By TIM WHITMAN
July 4, 2008
NATIONAL LEAGUE
SEE RELATED:
Reds 5, Nationals 3
Rookie Johnny Cueto seems to have regained his groove, as he tossed seven strong innings against the Nats while holding them to three earned runs on seven hits and fanning eight. Brandon Phillips had three hits and knocked in three runs for Cincinnati. Washington starter John Lannan pitched well in the loss, going for six innings while allowing three earned runs. Elijah Dukes took Cueto deep and totaled two RBI on the night.
Dodgers 5, Astros 2
Chad Billingsley dealt eight dominant innings against the Astros. Billingsley allowed only two unearned runs on six hits and a walk while fanning five. The L.A. offense was supplied by first baseman James Loney, who drove in two on a double and solo shot. Blake DeWitt added two RBI and Andre Ethier also left the yard. Rookie backstop J.R. Towles drove in both of the Houston runs on a two-out double in the fifth.
Diamondbacks 6, Brewers 5
The D-Backs put up all six of their runs in the bottom of the ninth for a thrilling victory. Milwaukee starter Manny Parra cruised through six innings, conceding only four hits and zero runs. The seventh and eighth innings were handled by the Brewer pen without incident … then all hell broke loose in the ninth. Three relievers combined to cough up six runs on six hits and a walk - without recording a single out. Chad Tracy raked a two-run double to start things off and Conor Jackson drove in the winning runs with a walk-off single. Shortstop J.J. Hardy led the way for the Brew Crew, going 4-for-5 with his ninth bomb, and Mike Cameron added a two-run blast off Arizona starter Brandon Webb.
Phillies 4, Braves 1
Cole Hamels blanked the Braves into the ninth inning before finally conceding a run. Hamels K’d seven and allowed only five hits in his 8 2/3 innings. The powerful Philadelphia offense launched three out of the park off Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens as Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz all went deep. Jurrjens lasted seven innings and let up four earned runs on eight hits while striking out six.
Giants 8, Cubs 3
Potential N.L. All-Star game starter Tim Lincecum picked up his 10th win on the year as he shut down the Cubs for six innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and a walk. He sat eight down by way of the K in his outing. Rich Aurilia launched a three-run blast to lead the Giants’ offense. Cubs’ catcher Geovany Soto struck out three times in his four at bats, leaving three men on base.
Mets 11, Cardinals 1
Carlos Delgado continued to mash with his 15th homer of the year as he and Jose Reyes each drove in three runs while crushing the Cards. Reyes belted a bases-loaded triple as part of a six-run third. Mike Pelfrey was solid in his seven innings of work. He only gave up six hits and notched six K’s to even his record at 6-6. St. Louis starter Mitchell Boggs gave up a whopping 10 earned runs over six innings on 10 hits and six free passes.
Rockies 6, Marlins 5
The Rockies won a wild one in the bottom of the 11th inning on a Ryan Spilborghs two-run single. Second baseman Jeff Baker drove in four runs for Colorado to go along with Spilborghs’ two. Mark Redman tossed six innings of two-run ball in his first start since being called up by the Rockies. Florida starter Andrew Miller pitched a strong 6 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits. Jorge Cantu led the Fish offense, blasting a two-run shot in the top of the eighth inning.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Royals 10, Orioles 7
Both starters were beat up in this game. Kansas City’s Kyle Davies could only complete four innings while letting up seven earned runs on eight hits, and Baltimore starter Garrett Olson lasted 5 1/3 and gave up five earned runs on eight hits. Reliever Adam Loewen couldn’t bail Olson out, as he gave up three straight hits and allowed three earned runs before he was yanked. Aubrey Huff cranked two homers for the O’s and Adam Jones added two RBI of his own. Jose Guillen led the Royals’ attack with three runs driven in and Mark Grudzielanek went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Red Sox 7, Yankees 0
After getting swept by the Rays, Boston and Jon Lester took it to the rival Yankees. Lester tossed a complete game, yielding only five hits and two walks while striking out eight in the shutout. Mike Lowell and Jacoby Ellsbury each had two RBI for the Sox and all Boston starters except Julio Lugo recorded a hit. Lugo did contribute a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. Andy Pettitte couldn’t get out of the fifth inning, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and three walks in his outing. Jason Giambi’s new ‘stash didn’t provide any help as he went 0-for-3 on the night.
Athletics 3, White Sox 2
Justin Duchscherer got his ninth win by dealing seven solid innings, holding the hot White Sox offense to two runs on five hits. Jack Cust and Donnie Murphy supplied the Oakland runs as Cust blasted a two-run shot and Murphy added a solo homer. Javier Vazquez pitched a complete game but still earned the loss. He allowed three runs on only four hits while fanning 10. Chicago scored both its runs in the first as Dewayne Wise led off with a homer and Jermaine Dye added an RBI double. Closer Huston Street recorded five outs to earn the save.
Tigers 8, Mariners 4
Matt Joyce went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and an RBI and Michael Hollimon slugged his first big-league home run as Detroit topped Seattle. Justin Verlander tossed six strong innings, allowing two runs on eight hits while fanning three to earn the victory. Fernando Rodney bailed out Todd Jones in the ninth, retiring one batter for the save after Jones coughed up a pair of runs on three hits. Ichiro Suzuki and Jose Lopez had three hits apiece for the M’s.
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