NEW YORK, 23 June 2005 — Gary Sheffield hit a pair of three-run homers and the New York Yankees exploded for 13 runs in the eighth inning to trounce the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 20-11 in a wild American League game played at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.
Sheffield had seven RBI in the game and Bernie Williams drove in five, including three with a bases-loaded triple to key the eighth inning onslaught.
Derek Jeter wound up with a career-tying five hits and a career-best five runs scored for the Yankees, who trailed 10-2 after four innings as Randy Johnson was driven from the mound an inning earlier. Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui hit consecutive homers in the eighth and Jorge Posada also homered in the inning. New York also scored 13 runs in one inning against Tampa Bay on April 18.
Jeter also homered for the Yankees, as New York had six homers in the game.
Sheffield wound up with four of New York’s 23-hits. Buddy Groom (1-0) pitched a 1/3 scoreless innings for the win as New York used six pitchers.
Travis Harper (1-6) was rocked for nine runs on eight hits in just 2/3 innings to take the loss. Jonny Gomes, Kevin Cash and Damon Hollins all homered for Tampa Bay, while Carl Crawford had four hits.
In other games, Geronimo Gil homered twice as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Blue Jays 9-5.
Rodrigo Lopez (7-2) pitched five innings, allowing four runs on four hits, walking two and striking out three for the win.
Eli Marrero also homered for the Orioles.
Gustavo Chacin (6-5) pitched five innings, allowing six runs one earned - on five hits, walking two and striking out one to take the loss. Russ Adams and Alex Rios both homered for the Blue Jays.
In Cleveland, David Ortiz homered twice as the Boston Red Sox beat the Indians 9-2. Bronson Arroyo (6-3) pitched seven innings, allowing one run on four hits, walking one and striking out four for the win. Manny Ramirez homered for the Red Sox. Kevin Millwood (2-5) pitched six innings, allowing six runs - five earned - on seven hits, walking three and striking out six to take the loss.
In Chicago, Jon Garland pitched 8 1/3 innings, as the White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1. Garland (12-2) allowed one run on four hits, walking one and striking out two to become the AL’s first 12-game winner. Scott Podsednik had three hits and drove in one run for the White Sox.
In Minneapolis, Jeremy Bonderman pitched a complete game as the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-2.
Bonderman (9-4) allowed two runs on five hits, walking two and striking out nine.
Dmitri Young homered for the Tigers.
Kyle Lohse (5-6) pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out three to take the loss.
Lew Ford had one hit and drove in one run for the Twins.
In Seattle, Dan Johnson hit his first major league homer as the Oakland Athletics beat the Mariners 4-2. Rich Harden (3-3) pitched five innings for the win, allowing just two hits.
Justin Duchscherer got the last five outs for his third straight save. Joel Pineiro (2-4) allowed four runs on eight hits over eight innings and took the loss.
In Anaheim, Dallas McPherson drove in three runs as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Texas Rangers 8-6.
Darin Erstad had three hits and Bartolo Colon (9-4) allowed three runs on six hits over six innings for the win.
