AMERICAN LEAGUE
The surging New York Yankees eased to a 12-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, turning what was expected to be a tight contest between the top teams in the American League into a rout.
The Yankees pounded out a seven-run fourth inning to support strong pitching from starter A.J. Burnett, who struck out eight batters while allowing three runs over seven innings.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Jorge Posada had three hits and four RBIs, while Hideki Matsui added a three-run homer to help the American League East-leading Yankees (31-21) secures a fifth win in six games.
“We did the talking with our bats. That’s how you win games,” New York first baseman Mark Teixeira told reporters.
New York began a seven-game homestand in magnificent form and have compiled a 16-4 record since May 13.
Texas (30-21) starter Vicente Padilla returned from the disabled list to pitch for the first time since May 16, but was relieved early after giving up seven runs in just three-and-two-third innings.
The right-hander struggled with his control while throwing 88 pitches and walking four batters.
Outfielder Nelson Cruz provided the team’s only offense with a three-run home run in the third to give the Rangers a brief 3-2 advantage before the Yankees took complete control.
Johnny Damon and Robinson Cano had RBI singles in the fourth for New York, and Posada belted a three-run blast in the sixth.
Derek Jeter recorded three hits and scored his 1,500th career run, making him the fourth active player to achieve the mark and just the third Yankee in history.
Former Ranger Teixeira had his career-high 14-game hitting streak snapped and was hit twice by pitches during a contentious contest that also saw New York’s Burnett throw over the head of Cruz.
Teixeira’s hard slide into second base broke up a potential double play in the fourth and led to a run.
Texas took over the American League West lead after enjoying a strong May, but have started this month in poor form and were forced to put slugger Josh Hamilton on the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day because of an abdomen injury.
BLUE JAYS 6, ANGELS 4
At Toronto, Roy Halladay struck out a career-high 14 batters to win his major league-leading ninth game and Alex Rios backed him with a home run as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 in the American League on Tuesday.
Halladay (9-1) threw his second complete game of the season, allowing four runs, no walks and seven hits to win his sixth straight decision. Working on an extra day of rest, he threw a season-high 133 pitches.
The right-hander, whose only defeat this season was an April 21 loss to Texas, moved ahead of Kansas City’s Zack Greinke for the major league lead in wins.
Joe Saunders (6-4) took the loss for Los Angeles.
Also on Tuesday it was:
• Rays 6, Royals 2
• Red Sox 5, Tigers 1
• Twins 4, Indians 3
• Athletics 5, White Sox 0
• Mariners 8, Orioles 2
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
Zach Duke pitched seven effective innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Johan Santana and the New York Mets 3-1 in the American League on Tuesday.
Jason Jaramillo hit his first major league homer for the Pirates, who have won three of four. Freddy Sanchez and Nate McLouth each had two hits.
Duke (6-4) allowed one run and eight hits to lower his ERA to 2.62. He has allowed two earned runs or less in eight of his 11 starts. Santana (7-3) gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings for New York, who have lost three of four.
PHILLIES 10, PADRES 5
At San Diego, Raul Ibanez homered twice and drove in five runs, and left-hander Antonio Bastardo won his major league debut as Philadelphia roughed up ailing San Diego pitcher Jake Peavy.
In Tuesday’s other NL games it was:
• Marlins 10, Brewers 3
• Nationals 10, Giants 6
• Braves 6, Cubs 5, 12 innings
• Cardinals 5, Reds 2
• Astros 3, Rockies 2, 11 innings
• Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 5
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