Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki and New York's Hideki Matsui produced low-key performances in their first major league matchup Tuesday as the Mariners beat the Yankees 6-0.
Roger Clemens (4-1) failed to get his 298th win, allowing three homers for the first time since August, while the two Japanese sluggers failed to drive in any runs.
PHOTO: AP
Bret Boone, Ben Davis and Edgar Martinez homered for Seattle, which has won 12 of its last 13 regular-season games at Yankee Stadium. New York (20-6) lost consecutive games for the first time this season.
Suzuki, who in 2001 became the first Japanese non-pitcher to earn a regular job in the major leagues, was 1-for-5 with a bunt single and scored in the seventh inning.
Matsui, who joined the Yankees this season, was 1-for-4.
Gil Meche (3-1) took a three-hitter into the eighth and wound up allowing six hits in 7 2-3 innings.
Red Sox 7, Royals 2
In Boston, Nomar Garciaparra was 3-for-4 and Tim Wakefield pitched six strong innings as Boston rallied from a two-run deficit to beat Kansas City.
The Royals, who at 17-6 are off to the best start in franchise history, have lost two straight games to match their longest losing streak of the season.
Wakefield (3-1) allowed two runs on seven hits, including an inside-the-park homer by Carlos Beltran and a conventional one by Mike DiFelice. Wakefield also struck out six and walked one.
Angels 10, Indians 1
In Cleveland, Ramon Ortiz pitched a seven-hitter and Garret Anderson drove in three runs as Anaheim handed Cleveland its seventh straight loss.
Ortiz (4-2) gave Anaheim a rare strong start and its first complete game of 2003 as the Angels improved to 8-2 in their last 10 at Jacobs Field.
In other games: Orioles 11, Tigers 3; Twins 5, Devil Rays 3; Rangers 16, Blue Jays 11; Athletics 3, White Sox 2.
■ National league
Greg Maddux pitched seven sharp innings to win his third straight decision and Gary Sheffield hit a two-run single as the Atlanta Braves beat the Houston Astros 3-1 Tuesday.
The Braves have won 12 of their pas 14 games following a 4-8 start, and Maddux (3-3) also has recovered nicely.
The right-hander lost his first three starts for the first time in his career, at which point he had an 11.05 ERA. But he held Houston to just one run and five hits, outpitching Roy Oswalt (2-3).
John Smoltz worked the ninth for his 10th save in as many tries and 26th in succession dating to last season.
Cardinals 13, Mets 3
In St. Louis, Matt Morris pitched six solid innings, and Scott Rolen and Edgar Renteria each drove in four runs as St. Louis beat New York.
The struggling Mets began a six-game road trip looking just as awful as they did Sunday at Shea Stadium, when they made eight errors and struck out a record 27 times in a doubleheader sweep by Arizona.
Expos 3, Brewers 2
In Milwaukee, Brian Schneider hit a tiebreaking RBI infield single with one out in the ninth inning to lead Montreal over Milwaukee.
Brad Wilkerson homered and scored the go-ahead run and Montreal starter Javier Vazquez struck out 12 in seven innings.
In other games: Rockies 10, Reds 5; Dodgers 6, Phillies 2; Marlins 7, Diamondbacks 5; Pirates 7, Padres 2; Cubs 4, Giants 2.
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