Ventura Returns In Dramatic Style

Just over four months after grotesquely dislocating and breaking his right ankle when he slid into home plate during a March 21 exhibition game, Robin Ventura returned Thursday night to the Chicago White Sox.

Ventura celebrated his return in a most satisfying and dramatic way, doubling in the winning run in the eighth inning as the White Sox defeated the Texas Rangers 2-1 at Chicago.

“I never reflected that it was the end, even though it possibly could have been. It was just mentally better for me trying to rehab, to walk, to run and then see if could play,” Ventura said.

Red Sox 3, Athletics 0

Boston

Boston’s Jeff Suppan and two relievers combined on a six-hitter, and Nomar Garciaparra doubled, tripled and homered.

On the same day the Red Sox announced that their next pitching phenom, 21-year-old right-hander Brian Rose, will make his major league debut tonight against Anaheim, the 22-year-old Suppan (5-0) held the A’s to four hits.

Royals 5, Twins 3

Minneapolis

Yamil Benitez hit a three-run homer in his first A.L. at-bat and Kansas City won consecutive games for the first time since June 26-27.

Blue Jays 5, Brewers 4

Toronto

Carlos Delgado’s club-record third grand slam of the season and Toronto’s second in as many games powered the Blue Jays’ win.

Angels vs. Yankees

New York

The game between Anaheim and New York was postponed by rain, and no immediate makeup date was announced.

It was the last scheduled game of the year between Anaheim and New York at Yankee Stadium.