Associated Press
Posted: 3:07 am
July 14, 2008
The Rays lost their seventh straight game yesterday, sending baseball's feel-good story into the All-Star break on a sour note.
Jhonny Peralta drove in three runs and the Indians beat Scott Kazmir and Tampa Bay, 5-2, to complete a four-game sweep in Cleveland.
Peralta's two-run homer off Kazmir (7-5) gave Cleveland a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning and helped knock the Rays out of first place in the AL East. They trail Boston by a half game after holding a five-game lead on the division last Monday morning.
The Indians entered the series having lost 10 straight, their worst streak since 1979, but outscored the Rays 31-8.
Red Sox 2, Orioles 1
In Boston, Daisuke Matsuzaka (10-1) pitched six scoreless innings for Boston, which reclaimed the AL East lead for the first time since June 28. Daniel Cabrera (6-5) fell to 2-10 lifetime against the Red Sox.
Angels 4, Athletics 3
In Oakland, Erick Aybar's infield single drove in the winning run with two outs in the ninth for the Angels.
Rangers 12, White Sox 11
In Arlington, All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler extended his majors-best hitting streak to 25 games with three hits and drove in three runs for Texas. Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye homered for Chicago (54-40), which had 22 hits.
Tigers 4, Twins 2
In Detroit, Justin Verlander (7-9) pitched seven sharp innings as the Tigerst avoided a four-game sweep.
Mariners 4, Royals 3
In Kansas City, Adrian Beltre scored the go-ahead run on an error in the ninth for Seattle.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Phillies 4, D'backs 3
In Philadelphia, Pat Burrell hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Phillies held their NL East lead.
Brewers 3, Reds 2
In Milwaukee, CC Sabathia homered in his first National League complete game to help Milwaukee avoid being swept by Cincinnati. Sabathia became the first pitcher to hit home runs in both leagues in one season since Earl Wilson did it in 1970 for Detroit and San Diego.
Braves 12, Padres 3
In San Diego, All-Star catcher Brian McCann homered and drove in three runs for Atlanta, which goes into the break at 45-50, 6½ games behind the Phillies in the NL East.
Giants 4, Cubs 2
In Chicago, Tim Lincecum (11-2) pitched eight strong innings to hand Ryan Dempster (10-4) his first loss at Wrigley Field.
Cardinals 11, Pirates 6
In Pittsburgh, Aron Miles drove in five runs with a home run and a triple for St. Louis.
Astros 5, Nationals 0
In Washington, Brandon Backe (6-9) pitched seven-plus innings and helped himself with a pair of hits to lead Houston.
Dodgers 9, Marlins 1
In Los Angeles, Chad Billingsley (9-8) had a career-high 13 strikeouts without walking a batter as the Dodgers avoided a four-game sweep.
