Baldelli, Rays come through again
Rocco Baldelli’s career nearly came to an end during spring training. Five months later, he’s delivering key hits to spark Tampa Bay’s surprising playoff drive.
Baldelli hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning and the A.L. East-leading Rays came back from a four-run deficit to beat the Baltimore Orioles 10-9 on Saturday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Baldelli missed most of the season with a mitochondrial disorder, a condition that slows muscle recovery and causes fatigue. His return was uncertain.
The Rays, a major league-best 51-19 at home, have won the first two games of the three-game set and improved to 12-0-1 in series play since the All-Star break.
Other A.L. highlights
Blue Jays 7, Yankees 6: At New York, Vernon Wells hit a two-run homer and a key error by second baseman Robinson Cano helped Toronto rally from four runs down for a victory. The Yankees are seven games back of Boston in the wild-card race with only 28 to play.
Red Sox 8, White Sox 2: At Boston, Dustin Pedroia went 4 for 4 for the second straight game and the Red Sox beat Chicago.
Athletics 3, Twins 2: At Oakland, Calif., Bobby Crosby and Emil Brown both scored on a throwing error in the ninth as the A’s beat Minnesota. The Twins remain one-half game behind the White Sox in the Central.
N.L. highlights
Phillies 5, Cubs 2: At Chicago, Jayson Werth homered twice, Ryan Howard hit his major league-leading 37th homer and Philadelphia ended the Central-leading Cubs’ seven-game winning streak.
Marlins 4, Mets 3: At Miami, Aaron Heilman issued a bases-loaded walk to Josh Willingham in the ninth inning as Florida beat New York. The Mets’ lead over Philadelphia in the East was cut to one game.
Brewers 11, Pirates 3: At Pittsburgh, Corey Hart and Mike Cameron homered to lead Milwaukee past the Pirates.
Astros 8, Cardinals 5: At Houston, Ty Wigginton and Hunter Pence hit home runs to lead the Astros past St. Louis. The Cardinals are 5 1/2 games back of the Brewers in the wild-card race.
Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 2: At Phoenix, Manny Ramirez homered twice and Los Angeles beat Arizona, moving to within 3 1/2 games of the West-leading Diamondbacks.
Clearing the bases
Joba Chamberlain breezed through 35 pitches while facing batters in a simulated game, saying he’s ready to rejoin the Yankees for the stretch run after suffering rotator cuff tendinitis. … Matt Stairs was acquired by the Phillies from Toronto in a trade that wrapped up Saturday. The Blue Jays will receive a player to be named later.