SEATTLE — Alex Liddi hit the first major league grand slam by an Italian-born player since Detroit’s Reno Bertoia on May 7, 1958, and the Seattle Mariners took two of three from division-leading Texas with a 5-3 win over the
SEATTLE — Alex Liddi hit the first major league grand slam by an Italian-born player since Detroit’s Reno Bertoia on May 7, 1958, and the Seattle Mariners took two of three from division-leading Texas with a 5-3 win over the Rangers on Wednesday.
Liddi made Texas manager Ron Washington pay for the decision to pitch around Dustin Ackley with one out in the fifth inning. Ackley was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Liddi lined the first pitch from Scott Feldman (0-2) just over the yellow line on top of the left-field wall for his third homer this season. He also doubled and scored Seattle’s first run.
Kevin Millwood (3-4) allowed three hits in six shutout innings, and Brandon League pitched the ninth for his ninth save.
ANGELS 3, ATHLETICS (11)
OAKLAND, Calif. — Alberto Callaspo hit a go-ahead two-run double in the 11th inning against Justin Norberto (0-1).
Angels starter Jered Weaver allowed one run and three hits in eight innings, missing a chance to become the majors’ first seven-game winner.
RED SOX 6, ORIOLES 5
BALTIMORE — Daniel Nava broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth with a solo homer off Jake Arrieta (2-5), and Kelly Shoppach greeted Luis Ayala with a two-run drive.
Scott Podsednik, in his first start for Boston, added a solo shot in the eighth off Darren O’Day.
Yankees 8, Royals 3
NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez gave Will Smith a rude welcome to the major leagues, hitting two homers off the rookie to back another strong start for Andy Pettitte.
A-Rod snapped a 52 at-bat homerless drought, and Curtis Granderson also connected off Smith.
Derek Jeter had three hits to tie Paul Waner for 15th on the all-time list with 3,152.
Indians 4, Tigers 2
CLEVELAND — Jason Kipnis had three hits and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning for the Indians.
Kipnis singled off the glove of Phil Coke (1-1) with one out and took third on a double into the left-field corner by Asdrubal Cabrera.
Travis Hafner then grounded to first baseman Prince Fielder, whose low throw handcuffed catcher Gerald Laird for an error as Kipnis dove into the plate to score.
White Sox 6, Twins 0
CHICAGO — Chris Sale pitched seven sharp innings for the White Sox, and Paul Konerko and Alex Rios backed him with home runs.
Sale (5-2) held Minnesota to two hits and two walks, striking out six batters.
RAYS 5, BLUE JAYS 4 (11)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rich Thompson was hit by a pitch from Darren Oliver (0-2) starting the 11th and scored on B.J. Upton’s one-out double.
