NATIONAL LEAGUE
Roy Oswalt and three relievers pitched a combined four-hitter as the Philadelphia Phillies beat San Diego 3-0 on Thursday, inflicting the Padres’ major league-worst fifth shutout in 19 games.
Ben Francisco and Brian Schneider homered for the Phillies, who have won eight straight and 12 of 13 at Petco Park dating to the 2008 season.
Photo: AFP
Oswalt (3-0) allowed only one hit in six innings, only two other baserunners on walks, while striking out seven. The only Padre to reach second base against him came from a walk and a steal.
CARDINALS 5, NATIONALS 0
In St Louis, Kyle Lohse threw a career-best two-hitter to steer St Louis past Washington.
Lohse (3-1) struck out six in his eighth career complete game and sixth shutout, both accomplished last on April 12, 2009.
Matt Holliday kept his average near .500 with a two-run homer and single, while Albert Pujols added a two-run homer in a three-run eighth for the Cardinals.
Tom Gorzelanny (0-2) extended the Nationals’ run of five-inning starts in every game, but had to work for it.
REDS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 4
In Cincinatti, Mike Leake got abused by a few fans during his first appearance since a shoplifting arrest, but gave Cincinnati a much-needed boost, going seven innings to beat Arizona.
Leake (3-0) allowed three runs and fanned six in his longest outing of the season.
It was a rough week for Leake, who was the Reds’ top draft pick in June last year. Police reports said he removed the tags from six shirts at a store on Monday and tried to leave without paying. The shirts were valued at US$59.88.
Diamondbacks starter Daniel Hudson (0-4) couldn’t overcome a rough first inning, when Cincinnati scored four times. Joey Votto later homered off Hudson.
In other NL action, it was:
‧ Marlins 9, Pirates 5
‧ Dodgers 5, Braves 3 (12)
‧ Mets 9, Astros 1
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Melky Cabrera hit a bases-loaded, two-run single in the ninth inning to lift the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday, splitting the four-game series between the AL Central Division’s top teams.
Cleveland closer Chris Perez (0-1), who had been 6-for-6 in save opportunities and was unscored upon in 7-2/3 innings, started the ninth and got in immediate trouble when Kila Ka’aihue doubled leading off.
Pinch runner Mike Aviles then went to third when Mitch Maier hit a pinch single. After one out, Chris Getz walked to load the bases and Cabrera delivered with a hit to left field.
Kansas City rookie Aaron Crow (2-0) pitched one inning for the victory.
RED SOX 4, ANGELS 2 (11)
In Anaheim, Adrian Gonzalez hit a tiebreaking RBI double in the 11th inning as Boston hung on for their fifth win in six games, overcoming Los Angeles.
After J.D. Drew and Dustin Pedroia led off the 11th with singles off Rich Thompson (0-1), Gonzalez’s drive put Boston ahead. Pedroia then scored on Jed Lowrie’s sacrifice fly.
Red Sox starter Josh Beckett yielded just three hits over eight innings and Jacoby Ellsbury had an early two-run single.
Bobby Jenks (1-1) pitched the 10th and Jonathan Papelbon earned his fourth save.
In other AL action, it was:
‧ White Sox 9, Rays 2
‧ Mariners 1, Athletics 0
‧ Twins 3, Orioles 1
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