MLB Round up: Johnson beats Cubs again
Yankees pound Twins, Texas five better than Chi-Sox
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 10:08 AM PDT
PHOENIX (AP) — Randy Johnson improved to 13-0 in 14 career starts against Chicago, outdueling Rich Harden.
Johnson (7-7), winning his third straight after six consecutive losses, allowed two hits, struck out four and walked one in seven innings for his 291st victory.
The 44-year-old left-hander entered the game with a 1.98 career ERA against Chicago.
Harden, in his second start for Chicago after a trade with Oakland, allowed one hit in seven innings — Alex Romero’s first major league home run to lead off the sixth. Harden (0-1) went seven innings, striking out 10 and walking two in the Cubs’ fourth loss in five games.
Arizona made it 2-0 in the eighth on Stephen Drew’s RBI triple.
Dodgers 16
Rockies 10
DENVER (AP) — James Loney drove in five runs, including a triple with the bases loaded triple.
Matt Kemp had two doubles as part of Los Angeles’ eight-run first inning.
The Dodgers set season highs in runs, hits (18) and hits in an inning (seven) as they won for the fourth time in five games to remain tied with Arizona for first place in the NL West.
The Dodgers began the game with five straight hits and sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning.
Matt Holliday had three hits, including his 17th homer, and Troy Tulowitzki had a career-high five hits in his first game back since coming off the 15-day disabled list Monday.
NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez had a two-run homer and RBI single to help New York to its eighth straight home win.
Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter homeered for the Yankees, who have won four straight overall.
Alexi Casilla had three hits for the Twins, but the second baseman’s throwing error led to three unearned runs in New York’s four-run second.
Minnesota dropped to 3-17 at Yankee Stadium since the start of the 2002 season. The Twins have lost six straight series in the Bronx.
Johnny Damon was activated from the disabled list and went 1-for-4 serving as the designated hitter for New York (54-45), which improved to a season-best nine games over .500. Jose Molina snapped an 0-for-14 skid with a second-inning single and had a season-high three hits.
Rangers 6
White Sox 1
CHICAGO (AP) — Josh Hamilton hit a three-run homer and Hank Blalock added a two-run shot to power Texas.
Hamilton hit his 22nd homer in the third off Javier Vazquez, as the White Sox lost their third straight, all at home.
Blalock added his fourth homer in the eighth and Texas (52-48) tied its season-best mark, at four games over .500.
The Rangers took two of three from the White Sox before the All-Star break.
Chicago’s Carlos Quentin led off the fourth with his 24th homer.
