David Ortiz was frustrated as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays won the first three games against his Boston Red Sox.
Five players in the outfield in a severe shift against the left-handed slugger had him 2-for-10 with a solo homer and six strikeouts.
He broke out on Thursday night with his 28th and 29th home runs, the latter a grand slam in the ninth inning of Boston's sweep-avoiding 12-5 victory on Thursday night. Nobody could argue with his strategy.
``I just figured that hitting the ball up there, no way they can catch it,'' Ortiz said.
Ortiz, who earlier hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, finished with six RBIs. He is tied with Chicago's Jim Thome for the American League home run lead.
Ortiz has six homers in his last six games. The grand slam off Shawn Camp was his second of the season and sixth of his career. It was his first outside of Fenway Park.
Yankees 10, Indians 4
At Cleveland, Jason Giambi and Derek Jeter both drove in three runs and Randy Johnson (10-7) allowed three runs and seven hits in 7 2-3 innings.
The five-time Cy Young Award winner picked up his 273rd career win, moving him into a tie for 30th place with Red Ruffing. He took a 10-1 lead into the eighth and improved to 13-4 in his career against the Indians.
White Sox 11, Orioles 8
Thome hit two homers, including a grand slam, and matched his career high with six RBIs for host Chicago, which took three of four games to win its ninth consecutive series. The White Sox have also won 16 of their last 20 games.
Chicago also got back-to-back homers from Jermaine Dye, a three-run shot, and A.J. Pierzynski in the seventh. Javier Vazquez (9-4) pitched 5 1-3 innings, allowing five runs and five hits.
Royals 6, Blue Jays 2
At Kansas City, Mark Redman, the Royals' lone selection to the All-Star game, allowed five hits in eight-plus innings and Mark Teahen homered and doubled.
Redman (6-4), who is 6-0 with a 4.05 ERA in his past seven starts, gave up two runs, walked two and struck out two. He improved to 4-0 with a 2.12 ERA in five career starts against the Blue Jays.
Athletics 7, Angels 5
Frank Thomas hit a game-ending two-run homer off Scot Shields (4-6) and host Oakland ended Los Angeles' season-best five-game winning streak.
It was Thomas' 19th homer of the season, and the seventh of the game by the two teams. Thomas' two RBIs gave him 1,509 for his career, tying him with Mickey Mantle for 43rd place on the all-time list.
Huston Street (2-3) recorded the final out in the top of the ninth for the win.
Chris Capuano pitched a six-hit shutout to continue his mastery of the Cubs.
Capuano (10-4) struck out six and walked none for his second career shutout and complete game. The left-hander has not allowed a run in 26 innings against the Cubs this season in three starts -- all wins. He shut out Chicago in a 9-0 victory on April 30.
Before the game, the Brewers said Capuano placed second in fan voting for the final National League All-Star spot behind the Los Angeles Dodgers' Nomar Garciaparra.
Mets 7, Pirates 5
At New York, Cliff Floyd and David Wright each drove in two runs and Steve Trachsel allowed seven hits, working into the seventh inning of the Mets' victory over Pittsburgh.
Floyd doubled in two runs off Pirates rookie starter Tom Gorzelanny (0-1) in the second inning. Wright hit his 19th homer, a two-run shot, in the fifth.
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