PHILADELPHIA, 27 June 2005 — Matt Clement pitched seven solid innings for the ninth straight win as the Boston Red Sox won their sixth straight game, downing the Philadelphia Phillies 7-1 in Interleague play Saturday.
Clement (9-1) allowed one run on seven hits with four strikeouts and no walks as the Red Sox, who took over first place in the AL East Friday night, took a one-game lead on the Baltimore Orioles in the division with the victory. The defending World Series champions now have 11 wins in their past 12 games while the slumping Phillies have lost eight of their past 11.
Many Ramirez homered for the Red Sox, his 18th of the season and seventh in the past 11 games, moving into 38th spot on the all-time list past Duke Snider with his 408th career home run. He also had two hits and scored twice.
Trot Nixon and Bill Mueller both had two doubles and one RBI for Boston, while Edgar Renteria added three hits, scored twice and drove in a run.
In other Interleague games, Andruw Jones homered to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Braves a 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles in Atlanta.
Jones’ major league leading 23rd homer of the season gave the Braves their seventh win in the past nine games after Atlanta blew a 4-0 lead. Jones had three hits and two RBI to make a winner of Jorge Vasquez (1-0).
In Houston, Michael Young homered twice and drove in three runs as the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 6-5. Chris Young (7-4) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on three hits, walking one and striking out four to take the win. Francisco Cordero pitched 1 2/3 innings for his 18th save and Rod Barajas homered for the Rangers. Brandon Backe (6-6) pitched six innings, allowing six runs on five hits, walking two and striking out seven to take the loss.
In Oakland, Danny Haren pitched a complete game as the Athletics beat the San Francisco Giants 6-3. Haren (6-7) allowed three runs on seven hits and striking out five. Nick Swisher homered for Oakland. Noah Lowry (4-7) pitched six innings, allowing five runs — four earned — on five hits, walking four and striking out five to take the loss.
In New York, Cliff Floyd homered twice and drove in four runs as the Mets beat the Yankees 10-3. Tom Glavine (5-7) pitched six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out one for the win. David Wright homered for the Mets. Sean Henn (0-3) pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out two to take the loss.
In Chicago, Aramis Ramirez hit a grand slam as the Cubs beat the White Sox 6-2. Greg Maddux (7-4) pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out six for the win. Jose Contreras (3-4) pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out three to take the loss.
In San Diego, Xavier Nady homered and three runs as the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 8-5. Jake Peavy (7-2) pitched five innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out three to take the win. Trevor Hoffman pitched one inning for his 20th save and Khalil Greene and Mark Sweeney both homered for the Padres.
In St. Petersburg, Paul Lo Duca had three hits and drove in one run as the Florida Marlins beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 6-2. Scott Olsen (1-0) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs — one earned — on four hits, walking three and striking out seven for the win. Casey Fossum (3-6) pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out six to take the loss.
In Cleveland, Jake Westbrook pitched seven solid innings as the Indians beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-7. Westbrook (5-9) allowed three runs on eight hits, walking one striking out eight. Ben Broussard homered twice and Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner all homered for the Indians.
In Milwaukee, Prince Fielder hit a three-run homer as the Brewers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-6. Matt Wise (1-2) pitched one inning and had one strike out for the win. Derrek Turnbow pitched one inning for his 14th save and Rickie Weeks homered for the Brewers.
In Washington, Marlon Byrd had two hits and drove in two runs as the Nationals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2. Livan Hernandez (11-2) pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking three and striking out four for the win. Chad Cordero pitched 1 1/3 innings for his 25th save.
In Denver, Jeff Francis pitched seven strong innings as the Rockies beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2. Francis (6-5) allowed two runs on six hits, walking one and striking out six. Brian Fuentes pitched one inning for his eighth save and Danny Ardoin had two hits for the Rockies. Runelvys Hernandez (5-8) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, walking seven and striking out two to take the loss.
In Phoenix, Placido Polanco had three hits and drove in one run as the Detroit Tigers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1. Sean Douglass (1-0) pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits, walking two and striking out one for the win. Javier Vazquez (7-6) pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing five runs — four earned — on 10 hits walking one and striking out five to take the loss.
In Anaheim, Orlando Carbrera’s two-run double led the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ervin Santana (2-2) went 6 2/3 innings for the win, allowing one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.
Carpenter Throws a Gem as the Cards Blast Pirates
Chris Carpenter pitched a four-hitter for his third shutout of the season as the St. Louis Cardinals blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0 in the lone National League game Saturday in St. Louis.
Carpenter (11-4) struck out 11 and walked four as he tied Florida’s Dontrelle Willis for the most shutouts in the major leagues this season. It was Carpenter’s eight career shutout.
Carpenter is 4-1 with a 0.90 ERA in June and he has allowed just one run on nine hits over 26 innings in his last three starts, two of them complete games.
