AMERICAN LEAGUE
The Tampa Bay Rays crushed the New York Yankees 9-3 on Friday, spoiling the return of Yankees pitcher Javier Vazquez.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Carlos Pena and Willy Aybar both hit two-run homers off Vazquez, who gave up eight runs in five-plus innings in his first appearance for New York since Game Seven of the 2004 American League Championship Series when the Yankees lost to Boston.
He had returned to the Yankees in the offseason after spending five seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Chicago White Sox and the Atlanta Braves.
“The first three innings, I was making good pitches and being aggressive,” Vazquez told reporters. “And then, I didn’t make good pitches after that.”
Rays’ winning pitcher David Price held the Yankees to three runs in a career-high seven-plus innings.
“Had to be the best I’ve ever seen him,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
Maddon was particularly impressed with the variety of pitches the left-hander threw.
“Great fastball command, high velocity, and then he started adding in his curve, his slider and his changeup,” Maddon said.
All nine Rays starting batters recorded at least one hit.
“That was beautiful to see,” Maddon said. “We just got it going on one at-bat after another.”
TIGERS 5, INDIANS 2
In Detroit, Michigan, a fielding error by Cleveland third baseman Jhonny Peralta helped the Detroit Tigers to a 5-2 win over the Indians in Friday’s American League action.
Peralta bobbled a Magglio Ordonez grounder, and his throwing error cleared the bases and gave the Tigers a four-run fifth inning.
Detroit starter Rick Porcello gave up two runs in five-plus innings to take the win, and Jose Valverde got his first save in two chances. Cleveland starter David Huff allowed four runs — just one earned — in six innings to take the loss.
TWINS 4, WHITE SOX 3, 11 INNINGS
In Chicago, Illinois, J.J. Hardy drove in the winner with two outs in the 11th inning as Minnesota beat Chicago for its fourth straight win.
Hardy’s hit scored Joe Mauer, who drew a leadoff walk against Tony Pena and was sacrificed to second by Denard Span. Mauer moved to third on Orlando Hudson’s lineout to deep center. Hardy then hit past diving shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
ATHLETICS 10, ANGELS 4
In Anaheim, California, Oakland sent Los Angeles to its fourth straight defeat.
Daric Barton and Rajai Davis each had three hits and two RBIs and Cliff Pennington added a three-run homer for the A’s.
Pennington’s homer, which gave the Athletics a 10-2 lead, was the 10th allowed by Angels pitchers during their first five games. The three-time defending AL West champs are 1-4 for the first time since 1988.
In other AL play, it was:
Blue Jays 7, Orioles 6
Rangers 6, Mariners 2
Royals 4, Red Sox 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Aaron Rowand drove in the winning run with two outs in the 13th inning, giving the unbeaten San Francisco Giants a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves in the National League in San Francisco on Friday.
Juan Uribe drew a one-out walk from Braves pitcher Kris Medlen in the 13th before stealing second. Uribe went to third on a throwing error, and Rowand’s infield single brought him home.
Earlier, Edgar Renteria hit a tying, two-run homer off Braves closer Billy Wagner in the ninth.
It was the longest home opener in history for the Giants, who improved to 4-0.
In other NL play, it was:
Cardinals 5, Brewers 4
Dodgers 7, Marlins 3
Rockies 7, Padres 0
Reds 5, Cubs 4
Mets 8, Nationals 2
Phillies 8, Astros 0
Diamondbacks 9, Pirates 1
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