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.
Padres 5, Phillies 3
At Philadelphia, Rookie Josh Barfield had a career-high four hits to help San Diego beat Philadelphia.
Chan Ho Park (6-4) survived a shaky start to earn his fourth win in his last five decisions. He gave up three runs and nine hits with six strikeouts and two walks.
Braves 8, Reds 7, 10 innings
At Atlanta, Jeff Francoeur's two-out single in the 10th inning drove in Chipper Jones with the winning run as the Braves recovered from a ninth-inning collapse to beat Cincinnati.
Despite rallying with five runs in the ninth, the Reds lost their sixth straight.
Astros 4, Cardinals 2
At Houston, Mike Lamb homered in the first inning and the Astros went on to their fifth win in six games, beating St. Louis.
Taylor Buchholz (6-6) pitched six solid innings for Houston and Brad Lidge got four outs to earn his 21st save and 14th in his last 15 opportunities.
Jim Edmonds homered for St. Louis, which lost for the 10th time in its last 11 road games.
Giants 5, Dodgers 4
At Los Angeles, Pedro Feliz had three hits and drove in two runs, reliever Brad Hennessey worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam, and San Francisco beat the Dodgers.
Feliz hit a run-scoring single in a three-run first inning and an RBI grounder in a two-run third to help the Giants take a 5-0 lead against Mark Hendrickson (0-2).
Nationals 8, Marlins 7, 11 innings
In Washington, Two days after hitting a game-ending home run, Ryan Zimmerman delivered a game-winning, two-out single in the 11th.
Zimmerman hit a 3-1 pitch from reliever Jason Vargas through the middle to score Brian Schneider, who started the inning by reaching base on an error by shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely