Print

Mail

wiki links

A-Rod turns boos to cheers as Yankees defeat Braves

The New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez reacts after hitting a two-run walk off a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the 12th inning of their baseball game on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium in New York. PHOTO: AP

Alex Rodriguez turned boos to cheers with a two-run homer in the 12th inning, rallying the New York Yankees over the Atlanta Braves 4-3 in interleague play on Wednesday.

After Marcus Giles put Atlanta ahead with a solo shot in the top half, Rodriguez finally delivered the big hit those demanding Yankees fans have been clamoring for all month.

Jorge Sosa (2-10) walked Jason Giambi with one out. Rodriguez, mired in a 2-for-20 slump, then drove a 3-1 pitch far beyond the left-field fence for his 16th home run.

Ron Villone (1-1) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 12th to keep New York within one. Jason Giambi hit his 23rd homer for the Yankees, and Rodriguez finished with three RBIs.

The struggling Braves dropped two of three in the series to fall to 5-21 in June.

Twins 6, Dodgers 3

At Minneapolis, Johan Santana pitched seven shutout innings and Torii Hunter hit a grand slam to lead Minnesota past Los Angeles for its seventh straight victory.

Joe Mauer went 2-for-3 with a walk to improve his major league-best batting average to .392. The 23-year-old catcher, Minnesota's designated hitter on Wednesday, went 11-for-13 in the three-game series and had hits in eight consecutive at-bats before grounding out in the second inning. He is batting .484 (46-for-95) in June.

Santana (9-4) allowed two hits and struck out nine to increase his big league-leading total to 124. The left-hander finished June 5-0 in six starts with a 1.05 ERA.

Joe Nathan earned his 13th save in 14 chances.

Dodgers starter Odalis Perez (4-3) gave up six runs and 11 hits in 4 1-3 innings. Los Angeles has dropped 15 consecutive interleague road games.

Tigers 5, Astros 0

At Detroit, Justin Verlander pitched a three-hit ball for eight innings and surging Detroit took advantage of several defensive miscues by Houston.

The Tigers, who own the best record in Major League Baseball, have won six straight and 17 of their last 20 games. Houston has lost six of seven, its worst slump since dropping six in a row from May 5-10.

Verlander (10-4) struck out seven and walked none, winning his third straight start. The rookie has lost only one of his last 10 starts.

Andy Pettitte (6-9) yielded five runs -- two earned -- and 10 hits in 6 1-3 innings for Houston.

Orioles 7, Phillies 4, 1st game

At Baltimore, Erik Bedard pitched five-hit ball to extend his run of scoreless innings to 16. Baltimore beat Philadelphia in the first game of a split doubleheader.

Ramon Hernandez and Brian Roberts homered for the Orioles, who have won three of four. It was Roberts' first homer since Aug. 30; he had a career-high 18 last season.

Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino each hit a two-run homer for the fading Phillies, who have lost six straight and 14 of 17. Burrell's homer snapped an 0-for-18 skid that included 11 strikeouts.

Bedard (8-6) struck out seven in seven stellar innings. Chris Ray fanned two in a perfect ninth for his 20th save in 21 chances.

In other interleague games it was:

* Red Sox 10, Mets 2
* Devil Rays 3, Marlins 1
* Reds 7, Royals 2
* White Sox 4, Pirates 3
* Cardinals 5, Indians 4
* Blue Jays 6, Nationals 1
* Giants 5, Rangers 1
* Mariners 10, Diamondbacks 3
* Padres 8, Athletics 1
* Rockies 6, Angels 2
This story has been viewed 1084 times.