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MLB: Damon hits winner, Yanks beat Royals

The New York Yankees’ Johnny Damon watches his game-winning single against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York on Saturday. PHOTO: AP

New York leftfielder Johnny Damon went 6-for-6, including the game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning, rallying the Yankees to a 12-11 win over the Kansas City Royals in the American League on Saturday.

New York overcame a pair of four-run deficits and a huge game by Kansas City’s Jose Guillen, who hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the seventh and matched a franchise record with seven RBIs.

The Royals went ahead 11-10 with a home run on the first pitch in the top of the ninth before the Yankees drew level with one out in the bottom of the inning.

With two outs, a walk and an infield single brought Damon to the plate, and he pulled a pitch into the right-field corner for his sixth hit, setting a career high and equaling a Yankees record now accomplished three times.

Angels 5, Athletics 3

In Oakland, California, Los Angeles beat Oakland to win its seventh straight game.

Angels pitcher Jon Garland allowed only two runs in seven-plus innings, with eight strikeouts and just one walk to remain unbeaten in his past seven starts.

Maicer Izturis hit a leadoff homer for the second straight game, putting Los Angeles on track for a win that moved it 5-1/2 games ahead of the Athletics in AL West standings.

White Sox 11, Twins 2

In Chicago, the home side crunched Minnesota to bring up its fifth straight win.

Joe Crede hit two homers for the second straight game and had six RBIs for the White Sox.

Crede had a pair of three-run homers as Chicago moved 4-1/2 games ahead of the second-placed Twins in the AL Central.

Red Sox 11, Mariners 3

In Boston, Manny Ramirez hit his 504th career homer as Boston downed Seattle.

Knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield baffled most of Seattle’s hitters for seven innings, allowing two runs and striking out six.

Boston rebounded from Friday’s loss to struggling Seattle to bring up its 16th win in 18 games at Fenway Park this season.

Ramirez tied Eddie Murray for 23rd on the career homers list with a two-run drive.

Tigers 8, Indians 4

In Detroit, the home team snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Cleveland.

Edgar Renteria’s grand slam keyed a six-run eighth inning for the Tigers.

Orioles 9, Blue Jays 5

In Toronto, Baltimore brought up its third straight win by downing Toronto.

Jay Payton had five RBIs for the Orioles, while Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven strong innings, allowing only one run, striking out six and walking none.

Rays 5, Rangers 4

In Arlington, Texas, Willy Aybar hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning as Tampa Bay held on to beat Texas.



AP, LOS ANGELES

Matt Kemp capped a five-run seventh inning with a three-run homer, Russell Martin also went deep and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Carlos Zambrano and the Chicago Cubs 7-3 on Saturday.

Martin finished with three RBIs as the Dodgers sent Zambrano to his first loss in 11 starts. Derek Lowe (4-5) allowed three runs and six hits through seven innings, striking out four and walking two.

Lowe pitched no-hit ball through the first four innings in a rematch of his head-to-head duel with Zambrano on May 28 at Wrigley Field, when he tossed seven scoreless innings and Zambrano held the Dodgers to one run over eight. Neither got a decision in the Cubs’ 2-1 victory.

Zambrano (8-2) gave up seven runs and a career-worst 13 hits over 6 2-3 innings. The right-hander pitched with runners on base in every inning except the fifth. It was the third time Zambrano has allowed 13 hits in a game and first since Aug. 14 against Cincinnati.

Phillies 6, Braves 2

Chase Utley’s eighth-inning triple drove in Shane Victorino with the go-ahead run and Philadelphia hit three home runs to beat Atlanta.

The NL East-leading Phillies are 4-1 against the Braves this season. The Phillies are the first team this season to win the first two games of a series in Atlanta. The Braves are 25-10 in those games.

Kyle Kendrick and four relievers held the Braves to only five hits, including Chipper Jones’ two-run homer in the sixth that tied the score 2-2. J.C. Romero (4-1) got two outs for the win.

Carlos Ruiz and Pat Burrell hit home runs to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead. Jimmy Rollins added a two-run homer in the ninth.

Braves starter Jo-Jo Reyes (2-4) pitched a career-long 7 1-3 innings, giving up seven hits with two walks and four runs. He struck out eight, one shy of his career high.

Marlins 8, Reds 7

Cody Ross hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning and Florida came from behind to beat Cincinnati.

Ross’s home run, off closer Francisco Cordero (2-1), came on an 0-1 pitch and drove in Dan Uggla from first. The Marlins started the inning down 7-5, and closed within a run when Jorge Cantu scored on a sacrifice fly by Luis Gonzalez. Cantu had doubled to lead off the inning.

Burke Badenhop (2-3) got the win for the Marlins.

Ken Griffey Jr. remained at 599 career home runs. He went 1-for-3 and walked twice. His last home run was May 31.

Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBIs for the Marlins.

Rockies 7, Brewers 2

Brad Hawpe hit a grand slam, Ian Stewart launched a solo homer into the third deck and Greg Reynolds got his first major league win in Colorado’s victory over Milwaukee.

Reynolds (1-3) baffled hitters all evening, limiting Milwaukee to two runs and four hits over six innings. Reynolds, the second overall pick in the 2006 draft, had his sinker working, breaking four Brewer bats as he picked up his first win in six starts.

Colorado has now won four in a row, matching the team’s longest streak of the season.



In other games, it was:

• Diamondbacks 4, Pirates 3

• Cardinals 8, Astros 4

• Giants 6, Nationals 0
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