AMERICAN LEAGUE
REUTERS AND AP, BOSTON
Slugger David Ortiz snapped his career-worst batting slump in emphatic style on Wednesday, belting a two-run homer in a fifth inning blitz that lifted the Boston Red Sox to an 8-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
PHOTO: EPA
Ortiz clubbed Blue Jays rookie starter Brett Cecil over the center-field fence to end a string of 149 at-bats without a home run, as the Red Sox piled on six runs in the fifth.
It was a much-needed blast for “Big Papi,” who was playing for the second straight night after being benched by manager Terry Francona in three straight contests. The Fenway Park crowd saluted Ortiz’s big hit with a curtain call.
“I got that big old monkey off my back, you know?” Ortiz told reporters. “Sometimes that’s all it takes, to have one good at-bat and get a big hit and start clicking.”
The Red Sox (24-16) rallied around Ortiz in the fifth with homers by Jason Bay, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek, who added a solo shot in the third inning.
Boston offseason acquisition Brad Penny enjoyed one of his best starts with his new team, throwing six-and-two-third innings for only two runs in the win — the second for the Red Sox in a three-game set with the AL East-leading Blue Jays.
Toronto (27-16) totaled 14 hits on the night but left 21 runners on base. First baseman Lyle Overbay finished 2-for-4 with an RBI as the Blue Jays added three late runs after trailing 8-0.
Boston dominated 22-year-old left-hander Cecil, who was charged with 11 hits and five home runs before being relieved after four-and-two-third innings.
First baseman Kevin Youkilis returned to the lineup with a splash, recording three of the team’s 15 hits in his first game back since suffering an abdomen injury on May 5.
YANKEES 11, ORIOLES 4
At New York, Nick Swisher hit the first of three consecutive homers that sent Phil Hughes and New York to their eighth straight victory, the Yankees’ longest winning streak since last July.
Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera also hit solo shots to right field in the second inning against starter Jeremy Guthrie (3-4) — all with two strikes. Cano had three hits and three RBIs. Hughes (2-2) struck out a career-high nine in five innings.
Baltimore, which hadn’t homered in four games, saw Ty Wigginton and Adam Jones hit over the wall.
Also on Wednesday it was:
• Tigers 5, Rangers 3
• Athletics 7, Rays 6
• White Sox 7, Twins 4
• Indians 6, Royals 5
• Mariners 1, Angels 0
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, MIAMI
Dan Uggla homered and drove in four runs to help the Florida Marlins beat Arizona 8-6 on Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader overshadowed by the death of the wife of Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis.
In Arizona, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said deputies found the body of 39-year-old Gabrielle Dawn Schoeneweis on the floor of the master bedroom in the family’s home shortly after noon.
Schoeneweis left the team to return to Phoenix.
Pitcher Chris Volstad (3-3) struck out a career-high nine and won for the first time since April 14.
Doug Davis (2-6) was the loser.
REDS 5, PHILLIES 1
At Cincinnati, Aaron Harang (4-4) limited the National League’s highest-scoring lineup to a solo homer, and Brandon Phillips drove in three runs to help Cincinnati snap a four-game losing streak and end Philadelphia’s winning streak at five.
Also on Wednesday it was:
• Braves 12, Rockies 4
• Cardinals 2, Cubs 1
• Astros 6, Brewers 4
• Pirates 2, Nationals 1
• Dodgers 2, Mets 1
• Padres 2, Giants 1
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