AMERICAN LEAGUE
No. 9 hitter Jason Varitek homered and drove in four runs to lead the Boston Red Sox’ 16-4 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League on Saturday.
John Lackey (4-5) delivered six strong innings in his second start since going on the disabled list, striking out a season-high eight.
Photo: EPA
David Oritz hit a three-run homer and Dustin Pedroia drove in three runs as Boston amassed 18 hits. The Red Sox batted around twice and every starter drove in at least one run in piling up the most runs allowed by the Blue Jays this season.
YANKEES 4, INDIANS 0
In New York, Alex Rodriguez was hit by a pitch after he homered and Bartolo Colon pitched two-hit ball into the seventh inning before he hurt himself in New York’s win.
Curtis Granderson hit his 20th homer of the season and Rodriguez got plunked by Cleveland starter Mitch Talbot a day after the teams’ benches cleared, adding another chapter to what has been a testy homestand for the Yankees.
It was the sixth time a Yankees batter has been hit this homestand. Talbot was ejected.
The Yankees said Colon (5-3) strained his left hamstring. He struck out six over 6-2/3 innings to win for the third straight start.
TWINS 8, RANGERS 1
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Scott Baker pitched a five-hitter for his fourth career complete game and Alexi Casilla had three hits and scored two runs, leading Minnesota over Texas.
Delmon Young had three hits and two RBIs for the Twins, who have won eight of 11.
Baker (4-4) struck out seven in his first complete game since August 2009.
Minnesota scored five times in the first inning against Colby Lewis (5-7), who allowed six runs and seven hits in 1-1/3 innings.
Brian Dinkelman hit a two-run single for his first career RBIs.
TIGERS 8, MARINERS 1
In Detroit, Michigan, Max Scherzer found his form after three rocky starts, Austin Jackson tripled twice and Detroit beat Seattle to move within 1 percentage point of first-place Cleveland in the AL Central.
Victor Martinez had three hits and two RBIs for the Tigers and Jhonny Peralta smacked a two-run homer.
Scherzer (8-2) had struggled in his last three starts, but was back in charge against Seattle’s struggling offense.
The right-hander allowed one run and four hits in seven innings to draw level for the AL lead in wins.
Mariners rookie Michael Pineda (6-4) had the worst start of his brief career, giving up a career-high six runs — five earned — and eight hits in 5-1/3 innings.
In other AL play, it was:
‧ Rays 7, Orioles 5, 11 innings
‧ White Sox 3, Athletics 2
‧ Angels 7, Royals 5
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Chase Utley homered and drove in four runs to back Cliff Lee’s eight strong innings and lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.
Lee (6-5) passed teammate Roy Halladay for the league lead in strikeouts, recording seven to up his season total to 107. He allowed four hits and one run while walking two.
Utley gave Philadelphia the early lead with a two-run double in the first and provided some insurance with a two-run homer in the eighth. Shane Victorino had three hits, scored three runs and drove in one.
Lee improved to 4-0 in five -career starts against the Cubs, who have dropped 10 of 12 overall.
REDS 10, GIANTS 2
In San Francisco, Mike Leake pitched eight scoreless innings and also got two hits off Tim Lincecum as Cincinnati gave the San Francisco ace one of his worst beatings ever.
Brandon Phillips hit a two-run double and scored twice and Joey Votto knocked the two-time Cy Young Award winner out with an RBI double in the fifth to give the Reds their second win in three games in San Francisco.
In other NL play, it was:
‧ Brewers 5, Cardinals 3
‧ Pirates 3, Mets 2
‧ Braves 6, Astros 3, 10 innings
‧ Diamondbacks 9, Marlins 5
‧ Nationals 2, Padres 1
‧ Dodgers 11, Rockies 7
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