Thu, Apr 06, 2006 - Page 20 News List

Rookie-laden Marlins sink Astros

AP , HOUSTON

Victor Martinez also homered for Cleveland as the Indians roughed up loser Freddy Garcia for seven runs and nine hits in four innings. The Indians bounced back from Sunday night's soggy season opener, when they lost 10-4 in a game interrupted nearly three hours by rain.

Blue Jays 6, Twins 3

At Toronto, Roy Halladay outpitched Johan Santana in a matchup of recent Cy Young pitching award winners to lead the new-look Toronto over Minnesota.

The Blue Jays signed Gold Glove catcher Bengie Molina, starter A.J. Burnett and closer B.J. Ryan during an expensive offseason overhaul. They also traded for slugger Troy Glaus and first baseman Lyle Overbay.

The new additions paid off right away. Molina homered off Santana to give Toronto a 3-1 lead. Ryan, signed to a US$47 million, five-year contract, struck out two in a perfect ninth to close it out.

Halladay allowed three runs -- two earned -- and five hits, striking out four and walking none in 7 2-3 innings.

Tony Batista and Shannon Stewart homered for the Twins, who wore "34" patches on their right sleeves to honor Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett, who died March 6 following a stroke.

Rangers 10, Red Sox 4

At Arlington, Texas, Phil Nevin had a three-run homer in the first inning and later chased struggling Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield with a two-run single as Texas trounced Boston.

Winner Vicente Padilla allowed only one run and four hits over six innings in his AL debut. Acquired from Philadelphia in an offseason trade, he struck out five and walked two.

Nevin's homer put the Rangers ahead 4-0 in the first, when the first four batters reached base. Mark Teixeira had an RBI single, and Nevin followed with a drive to left field. His two-run single with two outs in the fourth made it 6-0 and finished off Wakefield, who took the loss. Hank Blalock greeted Lenny DiNardo with an RBI single.

Athletics 4, Yankees 3

At Oakland, California, Marco Scutaro singled over left-fielder Hideki Matsui's head in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Oakland over New York.

Nick Swisher and Eric Chavez homered off Yankees starter Mike Mussina, who struck out six in seven solid innings but failed to earn a decision.

Milton Bradley drew a leadoff walk in the ninth against loser Scott Proctor, then moved to second on Jason Kendall's sacrifice. Swisher was intentionally walked to bring up Scutaro, playing in place of injured shortstop Bobby Crosby. It was Scutaro's sixth game-ending hit during three seasons with the A's.

Reigning AL Rookie of the Year Huston Street pitched a scoreless ninth inning to get the win.

Mariners 10, Angels 8

At Seattle, Richie Sexson had three hits and five RBIs and catcher Kenji Johjima homered in his second straight game as Seattle edged the Los Angeles Angels.

Johjima, the first Japanese catcher in the major leagues, led off Seattle's five-run second inning with a home run. He also had an RBI single in the eighth.

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