Blue Jays snatch tight win over Rays

Author: 
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Publication Date: 
Sat, 2010-04-24 21:14

Cecil (1-0), recalled from the Las Vegas 51's to replace the injured Brian Tallet, gave up six hits, one walk and struck out eight in 6 2-3 innings. He departed after allowing Gabe Kapler's two-run homer in the seventh that got Tampa Bay to 6-4.
Vernon Wells hit an RBI double, Alex Gonzalez drove in two with a single and Jose Bautista added a run-scoring double as Toronto took a 4-0 lead in the first.
Tampa Bay starter Matt Garza (3-1) allowed five runs in five innings.
In Anaheim, Kendry Morales hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Joba Chamberlain in the eighth inning to lift Los Angeles over New York.
Hideki Matsui, last year's World Series MVP with the Yankees, led off the eighth for the Angels with a single.
Morales then drove a pitch from Chamberlain (0-1) to right field for his fifth homer.
Angel's catcher Brain Wilson, making his first big league start, sustained a concussion and injured left ankle in a collision at the plate with Mark Teixeira.
Los Angeles' Fernando Rodney (2-0), back in the setup role since closer Brian Fuentes returned from the disabled list, pitched a hitless eighth for the victory. Fuentes put down the Yankees 1-2-3 in the ninth for his second save.
In Kansas City, Jim Thome homered and drove in three runs to power Minnesota over Kansas City.
Michael Cuddyer drove in two runs and J.J. Hardy homered for the Twins, who had 11 hits to clinch their first winning April for three years.
Twins starter Carl Pavano (3-1) overcame a shaky start to allow two runs in seven innings, including a bizarre inside-the-park homer by David DeJesus.
Royals starter Gil Meche (0-2) struggled with his command, nibbling at the corners a little too much for his second straight early-exit.
In Oakland, California, Kurt Suzuki homered for the second consecutive game as Oakland thrashed Cleveland.
Three Oakland pitchers combined to hold the Indians scoreless. Starter Justin Duchscherer (2-0) pitched six innings.
Kevin Kouzmanoff drove in two runs to snap out of a long batting slump with runners in scoring position.
At 11-7, the A's have their best record after 18 games since 1992.
Suzuki hit a two-run shot off Cleveland's Jake Westbrook (0-2) in the sixth inning. He also had two singles.
In Arlington, Elvis Andrus drove in the winning run with a ninth-inning single to lift Texas past Detroit.
Justin Smoak, called up from the Oklahoma City Red Hawks earlier in the day for his major league debut, led off the ninth with a walk off Fu-Te Ni (0-1).
Smoak advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and Ryan Garko was intentionally walked. Replacement pitcher Ryan Perry walked Nelson Cruz to load the bases, and Andrus drove in pinch runner Joaquin Arias from third with a line drive to right-center.
Vladimir Guerrero homered and reached base three times for Texas.
The Rangers got strong work from their bullpen until closer Naftali Felix (1-0) faltered in the top of the ninth for his first blown save of the season.
In Chicago, Andruw Jones hit a game-ending home run in the ninth inning and also homered in the first, leading Chicago past Seattle.
With two outs in the ninth, Jones came back from an 0-2 count to hit Mariners reliever Mark Lowe (1-2) into the left field bullpen.
Paul Konerko homered and drove in two runs and Alex Rios hit a tying RBI double for the White Sox, who had won just one of seven coming in.
Former Mariners reliever Matt Thornton (2-1) was dominant for Chicago, striking out five in 2 1-3 innings.
Jose Lopez hit his first career grand slam in the seventh inning for the Mariners who had won seven of their previous eight.
In Boston, Jim Johnson walked Adrian Beltre with the bases loaded to force in the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning, handing Boston victory over Baltimore.
David Ortiz hit his first homer of the season as the Red Sox won their ninth straight over the Orioles.
Adam Jones had a two-run homer for Baltimore, which rallied from a 3-0 deficit but dropped to a major league-worst 2-15 this season.
Boston's Manny Delcarmen (1-1) got the win despite allowing an inherited runner to score in the eighth.
Jonathan Papelbon finished for his fourth save.
Baltimore's Matt Albers (0-2) took the loss.

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