Miller had two hits and two RBI for the A’s and Chris Hammond (4-1) pitched two shutout innings in relief of Mark Mulder for the win.
Bonds Kept at Bay but Giants Rally for Big Win
Marquis Grissom hit a grand slam homer and the San Francisco Giants rallied from a six run deficit to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-7 in National League play on Saturday.
The Giants moved to within half a game of the NL wildcard-leading Chicago Cubs with the win, their seventh straight over the Diamondbacks. The Cubs had their weekend series in Miami against the Florida Marlins postponed because of Hurricane Frances.
Barry Bonds remained at 697 career home runs, but went 2-for-3 with a single and a double and walk.
He played even though the Giants played a night game on Friday as he continued his quest to become just the third major league player to hit 700 home runs in his career.
Deivi Cruz’s two-run single drove in the winning runs after Dustan Mohr doubled in the tying run in the eighth inning rally that completed the Giants comeback.
Scott Eyre (1-2) pitched the eighth inning for the win and Dustin Hermanson finished up for his ninth save.
Mohr, Grissom and Bonds all wound up with two hits to pace the Giants 11-hit attack, as San Francisco scored four runs in both the sixth and eighth innings.
Luis Terrero homered, had three hits and drove in a run for the Diamondbacks, while Shea Hillenbrand had three hits and drove in a pair of runs.
Chad Tracy added two hits and two RBI for Arizona.
Mike Koplove (3-3) took the loss after relieving starter Stephen Randolph, allowing three runs on two hits in 1 1/3 innings.
In Philadelphia, Cory Lidle tossed a three-hitter for his second straight shutout and had a three-run double as the Phillies beat the New York Mets 7-0. Lidle (9-12) pitched his fifth complete game of the season while earning his third shutout of the season and fifth of his career, striking out three and walking none.
Jimmy Rollins had a three-run homer for the Phillies and Jason Michaels scored a pair of runs. Al Leiter (9-6) allowed four runs on six hits over five innings to take the loss, the Mets eighth straight. New York has lost 13 of 14.
Jim Edmonds hit his 300th career home run as the St Louis Cardinals won their eighth straight game, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1. The Cardinals had just two hits in the game but still won for the 13th time in 15 games.
In Montreal, Russ Ortiz pitched a three-hit shutout leading the Atlanta Braves past the Montreal Expos 9-0. Andruw Jones hit a grand slam home run for the Braves. Adam LaRoche homered and had three hits while Ortiz (14-7) struck out five and walked three. John Patterson (3-4) took the loss, allowing six runs -- five earned -- on three hits in just two innings.
Mike Lamb drove in the winning run with a seventh inning double, helping the Houston Astros to their eighth straight win, 6-5 over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In Milwaukee, Keith Ginter and Russell Branyan both hit three run homers to power the Brewers past the Cincinnati Reds 7-3.
Geoff Jenkins added three hits and an RBI for Milwaukee. Ben Hendrickson (1-6) allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings for the win, striking out seven and walking three.
