AMERICAN LEAGUE
The New York Yankees hit a Major League record three Grand Slam home runs in one game to overcome a six-run deficit and rout the Oakland Athletics 22-9 at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.
Robinson Cano, Russell Martin and Curtis Granderson were the three Yankee batters who combined to make history.
Photo: Reuters
“The fact that we as a team have done something that all the teams have never done before, it’s pretty neat,” Granderson said. “I think it speaks to what this offense is, that anybody and everybody can deliver at any time.”
Oakland jumped to a 7-1 lead, but Cano’s blast in the fifth inning trimmed the lead to 7-6 and Martin delivered the lead with his Grand Slam in the sixth inning. Granderson’s record setting shot came in the eighth inning.
Martin also hit a solo home run in the fourth inning as part of a five-for-five performance with six RBIs.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Martin said. “This game has been played for a long time. Pretty much everything has already happened. I’m waiting to see who’s going to hit four — I don’t know if it’s ever going to happen, but we’ll see. Three is pretty cool.”
Red Sox 6, Rangers 0
In Arlington, Texas, the Boston Red Sox kept their noses in front in the American League East race and dealt a further blow to Texas’ playoff ambitions by beating the Rangers 6-0 on Thursday.
Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez homered twice to give him five in four games, hitting a solo shot in the first inning and a two-run drive in the third off Alexi Ogando (12-6). That gave him three homers in as many swings, having also gone long in his final at-bat on Wednesday.
Red Sox starter Andrew Miller (6-1) pitched 6-1/3 scoreless innings and struck out six as the visitors won the series between the divisional leaders three games to one.
Boston remained one game ahead of New York in the AL East, but the Rangers have lost five of six and seen their lead over the Angels in the AL West cut to just two games, having been seven as recently as Aug. 17. Texas and Los Angeles face each other in a three-game series that started yesterday.
In St Petersburg, Detroit completed a 3-1 series win over Tampa Bay, boosting their AL Central lead to 6-1/2 games.
Tigers starter Doug Fister (6-13) went seven scoreless innings, striking out five. He is 3-1 in five starts with Detroit since being traded from Seattle.
Austin Jackson hit a leadoff homer in the first and made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson (11-9) gave up six hits in seven innings.
Royals 9, Blue Jays 6
In Toronto, Jeff Francis got a belated win, steering Kansas City past Toronto.
Francis (5-14) came in 0-3 with an 8.27 ERA in his past four outings, but the Canadian was solid in his first career start in his home country. He gave up two runs in six-plus innings.
Melky Cabrera homered and Billy Butler went four-for-five with two RBIs as the Royals took their first series victory at Toronto since 2002.
Blue Jays starter Brett Cecil (4-7) lost his third straight decision, allowing five runs in 6-1/3 innings.
Orioles 6, Twins 1
In Minneapolis, Mark Reynolds hit a three-run homer in Baltimore’s win over Minnesota.
Vladimir Guerrero had two hits and Craig Tatum had a two-run double for the Orioles, who swept the Twins at home in a four-game series for the first time.
Baltimore starter Jo Jo Reyes (7-10) went six strong innings, allowing one run.
Twins reliever Anthony Swarzak (3-4) gave up five runs in 3 1-3 innings after starter Francisco Liriano left with a strained shoulder after two innings.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, CHICAGO
Atlanta catcher Brian McCann homered twice to power the Braves to an 8-3 win over the Chicago Cubs in the National League on Thursday.
McCann hit a three-run homer in the first and a solo shot in the seventh for only his eighth career multi-homer game. Michael Bourn had a career high-tying four hits, scored two runs and drove in a run.
The Braves also benefited from four Chicago errors.
Atlanta starter Brandon Beachy (7-2) won his fourth straight decision, recovering from a shaky start to pitch six innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out eight.
Cubs starter Matt Garza (6-10) allowed six runs over five innings.
Diamondbacks 4, Washington 2
In Washington, Wade Miley threw six scoreless innings to get his first major league victory, guiding Arizona past Washington.
Miley (1-1) repeatedly worked out of trouble — allowing two men to reach base in four of the first five innings — but he mixed his fastball with a generous dose of offspeed pitches to keep the Nationals in check.
Chris Young and Paul Goldschmidt homered for Arizona, which moved three games ahead of sliding San Francisco in the NL West.
John Lannan (8-10) allowed two runs to become Washington’s latest hard-luck loser.
He had one major mistake — a sixth-inning fastball that Young -deposited into the left field bleachers to open the scoring.
Cardinals 8, Pirates 4
In St Louis, Matt Holliday hit a three-run homer to give St Louis a much-needed win over Pittsburgh.
David Freese had a two-run single to put the hosts ahead to stay, and the Cardinals ended a three-game losing streak, moving within 9.5 games of first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central.
St Louis starter Edwin Jackson (10-9) allowed one earned run in six innings, reaching double figures in wins for the fourth straight season.
Pirates starter Charlie Morton (9-7) gave up five runs in 4-1/3 innings.
Astros 3, Giants 1
In San Francisco, Jordan Schafer homered and scored three times as Houston won their first game in five, beating San Francisco.
J.D. Martinez doubled twice and had two RBIs for the Astros, who stole a season-high four bases and turned three double plays on defense.
Houston starter Henry Sosa (1-2) took his first career win. He pitched with runners on base every inning, but limited the damage.
The rookie began the season with the Giants before being shipped to Houston last month.
San Francisco had the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth with no outs, but Pablo Sandoval hit into a double play and Aubrey Huff flied out.
Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong (10-4) went 7-1/3 innings.
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