The MLB Report /Scores and fast facts
American League
Boston 6, Baltimore 5 (11): One day after being victimized by the greatest comeback in Orioles history, the Red Sox staged an improbable rally of their own with a four-run ninth inning. Jonathan Papelbon became Boston’s career saves leader (133) by closing out the O’s.
Toronto 5, Tampa Bay 0: Ricky Romero pitched four-hit ball over eight innings, and the Blue Jays ended the Rays’ seven-game winning streak. Romero, who took a no-hitter into the seventh in his last start, matched the longest outing of his career in winning his third straight start.
Texas 9, L. A. Angels 7: Hank Blalock’s second homer of the game, a two-run shot with two outs in the ninth inning, won it for the Rangers, who moved within a half-game of the Angels in the AL West.
Minnesota 5, Kansas City 1: Twins catcher Joe Mauer went 3 for 3, raising his average to .392. Mauer’s 240 plate appearances are eight shy of the 3.1 per game he needs to qualify for the batting title.
Oakland 5, Detroit 1: Jason Giambi and Jack Cust broke out of funks with two-run homers for the A’s. Giambi’s drive in the sixth off Justin Verlander was home run No. 407, tying him with Duke Snider for 43rd place.
Chicago White Sox 6, Cleveland 2: Jose Contreras got a rare road win as the right-hander, shipped to the minors earlier this season, pitched eight superb innings for the White Sox.
National League
L. A. Dodgers 1, Colorado 0: Rafael Furcal had a pinch hit, RBI single in the eighth inning, helping the Dodgers win the final game of Manny Ramirez’s 50-game drug suspension. The Dodgers were 29-21 during the slugger’s absence.
Cincinnati 1, Arizona 0: Right-hander Johnny Cueto settled in after two wild innings to lift the Reds over the slumping Diamondbacks. Arizona managed only an infield hit during six innings against Cueto (8-4) and a bunt single off the bullpen. Chicago Cubs 4, Pittsburgh 1: The Cubs won the series rubber game to avoid falling three games under .500 for the first time since they were 36-39 in 2007.
Florida 5, Washington 3: Hanley Ramirez extended his RBI streak to 10 games and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Marlins remained unbeaten in nine games against the Nationals this year.
Atlanta 11, Philadelphia 1: Jair Jurrjens allowed his first hit with two outs in the seventh inning on a night the Braves finally gave him some run support, beating the reeling Phillies.
St. Louis 2, Giants 1 (10): Cardinals rookie Colby Rasmus hit a leadoff homer in the 10th inning after rookie third baseman Pablo Sandoval dropped his foul pop fly earlier in the at-bat, giving St. Louis the victory.
Houston 7, San Diego 1: Brian Moehler won his third straight decision and the Astros scored six runs in the fourth inning, dealing the Padres their 11th loss in their last 16 home games.
Around the horn
All-Star Game: Baseball is expanding All- Star rosters yet again. Each league will have 33 players for the July 14 game at St. Louis, with an extra pitcher added to bring the total to 13. The commissioner’s office said the extra spot will be a manager’s choice.
Baltimore Orioles: Pitcher Koji Uehara will be sidelined roughly two months after an examination of his ailing right elbow revealed a partial tear of the flexor tendon.
On the Web
• Follow major league baseball and the Bisons on the “Inside Pitch” blog located at buffalonews.com/blogs
Compiled from News and wire service reports.
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