NEW YORK – The Yankees and White Sox got into a new kind of pitcher’s duel. Roger Clemens gave up eight runs and left in the second inning. Then Jon Garland did the same.
It took exactly 1 hour to play the second inning Thursday, as New York and Chicago each scored eight runs. It was only the second time in major league history both teams scored eight or more in an inning. The first was only a little more than three years ago, when visiting Detroit scored eight and Texas had 10 in the fifth inning of the Rangers’ 16-15, 10-inning win. Thursday’s game marked the first time in big league history that two teams combined for 16 runs in a second inning. Several had tallied 14.
Indians 5, Rangers 0
CLEVELAND – Jake Westbrook ended the longest winless stretch of his career just in time for the slumping Cleveland Indians, who stopped a four-game losing skid with a 5-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday.
Westbrook (2-6) picked up his first win since April 27 – a span of nine starts – by allowing five hits in six innings. The right-hander, who signed a $33 million, three-year contract extension in April, spent nearly six weeks on the disabled list with a strained side muscle.
Pirates 5, Cardinals 4
PITTSBURGH – Pinch-hitter Jose Castillo singled home the winning run with two outs in the 11th inning Thursday and the Pittsburgh Pirates, taking advantage of an earlier ejection, beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4.
Padres 11, Arizona 0
SAN DIEGO – Jake Peavy and Morgan Ensberg helped the slumping San Diego Padres get back on their feet, just in time to face Barry Bonds.
Peavy struck out 10 to pass 1,000 for his career and Ensberg hit two two-run homers in his first start with the Padres, helping San Diego to an 11-0 win over first-place Arizona on Thursday.
Mets 12, Brewers 4
MILWAUKEE – Already fighting to stay in first place, the Milwaukee Brewers are now scuffling among themselves.
Catcher Johnny Estrada and manager Ned Yost nearly tangled in a dugout tunnel late in Thursday’s 12-4 loss to the New York Mets, the Brewers’ 10th defeat in 14 games.
Phillies 10, Cubs 6
CHICAGO – Pat Burrell homered and Jayson Werth drove in four runs Thursday as the Philadelphia Phillies had 16 hits and beat the Chicago Cubs 10-6.
Nationals 7, Reds 3
WASHINGTON – Ryan Zimmerman and the rest of Washington’s suddenly potent offense gave Cincinnati starter Phil Dumatrait a rude welcome to the major leagues Thursday night, and the Nationals beat the Reds 7-3 to cap a three-game sweep. Zimmerman had three hits, drove in three runs and, on defense, made a slick backhanded stab while down on a knee to grab Jeff Conine’s high hopper to third base leading off the seventh inning.
Rockies 4, Marlins 3
MIAMI – Matt Holliday doubled home the tying run in the eighth inning and scored on Garrett Atkins’ sacrifice fly, helping the Colorado Rockies beat the Florida Marlins 4-3 Thursday night.
Comments are no longer available on this story