Florida’s Josh Johnson held the New York Yankees to three hits over seven innings as the Marlins eked out a 2-1 victory in an interleague game on Saturday. The right-hander (7-1) struck out five and walked two, retiring 11 consecutive batters at one point.
“That’s my kind of game: Get done, get to the dugout and get it over,” Johnson told reporters.
Both teams praised Johnson’s performance.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“I’ve been saying it since last year — J.J.’s one of the best in the game,” Marlins center-fielder Cody Ross said. “Any time he takes the mound, we just have got that confidence.”
New York outfielder Johnny Damon agreed.
“I think he’s one of the best pitchers in the league,” Damon said. “Probably on his best day, he could be the best out there.”
Dan Uggla homered for the Marlins in the second inning and Hanley Ramirez scored on a fielding error by the Yankees’ Damon in the sixth.
“It’s totally unacceptable,” Damon said of misplaying the ball, which glanced off his glove. “I saw that ball all the way and knew exactly what it was doing, knew it was sinking. To miss by an inch or two, that happens. But to miss it by a foot, that’s awful.”
Nick Swisher drove in New York’s run with a single in the seventh.
Former Marlin A. J. Burnett (5-4) took the loss. He struck out eight but gave up five hits and both the runs.
A fatigued Alex Rodriguez, who has been benched for two games, pinch-hit in the eighth inning in his first regular-season at-bat in his hometown this year — and walked.
The Yankees lost for the third time in four games.
TIGERS 9, BREWERS 5
In Detroit, Michigan, Pitcher Alfredo Figaro won his major-league debut, guiding the Detroit Tigers to a win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
Miguel Cabrera and Placido Polanco homered and Cabrera was one of four Tigers to finish with three hits among a team total of 17.
Seven players finished with RBIs.
Detroit opened a three-game lead atop the American League Central division standings while Milwaukee ceded leadership of the National League Central to St Louis.
RED SOX 3, BRAVES 0
In Boston, pitcher Josh Beckett allowed just five singles for his first shutout since joining the club to help the home team blank Atlanta.
Beckett rebounded from giving up a season-high 11 hits in his previous start for his first complete game of the year. He struck out seven and walked none.
Boston catcher Jason Varitek doubled twice and scored twice, helping spoil the homecoming of Red Sox pitcher Derek Lowe, who recorded the loss for the Braves.
RAYS 3, METS 1
In New York, Carlos Pena hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh, lifting Tampa Bay over the Mets.
Rays pitcher James Shields allowed just three hits in seven innings and retired his final 14 batters. He outpitched Mets ace Johan Santana, who was back in fine form following the worst start of his career, not allowing a hit until the fifth.
CARDINALS 7, ROYALS 1
In Kansas City, Missouri, Khalil Greene hit a late three-run homer to help St Louis beat near neighbor Kansas City.
Albert Pujols added a two-run shot in the sixth to put the Cardinals up 3-0 before Greene sealed victory in the ninth.
Chris Carpenter had another impressive display, outpitching Brian Bannister.
ORIOLES 6, PHILLIES 5
In Philadelphia, Brian Roberts hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth to give Baltimore a dramatic win over the home team.
The Phillies took a 5-3 lead on flu-stricken Ryan Howard’s three-run homer in the seventh, but Baltimore rallied against Ryan Madson, who has two blown saves and two losses this week in place of the injured Brad Lidge.
ASTROS 6, TWINS 5
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Houston scored four times in the seventh inning to overhaul Minnesota.
Lance Berkman and Michael Bourn homered for the Astros.
In other interleague action it was:
• Cubs 6, Indians 5, 13 inns
• Dodgers 6, Angels 4
• Giants 2, Rangers 1, 11 inns
• Rockies 9, Pirates 7
• Athletics 6, Padres 3
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