NEW YORK, 29 May 2005 — Gary Sheffield belted a three-run homer and Robinson Cano added a two-run blast as the red-hot New York Yankees rallied for five runs in the sixth inning to collect their 16th win in 18 games with 6-3 victory over Boston Red Sox in the American League on Friday.
Randy Johnson (5-3) collected the win at Yankee Stadium, allowing three runs on nine hits in six innings of work, striking out three and walking four.
Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada each had two hits for the Yankees, who have won five straight games. Boston’s Tim Wakefield (4-4) suffered the loss, yielding four runs on four hits in five innings of work. Jason Varitek had a two-run homer for the Red Sox.
In Arlington, Alfonso Soriano had two homeruns and Michael Young and Mark Teixeira each had a solo shot as the surging Texas Rangers pounded their way to a season-high seventh straight win, dumping the White Sox 6-2. Francisco Cordero came on to get the final out to record his 16th save of the season.
All four Rangers’ homers came off Chicago’s rookie starter Brandon McCarthy (0-1) who took the loss surrendering six runs on six losses, striking out four and walking three.
In Toronto, Shannon Stewart and Juan Castro homered and Johan Santana and Matt Guerrier combined on a five-hitter, guiding the Minnesota Twins to a 7-2 victory over the Blue Jays. Santana (6-2) took credit for the win giving up two runs on fours hits in seven innings of work, improving to 14-0 on the road. Guerrier came on in the eighth to get the final six outs to nail down the win.
In Baltimore, Dmitri Young and Craig Monroe belted homeruns and Nate Robertson delivered 7 2/3 solid innings as the Detroit Tigers edged the Orioles 4-3, to end a four-game losing skid. Robertson (2-3) was solid on the mound for the Tigers allowing three runs on six hits, striking out one and walking one.
In Cleveland, Ronnie Belliard had two-run homer in the eighth inning and Cliff Lee combined with four relievers on four-hitter as the Indians downed the Oakland Athletics 4-1. Lee (6-2) was dominant, scattering two hits over six scoreless innings, striking out five and walking three to post his second straight win. Three relievers contributed to the victory before David Riske came on to get the final out for his first save of the season.
In St. Petersburg, Josh Phelps smacked a two-run homer and scored two runs as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays slipped past the Seattle Mariners 5-4 for their fourth straight win.
Mark Henderson (2-2) took the win, surrendering two runs on six hits over 5-2/3 innings.
In Anaheim, Dallas McPherson smacked a solo homerun in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Los Angeles Angels to a 9-8 win over the Kansas City Royals. McPherson’s homer, his second in as many nights, capped a gritty comeback for the Angels who rallied for five runs in the ninth to tie the contest and force extra innings.
Martinez Delivers as Mets
Blank Marlins 1-0
In Florida, Pedro Martinez delivered eight shutout innings and Cliff Floyd drove in the game’s only run as the New York Mets blanked the Florida Marlins 1-0 in National League play in Miami on Friday. Martinez (5-1) scattered five hits, struck out 10 and did not walk a batter before turning the mound over to Braden Looper who recorded the final three outs to complete the shutout and collect his 11th save.
In Chicago, Derrek Lee homered twice, Neifi Perez had a two-run blast and Corey Patterson added a solo shot to power the Cubs to a 10-3 demolition of the Colorado Rockies. The Cubs lopsided victory, however, was overshadowed by an injury to starting pitcher Mark Prior who was struck in the right elbow trying to make a play on a sharply hit ball from Brad Hawpe in the fourth inning.
In Cincinnati, Felipe Lopez drove in the winning run with a broken bat grounder in the ninth inning, lifting the Reds to a 6-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Adam Dunn and Javier Valentin both contributed solo homeruns to the cause, helping the Reds to their fourth win in five games.
In Atlanta, Jim Thome had three-run homer to key a four-run first inning and Cory Lidle toss 6 2/3 strong innings to help the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-1 decision over the Braves. Lidle (5-3) scattered six hits giving up one run while striking out seven and walking two before Rheal Cormier and Billy Wagner each worked an inning of scoreless relief to nail down the win.
In Milwaukee, Doug Davis tossed seven shutout innings and Damian Miller drove in two runs as the Brewers blanked the Houston Astros 3-0 for their sixth straight home win. Davis (6-5) scattered two hits and struck out seven before turning the game over to Jorge de la Rosa, who pitched a scoreless eighth. Derrick Turnbow got the final three outs to complete the shutout and earn his seventh save.
In St. Louis, Jim Edmonds belted a two-run homer and Matt Morris threw seven solid innings as the Cardinals collected their fourth consecutive win with a 6-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. Morris (5-0) gave up three runs — two earned — on five hits and struck out eight without walking a batter to remain unbeaten.
In Phoenix, Jeff Kent belted a grand slam and Olmedo Saenz added a two-run blast sparking the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks to register their first back-to-back wins since May 1. Kelly Wunsch (1-0), coming on in relief of starter Derek Lowe, picked up the win by yielding one run on two hits in 1/3 of an inning worked.
In San Francisco, Brian Giles homered and drove in three runs and Brian Lawrence pitched a complete game six-hitter leading the San Diego Padres to a 9-3 decision over the Giants.
