AMERICAN LEAGUE
REUTERS AND AP, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
PHOTO: REUTERS
C.C. Sabathia enjoyed another superb outing on the mound to help the New York Yankees kick off their 10-game road trip with a crushing 11-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.
The high-priced left-hander blitzed the Mariners’ lineup, striking out 10 batters and allowing just one run and three hits in eight innings to notch his third straight win.
Designated hitter Hideki Matsui anchored the offense with four hits, four runs and five RBIs, including a two-run homer in the third inning off Seattle starter Ian Snell, who was knocked around for eight runs in six innings.
Matsui had a second two-run shot in the eighth inning to cap the scoring in the Yankees’ 15-hit game, while captain Derek Jeter went 2-for-4 with a homer in the third inning despite suffering a bruised right foot.
The Yankees (72-43), on the road until Aug. 25, have won 10 of their last 11 games and hold a commanding lead in the American League East division.
Hideki Matsui had his fourth career two-home run game and a season-high five RBIs and CC Sabathia struck out a season-high 10 as the New York Yankees began their longest trip of the year with an 11-1 win over the Seattle Mariners in the American League on Thursday.
The Yankees had a 5-0 lead one out into the third inning without Alex Rodriguez, who may also miss Friday with a bruised elbow, and Jorge Posada, their bruised catcher who said he could have played.
TIGERS 2, RED SOX 0
At Boston, Justin Verlander allowed only four hits in eight innings as Detroit beat Boston to avoid a four-game sweep.
Verlander (13-6) struck out eight and walked one, retiring 16 of the last 19 batters he faced.
Clay Buchholz (1-3) allowed five hits in seven innings, walking three and striking out three while giving up Ryan Raburn’s homer to go with an unearned run in the fourth. Victor Martinez had two hits for Boston, and he also stole a base for the second time in his career and the first time since 2003.
In other AL play, it was:
• Royals 5, Twins 4
• Rangers 4, Indians 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, CINCINNATI, OHIO
Jonny Gomes homered in his first three at-bats to back Bronson Arroyo’s two-hitter and help the Cincinnati Reds to a commanding 7-0 win over the Washington Nationals in the National League on Thursday.
Gomes hit two-run homers in the second and fourth innings and added a solo shot in the sixth to help the Reds take a 7-0 lead. He struck out in the eighth inning.
It is the second time in Gomes’ career he hit three homers, the first on July 30, 2005, against Kansas City. He is the sixth player to hit three homers in a game this season. Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen was the last on Aug. 1.
Gomes, who has 14 homers, became the 24th player in franchise history to hit three home runs in a game.
Arroyo (11-11) had been 0-3 in his previous four starts and hadn’t won since beating Milwaukee 4-0 on July 17.
He allowed just one runner as far as second base. He walked one, hit a batter and struck out three.
Collin Balester (1-2) allowed three home runs and five runs for the second straight start.
PHILLIES 6, CUBS 1
At Chicago, World Series champion Philadelphia beat slumping Chicago for its first sweep at Wrigley Field in 25 years.
Cliff Lee (3-0) won his third straight start since joining the Phillies and sixth straight overall. He allowed one run and six hits over eight innings. He also helped himself with a double.
Shane Victorino had two hits and scored twice.
The All-Star center fielder had no problems with the crowd, a day after he was doused with beer while catching a fly ball, prompting Victorino to file a police report. The Cubs management apologized to him.
Ryan Howard hit his 27th homer, a three-run shot off Ryan Dempster (6-6).
Two batters later, Pedro Feliz added his ninth of the season for 4-0.
In other NL play, it was:
• Brewers 12, Padres 9
• Rockies 10, Pirates 1
• Marlins 9, Astros 2
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