Thursday’s games
American League
Twins 9, Indians 0: At Minneapolis, Brad Radke pitched a three-hitter, and Jason Bartlett’s homer sparked a five-run fifth inning in Minnesota’s victory over Cleveland.
Red Sox 2, Tigers 1: At Detroit, Bronson Arroyo took a no-hit bid into the seventh, and David Ortiz’s tiebreaking double in the ninth sent Boston to a victory over Detroit. Arroyo (4-0) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out eight in eight innings, his longest outing of the season.
White Sox 2, Royals 1: At Chicago, Jose Contreras pitched four-hit ball for eight innings, and Chicago scored twice in the eighth without a hit to beat Kansas City. Contreras (1-0) outpitched Royals starter Zack Greinke, leading the White Sox to their fifth straight win. They have the best record in the major leagues at 21-7.
Devil Rays 6, Yankees 2: At St. Petersburg, Fla., the team with baseball’s largest payroll dropped its third straight to low-budget Tampa Bay, falling into a tie for last place in the A.L. East. Mark Hendrickson pitched effectively into the eighth, and Alex Sanchez homered and scored four times for the Devil Rays. Tampa Bay won a series against New York for the first time since September 2002 by taking three of four from the seven-time defending division champions.
National League
Mets 7, Phillies 5: At New York, David Wright shattered his bat against the ground after striking out with the bases loaded in the third, then hit a tiebreaking double in the fifth to lead New York to a victory over Philadelphia. New York’s Mike Piazza had four hits, including a three-run homer off Tim Worrell in the eighth.
Brewers 6, Cubs 5: At Milwaukee, Carlos Lee’s bloop single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth allowed Milwaukee to edge Chicago for its seventh straight victory. Chicago lost its fifth straight game to fall a season-low three games below .500.
Braves 9, Astros 3: At Atlanta, John Thomson pitched a three-hitter, Adam LaRoche had a career-high four RBIs and Atlanta cruised past Houston. Thomson gave up two runs in the first, but retired 27 of the last 29 hitters he faced in a dominating performance.
Padres 8, Cardinals 3: At St. Louis, Brian Giles had four hits and five RBIs in San Diego’s victory over St. Louis, which turned the first triple play in the major leagues this season. Giles ended a 0-for-22 slump by hitting a three-run homer and going 4 for 5, including an eighth-inning single that drove in the go-ahead run.
Pirates 6, Diamondbacks 2: At Phoenix, Jose Castillo, playing for the first time since April 6, had three hits – including a solo homer and an RBI triple – and scored twice to lead Pittsburgh to a win over Arizona. Jason Bay and Jack Wilson also had solo homers for Pittsburgh, and Dave Williams ended his three-game losing streak